Meet the New Robin

Imagine my surprise when I arrived home from my trip to find a new man greeting me at the door. I saw the difference immediately. Robin had shaved off his beard. I've known this man for many years since we met through our businesses, but I've never seen him without fuzz on his face. I've been staring at him ever since. I mean, this is the real deal. No cover-ups.
Please voice your opinions. Should Robin cover his mug with hair or just go bare? He tends to think he looks older without the beard, but I reminded him of all the gray in his beard like a good wife should.

I think he looks younger without the beard, although his skin is pale where the sun hasn't shone in decades. And the kisses! They are better, too!

So, what's the verdict? He's thinking of growing it back in a month or so. Right now, I vote for no beard. I'm enjoying the new look for now. But I think he's handsome either way.

Hair or no hair?

60th Birthday Party, Days 2 - 6

Five of the ladies piled in on Angela the first day we arrived. I was happy to spend some time with the three grandchildren I don't see as often. This is my beautiful Juliet. She's our little princess. She was thrilled that there would be 7 girls in the house, saying "this is the happiest day of my life". Oh yes, she will be part of the GNO crowd before we know it.

This is Callan with the golden locks and blue eyes. He called for Memaw all day then got shy when I arrived. I managed some good loving off of him. Such a doll.

Angela with Ashton. He's such a handsome guy and was happy to see us arrive. He played the drums and keyboard for us and I was very impressed.

Memaw and Juliet.

How happy I was to have my friend Cheryl come from Florida to celebrate my big day. I couldn't wait to see her!

Patty, my traveling buddy, made the long road trip so enjoyable. We laughed every mile of the way.

My beautiful sister Donna and Angela as we visited over Mexican food.

Here I am sandwiched between the two best friends anyone could have. I am so fortunate to have them.

Cheryl, Angela, and Allison as we lunched at the Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina.

The birthday dinner was at a Mediterranean restaurant where we met up with my three cousins who arrived that day. Boy! Did they add to the fun!

Donna, Angela, Cousins Barbara and Trisha.

Cousin Linda is the gorgeous redhead in the middle. She'll catch up with me in March.

Linda and Trisha in the hot tub. Donna and Angela also braved the cold mountain temperatures to soak for awhile. I was going to get in, but never made it. Might be the aforementioned temperatures.

I was having too much fun partying that I didn't blog all these days the 9 of us were together. We had a wonderful time. The mountains just echoed with our laughter. My beautiful daughters gave me this special birthday celebration, complete with a massage (by a man, no doubt) and a memorable scrapbook that is in stages of completion and had me in tears. I will cherish it always.

More party pictures to follow soon.

60th Birthday Party, Day 1

Patty and I had a pleasant first leg of our trip. We are now in the Hampton Inn in Jackson, Mississippi, ready to turn in and start driving in the morning. We have laughed a lot and I'm sure that will only get louder and more frequent as we meet up with five others in our group tomorrow night in Atlanta.
Since today is the first anniversary of my Dad's death, we stopped by my Mother's and took her to lunch and to the cemetery. Brother Gene went with us. We didn't want her to be alone today and it was only a small detour from my trip. We still can't get used to this marker and seeing his name there. We all miss him so much.

Patty is relaxing after a long trip and looking good all scrubbed and free of makeup. I, on the other hand, look like I'm about to turn 60.

I'm being a good sport here. A really good sport. I'd washed my hair in the shower, removed all makeup, and look awful. Patty said it was a sweet picture. That means I look awful. I'd told her earlier that we could have breakfast in the morning before makeup and then come back to the room to finish getting ready. She said, "I didn't just hear you say that". She and everyone else know I won't go to the mailbox at the curb without makeup, so I agreed to be photographed sans makeup and concealer. Sorry, folks. Sixty ain't always pretty.

Makeup or not, we're having a ball!

The Celebration has begun!

One thing I love about birthdays with friends and family is that the celebrating can go on for days and days. And since I view birthdays as a blessing, that is a good thing.
Paula, who happens to be one of the most thoughtful people I know, invited Patty and I to lunch yesterday since our birthdays are 15 days apart. We had so much fun together, but then we always do.

When we were in our teens I would tease Patty after I had my birthday and tell her I wouldn't speak to her again until she reached my age. When you're a teenager, it's really big stuff to be the oldest. Now, however, I tell her I won't speak to her because she is younger. It's funny how all of a sudden you get to that magical age when you no longer boast about it.

Thank you, sweet Paula, for always remembering the important occasions and being so generous. She's said she can't forget my birthday because it's the same day as her daughter's. I will never forget hers either since it's the same day as mine and Chezzy's anniversary.

