Schedule Changes - Super Bowl - Learning - More Crocheting

 Shalimar, Fl  (Hi 73  Lo 63)  Bouncing weather from high 70's to mid 40's

A few things changing with schedules. I want to keep some of it, but I'm wanting to add Chair Yoga and more movement and weights, so I did most of it at home, but the weights will be a the gym. I have quite a bit of time during the weeks coming up so I'll get "moving".   There's several Chair Yoga vidoes on youtube to do for seniors. My knee is so much better but now need to do some weights with it for strength. 

Sunday was super bowl. I didn't watch any of it, but we had some mighty great food. Chili, sandwich wraps, wings, deviled eggs, lots of good stuff. I went home after first quarter. 

I  had the same schedule for the week, bowling Monday and Wednesday. Diamond art, meditation, cards, crochet group and Ukulele twice.  Four zooms and watching the storms chasers on Wednesday for the tornadoes in the midwest along with snow further north. 

I'm learning AI, or Chatgpt which is quite interesting. Also Canva for making flyers. Keeps the brain active. Along with that I've worked on Ipad, Iphone, and a couple PC's with people with problems.  I actually did a factory reset on an Ipad.

I'm also working on getting pictures of everyone in our village and doing a nice collage for our lounge wall. That's going to be done on canva.

I spent a lot of time crocheting. I'm still working on six football cowboy gnomes and two dolphin gnomes. I should have pictures of them next week.  This week I got the Day of the Dead doll done.  I'll stick to the four inch animals and gnomes.

I have a date for the craft fair this year. August 5. That means I need to do a lot of crocheting for that too.  It's a quiet week but still staying busy. 

Friday finishing up the week was working with a computer and putting on ad blocker. I tried to connect the printer, but I've never been good with that, so she'll get someone else to do it. There was a Valentine's party in the lounge, but I went to Ukulele lesson and then had NC zoom so didn't go.  I'll have social tomorrow night and see everyone. 

Updates - Activities - Party

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi  74   Lo  64)  Perfect Weather all week

I've been getting questions on things I've been doing and how it's coming along. I thought I'd start out by giving updates.

Several have asked how I can do so much:  A good calendar on the phone. I check the night before to be sure I have everything in line for the next day. I stay "organized" with when I can have meals, it's mostly 10 minutes between activities, sometimes it's just a breakfast bar, but I try to eat well. That's the biggest hangup with time I have, eating. 

The next question how are you doing on the ukulele and guitar. I am in two classes a week with the ukulele, just for fun but very informative. I can work with the ukulele on the couch and have more room then with the guitar. I have to be in a bigger chair for the guitar. I learned real quickly I can't do both, the notes and strings are so different but it gives me something to work on. Brain learning is good "they say". 

Another update, the acupuncture on the knee has been a success. I can walk a lot better, no stabbing pain which allows me to walk straighter and faster which has helped the hip. Now I do more walking and not limping I can even get up off a chair without pain. Amazing, I hope it lasts. I recommend it highly for all kinds of physical ailments. 

On with the week:

Sunday's are ukulele class about 4pm, then cards right after it. This means grab something fast to eat. 

Monday is bowling and I had a few hours in the afternoon that were free. Ok, now what, do I play ukulele, crochet, clean house, play games? I did all of it, a few minutes of each, that took me to card playing then the nightly chat on zoom. 

Tuesday I went to diamond art early I got a lot done. Yes, I'll show you when I'm done with it. I stayed in the same room for meditation. We're working on how the science has proved meditation can change your overall way of life. Very interesting and informative. The afternoon was free, so I helped a couple people with their phones/computers and crocheted the rest of the afternoon til card time. 

Wednesday started out with bowling, bad day, high score was 174. I can't get it consistent. I had a zoom meeting then went to Madi Gras craft class. It hangs on the door or wall.  (Click on the photo to enlarge). 

Thursday was the activities meeting. There's 31 activities this month. The problem is what to do when there's three things I want to do on the same day and same hour. I had to give up hand and foot cards on Wednesday and crochet on Thursday for other things I really wanted to do. The cards and crochet is every week, the other things is once. In the late afternoon I had a zoom with death cafe. It's fascinating. It's a zoom that people talk about death and no agenda, no judging. A question will come up and everyone gives how they feel. There were two death doula's so it's good info. If it doesn't resonate with you, ignore it. I've been going to several of these the past few months and it's great info. You learn from each person and you relax about living the "here and now" better.  At cards we had a couple birthdays to celebrate, Ellen and Patsy. We got an ice cream cake which was excellent. 

It's always a fun time around here with birthdays. 

