Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tropical Storm Emily
July 31, 2017
Heavy rains hit us when we were getting off the cruise ship on Saturday morning and 29th and we drove through more rain twice on the way home. Shortly after arriving home they hit again and again finally providing four more heavy rain storms before the day ended.
Then Sunday morning while we were at church thunder, lightning and heavy rains hit again. We dodged rain drops to get out to the car and other than a few short periods of time it rained most of the day.
During the night we were again awakened by the heavy rain and winds and began to wonder if we were going to be washed away. The ditch behind us filled way up and the "stream" began to get wider as the water spread out as Monday wore on with more and more rain.
I flipped on the local news station to see if I could learn more about why all the rain and how much longer it would last only to find a special report broadcasting calling the Tropical Storm Emily. A storm the weather men had not expected and if it was to happen figured it would be several days to a week for it to get organized and become anything. They were totally caught by surprise and the reason for this report was a tornado warning for the Bradenton area (south of us) and possible wind shears of 100 miles an hour. Luckily none of that happened but there was flooding and some wind damage in that area. We were actually on the northern edges of the storm. And because it did "organize" and start moving quickly it was all over with by mid afternoon though the skies stayed cloudy for the remainder of the day.
Our friends Frank and Bette and their daughter Lisa had planned to go to the Japanese restaurant over at the mall and invited us to join them. Unfortunately we got there around 2:00 right when they shut down the area where they cook at the table - the whole reason why we went. So we left and ended up going to the Asian Buffet across the road where we could enjoy a meal and sit for a long period of time just chatting and catching up on their France riverboat trip, our cruise, Brigett's 80th birthday party and Lisa's week of fun here in Florida with her folks.
We returned home and since the rains had stopped and things were drying out, Ken mowed our grass and after I pulled weeds here, I set off on my bike to go to the Cook's to clean up their yard as they were returning home tomorrow. On the way over, Christy, Hillcrest's manager, stopped me and told me she had just found out that 5 motor homes in the storage area had been broken in to including ours. I returned home to get Ken and we went over to check it out. The door was open and the window by the dinette area was smashed. We knew we shouldn't touch anything but did go inside just to see what might have been done. What a mess. All of the cupboard doors were open, the bed had been lifted up to get at the storage areas and all of the dresser drawers and our strong box that had been bolted to the floor under the bed had been ripped out and was gone.
By the time the Sheriff arrived and later the forensics team, it was midnight and we were still waiting outside our vehicles to answer questions and finally make an attempt to at least cover the broken window area. Because of all the rain the insides were quite wet including the carpet, soft dinette chairs, table, buffet and cupboards. The damage is done and we'll deal with it but just not today --- it is dark, we're tired and it can wait for the moment. Just a very sad commentary on what a criminal can do to truly upset your life.
Tomorrow is another day.....
Heavy rains hit us when we were getting off the cruise ship on Saturday morning and 29th and we drove through more rain twice on the way home. Shortly after arriving home they hit again and again finally providing four more heavy rain storms before the day ended.
Then Sunday morning while we were at church thunder, lightning and heavy rains hit again. We dodged rain drops to get out to the car and other than a few short periods of time it rained most of the day.
During the night we were again awakened by the heavy rain and winds and began to wonder if we were going to be washed away. The ditch behind us filled way up and the "stream" began to get wider as the water spread out as Monday wore on with more and more rain.
I flipped on the local news station to see if I could learn more about why all the rain and how much longer it would last only to find a special report broadcasting calling the Tropical Storm Emily. A storm the weather men had not expected and if it was to happen figured it would be several days to a week for it to get organized and become anything. They were totally caught by surprise and the reason for this report was a tornado warning for the Bradenton area (south of us) and possible wind shears of 100 miles an hour. Luckily none of that happened but there was flooding and some wind damage in that area. We were actually on the northern edges of the storm. And because it did "organize" and start moving quickly it was all over with by mid afternoon though the skies stayed cloudy for the remainder of the day.
Our friends Frank and Bette and their daughter Lisa had planned to go to the Japanese restaurant over at the mall and invited us to join them. Unfortunately we got there around 2:00 right when they shut down the area where they cook at the table - the whole reason why we went. So we left and ended up going to the Asian Buffet across the road where we could enjoy a meal and sit for a long period of time just chatting and catching up on their France riverboat trip, our cruise, Brigett's 80th birthday party and Lisa's week of fun here in Florida with her folks.
We returned home and since the rains had stopped and things were drying out, Ken mowed our grass and after I pulled weeds here, I set off on my bike to go to the Cook's to clean up their yard as they were returning home tomorrow. On the way over, Christy, Hillcrest's manager, stopped me and told me she had just found out that 5 motor homes in the storage area had been broken in to including ours. I returned home to get Ken and we went over to check it out. The door was open and the window by the dinette area was smashed. We knew we shouldn't touch anything but did go inside just to see what might have been done. What a mess. All of the cupboard doors were open, the bed had been lifted up to get at the storage areas and all of the dresser drawers and our strong box that had been bolted to the floor under the bed had been ripped out and was gone.
By the time the Sheriff arrived and later the forensics team, it was midnight and we were still waiting outside our vehicles to answer questions and finally make an attempt to at least cover the broken window area. Because of all the rain the insides were quite wet including the carpet, soft dinette chairs, table, buffet and cupboards. The damage is done and we'll deal with it but just not today --- it is dark, we're tired and it can wait for the moment. Just a very sad commentary on what a criminal can do to truly upset your life.
Tomorrow is another day.....
Monday, July 10, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
July 4th - Time to Party
July 4, 2017
Last Thursday I hatched the idea of throwing a Hillcrest gathering for lunch to bring the few of us together that are still staying here at the park. There are about 25 homes occupied out of the 500 spaces in the park and we are scattered all around so it just seemed like it would be fun to get us together so we could meet each other since many of us don't know who all is here.
Before taking the first step, I talked with Christy, our manager, who was busy working with the owner at the time. She agreed that we could use CH 1 for the gathering. Of course, I invited her right on the spot to come and be a part of it. The owner teased us a bit about charges and wished me the best. I put together a short invitation with fireworks splashing on it in the background and sent it out by giving it to Barbara, our mail lady, to put in the boxes of those staying here. (wish I could put a copy here but for some reason I can't) Ken immediately went over and put up the information on our huge outdoor sign by the clubhouse.
Then I proceeded to make some plans without really knowing how many might come. I shared the idea with Emma Jean and with Harriett who has been coming to the pool with me each morning to exercise. They agreed to bring some kind of main dish as would I so we could be sure of having at least some substantial food (I've been to potlucks where most everyone brought a dessert). Ken and I went shopping and picked up loads of frozen meatballs and bbq sauce and some decorations including tablecloths, red/white/blue flowers and vases for decoration, and some runners for down the center of the tables.
