  Let's have a party!  Yeah...not  I am SO sorry I can't be there  Your ride is here!  FYI: turbulence is no fun  Downtown Sarasota  | You may recall my post about my Aunt Nancy turning 80. It's a BIG birthday. Her baby sister, Rosie, turned 70 in December. My mom, who is the middle child, decided it would be fun to throw them both a party. On a Wednesday. In Sarasota, Florida. Convenient for the retired crowd. Not so much for the working crowd. She sent out an invite to all of her kids, cousins, nieces and nephews, to see who could come. I am heading on a retreat from Friday through Sunday and really couldn't see how I could swing it. Overnight in Florida? It's crazy, right? Then, I said the heck with it, and made reservations. It's only money. Your aunts only have these monumental birthday's once. ONLY Jane knew I decided to make it happen. Everyone else was in the dark. Let's surprise mommy and Am. ::: rub hands together with glee ::: While I was getting all made up at home before leaving, I called my mom's house to wish everyone a great time at the party tonight. (As an aside, we had no heat & hot water, again, due to a malfunctioning part. Thanks to my neighbors for letting me shower at their house.) I spoke to the aunts. Everyone was very forgiving of my not being able to be there. Hook, line and sinker. Part One - complete. I arrived at Jane's house. She told Am the car service arrived. Am didn't realize car services used RAV4's and didn't that look just like Maggie's car? Out I popped. GREAT surprise. She asked if I was going to the party? I was totally overdressed for a ride to Queens, I can assure you. YES, Annemarie, I am going to the party! Mommy does NOT know. Part Two - complete. We get to LaGuardia with plenty of time to spare. We have a lovely lunch. We have an easy flight, except for the turbulence. We arrive 10 minutes early. We get a car. Our GPS, AKA Jane, gets us to the Hilton. We check into the hotel. We have about 30 minutes or so to get ready. I flew in my party clothes, thank you Chico's, so I didn't have too much to do. The other's are quick change artists and were ready in a flash. We decide they will go in first and I will follow in about a minute or two. We arrive at the Chart House and in they go while I check email on my phone. Part Three - complete. I go into the restaurant and sneak around the bar to the back of the room where the party is set. There are 15 people gathered. I will be sweet 16. I go down the stairs and announce, "I heard there was a party happening here!" My mother almost falls out of her chair. It was fabulous. My sisters are laughing. My Aunt Rosie is giggling because she really can't believe I am there. Aunt Nancy is delighted. Part Four - fully executed. |
There is something fantastic about gathering around a table with family from the ages of 47 to 80 and it's NOT an after funeral luncheon. It was a celebration of two women's birthday's as well as a celebration of family. And that, is priceless.
So, the next time something seems too bananas to pull off, too time crazy, too expensive - think about the experience that will be had. We are here for a short time. Live it up.
So, the next time something seems too bananas to pull off, too time crazy, too expensive - think about the experience that will be had. We are here for a short time. Live it up.
The menu - delicious!
