The holiday activities are in full swing here at StoneRidge. It started about a month ago with the Mammas on a Mission. We all went shopping for the 3 families that were chosen by the local elementary school. They supplied us with their Christmas wish list and we were able to fill each one. Just last week we all got together again to wrap all of the gifts. They will be delivered to each family before Christmas.
The parties started here last Saturday night for those of us left here at StoneRidge. It was hosted by our Forest neighbors Terry and Gabe. Gabe prepared the main course, pork loin on fresh Amish dinner rolls and each guest brought a side dish or appetizer. We even got a box of chocolates from our friends working in Havasau City at the Sees candy store. (Thanks Jim and Patty).
There were a total of 58 attendees with 50 participating in the gift exchange game. Those that chose to participate brought a gift of their gender and they were randomly numbered. As each couple was called, they could pick a number to a corresponding gift or steal one that had been opened.
I think it would be safe to say that everyone had a fun time. We rounded out the evening just talking with neighbors, playing pool or with the Wii.
Please enjoy this short video and see for yourself. Don't forget to turn off the "myplaylist" in the sidebar before you start the video.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas!
Christmas Lights went up right after Thanksgiving in the Forest at StoneRidge and all around the compound (as we lovingly call StoneRidge). This year we are spending our first Christmas in our new home so the decorations were coming out!
I didn't get things up as quickly as I have in past years. I usually had everything completely decorated and the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. We sold our 16 year old artificial tree before we moved to Idaho and last year was the first in my adult life that I did not have a tree at all!
I'm waiting to get a new artificial tree 'til the sales after Christmas. The day after all of the holiday festivities began here, StoneRidge Pals Tammy & Russ, along with their grandson Adrian, invited us to join them in their annual tree hunt at their Newport property. They have 15 acres and plenty of trees that we could legally cut down without a permit.
Granted the trees are not what you would find at a Christmas tree farm, but we had fun looking for and cutting down our tree which I had never done before.
I haven't had to string lights on a tree for almost 20 years, so trying to string the lights on this "Charlie Brown tree" was going to be a challenge. With a minimal amount of branches to work with, I had to pick and choose from the close to 100 ornaments for the ones that would adorn our tree this year.
The stockings are hung, my advent calendar is up and I actually got out my North Pole Village. It hasn't been out of the box for nearly 10 years.
Getting snow the last couple of days has completed our holiday picture. It will be very different for both of us since we won't be together with our family on Christmas day. Fortunately, we will be able to see them 2 days later in Montana.
I didn't get things up as quickly as I have in past years. I usually had everything completely decorated and the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. We sold our 16 year old artificial tree before we moved to Idaho and last year was the first in my adult life that I did not have a tree at all!
I'm waiting to get a new artificial tree 'til the sales after Christmas. The day after all of the holiday festivities began here, StoneRidge Pals Tammy & Russ, along with their grandson Adrian, invited us to join them in their annual tree hunt at their Newport property. They have 15 acres and plenty of trees that we could legally cut down without a permit.
I haven't had to string lights on a tree for almost 20 years, so trying to string the lights on this "Charlie Brown tree" was going to be a challenge. With a minimal amount of branches to work with, I had to pick and choose from the close to 100 ornaments for the ones that would adorn our tree this year.
This advent calendar, a Christmas Present made by my sister Angela in 1991,
has been out every year except last year. It is my favorite decoration.
Getting snow the last couple of days has completed our holiday picture. It will be very different for both of us since we won't be together with our family on Christmas day. Fortunately, we will be able to see them 2 days later in Montana.
We may not be with you in person, but we will be there in spirit!
Beyond an Act of Kindness
A few weeks ago it was announced that one of our StoneRidge Pals, Ginger, is about to do something remarkable. She is donating a kidney. She is donating a kidney to her friend Jo. How lucky is Jo?
Ginger met Jo during her travels in their motor coach and they have been very close friends ever since. As time past, Jo let Ginger know of her condition and the possibility of needing a kidney transplant. Ginger offered hers. She's not a match to Jo, but she will donate to someone else, which will put Jo at the top of a very long list of possible recipients. So Jo WILL get her kidney!
She and her husband, Jim, flew to Kentucky on Sunday to prep for surgery. Jim will stay with her until the 18th and then fly back to Phoenix. Ginger returns to Phoenix at the end of December. Today, December 15, 2009, she undergoes the kidney operation. She is in my thoughts and prayers. All of us here at StoneRidge hope her surgery goes smoothly and her recovery is quick. Good luck Ginger!
Here are some links to stories about Ginger:
Courier-Journal and Wave3 TV in Louisville Kentucky
Ginger met Jo during her travels in their motor coach and they have been very close friends ever since. As time past, Jo let Ginger know of her condition and the possibility of needing a kidney transplant. Ginger offered hers. She's not a match to Jo, but she will donate to someone else, which will put Jo at the top of a very long list of possible recipients. So Jo WILL get her kidney!
She and her husband, Jim, flew to Kentucky on Sunday to prep for surgery. Jim will stay with her until the 18th and then fly back to Phoenix. Ginger returns to Phoenix at the end of December. Today, December 15, 2009, she undergoes the kidney operation. She is in my thoughts and prayers. All of us here at StoneRidge hope her surgery goes smoothly and her recovery is quick. Good luck Ginger!
Here are some links to stories about Ginger:
Courier-Journal and Wave3 TV in Louisville Kentucky
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