I'm on vacation! Finally. It feels like its been years since my break in July. But maybe July wasn't really a good break since we ended up in PA for my grandfathers bypass surgery. I'm off til the 27th and I have absolutely no idea what to do with myself. At first we were going to PA, but that got squashed. I love my family and all but I spent last vacation up there. I want to do something different this time. We were planning on going to NYC for a few days but its damn near impossible to find a decent price on a hotel room. Savannah, Charleston, everywhere.....$, $, $.

Brian's got something up his sleeve now. He said its something we won't go broke over and I will really love it. I already love him because he got me a BJ's birthday cake! Its a few days early, but now I can indulge in it all weekend long. His mom stopped by and dropped off a few gifts for me. I loved every single one of them. Funny how your taste in gifts changes over a decade. When I was 18 I got tickets to an Allman Bros Band concert (which I'd still accept) and a set of shot glasses and Smirnoff vodka. Now, I'm excited about a Takeout Menu Organizer, a tomato keeper, and a spice rack. Can't wait to see what ten years will bring me.....

I think the best birthday gift of all will be my "niece," Onyella. She is the daughter of my best friend Laura and she's expected to meet the world on September 21st. I wouldn't be mad at all if she decided to come out a few days early-----say, the 19th. I can share a day with her. I can't wait to spoil her the way a fake aunt does. I wish so much I could spend more time with Laura and soon to be Onyella. Maybe this will make me stop complaining about the drive and head north more often than I do. What's four hours anyway? Hell, I've sat in traffic longer than that on my way to work! Laura and I have gone through thick and thin since we were 13. I can't wait to have the priveledge of meeting her daughter. That and I'll finally have someone to buy all those cutsie outfits I see in the stores!!