Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Wednesday 28 December 2016

A Birthday Surprise with a Difference

 

Earlier this year I found that Jenn from

                    Country Cottage Reflections 

would have a “significant” birthday on 26th December. As so often happens, those days are mingled into Christmas Day, and the special day gets left out. I thought I might make Jenn “ a little something” and post it over.  Subterfuge again entered the equation.

But then came the difficulties. This was to be a surprise…. so  I needed to find Caitlin’s email address,  ( Jenn’s daughter) , that was the first hurdle, finally found her husband’s email but this was a government one!!! Sent it off and waited, and waited. Finally  Jean-Luc checked his private emails, and Caitlin replied, and things were starting to go to plan.

Boris and a scarf

Boris checked out the scarf, and it was cosy and warm, but not quite long enough!!!

Joyce did some beautiful embroidery on the pocket of a folder for pages and pencils and crayons for Jenn’s drawing when she is out and about.

Jenn's folio folder  and scarf

I found out  that Jenn had an iPad, and her bag has a padded pocket inside for this, another pocket, and ties at the top.

Jenn's bag inside

 

Jenn's birthday goodies

Then I found that the birthday  lunch and party was postponed until today NZ time, as freezing rain turned the roads into slick ice.  I woke at 3.30 a.m. checked the time in Ontario, and wondered if anyone was online? No, so after a while went back to bed.After all, plenty of sleep must be good for my heart!!! I missed Caitlin’s reply by one minute. Never mind, when I woke next time, there is another message, and we were good to go at 2.30 p.m. Canada time in Ottawa. Some setting up with Skype, then an iPad contact to be added, and it was all action.

Do you have any idea how magical it was to see Jenn, and her family, then watch as she opened the parcels? This is what makes blog friendships so special.

Happy Birthday all over again, dear Jenn, and Caitlin and Jean-Luc, Isabelle and Josephine,  thanks so much for your part in all of this. Jo, I found out about your birthday just too late to send something off, so  at the end of 2017, it will be your turn.

Many, many thanks for everyone’s lovely caring words for me,  I treasure  them all , and to know you care from  close to home and so far away,  is very special to me . I am trying to go slow,  I treat  each day as a special one, and hope to see a specialist very soon.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Life is full of surprises,

the future is not set in stone”

Greetings from Jean

21 comments:

Susan Heather said...

What a lovely present and so wonderful tht you were able to watch her open it via skype. I do hope they sort your problems out soon.

Leeanne said...

Lovely post xxx

Sherri said...

What a lovely post, it made me smile.

Kate said...

Such lovely gifts, I am sure they are appreciated.
Taking life slow is a good thing. I am sure there is no need to rush into anything.

Jane said...

How nice! I'm sure Jenn loved her gifts. Isn't Skype wonderful?


HUgs
Jane

The Furry Gnome said...

What a great thing to do! Good for you.

Out To Pasture said...

Such a thoughtful and generous surprise for Jennifer. Your heart may need some repair but it certainly is big and warm and kind!

Julie Fukuda said...

I love your plot and the way you pulled it off. The skype call was the frosting on the cake.
What a wonderful friend you are!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, what a wonderful surprise for your friend. The gifts are lovely. I hope all is well with you and the specialist can help. Great quote! Enjoy your day and the week ahead! I wish you all the best in 2017, Happy New Year!

Tish Stemple said...

Jean, I just squealed with happiness for you! I'm so excited you got to skype in for Jenn's party. I know you were really looking forward to it. This is one example of how technology is so great :)

Carol Mattingly said...

What a fantastic thing to do for your friend. Amazing you pulled it off. I hope you will rest until your doctor visit and hopefully find some answers. I'm struggling with a bad sinus infection and am praying it will not win out. Happy New Year Jean to you and Hugh. Carol

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

What a great post! So positive and happy. Lovely presents and how sweet to be there (through Internet magic) when she opened them. I'm in awe of it all.

Jenn Jilks said...

I never even thought about the time difference! I was so overwhelmed!

I am so touched. I was pretty disappointed my son chose not to attend, he doesn't have a car and cannot make the drive to Perth to see us. I haven't heard from my brother in Campbell River, B.C. (He might be working in the camp, N. Ontario, a fly-in camp) or he could be on vacation. I don't know.
You really made my feel up again. Words cannot express... xo

KB said...

You are such a special person, Jean - so giving and loving. We are all lucky to know you. Take good care of yourself. Hugs.

SRQ said...

So thoughtful -- and great execution! Wonderful post. Happy New Year!

Paige said...

How thoughtful! So sweet to make Jenn's birthday so special!

Sandra Walker said...

I know JUST what you mean about the magic of an iPad, getting over the hurdle of a time difference, and SEEING a friend open a special gift you've made. How very wonderful that all the collaboration worked out so well! Technology is truly a wonderful thing, truly magical to bring so many of us quilters together. Nice to hear about Ottawa too, but glad I'm not dealing with any of that freezing rain! It's 8 hours north and a bit west of me, when I'm at home and not in Florida! Love the photo of Boris on the scarf too.

Fundy Blue said...

You are such a kind and giving person, Jean! This lovely post made me smile! I'm sure Jenn will treasure these special gifts for a long time! I'm glad to hear that you are getting plenty of sleep and taking it slowly ~ You are a bright light in so many lives! Boris certainly lucked out ~ Look how at home he is curled up in the pretty scarf! Happy New Year and hugs to you and Hugh!

Jim said...

Jean, I love your excitement for life and others in your life! How nice to have seen and chatted online with your blogging friends in Ontario!!

I hope you are doing well and that things have all gone back to normal. we are thinking about you and sending best wishes to you both.

Sharon - IN said...

What a lovely surprise for your friend! Amazing how you pulled off that Skype visit to be a part of the party! True friendship in action!

I hope you are doing well and new meds & doctor's visits are helping you recover.

Jenn Jilks said...

That was the best present ever! Just to have you wake up in the night for me!