Christmas 2022

Kelly, Pat and Cassie arrived safely on Friday, so that was a big relief.  I had made taco soup, cornbread and a fresh fruit pie in a chocolate crust for dessert.  Not knowing just when they would get in made this plan work best.  They settled in and Saturday we just visited and made preparations for our Christmas dinner.  

At 4:00 we went to a neighborhood restaurant not far from church where we were seated in about 10 minutes followed by prompt delivery of our food.  Every plate was cleaned so it was a good choice.  We arrived at church in plenty of time to park and get seats.  Masses were going to be said in the church, gym and brand new Chapel of  the Angels, our newest freestanding addition to the campus.  It filled up entirely as I am sure the other two venues did too.  It was my first glimpse at the new building and it is impressive with almost 30 relics displayed in individual monstrances along the south wall.  I will return to peruse them more closely at another time.  

We went home and opened presents so the mess would be over with and not dealt with Christmas morning.  I received two blouses that did not fit, one too big and one that fit but was not comfortable across the front.  Kelly and I will return them.  All the others fit, along with a white cotton cardigan to take to the Middle East where periodically I will need to cover my shoulders and wrists!  You all know how sexy my wrists are!?!  Kara gave me a cross body small purse to replace my last one that had the strap break and a cross body travel bag to put that white sweater in along with a scarf to cover my head, an umbrella for the sun, a water bottle, phone, etc. during our cruise.  

Monday we spent getting things back in order.  So much had been bought and brought, things were in need of being put where they belonged to regain a semblance of order.  After dinner we drove to Hockley to see the Gullo Christmas lights.  

Cassie was taking a bus to Austin on Tuesday so we stayed close to home.  Ted and Pat changed out our thermostat because we have been unable to use our phone to regulate it.  Something to do with a 3G thermometer and 5G router and phones.  Pat also replaced a switch in our bathroom that was not working properly.  They drove Cassie downtown to Greyhound and got her off.  She arrived safely and in time and was met by her friend.  This friend will take her to her Uncle Bob’s in Dallas to meet up with her folks on Friday.  Kelly and I took two gifts to Amazon Return at Kohl’s and made a stop for some groceries at Walmart.  Then the four of us went to Joe’s Italian for dinner. 

Wednesday was shooting for Pat and Ted with Ted’s buddies and Kelly and I headed to the Premium Outlet mall to Chico’s.  I had several things to return and wanted to buy two specific items if they were available.  We were told that a few of my items were from Chico Boutique vs. Chico Off the Rack.  So I returned what they accepted and bought a pair of “travelers” slacks to use when I have to pack my clothes.  I had my eye on a simple black sheath dress but they didn’t have it.  

So we stayed on 99 to 45 and went to the mall.  I was told there that the items didn’t come from there either!  I told them I mostly order on line and what I liked best was knowing my size and I didn’t pay much attention to which store because they send me about 16 emails a day!  So I came home with some of  the items, one of which MAY fit Alexa if they aren’t too big (size point 5) but the size one shorts will fit, I just didn’t need them.  While there, I tried on 2 dresses to see how they fit and the size one fit great so when I got home I went on line and ordered the black dress.  

Thursday is packing day … Pat and Kelly head to Dallas and we will be moving the motorhome to Woodlands Lake campground to get ready to leave.  I took all the pantry items and meds over and put them away.  Tomorrow we will do the cold food and the rest of our clothes.  

We have lost two friends recently, both unexpected.  The husband of a friend in both Forum and Newcomers who was a regular in my bunco group for 18 years lost her husband to a cerebral hemorrhage the week before Christmas.  Our neighbor for over 10 years right across the street from us down in Mission died in his sleep Christmas Eve.  It is so sad to lose someone so unexpectedly, especially during the holidays.

Closing In, Moving On

Things are ready with company arriving tomorrow.  Presents wrapped or sent where they need to be, cookies baked and given to recipients, cards under control, groceries purchased, decorations up, table set.  It is a less than formal presentation due to preparing my Mikasa Christmas dishes to be taken back to Michigan for Kelly.  I have white Fitz & Floyd that with red or green chargers, place mats and napkins will suffice for any company I would have.  We just don’t entertain much anymore.  

