End of Bowling - Volunteer Dinner - Goodbye Party - Camaroon - Flowers

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi  79  Lo 69)   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

On Monday it was our last Wii bowling for the season. We'll start back up in August or September. In the evening we had volunteer dinner that management does for all the volunteers that work thru the year.  (Click on photos to enlarge)

The meal was great 

and so was the cheesecake

Jim Morris won the volunteer of the year.  T-bone is his support dog.

Tuesday was the normal diamond art class then wellness class. I crocheted the rest of the day and cards in the evening. We started a nice pit fire and had smore's

Mickey trying to eat a BIG marshmallow

Wednesday they had a goodbye party for Kelli. She worked as a companion service person helping residents with anything they needed. She got another job on Hurlburt base.  Bobbi Jo giving her a hug when she entered the room.

After that was over I stayed for "Passport". We went to Cameroon, Africa. They do a video about the country with song, politics, money exchange, languages etc. It's very interesting every month what we learn. I've been to Ireland, Hungary and now Cameroon. 

Thursday I didn't go to crochet, it was raining off and on and I didn't feel like getting out in it. It's the one time I hurt from arthritis is when it rains or very cold. It's hard to walk or move. I stayed in and worked on the puzzle and crochet. I stay busy just not always what's going on in the community. 

Friday was busy. At 10:00 I went to coffee talk. The companion service employees held the group with questions about what they like or when was the last time you had a good belly laugh. It's a way of finding out tid bits of your neighbors 

I got home and a lady came to the door with these. It's from my younger son and girlfriend, Rick and Tammy. Thank you so much, they're beautiful. They also smell so good. 

I also volunteered to decorate the dining hall for Sunday's Mother's day dinner. It was only an hour with several of us doing it. 

At 3:00 I went to the gym to learn about what machines to use for knees and legs. I'm losing strength. Now that I know how to do some special machines for certain areas, I'll go over and spend some time working out.  I had the NC group zoom and watched a couple hours of storm chasing and called it a night. 

Saturday it rained most of the day. I watched videos and played computer games and of course crocheted.  The neighbor came over to do more on the puzzle. A great down day.

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.