Friday started with helping a resident with the computer. It's always fun teaching, I  learn something too. I tried setting up a printer but wasn't successful. Printers I have a big problem with even my own. I hate not being successful with problems people have, but I'll learn it.  I also did taxes online for one of our gals this week. I got my  blood pressure checked. They do that every other Friday here which is another plus. I try to remember to go every other month. I crocheted the rest of the day and on the North Carolina zoom in the evening. 

 What extra things do I do?  Puzzles, Legos, reading (a little at a time), games on computer, media check, tiktok moderator, 4 zooms every week, crocheting (a lot), guitar, ukulele, helping with phones/computers (at least 4 a week), cards, happy hour, I sit outside some now that it's nice weather. I do not like being bored, and living here that's not even possible. Thank you to everyone that reads the blog. I so appreciate you. 

Nice Warmup - Volunteering - Acupuncture

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi 75  Lo  48)

The weather has warmed up, in fact today (Friday) we had thunderstorms. The snow was finally gone after 4 days when it hit 60. It stayed around for a few days in the shadows. I hope that's not going to happen in the future years. 

The week was busy, but that's nothing new. The first thing was at 10am volunteering for United Way on Monday. They come in to have us do things like put cute stuff in bags for the school kids. There were several of us so it didn't take long. (Click on the photo to enlarge).

I had 10 minutes to start bowling then went to a seminar on how to detect heart attacks. I knew most of it, but good refreshing. Women are different than men, mostly in jaw and upper body or back. Then I did a couple zooms and bed. 

Tuesday was the same as always with a tiktok moderator,  then diamond art, on into meditation. Now the change is massage and zoom with a bunch of people all over world that's called Death Cafe. It's so interesting, so now I'm hooked. I'll be searching that zoom live for every month. Most are once a month. 

Wednesday was bowling and cards at the other village. I had tiktok and instagram with a gal then cards in the evening which was the first time this week. 

Thursday I went to crochet group and had help on the pattern I couldn't figure out for the day of the dead doll I started a couple weeks ago. I'll post when I get it done. I'm glad to have help, it was in UK instructions which makes your design bigger then normal. I did play cards that evening. 

Friday is different. I got up early for acupuncture. I had that done on a cruise and it worked out very well and lasted months. I wanted to try it again on the "new" knee which is getting more and more painful. I went to a Chinese place with the old school type acupuncture. I had 10 needles and a special light that goes deep into the tissues. I left with a patch that was on for three hours then throw it away.

I kept my knee up for the evening and will see just how it works after some sleep tonight. So far it's not hurting like it normally does when I lift it. I have high hopes. I'd like to walk around the villages when it's warm, NOT hot. 

I'm also in my spare time, I'm working on the ukulele and learning the finger picking. I'm loving it. What I learn on that I use on the guitar. I do have a puzzle on the table, but haven't worked on it this week. It seems the last week of the month is always hectic. Speaking of puzzles, this one we finished this week in the lounge between three of us working on it. 

This is a short blog today. Now we start February!

New Windows - Cold Weather with SNOW?

 Shalimar, FL  (Lo  15  Hi  45)   This was basically all week

This was a wild week!!  It was predicted to be a very cold snowy week and it sure turned out that way. Florida made history!!!  

The new windows were put in on Monday. It was 22 degrees and they took out the bedroom and kitchen windows. It got cold in the apartment really fast. I turned off the furnace and I went to the lounge to keep warm. I worked on a puzzle and at 11:00 went to Wii bowling. The winter season has started. My first game was 199, that's the way to do it. It was cold in the building that has all the activities. It's an old heat pump system so didn't keep with the temperature.  (I learned later it wasn't even on)

 (Click on the photos to enlarge).             Patio doors before they started

                                            After they were put in. 

                            It brightens the whole apartment, and easier to open. I love them. 

Tuesday everything was cancelled. Snow was on the way. Schools closed, almost everyone in the office was off work and all activities were cancelled. The snow kept coming once it started. It was snowing by noon with a start of freezing rain. It snowed all night, the end result was 7 inches. We have no snowplows, the roads were very slick and I-10 was closed through most of the southern route. 

                                                That's blowing snow, not fog

                                            My gnomes were getting all covered up. 

                                                An orange tree covered in snow

                                           It was pretty, but very cold on Wednesday morning

                                                My car with ice under it.

                                            A drone shot from a stormchaser in Niceville, Fl exit to I-10.

                                           No one was moving, and a couple jackknifed trucks

                This was sent from our son, the warning was our area with the highest temperatures.

