WHERE DID I LEAVE OFF?

If you are imagining that we are settling into our new home . . . NOT! In fact, PhannyCat, Mack, and I are beginning our eighth week of dining room living.

When last I blogged we were getting ready for the house inspection which was on Nov. 8. The things we already knew about were noted, and the inspector said there had been some termite damage in the past which had been treated (termite inspector said the same and no current infestation), but the house inspector suggested we have a foundation expert check out the foundation. My realtor called the man who specializes in pier & beam, and he came that afternoon. Cutting to the result of his investigation: nine piers need to be shored up (they are okay but have some loose bricks) and six beams need to be replaced. He said some boards had been added to try to cover up the termite damage. My realtor and I both went bug-eyed when he said that the repair would cost $12,000. I told her to notify the mortgage company to hold off on the appraisal until we got this ironed out.

The seller came home just before we left, and when asked if he was aware of a problem with the the foundation he said yes and that some work had been done under there, but "they didn't do a very good job." Then when quizzed about the termite problem he said that yes they had that treated and had a termite contract. NOTE: All of this was denied on the disclosures about the property. Add that to no pets, no liens . . . . (Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that my realtor accidentally let the dog out the front door when we came back with the foundation expert, but I managed to coax him to me, picked him up, and took him back inside. Friendliest, fluffiest little dog you'd ever want to meet.)

We, of course, requested that the seller make the necessary foundation repairs. Eventually he offered $5,000 toward the repair, less than half the cost. We responded with a request for the full amount. Guess what? It had to go back to the District Attorney's office. Well, the long and short of it is that his response did not come back until last Tuesday, four days after our contract expired. Oh, and he approved the $12,000 repair at seller's expense. The seller's realtor requested that we extend the previous contract because if we wrote a new one it would have to go to the D.A. again. AAARRRGGGH! (Although I must say I'm liking this D.A. though we've never met.) I chose Dec. 9 as the closing date, and, can you believe it, the seller wanted a little more time because he hadn't found an apt. yet. We gave them one more week, Dec. 16. Will this house become ours? Will we occupy it? Who knows? One thing is for sure: we won't have cookies and milk out for Santa there.

While all this saga was unfolding we did continue to look at other properties. One not quite as large which had a pool and was in a good location was very appealing to Chillax primarily because it was all on one level and would require less work/expense to fix up; however, the list price was approx. $60,000 more than the contract house, and the possibility of getting it down to our range was highly questionable.

Jaz and I looked at another house the realtor had found which was a foreclosure, and it had probably the worst layout I have ever seen. Additionally, the area described as a breezeway was actually a dark narrow cave, and the front door barely cleared the bottom step of the stairway. And, oh yes, the former owners had done as much trashing of the place as possible including ripping out all the carpet and the wall oven.

Cathy, our realtor, also showed us one that I found. It was in the same area as the previous one and on a cul-de-sac. It had plenty of space, a decent yard, and a good layout, I think. I say, "I think" because we entered the house in the strangest way, and the whole expedition was quite an adventure. (Cathy says she's going to write a book about us.) This seller's agent called Cathy the night before we went there to warn her the man was crazy and sometimes didn't let people in to see the house. (She told us this as we were trying unsuccessfully to open the front door.)

We finally found a door into the garage which was jam-packed with junk and after cautiously stepping over and around stuff we managed to enter through the laundry area. Cathy kept calling out, "Mr. Smythe we're here to look at the house. We have an appointment." No response. I kept thinking I heard noises from upstairs as we wandered through the downstairs area. The kitchen was cluttered and dirty beyond belief, and the ceiling was missing from the dining room---can't imagine where it went. Sure enough, the Lord of the Manor came meandering down the stairs talking on his cell phone. Cathy was talking very fast to explain our presence, but he replied that we should go all over, open any doors, etc. and walked out of the house and to the street talking to his friend the whole time. It was a little daunting to say the least. In one of the bedrooms upstairs every horizontal surface was covered with stacks of camouflage clothes, bedding, whatever---all that camouflage. And on top of one stack a plate with dried food goop and crumbs. No telling how long it had been there. Very erie! We learned later that the man's wife had left with another man last Feb., later filed for divorce claiming he was crazy (and we wouldn't quibble with her there), but I don't think we care to get into another of these broken marriage situations.

