Fun Day

The weather was in the high 60's so it was very pleasant.

I got up at the crack of dawn to get some work done and to do laundry.

After a quick bite of lunch, we picked up Arlene and Joan to go to the art fair at one of the newer shopping areas, Pinellas.

We each bought something, except for Terry, who just bought beignets.  The beignets were covered in powered sugar!  Yummy!  Terry and Joan bought them and shared.  I got a holder for my cell phone.

From there we went to Russell Stover and got some chocolate covered almonds!  Almonds are good for you - chocolate is good for you.  Arlene and Joan had not been there before.

We continued our tour, taking them into Brownwood to see the horses and cattle.

After we dropped them off, we rested for a little while and went to pick up Barb and Bernie.

We went to Longhorn Steak.  Barb had coupons - two for one!

Dinner was good and after dinner we went to their home for dessert - banana cream pie and peppermint scnapps (to help with digestion)!

Lots of good conversation and laughs!

Lovely Day

We picked up Arlene and Joan to go to Yalaha Bakery to hear Patchouli.  We got a warm greeting from Julie and Bruce.

Lovely once the sun hit where we were sitting.  Terry and I shared two sandwiches - turkey and chicken salad.

We left there, after buying their shirts.

We headed to Art in the Park in Lake County.  We walked around, but did not buy anything but ice cream cones and Terry and Joan bought Girl Scout cookies.

We sat listening to someone singing to recorded music.

From there, we gave Arlene and Joan a tour of the historic district (needed the GPS to find our way out)!

We next showed them Harmswood, the upscale area of The Villages.

After dropping them off, we came home to eat our leftovers and wait for Diane and Tom to come over for dessert to celebrate their anniversary (54).

Busy Day

Both Terry and I had a busy morning working and doing laundry.

We both sat down to read for a minute before showering and dressing and the doorbell rang.  Scared us - neither of us felt presentable enough to answer the door.  Terry could see that someone dropped something off and left!  It was an express package from the Township.

Our mother is rolling, make that spinning, in her grave.  She always got up, showered and dressed.  But as Terry says there were no computers or cell phones  in those days - maybe she wouldn't have gotten dressed so quickly and would have checked her messages before showering and dressing.  So that's our rationale and we are sticking to it.

We had a bite to eat and ran to the post office to send an express package back to the Township.  Stopped at Chase Bank, Office Depot, and bought gas for $1.73 a gallon.

Also stopped at the postal station.  My mail was there.  And, true to her word, the mail lady left the box where Terry could reach it.

I'm surprised that my mail showed up because one of the new supervisors in Skokie is - wait for it - Lawrence, formerly from the Des Plaines Post Office!

It took me three calls, and being put on hold yesterday for over 40 minutes, to get a tracking number.  This never happens in Skokie.

When I finally got someone to take a message for a supervisor to call me. I was told that a new supervisor would call me and that his name was Lawrence. I asked if he had been in Des Plaines and was told that he had been. I said "oh my God, I'm really screwed now I'll never get my mail."  But, he did call back. I was driving so Terry took the call and told him who she was and everyone had a good laugh.  She must have spoken to him at least 20 times over her lost packages.

We then went to a Murder Mystery/Dinner at 4:30 pm.  Diane and Tom arranged for two tables.  We sat with Karen, Tom, Gloria, and Lynn.

Karen's friend, Beverly, from Colorado Springs also joined us.  Diane and Tom sat with their RV group.

It was a lot of fun and the food was pretty good.

Our table did not properly guess the killer.

Cousin Reunion - Day Three

RAIN all day long!

We gave Elaine the grand tour of The Villages.

We then drove to Mt Dora.  Too rainy and foggy for the hotel porch for lunch.

Plan B:  Elaine remembered a restaurant from a weekend trip she once enjoyed in Mt Dora.  We found it - in an alley.  Cute little place Goblin Market.  We had salads and they were great.  It's a cute little two-story with a little bar on the second floor.

There is a Cuban restaurant in the alley too.  We may have to check that out too.

