:chat: and :beer: and :happybday: and :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: were the order of the day yesterday. We had planned a BBQ at a local beauty spot but the winds blew at gale force, there was a light rain, freezing conditions and so we all finished up here. Not too bad, we are blessed with a family that doesn't mind being squashed in together and so Trev barbecued, seven littlies ran around the place and the rest of us found enough utensils so we didn't have to eat with our fingers. There was plenty of food as everyone had brought some contributions. And a slab of chocolate cake got transformed into a birthday cake with the addition of fancy candles.

It fined up enough for the littlies to tear around outside while their elders watched them from the verandah. I really missed my Mum and Dad, they loved these special celebrations with the family gathered together. I got quite a few presents including a blender and a couple of those little wheelie things that help you move potplants so I will have one for the verandah and one out the back to move pots here and there.

The main party left at 5.30pm as the littlies were tired and irritable by then. I said Ray could have a short nap, had a salad sandwich for tea at 7pm and woke him up at 7.45pm to have some re-heated leftovers. What a nice sound, the sound of silence.

Today ( my actual birthday) has been a bit of a let-down. I had a couple of phone calls early on wishing me happy birthday and then got ready and we went off to church. Seems Ray has urinary frequency today and had an "incident" in church so I hustled him home instead of having a cup of tea. It is getting clear now that he needs to go into Depends for every outing. Even the short ones. Another expense and another inconvenience. I was hoping it wouldn't happen this soon. Guess the road to acceptance stretches out before us again.

I did have one extra present today from the friend we take to church each week. It is really nice to get a something nice"just for me" type present, I love hand cream and shower gel in matching smells, lovely lavender this time. I had a couple of late phone calls too, one all the way from my front verandah as Trev decided to"ring me for my birthday" - bring on the clowns!! :jester:

Coming from a migrant family of two parents, one departed, one demented, and two children I guess it is not unexpected that I don't have a heap of birthday greetings. I am grateful for the few family members who gathered yesterday and for those who rang or have sent the cards that I will get in the mail tomorrow. Thanks too for anyone who posted a greeting, I know that after I go to sleep some of you on waking to the 4th of June on the other side of planet Earth will read that it is my birthday today and send greetings.

All in all it WAS "Happy Birthday" for me. :happybday: