Happy Birthday to Me!

Birth-announcement

Today is my birthday.
I am 52 years old.

Lee was my middle name.

Baptism

Godmother Mary and Godfather Craig. My Mom is taking the photo, while my Dad looks on. Father McGoldrick nearly dropped the cruet on my head when he heard I did not have a Christian name.

My middle name is Ann.

Hand-print

My hand print. I have the same lines, and a few more on my face.

First-steps

My Mother notes in my baby book that I blew a whistle at five months all, and that I took my first steps at sixteen months….

Sixteen months?!

Birthday1

But I knew how to blow out my birthday candle at one.

Birthday-2
Look at those lips! I
When I was a teen ager potato chin thin lips were in style… I was teased about those lips of mine. We won't talk about the nose.
I guess you could say it built character in me.

Birthday3

Birthday4

My hair (if you care to note) is the same from when I was two until forever!

Birthdaystanding-on-a-chair

Its my birthday and I happy about it.

When is your birthday and if you dare how old will you be?

Note: Thank you for your comments about your "signature" yesterday.
An 18th century document is going to be made into a paper plane and sail straight to:
Patty Cole: Who wrote her signature is: "Men's plaid pajamas and checkered shirts from the goodwill."

And keeping in tune with the gift giveaway this entire birthday week today's giveaway is a set of these:

Antique-tags

If you are interested in being a lucky winner here is the question:

What was one of your fondest birthday memories?

Mine is….

I was 35 and had ovarian cancer. Two of my dearest friends in all the world were by my side, Ellen and Erika… (Americans who came to help me out in France.)

I was bone thin, ate like a ten little pigs but could not keep any weight on. I weighed 88 pounds that day.

Ellen and Erika decided I needed fattening up; so on that day, that wonderful birthday day were they watched my children and held Yann up for weeks on end, made me Burritos!! Homemade shells!! Flatten with their loving hands! Mexican food, more so tortilla you could not find in the south of France…. they made them for me. I love the memory of that day.



Comments

192 responses to “Happy Birthday to Me!”

  1. the 19th March and I will be 66. The terrible thing is I still see myself as the photo on my profile and when I look in the mirror I get the fright of my life!! It is my Mother looking back! Every Birthday is fun as all the girls in our family are Pisceans and we try to celebrate together. My poor husband is an Aquarian and the two signs aren’t best friends. Sometimes I almost feel sorry for him!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Julienne

  2. Happy Happy Birthday Corey!
    I hope that You will have a wonderful day and fabulous year ahead! 52 was a good year for me and it certainly is a terrific number!
    Have fun! You sure were cute as can be in those great photographs!
    :)Laura
    52 Flea

  3. BIG hugs and kisses from us three all the way from South Africa…I’m allso including a ray from the bright sunny day today….summer blue skies and the warmest thoughts…Bissous Colette Theo and Karla XXX

  4. Hello Corey…Happy Birthday to you. I hope you have a wonderful day, with your family.
    One of my happiest birthday moments, was my 40th, just me and my husband on a weekend trip to Cornwall. We were meant to be in Devon but kept driving. Our wonderful meal in an italian restaurant over looking the sea, and then after walking along the beach, and looking up to the restaurant. It was lovely weather, birthday is in June.
    What fantastic friends of yours, and so lucky that they came to look after you and your then little ones!!

  5. Massilianana

    Joyeux Anniversaire to you , Corey ! Have fun, treat yourself, crack lots of bottles of champagne and indulge in anything you like !!! Best wishes !
    And I will be…45 on June 12th !!!!!Oh mon Dieu !

  6. Happy Birthday, Corey,
    and many many happy ones to come!
    Hugs,
    Merisi

  7. Happy Birthday beautiful and sweet Corey!
    you make smile my heart always!
    I only remember one of my birthdays actually..one at the beach (Im from early september so it is always on school holidays…and I don’t like a birthday party for me anyways…) we were 7 girls with bikinis (teenagers) and each of them made a cake for me! they put them on the table, and we ate them all!!! laughfing and chatting! SO beautiful day it was!

  8. My best birthday memory….when my dearest friends invited me to a bookbinding course..i thought they had all forgotten my birthday..and kept quiet feeling all sorry for myself. when we broke for lunch, there was the most beautifull table set under the trees,vintage teacups, and plates, champagne and treats…and loads of lovely gifts all wrapped in vintage paper and vintage french dishcloths….oh that was so dear to me…Colette -Africue du Sud

  9. One of my favorite birthdays is the small party I had shortly before I finally had my kidney transplant. I turned 10 and two weeks later, i got a new lease on life.
    So now i technically have TWO bdays! 🙂

  10. There are no favorites for me… just the gratitude for every one that arrives. I will be 45 on March 18th. Life is Good.

  11. Happy Birthday, Corey. I’ll be 47 on Feb. 23, so it’s coming up fast. I hope I’ll be as giving as you are during my birthday week!
    One of my favorite birthday memories was my 21st. I was a college senior and a friend of mine had worked at a restaurant that closed down. She convinced the owner to let her have a birthday party for me at the restaurant. Since I was finally legal at 21, she even had a keg.
    After many beers and much fun, the next day we’re talking to some of the guys in the dorm about the keg. Turns out, we were supposed to return the empty keg to get our deposit back. We had thrown it in the dumpster. We had to go back to the restaurant and go dumpster diving to get it out.
    “What did you think it was just a big beer can?” one of the football players asked us.
    “Yes, frankly. We did.”
    I’ve never had a keg since then. But I prefer wine or pina coladas to beer anyway.

  12. Yesterday, February 3, I turned 65. That is a real awakening. My favorite birthday I would have to say was my 9th. My mom really went all out with Valentine decorations all over. All my best friends were there and for napkins, we all got red and white Valentine handkerchiefs. I was amazed how crafty my mother was at that time. Yesterday was a good day also. Happy birthday, Corey, and many more.

  13. I will be 52 in September, Corey. My favourite birthday was my 21st. My boyfriend (he whom I married) gave me a lovely sapphire ring (my birthstone) & my cake was a square cake with the sides iced by my mother in a basket weave pattern & then the top was covered with real flowers. The daisies, tea roses & violets had all been dipped in egg-white & caster sugar. As an Aussie I was born in the Spring.

  14. I meant to say “Many Happy Returns of the Day” which is what is said in Australia. Have a great day, Corey.

  15. Happy Birthdat Corey! Wishing you many years to come, and by the way you were an adorable child.

  16. Happy Birthday Corey and many more!

  17. Very Happy Birthday Wishes Corey!

  18. Happy Birthday!
    I will be 47 on August 13th.
    Fondest Birthday celebration: turning 40 at a lake rental surrounded with my family and friends. Receiving a lovely present from my husband (a dictionary–I love dictionaries), a beautiful nativity set from my parents (I love nativity sets) and an ice cream cake (I love ice cream cakes) from my dear friends.

  19. Happy Birthday, Corey, My favorite birthday was my 40th. After celebrating with family and friends, we went for a ride under the stars in our new to us Mustang convertible and stopped at a playground and went down the slide. Happy memories.
    Nancy

  20. An escape with my daughter to Bruge, was one of my favorite birthdays. The only way anyone could trace us was with our credit card purchases. What a delight.

  21. Happy Birthday, Corey! Lovely baby photos!

  22. Happy Birthday Corey!
    My fondest memory was on my golden 8th birthday on May 8, 1968. I got to have a “real” birthday party and invited all the girls from my class. My mom put on a wonderful party, I still remember dropping clothes pins into an old wide mouthed mayonnaise bottle. One of my friends gave me a 12 inch plastic horse. I still have that horse and Leah remains a cherished friend. This May I will turn 50. It’s hard to believe. Best wishes for a beautiful day. Becky F

  23. Oh, those lips, I would kill for them. My daughter has them so that is even better. I laughed when your mother wrote that you were sixteen months when you first started walking. My little guy was the same. He got around on his knees, boy could he scoot. He looked like Tim Conway….. Happy, Happy Birthday!
    One of my favorite birthdays would have to be my 40th; just celebrated it in November and in January we moved to Paris for my husbands job. I feel like this is the beginning of so much for me.

