Dec 19th to 24th - Mesa

Dec 19th – Sun – Mesa
I started the day with a lovely long phone call to cousin Pat and then went through a huge Sunday newspaper & ads which we are getting while our neighbors are gone to Colorado.
We got some new coffee cups and decided that we needed a couple more. Of course, the store now does not have any more – and I have to admit that Terry was right when he said we should get more initially. We spent some time in stores trying to figure out a way to secure the TV remote above the bed so I can turn off the TV when Terry falls asleep but it stays put so it doesn’t keep landing on Terry’s head – no luck there either.
The rest of the day was kind of lazy with some cleaning & visiting.

Dec 20th – Mon – Mesa
We were supposed to golf with Neil & Robin today but didn’t get things set up so just visited with them for a while, stopped at Bill & Lauri’s for a bit and then went shopping. We were still trying to find more coffee cups with no luck. We got some tins for buddy burners at a couple of Goodwill stores, stopped for breakfast/lunch, went to Costco for coffee and then to 2 Hobby Lobby stores to use 40% off coupons to buy blocks of wax for buddy burners.
We went to Fry’s looking for tart shells. They didn’t have any but I needed just a couple of other items and stood in line forever to check out. Terry was getting diesel and parked to come looking for me as I took so long.
We made buddy burners when we got back and then went to Garry & Stephane’s for dinner. After dinner we played Arizona Rummy. Garry must have had horseshoes somewhere as he won 3 of 5 games. Terry had a very bad night and didn’t win while Stephane & I won one each.
We played the 5th game hoping Terry would win and ended up leaving after midnight. I saw the eclipse of the moon when we walked back but didn’t know it until I saw it on TV the next morning.

Dec 21st – Tues – Mesa
We continued our fruitless search for tart shells at two more grocery stores and just ended up with ingredients for some candy & cookies. I made 2 batches of fudge, 2 batches of peanut brittle and baked shortbread cookies that were in the fridge.
Line dancing lessons were moved to the Fiesta community center as the ballroom was all set up for the Christmas dinner tomorrow. We reviewed a couple of dances and learned another new one to get quite a workout. We drove to the dance lessons as we thought the rain from earlier in the day might return before we got back.

Dec 22nd – Wed – Mesa
I felt just a couple of rain drops while we were playing bocce ball this morning but it was warm enough to shed our jackets partway through the first game. I had mixed up cookie dough before we left and it was chilled enough for baking when we finished breakfast. Ernie & Dianne stopped by for a visit after they completed their daily gym workout.
I got out the sewing machine – altered a blouse for Lauri, shortened a Tshirt for me and sewed down plackets on a shirt/jacket that refused to lay flat.
We got ready for the park Christmas dinner and just after 4 went to Billy & Lauri’s for a drink first. We were joined by Larry & Julie, Neal & Judi and Neil & Robin. Except for Neil & Robin, this was the group at our table. We were pleasantly surprised to find Bill & Jan also at our table. We met Bill on our first morning bike ride and have seen them many times since.
The dinner and entertainment were very nice. Round tables were set with black tablecloths & napkins, a centerpiece, wine glasses, chocolate cream pie and a carafe each of red & white wine on each table. Volunteers at 2 serving lines dished up plates of chicken cordon bleu, potatoes au gratin and mixed vegetables. Then we added rolls, butter and salad before heading back to our tables. Singer Tina Peoples provided the entertainment with her lovely voice in a selection of Christmas songs. Terry won a flashlight/multi tool in the door prize drawings.
Terry got talked into joining a poker game after dinner so I went next door to the puzzle room. The first thing I did on the way back was step into a huge puddle as it rained quite hard while we were inside.

Dec 23rd – Thurs – Mesa
I called Ernie & Dianne early this morning and asked them over for cinnamon rolls & fruit for breakfast. We ended up showing them some pictures and used up most of the morning.
After a break for Ernie & Dianne to work out at the gym, we joined them to go to WalMart & Costco. We got back just in time for happy hour at Gary & Dianne’s as they had asked us over a couple of days ago. Then it was time to pick up Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane for a trip to Fat Willy’s for appetizers for dinner. Phew!!
Of course it was too early to call it a day so we christened Ernie & Dianne’s new round table by playing Arizona Rummy until midnight. Terry won a game tonight and then went back to his ugly cards.

Dec 24th – Fri – Mesa
We dropped off some cookies & candy for Larry & Julie and Bill & Lauri before picking up Ernie & Dianne at 9 for a trip to the Marketplace for breakfast and shopping. Dianne was looking for items to make candy coated pretzels and I think she is all set now. Terry got a golf bag and moved over all his stuff before we had a light lunch.
I made a couple of appetizers and we headed to Bill & Lauri’s for an “appy” dinner with them, Larry & Julie and Neal & Judi. It was a little cool after the sun went down but we gathered around Bill’s large buddy burner to keep warm.
We went to the Fiesta community center to check out a Christmas Eve program but it was already in progress and we were tired so we came home. And it is obviously time for me to catch up my blog!
Merry Christmas to all!!!