The St. Patrick's Day party at the club was different - very tame - not like some Irish celebrations I've been to. There were lots of shamrocks and lots of green (and even a little gold) - but no drinking and fighting for which the Irish are known. We met Rose and LeRoy there - actually, they got there at 5pm with the plan to secure a table for all of us. Dinner was scheduled for 5:30 (planned around the idea that old folks eat early), but wasn't actually served until nearly 7. The food was good once we got it. While we were getting pretty hungry, we had time to get to know other people at our table. We had a good time and a clear head on Sunday! I know I promised pictures, but there really weren't many that are noteworthy. Jim wore his light-up leprechaun hat that he wore at his birthday party. That drew some comment and his picture will most likely end up in the Trilogy Tribune (our monthly resident's publication).
Sunday started out restful...then I decided to start our taxes. I hate doing taxes, even using a no-think program like Turbo Tax. No matter how organized I've been during the year, the situation is always the same - I can't find the info I need. This year I really worked at getting our files set up so I could find everything easily. In the past I just stuffed everything, all year, in a cardboard box. When it was tax time I took the box to the dining room table and sorted everything. It took the better part of a day. I took what I needed for taxes from the sort, filed a few things, and threw everything else away. Worked like a charm - easy, simple. Might resort to that for next year.
Grandson Marcus went off and got married on February 9...his new bride is Amanda. This was a surprise to the whole family. Amanda is a nice gal and they've been together since high school, so she's a welcome addition to our family. There's also a great-grandchild on the horizon. Marc is still reeling at the thought of being a grandfather at 44. He's pleased, but stunned. When he gets over the fact that yes, he is old enough, he'll love the idea. Don't have many details to share yet, but will after I talk to Marcus.
Jessica tossed me a curve - changed the dates on her visit to April 12-19th. so I had to rearrange a lot of other plans. Regardless of when she arrives, we'll be happy to see her and the kids. I wish they lived closer. I can't handle cold and don't do winters like New Hampshire has, so it means I don't see my daughter and grandchildren for months at a time. Sad. But, they'll be here in less than a month and I'm excited about that . I'd like to visit them late summer/early fall before the snow begins.
This awesome weather has kept us working outside on the yard. A few more refinements and the patio and patio enclosure will be like we planned. So far the flowers we planted are doing well. That severe freeze we had earlier this year might have killed the maple tree. We thought it was sheltered enough, but so far this year, it hasn't begun budding. We're praying over it daily... I'm going to give it a little root stimulant and see if that helps. The lemon tree survived nicely, and so did the orange tree - both are flowering like crazy. The orange tree went into shock and lost a lot of leaves, but a good feeding seems to have brought it back with vigor.
We have lots of family visits scheduled which is excellent. We love doing family get togethers, but it's also nice to have some one-on-one time, which is what we'll be doing the next couple of months. It's a great time of year for it.
Sunday started out restful...then I decided to start our taxes. I hate doing taxes, even using a no-think program like Turbo Tax. No matter how organized I've been during the year, the situation is always the same - I can't find the info I need. This year I really worked at getting our files set up so I could find everything easily. In the past I just stuffed everything, all year, in a cardboard box. When it was tax time I took the box to the dining room table and sorted everything. It took the better part of a day. I took what I needed for taxes from the sort, filed a few things, and threw everything else away. Worked like a charm - easy, simple. Might resort to that for next year.
Grandson Marcus went off and got married on February 9...his new bride is Amanda. This was a surprise to the whole family. Amanda is a nice gal and they've been together since high school, so she's a welcome addition to our family. There's also a great-grandchild on the horizon. Marc is still reeling at the thought of being a grandfather at 44. He's pleased, but stunned. When he gets over the fact that yes, he is old enough, he'll love the idea. Don't have many details to share yet, but will after I talk to Marcus.
Jessica tossed me a curve - changed the dates on her visit to April 12-19th. so I had to rearrange a lot of other plans. Regardless of when she arrives, we'll be happy to see her and the kids. I wish they lived closer. I can't handle cold and don't do winters like New Hampshire has, so it means I don't see my daughter and grandchildren for months at a time. Sad. But, they'll be here in less than a month and I'm excited about that . I'd like to visit them late summer/early fall before the snow begins.
This awesome weather has kept us working outside on the yard. A few more refinements and the patio and patio enclosure will be like we planned. So far the flowers we planted are doing well. That severe freeze we had earlier this year might have killed the maple tree. We thought it was sheltered enough, but so far this year, it hasn't begun budding. We're praying over it daily... I'm going to give it a little root stimulant and see if that helps. The lemon tree survived nicely, and so did the orange tree - both are flowering like crazy. The orange tree went into shock and lost a lot of leaves, but a good feeding seems to have brought it back with vigor.
We have lots of family visits scheduled which is excellent. We love doing family get togethers, but it's also nice to have some one-on-one time, which is what we'll be doing the next couple of months. It's a great time of year for it.
Wednesday will be a fun day. I'm going to the Jelly Belly Factory with Anita and Marc's 4 kids. They're out of school for spring break and this is a good, something-fun-to-do activity. (Jim's already put in his order for licorice jelly beans .)
Sorry about the pictures, folks.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Here's a picture of a cathedral in Lemroy, Ireland. Since I don't have any rowdy party pictures to share, I thought I would share this one.
European churches are amazing.
Love to all,
Corrie and Jim
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