Family Reunion

Today, we worked at our computers (aren't you sick of seeing that in the blog)!

We went to recycle our newspapers today at the Temple and Terry went in to pay for tickets for us to go to the Jerome Kern concert that will be at the Temple.

Then we went to The Dollar Tree and Aldi (it does get more exciting than that).

Rick drove up from Sarasota where he had taken a Elder Hostel course, in Sarasota.  He also went on a sailboat twice with an interesting couple. 

Judy and Jeff arrived and we had dinner here and just caught up with each other.

In the photos you will see Terry and I switched places for a family photo.  In the first photo, Rick is enjoying the recliner feature to the couch.  Actually, there is a recliner on each end of the couch and that is where Terry and I sit to read.

Terry is busy researching if there is a place where they can go to swim with manatees.  Keep tuned!

When we were at the Blue Parrot Craft Show we ran into a lady who makes handbags from jeans.  We had bought a few bags from her a few years ago when she had a table at one of the squares on market night.  This time, she had a black jeans bag with cute ties.  The one that caught my eye looks like money is coming out of the bag.  I had to have it.  Today, I ran into the neighborhood Publix for some things we forgot to get before and had the same cashier as the other day.  When he saw the bag, he said - hello again to the lady with the money hanging from her bag.  Other people stop me and comment on the bag.  It has another tie that goes with a light-weight jacket I bought down here and wore to the dinner at Nancy Lopez on Diane and Tom's anniversary.  See the bag with the money tie.

Terry Pays the Piper

Today, Terry left early this morning to go weigh in at Weight Watchers.  She was over her goal weight, by a little more than last week, and since she had been up a little last week, they charged her.  Of course, it's all my fault - NOT!  Good news, she got a discount for being over 65!

Went grocery shopping preparing for our cousins to arrive in the Villages tomorrow.  We are looking forward to us all being together again. 

Was busy today correcting course materials for the online company I work for and sending the corrections into the company.  Also had two calls about Township matters.  So, I'm not sitting doing nothing - my computer is getting a work out, as is Terry's, 

This is the first year that she has a laptop down here too and we are not sharing a laptop.  That has been a lifesaver for both of us.

February's calendar is filling up, so it should be a fun month.  Hopefully, the weather will continue to be good so our friends who are coming down in February can enjoy what we have been enjoying.

BTW:  A friend here got a mah jongg set for Christmas and was disappointed because her racks did not come with "pushers."  When Terry and I were at the Flea Market, we saw "pushers" and they were $4.95 each!  Do you mah jongg players out there use "pushers" when you are playing mah jongg?  We've been playing for over 50 years and never saw pushers before.

Small Towns

Had a leisurely morning and then went to the Flea Market and got some little gifts for the office staff at the Township and something for my bathroom that I had been looking for.  Also bought some tomatoes!  Nothing too exciting.

We then were starving as it was close to 3 P.M. and we had only had breakfast.  We went to TooJays, in Spanish Springs, and had a late lunch.

Wanted to be far from Sumter Landing as Newt Gingrich was going to be having a rally there.  Tomorrow, Romney will be in the same area for another rally.

Came home to read the paper (Terry) and do bridge homework (Marilyn).  An old friend (my vice president when I was president of Women in Real Estate) called and she is in Marco Island.  Too far apart to see each other but it was nice to catch up with each other.

Went to Temple Shalom tonight for a program on small town Wisconsin synagogues and Jewish life.  They showed a film done by the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning.  I guess it has been on public TV stations. Two of the people featured in the film are members of Temple Shalom.  One from Appleton and one from a little town that we never heard of 40 miles from LaCrosse.  It was very interesting. 

As we were driving home, we were commenting on how in many ways we grew up in a small town (though part of Chicago) and had to travel to get a Jewish education.  Also, how Temples change and people move away and how they have to close or move.  While Terry and I have been a part of the same synagogue for our whole life, this is the third location and building for the synagogue.

It's Party Time!

Today was the official party for Diane and Tom's 50th Anniversary.  It was at Sea Breeze Recreation Center, one of the regional centers here at The Villages.

Terry and I and one other person were the only ones who were actually at the wedding 50 years ago.

 Here's our group.  Diane (we started kindergarten with her) and her husband, Don.  They were in Ft. Meyers and drove up for the party.  They are coming back to the Villages, before heading back to Illinois and then Colorado for their grandson's first birthday.  Joyce joined us in high school, and she and Jim live very near where the party was and also in Illinois in the summer. In the middle is the anniversary couple.


Their wedding photo.

Here we are 50 years ago.  Sandy, Terry, Fran, Diane, Marilyn, Christine, Sharon

Sandy is down in Sanibel, Fran is in Michigan, Christine and Sharon are in the Chicago area.

Happy 50th Anniversary

After working in the morning and going to bridge lessons in the afternoon, we meet Diane, Tom and Cheri for dinner at Nancy Lopez Club.

Terry and I were early, as bridge was over sooner than we had thought it would be.  So, we went ahead to the club and had drinks in the lobby watching the people file in.  It is always a mob scene there.  Terry had made a reservation (since we have a reservation membership that we paid for - otherwise, they don't take reservations).

While we were waiting I took a photo of the golfer in the lobby by the registration desk.

Terry had told the club that it was a 50th anniversary so they provided a cake.

The waitress took a photo of the five of us on my camera and it was out of focus.  She took one on Tom's camera that was better and he'll send it to me.

Here's the photo from Tom's camera.

After dinner, we went back to Diane and Tom's house and saw some photos of their trips, etc. since last Fall.  Also, photos of the surprise that Tom planned for Diane - a carriage ride in this huge carriage with four horses.

I'm now going to see if I can get our Temple's Service, which should be streamed.  Our former Cantor, Cory Winter, who is in Chicago from California and will be singing tonight.

It's Where?

Again, we both worked this morning. We left the house in the afternoon to do a little shopping.  Headed to Entenmann's Outlet, and got a little misplaced - taking what I thought would be a quicker route!  Oh well, nice day for a ride.

Did a little other shopping and then went to a Chinese place for dinner.  There are two in the area, and we've never been to either. We thought we were headed to the one with the buffet, but arrived at the other one, Cheng's. Oh well, the food was good and we probably would have eaten too much at the buffet.  This way we have leftovers.

Finished the book club book, Once We Were Brothers, on Terry's Nook.  We could not figure out how she could lend it to me on my I-Pad.  I had downloaded the Barnes and Noble App, so we should have been able to do it, but alas it was not to be.  Tough book, about the Holocaust, but an excellent read.

Terry is reading one of the Elizabeth Berg books so she wasn't using the Nook.

Last Wednesday Afternoon - South Meeting

We left the house at 9:15 a.m. today to drive to Sarasota to meet my friend Ruth Thiel.  She and her friend, Morley, drove up from Naples (half way for all of us).

We met at the Dry Dock Grill, in Longboat Key.  I found it when I did an Internet search for places to eat on the water.  The restaurant is actually upstairs of a dry-dock facility.  During lunch, we could watch them taking boats out of the water and putting boats into the water.

We had a nice long lunch sitting by the water and talking.  A lady next to us asked if we would take her picture with her husband - it was their 48th anniversary.  We said sure, if she would take a photo of us.

The second photo is of the view from our table.

Morley is a delight and it was great to meet him.  When he was at Michigan, he was on the football team in 1952 (I think that was the year) when they went to the Rose Bowl.  He and his wife got married in order for her to accompany him to the Rose Bowl!  He had to have his parent's permission to get married as he was under age.  His wife died last year (her name was Ruth also) and my friend Ruth's husband, Joe, died 4 years ago.

Sent a photo of us having lunch to Mary Kay Walsh via instant message to send to the Last Wednesday Afternoon group who were meeting at Hackney's on Lake at the same time.

LWA (Last Wed) is a group of past presidents of the North Shore Board of Realtors, and we meet once a month on the last Wed.  The Board of Directors of the Board always met on the last Wed, and our group of has beens missed those meetings, so years ago we established the last Wed. group.  Now spouses, sisters, etc join us.

