Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Birthday Appreciation














How about this shirt? You know where that came from.


I am sure by now most of you are tired of hearing about my 80th birthday. If you will bear with me just one more time, I promise this will be the end.

Reaching 80 has been the highlight of my long life. All the attention and activities has blown my mind and overwhelmed me. I am not sure I will ever be the same again.

My special day celebration was small and simple. The way I wanted it. My family and I had a great fun day on Sunday, August 23. At my request, I did not have a big, fancy cake with 80 candles. We would have burned the house down. Instead of the birthday cake, I enjoyed a good old fashion blackberry cobbler as I requested. I am really not a fancy, party person. I derive great pleasure from the simple things of life.

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would receive 59 great happy birthday comments on my post. I am truly honored you would take the time for this. I cannot acknowledge each of you individually. I do want you to know that it was greatly appreciated more than I can ever tell you. The response to all this has been unbelievable. It really means a lot to me.

As a rule, in the past, I receive around 25 to 30 cards from family and friends. Well this year, my niece, known to you as Coloradolady, decides it would be nice if I could receive at least 80. Unknown to my knowledge, she informed all her friends in blog land what she would like to happen. As a result of her actions, I received one e-card and 21 of the nicest cards and surprises from fellow blog friends. Some of these were handmade and took a lot of time. The card that came the longest distance was from Sweden. All of them were so pretty and expressed such kind words. I want to personally say to each of your that participated in the card mailing, it truly touched me.

On top of that my sister got involved. She spreads the word to all her friends and church members. As a result of her actions,and other family and friends, I received a total of 85 cards. This is the best I could do trying to get a picture of all the cards. Besides the cards, I received four e-cards on the computer. These are the same cards, just trying a different location.



These cards came after I had made the ones above. The bottom three are from blog friends.


At this point in my life, there is not much I need or want. As a result of that, my son and his wife designed an 80 and covered it in 80 dollar lotto scratch off tickets. What a shock that was! I only scratch off a few each day. So far, I have not gotten rich, but have sure had a lot of fun scratching.

Besides that, I received several nice gift cards for various eating places. Also, great American Airline gift cards which I plan to use in October. But the one that took the cake, was one to Goodwill. I have never received one from there. My sister said it was to buy more things for my blog. A variety of other gifts as well as numerous phone calls. All in all, you might say I had a birthday like no other. A video was made of some of the festivities. It is said laughter is good for the soul. Believe me there are several of us with much better souls.


I am sure to get mentioned in the BlogHer sidebar would not be a big deal to you. I was very pleased that it had been read and featured. My first time, and another nice surprise.

To top off the evening of my birthday, my son and his wife took me to a nice place for dinner that I had never been. We had a great meal, nice and quiet, such a pleasant way to end days of a wild birthday celebration.

How many people do you know that have received 111 greeting cards for their birthday? I assure you, it has broken any record I know of. Once again, thanks to everyone that had a part of my 80th birthday celebration. You made it very special and I will never forget it. Your kindness and thoughtfulness was above and beyond all expectations.


Surrounded by lovely flowers and people, what a way to celebrate being 80.

30 comments:

Neabear said...

I figured you would get a lot of cards. 111? That is amazing!! I enjoyed being a part of it and making the cross stitch card for you. I am happy to see by your pictures that it got there okay and safely.

What a wonderful special birthday you had. Now you go on and have a wonderful year too!!

~Linnea

AnnA said...

Hi LV!
And I am the sender from Sweden.
Such a sucess, having 111 bdcards!
(It was -ofcourse -the Coloradolady, who gave me the inspiration...)

I hope you will a nice year now too!/
AnnA

Keetha Broyles said...

Wasn't it FUN on your 80th birthday to get "carded!"

Ruby said...

I was so happy to help you celebrate. You'll be able to enjoy this birthday for a long time. 111 cards! WOW! :)

Diva Kreszl said...

So happy to have been included in your celebration...wishing you mant more!

Patsy said...

Wow!! We did better than we had hoped for----I know we had as much fun as you did with getting people to send cards and getting the surpise gifts (Goodwill Card) and just being able to share your Special Day with you!!!!Was really GREAT, but it was for a great lady and much deserved !!!!!

Heart2Heart said...