  24. Happy Birthday Corey! Have a great one! Your photos are lovely so cute!
    I treasure each birthday as it comes 57 next August!Being during the summer I have been fortunate to have been in France for a few,even photographed in front of the Arc de Triomphe for my 51st!I was in Portugal for my 50th.The years seem to go so fast now its frightening,so enjoy your day!

  25. Happy Birthday to You!!
    Today is your day to dance in your birthday suit, splash in your tub, open the bubbly and celebrate life! I love the photo of you looking into the camera with a sweet satisfied look, with that great doll cake!
    You’ve still got IT! Thanks for sharing your ‘Joie de Vivre’!
    I had my 50th birthday November 18 and am determined to make it the best year yet!

  26. The happiest of happy days to you Corey!

  27. Happy!!! Happy!!! Fifty two is a very good age… lots of good stuff still to come. I will turn the big 60 in May and I find myself strangely serene and happy about that. Not entirely sure why. Maybe I’ve just had it with the inward moaning and groaning about the changes in my face and body…it’s a transition the fifties are. So, here’s to all of us born in the fifties!! Hope you celebrate in style.

  28. Happy Birthday to you…Happy Birthday to you!!! I will be 55 on my next birthday!! My best birthday memory as a child was my surprise party with all my neighborhood friends and that beautiful pink angora sweater!! As an adult one of my children was going through a difficult time and on my birthday they agreed to get help. What a fabulous birthday gift to a mom! I will never forget that moment!!! Corey loved your curls!!! Enjoy your day and make some wonderful birthday memories!!!!

  29. Happy, Happy Birthday Corey Lee Ann (both very nice middle names by the way) I wish you all the very best this day.
    I’ll be 50 this coming June 10th. How chall I celebrate?
    ♥ XOXOXOXOXO Shea

  30. Happy Birthday, Corey! I will turn 40 on the 17th…and I’m looking forward to it. One of my favorite birthdays has to be when I turned 26. My husband was away with the military. It was a Saturday, and I had a meeting…so I hired a college-student friend of mine to babysit my 2 preschool aged sons for me. (Since it pertains to the story, I should mention here that my oldest son had developmental and speech delays…and one of the things I found most heartbreaking at the time was his lack of enjoyment or understanding of music, since I loved music so much.) Anyway, NONE of my friends at the meeting even mentioned my birthday. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. When I came home, I found streamers and balloons hanging in the kitchen, and my babysitter (Lori) and my boys had baked a cake. Next, she said, “Are you ready?” to my oldest son, and he climbed up in my lap and sang the “Happy Birthday” song perfectly, just like Lori had taught him. It took my breath away…I just hugged him and cried. She had no idea how much that would have meant to me…she thought nothing of it because she didn’t know of his struggles. I still get weepy when I think of it, and he’s almost 18 now! Such a small gesture, but huge! =^)

  31. Joyeux anniversaire, ma chère Corey !!!are you sure you are 52 years old ?

  32. I wish you the happiest of birthdays. My birthday is September 29th and I cannot think of a favorite right now because I am so touched by your favorite story. A scary time for you and your family but a lovely story all the same. Good friends are such a special gift from God. I think of you that way – so strange. Again, Happy Birthday.

  33. HApPpPpY BirTHdAY Corey!
    Love seeing the old photo of Father McGoldrick. You never wanted to be in trouble with him! Great photos of you, so fun!
    I’ll be FIFTY on November 10th.
    xo

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  35. Happy Birthday, Corey!!!!!!
    I think your father looks like French Husband in the photo.
    My favorite birthday memory is when I turned 8 and there was
    a hurricane and we had no electricity. My mother drove miles to
    a friend’s house (who had electricity) so she could make me a
    birthday cake. I still remember it had pink icing with strawberries on it. A mother’s love…
    Judy

  36. Happy Happy Birthday to you.. I’ll be 57 in November of this year.. scary for sure. I don’t feel as old as my driver’s license says I am..
    My childhood birthdays were great. Mom made them special, my adult birthdays are just another day, I’m usually cooking a turkey. My husband is a lousy planner of anything special. So I’ve started planning my own affairs. It’s better that way. But a very favorite was my 50th. I worked for a major swiss sewing machine company here in the USA and we were in Chicago and it was after my birthday and they had a whole room decorated and we celebrated! Thank you Gayle (my then boss- and one of the greatest women I know!)

  37. Many, many Happy Returns, Corey! I share my birthday with Julienne, March 19th– 57 this year and learning to cherish every day. (I am wondering if Julienne’s mother ever decorated the house with shamrocks for her birthday party as mine did?) I absolutely love the photographs– the smiles, the hair, the cakes, the dresses– and oh, those expressions! So very happy for you!
    Kirsten

  38. Happy Birthday Corey
    May it be the best yet!

  39. Happy Birthday Corey! Come back to Texas… we miss you!
    best birthday memory… 18th… my daddy came to college to pick me up for Christmas break, brought me a fancy dress and high heels, then took me out to an expensive candlelight dinner… and gave me a new (to me) Ford Mustang…. I was a daddy’s girl (what was your first hint?) and I loved having a special celebration with my dad. Dad passed away just before my 21st birthday… so this 18th b’day is a treasured memory…

  40. I wish you the best of Birthdays today Corey! May you make memories that will surpass even your 35th!
    My bday is Nov. 11th and I will be 39(mammograms here they come, ugh). My bday falls on a holiday (Veteran’s Day) so I have always had my day out of school or off work(YAYAYAYAY!!)until the last few yrs when the US decided it wasn’t worthy for children to actually honor the Veterans but that’s for a whole nother post. Anyway, one of my favs was when I turned 15 yrs. old, my parents, brother and then boyfriend took me to Godfather’s pizza(oh the memories there-it used to be the local teen hangout), gave me my presents(cannot remember what they were) but the highlight was they let me ride home with my boyfriend without a chaperone! I couldn’t date until 16 so this was a major deal just getting to ride the 12 miles home with him even tho’ they were right behind us, ha. It was heaven I tell ya’. This has been a wonderful week for me to remember all these past milestones in my life, I do wish you they most wonderful birthday-I feel like you have given us so much more than we could give you!
    love,
    angela

  41. Happy Birthday Corey Ann Amaro~
    Fifty two and terrific !!
    So glad you were born.
    It’s amazing to see your Godmother Mary at your baptism! She has always been a pretty lady.
    Your memory of your 35th, with Ellen and Erika is cherished memory. I’m going to go visit those friends of yours!
    About a happy birthday memory.
    I was at a camp in California near the beach, when I turned 14, Mt. Cross. There was something extra special about this camp and the counselors and the hugs, that changed my life forever. It was that night, at a little birthday party that a counselor Christy said something, that infused deep within & for the first time in my life, I began to learn to appreciate my uniqueness.
    Hugs to you, Corey.
    Have a WONDERFUL time today.
    Eat apple gallette to your hearts content.
    Enjoy~
    A smile from my heart to yours.
    xox
    Constance

  42. Cheryl in California

    My favorite birthday memory is of my seventh year party. Mom was in the hospital having my brother and Grandma was in charge. She made a cake from scratch, decorated it with flowers cut from pastel marshmallows and pale green frosting. My friends did not live in the same town so Grandma called some of the families in her church that had daughters my age and invited them over. Looking back now I realize how much extra work that was for her at a time when her daughter was having another baby! The memory of it grows more precious every year. I love my Grandma!

  43. I just had a birthday – January 24th. I turned 27. I can’t believe I’ll be 30 soon. There was so much I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 30 and I feel like I can’t catch up. Anyway, that makes us both aquarians! I knew I liked you for a reason. 🙂

  44. HAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
    so you mean…you just turned 4! ;))
    (i’m going with i jut turned “26” hehehe)
    so much love!!!
    n.

  45. becky up a hill

    May 4th and I will be 56. I think ;o). I loved my 25 birthday, cause I was engaged to be married, a few short weeks later. This will be our 31 A. this year. Enjoyed seeing the cute photos of you. Your Mom made some adorable cakes!

  46. Happy Birthday Corey !!!
    My birthday is April 19th and this year I will be 57. My how time flies.

  47. Happy birthday, Corey!! I will be 47 on March 28th… I was shocked to realize that not a single birthday stands out in my memory…!!
    Isabel

  48. I am so happy you were born…and you moved to France…and you write this blog…and you love old things…and that I found you…
    Have the best Birthday Ever Corey!
    Lotta Love being sent your way~
    From this lil ole fan from the midwest…xoxo

  49. Katherine Miller

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY COREY! ALL MY BEST WISHES, Katherine Miller from Coto de Caza, California!

