2018 Christmas Letter Activies

 Well, another year has come and gone. Hope you and your family had a good year!

We had a lot going on this year. 

Enclosed are some of the activities our family did this year. 

(We had lots of cold weather in Jan & Feb)

Jan 9, Day Trip Hubby and I rode to Decatur Wildlife Refuge

Jan 15, Day Trip Hubby & I rode to Dodge City

Jan 25, Attended Wade Hall Post Cards @ Florence Library 

Jan 31, Trip to Saraland & Dolphin Island with my friend Wanda

FEBRUARY 

Feb1-4 Cruise to Cozumel, Mexico with my friend Wanda 

Feb 1, Boarded Ship 

Feb 2, Fun Day @ Sea

Feb 3, Spent day at Cozumel, Mexico 

Feb 4, Fun Day @ Sea
Feb 5, Traveled home 

Feb 9, Worked @ Killen Book Store 9-1 PM

Feb 19-21 Trip Hubby & I stayed @ Christmas Inn Pigeon Forge, TN

Feb 14, Valentine Brunch @ CBS

Feb 21, Grandson Jake Hughes's BIRTHDAY DINNER

Feb 24/25 Trip Hubby & I stayed @ Joe Wheeler Lodge for Wildlife Photo Weekend.

MARCH

Mar 2, Children's Museum of Shoals with Great Granddaughter Ava Grace 

Mar 1, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Petals & Pollinators

Mar 6, Hubby & Rode to Waynesboro  

Mar 8, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Vegetable Garden & Seed Swap

Mar 9,  Worked @ Killen Book Store 9-1 PM

On March 10, I attended the Coloring Alabama Class by Laura Murray @ Florence Library.

Mar 11, Attended Wedding Shower Granddaughter Hannah
Mar 12, Attended Bi-Centennial Party Florence @ Wilson Park 

Mar 19, Bought Nissan Murano @ Landers McCary Nissan Huntsville

Mar 22, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Garden Landscapes & Pest Management

Mar 25, Attended @ Help with my dad’s 91 Birthday party @ Cloverdale Senior Center

Mar 27, Attended Appreciation dinner @ Killen Senior Center 

Mar 28, Day Trip to Huntsville with Hubby to Landers McCary Nissan, ate lunch @ Mama’s Taco Community of Providence & Red Stone Arsenal  

Mar 29, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Urban Forestry & Tree Maintenance 

Mar 30, Served @ Passover Sadar @ Killen Baptist Church 

Mar 31, Attended Ava Grace’s 3rd Birthday Party 

APRIL

April 1, Easter Sunday Service

April 3, Day Trip Hubby & I rode Lawrenceburg Davey Crocket Park 

April 4, Hubby & I played Bingo at Chick-fil-a

April 7, Walking Tour Florence Federal Courthouse, Library & Kennedy Douglas Museum

April 10: Had tint put on the new car & Attended Hansel & Gretel Play @ Florence Library.                                                   

On April 11, Hubby and I attended the Social Security Retirement Dinner at Red Lobster.

On April 12, I worked at Killen Bookstore 9-1 PM

April 13, Stormed all day

April 17, Day Trip Hubby and I rode to  Huntsville UAH, Ditto Landing, and Red Lobster.

On April 20, Hubby and I attended Hansel & Gretel Play at UNA 

April 21, Attended Blue Star Dedication Train Depot Museum Decatur 

April 28, Attended Walking tour Athens State University Library, Delmore Museum & Founders Hall

MAY 

May 2, Music in Wilson Park with Justin Holder

May 7, Dolores Hydock @Muscle Shoals Library It’s The Little Things

May 9, Music in Wilson Park with Mike Curtis & Garrett Miles 

May 11, Worked Killen Book Store 9-1 PM 

May 13, Mother's Day: I enjoyed a steak meal@ Ron’s Wind chimes, flowers, a gift card, and a potting plant. 

