Quick Trip - Memories of Jim - Son's Birthday - Sports

Aurora, IL  (Hi 60  Lo  48) Saturday  to (Hi 88 to Lo 51)

Shalimar, FL  (Hi  77 Lo 70)

Rick, our youngest son surprised me with airline tickets to go see him on Saturday 7th. We had a couple celebrations. Jim died September 8 and Rick's birthday was the 10th. Jim's birthday is the 22nd, so we rolled it all into one celebration. 

The trip took me to Atlanta then to O'Hare. I requested a wheelchair so I didn't have to be stressed out in getting to the gate on time or find my way. I'm  having trouble with both knees and my foot to walk a long distance. It was a very wise decision.  I fly with Alligiant a lot, but the bigger planes have WIFI on board and movie screens on the back of the seats. Nice addition. I love flying. The connection was great and on time leaving and arriving in Atlanta. (Click on photos to enlarge).

When arriving in Chicago we went to Luke's football game. The first game of the season. He's Rick's girlfriends son and he's 10 yrs old. Ramsey (dog), Tammy and Rick.  The wind was a bit chilly and I asked Rick to bring a blanket. It came in handy.

Luke is in there somewhere.

When we got to Rick's he has started a P1 Lego car. It's huge and thousands of pieces. There's gears that work, the pistons move and the wheels.

Sunday night was a celebration at Sullivan's steak house Rick's birthday which was Wednesday, but no time for going out to eat. We also honored  Jim's death and birthday. 

Dee, Rick, Tammy, Evan and Luke

Tomahawk steak

I chose stuffed crab shrimp 

Jim this is for you.

Tammy and I got brussel sprouts casserole, yummy 

Cheesecake for Rick

Monday was back to work for Rick and Tammy. I crocheted. Great time to catch up on Christmas orders. I also ordered a wheelchair for the flights home. Technology is amazing. I found out I can watch my youtube videos on Rick's TV with a QR code. Love it. I made chicken and dumplings for dinner. It's a must when I come to Rick's. 

I noticed the tree is turning colors. It won't be long snow will be flying in the north.

Tuesday was Rick's 49th birthday. He worked half the day so we talked and he worked on the Lego car for awhile.  We went to Top Golf for fun and dinner. (Click on the blue link). It's an amazing place. I didn't play, but the other four did. There's games you can play all computerized when you hit the ball it shows exactly how you hit it. There's a game called angry birds that you hit the ball and get the birds, just like the app. It's fun to watch/or play. All four of the family are golfers. 

Evan is at the "plate", Rick and Tammy and Luke are checking what games to play.

Evan 

The computer screen 

Rick after a hit

The employees sang happy birthday to Rick. 

It was a fun night, we went back to Tammy's and watched a bit of the presidential debate, then Rick opened gifts. 

Wednesday I left for home. Hurricane Francine was coming into Louisiana. I had a flight about the same time it was arriving. I could only hope it wouldn't affect my travels. My flight out of Chicago was on time. Again, I got the wheelchair. I'm so glad I did. I had my own line for security so it was fast. The wheelchair guy was young and told me to take off my shoes. I told him at 76 you don't need to do that anymore, he was so apologetic, he thought I was 55 or late 50's. I tipped him extra. I was watching the flight to Florida but nothing changed. The Chicago flight landed about 5 minutes before the Florida flight started to board. My wheelchair gal was outside the plane door and she rushed me to the Florida gate. It was my first time in Dallas. Oh my, I would have never made that flight. She took me down elevator, to a tram and off we went. She was in out of people and got me to the gate 7 minutes before take off. That was close. She was from Egypt and hard to understand, but she was awesome in getting me there. 

I have to say some of the seat partners were great. One was a surgeon, one was an insurance broker and one was connected to Eglin AFB and the right arm person to a two star General which was sitting behind us. I learned a lot from all three of them. I'm glad to be seated with people that have a lot of information. 