Yesterday, Harriett and I set up some of the tables with the clothes just to see what it would look like and to see if we needed anything else. A resident came in for mail, Shirley, and we asked if she and her husband were planning on coming. They were and she enthusiastically shared that this use to happen back in the "old" days (obviously before my time here) and was looking forward to it. After I got out of the pool I saw Bob Lowe and asked if he and Fran were coming. He said "yes" so now I know there will at least be 12 of us there.
..................................................................................................................................................................
Last Thursday I hatched the idea of throwing a Hillcrest gathering for lunch to bring the few of us together that are still staying here at the park. There are about 25 homes occupied out of the 500 spaces in the park and we are scattered all around so it just seemed like it would be fun to get us together so we could meet each other since many of us don't know who all is here.
Before taking the first step, I talked with Christy, our manager, who was busy working with the owner at the time. She agreed that we could use CH 1 for the gathering. Of course, I invited her right on the spot to come and be a part of it. The owner teased us a bit about charges and wished me the best. I put together a short invitation with fireworks splashing on it in the background and sent it out by giving it to Barbara, our mail lady, to put in the boxes of those staying here. (wish I could put a copy here but for some reason I can't) Ken immediately went over and put up the information on our huge outdoor sign by the clubhouse.
Then I proceeded to make some plans without really knowing how many might come. I shared the idea with Emma Jean and with Harriett who has been coming to the pool with me each morning to exercise. They agreed to bring some kind of main dish as would I so we could be sure of having at least some substantial food (I've been to potlucks where most everyone brought a dessert). Ken and I went shopping and picked up loads of frozen meatballs and bbq sauce and some decorations including tablecloths, red/white/blue flowers and vases for decoration, and some runners for down the center of the tables.
Yesterday, Harriett and I set up some of the tables with the clothes just to see what it would look like and to see if we needed anything else. A resident came in for mail, Shirley, and we asked if she and her husband were planning on coming. They were and she enthusiastically shared that this use to happen back in the "old" days (obviously before my time here) and was looking forward to it. After I got out of the pool I saw Bob Lowe and asked if he and Fran were coming. He said "yes" so now I know there will at least be 12 of us there.
..................................................................................................................................................................
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Traveling Home
Monday, June 26, 2017
We were up very early this morning eager to be on the road by 7:00 am so that we could get all the way to the Lake City area in Florida before dark. We had made arrangements to stay over night at the Stephen Foster State Park, a place we've been several times before, and really loved. Most of the drive went smoothly though we did hit some pretty hard rain that had us slowed way down near the bottom of Georgia and again in Florida. It rains most every day for a short time down here and when it does, it really pours down with a vengence - lightning, thunder, the works.
Anyway, we made very good time and pulled in around 3:30 pm, got settled in our pull through slot in the trees, and still had enough time to run over to the craft shop and just wander through before it closed and then spend some time down by the Suwanee River. It really is beautiful.
(Once I figure out how to get the pictures off of my phone camera I'll post them)
The best part was just a wonderful evening of enjoying the gorgeous surroundings and relaxing before heading home (about a 3 hour drive), unloading and getting settled back into the house.
We were up very early this morning eager to be on the road by 7:00 am so that we could get all the way to the Lake City area in Florida before dark. We had made arrangements to stay over night at the Stephen Foster State Park, a place we've been several times before, and really loved. Most of the drive went smoothly though we did hit some pretty hard rain that had us slowed way down near the bottom of Georgia and again in Florida. It rains most every day for a short time down here and when it does, it really pours down with a vengence - lightning, thunder, the works.
Anyway, we made very good time and pulled in around 3:30 pm, got settled in our pull through slot in the trees, and still had enough time to run over to the craft shop and just wander through before it closed and then spend some time down by the Suwanee River. It really is beautiful.
(Once I figure out how to get the pictures off of my phone camera I'll post them)
The best part was just a wonderful evening of enjoying the gorgeous surroundings and relaxing before heading home (about a 3 hour drive), unloading and getting settled back into the house.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Friday, June 23, 2017
Beth Makes the Comics
Thursday, June 23, 2017
How I wish I could post the Frazz comic strip for today. But alas I can't but I can post this web site so it is possible to go online to see it. A neighbor of Beth's is the comic strip writer and today he has Beth in the strip wearing a shirt that says "eat right" and riding her bike - her pastime passion.
http://www.gocomics.com/frazz/2017/06/23
How I wish I could post the Frazz comic strip for today. But alas I can't but I can post this web site so it is possible to go online to see it. A neighbor of Beth's is the comic strip writer and today he has Beth in the strip wearing a shirt that says "eat right" and riding her bike - her pastime passion.
http://www.gocomics.com/frazz/2017/06/23
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday, June 18, 2017
As so often happens, Father's Day fell immediately after Ken's birthday so all of his special celebrations happen together. One thing about it, he knows before the weekend is over he'll hear from all his kids and he'll get to enjoy some of his favorite things.
Pecan pie is always a special item. Sadly yesterday the one I made came out hard as a rock.
Another baking failure out of our convection oven so today I tackled the job again. As I write this it is cooling on the counter and hopefully will provide him with great joy sometime during the rest of the day.
After church, Dan, Jen and the girls gathered all of the items they needed for their much planned for days of vacation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The car was packed and this time we said goodbye to them and wished them wonderful travels but we didn't leave. Instead, Ken took care of all the outdoor prep jobs for our going on the road so we can get away quickly in the morning with a minimum of effort. Storms are predicted in the evening so this will mean he won't be dodging raindrops to do those jobs.
As so often happens, Father's Day fell immediately after Ken's birthday so all of his special celebrations happen together. One thing about it, he knows before the weekend is over he'll hear from all his kids and he'll get to enjoy some of his favorite things.
Pecan pie is always a special item. Sadly yesterday the one I made came out hard as a rock.
Another baking failure out of our convection oven so today I tackled the job again. As I write this it is cooling on the counter and hopefully will provide him with great joy sometime during the rest of the day.
After church, Dan, Jen and the girls gathered all of the items they needed for their much planned for days of vacation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The car was packed and this time we said goodbye to them and wished them wonderful travels but we didn't leave. Instead, Ken took care of all the outdoor prep jobs for our going on the road so we can get away quickly in the morning with a minimum of effort. Storms are predicted in the evening so this will mean he won't be dodging raindrops to do those jobs.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Happy Birthday "Twins"
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Today both Noelle and Ken are celebrating their birthdays. Here is Ken holding Noelle shortly after she was born
and here they are today. Now who is the tallest???
The 14 year old - that's who. She is now over 5 foot 10 and wearing a size 13 shoe. We tend to feel like dwarfs when we are around our 3 Pennsylvania granddaughters.
We started out the day taking Noelle and Rachel to breakfast at a local restaurant where we enjoyed the buffet.
Then we left Rachel to shop at JC Penney for a bathing suit while we took Noelle to the second day of basketball tournament play at Grove City College. Dan joined us. He stayed for the day but we just stayed through the first game before returning to our place. I was able then to make the pecan pie for the birthday celebration in the evening. Jen had lots of running around to do and then left food started for the dinner and drove up to see the last of the 3 games today and bring Noelle and Dan home.
Here is a shot of the girls all listening to instructions from their coach
and shots of Noelle in action
Today both Noelle and Ken are celebrating their birthdays. Here is Ken holding Noelle shortly after she was born
We started out the day taking Noelle and Rachel to breakfast at a local restaurant where we enjoyed the buffet.
Then we left Rachel to shop at JC Penney for a bathing suit while we took Noelle to the second day of basketball tournament play at Grove City College. Dan joined us. He stayed for the day but we just stayed through the first game before returning to our place. I was able then to make the pecan pie for the birthday celebration in the evening. Jen had lots of running around to do and then left food started for the dinner and drove up to see the last of the 3 games today and bring Noelle and Dan home.
Here is a shot of the girls all listening to instructions from their coach
After she returned home we enjoyed the dinner she wanted: bbq ribs, mashed white and sweet potatoes mixed together, roasted brussel sprouts and then pecan pie with ice cream for dessert. Unfortunately the pie was a bit overcooked - a problem I often run into with the convection oven in the motor home (either over or underdone - just never real reliable when baking). But we still enjoyed it and sharing gifts with Ken and Noelle as well as couple with Dan for Father's Day since they will leave for vacation tomorrow afternoon after church.
Ken got the gift of Amazon Prime for the coming year which we will look forward to trying. Dan even spent some time with us after all was done just showing us how to access videos and TV shows for free via Amazon Prime. But I suspect the first thing we'll end up doing is ordering the desk he wants and getting the free shipping.
But the most prized gift of all was this picture created by our granddaughter Abbi - special for Ken who's favorite all time movie is Fantasia. Abbi has spent the last year working on her drawing skills copying (not tracing but total transfer from scratch) Disney characters working on shading and getting things to look as much the same as possible. This picture will be framed as soon as we return home and hung on our livingroom wall for all to see - especially us who will treasure it forever. Note the top row of notes on the music sheet that Mickey is standing on. Her special addition to the picture done with
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Piano Recital
Saturday, June 10, 2017
We left the campground in Virginia around 7:00 in the morning with the hope of getting into Dan's driveway in the early afternoon - early enough to get settled before dinner and Noelle's piano recital.
We arrived around 3:00 and were able to spend a bit of time with the family before heading off to the recital. Noelle played four numbers; two of which she had composed "It's Summer" and "Velvet". The other two were classical numbers with loads of 32nd notes so her fingers were really flying; "Sonatina" and "Avalanche". We sure could see some major growth in her ability even over last year when we also were able to attend her recital.
We left the campground in Virginia around 7:00 in the morning with the hope of getting into Dan's driveway in the early afternoon - early enough to get settled before dinner and Noelle's piano recital.
We arrived around 3:00 and were able to spend a bit of time with the family before heading off to the recital. Noelle played four numbers; two of which she had composed "It's Summer" and "Velvet". The other two were classical numbers with loads of 32nd notes so her fingers were really flying; "Sonatina" and "Avalanche". We sure could see some major growth in her ability even over last year when we also were able to attend her recital.
After all the students had played and received their certificates of completion for the year, we enjoyed a cookie and punch reception. She and her teacher ended up spending a good deal of time at the piano having some fun with some challenging new pieces that she will begin working on.
She now plays the keyboard with the Praise Band most Sunday mornings for worship. Last week she also played all of the hymns for the congregational songs as well as the background music during communion. She really is doing a great job utilizing her skills in meaningful ways.
An interesting side note to the day is that today would have been my mother's 100th birthday. Hard to believe it has been a century since she was born and 13 years since she died (just a few days before her birthday) Here she is on her wedding day
And here she is with her brother Don and sister Margie when she celebrated her last birthday in 2003.
Happy Birthday Mom!
Monday, May 29, 2017
Memorial Weekend Accomplishments
Saturday-Monday, May 27-29, 2017
Ken and I spent a good deal of time out on the road on Saturday hitting a variety of stores to pick up a bunch of different items so we could complete several different projects at the house.
We purchased some window film to cut the amount of rays and heat that comes in our entrance window along with a kit to install it.
Then we found some black out curtains that also cut the amount of heat that enters the windows. It was a color we liked so we ended up with several that I could then cut, rehem, and create other smaller ones from leftovers so we could not only complete what we needed in our entrance area but also our bedroom.
(the desk will replace the stacked chests which are going to our December yard sale)
We also picked up two ceiling fans with lights for the living room and dining room to replace what has now worn out.
Then we went to work tackling all the different jobs. Today, Monday we are finally relaxing in the late part of the day cause it is all done. Gosh that feels great. And what a transformation.
Tomorrow the new mattress we purchased on Saturday will be delivered and the old hauled away. Oh what a difference that will make. I'd say we really accomplished alot and are super happy with the results. (Meanwhile the new curtains are now in place and the room will be dark when we sleep) And Ken hopes to get a new ceiling fan and light put in over the bed before that mattress arrives.
Now we are eager to finish what we started in the front room. Because the other thing we did was shop around for a desk for Ken finally finding something we both liked but presently is not available. Hopefully we can get that worked out soon.
We've decided to create an office in the front entrance room that Ken will be able to use regularly - especially now that he is the treasurer for our Hillcrest Association. It will be nice for him to finally have a spot for all of his "stuff". And since people will be in and out alot he can deal with them right there when they enter.
Frank and Bette invited us over to American Condo for a special picnic that was being held in the hall today. Bette was on the committee but after serving was able to join us for the meal and some chat time before returning to the kitchen to help with clean up. Meanwhile, I made a large salad for the affair that was all cleaned up. Love it when it is all taken!!!!! We were able to stop over to their place and check out the progress on their 2nd bedroom makeover also. They've given it a 2 tone purple walls with white trim. I love it!!!! Their new bed comes this week along with the new floor that Loewe's is installing. Makes me eager to get our kitchen floor and bedroom floor redone (bathroom too)
Ken and I spent a good deal of time out on the road on Saturday hitting a variety of stores to pick up a bunch of different items so we could complete several different projects at the house.
We purchased some window film to cut the amount of rays and heat that comes in our entrance window along with a kit to install it.
Then we found some black out curtains that also cut the amount of heat that enters the windows. It was a color we liked so we ended up with several that I could then cut, rehem, and create other smaller ones from leftovers so we could not only complete what we needed in our entrance area but also our bedroom.
We also picked up two ceiling fans with lights for the living room and dining room to replace what has now worn out.
Tomorrow the new mattress we purchased on Saturday will be delivered and the old hauled away. Oh what a difference that will make. I'd say we really accomplished alot and are super happy with the results. (Meanwhile the new curtains are now in place and the room will be dark when we sleep) And Ken hopes to get a new ceiling fan and light put in over the bed before that mattress arrives.
Now we are eager to finish what we started in the front room. Because the other thing we did was shop around for a desk for Ken finally finding something we both liked but presently is not available. Hopefully we can get that worked out soon.
We've decided to create an office in the front entrance room that Ken will be able to use regularly - especially now that he is the treasurer for our Hillcrest Association. It will be nice for him to finally have a spot for all of his "stuff". And since people will be in and out alot he can deal with them right there when they enter.Frank and Bette invited us over to American Condo for a special picnic that was being held in the hall today. Bette was on the committee but after serving was able to join us for the meal and some chat time before returning to the kitchen to help with clean up. Meanwhile, I made a large salad for the affair that was all cleaned up. Love it when it is all taken!!!!! We were able to stop over to their place and check out the progress on their 2nd bedroom makeover also. They've given it a 2 tone purple walls with white trim. I love it!!!! Their new bed comes this week along with the new floor that Loewe's is installing. Makes me eager to get our kitchen floor and bedroom floor redone (bathroom too)
Thursday, May 25, 2017
There is a New Car in our Future
Thursday, May 25, 2017
We drove out to Parks Ford on Wednesday morning with our suitcases to see if they would fit in the trunk of a 2017 Fusion Hybrid after having checked out both the Fusion and Edge last week. The Escape is no longer towable so we have to either go larger and get an Edge or smaller and get a Fusion. The Edge is another 1000 pounds heavier so while it has the trunk space for carrying things that we have grown use to with our present Escape, it would affect our already low gas mileage when towing it behind the motorhome. Besides, it's mileage around town isn't so great either and I struggle with driving what we already have and don't really want anything bigger.
So after checking to be sure our luggage would fit into the car - tight but doable - we made the arrangements to get one with our salesman. Presently they do not even have one for sale in their lot (we were looking at one in their rental lot) but they can search for cars in other dealers. Me being me, I wanted the color blue. They came up empty. So we discussed ordering one with all the basic equipment we wanted. There was a possible one they could get in four weeks so we left thinking that is what we would be getting.
A phone call later in the day informed us that one was not going to be available so they would have to place an order unless we would consider getting a different color. The choices were limited - basically white and silver - so we decided to just go for what we wanted as we are willing to wait. Our car is nearing the end of its life but it still has life thank goodness though the hybrid battery is not as strong as it use to be. So today, we confirmed with them that we wanted to order and would wait the 8 weeks or so to get what we want as long as we can still get the offer of no money down and O% financing.
So here is hoping that by the end of July we will be returning to Florida to pick up our new car.
We drove out to Parks Ford on Wednesday morning with our suitcases to see if they would fit in the trunk of a 2017 Fusion Hybrid after having checked out both the Fusion and Edge last week. The Escape is no longer towable so we have to either go larger and get an Edge or smaller and get a Fusion. The Edge is another 1000 pounds heavier so while it has the trunk space for carrying things that we have grown use to with our present Escape, it would affect our already low gas mileage when towing it behind the motorhome. Besides, it's mileage around town isn't so great either and I struggle with driving what we already have and don't really want anything bigger.
So after checking to be sure our luggage would fit into the car - tight but doable - we made the arrangements to get one with our salesman. Presently they do not even have one for sale in their lot (we were looking at one in their rental lot) but they can search for cars in other dealers. Me being me, I wanted the color blue. They came up empty. So we discussed ordering one with all the basic equipment we wanted. There was a possible one they could get in four weeks so we left thinking that is what we would be getting.
A phone call later in the day informed us that one was not going to be available so they would have to place an order unless we would consider getting a different color. The choices were limited - basically white and silver - so we decided to just go for what we wanted as we are willing to wait. Our car is nearing the end of its life but it still has life thank goodness though the hybrid battery is not as strong as it use to be. So today, we confirmed with them that we wanted to order and would wait the 8 weeks or so to get what we want as long as we can still get the offer of no money down and O% financing.
So here is hoping that by the end of July we will be returning to Florida to pick up our new car.
Quilting and Playing Cards
Monday-Friday, May 22-26, 2017
What a fun week this has been!!!! I've had the opportunity to quilt four out of the five days and play cards not only on Wednesday (at Emma Jean's) but Tuesday and Friday at American Condo with Bette's friends. Could it get any better?
Emma Jean has developed a heel spur and been told to be off her feet as much as possible. So to keep her mind off the pain, she pulled out her sewing machine and the one we are sharing. She set up a six foot table in her kitchen with a machine at each end and cutting board in the middle. Then she pulled out her boxes of scrap fabric donated my many different people. Both of us cut up a sheet we each had into 10 1/2 inch squares and went to work.
The goal is to make enough squares so she can then make seven quilts - one for each of Santiago's boys who still live at home. Last year she created similar ones for each of the five girls. I have been wanting to learn how to make these scrap squares as well as get more sewing practice so I was thrilled to join her and help create.
The machine we share has 98 different fancy stitches that can be used for quilting so the goal has been to try as many of them as possible sewing in a variety of ways on each of these squares to add to their uniqueness. What fun that has been.
This square is getting trimmed to its 10 inches on all sides
In addition, Emma Jean has patiently gone through the process of how to cut again with me (for some reason I can't seem to get this done consistently) including helping me cut out sashing and binding for a quilt I started last fall. Hopefully before I leave her in June I'll finally have that completed.
While quilting on Tuesday, Bette called and invited me to come over and play cards with her friends at the clubhouse at American Condo. Six of us gathered for a great game of Hand and Foot. And I was invited back to do the same thing again on Friday.
Then, as has been our practice as much as possible this season, Orrie, Emma Jean and I played a different version of Hand and Foot on Wednesday afternoon. We managed to complete 2 full games this week while the winds howled and rain poured down outside. It was quite a storm but we were quite comfortable sitting inside watching and playing.
What a fun week this has been!!!! I've had the opportunity to quilt four out of the five days and play cards not only on Wednesday (at Emma Jean's) but Tuesday and Friday at American Condo with Bette's friends. Could it get any better?
Emma Jean has developed a heel spur and been told to be off her feet as much as possible. So to keep her mind off the pain, she pulled out her sewing machine and the one we are sharing. She set up a six foot table in her kitchen with a machine at each end and cutting board in the middle. Then she pulled out her boxes of scrap fabric donated my many different people. Both of us cut up a sheet we each had into 10 1/2 inch squares and went to work.
The goal is to make enough squares so she can then make seven quilts - one for each of Santiago's boys who still live at home. Last year she created similar ones for each of the five girls. I have been wanting to learn how to make these scrap squares as well as get more sewing practice so I was thrilled to join her and help create.
In addition, Emma Jean has patiently gone through the process of how to cut again with me (for some reason I can't seem to get this done consistently) including helping me cut out sashing and binding for a quilt I started last fall. Hopefully before I leave her in June I'll finally have that completed.
While quilting on Tuesday, Bette called and invited me to come over and play cards with her friends at the clubhouse at American Condo. Six of us gathered for a great game of Hand and Foot. And I was invited back to do the same thing again on Friday.
Then, as has been our practice as much as possible this season, Orrie, Emma Jean and I played a different version of Hand and Foot on Wednesday afternoon. We managed to complete 2 full games this week while the winds howled and rain poured down outside. It was quite a storm but we were quite comfortable sitting inside watching and playing.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Summer Heat Overwhelmes Us
Sunday, May 21, 2017
We were up and off to the Social Hall early this morning to say good bye to all our MFW friends as we enjoyed a continental breakfast. It was already in the 80s with a promise of 96 for a high and the humidity has now come to roost.
On our way back to our motorhome we stopped at a couple of our fellow members places to check them out - a 22 foot Minnie with a rear kitchen (2001) and an Era that was 24 feet long (2015). We are really trying to decide if we should sell what we have and downsize since we aren't doing as much travel now and can leave items behind in our shed and park model. But it is hard to give up our beautiful home on wheels especially cause it is now all paid for.
Anyway, I liked the Minnie with the rear kitchen but not the other one. So many of them have what they call a "wetbath" which means the small area with the toilet is also the shower so you sit on the toilet to clean up. Not my idea of the way to go!!!!
By 10:00 we had buttoned up, attached the car and were ready to head back to Zephyrhills. Other than a stop for gas in San Antonio where we tried to clean off some of the love bugs that had smashed against the windshield and front end, we drove straight back parking in front of our place to empty our stuff out and then throughly clean the front end. Then we put it back in storage.
When we first arrived I ran in and turned on the A/C and then proceeded to start the washer for the sheets, put things away in the fridge and cupboards and bring in the other items we had taken. Then we went to work on the cleaning stopping often to mop the sweat off our faces and drink some water. Once the motorhome was returned, we turned on the ceiling fans and sat to rest for a bit and cool down. Except I noticed I wasn't cooling down finally going and checking the thermostat and discovering the a/c was not working. Ken checked switches and breakers but could find no explanation as to why it wasn't working.
I tried calling both Emma Jean and Harriett to get a suggestion of who we might call to come out and look at it. Harriett had no idea and told me the reason I hadn't reached Emma Jean was she was in the pool, so I ran over there. She told me the best person to call and I went back to do that and then to get into my suit and join them. My clothes were sopping wet just from the sweat so I was glad to get refreshed a bit.
Unfortunately when I returned Ken said no one had returned his call and it looked like we were out of luck till tomorrow. By this time the temperature had not gone down but up to 88 degrees inside and there was no breeze outside either. I tried to just relax and read but found I simply couldn't relax and finally asked if we might be able to bring the motorhome back and park across the street where we could get air and sleep for the night.
By the time I got permission from Christy, and Ken got it up and running and back over to park it, the sun had gone down and we were doing it in the dark. Not fun!!! But we did. Only to plug it in and discover the electricity wasn't working. Ken went out to see what he could do only to have the skies open up and the rains drench down!!!! We had to give up and both of us got soaked to the skin running back to our place and then closing windows and mopping up all the water that came in.
I write this now at 11:30 still so hot and sticky there is no way I can settle down anywhere to sleep. It is going to be a long long night!!!! The windows and front and back doors are open but there is no breeze to help the outside air come in. It is suppose to drop to 71. Sure hope it finally seeps into the house!!!!!!!!
We were up and off to the Social Hall early this morning to say good bye to all our MFW friends as we enjoyed a continental breakfast. It was already in the 80s with a promise of 96 for a high and the humidity has now come to roost.
On our way back to our motorhome we stopped at a couple of our fellow members places to check them out - a 22 foot Minnie with a rear kitchen (2001) and an Era that was 24 feet long (2015). We are really trying to decide if we should sell what we have and downsize since we aren't doing as much travel now and can leave items behind in our shed and park model. But it is hard to give up our beautiful home on wheels especially cause it is now all paid for.
Anyway, I liked the Minnie with the rear kitchen but not the other one. So many of them have what they call a "wetbath" which means the small area with the toilet is also the shower so you sit on the toilet to clean up. Not my idea of the way to go!!!!
By 10:00 we had buttoned up, attached the car and were ready to head back to Zephyrhills. Other than a stop for gas in San Antonio where we tried to clean off some of the love bugs that had smashed against the windshield and front end, we drove straight back parking in front of our place to empty our stuff out and then throughly clean the front end. Then we put it back in storage.
When we first arrived I ran in and turned on the A/C and then proceeded to start the washer for the sheets, put things away in the fridge and cupboards and bring in the other items we had taken. Then we went to work on the cleaning stopping often to mop the sweat off our faces and drink some water. Once the motorhome was returned, we turned on the ceiling fans and sat to rest for a bit and cool down. Except I noticed I wasn't cooling down finally going and checking the thermostat and discovering the a/c was not working. Ken checked switches and breakers but could find no explanation as to why it wasn't working.
I tried calling both Emma Jean and Harriett to get a suggestion of who we might call to come out and look at it. Harriett had no idea and told me the reason I hadn't reached Emma Jean was she was in the pool, so I ran over there. She told me the best person to call and I went back to do that and then to get into my suit and join them. My clothes were sopping wet just from the sweat so I was glad to get refreshed a bit.
Unfortunately when I returned Ken said no one had returned his call and it looked like we were out of luck till tomorrow. By this time the temperature had not gone down but up to 88 degrees inside and there was no breeze outside either. I tried to just relax and read but found I simply couldn't relax and finally asked if we might be able to bring the motorhome back and park across the street where we could get air and sleep for the night.
By the time I got permission from Christy, and Ken got it up and running and back over to park it, the sun had gone down and we were doing it in the dark. Not fun!!! But we did. Only to plug it in and discover the electricity wasn't working. Ken went out to see what he could do only to have the skies open up and the rains drench down!!!! We had to give up and both of us got soaked to the skin running back to our place and then closing windows and mopping up all the water that came in.
I write this now at 11:30 still so hot and sticky there is no way I can settle down anywhere to sleep. It is going to be a long long night!!!! The windows and front and back doors are open but there is no breeze to help the outside air come in. It is suppose to drop to 71. Sure hope it finally seeps into the house!!!!!!!!
MFW Go to a Horse Race
Thursday-Sunday, May 18-21, 2017
I managed to get in my pool time for exercise early so it wouldn't interfere with our projected leaving time of 11:00 so we could arrive at the Wilderness RV Park in Silver Springs by 1:00 in time for the start of the May Mid Florida Winnies campout. In fact, Dave and Donna Rumrill arrived just in front of us along with Barbie Shaffer in her motorhome.
We ran the generator all morning to get it cooled down inside since this 95 degree weather is tough to keep out of a house on wheels. We continued to run it on our trip up so that we'd arrive with a cool camper. Thank goodness we did cause then we ran into problems. Ken plugged us in and it wouldn't work. After fussing for over an hour he went searching for Jeff, our president, to see if Tom Zopff had arrived. He had and was able to come over and use his mechanical skills to get our electricity working. But we will now have to have service to get it fixed when we return as we've burned out the internal transfer switch - surge surpresser. (This is the same thing that happened to us on a very very hot day in Chattanooga when we were traveling with our grandsons Reilly and Jason - that time we ended up in a motel for two nights)
By the time this was all done it was time for Happy Hour and our first chance to see everyone in one place. Members of two other clubs also joined us so we had 30 coaches all together - a good sized group for May. The place was buzzing. There was more high energy than usual because nine coaches of members are leaving from here to begin the trek to Alaska for a caravan there with Dave and Donna Rumrill acting as hosts. (Below is a picture of five of the couples at their first stop Swanee State Park in Florida - they are enjoying dinner together)
They have been working together trying to arrange to travel together and see loads of things before reaching Alaska. They had quite an itinerary.
Following Happy Hour, we joined 5 other couples for dinner at Miller's Ale House in Ocala. Luckily Bob Christian had called ahead cause the place was extremely full but they had a spot for us at a high table.
Friday morning I joined Donna and Barbie at the pool for an hour of exercise and conversation. The pool itself was probably double the size of the one we have here at Hillcrest with a beautiful garden and water feature waterfall at one end of it. Yet despite the size of the campground, only 3 others were in the water giving us loads of space.
Afterwards, Ken and I drove into Ocala to a Dollar Tree to find items for me to make a "derby"hat for the competition that was taking place on Saturday. Off and on rain had started as I returned to the RV from swimming so we took advantage of that kind of weather to not only do that but stop at a Loewes to look at their ceiling fans since we are needing new ones.
Again we returned in time for Happy Hour taking our utensils for dinner with us so we wouldn't have to walk back in rain. After our dinner we played a fun game of Nickles at our table there were two different groups playing. I won one of the games getting enough nickles so I could play three more and still go home with 3 more than I started with.
Saturday, following our morning breakfast with the group and MFW meeting, I returned to the pool but didn't last as long cause it was feeling very hot in the noon sun. Besides, Ken and I wanted to go to the Silver Springs State Park
and take the glass bottom boat ride.
Unfortunately we ended up with a very bad guide and a group with a large number of children that were extremely noisy so we really couldn't hear anything the guide was saying in a low monotone. But it was fun to get out on the water and see some of the springs. They were easy to spot as the water was a turquoise shade whereever they were.
It was very clear water sometimes down to a depth of 90 feet, We could see all the caves that the water was coming from as well as some of the fish in the area.
On top of that, we got to see an alligator swimming across in front of us,
"snake" birds diving for food,
ducks, and turtles,
There were many people out kayaking or slowly moving around in little boats all just enjoying the hot summer day.
Following our ride we walked around the garden and wildlife area reading the signs and enjoying the views.
It has been probably 30 years since we've been there. Unfortunately the private owner of the place went bankrupt and it sat unattended for a bit before the state took it over so it really is just now beginning to recover.
There are many paths for hiking within the park as well as a campground.
The heat and humidity kept us from staying very long besides which fact I needed to get back and make the salad for the evening meal as well as finish putting my hat together
before heading to Happy Hour/hat contest/conversation/dinner/horse race.
One of the first things on the agenda at the hall was the hat contest. The theme for the weekend
was horse racing - the Preakness was actually going to take place later in the evening though we would be into our own races by then.
One of the workers at the campground acted as judge for the "derby"hats. Everyone walked by her with their given number signs in hand.
The winners were announced and given a decorated bottle of wine.
I managed to get in my pool time for exercise early so it wouldn't interfere with our projected leaving time of 11:00 so we could arrive at the Wilderness RV Park in Silver Springs by 1:00 in time for the start of the May Mid Florida Winnies campout. In fact, Dave and Donna Rumrill arrived just in front of us along with Barbie Shaffer in her motorhome.
We ran the generator all morning to get it cooled down inside since this 95 degree weather is tough to keep out of a house on wheels. We continued to run it on our trip up so that we'd arrive with a cool camper. Thank goodness we did cause then we ran into problems. Ken plugged us in and it wouldn't work. After fussing for over an hour he went searching for Jeff, our president, to see if Tom Zopff had arrived. He had and was able to come over and use his mechanical skills to get our electricity working. But we will now have to have service to get it fixed when we return as we've burned out the internal transfer switch - surge surpresser. (This is the same thing that happened to us on a very very hot day in Chattanooga when we were traveling with our grandsons Reilly and Jason - that time we ended up in a motel for two nights)
By the time this was all done it was time for Happy Hour and our first chance to see everyone in one place. Members of two other clubs also joined us so we had 30 coaches all together - a good sized group for May. The place was buzzing. There was more high energy than usual because nine coaches of members are leaving from here to begin the trek to Alaska for a caravan there with Dave and Donna Rumrill acting as hosts. (Below is a picture of five of the couples at their first stop Swanee State Park in Florida - they are enjoying dinner together)
Following Happy Hour, we joined 5 other couples for dinner at Miller's Ale House in Ocala. Luckily Bob Christian had called ahead cause the place was extremely full but they had a spot for us at a high table.
