Special day

Today is my wonderful wife's birthday. When you have had as many as we have you don't make as big a deal about them as you used to. We went out for breakfast ( my favorite out meal and the best out meal to deal with Ila's diet). Then to an eye exam for me which, of course, led to ordering new glasses. We then went to the driver's licence office. She is now good to go until she is 70. No other special plans for the day.
I finished 3rd in a poker tournament last night and Ila was so sound asleep when I got home that I set up her bday present in her favorite chair (massage unit with heat--these things become more appropriate when you get old) without her even knowing I was home.
Had a great day last Sat. with the family and pictures. Later went to eat with extended family. Our two sets of grandchildren are so different. Older ones are quiet and reserved younger ones are full of expression and motion. Bri can be really funny and has a great sense of humor, but it doesn't show around us too often. Both her and Evan take some prodding to get out of shell. Not the other two. Benjamin made his "Mimi" very happy by calling for her. Ila is probably the most loving and giving person I know and it is great when that love is returned to her. She would, and does, do anything any for her family and sometimes I think we don't let her know how much we appreciate what she does for us. She truly has been the wind beneath my (our) wings. Happy birthday to her.

Don't know how many of you are in Iowa, but we have been getting some beautiful weather. Went golfing today in shorts and short sleeves. My game wasn't nearly as good as the weather. Spent couple of days at the Mo. kids. Worked on the house. Saw Levi play soccor.He has improved so much since last year. He scored three goals. After each one he looked for me in the crowd with the big smile. He is such a joy. Benjamin is still special in his own way. He is talking so much now and is so much fun. Always enjoy the time with them. They were both here with us Tues. night and day Wed. then we all went to Mo. on Wed. pm. Came home Sat. am and went to a play at the Amanas on Sat. night. Ila caught cold and with her Copd she gets really down with a cold. Hope she gets better soon. She did nothing here today and was miserable. I had a meeting at the College tonight and spent most of the day gone to the golf course and I think she got pretty lonely. Will be home together tomorrow and it is supposed to be nice. I start teaching next week. I certainly could stand another 6 weeks-6years off. Tomorrow is voting day. Will be rather happy to see it end and get away from all the advertisements and computer calls. Have been more interested in this election than most. Everytime I hear someone say that they don't think Sara is qualified to be VP I ask where there were the last two elections and why they didn't ask the same questions about Cheney. I find that at 65 I have more questions and fewer answers and when I was 35 I had more answers and fewer questions.