All Signed Up!

It took some doing but I finally got everything in order for our cruise.  We will travel over Thanksgiving next year for about 3 weeks.  We start in Barcelona so we opted to fly in a day early 1) to be sure we arrive on time and 2) to have a day to look around Barcelona.  They have a three route hop on/hop off bus tour that will work just fine to make good use of the short time we have.  We will be transported to the hotel from the airport and then to the ship by the cruise line.  This is our itinerary.  It is a good mix of things we will see nowhere else and enough cruising time to be be totally relaxed a good bit of the time.  I always have wanted to visit Dubai.  

It was a quiet week overall.  Our yearly heating inspection was done and we need a new thermostat.  Ours will not work with 5G Wi-Fi which is what our home and phones are.  We were ok until Ted got his new 5G phone.  Now it has a mind of its own and we are constantly having to adjust it.  Patrick will put in a new one when they come down for Christmas.  We also have a light switch that needs attention.  Son in laws are great.  Bill always finds things to fix when he comes too.  Keith and Steve did a couple things while here also.  Maintenance just never stops when you own a 20 year old home.  We are so grateful for their help.  Some things are so minor you can’t find someone to hire.  Ted is not much of a handyman; in fact, I try to fix things before I ever bring it to his attention because he will make it worse.  Good thing he has many other qualities!  

We had a delightful visit at our friends Thanksgiving dinner.  There was so much food!  My apple pie was exceptional if I say so myself.  Ted proclaimed the pumpkin excellent too.  I only ate a sliver of apple pie just to be sure it was ok!  I am hating these hormone pills and their crusade against me and the scale!  

I found myself with time to set some decorations out.  This coming week starts an extraordinarily busy month so I am using every lull in my schedule.  I don’t normally decorate at all but the Duda’s are coming so I am doing easy things because I need to put it all away before we leave for Mission, TX.  I tackled the linens in 5 drawers and tossed some in the Paralyzed Veterans Bag.  I had tablecloths that fit no table I have and sets of napkins with stained or missing ones.  Now I have some empty drawers!

Then I decided to bake some cookies.  I had ingredients for peanut butter ones so I made them.  I will make three more kinds - haystacks, macaroons and butter cookies.  Only the butter will have gluten so Cassie will be happy to have a selection to choose from.  I hope they eat them all!  

The house next door has sale pending.  I know nothing about the purchasers and depending on their closing date, we may not meet them until March!  I do hope it is empty nesters or retirees.  It has been such a pleasant, quiet neighborhood for these past 20 years.  

Here are a few photos of the gatherings we missed by not flying to Michigan. CeCe obviously thought if some candies were good, more would be better.

Kara hosted family and friends at her house in Michigan using Grandma Kennedy’s Royal Doulton china she inherited.  

Mother Nature is Off Kilter

Two bad hurricanes in FL in November and in the 40s in Texas before mid November!  What’s up?  I hope things return to normal for this winter.  

We had a rather boring weekend.  Outside of church and eating out afterwards, we did nothing!  Thank God for Hallmark movies right now.  Our car did overheat Saturday night so that will be handled this week.  We can’t operate with just one car.

My niece Ann scanned photos we found in a family box of photos.  One I had never seen was of all my living grandmas at what must have been my baptism (10/28/1945) because at 6 weeks 12/2/1945, according to my baby book, my mother and I flew to El Paso TX on American Airlines to rejoin my father.  

Pearl Hall Homer (1), great maternal grandmother 

My mother’s best friend, Mary (2)

Colette Ruhe Boudot, my mother (3)

Amanda Schuesler Boudot (4), my paternal grandmother

Lucille Homer Ruhe (5), my maternal grandmother

Teresa Attermeyer Ruhe (6),  my great paternal grandmother

Elizabeth Malloy Boudot (7), my other great paternal grandmother

Three great grandmas and two grandmas!  Not shown are the three grandfathers alive at the time, Joseph Homer, husband to Pearl; Eugene Boudot, married to Amanda; Alvin Ruhe, married to Lucille.  I knew all of these folks well except Elizabeth.  I do remember one Christmas when she was present but I was very young.  Stunning photo for me to find.

