Updated House Pictures

 The more I look at the house,

especially with all the white accents,

the more I like it!

Kyle thinks it look like a beach house.

I think it looks like a french cottage.

You can't really see the true color in this picture.

This is more representative.

Yup. 

I like it.

(And yes, they are going to climb up and paint the chimney... lol.)

Santa will be happy, I'm sure.

We have a VERY large front yard.

I'll miss our oak trees.

But I'll happily trade our 2.37 acre yard for 161.4.

Works for me!

(Bandit got a new VERY bright orange collar.)

A branch moved in front of the bananas and

now you can't see them very well.

But they are up there!

However, I just read on the internet that it takes

between FOUR and SIX MONTHS for 

them to be ready to harvest!

WHAT????

Sheesh.

I wanted them next week!

(hahahahahaha)

Fingers crossed the rest of the winter is mild.

They said if it looks like a freeze you have to

cut the whole thing and just let them ripen

inside the house.

They won't get any bigger, but they will get ripe.

So there is that....

Goodness! Times FLIES!

 I've been busy being NOT busy.

Well... that's not exactly true,

but I DID get the week off from the Town.

So there's that.

But there have been PLENTY of things

going on around here.

The guys PAINTED THE HOUSE!

BEFORE.

AFTER.

Well... kind of IN-PROGRESS.

I'll have to get another picture tomorrow.

Kyle painted the trim and the doors,

so it looks MUCH better now.

But I REALLY like it!

You can tell from the chimney that the sun was 

going down.

AND they forgot to paint the chimney!

Hahahahahaha.

I really like the new color.

It's weird. 

It's blue.

Then it's grey.

Then it's kind of a teal.

Depends on the light, I guess.

But either way, I really like it!

AND

We have BANANAS!!!!!

Teeny tiny bananas, but STILL!

Each of those layers is producing a hand.

Which means we might get about 10 hands!

LOTS of bananas.

If the weather holds.

And the creek don't rise.... lol.

AND PEACHES!!!

TEENY TINY peaches... but STILL!

Today I froze a bunch of "milk nog"

(a 50/50 mix of egg nog and milk so it's not

quite so thick) and we will put it in the

freeze dryer. Makes a fun little bite.

And you can put it in a glass, add water and

you don't have to wait until December 

for eggnog!!!!

Nifty!

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

I just finished my last class for this week.

I'm teaching the evening classes next week,

but this week is DONE!

The guys are getting ready to paint the

exterior of the house.

We are going with a blue/grey.

And, of course, we are all on

puppy patrol.

Her favorite place to lay.

UNDER the foot rest of the lazyboy.

So inconvenient!

Especially when she is SOUND asleep.

She knows she is cute.

And growing.

Anyhow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Early Christmas - Introducing LUNA!

 Kyle REALLY misses his dog, Shadow.

It took him a long time to decide

he was ready for a new dog.

A few months ago we tried Bear.

But she just couldn't integrate into our farm.

On Saturday, Kyle found a purebred Rottweiler

puppy down in West Palm Beach for a much

more reasonable price.

(They are generally in the THOUSANDS!)

(it's a DOG!!!)

Anyhow.

I was teaching.

But Rod and Kyle drove down and checked

out the litter of 8 puppies and 

Kyle fell in love with Little Luna.

She is only 8 weeks old.

And does sleep a lot.

But when she is awake, she is a full of fun!

Her Mom was fairly small. Her dad is HUGE!

So she will likely be on the petite side of large.

She likes everybody, including the other dogs.

But she has adopted Kyle as her person.

Which was the goal...

So far, on day 3, she is doing well.

Potty training is... well, she's a puppy.

But she does whimper when she wants to go out.

You better move FAST though.

Right now, she's in her crate in the garage.

Not happy about it,

but while teaching she can't be going in and out.

And she can't be in the yard alone.

We have a large hawk hanging around.

And she is small enough to get through the

holes in the fence.

Not for long... but for now? No un-supervised

yard romps.

Merry EARLY Christmas Kyle!

Sunday RS Update

 Sondra reminded me that I hadn't told

"the rest of the story"

about our Sunday RS lesson.

My amazing counselor (Indira) took that

ball and RAN with it.