I am blessed with such incredible friends and I'm happy they love to get together so often. Now, it's time to pack for the birthday trip and let the party go on and on!

Remembering Sugar

My Dad - lovingly known by me as Sugar - would have celebrated his 83rd birthday today. As we all gathered around him on his last birthday, we knew his time left with us was short. But he was so alert, so enjoying all of us, that it was still a shock when he died four days later. Losing someone you love has a numbing effect, no matter what you've been told to expect.

Sugar was an incredible man. Most kids believe their dad can do anything. I knew mine could. I grew up as a privileged witness to his vast talents, his strong work ethic, and the productive use of his time. He played the piano flawlessly. He sang. He built his church, and his home, and his shop. He repaired every appliance known to man. He made cabinets. He wallpapered. He did electrical and plumbing. He tape and bedded, painted and plowed. There was nothing too big for his big strong hands. Capable hands. And he did many of these things for other people, always lending a helping hand.

Sugar was a man of character. He was a pillar in his church, with an unwavering belief in God. There were years in his adult life when he stopped going to church. I remember one day in my teens when he dropped me off for church services on his way to work. I'd told him I wished he were going in with me and he said he did too.

"But always remember this, Peggy," he told me. "The church is right. Your daddy is wrong."

I will never forget that perfect example of character. He admitted that his spiritual life was lacking instead of placing the blame on the church or its members. No wonder the day came when he walked back into the church he loved and never walked out again. And what a peace to know that the names of all his loved ones were on his lips as he remained in a constant state of prayer. Having a Christian father is a true blessing. Having that Christian example is priceless.

Sugar went to sleep in Christ, knowing he had fought a good fight. He had read all our birthday letters to him and knew how much he was loved. Throughout his short illness, he was surrounded by those who loved and respected him for the great man he was. If it's possible to have the perfect way to die, he had it. Faith in a loving God, a family that adored him, and a belief in eternal life. How beautiful it would be if we could all leave this life with these three things.

Sugar's funeral was held on my birthday. It was a sad day for me and my family, but a time of pride as we shared this man and his character with all who were in attendance. What an honor to be his daughter.

I miss you, Sugar, and thank you for being a Christian father we all looked up to.

Glaring at 60

I've used the word glaring since we're supposed to wince at the thought of entering a new decade with its added signs of age. It's popular to celebrate with black balloons, napkins printed with "over the hill", and gag gifts of adult diapers and Polident. I laugh at all the jokes about aging and the maladies that come with it. Maybe because I can relate.

But with all joking aside, I have always viewed another birthday as a blessing. Many, many people haven't seen their 60th birthday. I feel extremely fortunate that mine is less than two weeks away. In the last three and a half years I have had two trips to the emergency room that would have been fatal had I not gone. Yes, turning 60 is a blessing.

Looking back at these 60 years I have many regrets, many moments of joy, many people in my life that made life worth living. There are experiences I would love to relive, and some that I would not. I have been adored, loved, angered, saddened, disappointed, broken, and happy. This makes me not that much different than anyone else.

Who am I at 60? I hope I'm the same person but with a lot more confidence. Age has also brought a mellowing in that I no longer waste time over little things. My priorities are arranged in a realistic order. I know my strengths and weaknesses and I'm aware that perfection is not obtainable. I'm OK with that. I'm enjoying the increased independence that comes with age and I've learned not to look in the mirror with my reading glasses on.

But enough of this sentimental reflecting. The best part of turning 60 is PARTY time! I get to wake up on my birthday on a beautiful North Carolina mountain with the two best daughters anyone could ask for, a sister who is second to none, two friends who constantly amaze me that a friendship can be so perfect, and three cousins who asked to crash the party and will be loads of fun! Nine women laughing and being crazy! And a spa day for the pampering all women want.

Turning 60 will be painless.

Most Details are Unnecessary

As I approach a milestone birthday I would like to ask friends and family to alert me of any forgetfulness, repeating myself, or going into too much detail (I may regret this). I've been around too many people lately who go into needless detail that adds nothing to the conversation or subject matter.

For example:

"My neighbor, Robert, oh what's his last name?" (A big pause here.) "Oh, I can't think of his last name." (Another pause before it's dismissed and the story continues.)

The truth is, all I need to know is that you are going to tell me something about your neighbor. You could tell me his last name, even pitch in his middle name, Social Security number, height, weight, and blood type, and I'd still not know this guy. Just get on with the story and omit the irritating details.

I've also listened to this scenario: "I went there on Tuesday, or maybe it was Wednesday. No, it had to be Tuesday......"

I don't really care which day it was, just tell me where you went and why. Yes, I've caught myself doing this and quickly go on with the story. All the added filler adds nothing to the conversation.

Am I just getting impatient in my later years?