The Big 7-0

I left on Saturday morning for Springfield, IL, to participate in a surprise party for my brother-in-law's 70th birthday. It took place at a golf course not too far from their house. I got there with about 15 minutes to spare. *Roger (my bro-in-law) and Shari (my sister) arrived at about 2:00 Central Time. He was surprised! Apparently he saw and recognized my car in the parking lot (although I had tried to park in a spot where he wouldn't see it)...and saw a couple of other recognizable vehicles...and asked Shari if he was going to have a heart attack when he went in. We got him, and he didn't have a heart attack! The BIG surprise was that his sister came in from North Carolina. We hid her behind one of his daughters. He was totally and happily shocked to see Dixie. He doesn't get to see her nearly often enough. In any case, a good time was had by all. (Yes, I am aware of the passive voice statement--so hackneyed! Do I care? No! I'm not the grammar police anymore!) *After the party, Shari, Roger, Dixie, and I went back to their house, then went to a nice restaurant for supper with a couple of their friends. The owner of the place spent some time at our table and sent a piece of red velvet cake, with candle, for Roger. We ate well and enjoyed the time. Thereafter, we went back home, and I crashed because #1 I was uncomfortably full, #2 I'd had some wine, which always makes me tired after food, and #3 it was my bedtime (Indiana time). *Yesterday, Roger was still in "afterglow" mode. He was so happy and walking down Memory Lane with his sister. Bless him, Roger suffers from depression most of the time. Medications don't seem to help, but he is a perfectionist and does many good things in life. It was good to see him so happy!! *Sunday, we watched some football and did some talking. Everyone was fairly low key. (My sister had to be exhausted, planning the party on very little time when Roger wasn't on her heels.) She fed us a great pork roast; we played Wii bowling; and just chit-chatted until bedtime. *Both Dixie and I were to leave today. She had a rental car to drive back to St. Louis to pick up her flight back to her daughter's in Atlanta. I determined that I wanted to leave in the morning in order to beat the weather home. When I left for IL, the forecast for IN wasn't good. Apparently, the forecast changed because there was not a drop of precip on the way home...and none forecast for tonight. Oh well! I'm not sorry that I came home, however. This time of year, I do better in my own surroundings. (Sorry, Shari!) *Upon departure from IL, I went to give Roger a hug. He deliberately pulled back, looked me in the eye, and kissed me! I said I hoped he'd had a nice birthday. He said he did "because you were there". Wow! Roger has been my bro-in-law for very nearly 50 years now. I was in junior high when he and my sister married. We have not always seen eye-to-eye on things, but he has been a great provider for her. It felt really good to see him so happy! *I had no problems on the trip home. Light traffic. No weather. Long drive, but the car performed. That's all that matters! *Catching up on things now. Cheers!