Happy Birthday to Me!!! *giveaway*

It feels weird to even write this because it feels somehow self-serving and arrogant. But, hey, everyone has a birthday. They come around once a year. And this year I feel like sharing it with all of you.

First, a little story. This past weekend I went to a writer's conference at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. I was sitting in one of the sessions by a memoirist named Rhoda Janzen (who wrote a hilarious memoir called Mennonite in a Little Black Dress), when she suddenly said, "I will be 47 next Tuesday." Well, I immediately sat up in my chair and looked with surprise at my friend, Sarah, sitting next to me because I have never in my life met someone who had the exact same birthday as me. I do have a friend who shares my birthday, but she's not the same age as me. Rhoda and I were born on the exact. same. day. Somehow I find that weird and interesting.

So anyway, I went up to her after the session and introduced myself and wished her a happy birthday. I'm sure she'll never remember me or our brief meeting, but I will. And I wonder how she will be celebrating today. I wonder if she will do something more than go to the gym, walk the dog, and do laundry.

I hope so.

Anyway, in honor of Rhoda's birthday (and mine), I've picked up a few goodies that I'd like to give away to one lucky reader/commenter. A bit of a "favorite things" giveaway, only not quite so grand as Oprah's.

First, because I love books, I'm giving a $10 gift card to Borders. Second, because I equally love coffee, a $10 gift card to Starbucks. And third, because I love clothes and because I was in the store yesterday buying some things for Maggie, a $10 gift card to Old Navy.

Just leave me a comment below. I'll give you a second chance to win if you'll follow me. (And please be sure I have your email address so that I can contact you if you win.)

I'll announce the winner on Friday, so tell all your friends to come on by!

Happy Day!