Our (Un)Excellent Adventure

Last Wednesday I attended our Forum Holiday Party.  It was held close to home this year which made it even nicer for me.  Afterwards, I separated all the gifts donated into piles of "one for you, one for me" until we had two equal (as best we could) piles to be loaded into vans to be taken to two local charities.

The next morning I worked at the Nursing Home Christmas party and afterwards intended to take the gifts from the night before to one of the proper places.  Judy was taking the others.  While Sandra and I were blowing up balloons, she said she would just take them since they were all in her SUV and she lives down that way and I don't.  It made sense, so I agreed.

Our Merry Melodies sang lots of Christmas Carols to entertain the folks.  It is so interesting to watch those residents that do not communicate normally mouth the words to the songs.  I had lots of fun with one lady who took great pride in singing along with me showing me that she remembered all the words.  When I looked up from bending over her wheelchair I noticed everyone standing against the walls and I was the only one standing among the residents during the performance.  One of our singers came over afterwards and thanked me for singing along.  Good thing she couldn't really hear me!

We intended to head to Chanute, KS on Saturday but the weather was really bad with the ice storm so we waited until Sunday.  Well the weather was OK by then but what was on the ground north of Dallas wasn't.  I have my doubts that there is a snow plow in NE Texas!  The road from Richardson to Sherman was all ice and overpasses were the worst.  We saw tractor trailers off the road, a Greyhound bus and numerous cars scattered hither and yon.  It took us two hours to go 7 miles at one point.  Ted did a fantastic job of driving ... considering he was pulling our RV!

We reached Durant OK and found the casino campground covered in about 3 inches of ice.  We sort of slid into our spot.  Ted hooked up the electric, fired up the propane furnace and we ate our lunch leftovers for dinner.  We were on our way to pick up our new 2014 Mobile Suites 5th wheel and had emptied the old trailer to minimize time switching things out.  This was supposed to be a quick trip up and back!  So we found ourselves stuck with no extra blankets, no space heater if the propane ran out and only some canned food.  We were afraid to unhook for fear of not being able to back up to hook up to leave.

The campground between our spot and the office.

We knew we were not going anywhere on Monday so we thought we would call the casino shuttle and go to eat at the casino.  Wrong!  The shuttles were not running.  Lucky for us the manager of the KOA campground took us in his SUV to the casino, came back to pick us up and even took us to the Valero to pick up a few things to tide us over.  Our other problem was we had no water because the hose would freeze and Ted had winterized our tanks.  I was unable to negotiate the ice so Ted had to keep walking me to the office to the bathroom!  Fun! 

Tuesday Ted spread about 100 lbs. of de-icer in the path we needed to leave the campground.  Major roads were cleared but getting to them could have been tricky.  When we tried to leave, the wheels just spun!  So he put de-icer around our tires and we were able to get a running start and didn't stop until we were on the cleared road.

The trip into Kansas was uneventful and we were able to do the paperwork and pay for our purchase in just a few minutes.  Then we spent about two hours going over the unit and moving some things we had with us.

We chose to spend the night in a motel and the next morning spent three hours finishing up learning the ins and outs of the trailer, moved our dishes and were on our way.  We spent Wednesday night back in Durant and the ice was gone!  I did write KOA praising their manager for going Above and Beyond for us.

Here are some photos of the inside.  The refrigerator blows my mind.  It is bigger and fancier than mine at home!  The improvements are Independent suspension, body paint, bigger TV that stows behind the fireplace and raises up to watch, a way fancier kitchen, beautiful storage in the bedroom.  So far we are really pleased.

On the right is a fireplace you can't see and the space above is where the 46 inch TV comes up.

 

Behind those mirrored doors is a cedar lined walk in closet.

We arrived home mid-afternoon and parked the RV at the storage facility.  It is so dirty on the outside!  We are busy this next week but when Tom and Eileen arrive we will join them at the campground where Ted will wash it and I will put away the rest of our things that are sitting in a bedroom and the garage right now.

Thank you, Santa!  And praise to our Savior for the blessings he has bestowed on us.  

Just Coasting 'Til Christmas

We had a lovely Thanksgiving at Irene and John's.  John's son and his family were there as well as another couple, Wayne and Pam, that we are friends with.  The 11 of us enjoyed a terrific meal and then the adults played cards.  Ted was with three women, I was with three men!  Not sure how that happened.  Anyway, I had terrific cards, got a Shanghai on the last hand and won with just 8 points for the entire set.

We stopped at Ulta on the way home and bought the sale items.  It was a long wait to check out but parking and crowds were no problem.

We joined Sherida, John, Gerre and Barry for dinner prior to seeing the play It's A Wonderful Life on Friday evening.  We learned this classic did not become popular as a holiday movie until the early 70s.  We all thought it was an instant Christmas hit.  Not so.

