Bad News and Birthdays

Rob had a crazy-busy weekend while we were away on the quiz trip. He had a show with the band, Half The World, on Friday night and he set up and ran sound for Opera Idaho at The Egyptian on Saturday. By Sunday, he was missing his family something terrible.

On Tuesday I spent the day recovering from the trip and catching up on long overdue paperwork. Just before we left the shop to go to Rob's parent's house for a birthday celebration, I checked Rob's e-mail to find a scathing, vicious, undeserved personal attack from someone we were scheduled to do a show for next week. Rob replied with a defense, an apology and an offer to step down from the show. The offer was accepted. It was all very unexpected and devastating. Losing the show wasn't the bad part- it was the personal attack that hit us the hardest. In all our years of running sound, we have only had positive feedback. Rob has a great reputation in town for his integrity and professionalism so this was a difficult blow. We tried to set it aside and enjoy our evening, but it was difficult. (We later found out that this is a common occurrence with this particular person and it happens often. We were fearing repercussions from people who had ties with him but know now that those fears are unfounded.) It doesn't help matters that Rob has a mind-blowing toothache and we have several critical looming deadlines coming up. So, anyway, on to the party. . .

Since Gloria's birthday is so close to mine, we usually celebrate together. I don't mind at all having a teddy bear theme!! Gloria is way into Webkins, so she was very excited about this new leopard:

Cody is going to the Tool concert next weekend and was trying to help us understand why.

Our party game was making fabulous creations out of Play dough.

Kelsey and her Furbie:

This picture does not do justice to Tony's perfectly formed Sponge Bob:

Jeanie made a cute little teddy bear:

I'm not sure who did this:

Zach's Veggie Tales:

As usual, Jeanie out did herself! She always fixes a favorite food for the birthday person at these parties along with favorite candies and dessert. She knew I wanted homemade noodles but when she asked Gloria earlier in the week what her special meal should be, the response was, "Top Ramen". Who knew?? Jeanie also made me a yummy berry cobbler along with Gloria's cute chocolate bear cake:

Hugs and kisses: