Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Pt.32 Visit with Friends

and now for the real reason it took me so long, we were having a 'birthday party' celebration...

happy birthday betty

Judy really has made a fabulous work of "love." That flower page with you in the middle is terrific.
Judy would occasionally send us an update photo but the finshed book is marvelous to see.

Three cheers,for Judy! WE all thank her so much for planning and co-ordinating this special project. A lot of work was put into making it and she was so excited about it.

Betty..when you calm down you will remember once in awhile Judy wrote that she was working on a project...etc.
well this was it..

It's late, you've probably all left me by now..I'm wide awake..would love to call each and everyone of you so please, if I don't have your telephone number would you d-mail it to me...

Judy I'd love to call you and thank you for your efforts in making this the best birthday gift I've ever received but it's late and am sure your family is in bed (or at least trying to sleep) so I'll call tomorrow evening..know I'll still be flying high..

Shar, I now have a Shar original..to have taken pieces from photo's I posted and painting them is beyond, well just beyond, I'm out of words..so overwhelmed, did I tell you all I was overwhelmed and you even grabbed Herbie from the other thread...

Hi Herbie..thank you..

Everyone, I may not have named you specifically it's just because I'm so excited..so tomorrow, I'll have all day to reflect, to thank the Lord for you all, and I'll be gabbing/gabbing/gabbing...
Now how will my kids beat this...LOL...

So, I'm off for the night, won't sleep, taking my album and book to bed..

LOVE YOU ALL!

betty glad you enjoyed your special day with love from all nite

We love you, too, our Betty.
Sleep with the angels watching over you and all of us.
Nite, ladies.
Shar

Good Night Dear Betty...sweet dreams..............
Happy Birthday...with love

Good night to all..............
we will be sleeping with smiles on our faces tonight.

Good night my friends...Success makes us all Smile.

Cannot believe the work she put into this Carol..I owe her big time..we're trying to meet each other in Frankenmouth in April..she'll be sore for a month after I hug her tight/tight..she's quite a girl our "JUDY"

And not one of you ratted..you guys can keep a secret..

Was laughing to myself..boy did those post office girls miss out..their noses are usually in the 'secret pal' gifts or exchanges as I open them in the post office..imagine my getting this box there...I'd have had the entire community checking things out...

So glad that I come in the back door all the time or else I would have probably opened it without the photo's..no I wouldn't because my friend Judy marked DO NOT OPEN until March 2nd..RIGHT JUDY...

YOU all have no idea how excited I am...wow..better go look for something in the medicine cabinet to put me to sleep...

I'll be up before 4 reading all the posts that came in while I was at Bernice's..lol...I kept saying, got to go, those girls will all be sitting waiting for me..

Think we broke a record for most post

Still up...adrenaline flowing..even forgot to eat supper...

Had Birthday cake though...

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me...l

As Roger used to say "I'm on a ROLL"

woohoo, I am rolling with the changes too!

Here that Liz REO...Swaying to Betty's Party.

Betty!

This is all just TOOO exciting!!!! Happy, Happy Early Birthday!!!!!

I am exhausted reading all the comments above.....going to bed now!

Gita

Gita, do appreciate your part in making this a special birthday..everyone has a birthday on their birthday .. lol.. but I had mine tonight..now you know after opening my front door that I'd never have waited till March 2nd..maybe till tomorrow, nope, I'd have snuck out to the living room about now in my jammies shaking,rattling all that was inside..so thanks...

You are all just too special...

and now that you've got me wound like a childs' top, you are all in bed and I'm up..maybe Laura will be around to play..

Sleep well my friends...

Betty,
We had so much fun putting it all together. Judy is amazing! She kept us all organzied and mae us all pinkie swear (via cyberspace) that we wouldn't make a peep! That is one tall order for this group!

We all love you so very, very much! Huge hugs (( )) Rachel

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
i missed it!!

I missed it cos i live in upside down land!!! oh booo hooo....

we do love you, no just for the things you do and say but just cos your you!! thats good enough for me...

what an amazing gift and all the work that went into it... the map, the painting.. astonishing! well its just wonderful...
thanks for making it all wonderful guys and happy early birthday betty.

hugzzzzzz

Aww.sweet friend..You know you have been with us alll the way! So glad you came on...Waiting on others as well...Cheers!

Yes finally the day has arrived. Betty I am so happy for you and it was a gift to be part of this lovely gift to you, our Martriarch. You deserved this birthday, it couldn't be for a more generous and humble person.

Sleep sweetbirthday girl

Wow, what an exciting awakening I had a while ago. And I hadn't even had my coffee to be more alert. What an evening I slept through. ha-ha Thanks for letting me sleep gals. What a party!!! To all of you who took part in organizing this wonderful gift of friendship, thank you for your part in it.

