The Year In Review

It seems like 2017 moved along a lot faster that previous years.  A time warp perhaps????  A lot has happened and we've been busy.  Life is good!

The year started out with a little work on the house; had all the trim wrapped and supposedly we will never have to have painting done again.

Then we got into February and March.  Cabin fever set in and we took a couple days to go to Myrtle Beach.  Nice trip and it got us through the rest of the nasty weather here.

Then it was time for regular check-ups and re-checks with our various doctors.  All was well until I had my mammogram and was told they found something.  I had something called PASH.  That ended up with me having surgery for removal of the small mass of irregular blood cells. Biopsy was good, nothing malignant. But that was followed up eleven days later with a massive hematoma that required further surgery.  Still don't know what caused all that, but I am okay.

Les had the "guys' golf trip" in early May.  He always enjoys that and I think uses it as practice for the Retirees Tournament.  I use it for "me time" and projects I want to do.  😊

A couple weeks later it was time for us to go to Myrtle Beach for the Tournament and we had a very nice time with our friends, and with the guys playing golf.

And then we were into June!  Jacquie and Pam gave us a party for our 50th Wedding Anniversary!  It was beautiful and we had a very nice time.  I had said if we had anything I didn't want fancy.  So it was at Jacquie's home in their large back yard, complete with a bounce house and water slide for the grandchildren.  Family and friends, can't ask for more!

Shortly after our party, Les and I left on our Western Road Trip.  We had been planning this for a few years.  The trip was wonderful!  Twenty-four days and 7,643 miles of seeing our great and beautiful country.  We went to many places that were new to us and also revisited some of our favorites.  I love our road trips!

The rest of the Summer was spent taking care of the house and yard, and just enjoying life.  And of course, golf for Les.

In September we went to Ohio to visit family and to attend my 50th High School reunion.  Because of the life we have lived, and moving around, we have not stayed in touch with classmates.  Les has with a few from his class, but I had not.  But, we went, and it was very nice!  And if there is another reunion, we will definitely go.

It was our year to go to Pam's for Thanksgiving, so we had a trip to Georgia and it was wonderful to see all of them.  She prepared a lovely meal and we had a nice time just visiting with them all.

And that brings us to December.  When we got home from Georgia, the activity started with decorating, baking, getting cards out, and finishing the shopping and wrapping, and just general catching up.  Les and I had a quiet Christmas.  Jacquie, Chris, and the girls went to Chris' Mom's for Christmas, so we had an early Christmas with them before they left.

And now a new year is beginning.  We've decided no big trip this year.  Les will still have the guys' golf trip and we will go to Myrtle Beach for two golf tournaments, but that will be it for travel this coming year.  We plan to do some work in our kitchen.  We're checking out contractors now.  We want new cabinets, probably a new counter top, and a new dishwasher.  And all that work will more than likely require some touch-up painting.  You know how it is - one thing leads to another.  😊

Time moves on, things change, we adjust.  But, life goes on, and life is good!  Stay safe!  God Bless America!  And Happy New Year! 

Bring On The Sun!!

Myrtle Beach sunrise, taken from our balcony on our last trip

I love Christmas!  I love the decorations, the lights, the music, the Christmas movies, the cookies, the cards, the gifts, the feelings of peace and joy, and being with family and friends.  It's all wonderful; and I enjoy it all from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas evening.

Those of you who know me well, know that I have often said I am ready for Summer on December 26th.  And that feeling involves getting the decorations down and lovingly put away until next year. 😊  And to be perfectly honest ---- the sooner, the better.

But alas!  The weather does not care what I want and it is Winter and it will be cold for a while. As I write this, it is very sunny, but only 34 degrees outside. It is freakin' cold!   But in my mind, I am already planning May's beach trip.  😎

Stay safe and God Bless America!  I am off to pack up some decorations!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Wishing everyone peace and joy and a wonderful Christmas!

Enjoy the day, stay safe, and God Bless America!

All Is Calm

All is well here.  Les is playing golf when the weather permits.  I am keeping busy.

We've been catching up on our recorded shows and have even started watching the final season of  "Longmire".  I wish they would change their mind and keep producing the show!

Here is Angus relaxing with me the other night while we watched TV.

As you can see, he was all snuggled in!

Stay safe and God Bless America!

May the Force Be With You!

