Monday 11/20/23 - Thanksgiving!

Monday: I made corn dip for tomorrow. Ford went to his Parkinson exercises. AA and I walked the Azalea Trail at the Ravines State Park; beautiful day then Sweet Sensations for lunch.

Shopping at Target - new everyday sunglasses:

Hangers are always needed in our home - not sure how we lose them!

Lunch with her contacts in:

Ford and I went to LB's home, threw out most of the food in the kitchen (still have more to do); will put out his trash on Wednesday morning. Brought home an art piece made with postage stamps (found it has little value); we like it, has a cardinal bird in a tree, was an anniversary gift from Larry's parents.

Leftovers for dinner with some corn dip.

Tuesday: Ford went to his PT; I had my hair cut and colored by Steve. River House Happy Hour with Hugh and Maureen, took corn dip - AA was our Uber driver!

Wednesday: I worked as usual in the morning. Trash went out at LB's; we went back and put garbage cans back in garage; brought back the sterling silver set and the silverplate set.

Made homemade pie crusts, baked an apple pie. From Facebook: Apple pie in oven, in my personalized pie dish from my loving Hubby. Thinking of my late friend Charlotte (Lynn Debreczen) who gifted me the apple peeler and I used my late MIL’s (Cora Joyce Morgan’s) rolling pin.

On a whim, we went to Goodwill to see if I could find a Christmas sweater for an DIY Christmas ornament - they were already closed, went to the River House, then Aron's for pizza for dinner.

Thursday: Thanksgiving! Sunny day but cool - 40's in morning 65 in afternoon, more rain expected tonight. Baked a corn casserole in the morning, then went to Nicole and Jordan's for dinner and Mila's birthday. See separate post with photos.

Friday: Fed Carolyn's bunny/cats; left supplies from Larry's house.

Met Chris Brown at LB's home, gave him the land deed and car documents AND he was able to start the Chevy and drive to his friend Tom's home! That evening, we went to an Icemen hockey game with Justin. Fun game, lots of noise, music, games, Mascot Huskey and fans shouting "You suck" "And you suck too"!! Icemen won in OT.

Saturday: Made sausage balls, do-ahead mashed potatoes, goodies for church hospitality. Prepared the turkey for roasting tomorrow. Made a spaghetti pie for dinner.

We went to the River House, met with Hugh, Maureen and Kathy; took Fresh Market Smoked Trout fish dip; and Karrie joined us. Always interesting conversation, Karrie just returned from New Zealand, tour for rose garden lovers.

Sunday: Pouring rain all day! Advent first Sunday "Hope" and Coppage's granddaughter baptism. Church hospitality, first time I have done in over 10 years. All went well with help from Pastor Faith's daughter Abigail and Nicole. 

Church hospitality food half gone!

Came home, cooked the turkey; dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy, home-baked pumpkin pie (with One Pie puree from Mom). Carolyn came over, brought champagne and pecan pie bars - excellent! We used Grammie's china, every Thanksgiving, this year used dessert forks from Larry's home, has monogram "M". We forgot to take a group photo! 

AA had her math tutor, we did dishes and settled in for the night!

Thanksgiving 11/23/23

Thursday was another wonderful family gathering at Nicole and Jordan's home. They had outside tables, corn hole games, a fire pit going (it did reach 62 degrees), their trampoline was a hit too.

Food was plentiful with Cara's turkey fruit tray, cheese and crackers, plus drinks and visiting with all. Main meal was roasted turkey, smoked turkey, hash brown casserole, green beans, our corn casserole, Leaa's macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, gravy, ambrosia salad, mashed potatoes, etc. We watched NFL football games (Lions lost), chatted with Carl, Marsha, Justin, etc. 

We still are not very familiar with Jordan's brothers, we know Parker who is unmarried (is dating a nice lady but she did not come), Brandon with wife and two kids (Violet) and Trevor with wife and brought a senior high schooler, Cortez Juarbe (PVB). I spoke with Jordan's mom, Nancy W. (age 68); lots going on in her life with her seven siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren. She works in her yard and recently had two leg wounds (edger hit roof nail into her ankle and a fall in far back of yard). She's a conversationalist!

Leaa took advantage of the backyard woods for some family photos.

Kilee holding JK's dog, Floyd.

All kids:

Our kids:

Our kids with Leaa:

Cruce Family photo:

Turkey fruit tray:

Taking family group photos:

JK and his Dad:

Celebrated Mila's birthday (with Ford blowing out a candle too).

Mila seemed to like the lip gloss gift pack and money for her birthday from us. 

AA the dog whisperer - every dog sat on her lap:

Glad we had nice weather, a bit chilly but nice. Good family event by Nicole - she organizes and keeps everyone moving! Love our bonus daughter!

November 13th - 19th

Monday, the 13th: Ford went to Lawyer Jim Arnold about Larry's will. We learned about the timeline of probate and that I have to wait on the letter assigning me as the representative. 
Went to Larry's home to get Butters to the family, vet appointment.
Got AA from school. Dinner was at Whitey's with Bob, Laurel and Chris Brown.

Tuesday: Had to cancel my dentist appointment to get Butters to the family for the flight home to Massachusetts. Except for not figuring out how Butters opened the kitchen by-fold door, all went fine.

Dreary, light rain day, Donna came, Ford and I went to Larry's grave, then to his house (I took a few flowers to put by LB's computer). We began throwing out LB's food stuff first. 

Then to Publix, Ford wasn't feeling well, we assumed from the new pain pill, so he skipped PT. AA came home and we all had a snack as none of us ate a lunch, then off to the River House. Dinner was Smokin D's chicken (frozen from a month ago) with store bought coleslaw and beans.

We heard from the Webster's that Butters was doing fine, getting used to their home.

Wednesday: Rainy, cool day. Mammogram and bone density test went well. Back home, finished Thanksgiving cards and LB's thank you's. Dinner was the recipe that Larry Bradley left on his counter along with the box of pasta shells. Pretty good, will reheat for dinner tomorrow.

Thursday: Trustwell meeting: we made a beneficiary change to Ford's IRA/Rollover to the three kids (I will not inherit, I have my own funds). AA tried on contacts again, was successful, so ordered the boxes (she changes contacts every two weeks).

Laureen was very helpful with AA's Spanish speaking, giving AA many compliments.

Friday: AA wearing her contacts to school for the first time!

Justin drove up to check Larry's HVAC system, see if anything needs repairing. The system checked out okay, average, everything is working.

Dylan had solos in several songs, plus dance and tapping! She also helped with the choreography. Glad we went (almost didn't) - AA drove in the dark so gained more night driving hours.

Dylan's middle school musical was very good, entertaining, liked the format of students giving an overview of the next song.

Dylan spoke well at the ending thanking the production staff.

Saturday: We tried to sleep in, to no avail. AA and I drove to BJ's, met with Carolyn; I bought too much stuff! Including a HUGE cookie tray to be taken to the Haven Hospice. We didn't go anywhere afterward with CR, so headed home, picked up lunch at Tiajuana Flats, then some "down time" until AA and I went out into the night for her night driving practice. She drove to the RAM parking lot, we walked for 30 minutes along the Northbank, then home.

Sunday: I made an Italian apple cake for breakfast, using the last of the Maine apples, it was very good, looked up the history of the cake - no spices, so we would prefer adding the typical apple pie spices. Then to church. I signed up for hospitality next Sunday.

Took the cookie tray to Haven Hospice; went to LB's, continuing to throw out food stuff. Went to Woodpeckers for takeout BBQ (late birthday dinner for Ford).

And I made a corn casserole to "practice" before Thanksgiving dinner as I had not made it in years. Very good!