Can you get in touch with a nice restaurant in Branson and make reservations for a nice meal and tell them that you will pay for it? That would be nice along with the travel package. Although some people are fans of gift cards, I am not. Frankly I don't think they show much imagination and maybe I don't shop at that store. It puts more of a burden on me when I get a gift card to a specific store, As I have to keep track of the card, have to find something there I like, and just remember that I have it to use. I am not suggesting that it's not generous and that it's not a good gift for some people. I just choose not to use them and don't really like getting them. Of course, I am appreciative of any gift that anyone get me and I am grateful for their gift, but gift cards just don't do it for me. To me, it just seems as though the giver didn't care to put any more thought into it and took an easy way out. Call me crazy. Put a little more thought into it for some creativity, and I would expect that would be much more appreciated. Can you set it up with your father ahead of time, so that you have some idea of your plans in Branson and when they would be available for an extra special dinner at an extra special restaurant? Of course, by the time you read this, it will be too late. I was hoping that you could at least tell her that you would be giving her that special dinner and then make specific arrangements later. Sorry that I am reading this too late.

I gave myself a party for my 40th. The guests were given suggested comments, such as "My God, I thought you were 22!" Most of the gift were gags, and we had loads of fun. My friends gave me a surprise party for my 50th. My dad had just died that month, and I wasn't expecting any sort of celebration. But it was a great party. We all sang around the piano, and had a happy time. For my 60th, a friend threw me a jazz party with musicians, including a fabulous singer. Never had anyone sung "Happy Birthday" to me in quite that way! For my 70th last year, my kids gave me a surprise cocktail party at an old mansion. Somehow none of my friends leaked it, and once again I was completely surprised. They even brought in my BFF from Wisconsin. The evening was emotional and elegant, and I'll never forget it. I have so many wonderful memories of these events--for me, better than any "thing" I could have been given.

How fun is that! I'll keep in mind . . . DS just moved from 5 rooms, 3 closets besides the bedroom closets, (2 roommates) to a studio with one closet. No room for a unicorn lol. It will be challenging to give him gifts this year: gift cards, public transit cards, theater tix will be in order, I guess.

Love the Shopdominum, too cool! The phone both is fantastic and it is perfect that you were able to find the phone book. When I was a kid my grandma had a glider like your dad's red glider, good memories. My dad was a car nut too, he was into restoring cars. Even owned an auto repair garage for a time. We grew up going to car races and car shows. I still go to vintage car shows a couple of times a year.