Reindeer Duster

This is a picture of Duster waiting for the Light Parade to start.

Christmas Eve 2006

We returned from Houston last Sunday. It was a long hard trip (2400 miles round trip). On Saturday we drove 900 miles, from Johnson City to Casa Grande. I hope we never have to do that again. Willard's brother recovered from his double pneumonia and went home on Monday. He still has health challanges, but he is doing much better. We stayed with Barbara and Harrel in Alvin and really appreciated their hospitality. I got to see my sister and have a good old hamburger and malt at the Sonic while we "talked about nothing" (as mother used to say).

It was good to be back at Stanton. Monday and Tuesday was really cold (it even spit some snow), so we didn't get out much. On Wed. we went to Prescott to do some shopping. On Friday we had our Red Hat Tea. About 35 attended. It was a wonderful party. Saturday night were had a delicious Pre-Christmas dinner at Bill and Karen's along with Judy and Don, Judy's daughter, Janice and Charlie. It was a lovely evening.

On Sunday we had a pot-luck lunch at Janice's and Charlie's space. About 14 attended. The food was great as usual. That evening we had our light parade. About 20 ATV's participated. We paraded throughout the park. It was so much fun. We even dressed Duster up like a reindeer. He rode in the back of our ATV. After the parade, we had hot chocolate, wassail, and cookies in the Opra House. What a great time we have at Stanton thanks to so many wonderful people in camp.

We're on our way to Houston

We are in Ft. Stockton, TX on our way to Houston. Willard's brother had a heart attack and is now on one of those breathing machines. He's stopped breathing on his own. We thought we should be there, so he packed up some clothes and headed out in our truck last night. Bill and Karen, wonderful friends of ours in Stanton Camp, volunteered to take care of Duster and Worth while we are gone. That took a big load off of our minds.

Because of this unexpected trip, we are missing three Christmas parties. Our Red Hat group went to Prescott today for a Christmas lunch and tonight we were supposed to play for our Gem and Mineral Club parts. Guess they will have to use CDs for their music or have someone else entertain. Last night we missed the GPAA party. We were to play for them too along with Mary, Hollywood Don, Don G., and Ken. I'm kinda in the dumps because we seem to be missing all the fun.

But, family matters to us so much. Right now our place is with them. Some hard decisions must be made and it helps to have people that love you standing by your side. That's why we are driving 1200 miles in two days to be there for them (and for us). Anyway, right now we are so tired. We must go to bed early for we are only half way there.

You Mean It's Only 21 Days Until Christmas?

It is amazing how time flys when you are enjoying such a full life. I'll try to recap our past month here in Stanton.

• The Red Hat cookbook is finished and in publication. It should be ready by Dec. 12.
• I won $200 playing live poker at Prescott (3-6)
• We bought a fiddle and I'm learning to play it. I have a lesson tomorrow in Prescott
• We have been preparing Christmas Songs for two Christmas parties we will be playing at (the GPAA and Gem and Rock Club parties)
• It's been cold and windy as a cold front has moved across the country this past week. The water in our hose froze one night. The tent across the road blew somewhere. They had to get a new one.
• Our Red Hat group went to Aguila for lunch at Big Mama's, afterwhich we shopped at the farmer's market.
• Jeanie gave us a small breadmaker (a loaf just big enough for 4 good slices) Willard is the breadmaker and does a great job. No more bought bread for us
• I put up our Christmas tree and started decorating outside the Motorhome.
• Dan, Anna and 6 of our grandkids came for Thanksgiving. They stayed 3 days. We enjoyed their visit so much. They rode the ATV, prospected for gold and found some, rode the ATV, had a weiner roast, rode the ATV, played music, attended the Gem and Mineral Show in Wickenburg, rode the ATV, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was the highlight of the Fall.
• Don and Dee, a couple we met at a campground this past summer in Mt. Pleasent, UT, stopped by for a nice visit. They are camped just south of Wickenburg.
• We started Line Dancing in camp. It is so much fun and good exercise
• I've watercolored four paintings with Stanton as my subjects. Perhaps I can sell them or give them as gifts. Don't know what else to do with them. I'm running out of room for paintings in my Sea Breeze.
• I finished two more children's stories an am awaiting my critique from my instructor. I hope I get published by next year.
• Our camp is full (about 200 rigs and tents). Visitors come almost daily to take pictures and walk around the ghost town. Too bad they can't visit the Opera House for it is under construction (a remodel). I can't wait until it's finished so we can start Bingo again, and eat our Pot Luck meals inside. Hope it's ready for the New Year's party.
• The Red Hatters had a PJ Party over at Debbie's Place. We had so much fun: lots of food, talking, and some line dancing. It was a good thing.
• I finished the Red Hat Newsletter. I need to distribute it sometime today or tomorrow.
• Willard has really gotten interested in working jigsaw puzzles. He sits in the screen room for hours each afternoon. It's relaxing for him. They drive me nuts! Each to his own.

Worth is wanting some petting, so I guess I'll pet him awhile, then take him for a roll in the dirt. Duster is asleep. Willard is working on a puzzle. Life is good.