The bash last weekend was an unqualified success. With everyone in the family chipping in to get the work done, the challenges became smaller and smaller as the date approached. My wife desired to have a last celebration - big celebration- of her birthday. The plan is to make the rest of them low-key. First we upgraded and completed the re-landscaping of the back yard. This required much re-planting and even having two overgrown palms removed. We all worked tirelessly to make this happen (actually, we all worked while exhausted to make this happen). We also upgraded the lighting and strung white Christmas lights all over the backyard to make the mood. We hung Japanese lanterns with battery operated lights. We also placed candles strategically in the landscaping to create mood shadows.
We investigated what the rental costs for heater, tables, chairs, place settings, linens and glassware. We decided to buy glassware, heater and place settings, as the rental price was high. We put together an invitation list, created a custom invitation, had it printed, and then sent it out. We purchased cases of desirable wine and traveled to the wineries to pick them up. We put together a menu and investigated caterers. We decided on entertainment and contacted them for availability and prices.
After all was said and done (supposedly), it was the day before the party. My daughter had the daunting task to bake seventy cupcakes of various flavors. The party rental delivery arrived and everything was counted and then "installed" into the patio. I had already assembled the heater that I bought, but it hadn't been tried out. I lit it for the first time and it was a success. It was strategically placed between the tables to augment the already installed permanent heater. The furniture from the family room and living room was re-arranged or moved to the garage to make room for the faux casino. Two blackjack tables and a craps table were delivered and assembled- ready to go for the next day.
On the day of the party, all of the last minute preparations were made. The tables were set. The white wine and beer were iced. The caterer delivered the hors d'oeuvres and set them up appropriately. The music was setup and turned on. The guests were to arrive very soon.
As the "party-time" quickly approached, the strolling-magician also arrived and began mingling with the guests while performing sleight of hand and various coin tricks. He also changed one dollar bills into hundred dollar bills. Unfortunately, he changed them back before returning the guests' money.
The patio quickly filled to relative capacity, as 33 of the 35 invited guests had arrived. Spirits were flowing freely with the labelled wineglasses and at the guests' assigned seats as well as a faux "living room" setting on the lawn made up of couch and chairs and coffee table and roaring Chiminea. My wife, the one wearing a birthday tiara, was aglow. She was really enjoying the company of the A-list (her choice) crowd.
Dinner was served. A bountiful buffet was created on the island of our kitchen. Guests flowed in and out of our house to retrieve their dinner repast. The caterers fluttered about seeing to every detail. We even hired another to keep the beer and wine stocked, the wine bottles open, and the glasses full. There was nothing for the family members to do, but enjoy. The food and atmosphere was stupendous. Dessert cupcakes were made available.
When people were just about done with their dinner, the magician began his show. He performed flawlessly and comically, calling on helpers form the audience whenever needed. He made some fantastic illusions passing a quarter into and out of a Perrier bottle. Another illusion showed a coin entering a filled can of Coke, the can being emptied onto the lawn, crushed, then being "magically" filled and the pop-top showing as unopened. He had my wife choose a card and then write her name and birthday on it, and then produce an unopened bottle of white wine with her card inside. He produced a bowling ball from a handmade drawing and then juggled it, a lit torch and a machete while balancing on a balance board and roller. The show was icing on the cake, so far, for a very successful and enjoyable party.
At that point, it was time to partake in the indoor activities in the faux casino. Most of the guests, about twenty-five, decided to play. Each player was outfitted with $400 of faux money that could be traded for playing chips. At the end of the night, the chips would be traded for tickets to place into a drawing for five prizes.
This was definitely expensive and a lot of work. It only shows how far one's family will go to give you what you want for the birthday!
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. - Thomas Jefferson
A lesson on irony...
The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps ever.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us to "Please Do Not Feed the Animals."
Their stated reason for the policy is because the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.
This ends today's lesson.
