1. Thank you all for your comments, prayers and kind words of encouragement. I have yet to respond to your comments individually in the last couple of posts, but will definitely get to them in the next few days. Again, thanks! You are just such wonderful people. Your feedback always makes my day!
2. To those who want to know about my nephew and didn’t catch my Tweet… He has completed brain surgery yesterday. And, my brother said he’s doing well. There’s still biopsy, MRI scans, observations, etc to go through. But, so far, so good. We’re hoping that all will continue to go well from hereon. Thanks again for all your well wishes.
3. I’m doing much better, health-wise. Still recovering and there are still some aches and pains. But, at least I’m more mobile and able to do stuff again. Definitely feeling better.
4. I’m turning a year older tomorrow. And, I confess: I’m feeling icky about it. Meh. It’s not really “the getting older” part that gets me down. It’s a whole heap of stuff that stems from not-so-happy birthday memories, I think. And, I do tell myself that I should just be older and wiser to put those things behind me. Besides, no matter how bad some of my birthdays were, I should just be happy that I’m Alive. That I’m here… able to celebrate Life with people I love – and those who love me. After all, in the big scheme of things, I really have nothing to complain about. I am so, so blessed. Spoiled, even. Yet, still. Maybe from now on, I’ll take it as my special annual challenge to create The Best Birthday Ever. To squash all past birthday disasters. Either that – or start ignoring my birthday altogether. Heh. 
5. Writing of my birthday, one reason I shared No. 4 is actually to thank everyone who already sent in their greetings, virtual gifts and hugs. Really appreciate you taking the time to do so!
6. Daylight Savings Time ends here in Australia tonight. It means, we get an “extra hour” as our clocks move backwards.
7. Ah, and No. 6 means I’m celebrating a 25-hour birthday for the first time. Haha.
8. Like most times when I spend any length of time away from the computer, I am way behind on responding to emails. If you sent anything in the last few days that need my attention/response urgently, please feel free to re-send and mark them urgent. I’ll do my best to get back to you soon. My Inbox is in such a mess that I’d hire an “email cleaner” if I could! Anyway, thanks so much for your patience.
9. Although I missed my daily blogging goal here, I am still doing my best to keep up with my 365 photo challenges. And, right now, I’m on Day 96 (I think). So, I’m almost at my 100 Day milestone. If you have any suggestions/ideas for that day, I’d love to hear about them. Doing these 365s keep getting tougher for me. In fact, I’ve been soooo tempted just to give up. But, right now, I’m hoping to still make it to 100 at least.
10. Writing of birthdays and such. I’m just curious to know…
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Connie (12)
Kari (10)
Kharen (5)
Mel W (5)
Christina @ The H... (4)
Sasha (4)
Diana Bletter (2)
Em Dy (2)
Jen (2)
nick (2)
Hi Shai,
Daylight saving actually finished last weekend for us here in WA, but it’s cool you get an extra hour in your birthday this year. Sure hope you’re feeling a lot better.
Heather: Thanks. I did end up having a good day.
Weird that our DST’s different, huh?
Did you end up getting the ecard I sent? My little notification hasn’t come through that you have, so thought I’d ask.
Happy Birthday, Shai! I hope you have a great one this year to, yes, erase all the ickies from birthdays past.
I’m glad to hear your nephew pulled through the surgery and is on the mend, and I’m happy to hear you’re on the mend too. Have a great weekend!
Nenette: Thank you. It might take a while longer, but ‘am definitely working on it. Especially now that I’m aware of the whole birthday ickies!
And yes, thanks for thinking of my nephew!
Happy happy happy birthday.
Thank you for keeping us bloggers on our toes with your weekly activities! You’ve introduced us to many ways on how we can make our blogging more creative — gravatars, carnivals, etc.
You make the blogosphere suuuper interesting and fun. More power to you!
Thanks again, Toni! I’m glad that all that inspires and helps you in your blogging. I’m so happy you’re part of it all. Thank you!
You know what I did on my birthday last year which was on a Sunday? I invited all my family and friends to meet at Atlanta Bread Company for coffee. Kind of like an open house. It was totally fun and easy. Anyone who could come did and it was a blast.
I decided I’m doing it every year that my birthday is on a Sunday.
Hope you have a great birthday, Shai =:)
Kim: Wow. Sounds like a great idea. I think I was a bit apprehensive about holding another party a week after my girl’s. Maybe next year, I’ll consider a Mother-Daughter celebration. To save some time and such. Heh. Thanks again!
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y S H A I !!! Hope you have a fantastic long birthday. We have an extra hour here also today, finishing up at the same time as you this year, as daylight savings was extended this time round, it used to be 3 weeks ago. Glad to hear both you and your nephew are doing well. When I get home later I’m going to complete this weeks 52 WoC challenge, just in time
Nicola: Thank you so much. ‘am very happy I found your comments now. Thanks for telling me! Hope it’s all sorted out now. And thanks also for all the other kind words and thoughts you’ve been sending me. Really pleased to have “met” you! Hope we’ll meet in person too one day.
happy birthday. thanks for posting interesting articles on your blog.
Thank you!
Happy birthday Shai!
Hi, Karen! Thanks so much.
Happy Birthday, Shai! Nice to hear some good news on the health front for your family.
As for buying myself gifts, I can barely remember my birthday nowadays. Perhaps that’s a good thing?!
Hsien Lei: Probably a good thing. Unless you’re like me and you don’t want to miss out on “gift time”. Hehe.
Anyway, thanks so much! Really appreciate knowing you as a friend online for several birthdays already. Thanks for being here!
Wishing you a happy birthday, Shai. All 25 hours of it and what follows.
You just reminded me that I haven’t given myself anything for Christmas or my birthday. Maybe I should head out to the store and get me something I like.
Get something you like.
Em Dy: Thank you so much! Well – yeah… looks like it’s high time you got yourself something! And do tell us all about them
Happy birthday, Shai. Sorry to hear that you were sick. I hope you’re feeling much better now and had a blast celebrating your special day.
M_Andamon: Did feel well enough to celebrate my birthday. Thank you so much! Hope we can meet in person before my next birthday!
I hope your birthday turned out to be everything you hoped!
Kari: Not quite – but I always have high expectations!
No seriously, it was a nice day. Definitely nowhere near past birthday ickies. Thanks!
Happy Birthday… or belated birthday depending on what time it is there.
Moe: Anytime is a good time for greetings! Thanks so much.