Arrrgh!!!

I can't believe that it's been a week since I last posted! You can tell that family takes priority to blogging in this household. So did gardening.

Thursday, the day of his birthday, I cooked a favorite meal for Dear Husband. We spent the evening at home because we planned to go out with the kids on Sunday.

My youngest sister, Frankie, of Just My Opinion, (I know...she's been absent during marching band season), drove up from her home in Indiana on Friday, and we spent a pleasant evening together.

Saturday, my two older sisters joined us, and we created the picture boards for Elegante Mother's 90th birthday party. Frankie is working on an archival scrapbook that is simply amazing. We plan to have the entire scrapbook duplicated for each of the siblings, so we have the pictures and memories.

Pizza for dinner....no one had the umpf to cook.

Thank goodness for Daylight Savings! We had an extra hour of sleep Saturday night, and I needed it!

Sunday morning I was awake about 6:30. Frankie had been up for more than an hour, working on the layouts for the memory book. I cleaned the kitchen, put things in their proper places, ironed two table clothes, did the dishes, did laundry, and ousted Dear Husband from the bed so I could make it.

At 11:30, I was encouraging a general exodus to the cars. My step-daughter was planning to drop off food for the party as soon as we left the house. I was afraid that we would run into her coming up the drive if we didn't hurry, so I looked like a traffic cop, waiving people toward the cars.

We had a lovely meal at Dear Husband's current favorite Italian place. We had the chance to catch up on the kid's lives, and visit with our granddaughter. Frankie and Elegante Mother talked about journaling to save our memories for those who follow. I so wish we had started EM journaling sooner!

Frankie left for home after lunch, and one of Dear Husband's sons had another obligation. The rest of us returned to our house. The guys settled in to watch the Bears game. When the doorbell rang, we sent DH to answer it. Bogie....I think he WAS surprised. Co-workers, friends, and family all showed up. Although I had said "No gifts, please," when we invited them, almost everyone brought a gift. Most of the gifts from his friends at work were gag gifts, but they were just right. There were enough people to fill the kitchen and living room, and a few spilled over to the "green room" just off the kitchen. I'm delighted that so many were able to make it.

My step-daughter did a spectacular job with "nibbles" for our guests. We have two pies and a cake, and two éclairs filling the fridge. I also have half the world's stock of chips, and some spinach dip left. I'm sure that no one went hungry. I would have been really happy if she had taken ALL the food with her. The temptation to snack is overwhelming!

I quizzed Dear Husband after our guests had left, trying to find out if he had tumbled to the surprise. He swore he didn't know what we had planned. I thought that he might have figured it out because the house was unusually tidy for a Sunday morning, but he says that it was a surprise.

I don't think that it matters. I'm glad he enjoyed himself.

Monday, the weather was gorgeous in the Chicago area! I think it may have made it to 70 degrees in the afternoon. I decided to use the good weather to work at cleaning up at least part of the flower beds. Having to cut plants back, and kneel on the ground in 40 or 50 degree weather is not my idea of fun, but I like to clean out the dead blooms and branches before the snow comes.

I finished about half of the sidewalk garden, and Dear Husband mowed part of the lawn. We'll just keep slogging away. For SURE this year, I plan to cut back the peonies and mound them with compost for the winter.

Today, I've been chained to the desk in my office. It's been worth it. I can't believe the amount of paperwork I've cranked out! I can see the desk top again. Another four days like today and I could have the office in tip top shape. I'll just have to keep working at high speed. At best I'll get four afternoons. Maybe I'll get tonight off for good behavior.

I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween!