Christmas is Coming! Heart to Heart Re: My Sister

Park Place RV Park

So, it was 6:15 on Friday, Dec. 5th when I first woke. Actually, when we all first woke. Bill took Gibbs out, sockless, since he pulled it off last night and I had to hide it in a cupboard in order for him to settle down. His nose is so efficient that as long as it was in my hand, we could hear *sniff sniff sniff*. LOL

Good morning!

I looked at his sore and it looks much better, can't even see the redness so the coconut oil helped. Thank you all for the suggestion of the Vetericyn spray, I am going to get some for the next time. Also, the Magnesium, (should it be just Magnesium or the one with Glycinate? Does it matter?)

The last of my pizza,
I added some green olives today.

Bill left for the field, garbed in his jacket. It was only 40F/4C overnight and first thing this morning. With our BF heater on low last night, we were toasty enough and happy to have it. A cycle through with the furnace when he gets up warms up the floors in here nicely.

I am pleased with this end of the
living room.

I stayed in my loungies and made room for the Christmas decorations. Bill got the tree out from under the bed for me before he left so I was home free! I love seeing all my old favourite ornaments and can remember the history behind each one as I place them on the tree.

When I got to the end, I opened the bag of the ones I made in Paisley. One for each child and one for each grandchild. I did have to make a new one for baby Quinn so did that so they were complete. I took pictures of each family grouping to send to our offspring so they know they are represented on our little 4' tree. 💖

We are almost ready
for Christmas.

I was overjoyed when Donna messaged me that in exactly 7 days, she received her package with the 3 hats and journal book I sent her. She loves them all and sent me pictures of her wearing them. What many of you don't know is that Donna has been battling non-small cell lung cancer since 2019.

My beautiful sister, Donna.
Does she remind you of anyone?
Of course, Mom, with that smile.

After being diagnosed at that time, she was told she had 12 months. Here she is, a real trooper, caring for herself in her own natural ways without chemo, other than small dosages in pill form. Until this past year, she has not shown any symptoms even though the cancer was growing.

With a few radiation treatments over the past couple of years on lesions in her head, she has lost and regained her driver's license only to lose it again for good. Each lesion has been zapped but they continued to return and multiply. Her latest treatments, 4 in a row in November, are probably the last. 😔

Now, only now, has she begun to lose her fine hair and requires warmth in other ways. Hence, the hats. 💕 She is home in the cold weather of Ontario, Canada, so needs to keep warm! 

She is the most positive person and I admire her so much for it. Donna is continuing to fight this battle for as long as she can and has her family's full support.

I'm not letting myself be sad about it, she is strong and so I will do my best as well. Please keep her in your prayers and think positive thoughts too!  

I have never mentioned it here before although I have never been asked 'not' to. We are going through something genuinely serious so need to now. 

I went over to work on the puzzle after lunch for about an hour and a half before returning home. 

What do I miss about boondocking?
The Saguaros are a big thing.

We loaded our chairs and cooler and drove to have a 'perhaps last' Happy Hour with my sister and her husband before they leave next week for Mexico. 

A sunny group for Happy Hour.
Sorry Kim about the sun but the other
picture.......well, you know. 😂

We discussed, hashed and rehashed 'things' (😅) until shortly after 5 when we took our leave. It was nice to see them all again and I managed to soak in some sun the whole time. The air turned cool when it began its evening demise so it was nice to get indoors at home.

The sun sets on a great day.

Grilled sausages on a bun for supper and we enjoyed them as usual. This was a nice day. I hope yours was as well.

Supper was good, one day
we'll find the perfect buns. 😂
Good night!

Thank you for the visit.

 

A Flexible Day, Visitors

Park Place RV Park

On Thursday, Dec. 4th our house was alive and active by 7 am. So were all its inhabitants. Bill was having breakfast when Gibbs and I came downstairs. It was another chilly morning, 49F/9C, so Bill ran the furnace for a few cycles. 

Good morning!

The sky was clear so after he left, I turned the inverter on and disconnected us from power. It was still not real warm inside but I took my chores (dusting and vacuuming) very seriously and that warmed me up! 😉

Lunch was good

Gibbs and I went for our walk and he took me on a different route. Well, different for this winter, he must remember it from last year. I don't doubt that for a minute. Back home, I worked on more cards and finished up the first group.