Came home about 4:30 and I sat down at my computer.  My computer said "battery low."  Now, how can that be when the computer is plugged in?  Terry went to her computer and it was dead, as was the printer.  A little investigation proved that all of the outlets on the bar/counter were out, everything else in the house was working.  We tried the fuse box, nothing.  So, we called Clem, the caretaker's husband.  Sweet man that he is, he was over in a few minutes.  It was a mystery to him too.  Said he would have to call an electrician.  Then he tried one more thing - the GFI on the kitchen counter, hidden by the knife set.  It was a miracle!  The counter outlets are now working!

Remember how I groused about the lady with the marbles in the AARP driving class?  I  found out that I will be saving $77 a year on my auto insurance!  That lady doesn't seem too bad now!

Business and Pleasure

Today, we both worked all morning.  Terry was doing work for both of her businesses, and I was interacting with students via computer and the telephone.  I also write two columns, for two different groups, and contribute to a newsletter for a third group.  I was busy with that this morning.

Over lunch, Terry and I were talking about how disappointed our mother would be that we don't jump out of bed and get dressed before breakfast.  We speculated that if they had the Internet in her younger days she too would have worked in her p.j.'s sometime!

We left the house to go to an open house being held by a real estate gal who works with her sister - they are billed as "the sister act."  We exchanged cards.  It was a little house that she was holding open, in one of the older areas.

After looking at some other properties, we went to Sumter Landing and walked around while the musicians were getting the stage ready and the vendors were setting up.






Here's Terry in front of the clock at Sumter Landing:

Also took a photo of one of the four bars (there is one on each of the four corners at each of the squares).  You can see how inexpensive the drinks are.  We saw a cute license plate that said "The Villages: A Drinking Community, with a Golf Problem."  As Terry says, "if you were a drinker, the drinks are so cheap, you could have a real drinking problem."  I tried to get the prices in the photo.

We next went for ribs at Sonny's Bar B Q.  Thought of our friend Fran, who would love these ribs, as they do not fall off of the bone.




Was sorry to hear about Senator Mark Kirk.  I cannot imagine someone so hard driving being incapacitated to the extent that they say.  I'll try to reach his step brother to see if there is anything we can do from here.

After doing some more work (and Terry doing laundry), we will watch the President's State of the Union Address.

Oh yes, have to finish my bridge homework!



Oh So Pretty!

Started the day with Clem, the caretaker's husband, fixing a bulb in the kitchen.  So nice to have a man around the house.  No way that I would have gotten on that big ladder to replace that recessed bulb.

Terry and I went to a new beauty shop to get our hair dyed and cut.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, when she was done, I thought something looked different.  Took me a few minutes to figure out my part was on the opposite side.  I came home and brushed it back the way that I am used to.

Terry's cut was a little more funky than usual, but at least we both don't have to hide or wear hats!

I walked over to a little store to get some cards, while Terry was finishing at the beauty shop. 

She met me on my way out of the store, and we spotted a Brooklyn Bagel place on the way back to the car, so we stopped in.  They had egg salad on the menu (on a water bagel) so I was in heaven.  Terry just had a marble bagel with veggie cream cheese and said hers was good too.  The weather was in the 80's, so we ate outside.

I had used my last postage stamp so we stopped at the post office and I got two rolls (since the price is going up). 

Terry thought her favorite store, from our first trip down here, may have moved back.  However, when we went in it was not the same store.  She was VERY disappointed.

She felt better after we stopped at McDonalds for ice cream cones.

We are now both at our computers and I'm going to have to sign off so I can participate in a Township meeting.

Water Oak and Spanish Springs

Had a busy morning.  I threw a couple of loads of laundry in and paid some bills (they seem to find their way to Florida).  Terry showed me how to pay my Discover Card online!

Terry made chocolate-chip pancakes this morning and they were very good!

Terry was on the telephone with Mindy for awhile as they got ready for Terry to do some 1099's for clients.

