Oh, What fun it is to ride...

In our case it turned out to be a 2 horse open wagon.

During one of our coffee/socials StoneRidge Pal Susan mentioned going on a sleigh ride. There are a couple of outfits that offer them in the winter months. We all agreed that it would be a blast so we picked December 17th, which is also StoneRidge Guy's birthday.

24 of us signed up and we carpooled the 90 minute drive north, past Sandpoint to Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. For a mere $19 per person, we got a chili dinner and 45 minute sleigh ride.

This winter has been very mild and we were worried that we wouldn't have any snow for the sleigh. The week before our scheduled ride we got the snow we needed. Everyone was talking about how beautiful it was up there. Unfortunately, our ride was scheduled for 5pm and by that time it was pitch black. We got 12 to a wagon pulled by 2 draft horses.

As you'll see in the following video and slide show, we had this beautiful cabin to ourselves. To kill time before the ride we took advantage of the coffee, tea, hot chocolate and pop corn they made for us. After about 15 minutes we were then all loaded up into our wagons for the 45 minute ride.

After the sleight ride, it was back to the cabin. StoneRidge Pal Russ read a re-write of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by myself, Susan, Tammy and Terry. Followed by dinner and birthday cake which I had Susan take with her so we could all surprise StoneRidge Guy.

So as one of my favorite L.A. Dejays would say... "So sit back, relax and enjoy..." 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at StoneRidge'

Don't forget to pause the "MyTunes" in the sidebar.

Christmas in Blanchard

StoneRidge resides in a small unincorporated town called Blanchard. They call themselves "The little town that thought it could... and is proving it can!". In area the town is quite large, but our "downtown" is about 1 block long. We have 1 gas station and "Easy Stop". There's a libarary, a post office, Wash n' Dry, Tavern & Pizza place and the Blanchard Inn restaurant. What else could we possibly need. Well, the residence of this small town are very busy. The unofficial mayor of our town managed to get a grant from the state and we now have a very up-to-date Senior Center. It's got a full kitchen, offices and lots of room for all types of activities and there's always something going on there, especially around the holidays.

Each year the B.A.S.I.C. (Blanchard Area Seniors InCorporated) has a Christmas Party for the residents. They collect toys all year to be given out at the party. Volunteers make chili, corn bread, desserts and bring drinks. Everyone in the area is invited.

This year our Mammas on a Mission group decided we could like to help. We solicited help from our StoneRidge pals for toys, food and help during the party. Needless to say, there was a wonderful response. The party was on December 6th from 1-4pm. Volunteers started setting up the Friday before. Most of us arrived at noon to get the food and drinks set up.

It appeared that there were mostly adults until about 3pm which is when Santa was to arrive.

Each child was able to sit on Santa's lap, then pick 3 toys. 1 hand held, 1 stuffed animal and then a boy's or girl's gift.

I was helping out getting names and phone numbers of the kids so we could get a picture of them with Santa to their families. I still get teary-eyed thinking about the reactions from those kids. Some of these families are very poor, so this could very possibly have been the only Christmas gifts these kids would get.

One little girl was sitting on Santa's lap when her father asked her why she wasn't talking to Santa? She said, "I'm so excited to see him, I forgot what I wanted. This is the most exciting thing in my life!" and with that she just turned and hugged Santa one more time.


Because I was working with one of the B.A.S.I.C. ladies, I was made privy to some background of our "Santas". As it turned out the 2009 Santa was a novice. He was replacing a gentleman who took the role every year the past 30 years. Unfortunately, he was suffering from Alzheimer's and wasn't able to continue. I was told that last year he cried the whole time, somewhere in his consciousness he knew that he wouldn't be coming back again. The ladies had to tell the kids that Santa was just very happy to see them as a reason for his tears.

Our new Santa was incredibly nervous in his new role causing him a couple of sleepless nights prior to the party. But he did very well and is looking forward to continuing each year. By the end of the afternoon about 40 children and 20 adults had their pictures taken with Santa.


To be sure I will be a part of next years party.

Long Over Due

I have not been a good blogger as of late. Compared to last year, it's been almost non-existent. Now that I have some time off from work, there are no more excuses. I guess it's time for me to update everyone.

It will seem like an avalanche of info, but it won't take too long to get caught up. So get a cup o joe or tea and cozy up to your computer and we can pretend that I'm right there, telling you about my last 2 months.

I try to be as diligent in my blogging as my niece, who is the one that got me started in the first place, and whose blog I look forward to reading.

See you in a little while.

Let the Festivities Begin!

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.

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.

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

Open for Business

I have my dinning room back...

 and StoneRidge Guy has his office!

Bradford Appraisal is officially open downstairs. StoneRidge Guy was obsessed! There was no stopping him to get the office finished and the furniture moved down.

 He painted the walls with 2 coats. Then painted all of the moulding. Finally he had to trim out all of the windows, hang doors, trim doors and add the floor boards.

 That took about a week. He spent the next 2 days moving furniture and files into their new home.

There may still be a few more things that need to get unpacked, but everything seems to be working and he has settled in quite nicely.