Also have to check out the flea market up there - Renninger's.

Back in The Villages, Rick and Elaine went back to the Hampton Inn to nap.

We each did a little work and then napped.

At 6:30 they came back to the house for drinks and appetizers before going to Sonny's for ribs.  The ribs tonight were only fair.

Since Thursday is Market Night at Sumter Landing, we hoped to give Elaine a feel for the music and the vendors.  However, no vendors because of the weather.  Great music but only a few people in the square - only one bar was open.  

What a January!

We said our good-byes, until Chicago, this Summer.

Glazer Reunion - Day 2

We met the cousins at Too Jays in Brownwood, so they could see the newest square.  No line to get in - we timed it perfectly.  It was more crowded when we left.

Elaine, Rick, Marilyn, Terry, Judy and Jeff

We than showed them where the newest construction was (unplanned as we were headed to the Preserve and Terry told me to turn sooner than her printed instructions said to turn).

We walked around on the boardwalk and made it back to the cars as it started to drizzle.

Since it was a rainy day, we girls played mah jongg while the boys read and napped.  The boys were happy - we were happy!

We had an early reservation for dinner with singing waiters at Tierra Del Sol Country Club.  Devin ( our waiter from last year) is now in college so he was not part of the group.  Michelle was our waitress.  I think she said that she's in the National Guard too.

The food was better than last year and it was a fun evening.

Elaine and Rick

Judy and Jeff

We said good-bye to Judy and Jeff and will see Elaine and Rick tomorrow

Cousin's Reunion

Terry and I both worked in the morning, then ran some errands to Dollar Tree and Walmart.

Came home for a bite of lunch.  

Our Glazer cousins Judy and Jeff, and Rick and his friend Elaine arrived at our house for drinks and nibbles.

We than went to Legacy (Lopez Country Club) for a marvelous dinner!  This is our favorite club in the Villages.

Good conversation and excellent food, what can be better!  Forgot to take photos!

Two Tables of Mah Jongg

We both worked this morning, Terry did laundry too.

Part 2 of As The Dryer Turns - it appears to be working!

We set up the living room and the Florida room for mah jongg.

At 1 pm everyone arrived.  Everyone picked a tile - high tiles played at one table and low tiles played at another table.

Here's my table Ethel, Joyce and Joan.

Terry's table had Diane, Arlene and Joy.  Forgot to take photo before Joy had to leave to go bowling. So here's a photo of her from last year.  Her set was the second set - Joyce took it home with her as they live close.

We had uninvited guests in the backyard.

Jeremy called and was concerned that my Facebook account was hacked.  It wasn't, I put something up that had some Chinese on it but had some good ideas about using clips.

Everyone left around 4.

After dinner, I participated in the Township meeting via Google Hangout.

Terry's in the den watching Shark Tank.  

The Sun is Out

Beautiful, but cool, day.

We picked up Arlene and Joan to go to the matinee of Same Time Next Year at Lake Miona.

After the play we went to Evan's Prairie for dinner.  

Our landlord called to see if we'd rent for next year.  We said yes.  Of course, the rent would be more next year.

Entertainment Cancelled Again

It's so cold that the Entertainment has been cancelled for the three town squares AGAIN.

However, after watching what's happening on the East coast, we are NOT complaining!

Listened to Chicago Radio - Kathy and Judy before we left the house.

Photo of Judy and Kathy at their Walk of Fame induction.

Very windy today, but we left the house to go have soup at Panera.  They had my favorite soup - chicken and wild rice - on Saturday!  They always have Terry's favorite - broccoli cheddar.

Lots of people there with the same idea.

From there we went to Seabreeze Recreation Center for the annual Bobby Goldsboro Art Show.  He doesn't look well, but signed some of the cards we bought.  He even kept Terry's pen!

In the photo he looks good, but his actual coloring was very pale.

We next went to Publix to get something for dinner and some things for our entertaining this week.  Mah jongg - 2 tables on Monday and the Glazer cousins who arrive on Tuesday.

