Birthday celebrations and others

This morning, Justin and I went to Metro Diner to have breakfast together. I love that! When he goes back to work full-time I will miss him. But, for now, we take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy one of our favorite restaurants. While we were sitting there, I got a text message from Terri, asking me if I'd like to have lunch at Metro Diner. Sure! Justin told me to put my fork down, so I'd be able to enjoy lunch in a couple of hours. Metro Diner has a policy of deducting a percentage from the tab of anyone who dines twice in a day, and I was able to take advantage of that today! Plus my fridge is stacked with to-go boxes for those days when I dine in.

Facebook offers a feature where postings pop-up from years back on a given day. Today's reminders were of 'Timmy's Forever Birthday' (2011) gathering Justin and I had on the 10th anniversary of his baptism. It was also just a couple weeks past the anniversary of his passing, but we celebrated his baptism date instead. We had a nice group of folks who knew Timmy join us for the gathering and I made up a display of mementos, etc. for the guests to view. The next week I had some of my neighbors over for Happy Hour, a few who had expressed an interest in coming to see our display. Warms my heart to remember this!

This evening a group of Nancy's friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate her upcoming birthday and that of another friend, Jenelle. We went to the same place as last year, Vino Java Brew House. Last year I knew to take my own soda along but this year, I completely forgot. The ladies reminded me that I didn't care for the flavored tea they had so this time I ordered a glass of sangria and nursed it the entire meal! 

We were perched up on stools and many of us has tired backs from sitting up there. I was the youngest at the table, and yes, would have loved to sit at a regular height table. This photo shows me, Gail, Jenelle, Nancy, Jeanne, Marsha, Toni (Nancy's classmate/friend) and Sunny. 

Nancy and Toni picked me up at my house for the birthday celebration. My card for her included a treat for dinner at our shared favorite place, Saigon Tokyo. I will make every effort to fulfill that promise very soon. On the ride home, Nancy stopped at her place so we could go in and see Hank the Cat. He is such a character, so well trained. He still fetches, begs, rings a bell on command, and gives high fives and tens. For a while he was being trained to use the toilet, but now uses a regular cat box. Remarkable little friend for my friend! Birthday blessings, Nancy!