Wednesday

Well the day started with mild temps of in the 60's and reached the high 70's and closed out down into the high 40's, thats Florida winter weather. After an early wake up by the rooster next door I did my quiet moments of thanksgiving and reflection had a spot of hot green tea then a bpwl of oatmeal with a banana before riding out on my bike to the rec for a couple plus hours of pickle ball. We had once again a nice gang of 8 with mostly good players. The action was fast and furious and there were lots of wet shirts. Afterwards I headed home so Nancy and I could run some errands.

The baking era has about to begun as Nancy will make about a dozen different types of Christmas cookies that we will pass out in the neighborhood. Seems Wal-Mart has the best prices on these ingredients so we made a trip out to west Largo to the neighborhood store and then a trip to the new Aldi store in Seminole. They too have super low prices on the same ingredients as well. Its really surprising how much more we pay for the brand names only, anyhow we got back just in time as Amy and the kiddos came for lunch. We chowed down on the last of the vegetable soup then the kids and I played out in the backyard as the girls made a trip to TOYS R'US in the truck. Their great grand parents in Kansas sent the kiddos or Sam one of these large tables with trains for Christmas and it was too big for their cars to haul.

We played hide and seek, rode the trike and ended up sidewalk chalking just before the cold front headed our way. It clouded up and we got a nice rain shower then the wind picked up as well dropping the temp's 20 degrees in no time. We closed the windows and doors to preserve the heat in the house.Amy and the kiddos came for fried fish, yellow rice and I sauteed some fresh Swiss chard from my garden in olive oil and fresh garlic. My oh mY is that one of the best tasting side dishes ever; Sam loves it but Ava wouldn't touch it as she now has some of her daddy's texture dislikes. The meal was excellent and this fish we fry is called Swaii or Basra, depending on where you buy it. It has absolutely no fishy smell or taste and it fry's up so nice, again Sam ate with gusto and Ava liked that as well.

After supper we all headed up the Botbyl's house for our house church meeting and we put together jars of layered; dry milk, cocoa, sugar, chocolate morsels and marshmellows in a pint size jars with lids and a Christmas ribbon. We will had these out to our neighbors as a show of good will. The temps were really dropping as we left for home around 8:45. I finished the last 15 minutes of Survivor before heading for the showers and then to read before bedtime. Nancy spoke with her dad who is still in the hospital but they seem to have him stabilized for now and most of the pneumonia is gone as well. He is now on insulin due to his diabeties and the large swing in his blood sugar levels. He sounded upbeat and was hoping by the week end to be able to leave and come back to son, Erics house for more care.

Not much else is going on as this week end will be a busy one as we start to gear up for the Christmas season and the get together's with friends and families. Friday night we have our annual domino party with Jill's folks; Brian and Susan at their beautiful home in Riverview, of course there will be way too much great tasting snacks and dips plus a raucous game of chicken foot domino's. We always have a grand time with them and only wish they lived closer as that drive late at night is a sleepy one especially after such good eatin'.

Guys and gals just an update on the ICOOK products from Amway; don't forget this offer of purchase $300 worth of goodies and get the knifeware set valued at $350 Free and as an added bonus I will send you another $100 of your choice of Free jewelry to the first customer as well. All shipping is Free as well and if you want these products for Christmas gifts make your order before the 13th of Dec.

Also if any of you need a tax write off of charitable donations I have a need for pledges or just contributions to the New Beginings Youth Homes in St.Petersburg, Fl. The 2 houses are for runaway or/an abused girls ages 12-18. The director was herself a runaway at the early age of 14 and now has become full circle resigning herself to help these girls who have no place to go where they can feel safe. Check out the website at http://nbyouthhomes.org/tables.html, LATER