Sunday, December 15, 2024

Oregon Living 2024 – Blog #50 – A Big Dance & Another Trip for Family

 


Sunday, December 8th., 2024……  We slept in this morning. Cathye was going to church but we had to be at the senior center at 12:30 to help set up for the dance. We had a pile of clothes in the car as well. When the door was opened, the folks showed up!  We had the racks out and assembled and the clothes were brought in. There is a ton of clothes that have been coming and going for a while now. In addition to great prices on used clothes, our Club has been giving away outfits to new dancers for many years now. After everything was set up, we took our places behind the sign-in table. At these dances, everyone pays ($6.00). But new dancers – even from other Clubs – each get a ticket good for two outfits for free. Even with all of the giveaways, I think we were told later that we made over $200.00 in clothing sales today!  We had a big dance. Marianne relieved me at the split-the-pot desk so I could dance and she and Cathye worked the folks as they came in. And boy, did they come in! We’re not sure why, but we had the biggest dance of the season today! There were 118 dancers signed in. All of the students in the various classes around the area were asked to pose for a group pic...


Everyone was asked to bring either a toy or a gift for a senior and we filled up the space under the Christmas tree!  Marianne did an excellent job selling tickets and we had $192.00 total for split-the-pot. One person won the $96.00 but graciously turned it back in to the Club for the Toys for Tots program. Later, after the money was shut down, Cathye slipped out and went home to feed the dogs and then came back for cleanup when the dance ended at 5:00pm. After that, we all went over to Ixtapa for dinner. The day was fun but tiring!  Since we were in charge of the treasury, we brought the money box home. Barb will pick it up tomorrow morning.   

Monday, December 9th., 2024…… I guess it’s the gloomy weather but we slept in again today!  We went to the gym and then to breakfast and got back before Barb came by. She had heard about the numbers from yesterday and was excited. Penny came by after that to visit. Cathye worked on her bills and I finished up this blog to post today. We printed up a mailing label for her sleep test watch and got that in the mail and we were done for the day. I watched a race and then later, we settled in for tv and then spa and then bed.  

Tuesday, December 10th., 2024…… Just had class on the agenda for today. I took a rubber ball and tested if I could throw it up and over the ducting in the senior center main room. No problem. I should be able to get that done again with a fishing line on it so I can get the mirror ball up there for the ball drop at the New Year’s party. No worries. I got the shipment of no-hands badges today. I had only placed the order a few days ago. Great service! They look great! I got enough for each person to get one. The 8 winners get gold badges. 

The New Year’s party is shaping up. I still need to pick up a few decorations especially for the ‘photo op’ area. We found a good location in the room with a nice backdrop but I want to zhuzh it up a bit looking with decorations.   

Wednesday, December 11th., 2024…… The weather is a bit warmer this week. That’s because we have rain in the forecast. That keeps a layer in the lower atmosphere and keeps it a bit warmer. We went to Kristi’s for lunch this afternoon after running some errands and shopping at Walmart for stuff while she’s gone. We did laundry today and cat got most of her stuff packed. Since she’s in the car, she can take coats and extras for Terisa.

Thursday, December 12th., 2024…… I was up early but let Cat sleep in. She got up and showered and dressed and then was ready to head up to Portland. Her daughter Terisa’s flight was due in at 11:15am.  So, Cat left around 9:00am to allow for traffic. She texted around 11:15 saying she was still stuck in stop-and-go traffic on the I-205, about 20 minutes from the airport. She texted later saying ‘she had her girl and they were on the move’. She had booked a room at the Embassy Suites Airport for 3 nights. I’m not sure when they got checked in but they have a suite with two queens and a sitting room couch that makes into a bed. 


That works because Josh would be coming in later to spend the night. The plan today was to rest until they went off to the Oregon Zoo to see the lights. We took the grandkids last year and she wanted to show it to Terisa. Cathye was able to get a scooter so she could get around with everyone. They went to Ramen House for dinner. My fav! Here are pics from the night.

