The Big 3-1

Thankfully...it's not me...yet. :) But the impending doom of the first birthday totally in one's thirties is sneaking up on me...little by little. This past weekend, though, it was my friend Paula's turn first. :) We decided to celebrate big time! :)

I had her presents and her cake all set up for her to surprise her when she got home...

A sneak peak at what was in the bag--new sheets and a new journal!


Her new bedspread--a down comforter!--to go with the new sheets. :)

It was after midnight when she got in---so it was officially her birthday. She was surprised... :)



The next morning, we headed out for a day of FUN! :)

We started out with some YUMMY pumpkin pancakes at Paula's favorite spot--IHOP.

Then off to Fall's Park in Pendleton...

For a few fun pictures...





Next we headed off to some antique stores--we found SEVERAL things we had had as children--what a birthday treat--feeling old as you sift through "antiques" from your childhood!

Feeling the need for some caffeinated energy, we headed to Gathering Grounds, a fabulous little coffee shop in Pendleton--so pretty and so good! :)

We went towards Indianapolis next--stopping in Carmel along the way--we found one of my all-time favorite stores, "THE FRESH MARKET." I literally squealed with delight!

I neglected to get pictures of all of the fun stores we went to after that. We didn't buy hardly anything, but we had such fun browsing and dreaming at stores like "Sur la Table" and such...we didn't eat lunch because we were saving room for the main event of the evening...

THE MELTING POT

So much gooey goodness!




Lest you think I am way rich, I had a gift certificate to this ultra cool but quite pricey restaurant...definitely an unusual treat! :) Paula's day seemed to be satisfactory to her, I think. We were stuffed and tuckered from all the shopping, so we headed home after that to relax with a movie and lots of water. :) It was a great day with my great friend! Happy 31st, Paula! :)