I am having SUCH a happy birthday. Like I really am REALLY, really happy right now! It's such a nice thing.

I got to open my presents from Tom this morning:

THE softest, fuzziest, warmest, snuggliest robe EVER, and cozy pj pants. I've been sooo jealous of Tom's fleece-ish bathrobe'n'pants, I steal them every now and again, but now I have my own and I cannot even tell you how soft this robe is. I literally looked forward to coming home all day, just to wear it.

I did have to work, but Ann and Bruce got me a cake - and, just like last year, I spoiled the surprise by bumping into them as they were carrying it up front for everyone. oops. But everybody sang, and laughed and had fun for a bit up front, I blew out the candle, and the cake was a delicious one.

Of course, Chad had saved me an absolutely evil banner to deal with, but that was okay, I actually got it to turn out pretty well. (This guy had brought in a cut'n'paste job he'd done on his own computer... printed out a digital photo of some guy's head, then drawn and colored - in crayon - a cartoon body. We had to scan it and put it on a banner. Scanning something that was printed on someone's home ink jet is ALWAYS, always awful. Fortunately, I have a good stash of tricks up my sleeve by now.)

We didn't get in a fresh batch of Webkinz, which would have been an ideal birthday job, but, WE GOT PEEPS!!! These adorable little Peep-shaped baskets with a sleeve of Peeps stuck inside. And then! TOYS!!! Little fluffy Peeps that make peeping noises, and sparkley keychains, and all sorts of ridiculousness. TOO freaking cute.

When the evening crew started trickling in, Kate and Sam made me a birthday sash, out of birthday wrapping paper and a paper star proclaiming "it's my birthday!", and copious amounts of curled ribbon. I did actually wear it for an hour or so, but I nearly ripped it like five times, so took it off after awhile.

Toward closing, I picked myself out a Peep - a cute little blue plush one, that you pull back and it'll roll across the floor on little wheels, making peeping sounds all the while. <3 I'd thought about balloons, and decided to see if there were any mylars I wanted. I was torn between My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, and Care Bears, but the Care Bears one had the best colors, and it says "Have a Rainbow Birthday", which made me too happy. While I was blowing it up, I noticed Sam, one of my co-workers, was also picking out some balloons. I asked who she was getting them for, and she said, "Actually, this one is for you." !!! So I now have two balloons tied to my desk, a Care Bears one and a purple Happy Birthday one. And the sash is flung over another corner. It's making me really, really happy. I got wished a happy birthday like a million times at work, I really do work with the best group of people. :)

I glanced at my phone as we got ready to lock up, and found a message from Tom, who had to work tonight. He took me out to dinner at Applebee's last night, since he had to work until 1am tonight... but!! For all the crap WalMart deals out to their employees, Tom's immediate boss is a pretty great guy. He and the other guys working offered to pick up the extra slack, and let Tom go home at 9:30, so he could spend the evening with me. Sam gave me a ride over to Wendy's (which is right next door, but the weather was AWFUL tonight, we couldn't see more than five feet ahead, had no clue where the road was in places), and I hung out and had a chocolate milkshake 'til Tom got there. We went and picked up a chocolate cake and some mint chocolate chip ice cream, and then came home.

I tied my balloons to my desk, and ran upstairs to put on my robe. <333 Then I went online and found soooo many birthday messages all over my facebook, and it *so* made my night. It really did. Also Mom sent me a Star Wars e-card, which was highly entertaining. (And no, I didn't miss the 'getting old' jokes in it... but honestly, I have heard the "ohh, so you're a quarter of a century old!" comment from like four different people today, so my tolerance level's pretty high.)

After awhile, I heard Tom rummaging around in the cupboards, and eventually he came over and gave me a forlorn look. "...where are the candles?"

A few minutes later, he turned off the light, and walked out of the kitchen, carrying the cake toward me, the only light coming from the candles arranged (evenly spaced, neatly arranged, this is Tom) around the edge of the cake. And he did in fact sing.

^_____________^

I am such a happy thing right now. I reallyreally am. Tom's offered to do whatever I'd like all night, and I honestly don't even know, I'm so warm and content right now.

And, omg, this robe is AMAZING. <333