SURPRISE ! SURPRISE !

Well Saturday and Sunday were a blast! I started work Saturday at 7 AM at the golf course. I was on my own as a starter for the first time. It went well. It was cool and wet, and so after lunch they sent us home. But that was okay because Kerri and Patrick were coming in from Bethesda. They arrived about 2:30. Our plan was to throw a surprise birthday party for Dee at 6 Pm, so Kerri and Pat took Dee up to see her mother in Butler, and then did some shopping to keep her outa the way. Meanwhile I went to Costco to buy some hamburger and hotdogs and buns. Then I came home and formed the burger patties. They were partially formed alreaddy, but too big. A lady at Costco said she just slices them in half and that they keep their shape. I tried it and it worked just fine. The Hebrew National hotdogs seemed a nice touch.

Kerri's friend Maureen was to come early to help me with set up. She did and she brought Arron Thomas (from our Seaview church) to help out. (Seems Arron came up from DC to meet and spend the day with Maureen.) They were both a big help. Guests started arriving about 5:45 PM. Maureen greeted everyone, took the dishes they'd prepared and put them where ever they needed to go. When Rod and Earl arrived I asked them to use the grills go cook the meat. They both graciously agreed and did a great job. The sun was out for awhile, and so it looked like we might be able to use the deck and the picnic table I'd built. However, toward the end of the cooking time prior to the actual arrival of Dee and Kerri and Pat, the rains came again and so we planned to do everything but the cooking inside. (That worked out just fine. There was plenty of room and seats for everyone.)

Everyone was there by 6:15 or so. I called Kerri to let her know they could come home now. (Our goal was to bring Dee back by 6:30 PM) Dee was clueless, until she saw all the cars around our driveway. It really was a grand surprise.

I provided the hotdogs and hambergers and soda, and people brought dishes to share. There were a fourteen people there from our Wilkinsburg church that we've know for 25 years now, along with some relatives of Dee's and a few childhood friends, and even three neighbors came over. About 30 in all. We had a nice time. Grilling the meat, and enjoying the fellowship. Then about 90 minutes into the party 12 guys from my barbershop harmony group came in as a surprise (no one knew they were coming but me) entertainment and that wowed the crowd gathered in our home. The high vaulted ceilings added to the richness of their sound. They also sang Happy Birthday to Dee barbershop style. And the quartet from the group gave us a preview of the National Anthem which they will be singing at the Priates/ Yankees game on June 25th. People were bown away! They also stayed and ate and fellowshiped. It's the first time we ever had some many people (40)in our house at one time...ever. It was nice to surprise the surprisers! And it was nice to have our neighbors as part of the event. They seemed especially happy to be invited and enjoyed being included.

It turned out much grander and better than even Kerri and I anticipated. A blessed time to be sure.

Kerri cleaned up everything with some help from others so Dee didn't have to do any cleanup work. Bonz was on his best behavior all night (the gentle leader was kept on him, and he was cool.) Then after everyone was gone, and the place returned to order, we all took a dip in the hot tub to relax. The air was cool, but the water was just fine. The light in the hot tub added just the right effect and the moon was clearly visible off and on between the clouds. What a day!

Sunday, I went to church at the early service as I was singing with the church choir for the first time. It turned out nice. I didn't stay for the second service to sing since Kerri and Patrick were only in town for a short time. We all had breakfast at First Watch, I showed them the country club golf course where I work in Treesdale, and then they left for MD about 1:30 PM. Then Dee and I watched the Pens defeat the Flyers for the 4th time. GO PENS !