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I’m having an EGD on Friday to decide what’s going to happen to my reoccurring hiatal hernia. Crummy way to end the year! & my foot surgery is scheduled for Jan 23. My knee scooter is awaiting me in my spare room. Nough about me!! Lois you leave on 5 Jan? What is your itinerary? Kat, sounds like a pretty good gig you have going on. Sherry, safe travels home to FL Sharon, you’ve been mighty busy Melissa hope your treatments are almost completed I hope everyone has a safe & happy & healthy New Year. Melody

If they’re Nike they’re likely running shorts, but I’ve used them for swim shorts for years

We had a really fun holiday. Our grandson flew out yesterday (on SW) back to Offutt AFB in Omaha. We were very concerned with all the cancellations. Turns out his flight was the very last SW to depart before the shutdown. Very fortunate

So nice to physically hug relatives again

Didn’t expect to have almost everyone for Christmas Day (only missing one grandgirl). Remote selfie stick helped! Melody

Thanks Janet. We’ve warmed up to 20F from -16 earlier this week so great improvement.

I thought you’d enjoy the drink picture. I was able to maintain the happy face all the way to the end! The concierge was laughing at my efforts. Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas. We’re off today for our soup extravaganza with our oldest daughter. I’m making crockpot pasta fagiole (house smells great at almost 5am). Son & grandson are making 10 lbs of Swedish meatballs (I think they’re hoping for leftovers!!!), oldest daughter will make chicken tortilla soup & middle daughter is making cream of chicken & wild rice soup & homemade eggnog (we’ll bring salted caramel Crown Royal). There will be oodles of homemade treats too. Melody

Here’s a couple of pictures from cruise

We’re up to -14 this morning & forecasters saying 50s for Christmas!

Here’s a couple of pictures

Well it’s been brutal weather here yesterday & today. -16F & -35 with windchill. -14 this morning only about 3” of snow. Supposed to be 50 on Christmas!!! Hope everyone stays safe this is an awful weather event all over the US Melody

Stay safe

My drizzle was 6” of fluffy white snow

-35 with windchill. 1:30 pm & still below zero. I’m baking away

Just turned to snow. Christmas baking today (it’ll help keep house warm too). Melody

Luckily it was costume jewelry

We just got off Harmony. Ate one evening in Bistro. We were not impressed. Buffet for apps, salads & desserts. Waited forever (almost an hour) for entree & then it was cold.

My husband & I wear Keens water sandals with a covered toe & very good grip on the soles. After our last cave excursion I think everyone else on that excursion will buy them too. The caves were quite slippery & we were the only ones that didn’t fall or slip (some folks had some nasty cuts)

I have a jewelry travel case that’s great for long necklaces & statement pieces. I also use a zippered box for rings & earrings. I tried the straw trick once & hubs threw it out thinking it was trash

Janet, why didn’t we grab a picture!

Laurie, try these cocktails

We must’ve been typing at the same time!!

Back home last night. I’m so behind with my holiday prep!! I haven’t done much shopping…I think it’s a wine & gift card holiday this year (so unlike me). Being so sick before our cruise really put me behind. I haven’t don’t ANY baking or wrapping. I bought a couple things on the cruise but not like usual. I’ll go out today, get gas & a spiral ham for Christmas dinner. I’ll make rotten potatoes (au gratin) too. This was a special request from our son & grandson (excited he’s going to be home). Karin is cooking a beef tenderloin but not until Christmas week as she doesn’t get her daughter till Christmas morning. That’ll be tenderloin, Yorkshire pudding, veggies from her garden, her special cookies & other desserts. Haven’t heard our oldest daughter’s plans, she’ll likely do Christmas Eve after church but she just came back from Toronto & England & Texas in the past few weeks. So she’s likely behind too!! here’s a couple of pictures of the crowd. Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas. Melody

We had a great time with 9 other family members. Wish we’d had more time to chat. Family kept me crazy busy. We had a great cave experience in Aruba, shopped in Curacao (I was happy for the clouds) & relaxed in Labadee. Melody