Danlo's Surprise
Well I hope the third time is a charm and I actually get this to go through!!!!
This whole surprise started shortly after Elohimfest when I got a call from Lucimay and she wanted to bring Danlo to FBH wrap-up party in SF. Not only did she want Danlo to come she wanted me to come as well and had arranged to have our airfare covered by you awesome watchers! I was blown away by this whole thing and the best part was that we were going to keep it a secret from Danlo
Lucimay asked how we could pull this off and at that moment I couldn't think of a way, but I told her I would get back with her with an idea.
Two minutes after I hung up I thought of the perfect way to surprise the heck out of Danlo, so I called her right back...I would let Danlo think he was going to SF and that I had to stay home to take care of Elora, JoJo and of course, I would have to work. He couldn't believe he was actually getting to go, but was sad that I couldn't go with him
My brain started to think "how can I pull this off" First I called our social worker and arranaged to have Elora placed in respite, paid for by the state. One of my favorite foster parents was going to take her for the weekend and she was drawn into the surprise of it all. Then I made reservations for JoJo to be boarded and talked to my neighbor to take care of the cat and house while we were gone.
Next I received a letter from Lucimay and Cameraman Jenn. Danlo handed it to me from the mailbox and asked why I was getting a letter from Lucimay? I told him it was probably a "Thank you note" and then when I opened it several of the checks fell out. Danlo asked what that was and I grabbed them so fast that he didn't know what was going on. He just let it go at that--thank goodness! I went to the bank and of course, Danlo wanted to go and somehow I convinced him to stay in the car (I don't remember how I did that???). While at work I found airline tickets on line and the Opal Hotel had a room for us. I printed out the flight and hotel confirmation info. It had to much info so I hand wrote his info and told him the printer was sticking. Again he bought that. One thing that worried Danlo was that he was flying into Oakland instead of SF and that Damelon was picking him up. I told him I talked to Damelon and it was perfectly fine with him.
By this time I thought this was really hard work, but it was all coming together and I was having a ball. I wanted to tell everyone who would listen what I was doing but kept it under wraps so I wouldn't slip up. A week before we were to leave JoJo got attacked and I wasn't sure I could board her with stitches. She healed so well and the Vet said it was fine to board her with them. Whew!
Now wew are counting down the days into hours and my brain was on overload! Thursdays Danlo takes Elora to school for ~3 hours and from the time he left I was a mad woman packing for both Elora and I. I had to use a piece of luggage that Danlo would not see missing, so I wanted to use our clothes hanging bag. I pulled it out of the closet and the inside had disintegrated and black pieces of plastic fell all over the floor. I ran it out to the back yard and black plastic follwed me throughtout the house and there was a big pile in the back yard. No saving that so I pitched it in the garbage. I found a canvas duffle bag and packed my clothes. I placed it in Danlo's car since he was driving mine. I packed Elora's clothes and drove them to her sitters house, so the next morning it would look like I was just taking her to daycare. I got on line and printed our boarding passes, put mine in my purse and left his on the desk. Next I called the Vet to see what time I could bring JoJo and they said they opened at 9 am. Not good as we had a 10 am flight. Think, think, think??? No idea as of yet.
By this time Danlo has returned and I told him I was taking him out for lunch for his birthday. We went out and had a wonderful celebration. He asked me what I would be doing while he was gone. I told him all kinds of plans I had--going to Santa Fe with a neighbor, lunch with a friend, girl time with Elora and get JoJo's stitches out. He continually told me how much he was going to miss me and how much he wished I were going with him. Hehehehehe!
We got home late in the afternoon and I was beginning to panic about Jojo and the time line. On a whim I picked up the phone and pretended to listen to a message and told him it was from the vet. I said that they
called and wanted to take JoJo's stitches out. He said "today?" I said that they had a new Vet coming on and they wanted her to take out Jojo's stitches and do an exam on her. He said it was awfully late in the day and I said they would board her overnight for free and I could pick her up the next day. "Cool" he said and off JoJo and I went to the Kennels unbeknownst to Danlo!!! So far so good!
Friday morning Danlo was packing and Elora was under foot. I suggested that she go to daycare and he wholeheartedly agreed. Off to the sitter went Elora. Oh ya my luggage--I had it in Danlo's car, moved it to my car, then we switched cars again and I had to move it back to Danlo's car ( I don't know how many times in 24 hours I moved that luggage back and forth???). I then came home just 90 minutes until take off. I changed my clothes and Danlo asked why I was getting dressed up? I said I was going to lunch with a friend. Oh ya he said. You will have plenty of time to change later. No, I had things to do before lunch. Good God Danlo I am sweating at this time give me a break--smile, smile , smile.
We load his luggage and get in the car. On the way to the airport he says "what is in that luggage in the back seat?" I said, remember I went through Elora's old clothes and I am taking them to a friend who can use them. Oh he said.
We are at the airport and I drop him off, kiss him good-bye, tell him I love him and will miss him terribly, but that I will see him soon. Sooner than he would know. Off to the ticket gate went Danlo! Off to the parking garage went Lady Tam. I parked, waited 15 minutes and then went down to the ground level took an elevator up and slipped out to the street to check in. When I checked in the lady told me he was already in and I was behind him. I headed to security and was going through when I thought I saw him looking at me so I ducked behind a pole. The security lady asked me what I was doing and I told her about the surprise. She let me hide for at least 5 minutes. I got through security and headed to the gate. I didn't see him at the gate and then saw him coming down the way. I ducked behind a hat rack and watched him find a seat. He turned and looked my direction so I went to the other side of the hat rack, back and forth until he finally sat down with his back to me. I look ahead and there is a couple watching this whole thing. I ask the lady to come over to me and she did. Again I explain the surprise and ask if she would take pictures of the actual suprise. She was pleased to do it. I pointed out Danlo and she slowly walked over in front of him as I went behind him.
Now here is the suprise!!!! I walk up directly to him, bent down and say "hey big fella, would you like some company in SF" and kissed his neck. What the....meantime the lady is taking our picture and Danlo puts his hand in front of his face and says "hey lady quit taking my picture, I don't know you, quit." I tell him she is with me, and it take s a minute before he lets that go. He asks what I am doing there and I tell him I'm going to SSF with him and I show him my ticket. Again it took a minute or two for him to fully understand that we were getting away together, alone! He was so excited and he kept touching me and asking if I was really there.
I can't believe we pulled this off you guys!!! You are the best ever
Now I am going to send this before I lose it!
Lots of Love--Lady Tam