Happy Birthday Sammy & Zoey!

Sammy and Zoey turned one today.

They celebrated by playing with their new toys and receiving lots of love from their "Uncles" Christopher, Tony, and Michael at a very fun brunch.

To honor the occassion, I've compiled my favorite pictures of their first year. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Kittens.

Paraskevidekatriaphobics: 2012 is Not Your Year

Paraskevidekatriaphobics, or people with the irrational, morbid fear of Friday the 13th are probably not very happy this year. Me, I'm not freaked out at all. I think Friday the 13th is kind of cool.

We've got three Friday the 13th's this year, each 13 weeks apart. Cool, huh? It was 1984 when this last happened. I was 13 that year. This year, like that year, is a leap year and that won't happen again until 2040.

My friends Tony and Michael are celebrating each of the Friday the 13th's with a Horror Movie Camp-a-Thon starting at 7:13 p.m. Tonight's selection is Bride of Chucky. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend because I'm having my own Friday the 13th Horror Fest in the form of some awful bug that has caused me to lose 7 pounds since Wednesday. Don't feel bad for me. Popsicles are my new best friend.

In other news, some pretty cool people have birthdays today on Friday the 13th: Orlando Bloom, Patrick Dempsey (aka Dr. McDreamy), Ginger Zee, Horatio Alger, Julia Louis-Dryfus, and Charles Nelson Reilly. Oh, and someone who's very special to me. For those of you celebrating today, here's your birthday horoscope.

Day 1 of Birthapalooza was FABULOUS!

I should be exhausted. It's almost midnight and I'm completely wide awake after a spectacular birthday. Well, after Day 1 of Birthapalooza. There's still 2 more days to go.

To be sure, it started out a little iffy with a bad migraine and LOTS of nausea. Don't get any funny ideas, it was just my body telling me that it really is going to fall apart any second.

But then it got better in a huge hurry. Birthday text messages, tweets, Facebook messages, emails, cards, at least 5 serenades of "Happy Birthday" and gifts. Plus, cupcakes, lunch, and a fabulous dinner followed by chocolate cake at the beach!

Plus, the Stargazer Lilies in my garden bloomed today!
If I'm ever feeling down about myself, all I need to do is go back to all those generous messages and feel all the love all over again. My cup completely runneth over. My birthday was better than anything I could have imagined and only Day 1 is over. In fact, as we stood at the beach tonight, I searched for that first star of the evening (you know, to make a wish - doesn't everyone do that?), but when I found it, I realized there was nothing to wish for. I have everything I ever wanted that truly matters. So I just stood there feeling grateful because I am truly blessed.

I'm 40 Today!

I know I've posted this twice before, but don't you think it's the cutest picture ever?

I'm 40. I'm in my 40s. For-ty.

I'm getting used to saying it. I can't say "I'm in my 30s" anymore.

But WOW! I'm 40! Wahoo! It's MY birthday! This is my favorite day of the year! My birthday is better than Christmas because it's MY birthday! And I'm so excited about MY birthday!

Yes, I know I'm like a little kid about it, but seriously...it's MY birthday!!!! And what's not to love about that? It's a day dedicated to ME!

And in the tradition of years past, this is my special birthday blog post. Last year, you will recall, I shared all my birthday horoscopes along with that super cute picture of my on my 4th birthday. In 2009, I discussed all the famous people who shared my special day, along with my first picture ever. I also showed off the most beautiful flowers in the world that I was surprised with by someone special. Finally, in 2008, I shared all the cool world events that happened on my birthday and shared the story of how I came into the world.

As I turn the page on this new chapter in my life, I thought I'd give a State of My Life update by checking in with my Bucket List.

This past year I . . .

1. Stopped biting my nails, have pretty nails I'm proud of and have started wearing rings. Item #42.
2. Paid off 100% of my debt. I achieved this Tuesday night. Whew! Just in time. You should have seen me doing the Happy Dance in my kitchen after I clicked the button on that online payment. This is a really big deal to me. It doesn't matter how much debt I had. In my opinion, any consumer debt is too much. I will tell you that the average U.S. household has $14,473 in credit card debt. I had significantly less than that, but enough that it took a plan. I followed my plan and achieved my goal. Item #44. Now I can turn my attention to item #67. (You'll have to go check it out, I'm not telling you what it is.)
   
3. Ride the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. While you may think that's nothing to brag about, I'm really afraid of heights (and it's 150 feet in height!) and I overcame my fear to do this. Item #60.
4. Swam from the Watervale dock to BooHoo. Item #61.
5. Learned to love sushi. I accomplished this in January with a friend from high school that I hadn't seen since high school. Not only was it a great meal, but we had a wonderful, laughter-filled trip down memory lane. Item #62.
6. Applied for my passport. It hasn't arrived yet, but that's okay. I've applied for it and it should be here any day, based on their 4-week estimated arrival time. Item #63.
7. Lost 40 pounds. Okay, it wasn't the original 100 pounds that I wanted to lose this year and I also didn't reach my revised goal of 50 pounds, but I'm 40 pounds lighter than I was a year ago. I've lost 2 dress sizes and even a shoe size! Item #22.

I've also bought a new car (well, new to me), changed careers, gone to work at a company I love in a position that challenges me daily and brings me lots of personal fulfillment, and Little Merry Sunshine hit 50,000 visitors.