Coming into Florida the cloud formations were amazing. Check these out. 

It's been a long time in a bigger plane, but I went north on Delta and south in American airlines. Between those two, I like Delta. The employees are more friendly and helpful on Delta, the seats are a lot more comfortable and there's more leg room especially with a backpack under the seat. They both had WIFI, but Delta had the big tv screen without using your phone. The American flight had just the opposite of all that I listed. Both flights were on time, in fact they were both a few minutes early. They both had USB plugs both on floor and in the seat in front of me. This one was American that's the tray that holds the phone.

The flight was bumpy coming to Florida, but I've been in worse. No food the whole day. I was glad I ate at Rick's and I had breakfast bars on the plane with me. Never go anywhere without something to eat. 

I got home about 8 and in bed by 9:45. I slept till 7:30 the next morning. 

Thursday I got my normal household stuff done, like laundry. I had my monthly massage/chiropractor appointment and got organized for the upcoming week. It was hard getting up in the morning and not have anyone around.  

Friday, I crocheted all day. I'll be doing that in my spare time. Christmas is getting close and the orders need to get done. I think I'll do ok. Here's two turtles. 

And a real one that passed my door this afternoon. Good timing.

See you next week. 

New Month - Entertainment - Puzzle

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi 80   Lo  72)  Rain most of the day

A new month has started, getting closer to the cruise in November and then it's Christmas. I started figuring out what to get people for Christmas. In the meantime I have lots of crocheting to do for orders before Christmas, then will start making new things for the next craft fair in August. I love plans for the future, keeps me going. September brings cooler weather hopefully.  

I'm finding out that this place is a party line telephone. If you tell one person something, the whole village knows within a day, the problem is does the right info get passed. Remember as a kid you'd play telephone in class telling something the teacher whispered to you, then you tell the next person at the end it's nothing like what the teacher had said. That's here.  Just laugh and move on. If it's critical info, go to the source and get it straight. Let me give you an example. It was heard in another village that two employees were quitting. I went to the office, found the employee and it was true, she was leaving, the other one wasn't. That's all straightened out. 

Entertainment around here can be fun. A few of us were in the gazebo, and one gal saw an ant coming across from the other side carrying a bigger dead bug. It was going up and over the pine needles and we moved things bigger out of the way for it's travels. Funny how we just couldn't keep our eyes off the little ant. Others would come to help but it must have told them, "I got this" because they moved out of the way. We never did find out just where it was going. Old people's entertainment at it's best. 

Tuesday night was special.  The puzzle is now done. We started it July 7 and ended August 3. Several people helped but I have to give out a special thank you to Del for helping me stick it out. There were times we thought it was impossible. There's six pieces missing, but I'm going to do the "replacement" that's on youtube on how to fix missing puzzle pieces. I'm putting it on the wall in the bedroom. (Click on photos to enlarge).  You can barely tell where the pieces are missing.

I did get a bunny done in one evening for a gal here. I'm now working on turtles then back to the mangers.

Another turkey

                                                 Something a bit different, the FSU gnome

As for activities, everyday was the same except Thursday morning. We had activities meeting. There's almost two pages of things to do in September. I'll have to double check what sounds interesting. 

I did get lobster from the truck  on Wednesday. I started out with 3 lobster tacos, lobster roll, (the bread was outstanding), lobster bisque and the whoopie cookie. I had the roll and bisque and went back for more of that. I now have 3 meals. I loved every bite. I'm glad they came.

My next huge project came in this week. A moving Lego cat. I love Lego's and this was something I couldn't pass up. It will take awhile, but that's what it's all about. I'll have it's own little table to work on it.

Friday I finally got a haircut!  I wanted it a bit longer and haven't had a cut since June when I was with the kids. It's neat, still needs to be longer to do what I want it to do but she did a good job working around the cow licks. 

Next week will be totally different, stay tuned to what I'm up to.