  50. Happy Birthday, Corey! loved reading about your favorite birthday memory. We will be staying with Erika in April.. I´ll finally get to meet Jack!
    Wish you lots of laughter, joy, good food and new fondest memories with the family today!
    Stacey

  51. Happy, happy birthday, Corey! May the coming year be full of blessings and joy! My husband and I will both turn 50 this year and also celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, so it is a year of milestones. Also our children turn 21, 18, 16 and 14 this year! When I turned 40 my husband planned a sneaky surprise birthday party with a couple of my friends – they took me to lunch at a great girlie restaurant where other friends were there to surprise me. They all had written out special recipes to give me for my birthday. (I like to cook) That was a fun birthday.

  52. Happy Birthday…thank you for sharing your life with us….March 2 I will turn 59, I just can’t believe it….One year I remember my husband told me to go open the garage door….my surprise was a brand new silver Vega tied with a red bow.For me just a simple white cake with white frosting is the perfect gift and one that I love to receive the best…….Corey have a beautiful day!!!

  53. Happy birthday Corey!
    Have a fabulous, fun and loving day!! Give yourself a good treat and enjoy what you love the most.
    Warm greeting and a huge birthday hug ♥
    Aina

  54. Susana Stevens

    Best, Best, Birthday Wishes, Corey!! From the Baptismal photo, I’m wondering if Yann ever reminded you of your dad when Yann’s hair was dark? I could just hug your mom for all those fabulous birthday cakes she baked! The set of “trees” is my favorite! Tell her my birthday is in July! xxxx S

  55. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Corey, Happy Birthday to you! Could you hear me singing to you?
    I always wanted a doll cake for my birthday…….lucky you. I think your pictures are fantastic! So glad you beat the horrible cancer.
    Have a wonderful day!

  56. Happy Birthday Corey! What a wonderful birthday memory you shared.
    Mine is this: It was 10 years ago and I had just gotten divorced. I was very sick on my birthday. My mom came over to see me and something was moving in her coat — and out popped an adorable little striped kitten with a big pink bow around her neck. My birthday present, to keep me from getting lonely. I named the kitten Jingle Belle because of the little pink bell around her neck. She’s still my best girlfriend!

  57. It’s funny, I don’t have lots of birthday memories, but I do remember getting a fishing pole as a gift one year (when I was maybe 8 or 9). I don’t remember being all that pleased with that gift, but I now see that it was my Dad’s way of showing how much he loved me by wanting to spend time with me. I also remember another birthday gift that even now would be perfect…an olive green corderoy jumper with matching textured tights. This would have been back in the 60’s sometime, but is still something I would love today! Funny the things you remember. Oh, and I will be turning the same age as you on my birthday later in the year.

  58. Coquine!
    Bonne Anniversaire!
    12/3/52 – 57!
    I can see, in the next to the last photo, that little girl’s radiant smile in your adult face of today. I saw it in the video with the little French person.

  59. Kristin Wight

    Happy Birthday!
    July 18th is my birthday and this year I will be 40!!! I only turned 30 like 3 years ago! How did 40 happen so quickly?
    One of my fondest birthday memories is going to Mexico earlier in the year (maybe february or Easter break) and picking up a donkey pinata. I was the only one who ever had a pinata for a birthday party! It was so much fun (even though I couldn’t hit it) I think I was only 8 or something…

  60. many many happy wishes to you today ms. corey!
    i have had so many wonderful birthdays and this year will be no exception. celebrating (provided we are able to fly out of dulles on the 15th) along the amalfi coast. i am sooo excited! my day is the 16th of february 🙂

  61. Grace Barzyz

    Happy Birthday Corey! Cinzano!
    My Mom’s Birthday is tomorrow Feb.5th.
    My Birthday is March 25th , I am 45 years old and my fondest birthday memory is celebrating my sister (April 25th) and my birthday together……….well it was an extravaganza to say the least………we both had our pink party dresses on and each wore a crown of flowers on our heads…….we also had wrist corsages on of pink roses and daises. We were all seated at a long table and Toni was at one end of the table and I was on the other end.
    We had pink crepe paper balls that had little surprises in them for all the kids and we both had the biggest pink cakes, yes one for me and one for her………but the absolute best was when the cakes came out,
    they were totally lit with sparklers….that was the ultimate! forget the gifts….forget the games….it was the
    SPARKLERS that I shall never forget. I highly recomend that all who celebrate their birthday’s must have SPARKLERS on their cake….today Corey I am lighting a sparkler for you……OK make a wish……………(applause) all the best!
    grace

  62. Happy, Happy Birthday Corey! I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for sharing such a touching birthday story. We are close to the same age and when you suggested writing about a fond birthday memory . . .well, I couldn’t think of any. My mother did not really celebrate our birthdays, no parties or special dresses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. But thinking back, I would have to say my 34th was the most special. Not because I celebrated in some special way, but because I was expecting my first child, my daughter, and that year I felt more special, more connected to life and love than ever.

  63. Happy birthday, Corey!!!

  64. Nancy from Mass

    Happy Birthday Corey! (You are 2 days younger than my brother!) My birthday is October 11 and I’ll be 44 this year.
    My favorite birthday memory is the fact that my Dad would take the birthday person out anywhere they wanted to eat for their special day…just Dad and the birthday boy/girl. Then we would go home and have cake and ice cream with the family. That was Dads’ gift to us. And we could choose any restaurant. I remember once that I chose McDonalds (a rarity to go to back then.) I would give my right arm to go to dinner again with my Dad.

  65. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Corey, Happy Birthday to you!
    What a special birthday with homemade tortillas. I can understand where you would treasure that memory. Dear friends make it the best.
    On my 60th birthday I threw my own party and invited my closest friends. I told each one what they meant to me and had a small gift for each of them. I will treasure that party in my heart, as that was the last time I saw one of those friends as she passed away shortly after that party of breast cancer.

  66. Buon Compleanno Corey!!! OK, so it’s Italian…..but I don’t know French…so I am sending you my best Italian birthday wish. ……..53….you are only a young chicken……50’s are golden years so continue to enjoy them and share them with us. First I must tell you that my middle name is LEE and I will be 65 on 15 May and I will be celebrating with friends on the Canal du Midi in France……..so this could be my best birthday as a few days later I will be staying at the La Madone with my dear husband and I will be meeting you and French husband……..so maybe this will be my best birthday EVER. Over the years I have been blessed with many wonderful birthdays……I think the best ever so far was my 60th which was celebrated in Italy with family and friends….being sung to in Italian by a handsome man with soulful eyes……..who was maybe 30….and holding tight to my husband’s hand…..it was dream come true………so maybe this birthday a Frenchman with soulful eyes will sing to me while I hold dear husband’s hand tightly! Love your blog…….you are gracious to share your life with us…….merci beaucoup……..can’t wait to meet you. Donna Lee

  67. Happy Birthday! Today is also my baby’s birthday. She is 22yo. Her name is Madison. My middle name is Lee, but since I gave that middle name to Mallory (who is 26yo), I gave Madison my sister’s middle name, Lyn.
    Why does it not surprise me that you and Madison share a birthday. You are both very similar, from what I have learned about you from your blog. Of all my internet “friends,” I am glad she shares this day and traits with you.
    sincerely,
    Allison
    PS. Forgot to answer your question. My birthday is on the 4th of July and I will be turning 50 this year. Sometimes it feels like the BIG 5-0! And sometimes it sounds just like another number. I still feel young in my heart and that’s what counts the most!

  68. My birthday is December 31 (yes, New Year’s Eve!). When I was little I thought everyone was dressing up in their fancy dresses, party hats and tiaras, noisemakers, and all the rest of the loveliness for MY birthday. This past birthday (and I was 55) was a Blue Moon. Still celebrating my big day worldwide and to the moon!!!

  69. You know when my birthday is. No real memorable birthdays since I don’t like any big whoopdeedo or lots of attention. I always prefer surprise gifts for no special reason on ordinary days.

  70. My fondest birthdays always include my dear friend’s vanilla cupcakes with pink icing. As long as my birthday includes a cupcake from Jessica, it is always a favorite.