After a bite at home, we went to an RV Show in the Walmart parking lot. I don't know why we keep looking, as I doubt that we will every buy one. 

From there we went to Water Oak (a senior community of manufactured homes) just next to The Villages, where they were having an open house.  We registered for a free TV and looked at the models, then drove around to see the community.  The houses look well cared for.  I never gave them my REALTOR card, as I don't think I would have anyone to send to them.

We then went to Spanish Springs to walk.  Terry took some photos while we were there.  The sun was not in a good position so the photos are a little dark.

The water cascading into a pond is on one side of the square.  The gazebo is where the entertainment was scheduled to start about 1/2 hour from when we were there.  The musicians had just completed their sound check while we were there.  The statue is of the founder, Mr. Schwartz (I don't remember his first name).  The Church is the Church on the Square, where they have entertainment, some nights for as little as $2 per person!

I made a steak dinner for us and now Terry is working on the 1099's and I'm checking email and then will read the paper.

For those of you interested in a weather report, it was almost 80 today!

Blue Parrot Craft Show

This morning I woke up and made a list of things I wanted to get done today.  Yuck - I have not had to make a list in weeks!

Did a number of the little projects this morning and still have two undone.

Terry and I went over to the Blue Parrott RV Park's annual Craft Show.  We've gone in other years where the weather was not as good as today.

While we were looking a some purses, I heard a man yell at a car - MOVE ALONG!  Turned to see what was causing the disturbance and see our friend Diane crossing the entrance roadway.  Tom had just let her off and he was getting yelled at for stopping!  We visited for a few minutes.  They were there to see a friend who was exhibiting his personalized puzzles.

We waited with Diane while Tom parked and then met up with them again at their friend's booth.

 
I look busty in this photo - will have to wear that bra more often!

Terry took a photo of the Blue Parrot sign as our cousins, Judy and Jeff will be staying there when they visit next week. 

Because we had a late breakfast, we had not had lunch until after we left the craft show.  Stopped at Five Guys for a hamburger.  Terry MADE me get fries to share!

We went grocery shopping and are in the relaxing mode right now.

Cousin Rick Visits

We had our second bridge lesson today and the time flew by.  If you are wondering, yes, we both did the homework.  We have homework again this week!

Got a car wash where you sit in the car and the equipment with the water etc. goes back and forth over the car - creepy!

Ran over to Belks, everything 15% off, to buy another pair of the pants like I bought last week.  They were so comfortable that I wanted another pair in a different color.

Went home to heat leftovers as cousin Rick came over for dinner.  He's on his way to Sarasota and an Elder Hostel Program.  He'll be back when Judy and Jeff are also here on the 31st.

Terry talked to the girls today and it seems as if Chicago is in the midst of a snowstorm.  We don't miss that at all!

Driver's Ed Class OVER

This morning was the last part of the AARP six-hour Driver's Ed for Seniors class.  I never have to sit in a class with Ms. Southern Bell with marbles in her mouth, who had a comment about everything!  We have our certificates!

Went to Crispers today for soup and salad.  They have my chicken and wild rice soup every day!  It was good and on a par with Panera.

We went to Publix to pick up a few things and then went "home" to start preparing for tonight's dinner.

Here's a photo of the appetizers on the corner of the kitchen counter:

Tonight we had some friends over for dinner and Terry made a great dinner (I helped).  We had salad, cranberry chicken, baked potato, mixed vegetables, and rolls for dinner.  For dessert, we had chocolate cake and ice cream and some goodies that Terry had made the other day when Diane and her friend were here for mah jongg.

Joyce and Jim

Diane and Tom

Busy Day

This morning, I finished the Attorney General's Class, on the Open Meetings Act, once again, and got my certificate.  Should be good until the end of my term.

Terry was working too.  Mindy wrote that Miranda came home early from school with high numbers.  We are anxious to hear how she is doing.  Also, we are feeling a little guilty that we are not there (especially Terry) to help with Miranda at this busy time of the year for their business.

Diane, and her friend Anita, came over for their first mah jongg lesson.  Hopefully, it was not too overwhelming for them.  We offered more lessons - time will tell if they want to continue learning how to play.

