All Decorated

We finally got the house all decorated (not many presents yet--they need to be wrapped) but while we were dressed up, we decided to take some photos. Notice who Tex worships.

New Bedroom Look

I have been looking for a new comforter for our bedroom for awhile. While out Christmas shopping, I ran across this one--I really liked the colors and so I started shopping for coordinating shams, sheets, pillows, and throws. (As if I didn't already have enough shopping to do!) Finally got it all together! Now at the white sales, I need to look for rugs and towels for the bath.

Carthage Wins State

Last Friday, my hometown team, the Carthage Bulldogs won the state championship in football Class 3A for the first time. We went to the game to meet some of my cousins who arrived on chartered buses. Carthage goes all out for football and almost the whole town traveled up here for the game. We probably had three times as many people as Celina. Carthage played Celina who has won the championship for the last few years, but we took it this year. At the end of the half, we were behind by 4 pts but dominated the second half to win it 49-37. What an exciting game--I haven't been to a Carthage game in 40 years, but it looked so good to see that bright red on the field at Texas Stadium. This was also the last high school playoff game to be held in Texas Stadium---they have had 555 of them over the years. Carthage received trophies from Texas Stadium and the State Championship Trophy.

Ornament Party

Each year I have an ornament exchange for the ladies in my neighborhood. We enjoyed champagne poinsettias and goodies brought by all. We had such fun playing games, eating, and catching up on gossip. Each one brings an ornament for a Chinese exchange. We had a great deal of stealing going on and everyone took home a beautiful ornament.

Jan Miller (above) and Louann Wiggins (below) prepare to steal
the one that they want.


The whole gang.

Christmas Luncheon

Today, some friends and I attended the Royse City Friends of the Library Christmas luncheon. We always enjoy this time to visit so much. Community members decorate the tables with their Christmas dishes, silverware, crystal, and decorations from home. Ana's Catering did the food which was delicious and they have gift baskets that you buy chances on as well as a raffle of baked goods----all to raise money for the library. 2 out of our group of 5 won gift baskets!! I always enjoy seeing old friends from my teaching days in Royse City. What a great day we had!!

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Frank ( in the hat) decorated the ALL STUD TABLE. Frank and I used to teach 5th grade together---what a character!!!


Our group--Earlene, Jan C, Jan M (my neighbors) and Rosa, a friend from my teaching days.


Rosa and I with one of my neighbors, Sherry, in the background.


Sherry and her sister, Kathy (another neighbor) decorated one of the tables.

Fred's Eye Surgery

We are both so excited especially Fred since his eye surgeries the last two weeks. He has had cataracts for the past year and a half, growing worse all the time. They have to reach a certain point before medicare will pay for the surgery. I was really getting worried about him drving the motorhome since he couldn't read road signs on the last trip. He already had the surgeries scheduled with Dr. W C Herman in Dallas. He had the Resume lens implanted that will allow him to see far off, close up, and intermediate without glasses! They only do one eye at a time and then 5 days later do the other eye. He had the last one done yesterday (Monday) and at his checkup today, he could see 20/20 in the left eye (done last week) and 20/30 in the right eye. It is still swollen and dilated from the surgery yesterday. His eyes will continue to improve over the next month. He is seeing colors so vividly and can see out into the woods again so he is looking forward to hunting again. And all without glasses which he has worn for the last 30 years!!! What a wonderful change!!! Dr. Herman is one of the top eye surgeons and if anyone is needing eye surgery, he is highly recommended by us.

More of Barbados

The beach in front of the hotel.

Afternoon tea by the pool.

Dinner--notice all the silverware for all the courses.

Thanksgiving in Barbados

We went to Barbados for Thanksgiving week with my brother, Sam, and his girlfriend, Dawn. The weather was great and the water was warm. We went sailing on a catamaran, went to the capital, Bridgeport for sightseeing and shopping, went on a tour of the North and East part of the island where there are cliffs with large surf crashing----it was beautiful. At the resort, there were monkeys in the trees. Fred watched one steal a banana from the bar and climb a tree to eat it. We spent part of the day on the beach and the rest by the pool. The island was settled by the British so they have many of the same customs and most of the guests were from the UK. We had tea each afternoon at 4:00 and the foods were like what the Brits eat---not much beef---lots of fish, chicken, and lamb. Many of them ate poached eggs and soft boiled eggs for breakfast. We went for the fried eggs instead.

Girls Night Out

These girls get together each summer and fall and attend musicals in Garland. Just before Thanksgiving, we went to see FOOTLOOSE.
It was great--before, we went to Babe's Chicken Dinner House for some home cooking. We always enjoy that place and have been going ever since we worked together in Royse City. It was a quiet night---only the wait staff dancing to the Hokey Pokey and not once did they do the chicken dance. But we enjoyed ourselves.