Forty-One. OMG.

It's true. I'm now 41. As Valerie said, "Man, you're old like my Mommy and Aunt Sheryl."

I had a great birthday day this year. Work was good, the weather was wonderful, we ate Japanese. The tuna was delish. The evening, however, was wrought with birthday flubs. Here are a few of them:

1. First was a chat with Valerie, Susanne's daughter. She sang "Happy Birthday" which ended with, "...Happy Biiiirthday, Aunt Carol, Happy Birthday to you!" Um, WHAT?

2. My 3 year old Niece, Jordan, also sang Happy Birthday to me, but called me Ca-Ca Colleen. Yes, Ca-Ca, like poopie. In her defense, she's trying to say "Chiotka" (pronounced like "Cha-Cha," which is how you say Aunt in Polish. Terribly cute! Still, she called me Aunt Poopie.

3. My father managed to sing the song to me correctly, but only after he wished me a Merry Christmas.

4. The biggest travesty? I missed all of Dancing with the Stars and 99% of American Idol. Unreal.

Thanks to all of you who sent me a warm wish by e-mail and snail mail. It's so nice to be reminded of how much I am loved. My heart feels full today.