I played Canasta on Monday and once again did not move from my seat, but … I won my dollar back being last.  You keep changing partners so there is enough blame to go around!  

Tuesday we went to the lawyer’s to sign our new legal documents we had redone with a few new ones added.  Our 56, 53 and 49 year olds no longer need a guardian!  

I had two doctor appointments on Wednesday, first the GYN, second the oncology surgeon.  Everything is fine and he ordered some scar tape to use on the two spots where my drains had been.  They get rubbed and bother me.  He was delighted to wave my mammogram results in front of me even though I knew the great results immediately after the test.  I am now under the care of the medical oncologist only.  I see her in April.

I invited my friend Irene and her husband John to dinner for her birthday but they said they didn’t want me to go to that trouble and we would go out.  I said it was no trouble but they insisted.  Maybe it’s a comment on my cooking!  This from a guy who loves James Coney Island!  He and Ted shared Guinness while we talked before going to the restaurant.  

We did our big grocery shopping on Friday.  I am about out of refrigerator and freezer space.  H‑E‑B has what they call a Meal Deal each week.  If you buy the main course (protein) you get 5 free items.  It was the hams this week which I was buying anyway.  So I received mac & cheese, fresh green beans, napkins, fresh sweet potatoes and a half gallon of ice cream!  Nancy gave us a $5 coupon off a $75 basket which was easy to do!  In fact, I could have used two coupons.  

We went to church, Communion to our friends, and to Whataburger for a quick meal on Saturday.  I was ready to just get home and put my feet up!  

With so much done and no social event until Wednesday, our Sunday and Monday were “niggles” days - A bunch of little things that take five minutes if you only take time to do them.  Ted picked up our new legal documents and went to Office Max to have two copies made.  There was some mix up on using the lawyer’s system to print them at home.  Office Max was easier and they did an excellent job keeping the originals on top of the two copies in a big stack.  The originals were placed where they belong and he retrieved our passports at the same time.  We need them to return to the US from Mexico.  We kept one copy here and sent one to Kara.

I emptied the hamper since I will have enough with linens when the company leaves.  Four bags went out for paralyzed vets and my dish packing containers were brought out of the closet.  Hopefully we can get the service for 8 packed in them securely for their trip back to Michigan.

My last social event was the Newcomers December luncheon and fashion show.  Once again I got to see lots of old faces and met a few new ones.  Chico’s provided the clothes for the show but I shop there all the time and pretty much knew what to expect.  It was a salad and fresh fruit buffet with rolls and both tuna and chicken salad to make small sandwiches.  Good cheesecake for dessert.  No drink was offered other than water unless you wanted to go to the bar and buy something.  I found that a bit strange for a $35 lunch!  Whatever!

Kristin is in Michigan having changed her ticket from today to yesterday to avoid the cancelled flights.  Kelly and family have made it to Texarkana and will be in tomorrow.  

  

Cookies and More Cookies!

I found a lighted garland for our mantel but now am in search of a red candle!  There are none to be found.  I have boxes of candles and only one red taper!  That one elusive candle for the right side will finish it.  That’s it for decorations considering the kids leave 12/30 and we head out 1/1.  Getting the motorhome ready will take precedence over putting away decorations.  That little bit may still be there when we return in March. I doubt Nancy wants to do it!  Update:  Ted found a pair of red candles.  Project finished.  

It was a slow weekend after my whirlwind week so we went to church, took Communion to Jeanette and Dick and ate at the Mexican restaurant.  Then I made cookies!  Lots of cookies.  I am not sure what to do with them all.  I have some for my friend Irene, and of course Nancy, and I will take a box to our neighborhood luncheon on Thursday, but my freezer is stacked full!  I have no containers left.  I hope the kids tear into them.  

Tuesday was Shanghai and dinner at the country club and I came in second.  I hung on to a player (an 8) and threw an ace then had someone go out.  Those 8 points vs. 1 for an ace set me in second place.  But I won a few dollars.

Wednesday we went to Mass in the evening for the holyday because Thursday was going to be too busy to do it.  I had a breakfast at 10, lunch at 1 and dinner at 6.  Come morning I chose to skip the breakfast and take my time preparing for the other two outings.