  71. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COREY! It’s my birthday too! How weird that your mom is also named Dolores as is my name too. And practically everyone in my family is named George! I hope you have a lovely day celebrating your birthday. I share my birthday also with my best friend Maureen who is also 56 today like me. I just wrote a post about our trip to Provence. Anyway. HAPPY BIRTHDAY from one birthday girl to another! –Delores
    http://vignettedesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/wednesday-gratitude-birthday-wish.html

  72. Happy Birthday! This is the sweetest post! I will be 56 in July. My fondest birthday memory was also a time of illness- 3 weeks before my 50th birthday, I suffered a sudden bowel perforation and nearly died. I was one week out of the hospital on my 50th birthday, still quite ill- but so happy to be home, to even BE AROUND for my 50th, and surrounded by my family. My parents and brothers sent me lovely bouquets of flowers- I felt very loved. I had no problem turning the big 50!

  73. Ok, It’s Delores again. I forget to tell my favorite birthday memory.
    It was when I turned 50 and Maureen and I had a huge party. It was so much fun: All of her family and friends, and all my family and friends. We rented a tent in the backyard and danced like it was 1979! –Delores

  74. Happy Birthday! Your godmother is gorgeous and your father looks as if he is going to burst with pride. Hope it’s a fantastic day spent with loved ones.

  75. Joyeux Anniversaire Corey. You are a real gift to all of us. (notice how many of us are in our 50’s) I will be 57 on July 28th. Actually every birthday is my favorite birthday. One of those special birthdays is when my father again insisted on traveling for a month during the summer. This time camping our way though Europe. I had no idea how luckey I was. I just wanted to stay home with my friends and hang out. My Father said I could be anywhere I wanted for my birthday and I chose the French Riviera. I had a French Boyfriend at the time. That is just were we were on July 28, 1970. Thank you so much for asking just the right questions to evoke such wonderful memories. I wish my father were still here to tell him how much I really appreciate his insistance on travel. Where has the time gone?

  76. Happy Birthday Corey…is your middle name Lee or Ann or both 😕
    I read the post below about a middle name…I don’t have one. I think that is why I hyphenated my last name as I always wanted a middle name.
    My favorite Birthday party was seven years ago…it was a surprise party and friends came from far and near to surprise me.
    It was in a Restaurant whose Chef is married to my Goddaughter…he pulled out all the stops for me.
    I am like French Women…I don’t tell my age…until I am pressured…then I lie 🙂

  77. Happy Birthday to you Corey! What an adorable baby you were – it seems the joy for life you show now has been with you all along!

  78. Happy Birthday, Corey.
    My birthday is Jan. 24 and I just turned 59. YIKES!! My favorite birthday memory was when I turned 18. My boyfriend at that time took me downtown (CHICAGO) on the train. My first train ride but mostly he just made me feel so special!

  79. Happy Birthday, Corey! Can you believe that we’ve known each other since 1986!
    My best birthday memories are not mine, but the days my sons were born. It can’t possibly get any happier than that!
    Hugs!

  80. Happy Happy Birthday to you! We share the same sign, Aquarius. I was 67 on January 28th :O I am caregiver to my 99 year old mother, who still lives in her own home. We live separately, but I oversee her paid caregivers, take some shifts there myself, and take care of the business end of everything. Nearing 70 is scary! I want to do things away from home. Hopefully I will have time later.
    My best birthday memory is the “beatnik” surprise party my friends threw for me when I turned 16. They held it in my parents’ basement, and I didn’t have a clue until that day.

  81. Happiest Birthday to you Corey, love is to be surrounded by your family and friends on your special day. I wish you a very happy and lovely birthday!
    Any birthday that was remembered for me was special….. sometimes it gets lost when there’s ten children.
    Cheers,
    Margaret B

  82. Birthdays in my family of origin had always been small family affairs, so I surprised myself (and others) when I turned 44 and went on a three woman road trip to Austin. The normally three hour drive took almost all day as we stopped everywhere and anywhere. The rest of the long weekend was the same. We laughed, we sang in the car, spent hours in bookstores and music shops. We ate very well, we shopped equally as well. My birthday two weeks ago was much more laid back. I turned 57.

  83. eeek, I can’t believe I didn’t include very happy birthday wishes to you, Corey!

  84. Happy Birthday Corey!
    My birthday is October 27th and when it comes around again I will be 49. I too have voluptuous lips but when I was younger I was called some horrible names. You and I are the envy of those that use collagen to make their lips shapelier!
    My favorite birthday? Not sure. Maybe it’s yet to come?
    My best to you this day –

  85. Happy Birthday Beautiful Corey! Sending birthday wishes to a beautiful soul who touches all her follower’s every single day.
    You deserve the best life can bring.
    I will be 54 in July. I share the same birthday as Mick Jagger. I sure do not feel this old, well, at least today I don’t.
    My favorite birthday memory would be the year I turned 12. Our family was spending it at our Grandparent’s lake home. We ate Grandmother’s cooking, three huge meals a day, picked fresh veggies from her garden, picked fresh eggs from the chicken coup, cousins, playing, laughing, stories, fishing on the lake, wearing tennis shoes and having the best time. My parents gave me a collie puppy for my birthday, I was so happy. That memory lives with me forever.

  86. Kathleen in Oregon

    Happy Birthday Corey!
    One of my favorite birthdays was 18th, I was in Paris.
    Although its actually more fun to plan parties for others. I loved having parties for my kids when they were little and deciding what type of cake to make.

  87. Kathleen in Oregon

    Ooops, forgot to mention my B-day is June 27 and I’ll be 49.

  88. Happy Birthday Corey! I bless the day I stumbled onto your beautiful blog.
    Hey, I gave birth to a 9 lb daughter, as well. Congratulations to your mother!

  89. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COREY!

  90. Happy, Happy, Birthday Corey!! Your baby pictures are precious. My favorite birthday, was a surprise roller skating party.
    Hugs!
    Nancy

  91. Happy Birthday Corey!
    Here’s a wish for many, many more Happy Days!

  92. Happy Birthday Corey !
    I will be 57 this year , on Dec. 16 .
    Because my birthday is during the holidays , us girls ( Mom , sis , sister-in-law ) , often do our Christmas baking day for my birthday party .
    When I was 3 or four , my Mom tried to have a birthday party for me . I placed all my birthday presents under the Christmas tree and refused to open them until Christmas . Needless to say , she quit having parties for me until I was older !!

  93. Happy Birthday!
    My birthday is August 25, and I never really liked it because for me that time signifies the end of summer 🙁 Oh how I love summer…
    This year I am 36. Couple of years back I was turning 34 (or so I thought for the longest time) until my high school friend on my birthday said “Huh!? What are you talking about, you are going to be 33!” I work in finances, you’d think I would know how to count 😛

  94. My birthday is this Sunday the seventh and I’ll be 58. My favourite birthday memory is a recent one – 2003, my friend Margot planned an adventure for me. We drove up the coast, visited elephant seals, had a lovely lunch,hiked the cliffs, later that evening a wonderful home cooked meal and all through the day great conversation and friendship. And the friendship grew – we’ve now been married almost 6 years – the happiest ones of my life.
    Don’t you love having a February Birthday? They are the best!
    Erin in Morro Bay

  95. Ellen Cassilly

    Aren’t you sweet! Has it been that long ago? I send you birthday wishes from my heart.
    Your baby pictures look just like Chelsea! The cheeks, the lips, so lovely.
    This weekend I am taking Frank ice skating to celebrate him asking me to marry him. Seven years ago he took me to NYC. It was VERY cold. We were walking around and it started to snow. It was VERY cold. We got to Rockifeller Center and we were watching the skaters. It was VERY cold. Frank wanted to go ice skating (and unbeknownst to me ask me to marry him). I said, “are you kidding? It’s freezing out here!” What a looser I was spoiling his great plan.
    Undaunted, smarty Frank came up with a plan B – better than plan A, in my opinion.
    We went to the Rose Planetarium in Central Park and after watching the creation of the universe he asked me to spend the rest of time with him! I said yes.

  96. I’m certain if I thought HARD enough, I would come up with a magic b-day memory. But the memory that leapt to mind is one from Christmas. My dad was in the hospital with a life-threatening infection, on top of his recent terminal cancer diagnosis. I was staying at hospital with Dad, 175 miles from home. Christmas Day my husband drove with my mom, round-tip, to share Christmas dinner with me. I found a lovely restaurant that was open and we had a very nice meal. I was so very touched. On top of that, he brought me a gift of a semi-precious pendent and chain. I will never forget this gift of love on his part.

