Tuesday - December 11

Bright sunny day....exercised and then off to the dentist and quick stop at Starbucks and back to Eastland.    Worked on cards, bins, etc.    Mark had several errands including stopping at storage and finishing off last of his stuff!    Alleluia....time to celebrate.    Just 3 bins left here to sort thru but mostly pics and other memorabilia.    This is hardest to decide what to do with?????

I was supposed to have an appt. with my urologist but he cancelled as he was involved in a lengthy surgery....tomorrow, I will see his nurse practitioner.

Tonight we met Carol and Roger at Biaggi's for delicious dinner and good visit.    Then to their condo for Bailey's, chocolate cake/peppermint ice cream,  coffee and more chatter!     Great evening!
We'll see them for more fun times in Florida this winter!

Roger, Carol, Pat and Mark

Looking forward to tomorrow and a day of shopping and lunch with my birthday girl.    Anne and Michael celebrate #48 - how can that be???

Monday - December 10

Busy day starting early with our yearly physicals - good reports for both of us!    Then to breakfast with the Monday Morning bunch.    Mark and I came home and worked on bins.    I had an afternoon mammogram and then physical therapy.    Tricia was happy with my progress (result of cortisone and daily therapy).    Shoulder does feel much better!   Here's hoping and praying....

It got up to 35 today and was sunny, but with the wind....chilly!    We spent more time in our cozy little suite surrounded by bins, more bins and even more bins!    We could open a bin shop!    Ha....
BUT the good news is that all to sort thru (except for a few still in storage of Mark's stuff) are now here with us or been taken back to storage!    Definitely have downsized!!!

Brooke's parents patio set in Morganton, NC

Had a good chat with Michael today - just amazing at all their snow; and then they got a lot of rain, too, and tonight getting down to 22, so.....ice to contend with!!!

We went to happy hour here at Eastland and had a glass of wine and some munchies.    Back to our place for some leftover pizza.    Started working on the cards today.....

Sunday - December 9

A beautiful sunny, clear, crisp day.....unlike in North Carolina where our kids (at the latest measurement) had 14" and still coming down!    WOW.....this is so very unusual, but "Diego" really socked it to 'em!

Mark and I went to 8:00 Mass at Historic St. Pat's and then to Coffee Hound for coffee/latte and shared a muffin.    I took him to Liam's hockey game (9:20) which his team won 6-1 and he scored a goal!!!    I drove to El Paso and met the Sublettians (Jane and Marilyn) for our annual Christmas gathering.   Then onto Mendota with Marilyn doing the driving....

First stop was my brother Bob and Linda's to pick up some cookies (Linda and other family/friends had their marathon cookie baking day yesterday) and she sent home 2 containers (one for us and 1 for Liam and Connor) .    Also got to see my niece, Jennifer, Jake, Leia and Kaylee!     Sorry I didn't get a picture of them (especially the little girls in their cute Christmas outfits), but here's the cookies

Wonderful treats!!!

 The Sublettians ate at El Zarape and had a delicious lunch along with wine, bloody Mary's and margaritas.    There were so many hugs, so much chatter and just a great day.    Unfortunately Mary who was sitting beside me became suddenly ill and was taken to ER by her sister Anita.    Fortunately, she is fine - just some ole flu bug that is going around - strikes fast and furious, but doesn't last long!!!    Glad to hear Mary is on the mend!

Back:  Judy, Pat, Jane, Eileen, Mary Sue, Joyce, Gene, Paula, Joe, Sally, Allen

Front:  Larry, Rose, Diane, Marilyn

(Mary and Anita were at hospital)

Several left after Mary and Anita did, but rest of us had a little white elephant gift exchange and shared our donations (baby clothes, $, etc.) to Birthright or Abigail for babies in need.

Jane and Marilyn's sister Eileen and rest of us went to a sister-in-law of theirs, Lola and had a nice visit and she gave Eileen this wonderful quilt that she made.

Lola (sooo talented) and Eileen with her new quilt!

  Then we took Eileen to Sublette where her car was and back to ElPaso and then on home for me.    A very fun day with these long-time friends and former classmates eons ago at St. Mary's in Sublette.

Mark enjoyed the hockey game, the Campbell's brought him home and he later walked (since I have Big Red) to get a pizza.   

Busy week coming with several doctor appointments, shopping, holiday breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinners + celebrate Michael and Anne's birthday + physical therapy 2x.   

A few pics from North Carolina...

Michael measured 11" at one point - more to come 

Annette's car is buried!

Wishing you a fun, stress-free week.....Remember the

  "REASON for the SEASON"

Saturday - December 8

Another cold start to the day but all eyes and ears focused on "Diego" and his trek across the southeast heading to our kiddos in North Carolina.   

The Campbell's, Mark and I met Doris at Carmela's for breakfast - fun to be together over a yummy breakfast and then everyone was on their way.    Really appreciate Doris making the trip from Chicago.   We'll see her in 2 weeks at the Chamberlain Christmas. 

The siblings

Doris and Mark 

Fun breakfast at Carmela's - 

Liam, Patrick, Anne, Doris, Mark, Pat, Connor

  Liam and Connor helped us for 2.5 hours in storage moving lots and lots of stuff, including furniture to our 2 smaller units.    We really made waves and so appreciate their help - they are very good workers and STRONG!!!

Gotta have some fun, too@

THANKS boys

I took the boys home and met Mark back at Eastland - emptied out car (truck has the last of stuff to sort thru).....alleluia.    But these next several bins (around 15) are the memories, kitchen, and Christmas treasures, so may take a bit longer!!!

Connor's baseball team sold wreaths  - got mine today - love it!    And smells so good!

Festive touch to our home

This afternoon we returned my rental car at airport and then went to Connor's hockey game - they lost 6-1, but Connor scored the goal.

Picked up some soup at Zoup and glad to be in this cold night.

Friday - December 7

Remembering Pearl Harbor - 77 years ago

John Hiltz, Ryan's friend, former roommate and fellow Blue Angel (#2) took this picture in 2014 when the Blue Angels were preparing for an air show in Honolulu.    The sun reflected off the flag on John's uniform capturing this awesome photo.

It's been cold and snowy since we're back in Bloomington, but today, seemed even more so with the bitter cold.    It was 15 this morning and although the sun shone brightly all day long, burr...

We both had early morning appts. for lab work at our doctors'  office, then to McDonalds' for some hearty oatmeal and off to run a bunch of errands.    Back to Eastland to deal with  "you know what"....and then met Jane and Joe, Allie and Owen at Destihl.    Great day for a hot, yummy lunch and catch up.     Love our times together and as always, so many laughs!    The 6 of us hadn't been together since May!

Joe, Jane, Owen, Allie, Pat and Mark

Worked all afternoon on "stuff" and I started my exercise routine to strengthen my shoulder. Tricia kept emphasizing how important these are for good posture!

Tonight was so fun......Mark's sister, Doris came into town (from Chicago area).    Since their mother passed away, Doris has treated her siblings (12) to a birthday dinner.    Tonight it was Mark's turn and she invited me to come along - we had a wonderful dinner at Baxter's and then sat and visited 3+ hours!     Pics coming tomorrow!