Betty, it was fun knowing that this was being organized behind you back. Yep, we did good to not blab. Thank you all for allowing me to be part of the fun. What a very special group of friends.

Laura - I loved your description of where you live - Upside Down Land. I haven't heard it referred to that way before, but makes sense. Thanks for the laugh.

To each and every one of you members of this special girls club - May you all know that on days when you are feeling down and all alone, may you be reminded of the love and good will in this group. I have to believe that there is a spiritual connection that each of us are supposed to be here at this time, doing exactly what we are doing and reaping the rewards of kindness, friendship and love.

The weeks that I have been reading and posting here have been so very interesting. To know that there are others thinking of me throughout the day, feels quite good. I think of you all often. Sharran, thank you ever so much for the work you are doing on our behalfs for the secret pal gift exchange. What a sweetie you are.

This was a wonderful way for me to start my day. I will check in from time to time today. Wouldn't want to miss a thing.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SWEET JUDY!!!!!

Ruby

I'M UP..well not really up/up because I've hardly slept..I sat and read the beautiful tributes and all your posts with Judy during her works of making such a dream for me by providing me a 'birthday in a box' from ALL of you!

I should be staying home having a sick day because I'm just nauseated, tummy is topsy turvy..remember as a child when something big was happening how you virtually felt like you were sick to your tummy...well that's ME..

Laura, you were with us all, I thought of you many times throughout my birthday party, you were not missing..and to think that the card actually started in Australia and really posted to each of you...thank God I don't wear any make-up because I'd be up fixing it up again...

You are all treasures, how can I ever thank you all for this..and Judy, the work that went into this project ...Shar OMG the painting of my garden with all of you sitting at the table with me... truly amazing and a work of art...at first I saw all of you on the canvas and I just about died and then at a closer look I saw my garden..think about it, you guys went back into the posts ...to count them all, can't remember what 'angel' took on that task, will read further..did you all know since we started there were 6,480 posts, 34,062 views and 1,246 photo's...

You are all going to laugh, as I am getting ready for work I'm walking from room to room with this binder held close to my chest...


For some of you who perhaps joined a few Best/Worse and What did I learn? threads I'd like to tell you a little story..

I first joined Daves Garden and found by chance an section where people gabbed, where people prayed and where people had similar interests...

I found a thread that caught my eye, not sure of the correct thread name, but it had something to do with 'drop in company - good or bad' and there were such lovely ladies on that thread that I soon became a regular poster..it was just after I found myself without money, without a home, on my own, not much faith in the world..

As days went by, family and friends came to my rescue, there would be times when meals would be dropped off, gifts put on my bed, if I said one day I'd have to purchase something, voila it would mysteriously appear..within a month I had a home, a car, money in the bank..so weeks after weeks I would banter on the thread about the goodness there is in life and the kindness of people, an overwhelming feeling to be loved and cared for..a lovely community, nice neighbors - All was well with the world and then a charming lady called me a liar..said I made up all these things, said I was living in a lala land and what fool would believe these acts of kindness and love...so I left the thread and felt badly and HURT..so that day I started the 'Best/Worse and What did I Learn'

YOU my dear friends prove me right, you showed all who will read your and my antics, that there are loving, caring people out there, you just have to open your arms and invite them in..

This indificual scoffed at the idea that I left my door open, unlocked .. it's unlocked for a purpose..you all, anyone in need will always have a place to rest their head..

YOU my friends showed that you are the best of the best...

Tears/tears/tears
Now I must go, because I'm going to drive Suzanne and all those who will take the time to listen today and this month, or even if they really don't want to listen, I'm going to tell them about my 'birthday in a box' about my friends..and I've proof, I've a painting of them all and a beautiful treasure album...lol..

AND I THOUGHT AUNT MURIEL COULD TALK..... she'll have nothing on me...I'm so worked up...

Got to go..I'll be gabbing at work today!

morning all,

awww betty your the best, you just go ahead and tell the story of your girlfriends who gave you a surprise beyond your dreams...

have a wonderful day, your guardian angels will be watching over you today :)

betty - you can mention that there is a boyfriend or two involved also. LOL i have to see the picture that shar painted.

laura - and i though all it took waws a little note from me to make you feel better. LOL i glad you shared all this with us. we will always be here for you no matter what and we don't judge, we just pray.

hugs

sorry herrbie didnt mean to leave you out

sorry Betty I had to sleep last night, but I 'm so happy you enjoyed everything these lovely ladies put together for you, you are so deserving.

