January 2024

NEOS LOG January 2024 We started the New Year with a neighborhood get together across the street. Reminds us of how lucky we are to have such great people around us.

While she was still on winter break, we spent a special day with Karissa. She wanted to get a second piercing on her ears. We went to Claire’s at the Galleria and I had my ears “repierced” as well. Then we had lunch at the Olive Garden.

The first Saturday of the month we had a belated holiday dinner with the Lloyds. Fun to get together with the Elk Grove contingent and catch up on the year’s activities.

Max auditioned for the California Honor Band and was accepted. They had less than a week to learn the 4 compositions and 2 rehearsals. The performance was on Saturday night at Sheldon High in Sacramento. It was an amazing performance. So proud of him!

Lots of medical appointments this month; dentist, oncologist, ECHO, labs, cardiologists,and physicals. All good. We had Terry Hawkinson over for dinner. Actually, she brought the main dish while I made the bread, salad and dessert. She has her hands full with Lloyd’s deteriorating condition and it is good to have her relax for a bit. At the end of the month, Max’s Jazz Club had a fund raiser. An evening of jazz and dessert. The group did a super job and we had an entertaining evening.

The projects for the month included finishing the books for the grandkids, planning and buying for the bathroom project, and finally getting out into the yard for winter cleanup and trimming the grapevines. Karissa spent an afternoon making macaroons with her Aunt Beth. The macaroon fairy dropped a platefull of them at our frot door.

This coming birthday is a big one for Max…the big 18. Karissa is pulling out all the stops to make it special for him. She came over to get Pops’ help on a wood project she is making for him. And she came the day before his birthday to make him a batch of peanut butter cookies.

We ended the month with major rain and flooding. At least we aren’t in Anchorage…Petg reports 100 inches of snow so far and more coming. And temps well below zero.