The holiday season

Well, it is back to normal this year, as the holiday season was full of it's usual bevy of parties and things to do. It started off with the trolley lights tour ( the previous post) and revved up from there. I have been to the Desert Botanical Garden for 'las noches de luminarias', a Tuesday night party thrown by Groupon, 2 Saturday night parties, a Saturday afternoon motorcycling with the boys, a tequila festival + concert, been down to catch up with the MIZZOU alumni association for a watch party (the annual Busch Braggin' Rights), my Christmas Eve open house, and finally (so far) Christmas dinner at some friends house. It's a wonder I have time to go to work! Speaking of that, I continue to give serious thought as to when I will retire, but have not come up with a good date as of yet, so I will continue to trudge along for a while more.

Pictures from the entire crazy holiday season are at the usual link on this page. I still have the Insight Bowl and NYE to get through this week, and will make them their own separate post !

holiday lights by trolley

Saturday night I went out with the local social group to view holiday lights via 'Ollie the Trolley'. A nice night of being driven around the town to view several neighborhoods that had great light shows, and some nice spiked cider to take the 'chill' out of the air here in Phoenix !!

Thanksgiving trip

After having to take off a year to make the annual trek back for Thanksgiving, I was able to make the journey this year. The weather actually held up for me, with only some headwinds to tackle on the way back. As Bob had recently gone through heart surgery, this year was a little different. He could only have small groups at a time, so I did not get to see all the family I had hoped to :( Still, it was a fun, but exhausting trip - trying to see so many people leaves you feeling less like you were on vacation than other trips. Ultimately, though, rewarding, except for the fact that I ran out of time to see other family and friends. Next time !!!

I was thankful, though, to be alive and able to visit this Thanksgiving; it had a little extra meaning this year. Happy Holidays to all of you I did not get to see !