Easter Lunch - Classes - Artemis Flight to Moon - Miscellaneous

 Shalimar, Fl   (Hi 78    Lo 60

It seems a lot longer than a week ago it was Easter Sunday.  We had a luncheon carry in for our village and a very good turnout with lots of wonderful tasting food. We have several great cooks in our village and I'm very thankful.   (Click on the photos to enlarge).

Connie is checking out the food. 

Monday was bowling and I had a zoom class at noon.  I was ready for our cookout with leftovers by 4:00.    Lane was at the grill on Monday, raining too hard on Sunday to cookout. He wasn't really into it. Thank you Lane. 

Tuesday was beat the clock day.  I went to diamond art at 9, an hour early, hoping I'd get the picture I'm working on done.  Nope, one more time should do it. I don't work on it at home.   I got home by 12 to do another zoom. I hurried and got to meditation just as it was starting. I had another zoom an hour and half later, believe it or not I made the time. whew. I need to go from one building to another to make it. I get my exercise of walking that's for sure. I did get to cards at 5:00.

Wednesday I made it on time to the doctor appointment. He just went over the labs and listened to my lungs to be sure they were clear from the cold I had. I'm good to go for another six months and he was happy I dropped some of the blood work that was high. I'm so happy not to see him or hospital stays so far. I had crafters corner at 1:00 and worked on the diamond art.  I SHOULD have got it done, but talked too much to people coming in the room. I love the interaction with people I don't see often. 

Thursday was another beat the clock, but not like Tuesday. I started at crochet group in another building (I drive over).  I left early to get to sip and paint.  I love learning different techniques but flowers aren't as easy as some of the other things we paint.  This is mine. 

Other paintings

             

Friday was another beat the clock time. I had coffee talk at 10.  It was great having some questions from  the group. Like: do you have a bucket list, what's on it and what do you need to do to accomplish it.  Discussion with everyone then more questions. The hour went so fast. 

I had 1/2 hour for a haircut, and that led to a talk on scams for the group (elderly). It's getting so bad now with scams on taxes and IRS are included.  Do not answer emails or get money for anyone you hear from on emails or phone. So many of our people are clearing out their savings account thinking it's real and they need to pay. Sad   I left the talk early to make it to Culver's to pick up dinner for a going away party for three of my friends that already left or leaving the community. It's just like being in the military, make friends and they leave. We had a wonderful time and it was over by 10pm.  

There's other things happening of importance this week. The Artemis went to the moon and back. I remember seeing the last flight in 1972 and wrote it in my journal, I wish I still had it.  The flight was a total success and the pictures are amazing. I hope you've seen them on the NASA.gov website. 

Saturday I had four zooms throughout the day. I also got some shelves from a neighbor and got them loaded with puzzles. My other shelf was falling apart  so I got another shelf system. 

 My neighbor came and got me to see the sunset thru the trees. Bright red, made it look like a fire in the woods.  Click on the photos they show more of the red. 

I broke a  blood vessel in the eye. It's not the first time but it is the biggest. 

VW Walker - Massage - Decorating- HAPPY EASTER

 Shalimar, FL      (Hi 79    Lo  65)

  I saw this on a couple internet sights. I love it!!  I just wish it was real and someone would make it. When you delve into it, at the bottom it says made by AI.  Darn it.  It has a seat and pockets in it. 

This week was busier and I had to keep up with the schedule. 

Sunday was a nothing but sit outside day and helped a gal with her phone. 

Monday  I got up early to take my friend to the car dealer and leave her car, later in the afternoon I took her back. We do that for each other around here. A lot of people leave cars for service.  I had bowling at 11 and GBM zoom Monday night. We did get a place for our get together in Destin in October. 

Tuesday the normal diamond art, then meditation class.  I had a special zoom class in the late evening. 

