| | I'm FIFTY - get it? FIVE OH - years old now - as of Friday. And there were a variety of celebrations. Here's the run down, complete with photos of each.
First, but without photos, but just as appreciated, were the dozens of emails and Facebook messages and forum messages wishing me birthday felicitations. So much fun to read and respond to - I have so many friends and so much family. It's wonderful! I don't need an angel to show me how great my life is - I already know and I'm very very thankful.
Friday evening was for The Sisters. First, we went to Sam's Club to see Rachel's debut with the Williamsport High School's marching band. She plays clarinet and is now officially a freshman member of the band. (Rachel's in high school!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!) I knew that they were only doing a few songs (she'd practiced here) and that if I was uncomfortable, it would only be for a short time. Turned out there was a chair brought out Sam's Club employees who were serving hot dogs and drinks to the kids (and selling them to others.) So I was able to sit where I was able to see Rachel from the side and kind of behind. Robin and Hazel used my camera to get shots from the front.
That's our Rachel, tall and straight, just about in the center of the photo, with her clarinet. She's the one with her hair skinned back and with black high-tops.
She said it went really well - there were only two of the four songs where she wasn't sure about her play - there's a whole new octave she's working with now. Considering she's only been practicing with them for a month or so, not too bad.
At rest - the director is speaking. 
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This was my view. It was pouring rain, and I was under the roof part, so I wasn't complaining.
The video is of the last song, from my view. "On Wisconsin." What is cute is watching the heels of the band members, including Rachel - they're already learning how to keep time in preparation for the actual marching. Just caught my fancy.
Then we went to Orlando's in Muncy, since we were already in that end of the county. (Muncy's about 20 miles from us, and that's where the mall and Sam's Club and such are located.) We've tried unsuccessfully to go there for a few birthdays in recent years. I guess we've had a few Monday birthdays, since they're always closed then!
We had a very tasty meal (Scampi for me, filet mignon for Kim and Haz) and got giggly over nothing and wonderful desserts. (Well, Haz and I did.) Here are the obligatory sister photos:
Good shots of both Hazel and Kim.
I'd had one of Kim where she was making a dopey face, but I'm being a good girl...
And me, with my oh-so-delish-dessert:
Banana cake with chocolate chips, and rich - RICH - chocolate frosting. Those rosettes on top were like eating a Hershey's Kiss. And ain't complainin'!
Haz gave me a nice surprise:
It's actually a five and a twenty. 
And Kim got me a very um...well, you be the judge!.. card:
And here's the inside:
That's one birthday wish fulfilled!
Saturday Jason and Tiana took Faron and me to the "Chili Poblano" restaurant (it's not really called that, but it's Tiana's favorite thing and the other Mexican place doesn't have them on the menu.) We had a great meal and a fun time. Before we left, they gave me this beautiful potted plant for the porch:
Isn't it gorgeous? It's HUGE!
And then we came back here to eat the apple dumplings they'd gotten Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market downtown. Warmed up and topped with vanilla bean ice cream. Mmmmmmm...
(Faron had gotten me a Pepperidge Farm Coconut cake, in lieu of the one I love from Rosencrans that's not available after Memorial Day. We indulged ourselves with that, just the two of us, whenever we weren't partying with someone else. )
And Sunday afternoon, Robin, Ethan, Rachel, Stacy, Magaly, Zoe, along with the newest family-import, Caitlyn (granddaughter of Dcotor Cooper, whom Hazel cares for, and who was hospitalized on Friday) and Terri, Duke & Darla came with lots of goodies and gifts and we had a lively party on the porch.
Maggie delivered these beautiful wildflowers that she and Zoe and Caitlyn (along with Stacy, I'm sure) had picked that afternoon.
Blowing out the representative five candles. I was to blow out another set on the dessert Robin brought (these were Darla's delish brownies) but Rachel baked a dump cake, and it was fresh out of the oven. The candles Ethan was shoving into it were melting into nothingness from their wicks having been lit and being shoved into a very hot cake! So that didn't work out so well. And in typical Xanga contrariness, I uploaded a photo of the drooping, flaming candles three times and it was never visible, so, sorry about that. The look on Ethan's and Rachel's faces as they watch Robin fish out the candles was adorable.
There's the two desserts - the hot one, sans candles. Both were yummy!
Robin and the kids got me a little book called, "young at heart," by Tom Burns, "keeping a youthful sense of fun." It's one of those books with pics of various animals and funny captions. Robin left a sappy note in the front, but then went through and made comments throughout the book where she thought they might apply. For instance: "Old age is 15 years older than I am." Rob's comment: "See you are old enough to have Jason for a son!"
She passed it around and had everyone sign a page at least, or make a few pithy comments. The book is a hoot, and is now priceless.
Here's Terri lookin' it over for her spots:
And here are the two grandpas on the other end of the porch, rockin' away...
Finally, here's Ethan, getting a drink:
And that's Caitlyn, beside him on the porch, seated. She's a sweetie.
Is it necessary for me to add that Ethan would "gleek" those sips of water from the porch roof after he captured them? And do you need an explanation for "gleeking"? I do hope not.
We had a great time. I am so blessed with friends and family - I know I started with saying that but it's so true and I so appreciated it, Lord!
Today is cleaning day. Kelly's here doing her thing. "Kelly Cleans," is her mantra, although she's learning to cook, "Kelly Cooks," is going to be added. She just helped me to empty my suitcase, as it's not really something I can do alone. This was my major task for the day, so finally it's done. Hopefully tomorrow I can get back to the Minnesota trip and document the reception there.
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| | Posted 6/29/2009 9:59 AM - 21 Views - 6 eProps - 5 comments
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. Happy belated birthday my dear friend! I'm sorry I missed it! Big hugs, and kisses from the girls, and a great back rub from Lizzy would have been your gift I'm sure! 
As well you should, dear heart.
Love you lots, and one of these fine days I will come visit. ;)