Today we slept in. I did not sleep fitfully but I did sleep. Up at about 730 which is ok. Em and I both have lots to do. We did the usual, all had breakfast some had coffee (none for dogs). Em went of for a 915 haircut. I have to be gone by 1030 to get the dogs to Woodland for bath and haircut. Then both of us will be stocking shopping and Christmas shopping for part of the day.
Tonight is the Goose Cross holiday dinner at their winery in Napa. We attended last year and it was truly fabulous. Emily has commented, many times, that it was the best dinner ever. Could be. They had a little writing contest, which I won. The fun part being our dinner guest giving me shit about the writing (I guess because I blog) and saying I thought I would win. I said nothing. But, when I won, I gave her a ration. And I still do, a year later. Fun. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if I won again? She would be beside herself. She has more to worry about now with her husband, (our other guest last year) being in and out of the hospital 10 times over the last few weeks. We are not sure if he will be going tonight. Hope so.
I need to mow the lawn before I go out today. So I am off to accomplish something.
After the big mow, big cuz I took down the stakes, I took the dogs to Woodland to get groomed. Shari, our groomer, has been grooming our dogs for the past 20 years. I first met her husband over 30 years ago. Grooming the dogs takes about 3 hours so I decided to go out and do some Christmas shopping.
First stop, the pet store. Why? Because Shari knows the new owner and says she needs an accountant. More important than shopping. Well, Sally wasn’t there so I will have to call later.
Off to shopping. I visited several stores, far too many, but did finish up Dee’s stocking, Emily’s advent, and put a dent in Emily’s regular stocking. The stores were not very crowded there was plenty of parking and it was easy. Didn’t spend too much either. It would be a good day shopping if such a thing existed. It doesn’t.
I called at about 3 to see if the doggies were done. Yay, they were almost done. So, I made one more stop at a furniture store downtown. Emily had seen a riveted aluminum and leather swivel butterfly chair in the window of the store a while back and I wanted to see it as well. We are getting furniture for our move. The chair is perfect and unique and truly one of a kind. I am going to buy it but want to wait till I have the house.
I called up Shari again. She was done. I offered to stop for Dutch Bros on my way and readily agreed. Shari does love her Dutch.
I got there and collected my doggies. They look and smell much better than before. Much better.
Drive home. I left Shari’s it was after three. Need to get home, unload and get ready for the dinner. We are meeting at about 5 at our house and leaving for Napa at 530. Of course, Barb is always late. So, got home and unloaded. Emily arrived soon after from work and shopping. We got everything situated that we purchased today. Got ourselves ready and were done 15 minutes early.
Barb and her son, Kyle got there about 515. Late as I had mentioned. Kirk, Barb’s husband has surgery yesterday so he was not able to not able to attend the party.
Barb and Kyle wanted a cocktail before we left. I decided to join them, a mistake it turned out. Drinks were excellent.
We took off for Napa right after that. Traffic was light and we made decent time. We got there about 630. Actually we arrived kinda late. But, we had enough time for a few hors douvres and couple glasses of wine.
Again, like last year, they had a writing assignment for us. A few words on our favorite Goose Cross Winery moment. I obliged and also helped Kyle come up with an idea. We turned those in and continued to sip and eat till dinner.
Dinner again was set up in the barrel room where the wine barrels are set to ferment. Same as last year, five courses, superb food, and a different wine with each course. Their wine was much better this year. And they poured more freely.
After dinner they announced the winner. 2nd place to a lame story about some engagement. Then top prize. They rad the entry. It was mine. Hee hee. But, they followed up with Kyles. We had both written about the same thing. Mine led into his. Funny. I had given him the idea. No matter. Kyle told me we both won. I can go with that.
Over the course of the evening the wine was poured quite freely and I had become quite drunk. Not falling down, but drunk. Barb was there as well. When we left, I was sitting in the back seat. The car sick seat. Fortunately, no puking happened. Took an hour to get home and I thought I was gonna barf the whole way. Got home and straight to the can to try and barf. No such luck. I was feeling lousy. I sat in the bathroom for an hour before I was finally able to go lie in bed and sleep.