Adieu 2013!

 Saying farewell can also translate thus:

Bye-bye

Cheerio

Adios

Auf wiedersehen 

Farewell

Sayonara

Arriverderci

I may be saying farewell to the year 2013 but not to blogger. In fact, dear blogger, I feel like I've neglected you and I hope I can treat you with more respect in 2014.

In a short while we're expecting our neighbors for an evening of bridge. We'll begin with a light supper of salad, lasagna and bread sticks. Maybe we'll have a glass of wine and maybe we'll toast the New Year but it's possible the party will break up before midnight.

Happy New Year and wishing the best for 2014 to anyone who may read this!

Farewell until 2014.

Rainy day in December

As predicted, we've had a day-long rain and the water level has been rising all day.

It's just a plastic owl in case you are wondering

Dock, a photo by Ruth Everson on Flickr.

Look carefully at the photo above and you can see some weeds about a yard or so from the edge of the water. The weeds indicate the usual shoreline but with all the rain the water level has risen.

Ray cleans some debris so the water can flow through the overflow easily

The platform holding the bench is underwater

Even though this seems like a lot of water for one day, it doesn't equal the June rain in 2008 when the level of the water was as high as the seat of the bench.

Two weeks until Christmas

When I wake up in the morning, I'll be thinking it's less than two weeks until Christmas. What do I need to do today to be prepared? I finished decorating the tree this afternoon. It's been mostly finished but I decided to add some tinsel since it adds something to the look during the daytime when the lights are not on. Maybe I'll make a "to do" list tomorrow. Sounds like a good idea.

Thinking back, I haven't written about Advent Glow last Sunday evening at church. We had the largest turnout since we began holding this event about four years ago. I again hosted a table and had Nancy, Kylie and two friends of Nancy join me. Sunday was also Nancy's birthday. Fortunately I was able to find one birthday candle and put it on her dessert. Later, a men's barbershop quartet entertained us and at the conclusion of their program I asked them to sing "Happy Birthday." Nancy was touched and had to wipe away a few tears. It was special being able to celebrate together. We don't often get to do that.

For several months Ray's elbow has been bothering him. He finally decided it was due to an inflamed bursa (similar to tennis elbow). He called the family doctor after lunch to see if he would be able to give him a cortisone injection. He had a successful injection on his knee in September and thought it might be the cure for his current discomfort. The doctor's office returned his call and about an hour later he was in the examining room getting the injection. He needs to be careful not to bump his elbow the next several days and should begin to feel some relief after that.

First snow of December 2013

I've photographed this bench when it's covered with snow more than once. 

First snow of December 2013, a photo by Ruth Everson on Flickr.

On Thursday evening we enjoyed The Nutcracker performed at Butler University. On our way home, Ray drove slowly and carefully because of the falling snow.

We woke up this morning finding about 4 inches on the ground. Ray used a snow shovel to push the snow off the sidewalk and driveway. He didn't have to get the tractor out and, as long as he doesn't have to lift the snow shovel, he says he enjoys clearing the snow this way.

This afternoon Ray noticed a deer on the backside of our property. Soon there were two more running and frolicking in the snow just like young children might.

Earlier in the day I noticed a huge flock of birds in and under the flowering pear trees that line the driveway. The birds found the very small fruit still on the tree!

I'm not looking forward to the cold weather we're expecting for the next week. I might have to get out my heavy winter coat--the one that I don't think I ever wore last winter.

Bingo Prize

Bingo Prize, a photo by Ruth Everson on Flickr.

We had signed up a couple of days ago for the regular senior luncheon at the Rec Center not realizing that we'd be playing Bingo after we ate. There were about a dozen or more prizes and both Ray and I were winners! My prize was a Christmas candy dish with peppermint patties to fill it. Ray won "Moose Munch" which is caramel popcorn with cashews and almonds.

It's going to be difficult to not overeat this month!

Fun video from Thanksgiving weekend

Bob & Karen a video by Ruth Everson on Flickr.

My son-in-law Joe Martin introduced us to the app "Elf Yourself" and we began making several videos. Here's one of the better ones showcasing the talents of Bob Zielke and Karen Scafidi.

Via Flickr:
We had a lot of fun making and watching the antics of the dancers in this movie!

Thanksgiving 2013

Again this year we hosted Ray's sisters and their spouses, Veronica & Bob and Karen & Carl, and our niece Laura. They arrived about 3:15 Thursday afternoon and we had time to visit while the turkey was still roasting. Everyone posed for a group portrait.

Laura, Me, Carl, Karen, Bob, Veronica and Ray

The candles were lit, a prayer was said and we sat down to our turkey dinner.

Karen lights the candles

The next morning was rather cold. In fact, we could see a thin crust of ice on the lake behind our house. The day before Ray set up our corn hole game in the basement. Even though the court was a little short, it was possible to play if one took care to avoid hitting the ceiling.

Laura & Veronica

Later, the game was moved outdoors. No one seemed to mind the 30 degree weather except me--I didn't play outdoors.

Ray proved himself a champion--winning most of his games

By late afternoon, we were all hungry and Karen treated us to dinner at Chili's including Joe, Nancy, Dustin, Josh, Kylie and Jayden.

Josh, Jayden, Kylie, Dustin, Dustin's friend, Veronica, Bob, Ray, Carl, Karen,

 Nancy, Laura, & Joe

We said farewell to the Scafidis and Zielkes on Saturday morning as they returned to Illinois.

Now it's time to put thoughts of Thanksgiving behind and turn our attention to Christmas preparations. I'm not sure I like having Thanksgiving so late with December only two days later, but I guess I should get used to it since next year Thanksgiving is on November 27, only one day earlier.