Wednesday was a nothing day. I caught up on some ukulele playing and writing out some finger style music for a song I want to learn finger picking not strumming. Also worked on puzzles in the lounge, making hellofresh meals, and playing games on computer. I can't do that every day, but it was nice to not go or do anything else. I still had my patio door to put in on Wednesday but no workers, no traffic on the roads all that changed on Thursday when  the guys were back to work and I had to be up early for them to put in the patio door. I went back to the lounge to stay warm, and at 1:00 I went to a brain seminar. She talked about how to keep the mind active. I played cards that evening and had some social time. 

Friday was fun day. I had sip and paint in the afternoon followed by ukulele class and got home just in time for the NC zoom.  This photo was this morning, (Tuesday was the storm and it's Friday).

                                    

                                  Sip and paint is always so fun. People do their own versions. There was a big group this time. 

                                                            This is mine

                                                          And a couple of others

I love all the youtube and facebook videos with the snow. Found one with an airboat in the snow in Louisiana. It's a hoot!  My neighbor made a cute snowman. It's perfect. 

                                     I'll see what I get into for next week, but hopefully there's no more snow.  

California Fires Continuing - Changes

 Shalimar, FL (Hi 70  Lo 47)  Humid and warm with freezing weather coming big changes

The fires in California are still going on. I hope they're out soon with the cold front coming in this week with possibility of rain for them.  

I did some changes in my routine or activities. I'm changing it up a bit. I'm not one to stay with the same things very long unless I really love it when I can make changes, which is crocheting and hand and foot card game along with 31 cards that we play nightly. I don't intend to make any changes. 

I dropped shuffleboard on Friday's to go to ukulele classes, at least for the time being. I've been to three classes and know three songs. I just have to get faster.  We did a session last Sunday on the ukulele then again on Friday. We're meeting twice a week if possible. 

Monday I went to the Emerald Coast music program. They were here last year. I love that group they're, amazing. They play at Carnegie Hall and are big time musicians. I haven't heard of a bassoon player but this gal was fantastic. (Click on the photos to enlarge). 

All these players make the instruments sing. They are fast and accurate. 

I've never seen a piano player play as fast as this guy. 

This is all students

Tuesday I had diamond art, then meditation discussing our topics for the year. I worked on a puzzle with Del awhile in the afternoon. We have a puzzle that was given to Del for Christmas from one of the gals. I'll take a picture when it's done, beach with palm trees with bunches of umbrellas. It's 1000 piece. I went back to play cards after dinner.  I also worked with a gals new phone Tracfone which wouldn't connect from the old phone to the new one. We've had trouble with Tracfone before, but she's trying to get away from expensive calls overseas to her family since they don't have whatsapp she wanted a cheaper way of calling without using the main stream calls that cost a lot. We never did get it connected, she sent back the phone. 

Wednesday  is hand and foot day, and this week was the residential meeting so I only played one game. There's not a whole lot going on, but still info to pass to the village on meeting day in February. 

Thursday was crochet get together. I wish I knew I needed help with a pattern while there but I didn't realize I was having trouble with the day of the dead doll pattern. The pattern is in another language and I can't figure out which one. It's the first time I'm very challenged on what to do, so next week I'll ask if anyone can tell me. She's so cute, but a lot bigger then I normally do and pattern isn't easy to follow. Work in progress.

While I'm on the crochet, this is what I did get done this week for an order. Still have 19 to go. I crochet from 8pm to at least 1am most nights. 

Pictures of the real dogs along with the made ones

Now it's Saturday morning and I have Hellofresh meals to make, and get to another gal. I also have to move a few things to prepare for my new windows and back door on Monday. Another busy day. 7

New Temperatures - Bowling Party - California Fires

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi 50   Lo 37)

The week started out weather wise with tornadoes, then cold and hard frost back to warm and windy now more storms and more frost. It's been interesting to say the least. It's snowing in the south more then usual, changes are going on, no doubt. I guess I get weather watching from my grandpa, it's something you can't do anything about which is nice. It's time to remember some things are not controllable. 

All over the community you see "little people". It's a good thing to keep blankets on hand for plants. (Click on photos to enlarge).

On with the week. Everyday from the first I've had a problem with something. First it was banking, they won't let any bills go thru and keep cancelling payments. I've made two calls and now watching to see if they quit doing that. Just trying to get a real person takes awhile. The next problem is the excel sheet for the new year. I finished off December but when I went to do January, all of the totals weren't there and I had to re-create December again. I have no idea what happened, but that took several hours. I'm glad I don't work in an office anymore, I keep doing crazy stuff and the memory is starting to freak me out in not realizing what I'm doing. Welcome to old age. 

