Guess who turned 50
I knew the Birthday was coming up but nobody said anything so I was hoping to get a pass. In fact, I pretty much forgot about it. So on the 11th (2 days before my bday), we had a regular day. I mowed the lawn, fiddled with some stuff, called Mom in California to find out what the latest was (got their answering machine) had some afternoon delight, and headed down to Patty and Gerry's for our usual Saturday afternoon dinner. There were a bunch of cars parked out front but Kathy said something about the next door neighbor having a party and they were using the driveway for overflow parking. So into the house we wander. I hear this big "SURPRISE!!!!!" and realized I didn't get out of it. Then I started looking around, thinking it was just going to be the Bruen's, maybe some Clarke's. And I see Mom. All I could say was "Mom? What are you doing here? Why is Dad here?" Then I saw Lynn and Jane (Friends from the Keys), Tim and Donna (neighbors), Bob and Brenda (more neighbors), Frank (an old bud from Eagle) and realized I had really had one pulled over on me. Kathy had been planning this damn thing for about 2 months. It seems everyone I knew was in on it. I like to think I'm a bit more astute than that. Early Ahlzimers.
That morning, Kristin and Jen told me they were going "Thrifting". This is actually something they do alot when Kristin is in town. Little did I know they were going down to Patty's to fix up the house.
Those sneaky little rats.
I'm not sure if they got to breath any of the helium but I did during the party.
Our clueless fool.
I'm still looking around, just realizing all these people are here for me. Very embarrassing.
The loot. Don't get excited. It's mainly clothes and old people presents.
Bob, Brenda and Donna. I had seen Bob earlier in the day and the bastard even asked me if I had any plans for the day.
Lynn and Frank and me, talking about planes, no doubt (Lynn was a 747 Captain for Northwest)
Tim by the door with Donna giving us that "Don't you dare take that picture" look.
Jake, Jane, Patty, Francis and Mary.
Jake, eyeballing the chicken wings.
Jane talking to Kris. You know, the one with the wine.
Lynn and Kathy.
The Birthday Boy, Lynn and Jane.
This day is was actually our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. And we never had a fight.
Kris, contemplating life.
My friend Frank from Eagle. Now he works for AA.
"OH NO THE BIG 50"
One of these days I'm going to quit smoking. And then there will be no way to light the candles.
Thinking about my wish.
Someone made a comment about how bright all those candles are. The nose rub with my middle finger was pure reflex.
And they weren't even trick candles.
As an Old Person, I now need a magnifying glass. Ha Ha. Very funny.
A Old Person Kit. Ha Ha. Very funny.
The cane came in handy. Earlier in the evening, I threw my knee out. I used that damn cane for the next few days. And I still have it around. Just in case.
It said some cute thing about being so fucking old.
The birthday boy and his mother. I said to her "Jesus Mom, I'm 50!!! She said shut your trap. At least your youngest son isn't 50". I promptly quit complaining. In looking over these pics, I noticed there were none of my father. I think he did a better job than I did of dodging the lens.