Turning 60!

Russell really did all that was possible to make sure I had a gentle landing at 60 this week. We shopped, watched movies, swam, and visited 2 canyon parks in the Las Vegas vicinity. Both were wonderful and we had great hikes.

On Friday morning, the last day of being in my 50's, Russell wished me an early Happy Birthday and told me that the place he had selected for dinner was best on Friday. OK, when and what do I wear?

We arrived at McCormick & Schmick's a little early, so a martini at the bar sounded good, and it was. We were taken to the table and presented with menus that said, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERRIE!!!" Very Cool! Russell suggested an appetizer, another treat! This evening is going very nicely. But he kept hemming and hawing over the menu, just couldn't decide what to order. The waiter appeared a couple of times just to check on us. Nice.

A masculine hand rested on my back (this waiter is really getting chummy) when I saw Karyn and heard Kyle, "Happy Birthday, Mom." I totally lost all composure! Later Kyle commented that I was trying so hard not to cry and be loud that I resembled the whale mating call. He claimed that lobsters awaiting their diners were looking for me. The three of them completely surprised me. Russell was about to run out of ideas to stall for his son who was again running late. The only non-surprise of the evening!

During our delicious dinner, I learned that K&K had tickets for Barenaked Ladies at the Red Rock Casino that night. I love this very-definitely-clothed-guy band from the 90's. It was a very fun SRO concert outdoors poolside.

Back to the dinner, more was to come. Russell had gotten 4 tickets for the Gladys Knight concert for Saturday. More whale/lobster calling. I had tried to get tickets on line only to find that none were available, so was really shocked by this latest revelation. What a great birthday and it was still a day early.

We had a relaxing day with K&K on Saturday, Russell cooked a wonderful steak dinner here at home and then went to a fabulous Gladys Knight evening. She was amazing! Old songs and new, gospel and rock, torch songs and dancing. Gladys introduced her brother Bubba, a Pip, literally. This 69 year old man sang and danced with an energy I don't think I ever possessed. All 4 of us enjoyed it equally. It was Gladys' 67th birthday. So her band played the usual. Our table sang to me! I don't think Gladys was offended.

We ended our weekend with a Sunday Brunch at Green Valley Ranch Casino before taking Kyle and Karyn to the airport. They were just wonderful to give their weekend to come play with us. Russell outdid himself on this one. The gift of yourself and your time to do things just because another person wants to is really the most loving one possible. I'm still grinning!

Today was laundry and groceries. Tomorrow we are headed east. So life is back to normal. But I really had a very gentle introduction to the 60's. I guess the 6th decade will be just fine!