MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS

First of all, let me wish all of you a very merry Christmas and happy new year.  I never got around to buying Christmas Cards and I would feel worse, but I learned years ago that whether you are ready or not, Christmas does not wait - it comes the same time every year!!   Guess what!  I am not ready, but too bad for me because it is here.  I have painted and wallpapered and am making a plan to return to Florida to live.  It is warm and sunny there.  However, someone once said if you want to make God laugh, just make a plan.  And, after all, I made a plan to move to North Carolina and we all know how that worked out!!  So, I am planning to move back to Florida, but trying not to say it too loudly so nothing changes it!!  Anyway, I want to take time to thank all of you so much for letting me grieve to you this last year and a half.  From now on, I hope to bring you more upbeat news and more than a little humor while I seek employment and a place to live!  Meanwhile, peace and joy to all of you.  Love, Ricci

..... who paints!!

So, perhaps it should be "Ricci-thewanderingwidow - who paints"!!  At least, on the side.  The last four days were spent fixing a hole in a ceiling, a hole in a wall and resurfaceing part of the ceiling that was coming down.  All of this occurred because I emailed and old friend to see if she wanted to have dinner with an old sailing partner.  The dinner was fun, of course, because we always had fun when I lived in Cleveland earlier!  (By earlier, I mean the 70's).  Anyway, after dinner she asked if I would look at her project, which she needed done before the end of the year.  I looked, left, thought about it, then told her it was completely out of my field of expertise.  Then it got tricky, because she looked like she was about to cry and had a look of abject panic on her face.  Therefore, I gave in and told her I would try. Seems lik it would be easy, right?   Trim the existing wallboard to an even size; cut a new piece to fit, nail it up, tape it, paint it and presto chango!!  Not so easy (1) if there are no studs to which to nail the new drywall, or trying to get a perfect fit overhead!!  There is a reason carpenters make money!!  Nevertheless,  the finished product looks really good!  However, that just means I painted a very nice picture because underneat the drywall is not pretty.  So, I guess I did a little "smoke and mirrors" to get this to look alright.  It did remind me, however, that I certainly enjoy and little painting and even wallpapering.  Drywall, though - especially piecing it - is quite a stretch.  My friend, thank Heaven, is quite pleased with the finished look, so we just have to hope the home inspector is also.  If he is happy, who knows, perhaps I will be the only 70 year old to start a construction business!!  ONLY KIDDING!!!  But, tomorrow, I am heading to Chicago to visit another friend and paint her apartment, only to return on Monday and start on my sister's lower level.  Whoever originated "when it rains, it pours" definitely kidding!!  After that comes Christmas and New Year's and I plan to start back to Florida (and sunshine, heat and golf) around the second, with a stop in Charlotte, NC on the way.  Hopefully, I will be able to find work there, so I can find somewhere to live and actually start my life again.  Just putting one foot in front of the other and moving on.  Thanks, as usual, for checking and keeping tabs on me.  You have no idea how putting this all down has helped.  Thanks so much, and I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Ricci