YIPEE A BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY

This month it is Mary's and Diane's birthday. Instead of having lunch or dinner together my wrinkly friends are having a holiday together AND THEY ARE TAKING ME, YIPEE.

On Monday we leave on a mystery road tour into the Queensland countryside.  One of my friends, Ann, has organised the trip but she won't tell us where we are going.They are hiring a Tarago people mover  with plenty of seats for everyone and their luggage. The group has dwindled as Chris and Bob are away in Townsville and Helen and Paul can't come due to Paul having chemo therapy. However I am getting excited about the trip and I have packed already.

"Now have I got everything?" 

"Ann has made me two new outfits  one for Mary's Birthday and one for Diane's"

"I hope Ann has included some long pants and jacket because its gonna be cold out in the country.This fisherman's outfit which I have on is not going to be warm enough."

Look I have my very own photo on the travel label. Everyone has to have one. It says "Birthday Bear's Mystery Walks Tour." Only 1 more sleep to go...wheee.

All photos are from Ann the Tour organiser.

BIRTHDAY BEAR GOES FISHING

George's Birthday is today exactly one week after Bill's so we have two Birthday Bear parties within a week. (Who's complaining?) George has recently been to Far North Queensland to go fishing with his brother. He showed us photos of him holding a huge fish that he caught. So Diane and Bill dressed me  as a fisherman.

I am holding up a big shark, rod under my arm and a net at my feet. 

George looks very happy with me.

Then he showed us how big it was,"the one that got away."

We went to Sunnybank Hotel for lunch. Ann had collected "shopper dockets" for each couple so that they got the second meal for $7.00. It was a cheap meal but very tasty for pub grub.  Diane had Barramundi fish she said  it was soft, juicy and delicious.

Bill loves sausages andDiane doesn't so he often has them when they go out.

Birthday boy, George had lamb shanks.

Ann had chicken wrapped in bacon , avocado and cheese sauce.

Mary had a similar dish.

Here are my wrinkly friends who celebrate their birthdays together with me. Woohoo I love it.  From the left: Bill, Diane, George, moi, Ann, Mary, Paul and Helen.

I RULE MY KITCHEN

Bill is the cook in his household. See what a nice spinach pie that he cooked. It is his Birthday today so...........

Ann and George dressed me for Bill. I am in Ann's kitchen waiting to be taken to the birthday dinner and surprise Bill. The sign says, "I Rule My Kitchen". I love my table and contents as well my chef's checked pants.

When Bill arrived at the Gloria Hotel Restaurant I was there to greet him.

Bill was impressed with me.

The food was good.

The bargain was good. Buy one meal get one free. The pensioners were very pleased.

The Birthday Bear group enjoy having dinners for each of their birthdays. Instead of gifts they pass me around . I have to be dressed to reflect something of the recipients personality. I love all my different outfits.

THE THREE WIDE MEN

I insisted on a Christmas get together with my wrinkly friends. After all it is Jesus' Birthday that we are celebrating so I reckon Birthday bear should celebrate..

This year I came dressed as a Christmas Tree with bauble earrings and a star on top.

Ann is the one who helped me get dressed for the party.

We had a buffet dinner at the Greenbank RSL Club. From the left Kathy, Paul, Bill, Diane, ME, Ann, George, Helen, and Mary.

Ann took this shot and named it, "The Three Wide Men".

Ann also made up a poem about ME and included all the characters that I have portrayed (She is the clever one):

THE BIRTHDAY BEAR

I am the no-sexual Birthday Bear;
And my personalities I would like to share;
I have been a fisherman – twice in fact;
And once I wore a fisherman’s hat;
I have also traveled by coach outback;
Was a film producer not long after that;
Became an author of no-renown;
As a grey nomad hit the road to travel ‘round’;
On a boat trip I was a teacher;
As a dancing diva a glamorous boa did feature;


A blogging bear created some talk;
Another time I was decked out for a walk;
Once I was depicted sipping wine;
Whilst enjoying a boat cruise down the Rhine,
A Scotsman who in his cupboard, had a skeleton or two;
A theatre audience member – I’ve been that too;
Why, even as Christmas came my way;
With sled and Rudolph, Santa Clause I did play;
I have been a cowboy riding a “cobweb broom horse”;
Cruised on the Brisbane River as the other fisherman, of course;


Flew to Townsville in the tropical north;
Taking my bikini, sunshade and money purse;
A volunteer in a library – I was that also;
Even a gardener watching the lemons grow;
An elegant chorister in a CWA choir;
A lawn bowler decked out in white bowls attire;
My breath was taken away and almost my speech;
As a whale watcher – witnessing their amazing breech;
My varied personas have been filled with glee;
But what’s this – now I’m a green CHRISTMAS TREE!

Ann Dec 2009

I'M GOING WHALE WATCHING

I've had a lovely time at Helen and Paul's house and I went to play bowls with Paul. Now it is time for me to surprise Ann for her birthday. Helen and Paul are getting me ready to go whale watching on the Gold Coast.

I am going to surprise Ann at the Gem Hotel in Jacob's Well. I have my mobile, camera and binoculars with me. I'm also wearing a sun hat and sunnies to protect my white fur from the sun.

Ann was happy to see me ready for a holiday on the coast. She is reading the brochures. After Ann and her friends stuffed themselves with a huge lunch we went to buy some prawns.

I don't think I like them, I would rather some honey.

They had some interesting toys made out of beer cans.

I liked the aeroplane best.

Now I am home at Ann's house and I know I'm going to have fun here because Ann and George go on lots of trips away. I can't wait, and I think they are taking me to a Christmas party too.

BIRTHDAY BEAR GOES BOWLING

Here I am dressed and ready to go to Paul's Birthday dinner at Kam Koon Restaurant. Yum, I love Chinese food. Now Paul plays bowls every week for Salisbury Bowls Club. So I am dressed in my bowling whites ready to go with him next time.

I have my Salisbury hat (Helen made that for me) and shirt (Diane made that for me) . I have my bag with my bowls inside (Bill made that for me) I also have my rag stuck in my belt for cleaning the bowls. The reason that I can stand up now is that George made me a wire stand that helps me with my posture.

I enjoyed having dinner with the men, Bill, George and Paul.

The ladies too, Karen, Helen and Ann. Mary couldn't make it tonight but I was very happy to meet Karen for the first time. She used to teach at Kuraby School with the other ladies.

Paul was excited to see me and when he gave me a hug my hat fell off.

I think he enjoyed having me for his birthday. I can't wait until he takes me to play bowls.

HELEN'S BIRTHDAY

Yoo Hoo its birthday time again!! Look at me! I'm all dressed up in my best choir outfit because I belong to the Oxley Country Women's Association Choir. I have just finished a concert. Thanks for the flowers and chocolates. I'm looking forward to my friend Helen, arriving. She sings in the choir with me and it is her birthday today so she gets to take me home. We are celebrating at Sunnybank Hotel today.

It was Mary's turn to dress me for the party today. I think she did a super job. This is the prettiest I've ever looked and I love the dress she made me and all my jewelry. I hope Hannah and Sophie like my dress.

BB is holding my sheet music for me.

Yeh! Helen has arrived. I hope she likes me. I think so she has a big smile. I love making people happy on their birthday

"She is checking out my music, but she's not sure If the song is appropriate. " Yellow Submarine"

Mary, Bill, Paul, ME, Helen, Ann and George had a great birthday lunch.

Sausages and Mash

Grilled Snapper