Basketball - Anniversary - Volunteer

Auburndale, FL  (Hi   82  Lo 61)

MARCH MADNESS!  It's all about basketball this week. We watched as many games as we could on the opening day then followed some of the bigger teams the rest of the week. We gave up two of the Lakeland games to stay in front of the TV.  There's a lot of games and it's interfering with a lot of activities of the community so we're not getting season tickets to the Lakeland G-League next year in Lakeland. (CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE).

Thursday was our 49th anniversary.



















 We went to Patrick AFB, on the east coast near Cape Canaveral for  two days and one night. We stayed in lodging near the ocean. We were stationed at Patrick in 1974 to 1978. It was our favorite of all the bases. It was good to get back but so many changes we didn't recognize anything except the building where Jim worked.

We had a suite with couch, chair, desk, full refrigerator, coffee stand, microwave,  full bath, king size bed, TV, sink in both bedroom and living room, and big dresser.








I wanted to pick up shells on the beach but there just wasn't much except pieces of broken shells. There were also a lot of bottle caps. There was also a big tree stump that would appear and disappear with the tide coming in. I'd hate to be walking in the water and hit it when the water was high.

Toe and body stopper

We ate at Gregory's on Cocoa Beach. It was so good but I forgot to take pictures. I was more interested in eating. Jim had a steak that looked like a baseball and I had salmon which was really tender with a great tasting sauce.

We got back to the base in time for the sunset. I kept taking pictures as the sun went down so if you're interested this is the views.  This is my favorite. This is facing the Banana River



Behind the sunset and toward the ocean. They have a great race track on base.

Sun has dropped it was still pretty.

I also got the unicorns done this week.  Momma, baby and eggshell for the little one. They're so cute.

Now to something serious. For a very long time I wanted to give my time to volunteer but wasn't real sure doing what. It was suggested to work at hospice. I did all the testing, the background check, the classes and have worked two days. I'm really enjoying it. It seems everyone shuns the topic of death. We will all go at some point, why not prepare for it like we do other things. I learned so much about what hospice is all about, that they come to the house or you can go to the "hospice house" for care. I work as greeter. Taking family members to the loved ones room, or show them the area. I also have a basket of goodies to help those in the room that don't want to leave their loved ones. Sometimes they just need a snack to get them to another meal time. We give them any help they need. I'm so glad I was led in that direction. The thing that hospice needs the most is to have pre-funeral arrangements. Make plans before your loved one is taken to hospice. Make plans for those left behind so they don't have to guess on what you want done. Pay in advance if it's possible, it helps the family.  There's three sentences that are very important for those passing on.
You will have no more pain.
You're never be alone.
Those at home will be fine.
If you need respite, please call hospice, they will have a volunteer or someone that will sit with a loved one while caregiver gets a break up to five days.
If you feel you should give to a charity, hospice foundation would appreciate it. All  patients pay nothing.

Cardinals Baseball Game - First Time Painting - Animal Races

Auburndale, FL (Hi 77  Lo  46)   Brrr

Friday and Saturday we went to Okeechobee to my sisters. Since the time changed it's dark at 7:00am and I got a picture of the sunrise, that doesn't happen very often.  (Click on the pictures to enlarge).

 We wanted to check out Port St. Lucie apartments so took some time to check  Traditions. They're gorgeous and the apartment they showed us was really nice. We're only thinking about the future not right now.

On the way to Jupiter we took a quick stop at Jensen Beach. It was a mess and the seaweed smelled bad so we were glad we didn't make a day on the beach.

 We had a Cardinals baseball game Friday night and I met up with a friend from O'Fallon, Illinois. She came down for spring training in Jupiter.
Doris, Dee, Ruth





We left early and got back to my sisters just before some rain storms came in, good timing. We spent a rainy chilly day on Saturday with sis then left for home.
Doris and Carley

Sunday I was up early to participate  in a painting class. I've always wanted to do it so this was my chance. A lady would show us ideas on what to do and we'd try to follow. There were seven of us in the morning session painting the lighthouse.







The lighthouse was white with a black strip in the middle, but I wanted to do the one in Cape Lookout so I got a picture on the phone and followed the pattern. I think it's a good first try.

The class I was in for Lighthouses















The afternoon class with starfish















We have animal races event once a year at our community. George makes six wooden animals on stands. They use dice for the number of the animal and depending on how many times that number comes up on a roll that's the number of spaces the animal moves forward. It's fifty cents for each bet on an animal. It's a lot of fun and lots of laughter. There's usually more then 75 attendees.



Six people  with the animal

There's also some extra fun between the races. George as the garbage man.

What would you like to be when you grow up, How about Tom Brady (Bob)

Maybe a nurse (Cindy)  or a Princess (Kathy)

It was a great time and everyone enjoys the fun and social life at Lake Juliana Landings.
This week is March Madness. We'll  be watching a lot of basketball.

Yard Sale - Visitors - Crocheting

Auburndale, FL (Hi  81  Lo 63)

Saturday the community had a yard sale. There's usually two a year, one in March and one in November.  People are leaving for the north and selling stuff before going. Several will not be back next year so the houses are also for sale.  Lots going on here this time of year.  I only had a few items to sell but got rid of some of it, the rest will go to the thrift store.

In the late afternoon a schoolmate Melba and her hubby Ed came to visit. They come every year. It's been at least six years that they make the trek from Iowa to Florida for a couple months.  They travel different parts of Florida and stop to see us every year.
Melba and Ed

Sunday was the monthly knockers bingo game. There were several people there so the money pot was nice size. I haven't won in a few months, but still fun to play.

The rest of the week was crocheting. I'm making roses for an order that a gal wants for a wreath. I also made a couple fish, a blue and clown fish for the jars.



The sunset was gorgeous a couple times this week. I never get tired of getting pictures. Jim was watching along with me on the pier.



We finished up a bottle of wine and this fell out, any comments on what it might be? We've never seen anything like it. There's two hard rubber circles and a screw type looking top.

Until next week.

Baseball - Rv'ers Visit - Pizza Party

Auburndale, FL (Hi 82  Lo 67)                              CHATROOM  8:00PM Eastern

The temps have fluctuated quite a bit this past week. There were areas that had freezing temps.   After getting home from the cruise/resort we stayed busy with my sis coming up from Okeechobee to go to a Lakeland training baseball game. Jim and Doris are big Cardinal fans and Doris tries to go to  a lot of the spring training games. I decided to go with them on Monday. (Click on the photos to enlarge).
Doris overlooking the field at Lakeland Tiger Stadium who played the Cardinals.

Jim doing the same thing.

We got there early so we walked around the field.







Our seats. We were under the overhang, so not in the sun.



On Tuesday Jim went to Clearwater for another game with the Cardinals and Philly's. He went with a friend in the park.
Wednesday was the morning meeting then I played hand and foot in the afternoon. Dinner was at the clubhouse for a pizza party. It's called the 15 week club. In October they start with $15 from the anyone that wants to participate. A "chip" with a number is placed in a can.  Every week after at the meeting they draw two names and they win $25. At the end of 15 weeks everyone has the chip put back in (that won during the couple months), and the rest of the money after paying for pizzas go to the chip that's drawn. There were 120 people this year.



Thursday we had Lorne and Sue come for dinner. They went to their first baseball game with pro players at Lakeland. The stadium is close to us so I told them to come on over when the game was over.  I forgot to take pictures of the food, but I did get a picture of Lorne and Sue and Charlie.

That's the rest of our week. Tomorrow we start another busy week but more of the normal daily routine. Please come along.