Grandpa’s Celebration and a Four Mile Run

on October 24, 2009
in All Posts

I had a very full day!  🙂

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Today was my 92 year-old grandpa’s party.  He wanted to have a Celebration Party and get together with all of his family members and old friends.  There was about 50 people at the party, including people that my grandpa has known for 60 years!

 

My mom and I drove to the beach for the party.

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There were appetizers and drinks for the guests.  Eats included an array of cheeses, meats, sandwiches, and cookies:

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I opted for Spinach and Artichoke dip with crackers and some tomatoes:

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(Times two, plus some cheese)

 

And I drank a wine spritzer with club soda.  I know this is an old lady’s drink, but its definitely my favorite (low calorie) cocktail.

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(My uncle Pat, me, and my Dad)

 

The coolest thing about the party was that my aunt put old photographs on each table for people to look through:

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Here are some of my favorites….

 

My grandpa (on the right) in 1941.  He was a airplane mechanic in the war:

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This is my dad’s side of the family.  My dad and mom on the bottom right – I’m the grumpy blonde kid.  We were on an air boat ride!

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A sign proclaiming my grandparent’s 40th anniversary.  They were married for almost 50 years when she passed.

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My dad’s side of the family + my mom.  I’m not alive yet and my mom isn’t pregnant, so I’m guessing this is early 1980’s.  My mom is on the bottom left, and my dad is right above her.

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Back to 2009….  It was nice to see my cousins:

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And my Aunt Faire.  Everyone always thinks that she’s my mother.  Don’t we look alike??

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It was wonderful to see my grandpa and family, and I hope he had a good time visiting with his old friends.  He’s a very special grandpa.  🙂

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After the party, my mom and I drove back to Orlando so I could let the doggies out.  We ended up taking them to the dog park.  I feel guilty when I crate them for the entire day – it must get boring.

 

I packed leftover Thai food (a curry tofu) and ate it while we watched the doggies play:

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For some odd reason, I thought it would be a good idea to run after eating this huge meal.  I waited about 30 minutes to digest and then I tried to run. 

 

I spent the first 2.0 miles willing my stomach to settle down, tasting curry in the back of my throat the entire time!  It was pretty gross.  Major rookie running mistake; I should know better.

 

The rest of the run was nice and relaxing.  I’m happy to be over my cold and to be back on my feet!

 

  • Duration:  39:45
  • Distance: 4.0 miles
  • Mile 1: 10:03
  • Mile 2: 10:10
  • Mile 3: 9:48
  • Mile 4: 9:46

 

Off to relax with my mom!  I see a big bowl of fruit key lime pie in my future!

 

Who’s your oldest relative? 🙂  My grandpa definitely wins the prize, but my great-grandpa on my mother’s side lived to be 100.

{ 48 comments }

 

  • angieinatlanta October 24, 2009, 8:29 pm

    That picture of you and your grandpa is so cute!

    I absolutely love that he wanted to “celebrate life” on his birthday; he sounds like such a neat guy!

  • caronae October 24, 2009, 8:35 pm

    My grandpa is 95, and his older brother is 97. My grandpa actually still belongs to a gym and was featured as the athlete of the week on a local news channel. He loves squash and tennis, and can beat me in both!

  • VeggieGirl October 24, 2009, 8:38 pm

    Our grandfathers are the same age – good genes we have! 😀

  • Amelia October 24, 2009, 8:40 pm

    Love the old pictures! My dad’s parents both lived to their 90s. They were fantastic and led a very active life. They took nightly walks together every day! 🙂

  • Evan Thomas October 24, 2009, 8:40 pm

    That’s so great that your grandfather has lived such a rich life and is still with you. It looks like a fun time. You can see how close a family you are 🙂
    My oldest relative at the moment is my 81 year old grandmother. I think some of my great grandmothers lived into their 100’s though I don’t remember them.

  • Hangry Pants October 24, 2009, 8:41 pm

    Happy Birthday gramps! Is Aunt Faire the one to the right of your grandma in the old group shot? If so, yes you look a tlot like her.

    My oldest relative was my grandpa too.

    • caitlin October 24, 2009, 8:43 pm

      yes! its super obviously how much we do look alike when i look at pictures of her in her 20’s and 30’s.

  • Jenna October 24, 2009, 8:45 pm

    glad you had a great time with the family!
    i hate running right after i eat, sometimes not such a great idea 🙂
    jenna

  • ari October 24, 2009, 8:55 pm

    your grandpa looks like he’s in such great shape for his age! that’s awesome. my grandfather is 91 but, unfortunately, he spends most of his days sick in bed with the occasional trip around the house in a wheel chair =/. i’m happy that you get to enjoy your grandfather’s company for so long!!