If I do say so myself, that's quite the list. I've actually achieved many of my personal goals and dreams in the past 40 years (see the bottom of my Bucket List for items I accomplished previously).

So what's up for the next 40 years? I don't have a crystal ball, but I do have my Bucket List and while I can't tell you with certainty that I'll achieve all of it, I do have a few items I plan to tick off in the next one to two years.

1. Buy a house (a condo counts too). Item #67.
   
2. Run a 5K. I'll do this by Thanksgiving. Item #21.
3. Finish losing those 50 pounds and add another 30 to the tally by Christmas. Items #22 and 22A.
4. Learn to play tennis. Item #33.
5. Donate blood. I swear I'll do this by Christmas. Item #36.
6. Dress in super sexy lingerie and feel confident about it. Item #53.
7. Bike the Drive. Item #65.
8. Travel to Paris. Item #68.
9. Create a scholarship at my alma mater by the time I'm 42. Item #10.
10. Learn to shoot a gun. Item #26.
11. Visit New York City. Item #6.
    

So that's it. I've got a lot to be proud of, but I've still got a lot to accomplish.

Although this isn't quite front row seats at a U2 concert (item #29), Bono and The Edge had a special birthday message for me:

Little Merry Sunshine's 40th Birthday Gift Registry

You may have heard the rumor: Little Merry Sunshine is turning 40 on June 16th (exactly one month from today). Much to my surprise, the rumor is, in fact, true. Our crack team of investigators has thoroughly researched the matter. They spoke to my parents, reviewed my birth certificate, looked at birth announcements in the paper, and even used a Ouija board to communicate with three of my late grandparents (the fourth having no knowledge of my existence because he died before I was born). Still in disbelief, we hired Donald Trump and his highly paid investigators (as opposed to our typical investigators who go by the names Betsey and Ross) to look into the matter.

Since I am actually turning 40, I believe the day should be celebrated in style and with the grandest gifts ever. And I've taken the luxury of providing you with a list of acceptable gifts. Stick to these and you won't go wrong.

Let's talk about the party location first though. I recommend Lichtenstein. Yes, as in the country of. Lichtenstein can be rented for a mere $70,000 per night. That doesn't include transportation to get there, but I'm sure that's just a minor expense. Please pay attention to the details here: make sure to rename the streets in my honor and issue money with my face on the bills. Oh, we'll have to make it a two night party because they rent the country for a minimum of two days.


Onto the gifts...

Cubs Fantasy Camp
It's no secret I'm a Cubs fan. In fact, pitcher Kerry Wood and I share a birthday. Do you know what every lifelong Cubs fan fantasizes about? Well, aside from the Cubs winning the World Series, we fantasize about playing for the Cubs. And thanks to the Cubs Fantasy Camp, one of my dreams can come true! Fantasy Camp includes a signed one-day contract to play with Manager Jim Hendry, batting practice with Cubs greats, live play on the diamond with a Cubs Legend as my coach, and many more perks. The 2011 Fantasy Camp was a mere $4,500, but I'm not sure what the fee for the 2012 Camp will be. I know it sounds like a lot, but it includes an overnight stay at The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago. See? Such a deal.

Diamond and Gold Stilettos
If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then diamond stilettos, must be a girl's BFF. Well, they'd be my BFF. Without a doubt, my feet will look beyond sexy in the Eternal Borgezie Diamond Stiletto. For just about $165,000, you can keep me in high fashion for the rest of my life. What makes a pair of shoes worth $165,000? Glad you asked. They include 2,200 brilliant cut diamonds, totaling 30 carats and are handcrafted from solid gold. They even come with a 1,000 year warranty! Plus, I'm willing to spring for the weekly pedicures that will be necessary to keep my feet in tip-top shape for these shoes. I'm worth $165,000 right? I wear a size 8.

Afternoon Tea at Cliveden House in Berkshire
What could be better than capping off an afternoon in the British countryside than with a proper English tea? Afternoon Tea at The Cliveden House includes white truffles, Beluga Caviar, and Da Hong Pao Tea (a rare tea made from 1,000 year old plants), among other delicacies. We'll wash this all down with a glass of "the king of champagnes," Dom Perignon Rose. Considering the other gifts I'd like, Afternoon Tea at Cliveden House is a bargain at $900 per couple, but you'll have to get us to Great Britain too.
Ferris Bueller House or Home Alone House
It just so happens that both of these amazing homes are for sale at the moment. Coincidence? No way. The Home Alone house in Winnetka, complete with the staircase Macauley Culkin sleded down, is $2.4million. The Ferris Bueller house, located in one of Highland Park's ravines, is just $1.65million and is ideal for my budget-conscious friends (it was for sale for $2.3 million in 2009), but does not include Cameron Frye's dad's "Ferrari" (because it was up for sale a year ago and I'm assuming it was sold - maybe to someone who bought it as a 40th birthday gift for me?).

The Home Alone house

Cameron Frye's house in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I promise to act completely surprised when I unwrap all of these wonderful gifts.

