Even though the date has passed, it seems like it is still my birthday.  Gifts have continued to roll in from far away lands and it has been fun, fun, fun.

First, I got focus.  In a can.  If you recall, Julie and I lost a lot of focus in the grieving process, so she found a way to give me a little back.



Then, I got this beautiful summer bag I can't WAIT to fill up.



Last night, Michelle, my neighbor (and friend) took me to dinner and gave me one of these.  While all the other pictures are of my actual gifts in actual use in my actual house, this one seemed inappropriate to share in actual action. 



Jacki sent me something that was a surprise - and when I opened it, I wondered what prompted her to pick it for me - it is lovely, but I was curious.  Regardless, I opened it, washed it, and put it to use.  Grace immediately commented that it looked like it needed to be full of lemonade.  Turns out, she was right.  It hasn't been empty since it came out of the box. After a couple days of drinking icy lemonade, I can't HELP but feel like it is summer.  I can see us using this pitcher every day. 



All in all, even though I was wary to enter the 4-0s, I will say that so far, it has been quite good to be 40, with a little help from my friends.  And, of course, Phil.  Who doesn't have to buy me any other presents for a LONG LONG time.  Does this make my finger look old?