Last night, when my daughter went out to dinner with her friends from across the street, she took her set of house keys, so she could let herself back in, if necessary. However, she knocked on the door when she came back home, because she couldn't find the keys in her purse. She thought that perhaps she didn't take them with her, after all. So, after she came home, she checked her purse and backpack and suitcase, but we couldn't find the keys. She then called her friend who checked her car and her house to see if the keys had dropped there, and daughter took the flash light and checked our drive way. The restaurant she had been to and the coffee house were both closed, so she couldn't call them to ask if someone found her keys. She went to bed rather upset with herself for losing her keys. I tried to reassure her that it would be OK, maybe someone found the keys and turned them in; if not, we'll get another set of keys made or, worse comes to worst, I'll have the locks changed. In the meantime, for good measure, I said a prayer to help us locate the missing keys.
This morning, she called the coffee house, but no one had found the keys. The restaurant didn't open until 12 noon, so she couldn't call them until later.
In the meantime, we got dressed to go to aunt's 90th birthday celebration. Cousin P and her daughter were giving us a ride to the party and back; cousin P called in the morning to say we will be leaving a little after 11:30 a.m. Daughter wore one of the blouses she bought, yesterday, with a pair of black pants. I decided to wear one of my saris. It is one that I bought in 1979, on my first visit back to Sri Lanka - the airlines had misplaced my luggage and had compensated me for the inconvenience, and I bought this sari with the money they gave me. That was 39 years ago!
The birthday celebration was held in a banquet hall, although we sat outside, in the patio. It was a sunny, warm afternoon, so the outdoor seating worked out very well. The catered meal was Middle Eastern food - a first course of various salads such as tabouleh, cheese filled pastry rolls, and pita bread with hummus; followed by freshly made falafel; a main course of grilled chicken and lula kebab served with rice pilaf and grilled vegetables. Finally, birthday cake for dessert, as well as some homemade treats such as marshmallows and love cake. There were about 120 guests, including some family members who had flown in from Australia for the occasion. Aunt hadn't wanted a big fuss to be made, but her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren wanted to do something special.
The party was ending at 4:00 p.m., but cousin P's daughter had to attend a wedding, later in the evening, so we left a little after 3:00 p.m. We got home a little after 4:30 p.m.
After we came home, daughter called the restaurant she had been to, last night, to ask if anyone had found a set of keys and we were both very happy and thankful when the person she spoke with at the restaurant said yes, they had found a set of keys! Daughter said we will be there to pick them up, shortly.
But first, I had a cup of tea and changed out of my sari into regular clothes. Then, I drove us to Hollywood, where the restaurant was located, so daughter could retrieve her keys! We were so glad that her keys were found!
After we came home, we had some leftovers for dinner and a piece of the apple crumble that I had in the freezer, for dessert.
Today, friend A called to invite us to Thanksgiving lunch. We will go there first and then, go to Aunt T's to dinner. Neighbor T called, too, in the morning, and, in the evening, I called cousin V to check on her (she had surgery, a couple of days ago, and was unable to attend the birthday celebration, today), and friend R.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter's set of keys were found!
- We were able to celebrate aunt's birthday
- Cousin P and her daughter giving us a ride to the party and back
- Friend A calling to invite us for Thanksgiving lunch
- Answered prayers
Saturday's To Do List:
- Attend aunt's birthday celebration - DONE
- Go to collect daughter's keys - DONE
- 1 load of laundry
- Alter daughter's dress
- Mend a sweater
- Decluttering
Between the excitement about the lost keys (and going back to collect them) and attending the birthday celebration, I didn't get much of my to do list done, today! But, that is OK. I'll just carry it forward to tomorrow. Plans for tomorrow include having someone coming out to replace a leaking sprinkler valve in the garden and daughter going out to celebrate her best friend's birthday. They've been best friends since 7th grade. Another friend will give daughter a ride to and from the party; daughter said they are going to an area of Los Angeles known as Little Tokyo for karaoke and dinner.
Sunday's To Do List:
- Have the sprinkler valve replaced
- 1 load of laundry
- Alter daughter's dress
- Mend a sweater
- Decluttering
How was your Saturday? What have you planned for Sunday?
