Birthday Adventures of Super Panda

Saturday, October 12th started out like most Saturdays- weights and spinning at the gym, followed by a few errands.
However, there was also a magnificent plan for the afternoon- Debbie was hosting a birthday party for me! What ensued was a fun filled ladies' event (that is, until Milo stopped by). Thank you Debbie for throwing such a lovely bash! To my gals- y'all know I've got nothing but love for you. You all enrich my life in so many ways. I am forever grateful that I have you all in my life.

Here are a few pics from Saturday... the afternoon plans included a game of croquet.
Andrea, Erika, Nicole, Megan

Andrea, Emila, and Andrea waiting for their turn

Debbie was in last place!

Megs!

Nik and Erika

My turn!

These girls were in it to win it!

Nik won- by default. The default being that we all quit.

After a friendly game of croquet, it was time for dinner. Debbie prepared drunken shrimp (with 3 different dipping sauces), jasmine rice (lemon and basil flavored), along with cous cous, a cucumber salad, all topped off with a lovely toast, Dom Perignon style. Before the hubby arrived to join in on the festivities, I gave the gals my thank you gift- for making all my days brighter, and my life happier. I gave them personalized notes, with framed pictures, and a take home truffle treat.
Then it was my turn to open gifts! My gals totally know the way to my heart... Andrea got me a lovely bracelet- engraved with my name, and the word COURAGE. Totally fitting for this year!
Here I am opening Emila's gift...

Oh no, she didn't!

Totally loving the Sprinkles Cupcakes Red Velvet mix. I cannot wait to make it- perhaps on my new cakelet pan?

Here I am making out with one of Nik's gifts- who totally surprised me with all the beautiful and wonderful things she gave.

After the gifts, it was time for some cake.

Make a wish!

Yummy red velvet!

To cap off the night, group pictures!
Megan, Erika, Emila, Nicole, Andrea and Debbie

Meg, Nik, and me!

Meg, Nik, Emila and me

Me with the love of my life...


All this, and my birthday isn't even until Tuesday, the 14th!
Thanks to everyone who has helped me celebrate my birthday!

Life is GRAND!
Super Panda

A Beautiful Way to End the Week

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.

Reflections

As I turn 26 this year, I've come to a few realizations...

- That I no longer am a child. I definitely feel more grown up as I turn 26. I feel like this is such a defining moment for me, and I really think that it's all because I've lost a parent.

- This year has definitely been an insane year for me. Nothing will ever be the same-for the years to come. I have been living with such grief, that it has been hard to function at times. This birthday is definitely a bittersweet moment.

- I actually am okay with my birthday this year... I've had some sort of acceptance/ peace with it. I'm sure it also has to do with my dad passing- that this is inevitable, and I can't resist change.

- The future shines brightly ahead. That I feel in my heart and just know.
I am grateful for this.

Life is GRAND!
Super Panda

Mr. March 2009

Whenever the hubby's at a fire, he takes tons of pictures. He submitted a few pictures for consideration for a 2009 calendar. This picture won and is now featured in a 2009 Wildland firefighter calendar.

Order yours today from The Supply Cache.

Weekend Update

Saturday:

Tea party at Meg's mom's house. Such a great time with the ladies.
Thank you Meg and Jan for hosting. Such good food and great company- what more could you ask for? Definitely an awesome way to kick off birthday month. Pictures to come later.

After tea, Megan and I saw Fireproof. The movie was cheesy, and the acting was terrible, but it had a great message.

Sunday:
Church, then hung out with the fam- doing some light shopping. HA!
After that, it was off to celebrate Hunter's 21st birthday. Saw Flash of Genius and ate at Jar.

All in all, a great weekend!
I cannot wait til this week is over, because the hubby would be home!!

Life is GRAND!
Super Panda

Friday, Fun Day!

So this morning, I woke up with the sharpest pain in my stomach. It was before the sun even rose, and it was horrible! I thought for sure I would be headed to the hospital. But, long story short, no hospital, and here I am sitting at work, ready for the weekend. I'm exhausted though. It's been a long, tough, busy week.

And so I'll end the work week with this... every night, I write down 5 things I'm grateful for. Today, I will share a few of those things...

I AM GRATEFUL FOR

*girlfriends
*my life of abundance
*the week that is almost over, and the one ahead

Life is GRAND!
Super Panda

Better In Time

Perhaps this song wasn't written for circumstances like mine. However, I find that this song speaks volumes to me, especially since I heard it on my way home from therapy last night. It definitely was a sign of hope for me... that I will get better in time, and the pain I feel regarding my dad won't be as bad with time.

Better In Time- Leona Lewis

It's been the longest winter without you
I didn't know where to turn to
See somehow i can't forget you
After all that we've been through

Going
Coming
Thought i heard a knock(Whose there, Noone?)
Thinking that (I deserve it)
Now i have realised
that i really didn't knooOooOw

If you didn't notice
You mean everything (quickly I'm learning)
To love again (all i know is)
I'm be oooOook

Thought i couldn't live without you
It's going to hurt when it heals too
Oh yeaah (It'll All get better in time)
Even though i really love you
I'm gonna smile because i deserve too
Oooh(It'll all get better in time)

I couldn't turn on the TV
Without something that would remind me
Was it all that easy?
To just put us out your feeling

If i'm dreamin
Don't want to let it (hurt my feelings)
But that's the past (i believe it)
And i know that, time will heal it

If you didn't notice
Well you mean everything (quickly i'm learning)
Oooh turn up again (All i know is)
I'm be ok

Thought i couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
Oooh yeah(It'll all get better in time)
Even though i really love you
I'm gonna smile because i deserve too oooooh(It'll all get better in time)

Since there's no more you and me (No more you and me)
This time i let you go so i can be free
And Live my life how it should be(No No No No No No)
No matter how hard it is
I will be fine without you
Yes i Will

Thought i couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
Oooh(It'll all get better in time)
Even though i really loved you
I'm gonna smile cos i deserve too yes i do(It'll all get better in time)

Life is GRAND!
Super Panda