First off, I'd like to say hello to anyone that read a Christmas Card and decided to check out the blog. I picked out those cards in the sales after Christmas last year. After looking at them now, I can't imagine why I ever thought they were funny. After 3 years, we are heading into the end of the blog. I imagine one more post about New Zealand, about Easter vacation and maybe one to wrap it all up. Seriously, I think we are moving back to the US next June. It will be 16 years abroad by that point.
Several of the Americans that have been in Brisbane with our group have gone back to the US already. So we were a smaller group for Thanksgiving this year. Someone decided Lawn Bowls would be fun to try. It was a bit of a hard sell to get Elliott to go, but in the end, I think we all enjoyed it. Elliott won a bottle of wine, which he dutifully turned over to me! A couple of the families leave in the next few weeks, so it was a bit of a good-bye celebration as well.
The Lawn Bowling itself was harder than it looks. There is a little round ball, but it is weighted so it will always curve. First, you throw a white little ball down the perfectly manicured lawn. Then you take turns rolling your ball, trying to get it the closest to little white one. The gentleman who gave us lessons and supervised us split us into two groups - men and ladies - so the ladies could have a "shorter game." I guess he was worried we wouldn't have the strength to roll the little ball far enough. The length wasn't really a problem, but I should have paid more attention in physics.
The other exciting thing I've been doing, besides lawn bowls, is Bridge. I am now taking up all activities suitable for those over 60. If we end up in Tucson with all the "snow birds," I want to be able to fit in with the Senior Set. It has been really good fun. I play with a lady I know from tennis. They say you should play with someone that is smarter than you are...I chose well! We've been playing once or twice a week. I would like somehow to indicate we have won 2$ on several occasions, but I'm worried about tipping off the IRS.
Well, that's all the news really. For the next few days, it will be scramble to get everything sorted for our Christmas trip. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