  97. Happy, happy, happy birthday, Corey, go for a blessed day and enjoy every minute of it!
    Our birthday is 14 February <3 <3 , yes twins and we’ll be 57 but won’t be able to be together this year as planned. The best birthdays are when we can do that 🙂 which has not been often since we ‘grew up’ and now live in different hemispheres :(. But yay for Skype!! Some suggested we be called Val and Tina but grandmothers names won out! I’ve decided I like summer birthdays best (i.e. New Zealand) rather than bang in the middle of a Northwest WA winter, but oh, well, as another of your bon mot’s said – we cannot change the inevitable, but we can live it lovingly and by doing so, transform the outcome – so each day is a wonderful blessing and reading your blog is a part of that!

  98. Happy Birthday Corey! I always enjoy celebrating my birthday for at least a month. My middle child, Cristin, taught me how to do that. When she was little she always managed to get me to make cupcakes for every group she was involved with around her birthday – cupcakes and celebration for her class at school, her soccer team, scouts, Sunday school, family party on the day, and of course a party with her friends. My birthday is October 18. I think my favorite party was the surprise birthday weekend my children planned for my 50th birthday. My daughters both flew to California from the East coast where they were living and stayed with an aunt until the Saturday when they drove to my house very early in the morning, met their brother at the back door, make mimosas and served them to me in bed. I thought that was the best surprise, but they had more planned. They had invited about 30 friends and relatives to a potluck dinner at my house to celebrate me that evening and they hired a male stripper to come entertain us all. They were so proud! And once I got over the embarrassment I was delighted.

  99. Happy Birthday, Corey! How cute are you in all those photos!!! Soooo cute! And your mom is so beautiful in the first photograph, isn’t she?! I’m like that doll cake she must have baked you. What a great idea. And how lucky are you to have wonderful friends like Ellen and Erika? They certainly are TRUE friends. I imagine that they would say the same about you. I hope you have a fun time celebrating your birthday today.
    One of my fondest birthday memories…well, any one that involves my twin sister and me being together. Also, a couple years ago, Constance (of Rochambeau) threw me a surprise bloggergal birthday party at our friend, Karen’s place. They decorated the dining room sooooo beautifully, with flowers and candles, and Constance baked THE BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE OF MY LIFE as a present to me. Then they passed around a tray of lit white candles and made wishes for me for the upcoming year. Now, I don’t usually cry in front of people (aside from my husband, twin sister, best friend) but that night I was so choked up I could barely speak although I managed a trembling thank you.
    PS:The lovely Constance told me that it was your special b-day today.

  100. Happy Birthday,dear Corey!God Bless you and your lovely family!
    The best is yet to come!;)

  101. Like you, Corey, I was born in 1958. And like you, my most treasured birthday memory involves two great woman friends (and one surprising husband).
    Two things you need to know about when I turned 50: One, we had recently moved to England from South Africa where we left behind friends and family: without them, a milestone birthday loomed empty and hollow. Two, I ADORE surprises, but in 20 years of marriage my husband had never been able to keep secret even the smallest surprise.
    On the eve of my 50th birthday, I heard a taxi draw up outside the house and the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find two of my dearest friends from Cape Town with open arms, and my husband behind me grinning triumphantly: he had sent them airline tickets to fly across the world to be with me, in total secrecy, for the best surprise of my life!
    I adore your baby photographs and wish you the happiest of birthdays!

  102. Leslie Garcia

    Dear Corey,
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are one special lady!!!!!
    I love the photos from your birthdays as a child…you just beam in them! I love cakes…and yours look so scrumptious! Here is to you and another year of Joy Filled Days!
    Love,
    Leslie

  103. Happy Birthday Corey, you young thing (I was born in 1954). Have a great day, and may people you encounter today be full of as much fun and generosity of spirit as you are on your blog.

  104. Happy Birthday Corey!!!! I hope it is wonderful for you.
    ~Debra
    Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

  105. Victoria Ramos

    Love the photos…I so remember kitchen wall paper like yours and cakes with dolls in them..I too was born in 1958, August 12 on a hot Sacramento day. My fondest memory/memories were: On our birthdays, my mom would dress us all up in our Sunday best and we would take the bus from our home in West Sacramento to downtown Sacramento (which we thought was such a ‘big city’- my mom didn’t drive). I have 5 sisters and we lived very modestly on my father’s policeman salary, so to be able to go out to lunch alone with my mom was a huge, huge treat. We would eat at Blum’s which was on 11th and K. Blums was all pink and white – I would alway order Grilled Cheese and a milk shake! Then we walk to 12th and K and go to the Toy Store – and we got to pick one special gift. I can still remember little white gloves and patent leather shoes. When we got home, there would be homemade cake and punch, a house full of relatives, a homemade birthday crown. It was a such a special day.

  106. My fondest birthday was also my worst birthday. I was twelve and in love with horses – the plastic Breyer kind – but also real ones. My sister’s friend had a horse and my sister took me there to go horseback riding. What a huge animal that terrified me! So, I got on the back since I was too afraid to go by myself. Loved every minute of it. I got home and what present was waiting for me, but a watch! A watch! My only present! Now, at twelve you are kind of in-between little kid toys and adult/teen items, but I certainly was disappointed in a WATCH! So best and worst birthday all rolled into one!

  107. Happy B-day Corey. Nothing but love and fabulous fun for this coming year.

  108. Happy Birthday Corey!
    One of my fondest memories of a birthday was when my Dad dressed up as a clown. We didnt have a lot of money but he somehow managed to use things which didnt cost a lot, blackened cork for parts of his face, mums red bobbly hat for hair, stuff like that, you get the jist. In fact my dad made all my birthday’s happy memories for me. I love you Dad, may you rest in peace. xx

  109. PS I am 61 Corey, but don’t tell anyone! month of August, I am a Leo.

  110. My favourite birthday memory was when my Dad was ill in our city hospital with cancer. My sister and I bought all his favourite food – oysters, a lovely salad, a nip of Scotch, a birthday cake, and kidnapped him from hospital.
    We drove to the gardens overlooking beautiful Sydney harbour – the Opera house, the Harbour Bridge – and gave him one very happy brithday.
    We managed to get him back to his hospital bed without any of the staff knowing.

  111. oh .. and a very happy birthday to you, Corey!

  112. January 1, 1969. Yep, New Years Baby. Most people respond with “Poor dear. Having a birthday so close to Christmas.” I respond with, “What birthday party gets to celebrate with a champagne toast, balloon drop, tuxedo clad men, full orchestra and kisses at midnight?
    Happy Birthday Corey!

  113. Happy Birthday!
    My best birthday was my 40th because on that day I fell pregnant with my third child, what a wonderful birthday present! He’s now 9 months old and an absolute joy.

  114. Natalie Thiele

    Happy, happy birthday, Corey. Your pictures are adorable. Your mother was smart to take pictures of you each year with your cake. Even if you don’t write down the year on the back of the picture, you can always count the candles.
    My best birthday was my 39th. I asked my neighbor (the boy next door) to take me dancing to celebrate. Once we got to the club he told me that he didn’t dance uness he had several drinks. I immediately called the waitress over to give him “several drinks,” and the rest is history. We’ve been married 15 wonderful years.
    I will be 58 on December 6th.
    Enjoy your special day!

  115. Happy birthday, Corey! Mine was Tuesday!

  116. Happy Birthday Corey
    my most memorable birthday would have been when i was fourteen, at that time in australia garbage bag dresses (yes clothes made out of garbage bags) were in fashion.so i decided the theme for my party was a garbage bag party, so all of us girls created our garbage bag dresses and paraded around in them for the evening we thought we were SOO cool, we even went to the local park to play on the swings….
    the catch….my birthday is the 14th of July (Bastille day) July in Australia is winter and garbage bag dresses wern’t very warm….but i now look back with the fondest of memories…..must ask my mum if she has photo’s…..
    anyway happy birthday

  117. Happy Birthday Corey, Here’s hoping you have a wonderful day! My favorite birthday was when I turned 40. I was having a hard time, thinking I was going over a hill I didn’t want to admit. But my husband took me to Disneyland to celebrate the day. The happiest place on earth for a kid at heart!

