The Week Between Christmas and New Year's Day!

Well, what originally looked like a rather quiet week with not too much activity quickly became a very busy one, but with lots of fun and fellowship!

Monday we met my sister, Cindy, and John at a nearby restaurant for breakfast and then went to their house to talk and play Wizard, a card game Ken and I had not played before.  It really is Up the River with a "twist".  We had fun. After leaving there, we went to Masonic Homes to spend the afternoon visiting with my parents and of course, playing Pinochle.  Men won 2 of 3 games.  Ken went to CR and I spent the evening watching Hairspray and making jewelry.

Tuesday morning we packed some of Christmas decorations and then picked up our friend, Polly, to take her to Rachel's Creperie in Lancaster for breakfast. She graciously allows us to keep a few things stored in her basement and we are so grateful.  The crepes were absolutely delicious, a place  Ken and I will definitely go to again.  We stayed at her house and visited for awhile and then Ken and I went back to Lancaster so each of us could get a new pair of sneakers.  We wore them out during our western trip.  We spent most of the afternoon packing up the remaining Christmas decorations and then spent the evening having dinner at the home of our special friends, Dan and Jackie, and playing Ping Pong and Skip-Bo.  What a wonderful evening.

Wednesday morning we met our friends, Sam and Kathy, for breakfast at a local restaurant.  We were there from 8:30 to 11, so we must have had a lot of "catching up" to do.  It was so good to spend time with them!  From there, Ken and I went to Costco and then right to Lanie's to pick up Sam and Katelyn for a sleepover.  The girls played with the Barbie's and then we all enjoyed some game playing.  The girls wanted to sweep the walkways and porches here at the apartment building and then we took a walk around the block.  Then the 4 of us went to Roma Pizza in downtown Lititz for dinner - they love their pizza. More games, a fairy movie and then we all went to bed around 9.

After a great night's sleep, we were all up by 7 and Grandma made their favorite - pancakes.  Then the 4 of us drove to Masonic Homes to visit my parents.  Katelyn and Samantha enjoyed playing the marble game with Mom and Dad and the residents loved seeing the interaction with the little ones.  We stopped at the house for lunch and by 2:45 we had them back home with Lanie and Bob. That evening Ken and I attended a gathering of our Life Group from church and got home around 9:45.  We were tired again!

Friday morning I met my Curvette ladies for breakfast at 6:45 - I thought we were retired?????  After a nice time together I got home so Ken could leave for a 9:15 podiatrist appt.  He has a very sore ball of his foot and it was diagnosed as an inflammation that needs time to heal  I spent most of the morning packing my clothes, food, paper goods, crafts, etc. for our departure to Florida on Monday.  I also sorted through all my shells and seaglass.  Ken worked at his desk.  We spent the evening with special friends and fellow campers, Fred and Doloris.  They had invited us for dinner (good thing, as our refrigerator is rather "bare") and to play cards.  Again, it was a wonderful, fun evening.  The men were the winners of 2 of the 3 games -Wow!

Today Ken had breakfast with his friend, Gary, and then did some necessary errands.  I made food for tonight's New Year's Eve Party with our card club group who has been getting together on this night for over 30 years.  We always have such a good time.  Then I made some chicken barbeque, defrosted the refrigerator, 2 loads of wash, and packed some last minute items.  I dusted the apartment and Ken vacuumed.  Then we debated when we wanted to leave for Florida, because we had gotten so much accomplished today.  We decided to leave tomorrow instead of early Monday morning.  We won't be in a hurry, since tonight will be a late one, but knowing Ken, it will be early anyway!  It is now 5:30 and we are ready to leave for the party.  The car is jammed, just enough room for us to sit in our seats so we are set to "rock and roll"!  We will miss our family and friends but are so ready for warm and sunny Florida!  We will miss our friends and family, but so ready for the sunny, warm weather!