Hi there -
. I mean it. It's true. I'm very proud of Bob A., Phil and Paul. Our homes are the best. It's like a Christmas fairyland. And what is great is we can go outside in the evening and enjoy it - without a coat. A lawn chair, a drink, and company is all that's needed. doesn't seem like December down here.
The weatherman noted today that we have the same weather all year. Sunny, mild or as Paul says, sunny and hot. It really has been hotter than usual. I know Paul's waiting for the cool-off that's supposed to come in December-Jan-Feb. We'll see.
The grass out back is growing like crazy. It has these little teeny green catch-ums that attach to Gracie all the time when she goes to do her business. It's only temporary or seasonal. I have to comb her to get them off. She doesn't seem to mind, but I wonder if she's concluded that having these, means she has to be combed and she doesn't really care for it after all but tolerates it because it gets rid of them. It's getting she doesn't like to go on the grass. She'll walk the perimeter and come back in the house. Not good. No zoomies, to speak of. Sometimes in the house she'll zoom. Actually Paul did say she showed off out front for our neighbors, Bob and Phil, the other day.
Yes. It's been a long time since I've written again. I don't know why - not much going on down here, but it does keep me busy.
Here it is 4 days before Christmas. That's impossible to believe. This month has flown by. The traffic isn't as bad as it could be because a lot of the Snowbirds have gone home for Christmas. This is something we've planned for next year. (Go home.) But I digress - I am pleased that I have my Christmas shopping done. I hope so. We're going to Alice's for Christmas dinner. She's having 12. We're all bringing a silly gift and have a gift exchange. They seem to go over well. She requested we bring a fruit salad, so we will. That's Paul's specialty!
Paul got an iPhone last month. He seems pleased with it.
So we were at Sam's the other day and went to the book section, which incidentally has shrunk, due to e-books? I found a large paperback "iPhone book for those who need help figuring out what to do." That's not the title, of course, but I jut don't feel like getting up. I thought, what a great Christmas gift for him. Wrong. It's been used a LOT already. Didn't have a chance to wrap it. He also requested a tool - which he asked me to get on Amazon. I did. He's used that already too
We knew when we came down here that he'd be getting some tools to keep down here. We're planning on flying back and forth from now on and leaving our car here. Tools are heavy things to bring in a suitcase. Plus security might question them.
I've started a bone health exercise program MWF at 8:30 in the clubhouse. I get there as often as I can. Alice introduced me to it. It's good. Quite easy exercises, but you can note what they're for. Ex. turn your neck to the left as far as you can and think of Walmart parking lot. Stay for 12 seconds. Do it again to the right. I'm pleased how far my neck goes. As you age, some of these things become harder and harder. Balance, strength - we wear ankle weights and carry hand weights for part of the time.
Having trouble with my skin It's become so very fragile. I decided to order some sleeves from the internet. And my dermatologist recommended I wear long sleeves all the time to prevent wounds. So . . . They came a couple of days ago and I'm trying to wear them, but it does get hot which means I sweat. They are the "dripless" kind or whatever it means for hot weather. When I got home from Walmart this morning, I took them off. My hair was wet, as usual. I have them on now. They're comfortable in the a/c. I know you people up North are shaking your heads, not understanding a word I'm saying.
So what has been happening? We've decided to go with a company to have our kitchen cabinets put in. This will all happen in February. We interviewed three and decided on the last one. Paul will be involved in putting in the back splash and "supervising" the cabinets' installation. They said it should take three weeks. Or less. ((I'm sure they said - or less. I'm hoping so.) It'll be beautiful when it's done. But I've heard nightmares about living in the conditions needed when they're working.. We're having the ceiling taken out so it will be up to the true 8 ft. I'm not sure of the correct wording for that and Paul's at Walmart right now. It means: They're taking it down so it'll be higher.
Actually, that took up a lot of time. Planning it. Weeks.
We had my nephew Paul here for dinner a week or so ago. He appreciated it and we enjoyed having him be here. It's good to cook for others. We'll be seeing each other again after the holidays. We invited him to come with us for Christmas, but he made other plans.
Edna's husband, Mike, passed away just after Thanksgiving. He was such a gentle kind man. Paul flew home for the funeral and had a chance to see a lot of his family. We didn't have anyone to take care of Gracie, so I stayed behind. We had also planned a Christmas Carol sing and invited a lot of people. So I had the party by myself. Paul said it was good to see and be with everyone. I'm sure it was. May Mike rest in peace. I'm beginning to realize the saying - funerals are for family to be together. Isn't it a shame that it takes funerals.
Paul just arrived back from Walmart. So I'll close. Hope you all have a Peaceful Merry Christmas. I'll miss my little ones, Vincent (9), Evie (5) and Walter (2 3/4). But I can picture where they'll be and what they'll be doing at Nana and PopPop's. What a good time they'll have! I know Jane and Scott showed me a couple of wonderful Christmases when I was by myself. They're good people. Nancy is very lucky.
Bill is happy in the Philippines with Flor and Samantha. Life is good. My kids are happy. Me too Thank you, Lord.
