December 26th - 29th, 2024

Thursday: Our morning consisted of picking up, laundry, dishes, getting back to a normal mess! Drove Ford to his Parkinson exercises, I walked a little then chatted with Mom for 52 minutes! All good, about her day yesterday, Christmas at Andrew/Britney's home. Then off to Michael's to score some 70% off Christmas items. Back home, ate leftover breakfast casserole, fussed around the house, did Maine word search puzzles with AA (from Terri), broke down at least 20 boxes, more laundry, organized the leftover Christmas wrappings; then a quick nap from 2:30 - 3:20 p.m. (AA napped also, always wakes up laughing that she "drooled"). AA is still coughing; may have to call the doctor. Up and dressed for River House, Hugh met us (Kathy was home with both sons and granddaughter). Hugh told us of his plans to move Jan. 15th to a one-bedroom Allegro in Tampa. He has everything set up, Erin helping on the Tampa end. Karrie will buy his condo. We then went to his condo as he is giving us many tools - this time a compact, heavy-duty ladder, a worktable and a shop vacuum. We gave him some Rice Krispie treats and ran into Karrie taking him a piece of her chocolate cake. 

Carolyn texted that she was rear-ended on her drive to see Wayne (relative of Pete); Alex was with her and Kayla went and picked them up.

Dylan got her driver permit!

Back home, I heated up dinner (leftovers from yesterday). We were all in bed by 8:00p.m., AA and I both working on our laptops.
Friday: We continue to have slow mornings; Ford enjoys watching the latest British Baking Show. We picked up Ginger's ashes (which included some of her fur, a paw print and a death certificate) and gave the VCA Vet office eight McDonald's breakfast sandwiches and a dozen Dunkin Donuts. We also stopped at Suburban to air up our low air pressure in our tires, then to Publix.

Made more Rice Krispie treats, packed them up for our progressive dinner and made AA's peppermint chocolate popcorn. The doorbell rang and we received a flower arrangement from Chewy! So surprised; we did receive a very nice email from the company but never expected flowers!

AA went to her PT at 2:00 p.m. with Michael; he was kind, patient and answered our questions and he worked AA hard! She isn't quite ready for the stationary bike but getting closer.

Prepped for the chicken fajita casserole and Mexican cole-slaw. We got takeout from Tiajuana Flats for dinner. AA did excellent answering Jeopardy questions tonight including knowing the Final Jeopardy answer! We miss Ginger, we hug Harriet the horse and her stuffed puppy (blind seeing eye dog named Ginger). We had a good cry and hug after going through the items with Ginger's ashes.

Saturday: Family progressive dinner at St. Augustine. Separate post.

Sunday: I attended Church, was a communion server. Very few people in church as many staff were sick, P. Faith is on vacation, so a layleader brought the sermon. We ate leftovers for lunch (from luncheon yesterday); I did two loads of laundry, watched the finale of the British Baking Show; then watched the Jaguars win, ending the season with a 4-12 record. I was going to rake the side yard, but within minutes of blowing off the deck, a rain storm blew in so cleaned out one kitchen (baking shelves) cupboard. AA worked on some Government notes, we didn't cook a dinner, so AA ate more leftovers, Ford grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, and I ate an apple and some peppermint white chocolate popcorn (with AA).

Christmas gifts from yesterday:

We facetimed/Messenger with Melissa while she was at Terri's home - held their Christmas celebration today (Sunday).

We cleared the dining room table, started (should say restarted) the Yellowstone puzzle.

Early to bed, watched Creatures Great and Small reruns.

Christmas Progressive Luncheon Saturday 12/28/24

I was up early a little after 5 AM, Ford and I had coffee and relaxed for an hour or so. I then began my work in the kitchen on the Mexican coleslaw and the chicken fajita casserole. Lots of chopping plus cooking the chicken, making the dressing for the Mexican coleslaw, cooked fresh corn, rather than using canned corn. I baked the casserole and we were ready to leave the house at 11 AM. 

I needed to stop at Publix to pick up a Mexican cheese that will be crumbled and put in the Mexican coleslaw once I get to Leaa’s. Traffic wasn’t too bad; there was two accidents on I 95 northbound that did not slow us down thankfully. We arrived at Leaa's, the chicken fajita casserole was ready to be reheated, I added the Mexican cheese and kept it in the cooler until we got to her house. We all drove to Katie and Barrett condo (Hibiscus condos, next to Gloria's Colony Reef building, they brought their small hot-dog; they have a lab dog too) and enjoyed frozen margaritas, champagne, lots of chips with guacamole and salsa. After visiting for an hour, we drove to Leaa‘s house, most of the family went to the new music studio which we had already seen this past Monday.  Everything went well at Leaa‘s - the food, Dolly, jumping on everybody, Dylan sorted out albums and alphabetical order with Mila and generally everybody chatted in small groups. We had Leaa’s Mexican pork pastor (marinated chopped pork - she found at a local Mexican market) and her cilantro rice along with my Mexican coleslaw, the chicken fajita casserole, Nicole‘s beef Mexican casserole (she made a smaller one without the beef for Mila - vegetarian) and plenty of toppings. 

We all went to Marsha and Carl‘s house for desserts. Marsha had hot chocolate on the stove plus Liv made a chocolate cake, Leaa made her crack candy and there were other sweet treats - we brought Rice Krispie treats and peppermint white chocolate popcorn. We exchanged gifts with the family and the kids had a good time. The two dogs, Motown and JoJo came in and out of the living room too.

It was good to see everybody, including Katie and Barrett and their kids, Stella and Carson, Justin and Kilee, and Leaa, Jesse, Liv and Dylan; Nicole, Jordan, Mila, and Avery; Carl and Marsha, Cara with Miles and Pearl but Travis did not come as he was just getting over Covid.

At the table, mouths full of food. 

Dylan and Mila sorting record albums.

Katie's condo: Kilee, AA, Dylan (was 70 degrees outside, she said she was cold and put on her LL Bean sherpa jacket!), Liv and Mila.

Working on a puzzle, a photo of Pearl and Miles:

Jordan took group photo (Katie and family had not arrived):

Leaving, I got Miles and Pearl to pose by the front door Santa:

We left little after 6 pm, arrived home after only one slowdown on the Shands Bridge at 7:20. 

We went through our gifts and laughed a bit over different conversations. AA’s knee and legs were aching so after icing her knee, we were off to bed.

Christmas Week

Monday: My headache subsided, and I woke up before 5 am - so started wrapping gifts - stopped at 8:30! Got many wrapped - then helped AA in the shower, drove to Ford's exercises, I then drove to pick up my new eyeglasses, new clear ones and will get new sunglasses too. Great having new eyeglasses, even though so expensive. 

Once back home, we drove to St. Augustine for AA's knee surgery follow up and for her skin allergy. All went well, she has a new antibiotic cream to use, she can walk as she can tolerate, still need to protect knee for full six weeks. Once she is out of the locked brace, she will wear a sleeve brace, but her skin needs to be cleared up first.

We drove to Leaa's and dropped off Christmas gifts and some pumpkin bread. We visited, played with Dolly (the part-Velcro dog and kangaroo) then drove to the new music studio/business. It is going to be quite large with lessons and recordings. 

Heading home, we picked up take-out Smokin D's BBQ. We drove by the Christmas trees in Spring Park (GCS). AA pointed out "Ian's" tree.

My Mom called, she received the flowers I ordered from Eileen Emmons.

At home, I continued to wrap gifts, got about 95% done.

Tuesday:

We slept in a little, we really needed the rest, been a zombie, partly AA's school pressure and part losing Ginger, part being busy readying for Christmas.

I took Ford to Walmart to pick up prescriptions (and new cream for AA), shopped, then took Ford to Target while I went in Publix. Ran into Chloe and mom Vanessa and Penny during our errands.

