88 and going strong.

That would be my mother.  88 years old today.
And in spite of all her 'whingeing', as they say in England, she is doing quite fine.
Sometimes, I think that all old English women act like the queen,  and my mother is no exception.
She 'expects' to be in good health, and if something goes wrong, she 'expects' the doctor to give her something to FIX IT.
She does think that her opinion is the only one that matters, and that the world really does really revolve around her.
Having her body grow old on her is an inconvenience, she thinks, that is just WRONG.
On the one hand, she is so generous, she is always giving to some charity, or helping out family.
But on the other hand, she is the most self absorbed person I know.  It's confusing, at times.
To me, not her.

Well, today, the world.......at least ours........does revolve around her.  After all, she is EIGHTY EIGHT.  My God.
After many plans to coordinate between DH, daughters and myself, the party was on.
Making food at the studio, so she wouldn't be nosing around, having everyone arrive after I left with her for church.
A buffet of food, balloons, flowers, a huge surprise when she walked in the door.  Hoping, of course, that she would be extremely taken aback, and pleased, but not to the extent that she collapsed.
Oh, the peril.

Everyone was at my house, getting ready, and waiting patiently,while I had her at church.
 There were 20 of us altogether.

We were keeping in touch texting........so they would be ready for us.
The kids loved the whole surprise thing.

There's boss lady #1 daughter on the left..................saying SHHHHHHHHH.
#3 daughter, next to the water cooler, apparently thinks her sister is quite comical.

Menu was contributed by all......meat and cheese platter, toss salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, veggies and dip, rolls, baked beans, scalloped potatoes, lots of chips, pickles, chocolate chip cookies, and of course, CAKE and ice cream.
 You do see the CIRCUS sign, right?

  My mother, in the green, was sufficiently taken by surprise.

 

She must be exhausted by now, she pretty much talked non stop for 4 hours.

Mercy.

 

 But she had fun, she loved every minute of it.
She did, however, say that she couldn't believe I was responsible for any of this, since I was so SERIOUS.
Oh, dear, sometimes I wonder what planet she is on.

 I didn't take any of that to heart.
She is 88, she is allowed to be a brat.
And believe me, she is.

 Here are my three lovely girls.    I couldn't love them more.

 My mother announced that Gabs is 8, and Ava is going to be 8 soon, and she is 88.  If you ask me, they are all 8 years old.

Someone gave her a Queen Elizabeth that waves continuously, and operates on solar energy.

But do not be misled.
The real queen is right here, and doing just fine.

Morgan, Holly, my mother the Queen, Brooke, and moi.
I have to stop being so serious.
Ha!