Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's 65th birthday!  She may never see this post (she doesn't realize yet that I'm blogging again)...but I want you all to help me celebrate with her!

I've been blessed to have this lovely lady as my mom!  She's the reason I'm so fabulous...hahaha!  No, really.  Mom was a public elementary school teacher for 30+ years and a large part of my love of the written word, my respect for animals (fine... obsession with dogs!), the joy I find in travel and my moral compass whether I needed one or not.

Here's mom, with her older sister Janice, when she was about 9-10 months old.

And here's my mom on her recent cruise to Alaska.

Mom, I love you and I'm so proud of the strength you've shown through some very trying times in the past few years.  I hope this is your best year yet!