Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Monday, December 19, 2016

Once all of our clothes were unpacked, washed and put away from our cruise, I tackled Christmas cards getting them out in the mail.  And huge quantities were waiting for us in our mailbox so we had lots of fun looking through them and catching up with so many of our friends who included notes or letters.  I do so love this time of the year and just hearing from so many and learning what they have been doing.

We still needed to complete our shopping so we also ran out and did that including picking up a couple of items for the Christmas dinner we are arranging with friends to be held here at the house. It has been fun getting our little place decorated.  We even got one of those lights that shines on the house with moving red and green dots.

One of the first things I did after returning from our cruise was to go to our friend Emma Jean's home and pick up my Christmas cactus which she was taking care of as well as using for a centerpiece for the Christmas dinner at Heritage Bible church.  It was slightly past its prime but still spectacular. (I'm finally getting around to writing this on December 29 and have to mention that it is still producing flowers)

We missed several of the park Christmas activities while we were on the cruise but were lucky enough to be back for the Golf Cart Parade that started at 6:30 tonight.  It is the best one we've had since we've been coming to this park.  Considering the fact that not many have carts we had quite a showing - 24 entries in all but that included a couple of converibles as well.  This one got first place.

Travis and Shelvia sure had fun with this one.  He loves Elvis and jukeboxes and in fact has one on his porch. As you can see he dressed the part and towed the jukebox around while he sang  - loved Blue Christmas!

Afterwards many of us gathered in the clubhouse for cookies and coffee or cocoa and chat time.

This is the couple who organized it all.

Afterwards, I took the long way home so I could enjoy the lovely decorations on so many of the homes.

What a delightful day!!!!

Wednesday December 21, 2016
Today I decided to add the greens I had picked up at the yard sale to the front of the house.  I got them wrapped around the arms of the awnings and across the front of the house attaching our new wreath made by our next door neighbor, Marilyn.  I couldn't quite reach the very end of the last arm of the awning over the door so I got the little step stool we keep inside and stepped up on the first step.  Suddenly everything went wrong.  In slow motion I could feel myself falling toward the house as the stool collapsed throwing me into the lattice work at the very base by the steps.  Luckily I face hit that lattice which gave a bit or it could have been a worse disaster.  By the time our across the street neighbor ran over to check on me I'd managed to get on my hands and knees but the blood was pouring out of my nose.  Regina ran in the house searching for Ken who had been working on a project in the back.  He came running and got lots of paper towel for me to press against my face.  By the time I got inside and made an ice pack to put on my face the blood was slowing down.

I was determined to get to Emma Jean's for our card playing that we do each Wednesday at 1:00 so I had Ken drive me there with my ice packs.  I figured I'd be happier playing hand and foot than sitting around home feeling sorry for myself for doing something so stupid.  It was a bit of a trial keeping ice on my nose, mouth, chin, forehead etc.  But I managed.  By the time I returned home around 4:30 my face was swelling pretty good.

Here is a picture Ken took of me on Thursday.

My glasses had jammed down my nose digging in the top and sides and had deep scratches in the lens. And by then I was really feeling the pain in my chest as I think I've bruised or maybe slightly cracked a rib.  Deep breathes hurt as does raising my right arm.  But over all I came through the disaster pretty good.  (I'm writing this a week later and am amazed that only a couple of tiny marks remain on my face and lower lip.  All of the scabs have fallen off and my nose is sensative but that is all.