I was in communication with the Township, on the telephone for about a half hour, about some Food Pantry and 501C-3 Food Pantry Foundation issues. We then had to leave for a program at one of the local recreation centers.

We had not been at this recreation center, the Colony Cottage Recreation Center, 25 minutes away from us.  Closer to where the last stage of contruction is and where the third square (with entertainment and shops will be).  Terry took a photo of the inside of the recreation center.

The program was Yankee Ladies in Florida:  A Repertory about Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie) and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.  I'm not familiar with Marjorie Rawlings works and will have to look her up.  A woman by the name of Betty Jean Steinshouer portrayed both women.  It was very entertaining.  When we were waiting in line to go into the auditorium, a woman next to us said she was a "groupie" of Betty Jean's.  I can relate to that as I'm a Barbara Rinella "groupie."

I was starving so we went to Beef O'Bradys for a bite.  It's a restaurant in the same area at Colony Shopping Center, which has a Bealls and also Anthony's, a more upscale shop.

Working Women

Terry and I were both busy working this morning.  Not only with work, but we thought it was time that we did a little house keeping!

I just found out that I have to retake the Open Meetings Act course, given by the Attorney General, since the law changed effective 1/1/12!  The course is online and I started it today.  All elected officials in Illinois are required to take the course!

Spoke with the Township to find that one of our employees is hospitalized.  It's always something.  Waiting for an update on her condition. 

During the time we are here, I want to make some time to make contacts with some REALTORS for purposes of referring business to them and perhaps having them refer business to me.  Next week, I plan to work on that project.  There are open houses every day, so I'll attend some of them to get acquainted with the agents holding the properties open.

Also, participated in a conference call with the Political Affairs Committee of the North Shore-Barrington Assoc. of REALTORS.  With the primary coming up, we had a few races to discuss.  Two of the gals that I am friendly with in the Illinois Legislature, one a member of the House and one a member of the Senate, and one of the male senators with whom I am friendly, have all decided not to run again.  A lot of jockeying for position in those districts.

Terry was busy with clients today - Mindy is sending her the files via the Internet.  They are also sharing files through the "cloud."  Their business is very techie.

Finally we were able to leave the house and do some grocery shopping.  We are having our high-school friends over for dinner, with their spouses, on Thursday.  Also, tomorrow we are giving Mah Jongg lessons!

Terry's reading on her Nook, and I'm going to be reading also when I get done doing this post!  It is such a joy to have time to read.

Insurance Discounts

What we won't do for discounts on our auto insurance!  We got up EARLY this morning to go to the Savannah Center to take the first three hours of a six hour AARP Safe Driving Course for seniors.  There was a woman in the front who had something to say every few minutes.  However, her accent (southern) was so thick, I had no idea what she was saying - didn't really care either!  We go back on Thursday for the last three hours.

Had lunch at the Glenview Club, overlooking the golf course (do you see a trend)!  We had wonderful salads in a pineapple boat!

Did a little shopping (another trend).  Terry got two pairs of slacks and I bought a pair of slippers, at Bealls Outlet.  It was Monday, so us seniors get 15% off with our Bealls Card!  Also bought some books at the used book store.

Terry made some wonderful little treats with melted chocolate chips, melted butterscotch chips and chinese noodles mixed together to serve when Diane and her friend Anita come over on Wednesday for their first mah jongg lesson.

After a spaghetti dinner, we did some bridge homework.  The pressure of homework on our vacation, will it never end???!!!

Also watched the Betty White 90th Anniversary Show.  She looks wonderful, cannot say that for everyone else on the show.  Looking especially bad was Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner.  Not walking so well was Carl Reiner.  Betty White, older than all of them, looked wonderful!  Even the President did a bit by video.

Bobby Goldsboro

Started the day paying bills, filing what came in the mail, etc.  Kept both of us busy for hours.

Was reading the newspaper and some actor said that on Sundays his wife makes chocolate-chip pancakes.  It's Sunday, and it sounds like a good idea.  Terry wants her chocolate-chip pancakes without the chocolate chips and with apple.  Okay - I divide the batter into two and make her apple pancakes.  I make mine with chocolate chips.  As I'm eating my pancakes, I'm thinking about my great niece, Miranda, who always orders that when we go to I-Hop.

We finally left the house and went to recyle a week's worth of newspapers and magazines.  On the way to the Temple, as always,Terry gets spooked by the trees.  We've come to the conclusion she's read too many novels set in the south.  The trees have moss and hang over the street.  Here's a photo of what one looks like. 

After recycling, we went to our annual trek to see Bobby Goldsboro's art work at the Savannah Center.  We have not gone to his concerts, but like some of his artwork.  We each bought some cards (4 in a package for $10) a lot cheaper than the original paintings that are around $1,000 and up.

The gal who took our money said to ask Bobby to sign our cards, so this year we did that.  He asked if we wanted pictures.  Sure, why not, same money! 

After that we went to Flea Market because I had gotten something there last week and wanted to get it again.  We could not find where we bought it.  We still have time and may be back and see if we can find it.

Home to left-over pizza, salad and wine.  Put out the garbage and reading another one of Elizabeth Berg's books.  I'm really liking her books and thank Kitty Kendrick, from the Township, for introducing me to this author.

It's Saturday Already

Not sure where the time is going.  It's already Saturday.  We have already been gone for almost three weeks!

Terry ran to get weighed in this morning, at Weight Watchers, and she DID NOT have to pay - just at her goal weight.  She's hanging on to it by a thread!

We checked out some stores near the Dollar Tree (of course, we had to go in).  Then went to Sumter Landing for their sidewalk sale.  Bought nothing, but it was fun to poke around and see what they had for sale.

We had thought that we would go to a little town near us that has a number of  Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on a college campus, but reread the material and it would be better to go during the week as the Visitor Center is only open during the week.

Stopped at Diane and Tom's for our mail.  We each had a big box waiting for us.

Went to Mom and Dad's, a local pizza place, for pizza and salad - brought half of it home.

Opened our mail and are now relaxing.  Terry downloaded the new book club book on her nook and has started to read it.  She says it is pretty good.  Once, We Were Brothers is the title.  Our Temple Book Club will be discussing the book in March after we get back home.

Bridge Lessons

After a quick bite at home, we left for one of the local recreation centers for our first bridge lesson.

We arrived and there was a nice looking lady sitting by herself so we asked if we could join her.  No sooner had we gotten seated, a gentleman (whom she knew) came and asked if he could sit with us.  Of course, we said yes.  Well, we lucked out - as they both, RoseAnn and David, have played before, so we did not get the real newbies.  When we were getting ready to leave at the end of the class David asked if we would all stick together for the balance of the classes - we said yes.  RoseAnn's husband already plays bridge and is a better player than she and David's wife just left to go back to Long Island for a visit, and I believe she plays also.

The teacher followed a book that I think was too advanced for a real beginner.  For instance, in the first chapter, it discusses how to score hands!

We even have homework!!!  Being good little apple polishers, I'm sure Terry and I will read the homework!  You can see that it is a BIG book.  Because we four had some experience, we were looking up some conventions that we remembered.  When looking up one convention, at the end of the book, where terms are outlined - it said that "the convention was beyond the scope of this book."  We had a good laugh over that.

Lazy Day

We both worked today but I really did not push too hard.  Terry was busy with work that Mindy has been sending her, and clients for her promotion business.  So, we are not quite the lazy bums we could be.

Had planned to go see the movie, J Edgar, but the line was too long.  Maybe we'll rent it, as it was the last day to see it here.

There is a new store in the Villages that has killer jewelry for very good prices.  It reminds us of a store in Naples, FL., neither of us can remember the name of that store. We looked but did not buy.  Will go back again, I'm sure.

Went to Panera for lunch, it's Thursday, and they had my favorite, chicken rice soup.  I was a happy camper.  I know I don't look happy in the photo (I thought Terry was only going to take a photo of the soup), but trust me I was happy!

