My mother will be 88 very shortly. I've probably said that fifty times in the past six months. It's amazing to me that she will be EIGHTY EIGHT!
About six or seven years ago, Dear Husband and I went to New Orleans for a few days rest and relaxation. We had dinner in a fabulous restaurant called "The Courtyard of the Two Sisters." We enjoyed our elegant dinner so much, we returned for lunch the next day. Ever since, I have been trying to persuade my mother to hop a plane for two days and a night in the Big Easy to celebrate her birthday at the "Courtyard."
This year, she announced that if she made it to ninety, she wanted to celebrate in Paris! I like a woman who thinks BIG! *G*
Since we are not going to Paris this year, Mother has decided to do an open house. Two of my nieces work for a major grocery chain, and they are organizing trays of finger food from their deli and bakery departments. One of my sisters and her daughters will be coming for the weekend, and she'll organize the flowers and give me a hand getting ready. I'll be adding things like shrimp trays, beverages, and holiday decorations.
To that end, we will begin decorating tomorrow. I have ornaments to hang from the chandelier, and I'll swap Christmas themed wall hangings for those that normally cover our walls. I have evergreen swags and bows to put up on the carriage lights, and I plan to buy garland to drape at the front door.
I have one wreath, but I need four more. I use a lot of dried flowers and weeds when I make up wreaths, and sometimes I add silk flowers to the mix. Most of it is pretty understated and mellow. We'll put up a tree in Mother's sitting room, but the tree in our living room will have to wait until closer to Christmas.
I've tried for years to get Dear Husband to trim the roof line with white lights, but it's never going to happen. We finally resorted to hanging the icicle lights in the front windows, and some years an angel made of grapevine, covered with tiny white Italian lights, greets our visitors.
So, tomorrow will be the start of our decorating season. Just call me Martha.
Happy Birthday to your Mother!
I'm beginning to think that your house is one big celebration Buffy! It all sounds wonderful, but I'm glad I'm not the one oranising it. I'm sure everyone appreciates that it's you and not them too. Well, I *hope* they do.
And, when it's all over, do try to take some time for yourself, won't you?
BW--I don't understand how Buffy does it all, either. Such energy!
Buffy's Elegant Mother--Happy, happy birthday, dear lady. I like the way you think and know that you'll enjoy Paris more than most tourists do. Go for it!
Buffy--
"Mostly Martha,
Mostly Martha,
What has she got?
She's got the most!"
Well, actually, Buffy's got the most. I would give credit for the above lyrics, but I don't know who wrote them. I can surely hear the Crewcuts singing them (in my head), though.
Buffy,
88 is a really good age and it is wonderful that your mother is so with it. And looking forward to her 90th birthday too. Have a wonderful time - and don't do too much.
BW, it may seem that way, considering how much I talk about the preparation, but we have two to three family gatherings a year, Easter and Thanksgiving, and the occasional birthday celebration. This house was designed for big parties and we don't celebrate enough.
Yes, my family is appreciative. We meet at their homes occasionally, so they know about the preparation involved to have that many visitors.
I WILL take some time to myself in January. I will probably retire to my sewing table, or the quilt frame for a bit.
I'll pass your good wishes on to my Mother. She will be pleased to know that she is now famous! *G*
(blushing at Cop Car's comments)
Cop Car, you have some really odd music floating through your head!
I'll let Mother know about your birthday wishes, too. She'll be delighted!
Adele,
My grandparents lived to 85, so Mother has exceeded their age, as well as the national average. She tells me it's lonely, and that she misses her friends and my Dad. Still, I agree with you, that 88 is an amazing age. I really hope that she makes it to Paris!
Wowza... she is 88? Good for her, and especially as she is looking forward to 90!
I do agree with the others that you do a lot of decorating, but it sounds so very tasteful too -I can imagine your home, a friendly, warm, very aestheticly pleasing looking place.
Yep...88! Amazing, isn't it??
I don't really do a lot of decorating. I must just talk about the little I do. If I get my act together, I'll take some pictures of the house and post them. I don't know how aesthetically pleasing it looks, but it's very welcoming and comfortable.
What no one has yet said is that Buffy's mother really lives up to the moniker that I use for her--Elegant Mother. And, she's one fine looking lady--for any age, but for 88...wow!
I'll have to get her to pose for a picture one day, wearing her red jacket. She has beautiful taste in clothes, and lovely white hair. She walks with a cane, and has an entire wardrobe of them: a black cane with a silver duck's head as the handle, brass handles on brown sticks, a milifleur decorated cane, and two that have antique door knobs as the handles.
Yes....she's a very elegant woman.
Wow! 88! You have longevity in your genes Buffy. Happy Birthday to Mother when it comes.
I won't call you Martha at all. I don't wish for you to end up in a similar place to the other person by that name.
Have fun putting up your decorations. I have yet to get going with ours.
Yes, Doc, I do. All four of my grandparents made it to their mid 80s. My Dad died of an aortic embolism at 70, but I think my chances of living past the national average are pretty good.
Have fun with your decorating. I'm making a list of things I need.....wreaths, garland, candles....
The house should look lovely, and I bet yours will too!
...forget the fact she wants to go to paris - I'm still impressed she had a daughter when aged 67 :^)...
...what????...you told me you were 21 :^P...
Hey Martha, have yopu got every thing done. 88 what a ripe age. My motherinlaw is also 88. Have a good week girl!
(swatting you!) BILLY!! You weren't supposed to tell anyone about that!
You know....the odd thing is, her youngest daughter is just about HALF her age now.
I better start saving up for Paris.
It's always a bummer when people who have known us from telephone/e-mail, only, for a while. Didn't you think that I looked 21, blonde, and stacked, Buffy? (Remember: If you'll lie for me, I'll lie for you!) You did, indeed look 21, blonde, and stacked, Buffy!
Well, what I meant to say was that: It's a bummer to meet someone in person for the first time, when we've only known one another through telephone/e-mail contact. They can clearly see how much I've been lying about my physical attributes. THEN we go into the 21 and stacked part (above comment).
I keep telling myself to read before pushing the "post" button. I got into a big rush!
Cop Car, honey, it's astonishing. You can't possibly have a kid Bogie's age. You made that up, didn't you???
Yup, guys...she's a blonde bombshell!
(How'm I doin, huh, huh??)
Actually, Cop Car, I took the nickname "Buffy" when I was chatting online. It was as far from reality as I could get, and I thought I'd be safer. Now the darned fool name has followed me around. If people think I'm 21, blonde and svelt....so be it! *G*
Actually, I was brought to their doorstep by the mail man (or was that the milk man). So now you know how Cop Car can have a daughter my age!
Nice catch, Bogie! I suspect the entire family is good at fielding. *G*