Appointments - Social Events - Storms in the North

 Shalimar, Fl   (Hi 94   Lo 77)

Sunday:  I worked on the puzzle most of the day. I did more organizing on new computer. I was missing a couple things off the old computer. I got the old computer up for just a few minutes  to get the files. That was pure luck. It was a very slow day. 

Monday: I am learning Tarot cards so I had a zoom class on cards first thing in the morning.  My neighbor took me to a Greek restaurant for my birthday. I worked the rest of the afternoon and evening on the puzzle with another neighbor.

Tuesday: I try to make all my doctors appointments in June because it's my birthday month and I can have everything done at the same time. I have no idea how I got two on the same day, but the first was a hearing test in the AM and it was POURING rain with lots of lighting. I opened the door to the car and a lighting bolt struck not too far away, I felt the heat  I closed the door real fast but I couldn't be late so tried again and made it to the front door before another bolt was fairly close. I was soaking wet but got the test done and out of the office in an hour. I'm starting to lose the high pitch sounds so they want me back next year. I still can't hear right from the plane trip in May but nothing showed up on why. Guess I'll get used to it. Later in the day I had a dentist appointment for cleaning. This time there were only two teeth that needed some extra cleaning, but nothing more and a six month cleaning will be next. 

Wednesday: I played cards all day in another village. It's a great time to find out what's going on in the other villages. Great gals to play with so all is good. I also played in the evening in my village.   

 Thursday:  We had a newcomers meeting. The AC went out on the main building and it was hot and wet. Condensation was really bad and they had huge fans to try and dry the floor, but just too dangerous. It was moved to another building. The council members welcomed those that have moved into the community in the past six months. I went to another village to a crochet group and got a book on very small animals that are done in knitting. I'm going to work on transferring the knit to crochet. That should be interesting. I had three zooms with classes and getting with other people the rest of the evening and night. 

Friday: I had a couple gals over just to gab and laugh a bit. Then went to the ice cream social at the commons (main building) provided by the CarePatrol group. They help seniors in anything they may need from care at home to care when it's needed after surgery. I'll get more info on them in the coming weeks.  I didn't get on last week for the NC group so it was good seeing them again and catch up.  

Saturday:  By the time I got up at 9am it was already 90 degrees. It's sticky but a good breeze so I went to the pool party and lunch sponsored by a church group. There's 200 kids in this church and they spread all over our area for lunches and fun for seniors and other communities. They put on quite a spread and it was neat talking to some of them. The pool was more of interest. It's ho out!

I took some pictures last night while watching storm chasers. There were several outbreaks this week of tornadoes and last night (Friday) was no acceptation, even in Canada and several in North Dakota. 

                                                This is how they usual start, a big mother ship.

I spend a lot of my time watching storm chasers on youtube.com in the stormy season. It seems anymore it's more year around. 

Ice Cream - Special Meeting - New Computer - Hearing - Luau

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi 86  Lo 79)

This was an interesting week, a few different things going on, let's get started. 

Sunday:  I worked on the puzzle most of the morning and at 1:30 went to the Village one lounge to help setup for the ice cream social. We're trying to get people out of their apartments and be with people but that's not happening. The same few came, but we did have some laughs and great ice cream and root beer floats.  (Click on the photos to enlarge)  Line up for ice cream. 

Monday: we had a fifteen minute session on how to prevent falls. The rehab company talked about safety around the apartment. It was basically things we knew but good to review. An hour later we had a special council meeting talking about what we would like to have more help in around the apartment. The biggest concern is the transportation after hours or weekends. There were a few other things that would be nice and they'll see what the community would like and work on ideas. 

Tuesday:  I started out with diamond art. Meditation we're going over the Youtube.com,  Oprah's & Arthur's book,  Build the Life you want.  It's really good!  I didn't do much when I got home but did go to cards for the evening then zoom to keep me occupied. Later in the afternoon I got my new computer. Mine died, it had a broken case in 2 places, the keys had holes in them (I type a lot) and the battery died again. I learned you have to unplug the PC once in awhile to let it go to 20% then back to 80%. I'll do that with the new one. I got Jim's PC up and running but most of the stuff was his and in his name. I had upgraded to Windows 11, but it's a desktop and very heavy. Now I have a working back up if needed. The crazy thing on the new laptop, the power button is right next to the delete button.  Yep, I keep shutting it off.  It's the 6th key to the left. Why?

Wednesday: There was supposed to be a talk on scams, but no one showed up. This group of activities gals and guy, will start following up on talks to be sure someone is coming. Another problem for them to check out. I did play cards in Village 5 but the best this of the day was THE LOBSTER TRUCK!!!   For those following me on the blog for years, this is year 33 that I've had some sort of lobster on my birthday. This time it was a couple days late, but it still counts. I normally have a full lobster, but it's getting harder to work on getting meat out of the shell. I was glad to have it done for me. Lobster bisque soup, two lobster rolls and lobster quesadilla.  Rick also sent flowers and they're all popping out of the buds. 