So much for the house drama.

THANKSGIVING

Our female associate priest preached a really good Thanksgiving sermon which I still continue to think about and consider it one which should be repeated during Advent, i.e., looking beyond the gifts to the relationship that could evolve. That synopsis certainly doesn't nearly convey the thought of the sermon, but maybe you had to be there. Then I came home, and the whole family went over to St. James where they had a pot luck Thanksgiving dinner with the church providing the turkeys. It was really good, and we all came home completely sated. No need for me to eat anymore that day.

BEGINNER'S LUCK

Last Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, I participated in the intergenerational class to make an Advent Wreath following the main service at St. Mark's. St. Mark's does this every year, but I had never attended. As anyone in my family will tell you I am really poor at these crafty things, but I didn't let that hold me back. There were numerous heaps of greens, a florist's wreath, four candles, and a blue ribbon scattered on the tables in the parish hall. I found a spot for myself, read the directions which were furnished and began to work. A woman who was walking about with shears to snip some of the branches for the wreath makers was complimentary, but when she came back near the end of the event she remarked, "Oh, I really like yours. You know why? Because it really looks like a wreath." I wanted to say, "Wasn't that the assignment?" But I merely thanked her. I was probably smirking because I saw some of the departing "wreaths" which looked more like green salads gone awry. Here's my creation.

Don't let the shadows confuse you; there really are only four candles.

This past Wednesday morning I awoke with a sore throat and a very stuffy head, and I've had a low grade fever. Mack must really be confused as he and I have been taking long walks since we moved over here, but I've not been up to it. Today is the first day I've felt I might live after all, and I think I'm fever free. It is also raining which is truly good news, and it is supposed to continue all day and tonight. Yippee!!! So the walks may or may not resume today.

So, that's our news for now. Stay tuned for the next surprising episode.

A QUIET 4TH OF JULY

Very quiet, indeed. So quiet that I awoke this morning perspiring and straining for any sound at all. The power had once again gone off, and there was no A/C, no ceiling fan, no clock to let me know the time. A rather bleak start to the holiday, don't you know?

I dressed quickly and went out to mist the orchids hanging from my wonderful Japanese maple while planning a trip to Wendy's for a cup of coffee and some kind of breakfast treat. Thankfully, within an hour the power came on---SWEPCO magic--- and I didn't have to make the trip.

Did a few other chores related to trying to keep the house neat and tidy, but not as many as I should have. 100+ temps slow me down quite a bit.

This year the 4th has been quieted by a burn ban throughout the state, and a local ban on the sale or use of fireworks by private individuals. Every year since I've lived here the pets have really been miserable because fireworks were permitted one week prior and one week following a big holiday; this year they were spared.

The big public fireworks display down by the Red River was o.k.ed, so many people were planning and did attend. There are public stages down there where various bands and performers are scheduled. There are also food vendors and souvenir sales persons. Chillax, Jaz, and I went last year, and it was fun, but I didn't even consider it this year as we have had so much 100+ weather, such a drought, that I didn't want to be out there at all. The four of us did have grilled steaks at their house last night which was yummy. And am I glad it was last night.

So, here on the 4th, what happened. Thunderstorms actually moved into our area starting about 7:30 p.m. The big fireworks display should have been over by now, but I don't think it's even started. We haven't gotten much rain from this, but we have gotten a little, and we are most grateful for that. Thunder is still rumbling, and there has been plenty of lightening but not really the cloud to ground type.

I did look for my annual viewing of 1776 and called Jaz and Dagromme (sorry to have waked you) to tell them when it would be shown on TCM. Guess what? I recorded it this year; now I don't have to be beholden to the library or channels that might show it. It's mine for all the coming 4th's of July. YEA! I love that production. Of course, I'm the only person on this continent who still uses a VCR. What the heck?

To be very serious for a moment: The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a momentous event in history. Certainly I'm no authority or even a student of its gifts to us, but I intend to study it more closely and decide whether we are living up to its inspiration. Since our nation began in this way I think we should give it close scrutiny and make some choices. What do you think?

THE NEXT DAY & THE DAY AFTER

Another relatively warm, but cloudy day, and we even had a few gentle showers. It didn't deter us from window shopping at Saks while waiting for a bus.

