January 7, 2020. Playa Royale, Mexico. Dinner by the Pool.

This was a first for us. Ken reserved a barbecue for 7:00 this evening. His intention was to cook steak. And we all decided to eat a salad and eat under the palapa beside the pool. The evening was perfect, warm but not windy. The facility we were using is well equipped with a sink, fridge, grill for vegetables and another for the meat. We three drank our red wine and enjoyed ourselves. It was a perfect evening to dine by the pool. Ken went down to start the barbecue and prepare the meat. When Wendy and I arrived with the plates and salad we could see Ken sitting beside the table wearing his apron. I was reassured to see our very own chef, wearing an apron and getting ready to cook our meat. Ken is our cook, for which I am grateful. Our first dinner together in the condo we ate a salad and veal cutlets, which were also delicious. Both nights Wendy made the salad. Now I hope Ken does not get weary with well doing because I certainly enjoy his cooking. We three enjoyed sitting in the palapa outside by the pool. But getting there in the pitch black was difficult for me. By holding on tightly to Wendy's arm, I made it. The worst part was going outside the main building. All I could see was black. Eventually the lights got numerous so it got easier. I could not have made it without Wendy. It was a good reminder that I can not go out by myself at night. Out first evening by the pool may also be our last. Tonight we enjoyed ourselves, at least after I arrived. Good food, beautiful setting and good company makes for a memorable meal.

January 6, 2020. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. The Mega.

I always forget that Mega is such a great store until we return the next year. The store is huge. In addition to groceries, they sell clothes, furniture and appliances. But we only stay in the grocery department. Ken, Wendy and I took our first excursion this morning. When we arrived by taxi, we all three took a cart each and started filling our carts. Our plan was to meet at a small coffee shop. My task was to get to the dairy and meat departments so I filled my cart with butter, cheese, yoghurt, and meat. I fell in love with the butcher so although Ken was buying meat for dinner, I had the butcher cut up filets. He did so well I had him cut up pork chops. And while I watched he removed the meat from a chicken. It took him 3 minutes to debone that chicken. One section of the Mega sells prepared food. Local people take containers and containers of the food. Unfortunately, I can never tell what is in the big bins but Ken figures out what is in each. And he brings things home. For lunch we ate cooked, seasoned vegetables along with our chicken. New containers are awaiting us in our fridge. So our home here is stocked with everything we need to eat well. Wendy and Ken met up during the shopping so figured out duplicates, which were none. Fortunately we have a freezer because I bought too much meat. But other than meat, butter is the only duplicate, even though we did not shop together. After a taxi home and a full cart of food up the elevator to condo, we are set here at Playa Royale. Now for breakfast we can drink our coffee out of big mugs, purchased today by Wendy. We have all the comforts of home, but without the snow and ice. Pretty nice.

January 5, 2020. Playa Royale, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Lunch on the Beach.

We made it. The best part of the day was eating lunch on the beach. After changing our clothes, we three went directly to the restaurant in front of Playa Royale. We toasted each other with a margarita. And we enjoyed every sip while we enjoyed the warm air and sparkling waster. Our day was long. The plane was late leaving by 90 minutes. But we made it. Clearing immigration and customs was a breeze, especially with me being pushed in a wheelchair. Ken and Wendy brought my belongings from the locker, and while they walked to the grocery store I put things away. When I ran out off gas Wendy finished the task. Now we are able to function. Everything except my clothes have been put in their proper place. Tomorrow we will shop at the Mega grocery store. But tonight we will all get to bed early. The most important task today was to get here. Tomorrow after a good night's sleep we will feel like celebrating. At the moment, we just feel weary. But we are happy to be here in Mexico.

January 4, 2020. Ancaster, Ontario. Moving On.

The view from the living room is beautiful. The trees and bushes are covered with fresh snow. It is the perfect amount of snow: just enough to make the scene magical but not enough to cause any stress. Today is my last day in Ancaster. My visit was everything I could ever wanted. Wendy suggested my visit when she was visiting in Mexico. The flight she took from Hamilton to Puerto Vallarta was cheaper than flying from Jackson to PV so she suggested I come for the Buckley Birthday celebration and stay for Christmas which I did. Now she and Ken will fly with me to PV on a direct flight from Hamilton. We start early, 7:00, so we must be at the airport at 5:00. This evening, Ken and Wendy will have dinner with us at Dave and Irene's home. I will stay overnight for a short night at Wendy's before taking the taxi tomorrow . Before the day is done, I will take Norm and Diane along with Dave and Irene out for lunch. I have learned the pleasure of dining with small groups. My sojourn is almost over. My clothes worked well. And I never did need boots. I have enjoyed myself here with friends and relatives. And I am appreciative being looked after by Irene. But now I am moving on to Mexico and 80 degrees. So here I go.

