Another wonderfully rainy day here - but chilly - highs only in the 40s.  At least it's not snowing and it's above freezing!  PT again this morning, and then on Thursday.

Sue, I play with a foursome here at the Terrace once  week (when we're all well and in residence).  But the group hasn't played since before my surgery.  The duplicate games are at the Chattanooga Bridge Center, which is only a couple of miles from my apartment.  I don't know that I'll be going back to the Monday afternoon contract bridge group.  The weekly duplicate game is Monday evening, and that would make for a really long day. 

Sharon, I'm glad you're gotten your decorations the way you like them.  I know you enjoy them.

jane - nice that they're keeping things "kept up" around your condo area.  My Iowa friends from here might not get there this year.  He's had a large skin cancer area taken off his head which required a skin graft -- which didn't take.  They'll have to do another one, and that might not be until into January sometime.  Tough.

Marilyn, y'all don't usually get weather that cold, do you?  Stay warm!

Marilyn...it sounds as if you've got the new front they're talking about on the weather channel. 

It's beautiful here today....but by the end of the week, another "cold" front...and here that means temps in the high 50s or 60s...is coming through.  That's ok...sure beats the 10 at home with below zero wind chill.

Maryz....I hope your friend's doctor knows about artificial skin.  It's living "stuff," but they don't have to take it from the patient...and Ray's surgeon didn't want two sites to have to heal on a diabetic.  It's a long, long process, though, and Ray's doc checked him every single week for several months....so your friends may be in Iowa for this winter. 

I did walk up to the store for bananas, then came back and baked gingersnaps while my laundry was drying.  All is finished/cooling now, so I"m off to the balcony to read for a while.

jane

jane, I'll ask them about the artificial skin.  Fortunately they're not in Iowa for the winter - they're here in Chattanooga - just grew up and went to college in Iowa.

Ahhh...good, Mary, as there are severe wind chill advisories out this morning in our corner of Iowa!

We had fun last night trying to find a place to eat.  Our first choice was closed for their Xmas party.  So, we drove across the causeway to a second choice.  As I started to get out of the car, a worker came over and said they were closed for some remodeling.  I wasn't surprised by then when I realized a second restaurant we'd gone by was also closed...and I remembered all three are owned by the same company.  On the way to a third choice back on the island, another place we'd considered was also closed.  We ended up at our old standby place that is independently owned.  Our friends know the owner, and he pulled up a chair and talked and talked and talked!   

jane

Jane, what a hassle!  Glad you finally found someplace open!

It is fairly sunny here today and supposed to reach 50 before the bottom drops out tomorrow.  Our rain didn't amount to much, a scant .03".

The landscapers did get here yesterday and blew all the leaves away! So glad because Bunny drags them in on her fur.  However, the oaks that edge the golf course behind us are still holding on to most of their leaves.

Nothing big going on here. I didn't get to sleep till 3:30, so not very energetic.  Hi to all.  Sharon

I was busy this morning getting out card tables and chairs for bridge here tomorrow.  I did get my 3 blocks down and back up before my shower.  Olyne picked me up about noon to go to Terri's for our bridge luncheon.  Terri had all her decorations up and her home was lovely.  She served Chicken Salad from Chicken Salad Chick, fresh broccoli, and rolls and for dessert it was Olyne's pumpkin recipe which is sort of cake like, but also has a pudding sort of filling.  All was yummy.

Since I came home, I've been helping Betty Crocker make some cookies as I have the other bridge club here tomorrow at 12:30.  I'll serve the cookies with ice cream--probably Death by Chocolate as I think I have enough for 8 servings.  I am not going to the store until Friday.  I'll have a ride to get a haircut first and then to Kroger afterward.  (provided by our Village Friends.  this organization has been a life saver for me).

I'm tired this evening and have the news on now and will watch a Hallmark movie and go off to bed afterwards.  If I watch 2 Hallmarks, I'll go to bed at 11:00.

