Birthday, Birthday, Birthday, FLU....

February is the month of Birthdays in my life.....                There are 8 significant ones, including my own!! That means many celebrations.                      

 Early in the month Kahana and I enjoyed our free Red Robin Birthday burgers together....

Our ladies out to lunch group ate at one of my favorite spots....Rib City for ribs...

Then my new little trio of friends, Pam and Judie and Geo tried out The Pita Pit which has been in my neighborhood since before me, but I never knew....yummy Mediterranean lunch foods....I will be returning, need to sample the falafels...             

Time to get Birthday serious.....Debbie made dinner for me, Zeek and Micaela....

The next week Carole made tacos/I made carrot cake for Deb's Birthday....






And got a picture of us in the color combo of the day......
cranberry and black.....







Time for some Gram G presents....







a trio of new gnomes, an instax camera, tea cup and candy,
a "party in a box" from California and lovely tulips from Debbie....Target gift card...

But then the party was over.....
     My second day of being 73, I woke up with the influenza....and have been sick since....8 days....
     I'm mostly well today but have been miserable with fever, aching and coughing.  It's been a busy week of steaming, coughing, Tylenol, garlic, eucalyptus tea, vitamin C, sleeping, watching movies (including the Lord of the Rings trilogy), washing sheets, cooking, laundry and dishes.  It's hard work being sick on your own.....
     I've been housebound for 8 days other than a short break last Friday, March 1, when the sun was shining on a 50 degree day....took a walk to get the mail and enjoyed a little hint of spring! 
Our weather has been cold for the PNW with temperatures dipping into the 20's overnight.
I need to remind myself that I could be housebound in sub zero weather with a bit of snow thrown in.  

         On my Birthday, 2/24 in mid Wisconsin.....




My task now is to throw off the "I'm sick" mentality, to regain energy and strength.  Warm PNW weather is only a week away.  Time for walks in the sun and fresh air.  Thoughts and plans for Easter travel are taking shape, as are summer grandchildren fun times! 
     I've a schedule of  7 weekly piano students, though I had to cancel this week because of sickness.  It is good to have something to offer folks and for me to do.  

Who is the student and who is the teacher?  Son Chuck has always wanted to learn to play piano.  His daughter teacher would occasionally say, "Good job" to her student.....







This has been a good 20 "Birthday/Flu" days in the life of Grandma G.

" 'Because he loves me', say the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him because he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.' "  (Psalms 41:14-16)