Memère's Birthday Party

As you know, we celebrated Memère's 99th birthday this weekend.
I was prepared for the worst.
Some people in the family have been saying she's going down hill.
I don't know who these people are talking about,
but it ain't Memère!

She is just as feisty as ever.
Doesn't she look great?


Notice that she's clutching a little change purse.
One of those purses that you squeeze to open.



This is going to be a long day for her.
I figure she may want to rely on a little strength,
Memère is a staunch Catholic -- she still takes Communion every week.
I fully expected her to be carrying her crucifix.
So I ask her (in French, of course, but I'll translate for ya'll)

"So, Memère, what's in the purse."
I nod my head at her hands.

She looks down at her purse.
Then leans over to me and whispers,

"It's money. We might play cards later. I want to be ready."

We both laugh uproariously.
I tell her I have to take a picture so that I can tell my friends.
I show her the picture after I take it.
She laughs and is quite pleased with herself.

"You tell your friends that I won!" she says.

I hope I'm just like her when I grow up.

Bonne Fête Memère!

Today is Memère’s 99th birthday.
Go Memère!
The whole fam damily is getting together in Sudbury this weekend to celebrate.
The Gods willing, we’ll celebrate her 100th birthday next year.

Although she’s not really getting around much, she does get dressed up every day and sits in her chair and watches a little t.v.
She has her hair and nails done every week.
She looks absolutely amazing.



She has visitors every day and insists on playing cards.
We know she's still with it because if it's your turn and you dally,
she'll call you out and tell to hurry up and play.
She takes her cards seriously, this woman, and only plays for money.
Ante may only be a dime, but it's still money.


I overheard The Husband talking to The Boy the other night:

Yeah, we’re going up north for Mo’s grandmother’s 99th birthday.
[pause]
I know! It’s just fabulous.
[pause]
Yeah, well, if it does run in the family don’t count on any inheritance.

Nice.

Today is Memère's 98th Birthday

I have wonderful memories of Memère. My grandparents lived about a five hour drive from our home. Whenever they visited, they would stay for several weeks. Memère would always bring date squares. They were absolutely delicious!

Mom and Memère would play game after game of Yahtzee. Every game was played for money … no point in playing if it's not for money! They'd each break out their little containers of dimes and ante up. At night, the cards came out and they played late into the evening. Memère still plays cards and Yahtzee for money and she wins all the time. Quite frankly, I think she cheats!

As she ages, her ability to speak and understand English is diminishing. She refuses to see the English doctor because she thinks he's incompetent … she can't understand him, therefore he doesn't know what he's doing. You gotta love this kind of logic!

I know that I'm going to be a crotchety old lady in a nursing home and I am proud to say that I have learned from the best!

Bonne Fête, Memère, je t'aime!!