2013's Final Sunset from Our Front Porch

Today is our daughter's 45th birthday. She used to hate that her birthday was on this date -- she said everybody was busy having their own party. I think maybe she has finally gotten over that.

She been celebrating for days by putting "happy" comments on Facebook. So today I posted many photos of her on throughout the day. It was fun to search through some of my old photo albums and then scan them and upload them to Facebook. On Sunday she wrote this and posted it on Facebook:

"Two days left of 44. Then I'm gonna be rocking 45!! I love growing up. I love life. I'm thankful. Thank you to everyone around me. Every little bit is cherished-every smile-every hug-every hello-
So thankful, so blessed."

So I added this information as a comment on her post:

"I named you after my very best girlfriend, Dede Nash, now Dede B. She lives in Dana Point with her husband Bruce. I always loved hanging-out at the Nash house just east of Lincoln St near the high school). Their home always seemed to be a wonderland of mass chaos where each of them flourished and found their own comfort-zone. Her mom, Betty, was divorced and never seemed to have a worry. Her brother, Leonard, was a couple of years older than us and totally immensed in surfing and music. Dad said Leonard was our city's Bob Dylan and Mickey Munoz. My friend Dede blossomed in a home that allowed lots of freedom. I don't think she's ever had an enemy. She had a smile and a laugh that revealed her subtle confidence and her love of living and of people--she never knew a stranger. I gave you her name because I wanted my daughter to have that same joy of living and to know no strangers and I think my desire was granted. Today, December 31, is your birthday. There should be dancing in the streets today because there is dancing in my heart. YOU and your brother have both been enormous blessings in my life. Your brother was born on my birthday and is the reason I got to marry your dad, known in this home as Mr. Fun. I was hoping to have you on your Dad's birthday in mid-December, but the labor inducing meds did not work. You arrived on your own timing and the 31st was the day. I hope YOUR birthday ROCKS!"

On another note, Mr. Fun is doing quite well after having surgery on his knee yesterday. He is having a little pain; he is taking pain meds; but he is not being a pain.

Well, Happy New Year everyone. Hello, 2014.

Good night from 2014 here in California,
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol