Thanksgiving

We have been very busy getting ready for my sister and Dave to arrive. We opened up their house and aired it out, etc. On Wednesday we went golfing with Rod and Pam, had a great time, but my golfing skills need some work. In the evening we went to the Church on the Square for their entertainment. A villager sang the songs of Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond. He was pretty good. The church was full, it holds 800 people and we were all singing Lucille and Sweet Caroline.
On Thursday we went to Marguerite and Ray's house with Pam and Rod had a truly enjoyable day. The hostess was great, the food was wonderful and then we played a rousing game of Mexican Train. Just a really fun day. I am so thankful that we have such nice friends here in the villages. They are our family away from home. I missed my kids, but talked to all of them.
On Friday I worked, very busy. IHOP just opened down the street and I really thought we wouldn't be so busy but we were.
When I got home I called Pam and they were already in Georgia. Dave drives way too fast for me. They got her about 11:15 p.m. and we helped them unload the visited for a while.
They came down and had breakfast and then had some errands to do. We went golfing again with Pam and Rod and golfed a little better today. Then we all met at Pam's and sat around and laughed the day away. Tonight we went to Margueritaville (Pam's favorite place)for dinner and then to the square to dance and people watch.
Then we went back to Margueritaville for more drinks. Their friends from Toledo were there (they always are) and so we just left them to find their own way home on the golfcart. We might never see them again.....Pam is thoughly enjoying herself.
Well, tomorrow I have to work. Oh happy day....

Too Busy To Write

It has been a busy few days. On Thursday I went grocery shopping then we went to our shuffleboard league. Bud has finally started back, his knee is feeling pretty good. He won one game and so did I. Our team took 15 out of 24 games which is pretty good.
We don't play next week because of Thanksgiving.
Friday I worked, started off kind of slow and then boom, it exploded. When I got home I played around making some cookies until it was time to go to the Michigan Club's annual night golf game. You play in the dark with a lighted ball and lighted tee. It was really fun, no one can see how bad you hit. Bud was lucky and won $15. But the wind was blowing when we first got there and it was kind of cool for our tailgate party. After we started golfing the wind died down and it wasn't too bad. It was different and fun and we would definely do it again.
Today we went the Ohio Buckey club's Ohio-Michigan game at the Churchill Rec Center. Everyone brought food and drinks and we rooted for our teams. We sort of really wanted Michigan to win but we knew they didn't have much of a chance. Oh well, there is always next year. A good time was had by all who attended.
Now we are resting, tomorrow is a work day.....

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Wrap up your tender plants and get out your winter gear, it is pretty cold here for tonight and tomorrow.
This morning we took the golf cart and went and took Christmas pictures with the Mancos. We had our Santa hats on and all the golf carts that went by stopped and said Merry Christmas. They probably thought we were crazy. We found a perfect spot and we wanted to get it done. The golf cart ride was a little breezy.
Tonight we went to the Ohio Club. We had a great potluck, our table was called first. Hooray! One of Pam & Dave's friends is here now so he called and asked us to save him a seat. Our circle of friends just keeps on growing. Both Pam A and I won $10 on the raffle. I also won $20 dollars last night at the Michigan Club. That's better than working. The entertainment was pretty good also. This club is very active, next week we have the entire OutBack Restaraunt for the evening, we are also having a Vodka Tasting evening. The President really does a fine job.
I stopped at Katie Belle's and got tickets for concerts for when Pam and Dave get here. I am quickly filling up their social calendar.
Guess I will go and watch a little TV.

The Cold Front is Coming

On Monday I worked and it was a little cool outside but the sun was shining all day. After I got home I was too tired to do much and I fell asleep early. Then when I went to bed, I couldn't sleep. The bad news about the auto industry doesn't help either. I guess there is not much I can do about it.
Today the sun is still shining but it only got up to about 70 degrees today. It is suppose to get down to the 30's tonight with a high of 70 tomorrow.
I went to digital scrapbooking club this morning. Every time you go you learn a little bit more. Then Marguerite and I went to our Red Hat club get-together. We went to an old house in Leesburg that has been turned into a cafe called "The Melon Blossom Cafe". It was real cute and all the food was home-made. The service was extremely slow but we were not in any hurry. Lunch lasted from noon until 2:30.
Tonight we attended our monthly Michigan Club meeting. They had sign ups for cruises, night golf, and casino night. The entertainment was excellent. It was a duo called "Songs R Us" and boy they could really sing.
So I have had a full day and I am going to bed.

Great Party at the Armsteads

I started Saturday by going to water aerobics. The pool water was just fantastic. It was a little cloudy when I first got there but all of a sudden the warm sun came out and we just didn't want to leave that pool.
It the afternoon Bud and I went and did a bit of Christmas shopping while they still had what we wanted. It the evening Pam and Rod had everyone over for dinner and games. Pam brought Bob Evans beer brats back from Ohio (we can't get them here) and they were oh so tasty. Then the eight of us played "Screw Your Neighbor". We had a blast. I am surprised you didn't hear us laughing all the way up north. It was a great time with great friends. Since we don't have any family here they are all like an extended family.
Today I worked. I really don't know if the people down here ever eat at home, they were just running in to eat. And so many big parties. When I got home I could hardly move.
Tonight we kind of just vegged out and watched "Extreme Makeover" from Toledo. It was a real tear jerker. I wished I could help some deserving people like that. We went and saw that house when we were home. It looked a lot bigger on TV but it was very nice. It is amazing how they got that big house on a very small city lot but it fits in quite well with the neighborhood.

Busy Thursday and Friday

I started off Thursday morning with my water aerobics class. Jane has decided to join us too. Then I ran home, changed my clothes and went to shuffleboard. I played two games and won one. Our entire team took 16 out of 24 points. Then the entire team came to our house for the potluck and then we played Left, Right, Center. We really had a nice time getting to know these people better. When everyone left, I sat down in my chair and collapsed.
Friday, I worked, very busy. Took a little siesta when I got home, then went to the new Publix store for groceries. It is a very large store and they feed you in every aisle but the prices in the grocery stores are unbelievable. I only needed a few things and it was $62.00. The only thing that has come down is gas. I got gas for $1.99 a gallon. Sure didn't think I would ever see that again.
After dinner we went to the pool and hot tub and watched the shuttle take off. It was pretty neat to see. It was hot today, we set a record for November with 87 degrees. It is suppose to cool down for the coming week, but no snow. Ha Ha.

Sunshine Again Today

I spent the morning making spaghetti and meatballs for the shuffleboard team potluck tomorrow afternoon. Everyone is coming over here.
I met a friend for lunch at Katie Belle's at noon. We had a nice chat and were entertained all afternoon. Remember the Double-Mint Twins from that old TV commercial when we were kids. Well, they both live here. They must be in their late sixties now but they look good. They are the line dancing queens of the Villages. They danced every song today. I don't know what they are on but I sure could use some of it. They made me tired just watching them.
Went to the pool and hot tub this evening. We always meet such interesting people there.
Tomorrow Bud has therapy at 7 a.m. It is so wonderful to live in a place that has so many doctors and clinics just a short golf cart ride away. He can be there in five minutes from our house.

Tuesday with Friends

It was as they say, A Beautiful Day in the Villages, again. Went to water aerobics and then me and Bud went on the golfcart to Aldi's to pick up a few things.
Tonight Jim, Jane and Pam and Rod came over and we took the golf carts and went the back way on the dirt trail to Sonic and had a hamburger. Then they all came over here and we just sat and talked and laughed. It is so nice to be around good friends. They are all so easy going and fun.
I worked on my Christmas card tonight, Bud is sleeping in his chair, surprise, surprise. His therapy seems to be helping but he still has some pain.

Sunny Monday

Worked today, sort of busy. It hurts my feeling to be inside when it is so darn nice outside. I could have been at the pool.
We went to the bank on the golf cart when I got home to sign some papers and after dinner I have been playing on the computer trying to make my Christmas cards. I had what I thought was a good idea but it is taking longer than I thought.
Tomorrow-no work, all play. Can't wait....

Beautiful Sunday

Got up early as they moved my schedule up on Sunday. We were busy from the get-go. I never got out of there until 3 p.m. Bud had dinner ready so we just kind of chilled out tonight.
I payed some bills and answered some emails and worked on my Christmas card for digital scrapbooking.
I got some wonderful Halloween pictures of my dear grandson Dakota. I am still waiting for Matt's pictures.
There is nothing on TV, we only have 120 channels. If I had to stay home and watch TV all day, I would shoot myself. We have just about overdosed on CSI and Law & Order. If I didn't have this computer I don't know what I would do....

Thursday-Saturday in the Villages

Thursday I went to water aerobics and did some other things that I can't remember. Oh yeah, I went to shuffleboard and didn't win any games but our team took 15 out of of 24. On Friday, I worked. I can remember that, busy, busy. In the evening we went to the pool and hot tub. The hot tub is good for Bud's knee. On Saturday I went to water aerobics and then we went to flea market. I picked up a few things for the house.This evening we were suppose to go out to eat for our anniversary but Rod and Pam couldn't make it because they were sick but the Mancos and Dave went with us to Bone Fish, the newest seafood place here in the Villages. Upscale and very good. They were packed. Marguerite brought me the cutest chip and dip set and she made us a lovely card. Then we went to Spanish Springs and saw "The Secret of Bees." Excellent movie. Terrible title but very good.

Our Anniversary-42 Years

Today is our anniversary. We didn't do anything special today, just went shopping at the new Beal's on 466 here in the Villages. We are going out Saturday night to celebrate with friends at a new restaurant call Bone Fish. It is suppose to be excellent.
We stayed up last night and watched the election results. I sure hope Obama does everything he has promised to do. It is so scary for everyone but I worry about my boys and their families. We have been through rough times before and we made it. I remember when Jimmy Carter was in office and they were charging 18 percent to buy a house and the auto industry was in the dumpster. But we made it. I guess you could say it made us stronger.
I just made a pumpkin crumble for the shuffleboard gang tomorrow. It sure looks good. The recipe was in the paper today so I thought I would try it. They'll eat anything.
There was also a good story on Talk of the Villages today and I am going to try and include it on this blog. I think it would be a good thing to read to your children.
Perfect Picture
There was a picture tonight from Grant Park that was particularly meaningful to me. It was a picture of a little girl sitting on her Daddy's shoulders, waving a flag.
When I was about her age, an African-American family tired to move into our town. A suburb right outside of Chicago. Some people got so riled up, they physically pushed the family's furniture out of a second story window and set it on fire. My father took me to see, ignoring my mother's arguments. There was a crowd there, so he put me on his shoulders to give me a good view. I remember being afraid for those people. I remember the woman crying, And I cried.
Then my father said, "I wanted you to see this because I don't ever, EVER want you to treat another human being like this because of the color of their skin." That image was burned into my mind forever. It was a tall lesson at a very young age, but I learned it well.
When I saw that little girl on her father's shoulders tonight, smiling, looking with wonder and joy, I thought-Wow, she's in a better world that I came from. I felt such joy for her. And I felt so proud of our country tonight.. God has blessed America, but I'll ask again. May God Bless America and President Obama.

Cloudy & Cool Monday & Tuesday

Worked Monday, busy but tolerable. Pam, Marguerite & Jane went to Village Box Office to get our tickets to see Phil Dirt and the Dozers in January since I had to work. That should be an excellent concert. They originated in Pam's home town of Mansfield, Ohio. In the evening we attended our regular concert in our concert series. It was a man named Steve Lippia and he could really sing. He sang all of Frank Sinatra songs. He brought tears to my eyes when he sang "My Way". It always reminds me of my brother.
Today I did my presentation for the digital scrapbooking club. It didn't go as well as I would have liked it to. For one thing I was using a laptop and also the photoshop program was Photoshop 6 and I use Photoshop 4. There is enough difference that it wouldn't do exactly what I wanted without me playing around and I didn't have the time. But there was some interest and they really liked my pages. Went to lunch with Marguerite after the meeting. It seems like we never run out of things to talk about.
Tonight I made homemade macaroni and cheese and the neighbors came over. He said she never makes good macaroni and cheese, just uses the little blue box. Ugh!!! I like the real thing.
We are watching the elections results. Obama is winning at the moment. Maybe if he gets in and spreads the wealth around I will be able to afford to eat something better than macaroni and cheese. We'll know by tomorrow.

The Snowbirds Are Back and They Brought All Their Friends

I worked today and it was completely crazy. It was the busist day they have ever had. Oh my gosh, Where do all those people come from? When I got home all I could do was collapse. We invitied the neighbors for dinner to finish the leftovers from the party on Friday night so at least I didn't have to cook.
After they left I worked on my digital scrapbooking as I have to put on a demostration for the class on Tuesday.
Even if the clock says it is only ten o'clock I am going to bed.

Spectacular Saturday

I tried to write in this blog on Thursday evening after we got home from the October Fest parade and I wrote but it only printed half of what I wrote and deleted the rest and I was too tired to do it over.
Yesterday I worked all day and then we had eleven people over for dinner and a dice game called Left, Right, Center. We all had a great time.
Today we kinda of slept in and then went over to visit our new neighbors. They are from Montana and he is a tennis instuctor. He should fit right in here.After that we met 35 other golf carts at the Hacienda Rec Center and joined in a golf cart poker run. We had to go to six different rec centers and pick up our cards and then we met at Little Bits Restaruant and had dinner. First prize was $50 dollars but we didn't win anything. By the time we got home I was tired and Bud's leg was hurting so we are staying home tonight and resting.
I sure hope my daughter-in-laws send me Halloween pictures. I really miss seeing the kids all dressed up. I really need the pictures as how can I scrap if I don't get any good pics.