That Was Fun!

Yesterday was Mr. T's birthday, and (miraculously) he was in town (read that: "not on the road again"). Hooray! Of course, that had more to do with the Labor Day Holiday on Monday making for a short work-week and other folks not being available because of that than with it being his birthday...but, hey, it was a gift, nonetheless.

We were thrilled when Missy M called last week to say she was coming for a visit over the weekend. I don't mind admitting I have missed my "roomie" for most of the past three months...and my two four-legged grand-dogs. So their visit was a real treat...and timely, when you consider she would be here to help celebrate her Dad's birthday, if just a wee bit early.

When I asked on Saturday what flavor of cake he'd like, I was happy to hear "chocolate with white icing," which is my fav, too. Yum! Here's a photo of the end result, which we fired up (the candles were actually sparkler-versions!) over the weekend, after grilling a couple of racks of ribs.

Also, we headed to Durham for our first football game of the season, enjoying a WIN by Duke over Florida International. We had our pre-game tailgate picnic, and we saw fireworks at halftime! That was a real treat, since most Duke football games are day-games...and rarely dark enough for fireworks. Remarkably, I was able to get a couple of decent shots of the fireworks...before the smoke became the main attraction. (There was NO wind to blow it away...:~\). Here's one of them:

Sounds like a return to normal activity, right? Well, almost. All the walking we did on campus was quite a challenge for Missy M's recently-healed foot. And, since I am still searching for my "normal" store of energy, the activities had pretty much depleted my reserves by the 4th quarter. So when M "hinted" that it was time to go with over 10 minutes left on the clock, she got no argument from me...AKA she-who-never-leaves-a-game-before-it-is-over.

Then, on the REAL day (Wednesday), Mr. T and I tried out a new restaurant in Winston-Salem called Milner's American Southern Cuisine and Cocktails. Well, new to us, that is. Enjoyed great food (he had the mahi-mahi on shrimp creole and Carolina rice, and I got the crab cakes with collards...after an appetizer of fried okra with remoulade sauce!) and a great time together. I could get used to this dining out together mid-week!

Speaking of which (being together throughout the week), this birthday puts Mr. T officially in the Retirement Red Zone. And, barring unforeseen circumstances, we will continue with our plan of business as usual. For how long? Subject to change, of course. The current plan is for 6 more years, which will give him 20 years with Mitsubishi Fuso...and me Medicare coverage. Who knew we would be making retirement decisions based on how costly health care is?

We aren't the only ones working the Retirement Plan. Bro J and SIL J will sooner-than-later be "neighbors," as they are exchanging their 'Ville: goodbye Nash-...hello Ashe-! They aren't ready to make the transition yet...but they are getting there...or, rather here! The refurbing is underway at their new-to-them mountain retreat, which will eventually be their retirement Shangri-La. Glad they could sort out their work schedule for a visit to NC this week.

So, slowly but surely, life as I knew it is returning. I still have an issue with my Bell's Palsy, but I am seeing a Speech Therapist for help...have my second appointment this afternoon, as a matter of fact. She gave me several new exercises to do, and today I start with an electrical stimulation to that facial nerve with a zapper called VitalStim. Woo hoo! Doesn't that sound like fun?!

Remember...eye on the prize. Slowly but surely...

Family, Food, and Football...It Must be Thanksgiving!

After a l-o-n-g week of working on the boxes in the garage, we took a break from unpacking to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I hope each and every one of you has been blessed with much to be thankful for this year.  My own list would include:

