Birthdays

My birthday is almost here again this year. Tomorrow my wonderful family and friends join Ron & I for breakfast at Annette's. For those of you who remember – Annette's used to be the old "West Salem Café" on Wallace Road. When the new shopping center came it had to move along with the West Salem Cleaners and a few others. It is a lovely center now with Walgreen's and lots of special stores and fast foods. I like it. Annette's moved to Edgewater where the fancy "Alesandro's" used to be.

For years I dreaded my birthday and even started getting moody when October rolled around. When I was a child on an Idaho Potato Farm – Harvest Time was October and there were no celebrations – just hard work and lots of stress!

Then one day soon after I married Ron – I noticed my anger rising with October and wondered out loud about it. Family never knows how to celebrate birthday for their mom when they are young. I was lucky to get a paper bag with a gift in it! So I made a life changing decision! I decided I would take care of celebrating MY birthday. I told the kids and Ron that I was going to have a big party on my birthday and they were invited! I told the kids I was making a chocolate cake for my "little girl inside" and if they wanted they could help. They were excited and helped and we had a great party. We have had great parties ever since!

Usually we spend my birthday on the Oregon Beach which is my favorite fall place, but with Ron recovering from surgery and the rigors of learning how to manage a diabetic diet it was not a good plan this year. Maybe next year!

Anyway – I get a free year! That is because for the last year I have believed I was 68. Now that I come to my birthday – October 11 – born 1941 minus 2009 I am delighted to announce I am 68 AGAIN! Wahoo! I will really have a fun year now.
My plans include joining the new Kroc center and taking advantage of the exercise classes and water aerobics and anything else that appeals to my fancy. I am hoping that Mike will join me.

Ron has his first upholstery job scheduled as planned for October 13th – when both Jack and Eli will pick up a couch and deliver it to Ron's shop for him. What a wonderful, helpful family we have.

Just Look at the Wonderful Food he eats all the time now!
Ron sends his gratitude to all of you who have been concerned. He is doing well. It will take a while to manage the balance of the sugars but he has made wonderful progress. His implant is working and doesn't seem to annoy him so much anymore with its little surges of electricity. We intend to continue living and loving life every day for as long as it lasts – and being grateful for every moment.

Love to all of you!