I Ain't Settlin'

Yesterday morning I was driving to work and having a very serious come to Jesus talk with myself. Yes, it was just me in the car and yes, I was talking out loud to myself. Why do you ask? Anyway, there I was in the car having this serious talk with myself about the state of state of my life (I turn 40 exactly 3 months from today) with the radio on low in the background when out of nowhere I hear the familiar sounds of Jennifer Nettles and Sugarland singing one of my favorite songs. I took it as a sign from the Universe (and we all know how I believe in signs from the Universe).

I listened to the words, possibly closer than I've ever listened before and realized I was listening to the theme song for the last three months of my 30s (it hurts just typing those words).

That's right Settlin' by Sugarland is defining the next three months for me. I'm raising the bar higher than ever before. I'm joining a gym this week and will lose the 25 pounds I've committed to losing before my birthday. For those of you keeping score, that will put the total weight loss between my 39th and 40th birthday at almost 60 pounds (Okay, it's not the 100 pounds I put on my Bucket List, but it's 60 pounds closer than I was). No if's, and's or but's about it. I've got some other big goal and dreams, but at the moment, that's all I'm willing to discus publicly.

If you're not familiar with Settlin', click on the video below.

LMS's 1000th Post: Happy Pi Day!

Today Little Merry Sunshine is Party Central as we celebrate Pi Day (3/14 - get it? you'd better or I'm gonna sic my favorite Calculus professor on you) and Little Merry Sunshine's 1000th blog post (this is it!)!

To set the mood for this celebration, we'll need some music. So let's listen to what Pi sounds like. . .

Of course, we'll need some yummy food. What Pi party would be complete without pie? Fortunately, NPR has us covered.


Now that we've had some musical entertainment and filled our bellies with Pi pie, let's watch a movie.

Yes, seriously, in 1998, director Darren Aronofsky, released Pi, about "A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature." Go ahead, watch the trailer below. You know you want to.

Even the U.S. House of Representatives finds time to celebrate Pi Day! In 2009, the House passed a resolution praising Pi. Of course, I find it a bit disturbing that 10 Republican Congressmen voted against such an innocuous bill.

Every party needs a comedian, especially a Pi party, so I've brought in Al G. Bra for your Pi Day entertainment!

Now that we've been entertained with Pi jokes by Al G. Bra, it's time for party games! We'll follow the example of the San Francisco Exploratorium and walk around a Pi Shrine a little more than 3 times.

As our party winds down, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate that you keep returning to Little Merry Sunshine. If not for you, Little Merry Sunshine would never have reached 1000 blog posts on such a momentous day. Thank you for reading, commenting, following, and emailing me with your thoughts. Here's to another 1000 posts! And here's a little Pi party favor to remind you of our Pi Day party!

P.S. A very special shout out to Albert Einstein on his 132nd birthday! Happy Birthday Mr. Einstein! Thank you for the Theory of Relativity.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (aka Theodore Geisel)! I can only imagine the millions of children who grew up learning to read with your books and developing a lifelong love of reading because of you. I count myself among them.

We all have a favorite Dr. Seuss book that we can probably still recite from memory. Maybe it was The Cat in the Hat. Or Horton Hears A Who! Or One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Or Green Eggs and Ham.

Actually Green Eggs and Ham is partially responsible for my complete (and slightly unreasonable) opposition to eggs and milk (unless they are well mixed into other things.

When I was about 7 or 8, my mom got up one St. Patrick's Day morning and decided to fix Dave and me green scrambled eggs and green milk a la Green Eggs and Ham. I took one look at this hideous looking meal and went to school hungry that day. Dave, who at the time was the pickiest eater in the entire world, ate it up eagerly. Heck, he probably ate mine too. To this day I still won't eat eggs in any form. To quote Green Eggs and Ham, "Not in a box. Not with a fox. Not in a house. Not with a mouse. I would not eat them here or there. I would not eat them anywhere. I would not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am."

My favorite Dr. Seuss book is Oh The Places You'll Go, which like most people I know, I received as a college graduation gift. This charming book reminds us that life isn't always easy and certainly has its share of adversity, but "there's fun to be done." I should probably go re-read it right about now.

But above all, my most favorite Dr. Seuss creation is his poem "My Uncle Terwilliger on the Art of Eating Popovers," (click the previous link to read President Hotchkiss's memory of how Dr. Seuss came to give the speech, which until the moment he was on stage, no one knew for sure he would give) which he wrote just for the Class of 1977 at Lake Forest College.

My Uncle Terwilliger on
the Art of Eating Popovers

My uncle ordered popovers
from the restaurant’s bill of fare.
And, when they were served,
he regarded them
with a penetrating stare…
Then he spoke great Words of Wisdom
as he sat there on that chair:
“To eat these things,”
said my uncle,
“you must exercise great care.
You may swallow down what’s solid…
BUT…
you must spit out the air!”

And…
as you partake of the world’s bill of fare,
that’s darned good advice to follow.
Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.
And be careful what you swallow.
—Dr. Seuss

There's even a stone commemorating this speech on the LFC campus that I stop to read each time I walk by it, which is actually fairly often.

In honor of Dr. Seuss, today I'm going to sit down and re-read Oh The Places You'll Go and whatever other Dr. Seuss books I may still have. How will you celebrate?

Happy Birthday Dave!

