Friday 9 March 2018

In Two Weeks...

...I shall be 50 years and 1 day old!

This is the invitation O.K. made for me after my ideas. Maybe you will recognise the flower pattern :-)

He made two versions of it; this is the one I sent via email. I also had cards printed and bought matching light blue envelopes to send by mail.

You know how much I like going to the pub quiz with my friends, and so I am very happy (and lucky!) to have lease of my local, the Irish pub, for the Sunday after my birthday.

Last year just before Christmas, my sister, a friend and I were enoying mugs of mulled wine at my place when the question came up where I could hold my big birthday bash. Originally, I had meant to use the venue where my Mum had her 70th birthday a few years ago (pictures of which you can see here). But it wasn't clear whether they would already be open so early in the season, and even if so, it would be very different in the palace grounds in March, not like the gorgeous day in August when my Mum was celebrating. Also, I'd heard from friends and acquaintances who'd had weddings and other celebrations there, and weren't happy with a few things. Mistakes can happen, but the way they were dealt with wasn't good, apparently.

So, where to go? Suddenly, the question was there: Why don't you have it at the pub? At first, I didn't think it was possible, as the landlord usually does not offer the pub as a venue for private occasions. But I talked to him a few days later, and a plan was hatched. It is only the second time in the pub's history that he closes it for the public, so that we can have our party in private, and I am very happy that he made this possible for me!

The pub has seating for 100 people, if you count every chair and bar stool, but I have not invited that many. Some of my friends won't be able to make it, but so far, I have just a over 50 who have said yes, and maybe 10 or so more pending.

Even my family from Yorkshire are coming! They will stay for the weekend, so that we can spend some additional time together, and I am especially happy about that.

Of course, a party at the pub needs a pub quiz, right? And you can be sure there will be one! My sister and I have made up a set of about 15 questions, all about me :-D 
It won't be an all-evening quiz; I want people to just have a great time, to enjoy food and drink without having to think about the bill, catch up with others they have met at my previous parties or make new friends.

In short, I am very, very much looking forward to the event, and hope everyone who said they will be there will be indeed able to make it, unhindered by health issues or weather or any other reason.

By the way, if any of you is thinking about a quick trip to Ludwigsburg around the 25th of March, you will be VERY welcome to join the party - and I mean it!
Yes, I am serious. If anybody would like to be part of the fun, I can provide hotel information etc. Just contact me through my profile here; my email address is there, if you do not have it already anyway.

21 comments:

  1. This sounds delightful! A very special birthday for you, in a special local, with very special guests. (Lovely that your Yorkshire family can come to celebrate with you!) I do love the invitation O.K. made for you! The quiz sounds fun. I look forward to reading about all the details afterwards.

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    1. I promise there will be details - just don't know when, as O.K. and I will be going on a mini holiday the week after my birthday :-)

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  2. Beautiful invitation, .Meike. I hope you have a wonderful time.

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    1. Thank you, Frances! I am sure it will be great.

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  3. Wishing you the best of luck with the party Meike, and a happy celebration. I've only had one "big" celebration like that, my 40th, for which my parents helped arrange an afternoon party (coffee/tea and sandwiches and cake) at an old mill close to where they lived. About 40 guests and a lovely sunny mid-August day in beautiful surroundings makes it a nice memory to look back on. (For my 50th I wasn't feeling up for a big party but went away to celebrate with a few old friends in the town where I/we lived back in my 20s.)

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    1. Going away with a few close friends is also a great way to celebrate! When my sister turned 40, she and I went to London for a few days, just the two of us. It was good fun!

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  4. Wish I could come! It sounds wonderful! Have a FANTASTIC time! I love that some of your family from Yorkshire will come too, that makes it extra special. Love to all your family in Germany and England. xx

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    1. Wish you could come, too, Kay! Yes, it is going to be a special birthday in more than one way.

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    2. For some reason, I thought you were going to celebrate your birthday in April! Don't ask me why I thought this, just getting things mixed up in my mind with all that is going on. Anyway, I hope you will have a great time even if I can't be there! TRY your best anyway! LOL!! (HMMM...a special birthday in more than one way...I am intrigued!)

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    1. Thank you, Newcomer :-) I am sure we will!

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  6. That sounds wonderful Meike and I'm so happy that your friends and family are going to spoil you for your birthday! I hope you all have a fabulous time!

    Maybe one of these days I can come to Germany and we can celebrate our birthdays together, since they're only a day apart. ❤

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    1. Sounds like a plan, Jennifer!
      If anyone at my party does NOT have a fabulous time, it will definitely not be my fault ;-)

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  7. This is more than wonderful!! So happy for you. How I would love to be there! Can't wait to see all the pictures. Wishing you the best b-day yet!

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    1. There won't be many pictures, Nan, as most of my friends and family do not wish to have their photos on my blog. But that won't make the occasion any less happy :-)

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  8. Wish I was fifty again. It seems a very long time ago!

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    1. Did you have a special birthday party that year?

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  9. Happy Birthday (a little early!)

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    1. Thank you, Angela! In Germany, superstitious people say it is bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before the actual event - good job I am not one of them :-)
      By the way, I think this is your first comment on my blog? Welcme to My Mental Library!

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  10. I'm 55 ..welcome to the BEST club xxx

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    1. Thank you, John! My actual birthday is one week from now... I guess I won't feel any different on the Thursday, compared to the Wednesday :-) But I am greatly looking forward to half a week of celebrating!

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