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Did go out in the 9 deg freezing weather  this morning. Warning us to stay indoors tomorrow. Will be 6 below freezing tonight. and not above 10 deg tomorrow. Ice is not helping. I had to go over into the Mall area and unbelievable how the traffic was. Doubt I go back over in that area until after New Years.
Jane , You picked a good time to be gone. Not much better over in Iowa.

Today  I took my new glasses back. Just could not use them as . Tried for over a month.Progressive Not for me. I will just stay with putting glasses on and off. Take better care of not putting them down everywhere.

I Tried but  gave me a head ache and bothered eyes. I have never been bothered with head aches.  Dr. today told me not to go with the Progressive, Just to stay with reading glasses as I was in before.  He said after the Cataract surgery few years ago. That is all I need. My far sight is good but need for reading close. I just thought I would like to see if I could keep glasses on instead of On and Off all the time.  Now will have to wait 4 days to get them. Not going to charge me to change them as long as stay with the same frames. Will just change the lenses.  Hate to think I had to pay the$300 over again.

Thursday greetings.  It's hard to believe it's the middle of Dec. already!!

We walked this morning...in an odd weather pattern here now for next week. VERY warm coming for two days and then the bottom drops out about Sunday and it gets very cold (for here) and winds out of the north for a few days.

Yes, glad we're here!  MN family awoke to -6 the other day...actual temp. 

We went to Brownsville yesterday but are in now for several days. 

We're supposed to get a visit from Ray's cousin, but the guy hasn't bothered to let us know when he's arriving!  Isn't that like a man. GRRRRR!!

jane

So glad to be living in the South where our 40 degree temps are considered unusually cold!  Should be 64 Sunday and then probably some more roller coaster temps.  But this is doable.

Jane, I hate when people don't let you know when they're coming. John has a cousin who lives in Alaska who has visited us maybe 2 or 3 times and is yet to call ahead till he was in town!  Drove me crazy.  No forewarning at all, just pops in out of the blue like he lived next door!!

Sue, hope you had a nice bridge game and are ready for the next one.

I got my hair cut at 10:30 this morning and then went to the grocery & got that out of the way.  Then I collected some clothes, etc to put in the bag for the Domestic Abuse charity to pick up tomorrow. I already had several things put aside to donate but hadn't done it yet.  Since then, I've been playing on the computer, listening to Christmas music, etc. while John went into Pineville to shop for my Christmas. He said it was really busy for a Thurs afternoon.

Jeanne, I think you need to stay in until the temps rise and the snow melts!

Marilyn, did you get any of the snow that hit Portland?

Mary, how's the PT going?  Have you tried the pool yet?

I want to do some Christmas baking, but John is trying to diet and doesn't want me to, so not sure if I will or not.

Hi to all.  Sharon

Hi Buddies.  I've had a very busy day.  I've got a problem in my bathroom with the water in the toilet running all the time unless I turn it off.  I keep forgetting to tell Tim which is stupid as I know he can fix it.  He did come by today to see if I needed any help setting up the card tables, but I did that late yesterday afternoon.  So I forgot the toilet again!  I'll have to write it down to tell him the next time he's over.

It's in the mid 40s now and my furnace is running.  It's going down to 26 and below possibly tonight.  I have a De Longhi heater which I use in my den at night when I'm watching TV and it keeps me cozy. 

Bridge was fun today.  I had 2 subs, both good friends who like to play and are able to sub most of the time we need them.  I served some not very good cookies I made last night from a Betty Crocker Mix and Death by Chocolate Ice Cream which a wonderful Kroger brand. 

About 10:30, my doorbell rang this morning and the delivery man had a beautiful floral arrangement for me from Bill, Dawn, and Andy.  Red roses, red and white carnations, 2 types of pine greenery.  Simply lovely!  I called Dawn's cell and left a thank you message.  I'm sure she made the arrangements for the delivery.  A local florist with a lot of talent made the arrangement.

Our temperature is going down in the low 40's and maybe 30's tonight.  This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it means my furnace will be working overtime until the thermostat moves to the lower temp I like when I go to bed.  And might still have to work to keep it at that lower temperature.

