WE ARE STILL ALIVE

I can't believe that it has been almost a month since we posted anything on our blog.  We have been really busy but really not too busy to post.  I think with Facebook, it has taken away my desire to post to the blog on a regular basis.  I'll have to try and make it a priority.  So bear with us and sorry this is a long post.

During this past month we both went to the dermatologist and checked out OK.  This was Bob's first visit to a dermatologist.  The doctor we see is the spouse of my last boss, George.  George retired earlier this year and it was nice to hear that he is enjoying life.
I also had the opportunity to have lunch with Sonya and Cris.  They were my administrative assistants and they job shared.  They are two of the most efficient people I know.  It was nice to chat and find out what they have been up to the past four years.

We also attended a Sukkot party at our neighbors.  It is a Jewish festival celebrating the fall harvest.  It is always fun.  It gives us an opportunity to meet new people.

My niece, Andrea, is getting married the first weekend in November.  She lives in Toledo; however, she purchased her wedding dress at a bridal shop near us.  She called and asked if I wanted to meet her at the bridal shop when she went for her final fitting.  I was honored.  Her mother, my sister, was there.  She was still looking for her dress for the wedding.  So, after Andrea was done at the bridal shop (her dress is beautiful and she will make a gorgeous bride), we went to the local mall and shopped for a few hours.  It was a nice afternoon.

I also had lunch with a former colleague, Vince.  He is a great guy.  I have decided one must set "dates" and follow-up with ole friends.  Time is going by too quickly.  Too many times people see friends and say, "We must get together and catch-up".  If you don't set a date, it will never happen.

The first weekend in October, Bob and I attended my 35th high school class reunion.  On Friday night we attended homecoming and tailgated in the school parking lot.  We all were drinking some sort of libation (of course disguised) knowing full well that it was not legal (zero tolerance in the school parking lot).  I am sure we weren't the only ones.  On Saturday night we all gathered for a casual dinner.  It was great seeing everyone.  I think the guys have really changed more than the gals.  It was fun and a great time was had by all.

Bob and I have been doing odd jobs in the neighborhood in return for contributions to our "Zimmerman Fund" through a program called Feed the Hungry.  That has kept us busy with chopping wood, trimming trees, taking down part of a tree, to taking a neighbor to the airport.

Our painter has been at our home painting our kitchen for several weeks.  That project is almost done; in fact, he should be finished today.  It will be nice to have our home to ourselves.

Oh yes, last week we hosted Luis from Oaxaca.  Luis is 45 years old and an administrator at a family owned and operated private school in Oaxaca.  He was here with a program through Oakland Community College (OCC).  It was indeed a pleasure to host him in our home.  By education, he is an architect.  His first full day here, Bob and Luis installed gutter guards for a neighbor.  Bob was only going to do part of the job that day; however, Luis was such a great helper they finished the project in 4 hours.  It was a beautiful fall day to spend the time outside.

One day last week while Luis was at OCC, we had two of our nieces over.  Sam cooked with them all day. To start the day, Trish brought over breakfast.  She made a fresh quiche with bacon, asparagus, mushrooms, and onions.  It was delicious.  For lunch, Jackie made homemade chicken salad with a wonderful ginger dressing.  She brought all of the other stuff as well, rolls, lettuce, tomato, cheese, crackers, chips, pickles, and cookies.  The real cooking that took place was two batches of shepard's pie.  We cooked 11 pounds of lamb shanks to make the pies.  We also made 4 loaves of hallah bread, 6 pumpkin rolls, and 6 parmasean cheese baskets.  We had shepard's pie for dinner along with hallah bread, balsamic salad served in the cheese baskets, and pumpkin rolls for dessert.  Of course, several glasses of wine were necessary to help ease the pain of the tired feet and bodies.  Everything was delicious!  Trish and Jackie were great in the kitchen.  It was a lot of fun.  They also got to take home their own shephard's pie, bread, and pumpkin rolls.

Every night that Luis was here, we were very busy.  Each night ended with Bob and Luis playing billards.  It was a very interesting experience.  We now have a new friend in Oaxaca.

For the past two months, we have been walking the neighbor's dog, Barclay.  Our neighbor was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.  We wanted to do something to help Barry and Gi, so we volunteered to walk Barclay.  He is a good mixed black lab with big eyes.  We hope that some day if we need some help, someone will be there to help us as well.  Kind of like...Pay It Forward.

So, as you can tell, we have been busy.  We have plenty to get accomplished inside and outside our home in the next 42 days before our next adventure begins!