Once home, we realized we picked up the wrong thing for AA, so back to Target, then to Fresh Market for some Stonewall Pepper Jelly. 

I made the Christmas morning breakfast casserole, then the do-ahead mashed potatoes, then baked an apple pie and prepared for our dinner of panzanella. AA napped and Ford did the dishes!

I went to Christmas Eve church service, gave Steve his gift of money and soap made by Leisa Ashline; made panzanella for dinner followed by champagne, Advent calendar and opening mail.

Wednesday: Christmas Day! We did not sleep well, AA did sleep in until 8:00 a,m.; we had coffee, opened our stockings while the breakfast casserole baked. We ate breakfast (with pineapple and orange juice) then opened gifts. So many from Terri, Melissa and Mom. Fun stuff, plus practical. Ford gave me three earrings, new K-cup machine, dust-buster-type vacuum, tons of stuff in my stocking. We didn't have a "big" gift for AA, so gave her some money - hoping to get some shopping in this vacation break. 

We had planned to visit with Leaa and family, but she has a cold and we were so late opening gifts, and hadn't taken showers by 1:00 p.m., anyways, we begged off. Just tired, Ford had a nap, but he is tired, his legs are starting to swell again. AA still has a dry cough. We really need our rest, trying to de-stress.

We watched some baking show, NFL football, The Holiday (again!) and the new first episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy with Jeremiah joining the crew. We had ham, mashed potatoes and green beans plus my homemade apple pie for dessert. We spoke to Justin and texted many people, wishing joy and happiness to all!

Saturday and Sunday 12/21 - 22nd

Saturday 21st: In the morning, made Rice Krispie treats, 20 mini pumpkin bread loaves, cooked the Alabama sausage for the RH appetizer, and fried two pounds of bulk sausage to use in breakfast casseroles.

We drove to Moon River to pick up two salads and a calzone for Laureen and Isabel. Laureen just had a hip replaced. I also brought them a ponderosa lemon, pumpkin bread, Rice Krispie treats and my cocoa molasses cookies. We chatted for about 10 minutes. Isabel would like to talk to AA about UF. Laureen complimented AA about her abilities.

RAM market met up with Leaa, Liv, Tristen and Dylan - listening to a trombone Christmas concert with Dylan's boyfriend Lux playing (red and white sock cap). It was a very cold, windy day.

Back at Lux's home. He plays all horn instruments and the Cruce's are giving him a drum set.

Bought an Aron’s pizza on way home. Went to RH happy hour, took the Alabama sausage; we thought Mia and Madison would come, but Madison had a headache so they rested. We all were sleepy after eating pizza, AA still trying to shake off a cold.

Sunday: My Sunday morning began with a headache. I had it through the night and when I got up and took two aspirin, it didn’t stay in my stomach very long. After sleeping until about 8:30 I got up as we were expecting Mia and Madison for a visit before Madison drove to Georgia to her home for her Christmas. I managed to get through that visit. We served a homemade pumpkin bread and they brought a Starbucks lemonade for Ford. Alyzabeth is still feeling crappy from her cold but seems to be getting better. After they left. I laid back down and slept until 1 PM. I missed church completely today. I was feeling a little better and ate a piece of pizza, which was not the best thing on my stomach but it did stay down. I drove Ford and Alyzabeth to the Target store so they could shop. I waited in the car and chatted with Terri a little bit about her genealogy research on the Bragg and Bowman lines, including new surnames like Hatch - she has now connected E-E's lineage to the Mayflower. Once back home, I had some ginger ale and laid back down and Alyzabeth napped also until about 7 PM.

Neither Alyzabeth nor I were very hungry. We did eat an apple from Maine that my mom sent. She sent us a box of apples a few days ago for Christmas. I sorted through some presents, but not feeling up to wrapping. I will have to have wrapping session Monday and Tuesday to be ready for Christmas. Otherwise everyone will get their gifts on the 28th at our progressive dinner. We watched the end of the Jaguars football game and they lost even though it wasn’t that bad of a game. They lost to Las Vegas raiders.