Night Out

Yesterday I received a package from my Cousin Debbie in Little Rock. Her dad and my mom were siblings, and mom always said that Debbie was more like her than her own kids. Debbie has my mom's sense of humor and her mannerisms. She sent me several books by her favorite authors, and it amused me to see that they were also some of mom's favorites. She also sent me a little leather wallet. On one side is a picture of my beautiful mom at around the age of 15, I'm guessing, and on the other side is a picture of mom with my grandmother. In addition to the books and the wallet she sent me a "create your own masterpiece" of Van Gogh's Sunflowers and a generous donation. We talked yesterday and she said to make sure I write about our evening out today so she can experience it vicariously. She had back surgery a few months ago and although she's back at work, she's tired in the evenings. Plus she lives in Little Rock in the winter...anyway, this one's for you, Debbie. I love you and your mother dearly.

Last night was magical. I can't begin to express how good it felt to put on high heels, make up and jewelery...pretty much in that order! I had to force my earrings through my ears and I discovered my pants all have dust lines across the hangers where they haven't been worn in months. We drove to beautiful Solvang, which looks beautiful at night with white lights in all of the trees. We had Chinese food, and realized neither of us has had Chinese food in years, and we've never eaten it together before! The food was excellent, the service attentive, and we had an excellent time. Next we drove to the Casino, and as we parked in the parking garage a golf cart style vehicle drove up and drove us right to the door. Two minutes later we were seated and Sarah was singing her first song. The auditorium is beautiful, we had decent seats, and the chairs were comfortable. Sarah is a great performer. I always enjoy it when the artist talks to the audience and she did a lot of that - she even had a question and answer session where she answered questions people in the audience had written anonymously. It was "Sarah McClachlan and Friends" and she had two other women singing with her. They both did two of their own songs and were really good. Sarah sings like an angel, and the concert lasted two hours but seemed much too short. Everyone around me seemed healthy, we were seated on the aisle, and it was all good. We were home by midnight.

This evening my brother David and my niece Cate arrive, and they are staying until Monday morning!! I am so excited to see them both. I didn't sleep well again last night, and Bella insisted I get up this morning early. I'm going back to bed now to watch Charmed (which just finished and started back at the beginning again) and last Night's Idol and hopefully sleep some more so I'm not a zombie tonight.

Here's Casey and I before the show last night. He hates having his picture taken!!

Namaste, Jill