Wednesday Massage and chiropractor in the morning. I went to neighbors to work on the puzzle and finished it.  I gave her a couple of mine.  I'm watching Survivor and it was a great one this week. 

(Click on the photos to enlarge).

Thursday I went to lunch here with the knitting/crochet group. I found something that's outstanding that I can eat without a tummy problem. It's called a Mediterranean power bowl.  It's got all kinds of veggies in it. I'll be getting that from here on.  I went to crochet group in another village and had a zoom class then home.  In the evening I played cards and sat outside. 

Friday I finally remembered to get my BP taken. I have a doctor appt this next week so wanted my card to take with me.  At 1:00 I volunteered for the Style Squad decorating tables for the big Easter dinner.  That was fun. 

Notice the bunny napkins. That took an hour for just making  a few napkins and they have to have over 90 of them. 

Saturday was the monthly meeting. We got the final count for the meal in the lounge for Sunday's Easter lunch.  We're just hoping there's no rain, we'd like to do some grilling.  We had happy hour and sat outside. It's that time of year we can be outside more. 

 HAPPY EASTER EVERY ONE

The Blog is LATE! - Big News on Labs - Anniversary

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi 70  Lo 65)

I forgot to do the blog yesterday.  I lost a day some where along the week. 

Last week was a mish mash of all kinds of things.  

Sunday: I had four zoom meetings with one thing or another. I love those, some are classes some just people that chat and others is for learning.  Fun!

Monday was Wii bowling, nothing new there. The weather has been great so I've been sitting outside and talking with neighbors a lot of the time. I do play cards nightly and on Monday's I'm with the GBM gals that helped me so much before Jim died. The gals all lost husbands due to Glioblastoma. (brain cancer)

Tuesday I helped with United Way, we did popcorn packages. That's fun to do with a bunch of people. I went to diamond art then right on into meditation.  Then home and sat outside.  

Wednesday I decided to go to Niceville to be with a big group of crocheters and knitters. I haven't gone in awhile. I'm still working on Minnie Mouse (Mickie is done). For some reason the stitch count was off and I had a hard time getting the rows looking good.  After four tries another gal gave me a tip on how to bypass the pattern and get it right. I should be on the way to getting it done by next week.  I'm still watching Survivor in the evening. It's season 50 and I've still only missed one episode. It's changed so much during the years. 

Thursday I helped put the community bulletins fold and stuff. That takes several hours, but this time only two and half hours with more helpers. I did leave a  half hour early to go to crochet group in another village like normal. 

Friday was labs. I made it there on time and since I can check in from the car that made it so fast and convenient.  I went to Walmart for my three month grocery shopping and put that all away when I got home. That was the whole day. 

Saturday it was our 56 wedding anniversary and I had forgot all about it. A friend text me telling me about it and she was thinking of me. wow. that's the first time I forgot that.  Is that mean forgetting things is now the norm?  I don't like that, another thing with getting older.  

Just a  couple pictures. This is the update on village 7 that's being built.  (Click on photos to enlarge).

I made a Hellofresh meal that when I was done, it would feed five people. So a neighbor got a portion. 

The puzzle is done with five pieces missing, so I threw it out. No sense with as many puzzles that's around to try and do one with pieces missing.  

Eating Out - St. Patrick's Day

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi 77   Lo  59)   Mother Nature is going thru Menopause

This has been a weird week.  Sunday I went with a neighbor and her sister who was visiting to a pizza place called "Marco's Pizza" in Niceville, a town to my north.  I'm hooked. It's a different pie dough and very light and fluffy.  I want to go back real soon. Thank you Nancy and Priscilla for a great lunch. 

Speaking of thank you's, I'd like to thank all my readers for sticking with me. It's fun to post stuff I do and know someone is reading. I try to do pictures, and short bits and will continue as long as I'm able  and have internet. 

