An almost anniversary, Christopher Cross, and mailbox money.

How beautiful are they?   Young and in love.  Mom and Dad right after they got engaged.   They kinda look like Lucy and Desi, don't they?  :-)       

If Mom were still with us, we would have had a big party this past Thursday to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.                          

Here's the only pic I have from their wedding day.  June 27th, 1948.  

So precious......

Miss you Mom.

Instead of a party, I was rehearsing that day.  Not for just any old gig either.   I was rehearsing to sing with CHRISTOPHER CROSS.  Yes, THE Christopher Cross.... The one who wrote the soundtrack to my coming of age. 

The year was 1980. I still have vivid memories of loading up my 1976 Red Chevette with the yellow racing stripes full of everything I owned out of my little princess pink bedroom, and moving to Hot Springs, AR to begin my life as a professional singer.  (Ok, it was just a summer gig in a theme park, but I WAS getting paid to sing, so.... go with it, ok?)... and as I hopped in my loaded Chevette, to drive away from my parents house to begin my life as an adult (ok, I did end up moving back into their house 3 months later, but that's another story...), I rolled my windows down and drove from Arkadelphia to Hot Springs, (a whole 35 miles!) singing "Ride Like The Wind", "Say You'll Be Mine" and "Sailing" at the top of my lungs.  Oh, how I loved Christopher Cross!!!!!     

You can imagine my excitement to get to meet and SING with this amazing musician.   Here we are together backstage in the dressing room.   Can you tell I'm happy?  Maybe just a little.  :-)

Of course, after that highlight of my week (ok, of my life).  I got a shocking jolt back to the reality of my life, as I opened my mail to get some mighty big "mailbox money".  

Now really..... what do they expect me to DO with all of that money????    So many decisions!!   A cruise?   Trip to Disneyworld?   I'm not sure that would be enough for gas money to Smyra,... but hey... like my friend Jessie was quick to point out, "It's $11.54 more than you had yesterday!".   She is oh so right.   I'm blessed... and I know it.   

How was YOUR week?

90? Heck Yeah!!

Someone special is turning 90 yrs old today!   Pretty amazing... especially since the man takes NO medications.  Seriously!  ZERO meds!!  ... I mean, WHO over the age of 50 doesn't have a pill box full these days?  My DAD, that's who!  

We were so blessed to have several friends and family come help Dad celebrate with a little party this past weekend.  My cousin Mike flew in from Kansas City to help us celebrate.  Mike's Dad, Pepe Ramirez and my Dad are brothers.  Sadly, Pepe passed away several years ago, but he and my Dad were very close and our families spent alot of time together while Mike and I were growing up.  It was really special to have him here with us!  

Michael Ramirez and Dad

Two special friends from Dallas, TX also got to attend his party.  Sam and Peggy Tinsley.  Peggy was a student of Dad's when he was a college professor at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR.  She was engaged to Sam while attending OBU, and then when they got married, Sam actually asked my Dad to be his best man!   Yours truly was the flower girl...  :-)   

Marcia, Peggy Tinsley, Dad, Sam Tinsley

Today is Dad's actual birthday.... we are taking him to his favorite restaurant, Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning.  If you'd like to leave any Birthday Wishes for him, feel free to leave them here, or on my Facebook page.  He doesn't have a computer (yet), but I'm going to print out everyone's comments and take them to him so he can see them.  He's been through alot in the last few weeks, with Mother's passing, and then having to move into a new apartment, but he's doing really well and I'm very happy with how well he is adjusting.   

Seriously, at this rate, I better start planning a big celebration for the day he hits triple digits!  He's happy and healthy... and that's all a daughter could want!  

Happy Birthday Daddy!!