Random 5 for December 11, 2022 – Winning!, words, decorations, snow, party

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This is our indoor decorating!

Hello lottery! – Despite the high stress level from Gracie’s dental surgery, it was a “lucky” week. I attended a luncheon. There were 80 people and 40 door prizes, so my chance of winning was good. That doesn’t mean anything because I’m not a lucky person. There could be 80 people and 79 prizes and I’m “that” one. I rarely win raffles and door prizes or anything (unless it’s a cat lottery). I won two! Both are lovely. Later in the week, a window shade we had ordered came in. Scheduled delivery was February. It’s not even a month since we ordered it. I couldn’t believe it. I need to buy a lottery ticket before my luck runs out.

Same thing, different product – The beloved husband makes a joke about how many words it takes for me to order coffee at Starbucks. I get it “custom designed.” This week I picked up orange juice for him. His description is “not from concentrate, no pulp, added calcium and vitamin D.” My coffee has less words than his orange juice.

Deck the halls – Weather folks are predicting our first snowstorm Thursday through Friday. That timing is typical here although most of our big snows come later in January. This weekend we are prepping our snow stuff and putting away our lawnmower and summer gear. That first snow is so beautiful but I always prefer the spring prep when we put the snowblower and shovels away and bring out the lawn mower, planters and catalogs.

How much to do – Friday night we drove through our neighborhood to get a feel for how the neighbors decorate. We live in an end unit of a triplex. The neighborhood is made up of 30 units of almost exclusively older people. It’s a popular downsizing area. The decorations are simple things that old folks can do without hiring people. Nothing intricate. No outdoor lights on trees or fancy displays. We have settled on a sled with skates for the front porch and a nice door hanging. Even with that, we are one of the most decorated.

Our first neighborhood party – Friday we are invited to a Christmas open house next door. I love that we can walk to it and won’t worry about the snow. I’m contributing a dessert tray with brownies, cookies and maybe banana bread.  Easy peasy especially since Mr. Pepperidge Farms is making the cookies!

So how was your week?

67 thoughts on “Random 5 for December 11, 2022 – Winning!, words, decorations, snow, party”

  1. After all the trauma of veterinary visits and poor Gracie’s extractions, I’d say you were due some good luck, so good for you! I hope your cookie baking and neighborhood party was a lot of fun!

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  2. I heard someone mowing the lawn the other day – almost mid-December! They cut off the yard waste pickup much too early this year as the leaves were still on a lot of the trees. I’d rather be getting ready for Spring too. Hopefully you won’t get much snow. Depending on what weather forecaster I listen to, we are getting some snow or a wintry mix. I would like it to stay as it is – people are complaining how cloudy it is. Shhh! The clouds are gray but they’re not precipitating! I like your living room – very festive looking. I like Mr. Pepperidge Farms’ baking too.

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  3. Your living room looks so cozy. I buy the lotto every week and never win. It dawned on me the other day that I’ve not even gotten a stinkin’ free ticket all year, which is the only prize I ever win. You’d think I’d wise up, but no. I’ll be buying another one soon. Congrats on your wins! – Marty

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    • When I worked I was part of a “lottery group.” There were about 20 of us that kicked in a dollar a week. We never won anything of value even with all those tickets. No better luck by myself either except for the occasional $5.

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  4. Mr. Pepperidge Farms is such a handy fellow to know. Not many outside decorations? I’m surprised, they reign supreme around here, but we have lots of families with children. As someone who is lukewarm about exterior decorations, where you live now sounds inviting.

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  7. I’m glad you had such a lucky week, Kate. Little things like that can really cheer you up … especially in comparison to having a bad week.

    So nice to have a party in the neighborhood! My next-door neighbor used to have a Christmas party for what she called “the top-of-the-hill gang. Sadly, she’s gone now.

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    • In a sense that’s what happened at my last neighborhood. They didn’t die but they moved away to downsize. The neighborhood turned over and was much younger. The younger folks didn’t party much. Most of their activities were on the road.

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  8. Hi, Kate – Our neighbourhood is very much like you described yours — mostly older people. We didn’t plan it this way, but it does have its advantages.
    Congratulations on your wins — definitely buy a lottery ticket!

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    • Technically our neighborhood is not over-55 but you couldn’t tell from the people who live here. There may be two or three families that are under 55. Our HOA does not allow swingsets and all those bright plastic play sets in the yards so it’s not so inviting to young couples.

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  9. I would love your neighborhood with mostly older, friendly folks. That’s great that you won’t be tempted to over-decorate. Our next door neighbors do not decorate their house, which I never noticed before. Now there are two of us abstainers.

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    • I love your neighborhood of caring folks too. I’m never tempted to over-decorate. The beloved husband has that quality all to himself. When I lived by myself I was a wreath on the door kind of gal! A few googaws inside but no tree.

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      • Left to myself, I wouldn’t have decorated much, either. John spent three or four days just trimming our tree. Another day or so was dedicated to putting my angels all around the house. I am satisfied with Christmas dishes and mugs, which David got out for me. Still waiting for the shower curtains. We’re not sure where John put them. I’m finding it fun to have a less decked out house.

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          • We have two, one for each bathroom. I also found a snow shower curtain that will go up in January. We actually have a box of “snow” decorations. Guess we always found it hard to let go of Christmas.

            There is one lost shower curtain, too. Two years ago John couldn’t find his train engine curtain when taking down the Christmas one. Imagine a steam engine taking up almost the entire space on a curtain! I will put it back if David and I ever find it. (David loves trains, too.)

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    • Thanks. Mostly the cats don’t bother them. On the last tree, if a ball was too low it may be reassigned (by the cats). This tree is on a stand so it’s higher. I think they are upset that they can’t sleep on the tree skirt. That was their favorite.

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    • I know. It’s been a long time since I was invited to a neighborhood party. At my last house, when we moved there were a lot of folks our age. Then they started to downsize and move. The young’uns are on the road all the time with kid activities. And I have no interest in attending birthday parties for kids I don’t know.

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  21. Congrats on winning at your event. There’s something rather reaffirming to the spirit when that happens. I’ve come to the conclusion ordering at Starbucks is a language all its own. Long gone are the days of ‘can I get a cuppa.’ Snow is moving into the entire state tomorrow and is said to be a doozy. I hope I get my errand running done early before the flakes begin to fly tomorrow. 🤞🏼 Have a lovely Sunday.

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  22. Kate it looks gorgeous around the fireplace! Bravo……and congrats on winning ANYTHING – I am one of those “never wins a dang thing” people myself. I won a lamp (yeah-exciting for an 8 year old) many years ago at an on post Officers Club bingo night my family all went to. THAT IS THE ONLY THING I’VE EVER WON (which of course my Mom took). Enjoy the Christmas gathering – hope you have a wonderful time and traveling back home after will be a breeze (haha).

    Hugs, Pam

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  24. Congratulations on all the prizes! I am sitting and watching the snow fall as I type. We too are going to break out the snow equipment later today. Aside from all the problems and inconveniences the snow brings, there is always something magical watching the flakes fall.

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  26. Your living room holiday decor really compliments the light and paint colors. Especially the white white lights. Very classy, not too busy. I wish I had a mantel!

    I love it when someone else has a party. All I have to do is bring a tray and leave.

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