What a celebration!

This was surely a night to remember.

I practiced my speech, out loud, three times a day for a week and a half...but not because I was nervous. No, not at all. Ha!

I sure am glad there were teleprompters. It sure changes the way you see the crowd out in front of you. I focused on the text on the teleprompters for the first few seconds and then realized, "I can see through the text and see the crowd." It made it kind of fun.

At first I was afraid to focus on anyone I knew. It didn't take long till I was looking over at Lynda, Dad, Cindy and Jim. It was about the most surreal moment of my life.

Mother was there and proud.

Phillips Award Recipient and Admiring Wife

Here's Tim and I toward the end of the evening, after his great speech (which was supported by those cool plexiglass teleprompters and was perfectly miked). He was a pro.

Thanks!

Thought I'd share a smile from after the morning's 2-mile walk around the lake. During the walk, I thought about how thankful I am to have the ability and the energy to get up and do that every day, and how blessed to have a beautiful place and a good dog for the walk, and a loving husband and cozy home to return to. Then I get to go to a great job with fine people. Got it all.

Now I'm also thinking about how good it is to have friends and family LIKE YOU who remember me kindly on my birthday.