LV,

What a completely beautiful way to usher in 80 years of life experience. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for sharing just how wonderful the day was for you. You deserve and here is to 80 more!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Coloradolady said...

I am glad your day was special....You deserved it!!

Jocelyn said...

What a lovely birthday celebration. Thanks for sharing about it. And may you have many, many more birthdays to celebrate.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

KBeau said...

I think those cards would make a beautiful quilt. Glad you had a good day.

gin said...

wow how wonderful!! Wishing you a great year. and, I hope I am just half that loved when I reach my 80th!!

marilyn said...

thanks for the update on your cards. You are a special lady. Keep on blogging!!!! Marilyn

Cindy said...

You deserved it. I am happy for you.
Cindy

Anonymous said...

111! You bring tears of joy to my eyes LV!
How are they goina top that next year? Better get a bigger mailbox.
I think you might be loved :)

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

What a fantastic birthday! But then, you are so obviously a fantastic lady. Smart, kind, funny, droll, hardworking and just plain cute.

Those 80 scratch-off cards -- what a fun gift! That has given me the idea for my husband's Christmas present, thank you!!! I usually am stumped. See what a person can learn on the blogs!?!

Well my dear, looking forward to a year of your wonderful blog posts and then an even bigger party for your 81st birthday!

Anonymous said...

Hi La Voice, if I have known your address I would have been delighted to send you a handmade card :o)
You seem so young, so full of joie de vivre. Congratulations. I would want to be like you at the same age if I can reach it !

arkie said...

So happy for you!

Historical sites with charmine said...

How lovely to get all those cards and have your b/day just the way you wanted it.Came by for blue monday and read this.I have an aunt whose 85,She is a very wise and charming lady.I read to her and chat as often as i can ,she lives 2800kms approx from where I stay.Happy belated birthday to you and may you celebrate many more.Have a lovely week.

Ulla said...

I'm glad to hear you had a nice birthday. Isn't it lovely to receive so many greetings from all over the world?

Angela said...

*´¨)
¸.*´¸.**´¨) ¸.**´¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*´* HAPPY BIRTHDAY *


I wonder what the postman thought about all of the extra mail he had to deliver to your house! lol You kept him busy girl! You look great to be 80!!!! My grand mother will be 87 in December and she looks great too! She hardly had any grey hair at all. I think I have more than she does! lol

I'm glad that you had a wonderful time on your birthday!

(((((HUGS))))
Angela

Holly Loves Art said...

Hello there!

Happy Birthday to you! I found you by visiting another blog and smiled from ear to ear when I read the name of your blog! When I was a little girl one of my favorite dollies was named Meme. I named her that because when she would fall on her back she would say, "memeeee."

I hope you're having a wonderful day and I think it's fabulous that you are such a savvy blogger!

I really loved seeing the photo of the pink fan below. I am such a PINK girl.

Big birthday hugs,

Holly

George said...

Congratulations on both the birthday and the number of cards you received. It seems to me that you have a wonderful family and many wonderful friends.

ClassyChassy said...

So wonderful to receive that many good wishes to celebrate your special day! Great family, great friends, and great blog friends as well!!!

farmlady said...

Dear LaVoice, I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful 80th birthday.

Today I send a wish for many more lovely birthdays..., and use that Goodwill gift card wisely.

Becky K. said...

I'm sorry mine got there late. I was too afraid of ruining the surprise and sending it too early.

I am thrilled that your birthday was so celebrated and I have to say that you look fabulous!!!

Becky K.
Hospitality Lane

Bearly Sane said...

What a wonderful birthday you had Meme...hope you have many more.
To be eighty years young and a blogger is quite an accomlishment in itself...I can't get my mum anywhere near a computer, let alone get her blogging! LOL!!
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi

SmilingSally said...

It certainly turned out to be a spectacular celebration, and I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

jeanne said...

Your birthday was a very special one. I am so happy that you received so many cards and well wishes. After all, turning 80 is a milestone and not only that, you are blogging and enjoying your life at 80. I hope that will be me. I love your post today.

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY AGAIN...Jeanne

Old Time Cindy said...

Happy Belated Birthday to You! And may you have many more! You are the prettiest 80 year young woman I've ever seen!
Living it up,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Wow that's a lot of cards!!! So happy you had a great day!!! It's been a pleasure following your blog.