{"id":85190,"date":"2024-12-19T12:33:03","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T19:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=85190"},"modified":"2024-12-20T10:08:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T17:08:23","slug":"sad-day-for-us-colleen-departs-for-new-hampshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=85190","title":{"rendered":"Sad Day For Us: Colleen Departs For New Hampshire!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end!”\u00a0 Colleen’s green card expired, and she had to return to reality: a fantastic husband, three kids, and four grandkids!<\/p>\n

Before she took off, Colleen graced us with her presence at the Elks during Girls Night Out, where Iris decided to channel her inner ninja and attacked a dozen oysters. One moment, they were on the plate, and the next\u2014poof!\u2014they vanished faster than my willpower in front of a chocolate cake!<\/p>\n

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Someone likes their oysters.<\/p><\/div>\n

We ordered a second dozen, and Iris took six home. I quickly devoured the remaining sea boogers, and of course, I sent a picture to my See Booger Partner, Vicky!<\/p>\n

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Delicious.<\/p><\/div>\n

We took a group photo and had Sydney, Dad, Robin, and Nick join us today! The table was a hot spot for slings and arrows\u2014great fun!<\/p>\n

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We are all here and awaiting Santa.<\/p><\/div>\n

I told Nick how we “old folks” enjoyed his visits with us and that I was always the youngest in the crowd since Mom and Dad waited until they were married twenty years to have me.<\/p>\n

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Nick joined us this afternoon.<\/p><\/div>\n

As we exited the Elks, we saw a menorah at the entrance.<\/p>\n

A Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night until all eight branches are ignited on the final night. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), which is used to light the other eight.<\/div>\n
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We miss Marsha Brander!<\/p><\/div>\n

There was a Hanukkah Bush in the other corner (a saying my father used to use).<\/p>\n

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The Elks tree is up and ready to greet guests!<\/p><\/div>\n

Mary and Seymour the Elk look good together.\u00a0 Mary is the one with the red wrap!<\/p>\n

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Watch out, elks, she is dangerous!<\/p><\/div>\n

We returned home and dropped off Colleen. She planned to take an Uber from our home to the airport, as we needed to be at the Legion before 4:00 p.m. to get a place to park!<\/p>\n

We paid two dollars and had a place to park directly in front of the Legion.\u00a0 Luck was with us this evening.<\/p>\n

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We got to park right out front.<\/p><\/div>\n

We walked around inside to see the decorations before going to the bar area, where we enjoyed a glass of Chardonnay.<\/p>\n

Mary found herself daydreaming about the man in the shiny nylon uniform. Every time he walked by, she felt a flutter in her stomach, as if she were a little girl again. His confidence and charm were hard to ignore; they practically sparkled like the fabric he wore.<\/p>\n

Note To Self:\u00a0 Get a nylon outfit!!<\/p>\n

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We walked around the facility.<\/p><\/div>\n

Beep! Beep! An incoming photo. Emerson and Chuck had their picture taken and sent to Frameo and message devices.<\/p>\n

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Incoming… Emmerson and Chunk are all decorated!<\/p><\/div>\n

We met Captain Dan, an old friend of Mary’s, and walked onto his boat, which was less than a stone’s throw from the Legion! We had wine and a comfortable seat, and the show continued!<\/p>\n

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The water was calm!<\/p><\/div>\n

The water was so calm it looked like someone had spilled a giant bottle of baby oil in the bay. Just as I was about to comment on it, the boats started lining up, and there was the Grinch right up front\u2014of course, he would show up to steal some holiday thunder! Looks like it was going to be a wild night!<\/p>\n

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The boats started early.<\/p><\/div>\n