Monday was bowling, ho hum, same ole scores. 159 to 175. I didn't do much the rest of the day. Didn't feel quite up to par as normal, but on Tuesday night I started a sore throat. Yep, another bad cold, but I knew it was coming so downed some Alka-Seltzer to get a head start. For the next couple days I cancelled everything and stayed in to fight off a fever. I see no one when I do that, I don't want anyone else sick.  I was back up and no fever by Thursday afternoon and did some help with phones that people wanted done. We had three people  come in for help and there were three of us to help, so that worked out great!  I love doing that, it keeps the mind moving and working. 

I need to go back to Tuesday, during the day I was sluggish but didn't feel bad so I went to diamond art, then meditation class,  which  was my turn to lead. My topic was forgiveness for yourself and others. It turned out a bigger group then normal and went over well.  In the late afternoon we celebrated St Pat's day!  That's always a good time with special people.  Thank you. 

Friday was lunch with another gal, Sheila, We try to go out once a month. This time is was a diner in Niceville. We had to wait awhile, that place is always packed. We had a great time just talking then home. 

What did I do in-between?  Slept most of Wednesday and part of Thursday morning late, but did get some crocheting done and I'm binge watching Landman!  I love that show. I made eight little hearts. 

and I got Mickey done. I'll get Minnie for next week. It's a box kit with everything in it. 

Saturday I made three weekly calls, and worked on the patio pulling weeds. It was being taken over with weeds, and I forgot to take a picture. That wore me out so worked on my puzzle and did laundry. Happy hour finished off the day.  Now back to another week.  Come along. 

last photo one from the other night off the storm

chasers feed. 

Emerald Coast Band - More Weather in Midwest - HoeDown Party

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi  75   Lo 50)  up and down 20+ deg in a short time

Sunday was the Emerald coast band. They play a few times a year and very good. The band is all volunteer that meets once a week for an hour or two practice and you'd think they were professionals. There weren't very many people there which is embarrassing.  Out of 640 people only about 25 attended. One of the band members husband and 2 little kids came in. They had their own tiny chairs and were so good thru the hour and half playing time. We were all impressed. (Click on the photos to enlarge). 

The leader was leading in the back of the room at times. He's so good. I wish I had him in the school band. 

Sunday night was the time change. I went to bed an hour earlier to compensate for the hour ahead.  

I had a funny night!  About 4am I heard someone at the door, it opened and the light in the hallway turned on. My bed faces the door. My first thought was someone coming in the sliding door in the back it's never locked but the front one is. When the light turned on, I was mainly just trying to take it all in. The guard asked me if I needed the walker, I told him it wasn't me. he asked me my address, I said right  but not me.  He said he'd go back to the office and see where he was supposed to go, turned out the light and went out the door. geez. That's a first. lol   I know I'm safe here, but still that's quite a rude wakeup.  lol  I found out later he had the wrong wing section to my village. No biggy. 

Tuesday and Wednesday there were tornadoes in Midwest. I marvel how a tornado can go thru a town, wipe out a house and not touch the next door neighbor's house. Garages aren't safe, they're usually taken off the house.  RV parks or trailer parks are dangerous there's usually a lot of destruction in both. Boards go thru cars. Destruction can be massive. Weather in general is getting worse and stronger. When we were in the RV we had to go to Red Robin freezer to stay safe. That's a COLD place to be, but felt safe. I watched storm chasers in the Midwest for two days.  I don't have enough phones and TV's to watch everyone so keep bouncing. Youtube, Ryan Hall y'all is the best place to be.

Thursday was a mandatory meeting about what to do for hurricane season. They had lots of info on where to go and not go. I'm staying in the apartment as long as it's not a cat 5, but I need to know asap to get the car up to the kids or sister in Missouri. There's not many roads going north so I need a head start. I'd rather just stay here, but not sure just how safe it will be .

