Thursday, March 1, 2012

Where Does the Time Go? Another Birthday Rolls Around

Cousins & Siblings
Rell, Donna, Sally, David, Carol, Linda, Diana

It seems like not that long ago that this photo was snapped.  I marvel to think that it has been sixty years since we gathered in my aunt's kitchen to celebrate my cousin Donna's birthday. Since her birthday is only 11 days after mine, I can be seen wearing my new birthday dress.  I am the third person on the left.

The faces in photo are all so dear to me.  They speak of such happy and carefree childhood times.
Truly, I am amazed that those days are so far in the past, and that I have just reached the age of sixty-seven.

A Birthday to Celebrate

Late last week, my husband told me he had made reservations for a birthday brunch for Sunday.  "I know it is a few days early, but we will be busy on your birthday, so I wanted to make sure we had a nice brunch," he said.  I thought that seemed thoughtful and reasonable.  On Sunday, two hours before we needed to leave, he suggested I get in the shower and get ready because he wanted to go earlier than he had first said.  I thought nothing of it, but decided to accommodate his request.  When I was ready, uncharacteristically, he wasn't ready and needed to do a few more things on the computer.  Again, I thought nothing of it.  So, to pass the time, I called my oldest daughter to chat.  She seemed surprised to hear from me.  Again, not thought was given to this.  

As I was talking, the door bell rang.  "Who can that be?"  I asked my daughter.  My husband made no movement toward going downstairs to get the door.  So, I went down to open the door and gazed out to see an attractive, young, dark-haired woman holding flowers and a cake.  To myself, I said, "Who delivers flowers and a cake on a Sunday, two days before my birthday?"  Then the woman said, "Happy Birthday, Mom."

Truly, I had no idea.  I didn't even recognize Amy!  Her hair was darker, she had her head slightly turned, and I absolutely did not have a clue that she would make a surprise visit.  I grabbed her in a hug and started to sob.  I was so happy to see her.  I have missed my kids so much lately.

Amy with birthday flowers
As is Amy's norm, she showed up with flowers.  As is the tradition, she brought daffodils mixed into my birthday bouquet.  I really can't remember a birthday for the last 15 or 20 years where either Amy or Julie, or both, sent or brought me daffodils.  They are my favorite flowers.

I had to beg for photos.  She "hates" to have her picture taken.



Amy arranging my flowers
Truly, I was overjoyed to see Amy.  She made my day for sure.  Boston was just as overjoyed.  
I cried.  
I hugged.
Boston lept in the air, barked, whined, and wagged his tail.
I know just how he felt.


Amy and Boston


So, I guess my husband and my daughter had been in cahoots. They planned my surprise.  Amy wanted to come down for the weekend.  She didn't have her kids that weekend, it was my birthday, and we always try to watch the Academy Awards together, even if it has to be done by phone.  After Boston and I settled down, and the flowers were arranged, we went to Sunday Brunch at Coyote Grille. This place is one of my favorites.  We had a wonderful meal, and a wonderful time together.  

*I featured Coyote Grill in this blog post a year ago.  

We came home and ate the scrumptious birthday cake that Amy brought.

My hubby sang "Happy birthday" to me before we cut the cake.


He always brings a smile to my face.

Happy birthday serenade

*******************
On my actual birthday, Tuesday, February 28th, my hubby drove me to Castle Rock, Colorado for my second appointment with the vestibular therapist that I have been seeing.  Before we left, he had a beautifully wrapped gift, as sweet card, and another cake sitting on the breakfast table when I got up that morning.  I loved the wrapping!  I loved the contents:  a nice new knit top and some beautiful, chunky blue beads.  


My appointment went well.  I have greatly improved since my last visit.  That was very encouraging.  The exercises, and time, are probably working well together.

After lunch, we went to lunch at Augustine's in Castle Rock.  I loved this cute little place.  Using his cell phone, Jim snapped my birthday photo.  I wearing my new knit top and necklace.  


We both ordered Salad Nicoise with ahi tuna.
I loved the ambiance of the restaurant, the salad, not so much.


At least we had cake to look forward to at home.
Not like I needed another cake, but my husband had ordered it before he knew Amy was bringing one.
What are birthdays for anyway?  Isn't all about cake?  
This is my favorite kind of cake:  carrot cake.