Friday morning I joined Donna and Barbie at the pool for an hour of exercise and conversation. The pool itself was probably double the size of the one we have here at Hillcrest with a beautiful garden and water feature waterfall at one end of it. Yet despite the size of the campground, only 3 others were in the water giving us loads of space.
Afterwards, Ken and I drove into Ocala to a Dollar Tree to find items for me to make a "derby"hat for the competition that was taking place on Saturday. Off and on rain had started as I returned to the RV from swimming so we took advantage of that kind of weather to not only do that but stop at a Loewes to look at their ceiling fans since we are needing new ones.
Again we returned in time for Happy Hour taking our utensils for dinner with us so we wouldn't have to walk back in rain. After our dinner we played a fun game of Nickles at our table there were two different groups playing. I won one of the games getting enough nickles so I could play three more and still go home with 3 more than I started with.
Saturday, following our morning breakfast with the group and MFW meeting, I returned to the pool but didn't last as long cause it was feeling very hot in the noon sun. Besides, Ken and I wanted to go to the Silver Springs State Park
The heat and humidity kept us from staying very long besides which fact I needed to get back and make the salad for the evening meal as well as finish putting my hat together
One of the first things on the agenda at the hall was the hat contest. The theme for the weekend
One of the workers at the campground acted as judge for the "derby"hats. Everyone walked by her with their given number signs in hand.
Then all of us posed for a picture
Meanwhile most everyone was enjoying a mint julep and snacks that included these cookies created by Susan Kiefer.
Larry Deland had created this jockey cut out for the guys to pose behind
Here are Barb and John Trent - she has the mint julep in her hand
Following dinner,("Seabiscuit" -name of a race horse - subs and "cow" chips)we did a bit of betting and horse racing using this board and horses that Larry also created. He threw dice and the horses were moved forward to the pencil marks along the side according to what the dice were like 4 and 6.
Ken bet on horse #6 in the first race and it won giving him $6. He decided to quit while he was ahead. :-)
In the shot below you can see the bidders rooting on their horses as well as the blue ribbon table decorations for the weekend.
We picked up several new members including Ken and Mary Ann Long who live at Legacy in Leesburg where Sally Hungerford is. They had just purchased a Winnebago and were staying at Wilderness. They noticed lots of Winnebagos and ended up talking with the Rumrills eager to find out why. They were invited to our activities and by the end of the weekend were fun participants in the club.
All in all, it was a great weekend and a wonderful ending to our 2016-17 season. They will begin meeting again in September though at this point it looks like it might be December before we make it again.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Florida Heat
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
We finally got some rain a couple of days ago - not gobs but at least we got a little. However we are now paying for it. The temperatures are in the 90s as they have been but the humidity has risen up into the 50-60 percents in the middle of the day with much higher in the early morning and evening. And it only cools off into the 70s. This morning the paper announced that Florida recorded its hottest average temperatures for the first four months of the year since 1895 with a record high in Tampa yesterday of 96. Yes, the heat is truly now upon us. And sadly the lack of rain has meant a huge number of fires here in the state. It doesn't take much to send all the dry weeds, plants, trees and fields up into flames closing roads and sending lots of smoke up into the air.
I went to my appointment with Dr. Dudlani yesterday with great trepedation but came away dancing. My blood pressure was within normal ranges and she released me until November telling me to keep up with the things I'm doing - increased exercise and diet low in salt and processed foods. Thank goodness as she was really pressing me to start blood pressure medicine and I really don't want to be stuck taking regular medications. Here is to a summer of being healthy!!!!
Harriett Hinton contacted me last night to say they are back from their Dallas trip and she can join me at the pool today. Hooray!!! It is so much more fun to go up there and exercise when there is someone to chat with at the same time. It is amazing how much easier it is and how much quicker the time flies by when you share it with others.
We finally got some rain a couple of days ago - not gobs but at least we got a little. However we are now paying for it. The temperatures are in the 90s as they have been but the humidity has risen up into the 50-60 percents in the middle of the day with much higher in the early morning and evening. And it only cools off into the 70s. This morning the paper announced that Florida recorded its hottest average temperatures for the first four months of the year since 1895 with a record high in Tampa yesterday of 96. Yes, the heat is truly now upon us. And sadly the lack of rain has meant a huge number of fires here in the state. It doesn't take much to send all the dry weeds, plants, trees and fields up into flames closing roads and sending lots of smoke up into the air.
I went to my appointment with Dr. Dudlani yesterday with great trepedation but came away dancing. My blood pressure was within normal ranges and she released me until November telling me to keep up with the things I'm doing - increased exercise and diet low in salt and processed foods. Thank goodness as she was really pressing me to start blood pressure medicine and I really don't want to be stuck taking regular medications. Here is to a summer of being healthy!!!!
Harriett Hinton contacted me last night to say they are back from their Dallas trip and she can join me at the pool today. Hooray!!! It is so much more fun to go up there and exercise when there is someone to chat with at the same time. It is amazing how much easier it is and how much quicker the time flies by when you share it with others.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Apparently the work in the garden affected my lower back so by last night I had a great deal of pain in both legs and feet probably caused by the spinal cord being pinched by the bone growths I've acquired over the years. I know the space has been narrowed a great deal as I've seen the xrays. I should have known better, but oh well. The problem was that I got almost no sleep last night as the pain kind of overwhelmed me. Anyway, it was hard to get up this morning and tackle the day but I did and even chose to wear a "new" dress I'd picked up a couple of weeks ago at the resale shop just down the street. I figured that would help perk me up, and it did. I even wore the new white sandals I'd just purchased to use with the dress.
Pastor Santiago Huron had a wonderful sermon about the importance of being a mother and raising your child in the Christian faith modeling how to live your love for the Lord and what a legacy that you leave behind when you do this. He sited Eunice who raised Timothy to be such a wonderful disciple. Of course many of us did not have this background so we were simply encouraged to make every effort then to do it now with any children we come in contact with helping to change their destinies. He reminded us of what a difference in his life took place when a Christian woman picked him up when he was hitch hiking at the age of 15. It turned his life around. Following his sermon many in the congregation shared stories about their mothers and how they had affected their lives. One woman shared that she never knew her birth mother, her adopted mother was somewhat loving but has been all of the people in the congregation that have truly been her loving Christian "mothers" and changed her life. Hope is eternal!!!!
