We've decided to put some effort into using this blog as a regular journal that will become somewhat of a diary of our activities, certainly not all entries will be of interest to the general populace but will help us track the when,where and how of life events, major or trivial. A little catching up is in order. Since I threw away 2007's calendar in a spurt of organization action, it's all from memory!

October and November was a time of getting back into the groove at home, with one week away from home when we met Don Grainger in Las Vegas for our usual good talk, good food and good fun. We celebrated Carole's 74th birthday together (prime rib dinner at the Orleans Casino) and spent one evening with Linda and Ed.

We had some glorious weather this fall, and we spent a lot of time at the golf driving range trying to regain whatever we'd learned all last winter. Ha! Our scores on the course do not progress in accordance with the time spent practicing. But we still enjoy the challenge and exercise.

Carole had a fair amount of dental work completed (crowns, etc.) this fall. Our dentist says we're outliving (read wearing out) the 2 sets of teeth God provided us. What a good news/bad news story.

When we returned home at summer's end we found the community exterior paint project had been completed, and it was time to do some window washing. We're still contemplating whether or not to put screens back on some of our windows. I know people who never open a window, so who needs screens? Our view is too nice to dull with sunscreens, perhaps. Not sure there's a payoff with use of sunscreens. We'll worry about that tomorrow!

We spent a lovely Thanksgiving Day with Luane and family. Linda and Ed drove in from Las Vegas, spent Wed. night with us and the rest of their visit with Luane and Don. We had a great holiday feast and lots of talking. Granny Bessie chose not to come this year, her first holiday without her beloved Ed, and it wasn't quite the same without her.

The weather turned wet and cool in early December. The rains are sufficient to raise hopes of a banner wildflower bloom in spring, 2008. Hope so! It's been pretty cool all month, with spells of warm, sunny weather in between fronts moving through the area. The wettest late fall I can remember since about 1997/98, my first year in Tucson. I remember so vividly how cool and wet it was on those early mornings when I drove to the U of A Cancer Center or to the hospital when Glenn had treatment or was having in-patient care. The 10-yr. anniversary of his death comes Feb. 2, 2008.

We've enjoyed several holiday private parties and Village clubhouse events leading up to Christmas. It's been a time of festivity and fun, capped off by Christmas dinner (Mexican buffet) at Luane's, this time with Granny Bessie, now in her mid-90's, present. Good for her!

We've begun the process of having granite countertops installed throughout the kitchen area. 2 days ago we ordered the new sink and hardware, the long leadtime item (naturally Carole selected a new model not yet stocked by dealers). Next step will be selection of the granite, itself. Then we wait for all items to be available for accurate measurement and fabrication, then comes installation. We are hoping for end of February.

In the meantime, we expect to hear more from the Homeowners Association about the resolution/settlement for repair of interior wall (perimeter) damage from water leakage, cause of which is supposed to be eliminated with the summer caulking/repair/repainting HOA project. We don't expect to get this all settled in time to do interior painting this year, that would be a miracle! The wheels of justice move slowly, it took our HOA several years to get the monetary settlement from the developer, which is making all this work possible.

Edmund's scheduled for 2 basal cell skin cancer surgeries Feb. 14. His surgeon characterizes Edmund as a "bloomer"; he keeps having them every 6-12 mo. He has a wonderful surgeon who specializes in Moh's surgery for mainly facial skin cancer.

We plan to go to Laughlin, NV Jan. 17-20, along with "Carol & Edmund Junior", our neighbors the Hovasses (visited Lake City in June). At initial introduction we four where stunned to learn we had the same names. "Junior" and "Senior" fit both our ages, and our tenure in the community. We got such a good deal at what's now the Tropicana (formerly Ramada Express where we stayed several times) just couldn't turn it down. Rooms are virtually free, and 2 very cheap show tickets (the Carol'e's will use 'em). And we're all looking forward to a break away from home at that time.

We've both lost some weight since returning home at summer's end (too much sitting on the Porch?). More is needed, and we're working on it, we feel good that we're not gaining it all back during the holidays.

Got word from Mike Moore that he and Breeana are flying out from Kansas City April 10-14, we look forward to seeing them again. Her great-grandma tells me that Bree's always learning "new tricks." I believe it.

Till after New Year's Eve......