Elegante Mother is going to be NINETY years old on December 7th. We're planning an open house a week from today to celebrate. Plans have been in the works since September.
One of my nieces created her invitations and addressed about two-thirds of them. She is also preparing music for her iPod to play as background music during the open house. AND, this same young woman is going to oversee the beverage table for us. Her husband is going to be our official photographer, so that we can get pictures of family and friends.
My two older sisters are working on picture boards. There are pictures of family members from my great grandmother down the family tree to my granddaughter. There are also shots of EM on a camel in Morocco and other memorable vacations. I'm looking forward to seeing them when they are all complete.
My youngest sister has been collecting information and pictures about EM and her family to make a binder or scrapbook that has journaling, and mementos. I hope that we can duplicate that book for each of us, because her collection of historical information about the family is just amazing.
I helped EM make the choices at the caterers, and I'm keeping the list of who plans to attend. I've organized carpet and window cleaning for this week, and I have some cleaning of my own to do. We will not have all the Christmas decorations out, but some of them will be in place. I have to put away all the Fall decorations before the end of the week.
Saturday, I get to take EM to the salon, so we are both going to have our hair done for the day.
My mind is focused on lists of things to be done. The lists, and the chores are not what's important, the celebration of my mother's long life is the key. But, if the lists help me to clear things away so that I can focus on EM and her guests, then they have served their purpose. Each day, we'll get closer to our goal, and I hope that makes us calmer, happier hosts.
Ninety! Pretty darned spectacular, isn't it?? *G*
Comments (13)
Yes 90 is special!She is lucky to have lots of family and friends to help celebate the occasion.
Wish EM my best.
Posted by janet | November 25, 2006 8:16 PM
Posted on November 25, 2006 20:16
Ninety sure is pretty darned spectacular...and a rare milestone in one's lifetime. Congratulations to your wonderful Mom. You all sound pretty organized about the event. I can't imagine it being anything short of wonderful Buffy. I hope your Mom enjoys every minute of it and feels the love coming her way.
Posted by Joy | November 25, 2006 9:28 PM
Posted on November 25, 2006 21:28
Not only is reaching 90 special; your Elegante Mother is special. She'll be tuckered out from all of the hugging and laughing. That's as it should be. I'm so happy for all of you!
Posted by Cop Car | November 25, 2006 10:02 PM
Posted on November 25, 2006 22:02
Yes, reaching 90 years of age is spectacular and you are clearly going out to celebrate it as a very special occasion.
Picture boards are a good way of setting out family history photos so everyone can see them at their leisure.
For my my in-laws 50th anniversary the Husband scanned old family photos and produced a slide-show complete with suitable background music. But then we knew that we would have a captive audience sitting in one room. For a more relaxed occasion I think that I prefer your choice of picture boards. Gives people more time to think of times past and to chat about them too.
Have a lovely time.
Posted by Adele | November 27, 2006 4:56 AM
Posted on November 27, 2006 04:56
Thank you, ladies! I'll be sure to pass your comments on to Elegante Mother, she'll adore them!
Adele, I love the idea of a slide show. We could have shared so many more pictures that way! Too bad we didn't think of it in time. Your husband sounds very talented with a computer. :-)
Posted by buffy | November 27, 2006 5:01 PM
Posted on November 27, 2006 17:01
Wow! Happy Birthday, Elegante Mother! You rock, Mamacita!
Posted by Cowtown Pattie | November 27, 2006 9:53 PM
Posted on November 27, 2006 21:53
She'll love your message, Pattie! Thanks!
Posted by buffy | November 28, 2006 9:33 AM
Posted on November 28, 2006 09:33
Buffy - you've just made me laugh out loud with your comment about the Husband as he is a (very, very) reluctant computer user. He hates the thing but views its use as a necessary evil in todays world. He usually drags me to help him. When I said that he produced a slide show what I meant was that he pursuaded one of his many friends from work who is much more computer literate to put scan in the photos and make a slide show.
Anyway your picture boards sound ideal for a more relaxed setting. Have a lovely time.
Posted by Adele | November 28, 2006 10:34 AM
Posted on November 28, 2006 10:34
Wow! He has some pretty great friends, Adele! *G* Here, I just assumed that he was a wiz at this stuff. Maybe I should be giving YOU the credit for being the family 'puter expert!
Posted by buffy | November 28, 2006 8:28 PM
Posted on November 28, 2006 20:28
What wonderful ideas! Hope it all goes really well, and many congratulations to EM.
I'm so pleased that you're getting caterers in this time, so that you can actually enjoy the day alongside everyone else, without worrying about the food.
Posted by Blue Witch | November 29, 2006 6:01 AM
Posted on November 29, 2006 06:01
Buffy, please convey my best wishes to Elegante Mother. Sounds like a great party. And the picture boards and scapbook are great ideas as well. Certain to focus lots of conversation and hearty laughter on the good times. How could anyone who attends not have a really grand time?
Posted by Roberta S | November 30, 2006 12:29 PM
Posted on November 30, 2006 12:29
Yes, BW, it should be a lot of fun to have it catered. The caterers will arrive two and a half hours early to set everything up (food, serving pieces and glassware). A little of it will need to be heated, but that shouldn't be a problem.
Probably I know more of the people coming than anyone else, so I plan to welcome guests and direct them toward Mother.
Posted by buffy | November 30, 2006 4:47 PM
Posted on November 30, 2006 16:47
Thank you, Roberta, I certainly will!
Posted by buffy | November 30, 2006 4:48 PM
Posted on November 30, 2006 16:48