Today is my brother Dave's birthday. I would tell you how old he is, but then you'd have a clue about my real age and I'm happy to have you believe I'm 29.

I'm so incredibly grateful that Dave is my brother and although I was, at one point, inclined to trade him in for a better model (cut me some slack, I was 4 when I attempted this), I've decided he's a keeper.

When I was in college, Dave built me a loft that was not only strong enough to survive an earthquake, but was one that I would not roll out of because it was considerably wider than the mattress so if I started to roll out (it happened), I would hit the platform first.

For my twenty-first birthday, Dave made me a silver pendant of two people connected and standing next to each other. At first, I thought it was a lovely pendant and was touched that he'd given me a piece of his artwork, but then I discovered that he specifically made this piece for me and wrote a paper about it for his English class. According to his paper, the two people represented us and the bond we share; the way we always took care of each other and the role played in each others lives. I sobbed like a baby when I read these words that, as a 17 year old high school kid, he could not say out loud.

To this day, Dave always carves out a couple of days in the fall to help me get the house ready for winter and whenever he's in town, he generously offers to fix anything I need done. He even gave me a new water heater for my birthday this year. Really. No one else should think that's a good gift to give me, but from Dave, it's perfect. When my neighbor's tree fell on my backyard fence and shed a few years ago in an awful storm, Dave put aside his own plans to move to Michigan and spent an entire day taking down the tree when they refused to do it. He did it so carefully that nothing was damaged and it saved me a ton of money.

Dave motivates me to be better by challenging me to hike Baldy and keep going when I think I won't make it, kayak, and swim to BooHoo. Rather than ever berating me for being slow or needing a break, he shows the patience of Job and always makes me feel great about my accomplishments. No one believes in me and pushes me to step outside my comfort zone the way Dave does.

So go over to Facebook and wish David W. Gardner a very happy birthday. No one deserves a great day like Dave!

Happy 94th Birthday Nana!

Sunday would be Nana's 94th birthday.

If everything had gone as planned, I would be sitting in her pew at Crystal Beach Community Church feeling her presence next to me and remembering her reaching over to hold my hand as we sang hymns. Then I'd be enjoying lunch at Sam's Fresh Seafood with Mom. We'd end the day standing on the Crystal Beach Pier watching the sunset into the Gulf of Mexico.

Unfortunately, nothing went as planned this week and I'm in Arlington Heights.

So I'll be celebrating Nana's birthday by sitting in a pew in the church I grew up attending, the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights. I don't know what else I'll do tomorrow, but I'm going to enjoy the dessert I remember Nana making more often than any other: Vanilla bean ice Cream and fresh peaches.

I remember cutting up peaches with her, scooping ice cream into the little Blue Willow china dessert bowls and sitting around the big dining room table while we all enjoyed the refreshing treat. After dinner, we'd wash and put away the dishes together and then walk down to the pier to watch the sunset.

Such a simple wonderful way to end the day. Just like Nana. Simple and wonderful.

In honor of Nana, here's her favorite hymn. We sang it at her Celebration of Life service on her birthday last year. It's hard to believe that a year ago I saw her for the last time. She looked so peaceful in her casket, although it was truly almost more than I could do to look at her. I just didn't want her to be gone. The truth is I still don't want her to be gone, but I'm doing better this year.

Happy 14th Birthday to Betsey & Ross!

Betsey (l) and Ross (r) in 2006 when they were 10.

As difficult as it is to believe, Betsey and Ross turn 14 on Sunday. That's right, they were born on the 4th of July and (for those of you who are new here) were born in Washington DC, which, of course, is how they got their names. Anyway, they're turning 14!

I say it's difficult to believe they're 14 because they still act like they're about 5. They run around the house chasing each other, fight with the feral cat outside (while remaining safely on this side of the sliding glass door), groom each other, love each other, jump all around playing with their toys, and with the exception of the last month, have had no major health problems. As you can see below, they're also both into politics and are big fans of President Obama. In fact, they Super Dele-CATS for (then candidate) Barack Obama and were featured on Cats for Obama.

The last month has been a bit traumatic with Betsey and worrying that she had cancer, but as of today, we know she's cancer free, has a beautiful clean bladder and excellent kidney and liver functioning. Her final diagnosis is cystitis and hyperthyroidism, both chronic and inexpensively treatable. The truth is that she's probably had both of these issues for years, but we just didn't know it because the cystitis sat dormant and we had no reason to run blood tests.

Betsey, Ross, and I have a lot of people to thank for their kindness over the last month including the great doctors at Animal ER and Veterinary Specialty Center, Dr. Jennifer Kinnavy at March Animal Hospital for never giving up on Betsey and keeping me (relatively) calm, vet tech extraordinaire (and my cousin) Andrea for dealing with my panic so well, Keefer's Pharmacy in Mt. Prospect for making up all the fabulous drug cocktails for Betsey, Dr. Donna Krochak at Alexandria Animal Hospital in Alexandria, VA for giving Betsey and Ross such outstanding care in Virginia to ensure their continued good health in Illinois, and our family and friends who have continually asked about how Betsey is doing.

Betsey and Ross appreciate that everyone takes the weekend to celebrate them by attending parades, festivals, backyard BBQs, fireworks, etc. They only ask that you act responsibly by not drinking and driving and also take a moment to remember that it's also our country's 234th birthday. The rest of the weekend you can celebrate Betsey and Ross.

