I don't have birthdays. I have annual "Cass Appreciation Days." <BR> <BR>When I did have birthdays, my memorable 22nd birthday dinner was spent on the top of the tallest building in Boston: I was wearing a micro-mini of white dotted-swiss that glowed like a lighthouse beacon in the blacklight used to illuminate the viewing platorm. I think I must have been visible from New Hampshire. <BR> <BR>Weirdest birthday breakfast was in a pancake house in Santee, S.C. with a small candle placed in the butter. <BR> <BR>My dream is to spend one of the Annual Appreciation Days on Crete.

I have the good fortune to have my birthday during spring break, so we are almost always SOMEWHERE. Best ones? Jamaica for my 27th (it should be our resulting daughter's middle name!) and 40th on the Champs-Elysees. We no longer need a milestone as a rationalization to go places; we create them. But what to do for 46? Almost time to start planning that. Hmmmm.... :o)

Cass, <BR>what a great idea; appreciation day. <BR>do you mind if I co-op it?, and make one too? <BR>

Nancy -- feel free! You can observe Apr. 9 as Cass Appreciation Day. Of course, if you want to celebrate _Nancy_ Appreciation Day, perhaps you would choose another day -- and I'll celebrate with you, so which is it?

Cass, <BR>thanks. <BR>I will have to think on this. <BR>My b-day is April 7 (!) <BR>Kalena from this site also shares the 7th, and S. fowler shares your B-date! <BR>(discovered this on "Age" thread. <BR> <BR>The thing about a "N.A.D." is that it would be nice to have it during a time I could take a mini-vacation from my family (not that I don't love them dearly!) <BR>the idea of being someplace, without child- related responsibilities, on such a day, is very appealing. <BR>So, maybe for the next 7 yrs or less <BR>(youngest is 11) I will have to having a floating "NAD" <BR>But, I would love to celebrate in spirit, with you , your day, too! <BR>Maybe some year we could even hook up while on a trip, if we are ever in the same country :-)

Being as my birthday is in late July (bad weather for travel in Europe or many other places) I don't usually go that far for it. On my 40th we did go to Paris though and on my 35th we were in a small town in Eastern Germany. This year we were in Canada but mostly we go to the PNW coast which is nearby us. Our anniversary however is in early May so for that we get away to a foreign locale every 3 years or so. This year's anniversary was in Koeln (Cologne) Germany.

Anita, <BR> <BR>Last year I spent my birthday in a castle overlooking the rivel Elbe in Dresden, the year before in a converted palace in Vienna, this year in one of the cave hotels in Santorini in the Greek Islands. Sure beats getting a watch or some ugly shirt you don't like. Amazing what happens when you plan your own birthday. My husband is complaining because we always spend his birthday at home and he usually grills his own ribs. Oh well. Thats what we get for going through childbirth.

One place I will spend my birthday (tomorrow) is in front of a cake, blowing out the candles. And then they will be re-lit, and blow out again - - and again - - and again - - starting with the youngest person in the family, all the way up the oldest. It will, as far as I know, just be the three of us tomorrow as our two older daughters are off to college now. <BR> <BR>This wonderful tradition has been going on forever, having originated in my wife's birthday forever ago. <BR> <BR>And Christmas was the most special of all, since my father-in-law was born on December 25, 1929 - - and Christmas couldn't start until we got his birthday done (at the noon meal). Even though it often meant 20-30 re-lightings of the candles (just the grandkids). <BR> <BR>Tomorrow will be the first birthday we've celebrated since the beginning of August - - when my father-in-law, Irvin - - died, after what seems now like a blindingly short illness (it was actually 12 days). So the candles will have to burn a little brighter tomorrow night. <BR> <BR>I couldn't speak of this when it happened, and yes - - I did come here - - less frequently than usual - - but still as a reassurance that the world keeps on going. I guess I just felt like mentioning it tonight. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

I told my wife that when I turned 50 I wanted to be in Bavaria drinking a German beer. We were and it was great!

Rex, <BR>sorry to hear about your FIL. <BR>This will be a difficult 25 Dec. for you all this year. <BR>But, maybe you should still do a cake that day, in honor of FIL. <BR>Condolences to your wife. <BR> <BR>BTW, <BR>1953 was a really good year, wasn't it!? :-) <BR>Happy B-day.

I do this too, so my 30th birthday was spent in London. My 40th was celebrated in Vail, CO, since skiing is the only sport that I truly love and do halfway decently. Fifty will have to be spent in a truly spectacular, but as yet undetermined, place. I have eight years to think about it.