The celebration has ended, but the age lingers on...

What a great birthday week I had.  I got to see Voices In Harmony in San Jose.  They're a group of 60 male singers.  They were really great.  If you live in the Bay Area, you should try to see them.  They brought in Manhattan Transfer who did some new songs.  I've been a fan for a long time so this was a rare treat.  I also had lunch with friends (more than once) and went into Walnut Creek to see "Into the Woods" at the regional theater.  Both theater events also included a chance to see my son and his family, which is always a treat.  Now that it's a week later reality is setting in.  But the partying isn't over, even if it's no longer MY birthday.  This weekend we celebrate the 70th birthday of one of my cousins.  Maybe I'm entering my 2nd childhood (or my 3rd).  Birthdays are fun again after 60.

We've been back in the Summerset pool for a few weeks now.  Though I love it, this week we had another cold snap with lots of wind.  The wind seemed to have turned off the solar panels that heat the pool.  So between the cold water and the very windy and cool morning, we were all shivering.  But hey!  That just made us move faster so maybe we burned off a few more calories.  Have to look on the bright side.

 They tell me that FurbiesPlace.com is nearly done.  I still see lots left to do to make it gorgeous.  But take a peak and let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend. 

Happy Birthday to me

 Today is my actual birthday!  Not one of the big ones - big, just not ending in 0 or 5.  Tonight we'll have friends over for dinner and cards.  I've had lots of friends send greetings on Facebook and got some cards in the mail.  You know who you are - and I thank you.  

Yesterday I posted my daughter, Julie's, poem to me.  As I mentioned it's a family tradition now to write a poem instead of getting a gift or a card.  After all, at our age here in Summerset, what do we really need?  Today I received the following email poem from my son.  Aren't computers terrific?  And isn't it nice that I can have a blog and say pretty much anything that comes to my mind?

Michael's Poem:

I could have been late, I could have been early,
but for once I'll be on time.
I'm going to try my very best
to see if it all can rhyme.

So these wishes come over the internet,
at rapid electronic speed, you bet.
And I haven't given up trying to rhyme just yet.
I believe I've successfully completed this set.

So birthday greetings you will get.
Spend some quality time with your pet.
I hope there are no trips soon to the vet.
I know cats hate to get wet.

And I'll forever be in your debt.
Happy Birthday.

My response:

Thanks for the rhyme,
Pretty good, and on time
I know it helps to drink some wine
In order to make the words come out fine.

I love that we have Instant messages
Composed of zeros and ones
I don't have to understand how it works
But I know how to get it done.

Furbie and Missy are sure to give me
A gift of fur from head to knee
BJ baked me a cake made of cheese
And I'll enjoy that with steak tonight if I please.

I thank you for your gift of rhyme
My birthday has made me think about time
Thinking how quickly fly the years
Can make an old lady fill with tears

But they're tears of joy for our memories
First my children, now grandchildren, have grown like trees
Whatever I've done, was done with love
And I thank you for letting me spend lots of time with you and the kids...

P.S.  Did you get tickets for Manhattan Transfer?

I love you!
Mom 

OMG can I be that old?

My family has started writing poems for birthdays.  Well mine is nearly here and my daughter sent hers today.
  Here's my daughter's poem:


I know your birthday is a couple days away

But this I had to share

I wrote a poem for Rob's brother

I'm sure he was not aware

Of how we send out birthday wishes

How we celebrate

I wonder if a new tradition has started

I wonder if it's fate

Better to be early

Than it is to be late

So I'm sending you my birthday wishes

Enjoy and celebrate

Hope you have a fabulous day

Better yet, a fabulous week

When you are done reading this

I hope your eyes don't leak

Happy Birthday, early! Love Julie, Rob, Veronica and Kenny

And here's my response:
 

Thank you for the early gift
You know me all too well
Anything to do with my kids
Makes my tear ducts swell.

Above my desk there is a photo
Taken by a tree
Long ago in Long Grove
Taken there by me.

It's you with Rick and Brooke,
A tiny Nate and Ronnie
And next to that another print
Taken more recently

It's the one you took last summer
Nate and Ronnie joined by three
It shows "how swiftly fly the years"
(Yes, a line from another memory)

So with this thank you comes a request
I hope you're saving these
And that one day you'll make another book
And in it include them please.

They mean so much, along with the pictures
They're a reflection of my life.
This week I'll be turning 69
And several times a wife

And you all mean the world to me
You show I've left my mark
I love you all so very much
And I hope by now that I've made you tear up a bit too!

Love,
Mom

Anyone want to adopt this custom.  It sure makes a mother happy!