Each of the women in the congregation was given a beautiful white rose to take home at the end of the service.
We came home and changed into more comfortable clothes (it was in the 90s and a bit more humid) just in time to then welcome Frank and Bette to our place for several rounds of Sequence and lots of conversation. It was so good to have some time with them. Their oldest granddaughter, Catherine, just graduated from Shippensburg University yesterday, magna cum laude, and they were able to watch the whole graduation on their phones as there was a camera right behind the person giving out the degrees. It was exciting to see it ourselves since they were able to record it. We were marveling over the fact that we are old enough to be seeing grandchildren graduate from college. None of us feel as old as we thought our parents were when this time came in their lives. :-)
Over the last couple of days, several of our kids have had postings up about mother's day with some neat pictures along with this cute posting that Beth put up. I just had to copy and paste it in.
Sue was not to be outdone. She too posted a "framed" picture and best wishes and then called and we had a nice long chat in the late afternoon. This picture was taken in her church courtyard a year or two ago.
She, too, sent along an Amazon card so I can keep buying books for my Kindle that she gave me years ago.
Dan called in the afternoon and we had a great chance to chat too.
By the end of day I truly was feeling blessed even though I was still in alot of pain. There is nothing like all these wonderful "distractions" to take your mind off how you are feeling. What a joy filled day I had.
Apparently the work in the garden affected my lower back so by last night I had a great deal of pain in both legs and feet probably caused by the spinal cord being pinched by the bone growths I've acquired over the years. I know the space has been narrowed a great deal as I've seen the xrays. I should have known better, but oh well. The problem was that I got almost no sleep last night as the pain kind of overwhelmed me. Anyway, it was hard to get up this morning and tackle the day but I did and even chose to wear a "new" dress I'd picked up a couple of weeks ago at the resale shop just down the street. I figured that would help perk me up, and it did. I even wore the new white sandals I'd just purchased to use with the dress.
Pastor Santiago Huron had a wonderful sermon about the importance of being a mother and raising your child in the Christian faith modeling how to live your love for the Lord and what a legacy that you leave behind when you do this. He sited Eunice who raised Timothy to be such a wonderful disciple. Of course many of us did not have this background so we were simply encouraged to make every effort then to do it now with any children we come in contact with helping to change their destinies. He reminded us of what a difference in his life took place when a Christian woman picked him up when he was hitch hiking at the age of 15. It turned his life around. Following his sermon many in the congregation shared stories about their mothers and how they had affected their lives. One woman shared that she never knew her birth mother, her adopted mother was somewhat loving but has been all of the people in the congregation that have truly been her loving Christian "mothers" and changed her life. Hope is eternal!!!!
Each of the women in the congregation was given a beautiful white rose to take home at the end of the service.
We came home and changed into more comfortable clothes (it was in the 90s and a bit more humid) just in time to then welcome Frank and Bette to our place for several rounds of Sequence and lots of conversation. It was so good to have some time with them. Their oldest granddaughter, Catherine, just graduated from Shippensburg University yesterday, magna cum laude, and they were able to watch the whole graduation on their phones as there was a camera right behind the person giving out the degrees. It was exciting to see it ourselves since they were able to record it. We were marveling over the fact that we are old enough to be seeing grandchildren graduate from college. None of us feel as old as we thought our parents were when this time came in their lives. :-)
Over the last couple of days, several of our kids have had postings up about mother's day with some neat pictures along with this cute posting that Beth put up. I just had to copy and paste it in.
Fill in the blanks and post to Facebook for Mother's Day:
How well do you know your MOM? Copy, paste, and fill-in the blanks. Then tag them to give you a grade.
1. She is sitting in front of the TV, what is she watching? She rarely watches tv
2. Usually, what salad dressing does she use? Oil and vinegar
3. Name something she hates? Speaking in front of an audience
4. What does she like to drink? Water
5. Favorite music? Barbershop
6. What is her nickname for you? Beth
7. What is something she collects? Miniature houses but she can't collect anything anymore because there is no room in the motor home
8. What would she eat every day if she could? Cantaloupe
9. What is her favorite color? Blue
10. What would she NEVER wear? High heels
11. What is her favorite sports team? She doesn't watch sports although claims she likes watching swim meets
12. What is something that you do that she wishes you didn't? Nothing - I'm perfect
13. You bake her a cake. What kind of cake do you make? She doesn't eat cake but if she did it would be German chocolate
14. Favorite animal? Cats
15. What could she spend all day doing? Playing games
16. Who is her favorite child? Whoever she is with
Carolyn Sykes Ledford how did I do?
I had to tell her she was pretty darn good at describing me!
Then she put up this picture to wish me a Happy Mother's Day! It was taken on the cruise we just enjoyed together last month.
How well do you know your MOM? Copy, paste, and fill-in the blanks. Then tag them to give you a grade.
1. She is sitting in front of the TV, what is she watching? She rarely watches tv
2. Usually, what salad dressing does she use? Oil and vinegar
3. Name something she hates? Speaking in front of an audience
4. What does she like to drink? Water
5. Favorite music? Barbershop
6. What is her nickname for you? Beth
7. What is something she collects? Miniature houses but she can't collect anything anymore because there is no room in the motor home
8. What would she eat every day if she could? Cantaloupe
9. What is her favorite color? Blue
10. What would she NEVER wear? High heels
11. What is her favorite sports team? She doesn't watch sports although claims she likes watching swim meets
12. What is something that you do that she wishes you didn't? Nothing - I'm perfect
13. You bake her a cake. What kind of cake do you make? She doesn't eat cake but if she did it would be German chocolate
14. Favorite animal? Cats
15. What could she spend all day doing? Playing games
16. Who is her favorite child? Whoever she is with
Carolyn Sykes Ledford how did I do?
I had to tell her she was pretty darn good at describing me!
Then she put up this picture to wish me a Happy Mother's Day! It was taken on the cruise we just enjoyed together last month.
Sue was not to be outdone. She too posted a "framed" picture and best wishes and then called and we had a nice long chat in the late afternoon. This picture was taken in her church courtyard a year or two ago.
Her beautiful card included a gift card for Ruby Tuesday that we will definitely enjoy sometime soon.
Then Janet posted this picture with a big Happy Mother's Day on it. It was taken a couple of years ago
when we were there on Mother's Day and went out to eat together after church.
Dan called in the afternoon and we had a great chance to chat too.
By the end of day I truly was feeling blessed even though I was still in alot of pain. There is nothing like all these wonderful "distractions" to take your mind off how you are feeling. What a joy filled day I had.
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