Goo had received a text message the day before, New Year's Day, inviting the two of us to brunch on Sunday. She then invited a couple more people, one of whom was out of town. But the plan resulted in three of her friends meeting the two of us at an Irish Pub in Bethesda for brunch. It was all low key but with lots of laughs and a good meal. It was a pleasure to sit and talk with some of her friends. They are so lively and quick.

I questioned that the light fixture in the pub was really a "touch of Ireland." They had determined on a previous visit that the fixture represented sperm. You are free to make your own decision.

Actually, it has blue shading which doesn't show up in the photo.

Here is the brunch bunch with whom I dined. You can tell by their smiles that they have already eaten.

Goo and I browsed the shopping area in the neighborhood. I loved this holiday display that had both a Christmas tree and a menorah. Oh, Goo, I should have bought the green cloche at the kiosk; I've checked prices on line, and it was a deal. Boo-hoo! Well, only one regret is a pretty good record.

But then we went home and pursued my goal which was to go swimming one more time and sit in the sauna---true luxury. We did some household chores including laundry and then went downstairs for our treat. Another night of very good sleep.

On Monday I packed everything into the new suitcase, put on make-up (because I didn't want Goo's last sight of me to be as depressing as her first view when I arrived), and off we went to Union Station. We have had practice in saying goodbye, so we're very good at looking cheery.

Glad you can't see inside!

NEW YEAR'S DAY

How incongruous is this? It was the first day of a brand new year, and I was feeling time was running out because in two more days I would be starting home from my wonderful vacation. And even though the day was rather grey it was warmer and not windy. In fact, we didn't even need our coats as we made our way to the theatre. I had a sweater and Goo a jacket over our theatre finery for the matinee we were to attend. The neighborhood shuttle wasn't running (holiday, don't you know), so we walked to the Metro station.

A couple of months before as we talked on the phone we had chosen our seats via the internet at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The center has several theaters, and what we chose to see was South Pacific in the Opera House. We chose the top tier, center section, two end seats, FRONT ROW. Thank you, Goo, for buying the tickets. They turned out to be great seats, and we both had our little opera glasses. The acoustics there are fantastic. But we will get to that.

But first: the Kennedy Center has yet another terrace for a variety of views. Here are a couple of views of the Potomac and D.C., the second has Washington National Cathedral way in the background on the right.

Right next door to the center is The Watergate---remember that?

And, of course, nature can provide a show as well.

Inside there is a stage where Goo told me there are performances everyday so that visitors who aren't able to see one of the theatre presentations are able to see a performance at the Kennedy Center, free of charge. Isn't that great? This is a long shot of a band performing as we were leaving, and they weren't bad either.

Here is a view of the hallway outside the Opera House from our lofty viewing point. It was gorgeous.

I wish we could have taken pictures inside the Opera House, but it is forbidden, and I didn't want to risk having my camera confiscated. It is beautiful. And as I said before the sound is wonderful. From the moment the overture began we were captivated as was the packed house.

Neither of us had seen this musical staged, only the movie, so it was spellbinding to see the effects for Bali Hai, the beach and ocean, combat, etc. Carmen Cusack, our Nellie Forbush, is from Texas, and Lt. Joe Cable, Anderson Davis, is from Baton Rouge. We felt very at home.

One thing we thought was a liberty the company had taken with the script was to have Emile, David Pittsinger, do a wonderful parody of Nellie's "Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair." It gave Emile a more likable persona and brought the house down. Just hilarious!

We so enjoyed the afternoon and were still talking about it the next day. Wish you could have been there to enjoy it with us.

CRUMPETS & CODDLED EGGS

Last year I gave Goo a pair of egg coddlers; she had never used them. Furthermore, after discovering crumpets in the "international aisle" of our local Kroger store I had promised to bring a package with me, and I did. We finally had our special breakfast, and it was terrific. The eggs are in the little china cups with metal lids. We repeated that breakfast on the morning I left.

By this time it was Friday, Dec. 31, New Year's Eve day, and we had had three days of serious sight seeing. We elected to have a little down time. There were a number of empty boxes, some broken down, in Goo's apt. I didn't understand their significance though until I visited Plug in Chicago a few days later. It seems that when Plug visited along with her "other daughter" in Oct. all the walls in Goo's apt. were white; there were no book cases, lots of boxes still packed from the summer move, and, generally, everything was different. What I hadn't realized was that Goo had really made a stupendous effort to have everything look great when Mom came, including painting a wall. Take a look at the result of her efforts; I think it's very impressive.