I was on the phone with a friend trying to describe that I was waiting for you (folks my age don't get me and Dave's ..lol)...and I gave her some funny description about "This lady is so cool, she's super sweet and seems like she's always working or doing something..then she shops for hours, then paints or some other creative thing, I swear she displays a few works of art every hour (lol), she's always sending people stuff, and then you see her shoveling 4 feet of snow to get her car out...then she's riding snowmobiles and stuff...." My friend thought you sounded extremely cool, and said Happy Birthday, too :) I think she understood

WOW! I did miss the excitement last night! HAPPY, HAPPY, EARLY BIRTHDAY BETTY!!!! I am so happy you loved your goodies, but how could you not!!! So cool! You'll just need to box it all back up and re-open it on the 2nd!

Andu Judy! OH MY GOSH! You are amazing! Thank you SO much for putting this all together! Amazing!!!

So I've had a fun couple of days. I was out of the office on Monday; had a big project stated yesterday and got home last night and took one look at my DD and said you need to go to the doctor. Took her to our 'doc-in-the-box' and she has the flu AND strep! We hit the jackpot!!! So DH and I are going back and foirth on who is going to watch her for the rest of the week. I told him I have been planning my Thursday quilt show with my DM for months and I was not going to miss it (I know, I'm mean!). And of course his Thusday is packed with mtgs he can't move so I said we can leave DD home and she can call him if she has a problem. So he is working from home today and probably friday. In addition to that, we have tickets for a Van Halen concert up in Charlottesville for Friday night and we had planned on DD spending the night with a friend. So now we have to see how she is doing and if she is well enough to leave at home with a neighbor as an emergency contact. UGH!!! Fun, fun, fun!!!!

Well, no more time to chat. I am heading down to my DM's tonight to spend the night and then off to the quilt show tomorrow so I won't be able to check back in until late tomorrow. I'll miss y'all! Have fun!!!
Jeannine

I'm at work..must tell you brough my 'birthday memory book' and the painted canvas to work..driving along, minding my own business, pass the graveyard where Roger is burried (just down the block from Suzanne's) and got so very emotional, starting to cry/cry/cry!

Got into Suzanne's car and she thought something terrible happened, 'did someone die?' she asks, 'no it's something wonderful' you have to know Suzanne, she says 'someone you don't like died then?' and I start to laugh...all the way to work I'm reading from the 'treasure memory book' she turns to me and says..'they have much too much time on their hands' and laughs..

Get to the office and Wayne was the only one in, both Suzanne and I are telling him about my birthday party in a box and in comes Paul..OMG they just couldn't believe the amount of organizing and effort you all put into making my birthday 'perfect'..showed them my birthday card that went from Australia to all of you in the USA and in Canada..

Wayne says 'and you got that from talking to a few girls/guy here and there'...yep, that's what did it..'says he want to join' lol...

I'm going to sit here for awhile and unwind...you've worn me out..wearing a nice bracelet today and a pretty scarf..

YAY! I'm so excited! I have to run now to do my music morning but I just had to post before I left. I can hardly wait to get back.

Just showed Lee-Ann and told her all about my special 'birthday' so she stands stunned and says 'what will you do' 'what can you say to them' 'I've never seen or heard of anything like this' OMG Aunt Betty, you must feel so full of sunshine with these people in your life...'

And I do, and I know I keep saying it, but I don't know how to express the feeling I have deep within me..thanks just won't do it!!!! NO/NO/NO..

also spoke to my girlfriend Rita from town and June and told them all about my special gift..they just don't know what to say...
I'd love to post this somewhere where everybody can read what treasures are found on DG..

Good Morning!!

LOL...Betty, can't even tell you how happy I am, have been.
You go right ahead and tell...Everyone who knows me knows of this gift, From the guy in the mailroom to the managers on the 6th floor...All my family and LOL anyone who asked what I am up too.

I got to fix one thing Up...Gita, hope you don't think i was being rude, But this thread is really #31 not 32 because somehow we missed # 27!! LOL, I went through the threads and tallied them up not once but twice because i thought of adding the photo count...Shar helped me out one night when i was freaking out looking for photo's.

Betty, I must tell you that with this celebration I was given the honor to bond closer with each and everyone in our garden here. I am not accustomed to such praise, But LOL I am soaking every word up...The collages were done and redone because my bird kept flying over them...Nothing a little podge couldn't take care of.

Hey will keep reading and celebrating ...and yep i do whistle while I work.
I'll be back got to build some boxes.

Oh stop it!..I have tears in my eyes.......OMG....... :)
just got to read todays posts....happy for you Betty..

OMG, OMG...My birthday just keeps getting better!
I am meeting My Sister Carols Grandson, My Grand Nephew this weekend They are coming to see me!!! jumping up and down here. And you got it more happy tears!!

How wonderful Judy, you've not seen your nephew for some time or the baby have you? Now how exciting is that..yep, just sat with my niece Cindy and went through last nights excitement with her..showing her my gifts via photo's and some of which I'm wearing today..she is also amazed...