In some un-Christmasy news, we went to see "The Last Jedi" yesterday!  Great movie!  Can't wait to see it again!

And here is a timely comic from Pearls Before Swine on that subject......

I was surprised that the theater was not crowded.  We were in the Dolby theater - the one where the seats vibrate from the sound.  :)

Stay safe and God Bless America!

A Beautiful New Decoration!

We received a package from Pat and Gil and she told us to open it early.  Inside was this beautiful wooden puzzle tree!  I set it with Santa and Mrs. Claus that Les' Dad made years ago.  So pretty!

In other news this week, we had some appointments and all went well.  My lab work was good.  We kept up with all the usual things and made it to the "Y" a couple times.  I survived a pre-holiday Commissary trip - always crowded and busy this time of year.  😊

It's been cold but the only snow has just been a few flurries.

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Oumuamua

The first interstellar asteroid from outside our solar system was discovered a few months ago.  It is traveling at a high rate of speed, so studies are being done quickly.  The scientists who discovered it from the observatory in Hawaii have named it "Oumuamua" which is Hawaiian for "Messenger".

I have so  many questions!  I have always thought that God must have put other beings out there somewhere and that it was just a matter of time before contact.  This asteroid is unusual in shape, speed and flight path.  I am waiting for more discoveries to be published!

Most asteroids are more round shaped, not cucumber shaped like Oumuamua.

Life is good (everywhere)! Stay safe and God Bless America!

Whew!

Saturday evening we had an early Christmas with Jacquie's family.  It was a very nice, very fun, and very exhausting evening.  😊  Jordan had requested spaghetti so dinner was relatively easy.  Les ordered a cheesecake for dessert from the wonderful place we discovered when we were in NYC, Junior's.  Very good!

Little Miss E was absolutely fascinated with the Christmas trees and all the other decorations.  She was in constant motion all evening.  Cutie Girl was very well behaved and even helped clear the table and put things away.

It had been raining almost all day and right about the time they had to go home, it changed to snow.  It was lovely out there with our Christmas lights. 

The weather is now in the midst of changing.  We had a lovely sunny day with 50's yesterday.  Today is cloudy and a bit cooler.  Tomorrow won't get out of the 30's and is supposed to be very windy.

We have several appointments this week and so far, so good.

There was sad news this morning.  The cat shelter where we have gotten most of our furry babies was broken into and someone stole five little kittens.  Went in through their kitchen window, opened cages and let the kitties out, but did at least close the window so they wouldn't escape.  No word yet if the kittens have been found.

So, all in all, life is good.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

This beautiful picture is from Wild Birds Unlimited.  I am posting it because I like it.  And because the pictures from Saturday were blurry from excessive movement 😊 

A Public Service Announcement

This post is for all of you who are busy getting ready for Christmas.  Your minds are on decorating, sending cards, planning meals, shopping, wrapping gifts, baking, etc.  I know how you feel.  I am there.

So here is some knowledge I would like to share.

It is not a good idea to start your dishwasher and start filling your kitchen sink with nice hot soapy water, and then get distracted looking through your cookie recipes while standing with your back to the sink.  When it gets full, it will overflow.  When it overflows, the pile of suds with the hot water will flow down the front of your cabinets and into them.  This will in turn give you an excellent and urgent opportunity to clean said cabinet out and mop your floor.  After you have done all that, you can get back to your cookie making.  You are welcome for this advice.

Life is good.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

A Couple More Pictures

Hello!  It is a nice, sunny, 45 here this morning.  Les is playing golf.  I am doing some odds and ends and feeling good about things.

Here are a couple more pictures...

           Wooden tree from Jacquie, mini tree skirt from Pam, and a couple of my Jim Shore Santas

           Cecil enjoying the tree.  I wonder if he remembers how he and Cinder used to nap together under the tree on this white tree skirt?

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Taking An Easy Day

I have not been feeling 100% for various reasons and have been pushing myself and I am tired.  But the decorating is completed!  And I think it looks pretty good and Les likes it, so all is well.  And the furry boys are enjoying the tree skirts! And here are pictures!

Living room tree

China cabinet

My favorite Nativity set; a Hummel from Germany

Little fat Santa, and Santa and Mrs. Claus that Les' dad made.  The large Santa on right is an antique Coke ad.  My Mom loved him and always had him out at Christmas.

Dining room tree

A night view of the outside decorations

Stay safe and God Bless America!