Surprise, surprise, surprise....

How much fun are surprise parties? I can't even begin to describe it. I have always claimed (and it's true) no one can surprise me, I'm too intuitive. Many have tried, many have failed. That is until last night.

Paula and Wayne pulled off the near impossible. Wayne had mentioned we were going out for dinner "next Monday night." I didn't give that much thought and promptly forgot about it. Last night I was beginning to prepare dinner when Wayne walked in and reminded me we were going out tonight. Of course, I wanted to know where we were going and he told me it was casual so I could go in jeans if I wanted. (I never trust his judgement about what is casual. He thinks all restaurants are casual.) So I bathed and dressed and told him I was ready to go. I had to wear really high heels because my pants were too long. Not so casual but still in pants.

Now I'm thinking, darn! Our anniversary is day after tomorrow and he is taking me out for an early anniversary dinner and I haven't even bought a card yet. Now I have it all figured out so he still has not surprised me. We drove through Mount Dora and out Highlands so I'm thinking we are headed to Orlando. He slows in front of a restaurant I didn't even know was there and says, "What about this place?" I told him I didn't know anything about it and had never even noticed it. He says, "let's try it." fine but there is no place to park. It's a very small parking lot so we parked across the street.

When we crossed over to the restaurant a wait staff member was at the door motioning us to come to that door. (The restaurant entrance can easily be confused with the kitchen door.) We walked through the door and a mighty racket scared me to death. There they all were with party hats, noise makers, clappers and balloons everywhere. I wish I could have seen the look on my face. What a wonderful surprise with great friends, good wine and fabulous food! Thanks to all who participated.

Now a word about the restaurant. It is called the "Saucy Spoon Bistro" and it's only open on Saturday night, Sunday for brunch and Monday night. They have an appetizer buffet for all and the menu is very limited and very special. Our entrees were accompanied by family style roasted vegetables and potato croquettes. YUM! I can't wait to go back. Next time it will be Sunday brunch.

Now the really good part. After dinner we all went back to Paula and Jim's for dessert! Paula made a flan and an Italian cream cake. Susan had made wedding cookies and coconut cookies and Alan had made one of his world famous Key lime pies. I am still smiling. It was wonderfully indulgent.

The gifts were equally wonderful and I received an instant face lift from the group. (Duct tape!)


I have to thank God for good friends, lifelong friends, a loving spouse and the trouble they go to in making your birthdays special. I love them all and know I am blessed.

Criss crossed lives....

Have you ever prayed for guidance to know what you should be doing with your life? I have. Many, many times. The answer I received was the same each time but it took me a while to realize it. I think God speaks clearly to me. I just don't always hear Him. Listening is the issue. When I finally "got it" I began moving to follow the path I believed was mine. Then the doubts began. Why does that always happen?

I think my problem has been I didn't understand WHY God wanted me to do what He wanted me to do. WHY is a very big word. When the "why" of something is defined it changes everything. The purpose becomes crystal clear and the doubts recede.

The purpose for my path is the people who will be touched in ways that I could never understand. People come into our lives for a purpose and it doesn't always have to be about me. Maybe, just maybe, it's about them and their lives. I am very okay with that now that I understand it. Our lives criss cross until we are all woven together. The "fabric of our lives" is not just a slogan or a cliche' but a reality. We are all connected like a patchwork quilt and God is the stitching.

I can't believe how many times the answer to my WHY has been spoken to me by others who didn't know they were giving me a message. Now that I understand it I can remember time and time again hearing the same expressions but I never heard them. Sometimes God, a brick up side the head may be more effective. Now that I understand I feel so foolish for not realizing it before. Do you suppose He ever grows weary of our lack of understanding?

I know there is a scripture that could be inserted here but I can't think of it. Maybe someone out there can help me with that?