Surprise birthday party

 

Thursday

I got up before 7:30. I was pleased to see the sprinklers had been on this morning. I followed my morning list. I didn't practice until after Chris got up. (He had the day off due to Juneteenth). I watered plants outside. I worked on the cross-back apron, making one from one of Chris' old shirts. It actually worked better than the t-shirt one.

I helped Chris install the chin-up bar, then finished the apron. I put it on the dress form and took pics. I posted them to the community Facebook pages. Wendy texted that she was coming over. While waiting, I made copper spirals to put in all the watering cans. She gave me a 14-day CGM and would not let me pay for it. She liked the apron but said she won't be able to help with the class on Saturday. I looked at part of a video on the cgm.

I made and ate breakfast. When I realized it was Thursday, I put on The Highwire. I watched it while eating. I read through most of the new e-mail.

I went to the garden to cut some green onion stems, but there weren't enough. So I went to the commissary to buy two bunches of onions. I cut up the green onion stems. I made rice in the rice cooker. I broke up cashews into pieces. I took an empty crème container and made a shiny blue lining for it. I covered it with origami paper to hold the gopher ball. I got dressed in a blue Hawaiian wrap.

I put everything together and went to the Keech Room. I called Michele (who was already inside) to help me carry stuff in. I placed the rice cooker on the table near the wall and plugged it in to keep the rice warm. The room was nicely decorated in a Hawaiian theme.

We visited as more people showed up and added to the food table. I put my little gift on the cake table. Janet came with more stuff, then left to get Ria. It took quite a while. But when she did, we all hid in the dark and shouted “Surprise” when Ria walked in the door. She said she had never had a surprise birthday party before. Eventually we all lined up to load our plates with Hawaiian haystacks: rice covered in a chicken soup, then topped with whatever you like. There must have been a dozen different toppings there. Also cut-up fruit.

Karen played Hawaiian music on the TVs. We talked among ourselves. We took pics of the group and of Ria individually. Michele and her friend Victoria left to have their movie night. Then Janet had Ria cut the cake. After it was served, ladies started cleaning up. Eventually Ria called everyone together to give a speech. After the speech, she opened her presents. She was given some really nice stuff that will be useful on her Hawaiian vacation.

Then we all cleaned up. I vacuumed. Decorations came down and were packed away. Dishes were washed and trash taken out. Then just a few of us were left, not wanting to leave until the last person walked out.

When I got home, I changed into my nightgown, then put the rice and green onions and cashews away. I made tea and we watched TV. Then he went to bed and I worked on my blog.