The End of A Decade?

I question mark that because I heard a discussion that the answer has split the camps of the experts. Some say the beginning of the new decade is in fact 1/1/2020 - others say that 2020 is actually the last year of the decade.

I say - who cares? It is still going to take me a month or two to get use to writing, hearing, and saying 2020!

Christmas was lovely. Drove up to daughter's house that morning. Had a wonderful time there. Opened gifts - husband and grandson did most of the cooking - the next day everyone, except me, went to the Star Wars movie. I stayed home with the animals and had a nice quiet time.

 The Crab Guys!

 And here they are cooking! Yes - the youngest grandchild did need a stepstool - it was a tall pot on top of that stove to cook the cioppino in!

 The only girl grandchild.....thank goodness she has a phone to play on - ha ha!

 I cant even remember when it started - and only have a vague remembrance why it started - but the girls give each other a Hannukka gift every year. This time the younger (on the right) outdid the older (on the left)!

I guess the Bob Ross ornament was a hit! Have already found something for next year....

I forgot - Christmas Eve night a friend came over and had - well, we call it crab shit, but I guess marinated crab legs is a better name - as well as marinated octopus

Drove home Thursday afternoon and traffic was so bad. Took us almost 3 hours to get home. And for dinner - nothing heavy - nothing fishy - nothing meaty....KFC hit the spot!

 For daughter and myself Its A Small World is NOT our favorite ride.......even though she has a newish middle name because of that ride....lets just say getting stuck in that ride is not fun!  So of course she had to get a print and a tshirt from that ride!

Oldest gave me this wonderful Irish Soda Baking Dish. And I tried it out this weekend. Came with a recipe. And I have FINALLY found a GOOD soda bread recipe! It turned out so good!!!!! We ate about 1/4 of it that evening!

A dear dear friend gave us her 2 guest passes for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They were good until today. So we went yesterday morning. Got there before it was too crowded and left when it became unbearable.  I only took out 1 kid - which is impressive since I don't know how many little ones were having tantrums laying down on the floors - in darker areas where most people are not looking down!

These guys cracked me up with how huge they can open their mouths!

Well, this evening we are going over to a friends house to have horse eggs (hors d’oeuvres) and pizza. Sure we will not stay there long. Then we will come home - change into MeMaw and PaPa leisure wear - crack a bottle of bubbly - and see if we can make it till midnight! Guess it will depend how crazy the people in town go with fireworks and all.....

Tomorrow will be a lazy day - looking for the Monterey antique fire truck in the Rose Bowl Parade and also the Livermore Rodeo queen - and then our typical roast and black eyed peas for dinner! May or may not have company for dinner.....have not heard back from anyone who was invited.

Wishing all of you a safe - prosperous - healthy - and wonderful 2020!

What will my word of the year be? Adventure? Contentment? Sleep? I don't know yet.....

Just had to add one more thing. I bought this (used) chart/kit from someone in a forum on FB I follow. All because our travel trailer is an IMAGINE and I wanted to make this for the trailer. Right off the bat I knew I was not going to do the unicorn....and was doubtful about the swirls, and maybe the beads. But I thought I would do the "stars". Just finished stitching and I have pretty much decided I like it nice and plain and simple. So I think the stitching is done!

But I wanted to find one of those metal signs that were so popular at Christmas last year. Thought I could paint one black and mount this on the sign - and it would be nice and lightweight to hang. Yep, have gone to 4 different craft stores and no one has what I am looking for! So now I don't know how I am going to finish this for hanging! LOL. Maybe time to start searching the thrift stores in the next week or so....

Well, I have sent the photo to my email 4x already and it still has not showed up. So when it does. I will come back here and add it!

Monday Catch Up

It has been busy days - lets see if I can remember what all went on....

Made fruitcake. Used a mix from King Arthur Flour. And I am very pleasantly surprised. Cant say it is amazing - but it is very good! Made 2 pans and the first loaf is almost gone.

Did the Christmas in the Adobes Tour and it was wonderful! Took 2 nights to do it in - first night was exhausting and it did not help that all the buildings were over heated!

Oldest daughter and her 3 sons showed up Saturday to surprise PaPa to take him to birthday lunch! And the amazing things is - that we were all able to keep it a secret!

Sunday we had belated birthday dinner - his birthday dinner has to be pot roast with potatoes, carrots, sliced white bread, and chocolate cake for dessert. Invited friends over and had a very nice time.

No landscapers on Monday or Friday. Apparently he came by Saturday to pick up a check - he called but we weren't home. Still weren't home when he came by. Oh well.

All my shopping is done, and wrapped, except for gift cards for the grands, and money for their parents!

Husband has a friend that goes back 50 years, maybe slightly more, or slightly less. Well, he insulted me about my weight on FB. I made the mistake of telling my husband. And they have not talked since. So he did end up saying HB in a text message to hubby. And hubby asked when he was going to apologize to me - and he said never. And then he went into a rant about husband valuing money over friendship - based on the fact husband would not loan him money (none of his other friends were loaning it to him either so not sure if he dumped all of them too) and 2 boxes of macadamia nuts we were supposed to give him (first I had heard about that). All I can say, maybe this is proof that smoking marijuana all your life is not a good thing...because most of what he was ranting about had no basis in reality and did not even make sense. Oh well. I did suggest taking him 2 boxes of the candy.....AFTER he had taken a bite out of each and every one....but my husband is more willing to take the high road than I would be.

But husband came home today ranting and raving about treatment in a THRIFT SHOP!
There is a thrift store in Pacific Grove I like because they support an animal rescue. He went to see about getting a GC certificate. First he was ignored by the 2 people working - then he had to listen to some random explanation of how "she" stopped the gift certificate because people were copying them and stealing merchandise from them.....so he thanked her and turned to leave. Stopped at the end of the counter because they have one of those revolving shelf things under glass - you push a button and it rotates different shelves up. He always looks there. He had started looking, and she walked over, didn't say a word to him, and turned it off, and walked away!

Someone else had walked up to the counter and she spoke with her - and when she turned around he asked why she had turned it off - and she said it was because she was not available to help him right then - and when she was she would turn it back on. What help? He was looking! He hadn't asked to see anything in the case!

Never had anyone do that before in that store - or anywhere else! So he left! Came home ranting about that - and telling me I cant shop there anymore! So he dictated a Yelp review for me to submit; so I did; and discovered a couple of other people who posted about their rudeness there in the last couple of months. So then I went to their page on FB - and sent a message to them - pointing out that ours was not the only negative review on Yelp. Got a message back, while I was out shopping, and apology from the director asking for a phone call. So sent it to husband - but when he called the number she gave, he had to leave a voicemail.

Very chilly today...but clear and sunny, and pretty!

So here are photos from the last few days! (Not in any particular order)

 Colton Hall and the Monterey Christmas Tree - this is where the statehood declaration was signed

 The Royal Presidio Chapel, AKA Cathedral, at Christmas

 decorations at the tree down at Fisherman's Wharf

 The boys looking thrilled to have this photo taken!

 Inside San Carlos Church - the last time the renovated they found layers of painted murals - so they copied them (by hand) and left areas where you can see the original

 Very poor photo of the Light Boat Parade with some lighted paddleboarders in the foreground! Lovely but disappointing - all the boats moored in the marinas and only 18 participated in the parade!

 Our reclaimed and recycled TV tabble! A china hutch from the 50's or 60's that we had gotten at a garage sale years ago. Been looking for a TV table and could not find one we liked or agreed upon. Then I remembered this! So we took off the hutch part (where you would put plates behind glass doors). Hubby removed all the old darker stain, sanded it all, put some clear varathane over it. Removed one door - put a shelf behind the closed door - could not find new hinges that worked, so cleaned the old ones up and put them back on - with new knobs. So thrilled with how beautiful this turned out! And the craftsmanship that went into the original work!