I hope everyone is well, happy, and getting Christmas chores completed.

Sue

Nothing exciting around here - although the temps have been in the 30s all day.  It was breezy, making it feel colder, but at least the sun was shining.  Supposed to be more of the same tomorrow.

I did go the pool yesterday morning - just did most of the PT exercises in the warmer therapy pool.  I'll continue to do that on Wednesdays and Fridays until after the first of the year.  Then, when I'm through with PT, I'll try to get back into the regular classes.  PT is tough, but I am still making progress.

The Terrace had a family get-together tonight for dinner - with a prime rib dinner.  It was a very good meal, but I didn't stay for the entertainment.  It was crowded with all the extra people, and I was happy to get back home into my soft clothes.  LOL  I'm going to a Christmas party (and duplicate games) at the Bridge Center Saturday and my swim-group Xmas party is next Wednesday.  That's enough celebrating for me - plus going to Margaret's sometime, too.  She'll come through here on Sunday evening for dinner after the Lady Vols game in Knoxville, and we'll make plans then.

Is anybody travelling over the holidays?  Other than Marilyn, heading to CA? 

Hi everyone,  We'll be leaving for California on the 24th returning on the 26th. I am taking Freckles with us again this year.
I still have to get the stuff I am taking to the kids packed up , like the extra groceries Freckles Food  and get stuff together for my bag. Don't have to take much for such a short time. The gifts, food and the sleeping bag that I am taking for Freckles to sleep on will take up a lot of the room Plus I am taking dinner for Christmas Eve, to be cooked there. I am making 4 cheese Manicotti and French bread for supper there.

That 30 to 40 deg. you are having sound good to me.  Today was 7 deg and tonight will be 11 below zero.  Been that all week.  Such a bill will get this month and the next 3. But O.K as long as Furnace keep running and pipes dont freeze

2 things still stay with me after all these years . The war years in UK when we almost would freeze as depended on coal back then and it was hard to get. Had to go to the factories.  And the other is the sound of the police sirens here. They sound just the same as the Air Raid warnings we had. 6 years of them stayed and still if the come late at night here when they are heading for the Interstate I wake up  remembering.
Funny how things will stay with you isn't it.

Marilyn...you'll have a car full of stuff for your trip.  I assume you'll be doing the driving.  Did K pass his driving class?

Jeanne....Iowa is the same... very cold and snowy, according to friends' texts and emails.

Same roller coaster here... very warm until Sunday and then cold for next week. 

Jane

Hi Jane , Keith hasn't had the test yet. I have no idea how long it will take the DMV to get to him I sent the letter to Salem(Oregon capital) two weeks ago. As for the AARP test, that go postponed until January because of the urinary problem he had. I will be doing all the driving since we are going in  my car. He hasn't driven my car and doesn't want to. My car has a lot more room being a small SUV. I will prepare the manicotti on Friday  since I don't cook the noodles first  they won't tear when I stuff them. I'll just get it all rteady here and stick it the oven when I get there.

Jeanne That must really bring back some bad memories for you.

Sounds like we all are having cold temps. It is unusual for us in SC to be so cold in Dec.  Usually, the ultra cold times are end of Jan-Feb.  Still, nothing like Jeanne is having.  Lori was saying how bad it was in Chicago too.

Jeanne, I'm sure the war years and post war years were rough ones for you in the UK. I can remember sending care pkgs to children in England shortly after the war.  I'm not surprised that the sirens bring back those memories.

Mary, glad you're still making progress with the PT. Sounds like a lot of partying.  We aren't going to any this year.  My clubs have events, but I usually skip them.  Just the bridge club one is important to me.

Sue, glad the bridge went off well.  Whoo Hoo on the beautiful flower arrangement. Sounds gorgeous.  You could google running toilet and learn how to fix it. I've done it in the past and it isn't hard. Just can't remember now how I did it.