  118. Happy Birthday! As a child I would have a home-made chocolate cake and get to have a favorite meal (usually liver and onions to the distaste of my brother!). No parties with friends as we always lived quite a distance out of town. It was just immediate family.I do still have the little wind-up twirly ornament we had every year on our cakes where the chick’s heads bob in and out of peep holes on the side. My most memorable birthday has to be the year I met my birthparents and siblings when I was 35. Bitter sweet.

  119. I should add, I suppose, that it was my 35th birthday on Tuesday. I am so glad that your 35th birthday was your favorite, in spite of the rough times.
    I have two favorite birthday memories.
    The first actually took place in September of 1996. I was frustrated that I didn’t get to truly celebrate my 21st birthday, and it nagged at me for months, until I finally decided to throw myself a party in September. And it was one of those parties where everyone just clicked, and had a wonderful time, even though I had invited a tremendously diverse group of people from a few different social circles. It was a magical evening, actually, and the memory always makes me happy.
    My next favorite birthday memory was February 2, 2004, the day my Dad met my new boyfriend, only a month after we started dating, and they hit it off so well that they ignored me all night long. The waiter actually felt sorry for me, and brought me a birthday dessert on the house! My father even invited my new boyfriend to come along on a family trip to Jamaica… at my Dad’s expense. Can you imagine!
    And then that boyfriend became my husband, and I wonder how my Dad knew, right from the start.

  120. Happy birthday Corey. Happy times and clearly, French Husband adores those lips.
    My fondest birthday memory? Amazingly, just this past November. I turned 62 and was officially able to retire and collect social security. I am soooooo ready.

  121. Happy birthday, Corey! I love how you write straight from your heart. 🙂
    My favorite birthday memory was when I turned 6. The party was at my grandparent’s house, in the restaurant that my dad and his brother’s built in between the house and the barn. I shared the party with my cousin, Ricky, whose birthday is two days before mine. We had party hats and streamers and chased my grandmother’s French poodle, Francois, all over the place. We did not like that dog. Somewhere in all the clutter at my parent’s house, there is a picture of that day.
    My birthday will be on June 16 and I, like you, will turn 52. It will be a good day.

  122. Oh my … . you must be exhausted reading all these glorious birthday wishes!
    It must be a good omen that I’ve just found you (through willow) and just in time to add my greetings.
    I’ve decided to make it a point to say my age out loud (and not lie!) as a means of getting comfortable with “aging.” On March 23 , I will be 63.
    There. I said it for the first time right here on your lovely blog.
    Now, I must take to my chaise and recover.
    That wasn’t easy.
    Judith

  123. Happy Birthday Corey!
    To have friends that came all the way from the states and stayed with you through hard times is a very special occasion. A lot of well wishers in life but very few doers. I know you make fun of yourself, however the pictures of you growing up each year — were really adorable & you were a cute little girl.
    My favorite was when I turned forty and my friends through a big party for me — I was pregnant and did not tell anyone- they brought out this extra large cake with many more candles then 40 — it lit the whole room when the lights were out and melted a lot of frosting – then someone gave me the classic joke card – ” I rather be forty then pregnant” I learned over to the hostess and whispered in her ear — oh but I am, she turned beat red –and we both laughed privately together. I never said a word to anyone else until a month later.
    Enjoy your day – you touch many peoples lives in a positive way so glad I got to know you through your blog.
    Joanny

  124. Carol Ludwig

    Happy Birthday Corey !
    I am hoping that my fondest birthday memory will be my next one, July 5,2010 which will also be my 52 birthday. Were practically twins ! Have a wonderful day.
    Carol

  125. g coughlin

    Happy Birthday Corey…you have not changed one bit and are perfect, exactly the way you were made…your nose lips chin face hair, all look absolutely perfect made the way God wanted you to be in his devine imagine how could you be anything except who you are
    with all my heart warmest wishes for a joyous healthy year and many many many more to come. doing anything special for your birthday? g

  126. Happy Birthday! I love visiting France with you everyday.
    My favorite birthday memory is turning 5 and taking the train from Washington, DC to New York City for the World’s Fair.
    I remember seeing Michelangelo’s Pieta! And an automaton of Abraham Lincoln talking–that was a little scary–but all in all a good birthday and beautiful birthday memory.

  127. My fortieth birtday fell on the Saturday before my final Chemo treatment for Breast Cancer. I was singing at a fund-raiser for my eldest son’s Arts Department at the school he attended at the time, so I got on stage and sang in the cutest hat I could find (wigs were not for me) the song from A Chorus Line…”What I Did for Love” “Send in the Clowns” and “Hey There (You with the stars in your eyes)”. Lots of people cried, and I hope it wasn’t because of my singing!! My best friend came in from NY to attend the gala that turned out to be a birthday celebration for me when a dear friend brought enough Champagne for all in attendance for a surprise Toast to the Birthday Girl! On that day, my husband gave me the promise of a trip to Paris as soon as my Radiation ended that June, and he took me to Paris in July. That was all 5 years ago, but it still feels like yesterday whenever I remember what it really feels like to be happy to be alive!

  128. Happy Birthday Dear Corey! You are as adorable now as you were in 1958! I will be 57 on Sept. 19. My favorite birthday is always the one coming up (the alternative isn’t too appealing!). Past birthdays haven’t been too good~ chickenpox, measles, dead cat, jello for cake because Dad was on strike ~ you get the idea. But I still look forward to each and every one. Have a wonderful day and party on!

  129. a very Happy birthday to you dear Corey xox
    I am a tiny bit older than you.. born January 1st 1958.. was due on Christmas day 1957… mum had a competition on New Years eve with another woman who was in labour in the neighbouring suburb hospital.. to see who would give birth to the first baby in 1958. I came second. a boy beat me by 3 mins. 3mins!!!!! he got his photo on the front page of the paper, I got a pair of bootees.. and that is my claim to fame.
    we have much in common Corey.. oneday I do hope to meet you in real life.. and we can compare xoxo

  130. Earlier today I was thinking of everyone that had the same birthday as me… starting with my twin sister and now you! Happy Birthday! Today I am 36.
    My favourite birthday was my 8th birthday, the year my mother finally gave in and had my brother walk up the stairs with a box that was whimpering. After years of handing her Christmas and birthday lists with only puppy on it, she gave us one.
    I hope you have a lovely day.

  131. a most beautiful child has grown into a most beautiful woman.
    happy birthday to you. were you stateside i would send you a big box of chocolate chips.
    my birthday is july 29 and this year i plan to be 54. it seems like it will work out nicely.
    my birthday celebrations have been all over the map, but when i met my husband we planned the best b-days for each of our perfect days. his birthday is ten days before mine. we each wanted to go to the beach. i of course added that we should go eat fried clams at woodman’s in essex mass. after the day of sunshine and swimming.
    it was a great way to start our relationship! now 27 yrs.later, we still look back at how fun this was.
    truly only you would be happy about the ovarian cancer, but having your friends close is just makes you the special woman that you are.
    happy happy day to you!
    xoxox. wendy

  132. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR COREY!!
    Your blog is pure delight! Thankyou!!
    Wishing you a wonderful year of love & joy..
    Your pictures remind me of my childhood birthdays as my neighbour always baked a beautiful cake for me, (I too had the doll cake) and each year they were magical. I still love to eat cake a few weeks shy of my 40th! There’s a lot of love in cake, especially when shared 🙂

  133. cynthia Wolff

    I WENT TO SEE THE BEATLES!!…TICKETS WERE A WHOPPING $4.50!!DMY SISTER AND I SHARE OUR BIRTHDAY.SO OUR PARENTS DROVE US FROM SHEBOYGAN,WISCONSIN TO MILWAUKEE..WE ATE AT MARC’S BIG BOY FOR SUPPER AND THEN THE SHOW..I WAS 13..IT WAS AT THE TIME HUGE!!! AND YEARS LATER,STILL REMAINS A CHERISHED MEMORY….CYNTHIA ANN WOLFF(57)…I THINK?!?

  134. cynthia Wolff

    FORGOT TO WISH YOU A “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”….
    ITS ALMOST 10PM IN FRANCE AND HOPEFULLY
    YOU HAVE A FEW GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE UNDER YOUR
    BELT…
    BLESSINGS TO YOU DEAR FRIEND FROM AFAR..CAW

  135. Mmd Tortoise

    A favourite birthday happens to be my 53rd. It involves a boyfriend from 32 years previous and red french silk beret.
    I was 20 when he rode his motorcycle into the side of the hospital where I was a student nurse. He sustained serious injuries to his shoulder, and fortunately I was able to ensure he received extra special care.
    It seems he never forgot that, even thought we only saw each other a few times once he left the hospital.
    Thirty two years later, he heard I was undergoing chemotherapy and he managed to find me via email. Shortly after, from San Francisco he came because he wanted to be a part of the goup who were caring for me. He arrived on my 53rd birthday bearing the gift of not only himself, but also that of the most beautiful red french silk beret for my bald head. On it went, and off we went to the home of dear friends for a celebration of my 53rd.
    There are always silver linings..
    With love on your 52nd…

  136. Oh my fondest Birthday memory was my 40th birthday my cousin Rosy was having a baby and I went out to dinner with some friends and took a small cake to the hospital at 11:30PM and party hats and cider and toasted my birthday! It was amazingly fabulously fun! Grace
    Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

  137. Hi Corey!
    Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a great day and your best year yet!!
    My daughter (who is now 3) didn’t walk until she was 16 months either – now she never stops moving and talking 🙂
    Jen

  138. My birthday is TODAY! Same day! I feel like I have been celebrating all week though. My brother came down to California from the frozen ice of Canada to visit for a week. He’s the first person from my family to EVER come down for a visit, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! We ate record amounts of ice cream every day and my husband and I showed him all the local sights. From Disney Land to the Wild Animal park and every palm tree and orange in between!!!
    Happy birthday to you, hope your day is filled with fun!

  139. A very happy birthday Corey!
    My favourite birthday was last month when I turned 65. A friend and I dressed up in our Black and Bling and celebrated in style with French Chocolate Almond Cake and a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe who was also born on 19 Jan. It was so hot and we rode in a limo with wine and fresh strawberries and laughed in a field of blue. It was the best birthday yet.

  140. *~ HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COREY ~*

  141. I will be 50 years old this year. Wow, I better write that, like, a hundred times more to soften its edges.

  142. Happy Birthday Girl!!!!!!!!!!

  143. Happy Birthday Corey. Mine is Feb 26 and I will be 64. I gave myself a trip to San Diego this year to see my brother and sister-in-law. I leave on the 24th. Oh Joy!

  144. Shirley M.

    Happy Birthday, Corey.
    I share my birthday with a ground hog (Feb 2). I am older than you. I have had many happy birthdays, but can’t pick out one as they keep getting better. I was happy to pick up the telephone and have happy birthday sung to me by my sweet little grand nieces 5,7,10). Cards and calls from family and friends make me feel special for the day. I wish you a happy birthday and hope your day is as special as you.
    Shirley

  145. Happy birthday Corey. You’re very fortunate to have friends like that.

  146. Dear Corey,
    Shakespeare wrote:
    “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” I couldn’t agree more! I love my wrinkles because they remind me of the very full and laughter-filled life I have. I know you feel the same way!
    I wish you LOVE, PEACE and HEALTH. May God bless you on this special day!

  147. My you were a big ‘un at 9 lbs…so was I and my daughter at 8 lbs!!
    I’ll be 50 on February 16.
    A very fond memory is of the cake that my wonderful grandma made for me in my young years…it was baked in a cast iron mold, made of two halves which when frosted together made a 3-D lamb, with legs tucked under! A foot long and 8″ tall with little ears (which she would often have to fasten with toothpicks to keep them in place!) and raisins for the eyes and nose. It was heavily frosted white (egg whites beaten with a hand rotary, I recall her doing this without a break, the little lady had steel arms!!) and doused with copious coconut. Oh, soooo delish. I still have the iron mold and the sweetest of memories.
    Thanks for sharing your photos, Corrie. I see one year was the barbie cake!!
    Elizabeth
    Mississippi

  148. Well bless my stars, I almost forgot to wish YOU a Most Happy Birthday!! Oh and I wonder how old you will remember that you are next year??? HA-HA-HA!

  149. Dear Corey,
    congratulations and thank you very much for being such a joyful person, bringuing us all those tender stories. All the best.
    From a brazilian follower.
    Bethania.

  150. Happy Birthday.
    I think every birthday as I get older (i just turned 40) becomes more relavant. It isn’t about the gift, but appreciating the people in my life I have around me, that extends well wishes for that day. Every email, every card, every call is a collective boquet of caring people in my life. I hope you have as wonderful as a day and thanks for sharing your life experiences with all of us in blogger land.

  151. Susie Capriola

    A very happy birthday to you! Mine is next Monday the 8th, I’ll be 39! I don’t have a birthday memory for you but I do have a Father McGoldrick memory. One time when I was young, maybe 10, I went up for communion and Father put the Eucharist in my hands and said “How’s my boy?”, I just said “Amen” and headed back to my pew. Classic Father McGoldrick!
    -Susie Capriola

  152. Dianne Seavers

    Happy Birthday Corey!I have had many Happy Birthdays. I was born Dec.31,1946. My Mom always cooked me a cake and found the money for some longed for present. I remember getting my &th birthday because I got a new baby brother on Christmas Eve. I also recieved a Toni doll that year.
    Dianne

  153. Happy Birthday, Corey!
    : )
    Julie M.

  154. Happy Birthday Corey!
    My mom always made us the cake of our choice. My birthday “cake” for years was grasshopper pie!
    Do they have the equivalent of pastel de tres leches in France?

  155. Happy Birthday, Corey! I wish you many, many happy birthdays!
    My birthday is June 24,1957. All of my birthdays hold special memories but one of the best was when I was pregnant with my son, I was almost term and as big as a house! Mike was born 3 weeks later.
    And on another great b’day my 35th when my sweetie pie husband gave me a yearling Appaloosa named Peaches.
    If you ask my DH, he’d tell you that I think the BEST day of the year is my birthday. My Mom always made it the most special day and made me feel I was the most important person in the whole world!
    Loved your pictures!

  156. Hi Corey! I just want to wish you a very special year. You make me laugh, you make me cry. Thank you for being in my life! Love, Diane from North Carolina XOXOX

  157. Dear Corey,
    I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I too will be 52 this year. Thank you for your blog and sharing so much of yourself with your readers. Enjoy your special day.

  158. Happy Birthday Corey! My favorite childhood birthday memory was the year I was about 6 and my Sunday Dinner at Grandma’s also happened to be my birthday. Grandma knew me so well… she wrapped up my favorite thing in tin foil. I was never so happy…. CHEESE!!!!!! Noone’s cheese tasted as good as Grandma’s! Years and years later I asked Gran what brand and she laughed, saying it was whatever brand was cheapest!

  159. born 11-11-1962 I will be 48…best birthday was when I was 11 and my mom gave me and my sister and brothers money to walk to the bowling alley and then walk to a place called burger chef ..I felt very grown up to be able to do this…Happy Birthday have a blessed year Corey….
    Kelly

  160. Denise Solsrud

    what a happy and pretty little girl. ah, those were the days. here’s to your bestest happy birthday,corey!!!!! you know what, i will be 63 on april 2 and i was born 2 minutes after mid nite, so i missed april fool’s day. i am thinking i am the oldest of all the other bloggers. 🙁 oh well! but, my favorite birthday was when i turned 21. i was away at college,lonesome and some friends were giving me a party. but, my best friend told me she could not make it as she had already made plans and could not break them. i felt hurt that she wouldn’t be there to celebrate me turning 21. but…….. guess who was there? cathy, my best friend. it was to be a surprise and i cried…….. and those were the days also. Bestest,Denise

  161. Yay 52! That’s wonderful!! You were adorable as a babe. And will be all your long glorious life! Bless you, Corey!

  162. Happy Birthday Corey! What wonderful memories of being 52 years young! You have led a rich and varied life so far, no doubt that will continue. Thanks for taking us on the ride! Bon Anniversaire! Live it up, wear your favorite things, eat your favorite food and do whatever your heart desires!!! All the best!