They did Christmas Carol (hymn) requests

and then after the request whoever it was

had to tell WHY they chose it and what it means to them.

It was a very spiritual and uplifting hour.

AND, they released our Elder's Quorum President

and called a new one, and then after that, the

Stake President excused himself from EQ and

headed to Relief Society!

We also had the Stake RS 1st Counselor visit.

So I'm glad it all worked out well.

Our Stake Pres (my former Bishop) is from a 

VERY musically talented family, so any time

there is music, he is ALL over it.

I'm sure he was pleased.

Anyhow.

That's how THAT went.

Last night I met with the Bishop

(informal, and then the rest of his Bishopric

showed up and we ended up doing a meeting,

I just was invited to stay.... until 10:30!)

He said he wasn't joking when he said they 

forgot the food for the brunch!

Everybody thought the other guy was in charge.

So they dashed to the grocery store and within

24 minutes (hahahahaha such an engineer) they were

up and running and getting ready to serve pancakes.

Lots of pictures on Facebook of people enjoying

their breakfast AND destroying gingerbread 

houses by various means (flinging with a catapult,

beating with a golf club, etc.....)

Much fun was had by all.

So.

Now you know, "the rest of the story..."

Gratuitous photo of my advent calendar I made with

our Relief Society back when Kathy Salter was the President.

And my kids were LITTLE.

This thing has to be like 25+ years old!

But I still love it and Rod and I are taking turns

opening the pockets and adding to the nativity.

***********************************************

UPDATE!

UPS just delivered a box from Mom and Dad!

Thank you for the Christmas gifts!

We are already enjoying the wonderful dried fruit!

Tree Skirt

 Much as I hate to not put wrapped gifts

under the Christmas tree...

I'm afraid I'm going to need to hold off this year

for a little while.

SOMEBODY thinks that is HIS spot.

He likes to lay there where he can keep an

eye on me, mostly to see if I'm EATING

anything that I MIGHT be tempted to share 

with him.....

So,

no present for a little bit.

(Notice the rug is all bunched up... he has suddenly

decided that the fringe is FUN to play with

which is the real reason I'm afraid to put 

gifts under there - crinkly paper - TOO MUCH 

TEMPTATION!)

Meanwhile,

the garden is enjoying all the rain.

Kyle planted LOTS and LOTS of peas.

And a couple beds of carrots.

And a couple beds of onions.

And the squirrels dug up all the onions.

REALLY?

Sheesh.

He was a little annoyed.

But, MAYBE we will get a good pea harvest.

That would be awesome!

Tampa (again)

 Here I am.

Sitting in my empty classroom.

Waiting for my "to go" order to

be ready at the local Cheddars restaurant.

It's a nice facility,

in a nice area of town.

Meanwhile, the ward had their first ward activity today.

Brunch with a gingerbread contest

followed by a gingerbread DEMOLITION.

(obviously the guys are in charge of this one...)

I sent a text to the Bishop this morning

wishing them a great activity with a TON of turnout.

We did a huge blitz to find all the "resting members"

and invite them to join us this morning.

He texted me a bit later and said they were having

a little bit of a rocky start.

They forgot to bring the FOOD!

(I'm hoping he was joking...)

Later he texted and said it was a great party

with good turnout and everything went well.

And then I got a text from my RS teacher.

She is sick and won't be there.

So I reached out to my counselors and suggested they

1) watch the conference talk and then discuss it.

2) READ parts of the talk and then discuss it.

3) DITCH the talk and just take requests and sing

EVERY Christmas hymn in the book.

4) Share memories and experiences since becoming

a new ward, interspersed with Christmas hymns...

No idea what they will do.

But I know it will be fine.

Kyle got a paying job for this morning, so they

didn't go to the brunch, so I can't get a first-hand

report on how it went. But I'm sure it was fun.

And now I'm heading to Cheddars to pick up my

delicious Monte Cristo sandwich with raspberry puree,

a slice of cheese cake, and some 

honey butter croissants. (it's a LARGE meal, so I'll

eat half and save the other half for dinner tomorrow night...

class doesn't end until 9 tomorrow night and I don't 

want to order dinner - just hit the hotel, eat, pack and

get to sleep so I can leave EARLY in the morning

and skip the traffic. Arriving on Friday was BRUTAL!