Some lighted boats moored in the marina

They Showed Up!

The gardener came and cleaned up the front yard - made the plants look like plants again!

And the landscapers showed up. But oh - I am not supposed to talk about this. Because I expressed an opinion my husband does not like.

Now I knew they were putting in plants. PLANTS. Not trees. And yes we talked to him about trees - talked about how we eventually wanted to put in some FRUIT TREES in the back of the yard along the fence.

 We currently have this maple. And we even talked to him about how yes it is pretty but I am concerned about it being so close to the patio and the cover. And I complained about all the leaves, and the fact that no one rakes up the leaves so they are all over the place which I don't like. (We didn't plant this - one of the tenants did). (Didn't get the palm tree in this photo - which they planted behind and to the left of this maple - but they supposedly left it in the pot - it is ugly, and stunted, and sad looking).

 And then there are these 4 oak trees. I don't like oak trees. I don't like the mess they make. Husband likes oak trees. These are out of control - hanging over the fence into neighbors yard, over the back fence over the right of way.

And the landscaper put in this neat little island. And smack in the middle is ANOTHER Japanese maple. WTF?!

 And back there - underneath the overgrown oaks is some tree that is ugly - and when we first moved in it was blooming which drove my allergies crazy. And 2 palm trees that are really ugly cause they are under the oak trees and the other tree and get no sun. (what isnt pictured is some sort of stunted fruit tree along the back fence - never bloomed - never produced any fruit - it needs to come out too!)

And look against the side of the house he has placed ANOTHER TREE! I have no idea what it is - but I bet you anything it is another freaking Japanese maple.

2 more trees - we don't need any more freaking trees.....And I complained to husband about this - the fact that we didn't need any more trees in the back yard  - and especially trees that make such messes and I was told to shut up - it had been discussed and I had agreed to it.

WRONG.

And to think I was just starting to be nice to this man again.

Wonder what I can do to cause those trees to die....

Heaven! I Was In Heaven!

We drove to Gilroy today to go to Barnes & Noble.

A BOOK STORE!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though I was lost in there - cause the set up is so different from the one I have been going to for years.....I. WAS. IN. A. BOOK. STORE!!!!

Got the shopping done for the grands - and at the check out line I picked up a book to look at - and the man behind me highly recommended it so the husband got another gift.

Don't know why I was being nice....

Also stopped by Happy Daze RV in Gilroy for husband to talk about changing out a single battery to a double battery and getting a new hitch for the trailer. It doesn't make you very happy when they ask you the year of your trailer and then say, well, that is the hitch that should have come on it....

But one thing we liked about this dealership (which is the 3d one of the company we bought from) is that we can call and get an appt in a week (so they say) instead of 2 - 3 months.....AND they tell us since we bought from the company we get 10% off. Hmm, never heard that at the other dealership.

Went to the Wharf last night to see the Lighted Boat Parade. For some reason husband decided we needed to be there at 4 PM even though it didn't start until 5:30 PM. So of course we ended up having a drink,  and sharing an appetizer.

The parade was nice but I was disappointed - only a total of 18 boats. ALL those boats in the two marinas and only 18 boats....oh and 5? paddleboarders!

 Told my husband next year we will go see the one in Santa Cryz....or maybe watch it from further down the route. (You can barely see the paddleboarders in the foreground)

And here is the lovely wreath made for us !

Beyond Pissed Off

Gave husband my gift list.
Told him specifically NOT to use my gift card credits (I had amassed over a hundred dollars).

Went to order something today from Amazon, and clicked on the how to pay screen to make sure I did not use my GC money and guess what?

Yup.

Every

Single

Penny

Of

It

Is

Gone

all of it.