Bill surprised me by being home around 10:30. We hopped in Black Beauty and after we dropped some cards in the mailbox, he dropped me off at Family Dollar. It was time for him to get his ears lowered. He likes the barber here in Quartzsite and always walks away with the cut he wants. 

Gibbs got new sockettes today.
This set of pictures is priceless.

I was done sooner than he was, found toys for the Toy Drive in our park, a few stocking stuffers for my boys and a couple of other things. I started for home and by the time Bill was done, I was entering the park. The walk felt good, seems after 9, I'm fine again.

The sun sets behind the mountains
over Quartzsite

Thank you for the tips mentioned in the comments yesterday regarding Magnesium and I will pick some up. It was mentioned before but I forgot, so I apologize! For lunch, I used Rosy to reheat a couple of pieces of leftover pizza. Still yummy!

I worked away at more of my homemade cards and Bill dozed until Gayle and John arrived for an afternoon visit at 2. We had a nice catch up for a couple of hours. Bill packed up things he needed for the club's first night flying at their field. He left around 5.

This is the best I can
do with the Cold Moon.
But it sure is big and bright.

Gibbs and I had our second walk and when we returned I caught sight of the Cold Moon. It was huge! I guess it's a good thing I saw it since it won't be visible again until what........2042? 🤔🤭 I usually chuckle over those kinds of predictions.

The sun set with very little
fanfare.

Bill was home by 6:30 and we had hot beef sandwiches. Bill had mushroom rice and I had squash for our side. It was filling and tasty, cleaning up leftovers from the fridge. It is a cool evening, dropping  so we brought our Blue Flame heater out from hiding in the closet.

Good night

At least the propane that Bill just purchased will last a little longer that way. it was a great day. I spent the evening watching The Gilmore Girls. What fun!

Thank you for stopping by. 

A Pretty Quiet Day

Park Place RV Park

On Wednesday, Dec. 3rd we slept in until 6 am. My boys got up and went out for their walk. Gibbs returned and curled up on Bill's side of the bed and slept with me until 6:45. Then he played his hide and seek game, royally messing up the duvet. 💕

Good morning!

Happy hump day!

I had my tea while Bill got ready to go to the field. Their 6 rolls of carpet, huge 100' rolls, had arrived and they were meeting to nail it down today. It was a cold start to the day, 42F/5C, and Bill ran the furnace for a few minutes to warm the Suite up.

Oooh, chocolate cake
for snack.

When he left, we turned it off and I changed Gibbs' sock bandage. This time I added coconut oil to the sore, which doesn't look any worse. At least he can't get at it this way. I didn't walk at 8, my sciatica seems to bother me first thing, but I was fine by 9. Strange.At a few minutes before 9, I walked over for Coffee & Snacks.

Gibbs took me through
the shortcut.

Chocolate cake, apple pie (leftover from the potluck) and Sue's home baked cranberry muffins. It was a large group, 11 or 12 this morning so that was encouraging. Lots of conversations going on. 

This cholla has the most interesting
flowers.

At 10, I wandered back home to Gibbs and worked on a greeting card that Gayle asked for. I had fun making a cabin cruiser picture as her friend had one and it's her birthday. Gibbs and I went for his walk and he took me down to Quail Trail to the shortcut behind the park. Nice lone walk.

More Gamble Quail hanging
out around the food dish.

 I worked on the puzzle after Bill and I had soup and a sandwich for lunch. Back home at 2:30, I finished the card and started writing out Christmas cards to mail. 

Lunch was tomato bisque
and toasted keto bread

Today's hobbies

Supper was a small roast beef in Madame IP, with an onion and last 2 potatoes. 30 minutes cooking and 15 release time and it was perfect. 

He loves 'Goat'.
and I love him and his little looks.

Don't look now but there is
a plane in the kitchen!

The potatoes were a bit overcooked so I shouldn't have cut them in quarters. Oh well, with gravy and mixed vegetables on the side, it was a 'Sunday'-type meal. Yummy!

It seems we'll have a normal sunset
and perhaps a full moon?

Cuddling up on Mom's little
pillow.
'Yes, I see you'

We watched the last of Survivor before cleaning up the pots and rejoiced in who was voted out. No spoilers here! This was a good day!