Marilyn, the manicotti sounds like a good dinner to take.  I do hope the roads are clear and that you have a safe drive.  Did you get Keith to remove the old microwave and ditch it?  Hope so.

Nothing going on here. Have to wrap John's gifts in a bit, but there aren't many, so it won't take long.

Jane, do you have plans with others in the area for Christmas? Hope you get your warm weather back soon.

Hi to all.  Sharon

Good morning, Buddies.  Yesterday Tim got my table decorations out of the attic, so I've spent my morning putting nativity figures out.  I have straw I put around them--I even have one in my larger guest bathroom--it's ceramic and in one piece.  My favorite is the first one Bob and I bought at a dime store Christmas 1958--our first Christmas together.  It's shabby and not up to the others I've collected over the years, but sentimental value tops all that.  Bill and Tim made several little sheep in SS when just 4 and 5, so those go in with the dime store set.  I have a beautiful white Hummel set Bob found at a garage sale in Albuquerque and I've bought several during the Christmas season here in Auburn.  Our church has a SERV sale annually and all the items are made by artisans in Central America and other depressed countries.  I'm not putting up a tree this year.  My next door neighbor brought me a small pre-decorated tree they had and I will return it after Christmas.  Their grandchildren with the help of Grandpa made a new wooden ornament for the tree so I'm going to get some candy canes for Sandra and Rob to give to them.

I've had my morning walk and have laundry in the dryer.  I have a haircut appointment at 1:30 and hope to get my driver (from Village Friends) to take me to Belk's for a brief visit afterwards.  I've had him as a driver before and he has been happy to stop other places, too, like the bank when I need to get some cash.

At 6:00 our choir director is driving our church bus and picking up widows of a certain age.  He will take us to his house for a Christmas meal.  His wife is our organist, so I'm expecting a little musical entertainment, too.  It should be a nice evening.

It's chilly here today, but of course no rain or snow.  We're still in drought stage with water restrictions.  I've been watering my house plants with my rain barrel water.  My shrubs, especially my azaleas, are looking VERY DRY!

Have a nice day, Buddies.
Sue

Sharon...yes, we and our Iowa friends here are planning Christmas dinner out together.  There are quite a few places that have Christmas buffets, but many are extremely expensive for what is there and the amount any of us eat.  We've found a place instead we both like and that is planning something special for Christmas as well as their regular menu.

Sue...your nativity sets sound very special.

Marilyn...a good hearty meal and easy to just pop in the oven since you'll have already done all the work.


The Southern winds are bringing the promised heat for the next couple of days. I walked a bit with Ray, but my joints aren't happy, so I didn't go as far as he did.  We'll walk up to the grocery when he gets back.



jane

Jane a big plus is my grand daughter doesn't eat meat and it is a meatless dish.

We have been one our weekly Walmart run this morning, it is so cold the grass is still frozen at 34° currently, no walks for freckles  in this kind of cold however, she will be going to visit my Hospice  client  after he has his lunch. So maybe it will be a couple  of degrees warmer by then and maybe the grass will be sort of thawed.

That makes your food prep easier for this dish, anyway!!

Hi Buddies.  I got up about 8:00 and took my time with breakfast--walked 3 blocks down and 3 back to my house after that.  We have a new family moving in down the street, so I stopped to talk to the Mom and a son for a few minutes.  While doing that, one of our neighbors who lived just 2 doors away from me when I moved here (her hubby is/was my vet when Stubby was living).  I haven't seen any of them for a long time--at a funeral a year ago.  The oldest was driving!  She was 5 or 6 when I moved here.  Her Mom says Catie will graduate from high school in May.  Time really flies.  We have only 3 young children here now.  I hope to get a small batch of gingerbread men made early next week and will invite the Moms and little girls down to decorate them.

I'm expecting a young man about 5:15 to take me to the church for Tammy's daughter Catherine's wedding.  It doesn't start until 6:00, but I think the Y.M. is probably an usher.  I have never met him and appreciate that he will take me there.  Not being able to drive is the pits.

