Today is technically the longest day of the year since we “fell backward” but the day flew by so quickly that I sure don’t feel like I got any extra time. Must be because I stayed up late last night reading – one of my habits I never intend to change!
We had a wonderful evening last night when Tammy and Steve treated us to dinner at Tuscan Grill. Before dinner we enjoyed a bottle of wine on their new deck and Burl dreamed up more projects to do such as wrapping their deck completely around the dining room to meet the deck on the front of the house, moving their retractable awning to the front where it can provide much-needed late afternoon shade and installing rope lights to illuminate the step on their deck. I swear that man’s mind never stops thinking of things he can plumb, wire or remodel.
Anyway – the reason for last night’s dinner was a gift from our kids to thank us both for helping them with their recent move. We tried to tell them that we just did what families do to help but they apparently thought we went above and beyond the call of duty and we appreciated very much their generosity. Sure helps that I married a guy with all these practical talents. 
We had a wonderful dinner and then went back to their home and played a rousing game of Mexican Train – we didn’t keep score but I know Burl and I were NOT on the winning end of the evening game-wise.
This morning we went to early church and then hopped on the motorcycle to join our friends from Burl’s Shrine group along with several hundred other bikers to participate in the Branson Toys for Tots ride. The weather was perfect for riding in jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt but more importantly, the sponsoring group collected so many toys and coats for kids in the Branson area for Christmas
Tonight we joined 3 other couples from church for Dinner for 8 – a potluck gathering in the home of one couple. It’s always fun to get to know other members better which was the case tonight. And of course the food was fabulous which is always the case with potluck meals. In keeping with my goal to try at least one new recipe every month, I made a broccoli/cheese dish from one of my WW cookbooks – quite tasty if I do say so myself!
Now I’m ready to get the coffee ready for tomorrow morning and head to bed to read before I crash.
Hey, we were heading back from the lake yesterday at 11:30ish and saw a group of bikes there at the Branson West intersection (where you go towards SDC) with toys on their bikes! I actually thought of you and Burl when I saw them; didn’t realize you were probably there!!! What a gorgeous day!
It was our pleasure to treat you to dinner. Thanks for sharing that great bottle of wine! Last night Steve and I sat on the deck and laughed about all of the ideas Burls was coming up with the night before. We both agree that lights are needed on the steps and wrapping the deck around the meet the front would be a good idea. Steve also wants steps up from the lower patio. Maybe next spring we can tackle some projects but for now, I’d just be happy with some lights!
Thanks again for all your help with the move. I don’t think we could have (sanely) done it without you!