Parties all Week - New WII System

Shalimar, FL  (HI   90   LO  73)

Sunday was cards in the afternoon and I went out to a Japanese restaurant, Okinawa to celebrate Rosie's birthday in the early evening.  It was really good and they had more food for the money then I had last time I tried a Japanese place. I'll go there again at some point. A hurricane drink that was tasted by Lu.

(Click on photos to enlarge).

                                                                          The food

                                                A volcano in a stack of onion rings

                                              Rosie is the birthday girl and Kathy to the right. 

                                                    John, Dee, Mickey, Lu, Rosie and Kathy

Monday was WII bowling.  I also bowl on Wednesday.  Monday the system was sluggish and the bowling just didn't work right, on Wednesday the management put in a new system and it made a huge difference. High score went from 152 to 212.  The only way to go is up.  I finished off the day with crocheting, cards and the GBM zoom. 

Tuesday I finished the diamond art picture that I started in June. I'll hang the pictures I make on the front door and rotate them. 

There were several people at the diamond art this week. 

I was the leader of meditation this week and it went well. There were fewer people, but it's a busy time around here. I played cards in the evening and worked on the puzzle.

Wednesday after WII bowling I had about 10 minutes to get to other village to play cards till 3:30. I had pizza in the lounge for a goodbye to John which has been here a couple months taking care of one of the apartments that has been vacated. He was with us playing cards and going to the Moose with the other gals. 

                                                John                                     

The card playing group having pizza

Thursday I went to crochet group. It's been awhile since I've been there so caught up with the gals. Vivian is leaving and going back to Oklahoma so we had a goodbye party for her. 

I left there about 2:40 to get to the commons area to play shuffleboard with a couple gals. then to cards. 

Friday I had a down day. I did a zoom in the morning, made some calls to catch up with family. Then crocheted and worked on the puzzle. This puzzle is coming along. This is what's been done so far since July 7th. There's several of us working on it. It's all penguins.

I had NC zoom with friends then crocheting till bedtime. 

Saturday was all crocheting, setting up for this next weeks activities and starting a new month.  I have to add I have a pet in the apartment somewhere. I got up at 3am a couple nights ago and there was a gecko on the wall near the floor in front of the washer. It didn't move and I wasn't about to chase it or catch it that early in the morning. I got up the next morning and it's gone and I haven't seen it since. I just have to remember not to yell out if I do see it unexpectedly. 

Wii Bowling Started - Birthdays - Special Visitor

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi  91  Lo 74)

I'm staying busy and the calendar is filling up for September. I'm working on crochet orders for Christmas and still working on the penguin puzzle which is coming along nicely with the "village help".  John and Del searching for pieces.

Monday and Wednesday is now WII bowling. I won't give scores unless it's 300.  My average fluctuates a lot and it's just for fun, not cut throat. I do enjoy it.

The rest of the week was basically the same thing. I had my chiropractor appointment on Thursday which was desperately needed. My hip dislocates and I can barely move at times. Once it's reset I'm good to go. It rained a couple times which makes the joints of everything hurt, but goes away when bad weather goes away. Now that you know the health aspects, I'll say no more. 

This is the month of birthdays and anniversaries for the family. I'm glad to have a calendar on the phone to keep up. We also had a birthday for Rosie which was fun.  Rosie's birthday and Mickie presenting the cake.                          

                                            It doesn't get any better than this. All chocolate.

Saturday was special. I had a neighbor at Scott AFB in the 80's and we did a lot together. I happened to see her on Facebook and sent a message for her birthday. She wrote back and said it wasn't her birthday, but good to hear from me and was on her way to Pensacola. I'm only an hour away so we made arrangements for lunch today. We went to Pedro's, one of my favorite restaurants. We caught up on what we've been doing in our lives and she left later in the late afternoon. THANK YOU NATALIE for coming this way.

I went to the lounge for a couple hours then home for the normal nightly zoom. 

Thank you for everyone that reads the blog. It means so much to me.