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16 Comments

  1. CarolynB
    November 16, 2019 @ 9:24 am

    Oh what a birthday!!

    Well done all and special thanks to you Linda for telling it so well. Thankful Bill is OK after the darn taxi mishap.

    Today sounds like a perfect day to avoid the hordes! Have a lovely gathering chez L&B and am sure it will be a highlight for all.

    Cheering you on! xx

    Reply

  2. Antonia Konzotis
    November 16, 2019 @ 9:43 am

    Thank you again for inviting us to celebrate with the family. We felt so honoured.

    I am sure you are happy to stay local today after all the stress of yesterday.
    It was worth it in the end!
    And oh what a unique and special present you gave Bernie.
    Love, Antonia and Malcolm xx

    Reply

  3. Cynthia Ludwig
    November 16, 2019 @ 12:14 pm

    You all will never forget Bernie’s 80 birthday! Despite the obstacles and frustrations of the day the true gift for Bernie, and I believe for most of us, was the love and company of those he loves and who love him. The pictures of your time together on his day speak volumes.

    Reply

  4. Monica & Marlyn
    November 16, 2019 @ 12:48 pm

    With good friends and family (and good food!) to celebrate and remember always, the rest can become just a tale to tell. The hostess obviously suffers the most, but the guests will just be delighted that they had the time with Bernie and Linda in Paris. What a special man and a special birthday.

    Thanks for the “shout out.”

    Reply

  5. Thad
    November 16, 2019 @ 1:44 pm

    Sorry about things going so badly on such an important day. BUT … if you don’t laugh about it, you will certainly cry!
    Thanks for sharing the experience.

    Reply

  6. Lynne Berry Vallely
    November 16, 2019 @ 1:48 pm

    Linda! UBER! We used it all over Paris. So easy to do, so fast to get there, less expensive UNLESS you are going to or from the airport, and all the vehicles we got were scrupulously clean and very nice.

    A beautiful birthday dinner. You are doing an amazing job organizing this celebration. I celebrate YOU!

    Reply

    • lspalla
      November 16, 2019 @ 2:03 pm

      Tried Uber twice with no success. Probably operator error!

      Reply

  7. Pat O'Brien
    November 16, 2019 @ 1:51 pm

    What a description of a great day that started in such a disastrous way. We’ve all been there and felt the anxiety you described. Family outings can have a way of unfolding like that. That was a fine gift, I’m sure all the brothers enjoyed that.
    Happy Birthday Bernie – and congratulations on having so many folks willing to brave natural and man-made obstacles to celebrate with you.

    Reply

  8. Fred Mayer
    November 16, 2019 @ 2:10 pm

    No doubt the celebration of Bernie’s 80th was the sunshine of the day. Many memories along with delightful company of family and friends made the day a total success to be talked about for the years to come. The follow-up of today’s gathering will only enhance this celebratory weekend. My vote for Linda as “Hostess of the Year”.

    Cheers to all.

    Reply

  9. Charles Gattis
    November 16, 2019 @ 2:24 pm

    Thanks for the blog. I know how frustrating it is. You are to be commended for soldiering on. Most of us would have just watched an old movie, read a book by the fire, and served peanut butter sandwiches. Your determination to celebrate in style becomes you. Interesting to note that birthday boy seems unaffected by any of it. That’s my friend, solid to the end come what may. There is a French phrase for that, but can hardly spell in English much less French.

    Reply

  10. Judy Gattis
    November 16, 2019 @ 2:35 pm

    Oh, dear friend!🥴 But, naturally you pulled it off with aplomb. Amazing how things work out for the best. Yes, one can only laugh about it now that it’s done. Mother Nature can be a witch. Hopefully all is better today. R and R can’t be far away!

    Reply

  11. Amy Cameron
    November 16, 2019 @ 2:47 pm

    I would have given up long before you did! Beautiful celebration in the end! The group picture is one of my favorites…no sign of tears that had been shed…Linda you are beautiful!!! Happy Birthday Bernie, you are loved!!!

    Reply

  12. Peggy Bilbro
    November 16, 2019 @ 3:29 pm

    Oh dear! What a day! I do wish we could have been there to hold your hand! I imagine you all felt like bedraggled puppies from all their sin and cold! As you said though, you have some great stories to entertain with for many years to come! I hope you are enjoying your day of rest today. Just sitting around visiting with family and friends could give you your happiest moments of the whole birthday week. Maybe it will snow turning the city into a Parisian wonderland. Happy birthday to Bernie and congratulations to you on pulling it all together, even if there were a *few* setbacks.

    Reply

  13. Peggy Bilbro
    November 16, 2019 @ 3:30 pm

    Thanks auto correct! …all that rain… no sinning involved, except maybe a few curse words!

    Reply

  14. Peggy Bilbro
    November 16, 2019 @ 3:33 pm

    And by the way, Bernie does NOT look 80! And the food looks delicious!

    Reply

  15. Natalie
    November 16, 2019 @ 3:57 pm

    Happy Birthday Bernie!! My favorite part of the last few days is seeing you so incredibly happy! And I love him attempting to humor y’all in line…I’m sure he laughed at himself and mom said to stop LOL! Beautiful flowers and beautiful people- y’all stepped the dress up a notch, oui? Love y’all!!

    Reply

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