A NICE VIEW, A NICE CHAIR, WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY

 I am watching a show on tv.  It takes place in Italy.  There is an old Italian lady, she lives alone.  And that is her philosophy for older genteel ladies.  "A nice view.  A nice chair.  Watching the world go by."  I love it.  The only problem is I don't think I am yet old enough to settle for that lifestyle.  I feel I must still be involved.

That being said, I had a serious convo with Monte on our way to Nanaimo Monday.  I mentioned how I am having second thoughts about our cruise.  We have worked so hard to not get Covid.  I keep up with the news put out by the CDC.  I won't bore you uninterested readers with what I read but I feel we should probably postpone the trip til next year.  If I cancel now all I lose is my 800 dollar deposit plus the three hundred for insurance.  If I wait until spring I stand the chance of losing it all, several thousand.  So I cancelled. 

 My agent at Vacations to go immediately emailed me to tell me that I will be getting back my deposit and my insurance!!!!!  It is going to take three months though.  The reason?  Due to a covid resurgence and variants coming down the pike...many many people are cancelling their cruise plans so they are way behind with the returns.

I know people that are planning a cruise next Sept. and I am positive things will be fine and safe by then.  If so I will buy another Alaskan cruise at that time.  Monte and I have decided to keep all the monies we have saved in the account for the next trip. And if a cruise just isn't in the books, we will use the money to do some shorter safe staycations or driving trips.  

I had a fantastic time at Eithne's.  She and I could probably talk for two days straight.  We caught up on all the gossip and newsies.  I really like her squeeze, Ryan.  He was most enjoyable!  And that baby!!!  He is the most beautiful baby I think I have ever laid eyes on!  And he was so good!  Eithne is an amazing mother...so comfortable with him and her instincts with him are bang on!  I loved visiting.  I think I will visit again!!!

We stopped at Costco.  We got there about 9:15 am.  A Tuesday morning.  The place was freaking packed to the gills!  I mean PACKED!!!!   Why?  What the hell?  I was tired before I got in there.  I have only so much walk in me before my tailbone and hip give out and shoving through that mass was ridiculous!  Thank god I had my respirator on.  And that being said I was the only one in the whole damned store with a mask on.  And after all that I forgot the one thing I mainly went there for...tart shells.  They are so inexpensive in there compared to everywhere else.  Damn!!!

I do not have my credit cards back yet.  As a result I now have to actually go Xmas shopping for Ange and Monte.  Actually go INTO a store..not something I have done, other than Costco and the dollar store, since forever.  I just hate brick and mortar shopping.  I was up all night last night, just couldn't sleep at all so I started my menu plans and shopping lists for the five days of xmas.  Stan and Antonia are coming for a couple of days the day after Boxing Day.  So planning I shall do!  I love it!  I already have a turkey in the freezer.  Thank you Mr. Man.

Well enough for today.  I remember years ago we went to Bill's sisters place for Xmas eve.  It was when they lived in a smaller older home.  Her place always looked lovely and perfect and decorated for Xmas.  I always admired it.

Then one of our times out there I accidentally opened a door that was in the hallway.  And it was her guest/spare room.  And it was packed to the walls with stuff.  In essence a junk room.  I was shocked.  I thought I was the only one that did that.  It doesn't happen in a huge house unless you have a designated room for that.  Well my house ain't huge.  That spare room is packed and I have literally no where to put any of it.  The laundry room downstairs is even more packed.  I have bravely (outing myself) put a picture  below.  That is the room my brother and his lovely wife will be sleeping in.  When I am done I will post an after pic.  I think I will fill the six foot plastic zippered bag with the diseased xmas crap and tree in it and haul all that shit to the dump.  I am so tired of stuff.  If you see anything in all that heaving pile you want, let me know.

Signing off...love y'all!!!!  TTYL

"Out of clutter you find simplicity" Einstein .....or you find a brother and sister-in-law!!!

DON'T JUDGE ME!!!