I am so glad to hear that the keys were found. An Indian friend told me once that the joy of the sari is that it always fits, no matter how your weight fluctuates. Perhaps we should all wear saris, their longevity makes them very eco-friendly!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela; we're happy, too, that they were found. Your Indian friend is right! A sari will almost always fit! The only problem is the blouses we wear with them. The blouses are supposed to be form fitting. I have several blouses in different sizes! :D
DeleteThat's a relief that the keys were found and you don't have to go to the expense of changing the locks.
ReplyDeleteDo you only wear saris for special occasions or do you wear them around the house? I always think they look very comfortable to wear ... but I may be wrong on that!
Yes, we were very relieved that the keys were found. She didn't have anything with them that would have revealed her identity or our address, so it would have been very unlikely that anyone would have been able to figure which door could be unlocked by them, so I wasn't too worried, but changing locks, etc., would have been a bit of a hassle.
DeleteI wear saris only on special occasions, although, I suppose there is nothing to prevent me from wearing them every day, if I wanted to. :)
What a nice birthday celebration! And great that the keys were found. I just hate that feeling of losing something...especially something important like keys. It would make me want to change my locks. Andrea
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a very nice birthday celebration. It was good to see everyone, too, including old family friends.
DeleteI wasn't too worried about the lost keys, as there was nothing to identify them as belonging to our house and they were dropped in a neighborhood several miles away, but my daughter was very upset with herself. But, it was a big relief to find them again! :)
What a relief that the keys were found. Never a dull moment at your place. Ha,ha.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your family knows how to throw a birthday party. The food sounds incredible. When "Dee" and I were in Egypt a few years ago, we enjoyed freshly made falafel every single morning at breakfast. They were spectacular.
So we are reaching that time of year when the invitations start pouring in and the calendar starts filling up. I am so glad that my gifting is already taken care of and now I can begin to clean and decorate. While your daughter is away with friends, you will be able to do your own thing. Maybe one of those things will be an afternoon nap?
Yes, it was a big relief to find the keys! And you are right - never a dull moment! :D
DeleteWell, you are pretty good in the birthday party department, yourself, you know. :)
Yes, this is the time of year for get togethers, isn't it? I'm glad you are done with your gift making and shopping. Want to come and help me with mine? :D
The key story sounds like the one I had with my sister yesterday. She had lost her keys while I had given her a ride to pick up her car. After lots of looking, calling, flashlights, parking lots, etc, we eventually found them in one of the bags in my car. I guess that all's well that ends well. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad your sister's keys were also found, Live and Learn! Yes, definitely a case of "all's well that ends well"! Daughter has decided that, from now on, she will keep these keys inside a zippered pocket, rather than in the main part of the purse, to minimize the chance of them falling out in the future. We think they fell out when she pulled her wallet out to pay the bill.
DeleteIt must have been a relief to find the keys again. I can understand why your daughter was upset with herself, I would have felt the same.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday celebration sounds like a wonderful family occasion. A great opportunity to wear your special sari. X
It certainly was a relief to recover the keys, Jules. We didn't have to worry that some stranger might have the keys to our house!
DeleteThe birthday celebration was special and I am glad I took the opportunity to wear a sari. :)
It's great that your daughter was able to find the keys. Once I left my keys in Sri Lanka, and I realized it only after I came back and tried to open the apartment. Luckily I had given a spare key to a friend.
ReplyDeleteYour aunt's birthday party sounds so much fun. She must have been so happy to have all her relatives there.
Oh, wow, Nil! That was a good thing that you had given a spare key to a friend!
DeleteYes, it was a good party. Aunt had wanted a smaller celebration, but I think she was rather happy at the turn out! :)
It's always such a relief to find lost items, isn't it, especially when they are important like keys or wallets. That was quite a party that was held for your aunt and the food sounded great. I hope she wasn't too overwhelmed with such a crowd! I'm sure though that in spite of her not wanting a fuss, she must have enjoyed it all. There is nothing like being surrounded by people who love you!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, Bushlady. We are both very thankful that the keys were found!
DeleteI think aunt was very happy with the party that was given in her honor. :) She gave a nice speech and smiled the whole time.