Happy Birthday Allis-in-Wonderland!

Not only is today tax day, but April 15th is especially important because it is the birthday of one of my best friends of all time: Allison Winsor Semple Bonner! Ever since that fateful day back in high school when I forgot her birthday, I've lived in mortal fear of neglecting her special day again by my own forgetfulness. Anyways, here's to you Allison- I for one am so grateful that you have been on this earth for the past 27 years, and in my life for over half of them! My girls refer to her as "Allis-in Wonderland" because they too are drawn to her dichotomy of sweet kindness and ironic bitterness. She congealed years ago, but oddly still has her "Suzy Do Right" sense of moral convictions. She's a non-christian who always does the christian things. We've had some good times and much laughter and if she ever decides to turn against me, I'll probably have to have her "taken care of" since she knows far too much about me to let loose... We also plan to be roomies as angry old women with craftmatic adjustable beds should we outlive our husbands. Now that's friendship!

Here is a picture of us taken in 2004 in Santa Barbara at the Rose Story Farm. We had such a fun time being "fancy ladies in hats" and enjoying tea and brunch out on the lawn!

This is my new favorite picture of Allison--of her playing Biblical Memory Match game with my girls. The best part was when she turned over a certain card and Caroline yelled out: "You've found Jesus!" The rest of us in the room had a good laugh over the look on Allison's non-religious face!