Here's a great soundtrack for the weekend thanks to NPR.

You probably also want to listen to the Declaration of Independence as read by the broadcasters at NPR. When was the last time you listened?

Birthday Horoscopes

This is my absolute favorite birthday picture ever. Love that my pj's match the wall paper and birthday cake, the grin on my face, and that it's obvious I'm gonna be bossy and sassy in just a few years. I'm 4 in this pic.

One of my silly birthday obsessions is that I read every possible "If today is your birthday" horoscope on my birthday so I can get a feel for what the year is going to bring. Of course, they're almost never accurate, but it's my thing.

Don't judge. You have your things and I don't judge. Plus, it's my birthday and I'm invoking the "it's my birthday, so you can't give me any grief" rule. Yes, it exists. In my head.

So let's start with Holiday Mathis of philstar.com.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 16). It is your year to let go of past limitations and soar. This begins with a cycle of playfulness and leisure. Get in touch with your soul’s wants through July. You are motivated by passion through August and will accomplish important personal work. Others on the same wavelength contribute to your project in November. Gemini and Cancer people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 4, 39, 25 and 40.

This is interesting because I've been feeling very playful and fun lately. In fact, I was just saying that to my friend Tony. I'm concerned though by the statement that "Gemini and Cancer people adore you." Why don't ALL people adore me???

Moving onto Georgia Nichols. She probably has something useful for me.

If today is your birthday . . . Actor John Cho (1972) shares your birthday today. It's important for you to succeed because you have goals you intend to achieve. You're patient about working and building toward those goals. You plan ahead, and you make your choices carefully and wisely. (This includes how you choose to include people in your life or not.) Your timing generally pays off. In this year ahead, you will learn something very valuable.

Okay, wait, this is the best she can do? She can see into my future and all she knows is that I'll learn something valuable? She can't get any more specific than that? Ugh. She is right about that planning ahead thing. I mean, who do you know that likes a plan more than I do? No one. Maybe what I'll learn this year is how to be spontaneous. THAT would be valuable.

Let's take a look at my Love and Sex Horoscope.

If your birthday is on June 16th your sun sign is Gemini. Dear Gemini, you've got a love style that's timeless. In other words, you always make time for love and sex! You have a variety of interests and tend to subscribe to the motto "Variety is the spice of life".

This is especially true in your love and sex life. You tend to get bored easily and if your lover can't hold your attention in the bedroom and in your mind then you'll be looking in a new direction in no time.

I can't possibly comment on that. My mom reads this blog. Next.

I love the Washington Post. Maybe they've got some good predictions.

For Wednesday, June 16 -On today's agenda, you need to add mending fences, loving your neighbor and all the rest of that caring, sharing business. Think of yourself as a karmic diplomat, spreading good energy and love among the rest of the world. You don't have to lay it on with a trowel or break your back to spread the love -- just let your soul shine through in everything you do right now. You're an ambassador of goodwill without even trying!

Well, that's chipper. Really. I can handle that. Although I'm not really sure how "mending fences" works with "letting go of past limitations" (which I read as "let go of the PAST you're hanging onto"). I'm not sure I want to go revisit some of that. I'm going to have to think on that. Actually, maybe this is the best time to mend a fence. I have a phone call to make.

What about my hometown paper the Chicago Tribune? What does it have to say about my future?

Today's birthday (6/16/10). You gain crystal clarity this year about how you approach your work. Immerse yourself in the details of any educational process. Start from the ground up, and you feel fortunate because you become a teacher as well as student. A little danger offers greater power.

So this year is all about work. Well, that's good, frankly. But all work and no play makes me kinda dull. I'm going to keep looking.

I think Sydney Omarr is fairly respected in the world of astrology. Well, I've seen his name before. I bet he's on top of my next year.

IF JUNE 16 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: The Force isn't with you in any area that has to do with work, investments, career or business now so concentrate on having a good time with loved ones during the next several weeks. August could be a perfect time for travel, as your desire to explore new vistas and have adventures is in full flower, but you might choose to begin a new study or educational project. Steer clear of signing business agreements or making financial decisions in September when the universe seems to oppose your best interests. October and November are excellent months for travel, romantic excursions, or for just feeling good about your progress with mental pursuits.

Huh. I'm going to take that first sentence to mean I ought to spend the next few weeks at the beach. Thanks Sydney! I didn't read past that.

The Star has some interesting thought . . .

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: This year, count on your communication skills. You will enjoy touching base with others more often as well. However, you might long to stretch your mind or grow in new ways. Some of you will travel, others might look at school, and yet, for many, a foreigner or someone quite different could knock on your door. If you are single, you might choose someone who is unusual or artistic. You could meet this person in an odd way. If you are attached, the two of you will become closer if you plan a trip together or take a seminar. Leo always appreciates you.

Now who in my life is a Leo? Hmmmmm . . . Oh, my cousin Andrea. Yes, she always appreciates me. That's all I can think of at the moment, although I'm sure more will come to me.

Oh my God. CafeAstrology.com has the best birthday horoscope ever. The first part describes me to a T.

