2021 Christmas Letter of Activies

 My events of the year 

I began a daily Bible study and read online with Christy Jordan, author of Seeking Scripture. We started on January 1, reading Genesis, and will end in December with Revelation. 

I took several day trips this year, including a couple of trips.

In January, I visited several covered bridges in South Alabama: the Easley Bridge, the Swann Bridge, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge, and Noccalula Falls in Gadsden.

February Day trip to Guntersville and Huntsville.

 

In March, we took a day trip to Oak Mountain State Park to visit the museum and see rescued birds of prey.

In July, we rode to Spring Valley Farms in Lutts, Tennessee, to see the Sunflower fields with friends, and then to Clifton, Tennessee, for lunch.

October took a trip with sisters to Mooresville, North Carolina & Mount Airy (home of Andy Griffin)

In November, I took a cruise to Cozumel and Progreso with a friend.

Three trips to Huntsville Botanical Gardens 

Cheek-wood Botanical Gardens in Nashville and their Lego art on March 6. 

On March 6, Ava celebrated her sixth birthday at Chuck E. Cheese.

June River celebrated his June 19th birthday. 

June 19, Atlas celebrated his first birthday(SR The ROOM 124 Wheeler Street Rogersville)(First Trip arJune 29e Sun)

June 29, Hazel Cate was born (fifth great-grandchild)

December 5, Hayne's 2nd Birthday Party@Shoals Next Level 850 Howell Heflin Lane Tuscumbia (inflatables for kids inside) December 10th is December 10

(Onik, BAA, Cluck & Moo Hayne is December 17th!)

December 17: Surprise birthday party for my sister, Vicki, at the Zip City Community Center. She is turning 70

My husband and I received our first COVID-19 shots in March and our second in April.

In April, I took Mike (my oldest son) to the orthopedic Center for back surgery after an accident at work. 

Events I did 

Walking Tours  & Hikes 

Florence Cemetery Walk 

Mooresville Walking Tour 

Donnell House Tour 

Sheffield Business Walking Tour

National Wildlife Hike

PawPaw Patch Hike

National MushroMay 7ke  

On May 7, Our Newly built Modular Home was delivered (this kept us busy)

May 20, 31, Furniture delivered (bedroom furniture and foyer)

May-June Hubby installed 4 ceiling fans and a sliding shower in the smaller bathroom.

June-July Utilities, plumbing, natural gas, internet, Dish, and septic tank installed.

June Washer and Dryer delivered 

June Sofa and kitchen table delivered 

June 75-inch TV  installed 

Aug Man returns to do repairs and install the chimney.

Sep-Dec Hubby built a Deck on the Side and Back of the Modular Home. 

Aug Concert driveway installed. 

AugNovember 1 our RV 

Nov 1, Garage in May 5th. 

On May 5, Robert H. died (my sister Paula's husband)

On May 8, Marcus (grandson) graduated 4 UNA College with a Bachelor's Degree. May 28sics  

May 28, Montana graduated from Rogers High School (got a job at Monarch Tile)

In August, our swimming pool was hit by lightning, filling the yard with gallons of water.

In September, Killen opened the used bookstore where I volunteer once a month. It has been closed for over a year and a half because of the Coronavirus.

July, Root canal and a bridge (tooth broke) 

Nov, tooth pulled and one filled (accessed)

Well, we finally settled into our new home, with limestone gravel all around, a concrete drive, a garage, and a deck on the side and back of the house. 

We celebrated Labor Day with two pots of chicken stew, sharing it with the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving with a variety of dishes, including turkey, ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, blackberry cobbler, cranberry sauce, Butterfinger cake, and dressing. 

We are planning a big Christmas, and I don't know what we are serving yet, but it will be good. 

I'm so glad we sold the RV and moved into something bigger. Now I can entertain at my house instead of taking everything somewhere else. 

I have my Christmas tree, decorations everywhere, a couple of poinsettias on the table, and the bar ready for Christmas. 

