skip to main content
GET IDEAS
Photos
Stories
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
SHOP PRODUCTS
    Shop Latest Trends on Houzz
    Shop Curated Bathroom Vanities
Looking for the perfect gift? Send a Houzz Gift Card!
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Garden Junk
use2bcapecodr

Memorable birthday surprises...

use2bcapecodr
15 years ago

My 67th birthday certainly ended up being a whole lot more than just a lunch!

My middle daughter, the only one of the four who wasn't working on Friday, asked me to go to lunch with her. I love spending time with her. She picked me up, and I asked her where we were going. She said it was a surprise. She didn't go the way we usually go...where there are a lot of restaurants close by...but got on the expressway. Jokingly I said, "You're taking me to "the home", aren't you! (This is a running joke around here!) Gaile said, "Well...yes...this is the only way we figured we could get you there!" I thought maybe she was going to a restaurant near her home, but she just kept on going. I said, "You really ARE taking me to the home, aren't you!! If I had known, I would have at least packed my toothbrush!" She said, "That's okay, Mom. It's all taken care of!"

She just kept on driving, and we ended up in downtown Toledo at Tony Packo's At The Park. (You may remember the original Tony Packo's Restaurant being made famous by Jamie Farr on M*A*S*H! This is a new one right by the ball park.)

When we went inside, DH was sitting in the foyer. That was certainly a surprise, as he works a couple of towns away.

The three of us had a nice lunch, and when we left, Jim told us to follow him. He drove in a totally unexpected direction, and we ended up at the beautiful, new Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art. (It is an excellent museum...well known for it's glass displays. Libby Glass is also located in Toledo.) Jim knew I wanted to see the new Pavilion...so this was the next surprise.

Yet another surprise...I found out there was going to be a glass blowing demonstration...which Jim also knew I wanted to see.

We walked around for almost an hour admiring the exceptional glass displays. Gaile and I found a great dress, but thought it might be a tad too stiff to wear!

{{gwi:76290}}

Then...on to the glass blowing demonstration. It was very interesting, especially when the glass the artist was working on all of a sudden turned from hot orange (And I DO mean HOT!!) to COBALT BLUE!! My favorite color!! When it started to take shape, I whispered to Jim, "Oh...I want that!" He said, "Oh, you do do you!"

{{gwi:76292}}

{{gwi:76294}}

{{gwi:76297}}

A couple of minutes later, the artist announced to everyone that this piece was being created especially for ME!!!! Dang...I started to cry!! What a lovely surprise!!!!

{{gwi:76299}}

The difficult part of this was having to wait for two days to get my bowl. It had to be put in a special "box" to cool down very slowly, or it would crack and be trash.

Friday night, on top of all this excitement, we went to dinner with friends.

Saturday, we went junking and to a huge antique mall out of town. Found some great things! On Sunday, we went back to the art museum to pick up the beautiful bowl.

{{gwi:76300}}

Monday, I was whipped...but happy!! It was a very exciting birthday full of wonderful surprises!! I was totally blind-sided by this, as Jim usually gives me money and tells me to pick something out for myself. This certainly was a whole lot more fun!! LOL

~Sandy~

Comments (18)

Related Stories
LIFEYou Said It: Memorable Quotes Around Houzz This Week
By Becky Harris
Share in the design advice, analogies and statements from the Houzz community that have struck a chord
Full Story
51
ENTERTAININGGot Hand-Me-Down Dinnerware? Make a Memorable Meal
By The Yellow Cape Cod
They might be mismatched and not your style, but those inherited plates and forks can help bring meaning to your table
Full Story
55
LANDSCAPE DESIGNTo Make Your Garden Memorable, Add a Hint of Mystery
By Jay Sifford Garden Design
An element of mystique — intriguing gates, an interplay of light and shadow, hidden views — can take your garden to the next level
Full Story
32
BASEMENTSHouzz TV: Ashton Kutcher Surprises Mom With the Basement of Her Dreams
By Houzz
In a new Houzz original series, the actor uses the Houzz app to find a designer and shop products to turn the dark area into a bright space
Full Story
1412
HOMES AROUND THE WORLDHouzz Tour: Family House With a Surprise Around Every Corner
By Grace Chamia
If houses could smile, this 1903 New Zealand villa might have the biggest grin of them all
Full Story
69
FEEL-GOOD HOMEHouzz Tour: 'Pirate House' Lures With Surprises
By Becky Harris
Batten down the hatches for a wild ride in Minnesota, from a lofty crow's nest to a twisty, tubular slide to a secret passageway and more
Full Story
68
ROOM OF THE DAYRoom of the Day: A Fresh White Bathroom With a Bold Surprise Underfoot
By Annie Thornton
This master bath remodel adds a graphic new floor, a free-standing tub and more storage
Full Story
27
MOST POPULARModern Party Etiquette for Hosts and Guests
By Laura Gaskill
Learn the mannerly way to handle invitations, gifts and even mishaps for a party that's memorable for the right reasons
Full Story
392
SHOP HOUZZShop Houzz: Gifts for the Gemini
By Houzz
Say ‘Happy birthday’ in style with these gifts for the Gemini
Full Story
0
CURB APPEALHouzz Call: Show Us Your Mailbox!
By Stacy Briscoe
Celebrate the U.S. Postal Service’s 240th birthday by uploading photos of your fabulous mailbox
Full Story
109
Sponsored
Manifesto, Inc.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars9 Reviews
Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 2x Best of Houzz Winner!
More Discussions
Any ideas for repurposing Water Softener Systems?
4