January15, 2017  Sunday afternoon

 The week was pretty much "normal." Lela went to her exercise class in the mornings, riding her bicycle and I resumed my place in the golf league.

I didn't expect much in the way of scoring in golf as I hadn't played since my hand surgery in July.  I did manage ten pars but the other holes were ugly, final score 89.  Not too bad according to what I expected.

Wednesday evening we headed back to Gilbert, AZ for our Bible Study.  The Desert Sands congregation has some very capable teachers.  We enjoy going there.

The Midwest is dealing with cold and ice this weekend so I am not looking for sympathy, but it has been cold and rainy here in the Valley of the Sun.  We sat on the loveseat all day Friday watching Turner Classic Movies.  I guess after having a couple mid 70's last week, our blood has already "thinned."  We were cold, just like the natives, as the temps were low 60's.

Yesterday, Saturday, we celebrated Nic's 15th birthday.  It is hard to believe the grandkids are the ages they are.  Paul was trapped at work and didn't get to be with us, but we enjoyed the rest of the family.

Nic

 

Nic and Quintin

Counting his loot

Getting his wish

Courtney

Ben with a mouthful of food

Quintin

Zac fixin' a sandwich

This morning we headed back to church for study and worship. I see where Harvester had to cancel assembly because of the ice storm.  I think that is two months in a row that Ed hasn't been able to bring his sermon. I guess those unused sermons are piling up in his repertoire.

After church we went to a burger joint with a few of our church friends.  Smash burger has an interesting menu but they aren't Steak & Shake. http://smashburger.com/
The fellowship was better than the burger.

Before we arrived here our tree, which we planted last winter, had leaned over.  The roots did not come up but the trunk was totally bent to the ground.  The neighbors pulled it up and re-staked it to resist the wind.  I think it happened twice.  Someone cut the center of the tree out.  We are not sure why that happened but this was the result.

I trimmed it back pretty far and tried to shape it up, so this is what it looks like now.

Lela bought a couple new plants last week and they have been planted but I don't have a picture of those so maybe that will be info for the next blog.

I hung a few more articles on the walls indoors yesterday.  It wasn't necessary to hold the nails in my mouth, thanks to Gloria and Ron's Christmas gift.

Showing off my wrist magnet with nails attached.