My Big 50 Birthday

It happened....didn't matter how hard I tried to hang onto 49...December 20th came, along with a bunch of fun and left me a new member of the 50 club!

To begin with...remember all of those birthday blocks I've been making throughout the entire year and mailing to others all over this world?  Well....it was MY turn yesterday.  Unlike the others (who tended to open their envelopes as soon as they arrived in the mail), I actually saved mine to open on my birthday.  I had 14 packages to open yesterday.  There are still a handful left to come, but the bulk of them arrived in time to open on the BIG day!

I had been numbering the packages as they arrived over the past month or so and planned to open them in the exact same order.....

Also, if you remember, the other quilters had requested specific colors for their quilts.  I did something entirely different and requested SCRAPPY!  I told them to make something THEY would like and if they liked it then I knew I would be thrilled with it!  Anyway...I've never met a color I didn't like! :) :)

The first package I opened was from Chris in Australia.....

The second package was from Annette in Wisconsin....

The third package was from Chrissy in Massachusetts...

The fourth package was from Debra in Missouri....

The fifth package was from Jean in Wisconsin...

The sixth package was from Lynne in Virginia...

The seventh package was from Karyl in North Carolina....

The eighth package was from Mabel in New Jersey...

The ninth package was from Virginia in Texas...

The tenth package was from Gael in Australia...

The eleventh package was from Wanda in Texas...

The twelfth package was from Hollie in Texas...

The thirteenth package was from Diane is Florida....

The fourteenth package was from Terri in New York City....

Aren't you just green with envy!!!!!  Oh my goodness....this is going to be one gorgeous quilt!  Once the other packages arrive, I will start playing around with placement and come up with a setting for my quilt top.

BUT....just for the fun of it...I DID go ahead and start laying them out on top of my bed.  The lighting is terrible in the room but it gives you an idea....

Then a little moving around...

Ooooooooooooooooo....this is going to be SO pretty!  I can't wait! :)

Along with all the birthday block packages, I received flowers from friends in Virginia that included lovely black "Over The Hill" balloons. :)  My daughters also gave me flowers.

Dear hubby Ray washed the dishes for me (which happens to be an awesome gift by the way!) and he even thought to stop by the grocery store and pick up a cake! :)

I was able to have three of my four daughters with me to celebrate (it's hard when my oldest daughter and her family live a 12 hours drive away).  Amanda and Emily thought their gift was hilarious!!

Yes...my daughters are all rotten to the core! :) :) :)

So, at the end of the day I can honestly say that turning 50 wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated.  It's certainly better than the alternative!!!!! :) :)  My youngest daughter said...."Well Mom, at least your just Over The Hill and not under it!"  Gotta love my girls!!!!!