After lunch we went over to Belk's and I bought a few things.  Terry did not find anything that she wanted.

Finished a book by Elizabeth Berg in the past two days (Terry's reading it now).  Brought magazines from home (I was so far behind) and making a little headway - so nice to have time to read!

We had talked about going to Sumter Landing tonight (one of the squares) to listen to music and see what the vendors had (Market Night) but then decided to stay in and read. It is getting a little cooler out so it was probably a wise decision. What a pleasure!

Hope you in the snow belt did not get hit too hard and that the snow did not interfer with your plans.

It Sounds Like

I felt a little like the commercial when I was trying to tell the service people at Cadillac what my car sounds like when I turn a corner.  Like a woosh sound.  They said they fixed it - I'm not sure.  That's how we spent the morning today, in Leesburg at Plaza Cadillac.  Two hours of our life - but, it was raining, so what the hell!

After leaving Cadillac, we checked out a K-Mart as Terry was nervous about the announced closings of some more K-Marts and that a product that she uses may not be available any longer.  She had hoped to stock up, but they did not have the product.

We then went to Mount Dora, an historic city, to check it out.  Terry had heard about a restaurant on the water and we wanted to check it out.  We found the hotel/restaurant -  The Lakeside Inn.  We could not eat on the porch overlooking the water because of the rain, so we went into the dining room for lunch, without a view of the water.  As we were leaving, we noticed that they were serving food in the bar WHERE YOU COULD SEE THE WATER.  Oh well!

Lunch was a squash soup that was so thick that our spoons sat upright in the bowl.  It was paired with a half of a chicken salad sandwich.  Very good.

Terry tried to tell me that this hotel was a "poor man's Grand Hotel." (The Hotel on Mackinac Island) Trust me when I tell you that any comparison between the two is all in Terry' head.

Terry took some photos of the porch with the rocking chairs - okay, so the Grand Hotel has rocking chairs - end of similarity.  She also took some photos of the water view from the porch and of a tree that was very colorful.

For those of you worried that we were going to starve to death, we did go grocery shopping today (finally)!

Cousin Visits the Villages

Our cousin Butch's widow, Shar, visited us today.  Along with Butch's cousin on his mother's side, Steve.

Since it was such a nice day, we decided to take them to the Hacienda Club for lunch.  Also, Steve lives on hamburgers and they were having a handburger special!  $4.99 with a drink! 

We ate overlooking the golf course and they got to watch all of the golf carts come and go.

Took them to the two squares so they could get an idea of what that part of the Villages looks like. Stopped at the Waterfront Hotel to use the washroom and to look at the photos of Shar's twin grandchildren that Steve had taken and put on his laptop.  They are such cute kids - a little girl and boy who look nothing alike.  The little girl is a towhead and the boy has sandy-colored hair.  They are now three and we have not seen them since shortly after they were born.

We went to a new Bealls today.  THE SPELL IS BROKEN.  We each bought a pair of shoes!  I know you were all worried about us and whoever lifted the spell - thanks!

Came home to read and have a clean-out the refrigerator dinner.  Tomorrow we really must go grocery shopping.

Ikea here we come

After working all morning, we got in the car and went to Ikea, in Orlando, because they had inexpensive scales and Terry was going nuts not being able to weigh herself every day.  The cost of tolls was almost the same cost as the scale!  Oh well, it was a beautiful day for a ride and Ikea is always fun.  They had my napkins, so I bought two packages which I'll have to stuff into my suitcase for the ride home.

Terry had a taste for shrimp, so we stopped at Bonefish for dinner.  We got there at a good time to get a table and enjoyed our salads and shrimp appetizers.

I had a Township meeting that I participated in via telephone and then Terry and I watched a little TV.  Antiques Road Show had a double feature!

Got an email from our friend Fran, that someone whom we had known years ago died suddenly.  Spoke to our friend Ida for more details.  Ida will go to the graveside service tomorrow (her second funeral to attend for tomorrow).  I hope her week improves as she has a birthday later in the week.  I'm too much of a lady to mention which one!  Let's say 39 and holding!