2021 ends with lots of good memories 

2022 may be even better.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2019 Christmas Journal

 2019 Jan 7, Day Trip Guntersville State Park, AL with Travis 

2019 Jan 11 & 25 Worked Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

2019 Feb 10, Ava Grace Birthday Party Deibert Park 2–4 P.M.

2019 Feb 18, Day Trip to American Village, Montevallo, AL with Travis

2019 Feb 25-26 Trip to Paris & Tiptonville, TN with Travis 

2019 Mar 1, Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

2019 Mar 2, Wings to Soar Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Decatur 11–12 P.M.

2019 Mar 5, Through the Back Door the Music that Bridged the Bayou Mardi Gras Luncheon, Sheffield Library 11–1:00 P.M. (Storytelling)

2019 Mar 6, Yellow Deli Pulaski 

2019 Mar 7,  Get Dirty at Library Pruning Fruit & Ornamentals 11:30–12:30 P.M.

2019 Mar 16, Trolley Miracle Ride: Helen Keller in Living History – Learn the incredible story of Helen Keller, led by her great-niece, Keller Johnson Thompson. Includes a tour of Ivy Green, Keller's birthplace. 

2019 Mar 21, Get Dirty at Library Spring Vegetables & Seed Exchange 11:30–12:30 P.M.

2019 Mar 23, Fathers of our Faith Trolley Tour, First Presbyterian, Leslie Chapel, Tuscumbia 

2019 Mar 24-30 Trip Naples, FL (Naples Botanical Gardens)

2019 Apr 2,  Ate lunch at Brass Lantern and Mimosa Cemetery, Lawrenceburg, TN 

2019 Apr 6,  Sheffield Historic Homes Walking Tour 10-12 with Jimmy Austin

2019 Apr 6,  Macy & Matt Green Wedding Stormi Jo's Barn 697 Co RD 251 Moulton, AL 

2019 Apr 7,  Wilson Park, UNA, McFarland, Heritage Park, taking pictures

2019 Apr 16, Attended Sheffield Paint the Town with Clay Allison, Sheffield Library

2019 Apr 19, Worked Killen 19–1 P.M. & Funeral Kenneth Sykes

2019 Apr 20, Walking Tour Business downtown Tuscumbia with John McWilliams

2019 Apr 26, Chinese Lantern Festival @ @Huntsville Botanical Gardens, AL 

2019 Apr 27, Sheffield Business Historic Walking Tour 10-12 with Jimmy Austin

2019 May 3,  Birthday Dinner at Logan's with Mike, Hannah, Jake, Lindsey, and Chad. Going to be a Grandmother (Jake and Lindsey are going to have a baby)

2019 May 6,  Literary Treason with Dolores Hydock at Helen Keller Library, Pictures Spring Park (Storytelling)

2019 May 8, Day Trip to Memphis Botanical Gardens and Dinner Bell, Corinth, MS 

2019 May 10, Worked Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M. 

On May 12, 2019, Mother's Day, I received a Card from Lora. Andy and Charity gave me herbs, including Sage and Parsley. Ron gave me a Coleus Plant, and Mike gave me a Red Rose and a Hummingbird Welcome Flag.

2019 May 15  Day Trip to Decatur Old Bank Gardens, Frazier Gardens, Delano Gardens, Children Garden, Delano Park & we ate dinner at Jack's Decatur 

2019 May 16, Po-up Concert with Josh Goforth at Florence Library (Storytelling)

2019 May 16, Dishing up Dirt Stories from the Garden by Dolores Hydock& brunch (Storytelling)

2019 May 17-18 Shoals Front Porch Storytelling Festival 9-5 both days (Storytelling)

May 21, 2019, Florence Ophthalmology: Dr. Gray's Eye Press up to 34. Made an appointment to see Dr. Slater on June 17, 2019(May need surgery)