                                                 

The lobster truck  and the lobster roll.

                                                    

We had a gorgeous full moon, but I missed the strawberry part. I wasn't early enough to see the red. 

                                                  

Friday:  I had a doctor check my hearing and why I can't still hear since the flight to Illinois. It sounds like water so I wanted to check it out before flying again in July. It's ok and I have to learn to release the pressure (blow harder while holding my nose). He setup an appointment next Tuesday just to be sure all is ok and nothing more then just pressure. I haven't had a hearing test in years. At 5:00 I went to the luau. I haven't gone to the last couple they've had but people kept asking me to go.  It was fabulous!  The meal was amazing and the entertainment was too.  The dancers came in from Orlando and going back after the show, so it was a very long day for them. Here's a few pictures.

Great Hawaiian music by the band

                                                                  Pigs head

                                                        And great meat it produced

          The feeding line

                                                The plates are full

                                                            Great coconut cake

                                                        Two of the ladies doing the hulu

Ending with the best, the chief fire entertainer

What a night!  

Saturday:  I love sleeping till 10am, makes the day go a lot faster and less to have to find to do. Weekends are horrible for nothing going on, most of the time. I didn't get my Hellofresh meals yesterday, so called them and I got them by 4:00 today. I did more organizing and setting up the new computer and started crocheting some wisemen and shepherd for the manger for an order, then started getting gnomes for the craft fair going. At 5 I was at social hour which is always a good time. I hope everyone had a good week.

Puzzles - Massage - Activities - Birthday

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi 90   Lo 77)  Humidity has begun

The first week of the month has been really busy. I'm so glad there's something to do and people to be with most of the time. It's beginning of June and in Florida it starts getting hot and humid.  The hurricane season is about to start and the complex is getting info on where people want to go if we're under order to evacuate. The fun begins. 

Monday I went to Walmart to get groceries and things I needed for the next couple months. I try not to go very often and so far it's every three months. The little things I get at Dollar General which is closer and less traffic. This time of year traffic is bumper to bumper to get to Destin. I finished a puzzle with the neighbor. (Click on the photos to enlarge)

                                            This one took awhile but Del finished it late one night. 

  I got this one from Lessie. It's called mystery puzzle. You put it together, then move it around and put in  more pieces to make a totally different puzzle. Very interesting.  I don't want to do another one. Click on it and check out the difference.

Tuesday I went to diamond art, and maybe in two more weeks I'll have the picture done.  Later I had meditation. I came home and crocheted. 

Wednesday I had cards for a couple hours then my massage and chiropractor appointment. I have to tell you something to make you smile, (or laugh). I did chair yoga on Tuesday. During the night I went to roll over and almost screamed in pain. Every muscle I worked out earlier in the morning before, was yelping!  I can't believe how bad I felt. Even my fingers from spreading them were sore. How did so little movement for 15 minutes in a chair, hurt so bad. I haven't decided yet if I want to do it again. I was very thankful for the massage. She went easy on me and it all worked out by Friday morning.  It's youtube over 60 chair yoga, try it!!

Thursday the activities meeting was in the morning. It was well attended and so glad we have three activities people that are pushing on getting people out doing something. They even have ballet planned. I went from there to crochet group till 3pm then to cards that evening. 

Friday is my down day, but I stayed busy. I went to Del's to work on the new puzzle which has lights. It was 500 pieces and we finished it in four hours. It wasn't hard to do but after gluing it and getting the lights in was the hardest. It's very pretty, especially at night. Now to get it framed (box frame) and put it up. 

                                         The back with the wires and battery after gluing it. 

                                                All lit up. It's very pretty in the dark.

Saturday was my day.  77 Sunset strip, birthday. I did the morning meeting at the Village one lounge then did the workshop on end of life paperwork in the afternoon for the whole village. It's so important to get life's affairs in order for those that will be taking care of you when you leave this life on earth. It was a great turnout and well accepted. I had a hospice representative with me to tell what happens in the later stages. It took about an hour just as planned.  I had a couple hours before my party at the lounge with chocolate cake and of course my wine. What a great group.  I love them all, and today was a very good birthday. 

                   Flowers from son Rick. Thank you so much. It's going to be fun watching them open up.

It was a super great week and those that remember I get lobster on my birthday every year. This will be year 33 that I've got lobster, only it's Wednesday next week. I'll tell more about it next week. 

Memorial Weekend - Party and Entertainment

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi  89    Lo 66)

Memorial weekend was nothing planned and I didn't do much of anything. I crocheted, paced the floor wondering what to do next,  worked on the puzzle and binge watched "Yellow Jackets" on Paramont + which is pretty good show. It has 3 seasons, so I have a lot to catch up on. We did have pizza on Monday when playing cards. 

