Surprise!

Surprise!

Nov. 4 was Mom's 98th birthday.  My brother was going to be in town anyway so he decided to have a surprise birthday party for her at Anthony's restaurant in Edmonds on the waterfront with all her friends that are still alive.  I got the silly idea it would be fun to be a fly on the wall to see this--emailed the thought to Britta who said, "Let's do it!"  Soooo we flew up to SeaTac early Sunday morning and managed to surprise Mom AND my brother and her friends.  Here is how it went . . .



Britta and Gary and I got up at 3:30 to be at the airport with the sunrise.  Gary dropped us off and went back to go to church and let everyone know what we were doing.

When we got to Seattle, we decided to scope out the restaurant and make sure our plan would work.  They were really excited to help us.










We went to Costco, got a cake and candles, then drove back to the restaurant where we hid behind a bush in our rental car until Monte and Mom arrived.

We then scurried in and hid around the corner while the restaurant staff helped us get the cake ready with lit candles.


With the hostess taking photos, we walked into the party singing "Happy Birthday". Everybody joined in and my brother thought "Why are they singing now, we haven't even ordered yet?"  Then he spotted us.  What fun to see his face.

Then Mom spotted us and had the same jaw dropping eyes bugging out reaction he did.

It was a lot of fun for everyone.

After lunch, we all went back to Mom's house for birthday cake and coffee and more visiting.  She looks pretty good for 98, doesn't she?

It was a short visit as Britta had to be back for work, so it was off to SeaTac in time for sunset on Monday.  We couldn't quit grinning the whole flight home.  What a fun trip full of memories.

Family Fun

My brother and his wife and sons arrived at Mom's yesterday for a short viist. I'm so happy I was able to see them, too! His boys are the best kids ever, very sweet and lots of fun. We visited and joked and enjoyed being together.

Now I am at the airport, ready to get home after too many days away. Seattle got a nice rainstorm last night so I was content with the weather. I'm not really ready for the heat at home, but I'm very ready to see Gary and the "girls" (our dogs).

The convention is over

I've been absent from the blog for a few days, as Britta pointed out to me. It was because I was in Bellingham, WA at the Daughters of Norway convention. It was so much fun being around so many other Norwegians. The first thing I noticed is that they all were wearing my favorite colors--lots of green and orange and purple and teal. And there were a lot of blondes that you know must be really blonde because their eyebrows and eyelashes were as blonde as mine. There was entertainment and lots of essential meetings and goodies and great stuff for sale, as well as raffles. I wish I could post photos because I won the raffle of an amazing wooden bowl that was painted black with red rosmaling on it. I was sooooo lucky! Our lodge founder has a gorgeous bunad (Norsk costume) that no longer fits her because she lost weight. I didn't lose weight so it fits me perfectly and I got to wear it today. I felt more Norwegian than ever in that beautiful outfit.

Now I am back at Mom's in beautifull Woodway. Tomorrow my brother and his family will be here so I'll get to see them this trip, too! I got to see my sister on Wednesday before I left for Bellingham. It has been a great trip, but I have been gone long enough. I got to talk to Gary every day, but I've been going thru dog withdrawal--I need to see my girls! At least I get to go out and give a dog biscuit to Mom's neighbor's lab each day I am here. She has begin to expect it whether I am here or not. It helps when I miss our dogs too much.

The weather has been my idea of perfect--some rain, some clouds and when it is sunny the high is about 75 or less. Today was 73. Gary told me it was 100 at 2 p.m. in Roseville. Yuck!

Bellingham, Here I Come

The past couple of days were full of errands. Mom likes having a free driver around. Yesterday was a bit rough. I took her to her eye doctor appt where she found out both eyes were bleeding and needed shots. She came home and slept the rest of the day. Today is a better day. She can already see better now that the bleeding is under control. Phew!

I am packed and ready to leave for the Daughters of Norway Convention in Bellingham. I have never been a tourist in Bellingham before. It was always a spot in the road on the way to Canada. This is going to be a fun few days filled with friends, nice scenery and cool weather!

Fog!

We have now had one more new type of weather that we didn't have on our trip--fog. It is so nice and cool here--can't complain at all.

This morning I am making the traditional cinnamon rolls for Mom--her favorite thing to eat--cinnamon rolls are followed closely by pie. Last night her old friend Buck came over for Linda Hultman's beef barley soup and pie and he wanted to skip dinner and just have pie. I told him he had to eat what was good for him before i'd give him pie. ; )

As Mom and I sat in church yesterday I thought about how lucky I am to have a 97 year old Mom who is doing so well. It is a real privilege to sit with her in church and do things like this trip with her. The hard part is that there are only two people she still knows at Trinity. Everyone else has died. She only gets to church when I am here to take her, so doesn't make new friends. It is a HUGE church and not super friendly like Advent.

We're still adjusting to the time change. I don't know how you people who go overseas ever adjust! Only 3 hours and our sleep schedule is still weird.

Back to Seattle

We made it to Seattle in record time today--got here early. On the ride from the airport we got some nice rain (as per my order--I always put my order in for rain before I come). But now it is cool and nice outside with no rain.

Delta First Class is much nicer than Alaska First Class. If you get to choose, go with Delta.

Our most expensive hotel was the worst. Not only did they give us a room as far from the elevator as you could get (after I requested close to it 2 months ago when I made the reservation) but this morning the toilet broke. Three visits from the repair staff caused them to determine we needed a real plumber. We checked out early and went to the airport where they have many toilets to choose from and at least one must be working at all times! The bus drivers were the best part of this hotel visit--and they were wonderful. They loved Mom and took very good care of her.

I have been to Trader Joe's for essential groceries and we are ready for bed. It is 8 p.m. Seattle time, but 10 p.m. Minneapolis time that we are used to. Maybe tomorrow will find us back on PDT.

It was a good trip, but we are glad to be back where we don't have to eat in restaurants for awhile.

Thunder, Lightning, Rain--a beautiful day!

Last night we enjoyed the sound of thunder from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Got up to a very warm, humid morning. As we drove from Decorah to Minneapolis, we saw flashes of lightning and lots of rain. Then we drove into sunshine and wind. It gave us lots of variety.

Before the rain hit, we accidently found the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Burr Oak, Iowa. It was quaint and interesting and a nice break in the drive.

We got to our hotel, checked in to a room that is as far from the elevator as it can get--even after I explained we needed to be close. It also has a sloped floor into the bathroom. If neither of us falls tonight it will be amazing. Otherwise it is a pretty room.

The rental car was returned with 1155 miles driven --all by me! Then we took the hotel shuttle to the Mall of America. It is HUGE! And it could be a destination point like Disneyland with all the rides and carnival games in the middle of the mall. Mom really wanted me to see it and I was duly impressed. She found a pair of shoes on sale and a pair of slacks. My suitcase is already too full to buy anything more. As we left the mall, the skies opened up and poured. We got soaked because those raincoats we carried the whole trip were in our room. Duh.

Tomorrow we head back to Seattle. I'm looking forward to no more restaurant food for a few days.