Friday's Birthday Report...

 

I had a lovely day on Wednesday, celebrating making it another year...73 completed, and getting started on 74!!  Praise God!

The day started slowly.  The cats let me sleep in a bit!!  There were lots of text messages and phone calls from folks wishing me a happy day.  Facebook kept chiming.  I felt loved and celebrated.  My great-niece, Jackie coming to Lakeland to take me out to dinner blew me away.

Several of the D'Orsaneo "kids" came to Orlando for a few days at Disney.  They invited me to drive over to join them and celebrate my birthday but it would be late when everyone had arrived and I humbly asked to be excused.  I don't like driving through Orlando (at any time) and doing it in the dark during rush hour was a little much for this old lady who sometimes is short on patience behind the wheel. 

They understood... and then Jackie said she would arrive at the Orlando airport around 3:00.  She rented a car and drove to Lakeland so we could visit a bit. Then she treated me to dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant, Il Forno.  I didn't take one picture and could just kick myself!!  I enjoyed her visit more than she could ever know.

She took the car back to the airport and one of the others picked her up there after she turned in the car.  I heard from her around 10:00 that she was at the hotel, safe and sound.  I hope she knows how special it was having her do that for me.  Bless her!

Since I didn't take any photos on my birthday, I thought I would share a few that I have from previous visits.  My Joe's older brother, Lou, is dad to son Lou.  Lou and his wife Peggy have three girls, Jackie, Nikki, and Lexie.  Nikki is my pen pal, Maya's mom.  Just an aside... I went to Lou and Peggy's wedding as Joe's date.  I met Joe's entire family at Lou and Peggy's wedding!! What a blessing they have all been in my life since those early days back in the mid-80s.

Jackie, Lexie, and Nikki

Lexie, Jackie, Nikki, and her hubby Dimitri (Maya's parents)

A long time ago in our swimming pool (at our first house in Lakeland).

A visit to the museum is always on the itinerary.  

Joe, Jackie, Peggy, Lexie, Lou, Nikki, and Dimitri

Joe and Lou - always had fun.

The D'Orsaneo reunion a couple of years ago.

The legacy left by Lou, Joe, and younger brother Nick.

(And there were a few people missing from the day.)

I will finish with this link.  I hope it will open.  It is a birthday video from Lou, Maya, Nikki, Lisa, and Lexie.  So fun!!  I am blessed beyond measure!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iE3L8jZvD1CpYswx6

Aunt Terri and Maya in 2022

Peace and Hugs!

Happy Birthday Day, to me!!  Blessed!