  • Bernadette October 24, 2009, 9:09 pm

    I was also going to ask if that was your Aunt Faire on the bottom right of that old photo because I thought it looked like you!

  • Gabriela October 24, 2009, 9:12 pm

    I love that picture of you and your grandpa! So cute 🙂 My oldest relative is also my grandpa, he’s 90 and still takes his long bike rides! I hope that means I’ll get the old age gene!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

  • Annamarina (Running Tails) October 24, 2009, 9:17 pm

    It looks like you had a fun time celebrating your grandpa’s life. My great-grandmother lived to be 102! It was so nice to have so many years with her.

  • emily October 24, 2009, 9:19 pm

    I’m actually flying to Ohio this weekend to celebrate my grandmother’s 80th birthday!

  • Amy October 24, 2009, 9:22 pm

    My Grandma is 91. I’m currently living in Okinawa, Japan – one of the blue zone countries (the countries with the highest percentages of 100+ year olds). I teach 4 ladies English and 3 of them have grandparents ovre 100 (107, 104, and 103)! Wow!

  • Melissa S. October 24, 2009, 9:23 pm

    happy bday to gramps! looks like a great party!

    and the oldest relative i have is…70? sadly people in my family don’t live very long…:(

  • maria October 24, 2009, 9:23 pm

    What a special day. I love when people don’t care that they are getting older and choose to celebrate their lives instead. So much better than wishing they were younger! 🙂

  • Madelin @ What is for breakfast? October 24, 2009, 9:24 pm

    My greatgrandfather is 109 in December!

    Happy birthday to you Grandpa!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 24, 2009, 9:42 pm

    Aw your grandpa looks like a real character. I love the old pictures. My grandmom had them all over her house and they always fascinated me as a kid.

  • Julie October 24, 2009, 10:01 pm

    Aw, what a cute grandpa. I love all the old pics. Gotta love Olan Mills portraits!!
    My oldest relative is my dad’s Uncle Lally. He is in love with my dad, it’s so cute. He turned 99 this year, hopefully he’ll be around for 100.

  • Rhodeygirl October 24, 2009, 10:21 pm

    My grandfather passed away a few months ago. He was either 106 or 107. My nonna is 87 and still lives on her own in Italy. She has more energy than me.

  • Emily Eats and Exercises October 24, 2009, 10:24 pm

    My grandma is 93. She just renewed her license!
    Plus she goes to water aerobics 3 times a week. Something to emulate when I’m that age for sure.

  • Jenny Eastwood@ JennyLikesToRun, On a mission to run a marathon to fundraise for The Breast Cancer Foundation October 24, 2009, 11:07 pm

    The beach looks beautiful, the food looks great and your grandpa seems like one hellova trooper 🙂
    Seems like you’ve had a really great day 😀
    My oldest relative is probably my Granddad who’s 74 right now. I bet I have more but I have family ALL OVER THE WORLD and cannot keep track lol.

  • Priyanka October 24, 2009, 11:14 pm

    I thought that it was your Mom next to your Grandma. You look so much like your aunt!

  • Heather @ For The Health Of It! October 25, 2009, 12:10 am

    WOW! These are amazing pics to share of your fam! So ineresting! Wish my Gparents were still with us, but still had amazing times while they were!!

  • Carolyn October 25, 2009, 12:11 am

    That looks like so much fun. We had a big part for my grandmother’s 90th a couple of years ago. It was a blast!

  • Mama Pea October 25, 2009, 12:37 am

    Your grandpa is the best! I love the shot of you two with your tongues out. 🙂

  • Mandy October 25, 2009, 12:38 am

    Your grandpa looks amazing! Very inspiring.

  • Kelly October 25, 2009, 1:40 am

    I love the picture with your grandpa. In the old school picture of your dad’s family + your mom- the woman on the bottom RIGHT looks SO much like you, is that the same aunt you have a picture with below?

    • caitlin October 25, 2009, 8:33 am

      yes 🙂

      • Kelly October 25, 2009, 9:27 am

        that’s amazing. i look a lot like one of my aunts too weird how genetics work

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 25, 2009, 2:13 am

    My great grandma just turned 101!! She just got put in to a seniors home about 2 days ago, but up until then, she was living on her own, and was doing very well. She has so many grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids, and still knows everyone’s name, and their spouses names etc.. It is pretty crazy!! Her oldest grandson is in his 60s, and her oldest great-granddaughter is in her 40s 🙂

  • Emily Eats October 25, 2009, 2:47 am

    You do look a lot like your Aunt Faire! Looks like a great day of celebration for your Grandpa (Happy Birthday Caitlin’s Grandpa!).
    I wouldn’t have a clue who my eldest relative is, as we’re so far stretched geographically and with family splits etc. My Dad is 87 this year though, so for me, he’s the most important 🙂

  • Whole Body Love October 25, 2009, 2:48 am

    What a fun family celebration! Mallard’s Great Grandma turned 97 last week! She is an amazing woman but I won’t overload my comment with detail. Happy Late Birthday to your grandpa!

