So.... Happy birthday to me? I'm now 26 - and starting to feel every minute of it.

Lots to try to accomplish today, since Katsuko and I are in the midst of moving: 4 loads of trash to go to the dumpster, 4 loads of clothes to take to the women's shelter, birthday lunchings, meet with Bob at the townhouse to do the inspection and get the key, maybe start moving boxes over.

And for the record, I'm only awake because first the smoke alarm decided it was time for new batteries, then someone decided to knock on the door and leave, then the neighbors decided to get loud, then Grandfather called to sing "Happy Birthday" to me.

It's times like these when you realize just how much family matters. I mean, Oyaji called me last night to wish me a "happy birthday seven hours early". (He called at 11 p.m. when I was driving home; I was born at 6:36 a.m.) Grandfather called this morning at 7 a.m. on his way to work. I expect I will hear from Mum, Grandmother, Obaabaa, and maybe Betsy today... and probably one of those calls will include my 2 1/2 year old nephew singing "Happy Birthday". Until very recently, I could not fathom not having a closely knit family like mine. I mean, of the whole family (on Mum's side), I live the furthest from home - and I'm just an hour and a half away.