The traffic was horrendous! Took an extra 45+ minutes!)

Have a great evening!

I'm thinking about y'all at the Christmas party

at Mom & Dad's!!!

Boy I wish I could be there!

I Feel SO Accomplished

 This weekend I rented a car to go to Tampa.

I will be doing that every month.

Anyhow.

I drove over, nice and uneventfully.

And when I got up Saturday morning to drive

to my school, my car was blinking a dire warning.

My drivers-side front tire was low.

And the world would likely end shortly.

It said the air pressure was 27.

Sounds fine to me.

So I ignored it.

All day Saturday.

And Saturday evening.

And Sunday morning.

But at noon on Sunday I went around the corner

to the closest gas station (I only get a 30 min lunch)

and I PUT AIR IN THE TIRE ALL BY MYSELF!!!

Yes, I know.

I'm 63 years old.

And I'm fairly certain this is the first time.

I've watched others do it many many times.

But I am blessed with a house full of

willing men who take care of stuff like that

for me!

But I did it.

All by myself.

And I didn't die.

And the tire didn't explode.

And I didn't even get dirty!

Amazing.

Transformation is Complete

 Well. The transformation is complete.

I just finished teaching my morning zoom

and was sending emails to the students.

As I was typing in the email address I was

saying the letters out loud (well, to myself)

as I was typing because people have some

CRAZY email addresses!

And one of them was fazel.

And I said F. A. ZEE. E. L.

NOT ZED!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOO!

(hahahahahahaha)

I've probably been saying Zee

for years and years, but this morning

in my sleep deprived state, it HIT ME!

Sheesh.

And yes, I'm a bit sleep deprived.

I taught a 2-day class in Tampa this weekend.

Finished last night at 7.

Jumped on a Stake RS Zoom.

Then headed to my hotel and grabbed a sandwich

from the Arby's next door.

(I was going to grab a Monte Cristo sandwich

from the Cheddars up the street from the school

but they said it wouldn't be ready for nearly 45 minutes

and I just wasn't going to sit around that long...)

Anyhow. 

Ate my sandwich and headed to bed.

Set my alarm for 4.

But woke up at 3:22.

So I got up, I was already packed, so just

grabbed my stuff and headed out the door.

There's nearly NOBODY on the dreaded

Interstate-4 at 4:00 in the morning!

And I have to drive a whole 27 miles on it!

(It's agonizing on the trip over on Friday at 3:30p)

Anyhow.

There was LOTS of fog.

But luckily I was following a big truck with

lots of bright red lights, so I just followed him.

Got home right at 7:00.

Unloaded my car, then Kyle and I headed over

to Enterprise to return my rental.

(Nissan Versa - a nice little car...)

And then we headed home so he could go to work

and I could start my morning zoom class.

And now?

FOOD and a NAP!

 

Better!

 Thankfully my naturally minded son

brought me a little packet of freshly

ground clove in a coffee filter

to nestle in my mouth next to my

new crowns.

And SUCCESS!

They quit aching after an hour or so

and continue to be pain free this morning.

YEA!!!!

Meanwhile, my new (replacement)

overalls and coat came in last night.

I was too uncomfortable to try them on,

but this morning I tried them and they are

perfect! And WARM!

I'm all set for a Kansas winter!

Ouch!

 This morning I went to the eye glass

place and picked up my new distance glasses.

One of those "specials" 2 for 1.

So I got a pair of black frames for driving

(black is the color of the road...)

And a red pair for reading.

And then I headed over to the dentist to

get my two permanent crowns.

Nobody mentioned how painful it would be!

I don't take medicine.

I took 2 Ibuprofen about 45 minutes ago.

It felt good for 15 minutes.

That was it...

I'm thinking it will be an early night tonight.

(It's only 7pm)

Not really looking forward to teaching this weekend.

Unless they get better.

Oh, Christmas Tree.....

 We went out and bought a live tree on

BLACK FRIDAY!

Yes, we actually went to a store.

And it was PERFECT!

Rod and I put lights on it and then garland.

No ornaments.

It looked funny.