I've just turned on men's basketball.  My South Carolina Gamecocks are playing the U. of South Florida and are ahead by 8 points, but it looks like a very tight game.  USF is a good team.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I've showered and shampooed and have chosen my outfit, so I'm free to read and/or watch basket for a couple of hours. 

Have a good day, Buddies.
Sue

Sue.  Glad you can get out and do your walking and make the wedding. Nice you are getting people to take you were you need to be.
I called off the dinner for Sunday afternoon. Will only be 7 deg and they would be coming from out of town.  To icy for me to go out to store today and some things I needed. Just awful here. Drizzling, freezing. They say has been 40 accident around the area since yesterday.  First time I have seen them having to come and put salt and looks like sand at the corner to be able to turn onto my street. Glad as my house sits on the corner and would be hit if car didn't make the turn.
Cancelled Dr. appt again now until next Tuesday. Just a final on my year checkup. Not that important.  I will try and just go across to Ardi's which is across the street and get some bread and milk. Have lots of things in the Freezer. Filled car up with gas on Thursday.

Hi Buddies - sorry for the cold weather for some of you.  It's warmed up some here - near 50 - but drizzly and misty/foggy.

I went to the Christmas Party at the Bridge Center this afternoon - was asked to go by a gal I'd not played with before.  It was a good lunch, and lots of bridge (17 tables/ 26 hands) - we mostly communicated pretty well, but didn't finish very high.  This was all levels, so there were a number of life masters there - all nice folks, though. 

I just got home (4:45), so am pretty whipped for the day. Looking forward to a light supper upstairs and soft clothes.  8^)

Strange. I had to login today. Oh well, made it in.

I haven't done much today. I ran down and did a check on Ms Frances because her phones weren't working. She was fine and I found the dead phone and got it back on the charger for her. 

I've got a big pot of ham and beans simmering and cornbread ready to finish up and put in the oven.  Yum!  John's not overly thrilled, but he will eat them a couple times.  It's a favorite of mine.

John played bridge again today. He doesn't usually on Sat, but one of his partners wanted him to.

We had icy rain over night and a very cold morning but it is up in the 40's now.

Jeanne, you're smart to stay in when it's that cold.

Sue, I hope you enjoyed the wedding. Nice of the young man to give you a ride.

Mary, sounds like a nice bridge afternoon.

Marilyn, you've really got unusual weather for your area.  I hope Freckles enjoyed his Hospice visit.

Have a nice evening.  Sharon

Still having the Ice storm. My car frozen that can't open doors. Spent a hour chipping Ice off it.  All our Mail boxes are the same. They are out in the open. Got a big tarp and covered the car. Doubt I use it tomorrow in 7 deg weather.

This is our February weather. came early. So maybe leave early.

Hope no one here  has plans to travel by air if they live in the Midwest. Think will still be hard to get out of Chicago, Indianapolis. (Glad you not trying Sue).

Need my hair shaped but just shampooed it and sort of trimmed it off my neck. Still trying to get a short Bob back. Could do it if this weather keeps up.

I'm just home from the party.  Food was plentiful and very good.  Drinks on the house and a band played from the time I arrived and was still playing when Brad brought me home at 10:00.  I even danced a couple of numbers.  Once with Tammy's husband and another time with one of their close friends.  Lots of little children there (the ones in the wedding and their siblings).  They danced from the time the music started and were still dancing when we lit tapers to send the bride and groom off on their honeymoon about 9:50.  They are going to the Dominican Republic tomorrow, I think.

I've put my jammies on and have the news on.  I can't decide whether I'll stay up until 11:00 for another Hallmark Christmas movie.  I'm not going to church tomorrow as Olyne has company and isn't going. 

Sleep well, buddies.
Sue

Hi my friends! We have snow on the ground.  Ray got out the small Christmas tree but he doesn't plan on getting the big tree out.    I understand that he isn't that young guy I married anymore.

