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. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Now on to 2025

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi  73   Lo  63)    Tornadoes in the area?  What?

It was a quieter this week, but I still managed to do things and see people. 

Sunday I played cards most of the day and evening. There's a few gals gone for the week, but we still had enough to play during the week every night. 

Monday  I didn't have anything  to do so I cleaned the apartment and crocheted. I still have several orders and glad for them. Keeps me busy at night after playing cards. 

Tuesday I went to diamond art. I started a new picture of an eagle and flag. It will take awhile to get it done. 

Wednesday was Christmas. I opened the box from Rick first. It was a puzzle board that rotates and has four drawers. I love it. I've wanted one for quite awhile.

Frank's family got a few things and one was a glass "cloud" that has special liquid and can tell the weather by barometric pressure. It takes a few days to get settled after shipping, but it's fun to watch the liquid move at times. 

I also got puzzles, salt and pepper shaker, a book of crochet cuties. (Click on the photo to enlarge).

I also got a spruce tree. I decorated it with my crocheted animals. 

This is all the salt and pepper collections from Angie. 

Christmas dinner was in the commons. There were two sittings of about 160 people. The meal was excellent and the gals from Village one went to the 12:30 sitting. 

Our table

The group had prime rib but I don't eat red meat, so Kathy brought over ham. I didn't even think of getting anything. Proof the gals watch over everyone and was so kind to think of me. Thank you Kathy.

This is the meal for everyone. 

Red Velvet cake for dessert.

I played with the ukulele and puzzle when I got home. I also visited a couple gals to see the crafts they do. One has wonderful pictures of counted cross stitch.  I must say, this Christmas was wonderful. I'm starting to relax more and take things as they come. There's no one to please, but me. 

Thursday I went to crochet with the group and had a good time and laughs with a few of the gals. I cleaned up all the Christmas stuff, put things away and played cards at 5:30.  I stayed on zoom with Lessie till after midnight. We were both doing puzzles and it's good we can do that together. Laughing and having a good time. 

Friday I finally got a haircut!  It's been awhile. I went downtown to see if I could find a gal that could do what I wanted. She did!  She remembered the pixie cut and she did a wonderful job. My hubby wanted me to do that for a long time. I just didn't want to spend the extra money for better jobs. You get what you pay for. I guess that's my Christmas present to me. I love it. 

Friday night I had the NC zoom and the regular zoom.  Next week will be highlights of New Years.

I wish all my friends, family and readers HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025.  I have a feeling it's going to be wild year!

Party Time! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi 60  Lo 35)        MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

This was a busy week and a fun one!

I spent a lot of time this week with friends on zoom. I'm still taking a bunch of classes so add that in on the fun.  I played hand and foot card game on Sunday afternoon, then in the evening it was the normal nightly 31 game of cards. 

Monday was zoom most of the day and GBM zoom that night. The gals on GBM are having the same problem I am with holidays without the spouses. We laugh and have a good time when we're together. I love the group! 

Tuesday I went to diamond art, not a whole lot of people there but still fun times. I'm doing ornaments for now and will start a new project next Tuesday. Meditation group was next with our gift exchange. Another great time with fellow residents. Tuesday evening was another zoom class which was two hours. 

Wednesday was shopping day with Debbie, and we went to Aldi's, Sam's and Walmart to find the best deals. We had a car full of food when we got back home. At cards in the evening, we had our gift exchange between the card players. We drew names which was nice. 

                                                            Shelba opening her gift, (Blouses)

I got a book on beginners Ukulele songs. I love it. 

Thursday was wild. I had deadlines from the time I got up to bedtime. I had a zoom in the morning which I had to be on time, and did it. Then another zoom  which I was 10 minutes late because the first one ran over time. Then a massage/chiropractor appointment, which I had to leave the zoom early to make it and I got to the appointment 5 minutes early. whew. I left there and got back to the village in time to put out the food for the big party. Now to have fun!

Tree judging in all the villages was judged by military and families from Hulburt Field. I remembered a few from last year. They had a few minutes to talk to all of us and judge the tree then another group came in to do the same thing. 

I got a photo of Cory which works in headquarters as escort for the first group. 

                                                Grinch was with them too.  

                                                Anne knew him so I had to get a picture of them. 

    Judges checking out the tree

We stayed till about 8:45, cleaned up the room and put away the food and I came home and crashed. 

Friday started with polishing silverware for the big Christmas dinner next week. I also played shuffleboard with the gal that plays weekly.

                                   Polishing silverware and rolling them in napkins, all 200 of them. 

I put a puzzle together with a couple other gals and we finished it before dinner. Another one done. 

The only thing I got done in crocheting is the little snowman. It's a mini to the bigger ones I made a couple years ago. 

This is our lounge all decorated

                                                        And the lighted manger

I hope you have a Merry Christmas with family and friends. Thank you for reading the blog. See you next week.