Memorable Moments of 2025 In (Mostly) Pictures

Happy New Year! 2025 was quite a year for us. We had a damaging ice storm at the lake and a tree fell down on Rick's house during a tornado in Lansing. Rick took two long bike hikes, including a month-long trip to Canada and New England. I stayed close to home or the lake! There was fun -- our Cork Poppers and other times with good friends, a good art sale and lots of art time. But I also dealt with afib issues, a cardioversion, pacemaker, tendonitis that laid me flat for a bit, and the usual MRSA, sinus and pseudomonas infections. Add to it the tension in the US and I will be glad to turn the calendar page to 2026.

Christmas -- The Merriment Continues

I think we were like many of you, who enjoyed multiple Christmases! As you saw in the last post, we had fun with the kids, decorating Rick's trees and doing the zoo walk. That was Monday. On Tuesday, it was our "Christmas Eve." I took the morning off so I could get a couple of things done at home (like sleep) and make cookies to decorate. But soon it was time for fun! (The clean-up would be later!)

 

We (I mean the collective "we") were going to build a gingerbread house. It started out well enough. 

Smile, and Keep On Tapping

The kids have moved on to their next Christmas after a good (and exhausting!) celebration. The tree is up and will be for a bit. I need the light and to be honest, have barely had time to sit with it and fully enjoy. I've had rough holidays before. This one has been overwhelming. But, as someone once said to me when I was doing theatre and we were all tired, not always sure of the steps, "Smile, and keep on tapping!" 

Friends and Fun at Holiday Time

We're closing in on Christmas and perhaps the best part is spending time with friends and doing some fun things, a bit out of the box. As I mentioned in the last post, my friend Suzanne came for a short visit and we did some Christmas shopping. The stores are looking good!

 

One spot we like offered snacks (they sell sauces and rubs and such, so it was good marketing!). It made for a nice treat on an impossibly frigid, windy day. They also had a couple of singers with an accordion come in and sing holiday songs. They were rather off key at times (but then, who isn't?) but very holly jolly and it was a nice touch.

More Hall Decking!

Things are on the upswing here as my friend Suzanne visits this weekend. But I thought I'd pop in the last of the home decorating pix. I'll start with this amaryllis from Trader Joe's. $7.95 and it has given me five huge blooms, still going after several weeks. I'd never seen a pink and white one before! Decorating and I didn't have to do a thing except put it on the table!

 

 And these flowers, sent by dear friends, are still going strong -- perfect Christmas colors!

Popping Corks with Cork Poppers!

It may be the December holidays now, but in late November, we were popping corks with Cork Poppers, celebrating fall and the upcoming "busy season" with some wonderful wines and delicious foods! This time, our hosts were Mike and Kate and the theme was Wines to See Us Through the Winter.

 

We started out with some festive Prosecco, because what is more festive than that?

Getting Up to Pace - and a Bit of Christmas Decorating!

Thanksgiving may be over but my personal season of gratitude extends to you. Thank you all for such kind, supportive words. I'm pleased to say the pacemaker implant surgery is over and while I'm still sore as all get out at the site, I'm back home, getting itchy to be back in holiday mode. I'm finding typing a bit challenging, between the sling and some soreness there, so if I don't visit as often or answer your comments directly (if I have contact info for you), I know you'll understand. And again, I am so grateful for you good thoughts.

 

That might take awhile to do well. Certain restrictions are for six weeks and I can't drive for at least two (or after my to-be-scheduled follow-up appointment.)The sling cramps my style! I may end up doing more shopping at the Evil Empire than I planned. I hate asking for rides to the grocery or having someone else shop for me, but I guess things like this humble us, so there you go. 

November Books and an Update

(If you're not into book chat, see the note at the bottom!) 

I'm not sure what I was doing in November. Yes, prepping for my art sale took a lot of time. Yes, there were three days of the sale. But that was over mid-November and let's be honest -- I didn't prep 24/7 for that. Somehow, I only managed to read two books, both mysteries. And both were worth my time.

The Day Trader Joe's Made Me Cry

Last weekend wasn't my best. I was nervous about my surgery, but what was really getting to me was wanting to get the house decorated before. I was told I'd feel pretty good within a couple of days, but that didn't factor in the sinus and lung infections! Still, I have Energizer Bunny characteristics when under the gun, so I decided I would power decorate the house before. And I was making headway!

One tree up -- but this photo is from last year!

(The main reason for this was that I wouldn't be able to lift my arm above by shoulder or carry more than 10 pounds for a week to ten days.)