Our weather has improved and we are back in the 70s but another storm is heading this way and cold temps and wintry mix north of us is predicted for the weekend.  Then things warm up again.  Crazy weather!

I did my minimal decorating- sideboard in the breakfast area, front porch and my Texas Christmas tree.  That's it folks!  Chris will be back in residence as we head out 12/27 and putting decorations away before I go just isn't on my radar!  The stable was made circa 1930 by my grandfather out of a wooden Werk's Tag Soap box.  The tree was a departing gift from my best friend when we left Florida for Texas.  

Ted headed back to Dallas and I finished up packing the boxes that need to be shipped.  I need one more box and thought I could use the one I was expecting from UPS yesterday, but it never arrived.  Their records indicate it was delivered just before 7:00 last night but we were both home, the doorbell did not ring and there is no box!  I sent an email to Customer Service so we will see what today brings. 

I did work the Senior's Christmas luncheon yesterday.  About 200 were in attendance.  I always see our old friend Joanne who attends.  She and her husband were camping friends until he had a stroke.  She is now walking with a cane.  They played bingo, had lunch and were entertained by a singer.  He had a thick Cajun accent and a bad sound system which made hearing difficult.  He was having a hard time getting the audience to sing along because they couldn't understand him.  We all decided to form a chorus line to sing and dance to help him out which the audience enjoyed very much.  I never knew I could follow so many impromptu dance steps!  What a fun time we all had.  

I brought home a dozen tablecloths that are all laundered and on hangers ready to go back already.  Tonight is our holiday party and I will hand off the tablecloths to Linda so they have them for next time.  After the party I will load up half the donated toys for delivery tomorrow to the Assistance Ministries.  Sandy and I are both working at the nursing home in the morning and will leave from there to deliver the toys.  

By Friday I will be ready to put my feet up.  I am just hoping that box shows up and I can use it to mail that one last gift box!

Brrrrrr

Nothing much to report here.  Ted went to Dallas last week on business and I worked at a huge funeral luncheon at church.  I did my Christmas shopping, some at the mall and some on the computer, and as soon as two packages arrive I can pack it all up and send it off and I'm done!   I made our Christmas cards using amazingmail.com and they will mail them out in about two weeks.  Decorations will be minimal.  Only Tom and Eileen will be here and she is on the same page with me on decorating.

It turned very cold and rainy for several days and I just stayed home doing laundry and stuff.  I don't think I left the house for three straight days at one point.  That may be a record.  Today dawned with blue sky and sunshine but in the 30s!  Enough is enough.  We are due to get our 70s back by next week thank goodness.

I am making a pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes to take to Irene's tomorrow.  We are playing cards after dinner and we may try to get into Ulta after 8 pm for some hair care products on sale.  I won't fight crowds so if it is too busy, I will just skip it.

I have a busy schedule next week and Ted has to return to Dallas.  Hopefully, we will have a more exciting post next time.

Oops!

I was trying to make one post using photos from the I-Pad and the camera and it wouldn't let me, i.e., I don't know how!  So here is the rest of the story.

Sunday Ted and I went to our old parish for early Mass.  Kelly said the girls could go to evening Mass when they got home.  We were delighted to see our old next door neighbors, a family from the next street, the church secretary, the education director and the past president of St. Ann's Council of Catholic Women.  Lots of hugs going around.  It was nice to be welcomed back.

The girls were up getting ready and packing up when we got back.  Their two day whirlwind trip to Florida was coming to a close.  We met the rest at Spice Restaurant on Lake Eola in downtown Orlando for brunch.  The weather was perfect and we sat outside in beautiful foliage surroundings watching the swan boats on the lake.  

There was an unusual visitor at the outdoor tables.  A kangaroo!  We thought maybe it was a wallaby but the owner said no.

Then it was off to the airport for Sheetal, Cassie and Ally.  Kara and Bill returned to Disney and after the airport run we headed to Larry's to fix dinner for and meet the best man and his wife.  Cooking in a bachelor's kitchen is not fun.  Two oven mitts but no other potholders, no baking dishes, no matching dishes, etc.  We made do and ended up with a pretty good dinner and a nice visit.  I made a list of kitchen items Kristin needs to add to her registry!  Her kitchen is only slightly better equipped than his.  

Larry's house is beautiful with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a pool.  Kristin will have no problem making this her home because she will be able to use most of her decorative items since there aren't many.  He does have a signed and numbered Andy Warhol print that caught Ted's eye right away.

I was exhausted by the time we got home and wasn't up for long.  Kristin came back home with the hair dryer but she doesn't have a curling iron so I decided to get my hair done as soon as I could get an appointment.

Monday we went to lunch at the Swamp House Grill on the St. John's River then decided to ride through the campground.  It has always been too tight for us to use but lo and behold they had used part of their storage area to put in a half dozen super sites that we will fit into.  They are not wide side to side but we would have a concrete patio surrounded by some low growing greenery.  We booked a spot for February and cancelled the one we had in Orange City.  We had stopped by to see that and it is all dirt, no asphalt or gravel.  We are just down the road from Kristin now.  We will have lots to do when we return in getting her moved and the house ready for sale.

Tuesday was a lazy day as we prepared to leave.  I had my hair done first thing by my old hairdresser.  Kristin was at work and we eventually let ourselves out and headed to the airport.  It was an easy flight home and I was glad to be back.  We are so used to staying in our RV that being away without it produces what I believe most others experience all the time while traveling.  People ask us if we are glad to be home but a trip in the RV with our home with us doesn't produce that sentiment.  It is hard to explain.

So now we move on to the holidays!

To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us...and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.  Thomas Merton quotes

Bob Jackson Show and Heading Home

After the shower on Saturday, we all went down to Disney to the Port Orleans Resort.  There are two sides, French Quarter and Riverside, but we were headed to the Roost River Lounge in the Riverside portion.  Bob Jackson has two shows and we wanted to get a good location for his 8:30 show.  We took three tables in the front and then had a drink.  Some went to the food court and brought their purchases back, others ordered from the somewhat limited appetizer menu in the lounge.  I was not hungry and just had my one glass of Riesling.

A bit before the show Bob came out to meet his audience.  He picked up on our two engaged couples Larry & Kristin and Bill & Kara, but somewhere along the way they became Mike and Tara!  He remembered Ted and "the two girls from Michigan" Cassie and Ally.

His show is ragtime piano playing and audience participation.  He would invite people up and then call for Larry & Kristin, Mike & Tara, the girls from Michigan to come up to join him.  I don't think he did one participation portion without inviting them all up.  Poor Larry even got a part where he had to run up and down in front of the bar for some reason, holding his fingers around his eyes like binoculars.

The show was an hour and a half and the most fun we have had in a long time.  We all joined in doing the hokey pokey, conga line, YMCA, Rockettes kicking line up, etc.  Bob is one heck of an entertainer.

I would recommend this show to anyone visiting Disney.  It is family friendly and fun for young and old alike.  There is no cover charge and prices are not bad.  My glass of Riesling was $9, in line with the standard Disney upcharge for what you get.  But it was worth it!!!

Bob with Ally looking on.

Bill, Kara and Cassie turning themselves around during the Hokey Pokey.

Larry getting ready for his "binocular run."

Kristin, Cassie, Kara, Ally, Me, Sheetal getting ready to do the famous Rockette kick.  Right!

Ted, Larry and Bill doing YMCA

Spectacular Saturday

Friday we picked up Cassie, Ally and Sheetal at the airport before joining Larry's aunt and sister for dinner.  The girls stayed with us while Kristin and Sheetal stayed at Larry's.   Saturday was busy getting everyone ready, all the gifts and prizes to Aunt Maureen's and helping get things set up for the shower. Eileen drove us and Tom rode with Ted to pick up the catering a bit later so it would arrive for lunch.  Kara and Bill flew in that morning and met up with us.   The men sat on the patio watching football while the shower went on.

Attendees minus Laura and Gisele who had to leave early.

The Bride and Maid of Honor

The Bride and Groom

Kara, Kristin, me, Cassie and Ally

Lovely home on a beautiful lake.  

Paintings by Larry's aunt

It was a huge success and I was so blessed to have two sisters, two daughters and two granddaughters in attendance.  Larry's family could not have been more  gracious and we are so grateful to them for opening their home.

But we had all of Saturday evening to continue celebrating.  We went to River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside at Disney to see the Bob Jackson show.  I need to download some photos so I will leave you with our group photo with Bob and you'll have to wait to see the rest next time! 

Busy, busy Week!

We had a terrific flight on Southwest to Orlando.  This airline knows how to do it right.  No charge for the first bag so no one is dragging the kitchen sink aboard.  Orderly boarding in increments.  Up, up and away on time.  We had a real salesman at Hertz who woukd have doubled our costs if we would have let him.  Did we want to rent a Sun Pass, GPS, car seat, pay for gas, take out insurance, etc.  Nope!  We are good to go.  It was 8:00 by the time we made it to Kristin's.

Wednesday we had our laundry list of errands.  I needed to buy prizes for the shower games and lots of wrapping paper.  I had 10 gifts that had been delivered to Larry's to wrap and then 8 prizes to wrap once they were purchased.  Meanwhile we were pulling anchors out of the walls and patching them where Kristin has moved things from here to Larry's.  For dinner we met up at Terra Mia for dinner.  The shower was being catered from there so they wanted us to try it.  We were pretty tired when we got home but we watched the DVR of Survivor before hitting the hay.

We were out of the house by 8:15 Thursday to deliver the cats to the groomer.  They are long hair Persians so cat hair is a nightmare.  They also had been hacking the proverbial hairballs so they were going to get the lion cut.  

