Monday, January 24, 2011

Flea Markets and Forty

 Last January, I had decided I wanted to do something for my husband's 40th birthday, but he flat out said, "No parties."
Well, for those of you who know my husband, I'm sure you can visualize him saying that with his monotone, nonsensical voice.

"Allllrrriiiight," I reluctantly agreed.
 Sooo, with fleamarket season around the corner with our beloved Vintage Gathering Group, I decided that I would save all my earnings from the flea markets that Sally and I did from May to September and surprise my husband with a trip to the world's best fleamarket!!

Oh wait, that's my dream.

So I got him this instead:














Yep, a great view aboard our very own...














...cruise ship! Needless to say, he was surprised. And kudos to my kids who never once spilled the beans.














We went to the Caribbean, where the bluest water and whitest sand I've ever had the pleasure of being on greeted us. This beach was at our first stop, Grand Turk. We were actually swimming here at 9 a.m.!

I didn't do a party for my hubby, but I did get some other folks in on the deal, some of his aunts and uncles from Minnesota met us on the boat







as well as my husband's good friend from Chicago and his family.














Our kids didn't even remember ever meeting (they were too little before) but within 5 minutes, they were talking Lego's and plants vs. zombies (don't ask). Four boys together is quite interesting!














We did a lot of this:














and a lot of sightseeing. This is the Fort at Puerto Rico, I loved hearing about the history of that island. I did manage to see a few antique shops, but my youngest son kindly reminded me that "we are on vacation, so no antiques."

Hmmph.














This lovely creature and it's family greeted us as we got off the ship at St. Thomas. They were very tame, I'm sure they're used to all the attention.














St. Thomas is a busy place, there must have been at least 8 or 9 other cruise ships docked there that day. Beautiful views.














Every night we went to bed, there was a different towel creature awaiting us in our room.














Oh, and we'd never been on a cruise before, but everyone kept telling us about the food.
They were NOT kidding.
I've never seen so much food in my life, and it never stopped! These pictures were from a Dutch Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza night, with every single kind of dessert you could imagine.














Nope, your eyes don't deceive you, this case was full of candy covered apples, any flavor you wanted!


















I don't know if we burned enough calories during the day doing this (below) to be eating all of that (above), but we sure tried.
There's a pure white little crab in this shell, can you see it?
This is the newest member of our family, Dede, a.k.a. yum-yum man (he was in charge of the desserts). We saw his smiling face everyday, my kids got rather attached to him.
The majority of the crew is from either Indonesia or the Philippines, and after talking with many of them, I came to find out that they are making huge sacrifices. They all work 10-11 months on the ship then are able to go home for 2 months to be with their family, many who had little children. Like Dede, these are some of the hardest working people I've ever been around. It really puts our own lives into perspective, even when our economy is the way it is, we are wealthy in comparison.
So, thank you to everyone who came out and supported our flea markets as well as our love of those treasured finds. Each piece of repurposed furniture, each egg cup, each vintage book, each pink enamel baby bathtub, each pair of old opera glasses,  each 1930's soda fountain stool, each old photograph, and on..
...and on...
...went towards the love of my life's 40th birthday celebration, and for that, I thank you!!
It's not too early to be thinking about the upcoming flea season, is it??
;-)
Lisa

16 comments:

melanie said...

oh...that looks like sooo much fun! so glad you had such a great time...and I am very jealous!
flea market season? wish it would get here!

Farm Girl said...

Wow I guess you did get lots of vitamin D. What a grand time and what a beautiful trip and how awesome it was that you did it all by yourself and your family got to come too. I loved all of your pictures. I have never been on a cruise either so seeing all of that was so fun. Oh Man and the deserts. I think what is so special you took your kids. All around what a wonderful trip and thank you so much for sharing. Even I had fun!

Florence said...

Wow I am so proud that you accomplished this great surprise for your honey.Looks like you had a grand time. Hugs Florence

Out in the Fields said...

What a wonderful thing to do with your hard earned money! I'm just trying to figure out where the caramel apples and choc were on the cruise I went on?! Not one did I see...and the food was nothing to write home about either:( Glad you had such a good time tho!

Lisa of Lisa's Little House said...

What a delightful celebration! Great photos of a beautiful family...glad you had so much fun!
xxoo,

Andy's Attic said...

Oh, Lisa, it all looks so wonderful! I hope no one got sunburned...you were a lot closer to Mr. Sun. Everyone looks so happy and don't you just love the water and beaches. Mike must have had the time of his life!! Glad you are home safe and sound,
Annette

Junque Couture said...

LUCKY!!

Kindred Roses said...

What a treat for you all!!! 40 was very hard for me :(
and NO ANTIQUES....I GASPED...
Hope to see you soon
Julie

Unknown said...

oh, that all looks wonderful- how great you ahd so many family members visit!
that was a really special idea you had,,,

Karen

BirdSong said...

Wow! I just had a flashback of the day you told me you were saving up for this...and then I forgot it...(goes with hot flashes)...and yu made it happen!!! You are an amazing woman and one fab organizer!!

Sue xoxo

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Hey Lisa~Thanks for the visit.I see your close to me.I get up in that area when Barn House Boys are having their sales.The maple bacon donut was good,I just had a bite.
What a fabulous 40th B-day The pictures are beautiful and those apples look amazing.~Cheers Kim

Kristin said...

Oh Lisa! How fun! What a special treat for your whole family! You are a sweet wife to plan it and keep that surprise! It looks like you guys had a wonderful vacation!

Christa from Chloe Rose said...

What a wonderful gift to give to your hubby. I don't think I'd have the discipline to put the money away for the trip....good for you! That's admirable. It looks like you had a wonderful time and made memories that will last the rest of yours and and your families lives.

Blessings!

Christa

Karen said...

You DID go! How wonderful! It all looks so beautiful, thanks for letting us come along for the memory! What a wonderful wife you are to do this! Miss you lots! Karen

Kathysue said...

What a wonderfu surprise and a family and friends trip. I have been there and the beaches are something to behold. So nice to have a break from the cold winter weather isn't it?!! I also want to thank you for coming by my blog and always taking the time to leave a comment, It really means a lot to me!! It is always so nice to see your name there, Kathysue

My Shabby Passion said...

You are so sneaky! If I would had known what you were up to, I would have just given you a donation for the " Mike's forty" fund. (Happy belated birthday Mike!) I'm sure he didn't mind a surprise party like that! You are such a sweetie for planning the trip of a lifetime for your whole family. I know you worked very hard, and you deserved it! What do you have planed next?! Ha! Ha!

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