Surprise! We did it! She was even more blind than I am ... and completely clueless. Not one of you let the cat out of the bag (because you do know how she gets about stray cats). I'm impressed that people can be almost as tricky as raccoons. I got to meet lots of you (specially the little people were really fun) AND I got to eat the leftover cake. See me through the smudged (from the party) window above licking the frosting.

I'm still stunned. The kids said they'd make me cry ... and sometimes I still do just remembering what you all did for me. I can hardly believe that I came home from walking the dogs late at night and Miranda and Juliet were here with Brendan. As if that weren't enough, while I was still catching my breath, Zippy flew out from behind the door, with Mother laughing behind her!
     And the crowd for the Open House ... and the amazing scrapbook. It does make me cry every time I look at it. What a treasure of wonderful memories. (Contributions are still welcome from those of you who didn't understand Ronko's (Paul's) request or who were delayed for other reasons.)
     Then all the cards and gifts! I've been blessed with such wonderful family and friends. Thank you to those of you who came to the open house and to those of you who wanted to but were not able to make it.
     For those of you who (in ignorance or outright disobedience!) sent money instead of gifts to the organizations on the Open House Invitation, some of the money went or will go to those organizations, some to The Mother & Baby Survival Project at netaid.org, and some will buy a fence to keep our dogs (and me) happy. Thanks also to my (sometimes obedient) friends who made birthday donations -- may the collections of "MotherFlash Critters" sent all over the world bring blessings to many. Thank you all for your generosity.
     If this birthday is any indication of the future, then Ivy, at almost 93, is right: "The first fifty years are the hard ones. Enjoy the rest!" THANK YOU!