Happy Birthday, Dad!

After delaying my Mt. Vernon journey due to the ice storm, I have finally arrived. Here I sit in the Mt. Vernon branch library, blogging away. Ok, I am also surfing! LOL

We celebrated Dad's 70th Birthday on Friday, April 10. Most folks agree that he hardly looks to be 70 years young. Thank the heavens for that; I think I may have his genes! ROFL

I was able to secure the TIC (Tourist Information Center) in Thayer. It happens to be housed in a Caboose which represents the huge impact which the train industry has had on our town. The TIC is operated by the Thayer Chamber of Commerce.

Caroline manages the whole affair and permitted me to hold Poppa's celebration there. He was out most of the day (celebrating, I presume). I finally got hold of him and he committed to meeting me at the Caboose at 6:00 p.m. That's when I co-ordinated a teleconference call with my sisters.

A little later, I learned that Uncle Halver was in town with his daughter Pricilla. I invited them to celebrate with us since they had driven all the way from Indiana.

Here's how it went: Halver, Pricilla, Jeremy, Tiffany, and a few second cousins went into the caboose and awaited Dad's arrival. His birthday cake came from Harp's (formerly Wallace & Owens). Just a simple round, white cake beautifully decorated in bright colors.

When Dad arrived, I asked him if we could go to Los Potrillas to pick up an appetizer platter. (I had ordered 2 platters prior to his arrival.) He agreed; I got in his car and we drove over to the restaurant. This was quick since it's only 6 units away from the TIC.

I told him to stay in the car and that I'd pick up the platter(s) and he and I would return to the Caboose where we'd eat in private. Dad doesn't like large groups of people.

I ran in, picked up the platters, and returned to the car. We then drove back to the Caboose. En route, Dad noted a car which he said, "... looks like Halver's car." Indeed, it was Halver's car; but, I pretended to not know that it WAS Halver's car.

I asked Dad, "What kind of car is that?" He responded that it was an HHR. He told me that earlier Halver had indicated that HHR stood for "Hershell & Halver's Racing." We both laughed at the notion.

After Dad parked the car, we both got out and walked up to the Caboose. I could see the faces of some young ones but pretended not to notice. Dad pretended also. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a "Surprise!" yell from the group.

It was a success. The kids ate pudding and cake; we ate appetizers and cake. Most folks had already eaten and so declined the appetizers. Angel and I ate those later!

When we sang "Happy Birthday," we conferenced Janice and Dee in to join us by phone. I was happy that it went as well as it had. I trust (and hope and pray) that Dad will celebrate many more birthdays with us!

Happy Birthday, Dad!