Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was a great day! Even though I didn't get quite everything accomplished off of my anticipated "things I want to do" list, I did most of them. I think the only thing that got overlooked was the nap, but every time I try and schedule a nap in my day, it NEVER happens. Oh well, who needs sleep?

I woke up to find the best birthday gift waiting for me to open.

I was so excited when I opened this baby. It's the Polar F7 HRM that I asked for. I've been looking at HRM's for awhile now, and I finally just told Toly to pick one out and surprise me because I couldn't decide. I haven't tried it out yet (it's been raining) but I intend to give it a test run tomorrow afternoon!

I then proceeded on to make a magical birthday bowl of oats. I wanted this one to be superb so I basically just Incorporated every favorite ingredient into this and it came out FANTASTIC. My Birthday Oats was comprised of oats (of course), 1/2 banana, dried cherries, pumpkin, cinnamon and with the topping of frozen cherries (that melted into the hot oats), blackberries, cherry jam, dark chocolate PB, and 1/2 of a oatmeal cherry cookie crumbled.

HEAVEN!

I was pleasantly full after this so I let myself digest a bit before I headed out on my 8 mile run. Unfortunately, the rain resorted me to the treadmill but I was still determined to set my new PR. I was feeling good and ready to go. I started out steady and was feeling great up until around mile 5 (got a little bloated and crampy but I worked through it and mile 6-8 were just fine). Well, around mile 7 that is when it happened. The machine stopped and went right into a cool down. "Wait, I'm not done!" I said to it, but it apparently didn't hear me. So I guess this machine has a maximum time frame of an hour with a 10 min. cool down and that's it. Ughhh, how obnoxious when you're set on doing a PR and the machine won't let you! So, during the 10 min. cool down, I basically sprinted but it was very annoying because after each min. the speed decreased which forced me to keep upping the speed and interrupting my concentration. Anyways, I ended up finishing at 7.98 in 70 min. Not exactly what I set out for, but close enough. Has anyone else heard of a treadmill having a max time frame?

After my run, I came home, cleaned the bathrooms, did some laundry, and then quickly showered to meet Toly and my parents for lunch. We met at Cafe Magnolia which is a small, locally owned cafe right down the street from our house. This is my FAVORITE lunch spot around here. The food is outstanding and everything is freshly and uniquely made to order. I got my favorite. The Porto spinach wrap with goat cheese. So good!

Toly and Me and my parents at lunch

After lunch, my dad surprised me with my Easter basket.

Wow, are we related or what? Funny how most kids are so thrilled to get a basket full of candy and I was elated when I saw my basket full of veggies! He knows me so well. :)

I then went on to my next task, manicure and shopping. I rarely venture to the mall these days (mainly because I just don't enjoy it at all) but I was feeling the need to splurge on myself a little. I found a few cute outfits for our upcoming CA trip and a couple of other little b-day presents for myself. (A wallet, a candle and some body lotion)

By the time I got home, I was exhausted, but sadly there was not really any time to relax. We had dinner reservations at 6:30 at the Melting Pot, but Toly wanted to leave the house around 5:30 to be sure we didn't hit traffic, so that meant, I had little time to get ready and go.

My Melting Pot dinner party was fabulous! Ever since I heard we were getting a Melting Pot in our area, I knew that this is exactly how I wanted to celebrate my bday! Toly planned this great evening with a bunch of our friends and really went all out to make it so special. Dinner was so much fun. Fondue with 10 people is quite an experience but definitely a blast! We must have been there for 4 hours and by the time we got home, Toly and I were crawling up to bed.

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. I am beyond blessed with the best family, friends and husband and celebrating with them all is the only thing I could have ever asked for!

Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes! I am another year older and another year more fulfilled with happiness and love. :)

Jill and Chris

Brian and Sara

Steve and Lena

Me and Brooke (my older sis)