Recent Posts

Not a busy day here. Kirby and I walked and I went to the hardware store for one of those vent diverter things so that the air from a floor vent doesn't go straight up. I moved a plant and it happens to be over a vent, so I thought this would keep the heat from drying it out. And my friend who is on a trip to the German Christmas markets asked if I would stop by and grab some packages from her porch. I got passed by several rescue vehicles so someone had an accident hiking somewhere by me. That's fairly regular unfortunately. The other night they had to pluck two people off a cliff on Capital Butte in the dark with a helicopter when they made a wrong turn and got stuck. If you live here, you don't pay for your rescue (ambulance, helicopter, etc). (Part of the property taxes, Peps!) If you're a tourist, you do. So get travel insurance before coming to Sedona if you're accident prone!

I took the convertible today as it was 72 and blindingly sunny. Still unseasonably warm and dry in the west. Darned La Nina.

The materials for the roof deck replacement came today and they start framing tomorrow. The roof has gotten 2 coats of silicone.

I tried to touch up the paint on one of the walls where Anna moved a mirror and it looks patchy, dammit. So I'm going to have to paint the whole wall. Grrr. I don't even like where the mirror is now, but it's so heavy it took 2 people to move it, so I'm stuck with it for the moment. And that's a much bigger wall that would need repainting.

Kirby send his love and licks to all..

Ps Diane does tha****er stiff help with lip bacteria? His teeth are still pretty, I think it's coming from his lip folds and jowls.

I have a dentist appointment tomorrow too. Mine has one of those paraffin wax hand dip things so you get a little spa treatment while your teeth are being cleaned. Pretty nice inexpensive touch for them to offer, and it's the only thing I look forward to during a dental visit!

120.6, down a bit more. I too was productive in the bathroom!

New cut and color look nice. She did my color a little more choppy, but I like it!

Put together a pool area storage basket and got a vanity chair that still needs to be put together and my coffee/tea bar came today and needs to be hung!

New residents meeting tonight. It will take a bit to get used to all the HOA rules. You can't do anything to the exterior of your home or landscaping without prior approval, even putting in a new plant or changing the lights on your garage door or putting a garden gnome or sports team flag is a no no!

We got a decent amount of snow, but no school closures etc. I've not left the house today, but I might tonight. It's actually not bone chilling cold today, it's in the 30s. Windchill of -27 predicted for Saturday. Now that's brisk.

Ther can certainly be a melancholy this time of year as our traditions change. I had 2 stellar Christmas times in my life: when I was a kid, we spent Christmas Eve night with my Dad's family at my Auntie's house, and woke up Christmas morning at my maternal grandparents farm, nestled in the woods up north. Thing change, and people can no longer host or travel, and new ways had to be, but nothing stuck. When my kids were little, I decided we needed a tradition, so we began hosting for my DH's siblings and kids on Christmas Eve, and any friends who were available. It was wall to wall cousins in our small home, and very festive. Christmas Day we would go to my parents house. Now all the nieces and nephews are scattered about the country, and/or have in laws to visit, so our Christmas Eve group is much smaller. One year, my BILs kids ( 6 children and spouses!) were all home so we did our traditional blow out gathering. I heard one niece tell her husband, I practically grew up in this house. It made all of it so worthwhile at that moment.

I am getting ready to start the Christmas cookie baking. I don't make anything too fancy, but like a lot of things this time of year, my kids look forward to the familiar treats they've had every year since as long as they can remember. I'll bring some to my parents too. Having cookies around at home has not really been a problem for me during the VSG years. I can generally eat a few and stop. It's more challenging for DH. What I try to do, is make up a small plate for us with reasonable amounts, and once those are gone, we are done with cookies until the next little plate appears.

Tomorrow I have the dental cleaning with an exam by a new dentist. I've had a lot of big surprises after exrays, like root canals that have failed and need to be pulled etc so I enter with apprehension. But I keep telling myself 1. They will not be doing any scary procedures tomorrow 2. If there is something that needs attention, better now than when it is an emergency. Waiting won't make it go away. For us reluctant patients, maybe they should have some kind of punch card system that if you come in regularily, you can earn a nice prize. Perhaps I'll float this idea : )

Well, I was full of sh*t - literally! LOL! I weighed 202.2 again this morning. A few minutes later nature called. After a productive visit to the commode, I weighed again and had dropped down to 201.6. LOL! I'm going with the second weight of the morning!

I slept way too late today, but I went to bed way too late last night. It is true - one can't hoot with the owls at night and expect to soar with the eagles at dawn.

UGH.... It is tax day here in CA. I always hate paying property taxes. I seem to get so very little for what is charged. I'm sure that is one of the many reasons CC fled to AZ!

I am having some trouble being productive this week. I have things that I should be doing and am unmotivated. I am vowing to make today a productive day. I am chocking up my malaise to the winter chill (makes me want to stay in and be "cozy"), retirement adjustment (lack of daily structure), and family Christmas traditions disappearing (Dad's declining mental state and brother's distance have led to our lifetime family traditions falling by the wayside).

Liz, I bet you are looking forward to alone time! I know I would be!

I am hoping for a Winning Wednesday!