The day was made very special by many facebook greeting, cards, and phone calls from my family, and flowers.  I have flowers in every room on the first floor.

This beautiful purple rose arrangement is from my son Jon and his family.


This beautiful arrangement is from the family of my son Ryan.


Thank you to all who made my day so special!

**************

On the day after my birthday, Leap Day, I continued to celebrate.  I had coffee early in the morning with a dear friend from high school days.  Iris suggested that we go to Colorado Springs that evening to go to the movie.  Of course, I jumped at the chance.  We went to see "The Artist." 

Right away, I found myself thinking that the film was just delightful.  I also thought it was refreshing.  I really did enjoy everything about the movie.  It was uplifting, light, and unique.   In my opinion, Berenice Bejo, made the film what it is.  I was fascinated by her.  I don't know why she didn't get any nominations.  I loved her smile, her hair, her clothes, her cute little moves, and her ability to dance.  Jean Dujardin did a great job.  I like his characterization of a silent film star who was on his way out, but I'm still not sure that he deserved best actor.  I still have to see George Clooney in his film to make that determination for myself.

After dinner, Iris and I walked downtown to grab some dinner and then headed back to Pueblo ending a wonderful birthday celebration that lasted several days.

************
One last thing.  I also got my CPAP machine yesterday.  It turns out, I have sleep apnea.  See, good thing come from bad things.  I doubt this would have been discovered without the fall and subsequent referrals to an ear, nose and throat specialist.  I successfully slept with my new machine last night.  I woke up much refreshed and have seemed experience a decrease in my racing heart and heart palpitations today.  Time will tell...


29 comments:

  1. Wow! Sounds like you had a birthday full of love. Lucky you!

    CPAPs are wonderful. So glad you'll be sleeping well.

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  2. Well, Happy Birthday Sally! and you had wonderful, pleasant surprises by those who love you. Good to see that your health issues are progressing in a positive way, too. You are definitely on a roll...fun things like new clothes, movies , carrot cake, flowers, surprise visits, etc. That was a great birthday!

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  3. This post brought tears to my eyes, more than once. What a wonderful and loving family you have, Sally. And Berenice Bejo was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, she just didn't have a chance again the winner (whose name is escaping me right now).

    I thought Brad Pitt actually deserved the Best Actor award for Moneyball. He was outstanding. Clooney was good but not great. The Artist just had the momentum, I think. I loved the movie, though. :-)

    Oh, and Happy Birthday! Your birthday is one day after my guy's (and his is a few years earlier).

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  4. DJan, Thanks for correcting me. You are right. Berenice Bejo was nominated.

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  5. Happy belated birthday, Sally! It sounds like a wonderful celebration over several days -- the best possible way to turn 67! Loved the pictures of Amy, your dear husband, Boston, your cakes -- everything! It was like celebrating with you!

    I had a sleep study last night and may be getting a CPAP, too. I'll look forward to hearing how you do with it. My next door neighbor says it changed his life and that he feels so much better now!

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  6. Happy, happy birthday a couple of days late. You are most loved, and your kids are wonderful.
    Glad to hear you're up and about and getting better.

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  7. Belated Happy Birthday. My goodness your hubby is a real keeper. Your daughter should love her picture taken, she is so pretty.
    Well you really know how to milk a birthday. You go girl.
    So glad you are feeling better and good that you found out about the apnea. You should feel much better with a good nights sleep.

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  8. Happy belated birthday. So glad you had wonderful surprises and great meals with family and friends.

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  9. What a delightful post, Sally! I'm so glad on so many levels . . . that you're feeling better, that you had your lovely surprise birthday with your daughters, and was treated to brunch, movies, more food and flowers! What a happy read!

    I have wondered about sleep apnea myself, but never discussed it with a doctor. I am glad your machine helped you sleep well. That will surely help your recovery.

    Bask in the love of your family and friends, you deserve it!

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  10. What a wonderful, magical birthday celebration. Nothing could be finer.

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  11. We call those birthdays that start early and go on and on Birthday Pageants. Sound like you had a great one! What's better than being remembered by loved ones with flowers and cake!
    I'm glad you could sleep well with the CPAP machine. I guess being able to breathe offsets being hooked up to a machine.