So on Saturday Kyle and I headed to Michael's

and bought a container of 50 unbreakable balls

for $12.00 (great sale!).

The majority of our ornaments are old.

And breakable.

And we didn't want to deal with it.

So we bought these new ones.

And I think it looks lovely.

I'll probably go back to a mix of old and new

next year, but this year I just felt like

doing something different!

She's a beaut.

And there is just something about a live tree.

We have to put her on cinder blocks and then

wrap it all in a Christmas themed blanket.

Beau likes to drink the water.

And then he stands under the lowest branches

because he likes the way they brush his back.

(Which is why we keep breaking ornaments...)

So, this year he has left it all alone.

Of course, there are no gifts under there yet.

He has been known to chew the bows off here and there.

Silly dog.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Have you started listening to Christmas music yet???

Back to Real Life

 The guys went back to work today.

And I went back to regular life.

Although I spent a good amount of the day

re-figuring ministering assignments.

There are 75 sisters identified as unassigned.

The ward is having a brunch on 12/10

and a special Christmas service on 12/25

and we want to invite ALL members to attend.

So we are trying to assign 2 (or 3) inactive / lost

members to each family to reach out to 

and invite them to join us.

But that means I have to figure out who lives

closest to these folks and which families

can reach out to them.

Meanwhile the EQ already assigned families

to the unassigned MEN (and a couple of the women).

I have several unmarried sisters, whether single,

divorced or widowed, but they don't have a

husband who would have been assigned by the EQ.

But MANY of them are elderly and driving around

to find a new family might not be something they

will be willing to do.

So... I'm trying to assign some sisters folks to visit

and other sisters folks to send a physical invitation

to through the mail. (I'm providing postage...)

Anyhow.

It's a HUGE project.

And they need to get the assignments out

to people no later than this Sunday.

And I'll be in Tampa.

So I have to have my part finished and

all organized before then.

We sort of started on this when we set up the

hurricane / emergency action plan zones.

But still!

So that's what I spent lots of the day doing.

And we have our first funeral.

So I've been coordinating with my compassionate

service counsellor to figure out a meal for after

the memorial. (I think we are just going to cater.)

We have a good bit of budget left, and there are

only 6 family members.

And it's Friday - which is coming up fast.

AND I will be out of town.

So.....

Anyhow.

That's what my day looked like.

I just finished teaching.

And I did a little online Christmas shopping.

Not much.

(And one of the things was for ME! hahahahaha.)

Anyhow.

Sunday afternoon Kyle and I went down to the beach

to watch a launch.

LOOK at the dunes!!!

We lost SO MUCH SAND to the hurricane!

That's the biggest dune cliff we've seen.

(It's probably 4 feet in most places!)

The beach is FLAT FLAT FLAT - and we saw people walking

all the way out to the last set of waves and were

still below their knees in water!

The launch was pretty though!

Lots of people came out to watch.

It was a bit chilly though.

We stayed for an hour and then

headed home.

Black Friday

 It's not REALLY Black Friday.

Because we don't do any shopping.

Although I think we are going to Tractor Supply

to return my birthday present.

Rod got me a yummy, warm barn coat 

WITH A HOOD!!!!!

Unfortunately, I'm bigger than I used to be.

So it was a little too small.

He also got me these great overalls!

They fit great, but are meant to be worn

OVER your jeans, and then they would

be a bit snug... so again we are going

with a larger size.

(See above...)

(hahaha)

So. Since it's Black Friday and everything is

on a great sale, he is getting them at an

even lower price!

Win / Win!

(And since it's 80 degrees outside today,

I'm not in a giant hurry to wear them...

I tried them on yesterday morning and

very nearly melted. They are going to be 

PERFECT in Kansas!)

(Where it is 27!!!! today...)

We had a really nice Thanksgiving yesterday.

We ate some yummy dinner and then 

sat and re-watched The Santa Clause and laughed

and pointed out things we hadn't seen before

and just had a good time with it.

Then we watched the first 3 episodes of the

new The Santa Clauses (tv shows on Disney Plus).

They were kind of cute, with the original cast.

But very 2022 (as opposed to 1994!)

And then we were all exhausted and headed off to bed.