May 16, Music in Wilson Park with Shannon Knight

May 17: Enjoyed listening to Kate Campbell Music Hall of Fame from 3-4 PM and Josh Goforth Florence Library from 5-6 PM

May 18, Attended Storytelling Festival at Shoals Theater at Legends

May 19, Attended Storytelling Festival at Shoals Theater at City Hardware

May 23, Music in Wilson Park with Joseph Baldwin 

JUNE

May 29-June 2 Trip to Gulf Shores

June 2 Birth Anthony River Hughes Great Grandson

June 8, Worked Killen Book Store 9-1 PM

June 8, Wedding Rehearsal Hannah Hughes & Chad Menard

June 9, the Wedding of Hannah and Chad Menard

June 9, Lecture of Winstons @ Helen Keller Library 1:30-11:30 AM 

June 10, Day Trip Nashville Airport 

June 16, Day Trip NASA @ Big Spring Park & RSA 

June 29, Crows, Chirp, & Bray Wildlife @Helen Keller Library 11-12 PM

JULY

July 6, Echoes and Howls Wildlife Program Sheffield Library 10 AM

July 10, Day Trip Veterans Museum & Rollo’s Cafe Huntsville 

July 13, Killen Book Store 9-1 PM

July 18, Day Trip Franklin Toured Carter, Lotz House & Carton Plantation Museums

July 23, Summer Solos with Tosha Hill 11;30-12:30

July 24, BEHIND THE MUSIC – SONGS & STORIES OF THE KGB SERIES 1 2-3 PM

July 25, BEHIND THE MUSIC – SONGS & STORIES OF THE KGB SERIES 2 2-3 PM

July 26, BEHIND THE MUSIC – SONGS & STORIES OF THE KGB SERIES 3 2-3 PM

July 27 Songwriters Showcase Series #4 2-3 PM MARK NARMORE & 

Aug

Aug 6-8 Trip Little Rock, Arkansas 

Aug12, A Brief History of Education in Florence 2-3 PM

Aug16, Day Trip South Haven, MS 

Aug 22, Day Trip to Tupelo, MS 

Aug 23, Get Dirty at Library Fall Vegetable

Aug 30 Get Dirty at Library Cut Flowers

Sept

Sept 2, Kept great-grandson River Anthony Hughes

Sept 6, Get Dirty at Library Backyard fruits

Sept 14, Worked Book Store 9-1 PM

Sept 15, New Bethel Reunion 9-3 PM

Sept 16, Lecture Native Americas at Indian Mound 

Sept 20, Kept great-granddaughter Ava Grace

Sept 22, Day Trip Toured Weeden House & Huntsville Depot  

Oct

Oct 5, Day Trip Oktoberfest and Museum Cullman with sister-in-law

Oct 6, Oktoberfest St Florian

Oct 7, Lecture Life in the Highlands with George Makowski 

Oct 9, Day Trip to Dickson, TN 

Oct 12, Worked at Book Store 9-1

Oct 14, Tuscumbia Art Museum lecture Truths and Legends TVA

Oct 15, Day Trip GPS System checked & Oil change at Nissan of Huntsville ate Red Robin at Bridge St 

Oct 19, Took Ron and Ava Grace (great-granddaughter) to Home Depot, Lowes & Halloween Store to see Halloween Displays 

Oct 21, Lecture at Florence Library about James VI & I 

Oct 24, Lecture at Florence Library Doctors of Death 6-7 PM

Oct 25, Class Diabetes & Healthy Cooking 11:30-12:30 Florence Library 

Oct 28, Watched River and went to Renaissance Faire

On the 29, Hubby and I took Ava Grace to treat Elgin

On the 30, Hubby and I took Ava Grace to the treating Town of Killen

Nov 

Nov 1, Healthy Cooking Florence Library 11:30-12:30 PM

Nov 3, Forks of Cypress Tour, Shoals Business Expo and Cruising Wheeler Lake 

Nov 4, Athens Cemetery Stroll 

Nov 6, Day Trip Natchez Trace, Leipers Fork and Cool Springs Mall Franklin, TN

Nov 8 Cooking for High Blood Pressure Florence Library 11:30-12:30 PM

Nov 9, Worked Killen Book Store 9-1 PM

Nov 11-16, Trip to the Smoky Mountains with cousin Sherry & Aunt Bobby

Nov 16, Tidwell’s Thanksgiving dinner

Nov 19, Took Mike for Colonoscopy at ECM Hospital 812 Lunch Five Guys 

Nov 22, Thanksgiving Dinner @ Mike’s (my son)

