December on dirt

What a long month it has been living on dirt. I would choose living on the water any day over living on dirt but three things I really appreciate about dirt living are…super soft, thick, luxurious toilet paper (on Unforgettable we must use single ply), watching the Today Show, and having the ability to go to the grocery store 3 times a day if I need to!

When asked by friends Tom and Mary Ann what our “roses and thorns”  are regarding boat life I responded that everything is a rose except the thorn of getting medical care. Medical care seemed to be the main theme of our trip besides seeing family.

We left Unforgettable in Stuart on Dec. 4 and drove to Punta Gorda, FL for Scott’s 6 medical appointments. He received great news about his two knee replacements looking fabulous but that was countered with the bad news that his hurting hip needs to be replaced. Now the big decision on where and when we can fit that into our schedule. We have our year planned out until mid-October so we were thrilled a steroid shot to the hip relieved all pain, at least for now.

On to St. Louis where the weather was cold but we didn’t have any snow. We had our semi-annual dentist appointments, I had my Ob/Gyn appt, an appointment with a functional medicine doctor and my mammogram. We have officially become “old” people because doctors appointments have dominated our lives this month.

I am in charge of purchasing the Christmas gifts for all the family and I actually feel great pleasure from choosing what I hope is the perfect gift for everyone. In keeping with the Christmas spirit we made peanut brittle, baked cookies, put up the ugliest fake tree, wrapped gifts and sang Christmas carols. Accompanying my family on the piano while singing carols is one of my favorite traditions. This year Cassandra’s boyfriend, Noah, joined us. As a music major his bass voice was a welcome addition!  Each year Scott and I have attended a Christmas concert of some type and this year Scott and Noah experienced their first ballet…The Nutcracker.

I NEVER get sick and I got bronchitis. I thought I was going to cough up a lung! Thus, a trip to the urgent care and 4 medications were necessary. The day after Christmas I had started to regain my energy and zip when we received our second Shingrix vaccination and I was knocked out for 3 more days. I had every side effect possible.  We spent the month in a busy tizzy, traveling or I was in a brain fog so this was not a good month for exercise.

We visited family in Callao, MO and Springfield, MO. We enjoyed attending granddaughter, Jessie’s, Christmas concert and niece, Randi’s, swim meet. We spent a lot of time with my 83-year-old Dad. Scott visited with his brother, Alan, and we saw Scott’s niece Katie, nephew Chris and their families. We attended the Allhands family Christmas dinner (my maiden name) and we dined with a few friends.

I do have one big regret from this month…I didn’t take nearly enough pictures. I do believe that I am immersed in “living in the moment” which causes me to forget all about my phone and camera. I missed photographing many special and memorable moments. So, my New Year’s resolution is to take more videos and pictures! Now I just have to create more space on my phone!

All in all, we had a lovely visit to Missouri but are thrilled to return home to Unforgettable in Stuart, FL to prepare for the Bahamas, our next destination.

I truly appreciate you for taking the time to read this blog and especially those of you that take the time to write comments.  I am honored.

Happy New Year!