Well, we cleared out the empty boxes as well as a couple of small pieces of furniture Goo no longer felt she needed as well as my old abandoned suitcases. By the afternoon I was ready for a swim in the pool and a sauna. What a great decision that was. The pool area was beautiful, the water warm, and I had it all to myself. A couple of days later we repeated this, and Goo came in the water with me---her first time in the pool since she moved there. There is also a life guard on duty whenever the pool is open; she thinks he's Russian. He certainly wasn't speaking English to his cell phone as he entertained himself poolside. Take a look at this wonderful pool:

The last picture shows the widest part of the pool. The length is about twice the distance shown.

How do you like the suit I ordered online? It's reversible. Whoopee! A twofer!

BTW the exercise and sauna made it too simple for me to fall asleep on the couch about 9:30, and I slept right into 2011. We missed our champagne toast and black-eyed peas. Uh-oh!

ON TO THE NEWSEUM

The Navy Memorial was at street level where we exited the Metro and two blocks west of the Newseum. We took about 30 min. to study the freezes which commemorate a number of events in the Navy's history. I only photographed this one.

It celebrates Commodore Perry's opening Japan to commerce in 1852. The freezes were done by a variety of sculptors and are really outstanding. But . . . moving on down the street. . . .

The Newseum is billed as the most interactive museum in Washington, and it is one that is not free. I purchased our tickets on-line back in Oct., I think, and that is a modest saving, but the really good thing is that the tickets are good for admittance on two successive days. Nor are they dated. I'll tell you right up front: we didn't nearly see it all.

We followed the staff's advice and took the big glass elevator (holds about 35 people) to the 6th floor, and I took this shot of the capitol from the terrace.

We didn't stay out there long as it was still very breezy and cold, and our coats had been checked. We returned downstairs and viewed the Berlin Wall exhibit. This is an actual segment of the wall, and first you'll see the Western side followed by the Eastern side.

I'm not always appreciative of graffiti, but the Eastern side is so bleak. One of the watch towers used by the Russians to keep people from crossing into the Western sector is in the display also. It is three stories tall, and the guards shot those trying to escape. It has a huge impact.

Other exhibits elaborated on the news media's influence and service in bringing big time crooks to justice. I won't go through all of that, but the Unabomber's cabin was on display also, and the only thing it had going for it was its ample storage. (If you saw it you'd get the joke.) I was ready for a sit-down, so Goo and I went to the snack bar where we each got a drink, and we split a gigantic muffin which had cranberries in it. Guess who oversees the menu selection there? Wolfgang Puck! That muffin was mighty good, Wolfie.

We continued through some other exhibits and eventually wound up here.

(Sorry, folks, but I had to do quite a bit of finagling to get that picture, and I can't enlarge the print there.)

Upon our return we each chose about four exhibits we wanted to be sure to see. Actually, I only wanted to see a portion of the 9/11 exhibit. Perhaps you feel as I do that so much of that day and the days that followed are so ingrained that I can't go there again. One part I chose to visit was this:

This photo shows where the following piece was before everything went you know where.

Just looking at this scrambled metal is chilling.

We visited the other exhibits we had selected and ended with this one. After looking through this one we watched the 4-D movie about Nelly Blye and went home. It was a very good day.

NOR'EASTER & METRO CRAZIES & GREAT BEAUTY

A nor'easter (also northeaster; see below) is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada. More specifically, it describes a low pressure area whose center of rotation is just off the East Coast and whose leading winds in the left forward quadrant rotate onto land from the northeast. The precipitation pattern is similar to other extratropical storms. Nor'easters also can cause coastal flooding, coastal erosion,hurricane force winds, and heavy snow. (Thank you, Wikipedia.)