2019 May 25, We Rocked the World Trolley Tour 12:20-4 Tuscumbia Visitor Center 

2019 May 26,  Memorial Day Celebration with family, Cooked Chicken Stew & Grilled Hamburgers & hotdogs

2019 June 4,  Tuesday Day Trip to Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Atlanta, GA

2019 June 7,  Worked at Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

2019 June 12, Day Trip to the Cooks Museum in Decatur 

2019 June 17, Doctor Appointment with Michael Salter Maynor and Mitchell Eye Clinic 

2019 June 25, Tube placed in Right Eye Surgery Center, Huntsville, Dr. Salter 

2019 June 22, Baby Hughes Revel (Hayne) BOY  

2019 June 28, Checkup on eyes with Doctor Salter 

2019 July 7,  Spring Park, Tuscumbia, taking pictures 

2019 July 10, Checkup on eyes, Doctor Salter 

2019 July 12, Worked at Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

2019 July 19, Visitors Center to listen to Angela Hacker and James LaBlanc(Handy Fest)

2019 July 23, Switched from Direct TV to Dish 

2019 July 25, Visitor Center to listen to Kerry Gilbert and Hugh Banks (Handy Fest)

2019 July 31, Stitches removed from the right eye, Doctor Salter 

2019 Aug 5,   Took Ava to preschool to register 

2019 Aug 8,   Spent the day with old friend Dot Winstead

2019 August 9, Killen Book Store, 9:00–1:00 P.M.

2019 Aug 13,  Lab work for Pellets and picked up Ava at School

2019 Aug 14,  Receive new passport in the mail

2019 Aug 22,  Cataract Surgery on left eye, Doctor Salter Dinner, Walton's Family Restaurant, Huntsville

2019 Aug 29,  Recheck on Left eye, Doctor Salter. Ate lunch at Dave's & Buster's 

2019 Sept 9,  Grandparents Day at Rogers with Ava Grace(ME, Hubby, and Teresa Clanton)

2019 Sept 12, Return to Oka Kapassa Killen Town Hall W/Amy Bluemel, Lyndon Alec (Storytelling)

2019 Sept 13, Worked Killen Book Store 9-1

2019 Sept 14, Wilson Park Walking Tour led by Billy Warren

2019 Sept 16, Day Trip Huntsville Botanical Gardens 

2019 Sept 19, Cleaning Dentist 

2019 Sept 20, Chiropractor visit 

2019 Sept 30, Helen Keller Deliverance, a Silent Film, Helen Keller Library

2019 Oct 3,   Last stitch & scar tissue removed right eye, Dr Salter 

2019 Oct 8- 11  Trip to Pigeon Forge, Luminights Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN 

2019 Oct 15,  Recheck on Right Knee, Doctor Goodman 

2019 Oct 18,  Rogers Homecoming Parade with Andy & AVA 

2019 Oct 19,  Finding Huntsville Walking Tour 

2019 Oct 22,  Trunk N Treating Elgin took AVA

2019 Oct 23,  Belue Pumpkin Patch with Andy & AVA 

2019 Oct 25,  Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M. 

2019 Oct 27,  Historic Markers, Lagrange Park, Spring Park 

2019 Oct 28,  Day Trip Historic Markers, David Crockett Museum, Park, Brass Lantern

2019 Oct 29,  Trunk N Treating Killen Park Took AVA 

 

2019 Nov 2, Killen Book Store, 9:00–1:00 P.M. 

2019 Nov 8, Killen Book Store, 9:00–1:00 P.M.

2019 Nov 10,  Fiddlers, Banjo Players & Strawbeaters: Our First Pop Musicians Indian Mt

2019 Nov 13,  CBS

2019 Nov 16, Tracy totaled her car (Hit a deer)

2019 Nov 20, CBS, Dr Haggstrom 2:45

2019 Nov 23, Edith Milberger dies

2019 Nov 28, Thanksgiving at Mike's

2019 Nov 29, Thanksgiving at Jenkins. Went with Hubby and his sister to buy a Nissan Sentra at Bramlett Kia in Decatur, and also visited Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and Enchanted Forest Christmas Trees (they only had a few decorated trees).

2019 Dec 1, Tracy fell and broke her foot

2019 Dec 3, Keller Imaging Mammogram & Bone Density Test 12:45 P.M. 

2019 Dec 4, CBS, Dr. Salter 1:45 P.M., Root Canal Shoals Creek Dental & Tinsel Trail Hsv

2019 Dec 5, Root Canal 1 P.M. did not take 

2019 Dec 6, Trees of Christmas @TVAM

2019 Dec 7, Christmas Brunch w/Dolores Hydock, Clarion Inn, 10 A.M.

2019 Dec 8-13 Pigeon Forge, TN w/Sherry, Bobbie, Teresa

2019 Dec 9, Tracy's foot surgery 

2019 Dec 14, Spend the morning visiting my new great-grandson, Hayne

2019 Dec 15, Athens North Pole Stroll, Decatur's Enchanted Forest, and took Andy, River, and Ava to Santa Land 

2019 Dec 16, Two Root Canals, Smith & Smith Endodontics, 9:30 A.M., & glued the Bridge back on

2019 Dec 17, Dr. Evans placed a post for the new Bridge & Travis temporary crown

2019 Dec 18, Christmas Brunch at CBS

2019 Dec 20, Pick up Lora at Nashville Airport

2019 Dec 21, Christmas @ Mikes 6 P.M.

2019 Dec 23, Took Lora to Nashville Airport 

2019 Dec 25, Ronald's Birthday/Mike's Christmas/Visit Dad

2019 Dec 27, Rock Pile, Spring Park, Railroad Bridge, taking pictures

2019 Dec 31, Becky's to play games with sisters

2020 Christmas Letter Activies

 Merry Christmas,

My year started with Cataract Surgery on my right eye on January 8, followed by a bridge on a tooth on January 21. 

