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.