Grant’s 80th Birthday Weekend

I’ve just about recovered. Red eye home from Vancouver after a day at the aquarium. I was fascinated by the giant octopus in their big tank. It would peek up along the bottom edge, then sometimes crawl along, with just the top of its head and eyes visible. Other times, it would climb the glass wall and goof around at the top of the water. A beautiful animal.

We also watched trainers move a Steller’s sea lion from one pool to another by having it hop into a large rolling cage while we tourists and the other sea lions and seals watched. It seemed perfectly happy to go, however the handlers had a job to push its 2000+ pounds along the concrete path to the next lagoon. A short distance, but a little uphill. I’d think the sea lion could have walked. But I guess not best zoo practices.


I’d slept on the plane and, when we got home, went to bed for a nap until about 1:30 PM. Still tired, but needed to get started for the weekend. First up, throw our clothes in the laundry and put away our suitcases. Then try to gather my brains for the fun ahead. I’d worked really hard to have as much done as I could, including having ordered all the party supplies like plates, napkins, glasses which were now piled on our dining room table. Grant had cleaned the house, and we’d shopped for as much food as possible. Spaulding had suggested we have the main party catered rather than having someone stuck outside cooking while the rest of us sat in the screened porch and partied. Good idea.

We chose Ellie Lou’s Brew and Barbeque. I’d eaten there when I’d come up to look for a house, and we had enjoyed their box lunch when we went to the Music Among the Lakes. We decided a test meal was needed, so, before our trip, we went to the Ocoee location and ordered some of everything. They were out of ribs, but I had already nixed them as too much mess for a party. While we were eating, I wanted to speak to someone in their catering department. Low and behold, the women who asked if she could help me was Ellie Lou. We had decided on brisket, pork, chicken, their Settler’s beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. The green beans and the vegan collards didn’t speak to us. Ellie Lou suggested their Gospel Grits which are only available on Sundays but we could order them. Sally volunteered to bring collards, and I pressed Clara into service, making her mac’n cheese. Crudités and watermelon before lunch would cover any veggies we would want. 

We placed and paid for our order, agreeing we would pick it up rather than taking a chance on their delivery truck being delayed. All good, but we did get a call Saturday the week before while in Canadian, saying our order was ready. Nope, I said, our order is for the 24th. Oops, our bad. I did call when we got back to be sure all was good. Anne, who had called me, assured me that was true.


Windermere didn’t get any rain while we were gone, so Stephanie came over a few times to water the sod in the pathway to the boat house. I still can’t believe I paid someone to install sod when I spend hours every week pulling grass out. Ah,well. If the seawall holds the dirt, we will put in pavers, unless we decide grass makes a nice path. In any case, the day we came back, the rains started. Great. Our plans were to have a meet and greet Friday evening outside at the Crooked Can Brewery, then the pool party and lunch at our house on Saturday. 

Thursday, Grant’s birthday, it rained. Not a problem because our only activity was having dinner at Bella Tuscany with his sister Trish and brother-in-law Paul. I thought they might like a tour of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive Friday morning, but it was pouring. After 2 days in their car, they weren’t that disappointed. What to do about dinner? My backup was pizza at our house. 


The weather did not improve. Spaulding’s plane was almost an hour late because the airport closed for an hour and a half due to thunderstorms. Yet, by the time Bella and I picked him up, the skies had cleared. We stopped by Costco to buy a watermelon. Only thing remaining was my making the birthday cakes Saturday morning. Let the party begin. 


Too much food, too much drink (Patten made mango daiquiris), visiting with our children and significant others that could come, the younger grandchildren, sis and bil, some longtime friends. Absolutely perfect. Grant was so very pleased. (I’m such a good wife I didn’t even point out he told me he didn’t want to do anything to celebrate his birthday.) At his request, the kids gave us rods and reels which are beautiful. Patten picked out saltwater tackle; we’ll go to a local shop to get what we need to fish off our dock.

After breakfast Sunday, people started heading home. Mary was able to stay until her flight at o’dark hundred Monday. We ate leftovers all week.

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