We proceeded to Larry's and took off with another list of errands.  We dropped off fake pearls for the waist decoration on the wedding dress cupcakes for the shower.  I had emailed a photo to Larry who took it to Publix to see if they could duplicate it.  They asked for a decoration for the waist.  I found an  old  Mardi Gras necklace, cut it apart and tied the ends to keep the pearls on.  After a washing, they were ready to go.  They finished it off with shimmery sprinkles and it was a hit!

Next we had to deliver witness statements, baptismal certificates and pre-Cana documentation to St. Stephen's Church.  That was a quick visit but productive in that our questions concerning what they need to do regarding readings, songs, participants, etc. were answered.  They seem to be on course with all of that.

Next up was tuxedo measurement time for Ted and Larry.  It was fun sitting back and watching men pick and  choose while getting measured.  Usually men are sitting watching women model what they are trying on.  

We stopped at Terra Mia's larger restaurant to order the food for Saturday.  They told us we would have to pick it up at the one we ate at because they don't open until 5:00 on Saturdays.  Kristin thought only the larger one did the catering.  Whatever!  They called and made all arrangements for us.

Finally we went to pick up the cats.  Oh my!  We didn't know if we should laugh or cry.   Mango was growling at Maisy because he didn't recognize her.  Good thing he doesn't have a mirror!

I must say that the cat hair flying around has diminished considerably.

We ate dinner at the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner will be.  It is a sports bar in downtown Orlando on a trendy street near the Church Street Station area frequented by the younger set.  With 60 expected, we chose to keep it casual and fun.  The food was really good so we thought so far, so good.

Friday was the big day for food tasting at The Citrus Club.  It is as lovely as we remembered it and the service was impeccable.  We chose 5 appetizers to try and settled on 3.  We had 2 salads and chose our favorite.  We each had a different entrée and chose 2 of  those plus one that was not available that day.  We were 3 for 3 on restaurant choices. 

We went to Larry's and eventually met up with his Aunt Irene and sister Maureen.  They are such a wonderful family.   They think the world of Larry and are quite taken with Kristin.  They both are bringing lots of support to this marriage.  Saturday was the big day and I will share that next time.

To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on the miraculous.

~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Free Time

We came home Monday after an enjoyable and productive week out in the RV.  We love spending time with Tommy and Susan.  It has been since The National in Nashville in 2012 that we have been with the Dallas folks.  And to add to that, the rig was washed and waxed, the rugs were cleaned and my cabinets were rearranged so hopefully no more broken dishes.  We are ready to roll.

We had planned a trip to Florida awhile back and since I didn't know if we were traveling in the RV which takes the most time, by car which takes a bit less or flying, I kept this past week open.  That gave me Monday and Tuesday to put away what we brought home, to go through the mail and do "paperwork."  Wednesday I did laundry all day.  I swear somone puts their clothes in with ours.  Two people shouldn't produce so much dirty laundry.  I think it's the same guy who alters our clothes while they are hanging in the closet and makes mine smaller and Ted's bigger!

Today I worked at the Children's Festival here where we live.  Over 3000 children are bussed in to see the programs and visit the exhibits.  It is like herding cats.  The teachers and chaporones do a great job of keeping their classes together but we had 5 buses from one school for a total of a couple hundred kids we were responsible for.  Each school is different and volunteers are assigned accordingly.  We lucked out in that our children remained in the same spot for all activities including lunch.  This may have been because we had an additional mini busload of special needs children including wheelchairs.

Once we got them settled, handled bathroom and first aid directions, determined where to send the special needs for diaper changes, and brought chairs into the handicapped area for those teachers, we were able to sit back and enjoy the shows.  At lunch we distributed trash bags and gathered that up.  After the final show one of our group took the special needs to their bus while the remaining three of us kept almost 300 people together, out of their seats and funneled to the same aisle, down the steps, across the plaza, out the gate and around the corner to the 5 waiting buses.  All the time walking next to another school and keeping them in their correct line.  I was doing the middle and did a lot of back and forth along the line to accomplish tnis.

My last two duties were to hold up a bus so a special needs bus could get into the correct school district bus line and take a jacket back to first aid that we got for a Down's Syndrome little girl who was cold.  I have to mention the patience and dedication of the special ed teachers as well as all of the teachers.  I know I would have been a terrible teacher.  I just don't have the patience.  They seem to take all that exuberance and noise in stride.  God bless them.

We have turned one of our guest rooms over to Chris.  He now has the closet and chest of drawers in one guest room so he can move in and out easily.  He even has a hamper.  We have a very aggressive travel schedule in 2014 and we all agreed this will work best. 

