Age is JUST a number (and some Bon Jovi Eye Candy)

Yes- Age is just a number- and usually a very overrated one at that- as spoken by someone who celebrated a Milestone Birthday last Friday. I am a firm believer in dragging out Birthday Celebrations to their fullest and celebrating Birthday Week as well as Birthday Month if I can! My Birthday Month started on March 1 at my favorite Home Away From Home- Inspired Needle in Lemont. 2 Tuesdays a month is Stitch Night and this is a time for a group of us to get together, often for dinner beforehand, and then spend the evening stitching and talking and laughing. The women involved have become very special to me, so it was a major surprise when they had a cake and presents. Their present turned out to be a beautiful circular box that had a design on it that they had ALL stitched on and left their initials on as well. It is such a special piece- one that I will treasure forever- as well as their friendship. (Laura blogged about my birthday before I did- here is her post)

Birthday Week started with a few days of some yummy lunches out and in at school. My team celebrated my birthday and my teammate Laurie's birthday with a delicious homemade ice cream cake and presents. Last Wed. a group of my friends and I all went to see Bon Jovi at the United Center in Chicago!! I had never seen him before and I can't wait to see him again! He sang for almost 3 hours straight- it was amazing! ( Another friend was at the show down in front (row 6) and so these pics were taken by her). Great friends- great band- great musician- great show- GREAT NIGHT!

Friday- Birthday Day was great- I had a sub for some meetings (best gift ever) and after school some friends took me out - great way to end the work week and the day!

Mike told me I needed to be home around 6:30 because we were planning to go out with some friends that night. It turned out he had planned a surprise party for me that was held at a friend's house! They did an awesome job keeping it from me and I was truly surprised- good job Mike! Lots of friends, kids, food... It was a great time!!!

Finally, Sunday, I got together with my best college girlfriends and we met up in Schaumberg for lunch and celebrating. All in all, as much as I dreaded this birthday, it did turn out to be a very fun one- and hey- the month still has 2 more weeks in it to go and a couple more get togethers planned!!!