MONDAY

Walked to Wal-Mart to get a few items; also looked for a tree ornament, as we do an exchange at the December Soaring Spirits gathering. I didn't find anything and was tired of looking, so decided I just wouldn't participate.  Home, I packed my lunch and went out to eat in the middle area. 

I had no sooner sat down then Lorraine joined me to chat while I ate. There were also two other neighbors there, Heidi and Paul, to whom Lorraine introduced me. It was pleasantly warm and sunny out, so I enjoyed myself.

Once I got home, I did some chores, then this and that--so important I don't remember what they were. Left for the Stone Fire Grille at 4:00, but ran into Vickie getting her mail. That dear friend offered to take me to the Grille and I accepted. We sat in her place and chatted for an hour or so, then took off.

I got there a little early, but Vera came soon after. I got a kick out of her headpiece:

Soon, we were joined by others in our group; surprisingly, there were only eight of us--many fewer then usual. We had a good meal, though--I had pasta and, of course, an IPA, then we did the Christmas ornament exchange. Susan absolutely insisted on giving me one of the extra ornaments she always buys, so I put that in as my contribution. 

Vera had made up some pieces of paper with numbers 1 to 8 on them and the idea was to have each pick a wrapped gift. After number one, though, people could take from what someone else had chosen. I coveted what Gayle had gotten: an elephant and this bear:

Gayle had mentioned how much her little niece liked elephants and that she would give it to her. When I heard that, I waited until she went to the ladies room, then slipped the elephant into her bag to find when she got home.

Anyway, here's the Soaring Spirits group of last night from two angles:

Bottom pic, from left: Gayle, Vera, Gandall, Fred, yours truly, Susan, and Kathy.

Glenda, who is on the left in the top picture, took the bottom one.Vera took me home and got in at 7:30. I won't see these guys until 2025, when we meet the first Monday in January for lunch. 

Ellen and I will take my two laptops to the computer place today, then have lunch at The Lazy Lion.  

NOTE: I don't know for sure how long I'll be without my laptop, but maybe several days, so Mimi's Musings will suspend publication until I get it back.