Happy Birthday to Me!!

I am definitely feeling the birthday love today! This has been the best birthday I've had all year ;o) Seriously, so much fun. I went to work and was spoiled with attention, gifts, lunch, and chocolate birthday cake. I was answering my phone every other minute talking with family and friends that called to wish me happy birthday. Someone asked, "Why are you at work on your birthday?" And I said, "Are you kidding, look at how spoiled I am. If I were home, I'd be on the couch watching reruns of Ina. No contest!" :o)

Jen got me a best of 1983 book and we had so much fun looking through it. She got me lots of other little goodies including a porcelain plate that said, "You're the type of friend everyone wishes they had." So sweet! Cristell got me a gift card to Kohls which I'm looking forward to spending. ;o) I've been getting sweet cards in the mail all week too. Sherry sent me a starbucks gift card. Dad was the first this morning to wish me happy birthday (at 12:50 am!) with a text message. I called Granny this afternoon to hear her annual birthday poem that she writes me every year. Super funny and her best yet!

When I got home, Justin had flowers, a huge balloon, and card. I barely had time to enjoy them before we had to rush to dinner at Grill 225. It was delicious. They are well known for their 42-50 day aged steaks. I had no idea you could age steak but it is a process where the humidity, temp, etc is well controlled and allows the connective tissue of the meat to break down naturally (enzymatic) so the meat is super moist. Justin got the filet, I got the tuna tartar tower (so delicious!) and we both had apps and dessert. They put a candle in my dessert so the day was complete :o)

It was really dark in the restaurant and these pics were taken with the phone so you can see the fog but you can sort of see the bubbles under the ice. This is my champagne "nitrotini." It is the specialty drink at 225 that came with a written warning, they are served at -320 degrees and can burn. The drink stays cold for a long time but you have to let the liquid nitrogen wear off first. Super cool!

Such a good meal with wine and great service. The whole sha-bang! We had a blast. And...we get to do it all over tomorrow when my family comes to town. We're going to Virginia's on King Street, a restaurant that boasts good southern food so the Cleveland's should be pleased. Keep you posted.

Thanks so much for all the birthday love and for making this such a special day! If 29 is half as fun as 28, it'll be an awesome year!