We are reading.

Rain, Rain Go Away

We left the house fairly early for us.  Terry wanted to weigh in.

From there we went to Orange Blossom Country Club for their buffet breakfast.

Next stop was Belk's to return some purchases and make new purchases!

Bought gas - $1.71 per gallon!

The postal station was our last stop.  There was no Jolly Green Giant to help so I knocked on the sorting-room door.

Our mail lady looked at the key in my hand and my height and was kind enough to open the box and get my box for me.  She promised not to use the top row of large boxes again.

All of our errands were run between rain drops and heavy rain.  I had to get my cute new umbrella wet!  My new umbrella was bought to match my new car.  You can stop laughing now!  Doesn't everyone have an umbrella to match their car?

We ate dinner listening to the news - wind- chill factors were being discussed for tonight for HERE. REALLY!

Terry texted our nephew Marty to be sure that he was home as D.C. Is expecting a huge snowfall.  He is home- thankfully.

Doing some reading now.

Marilyn

The Mail Has Arrived

After breakfast, I went for a pedicure.  My toes will look nice in sandals if it ever warms up sufficiently to wear them!

I came home to Terry working paying bills, etc.  She was working her way through the priority box that was over a week late.

We had a bite of lunch and prepared to run some errands, when I saw a postal clerk walk up the sidewalk with Terry's mail that was sent overnight/express!

We then stopped at the postal station and Terry's box that's been lost for two weeks was in an upper box.  Conveniently, a jolly green giant appeared and got the box out for her.

I had to take photos of her with the mail after all she's been through.

The angst she's had over the mail has been so unnecessary.  It's hard to believe the level of incompetency within the Des Plaines Post Office.  

We went to Belks and each bought some things without trying them on.  A few things have to go back.

Terry is now sorting her mail and playing catch up.  I'm reading, but not making much headway with all the reading I had brought with me.

We'll finish the leftovers for dinner tonight.

Sad Day

Awoke early to do some work and laundry.

Bulletin:  overnight Terry's two lost packages made it to Orlando!  We think the mention of Jan's office's involvement caused some effort to be made to find and move the packages.  Terry has been assured that this week's package has been sent express/overnight.  We will see if that happens!

At noon, we watched Darleen's funeral, that was streamed from our Temple.  Rabbi Kedar gave a wonderful eulogy.  We will miss Darleen!

We treated ourselves to lunch at the Glenview Country Club. We sat on the porch overlooking the golf course.  Being there, with the sun streaming in, helped lift our spirits.

We took a ride to see the Fruitland Park section of The Villages.  From farm land to a community almost overnight!

Also, checked out where Mystic Ice Cream Parlor is located!  Not far from Anthony's, our favorite store.  We were too full to partake, but will keep it in mind for future reference.

Terry's mail from last week was in our postal box today!!!!!  So much for 2-3 days for priority mail!

Stayed tuned for news of the arrival of the mail from 1/7 and the mail sent today.

We came home, made some calls, checked emails, and Facebook, and took naps.

Just had a small bite of dinner and are spending a quiet night of reading.  Terry's watching Shark Tank in the den, I'm listening to the show in the living room while reading.

Washing Machine Needs New Part

Clem and a repair man where here, as promised, at 9:30.  The repair man fixed the washer.  Showed Clem how to fix the dryer.  Needs a switch that the repair man did not have with him.  He did not know there was a problem with the dryer- until  I asked the question "shouldn't the dryer stop when the door is opened?"  Stay tuned to the "as the dryer turns" saga.

All morning, Terry had been trying to find TWO lost Premium Forwarded packages sent from the worst post office - Des Plaines!

I did some online research and found a list of top postal people in the area with telephone numbers and email addresses.  Terry called some of the numbers - with recorded messages that there is no capability to leave messages.  Tried email - undeliverable.

At that point - I had enough!  I emailed my friend Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's office and they are now involved.

Terry finally spoke with the Post Mistress instead of the Supervisor who is of no help.  Terry told the Post Mistress that the Congresswoman's office would be involved.  She also told them she wants  this week's package overnighted to her.

