Surprise!!

I did it! With lots of help from my friends and family, I successfully surprised hubby with a party celebrating his 60th birthday. I was not really sure if he knew or not, but his reaction when he walked in was classic.

I had to do something to mark this auspicious birthday...he surprised the absolute snot out of me on my 50th, so as they say, paybacks are hell! No, he just does so many nice things for me I wanted to try to do a little something for him. All our boys and their families were here ostensibly to celebrate the youngest grandson's first birthday--which we did. But then it was the countdown for deception! I would never make it as a secret agent...

I want to especially thank our friends Graydon and Diane for hosting this event in their home. I tried to find a restaurant or party room but there was nothing to be had in my price range. Plus, they were able to provide me with the perfect blind...Graydon's birthday was the day after the party for hubby so we were going for HIS party.

I was so worried, not worried exactly, anxious, some kind of emotion...that I didn't sleep the night before, then I couldn't even do my usual nap on the way up to the house for the party because hubby kept calling people who were either at the party or on the way to the party! Whew!

Anyway, there will probably not be any more surprise parties planned by this old gal...I think my hair is two shades lighter from the gray I got just this weekend.

Thanks to all of you who came, your presence was such a gift to him and to me.

The Passing of a Saint

How precious in the sight of the Lord is the passing of one of His saints. Yesterday, my "other mother" went home to be with the Lord. I am happy for her, sad for me and her children, grandchildren and friends. She fought the good fight and now I am certain that as she made the transition from death to life she heard the words, "well done".

Jury Duty and Other Happenings

I received my jury summons a couple of weeks ago. This is NOT the most convenient time for me to do my civic duty, but decided that rather than risk winding up in the pokey, I would hie myself downtown this morning at 8:00 am. The good thing about the time was that it was ONLY about 85 degrees while I waited for the shuttle bus, but even that wasn't enough when I had to wait for a second shuttle! It didn't bode well when the bailiff of the juries said that there would be standing room only today, either. I did, however, find a seat. Whew! After two hours I was picked to be in the reserve jury pool for the afternoon. Basically, I had from 10:00 until 1:30 free, then had to report back to the jury check-in room in case I was "needed". At 3:00, I was released, donated my $6 pay and headed for the hacienda. I've never been seated on a jury, I was picked for one, but before the jury was seated, the parties settled. My hubby has been on several juries and also has been the foreman. I don't think I would mind being on a jury, but man, the sitting around waiting and the voir dire (sic) process wears me out.

Our oldest son passed his journeyman electrician's test today! I am so happy for him. He's been close a couple of times, but today, he did it. It doesn't affect him so much with the job he's on right now, but will definitely make a big difference in the future. Way to go MLO!

My mom has been down in her back for the last several days. So bad that she even went to the doctor-a major concession on her part. The doctor took x-rays, then wanted an MRI too. Scared all of us a little bit but there is no fracture at all! So she's good to boogie down again! Ha. But she does feel like she will be able to come to our house this weekend for her great grandson's first birthday party. I'm really very thankful and relieved. Mom already has had both knees replaced and one hip replaced. I don't know if she was really ready to have back surgery.