2015 Meme

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

hiked several new places (Max Patch, Roan Mountain, Sharp Top Mountain, McAfee Knob, Buffalo Mountain, etc.)

saw bears while driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway

visited the local Catholic church

saw an LDS baptism

visited Tybee Island

marched in Burlington's costume parade with Zach on the day before Halloween

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make any, but I did make one this year (see previous post)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

no

4. Did anyone close to you die?

no

5. What countries did you visit?

none

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Maybe visit a different state

7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

August 10; reasons I won't rehash since my goal this year is to not hold onto bitterness  :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

our hike at McAfee Knob

9. What was your biggest failure?

bitterness

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I got the family sickness once again, but it was during the summer instead of near Christmas. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

books

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Andrew's - he's most always a cheerful, helpful guy

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

mine at times; others at times

14. Where did most of your money go?

health insurance

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

traveling (except remember that I never get "really, really, really" excited about stuff)

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2015?

The Old Rugged Cross, maybe

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder?

about the same

iii. Thinner of fatter?

probably fatter

v. richer or poorer?

about the same

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

traveling

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

staying home

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

It was very similar to last year except only Zach, Sophie, and Lorraine were missing*. Also, we didn't go see the lights on Marye Drive (several of us had gone before Christmas this year; some of us more than once) or go to Walgreens.  It was very mild after days of mild temperatures and rain, rain rain.  A few of us (me, Steph, Michael, Mama, Megan, Daniel) did slosh across Stephanie's yard and walked to Sheetz for free hot chocolate or coffee.  We made sure to see the full moon since it was the first full moon on Christmas in several years (like the last one was in the late 1970s or something like that.)  Thankfully it wasn't a rainy or cloudy evening so we actually saw it! 

We watched News 2's Christmas special with two Andy Griffith episodes: the one where they have Christmas at the courthouse/jail, and the kerosene cucumber one (when Aunt Bee makes pickles). 

Earlier in the day Andrew and I ate at his parents' house with his brother and his wife.

Andrew and I made plans to go to the beach the next day, and I made reservations the day before so we finished packing for our trip, too.

* We had our family meal/gift exchange the Saturday before Christmas since some folks would be out of town on the 25th.

21. deleted question

22. What was your favorite TV program?

NCIS or NCIS: LA  -- and I learned the other day that DiNozzo is not coming back to NCIS next season: booooo!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

no

24. What was the best book you read?



This is always a tough one for me because how can I pick the best out of dozens of books?  Among my favorites were the memoir from Regina Calcaterra (what a horrible childhood!), and the Fairlawn funeral home series (seems weird, but I liked that trilogy - kind of easy reading, but also meaningful to me for some reason)

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I don't know, but I really enjoyed the free outdoor concerts in the area during the warmer months

26. What did you want and get?

a small table to put beside the couch; Andrew bought the one I showed him while we were walking near The Main Line in downtown Graham

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

  The Book Thief -- I think that was my only movie.

28. What did you do on your birthday?

watched Zach and Sophie some; went by to see Michael for my yearly birthday picture with him

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

practical, comfortable

30. What kept you sane?

several short trips just to get away and enjoy nature; walking, walking, walking

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

*drawing a blank*

32. What political issue stirred you the most?

Syria/ISIS

33. Who did you miss?  

Pop, Mema

34. Who was the best new person you met?

Karen Heiss in late July

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

I am so thankful for books to keep me company because people just aren't always around - and really, I don't want them to be since I like being alone more than a lot of people do.

'Twas December

We had a great December for the most part.  Weather-wise it was weird - much warmer, quite a bit of rain some days/weeks, but, thankfully, several nice, sunny days and evenings! 

I could highlight several other things from this month, but I focused more on Christmas stuff.

First we went to see the lighted Christmas trees which Zach grew to really enjoy once he figured out how those trees could sing, blink their eyes, and such. 

Andrew and I were tickled when he asked us "which one is the girl?" because a few solo parts were definitely sung by a feminine voice.  Here is a minute of Zach's favorite part of the Hallelujah song.  He especially likes the "lu!" part towards the end. 

We also took him to visit this light display in another part of Graham.

We stopped by the lighted Christmas tree on the municipal building's lawn.

Zach posed for a few pictures, but then he was ready to play tag!

I noticed these blooms while we were there.

One evening we went up to see the synthetic ice-skating rink which was in town for about three weeks.

Since some of the family travels for Christmas day to see the other sides of the families, we celebrated with everyone who could make it on the Saturday before Christmas (the 19th).

Here are a few pictures from that day:

The ones of us in town on the 25th met for supper and to hang out for a while.  News 2 aired an Andy Griffith Christmas special which we enjoyed.

One episode made a few folks crave pickles.

Christmas Books

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to post the books I received for Christmas this year. Some are from my Amazon Wishlist while others were chosen for me.

Happy reading!

Several Days in November

1 -- to CiCi's' with the family to celebrate my dad's birthday; Daylight Savings Time ends

2 -- what a dark, dreary day!  The rain didn't help!

