"Surprise!! and Welcome to the downside of the hill!!"
My dear friend, Laurie Carlson, who owns Flame the Gordon Setter with me, along with several others coordinated and surprised me on May 3, 2008 with a birthday party at the Prime Quarter Steakhouse in Madison. The Prime Quarter is a "cook-your-own" steak place. I was totally surprised. For once, I was speechless.
Here are some photos that my mom took of the festivities. Laurie and company had commissioned a gorgeous 20 x 20 stained glass for me that was made by Deb Farrell. It hangs proudly in my home. Words can never express my gratitude for a gift and party of this magnitude. It was so much fun!! I share with you some photos of the party!!
(Photos top to bottom: Stained Glass present, Friends, Romey Carta, Laurie and Alan Carlson, Peggy and Marte Wetzel, Mary Rondou and Marlo Gaddo, candid of the party and Peggy and PJ Monson. )
I received some other wonderful presents from family and friends in addition to the stained glass. My dear friend, Gail Godding, was unable to attend because her Gordon Setter, Willow, decided to whelp her litter a day and a half early. Gail gave me a throw/wall hanging with the winning photo shot of River's Specialty (see Wow...a Best in Show Specialty). I really will need a new house with TONS of wall space to hang up this present. Most of all, I was touched by the outpouring of friendship and love from everyone. This was truly one of the bestest birthdays of all!!
Today is my 50th birthday. May 15, 1958. Wow. I think that Crayola Crayons first debuted in 1958. And...NASA did, too. I think that was a good year. We were all members of the high school Class of 1976 (the Bicentennial for our country).
I think lots of cool things happened in these past 50 years that I have gone around the sun (my little sister's quoteable quote). It would also have been my 26th wedding anniversary. As is so true with life, it often doesn't play out the way you think it should or could. And as my blog-headline states, I am now a 50-year old divorced woman living this journey we call life.....and as my friend Anne, said in her birthday card message to me, "welcome to the downside of the hill."
So...what do I think about being 50?
I am thankful for living long enough to make it to this milestone. I am not sure I "feel" any different, but this marks the end of 4 decades of life for me. If I'm fortunate enough, I will see at least 4 to 5 more. I anticipate much fun and laughter in the remaining decades of life and someday...(a girl can hope) to find that handsome, charming, wonderful, dog-loving, sweet, funny hunk of a guy to share it with. *grin* It is also my Irish Setter, Whisper's 5th b-day today. She and I will enjoy lovely treats today, I'm sure.
When I turned 40, a friend, Lou Ann, gave me a book called, "When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple." I don't have to be old or feel old..as purple IS my favorite color.
An excerpt -
Life's Rainbow by Sheila Banani
Beginnings are lacquer red
fired hard in the kiln
of hot hope;
Middles, copper yellow
in sunshine,
sometimes, oxidize green
with tears; but
Endings are always indigo
before we step
on the other shore.
Here are some photos that my mom took of the festivities. Laurie and company had commissioned a gorgeous 20 x 20 stained glass for me that was made by Deb Farrell. It hangs proudly in my home. Words can never express my gratitude for a gift and party of this magnitude. It was so much fun!! I share with you some photos of the party!!
(Photos top to bottom: Stained Glass present, Friends, Romey Carta, Laurie and Alan Carlson, Peggy and Marte Wetzel, Mary Rondou and Marlo Gaddo, candid of the party and Peggy and PJ Monson. )
I received some other wonderful presents from family and friends in addition to the stained glass. My dear friend, Gail Godding, was unable to attend because her Gordon Setter, Willow, decided to whelp her litter a day and a half early. Gail gave me a throw/wall hanging with the winning photo shot of River's Specialty (see Wow...a Best in Show Specialty). I really will need a new house with TONS of wall space to hang up this present. Most of all, I was touched by the outpouring of friendship and love from everyone. This was truly one of the bestest birthdays of all!!
Today is my 50th birthday. May 15, 1958. Wow. I think that Crayola Crayons first debuted in 1958. And...NASA did, too. I think that was a good year. We were all members of the high school Class of 1976 (the Bicentennial for our country).
I think lots of cool things happened in these past 50 years that I have gone around the sun (my little sister's quoteable quote). It would also have been my 26th wedding anniversary. As is so true with life, it often doesn't play out the way you think it should or could. And as my blog-headline states, I am now a 50-year old divorced woman living this journey we call life.....and as my friend Anne, said in her birthday card message to me, "welcome to the downside of the hill."
So...what do I think about being 50?
I am thankful for living long enough to make it to this milestone. I am not sure I "feel" any different, but this marks the end of 4 decades of life for me. If I'm fortunate enough, I will see at least 4 to 5 more. I anticipate much fun and laughter in the remaining decades of life and someday...(a girl can hope) to find that handsome, charming, wonderful, dog-loving, sweet, funny hunk of a guy to share it with. *grin* It is also my Irish Setter, Whisper's 5th b-day today. She and I will enjoy lovely treats today, I'm sure.
When I turned 40, a friend, Lou Ann, gave me a book called, "When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple." I don't have to be old or feel old..as purple IS my favorite color.
An excerpt -
Life's Rainbow by Sheila Banani
Beginnings are lacquer red
fired hard in the kiln
of hot hope;
Middles, copper yellow
in sunshine,
sometimes, oxidize green
with tears; but
Endings are always indigo
before we step
on the other shore.
posted by Peggy Gero DaValt at Thursday, May 15, 2008
8 Comments:
Many happy returns of the day. It looked like a great gathering. What a lovely memory.
Thanks, Ruth.
I love you a latte.
Best pun for the week!!
Peggy :)
Hi Peggy,
Happy Birthday!!! I turned 50 a few weeks ago on April 11th. Yes I was a member of the class of 1976 too. My school was Patrick Henry High School (in San Diego). Our mascot was a Patriot. So we made a big deal of the bicentennial. We had tee-shirts made for the class with "The Spirited Class of 1976" emblazed on it. We had a graduating class of 1200 kids, it was huuugggeee!!!!
At the end of June this year I am going on a cruise with 4 of my girlfriends from high school. We are all turning 50 this year and decided to celebrate in style!!
When my mom was pregnant with me back in 1957-1958 there was a Russian spaceship or satellite called Sputnik. My parents called me Sputnik during my gestation. Thank goodness they changed my name when I was born!!!
Congratulations on the 50 years, I wish you happiness and joy for the next 50!!!
SueH :)
Peggy: Sue H. is Kathie Brikman's sister. I think this shared fact of an older sister 5 years our senior allowed us to have musical/pop culture experiences beyond our years. I do indeed remember Nehru jackets because of your pal [T.J. Atkinson].
Peggy, Where did you learn to count? If you are 50, you have already lived 5--FIVE--decades. I'm surprised Ruth Anne didn't pick up on that. Anyway, the party was lots of fun and dinner on Friday night was rather special. We so seldom get to spend quality time together. Let's do it again when we can get into the Capri. Have a safe trip.
Love,
Mom
Hi Sputnik -
Thank you so much for writing to me. I think you make nice comments on my blog. My class was about 140 and that was big.
Hi Mom -
You're correct...I can't count. I was told by several others about that boo-boo. I did go to school in Columbus...but you also taught me to count, too....*giggle*
It was very nice to go out this weekend and for you to haul me to get my car. I'm glad that I got it fixed. It works well now.
Be good and we'll do Capri when I get back from NC.
Love,
Peggy :)
BBGOTL!
Soon...soon....just need to stay put. Have been working on my yard and getting caught up with that.....
It's FINALLY summer here and I'm taking advantage of having lots of light at night to do stuff outside....
Peggy :)
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