Dec 19th to 22nd - Mesa

Dec 19th – Mon
It was a little cool this morning but nicer at 10 to play bocce ball. I made breakfast for lunch and we were just finishing when Ernie & Dianne dropped by. After they left and I cleaned up the dishes, we went shopping as the cooler weather has made us realize we need more long pants. It took 3 stops to find jeans for both of us and a few groceries.
We were eating dinner at 5:30 when Dianne called to say their guests had moved to a condo and did we want to come over in an hour to play cards. Of course we did! We weren’t quite as late this time – we left at 12:30. The bad news is the guys won all 3 games!

Dec 20th – Tues
I got my hair cut at 9 and then we went to do laundry. I visited the library and worked on a puzzle while it was washing and Terry picked up our forwarded mail and got water. After putting everything away I thawed out the last of the pulled pork and made sandwiches for lunch.
We were to pick up Mike & Susie at the airport at 1:10 and they called at 12:50, just as we were leaving, to say that they were landing. We were just arriving at the airport when they called again to tell us which side of the terminal and we were able to circle to the north side and pick them right up.
Neal called as we were driving as asked if I could help Robin. She was in the park kitchen making cookies for an orphanage and people in the military. She didn’t want to ask for help so Neal took the initiative and I was happy to work with her for an hour and a half as she had to be out of the kitchen by 3. We worked non-stop and had it all cleaned up & loaded in her car just in time.
Gloria was having a drink with Terry when I got back. Dennis got a cold just as he was getting over 2 weeks of “intestinal distress” and Gloria had to get out of the house.
We got gussied up a bit and went to the ballroom for the park sponsored Christmas dinner. We had a nice prime rib dinner and then were entertained by “Mrs. Claus” which was fun.
Terry asked some people to come over afterwards so we got out the chairs & buddy burner. It was very pleasant to sit out with Duane & Henry on guitars providing the entertainment until 10:30. Luckily we have only one immediate neighbor who did not attend so we didn’t worry too much about noise.

Dec 21st – Wed
We played bocce ball at 10 and then went out for breakfast. We stopped for groceries on the way home so that I can do some Christmas baking.
First Dennis & Gloria then Mike & Susie and Duane & Sue stopped by to chat and it was nice enough to sit out in the sunshine. I did some baking, Terry printed personal cards for Ernie & Dianne and played computer games and we generally had a quiet late afternoon & evening.

Dec 22nd – Thurs
I continued with baking and Terry cussed out his favorite game on the computer as he couldn’t win today. I worked on our email Christmas card and finally got it sent to everyone.
Just before 3 we went to listen to music in the courtyard but were expecting it to be moved inside as it was fairly cool. A note on the door said it was outside so we came back to get warmer jackets and sat in the sun in the courtyard which was very pleasant. Our usual group was not there so we got to know Mel & Wanda and Iris & Chris a little better.
After dinner we went to Dennis & Gloria’s to play canasta with them and Duane & Sue. The women had all the luck and won 2 games. All of us except Duane have colds so when the cold meds wore off we all took turns coughing every time we laughed.