So you know what? I will be returning my Christmas gifts this year

So Merry NOT Christmas to me - and gee thanks honey for ruining it for me.....thank goodness for grandkids

December 5

So it was a lazy morning. We slept late and just not motivated to get going. And once we did, I didn't really feel like going to a Holiday Festival and walk around with a lot of other people.

So we went to the PO and mailed the last of the Christmas packages, and a bunch of Christmas cards! YAY!

And then we went to the cemetery and put wreaths on the graves that we didn't have enough for before.

And went to a cute little shop - http://www.historicgardenleague.org/shops/ - that I had read about but we didn't get to on Small Business Saturday (today it wasn't raining!). They have a lot of local items - and we gave in to some honey from a family in Gilroy who were severely impacted by the shooting there earlier this year - and some yummy artichoke spread. But I want to do some Christmas shopping there next year! Cute ornaments, local jellies, etc

Hubs got the outdoor lights hung - most but not all. The wind came up - the temperature dropped - it got dark - and so we thought it was going to start raining....which it hasn't....yet.

The other day I lugged in a heavy box full of my shawls and scarves. So finally went through it today and found some I know I will never ever wear. Some I made - some were gifted to me. Either the color is not one I would wear - or the styles, etc. So I sighed and thought "off to the thrift store" but I really didn't want to do that.

I thought - wish I had a venue to sell them through because then I know they would go to someone who wanted them (that is, if they sold). Got all the ones I am keeping put away and came across 2 hats I had knit (and I don't wear hats) - thought to myself, well, 2 more hats for Pine Ridge Reservation...and then it hit me! Send the shawls there! Weather-wise they will be used! So I have them packed up in different bags for different groups but you know what? I am NOT going back to the post office again before Christmas! So these will have to wait until after Christmas and by that time I will have some more to add!

 Received our first Christmas card today!! Pulled out my new holder. When I took this photo I didnt realize I should have swept first....and you can see the missing strip which is all that is left to completely finish the floor...

And I found this photo. This is the pen pal I have had since I was in Junior High - and calling it JH is some indication of how old I am! Maureen is from Jamaica - went to nursing school in England - ended up in what was West Germany at the time - and has lived in Germany ever since! And thanks to the internet, this very lazy letter writer has reconnected with her pen pal! Not sure what year that photo is from but I am thinking the 60's or 70's?

Tired

The stupid smoke alarm woke us up at 0530 this morning.....and then I could not get back to sleep.

I got the Molasses Raisin cookies baked. The only trouble is - having to substitute butter for shortening turns them into DVD discs! But they taste good!

Got the caramels cut up and wrapped and oh my, are they good! Kinda soft though. So I HAD to make another batch - to use up the rest of the condensed milk of course.....

The Nut Mallow Goodies are good. I don't think I have ever made them although I have had the recipe forever.

Sold the one headboard/footboard that we got from our neighbor across the street in Livermore. I really liked it. Wood - very Craftsman-like. But the headboard was too tall - we would not be able to open the shutters if we used it. And since we already put the TV up, we couldn't really move the bed...

Was hoping to go to the Aquarium tomorrow but sounds like husband is going to go help our friend again. So I will make a trip to the post office and mail off the majority of Christmas presents.

I am frustrated - I had found my Christmas Card notebook - and now I have no idea where it is!
Darn it! Even wrote my Christmas letter too!

Should Have Been Sunday....

Rain rain and more rain....but not the pouring rain they predicted, and not the winds they predicted.

Managed to get to storage and get the tree and ornaments.....but where is my Advent wreath? I know I have seen it recently! And all our statues....most importantly - WHERE ARE THE STOCKINGS?

The battery run lights I bought for the wreaths did not work - none of them. Not any of the 4 boxes.....so they have to go back.

And I just saw a wreath hanger - and now I cant find it! And I have 1 more wreath I could hang!

More rain today. So I really don't want to go out.
I need to do laundry. And I could make some cookies. But I feel lazy....