Monday I played Canasta, came in second and won $3!  Before I went, I had to follow Ted to the garage to have whatever was wrong fixed.  Something to do with hoses.  After taking Ted to pick up his car Tuesday I spent time in the office tieing up loose ends on several irons I have in the fire.  I am still working with the lawyer about our trust, etc.  I set up a Gift to Minors account for CeCe, my calendar is filling up with holiday happenings so cleaning schedules are moving around.  I am hot and heavy into Amazon Christmas shopping and looking at Holy Land cruises for next fall.  I need to study Middle East maps better to determine where places are I want to see in relation to each other and distances from ports.  

I am off my hormone therapy for two weeks again.  Then I start on a new one.  If I have the muscle and joint pain with it after two weeks, I am to add Claritin for two weeks.  We will keep at it until we find the best one I can tolerate.  I have 4 more years so the sooner I get it right, the easier life will be.  

Ted had an eye appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday I went to a Girl’s Night out for only the second time.  Nice visiting with friends I have not seen in awhile.  I screwed up marking my calendar and wrote the Probate Class on the wrong day!  Wrote the right info in the wrong box!  So I will be attending the rescheduled one when it is offered.  Nancy and I did attend our last Doc Talk series on Friday.  We learned a lot about balance, exercises, eyesight and how it affects falls.  Memorial Hermann hospital experienced 1800 falls last year, more than half over age 65.  Biggest cause - hanging Christmas lights and cleaning gutters.  Interesting and some good info.

We have zeroed in on a cruise, Oceania Nautica from Barcelona to Dubai next November.  It was almost entirely booked already with only 3 levels having availability.  We chose the middle Concierge Level that includes a few extra perks.  I now have another thing on my desk, along with my Christmas cards that have arrived.

We are going to friends for Thanksgiving and I have four pies to bake, fresh cranberry relish and sweet potatoes to make also.  I will be busy Wednesday and Thursday morning.  Enjoy your day.  

  

Our Astros Won the World Series

I think the 6th inning of Game #6 of the World Series was the most exciting inning in Major League Baseball!  Ted wouldn’t watch because he feels he jinxes them.  When they got down to the last two strikes in the final inning I told him he needed to watch it.  He was in time to see Kyle Tucker catch that last fly out!  Such excitement.

It is only the first part of November and I feel like the holidays are breathing down my neck!  I really don’t think I have so much to do but if the past is any indication, reality will catch up with me.  I have to decide upon my days for decorating.  It won’t be extensive but Kelly, Pat and Cassie are coming so I will do some.  It may all sit there until I return in March, but such is life.  

Shopping will be gifts sent directly to Kara.  She did my wrapping last year and with 5 of us in Texas, only 8 will be in Michigan.  Each gets a gift and then an envelope and Kara doesn’t mind she says.  She likes wrapping gifts!  I have ordered Kelly’s and Cassie’s gifts purchased.  Pat will procrastinate!  

Ted worked two outings at the gun club this past week, we both participated in a zoom meeting with the estate lawyer and I had a doctor appointment.  We visited with Jay and Stella in Conroe while they were in the area for an RV rally.  They are heading to Mission TX so we will see them again soon.  We decided to go for a late lunch at a local BBQ.  We had to call to be sure they were open on a Sunday.  Ted asked Siri for the phone number for Yo Mama’s BBQ.  Siri asked “Do you mean Your Mother’s BBQ?”  We all had a good laugh … and she found the phone number!  

I played 3-13 on Tuesday and came in second, winning my $1 back!  Such high stakes!  On Wednesday Judie, Nancy and I all had the same class at Lone Star College but had been advised there would be an Active Shooter Drill.  We waited outside rather than having to take the stairs twice.  When nothing happened we went in and learned it had been cancelled.  So much for communication.  

We were expecting our Israeli neighbors for an evening visit so I went to H‑E‑B to get some snacks.  Then they called and changed the visit to Thursday evening!  We’re home in the evening so it didn’t matter.  They are on their way to Punta Cana on Saturday!  They keep us apprised of their comings and goings and quite frequently we handle mail, packages, yard and trash duty.  

