Week 46 — Birthdays — 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 45 – Birthday – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This is my first year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week. 

BARRY 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

My husband turned 50 in 2004 and we decided to throw a birthday party. We liked to throw theme parties, so we settled on a tie-dyed theme. We sent out the invites and told everyone to wear tie dye attire. My girlfriend Renee Toomey and I planned a day to go shopping in Berkeley to look for pants and tie-dyed shirts. We were successful.

At that time, we frequented a restaurant in San Leandro, CA called The Englander. Two of our friends, Tom and Theresa Lawrie, managed and worked at The Englander. We reserved the side room with the bar. We arranged everything through them but didn't want them to work it. We wanted them to enjoy the party. We had hot food for everyone but can't remember what it was, but I know it was delicious. When we throw a party, we are known for having fun little toys all over the table for everyone to play with. You'd be surprised how many adults turn into kids with little toys from Oriental Trading. It's very amusing but helps loosen everyone up. We made party bags for the little kids which they loved.

We also hired a clown to keep the little kids amused so the parents could have fun. She did magic, limbo, and games. There was a small stage in the room, and she used that for her area. It was perfect. The kids were far enough away to enjoy themselves and the parents could still see them. The kids were doing limbo at one point and of course a few of the parents had to get involved, especially the birthday person. 

To this day we still laugh about the party and have great memories. One was my friend Renee took an old bedside commode she had and decorated it with streamers and 50's party decorations. BUT -the best item she added were Baby Ruth bars. She took the candy bars out of the wrapper and hot glued them into the commode bucket to look like you know what!! It was hysterical. People had to take their photos with it. Our nephew, Ross Threet, decided he wanted to remove one of the candy bars and put his head by the commode with the candy bar in his mouth. Yes, pictures were taken but at this time I can't find them (another reminder I need to get my photos organized)! 

Another memory involves Barry's mom. I was sitting at one of the tables and Barry's oldest son Adam was at the same table. I think it was my sister, Teresa Rushing, who came over and said to Adam, "hey your grandmother is at the bar and she's pouring tequila shots." If only I had a photo of the look on Adam's face! PRICELESS! Adam popped right out of his chair and went to the bar. Barry was shocked too. Not something he or Adam knew about his mom. She was not a drinker but apparently enjoys a shot of tequila every now and then. The interesting thing is my husband is the same way. He likes a shot of tequila every now and then. 

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.