Thirty-Three, Baby!

I'm feeling pretty good about this 33 thing. It's such a balanced, symmetrical number. I think that's going to be my theme for the year: a life in balance. Balance has never been my strong suit, but I'm getting better at it!

My birthday this year was an all-day party planned by yours truly. After all, who better to know exactly what I want? And it was fabulous!

I started the day with an early morning run with my friends, Chelle and Catherine. It was a cool, golden morning and we had a great time.

After our run, I headed up to Pentagon City for some serious pampering at one of my favorite places: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Their signature pedicure is ridiculously expensive and ridiculously good--it's a massage and pedicure all in one. Heaven.

My pretty, pampered tootsies!

I took my happy feet back home and then we dropped Tess off at my friend Brandi's house, so I could have a date with Ry. He planned this part, and he did a great job! We went to brunch at a delicious new place I've been wanting to try, Bistro L'Hermitage, and then we took in a movie and saw "Up!"

The love of my life!

Later that night, I met some friends at Tropical Smoothie Cafe for frozen treats. A lot of people couldn't make it, but we had a good time anyway. Except for Chelle, who unknowingly ordered the Fat Buster smoothie and was bouncing off the walls all night long (can we say CAFFEINE?!).

My cute friends:
Stephanie, Chery, Sharon, Me
Chelle, Caroline, Juanita & Brandi

After smoothies, my friend Stephanie treated me to a late night chick flick: The Proposal. Yep, I hadn't seen a movie in 18 months, and I saw 2 in the same day! I rolled into bed after 1:00 am--with the prospect of 9:00 am church looming over me. I'm not as young as I used to be.

But the partying still wasn't over! Sunday, we went had dinner at Wendy & Keith's house. Dinner was so good and Tess had a great time showing off her walking skills to Nana & Papa.

I got some great presents too: a pink purse (which I've been dying for!) from my mom; a neat journaling book to record my running goals and accomplishments from Maureen; a generous donation from Keith & Wendy, which I plan to put towards some new exercise gear; and another gift certificate to Red Door from Ry!

Thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday so fun this year! Good thing I only have a birthday once a year--I'm going to need that long to recover!