  • Lara (Thinspired) October 25, 2009, 4:27 am

    My grandpa was an airplane mechanic in the war, too! I got so excited when I read that because I have never talked to anyone else who’s grandparents had that position. Cool.
    You do look a lot like Aunt Faire–I think there is a strong familial look in general 🙂 But I also think you look like your mom–you got the best of both! 😉

  • Diana October 25, 2009, 4:46 am

    Yep, you and your aunt do look alike! 🙂 Glad you had a good time with your family.

    My oldest relative.. is my uncle, my dads’ brother. I don’t know exactly his age.. I think he’s like 68. 🙂

  • Katie (Runs for Fun) October 25, 2009, 6:04 am

    You look a LOT like your aunt…too funny!

    My oldest relative is probably my grandmother’s sister, who is 84. But I just lost my great-grandma last year, and she was a month away from her 101st birthday when she died–she lived on her own until 6 months before her 100th birthday!

  • Susan October 25, 2009, 7:18 am

    That’s such a cute picture of you and your grandpa!! I think I look more like my aunts and uncles than my parents too, funny how that works!

    My oldest relative is my Nana, who’s 84. She’s still on the top of her game and does yoga every week!

  • Paige@ Running Around Normal October 25, 2009, 7:40 am

    What a cute family you have. That’s great you could all celebrate. All of my grandparentsare dead, so… I don’t even want think about who’s oldest. My parent’s had me when my mom was almost 40 and my dad was almost 41!

  • Heather October 25, 2009, 9:14 am

    The family photo where you weren’t born yet? The lady in the bottom right looks like a cross between you and Meghann. So weird/neat! (And now reading up I see it is the aunt that you look like. Oops!)

    My oldest living relative is my great-grandma who is 92! She’s pretty awesome.

    Happy bday to your grandpa!

  • Lee October 25, 2009, 9:17 am

    I was going to say the same thing, that the woman on the bottom right looks so much like you.

    My oldest relative is my Grandma who is turning 88 next month.

  • Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) October 25, 2009, 9:37 am

    What a cute post! Though, it made me miss my Grandma (she’s 3,000 miles away from me) quite a bit! Glad to see your grandfather had a lovely birthday surrounded by the people most important to him.

    As for running on a full stomach, that’s always so tricky. Sometimes you can get away with it, and sometimes you’ll find your stomach hollering back at you immediately. Are you typically a morning runner? I find I just don’t have the stamina to run before coffee and a decent meal (I always let it digest 1-2 hours) and run mid-morning if my schedule allows it. How do you usually fuel for a run?

    • caitlin October 25, 2009, 9:47 am

      i can usually run with food in my stomach, actually. i typically have PB toast before a morning run. It seems to be stable enough to allow me to run and i definitely need the calories to do it successfully. i think the thai was just too much and too spicy!!!

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) October 25, 2009, 9:44 am

    Who is the lady on the bottom right of that picture with your mom and dad in the 80’s? I thought it was YOU!

  • Stephanie October 25, 2009, 10:55 am

    such a cute party for your grandpa! you are so lucky to still have him, all of my grandparents have passed away…. 🙁

  • Britt (Runnerbelle) October 25, 2009, 11:34 am

    That is so wonderful that you were all able to celebrate together.

    Unfortunately all my grandparents have passed and my hubby’s have all passed. My grandmother lived to be almost 91, we shared a birthday so it was always very special to celebrate together. She turned 90 the same day I turned 16, it was a very special day for us both.

  • Stacey October 25, 2009, 12:24 pm

    I treasure the old photographs I have of my mom and her parents 🙂 They are black and white and I’ve hung them up all over my house, makes it look retro haha. My grandmother is 85 and I think she is the oldest person so far!

  • Rachel October 25, 2009, 12:35 pm

    I love grandparents. They are so special. My oldest family member, my great grandmother, lived until she was 104. She actually died the day after she turned it!

    My grandpa was also in the war, and those old pictures are too cool. Very honourable. Happy Birthday to your grandpa 🙂

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life October 26, 2009, 12:14 pm

    Your grandpa is so cute!

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