50th birthday SURPRISE kidnapping

on february 12th at 10:00 pm -- several of my great girlfriends "kidnapped" me by total surprise and took me to IHOP for a late evening of great times. they at least let me put on my jeans -- but that was it -- still in my pajama t-shirt - we took pictures and headed out to a surprise location which ended up at IHOP. julie "made" me wear that ridiculous viking helmet (that has stories of it's own that we can not divulge here in this blog) -- kim and kati adorned me with several boas and necklaces with flashing lights. i was totally caught off guard and quiet emotional -- after just returning from midland where bruce had just taken a new job. it was almost too much for me to take in. i cried my eyes out all the way to IHOP with julie and cynthia -- two of my dearest friends -- that are with me all the way on the emotional side of this new move. ( i love you two!) after a cheer-up speech from both of them - i got myself together enough to waltz into ihop with my helmet and boas to entertain the staff and meet up with more friends. it is a night that i will NEVER forget and a big reason why it is so hard for me to leave this wonderful place that i have come to call "home." it was a bittersweet memory -- for the last time i was kidnapped by these women - i had taken my last dose of chemo after one year of treatments and we ALL went to IHOP in our pajamas and celebrated God's faithfullness to me......another night that still brings tears to my eyes. i love all of you and i will miss all of you -- but i sure am looking forward to our annual trips that are now in the planning stages........whoo hoo!! :o)