I had my car hatch up at the lunch restaurant and it was filled with groceries after everyone arrived.  After a nice meal where I was gifted three boxes of tea and Christmas cups as lunch coordinator, we went to Jeanette’s for dessert and presents.  

I had taken a box of cookies and there was a peppermint chocolate cake.  I took a piece home for Ted.  We exchanged gifts and I had to run. I needed to change my top to my gold and black dressy sweater for my 6 o’clock dinner.  It was an hour away in Houston so I had to take the interstate, the toll road and head west along a major thoroughfare, but I made it in plenty of time to secure a table for our group.  There was a vote taken on having this dinner held as a luncheon in the daytime and that is what will happen next year I guess.  I saw so many people I have not seen all year because of my surgery, traveling and my back pain from my meds.  I had signed up for three things to work at but had to cancel because I knew I physically couldn’t do it.  I am delighted to report the new pill is not causing the joint pain problem but I did take it for 7 months before it did!  Time will tell!

Ted had to make a trip to church on Saturday to unload all the groceries in my car and then again on Sunday to turn in our “tree tag” gifts.  I had ordered 4 children’s puffy jackets from Macy’s and only two had arrived.  One was not coming until 12/29 and I was able to cancel it.  I have heard nothing about #4 so if it doesn’t come before we leave, I have given Nancy custody of it until next Christmas!  We went to Mass, took Communion to our friends, went out to eat, then home.  We laugh that we now come home at a time when we used to be going out!  

Sunday plans were to attend the German Christmas Market with Tommy and Susan but we awoke to rain and they bailed.  We also had told Jeanette and Dick we would take them to the Christmas Concert at First Baptist church.  He is 90, she is 80 and while she gets around fine, she is not comfortable taking him out alone because he is not steady on his feet.  She called and asked if we could go to dinner before since Dick has not been out except to his daughter’s in a long time.  Since we weren’t going to the Christmas Market, it was fine.

We chose a restaurant on the way to the church that had burgers to filets.  Everyone ordered something different and all plates were empty in the end.  Dick kept saying how much he was enjoying being out in a social setting.  Our neighbor, Debbie, a recent widow was so delighted to see we attended.  Otherwise, she would have had no one in attendance.  It is probably the best Christmas gift we are giving this year.

 

 

So Busy and Some Wonderful News

I had some trouble getting my haircut last week.  I was asked to come Saturday instead of Friday.  Because I have had trouble in the past with changes/cancellations, the last thing I did was check my phone.  No messages.  I drove a good half hour to get there only to find Cindy was not there and the only message she left was to tell some man she wasn’t coming in.  No message for me.  I was really upset!  If this was an isolated occurrence that would be one thing but it happens a lot.  I texted a message.  “I am leaving the salon and driving back to The Woodlands.”  I heard nothing until Tuesday “I will be back at the salon on Thursday.”  No apology, just an assumption I was going to be okay with it once again.  I never answered her and got a haircut elsewhere.  I won’t need a haircut until we are in Mission so I am good until sometime in April.  I will get my hair cut right before we come home.  I will worry about it then!

On Wednesday I had an 8:55 am mammogram with tomography at M D Anderson for a 35 minute appointment.  They took me in at 8:55, I left at 9:30.  I had to drive home two miles and the results were on My Chart when I arrived.  These folks never fail to impress me.  It was all good too!  Thank you, Lord Jesus.  

From there I went to a local restaurant’s party room for a holiday card party with lunch.  A group of 36 women were invited to attend.  It was great seeing so many friends, lunch was fine, but I didn’t win!  The overall winner had 11 points, the biggest loser, over 500!  I had almost 200 I think  

Thursday was a different group from Newcomers having lunch and taking a tour of the Tomball Historic Village.  What a pleasant surprise to learn of this jewel of a complex.  I didn’t even know it existed.

It was Forum Sustainers up on Friday.  We took Harris County precinct buses to Cartex, a lavish Christmas decorations business.  I looked for a new garland for the mantel but everything they had was so big!  It would be a great commercial property place to shop but I didn’t see anything that filled my need.  From there we went to the Houstonian Hotel complex.  Their penthouse was rented by George H W Bush and he used it as his TX residence while in the White House.   We ate in a stylish dining room with excellent service  and food that was very pricey.   This was the decoration in the lobby,

Meanwhile back at the ranch … I have been searching for  a cruise that would take us to Maastricht, The Netherlands to see the Andre Rieu Orchestra. First ship stopped when there was no concert, the second stopped in July and normally they perform the entire month.  I was so excited, was talking to a travel agent and then “boom” 4 days in July were deleted from the calendar, one of which was our dock date there! 

