It's a Surprise/No Surprise . . . Retirement/Non-Retirement Party

Originally, there was a surprise party planned, but the hostess decided to tell the guest of honor why they were having a party, so he could include me in the guest list.  (Awww, how special is that?)

Things got a little more complicated when the retirement only lasted one week.  The company decided they needed him back, so the retiree is now collecting severance AND is employed on a part-time basis.  (Are you confused yet?  He is!!!!)

Regardless, the party MUST go on.  (Who needs a reason to party anyway???)

Gary loves his trips, especially ones that involve surf and sand as well as his family and good friends, so I decided to honor his retirement with a beach theme.

Thanks to My Cookie Friend, Diane, for her inspirational brush-embroidered wave cookies  http://mycookiefriend.blogspot.com/2012/12/merry-beachmas.html.  Diane's design includes beautiful shells, but what the heck . . . I didn't have time to add that detail.  No one, except those who visit Diane's blog, will know that they are missing!

Happy "kind of", "sort of", "short-lived", "pretend" "practice" retirement, Gary! 

After retirement . . . Life's a Beach!