Saturday

It was a combination of hard work and resting today. Dennis started to go into town as he usually does on Saturday, but decided to stay home instead. He did some work, took Flash for a walk, and read his Kindle. Meanwhile, I went to the new craft room and started sorting boxes and putting away books and office supplies. I didn't finish, but I did get all the books put away so the guys will have empty boxes on Monday. Then there will be more packing and more unpacking. Tomorrow I will give it another go.

IKEA

Hard to believe, but Dennis and I drove all the way into town on Black Friday to buy furniture at IKEA in Mission Valley. We had picked out what we wanted ahead of time, so it didn't take too long. Also, we went early so it wasn't as crowded as we feared it would be. The furniture is mostly storage for the craft room, plus a work desk for me. Right now it's all in boxes on the garage floor. On Monday, we will have people to take it all upstairs and we hope someone will put it all together.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday

Angie, Gary and Mom came over for Thanksgiving. We planned dinner for 2 p.m. and were only 40 minutes late, waiting for the turkey's butt to get brown. As weird as the turkey looked, it was well cooked and delicious. We also had the usual suspects: candied yams, stuffing, cranberry sauce, broccoli and pie. Dennis and I made an apple pie and Angie/Gary brought berry and pumpkin. Yes, 3 pies for 5 people. I also tried something new: popovers. They were easy to make and turned out really good.

This year Dennis's birthday fell on Thanksgiving, so he was a turkey. Happy Birthday, Dennis.

Packing

Tuesday and Wednesday we (me and my people) pushed hard to pack the remainder of the craft room and office in the house and to move all of the office furniture to the new craft room/office above the garage. Not unlike packing your whole household and moving somewhere else. There's a ton of stuff to put away somewhere.

Movie Tuesday

Last Tuesday Mom and I met Dennis in Parkway Plaza (I can't get used to the new name: Westgate something or other). As we usually do, we went to the movies and saw Ender's Game. The theme was humans vs. giant ant-like aliens for the future of the species. There was a twist--the warriors were children chosen for their fighting ability. Dennis thought it was interesting; Mom and I thought it was mildly interesting, but mainly for teens.

Visiting

On our trip to Sacramento - Auburn, we visited with Dennis's daughter, Lorissa, and her daughter, Alora. We met the schoolbus and Alora ran to her Grandpa. She was so happy to see him. Then we went to a nearby park and fed the geese. As soon as we arrived, the geese started running toward us. We started feeding them and I got on the table because they bite!

The next day we took Alora to a Chuckie Cheese-like place (forgot the name) to play games and have lunch. Alora is only three, but she has those games figured out. She had a wonderful time and we enjoyed watching her.

  

Here come the geese

Ivan -- missing again

Dennis and I took a brief trip to Sacramento to visit his daughter and granddaughter this week. We were only gone two days, but when we got back Ivan was missing -- again. He was gone Thursday night and Friday when it was raining. Thankfully, he came back Friday night. I was very happy to see him and I think he was glad to be back, too.

Apple Pie

Here's the apple pie Dennis & I made for Thanksgiving. He mixes and rolls out the dough and I peel/slice and prepare the apples and finish off the dough. I usually fork the rim, but this year I tried a scalloped edge. The pie is in the freezer, ready to bake.

What a day

This was not one of my most fun days. I spent the entire morning cleaning out all the stuff in my craft container. All the Xmas containers and other things were moved to the carport, two containers of books were boxed up to give away, and I went through all my craft containers to see what could be thrown away and what should be kept.

What a job. No fun.

Movie Tuesday

Twelve Years a Slave, published in 1853, is the story of Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and sold into slavery in 1841. He lived the treacherous life of a slave for 12 years in Louisiana. The movie is a gripping portrayal of this story. And when I say "gripping," I mean it. We were transfixed by the true horrifying circumstances not only of Solomon Northup, but all the slaves in the south in the pre-civil war era. We were in tears at the end. This is a must-see movie--even if you think you don't want to see it.

Ivan

Ivan seems to be settling in.

Movie Tuesday

Last Vegas was a fun movie for us to see because the actors in it were about our age. Well, a year older than me and Dennis and somewhat younger than Mom. Still, we all liked the actors: Michael Douglas, the old guy engaged to the young chick, and his childhood buddies Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline. What's not to like?

They all met in Las Vegas for Michael's bachelor party and mildly entertaining havoc ensued. This was a cute movie for people of a certain age. The young whippersnappers would probably be bored, but what do they know?

Flat on my face

That's right, Friday, after Mom and I had our hair done in Alpine, we came home and I checked out the progress the furniture building boys had made upstairs in the garage. Coming out the door, I tripped over a mound of dirt and fell flat on my face in the sharp rocks outside the gate to our house. Crap. I skinned my knee, my palms, and my nose. Of course, my nose didn't break, so no improvement there.

Saturday, Dennis's friends came over to target shoot starting very early and on into the afternoon.

Sunday, we lost an hour of sleep because we forgot it was the end of Daylight Savings Time. I've been tired all day and we'll have to wait a whole year until we get that extra hour of sleep. Pooh.