3 -- Zach is 4 and a half

4 -- woke up to the news that former Congressman Howard Coble died -- I used to really enjoy and be involved in politics, and he was someone I met a few times over the years

also, today my Aunt Bett would be 80....she died in her fifties from pancreatic cancer; she was Mema's baby sister so they celebrated Bett's birthday together in heaven

two years ago today Andrew and I were in Paris; we met David from Seoul there (I heard from him recently on Facebook, and he's still in the military; hoping to get out early next year)

5 -- played with Sophie and Zach

sat outside and enjoyed the evening - finally had blue skies for the first time all week!

6 -- new blocks at the children's museum

7 -- Fun with Zach at my house

10 -- THE SUN CAME OUT!  Zach, Bagel, and I went to Purple Penguin for frozen yogurt, and then enjoyed a few minutes at a local church before going to my house, and then for a visit with Steph and Michael

"You know who fell off a wall, don't you?"

He thought the ones in front of the pews were foot rests

12 -- enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine!

13 -- Sophie came for a visit

13 -- terrorist attack in Paris

photo from our visit in November 2013

17 -- to the children's museum with Zach

Leaf Art

he sounded out "by" all by himself :)

I heard him saying his phone # to Emma; they got along well

having fun with Leah

18 -- to Tanger and Walmart with Zach

He insisted that he needed a stocking

19 -- to Steph's house

he loved decorating these trees

20 --  to Gibsonville's Lighting of the Greens

but first, we must sit and watch the sunset (his idea)

Thomas!

waiting to ride the train

Zach refused to look at me and smile

22 -- Zach wanted a small Christmas tree for his house

Trust me, he decorated it beautifully

23 --  to the Bounce Around place at the local mall - first time going

Not sure what the rest of November will hold, but Thursday is Thanksgiving so there is that!

Halloween

A week or so before Halloween, I started reading some of the Halloween Happenings mentioned in the local paper and around town.  I saw one for the City of Burlington that took place the afternoon of October 30 that sounded like something Zach might enjoy:  Downtown Spooktacular.

This is the city's picture. See me and Zach?

The costumed children and their guardians lined up at the municipal building for the half hour before three, and then had a costume parade down a couple of streets to the depot where they had a costume contest (we skipped this) and the children could trick or treat for the next hour and a half (3:30 to 5:00).  Participating businesses were marked on a map, and usually business workers were on the sidewalks outside their businesses ready to greet the children. The library invited children inside where they had a few games set up for kids to win candy. 

On our way to meet the other parade participants

Zach liked the idea of a costume parade, but wasn't sure what participating in a "parade" involved.  We talked about it on the way over, and I assured him I'd be right there beside him or nearby because I had to take pictures, of course!

Once we parked, and started walking towards the municipal building, I gave further instructions.

"Oh, you march through the streets..." I began.

"Like a marching band?" he interrupted.

"Yeah, kind of."

He stomped down the sidewalk: "Like this."

 

"Well, you can walk regular if you prefer."  (my friend Emily said on Facebook:  "Oh. Captain America doesn't just walk 'regular.'")

 
He gathered with the other parade participants, and had a blast!  He played with some kids while we were waiting for the parade to begin.

ready to go!

As we were walking I noticed a few people had gathered to watch along the way. I quickly instructed Zach that our job was to wave and smile at them.  

 He took the job of waving to those on the sidelines to heart!  At one point, he put up his Captain America shield in an especially CA-pride way, and the ladies "awww"-ed at how cute he was.  Some of them were filming the parade.

still waving

Once we arrived at the depot, we traveled many streets getting bits of candy, and a small bottle of water, popcorn, and a balloon along the way.  My dad arrived with a boy he'd been working with, and Zach enjoyed having J tag along.  

Captain America taking a short break

That night we went to the City of Graham's trunk or treat which the Graham police department and local businesses hosted.  They had hot dogs for everyone, and trunks full of candy.  It was very well attended so I'm not sure we will brave the line again next year, but it was fun to see everyone.  

 

Andrew, Michael, and Zach

Kids passing the time, playing
Yes, that is Zach on the ground

Michael came with us, and wore his horse head most of the time - to the delight of many people. He got so many stares and comments.  One little princess  was especially enamored with him.  She kept talking to him, and once I think she asked for a ride!  She had a slightly-horrified look on her face later when Michael decided to take the horse head off, and was holding it in his hands!

On Saturday, we did something more low-key. I noticed signs in downtown Graham about the First United Methodist Church hosting a small event outside their building. They had the road blocked off, and had games for the children, a "truck bounce castle" as Zach put it, and trunks of treats for the children.  We wanted to include Sophie (18 months old) in something, and thought this would be much easier than going from house to house. (We did this with Zach at 18 months, and he wanted to just run the sidewalks!)  Zach loved the bouncy truck, and did that for about an hour.  It was seriously better for him than getting a lot of candy, anyway.  And Sophie enjoyed strolling around for candy, and then later being freed from her stroller to explore a bit.

We met at Walgreens

He really wanted his face "painted"

He wanted to be a dog

fishing for treats