Hair, nails, church, cards, more cards and packing will occupy my weekend and Monday.   We fly to Orlando on Tuesday for Kristin's wedding shower.  We also are tasting rehearsal and reception food, meeting Larry's family, getting Ted's tux, getting my dress hemmed, etc.  My two granddaughters are flying in and another daughter is coming also.  We are taking them all to a show at Port Orleans at Disney on Saturday night.  They are only there for two days so we want to see they have a good time in that short window.

Next time I will have some photos from Florida!

A Week's Vacation

We knew we would be coming and going this week but that didn't detract from our week with Tommy and Susan and the Dallas HitchHikers.  The ladies were attending classes at the quilt show and Susan was working so there was plenty of time to do whatever. 

I made chicken soup for dinner on Wednesday while Ted was gone and we shared it with Tommy and Susan.  We ate inside because everything outside was wet from the rain.  Ted was tired after getting up two days in a row at 5 am so it was an early night.

Thursday was the start of the rally and we had breakfast in the rally room at 9.  It was my day to play Shanghai so at noon I headed there.  And I won, coming in second.  I hurried home because there was a potluck at 5:30 and I had sweet potatoes to bake.  There is always too much food but it is always really good.  The gals taught me a new card game, 2500.  Now I will have to teach the others I play cards with.  I don't know how I did that first time playing but I know I didn't win.

Friday we attended church after spending 45 minutes in traffic for a 10 minute trip.  Apparently there was a wreck at the interchange we had to go through.  Ted made a pulled pork shoulder and we ate lunch outside with Tommy and Susan.  At 5:30 we had to meet the other group at the Mexican restaurant.  I wasn't the least bit hungry but they sent one of the fellows to tell us they had arrived from downtown and to come over, so we went.  I ordered a half quesadilla from the appetizer menu and managed to eat that.  We gathered in the rally room afterwards until it started to rain again when everyone headed home.  

Today we were invited to lunch at Tommy and Susan's for taco soup.  Our friends Dee and Ricky came by and ate with us but couldn't stay long.  Then Tommy decided we needed to go look at motorhomes!  They certainly are beautiful but just don't have the warmth and coziness of our 5th wheel.  I think we have one more unit in our future but I'm not sure just when or what it will be.

We tried to see Rita and Jim's new Mobile Suites but they were out and about somewhere.  So we stopped at Judy and Warren's to talk to them about the Mobile Suites they are picking up in February.  HitchHiker is out of production and Mobile Suites or Excel top our list.  But like I said, we have no timetable for replacing our 2008 HitchHiker.

We returned and watched college football until 6 pm when we met the group again at a local historic restaurant.  We came back and played cards. This time I came in second.  Not bad for only my second time.

We went to church at 7:30 Sunday morning since our bodies believed it was 8:30.  Fall back is a lot easier than spring forward.  We decided to stay one extra day because Ted had the RV washed and waxed by a company.  Also there was a Welcome Back Winter Texans party in the afternoon.  Once the washing was underway, Ted left to shoot and I called the kids and then took a nap.

We attended the gathering to welcome back all those who call this place home during the winter.  Of course we are friends with many of them.  We had an opportunity to talk with Gwen the owner.  It seems she was given the impression we were going to buy a motorhome!   That Tommy!!

We did get to see Rita and Jim's rig.  We toured the Mobile Suites factory in Howe, IN in 2009.  Ted was impressed with the fit and finish at that time.  I guess you'll know when we know if we are going to bite the bullet one more time.  I at least wrote the check for this one without getting a sick migraine!

We head home tomorrow.  I think the RV will stay put until December but then who knows what could come up?

The Green, Green Grass of Home

We have had an inordinate amount of rain since our return and it is as green as springtime around here.  I usually stop my grass cutting every week around the first of November but I may need to continue it a bit longer.  We have it cut every other week over the winter.  The grass isn't really growing but it can get messy with pine needles and such so it is nice to get the yard tidied up at least every other week.

Friday we decided to vote early and then ride to the campground to change our reservation to Monday from Wednesday.  Gwen and Melissa in the office were delighted to see us, and us them!  It has been awhile since we've camped here.  Afterwards we stopped by Tommy and Susan's site and ended up visiting so long we ate supper at Red Robin because it was too late to fire up the grill at home.

When I checked my email that evening I had an email from the county court clerk saying my service was not needed and thanked me!  Now it was easier to plan for our week.

Saturday we went to church at 5:00 and then came home to put on our costumes for the party we were invited to.  We were going to be Amish farmers but I never found suspenders so we opted to go as Hawaiian tourists.  Ted wore yellow shorts with a yellow and blue Aloha shirt with a lei.  I wore a white caftan with pink and lavender flowers, a lei and a flower in my hair.  It wasn't too original since Dick and Jeanette had on their Aloha outfits too!

Here are some of the ladies and gents.

We had Cleopatra.

And Davy Crockett.

The winners of the costume contest.

Ted

Me

We had a fun time with our friends.  Jeanette's kids came as Scooby Doo and the teens who ran with him as well as a butterfly and a tiger.  Great costumes.