All have the same comment, 'what can you say to people who've gone to such lengths to do such a thing'

I have no idea!!!

I was so excited to see you open your birthday party box, Betty. I'm not sure who was more excited, you or us. I am too overwhelmed for words. First, at the inspiration that you have given all of us here. Second, at all the effort that everyone (especially Judy) did to make this happen.

I have often had a difficult time developing good friendships with other women. It is amazing to me that I can be a part of something so incredible. (I don't mean to exclude you Herbie, I always enjoy it when you drop in.)

So, in honour of Betty's birthday party I thought I'd post a picture of a birthday cake that I made. It was for Sonora's party this year. I thought of all of you as I was being 'crafty'. It's supposed to be a Bratz doll. I took it from the picture that was on the invitations.

Hey you guys, you keep me up almost all night long and today you are resting..not fair..lol

Gita, before all hell broke loose last night I had a visit with DB..his wife is an avid gardener..her entire back room had tables set up where she was wintersowing..she purchased ziplock bags, too a few sheets of paper towels wet them, placed the seeds between the towel sheets, inserted and closed the bag, taped the seed packets or name labels on each bag...you should have seen how they were all germinated..then she'll place when more mature into soil..so did on my way home last night drop in and purchase the bags, so perhaps to calm my nerves-excitement/excitement I'll do my seeds tonight..looked fairly simple..amazing that they can germinate without soil???

Oh Gilli, so cute, Yummy looking too! So glad you were able to come on and join the fun too...

So...Wanted to say how much fun The Secret Pal mailing has been to both receive and to send. Sending off mine tonight...
And Thank you to Shar for Coordinating such a fun, fun Mail Game!

Oh, How exciting for you Laura to have received your gift. Wow and an outfit Are you modeling it off today? Glad you are feeling better too.

And Carol...How pretty your scarf is! Didn't know you loved elephants so glad to tuck that in my memory. Big smiles for you.

Dawn So nice that you received your Doggy Angel...sure hope each day is getting easier for you...did you make it to the video store? Gosh you have a heck of a class schedual, Know we will be thinking about you...Good Luck and have fun learning.

GG...Oh, how fun to go to the quilting show. LOL Doc in the Box, too cute, but oh so sorry your little one is not well, Hugs to her to feel better really fast.

Rachael, So good to see you! I am sure you have been busy...You just have a great time at the flower Expo! Will look forward to hear about it.

Ruby, Always good to hear from you too, And I am so glad you enjoy visiting with us. You always have a kind word for everyone.

Tropi...Girl, what have you been up too? Did you find your little cutie a kitten?
Always glad to see you, LOL will have to remind you more often what # we are on.

Hello to Cat, haven't seen you for a bit. hope you are well.

Ves, I am so glad you will be getting some time off, Hope you can kick back and enjoy yourself.

Hi Herbie...Good to see you! Hope all is well with you and Thanks for making Betty's surprise Extra special.

Liz, make sure you got your cel phone with you. And tell KKK to be extra careful on them roads!! LOL i will want to hear from you every other Hour or so! But seriously, I hope your travel is safe to and from and You get to Visit with Uncle.
Will definatley look forward to see ing your posts again....Geeze i miss you already and you havent gone anywhere yet.

To All of you, Thank you for such wonderful compliments...This party wouldn't have been a success without all of your input, support and just plain fun. Thank you all for participating. Big Smiles ..WE did it together!

Betty, still smiling here, Enjoy LOL your Birthday MONTHS.(you beat me)

See you later, got stuff to clear away!

OH...Betty,

Please Tell Bernice and Cliff THANK YOU!!! For taking your photos for us, and For Celebrating with you too..Big hugs to each of them.

hey judy...been winter sowing, traveling, working on making some new beds, etc, etc...FINALLY got mr. kitty today had to go thru a whole adoption process, we're gonna name him Sylvio (from the Sopranos)...he's a blue russian, very pretty. Alice Cooper is asserting her lil dominance..it's so funny, just growling at him ...lol

they told us we can't let him outside ("he's never been outside and has no instincts" they said)..he's 5 months old ...shaking head now..I can't incarcerate this guy, if he wants out he should be able to go climb trees, kill mice, eat grass, etc....lol

Just keep him in Trop long enough so he knows 'it's home' and then if he insists on going out, you are right, he should be out...Missy was the same, tried to keep her in but she'd cry, scratch at the door, I thought it was terrible..she goes out, spends her day (except in the winter) outside in for the evening while Riley, sleep all day and hunts all night!

Bet DD is excited over this new addition..Sylvio..nice name...

Just got back from back injections so I have to couch potato for awhile, but wanted to make sure you all are still celebrating.
Betty, you will be asleep on your feet before you get home...be careful.
Hugs