Nov 24, Worked at Killen Book Store 

Nov 25, Trees of Christmas TVA Museum And Addressed Christmas Cards & Wrapped presents

Nov 27, Tinsel Trail Big Spring Park with Hubby

Nov 28, Legend of Toyland Roxy Theater Russellville with Hubby

Nov 29, Kennedy Douglas Art Museum Quilt Display

Dec 2, Trees of Christmas TVAA

Dec 2, Took Ava Grace to Santa Land Elgin with Hubby

Dec 4, Went to Nashville to see Grinch Ice, Opryland Hotel 3 Gardens decorated for Christmas and Opry Mills Mall

Dec 7, Took Ava Grace to Killen Town Hall for Christmas Program and see Santa

Dec 13, Christmas Dinner and Listen to storyteller Dolores Hydock at Club Florence

Dec 15, Hubby and I attended the Leipers Fork Christmas Parade

Dec 17, Hubby and I visited North Pole Christmas Tree Stroll, Madison Magical Christmas Tree Stroll, Madison’s Christmas Card Lane, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and Enchanted Forest Christmas Tree Stroll Decatur and enjoyed a Grinch Pancake at IHOP. 

Dec 21, Christmas Dinner at Tidwell’s

Dec 22, Christmas Dinner at Mike’s 

Dec 25, Breakfast at Mike’s 

I try to journal all my activities and take several pictures it helps keep my memories alive. 

I hope each and everyone enjoys the holidays.

May the new year bring good fortune, good health, and love.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our house to your 

PS: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2019

Me & Santa @Incredible Christmas Store in Pigeon Forge, TN 

2024 Nov 8-17 Carnival Liberty Crusie Trip (7Cruise Days)

AM-Train traveling from Tuscaloosa, Al, to New Orleans, LA. 

 Day 1: Friday, November 8, AM-Track ride from Tuscaloosa to New Orleans 

Hubby took me to Wanda’s. 

Buck took us to Tuscaloosa. 

We ate lunch at Moe’s Original BBQ in Tuscaloosa.

I ordered a BBQ sandwich with chips and Diet Coke and spent Cash $13.20

He took us to the depot and dropped us off. 

He headed back home while we waited for the train. 

It arrived around 2:22 pm.

We rode the AM track, arriving in New Orleans around 9 pm.

There were two cars full of Atlanta football fans going to the football game in New Orleans on Sunday. 

We arrived at the depot, disembarked from the train, and had to wait for our luggage. 

I bought a Diet Coke and finished my BBQ and chips on the train. 

We sat in someone else’s seats when we boarded the train, so we had to move. 

We had to sit in different seats, not next to one another. 

I sat next to Bernard. 

He was going to visit his daughter in New Orleans. 

We talked for hours. 

The train stopped in Laurel, Ms.

A family got off, so we got their seats and rode the rest of the way to New Orleans. 

We took a taxi from the depot to our hotel, which cost $25 cash.

Hotel Blue Green Club LA.

Pension 115 Decatur Street, New Orleans, room 413.

We stayed in the French Quarters. 

Audubon New Orleans 

World War II Museum

Day 2: Saturday, November 8, New Orleans 

We ate a Chocolate Beignet for breakfast. 

We took the trolley to Audubon Park on St Charles Street.

Where we walked around looking at all the birds and flowers. 

We saw tricolor Herons, American White Ibis, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Greylag Goose, Muted Swan, and some Mallards. 

We boarded back onto the trolley and rode to the World War II Museum, spending $33.42.

We ate lunch at the Soda Shop.

I ordered chicken and sausage gumbo and orange mango water and spent $14.04.

All day trolley was $1.

We took the trolley back to Canal Street and then walked to Decatur Street. 

It began to rain, so we stayed at the hotel.

Later, we walked to Willie’s to buy some chicken fingers and fries. 

Spent $20.

We brought our food back to the hotel and didn’t leave until the next day.

I Watched some TV and went to bed early.

The chicken upset my tummy, and I had gas all night. 

I took a pill and was somewhat better the next day.

Breakfast Omelette and French Toast 

Cruise Director with Cat n Hat, Thing One, and Thing Two 

Day 3: Sunday, November 10: Boarding the Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship to Sail from Nov 10-17.

Today It rained. 

We called a taxi, and he came at 9:30AM.

