Wednesday - November 30

I'm HOME and it's COLD out there!    Very early morning for Mark and I as we were up at 3:45 AM and he took me to the West Palm airport for 5:45 flight.   Anne had the day off and picked me up and we caught up on all the goings on around here.   Nice to have the house decorated, shopping pretty much done and wrapped, etc.

Mark had another big day with Catrina and then tonight he, Philip and Annette met his brother Jim and Lydia for dinner in Pompano Beach.   Jim and Lydia are vacationing in Florida, so glad they could get together (and sorry I missed out)!   But, it's good to be home.

I had lunch with Exchange Club and then wrapped presents this afternoon with my Monday Night Friends for Adopt-a-Family, followed by supper at CJ's. 

Good-bye Novenber and welcome December with lots of holiday fun!!!

Tuesday - November 29

Cloudy and cooler in the morning....Mark left before 8 for Stuart and boat jobs, Philip and Annette were off to work and I hung out at home all day with our grand cats (Carlos and Julio).   Did the laundry, some fertilizing of landscaping, read, packed and just enjoyed a nice quiet day (did have the Christmas tunes playing, though).

Carlos (front); Julio (back)

Sun came out in the afternoon and I walked around the neighborhood - fun to see all the nice homes, their holiday decor, etc.   

Mark got a haircut and had a productive day on Catrina. 

Tomorrow I fly home (5:45 AM) so getting out the long pants, sweater, socks, and fleece jacket to brave the chilly temps and possible snow flurries waiting at home.  Mark is staying till Saturday.

Annette and I went to Target and then picked up a pizza from Sal's...back home and enjoyed the pizza, salad and wine and then played dominoes with Mark.   Annette was the Queen!!!

Can't believe we've been here a week already.... Philip and Annette really rolled out the red carpet with their hospitality and sharing their new home for lots of family fun!

Monday - November 28

Mark and I left at 8 for Stuart (45 minutes north) and got some things done on Catrina.    We got one of the air conditioner trays replaced (icky poo job) and then the guys came and had Catrina lifted out for more maintenance.   Mark took me to downtown Stuart (another favorite FL town) and I shopped all the specialty "cutsie" stores and had lunch at the coffee cafe.  It rained a little but warm and sunny in the afternoon.   

Back to Lake Worth at 5 and nice relaxing evening with Annette - had Brooke's corn chowder for supper.   Philip is working late again...

Today was the funeral in Omaha, Nebraska for Mark's Aunt Sally who died Friday.    She was such a dear lady and would have been 98 on December 22nd.   Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's 4 cousins and

their families.

 

Philip and Annette's new home

Sunday - November 27

Started our Sunday off with 9:30 Mass at St. Therese de Lisieux - a very neat experience - great priest and phenomenal choir (WOW)!!!!   Music was truly special!    Went to breakfast at "I'm Greek Today" and then browsed a few shops.   Stopped at the Cupcake Cottage and brought home more treats (Susie....several different flavors today).  Philip went into work around 1:30.   Annette and I played rummikube, went for a walk in the neighborhood, and then Mark, Annette and I played 3-handed euchre and dominoes.

More leftovers for supper and still delicious!    Tomorrow, Mark and I are off to Stuart and get some things crossed off the Catrina job list (hopefully)?   Have a great week!

Saturday - November 26

Philip left very early for work this morning, Mark and Brady exercised and after breakfast, we got the NC van packed up.   Hugs, kisses, a few more camera poses and they were on their way at 8:20 AM.     We had so much fun together and sure will miss them all till we meet again....

Grandpa and Brady lifting weights

Michael, Brooke, Brady, Drew and Davis

And then....Mark and I left for the West Palm Beach airport to get a rental car for him to drive this week.   I brought the car back here while he took off in Philip's truck for Stuart and start tackling his Catrina job list.

Annette and I tidied up the house and got the washer and dryer going full speed.    All the decorations were brought out and then she turned on the Christmas music, fixed us a cup of hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and the decorating began (had to "pretend" it was cold outside to get in the spirit) while wearing shorts and sandals....but house looks great and here's the tree all decked out!

Beautiful Christmas tree

Mark, Annette and I played 3-handed euchre and then Annette and I played rummikube.   Ended the day with a nice relaxing 45 minutes in the hot tub.    Michael and all have arrived home safely.   Philip is putting in a long day but on his way home.