May 19, 2019 Another Day After Something Big

 From the ideas in DIL's mind to gathering stuff to piles of stuff cluttered on tables and stools to the final hours Saturday morning, the last few weeks have kept us two women busy.  Of course, Son, Hubby and grandkids were roped in to help get it together.  Free labor.

At 12:45 PM on Saturday DIL and I looked at each other and said, "It's ready!"  We actually had some time to relax before the guests began to arrive.

Not sure if it is my shaky hands or something going on with my auto focus or my settings but I am disappointed with the grainy photos from the Big Party day.  Oh, well.  Here is what I was able to capture.

Graduate and her Mom, the DIL

 For a point of reference, the theme for the cake table was Dr. Seuss' book, "Oh the Places You'll Go".

The grandkids, left to right ages:  14, 18, 15, 13,  and 18 yrs.

The table setup that was to have been on the back lawn was for the University of Arkansas.  That plan changed as there were thunderstorms on and off that afternoon.  Granddaughter will be attending the University of Arkansas. The school mascots are Hogs.  Before and during games the crowd will call the Hogs, Woo Pig Sooie!

DIL made the HOGS sign and all the painted jars.

 If you have followed my blog for a time, you will note several items used for Son's birthday bash are being used again for this gathering.  Surely was easier this time as items are already easily available.

Drink table using a table cloth my Mom made probably 20 or 30 years ago.

The outdoor Welcome Table is where that flag I designed and printed was used.  DIL is encouraging me to market these for sale.

DIL and I figure the materials will be used for other gatherings.

At 4:30 we left the grad party to attend Youngest Grandson's end of school Choir Concert.

Combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choir from Chisholm Middle School

 
Again, wrong lens for distance shots.  But the point was not photos it was Grandson.  Grandson was ear to ear smiles the whole time.  He loves choir.  Says he wants to "major in choir in college".  It is to no avail to explain that might require some music courses but who knows.  He is to the right of the tall mike in the center.  He is on the second row from the top.

Once the concert was completed Hubby and I returned to our apartment.  DJ the grand-dog had stayed at our place during the party and concert.  Our kind neighbor had stayed with her for a couple of hours.  We took a bit to sit and relax for a bit.  Then we gathered DJ up and headed to the Son's home to help do the 'tear-down' and cleanup from the party. 

Those younger folks had it 90% + done.  I gathered up most of the things I had taken over for the party.  There were a few bites of cheese and crackers that called my name and got in my mouth.  With almost the entire bottom layer of the cake left over I ask if I could take some to the neighbor.  Please, yes!  Cause no one needs that much cake.  Goodbyes and good jobs as well as hugs and we left for our apartment.  It was 9 PM before we finally were home for the evening.  Unlike my usual 1 to 3 AM bedtime I was lateral before 11 PM.

Today has been pretty laid back for us.  The items I had brought home last night were just put on the washer and dryer.  I did put away all those things.  A runner we used on the Dr. Seuss table needed to be hand washed.  That was washed and hung to dry.  I've been catching up on bloggers I follow and writing a haiku or two.  I know this week's project will be the top of the graduation cap decoration and maybe a bunch of flags for Granddaughter's friends.

Ya'll all have a good night and see you later.

The 50's Party for our 50th.

The Saturday of the Big Party started with us 4 sisters at Youngest Sister's home.  Breakfast is a must to get us all going.  My camera was being contrary and would not focus past the stove where the cooking was happening.  Guess it was hungry.

 Once breakfast was eaten and kitchen put back together the steaming began.  The fifty year old wedding gown, Mom's dress she wore, my going away suit and one other outfit all required the steam treatment.  Table cloths and other types of stuff to just give everything that extra little touch.

Our Son, DIL, grandkids and Youngest Sis had worked for weeks gathering goodies and deco for the event.  And since it was a 50's party there were costumes to gather as well.

Hubby and I were responsible for picking up the cake and dropping off other items like the 50 year old dresses at the restaurant.

As Hubby and I headed out for our hotel and the cake pickup, the sky became threatening.  To complicate matters, the 'quick' way via the toll road was closed for construction.  We spent 30 minutes going a mere 10 miles.  Finally reached Elizabeth's cake and headed not to the hotel but straight to the restaurant to have the cake refrigerated.  We unloaded the cases of records, picture albums and dresses and headed to the reserved room.  That was filled with people having another party.

We had the room reserved since March for this event.  An the 'new' manager said the other people had reserved the earlier time and we were just going to have to wait to decorate.  I called Son and he said he had been told 3 times in the last week the room was empty all day.  We could decorate whenever.  Sister was already on the road by now just in front of the rain storm.  After a few discussions via phone, I explained we needed room to do work.  There were flower arrangements to be completed.  The manager said we could have the room at 5:30 and no sooner.  He did give us space in a large, empty room to leave my stuff.  He promised that area could be used for all prep and the staff would help with the move.