The Year Ahead
Forecast for June 2010 to June 2011

If You Were Born Today, June 16: Your imagination is boundless and you are a true visionary. You possess an endearing youthful quality throughout life, and can be quite persuasive when you want to be. You are given to daydreaming and require frequent periods of rest and solitude in order to renew your spirit. You do thrive on sharing your ideas with others, but you need time alone to refresh. You can be quite ambitious, and at times critical and impatient when feeling restless or unfocused. Famous people born today: Erich Segal, Tupac Shakur, Ian Buchanan, Wally Joyner, Joyce Carol Oates.

Your Birthday Year Forecast: The Sun in harmonious aspect to the Moon in your Solar Return chart is a pleasant aspect, suggesting that your domestic and career needs are not in competition with one another this year. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa. You are likely to be on top of your game this year for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there will be less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!

You can truly forge ahead and tackle problems with gusto when you focus your energies. With the determination to meet or exceed your goals, your ambition is stimulated and you can move mountains. You might find that you become more goal-oriented this year, as superficial goals no longer satisfy you. You want your objectives to reflect what you're really about, and you are likely to rid yourself of unsatisfying goals this year. You benefit from being more decisive than usual, and your ability to concentrate and focus helps you to achieve what you set out to do. A new project or goal begun this year has a good chance of being successful and long-lasting. Your sexual and physical activities tend to be more intense, passionate, and focused. It's an excellent year in which to make a lifestyle change.

Pleasing circumstances surrounding your love life, finances, and creative pursuits are in store this year. Others are looking on you favorably, particularly friends and lovers (or potential lovers). You are more generous, and others return the favor. You might receive financial backing or special gifts in the period ahead. You seek a little more from your love life and you are likely to receive it. Some of you could fall in love this year, or existing relationships are enhanced. You may lose your fear of taking risks this year on a social level, and happily embrace all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements as well as financial undertakings. You are ready to experiment, and not necessarily ready to commit. This could be a good year for financial undertakings involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. You have a taste for the offbeat this year, and this energy can bring sudden or unexpected romance into your life. Adventure-seeking is a theme.

Saturn in opposition to Uranus around the time of your birthday suggests some restlessness. Attempts to assert your individuality, freedom, and originality undermine your feelings of groundedness and security. Yet, you are not satisfied when you conform. There may be sudden and unexpected twists that force you to do something different or that help free yourself from old habits. Adjusting your plans is in order, and striking a balance between convention and innovation is the challenge. Setbacks tend to be temporary and often lead to new, more creative paths or solutions. Ambivalence is likely and could color many of your interactions.

Jupiter joined with Uranus is also found in your Solar Return chart, and this suggests the need for progressive change in your life. You might take risks (perhaps, but not necessarily, foolish ones) for the sake of freedom. You are open to new energies, approaches, and attitudes. Fortunate events occur as a direct result of your willingness to entertain the unusual and to think outside of the box. Enthusiasm runs high, the desire for freedom from restrictions is strong, and thirst for adventure is with you.

This is an excellent year for close relationships, romance, and your social life. Your energy and stamina are also increased. You are especially ambitious and driven, and more able to focus on important goals. Positive lifestyle changes can be made in the year ahead.

2010 is a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it's a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It's a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and "chance" meetings are probable. Advice - take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don't strain yourself or actively try to expand.

2011 will be a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It's generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice - take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.

How I WON'T Be Celebrating My Birthday

You may know that my 28th birthday is Wednesday. I don't have too many plans for the day aside from renewing my driver's license, attending my monthly Professional Women's Council luncheon and then relaxing with a massage later in the day. I may also meet a friend for a drink. For the most part, I'm choosing to ignore the day since it's actually the 11th anniversary of my 28th birthday, not my actual 28th birthday, and frankly, I'm freaking out about it a little.

Whatever I do, I know I won't be attempting to break any world records for wearing the most pairs of tighty-whities like the 10-year-old Jack Singer below. Is it just me or does this seem more like a drunken 21st birthday stunt your "friends" would do to you to be funny rather than a cool way for a 10-year-old to celebrate? In spite of all the people cheering him on, I don't think he looks terribly happy about being filmed in 215 pairs of ginormous undies. I bet he grows up to be a boxers guy.



If you read Little Merry Sunshine via email, I encourage you to visit the blog and watch the video for a good laugh.

Just What Betsey and Ross Need . . .

A Facebook and Twitter friend of mine, Scott Cisek, posted about this new liveblogging tool for cats today. Yes. Seriously.

Cats Can Now Tweet with New Liveblogging Device
from Tech-on! via Mashable.com

Prototype liveblogging device that no respectable cat (IMHO) would ever wear. From Tech-on!

If you love your cat so much that you can’t stand to be away from it — even for a hot second — you’re in luck: Sony Computer Science Laboratories (CSL) Inc has developed a liveblogging device for Mr. Mistoffelees and friends.

This revolutionary new toy, which was created with the help of the University of Tokyo, comes all pimped out with a camera, an acceleration sensor and a GPS, which monitors kitty’s every move, translating actions like walking, eating and sleeping into tweets. Sadly, there are only 11 fixed phrases currently available (I’m guessing, “I left a lovely hairball in your sneaker” is not among them), but Sony CSL is hoping to improve Fluffy’s conversational skills soon.

