Celebrations!

Oooh, we were busy yesterday! It was Mum’s birthday, so I went to see her in the morning to take her a gift and a card, and to join in any celebrations that might be happening.

“How old you are you, Hazel?” asked one of the carers, as she brought in some beribboned and spangled stars for her to hold and enjoy. Mum shrugged her shoulders, grinning. “21, again, are you?” Mum laughed. Yes, she thought she might be 21 again and, with a twinkle in her eye and giggling delightedly, shook her stars at the carer.

Of course, she’s ninety-seven, and she can hardly believe she’s lived so long. Well, neither can we! And she was on top form – all ‘with it’ and thoroughly enjoying the attention of a photoshoot and people coming in and out of her room.

She was delighted with the necklaces I had taken in for her, too – so she put them both on! It was good job I’d taken a few more beads for her to wear as I found a couple of her necklaces were broken, when I went to put them with her other jewellery. The broken ones come home to the ‘Repair Shop’. Hmm, I wonder when I’ll get time to do those?

It transpired that Mum’s confusion on Sunday had been due to a urine infection, so she’s on the mend and right as rain again now that she’s taking some antibiotics. “She’s going to reach a hundred, you know,” said John, when I got home. Yes, I expect she will.

Once I was home, we got ready for more celebrations as we waited for Carol and John, and Pete and Dawn, to come round. It’s going to be Carol’s 70th birthday next week, and we were beginning the celebrations early.

Michael had phoned to say he’d call in to collect one or two tools that he needed for the DIY work he’s got going on at home. “Yes, no worries,” said John. So, for a few minutes the house was chaos as everyone arrived, greetings were exchanged, drinks were made or poured, and food prepared for the table. It was fabulous.

After the family left, the rest of us sat to the table for a wonderful Ploughman’s Lunch, to which we had all contributed. Oh, it was so lovely to be together, sharing a meal and memories.

Carol had made her own birthday cake, a really lovely lemon cake – gluten free and dairy free – which she served in the lounge. This was accompanied by champagne, courtesy of Pete and Dawn. It was lush. And here’s the darling birthday girl herself, looking lovely, as always:

As the afternoon was drawing to a close, Paul phoned. Ah….. it was Wednesday, of course – the day when they come and cook at our house. “Alright if we come over?” he asked. Yes, it was alright. Pete and Dawn just missed them, having left about four o’clock, but they had time to chat to Carol and John for a little while before they, too, went home.

By the time the evening meal was ready though, John was exhausted and had gone to bed for a rest. He didn’t want anything to eat. He was still full from the lunch and, in any case, was far too knackered to come downstairs.

We waved goodbye to Paul, Harriet and Freddie at seven o’clock, which gave me just enough time to put together the two quiz rounds I’d been tasked with for the evening. John got up and thought he’d try and join in the quiz and see how he got on. In the end, he stayed up for all of it and I think he enjoyed it.

And then there’s today……about which I shall write tomorrow, but I can’t help including this lovely thing today. William was so delighted to see Mummy and Daddy at the ‘Award Ceremony’ at school this morning!

Take care everyone. God bless.