The Last of My 20's

This weekend, I have already began the birthday celebration! Friday, Bruce and Olive threw me a rockin' birthday party. I had a great time. It was at Small Plates in Royal Oak. A lot of people came a long way to wish my 20's goodbye. Robert and Heather traveled all the way from Ohio. (Thanks Guys!!!) Chris, Ann and Jeff came down from St. Clair County. While my Mom and Dad drove out from Manchester. Karyn made it a long way down from New Lothrop (which is just about an hour south of the Mackinac Bridge (and or in Saginaw County.) And of course my birthday regulars - Angie and Olive - who for the last couple years have always managed to find time to help me celebrate - thank you ladies. And we even had a surprise appearance by Jaime Kaye Walters (who is leaving soon for Europe and thought she wouldn't be able to make the event.) And of course a staple of every birthday for the last six years - the reappearance of the Cat Bag. I had a wonderful time. I really appreciate everyone who made it such a fun and special evening.

Here are some pictures from the big night:

Karyn, Heather & Robert.

Bruce and my very delicious cake.

Can you tell that I get a little excited about birthdays?

Oh yeah and no one thought it was a good idea for me to cut the cake when they saw the size of that knife.

Year six (and the 12th exchange) of the cat bag...

Jeff, Ann and I.

My birthday regulars - Olive and Angie. :)

I guess you could call these to the original birthday regulars.
My Dad, Mom and I.

Chris & I

Bruce, Chris and I

Yes on tomorrow, I will exit the 20's and turn 30. We all know that Sex and the City made the 30's the new 20's so really I am not going far. But I think a change like this makes you look back at the last ten years. I am not sure I did this at 20 because really when you are that age and in college it's all about 21. However, now that I am older (and I am gonna to say wiser, but that is always debatable) I am going to take a look back at the my 20's - because they hold a lot of firsts for me.

21: Graduation from College
21: Go to Europe (Austria, Slovenia & Germany)
21: Moved to the Big City.... (Kansas City)
21: First real job (with paycheck that could be used for things like rent.)
21: Leave "First Real Job" for better job
22: First marathon
22: Produce First Shows with Major News Story
23: Move back to Michigan
23: Job Three: Producer at WDIV
23: Met Bruce for the first time (and consequently started dating)
24: Go to Europe with Bruce (Germany & Italy)
25: Bought my "First House" in Berkley
25: Got engaged
25: Retired from Television
25: Started in PR at The Henry Ford
25: Became an Aunt
26: Got Married
26: Started Teaching
27: Bruce & I move to Attica
27: Became an Aunt Again
28: Apply for Graduate School & Got in
28: Started Graduate School
28: Win G. Love's Biggest Fan Contest!!!
28: Head to Europe For School & Meet the 7:11 Crew
29: Head back to Europe in the Spring (Czech Republic, Bratislava & Austria)
29: Attend Sex in the City Premiere and after party in NYC with Mary.
29: Head back to Europe to finish Grad Program (Germany, France, Switzerland & England)
29: Graduate from Grad School

So looking back it's been a very eventful decade. I feel like I am in a really good place right now. Despite requesting that I get botox for my birthday and as of right now there is no signs that anyone has purchased a gift certificate for me. So I will head into my thirties with my wrinkles that are only bound to grow.

But here is a really cool thing my dad did for my birthday besides getting me a card that plays the perfect song for me to dance the robot and a Tim Horton's gift card. He scanned in all of the pictures he had from my birthdays growing up. It maybe the best present I have received. Thanks Dad!!!