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  12. Wow, Sally, there is such a lot to comment on here, I'm not sure where to begin. But I think I'll start with the best birthday present, which was a good report -- congratulations! I know that was good news to hear and a real gift. I'm so glad your recovery is progressing!

    And your celebrations! It sounds like the perfect 60th! A surprise (with collusion, no less!), family, fun times and more than one day of merriment and cheer! It really does sound perfect and just the thing you've both needed and deserved after all the stuff you've had to experience these past months.

    I loved The Artist too -- and I agree on Beronice Bejo -- but she WAS nominated for an Oscar in support. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the future -- everytime she came on, it was like the movie went to color!

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  13. A very happy belated birthday to you! What a wonderful birthday surprise. I'm so glad that things are looking up.

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  14. Family. The best on ones birthday. Very nice post... :)

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  15. I wish you a belated happy birthday Sally. I can tell from your post that it was wonderful.
    I just completed my second sleep study at the hospital last week and am now waiting for my CPAP machine.

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  16. What an excellent birthday for you. And, to extend the day just a bit more, belated good wishes.

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  17. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you - looks like everyone got in on your fun - and that you are very, I mean very, loved. Sandie

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  18. Belated birthday wishes to you, Sally! What a wonderful celebration time you've had....all most deserving I am sure!
    Sending more wishes from Cape Cod!

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  19. Happy Birthday, Sally. The flowers are beautiful, and the knit top is really lovely, too. Looks like everything came together for a great extended celebration.

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  20. What a lucky Birthday Girl! My favorite is carrot cake, too - yummy! Glad you had so many lovely surprises on and around your special day. I'm also glad that you're feeling better, Sally. I wonder if sleep deprivation could be the cause of your racing heart? I'll be interested in hearing how the CPAP machine works for you. Happy Birthday to a special lady!

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  21. You look so happy in that photo with your husband. I too have vestibular problems, and the exercises really do help. The CPap machine only worked for awhile then it got harder to breath with it on so I gave it up. Hope you have better luck with it.

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  22. Oh my gosh! You do have the nicest, sweetest, most wonderful family, Sally. And you've got an amazing husband. I can't wait to tell my son that you didn't recognize your daughter at first. That's what happened to me in Yellowstone. I'm relieved I'm not the only one.

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  23. What an awesome account of a caring family and fulfilled birthday celebrations. I'm glad to learn you are on the mend. But I am puzzled that you are still having the heart racing issues. Have allergies been ruled out? I find myself getting a racing heart from just a bit of coffee too along with other things I'm sensitive to.

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  24. March 3rd...

    Hello and belated Happy Birthday to you. I just stopped by, from another blog.

    What a wonderful Birthday Celebration you had! Fun. Fun. Fun. And even a big surprise. :-)

    Since I am brand new here, I know nothing of the fall, you mentioned. But glad that things seem to be coming along well, from the sound of this post.

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

    Upper North East

    "Always keep your home presentable,
    assuming you keep a home
    for purposes of presentation."


    ~Robert Brault

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  25. Happy Belated Birthday!! Wow! Your birthday lasted for many wonderful days...lots of love...lots of flowers...and two cakes! So happy for you! :)

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  26. March 4th...

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. And thank you so much for saying you love my blog. :-)

    I have a lot of fun, with all of the blogging "thing." And it's so nice when someone says that they appreciate "the playing" which I do. :-))))

    I do so hope you will stop by again, some time.

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  27. Thank you so much Sally for your sweet words and understanding. The Internet is a powerful tool.

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  28. You are surrounded by such a sweet husband and family Рthose cakes look delish! I hope you will keep feeling better. I have had 3 head concussions Рall at work Рso I know that they are not fun. I also thought that B̩r̩nice Bejo was so good in The Artist. I was just reading about her on a French site. She is from Argentina and came to France with her family when she was a child. She is the partner of the film director Michel Hazanavicious and they have 2 children. Your birthday flower bouquets were delightful. Happy belated birthday!

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  29. So sorry I missed your birthday, but you do look gorgeous in your birthday photo when you went out for a meal. What a truly wonderful surprise, Amy turning up like that. I am so happy for you! Two beautiful birthday cakes and all those stunning flowers. You were truly spoilt, and deservedly so. Heres wishing for a year filled with love, happiness and good health!

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