Well, the excitement just never lets up, around here. Actually, around here, it does. All the time. So, I had to go on a road trip to find some. And I did!
Dad turned 80, last Tuesday! Eighty! Four score, exactly! Unbelievable! Especially, because he doesn't look or act a day over, uh, something a lot younger. So, Jean planned a surprise party for Saturday, at Fran and Don's amazing home in Carlsbad. Tom wasn't able to come along, so, I drove to Fresno Friday evening, hung out with Mom, for a night, then picked my sister, Terry, up the next morning for the rest of the journey to North SD County. So much fun!
There aren't that many opportunities for us to be together by ourselves, so we talked ourselves silly the whole way.We made pretty good time, arriving early afternoon. I made a quick birthday banner, and Terry took charge of the balloons, popping every other one, or so, for dramatic effect. Jean and Fran are a mean cooking machine, and the food was fabulous!
At around 4 o'clock, Jean brought Dad over under the ruse of an informal barbeque at the Diehl's. Totally clueless! It was way fun to see how shocked he was to walk through the house and discover all the folks, including us, who were milling around, munching hors d'oeuvres, chugging Arnold Palmers (or wine, as the case may have been) and admiring all the art displayed throughout. In reality, he actually sneaked up on US, since we were all still waiting for the word that he was coming. Anyway, it was a great party! Lots of laughing! Fran and Don travel quite a bit and bring home beautiful and interesting artifacts, art and photos. So, the setting was almost like a museum! Quite wonderful!Everybody loves Dad! He has friends of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest!
We enjoyed watching how easily everyone relates to him. And, at 80, he's beginning a new hobby! Fran and Don gave him an electronic keyboard, and he's going to learn how to play the piano! How cool is that? We're so glad you're our dad and we love you,! At your 90th, we'll be listening to all the songs you've learned to play, by then. Please, no Frank Sinatra!After the party, we had time to hang out at Dad and Jean's for awhile before crashing.
Tom and I had bought a Bavarian hat for Dad in Germany, which I gave to him. I don't know if he slept in it, or what, because it was still on his head the next morning. Looked good, though, even with PJs and bathrobe. Terry and I Ieft mid-morning (after a bit of Jean's killer chocolate cake), for the long ride back home. I had left my glasses at their house, so, as we were filling up at the corner gas station, here comes Dad, driving up in his robe and new hat! Then, off we went!In the fires, one of the houses burned in Fallbrook, was one Mom had lived in. So, we thought we'd stop and check it out on the way home. More about that, next time...
