Sunday, Dec 9th

The day started a bit overcast but it cleared quickly and became just another gorgeous one in the valley.
  I went to the service in the clubhouse this morning and it was well attended.  There was definitely a theme to the service relating to the first Christmas.  The trumpet lady was back and making her presence known.  Her music is OK, but it just seems a bit much in a room that size.
  When I got back, Marg was finished with her morning routine, so we headed out for a bit of retail therapy.  JC Penney are having a big sale offering substantial discounts store-wide.  They went up as high as 60% and then an additional 15% of selected lines.  Thanks to my persuasive wife I got 3 shirts and a pair of shoes, sort of sneakers I guess.  Marg found a pair of slacks and a top that she was happy with.  Then I talked her into a pair of gold earrings, that were 60% off and then some.  They look great on her.
  After shopping we went to the food court as the store is in the Superstition mall.  Our choice was SBarro, a version of a fast food pizza joint.  The good is pretty good and the way they make it fast is to have it pre-cooked then throw it in the oven to warm when you buy it.  There are lots of options and the pizza is actually pretty good.
    On the way back home we stopped at Safeway.  We were out of bananas and needed some breakfast bars.  As the restaurant is still not open at Encanto I take them for something to fill the gap at mid-day.  Got the call from Gerry enroute that we are playing at 10:15 tomorrow, then sent a text to Mickey letting him know.  He replied saying at 9AM the golf-mobile would be at my place.  Should be a nice day tomorrow, with any luck the traffic will be not too bad.
   After we got back, Marg mad a chicken dish for the slow cooker and then went out to deliver her Christmas cards.  I declined, knowing how any trip around the park works out.  She was gone for a long time as there were many conversation stops as she made her rounds.  She also came back with a few cards and a few more showed up at the door.  By then it was getting close to 4, so a bit of a discussion on go/no go.  We don't normally go on Sunday, but did today.  It turned out to be mostly the people we hang out with, so a good visit, especially if you didn't already do that going around the park.  LOL
  Supper was very good and we finished off with a piece of the lemon meringue pie.  It is still great, but I was uncertain as there was an ice cream social yet tonight.  Oh what the hay, we went to ice cream, but both just had a bowl, no banana split tonight.  I think Marg had cake, but I never even had room for that.  A bit different group tonight, I ended up chatting with the park owner, his son and grandson.  He spent a bit of time trying to convince me how well the park's internet is working now.  We have made a commitment for this year and even though the park system is about $20 a month less, I think we will stay with what is the proven option.
  After ice cream, Marg stayed at the clubhouse to play 31.  They have always played after, but this is the first time either of us has played.  They play for quarters, no not 3 quarters.  Apparently they give you chips to pay with.  Marg won the first two games and even thought her back was getting tired, she felt she had to stay to give them a chance at getting some of their money back.