When she made that request to the Supervisor,  his reply was that was more money, like they expected her to pay more.

After researching the circumstances, the Post Mistress has agreed to overnight this week's package, and future packages.  Stay tuned.  In the meantime, TWO packages are still missing.

After wasting the morning on this and getting our blood pressure up, we had a bite and went to the beauty shop.

I had a stylist who was new to me as my stylist is out taking care of her husband who had surgery.

After the beauty shop, we stopped at AT&T to register for a 10% discount on our wireless telephone bills as members of AARP.

Went to Walmart for me to get another pair of my favorite sandals.  They also had my knee high hose!

Went to Chase Bank as I was running short on cash.

Had leftovers for dinner.  I'm catching up on newspapers and Terry is reading back issues of Good Housekeeping magazines that I brought down to read.

Terry finished reading Saving Sophie and I hope to read it shortly.

Shortly, Terry will disappear into the den to watch Shark Tank.  The addiction continues.

PS: Activities at the squares cancelled as it's in the 30's.

BJBE South

Clem, the caretaker for the house, came this morning to see why the washing machine was not working. It did not spin Terry's clothes dry and the tub was filled with water.  Repair man coming tomorrow morning.

Terry got things ready for our dinner party tonight.

We went for lunch at Lil Bits, a little neighborhood place.

Next was Dollar Tree and Walmart for a few things.

Home to read before our guests arrived.

Ethel, Steve, Joan and Arlene arrived at 6 pm and we had a lovely dinner.  Terry made orange chicken, rice, salad, and rolls.  Everyone enjoyed the chicken except Terry.  It was excellent.

Dessert was a chocolate pie that we had discovered at Publix last year.

We took a selfie after a lot of false starts and laughs.  Steve and his harem.

Arlene, Ethel, Terry, Joan, Marilyn with Steve.

The dishes are in the dishwasher and we are checking mail before going to bed.

Tornado Watch

During the night, we got a tornado watch notice on our phones.  Terry and I sat in the hallway between her bedroom and the den- with flashlights and our pillows.

Since there were no more notices, I went to bed.  Terry stayed awhile longer and then went to bed also.

We both slept late.  

Terry was busy cleaning and cooking!  Bless her heart - so glad that I bring my cleaning lady and cook with me.

Today was cool but beautiful!  Lots of tree branches on the roadways after the rains last night.

After a light lunch we went to the Arts and Crafts Fair at Coconut Grove Recreation Center.  This is an annual event for us.  Terry bought a gift.

We then went to Sumter's sidewalk sale - bought some gifts at the new kitchen store.  Yes, I went into a kitchen store.

Fun place, but that doesn't mean that I plan to cook.

From there we went to Joy's lovely home for a three-handed mah jongg game. And a lovely dinner.

Small world story:  Joy's son-in-law and Jeremy worked together this summer when Jeremy was an intern in Lake Forest.  Also, Joy's granddaughter goes to middle school with Jessica!

We are home watching the Democrat debate!  Probably one of the few TV's in The Villages tuned in to this debate.

Beautiful Day

I got up at the crack of dawn to get some work done and to do laundry.

The weather was in the mid 70's and we wanted to get out and enjoy!

Blue Parrott RV Park had their annual craft fair.  The rain yesterday really hurt them.  However, today seemed to be well attended.  Our purchase of two pairs of earrings was not going to make anyone rich.

We thought it was so nice out that we'd go to Gator Joe's for lunch and sit outside.  I think every biker in central Florida had the same idea!  Scratch that - on to Plan B.

We went to Spanish Springs and went to Flipper's for pizza.  It was too sunny outside for Terry so we ate inside.  Oh well!  Pizza was good!

We walked over to see what Chico's was giving away.  We bought nothing.  So sad to see the Greek restaurant is gone.  The Villages has a plan for Katie Belle's that includes retail on the first floor and did not renew the restaurant's lease.

