End of an Era

 An era has come to an end! After 40 years of baking for the public, Shirley has hung up her apron! 

Yesterday was her final day. I drove up to be there for the momentous occasion. Michael was there as well and Brittany and Dylan came in, too. 

Elbert and I drove up from Alabama for years to help at Easter and Christmas (her rush times). Brittany and Chris have helped their mother since they were knee high to a grasshopper. After retirement, Michael has driven up to help as well. And, Dylan (age 11) is pretty good at cookie making, too. 

We girls played Roll the Snowman 

while Michael and Dylan played chess. 

This was done between  customers arriving! Then the guys headed outside to blow off some steam!

Night fell. The last bag of cookies was picked up and Shirley closed down shop. 

It feels strange and yet exciting. We are anxious to find out what comes next! 

Whoops, wrong holiday

 

                      Talk about being embarrassed!!

Last year I stuck some cards in my neighbors doors but I never made it to one of the doors. I stuck that undelivered card in my 'card box'.

Fast forward to this year. Again I made cards to stick in doorframes. I'm thinking, Oh, I won't have to make one for the couple I missed so I just grabbed it out of the card box and went out to leave my Christmas cheer for friends. 

Later that day I get a text message from my friend I missed giving a card to last year. Here's what it said:

"Thank you for much for the Valentine card. You made my day."

Gee whiz... it wasn't Christmas that I'd been that 'good neighbor' for last year... I'd passed out Valentines in 2021. And, I'd grabbed up that old card thinking it was a Christmas card. 

             You know what I am going to do?

Come Valentine's Day, I am gonna fix up a pretty Christmas card and leave it at her door. 

    Hey, maybe I could start a new trend!!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

 Not much going on around here. Shirley's busy with her Christmas cookie orders (4000+ baked, dipped and decorated) that her customers think they have to have this time of year. I'm just staying outta her way!! 

I am slow about some things. Now, I didn't say ALL THINGS, just a few. And, catching onto the Elf on the Shelf idea I think traveled around the world before it got to me. Maybe it was because I didn't have an elf... any way.... I'm catching up. 

                                   Here's my facebook entry for today:

Elf has been out in the snow helping Santa with chores and got very cold. So, he popped down to my house to warm his butt from the flame of my candle. 

Merry Christmas

This Elf Is Not On The Shelf

 We were so happy to see Santa and Mrs. Claus stop in for our Christmas potluck last night. We all had our pictures made with them ....

Then, here comes one of our residents, Jan, dressed as an elf. She got a bunch of attention. 

Bill, bless his heart (you can tell I am southern saying that) just follows her around like a love-sick puppy dog. I think they've been married about 10 years. Just still honeymooners according to my calculations... Today Elbert and I would be celebrating our 72nd wedding anniversary... if he was still here. So, yeah, Bill and Jan are newbies at marriage to each other.

We had tons of food... I came home hurting, my tummy was so full. I ate seconds!! I don't ever do that! But, hey, if you don't cook it, it's twice as good, maybe three times. 

The spirit is perking right along here at Centerbrooke. This afternoon we will have carolers in our courtyard. 

I delivered Christmas cards to my friends here, sticking them in their door to be discovered later. 

                              I leave you with more scenes from last night. 

Happy Sounds of Christmas

                                  Firelogs blazing, music playing....

We decorated for Christmas yesterday in the Centerbrooke community room.

I can't remember when we have had a more festive, nor noisy, group in that room! 

Let the spirit of Christmas settle in each of our hearts! Let love abound!

and, amid all the hullabaloo of us women, there sat Bill quietly putting a puzzle together.

Oh, and my main job was untangling all the wire hangers that had been thrown in a box. And, of course, taking pictures!

And the World Go Round and Round

             My hair needs trimming - bad!

Had an appointment this morning and had to cancel it. Vertigo is being a pain in the butt! I hate it. Even though my episode was night before last I didn't feel comfortable enough driving to get me to the hair dressers this morning. That sucks! 

I even thought... is this the time where I give up driving. I am increasingly nervous about getting behind the wheel. And, that sucks, as well. It's awful thinking about giving up independence, having to rely on others for basic things like getting your hair cut, for gosh sakes.

       I guess you can tell I am in a TWIT this morning... 

 It'll pass I am sure... the Twit I mean. Not so sure about the condition. 

Some time back I did a scrapbook page about BALANCE!! 

        Thought it was a good time to share it. 

P. S. Just found out that the beauty shop here at the Commons will be reopening the first of the year. 

Just when I needed it so badly. I can just ride the elevator down one floor, walk a few steps and I can get my hair done! Hallelujah. 

Merry Christmas