Tumble Down the Driveway

While taking out the trash this morning, I tripped on my flip flops. Better do a little practicing walking in flip flops before my cruise in two weeks! The trash was pretty heavy and I tripped over my own shoe. There must have been a crack in the driveway!

Although the neighbor who saw me didn't come rushing over to help, he at least hollered and asked if I was okay. No real damage just skinned my knee and torn a big hole in my favorite yoga pants. I guess you're never too old to skin your knee!

10 Month Old Hazel

Hazel is growing up way too fast. She's already 10 months old.

She has 7 teeth, waves and claps, says "hi" and now a meaningful "mama" (although if you distract her, it sounds like "Ma"!!!) She likes to turn pages in her books and is getting very vocal with her wants and needs. She's taken over Lincoln's karaoke machine which Lincoln isn't too crazy about.

Hazel has also mastered climbing the stairs. No wonder Melissa is so small. She certainly doesn't need a stair master! But most of all, Hazel is still the happiest baby. Just look at that face!

Melissa's 37th Birthday

It was a wild and crazy time at Melissa's birthday party. (By the way, that was sarcasm!)

We had a fairly uneventful family birthday lunch at Cheddars. Birthdays sure change when you're juggling three kids. Happy Birthday Melissa!

Step Challenge

Michele is always trying to think of challenges we can do in order to get in better shape. Our favorite form of exercise is walking.

Starting January 1 we started virtually walking along the coastal highway in Florida. Courtney is joining us so she's the 3rd figure in line. Michele is making fun of my new Medicare status so she has me using a walker. Very funny Michele. I hope you're still laughing when I catch up and pass you. Maybe I'll stop at the next city and rent a scooter!

Bingo at Hamburger Mary's

Several friends I went to High School with got together for a night of drag bingo at Hamburger Mary's - already my diet is blown by eating a cheeseburger!

I couldn't believe that after going to several bingo events there, I finally won. After you win you have to run around the restaurant while the other patrons throw their losing bingo cards at you. What I won't do to get out of the house!

Highlights of 2019

At the beginning of the year I set a goal for myself to do at least one exciting thing a month whether it be a trip or an event.

In January I was lucky enough to attend the AFC Championship football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. Even though the Chiefs lost, it was the first time ever an AFC Championship game was played at Arrowhead. In February I took a 2 week cruise to the Southern Caribbean - by myself. Ports included Key West, St Thomas, Antigua, St Lucia, Aruba, Curacao and Grand Cayman. I was a little hesitant at first but I met the most amazing people and had the time of my life. March was my biggest event with the birth of my granddaughter, Hazel. I also went to Top Golf with friends and attended the John Mellencamp concert with my cousin.

April I went to St Louis to go shopping at the outlet mall with Michele. May was a trip to Vegas to visit friends I met on the cruise. June was another cruise with friends to the Western Caribbean. Ports there included Belize, Honduras and Cozumel. I've been on this cruise several years ago. I couldn't believe how much more impoverished these countries were but we had a good time anyway. July was another birthday celebration with friends at Top Golf.

In August I took the family to the Missouri State Fair. I haven't been to the fair since I left Sedalia back in 2001. Trust me, it hasn't changed a bit. September I have to stretch a bit and consider a boat ride with past co-workers on Lake Lotawana as my adventure. October took me back to Vegas, with friends, to see Christina Aguilera in concert. Besides her being 45 minutes late to start her show, it was the worst Vegas show I've ever been to. I should have gone to see Donnie and Marie as there Vegas residency has ended.

I've been telling Michele I was going to go with her to Chicago for Thanksgiving for years. We were lucky the weather cooperated and wasn't an extremely cold Thanksgiving for Chicago. It was great having someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner for me. In December my kids surprised me with a 65th birthday party. A couple weeks later my whole family went to Branson to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights. It was fabulous.

My goal for 2020 is to do more exercising, eat healthy and try for a slimmer body. I hate to be negative but for me I don't think that's a very realistic goal. I tend to give up when I don't see immediate results. Happy New Year!