We had a lovely visit from the daughter-in-law of Bud this evening. She brought us two pieces of cake, at which Carlyle, our granddaughter who is spending the day and night with us, said “Hey it’s time for dessert!” And indeed it is.

However, back to news from the Villa. Bud, who I try to visit once a week was wondering where I was. I explained to the DIL that I had been away but would be back to have a cup of tea with him this week! It’s my War Cry route!

We’ve been invited by another couple in the Villa to join them for a night of Christmas Carols when their church hosts their carol sing. We also have an invitation to join Robert at his table for the Hope in the City dinner at Fantasyland Hotel. It is the night before the carol sing!

Wendy and I picked up this lovely decoration for outside the front door. We have a garden hook which had our hanging plant on this year – now we’ve got this lovely greenery! We have had a few comments as people seem to really like the look of it.

Now on to the business of The Villa. This week the board, of which I am a member at large, met to discuss the budget. The budget process here is simplistic but I guess it works for folks who have little business acumen. We needed to make a couple of tough decisions for the long-term financial good of the corporation. I offered up a softened version of the decision and suggested that we also set aside some time and energy to explain ourselves and the situation to the owners. I think it went over well and it was adopted.

We also had a lovely lunch out this week – chicken pot pie in a lovely little cafe which is housed in a very old municipal building turned restaurant. Pricy but delicious.

Yes, my hat says London, but no it wasn’t in the UK. No, it was nearby and the sun was shining and 7 degrees, it was a lovely outing! One of the surprises to us has been that our finances are not tight – we’ve been able to enjoy some of the extras of life which we really wondered if we would be able in retirement. So far, things are going well. We’re not millionaires as one of our neighbours asked one day, but we’re not paupers either. So our personal budget is in good shape!

Finally, if you read this you’ll know that I love plants – real ones! This is Wendy’s Christmas catcus. She has an Easter one too, but right now this one is providing full and bright blooms! It is gorgeous and seems to really enjoy the front window.

Bless you and I hope that you have a wonderful week in your neighbourhood.