  163. Happy birthday, Corey!
    Today is my daughter’s birthday ~ she is ten.
    My birthday is March 30th and I will be 51 ~ close behind you! 😉

  164. I was 58 on December 21st.
    My favorite memory of ALL my birthdays is the ritual of having my father tell me about the night I was born. This is my best gift ever.
    Sadly, my father (87 yrs) passed on on September 17th. This year on my birthday, I quietly recalled the story in honor of my dad.
    ~elaine~

  165. ahhhh…happy day 2 U!
    loving all these wonderFULL photos
    of cakes.
    my mom made our cakes in the shape of our age!
    i loved my 10th birthday
    because that meant i got 2 cakes
    a long 1
    and a fat 0…
    🙂
    my favorite birthday
    is the one i am having tomorrow—-> February 5th!
    🙂
    because i love surprises
    and
    who
    knows
    what
    will
    happen ♥

  166. Brenda Roberts

    Happy Birthday Corey! I was 55 this past November 8th. My favorite birthday was my 30th, when my friend gave me a suprise party – I figured it all out the day before, but tried to fake that I was suprised…it was so sweet of her to do that, so I played along.
    I love your pictures; esp. the one with the barbie cake, and in the background is one of those little animals made out of a clorox bottle! Love reading about your life. Thanks so much for sharing…
    Brenda from Texas

  167. I will be 63 in May – my favorite birthday was the year I turned 49. At 12:01 A.M., my phone rang and Marmee sang Happy Birthday to me. My mother was dying from lung cancer and the chemo and radiation had taken most of her voice, but she had them wake her at midnight so she could be the first to wish me happy birthday. It was the last time she wished me happy birthday and I will always treasure her tiny, raspy voice singing to me.
    MimiG

  168. Such a cutie you were and still are. I’m grateful for every birthday that you have and for the marvelous time I have reading your blog. Happy Birthday, Corey.I wish you many more wonderful and healthy years.
    My day of birth was October 6, 1946. It was 10 years ago that I was in the hospital being operated on for thyroid cancer.On my birthday no less. I,too,am cancer free now. I’m so happy to have a wonderful husband who makes every day feel like my birthday.And kids and grandkids who make my life significant.

  169. ~Happy Birthday, Corie!~
    I am 53…and proud of it!
    My best birthday memories are my “end of school birthday” parties my Mom gave me. My BD is May 19 and we always got out of school near that time. We always had homemade cake, chili dogs and strawberry slushes. My Mom would make Kool-Aid and put it in the freezer. She would stir it all day long so we could have homemade Slurpies! Such sweet memories!

  170. Happy Birthday Corey! OMG! We are just days apart even on the same year!! I just did my birthday post {not seeing yours yet} mine is not as cute as yours at all! I asked for favorite b-day memories too!! I can’t believe that we are so close in mind body and soul! Are those little cakes that look like birthday hats??
    I bless the day you were brought to earth! You inspire me more than you will ever know Corey! Thank you for sharing this planet with us! Happy Happpy Birthday my Friend!!!
    XO’s
    Janet

  171. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! You are fabulous, I hope you have the best birthday ever!

  172. happy birthday!!! funny about thinking you were 53! my mom used to tell me she wasn’t sure how old she was …i thought??? now that i’m 52 almost 53 i think….i can’t remember either !! fond memory…my 50th bday..ick but my daughter & friends went to lunch & spent the afternoon together …laughing & just having a great day….my daughter made pink cupcakes & one of her gifts was tiny cards tied w/a pink ribbon…”50 reasons why i love you” …they were soo sweet..i love to read them still!!!!!

  173. Happy Birthday Corey!
    My birthday is July 20
    My favorite Birthday memory?
    1/31/86 and 12/19/90
    The days Darling Daughter and Dearest Son were born. No other day has ever matched, nor ever will, the pure joy and abundance of love I received that day and every day since. I fell madly in love on those two Birthdays and have been blessed beyond the heavens, blessed beyond anything I could possibly imagine.
    Suzan

  174. Brother Mathew

    Happy Birthday Big Sister. That picture with Craig…..piece of work.

  175. A very happy birthday to you Corey, I hope you were very spoiled and blessed.
    My birthday is February 14th and my twin and I share it with the world of love !!!!!
    My favourite birthday memory is our 14th – we arrived home from school and Mum and Dad had totally re-decorated our bedroom, wallpaper and all. we had chosen it weeks before but had no idea it was going to be done in one day. It had pink climbing roses and Mum had dyed our candlewick bedspreads to match and brand new dark pink mats beside our beds.

  176. ooops, forgot to say I’m 56, nearly 57

  177. Lieselotte

    Bon anniversaire, Corey ! What lovely pictures ! What will you get as birthday present from Yann ? please let us know ! Happy celebrating!

  178. Happy Birthday Corey, you’re gorgeous in so many ways 😉
    My fondest birthday memory is how I grew up when I got to 50. I took a long hard look, didn’t like what I saw. The past celibate, sober and serene fifteen years continue to get better and better. Everything I’d been searching for was right here – in me!
    Have the most wonderful joyous, loving day Corey. xo

  179. Happy, Happy Birthday Corey!!!!!
    I hope your day was wonderful. I also hope you feel all the love for you from everyone. You are a special lady. Enjoyed the family photos. Sure reminded me of some of our family. I have enjoyed all of my birthdays-58, although I thought this last one was my 59th. My birthday is on December 15th so it always seemed to be one big celebration from then to Christmas. A very nice month long party. The best to you. Laurie

  180. Happy, happy birthday.
    A wonderful birthday memory: last year, 27, warm early summer, 7 months pregnant, surrounded by friends, my husband did a “jewelry scavenger hunt” around the living room as my gift.

  181. Happy Birthday Corey! You’ve been blessed with so many dear friends and a loving and caring family, and that’s all matter, right? I will be 49 the 28 september (don’t even make me think about it, where the hell all those years have gone??????)

  182. Marie-Noëlle Roland

    Oh oh I was one day early… and I missed THE day… Hope you had a delightful one !
    Just like “Miss Robyn”, I was due on Christmas 1957 … but my mum fell in the stairs 10 days before and there I was born …
    My mum was fit and fine and felt so well after delivering that she naïvely thought she could cycle back home …
    One of my best birthdays was my 21st.
    That year I was in England. Away from home. Teaching.
    There the 21st is the “key year” and is very special.
    That day, I was unaware of what was going on. No colleague, no head of French Dpt, no one single soul in the corridors or in front of one’s classroom … When I stepped into the staff room, all the staff was gathered there (teachers, secretaries, head, …). They greeted me with a big get-together buffet, and a piece of Wedgewood and MUCH watmth !
    I expect they hoped for a speech… I was voiceless and they had to do with my crying and mumbling “thank you” around.

  183. Marie-Noëlle Roland

    sorry, they greeted with much waRmth …

  184. Oh look at you – little Corey – you are beautiful!
    What a sweet memory of your two friends making you burritos in France…88 lbs – yikes. So glad those friends and those burritos helped heal you!
    My sweetest birthday memory is the birthday that was my wedding day. Yes – we were married on my birthday. Best birthday present ever! (and lucky him – he only has one date he has to remember, lol)
    Happy, happy birthday, Corey! (I’m two weeks older than you – I turned 52 on Jan 22nd. 🙂
    xo

  185. Donna Ohmes McCulloch

    Happy Birthday Corey,
    Hope that you have a blessed 52. Your pictures are so darling and look just like you! Thinking of you fondly from Down Under!
    Donna Marie

  186. may celebrations keep you twirly and happy everyday. I love the “dolly vardon” cake you had on your 2nd birthday. my daughter just turned four and i made her a gloriously sparkly one, just like yours. Every girl loves a dolly stuck in cake, even grown ones. thanks for sharing you….
    *

  187. Happy Birthday Corey. I hope it is a wonderful day with many memories to saviour in the coming years.

  188. jend’isère

    You are certainly still celebrating your birthday since you always celebrate every day.
    Origins of your blogging are revealed through your mother’s sweet documentation of your early years.
    Wish you much happiness!

  189. Happy Birthday you sweet young thing…
    Susan x

  190. I’m a bit late, Corey, but wishing you a belated, wonderful HAPPY BIRTHDAY just the same. May you be blessed this year and for many years to come!

  191. My family had a huge birthday party for me when I turned 50……..My parents were never much on having huge celebrations so that was really important to me. It was a wonderful day!
    Happy birthday to you!
    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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