A cruise-in was setting up and a lot of the old cars were parked waiting to drive into the square for the cruise-in.

We went to Publix for groceries for a dinner we are having here for our BJBE group on Monday.

We've been reading and having a quiet evening.

Terry got a call from the Des Plaines Post Office at 8:30 pm, our time.  They have no clue where her missing Premium Forwarded package is.

This week's box left the Hub, so we are hopeful that she will receive it on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday)!  Stay tuned.

Of course, on Wed another box is supposed to leave Des Plaines!  I say supposed to because it rarely leaves on time.

Des Plaines is the WORST Post Office.  They should ALL be fired.

Terry has spent hours trying to locate the missing package.

I'll get off of my soapbox and retire for the night.

Stormy Weather

As we were working this morning, a nasty storm blew through.  Heavy winds and strong rain - blew in and out.

Terry spent a good part of the morning trying to find TWO Premium Forwarded boxes.  Des Plaines Post Office is the worst!!!  It is so frustrating.  Skokie sends a box and it arrives without aggravation - what is so hard Des Plaines????

We are hopeful, but given their history, we are anxious and ANGRY!

After lunch, we ran some errands.  Found a book club book in a used-book store.

Stopped at our postal station and my package from Skokie was there in a top box.  On tip toes, Terry was able to get it out without a jolly green giant!  So impressive!

Stopped for gas really inexpensive!

I cooked dinner!  Don't get too excited, I boiled some ravioli and made a salad.  Domestic Godess crown not given for tonight's dinner.

Terry just finished watching Shark Tank!

Busy, Busy Morning

Terry was on a conference call with her company for most of the morning.

I was working at my computer for a good part of the morning and was also doing laundry.

After a late lunch, we rested and got ready for an early dinner with friends.

Terry, Joy and Bob, Herb and Bobbi and me.  We went to Bonefish as it was near the Recreation Center where Joy and Bob were going to their Seabring Convertible Club meeting.

We are back home and reading.

Did you notice that I misspelled the candy company's name in yesterday's post?  It's Russell Stover!

Relaxing Day

We did not have anything pressing on the agenda for today.

However, I was up early as I had a lot of work to do and wanted to get it out of the way.

Terry wanted to go to weigh in, so that was our first stop.

From there we went to the  Hacienda  Hills Country Country Club for brunch.  We missed breakfast by 10 minutes.  Note: this is our first country club this year!

We went to the Lady Lake Post Office for me to mail a deposit for the Township Officials of Cook County.

While I was in the Post Office, Terry was on the telephone with the Des Plaines Post Office trying to locate her missing Box from last week.  It was scanned as leaving Des Plaines, but hasn't been heard from since.  We suspect that it is still in the Des Plaines Post Office.  They get my award for the worst post office - 5 years in a row!

Terry was on a mission to find something that makes "pasta" from veggies.  After a couple of stores she found it!

We stopped in Picture You where I got a pendant and earrings.

We then took a ride to Russell Stoffers and bought some candy for gifts.  Terry calls it the "used" candy store.  It's actually their outlet.  They had well-priced Santa candy and a few Halloween things on sale.  We took a pass on that.  Valentine candy boxes were the big seller.

Came home to rest and Terry made real spaghetti and pasta sauce - yummy!

We are eager to see if we won the big lottery tonight, however, I doubt that we will stay awake for the 11 pm drawing!

Stay tuned,  if we win you'll see it in tomorrow's blog!  If tomorrow's blog is the same old stuff assume that we did not win.

Appetizer Lunch

Chicagoland Club had a Ladies Appetizer Luncheon at Truman Recreation Center.

We brought veggie pizza and deviled eggs.  There was quite a variety of foods including desserts!  Nice spread and choices.

Kay Drew was the speaker.  She worked in the White House as Event's Coordinator during the Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton administrations.

She and her second husband, Sam, live in The Villages.

Our table: Terry,Karen, Joyce, Joyce's daughter Laura, Gloria and Diane.

We dropped Diane off and went to Dollar Tree and came home to make some calls.

