  This is a picture of me when I was 3. And yes, I am on the potty wearing mittens and a hat and a bandaid for dramatic effect (there was no boo boo involved). I had the most fantastic birthday. I want to thank everyone for making it so special. 2004 has been a fantastic year. Last year at this time was very difficult for me in terms of my personal life and while the difference between 25 and 26 is not so great, emotionally,I have really grown a lot in 12 months. Work was blissful yesterday. Lots of focused children raising their hands, being courteous and respectful, and showing a keen interest in learning. I received flowers at work (from a friend who shall remain anonymous) and that made me feel like the top of world. Not that I have been to the top of world. Where exactly is that anyway? I received many cards and greetings (including beautiful hand made cards from the kids) and interestingly, I received a beautiful sticker-clad card from the grandma of my ex who I broke up with a year ago. (Does that make her my ex-grandma? ) One of the saddest parts of breakups is that not only do you break up with the individual, but you also break up with his family.
It’s very unfortunate. I love his grandma very much. She is a wonderful and amazing woman who I still think about often. I e-mailed my ex back in January hoping to establish some sort of friendship (we were together for 2 years and he is someone I would like to keep in my life as a friend), We have shared so much…vacations in Italy, San Francisco, holidays, inside jokes…I just felt like enough time had passed and we had both moved matured and moved on from any weird or angry feelings we might have toward one another.
And we were both seeing other people. Anyway, he sent me a response basically saying that he never wanted me to contact him again, never wanted to hear from me, did not want to be my friend. I had to accept it like a death. When someone cuts you out of their life it is as if they no longer exist and that also is true for ties to their family.
Then along comes this beautiful birthday card from his grandma. It was really touching. Do I write back? I’m not sure. It seems rude to respond (for the ex’s sake) and it seems rude not to respond (for his grandma’s sake). What do I do? I had a fabulous birthday dinner with The Marge Club which included my mom, Claire, and a brand new inductee (who I will refer to as code name : ‘New Marge’). I am very pleased to have accepted a new member to our club (our meetings usually take place over lobster dinners). New Marge has all of the Marge Club requirements. She is smart, well read, talented (a definite Marge prerequisite), and extremely funny. Dinner was great. And Claire managed to get her lobster bib stuck in her ear. THAT was funny!
Once again there were Australians at the table next to me. But this time they were old business types. And they were also kleptomaniacs. One of them tried to steal my cell phone case. urlLink Candeee created a South Park character for me!!!! Those who know me will marvel at the resemblence, It’s astounding. I am very impressed! Second birthday dinner tonight at the French Culinary Institute! 