 





Friday, December 13th., 2024……  I was up early. I had a job to do today. I had volunteered to take one of our square dance friends in today to the hospital in Stayton for her endoscopy. I ate and had coffee and picked her up at 9:00am. She is just a minute or so from us. I got her to the surgical check-in desk in plenty of time. She had told me her procedure was at 10:45am and they said it would be around 2:00pm before she would be released. So, I planned on driving the 20 minutes to Salem to kill some time. I knew about The Party Store in Salem so I headed over there. I had stopped in at a smaller store in Albany yesterday but they didn’t have too much that I was interested in. I hit Hobby Lobby on the way home and found a few things but still wanted to see what Party City had. They have a huge store! But still, not too much in the way of black and silver decorations. Plus, what they did have was just too much for the Club to buy. Cat and I have already purchased a lot of things that we are donating (they can go into the Club supply for future events) but there are dollar stores here that hopefully will have more as they close out Christmas and bring in New Year’s decorations. So, we’ll wait…

Anyway, on the way back (around 12:00pm) I got a call that she was about 20 minutes from being released. That was a few hours early, but fine with me! I got her and we headed home. She was hungry and sleepy so I just dropped her off to rest. I went home and spent the day relaxing and watching tv.  

As for Cathye’s day, she said she was up and going and called me after they had breakfast. The plan today was to head downtown to the Pioneer Square Mall. I thought they would just drive there, but since Josh was with them, they hopped on the Max train and got off right across the street from the mall. After a day of just roaming around and shopping and snacking (donut shop!), they jumped back on the train and headed back to the hotel. A bit later, Josh drove them to his house where his roommate was making dinner for them all. She said it was really good and now has a new recipe for me! Later, they left and drove back to the hotel for the night.  





Saturday, December 14th., 2024…… We always like to stay at the Embassy Suites when we can because they have a great (free) breakfast for guests. She said this one was especially good so they went down again this morning. The plan for today was to go to one of Terisa’s friend’s kids wrestling match this morning but she said someone was sick so they didn’t go. So, they were just going to lounge around the hotel today and relax and rest. She said she was planning on getting up tomorrow morning to take Terisa to the airport for her 5:00am flight – but – the hotel has a shuttle which means Cat can sleep in. Also, turns out Josh is heading to New Hampshire tomorrow. I’m not sure if they are going to the same airport in NH or what his flight time is, but he is staying with them there tonight so they can shuttle together. Perfect!   As for me, I was up with the dogs and fed them, then headed out to get coffee and a chorizo breakfast burrito. Penny came by a little alter and we made arrangements to go together to breakfast tomorrow. She heard about a place in Corvallis that sounds like a ma and pa place (which I love!) so we are going there. I watched tv for the afternoon and went through my just received order from my WellCare Spendables insurance. I had a bunch of money to spend on health related/medical supplies before the year ends. Part of that shipment came in today. Cathye wants me to do the same for her account but that has to wait until she gets back. Later, I went over to pick up Lynn to go to the Squarenaders dance in Sweet Home. It’s their Christmas dance and our Clubs support each other. This gives me a chance to visit with those guys plus Lynn and I can dance together. Of course I will have to take the heat about going out while my wife is out of town! All in good fun though.  

The dance was great but not too well attended. This club is just restarting because they have low member numbers. But as they get going and with The Lebanon Club’s support, they are getting there!  Cathye texted later and said she had a nice relaxing day. Josh was there and they have settled in for the evening. I’m guessing she will be up early tomorrow morning to see them off, but will go back to sleep before going to breakfast and then checking out to head home. Weather is rainy but we’re used to that!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Oregon Living 2025 – Blog #25 – Church, a Campout, Mowing, and More Painting!

  Sunday, June 29 th. , 2025……   We slept in a bit this morning. We walked and fed the dogs, then ate breakfast and headed out. Today we w...