Friday was coffee talk.  This one was "what if" or "what would" questions.  There was a big group and questions like, would you rather have a tail or horns.  What if it rained candy, what would it be.  Fun questions, great answers.  In the afternoon we had a hoedown with music from the 80's and great food. One of the best happy hours that's been done in awhile. I'm glad it was a good turnout for it. 

The favorite area, the bar

I love the overalls and hat on Joel

Lots of dancing, so many couples

Line dancing is the best

Saturday I crocheted and worked on my puzzle. Here's a few pictures for the week. A few months ago a turtle was trying to kill another one, chewing off the shell, etc. We painted red spot on it's back.  It came by my back door on Friday. At least I knew it was still alive. 

Our store is now decorated for March. They do such a great job every month. 

I took this off the TV, one of the storms that hit the Midwest.

Two crochet orders done. This is the George University male  football gnome. 

These are two gnomes for Philadelphia Flyers hockey gnomes. 

A cardinal that was quite large in our lounge area. He was singing us a song. 

Another week down. I have to think about getting taxes done, maybe after next week. 

Year Three - Celebration of Life - Weather - Time Changes Forward

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi  74  Lo  64)  Perfect weather

Another month started. I moved here three years ago on Tuesday. It was one of the best moves I've ever made. I'm with a bunch of wonderful people. I have bad days and they understand, it's like being in the military which I loved, the women are so supportive. 

I had bowling on Monday and I crocheted and sat outside with the gals.  

Tuesday was diamond art, I led the meditation this week. We're starting a whole new series, so I'll lead every other week. I missed the blood moon.  I hope someone out there saw it.  I fixed a couple Ipads and phones and worked with a gal on her taxes. The paperwork she needed went to her old address and she can't get hold of the people that live there. I went thru that when I moved, the bad thing her daughter set her up with military ID to get a new form, but she's on a cruise and the code is going to her phone. I can't help but have to wait on her daughter to get back in the states. 

Wednesday was fun. I went to a "PASSPORT" activity and it was on Ireland. You get a paper passport and the activities sets up a video on what the country is all about. The language alphabet, the government, details on different aspects  of Ireland. They do a different country every month then stamp your passport book. It's a learning project and done very well. 

Thursday I spent time with a neighbor that is moving to Guam. Debbie and Jim have spent the past three months there checking it out. They get up with sunsets on their balcony and can see the sunsets at night. A continuous 80 degrees is perfect so they're back and will have 60 days to move everything out of their apartment. I'll miss them, but they're only a text or call away. What a trip that would be for a winter visit. 

 In the afternoon I had a hawk visit. He was on our village sign and stayed most of the day. He/she would pick something off the ground and go back to the post. It was so comforting. They are like an eagle with huge wingspan and chasing or catching squirrels and other birds. This one didn't do that, wouldn't even fly when people walk past it.  (Click on the photo to enlarge). 

Friday was the celebration of life for one of our residents in our village, Patti. She was such an inspiration to all of us. Always in pain, but never complained. She had a back injury and was incapable of having a normal life.  We had the meal after the celebration in our village lounge, which was a good turnout. We pulled it altogether in 24 hours. Thank you to everyone that helped. 

Almost all day there were tornadoes in the Midwest. An F3 was in Michigan which was deadly. This time of year is always rough when it comes to weather. It was also all day Saturday. Keep your weather radios handy this time of year. We had to get to safety every summer we were on the road in the RV. One time we hung out in the Red Robin restaurant in the cooler. 

Saturday was the village one meeting. I try to keep the meeting itself to 15 minutes sometimes 20 so people have time to eat, talk and get to know each other. We had a record number of attendees today and several of our new people came which is great. We had a good time and when it was over a few of us decorated the lounge for St. Patrick's day. We now have a man to help with the ceiling decorations. 

After that was all done few of us worked on a puzzle. 

When that was done I had a neighbor came over to work on mine. After a few hours we broke up and I went to social hour. That was also a great group and talked about our time as kids and what we got by  without getting caught.  Now to get used to the time change AGAIN!