So here's the short of it, 
Tonight Alan and I took Mom out to Red Lobster for an early birthday dinner.  

And here's the long

Alan and I took Mom out for an early birthday dinner.  She wanted to go to Red Lobster so that's where we headed.  I just knew we'd be sitting on the waiting bench for a 45 minute wait, but wait.....

First of all when we got there, we saw several parking spaces without cruising the parking lot.   Then when Alan took us to the front to drop us off at the door, there was a parking space right at the bottom of the entry steps!  Then when we got to the podium to get our name on the list we were escorted right to our table.  And we had an absolutely wonderful young man as a server!  Everything went as though the way had been paved for us. 

I ordered a salad - actually we all did.  It was a good start to our dinner, but I was really aware of  this salad with two tomato slices and two cucumber slices!  Here at home when we make a salad we pile on the homegrown tomatoes and the cucumber slices!  Anyway, this observation is not to take away from the wonderful dinner at Red Lobster!  It was a lovely evening, especially the opportunity to celebrate with Mom.

After dinner we went to Babies "R" Us to shop.  Next weekend we are going down to Atlanta for my niece Sarah's baby shower, and it was great fun to go look at all the cute things and find what we wanted to select.  It will be really fun to watch her open the gifts.

Tomorrow Steve is coming up for a visit and Lauren is coming through town with Madison and plans to stop for a visit.  Those visits will help make her actual birthday a special occasion.