I can't believe she is 8 years old! It doesn't seem like we've had her for nearly that long!

We went back to Asheville this weekend. We have been there three weekends in a row and are going back next weekend, too. The good news is we have made a lot of progress on the barn. Moving forward, we are stopping all work on the barn to concentrate on the tumbleweed house and then we can get back to the barn. So, that means the wall cladding will have to wait. I am okay with that decision.

This past weekend we went up with mtn_hermit for a birthday extravaganza and work weekend. He helped Matt finish the ceiling, which was pretty quick. We also delivered the ATV up to the land. We started on the wall but a miscaluclation will cause us to start over. Luckily, we had only started a small test wall.

Here are some Photos of our adventures this week.
( Photos! )

We also went into Asheville to celebrate our birthdays, since all of us had one coming up. (Mine was Sunday, of course. mtn_hermit on Wednesday and oneandonlymatt on Thursday.) We had dinner at The Thirsty Monk, which was divine! Steak Frites! I can't stop thinking about them. Then we ended at Sante for dessert. Yum.

My kitty is 7 years old today!
( picture of Piggy behind this cut...click for cuteness )

Piglet is such an awesome cat. I wouldn't know what to do without her around.

Today is the birthday of the one and only oneandonlymatt! Yay! Happy Birthday!

And, if he ever used his journal, I would suggest saying Happy Birthday over there, but alas if you are inclined you'll need to post your well-wishes here and I can pass them on!

Thanks everyone for my birthday well-wishes.

We're back from Asheville. The more we go up there, the more I want to stay.

( Asheville Birthday Adventures )

I am about to head out of town. I have about 20 minutes left in the office and then I have to get home, change and then we'll leave for Asheville. My birthday is on Saturday. I *heart* birthdays!

( the birthday plan, if you care... )

I might actually have internet access on the mountain. But if I don't, I'll see you all next week!

May you know the joy that is Donny Osmond today.
Enjoy your birthday!
Love, your Sister

I *love* birthdays. I love love love them. I don't need presents or anything, just smiles and well wishes.

Matt did get some things for me, though. He got me a Hermes statue (and it is more lovely than I expected) which completes my collection of Olympians. Also - I did't know this at the time but we bought some white shelves for the back of the upstairs hallway that will be for all of the Olympian statues. I figured we just bought them, but he said they were part of my present. He is so sweet to me.

The girls in my office went crazy with the presents - they got me an entire set of out door dishes for the gazebo along with a string of lantern lights for the deck. It is so much stuff! I told them they didn't need to do all that.

Tonight radiantbaby and mtn_hermit are coming over as they usually do on Thursdays but we'll be joined by justben and we won't be watching Battlestar Galactica. Instead we are going to go to the Olde Towne Bistro right up the street for dinner and some drinks. We'll probably eat in the restaurant but then move to the bar for a drink or two after that - just because the bar is so cool.

This weekend we will probably go out with our friend Chad and a friend of his who's birthday is on Monday - same day as Matt's. Then for Matt's birthday on Monday we have reservations for just the two of us at Seasons 52.

I love birthdays.