This morning I had to teach a zoom to ONE STUDENT!

So I pretended there were others.

Good job Zelda! You got the right answer!

Excellent question Steve - yes, that would work here...

Hahahahahaha.

If you gotta be here, you gotta make it fun.

Now that I'm done, we are going to have a 

Rhodes Roll turkey sandwich (or 3) and then

head over to Tractor Supply to make the exchange.

And then?

Who knows.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

Looks like Rozann and Greg are enjoying New York!

(Although the weather isn't what is was yesterday...

at least they didn't get rained on at the parade!)

HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!

GO EAT SOME LEFTOVERS!

Thanksgiving Eve

 Goodness Gracious!

What a week this has been!

Started it out at the 4-day class in Tampa where 

we were having a cold front and I nearly

froze to DEATH!

Both outside AND inside the classroom!

I even went to WalMart and picked up a 

new sweater!

Cute, eh?

I'm s sucker for polka dots.

(And stripes.)

It was a good class.

And then I got up EARLY Tuesday morning

(4:30) and was on the road by 5.

Filled the gas tank right there across the

street from my hotel and then headed east.

It rained most of the drive back, but not a

hard rain, just enough to keep the wipers on.

Got back into town at 8:30.

Just enough time to stop by the house and unload

Rod's truck and then head over to the church

to meet the Bishop Storehouse truck.

They had 59 orders and some of them didn't make

it onto the truck. So after helping those who did get

their food and organizing what to do for the next day

I finally got out of there about 10:45. (The truck was

supposed to be there at 9:30 but got held up at the

Cocoa ward building so didn't get there until 10.)

Stopped at UPS on the way home to ship something

back to home office and then off to the house

to stick a turkey in the freezer and then do all my

paperwork for the class. And THEN headed to 

the office about 12:30 (after their lunch break.)

Since I was LATE I stayed until 5 and then

headed home.  Kyle went with Jim on a couple

house inspections (took the day off from FIT)

and so I got to visit with them for a minute.

Once I got home from work we fed the animals

and then headed over to Walmart to do the last

of the Thanksgiving shopping.

The shelves were looking a little bare!

There wasn't any milk, or cream, I got

one of the last tubs of sour cream...

looks like the dairy truck didn't make it.

So we went to the real grocery store next door

and picked up canned sweet potatoes and 

marshmallows. 

Then it was time for dinner and bed!

This morning I got up and headed back to the church

to pick up the rest of the missing turkeys.

Stopped by the house to drop them off

and then again to the town.

Once I got there, the Empty Nester group was

having their Friendsgiving meal at the church

at noon and the sister in charge texted and said

she couldn't get into the church.

Turns out she has a key (has had one for 2 years)

but never learned how to use it!

(You have to turn the key and then push a button...)

My counselor lives 2 blocks away so she went

over to let her in and showed her how the key works.

Meanwhile the sister's non-member husband, who Rod

has befriended was texting Rod that they couldn't get

into the church, so Rod was also texting me.

And then Wendy was texting me that NOBODY CAME.

But meanwhile our newest little elderly convert

was calling, concerned that she had her food

ready but just found out they were supposed to bring

a white-elephant gift, so I had to calm her down.

Told Wendy that I knew of at least 4 sisters who were

planning to attend.

Meanwhile Stewart was texting Rod that there was

nobody there and they were leaving and going home.

So Rod was texting me.

Meanwhile, I'm at work trying to help citizens

who are trying to get permits issued before the holiday.

AAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGG.

LOL.

So I left the town around 3:30.

And then I texted Wendy to see how it went.

And, sure enough, they had 14 show and had a lovely time.

(Until the end when little Barbara fell on the way out

and cut her head and they had to call an ambulance.)

I'll call and check on her tomorrow morning.

Home.

Made 4 tubs of dog food.

Read my book for a bit.

Came into the zoom room to start my evening class.

Glanced over at my zoom calendar.

I'm scheduled to teach MORNINGS this week.

OOPS!

So I visited with the night instructor for 20

minutes while we waited for students to show up.

And now I'm all caught up.

And I'm going to stick a pizza in the oven

and then I just might call it an early night.

Because tomorrow I will be OLD!!!!!!!!!