Our plan was to go sightseeing, either the LOC or Newseum for which I had purchased tickets. However, while sipping coffee on Goo's balcony I made a unilateral decision to stay in that day (Mon., 12/27). The wind was kicking up leaves from three stories below and blowing them way up above where I was standing. Later the TV weather told me we were in the midst of a nor'easter, and it made me temporarily sick to think what that would be like in a fishing boat off the coast. However, later in the day we were apparently overcome by cabin fever and decided to launch ourselves out to see a movie. We chose "True Grit", a remake which I didn't think I would enjoy. Oh, so wrong! It was great, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Jeff Bridges should get an Oscar nomination for sure. Go see it, folks. Our trip to the movie which was in the neighborhood, so to speak, put us crossing streets where there was no wind block by buildings, and it was one step forward, and two steps sideways. But we made it, and were very glad of our efforts.

By the next day the wind had abated somewhat (40 mi./hr), and we decided to go to the Library of Congress. Goo had said she really wanted me to see this. We took the Metro, and at one station a man was (?)singing parts of Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, pretty much on one note and very loudly. We couldn't decide whether he wanted money to keep singing or a payoff to stop. I would have voted for the latter.

At another change station a 50ish man came up to me and said, "You are a beautiful girl!" I said, "Thank you." He then followed with, "When I grow up I'm gonna' get me a girl friend just like you." My reply, "Good luck to you." He laughed and walked on. (Hey, I take compliments wherever I get them.)

As we entered the Library of Congress a guard was commenting that the day before there had been maybe 12 people there; that day there were lines waiting to get in. The LOC is free and has a free coat check and nice restrooms. (Do I have a thing about restrooms? Hmmmm.) Well, I can't recount the whole visit: we took one of the tours with a docent and then wandered on our own and took pictures. All I can say is that once you've seen two or three Gothic Cathedrals, you've seen them all, but this building, LOC, is gorgeous, spectacular, wondrous, etc., etc., etc. Here are a few glimpses.

Minerva mosaic at the landing on the way to the second floor. Spear pointing down is supposed to connote peace---Good Luck on that.

Ceiling above the main floor.

Every corner, every inch, is beautiful.

The second floor is magnificent. Each window has a plaque above it with a quotable statement re books, learning, wisdom. I wanted to buy a book with all of those quotes in it, but the only one which included that was $85. Sometimes I really hate being poor---or at least not wealthy.

Here's just one of them.

Goo and I were enchanted by the putti. (Look it up.)

This is a place I really want to visit again and again. It's gorgeous, and there is so much I haven't explored. This is the Jefferson Building, one of the three that comprise the Library of Congress. It's wonderful, don't you think?

JUST A LITTLE SHOPPING

I declared about half way through our resting day at the apartment that I needed to buy two things: 1) a pair of soft slippers to rest my feet (I hadn't brought mine because I opted to use the space in the suitcase for a very small percolator; Goo doesn't drink coffee), and 2) a small pillow to use on the train home (something else I could have brought but didn't due to lack of space). So, off we trekked to find these two items.

The main drag, Wisconsin Ave., is about four blocks from Goo's apt. bldg. We bypassed the first two blocks of stores.

And walked on down another two or three blocks---I'll leave it to you to determine our rationale--- to TJ Max. There, as luck would have it, we were propelled by the escalator right into the luggage department. We spent well over half an hour checking their large inventory, but nothing seemed just right. Just when we thought we were leaving the area I stumbled upon one that really, really appealed to me. Goo volunteered to go 50/50 on it. She, obviously, didn't want to be seen in public with those old American Touristers with their little combination locks again. I held off.

We finally located slippers and that was a quick decision. Pillows were harder to locate and were in more than one place, but when we found the softest little round pillow it was the obvious choice. Color was the only decision: brown, blue, or dirty white.

Goo chose a bath mat, and we swung back by the luggage area as we went to check out. I snagged the suitcase I liked, and here are my purchases.

EVERYTHING'S UP TO DATE IN KANSAS CITY!

However, I didn't go there. My trip was to Washington, D.C. with a few hours in Chicago going and coming home. Those stops were fun, and I'll try to write more about that another time. As you know, or maybe not, I travelled by train which means I left my home at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 22, and arrived in D.C.'s Union Station at 1:10 p.m. Dec. 24.

This is not actually my train, but one I borrowed from another application. My best shot of my train was on a curve in the Allegheny Mountains with snow all around, but my best shot wasn't very good. The scene, however, was wonderful---imagine it.