We unloaded all but one suitcase of stuff and headed to our hotel to dress for the event.  DIL wanted us to be surprised by the room.  We arrived back at the restaurant with the suitcase in tow.  It had the last table cloth that was needed for the cake table.  Guests were already waiting.  So I did not have time to take in the full beauty of the room before I needed to greet our guests.  Thank goodness our sweet DIL took great photos of everything so we could enjoy later.  We did get to look at the setup during the party, just wished I could have absorbed it a little more.  So here are the photos for your viewing pleasure.

Welcome table with book and cards to sign telling one story about us.

A little closer look.

The chrome chairs added to the 50's feel.  And this tray of glasses were for all to wear!

Each place setting had an old record with our photo in the center.  How cute is this!!!!  BTW Son told me this was his most favorite photo of us he had ever seen.  Love that man child.

Each table had these adorable centerpieces.  The children of friends and family got to take the cars home as well at the glasses.  Love the arrangements that looked like soda fountain drinks.

The center dress is what Mom had made for herself to wear.  Just beautiful work.  All the others were 'store bought'.

The lace table cloth and under cloth were Mom's while the runner belonged to Hubby's grandmother, then his mother and then it hung in our house for decades.  Love having the past with us on this occasion.

Yes, the original topper from 50 years earlier.  And a gardenia topiary as I carried gardenias as my bouquet.

Now for the fun 50's styles our friends and family wore to the sock hop!

Our God daughter niece and her three children.  My Mom had made the poodle skirt the great niece is wearing for her mom, our niece.  Niece sent a pic of her ready for the party and said I would not go out in public like this for anyone else.  Must really love Aunt Janice and Uncle Gene.

Our bonus grand daughter and grandson.

All our wonderful grandkids!!!!  Love, love and more love for this bunch.

Our token nerd from the '50's complete with taped glasses.  Love our youngest nephew!  The two ladies are my sweet Aunt Opal's daughters.  They were wee little girls at our wedding and always a part of our family gatherings.

My sisters and I posing with our daughters.  My sisters each had two sons and one daughter.  I now have a sweet DIL and

grand-daughter.  My life is rich in love.

The host and hostess of this bash, aka, Son and DILove.  My heart is so full.

 Now for just some random photos of the crowd and room.  If you have been a reader of this blog you may recognize some of the names from previous posts.

Long time friends visiting with Son.  These folks drove from Missouri to surprise us and they surely did!

Our Grands, again!

Son reading emails from friends telling stories about us.  Some were a little off color cause that is me.

My friend from high school.  We called ourselves Sally Sadass and Patty Pickup when we met guys while

cruising the streets in my folks 1959 turquoise Ford Galaxy 500.   Never give your real name, girls.

This is a family circle, clockwise from 9, oldest niece, Son, BIL, Oldest Grandson, Bonus Grand daughter, DILove.

Youngest to oldest Sisters thumbing a ride!

Reba Jane being silly in our lovely hats.

Some visiting time with long time friends.

Oldest Sister being the statue of liberty.  This girl turns 81 the end of August.

Four sisters AKA, Arleigh's Angels and we never did get a ride.

Youngest Sister's family.  All out for the 50's.

My baby Sissy admiring her daughter and granddaughter.  

This table had nieces, nephews sisters and great nephews sitting and laughing together!

Reba Jane snapping a photo of a wreath that has the original invitation, gloves and other things from the wedding and honeymoon.  Andy Williams album was a bonus find from Son that had our Hawaiian Wedding Song on it.  Son, DILove & Grandkids made the collage of photos from our 50 years of pictures I scanned and printed for them. 

Hubby and I thanking the folks for coming.  I basically said that making it 50 years is not done alone but with the help of every person in the room.  People that were there to rejoice in the good and care in the bad.  Friends, family and loved ones.

Twin great nephews.  Seniors at UT Austin.

By the end of the evening the rain storm was in full force.  All the stuff we had carried in would be wet and most of us soaked.  The younger ones would not let us old folks do much of anything.  They did let me take down the wedding gown and dresses then pack them.

It has been a little over a week since the party.  Hubby and I flew to Missouri to be at some close friends' 50th.  Now back home and savoring the new memories of our own celebration.  What a summer, what a 50 year ride and what a life.

Thanks for stopping by and joining the party.  Keep coming back as we work toward our next big celebration.

Peace and love

Janice & Hubby