Happy New Year 2018!

Larry started December off with an appointment at BMW for his bike. Then he started focusing on getting the RV gates done before Christmas. His friend, Jay came over two different days and Vince helped out one day also. They had the frames of the big gates hung by December 9^th and Larry and I finally finished putting the panels up Dec 20. Larry still has a little to do to finish the walk gate to make it secure but for all practical purposes the gates are finished and I think they look great.

Using the port-a-crane to hang the gate frames

Two gates hung

All the gates finished

I had a Shooter's World shop on December 18^th and as always it was a fun day. Larry wanted to rent a gun that he thought he wanted to buy but he is so glad he rented it first as it was nothing like he thought it would be. A big relief to me that he won't be buying another gun anytime soon. (I hope!)

December 21 Larry had his annual checkup at the VA and had a very nice temporary doctor until they can find one to fill the shoes of his last primary care physician. He had a good report from his blood work and based on his complaints, they lowered his meds for his thyroid. He is feeling much better on the lower dosage.

December 22 I woke up to an odd sound and figured it must be hot air balloons once again. I went outside and there were five of them, three landing quite close to us. It is always fun to see them. Maybe someday I will get a ride in one.

Showing all five balloons

The three balloons that landed near us

We had a wonderful Christmas at Dawn and Vince's with lots of good food, fun playing games (Taboo and Cranium) and some great gifts. I received what I wanted, a FitBit and also a really nice silver band that I didn't ask for. Larry received all the items on his 'wish' list and promptly disappeared to try them out! We didn't get home until nearly 1 AM.

Our Christmas table

The Christmas tree with purple lights

Dawn and Vince preparing food

Krista, Colby and Bethany showing off their Christmas gift, 

 

a trip to Disney World

Vince and Larry  at Christmas

Tuesday evening December 26 we traveled to Avondale to Cummins for an appointment for our Jake brake problem and water leak problem. Both issues involved a lot of intense labor and we stayed in the customer lounge until 11 PM Wednesday night and 10 PM Thursday night. The mechanics work from 6 AM -11 PM in two different shifts and we were able to stay in their parking lot hooked to 50 amp electric. Friday December 29 after determining Cummins could do no more for us we went to Allison to have the transmission checked out. We finally returned 'home' around 3 PM on Friday and I promptly headed out for my BK shop. We still managed to play Train that evening with Dawn and Vince.

We stayed home to bring in the New Year and watched the ball down in NYC at 10 PM our time. All the folks looked really cold as the temperature was 10º.   So glad we weren't there!  A nearby neighbor spends a lot of money on fireworks each New Year's Eve and set off around 30 really lovely ones, my favorite being a purple and gold one. Then another neighbor set off several, sounded like grenades, the last being at 12:36 AM that shook the windows. He did that last year too. Glad New Year's comes just once a year!

Today is a beautiful day with clear blue skies and 72º temperature, what a great way to start 2018!