Went to Sumter Landing for Market Night.  Not as many vendors as usual and it was cool.  I still managed to buy some earrings. We came home to chicken and veggies.

I'm looking forward to The State of the Union Address. (Not sure what Ethel will be watching as the Westminster Dog Show is not in competition this year).

We are reading in the meantime.

Busy Monday

Terry had an appointment to have some routine blood work done.

From there we went to Publix for the makings for the appetizers we are bringing to a Appetizer Luncheon.

Ethel came over for a three-handed mah jongg game.  Our usual players were otherwise engaged.  It was fun.  You set up 4 walls, each player takes their tiles, there is no Charleston (exchanging of tiles) and you just start playing.  Ethel had one mah jongg and Terry and I each had multiple mah jonggs.

Here is our selfie from mah jongg.

We need more selfie practice.  However, it's always good for a laugh.

We went to the postal statiion. Mail I was waiting for was in the box.  However, Terry's box was mailed a day late and there is no update about its current location.  We have high hopes that it will arrive tomorrow.

I bought some slacks at Anthony's a few days ago, but, they did not have any tops to go with the pants!  I was on a mission to find tops or return the slacks to Anthony's.

We stopped at Beall's Outlet near us (Terry did not think that the Outlet was in the shopping center).  She should know better than argue with me about Beall's Outlet locations- I'm a bloodhound in locating them!  I bought a top there - senior discount, plus they were giving it away!  Oops, I mentioned senior discount, it may be news to you that we are seniors!  Oh well, the cat's out of the bag.

We next went to Beall's- the "real" store.

I found tops for the slacks!  Yea!

Checking out, I was asked if I had a 25% discount coupon.  I did not.  Boo hoo!

Got in the car and told Terry my 25% story.

She pulled out her cell phone - Googled Beall's coupons!  Eureka!  I Googled it too!  Went to a different check-out line and told the young man my sad tale.  He gave me a refund on the tops and then rerung the sale with the online coupon.  He said they are not supposed to do that- but, I must have looked particularly unhappy!

Came home and Terry prepared the appetizers and we had a little dinner.

I participated in the Township meeting via  Google Hangout.  They were all eager to tell me that it was below zero!  I felt bad, but, not bad enough to fly back!

Reading yesterday's paper - how did I get behind already?

Sunday in The Villages

I woke early and started working.  Did laundry, paid bills, filed, checked online students and prepared for Township meeting tomorrow.

Terry slept in a little longer and did some laundry too.

She made a yummy omelet for breakfast.

We finally got our act together and went for some retail therapy at Anthony's - they were having a sale.  We each bought something.  As long as we were in the area, we extended our therapy and went to Beall's Outlet too.  Terry found some things.

We checked our email and were saddened to learn that Norman Schwartz died (Rabbi Kedar's dad).  Such a nice man - may his memory be for a blessing.

We went to Ethel and Steve's for a delicious dinner.  They, along with Publix, did an excellent job on dinner.  

Conversation just flowed until we realized that it was getting late.  Saw few cars on our way home!

I brought my selfie stick - many laughs until we got all of us in the photo!  I need to be taller!

Philly Cousins Day 3

We met at our house to ride to Silver Springs.  My GPS gave us a few confusing instructions but we made it!

It was an overcast day and not too hot, so it worked out great.

Here's Betty and Bill ready to explore.

We had come for the glass bottom boat, but there was also a car show there.  We did look at some cars after lunch.

Some fish seen from the boat.

More fish.

A gator on a tree limb.

Our photo after a gourmet lunch!

The boat captain said you'd have 5 years of good luck if you stepped inside behind the tree branch.

The three cousins.

We came back to the house with no GPS problem.  Betty and Bill got in their rented car for the rest of their Florida adventure.

We said our goodbyes until next time.

We rested, changed clothes, had a bite and were picked up by Diane and Tom to go see some great musicians, at the Tropic Theatre in Leesburg.

They used to play at Orange Blossom Opry before they had a falling out with the owner.