Kara’s new jobs has some entertainment perks and Bill was thrilled to go to the Red Wings with seats a few rows back from the ice at the blue line.  Dinner was included.  I remember those days when I worked at Hoechst in Michigan.  I was in charge of Red Wing, Lions, Tigers and Pine Knob season tickets and my popularity with employees was off the charts!  My problem was I didn’t know who some of the entertainers were.  Smashing Pumpkins?  Red Hot Chili Peppers?  Frank Sinatra?  Him I knew!  It was a fun part of my Facility Manager job. 

Our neighborhood monthly luncheon was at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Casa Medina.  There were only six of us but smaller groups allow for more talking that can be heard by all.  Only Barbara has a November birthday and she came in spite of having knee replacement surgery today!  I was the planner so I brought cupcakes to celebrate.  

I invited Nancy to join us with Rafi and Soshi in the evening.  We had a great time discussing local things, traveling, etc.  I had a nice choice of snacks and drinks and it all went well.

Friday was errand day so Ted and I left for Sam’s to get our new members’  cards, bought some Guinness hoping it is as good as what you get in Ireland, protein drinks and put gas in my car.  We buy just a few things at Sam’s but we like the gas prices and the access to food stuff when we have company.  

Our weather has cooled and it is raining!

Company is Here!

I enjoyed my three days alone while getting ready for our company. There really wasn’t much to do besides food shopping and mentally planning meals and outings.

It took us 1.75 hours to get through Houston traffic to Galveston but a lot of that was due to morning rush hour.  Timing worked great because we had just pulled over into a spot to determine where we needed to go to pick Steve and Keith up when we received a text where they were.  Despite the traffic guard telling me he didn’t know if we could drive up in front of the terminal, we did just that.  So did many others.  We went to letter M as directed and we were off in minutes!  Not sure what that yellow vested guy’s job really is!

We got situated at home while getting caught up.  It has been 1.5 years since the last reunion since we have seen them.  They have been non stop on cruises using up all the credits from the Covid shut down.  By next year I think they will have seen most of the world!

In late afternoon we went to Hughes Landing/Restaurant Row and hopped on the free trolley for a spin around our commercial area that is tucked in among all the  trees/landscaping and the waterway.  We then visited a new restaurant that had mailed out B1G1F coupons and was convenient to where we were parked!  None of us were overly impressed.  Burgers were ok but you wonder what is up when the napkins and salt and pepper have to be asked for!  

Then we sat at the bandshell for about 45 minutes listening to a local country western performer.  The lawn chairs were not friendly to my back so we didn’t stay real long.  And I was tired!  So much so I fell asleep on the couch almost immediately!

Friday we went to the Prison Museum in a terrific rainstorm.  We stopped at City Hall Texas Cafe for a bite of lunch. It was decent food and quite a decor to enjoy.  

There were 3 wrecks on the highway on the way home. We were expected at Irene’s at 5 pm for happy hour to look at Irene’s superb Christmas decorations that are already up.  Her “happy hour” was a full blown casual meal featuring brisket sliders! 

Saturday we visited Old Town Spring that was having Trick or Treat for kids and boy was it crowded!  We left so Ted and I could attend Mass.  When we came home we had Skyline chili and played Mexican Train. Of course Ted won, he always does!

Sunday we just hung out and I fixed a big pork tenderloin dinner.  

Monday was a big breakfast because we were having an early dinner and no time for lunch.  We visited Barry and Gerre that Keith and Steve met when we all took a trans Atlantic cruise about 4 years ago.  We had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant after discussing possible cruise adventures in the future  

Tuesday was a busy day!  We left at 9:30 for the airport with no problems  The boys had plenty of time and arrived home safely after a layover in Charlotte.

Because it was a holyday, we attended Mass at Sacred Heart church at noon.  Then we took the car to have brakes put on and proceeded to dress for dinner and cards at the country club.  Again, Ted won and I didn’t.

Here are a few photos of CeCe’s Halloween.  She had mom, dad, Cassie and Morgan as part of her entourage!  She had the knock-knock, Trick or Treat and thank you down pat!  She enjoyed her loot!

Things should be a little less hectic for awhile!