Let the celebration begin!

Well it is officially my birthday weekend. You know I believe it is a national holiday. I also believe in celebrating for at least a week, if not more.
My husband started it all off with a beautiful brooch that I had looked at but didn't purchase for myself.

I love brooches and this one just screamed my name. He also bought a pair of earrings I will show later when I show off my new birthday shirt!
Then today I had my hair done. I had found a picture of me about 6 years ago when I had light red hair with highlights. I wanted to go back to that color.
My hairdresser went a little bolder and put quite a bit of strawberry blond highlights, so much so that my hair almost looks blond. It is so pretty! I also bought some new eye make-up and lipstick (you know you only turn 50 once!)
Here is the new me:

After we finished that, my sister's family, Mom, James and I went to a Japanese steakhouse where we watched them play with fire. It was so much fun! Here are some pics of the celebration:





All in all it was a fun day!
I will end this post with a picture of our new addition Honey:

Tuesday a friend of mine and I are having a spa party (facial, pedicure, manicure, the works!). And then on my actual birthday I have a new shirt and sandals to show off the new pedicure (even though it is supposed to be below freezing on that day).
So more celebrating is definitely on the way!

When did this happen (and a new addition)

Ok, when or rather where, did 49 years go? I cannot possibly be turning 50. I mean, 50? Really? FIFTY!??? But after checking my driver's license and searching in vain for my birth certificate (maybe they didn't have those that long ago!), I am indeed turning 50 on February 2, whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not.
Well, if I must turn 50 I will do it in the princess style I am accustomed to.
At a spa, enjoying a facial, pedicure and manicure, along with a friend (thanks Mom and Brenda for arranging and paying for this!). We are going the evening before my birthday so that I can look fabulous on my birthday. As we all know, I must ROCK this birthday!
In the past I have done things like have a birthday bash blood drive and fundraiser for my birthday. This year I am being selfish. It is all about me. Is that terrible? Am I wrong?
If so, well, I am going to be terrible and wrong. After all, you only turn 50 once (I know, I know, you can say that same thing about every birthday year!). And 50 is special.
Now for the new addition. Many of you helped me get through the loss of my sweet Alex puppy last spring. It was extremely hard.
But I have missed having a dog in the house. So for my birthday, my dear husband was going to get me a dog. But God (and my niece Sabrina) dropped one into my life. Her name is Honey and she is a mini dachshund. She is two years old and the owner had 5 dogs and just couldn't care for them all. James is going to pay for her shots update and getting her spayed. So he is still, in a way, paying for the dog for my birthday.
She is just precious. A lap dog. And even though she has been her less than a week, she is part of the family.
May I present Honey:

The dress came with her. It took her about 20 minutes and it came off. She is not much of a poser, but we will work on that.
On another note, this week the stitching world lost a great teacher and friend. Rest in peace Sweet Rene. You were one of a kind and I am sure heaven is enjoying having you!