The device fits easily onto the cat’s collar, so as to avoid hindering its movement, which means your cat can tweet all over the neighborhood.

We’ve seen an influx of novel Twitter functions of late: tweeting trees, tweeting beds and even tweeting cows. While the tech may seem kind of, well, silly, we could see it being of use to people besides lonely cat ladies. For instance, such a collar could be exceedingly useful for zoologists and the like.

What do you think of the tweeting cat collar? Genius or cat-astrophically ridiculous?

I just have one thing to say: Betsey and Ross have a birthday coming up (they'll be 14 in a month!) and no one (and I mean no one) better get this for them. I will mess you up if you do. The absolute last thing I want is them tweeting about how they need more love or food (believe me, they get plenty of both). No one want to hear Ross opine about civil rights for cats or how he needs to look sexy for the ladies and needs some liposuction.

Plus, seriously, someone else has a birthday in just two weeks that's more important than Betsey and Ross's. I'm just saying.

Mystery Edgar Allan Poe Visitor Mysteriously Disappears

I've never been a fan of Edgar Allan Poe (he's a little scary for me), but I've always been intrigued by the mysterious visitor who has visited his gravesite on the night of his birth for the past 60 years dressed in a hooded black cape and leaving a half-empty bottle of cognac and roses. The visitor always appeared between midnight and 5:30am. Last night, no one showed.

A few years ago, some girlfriends and I talked about going to Baltimore in mid-January and staking out the cemetery along with other Poe enthusiasts to watch the Poe Toaster make his annual pilgrimage. Unfortunately, we didn't make the trip.

No one knows the identity of the Poe Toaster, which makes last night's no-show even more mysterious.

Personally, I think the Poe Toaster is a grand tradition and I hope it resumes next year.

Mystery visitor to Poe's grave is a no-show; will he be seen nevermore?
Ben Nuckols & Joseph White, Associated Press Writers, January 19, 2010

BALTIMORE (AP) — It is what Edgar Allan Poe might have called "a mystery all insoluble": Every year for the past six decades, a shadowy visitor would leave roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac on Poe's grave on the anniversary of the writer's birth. This year, no one showed.

Did the mysterious "Poe toaster" meet his own mortal end? Did some kind of ghastly misfortune befall him? Will he be heard from nevermore?

"I'm confused, befuddled," said Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum. "I don't know what's going on."

The visitor's absence this year only deepened the mystery over his identity. One name mentioned as a possibility was that of a Baltimore poet and known prankster who died in his 60s last week. But there is little or no evidence to suggest he was the man.

Poe was the American literary master of the macabre, known for poems such as "The Raven" and grisly short stories like "The Tell-Tale Heart," ''The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Pit and the Pendulum." He is also credited with writing the first modern detective story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." He died in 1849 in Baltimore at age 40 after collapsing in a tavern.

In the history of the Poe toaster, little is certain.

The annual tribute began in 1949 — unless it started earlier, or later. The first printed reference to the tribute can be found that year in The Evening Sun of Baltimore. The newspaper mentioned "an anonymous citizen who creeps in annually to place an empty bottle (of excellent label)" against the gravestone.

Every year since 1978, Jerome has staked out the grave at the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground. Year after year, he said, he and various friends and Poe enthusiasts would watch from inside the Presbyterian church as a figure dressed in black, with a wide-brimmed hat and a white scarf, would leave three roses and cognac and steal away.

There is an alternative tale of the toaster's origins, one that Jerome vehemently disputes. Sam Porpora, the former historian at Westminster Hall, claimed in 2007 that he was the original Poe toaster, saying he came up with the idea in the late 1960s as a publicity stunt. But the details of Porpora's story seemed to change with each telling, and he acknowledged that someone had since made the tradition his own.

In 1993, the visitor began leaving notes, starting with one that read: "The torch will be passed." A note in 1998 indicated the originator of the tradition had died and passed it on to his two sons.

In 2001, as the Baltimore Ravens — named in honor of the bird in Poe's most famous poem — were preparing to face the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, the toaster left a note that praised the Giants and said the Ravens would suffer "a thousand injuries." Then in 2004, amid tense relations between the United States and France over the invasion of Iraq, a note said Poe's grave was "no place for French cognac" and that the liquor was being left "with great reluctance."

Beyond Porpora, no one ever stepped forward to take credit for the tradition. But one name emerged Tuesday as a possible candidate: David Franks, a Baltimore poet and performance artist who died last week.

Franks was a Poe aficionado and an outrageous prankster who dressed with a "19th-century literary flair," said Rafael Alvarez, a friend of Franks and president of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.

Franks once photocopied his private parts on a Xerox machine at a Social Security office and put the images on display. Decades ago, he posed as a disabled poet in a wheelchair, solicited donations from the crowd, then thanked everyone and got up and walked away.

Jerome said he doubts Franks was the toaster: "I looked at some images of him, and he doesn't look at all like the person we've seen over the years."

Alvarez also said Franks wasn't a sports fan, and "his politics were more French than American."

The toaster's annual appearance has become a pilgrimage for Poe fans, some of whom travel hundreds of miles. About three dozen stood huddled in blankets during the overnight cold Tuesday, hoping to catch a glimpse. At 5:30 a.m., Jerome emerged from the church to announce that the toaster had not arrived.