 

We gave up and said we will just wait until they post the US schedule which they did on Wednesday this past week.  Lo and behold there were two convenient for us cities - Detroit and Columbus!  The problem was when they went on sale at 10 am Friday, I was to be on a bus to Houston. I texted Kristin and Kara to see if they could try to get tickets. 

I waited and waited for her to respond and she called me on my way to Tomball on Thursday.  While working with the Red Wings folks reserving a suite and dinner at the arena to entertain customers, she asked the young man if he had access to the Andre Rieu tickets. He said “who”?  Then he remembered an email he had disregarded. Guess who now has two floor tickets, row 6, on the aisle at a $100 per ticket discount because of his colleague status!  And a day before they hit public sale. Our seats are right at the top of the orange F. 

What a great week I had!  Ted and the kids were all so delighted because this had been on the top of my bucket list for so long and Ted promised me would go wherever we needed to this year to see him. It couldn’t have been any better, date or city. We will just start our summer travels later and come home at the end of September instead of the beginning. 

 

 

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!

Ho Hum, Not Much Going On!

We had our neighborhood birthday lunch this past week.  Only Gail and I had birthdays this month but Jeanette made a carrot cake from scratch for all of us.  I even brought a piece home for Ted.  I got my haircut over the weekend before we went to church and that was about it through the weekend.

I am stressing over the kitchen cabinet refinishing.  I have had a dozen samples but I still have not zeroed in!  But I think I am getting close, down to about four.

The fence guy is still coming back after exams about landscaping the two back corners.  I guess the delay worked well for us though because the second internet company is in our neighborhood laying cable.  The box was put next door but cable will be laid in front of our new fence.  

I had a GYN appt and found out Dr L. who received my mammogram results last year and brought us in to give us the news, had heard nothing else from MDA.  It probably was because after the original hospital jerked me around for six weeks, I jumped ship to MDA and they just assumed my follow up care!  I will see if I can get him listed on my team.  It is best to keep everyone in the loop.  Even though MDA will take over my bi-yearly mammogram, there is still things for Dr. L to oversee.  

My second Doc Talk was canceled because the doctor presenter was ill.  That ruined my plans for attending and having lunch with Nancy!

Ted is in San Antonio shooting in Nationals with friends Tal and Gary.  The Ohio people didn’t come this year.  My brother had surgery and can’t shoot for six weeks, so the free Air BnB disappeared and one golf cart.  It got too costly with fuel too and they bailed.  Ted, Tal and Gary split the rented golf cart charge, stayed at Fairfield Inn and they are enjoying themselves.  

We are expecting Keith and Steve on Thursday when their ship docks in Galveston.  I have some things planned so maybe my next blog will be more interesting.  

Stay tuned!

An Amazing Visit

 

The house as we approached.  I think they said it was 20,000 sq. ft.  I did not take photos of the personal baths and bedrooms but they were exquisite.  

It 

The back “porch”,  pool and outdoor kitchen.  

The upstairs media room.

The downstairs rooms. 

A beautiful mural depicting Daniel in the lions’ den.  There were antique Stations of the Cross in large paintings from France flanking the upstairs hallway.  Several of them appear in our group photo.

We were treated like royalty from the time we arrived.

 

A view from the front steps of the beautiful grounds.

I did not take photos at the country club where we enjoyed a delightful lunch.  It is on the grounds of the old Tenneco valve and pipe location where they had a recreational park for employees until it was turned into a country club.  There was a bunker built in 1962 during the Bay of Pigs era which is now a wine cellar and event center.  We were able to tour it too.

All in all, a fabulous day!  We were bussed there on Harris County buses available to seniors so our day involved only buying our own lunch.  The owner of the home worked side by side with us ladies for 10 years as well as serving as president of CWJF for one year.  We serve seniors, children and families in the community, hoping to make a difference in their lives.