January 3, 2020. Ancaster, Ontario. Lunch.

I will miss having lunch at the Callavo Nero. Since Christmas, I have had lunch there six rimes. I have memorized the menu. The place is small but elegant. The food and service are excellent, so they did everything I wanted the restaurant to do. My system was simple. My friends met me at Dave and Irene's home. After a short chat, the three of us drove to the restaurant where we ate and talked. My plans worked perfectly. Randy and Gaby came for lunch with me today. They live in Markham, north of Toronto. Their daughter Jessica joined us too. She is in her second year at the Agricultural University in Guelph so she drove over to join us. Randy is the son of Ray, Ken's first cousin. I had not seen them since our 55th anniversary celebration at the ranch so I was pleased to see them. Their other daughter, Rachel, had other plans so could not join us. We had a good old time. I always enjoy talking with University students with their energy and enthusiasm. Jessica is in her second year of Veterinary School while Rachel is studying to be a landscape designer. Tomorrow, Dave, Irene and I will have lunch with Norm and Diane, which will be the last of my luncheon dates. I have had fun catching up with friends and family. In fact, I have had such an enjoyable visit that I am leaving my clothes in the. bottom drawer of the guest room, with the hope that I might get invited again. I am already thinking that Dave will turn 90 in two years. And Dave and Irene will celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in four years. I am planning ahead. These lunches at the restaurant have been a hit. I have enjoyed every one.

January 2, 2020. Ancaster, Ontario. Old Friends.

Marg and Bill are old friends in every sense of the way. We knew each other when we were very young and we have been friends throughout the years. Now we are old in age. Very few friends knew my parents and knew me when I was a girl. All the friends I have been having lunch with me grew up in Salvation Army family. We have the same backgrounds. I enjoy getting together with these old friends. Marg and Bill are just a bit older than me but we have all known each other for most of our lives. When you move around as Ken and I did it is wonderful that we have all kept in touch. I was born in Toronto in 1937. Bill also lived in Toronto. When he was very young, he contracted polio. The doctors told his mother that he would never walk. The muscles in one leg did not develop. Both of our Mothers were Salvation Army officers. Bill's Mother worked every day to keep his muscles working. And my Mother called her every day to cheer her on. Bill has always walked with a limp but he went on to lead an active life. Marg took her nurses raining at Grace Hospital in Toronto when my Aunt Margaret was the superintendent. My aunt always spoke highly of Marg . And my Mother lead a choir of the nurses. So Bill and I and Marg are connected in many directions. They drove from the northern part of Toronto to have lunch with me. We had a grand time. They chatted with Dave and Irene before we drove to the restaurant. We talked about the present and the future. We already knew everything about our past. We all three agreed that we have had a wonderful life. And now we are enjoying ourselves. Bill still goes into work every day at 6:00. Marg looks after their house and cooks the meals. They play bridge several times a week. They both looked great and I appreciated their drive to have lunch with me. I loved every minute of my time with them. I love my new friends but I cherish my old friends too.

January 1, 2020. Ancaster, Ontario. The New Year.

We started out the new year on a good note. At one o'clock today I ate lunch with Dave and Irene along with Katey, Brock and Wendy. Ken, Wendy's friend was still ill. I hosted the party although Wendy found the restaurant and made the reservation. Ken and I always wanted to start the new year with family or best friends and today I did just that. We had a great time. Wendy had a hard time finding a restaurant that was open. Milestones is a new restaurant. Dave and Irene had eaten there twice before although Wendy had never eaten there. Fortunately, the food was good. Our table was in a corner of the restaurant where we were private. It almost seemed that we were in a private part of the place. For us, it was perfect. Brock and Katey now live in Indiana so soon will be driving home. We were able to talk to them all by themselves, which was the plan. Katey is Wendy's daughter. We discussed their plans for the year. They both work at Purdue University. This Spring, they hope to buy a house. After our meal and sharing a dessert, we sat chatting for a long time. Wendy, Ken and I fly to Mexico on Sunday, while Katey and Brock drive back to Purdue on Friday, so no telling when we will be together again. But we all toasted our success for 2020. Just being together, enjoying ourselves gives us all a springboard for the next year. We all agreed that we survived and thrived in 2019, and we hope to do the same in 2020. We certainly got a head start for the year by being together today. We all agreed that our time together was easy and fun. Perfect forecast for the new year.