Lorings on the Road: December 2023

It takes just one heavy rainstorm to strip the remaining leaves off the trees; whatever has been left is brown and crinkled, fragile and hanging on for dear life. It really looks like winter now. Yesterday, the temperature didn’t rise above high 30’s but the sun was shining, and I bundled up for a walk to get some fresh air, vitamin D.

The family was away over a long Thanksgiving weekend so we had the house to ourselves. I volunteered on the Tuesday prior at the senior center serving Thanksgiving dinner to 75 of my peers ( hard to admit but they are). It was such fun; I ran around assisting in anyway I could - met a lot of new people and even got to take home some freshly sliced turkey and two little table talk pumpkin pies. I have still been trying to get my eating under control and although I could have partaken of the delicious feast- I settled for a cup of coffee.

Charlie and I each had a delicious turkey sandwich when I got home and we had the pies for our Thanksgiving dinner dessert. Our Thanksgiving was just the two of us but it was delicious and relaxing!

I spent three days of Thanksgiving week (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) making fudge and dipped pretzel rods for Deena and my craft fair booth. We sold these delicious treats and donated a portion of our earnings to St. Jude’s. Dee assisted making the pretzels, but I got the bulk of everything made and packaged.

I have started replacing all the exterior autumn decorations with our winter theme. I made a new wreath for the main front door which looks really pretty and also updated our snowman (I found it next to a dumpster several years ago; I really never take things being tossed out but it was so cute and in perfect condition!) Our little tree is up in our entryway, sparkling away and I have my ceramic menorah on display to celebrate Chanukah- which is particularly important this year.

I had been walking as often as I can and have been successful this past week reaching my step goal. But the past few days have been so cold. It hasn’t reached above freezing yet today.

My focus is now turning to the inside of our home. I plan to start touch up painting this week.

Charlie and I participated in a painting class at the library - it was a winter theme. Just wish it wasn't so damn cold out already but I guess the subject was on target.

I had been looking for another trip to take, prior to our cruise this summer and - Tah dah! We just booked another cruise from Boston to Bermuda leaving March 29 - week long. Neither Charlie and I have ever been to Bermuda before; it looks gorgeous and so much to do! We will be sailing on NCL's Gem and are both really looking forward to this!

And just like that… today is Christmas Eve Day. We have spent this past week house/pet sitting for three lovelies down in our old hometown, Plymouth. It has been a busy and really enjoyable week. We visited with lots of family and friends. We commented to each other on all the “changes” in town - most not for the better as we drove through downtown and the waterfront. Yesterday evening, we spent a few hours at the Edaville Railroad theme park in Carver and enjoyed their Festival of Lights. It definitely gets you in the holiday mood!