Marval Movie

http://thebirthdaypartyproject.org

I read a blip in a local Dallas magazine about The Birthday Party Project, and it captured my attention. I checked out the website which is very thorough, and I became more enthused over its mission.

They host kid birthday parties every month at local Women's Shelters. Cupcakes, balloons, games, music, and a lot of joy for an hour. As a volunteer I helped put up streamers, joined in a line dance (not well), and was there to chat and clean up. The lead coordinator was extremely organized with bins and the plan. I was very impressed.

The staff at the Arlington shelter were very nice and obviously cared about the attendees - the kids and the moms. The kids had a lot of fun and the one with the official birthday had a huge grin as he opened his package containing a football and a gift card.

I know I take a lot for granted in my life. Everyone should get to celebrate a birthday, but sometimes circumstances aren't right. The Birthday Party Project is working to make it possible.  Check out the website. They have been expanding to other cities - contact them if you are interested, and spread the joy of blowing out candles.

 A salute to Ray as he turns 60 today  - August 1st.

 The cake came out great from Wal-Mart.  The scanned icing photos made it a hit.  Chocolate goodness
 I have to brag that renting tables and chairs was brilliant  - we could fit 21 adults easily into the room. It was nice having everyone together to participate.  Kids were tucked into the kitchen
I don't have a picture of the tasty Tex-Mex from Miguelitos - it's all gone!!!
 Fun banner to greet the birthday boy
Saturday November 12th was a success as it heralded in Ray's Dad's birthday. Here are his mom, niece, and father.  He's still  recovering from some surgery that slowed him down a bit. But he's on the mend and hopefully his health improves for many birthdays to come.

A unicorn pinata fell victim at a party for a two year old. Only the head swings free. The body thumped to the ground, candy guts flying everywhere much to the glee and giggles of little girls.


Keep  your head on straight this week (and giggle).

An oldie picture, but I don't have many of my mother. I've written this before - she always dodged the camera, ever elusive.  This is back in the 1980s -  Lori's early years in college and we were visiting her. I was in from TX. My brother is missing. So young and vibrant.

Today - June 21st is my mother's birthday. She's been gone twenty five years now.
Happy Birthday Mom!  I'll eat some chocolate cake in her honor.

I liked this quote by Russell Baker:
Children rarely want to know who their parents were
before they were parents, and when age
finally stirs their curiosity, there is no parent left to tell them

Happy Birthday Ray!! Today's the day, my husband, lover, best friend, buddy, and all around great guy turns 61. Yikes!   So fun, so energetic, so opposite of me. Always up for anything, always laughing at my crazy crap. We just can hang or go travel and find adventure. He's up for anything I concoct, and believe me I'm always stirring up something.

Happy Birthday Ray

Love you loads!!!!
Joanne

Last Saturday we attended the birthday party for Skylar who turned 3 early May, and Dakota's birthday is today - age 1.

Life is good when you are wearing a birthday princess dress.

Happy Birthday!

And now happy start to Memorial Weekend - use your sunscreen, everybody.

Today's the day  - Hip Hip Hooray........Ray's my guy and it's his birthday......

Happy Birthday, Ray!!!

Love you lots.  We have SO much fun

Joanne

 Today, October 8 - I'm officially truly older than dirt.
 I can remember black and white TV and clicking the three or four channels. I remember red dye and when cereal said "sugared" and meant it.  I remember "smoking" candy cigarettes in the kitchen while Dad had his one Camel.

 Ray and I did marry - Justice of the Peace, in jeans, then a fun party that night.
Picture on the right is my very casual author picture....Maybe I should update it.
And here I am with Ray in Cozumel, cruising onward.....I know less than I did back in the black and white era. Still questioning, still stumbling, still a left-handed, green-eyed gal from PA.  (a damn Yankee in TX)

Assuming I make it to Halloween, I will then have lived longer than my mother. That's mind blowing.

But cheers! I plan on eating chocolate cake and enjoying my whole birthday weekend - Friday and Monday off.  Go to the State Fair, hit a movie, celebrate with friends, and of course, hang with Ray.

Happy Birthday to ME......... Yikes!

My mother-in-law, Joyce Faries, turns 80 on December 21st this year.  Well, she's always stuck with the combo Christmas/Birthday celebration.  So this special year, we decided to throw her a party that's all about her - lunch on Saturday at Miguelitos (Tex-Mex food). 

Nacho  appetizers, enchilada combo plate, and then we cut into this cake. You could have a margarita if you wish.

Hopefully as I write this on Friday, thirty people show up tomorrow for the festivities. We've been sweating out various senior health issues - turning 80 ain't for sissies, as Bette Davis said.

Here's to all you December kids who's birthday gets smushed with Christmas - you deserve a cake that's not red and green decorations.

Cheers!

 Tuesday was Birthday Party Project time - theme was Carnival. Fun time at the women's shelter, celebrating kids birthdays. There was face painting, balloon animals, and more.
 Speaking of birthdays - Monday July 15 will be my father's 88th birthday.  Here's the baby George
 And my dad with his father, Fred - two dapper dudes.
And here's dad three years ago.  I'm headed to Philly for a long weekend jaunt. I'll hang with my father, celebrate 88, and I'm sure we'll have some laughs. He's a tough old bird and still in his home.
Wish us luck and good cheer.

Fingers crossed my flights go as planned. Summer travel = ugh.

Take care all. Happy July and more posts late next week. I have book reviews out the wazoo.