We checked out of our hotel. 

Rode to the port. 

Boarded the Carnival Library. 

Went to the muster station D. 

Then we ate lunch. 

I ate Mongolian shrimp chicken, 

Peas, mushrooms, cabbage, and noodles.

I ate a bowl of yogurt vanilla with a couple slices of cake; one tasted like cheesecake, and the other had chocolate and peanut butter. 

We came to deck 3 to sit until our room was ready, room 2314.

Went to our room at 1:30.

Came back to deck 4 for the sailaway party. 

It was raining, so everyone stayed inside or under the covering outside. 

We ate dinner in the dining room. 

I ordered Cornish, hen with potatoes, carrots, and something crunchy 

Ice water and cheesecake for dessert. 

Bought a pink Lanyard. 

Went to bed early because we were both exhausted. 

Day 4: Monday, November 11, Sea Day

Today, Monday is Veterans Day. 

We went to the lido deck. 

Got a glass of juice and a pastry.

We walked around on the inside of deck 5 because the outside areas were closed because it was too windy. 

We sat for a few minutes on deck 5 indoors. 

We ate sea day brunch in the Silver Dining Room. 

There were a lot of people waiting to dine.

I ordered an omelet and French toast with cranberry juice.

We made a beaded necklace on deck 3.

We went to the Venetian Palace for the Fun Ashore giveaway 

Of course, we didn’t win anything. 

We walked around on deck 10, looking for a nice little quiet spot. 

Walked down to deck 9 for some yogurt. 

Now, sitting on deck 10.

Went back to cabin 2314, walking down the steps of 8 floors. 

Washed out a couple of tops. 

Tea time was from 3-4 in the silver dining room. 

We were served hot tea, a couple tiny pastries, and smoked salmon on tiny biscuits.

Dinner in the Silver Dining Room.

I ordered linguini Alfredo with mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and grilled chicken.

Grilled Jumbo shrimp with fish cake,

Cauliflower, roasted broccoli, and mashed peas.

Dessert: chocolate malt cake with vanilla ice cream.

We went to the photo area, where I got a gold Carnival pen.

We watched the show Flick.

The singing was good, but the show was a darkened performance.

After the show, we went to bed.

Day 5: Tuesday, November 12, Sea Day

I woke up early, dressed, and headed to deck 9 Lido deck.

I got a couple of pastries and some juice and found a window seat there I sat, working on this journal.

It is a beautiful day. The beginning of our cruise was questionable. 

The wind from the hurricane was near.

I ate breakfast on deck 9.

French toast and chocolate milk. 

Played Tavria on deck 3. 

We sat inside deck 3 and talked to two couples from Mobile.

For lunch, we ate Guys Burger and fries with ice cream and cookies.s 

Booked two excursions to Rose Hall Great House and shopping 

Manteo Bay, Jamaica $59.99.

Amazing turtle and wildlife adventure Grand Caymans $64.99.

Played games on deck 3.

Bought a bag for $12 and a bracelet for $10-$22.

Walked on decks 10 and 4.

Played games on deck 3.

Dinner in the Silver Dining Room. 

I ordered fish and shrimp cake with pork chops, gravy, and green beans. 

Key lime pie.

Went to a comedy show. 

I went to bed early. 

Set next to a couple from Indiana. 

We talked for a long time. 

Montego Bay

Day 6: Wednesday, November 13, Montego Bay, Jamaica 

I ate pastry and chocolate milk. 

We disembarked around 8:30 am. 

Loaded onto bus # 1. 

Our tour guide was interesting. 

We were given the history of the Great Rose Hall House when we arrived. 

The most interesting part was about Rose the White Witch. 

We walked through the two stories of the house, then the basement or the dungeon. 

We were given refreshments. 

Then, loaded back onto the bus.

We stopped for some shopping. 

I rode through the downtown area, then back to the ship.

Loaded back onto the ship.

I dropped off my bag that had my camera. 

Went to deck 9 for some Magnolia stir fry.

Then, some carrot and coconut cake with chocolate and strawberry yogurt. 

I took a few pictures, and then it began to rain.

I came back to our cabin and worked on this journal. 

For dinner, I ate Steak with potatoes and Broccoli. For dessert, I ate Banana Cream Pie. 

