January 26 through February 6, 2024

Ten days is a long time to go anywhere.
It is a long time to visit someone.
As it turns out, it was the perfect amount of time.

During the first few days at @Brisby's house, I mostly needed sleep. It was fun and weird to wake up to a household of people. Most days, for me, are spent alone or recovering from running Mom and me to the doctor(s). Hubby comes home tired and falls asleep in his chair, so quiet has become the norm for me. Plus, I do love quiet. Need quiet, really.

I had planned to be there over two weekends so Brisby and I would have four days where she and I could spend time together and not worry about working.

It was Sunday, and I was informed we were having a tea party. I said, "Great!" and wondered what that meant. I wasn't too worried but more intrigued. The kitchen soon became a hub of activity. I went to play a game of Hearthstone while I waited to find out what was next.

The dining table was set with two stunning teapots. Asian tea cups were placed by each table setting. Each setting had a unique small cake set on heirloom china plates. On my way in from having a cigarette, I was told the tea party was ready, and I should have a seat. I sat down smiling, looking at the cute strawberry cake on my plate and asked for the rules of a tea party because I had never been to one before.

I was told it was simple. We would first drink tea and eat our cakes. After that, the card game Go Fish would be played until we were done. Easy! But...

"Go Fish did you say?" I asked.

I was told I had heard correctly.

I started laughing and giggling because I had spent a lifetime looking for someone to play the card game Go Fish with after age ten, and no one ever wanted to play that childish game. Here I was, ready to take part in the most girlish activity I had ever done with other women, AND they also wanted me to play my FAVORITE card game ever! My world tilted. I flew halfway across America to be asked to play my favorite game. If that is not a sign that I was in the right place, I must figure out what is.

I had the best time ever at my first Tea Party. I am grateful to Brisby's daughters for inviting me into their special time.

Me, Brisby, and Omra-Sky

The days went by fast. A lot of late-night talking while petting cats was had. A ton of great food was also eaten! I really need to go on a diet! All too soon, I looked at the calendar and realized I had been at Brisby's for a week! Time really flew by. There were a few things I was worried about while there.

The first was if we would get to see @Omra-Sky. He lives close to Brisby, and as long as I was so close, it would be wonderful if we could meet. I should not have worried. Omra-Sky invited us to his house for dinner Saturday night. Brisby had stopped to pick up something to drink, and I received my first shock at New York State taxes as I bought two packs of cigarettes for $36.00. I am still in shock reading that price!

Once at Omra-Sky's, we started drinking the Ole Smoky Orange Shinesicle Cream Moonshine. Get yourself some with the warning you will not want to share it!! Omra-Sky made a killer pot roast with cheesy garlic cauliflower. It was so tasty it made you want to lick the plate! I left his house with lots of hugs and tons of good memories!

The second thing I was worried about was my birthday on the Sunday before I went home. I did not want a big fuss. Brisby worked so hard caring for her family and me for those ten days; I didn't want to disrupt her too much. I asked her if we could have another tea party for my birthday. This way, everyone would be happy, and it would be a simple short party. That was my plan anyway.

Sunday dawned, and Brisby woke up and left with a wave of her hand, saying she would be back later. I had received a message from my son @Ecoinstant of him singing the Happy Birthday song to me. It was too early to call anyone else, so I fell asleep. I don't know how many hours later, Brisby flew into the house carrying bag after bag after bag of stuff!

I witnessed Brisby trying really hard to stop her too much gene from going crazy. God, I love that woman! She is too cute and caring for her own good.

Brisby's eldest daughter took over making all of the decorations. Flowers were put into vases. Gnomes were hidden behind plates overflowing with Italian cookies and pastries. Small Villages were made, and twinkling lights sparkled throughout it all. A charcuterie board was created by Brisby to help with the sugar high we all were soon to feel. Teapots were filled with blueberry tea, and I was in tears looking at it all.

A small miracle happened that day. I really didn't care about my birthday. I really didn't care; I was turning 60. Now, I will never forget how special turning 60 was. All because a woman and her daughters with the too much gene themselves made an ordinary day extraordinary for me.

Monday was spent doing laundry and talking. I had to be at the Airport at 4:00 am on Tuesday. I was ready to go home. I would miss Brisby and her daughters a few steps away, but my vacation did what it was to do, and it was time to return to my real world.

I will never forget the most relaxing ten days of my life, though!!