Time to Say Goodbye

On Friday, January 27, 2012, my dad, Herb Guenther, left this life for a better place at the age of 99 - free from  physical ailments, pain, and weariness.  He was loved, cared for, and earned the respect of everyone he came in contact with.  He taught courage through example, forgiveness through compassion, and never, ever complained.  He kept his wit and humor intact, thanks especially to my son, Tom, who has been an exemplary model of a modern-day caregiver.  He made new friends from Hospice and Home Care aides, and kept in touch with old friends.  He will be sorely missed by all - particularly by his four-legged friends, Biggie, Six, and Leo who never left his side and protected him from all strangers.

Turning 99- Highly Recommended

What a wild, wild day!  Celebrated my 99th birthday on Saturday, January 7 - a few days early, but who's counting days?

 I asked for red, white, and blue balloons...so that's what I got!

along with a "Party in Progress" sign...

 Barbara's friend, Judy Mouhot Brown, is an artist...living in Florida.  She paints AMAZING pictures of animals and the flora and fauna of Florida.  A few years ago, Barbara asked her to paint a portrait of my two Golden Retrievers, Duke and Duchess...and she did!  For my birthday this year, Judy painted a picture of a 1928 Model A and sent it to me in California.

 I was pretty happy with the painting ...

and with the nice card from Judy and Ray.

Barbara got a frame for the painting and now it's hanging in my room...I see it every day!

 I got the "seat of honor"...comfortable chair, electric throw, right near the fireplace, and the guests began arriving.  Here are the Bayly's...Dave, Kathy, Lauren, Drew, Kevin and Drew's girlfriend Giovanna and Kevin's fiancee, Lauren came and brought all kinds of "Happy Birthday" gear...hats, noisemakers, signs...even a birthday hat with candles!

They even donned the hats to help me celebrate!

Herb came from Arizona and look who else showed up?  Bruce Horan...my Godchild!  (My God, child!)

 Of course, Tom and Monica came, as well as my great-granddaughter, Brittany.

Another great-grandson, Carl, also came, along with Ray and Siobhan.

And look who else came...Kerry and another great grandson, (the newest one) Caleb, and Brenda...all the way from North Carolina!

Here's Tom introducing Caleb to Mr. Big.

The food was catered by my grandson, Brandon Guenther and his wife, Shona.  They even brought some fresh oysters for me!  By the way, if you're ever in the Valley Ford area in California, be sure to stop at the Valley Ford Hotel and eat in Brandon and Shona's restaurant...Oyster Rockefeller's...not to be missed.  Had it on my "Bucket List"!

 How about some mini-shrimp cocktails with crispy onions on top?

 Or maybe a choice of cheeses and nuts?

Or Tarragon  and Green Olive deviled eggs?

Here's Herb and Dave Bayly with the Jalapeno biscuits and oysters...right next to the lamb sliders!  Here's the menu that Brandon and Shona put together...UNBELIEVABLE! (And SO DELICIOUS!

Boomp's 99th Birthday Extravaganza

Sonoma County Cheese Plate with Balsamic Onions, Candied Pecans and Honey

Tarragon and Green Olive Deviled Eggs

Tomales Bay Oysters with Lemon-Honey-Jalapeno Mignonette

Miniature Red Chile Pork Tostadas with Cabbage, Black Beans and Queso Fresco

Miniature Dungeness Crab Cakes with Spicy Remoulade, Fried Capers

Gulf Shrimp Cocktail with Crispy Fried Onions

New England Style Clam Chowder Soup Sips with Snipped Chives

Cowgirl Creamery Wagon Wheel Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Bourbon-Cherry Compote and Micro Arugula

Carolina Style Pulled Sonoma Lamb Sliders with Apple-Fennel Slaw

Then it was time for the cake...Barbara ordered an ice-cream cake from the Coldstone Creamery...yellow cake with cake batter flavored ice-cream, topped with a white cream frosting edged with chocolate flakes.  Rather than risk the 99 candles, I celebrated with Roman Numerals!  (Much easier to blow out!)

Brandon served the cake, ably assisted by Carl...an aspiring chef!

 By the time the night was over, I had quite a collection of cards, signs, and presents!

 Even my nurse and social worker from Hospice  brought me some "Baby Bailey's".

 Our resident graphic designer, Brittany, took pictures of me from over the years and put them together into a "fortune teller".  She added a color to the back and she and Barbara made them into favors for everyone at the party...filled with dark chocolate M and M's!

By the time the night ended, I rode my "Chair of Chee"r from the first floor to the second floor and was asleep in minutes!  That's enough partying to last for a while!