Wow, seems like it was only five years ago I was making plans for my 50th birthday! In fact, I started thinking about it months before and ended up being treated to a trip to Barcelona.

But it only occurred to me the other day that – eep! – I’m about to turn 55. Which is pretty amazing. When I think about all that has happened since my 50th, especially the whole cancer thing, I feel so lucky to still be around and want to do something extra special this year. So, what should I do to celebrate?

I’ve been invited to Florence in February, which may or may not happen depending on my next PET scan, but I would like to do something on the actual day, January 7th, or at least nearer to it.

If I can get the use of Manolo’s apartment in Málaga I think that would be my first choice. There are two art exhibits on right now that I’d love to see, and of course I adore Málaga at Christmas time. If I go early next week then the lights will still be on. Peter is busy working on a translation job that would actually pay for this trip, so that means he’ll be coming with me 😉 . It also means leaving the cats alone. For… how long? I wouldn’t worry about leaving them overnight, but ideally I’d like to stay two nights and I’m not sure about Azar. The vet doesn’t think anything would happen to him in that time as he’d only miss one day of his treatment, so maybe?

If not Málaga then the other option is to take a couple of day trips next week while Peter is still off work for the holidays. Perhaps Cádiz and Córdoba? We’ll see. Getting kinda excited…