Yum! This was delicious!
Good night!

Thank you for popping by. 

Park Place RV Park

On Tuesday, Dec. 2nd when I saw the light of day (so to speak), it was 5:45. I know I'd slept right through and there were dreams still lingering in my head. I was out of bed just after 6:30 causing Bill" to ask you are getting up?"

Good morning!

It is laundry day so we sorted clothes, Bill hopped in the shower and then we walked over to start the machines. One of the guests, a younger man whom I've quite grown to like, (he reminds me of my son, Patrick) was already loading 2 machines so we took the 3rd.

Gibbs helps me with the tools
while I brush him.
See Mom, I can walk with one sock on!

It meant the whole process took longer than usual as we needed 2 loads as well. Bill left for the flying field and when I switched machines I stayed and worked on the puzzle until the loads were finished. It was around 9:30 when I chatted with Sue in the office and returned home to Gibbs.

Hard thing to get 'everyone'
on board with dog poop.
Two signs on the fence into the
dog park, will it work?

I continued on with card making, getting quite a few done. I did locate the 'hiding' spot where I had put the purchased Christmas cards from last year. We didn't send any out because of the strike, so had lots. Bill was home at 11:30 and we had lunch together.

At 1 pm, he worked on his planes and I walked over to play Pokeno. Deb joined us, as did our new guest, Anne Marie and Bj. We had fun, just the 4 of us. Sue was too busy with office work so couldn't play but at least now I know we have 2 new players for as long as they are willing. I didn't win today, but there's always next week!

Pina Coladas please!

When I returned home, Ken and Kim pulled up and Tom and Deb joined us for a brief Happy Hour under the shelter. We met Gayle and John at Silly Al's a few minutes after 4 and got seated at a nice bright table. I like to see my food clearly and it was the perfect table.

My meat lovers pizza

We were not disappointed, never are, with our pizzas. Bill had his Hawaiian and I had my meat lovers and we each had a pina colada. Oh yum. We didn't realize until we got the bill that we were there over their 'happy hour' entitling us all to $1 off our drinks. 🍹

The gang's all here!
It was nice to meet up with my 
sister and her hubby before
they moved on to Mexico.

With plans to meet up again, individually or in a group, we said our goodbyes. Ken drove Bill and I home and they headed out to Roadrunner where they were camped with Gayle and John. 

Before leaving Silly Al's,
this was the sky to the west.

Before I went inside at home,
this was the sky.

The day was great from beginning to end. We made it to 69F/18C but it felt cool unless you were in the sun.

To the east, the moon was
also performing.
Good night.

Thank you for your visit today.

Electric Bill Monday, No One for Poker Pool

Park Place RV Park

On Monday, we welcomed a new month. December 1st came in with a chill in the air but warmer than it has been at 6 am. I didn't sleep well last night, awake again at 3:30. It sounds like Bill was awake a bit too. Hmm, grounding sheet must be taking a holiday! 😟

Good morning!

We had a really busy morning, Bill working on a shelf for one of the storage sheds for Fred. I also experienced somewhat of a 'rush' with people playing electric bills. Sue and Angie both were out for appointments today. 

Top picture - the moon in a blue sky.
My boys walking home with me.
So cute!💖

Bill and I had lunch together and went back at it for the afternoon. Time flew by and before we knew it, we were back home waiting for a reservation guest to arrive from Blyth. She arrived with a new 30' Class C, really nice and we got her settled in by 6.

A couple of sky photos
just before sunset

Supper was shrimp and chips for Bill and shrimp and root vegetables for me. 

Supper was good.

We cleaned up the pots, loaded the dishwasher and sat to watch a Christmas movie. Yes, I'm watching the odd one since there is nothing else on I want to watch.

Is this a sad looking little puppy
or what? 

Today, Gibbs got out for 3 walks and at the end of the day we noticed he has been licking a paw quite a bit.  I slipped a baby sock on it and wrapped it tightly enough to keep it on. It didn't seem to bother him and tomorrow I'll add coconut oil to it.

It looks broken, but that's the way
he sleeps, like a little poser.

We reached 66F/17C but with sunny skies, it was pretty nice. There was a cool breeze that made a light sweater necessary if I was out for long. We had a great day, all 3 of us.

Good night!

Thank you for stopping by.