Amazing Turtle and Wildlife Centre 

Day 7: Wednesday, November 14, the Grand Cayman Islands

I got up early and took a few pictures of the hopefully sunrise. 

I ate pastries and juice for breakfast. 

Got ready for shore excursion. 

We had to take a water shuttle to shore.

It poured rain on our trip over and at the port, needless to say, I got wet.

I Loaded onto the bus and headed to see the Amazing turtles and wildlife Adventure. There was a busload of us. Bus one, Boss.

On bus 2, they were getting a meal and snorkeling. 

We were given the history of the turtle. 

There were several large tanks full of breading turtles. 

We got to pet the small turtle after we washed our hands with soap and water. 

There were several who got inside the water to pet the smaller turtles.

I walked through the aviary and saw a few birds. 

The butterfly house was closed. 

I saw at least three sharks swimming with the turtles and larger fish.

Walked around the area at least two times.

I Ate a bowl of Mac and cheese and Diet Pepsi at the park.

I Didn’t see anything else on the menu that was not greasy. 

I Walked through the gift shop but didn’t buy anything. 

I Walked across the highway to the dolphin area.

I walked to the wall of the Caribbean Sea.

Headed back to ship at 12:30.

I took a shower and rested. 

I Ate some yogurt and cake.

I Worked on this journal and coding my pictures. 

For dinner, I ordered 

Spinach salad, lobster tails2, cream potato, and crème burley. 

Went to a show. 

It's Be:er O'Clock at Amicos Cozumel 

Day 9: Thursday, November 15, Cozumel, Mexico 

Breakfast pastries and juice.

Lunch was at Mr. Sancha’s Coconut shrimp, chips, and cheese dip, Diet Coke, and three drinks.

We sat under an umbrella and enjoyed resting.

We saw a couple of macaws. 

An iguana and several big black birds. 

We took several pictures in Cozumel. 

For dinner, I ordered stuffed mushrooms and Mississippi catfish.

Mac & cheese, greens. 

Chocolate melt cake with ice cream. 

I went to bed early. 

My stomach was not happy all night. 

The light on my Fitbit stopped working it will not come on, but the stats still come up on my cell phone. 

While on the beach, a young man came up to me he was selling a bracelet. 

I was busy on my phone, and he scared me.

He apologized several times. 

A young woman came up to us and asked if we were friends and how long.

I told her we met several years ago in a writing class and had been friends since.

She said she had a childhood friend who had cancer and hoped she lived a long life and they could do things together like us.

Went to a show.

Cat n Hat 

Green Eggs and Ham 

Day 9: Saturday, November 16, Sea Day

Breakfast with the Cat &The Hat is at 9:30 am in the Golden Dining Room.

I went to Lido deck, got some juice, and wrote in this journal. 

We were going outside on deck 3, but it was too windy, so we returned to our cabin to wait to eat green eggs, ham with the cat, a hat, and a hat.

No lunch. 

We went to the VIP show at 5. Tried to drink a Marigretta. 

For dinner, I ate Caesar salad and brisket for dessert, I ate Baken Alaskan. 

No show tonight. 

Day 10: Sunday, November 17, Docking and Traveling Home

We were up early, finished our packing, and headed to the Lido deck for breakfast.

I got a couple of pastries and some juice. We went to the Theater with other VIP members to wait to disembark.

We disembarked around 7:30 AM. We called our taxi driver and waited for him to arrive. He took us to the AM-Track Train Station.

We checked in and waited for our train to arrive. I bought a Diet Coke and some chips. We were due to leave around 9:15.

We were called by our destination; first was Birmingham (lots of people), and next was Tuscaloosa. 

The other destinations were Laurel, Meridian, and  Hattiesburg. 

We sat in seats 7 & 8. I sat next to the window so I could take pictures.

We traveled from 9:15 to 3:30 PM.

Hubby picked us up after we got our luggage.

We stopped at Jack's just outside of Tuscaloosa. We all got the special. 

Chicken fingers, fries, fried coke, and apple pie.

We saw a beautiful moon in the sky as we traveled home. 

It was dark when we dropped off Wanda. 

Finally, we arrived home and took my luggage inside.

Took a shower and went to bed. Everything else can wait until morning. 

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge New Orleans