1. My family...gathered around our dining room table...and the relatively good health we all enjoy.  This was our first meal in the dining room of our NC home, and we were thrilled to set places for Missy M, as well as Brother and SIL J&J.  We had a lovely day together...and even though Brother T and SIL LaD couldn't join us this year and M had to return home with her pups on Saturday, we were able to meet J&J for a farewell breakfast at Cracker Barrel on Sunday for a bit more fun.  The camera...set on timer...took that photo (right) of us.  I'll be sure to follow Mr. T's suggestion to use the flash next time to even out all those shadows.
2. A bountiful harvest...including the potatoes from Missy M's garden...and groaning sideboard.  We served all the usual Turkey Day dishes:  turkey, dressing (which we made in the crock-pot again...a very moist way to prepare it), glazed ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, cranberry sauce, relish tray, rolls and gravy...followed by cheesecake and/or pecan pie for dessert.  The only hitch in the whole day came when the oven (which came with the house) decided to start issuing error codes (?!?) and then burn everything inside...fortunately, this occurred when the casseroles were being heated, with the only real casualties being the tops and bottoms of those dishes and the rolls.  I guess next Thanksgiving I'll be thankful for a new oven...?  Oh well...
3. A happy ending to the saga of our move from MO.  This time last year saw us in a tizzy, preparing to make the move to NC, which turned out to be even more trying than we had anticipated...so, I'm three times thankful that this is all behind us...and that we are all still smiling...and still speaking to each other...!

OK, that covers the "family" and the "food."  What about the "football?" 

On Saturday...which was an absolutely gorgeous day...Mr. T and I headed to Durham for the Duke and Wake Forest "rivalry" game (left).  The Methodists vs. the Baptists, so to speak.  Sad to report that the Blue Devils allowed the Demon Deacons to take the lead...and they never got it back.  Sigh.  At least we had fun in the sun.

I absolutely adore the Duke campus.  With all the stone buildings and arched and leaded windows, this is one of the prettiest spots in the state.  As we were walking back to our car, I took this shot (right) of the Duke Chapel, which is stunning inside and out.  (Yes, that is the moon you see...:)  We went there to hear Handel's Messiah when we lived here before, and I'll never forget how moving that performance was.  Suggestion:  if you do go, be sure to take a sweater...those stone floors can make the space a bit nippy, shall we say.

While Missy M was here, we got to a couple of yarn shops (Knit Picky in Winston-Salem and This 'n That in Greensboro).  Good time of year to go pet some fibre, for sure! 

On our way home from Winston, I took the exit for Old Salem...one of our favorite places.  We didn't have a whole lot of time, but I found a parking space right in front of Winkler's Bakery, so we joined the crowd inside.  OMG.  What wonderful, yummy smells!  M stocked up on Moravian Cookies (in the tins), and then we got some sugar cakes, still warm from the oven.  I took this photo of the goodies along with my Cat's Meow of Winkler's, which I've had for years.  Still special.

Several have asked about Elmo's eyes.  I'm happy to report that he's doing much better.  Missy M took him to his follow-up vet visit today and reported that the pressure is still below those high numbers he registered when the glaucoma started.  Can he see out of both eyes?  Well, that's still up-in-the-air, as he doesn't really respond appropriately to the gestures that the vet tests him with.  The verdict:  M still has to administer the three kinds of eye drops, as the vet wants to maintain the progress he's made.  Of course, at this rate, they are going to have to start going to the vet in an armored truck...too bad M can't get Elmo on her health insurance.

When all the pups were here with us, I took this shot of The Boyz:  Elmo, Mr. T, and Gus (right).  Thought it was so cute.  Can you see the logo on his shirt?  It's for Binford Tools...motto:  Real Men Don't Read Instructions.  Ahem.  Got that one on a trip to Disney World.  Fits...in more ways than one, wouldn't you say?

About a half a second after I snapped that shot, Ella Rae jumped up in the middle, as you see in the other photo (left).  What a little imp!  The boys look like "great...here she comes again."

Yes, we had a wonderful weekend.  And, now we are in the middle of decorating the house for the Christmas Holidays.  The garage will just have to wait a little longer, I suppose.

We got the outside lights, etc., up and out yesterday before the sprinkles arrived.  Good thing, too, as today has been drab and dreary...chilly and wet.  I did get the candles in the windows this morning, so I'll be ready to post some photos tomorrow.

Be good!  Remember, Santa's watching!