Wednesday- Denise's Birthday

Today is Denise's birthday and Ceil had a lot to look forward to.  Linda and Ceil decided Ceil needed a makeover before the party tonight.  Rob took Ceil to Great Clips to get a fun cut....Ceil has a favorite stylist, she always gives Ceil a great cut.  Afterwards Ceil and Rob stopped by ING Direct to have coffee and an apple fritter with Linda.  It's always nice when Ceil can get out of the house and take a coffee break at the Cafe.  Ceil had a few chores to do around the house when she got home...her sock drawer was a mess and she straightened that quite nicely.  Ceil also had some dishtowels to fold.  Linda came home early to help Ceil get ready for the party.  Looking good in her black denim and black fashion boots, Ceil was ready for the birthday party.  When we arrived Denise, Bill,  Karen and Hannah were there to greet us.  Bill made some fantastic Papa Murphy's Pizza, and for dessert, as promised was chocolate and coconut cake.  Ceil sang nice and loud to Denise and they both blew out the candles.  Of course there was one trick candle that wouldn't blow out.  Denise had lots of stories to tell Ceil (next time you see her ask her about the wine at the theater story).  Midway through cake Chris and Annie showed up. Chris is visiting from D.C. Chris is the fifth sister (unofficially adopted by the Gross family many, many years ago).  Ceil was all smiles when she saw them.  Ceil listened and was enjoying all the conversation going on. Denise then opened her gifts. Denise opened her gifts from Bill.  Bill gave her some wonderful bath and beauty products. Ceil had quite a few surprises for Denise in her gift bag, including the booklet itinerary from the 1977 Blue Bird Bus Convention at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta Georgia. Paul Harvey (...now you know the rest of the story...good day) was the guest speaker at the convention. Denise ask him if she could photograph him and he responded "You're the prettiest photographer I've ever seen".  Denise love getting the booklet and says she wants to frame it.  That's the famous trip where both Gramma Gross and Gramma Beaulieu went with Ken, Ceil, Denise and Linda.  Ceil loved hearing those stories of that trip. Ceil also got Denise a silicone mini-loaf pan, a bottle of wine, and a new step stool. To top off the evening, Denise plugged in the Disco Ball that she got from Kevin and Colleen (last Sunday), and we all enjoyed the bright lights and Denise singing a disco tune. After a bit, Ceil was soon ready to leave. Because it's winter (and the darkness of the evening) and because of the damage done to Ceil's brain from the stroke, she becomes quite tired by 7:00 or so, so we headed back home.  Ceil is in her jammies now and is unwinding from the excitement.  She'll be ready for bed in a few minutes, which is good because she has a big day planned tomorrow with Doug, Annie, Chris, Karen, and then Denise (later in the day) so Ceil needs a good night's sleep.  Thanks Denise and Bill for another great evening.