Going Away Party - New Craft Group - Storms - KY Derby

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi 74  Lo 50)   80 one day and 50 the next day.

Mother nature is still having fits, like Menopause. We never know what weather we're going to get or what to wear. At least we did get rain. 

Sunday we had a going away party for Jim and Debbie who are moving to Guam. Why? because they can. They're younger and still have a lot of traveling to do. They want near water and there's two military bases on the island and cheaper than here. Good enough reason. We grilled out just before the rains started.  Joel and Rosie at the grill. Thank you. 

We had lots of food. Our village always do a good job in bringing delicious items. Thank you everyone. 

Jim and Debbie. (Stacey in the middle)

Monday and Tuesday was a normal day with bowling,  diamond art and meditation class. I worked on the apartment to get it more organized both days in the afternoon,. 

Wednesday I went to Niceville for crocheting, but that's probably the last time. There's other things I'd rather do and NOT crochet for a few hours both Wednesday and Thursday. The group is mostly the ones that come to our place on Thursday, so I'm thinking of quitting Wednesday group. In just a few weeks I'll be back to playing my favorite game of hand, knee and foot card game. I also have craft group a couple times a month that's on Wednesdays.  I  helped the couple moving to Guam with moving some things from her place to mine.  

Thursday Debbie and Jim were leaving so it was the last "goodbye".  It's just like being in the military, you get close to someone and they move, or I moved. It took a couple hours to just brush it off and I went to crochet for a few hours, then I went to a new activity. 

I was invited to a craft group in town. Getting there at 5:00 was more traffic than I've been in for a few years, but I actually found the place with the GPS. There were five of us and we did protection bags. A bag full of all kinds of herbs and stones. When we  feel "out of sorts" we can pick up the bag and calm down. I'll take all the suggestions possible to do that.

Kelli opening bags of sage.

Speaking of crafts,  I worked with my neighbor and we got two puzzles done. Another item was a 3D pitcher, that wasn't easy. We had to glue it as we went up each level or it would fall apart. That was challenging.  This was fun and ended up very colorful.  There's a closed tube inside to put in water for  live flowers. 

We also did two puzzles. 

Saturday was the village one meeting. It turned chilly but we still had a good turnout. The best part is people brought homemade goodies.  We took down the Easter decorations and put up the red, white a blue decorations to use all the way to Labor Day. 

Anne has been doing the decorations for years. Joel and Rosie helped out, especially the high areas. 

For three days I watched storm chasers and I took a couple pictures from the TV. This is a double tornadoes with one storm cell. 

        

                                               I've seen a couple of this type in my life time. 

Something of interest that's not "normal happening", is an Air conditioner fan that blew up in another building. Now the wait is a few weeks to get another one, it's specially made for our building. 

Click on the photo to enlarge. 

                                I did go to happy hour and we had a nice fire in our firepit. 

I did get to watch the KY derby.  So much hoopla for a two minute race. 

It was a great busy week. Now let's see what happens with MAY.

Indian Music - Happy Hour- Grandson's Marathon

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi 83 Lo 64

There's been some crazy severe storms the last couple weeks and it continues for next week. Please watch for weather, you can't do anything about it, except staying safe. 

The week was busy at times and more downtime than normal, which I filled quickly with neat stuff to do. I had several zooms along with tiktok and down the rabbit hole with kitties/cats on youtube. I can do three hours at a time with online funnies, picking out which ones that people come up with AI videos. 

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were all regular days with Bowling (two weeks left for summer break) and diamond art, meditation.

Wednesday, I had my monthly massage and chiropractor appointment. I really needed it. In the evening after cards we sat outside and had a firepit. Kathy got s'mores ingredients and we made those. 

                                                  Mickey enjoying a marshmallow

Joel, Mickey and Lu

Thursday, I had my first class in "Circle of Life".  There's so many people afraid of the word death. I've been doing classes to get paperwork done for end of life plans.  I did an  open forum on how we feel and why we feel that way. Enjoy life, we're going to die, get paperwork done and not leave funeral plans to someone else. I live in a community that is a waiting place to pass, like most of Florida. Let's live as if today is our last day. I'll be having forums and discussions monthly, at least for awhile. Deathcafe.com  is where I learn so much, check it out. 

In the afternoon I went to the Indian music concert which was a couple with drums and flute. It was really good. They're from another state but here for the Indian festival in Fort Walton Beach. 

                                                        This drum is so neat sounding. 

                                                            Washboard music..

Pan drum

Friday, five of us folded and inserted menus in the monthly newsletter. We were done in an hour.  I went to neighbors and started a 3D puzzle of a vase. I can't wait to see if we get that to work. 

In the afternoon I went to happy hour. There weren't very many there. Dancing and Hulu dancers were fun to watch.

                                                The end of the party

In the between times of not going anywhere. I'm back to crochets mangers. I have several to get done this year before Christmas. Here's the diamond art I finally finished. 

                                            My diamond art picture is finally done.

                                       They're making progress on the seventh building. 

Saturday our grandson Kendall raced in the Louisville, KY marathon. I'm so glad they have a tracker so everyone can watch online. Rick (our youngest son)  did a few in Chicago. Jim also did a couple marathons. (Click on photo to see results)  

I went to Aldi's with a neighbor and back home to watch storm chasers and then happy hour. Another great week and a busy one. 

Wild Storms - License - Cleaning Up - Bowlift

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi 74  Lo  52))

This week we had wild storms and tornadoes in the Midwest. By Friday night there were 150 tornadoes and 306 severe storms. I spent most of the time watching storm chasers and saw at least three tornadoes start rotating then drop to the ground. No two are alike. There were less people hurt, they took cover and was watching what was coming up. Reminder to watch for severe weather.

This week was a fun one. I basically did the same thing except the storms. A walk in the woods to clear the mind which was great. I didn't see any animals and it was so quiet and great temps. I had several zooms with friends which took a few hours. 

I played beat the clock every day this week. I had to get from one building to another in a short time, so I had plenty of exercise. 

Wednesday I went to the "passport" meeting. This month was on Hungary. We have a lady from there and she brought in some items that she had in her home town. She told about some of the things going on in the country and brought some snacks. It was very informative. Several people attended. 

Thursday I had crochet group and now working on the mangers that have been ordered last Christmas. I'll have a bunch done by this year's Christmas.  I also did computer/phone help with two other people. There was only one person this time. Either people forgot or they're learning all about the electronics. 

Friday were all the tornadoes.  I also went to DMV early. I was 18th in line and when they opened I got a cubicle right away. I did the eye test, took my picture and out in 14 minutes. That's the fastest I've ever done that. I'm all set till 2034. I'm so glad I can still drive. 

Saturday I had a knock on the door and there were six young men and women ready to clean the yard.  I asked for help two months ago and they finally came. My patio area looks so good. 

I took a couple people to Moose, then went to happy hour in our village, then had a zoom for an hour, back to happy hour. I then went to pick up the couple at the Moose.  Yep, another beat the clock. 

This is the latest puzzle.  I love it!

I have never on the blog put in commercial for a  website, but I have to tell you about bowlift.com. I ordered a special item, and I got an email saying it was delivered, but it wasn't. I emailed them and in minutes I got a response. The gal has been sending updates all week. What happened?  It was damaged and they ordered another one.  You don't get that good of service anymore and I wanted to give out a special holler out that they're the best company in a very long time to deal with. Ok, commercial is over, back to regular scheduled blog. 

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.