Sunday I went to the grocery to prepare for our week out in the RV and Ted went shooting.  On Monday we split up and he went for fuel and to hook up while I drove my car over to the campground.  We arrived together (great timing!) and got set up.  Tommy was there to meet us as well as Harley from the Dallas group.

We visited some, had dinner and watched Dancing With The Stars later that evening.  Tuesday Ted had to go to the Chronicle and I went to Junior Forum to help prepare the Holiday Party invitations for bulk mailing.  I arrived back way before Ted and visited with Tommy, Nick and Fallon for the afternoon.

When Ted returned he said he had to get dressed, turned around and went back down to dinner with his fellow employees who were in town.  And he had to go back down this morning and has just returned at 4:30.  He is not used to putting in such long two day periods.

Today I cleaned the carpets and rearranged my cabinets to avoid the disaster we had when all my corning ware flew out and broke.  I made chicken soup and we are having Tommy and Susan over for dinner after eveyrone has their nap.

Tomorrow Ted is home and we have a rally breakfast at 9:00, I play cards at noon and then a potluck at 5:30.  I hope I get back in time to get my sweet potatoes peeled and baked in time for dinner!  Our week is going by quickly.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Happy HallowThankMas

Well I have seen the first Christmas commercial from Pet Smart, Halloween decorations are all over the place and we have an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner (woohoo!).  I ordered my first two Christmas presents on Amazon this morning.  So the season of HallowThankMas has officially begun.

We have been going to church on Sunday mornings the past few weeks.  On occasion it is because we have to be somewhere before we would get out on Saturday and sometimes we just don't feel like stopping what we are doing. Ted likes college football on Saturday and if we go at 9 am on Sunday he can see the professional football games too.  Yippee!  (I really need a sarcasm font.)

So this past weekend we went to church Sunday morning, watched football and then joined the Dining Out group for dinner at a local restaurant.  Even though it was Mexican I ordered talapia and it was excellent.  

We had a huge funeral at our church on Monday for a doctor killed on his bicycle when a truck backed out and hit him.  He was a department head at a very big hospital here and we knew many would attend.  I had my bunco group meeting so I got up early, made 24 chicken salad sandwiches and delivered them along with two gallons of iced tea for the reception.  I offered to return after bunco to help with clean up but they said they had plenty of help.  There is another memorial funeral Monday, 11/4, so I will try to keep my calendar clear and be available.

I did learn that I could get a job as a barmaid at the Hofbrau Haus because I carried two gallons of tea (16 lbs.) with one hand and the sandwiches with the other from my car to the kitchen at church.  Those beer steins would be no problem.

Tuesday was laundry day and Tucker was picked up to go home.  He was so excited when they came for him.  Wouldn't it be great if all our friends and family would be so excited to see us each and every time and show it with such enthusiasm?

Yesterday I worked the senior luncheon for Northwest Assistance Ministries.  It was another early morning wake up to be ready to leave at 7:45.   I arrived right at 8:30 as instructed and lo and behold the seniors were already showing up.  Some were already seated!  They were dressed in costumes but I never did hear who won the contest.  Global Warming was the most unique and I was the first to figure it out.  Believe me, that wasn't easy!

I had an appointment to get my hair cut, colored and highlighted.  It has been touch ups since last June so it was time for an overhaul.  This morning I got my nails done.  These are thought to be "lady of leisure" activities but I don't have much leisure and find it hard to work these appointments in.  It's a good thing I don't have lots of doctor appointments.  I just don't have time for that.

I met Gerre for lunch today to celebrate our birthdays.  They both were almost three weeks ago but she is as busy as I am.  She had Bible Study this morning and a doctor's appointment this afternoon so we had exactly one hour, 15 minutes for lunch.  I was able to go right from my nail appointment.

We had a nice visit and were joined by a lady I met last week at the Newcomers luncheon.  She was meeting someone but I think they had their times crossed.  I saw a lady waiting when I arrived but she left by the time Marie arrived.  At least I am not the only one who does stuff like that.

Ted went to Beaumont for work yesterday, came home while I was gone this morning, and left again to work an outing at the gun club before I got back from lunch.  Two ships passing in the night.

Tomorrow I have to call to see if I must report for jury duty on Monday.  Our whole week hinges on that answer.  We'll work it out.

In the End We Were Mudded Out

I played Canasta on Monday afternoon.  We only had 8 players but Michele had food for an army!  She has her hands so full with a husband with Alzheimers and a mother in Assisted Living.  And she was over helping her neighbor who had a flood under her kitchen sink.  There are definitely saints among us!  I ended up scoring in the middle again.  I don't think I have ever won in this group.  But it is always fun!