As the longtime guardian of Poe's legacy in Baltimore and the occupant of a prime viewing spot, Jerome has often had to respond to skeptics who believe he knows the Poe toaster's true identity — or is the toaster himself.

"If I was doing it, that is fraud, pure and simple. I could lose my job," Jerome said.

Jerome said the only thing he has kept secret is a signal — a gesture the toaster has predictably made each year at the grave — that even now he is not willing to reveal.

As for why the visitor didn't show this year, "you've got so many possibilities," Jerome said. "The guy had the flu, accident, too many people."

Jerome said that perhaps the visitor considered last year's elaborate 200th anniversary celebration of Poe's birth an appropriate stopping point.

"People will be asking me, 'Why do you think he stopped?'" Jerome said. "Or did he stop? We don't know if he stopped. He just didn't come this year."

Happy 75th Birthday to The King!

In honor of Elvis's 75th birthday today (and because this reminds me of a very fun party I attended two years ago), Little Merry Sunshine pays homage to The King with these videos. Enjoy!

Blue Suede Shoes


Amazing Grace


Suspicious Minds


Unchained Melody


Can't Help Falling In Love

Happy Birthday Dave!

Dave, Linda, Me, and our Dad at Watervale in 2005.

Thirty-five years ago today, God brought me a little brother whom my parents named David, over my very loud protests and requests to name him Bozo.

I'll be honest, at first, David, now Dave, wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Our parents had promised me that Dave would be a great playmate, but I learned the hard way . . . not so much. One day, shortly before his first Thanksgiving, when Mom thought Dave was napping and I was playing quietly in my room, she heard a gut wrenching shriek. She rushed to Dave's nursery where she found me sitting in his crib with him and he was just letting out these blood-curdling howls. Oh, and he also had teeth marks on his cheek. Mom took one look at me and wanted to know what had happened, as though there would be any explanation that would get me out of the severe punishment that was awaiting me. Innocently, I told her that Dave and I were playing Thanksgiving and he was the turkey. We never played that game again and I'm pretty sure it was a day or two before I was able to sit comfortably.

Not to worry, Dave got me back, about 6 years later when I was 10 and he announced to everyone at Dillard's that I did not need any undershirts (Nana had taken us school clothes shopping) because I wore now a bra.

No, we were not fast friends. In fact, for many years, we were more akin to mortal enemies.

I guess it was when we got to be teenagers that we finally started to like each other. And now I can honestly tell you that Dave is not just my little brother, he's also one of my closest friends.

If I got to hand pick my brother, Dave would be the guy. Dave is fun and smart. He's really down-to-earth and he's the guy you want in a crisis. He stays calm when I freak out. He's really damn handy with fixing things and has all sorts of knowledge I don't have. He's an amazing athlete. He owns his own business, Crystal Skylights & Solarlighting, and can build anything. And I've heard he's pretty good looking too.

Happy Birthday Dave! You are not only my only brother, but you are the best brother I could ever want to have, and I hope this is the best year of your life.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!

You are an amazing woman and have given me so much inspiration in life. Many people see problems, but you see solutions. You have always had a purpose greater than yourself, whether it's teaching kids with learning difficulties to read when no one else could or helping people with disabilities get services and make Fortune 500 Companies comply with the ADA. I'm proud to be your daughter.

In a labor of love, you took care of Nana in the final years of her life. No one could have done what you did and you gave her your best everyday. She knew you loved her and she loved you a bushel and a peck.

It brings me so much happiness that we can celebrate your birthday together at Sam's tonight.

May this new year bring you nothing but happiness and joy. It is no understatement to say that the world IS your oyster now.

I love you.

Happy Birthday Debbie!

Today is my friend Debbie's birthday.

Debbie is a woman who inspires me each day to be better.

An amazing single mom of two beautiful children including a developmentally disabled child, Debbie is one of the most selfless people I've ever known. She refuses to let life's challenges get in her way, rather choosing to overcome and celebrate life's goodness on a daily basis and live out her mission of leaving the world quite a bit better than she found it.

Her many victories in the few years I've known her include founding the Random Acts of Kindness Club and being elected as an Arlington Heights Memorial Library Trustee, where she pays it forward everyday and is creating a legacy of kindness and generosity that will long outlive her.

Debbie is an amazing mom, keeping her children as her purpose for forging ahead rather than an excuse for why she can't do something. They are growing up knowing that they can do anything and that love and kindness do triumph.

Debbie is the kind of friend everyone should have. She shows up with chicken noodle soup and brownies when you are sick. She always has kind uplifting words. She sees the best in others. She's non-judgmental, electing to believe that everyone has significant value and something to contribute. And she's fun.

So please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to my friend Debbie! There is no one I wish more happiness, joy, love, and success in the world to than her.

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Happy Birthday President Obama!

I wasn't sure who to have sing to you for your big day. So I asked Beyonce, since she did such a fine job at the Inaugural Ball, and Marilyn Monroe, since she's got experience singing to the President.





I know it's a little tacky to ask you to give me a gift on your birthday, but I'm going to do it anyway. I did get two sexy starlets to sing to you afterall. Anyway, I'd really like it if you could get me healthcare for all Americans for your birthday. Thank you!