Lit a candle for our mother tonight. Tomorrow will be 10 years since she passed away.  It just doesn't seem possible that she is gone that long.  One very incredible, loving, strong, admirable lady.  We are going to be taking bridge lessons while in the Villages as she once said we should learn to play bridge or we will be "lonely old ladies."  We had played years ago, but need to learn the new conventions and reacquaint ourselves with the game.

Speaking about games, we will be teaching our friend Diane, and a friend of hers, how to play mah jongg!  I had brought my set down so we can play here.  Mah jongg is big here.  It should be fun.  Some of our friends are coming down here in February and they are fairly new players too, so we should have some good games.

Beautiful Day in Paradise

Weather in the high 70's - delightful.

Today was a craft show in one of the Squares - Spanish Springs.  Some nice things, but we did not need anything and nothing said "buy me - buy me."

We had lunch today at one of the country clubs, Tierra del Sol, and sat on their screened-in porch overlooking the golf course.  A tough job, but someone has to do it.

We tried another Bealls today and did not buy anything.  What is wrong with us????

Bargains!

After working in the morning, we went to the flea market and just bought some minor things.  We did get some fruits and vegetables there, which we've been told are very good.

Going to the flea market is hard work so we rewarded ourselves with a late lunch at Five Guys.  OMG - so good.  I had no idea!  They are in Rolling Meadows, but I had not been in there before, just walked by on the way to Gino's Pizza with Jeremy.

Terry and I both did some laundry and opened our mail (our weekly boxes from the box office that go to Diane and Tom's).

Terry is busy working on something for a new client of Paperwork Assistants and I'm reading.  My boss gave me the evening off!

Shabbat Shalom

A few minor repairs on the house done this morning, by the caretaker's husband.  So nice to have repairs done that one does not have to pay for.

We discovered that Temple Shalom has a recycling bin.  This is closer to us than the Catholic Church where we had been going for the last few years, so we recycled our newspapers at the Temple today.

Later we went to another Bealls and neither of us bought anything - is there something wrong with us????

Tonight we went to Shabbat Services at Temple Shalom, as we had yahrzeits (memorials) for our mom and dad, our maternal grandmother and Terry's mother-in-law.  It was a nice service, not too different from the services that we are used to at our own Temple.

We took these photos of the Temple today after we dropped off our recyling.

Noses to the Grindstone

Thursday, both Terry and I worked on our computers for a good part of the day.

Finally left the house to get a much-needed car wash and to do a little shopping.

We've been here a week and we had not been in a Bealls until yesterday!  Neither of us bought anything - that sets a record!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Woke to temps in the 30s!

After breakfast and lunch at home and both of us working at our computers, we headed out for a ride.  The sun was out and it was a good day to sightsee.

We wanted to see manatees and originally thought we'd go to Tampa to see them by the electric company there.  However, Terry found a state park that also had manatees and when it is cold they huddle together there.  We went to Blue Springs State Park and there were lots and lots of manatees.  Did you know that they are related to elephants?  I did not know that.  Who would have thought it.

As we got closer to the Villages, I had a taste for Mexican food so we stopped in the Mexican Restaurant at Spanish Springs (one of the squares in the Villages) and had frijitas (spelling?) 

Marilyn Monroe

Went to see the movie My Week with Marilyn Monroe as it was too cold to play outside.  Had a bite at Too Jays and did a little shopping before Diane and Tom came over to play 3-13 (a card game) and whip our butts.

Association of Real Estate Educators Meeting South

Dawn (President of AIREE) and her cousin Patti visit The Villages.

Terry and Marilyn visit the new Country Club Restaurant/Bonifay - have salads and then killer dessert.  The dessert was chocolate bread pudding with ice cream.  We did share the dessert, so not quite so many calories.  Sorry no photo.

Photos Now That We have the Internet

Comcast came this morning and installed Internet!!!

Terry on the computer - checking email.

Photo of the square with the singer in her winter coat.

 Terry, Eileen and Burt and Marilyn after lunch at Lighthouse.

Photos of the house we are renting.