I was signed up for work at the Thrift Shop for four hours on Tuesday.  We all worked very hard and emptied two huge bins of donations while others sorted, tagged and hung clothes.  I also cut off buttons and went through all the baby onesies, sleepers, bibs and caps by size.  They get thrown together out in the store and need sorting periodically.  Some of the stuff we receive is mind boggling.  We had size 24 month brand new True Religion jeans and 2T Ralph Lauren shirts with $60 tags still attached.  There are some great deals to be had.

I stayed home on Wednesday to get some things done because I was going to be gone most of Thursday.  I agreed to attend the Newcomers luncheon to speak about my bunco group to new people coming in.  I didn't know how to dress like three dice so I just wore my Halloween sweater.  We had assigned seating so I met two new ladies.  I know fewer and fewer folks because people move through Newcomers and eventually come out the other side.  Some groups break off and go their separate way and a new activity group takes its place with new people.  Bunco has stood the test of time because it is such an ice breaker game where you can meet and talk to 11 ladies for a few hours.  Great friendships are started and nurtured.  I can't even guess how many ladies have moved through my group over the last 12 years.  The food was okay but I think they needed a side salad with the pasta.

At 3:30 Peg picked me up and we headed to Jeanne's for the Junior Forum Wine Extravaganza.  Pat, who I work funerals with at church, has agreed to take a look at Forum and planned to attend but she came down with a sinus infection.  Because we are hosting next year's Convention, there will be no Gala fundraiser next year.  A program has been developed to raise our funds and this Wine Party was the kick off.  There was a good turnout and $16,000 was raised.  We are hoping our commercial sponsors will step up after the first of the year to donate in the tax year they planned for.

I had a headache Friday morning and skipped a Forum meeting.  (I only had ONE glass of wine!).  Imagine my surprise when I got two messages telling me I was nominated for Volunteer of the Month!  I was shocked but honored.

By 5:30 my head was fine and we went with Sherida and John to dinner and to see Bus Stop as part of our play series.  They did a terrific job with the set and everyone did a superb job with their lines and acting.  We really enjoyed the performance.

Jennifer and I were signed up to do the CASA 5K run through Jones Forest Saturday morning.  We had our shirts on with our numbers pinned.  However, it has rained a lot and the roads and trails were a muddy mess.  We got stuck in the mud in the car twice and had to be pushed out and we hadn't even seen the start tent.  We made a decision that we had made a donation, got our shirt and we cut our losses and came home.  I can't even imagine how the parked cars made it out on a rutted one lane road with water standing on either side with nowhere to turn around.  To us, it just wasn't worth it.

So I stayed home the rest of Saturday and made dinner.  We attended church this morning.  Tucker has been here visiting since Thursday.  He will go home on Tuesday.  He is such a cuddler.

This morning our middle daughter ran the Detroit Newspapers half marathon from downtown Detroit, across the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Canada, along their riverfront and then through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel under the Detroit River back to the USA, a total of 13.1 miles.  Way to go.  We are so proud of her.

“The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” 
― John Bingham

 

Home Again, For Awhile Anyway

I was really whipped when I arrived home Monday evening.  All that partying and eating did me in.  Not to mention the marathons at the airports.  I feel for folks who have difficulty walking.  There are carts but sometimes they are hard to come by and they can only go gate to gate.  I noticed they have signs now that say Handicapped Only on them.  Getting through security or to a rental car bus entails lots of walking.  

Having forgotten my phone at home left me lots to get caught up on once I had my calendar available. Ted tracked it down once he got home and it was in my jeans pocket hanging in my closet.  He said it was like playing hide and seek with the phone!

Alison brought my new computer back all ready to go.  She loaded what was on the back-up flash drive but some more recent stuff hadn't been saved.  That made me use attachments from emails to get some documents current but I did all that.  The 27 inch monitor is big but because it contains everything, I was able get rid of the tower, speakers and microphone.  The keyboard and mouse are wireless.  It allowed me to take the fax machine off my desk and put it where the tower had been.  I like the new arrangement.  The resolution is phenominal.

I had lots of mail to handle including about two dozen birthday cards. This was a fun birthday!  My new motto is Every Day Above Ground Is A Good One, stolen from the Spring Funeral Museum.

I begged off Shanghai on Wednesday evening and was asleep before the 10 o'clock news came on.  By Thursday I was caught up and rested.  I had our neighborhood ladies luncheon to attend.  Ted had met the fellows the day before.  Eleven ladies came and there were four of us celebrating birthdays this month.  Jeanette made Halloween cupcakes and placed them in a spiral holder that created a cupcake tree.  Everyone liked the private room and food so much that Merry booked it for our Christmas luncheon in December.

Friday we decided to use two BIGIF coupons we had to eat a late lunch/early dinner at the mall.  We first ate at Jerry's Build A Burger then had a Blizzard at Dairy Queen.  I found the burgers too juicy (translation "greasy") and despite my burger being free and drinking water, our bill was almost $15 for Ted's burger, one order of french fries and his drink.  I doubt we'll go back there with or without coupons.  DQ is an occasional treat and I enjoyed my Butterfinger blizzard.

