This is what a 58 year old's birthday party looks like....

I had such a great birthday ...we had neighbors and family and pups and pizza.

We had cake and goodies bags and gifts and laughter.

We had party hats and friendship and love.

What more could a 58 year old want??

Cash....

You heard me ...cold hard cash...for vacation. And souvenirs. And antique stores...

And guess what? I got some of that too!

A new sweatshirt to wear at Yellowstone.

A beautiful necklace to wear to a candle-lit dinner.

A beautiful candle to have with the necklace worn at the dinner...

A gift card for the dinner, which is to be by candlelight, while wearing the necklace....

Good wishes and lots of love............and cash.

You see, I've been on a self-imposed cash-diet for about 8 months now. Trying to control an addiction to spending too much too often on things that mean too little.

And with Randy's love and guidance, I have been "clean and thrifty" for 8 months.

But we're going on vacation.

And I wanted just once to go and spend and not feel guilty. Not try to hide it.

To be able to look at something and say "Hmmm, I don't think so...."

And not because I didn't have the money with me - but that I choose NOT to spend what I had, does that make sense?

So at the start of my 58th year on planet earth, the best gift of all is..........................

.....no...not the cash...(although it will be fun!.....) but the lesson learned that what I need, what's really important, I already have.

So here's to being "clean & thrifty" and having a support system that understands you...and loves you anyway!