"In the beginning"

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The views expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views of the blog management, (on the other hand, they are not necessarily not the views of the blog management).

No effort has been made to stay within the bounds of the truth in this blog as it has always been the view of the management that the truth should never be allowed to stand in the way of a good story.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Surprise Birthday Party


I could only think of Willowtree when I found this cartoon.



G’day to all, I am posting this from Perth which is the other side of the country (about 4000 Klm from home), what am I doing here… having just returned from holidays in NSW???

I have purposefully made no mention of this trip before as I am here as a part of a surprise birthday party for my oldest son Alan, somehow Alan is celebrating his 50th birthday…. so I’m being told anyway, it surely can’t be 50 years since he first graced our lives???

The trip had to be kept quiet in case Alan read of it in this blog, he isn’t a regular reader but does have a glance here occasionally, and it would have been a shame to spoil the surprise of all the effort that his two lovely daughters have put into organizing the party.

The whole family will once again be gathered together as my favourite daughter has come across from SA, so you can expect to see some more photos in a few days time.

I’m going to tell a story on myself here (before it filters out from any other source), when Vicki and I were shopping in Noosa 18 months ago, at the time of my surprise 70th birthday, we found a birthday card with an attached CD celebrating the year of his birth, I bought this card and then promptly forgot all about it.

While talking with Vicki about the upcoming surprise party she reminded me of it, fine I have a storage box for spare Christmas/Birthday cards and the like that’s where I would have put it…. NO…. nor was it in any of the 270 other boxes, drawers, shelves, or hiding places that I scoured over the next week.

I finally admitted defeat and gave up all hope of ever seeing this card again, however when grand daughter Jenna and daughter Vicki called in to youngest son Bruce’s, where I am currently hiding out, (so I won’t run into Alan, who lives only a few streets away) Jenna produced an envelope which she handed to me, long story short, this was the missing card which I had left with Lyn (Alan’s wife) for safekeeping, never thinking I would be back so soon to deliver it in person, when I was here in March for Jenna’s wedding.

Amid much laughter and comments about “Old-timers” disease when I described the frenzied searching I had done looking for it Jenna quietly informed me it had been in her mothers underwear drawer since March…. I had to admit that this was one place I hadn’t thought to look for it.

The party is tomorrow (Saturday) night so I will not post this until after the event, who knows what other stories might come forth then.

This is Alan and his girls, wife Lyn and daughters Jenna and Aimee,the two girls
organized the Surprise 50th which could not have gone off better

Marcus and Alan are the two fanatical Geelong supporters who were
rewarded with a premiership after waiting 43 years since the last one.
There is a story about the jumper that Alan is wearing, it is the one his
nephew Daniel, (Vicki's son) was wearing in a match when he received a
fairly serious injury so the jumper was cut at the top two seams for
removal, this would be a simple thing to repair but Alan has chosen to
just pin the seams together with safety pins to empathize the story.

Marcus and Carolyn had their entire family together for the first time in
two years Oldest son Zac flew in from England where he had spent two years
on Friday.... just in time for the big birthday.

Favourite daughter, Vicki, was also able to come across from SA, so again we
were able to get photos of the complete family, twice in one year after never
having happened before.... amazing!!!

And just to round off a good night, youngest son Bruce, who's marriage broke
up 16 months ago, brought along a new lady friend, Paula, who passed inspection
with flying colours.





14 comments:

Carolyn said...

Happy Birthday Allen!

Peter, I didn't know you had more sons-- you dog you! LOL!

You really do have a great looking family, btw :)

kenju said...

Happy Birthday, Allen!

Peter, I agree with Carolyn; your family members are very good looking! (They take after their dad, I see). You have sure been away from home a lot this year!

willowtree said...

LOL When I first saw that poster I thought of me too!

You are in my favourite place in the world (except for here), I love Perth.

What a great weekend you must be having!!! All I can say is that you better only have one daughter (calling Viki the favourite could be very dangerous otherwise).

Peter, I have to say, you don't look anywhere near 70.

Oh, and of course...Happy Birthday Alan!!!!

Puss-in-Boots said...

Well what a lovely surprise for Alan. Happy Birthday, Alan!

Have a wonderful time in Perth, Peter, and I hope the surprise party went off well.

Merle said...

Hi Peter ~~ You are full of surprises, but glad you were able to be there for the party. I hope Alan had a wonderful birthday and you are right. How can it be 50 years since he came on the scene. Did you fly or drive? Take care, Love, Merle.

Happy Birthday Alan for Tuesday.
Love, Auntie Merle.

Congrats to Jenna and Aimee for their organizing the big 50 for their Dad. Love, Auntie Merle.

Christina said...

You have a beautiful family, Peter. Obviously a lot of love and good times there.

Happy Birthday, Alan!!!

Granny said...

What a nice looking family, Peter.

We seem to be suffering from the same illness.

I misplaced (or so I thought) Ray's testing kit while he was last in hospital. Finally found it exactly where I thought I'd stashed it. I must have looked at it six different times without seeing it. He found it.

Pamela said...

hmmmmm...I didn't think the poster looked anything like WT.


The rest of the pictures are fun. I love family reunions/parties etc.

I should have been invited as a long lost kissin' cousin or somethng.

Raggedy said...

Fabulous!!!
I am so glad you did this.
Happy Birthday Alan!
Enjoy your visit Peter. I think it is wonderful that you are all together for this event.
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) hugs
(")_ (")Š from
the Cool Raggedy one

Margaret said...

What a great surprise for Alan. Time certainly does fly.
The photos were great and reflected the enjoyment you all shared.
Cheers Margaret

Dave said...

Heya Peter,

I have a small favor to ask.

Where I work, we have a student worker that is studying oceanography, and just found out she's going to spend up to 6 months down under in Melbourne, and doing some studying on the Barrier Reef.

What advice would you give a first time visitor down under, to help her out? She's about 21 years old, and hasn't ever been out of the US before.

Any help would be appreciated.
Email me at dchamp@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Dave

Jack K. said...

Happy Birthday to Alan.

What a great story and trip.

I bet you all had a most memorable occasion.

Look forward to other photos.

What a marvelous family.

BTW, it appears the seniors CRS ailment has moved down under.

What is CRS, you ask?

Can't Remember Stuff. You can substitute your favorite "S" expletive.

guffaw, snort, snerx.

Walker said...

Sneaky sneaky, but all for a good cause and a fun family reunion.

That was nice of his daughters to put ia all together for their father.

Lapa said...

MIGUEL TORGA

THE PLOUGHMAN OF THE WRITING

A SHARED PATH

In the 1st centenary of his birth

BY CRIST�V�O DE AGUIAR