Tuesday was more to do. I went to an hour of diamond art, then home for a zoom class, meditation was next then to Urgent care for my ears and stuff head. I have sinus infection so got the meds and now waiting for my right ear to open. 

Wednesday, as usual the pills made me sick. It's two pills the first day and they always make me sick, then it levels off and I'm ok. I didn't do anything all day but drink water and relax and of course crochet. 

Thursday was hectic. I didn't get up till 10:00 so that took up most of the day it's an easy way to kill off part of a day to get up later. At 2pm I went to the Bob Hope birthday party. It was the first one they've done and it was really nice. (Click on photos to enlarge)

Bob Hope and wife Delores started Bob Hope Village and I'm so glad he did. It's for military wives that lost their husbands all retired military. Thank you Bob. This picture is Bob at the village.

                                     Our three new activities employees, Diego, Ashley, and Corin

An hour later we had the bowling party. I forgot to take pictures of all the pizzas and chicken nuggets. 

The Hashtag Swing band was next at 6:00. They were here in 2023 when I first got here. 

                                     Several couples are dancing The 50's music was very popular.

Friday: It's the end of the month so it's really busy. I have the monthly meeting to get done for the first Saturday of the month (the 7th). I also have a workshop I'll be doing the same day later in the afternoon. I'm glad to know Excel and Word for keeping track of it all. 

I watched a LOT of storm chasing this week. It's fun to see tornadoes with no buildings and people involved. 

Saturday: I helped reorganize the bulletin boards in our village. It hasn't been done in a while so we got that all done. The military from Eglin came to wash cars and a way to earn money for our village. I now have a clean car again. I crocheted and started the chair yoga exercises. I'll try to stick with it. I saw on youtube the 28 days of chair yoga, at least it's something to start off getting moving, then I'll start going to the gym for the summer. 

Back to Normal - Learning and Using AI

Shalimar, FL  (Hi 89  Lo  73)

While I was in Illinois with family, my grandson and son taught me  AI, (Artificial Intelligence.) Like anything else on the technology side of things, it has it's good points and bad. I put in a rough draft for the blog and this is what it came up with. It's fun to work with, especially if you're a loss for words. I won't use it all the time, but it makes for a fun blog when I do. Please let me know in the comments either on Facebook or the blog what you think.  (Click on the photos to enlarge)

___________________________________________________________________

After a few weeks of unpredictability, it feels good to settle back into a "normal" Sunday—whatever that means these days. I took some time to revisit my calendar, make sense of the week ahead, and reflect on the one behind me.

Here’s what my week looked like:

Monday: New Faces and Storm Prep
I started the week by meeting the three new activities people—always exciting to welcome fresh energy into the community! I also gathered some initial information about what to do if a hurricane heads our way. Preparation is key, especially during this season. There's work being done putting up cement power poles all over town. I hope they get them done before hurricanes season starts. 

Tuesday: Zoom Friends in Real Life & Council Work

A highlight of the day was finally meeting in person a woman I’ve only known through Zoom for the past couple of years. It’s always interesting how well you can get to know someone through a screen! I was also voted in for another year as a council member and have started planning more workshops—stay tuned!                               Marcy and Dee                     

Wednesday: Cards & Community Meetings

I played cards for about an hour, which is always a fun way to connect. Later, we had our residential meeting, where we discussed hurricane season protocols. The plan is to rely on the Eglin AFB to inform us 96 hours in advance if evacuation becomes mandatory. If that happens, no one can remain in the complex. It’s sobering but reassuring to have a clear plan.

Thursday: Crochet  
I spent the day with the crochet group, catching up and working on pieces for the upcoming craft sale in August. It’s a relaxing, rewarding hobby—and it’s always nice to create with purpose.

Friday: Mystery Puzzle,  Sip and Paint
I worked on a mystery puzzle with a neighbor—those things are addicting! Then in the afternoon, I joined the "Sip and Paint" session where I painted a bridge scene. I’m not a professional, but there’s something satisfying about putting brush to canvas and seeing what comes out.

Saturday: Catch-Up & Clean-Up

Saturday was a much-needed catch-up day. I finally dusted and swept the floors, worked on the puzzle again, and even tackled a bathroom closet purge. It felt good to get rid of items I no longer need. I also started chair yoga, maybe that will help more with balance issues.

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All in all, it was a full and fulfilling week—plenty of community, creativity, and a healthy dose of preparation. As I look ahead to next week, it's going to be beat the clock week. Lots of activities in the same day. 

Storms all week - Watching Storm Chasers

Storms all thru the midwest and devastation. I watch Ryan Hall Y'all when there's a line of storms. He does a terrific job in warning people where tornadoes are located and where they're headed. If everyone would turn to youtube to his channel he can save a lot of lives. On Friday night a tornado in Colorado came down, but at this writing it was in fields, no buildings.