Dad's Family Birthday
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014 08:14 pmOn the Saturday all the family arrived to celebrate Dad's birthday.
Andrew was the first to arrive as I picked him up from the station (my brother Tim had arranged to do that, but somehow decided it would be too much, so organised me ... still it meant I got a chance for a bit of a chat with him, so that was good). About 1/2 hour after we got back Tim & Claire arrived, and about 10 mins later Nick & Brenda and the remaining 3 boys arrived ... so all there!
Brenda and Claire had arranged the food between them ... to make things easier, although I still had the house to organise, and bought the drinks. Claire did dinner, and Brenda puddings (home-made cheesecake and pineapple upsidedown cake ... yummy!)
Brenda and Claire

Dinner


Then Dad had a snooze while some of us took Jiffy for a walk ... and so to the pressies from the N&T

As ever when family get together it's a time of relaxation and chat ... although I know that old habits die hard and as I find myself retreating as I did when I was bullied as a teen. I love my family dearly, but even they can make me feel on the outside.
Tom (15 tomorrow), Dan (17 today) and Andrew (19)

Dan, Brenda, Tom

Claire, Tim

Nick, Andrew, Joey (12 day before yesterday)

And so to tea. Again, Brenda had made cakes (Joey had made brownies) and Claire had done the savouries.
Although, Mum made the actual cake - she has always made him one and despite her sight problems, still wanted to do it.



Andrew helping Granddad

And sadly soon time to head home ... well, it was eventually. Nicks diesel car had a flat battery, so Tim went and bought jump leads from an all night garage ... and plugged it onto my car

A good day - and another one that Dad enjoyed.
***
PS
For the observant - there was a bunch of flowers on the table.
When Dad went out to buy the paper he came back with them. He knew he wanted to buy them, but couldn't (sadly) remember why. Well, Mum & Dad moved in together 18 months after their marriage ... the week of dad's birthday, and since then on the Saturday after his birthday he has always bought her a plant or flowers. So sad he had forgotten the reason, but lovely to see the thought was still there.
Andrew was the first to arrive as I picked him up from the station (my brother Tim had arranged to do that, but somehow decided it would be too much, so organised me ... still it meant I got a chance for a bit of a chat with him, so that was good). About 1/2 hour after we got back Tim & Claire arrived, and about 10 mins later Nick & Brenda and the remaining 3 boys arrived ... so all there!
Brenda and Claire had arranged the food between them ... to make things easier, although I still had the house to organise, and bought the drinks. Claire did dinner, and Brenda puddings (home-made cheesecake and pineapple upsidedown cake ... yummy!)
Brenda and Claire

Dinner


Then Dad had a snooze while some of us took Jiffy for a walk ... and so to the pressies from the N&T

As ever when family get together it's a time of relaxation and chat ... although I know that old habits die hard and as I find myself retreating as I did when I was bullied as a teen. I love my family dearly, but even they can make me feel on the outside.
Tom (15 tomorrow), Dan (17 today) and Andrew (19)

Dan, Brenda, Tom

Claire, Tim

Nick, Andrew, Joey (12 day before yesterday)

And so to tea. Again, Brenda had made cakes (Joey had made brownies) and Claire had done the savouries.
Although, Mum made the actual cake - she has always made him one and despite her sight problems, still wanted to do it.



Andrew helping Granddad

And sadly soon time to head home ... well, it was eventually. Nicks diesel car had a flat battery, so Tim went and bought jump leads from an all night garage ... and plugged it onto my car

A good day - and another one that Dad enjoyed.
***
PS
For the observant - there was a bunch of flowers on the table.
When Dad went out to buy the paper he came back with them. He knew he wanted to buy them, but couldn't (sadly) remember why. Well, Mum & Dad moved in together 18 months after their marriage ... the week of dad's birthday, and since then on the Saturday after his birthday he has always bought her a plant or flowers. So sad he had forgotten the reason, but lovely to see the thought was still there.
no subject
Date: 2014-12-02 09:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-04 10:01 pm (UTC)We had a great time
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Date: 2014-12-02 09:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-04 10:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-02 10:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-04 10:02 pm (UTC)It is amazing how Dad remembered the flowers ... for whatever reason!
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Date: 2014-12-02 10:31 pm (UTC)So much love still there even if eyesight and memory are fading
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Date: 2014-12-04 10:02 pm (UTC)They certainly are still two halves of a whole.
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Date: 2014-12-02 11:21 pm (UTC)At last he remembered the flowers - even if it's sad that he has forgotten why. *sigh*
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Date: 2014-12-04 10:03 pm (UTC)It is amazing how Dad remembered the flowers ... for whatever reason!
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Date: 2014-12-03 08:24 am (UTC)I'm sure Tim and Claire are unaware of how they make you feel - is it worth having a quiet word?
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Date: 2014-12-04 09:54 pm (UTC)All the family (especially Tim & Claire) know how I retreat at the first sign of a crowd ... even those I love. I know that it's something I do, and have been trying to get out of, but this last year has been such a tough time on my nerves that old habits are creeping back!! In fact they are the ones who give me the most positive support at fighting those "demons"
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Date: 2014-12-04 08:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-12-04 09:49 pm (UTC)I couldn't find a smaller badge, but I think that one suited him!