It seems imperative that I tell you first what "up to date" means these days. Example: In D.C., adjoining Chevy Chase, Md and in Chicago the pedestrian walk signs at big intersections have an attached window which clicks down the seconds remaining for the scurrying pedestrian to make it safely across the street before the herd of vehicles is untethered and free to mow one down. Wish I'd gotten a picture of them; alas, I did not. The thought, "Toto, we're not in Louisiana anymore," did cross my mind. I was tentative at first and didn't trust 22 sec. to be sufficient time, but soon leapt right out there if we had 16 sec. I really can move fairly fast, especially if the wind is not a factor.

But here's what you really want to know---the latest restroom technology. So, we're all accustomed to sensor toilets that flush automatically, faucets that go on and off, and paper towels that stingily dispense towels based on our motion. But how about this?

Above it were the directions which explained that one should push the red button to rotate the plastic wrapped seat before using the toilet.

Who knew that peeing would become a learning experience?

At the Newseum, the place I was most eager to visit, the restroom walls were also decorated with headline bloopers. Each stall had one or two as well as the common area. How much fun is that? (It reminded me of the father in Cheaper By the Dozen who had educational info posted everywhere in their home so that the children would be learning wherever they were and whatever they were doing.)

More to come . . . I hope.

THAKSGIVING, YES!

SOMETIMES, we just get too busy to write something that encompasses what the heart feels, so I'm borrowing from another blogger. But don't miss what I previously posted because that's part of my thanksgiving too. Have a happy, thankful day.


http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/

Sorry, you'll have to copy and paste the URL into your browser. It will be worth it.

CHRISTMAS, 2008

I went to the Christmas Eve service alone this year. Well, not really alone. There were about 1100 others there as well with young children making their noises at all the quietest times in the service, of course. That's part of the beauty of it. Came home and began cooking. Christmas Day was busy, busy, busy.

How did it go? Fantabulous!

Because my house is small, and there would be eight of us here for Christmas supper and gifts, I decorated the 7 1/2 ft. tree on the front porch outside the picture window. That serves the dual purpose of a Christmas tree and outside holiday decoration. How clever is that?

By day:






By night:











If you really want to see the pictures click on each one to enlarge it.

But we had inside decorations as well. Here's where we placed gifts, but these are only mine for the family. Note the round red & white package next to the plant stand; there's a story.


Chillax, Jaz, and Oyster arrived about 6:30 p.m., and the Dagromms just over an hour later, and the laughter began. But first we had the indigestion special: rice (thank you, Jaz), chicken enchiladas and guacamole which I made, tamales compliments of Sam's, salsa, and salad, and tortilla chips. Jaz also made apple empanadas for dessert. Yumola!


We didn't have the usual gift opening frenzy. All the gifts were passed out by Tazzonater and Oyster, then we went around the circle with one person opening one present at a time. It so happened that Oyster was first, and she had apparently been intrigued by the large round red & white package I mentioned earlier. The round box held this blond wig on a head form in a zippered wig case. She and Tazzonater were sitting next to each other. (O is seven yrs. old, and Tazz is eight.) Well, she ripped the paper off, yanked the zipper around---not quite all the way, and shoved the top back, and it snapped back shut. But it was open just enough for the two of them to glimpse a "head", and they both jumped back about a foot with very loud intake of breath, and one of them said, "What is that?" Of course, the rest of us were falling off our chairs laughing because it was so funny. If I'd been trying to scare them it wouldn't have worked. Later Chill told Oyster that was just what she needed to look like her mother. (That may be the best $2.50 I ever spent at an estate sale.)

Perhaps the second biggest surprise was what Mr. & Mrs. Dagromm received from Dagromm Jr. and Tazz--pictures they had made last summer when they visited here.

Dagromm was so moved he commented, "You even look as if you like each other!"

Then we got down to the serious business of playing Apples to Apples, a game which eventually included everybody, and we laughed so hard we probably worked off at least a tenth of the calories we'd consumed (about 300, I'd guess). We feasted again the next night, but a different menu which was equally delicious and played and laughed some more. Wish you could have been here. Chill, Jaz, and Oyster live here so they went home each night; the Dagromms left Saturday.

Today I took down the decorations.


It's oh so quiet now.
It must be because, as you see, PhannyCat is back in the living room.


HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL!!!!