Saturday was rainy and a good day to stay in, watch some football and make a pot of chicken soup.  We played Shanghai at 6:30 and it was a nice break from the dreary weather.  There were just two tables of five.  Ted won at our table but I did have a Shanghai!  This game is so unpredictable.  I went out twice (0 points), got a Shanghai (0 points plus catching everyone with a whole hand), had 6 and 4 points in two other hands, but got caught not going down on one hand for 125 points and I ended up third out of five players!

We were up early Sunday to go to church at 9:00.  It was still raining so we watched football and ate the chicken soup I made for dinner.

Today starts another week.  Where does the time go?

“One of the greatest titles we can have is "old friend". We never appreciate how important old friends are until we are older. The problem is we need to start our old friendships when we are young. We then have to nurture and grow those friendships over our middle age when a busy life and changing geographies can cause us to neglect those friends. Today is the day to invest in those people we hope will call us 'old friend" in the years to come.” ~ Grant Fairley

Dual Road Trips

While Ted traveled to San Antonio, I attended an Activity Chair get together for our Newcomers Club.  I have been a member for so long that I no longer do much with the club but I do still have my Bunco group.  I didn't know at least half of the other Chairs.  It was a nice gathering and I enjoyed meeting the new ladies.

When the government shut down on Tuesday I decided I was non-essential and took the day off.  After all, I do get a government check each month in the form of Social Security even if it is my own money coming back to me.

I was up very early on Wednesday to make my 9:15 am flight to Cincinnati.  I parked off site, rode to the terminal, made it through security and had plenty of time before boarding.  I had to change planes in Dallas.  With one of their trains down it was necessary to ride in only one direction rather than the closest way around.  Soon after I got to my gate they changed it.  So I took my bag and hoofed it to the new gate!

I arrived in Cincinnati on time and had another long walk to the Hertz bus stop to go to the rental lot but that all went well and I was on my way.  I arrived at Karen's around 4:00 and was soon eating turtle soup and a pickle loaf sandwich, two of my favorites not easily available in Texas.

While I was traveling to Cincinnati, Ted was busy winning the World Championship 20 gauge Class C shoot snaring a trophy belt buckle and a 100 pin.  It almost always takes a perfect score to win because the competition is so tough.   Congratulations to Ted!

My friend Karen picked me up Thursday morning for what turned into a 4 hour breakfast.  I also ran into Ted's best man Joe at Bob Evans while eating.  Small town west Cincinnati!  

That evening my friend Donna picked me up for dinner with the St. Bonaventure group.  Ten people were in attendance and we had a great evening.  Donna brought a birthday cake and they all celebrated with me.   

Karen and I went shopping on Friday before Donna once again picked me up and we traveled to Mason OH to Mother of Mercy, Class of 1963, 50th reunion.  We had a class of 220 and about 80 were in attendance.  We learned 18 of our classmates are deceased and that really was a sobering event.  They left us all too soon.

Joe's wife, Judy, my Maid of Honor was there, as well as Carol who was also in my wedding and is my middle daughter's godmother.  I didn't get a photo of the three of us however.  I guess we were just all too busy talking.

The third Donna met us there and I did get a photo of the three of us.  We matched the record for length of friendship at 63 years since we started kindergarten together in 1950.  Most children was 8, most grandchildren 16, most great grandchildren 5.  Two other girls were there from Texas.  It was four hours of cocktails, dinner, great conversation and reminiscing.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

 

On Saturday we took it easy and went to church at 5 o'clock where I got to say hello to my sister-in-law's mother who was in attendance.  Then we went to the Bier House for dinner and we met our nephew and niece Joe and Debbie.  I was able to get hot bacon slaw, potato pancake and a pretzel bread stick.  Yum!  Yum!  Now this is Octoberfest food.

After a good night's sleep I met my niece Jill for a 3-hour lunch at LaRosa's Pizza, our gold standard for pizza.  It was so good.  But the company was better.  We had a real nice visit and discussed her attendance at Kristin's wedding.  We are excited she and her immediate family intend to attend.  They will bring my Dad health permitting.

Today I traveled home without incident.  I got the car back to Hertz, made it through security and was at my gate in plenty of time.  I had two hours between flights in Dallas so I used the time to eat dinner.  Good thing too because my flight was delayed, the bus for the parking lot took forever to arrive and it was close to 8:00 before I got home.

My new computer will be brought back today without any rescued info.  The hard drive will not work.  I have a few flash drives that have some stuff so Alison will work with them and some CDs with photos.  There was very little that was terribly important but reconstructing what I need will take some time.  Such is life.

The essence of nostalgia is an awareness that what has been will never be again.

 ~ Milton S. Eisenhower