In less than 5 hours, I will be 50.

I will have rotated around the sun 50 times, completing 50 - FIFTY - years on this earth.  Wow....

(I'm trying to do the #31dayblogchallenge, so this is days #7,8,9&10.)

When I go to sleep tonight, I will wake up another year older.  Not really - I will be 8ish hours older, I'm already 364.5 days older.  Anyways - the last few days that I haven't blogged have been filled with preparations for a Rock of Ages 50th Birthday party to be held here at the house tomorrow night.  This evening we've been "trippin'" down memory lane working on playlists (start with RoA movie soundtrack - Whitesnake, Foreigner, Journey, REO, Pat Benatar, Scorpions, and then jump off - Van Halen, Styx, Queen, Boston...) and tweaking Clinton Kelly's Sangria recipe from his book Freakin Fabulous.  Started exactly as written, backed off on brandy a bit, added more OJ and backed off on sugar a bit.  Good stuff - lots of taste-testing.  If there are type-o's - well...  you try it!  ;)

We did a whirlwind shopping escapade on Tuesday night - extra lights & extension cords for the backyard, liquor store for the Spanish wine, serving utensils, plates, cups, etc, and a few extras.  Got home about 8:30 and decided we may as well knock out the grocery run, too.  Home, put away and in bed before 11pm!!!  Yesterday was cleaning and Christmas decorating, we don't go overboard, but we are pretty detailed - it all has to be just so.  Today was beauty day and last round of shopping - needed a couple clothing items and got some awesome "military" booties for my party outfit.  (I'll figure out how to post a picture next time.)

The weather has been very unseasonable here - gorgeous and sunshiney and warm - up to 80* today! I'm excited because that means we'll be able to have an outside party!  Cpn Rusty got the back yard all fixed up with white lights and we're going to have candles everywhere!  I've been waiting 10 years to have an outside party and the weather is FINALLY cooperating!  :)  Yay!!

(Have I mentioned the Sangria is very, very good?)

I may not write again until Monday - it's going to be a crazy weekend. Starting tomorrow night - party 6:30-10ish.  Saturday morning - final rehearsal for the Christmas Cantata I sing with every year. Saturday afternoon - Family Christmas with our children and grandchildren (my favorite day of the year!). Sunday morning - Christmas Cantata at three services 8:30, 9:45 & 11am.  Then back to our home church for a meeting and then out to lunch with my Mom, sister and brother.  Hopefully we'll have enough energy for an afternoon Christmas social with dear friends.  Monday I sleep!  lol  No, not really.  Still lots to do on Monday.

Altho', after Sunday I'm basically done with the craziness of the Holiday Season and can settle in and enjoy the preparations of Advent and get ready for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ.  Remind me to write about the beautiful message our pastor gave at church last week.... Better yet -

Focus on the face of a tiny baby that you're holding in your arms and let the world pass you by for a few minutes. Focus on the beauty, peace and hope that the child brings to this chaotic, crazy world. Focus on the love and joy this new life represents.  Breath deep - hold it - let it go slowly...

Peace,

L

#RunningTowardsFifty
#31dayblogchallenge