I had three abscesses and three root canals in December, causing me to have a bridge replaced.

On March 10, I had a total knee replacement (on my left knee) just before our country was shut down with no elective surgeries. 

I stayed overnight and then went home to do some therapy. I went to Peak Performance for therapy.

My knee did not respond to Therapy as it should, causing the orthopedic doctor to manipulate it. 

I spent March, April, and part of May getting Therapy.

During this time, Hubby was staying at home with me and still getting paid. 

He went back to work full-time in September. (He works for a contractor of the government with full pay)

In June, our Granddaughter Hannah gave birth to our fourth great-grandson, "Atlas," just a few days after our great-grandson River celebrated his second birthday.

We couldn't go anywhere, so I spent a lot of time working or attending to my flowers. Most are in pots, which I only had to water and fertilize. This year, we got a lot of rain, which helped with my plants.

We didn't see much of the grandkids or great-grandkids all summer. 

When school started back, we helped with our great-granddaughter, Ava. 

She would attend school for a few days, and we would care for her for a few days. 

Because of the pandemic, our activities were limited. We visited some parks where AVA could play by herself, as well as parks with fish, turtles, and waterfowl. 

We took her to places where she would see Halloween displays, and we took her to a trunk-n-treat. (Lowe's, Home Depot, Party City) 

We took her to the Tinsel Trail in Huntsville and the Enchanted Forest in Decatur.

We have tried to keep her entertained. 

On November 1, Dad fell and broke his hip; his health had been going down for some time. He had lost 30 pounds in the last few months. My sister took him to the doctor, and he had recommended calling Hospice. 

He lived a few days after he fell. We buried him on November 8; he was 93 years old. 

He had a graveside service, and all the family was there. 

We celebrated our great-grandson Hayne's first birthday at the Strickland Hotel on Sunday, December 13. 

Hayne will have Christmas twice this year because he received more presents than most kids get for their birthdays all year. 

On Tuesday, December 22, Hubby and I took Ava, our five-year-old great-granddaughter, to Franklin, Tennessee. We rode north along Natchez Trace through Leipers Fork to Franklin, Tennessee. We ate dinner at Mellow Mushroom and saw Santa riding on a Harley through the window, but he was gone by the time we finished our meal.

Ava wanted to see the 100-foot or more Christmas tree in the town square. We took a few pictures in the square and headed back to the car when, once again, we heard Santa on his Harley. Santa stopped, and I took a couple of pictures with Ava with him. She had to give Santa a real hug, not a hand bump. She was overjoyed about seeing the Real Santa Claus (that's what she said) and was singing Christmas carols for most of the ride home.

We celebrated Christmas on Sunday, December 20, at Jack and Lindsey's new home. I loved seeing the four great-grandkids — Ava, River, Hayne, and Atlas — open their Christmas presents. Their favorite toy was a barking dog for the boys, and Ave got a mewing cat. All the great-grandkids love animals.

On Friday, December 25, my four sisters and I celebrated Christmas with chili, cheese dip, and various sweets. Afterward, we played several UNO and Dirty Santa games until 9:30 P.M. 

On December 29, my four sisters and I met at Los Trojas Cantina to celebrate my sister Teresa's birthday. 

Tomorrow, December 31, I will spend the day with my 24-month-old great-grandson, River. I have not kept him all year for health reasons, so we will see how that goes. We live in a 40-foot RV with little room for running and playing. Two-year-olds need a lot of space. 

My husband and I will attend the gender reveal of our fifth great-grandchild, who is due sometime next July, on Friday, December 31, from 6:00 to 9:00. 

That about wraps it up for 2020. 

This was a very different year; we lost my dad, and we celebrated the birth of our fourth great-grandson, but could only see him virtually.

We attended Hayne's first birthday party.

Our son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law, great-grandson, Hubby, and I all had the Coronavirus.  

I had a few health issues, but overall, it has been a good year.