I'm pushing myself to do some the Christmas decorating. Ray got the little tree out.  I am going to bring the village pieces up one at a time from the lower level.  I don't go down there  much because it was Doug's. Still having a hard time. 

Sue how much longer for your recovery time?  We probably won't be traveling to my brother's this Christmas.  He hasn't called us to set the time and date.  Last year there wasn't enough room at the house my sil family is having it at for us. I really like chatting with my sil's sister.  We are closer in age and been through more. (cancer) He is our only relative so I get bummed. 

Hi to all the BB.

The latest cold front to hit everyone has reached down here to the tip of Texas and the winds are fierce.
I lost internet during the night, but it seems to be working ok now.  We have no plans to be out today...going to settle back and watch pro football and just veg out. 

I hope everyone has their  bought and are ready for next Sunday!  We're awaiting one gift to arrive...mine...since I couldn't make up my mind, but I know what it is and will be fine whenever it arrives.  My sister's gifts have arrived as well as "the gang's"...her children, grand and great grands who sent us a fabulous gift box of cheeses and products we like from my area of Ohio...[GinnyAnn may know what Trail Bologna is]...and we'll have that to feast on this holiday season!



Stay safe if you're dealing with ice and snow and low temps.  At home, it's to be a HIGH of -10.  Brrrrr!!

jane

No ice and snow here, but the wind is blowing and is damp, so feels pretty chilly.  We might get rain later on today.  I am attending a Lady Tigers basketball game at 4:00 this afternoon.  The men's team is playing at noon, so the women are pushed back, no ladies first here!

I went to a lovely wedding and reception at the University Club last night.  Tammy's daughter was finally marrying her long time boyfriend.  She was a beautiful bride and her attendants wore Christmas green and carried red roses.  One of the attendants husband was nominated to come to my house and pick me up and then bring me home after the festivities.  I feel so hampered by not being able to drive yet!  He is a nice guy--they live in Cleveland, Ohio, and his wife was the matron of honor.  They hired a band and I was actually asked to dance twice.  Once with Tammy's husband Ab, and the second time with their longtime friend who lives in Atlanta.  I finally met him and his wife at the wedding. 

I'm hoping my church friends who also attend women's basketball games don't forget they said they'd take me again today.  They will be out of town on the 28th which is the next home game.  My neighbor who will go with me today will also be out of town on the 28th, so I'll have to scrounge up another driver.  Being unable to drive is the pits!

GinnyAnn, I won't have my big tree out this year either.  My neighbor brought me a small table top tree they have and I've put out my nativity sets, but that's the extent of it.  Tim got my large box holding the nativities out one day this past week, so it does look a little bit like Christmas.  I miss my tree and my ornament collection for it.  I still have one Bob's mother made when he was just a baby.  She covered a small box with red satin and clued a Santa face with a cotton wool beard at the opening.  It looks like he's going down the chimney.  Pretty shabby by now, but I treasure it.

Jane, I'm waiting for my llbean Christmas wreath to arrive.  Bill has already received his, but Tim hasn't mentioned his, nor has Jon.  I was late in ordering them and we might be having New Year's wreaths! 

P.S.  I understand now why Tim thinks I need to continue to have appointments with Dr. Gam about my memory.  I seem to repeat   lots of things I tell you Buddies.  I'm sorry about that!

Sue

Sue....don't worry about the repeating things.  We all do it!

GinnyAnn....a small tree is all we've ever had and this year, here in Texas it's SUPER tiny...maybe 10" tall with mini ornaments and lit with teenytiny lights....but it works for us.  I also brought one of my snowmen to sit beside a lamp and look a little Christmasy. 

I'm annoyed that the FOX sports people here in Texas don't understand why we'd NOT want to see Detroit and NY play rather than GreenBay and Chicago! Geez!!!{MY preference!!}

We're sad that our Iowa Friends are having some problems and may go home quite early.  He's been diagnosed with Lewey Body Dementia and she thinks he's having more problems here.  So, they may end up going home and are canceling their Hawaii trip they were taking at the end of Feb.

Take care, Buddies!!

jane