Monday was nothing to do at least for now, bowling starts in two weeks. I worked on crochet projects and got another order done. 

Tuesday was diamond art and meditation. We did a survey on what we want to learn in 2025. There's lot's to learn and talk about. I went to cards in the evening and then a zoom class. Sometimes classes end up not being worth the money you pay, but still learn a little. 

Wednesday I had to get my meds and the doctor office said it was sent in December, the express scripts said they didn't have it. So round and round we go. I finally got them to give me the prescription, I think it's good. I played cards the rest of the day. Our bowling party was in early evening and they passed out certificates for highest team bowling and people that got 300's. There was one guy that got 900 series. I'd be happy with one 300 score. 

Thursday was the activities meeting and we have a busy month plus a lot in February.  I didn't go to crochet group today, I had a massage. It's been cold so the neck doesn't move and knees don't either. Between the massage and the chiropractor I'm moving better, at least for a couple weeks. I played cards in the evening. 

Friday it was pouring rain all day. I had nothing on the calendar except to help a gal with her new phone. They're making it easier to get a new phone loaded with info from old phone. It was done by the charging cable, except hers was the wrong cable so I used mine. It still took a couple hours to get it done, and now she has to wait maybe two working days to get it working right. At least they keep the old phone working till it updates to the new one. I worked on several things in the afternoon. The class for the ukulele is Sunday, so I did some more working on that. I worked on the NY puzzle  and of course working on crochet orders, still have 19 to go and then get ready for craft fair in August. I had the NC zoom in the evening and talked about snow this far south. It seems everyone has doctor appointments at least once a week. Again it's an age thing. 

The last few days I've been watching the news on the fires out in California. It's been horrible and I know a few gals out there in the area. I'm staying in contact with them daily. So far they've been ok.

To top off the week, does everyone or anyone talk to themselves  OUT LOUD to remind themselves of a task to do or  talk as if someone is listening?  I think I'm really losing it. That's totally a new thing lately. 

Happy New Year 2025 - Party TIme in Village One

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi 59   Lo 49)

I was going to do a recap for 2024, but decided that was in the past and I'm done with the "past," so I'll continue on with last week activities and continue on to 2025. 

Grandson Kyle and his wife Holly had birthdays at the beginning of the week. Holly should be having the great grandbaby sometime soon. That will be another post. 

Monday was basically the same as any other Monday. We had a class on what's next, but the gal that was supposed to do it, didn't show up. I was prepared to talk to the gal so Debbie and I lead a small get together on the topic.  I'm hoping in the next couple months I can do the class, it's basically what's next after you lose a spouse. It's also a question and answer time plus having everything in place for when we pass. I've been taking classes for a year on the subject. 

Tuesday was diamond art, only a few of us there, but well worth getting together for new year's day. Rosie, Kathy and I went to the Moose. They go a lot more often and have several people they talk too. I was the designated driver so I only had one drink. The guy that bombed the photo is Shawn. He's quite a character. It's like a family when you go there. (Click on the photo's to enlarge).

We got back to the village in plenty of time to get ready for New Year's eve party. It started at 6:30 and by the end of the night (11:00) there were 30 of us. Food and drinks and no one drunk this year. I remember last year we took a couple gals home in a chair (with rollers for easy movement). 

We also had two birthdays, Patti and Margie. They each had a cake, white and chocolate so we had plenty of celebration along with celebrating New Year's eve. 

We celebrated with Puerto Rico at 10pm then NY at 11:00 and those that still stayed at midnight, we celebrated with Nashville for central time. 

                                            I took the picture from the TV in NY.

                                                They drop a note in Nashville.

It was so great to get together. We had left overs for lunch on Wednesday. There were six of us that came and stayed a couple hours. I had a zoom meeting when I got home then crocheted and played cards, I had the nightly zoom to finish off the night. 

Thursday I went to crochet group for an hour then zoom class in the afternoon. I crocheted till time for cards in the evening. I got a few things done. I'm moving right along on orders. 

Booties for great grandbaby already in the mail. 

Football gnome Kansas City for a gal, and it's been delivered. 

This is the picture for a dog

And the results. 

I still have 22 orders to do, so I'm not going to be bored. Some changes will be made for this year. I'm dropping a couple things and adding a couple activities. I'm still playing guitar and ukulele getting some lessons in person from people here and online. The fingers are doing better, but still need a lot of work. One doesn't bend like it's supposed to so that causes "clink sound". 

I forgot to post the St. Louis puzzle when I finished it. It took seven hours. Now I'm working on NY coast line that looks similar. 

I wish everyone a happy New Year, may you be well and happy.