Dec 25th to 27th - Mesa

Dec 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS
We had a very relaxing morning before going to brunch at 11 at Neal & Judi’s. Joining us on a beautiful sunny day were Larry & Julie and Bill & Lauri. Judi is a very good cook and put on a lovely meal – quiche, smoked salmon, romaine/pear/pecan salad, curried fruit compote, sliced tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, a bread/bun selection and a noodle/cottage cheese casserole (think perogies). Of course the tables were beautifully set and coordinated and I got my first taste of a gin fizz.
We couldn’t tarry too long as we were expected at Ernie & Dianne’s at 1 and were not too late. When Garry & Stephane arrived, Dianne helped them with their new computer and then Garry decided he had to fill his dream of going to the pool on Christmas day so the rest of us played LCR. When Garry returned, we played 10,000 (dice game) and more LCR.
After a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, we played Arizona Rummy. We finally had pie which we were all still too full to really enjoy, played more cards and left just after 11.

Dec 26th – Sun – Mesa
I recently printed more personal cards for Stephane and luckily she had not separated them yet as she now has an email address which I added to the cards this morning. Then I printed some invitations (to remind all of us with failing memories!) for a gathering that we will have on Jan 1st. Next was one of my favorite activities – spending a lot of time on the phone to a tech support person, this time trying to get our new wifi modem to work consistently. The tech finally decided that there is a problem with the unit itself rather than the way it is set up so we have to take it back to Best Buy.
After a light breakfast, we rode our bikes to deliver invitations & return other items, visited with Bill for a bit and gave Terry a haircut. At 1 we picked up Ernie & Dianne and went to Filly‘s bar in Apache Junction. There was a singer (Pete Byam) rather than a band but he was really good and an excellent joke teller as well. The weather was not too hot and we had to take off and put back on our jackets as the sun went behind clouds or umbrellas. We danced a bit, had lunch and left just before 4.

Dec 27th – Mon – Mesa
We started the day doing laundry along with a lot of other people. After we put the clothes in the washers, we had to get more money put on the laundry card, bought tickets for a dance and delivered a couple more invitations.
I made a late breakfast and then we headed to Best Buy where we got a new modem and 2 new phones as ours were due for an upgrade. Terry opted for a Droid as he always “needs” new toys. We also got a new holster for his larger phone and I splurged on Print Shop software. We made a stop for a few groceries on the way home.
I made a cabbage & apple salad and we went to Ernie & Dianne’s for leftover turkey dinner. The 4 of us played a game of Wizard before Stephane & Garry arrived and then a few rounds of LCR before dinner. After another good dinner, we played Arizona Rummy until 11:30. The card games were interrupted by dessert and a phone call to Bill Hughes to wish him a Happy Birthday.