Tampa (again)

 I'm Baaaaaaaaaack.

This time I'm doing the 4-day in a row class.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday.

I drove over on Thursday afternoon.

Left my house at 12:15 and got here at 4:20.

I'll be testing students until 9pm on Monday night

so I'll stay the night and leave EARLY (5) on Tuesday.

Hoping the trip goes smoothly because I MUST

be at the church by 9:30 to pick up

the Thanksgiving turkeys from the

Bishop's storehouse for some members.

I have a couple of older gentlemen who 

might appreciate a meal, so we will

probably cook them for those guys,

but everybody else is on their own.

Anyhow.

Then.... while I was driving, my boss called

and asked how I liked the Tampa class and

how the drive was (brutal) and if I had any

interest in taking over the site.

I said no. And I'm not even sure I want to do

the Boynton Beach class I had already agreed to.

Bottom line, I would need to buy a car.

We don't want to put that many miles on Rod's

new truck since we might sell it before we move.

And I am just not interested in buying a car.

He said, so rent one.

I said, I tried! It was going to be $318 for 

ONE WEEKEND and I need it for two each month!

And he said, so? The company has to pay

for the rental AND the fuel.

Just keep receipts and the rental agreement.

Oh, by the way, stop staying in Days Inn.

Find a NICE hotel!

(Nightly rate cap is $250!!!!!)

So, yeah.

I'm going to teach the 2-weekend class in

December because he is desperate and I

am incapable of saying No.

And then starting in January, I'm going to do the 4-day.

The 3rd weekend each month, so it doesn't

interfere with RS (2nd and 4th Sundays).

And I get to rent a nice car.

And I get to stay in a nice hotel.

And I still have to do the brutal drive,

but books on tape make it less awful....

So.

2023, here we come!

Wow. Just Wow.

 It's been a whirlwind and its still blowing.

HA!

Monday I drove back from Tampa and then

spent about 2 hours getting all the paperwork done.

Next, ran to Sam's and WalMart for some groceries

for us and some silverware for the church kitchen.

Home to put everything away, eat a quick lunch/dinner

and sit down to teach my night zoom.

Tuesday morning when I got to work, Denine

(my co-worker) wasn't there. She got sick on her

way to work, stopped at our fire department and the

chief put her on an ambulance to the hospital.

So I stayed and took care of everything until 5.

As I pulled into my driveway at 5 I remembered

we were having our first Homemaking for the year

and I was supposed to be there at 5:15 helping with

set-up, etc.

So I pulled back out of my driveway and

headed over to the church.

We had Friendsgiving with haystacks

(rice with a choice of about 25 toppings,

salad, and LOTS of yummy desserts...)

The cultural hall looked really nice.

And I didn't take a single picture!!

I wandered from table to table and visited

with most everyone who was there.

We generally get about 18 women in

Relief Society on Sunday and we had about

28 there last night, so we were pleased.

Everyone seemed to have a good time.

We had no theme, no lesson, no .... anything.

Just an opportunity to sit, visit, eat (carbs) and

RELAX before the busy season kicks off.

(Which is how it was advertised...)

We got everything finished and cleaned up

by a little after 8:00, so I headed home,

ate a bowl of cold cereal (I didn't eat much

because I was wandering / talking / etc...)

and then we headed off to bed.

Only to be awakened at 1:45 to watch the

Artemis rocket FINALLY launch. (try number 2,148,357... lol).

It was BEAUTIFUL.

And worth getting up for!

And then back to bed.

To get up and head back to the Town to cover

for Denine again. We are super busy right now,

between the usual new permits, end of fiscal year

and all the reports, and of course, the hurricane

put everything behind. 

We had quite a bit of damage to the many docks 

on our river coast, so I expect lots and lots of

dock permits to come in.

And we lost a big chunk out of one of our roads

that borders the river.

Not sure how we will pay to fix that... but I'm not

the Town Manager, so I will let him figure it out.

Poor guy.

Just left there, came home to do some more paperwork

for my classes last weekend and this upcoming one this

weekend, and then I need to get ready to start this

evening's class here in an hour.

So....

that's what I've been doing.

Whew!

Beau. All ready for Zoom.