Congratulations to the United States Post Office

 We both had a busy morning, working at our "desks" in the "office."

We told you yesterday that the Des Plaines Post Office overnighted a package to Terry.  Hold on for more of the story.

After lunch, Marilyn went on a ZOOM meeting to update the government policy of the North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS.  It was a short meeting and another meeting was set.

Terry got a text telling her that her overnighted package was left on the porch.  YES, BUT WHERE, not our house!  She called the Lady Lake Post Office and they reached the carrier who said she handed it to someone.  Really, where, not here.  We haven't a clue where the package is and the post office is now closed.

Then Terry got a call from the Des Plaines Post Office, from a Mr. Williams, who is sending her the Premium Forwarded (Wednesday) mail.  She explained that they had overnighted a package yesterday, he responded - "there is mail and we are sending it - WHAT IS THE ADDRESS?" Shouldn't they have the address with the premium forwarding information?  

                                                          Des Plaines Post Office

Lady Lake, FL Post Office

So right now, there are three boxes of mail floating around in the post-office world for Terry.  The overnight package, Mindy's package with Saturday's mail that was in Terry's home mailbox, and the premium forwarded mail from today.

During dinner we drank some wine and toasted the post office for inventing new ways to make our lives miserable.  Terry has placed her 4th complaint with the postal service and it's only January.

Marilyn watched Jeopardy and then was reading our book club book - Hello Beautiful.

Educational Day

 After breakfast, we went on Temple's Symposium.  The speaker turned out to be Rabbi Goldstein,  instead of the speaker we were expecting, who had a strep throat.

After lunch, we took our newspapers over to St. Tim's for recycling.

From there we went to the post office to mail some mail.  On the way there, the Des Plaines Post Office called Terry and told her that they were sending her mail OVERNIGHT and gave her a tracking number!  They were not waiting until tomorrow because the person who was sending it was going to be off tomorrow.

Mindy also put Saturday's mail in a priority box and it should arrive on Thursday.

After the post office, we went to Dollar Tree for a few things.

Next was Publix, where Terry went in without Marilyn.  Marilyn checked her home voice mail and picked up a message from a friend's nephew telling her that his aunt had passed away.  Marilyn already knew that as a mutual friend had let her know.

After dinner, we went on Barry Bradford's presentation of what happened this month.  We set up  Marilyn's computer between our chairs.  Near the end, the computer ran out of battery and we listened on Terry's I-pad

 

We then listened to the newest episode of Prosecuting Donald Trump.

Cleaning Lady

 We were both up early as the cleaning lady was expected between 8:30-9 a.m.  She's the landlord's cleaning lady whom we hired.  She arrived a little late (had texted Terry to say she'd be a little late).

She was here for over 5 hours!  We could not figure out what took so long for her to do.  The house is about the size of our apartments and it takes our cleaning lady a few hours tops.

If we hadn't already committed to next month, we would see if our old Villages cleaning lady, Lori, with her team, was still available.  She too was in and out.

We were starving and had some breakfast bars while she was here, and then some cheese and crackers after she left.  Terry had offered her something but she did not want it.  She did just a fair job, and stained the kitchen counter, which we were able to fix.

We had our leftover Chinese for dinner and then Marilyn went on a Skokie Caucus Annual Meeting Zoom.  Lots of changes happening.

We both went on a Zoom update on the Ukraine Family that we have been helping, through our Temple.

We then watched Antiques Road Show and will be going to bed soon.

Calendar Girls and Des Plaines Post Office

Last night, Terry got an email from her neighbor saying that there was a package for her in the lobby, from the Ark.

This morning, Mindy and Glenn went to my house to check things out and then to Terry's to check things out.  

IN SPITE OF MULTIPLE NOTES IN THE MAILBOX, INCLUDING ONE HANGING, there were 9 pieces of mail, two magazines and the box that the neighbor had. Mindy will put them all in a box for Terry and mail them here.

I don't want to be the Postmaster at the Des Plaines Post Office tomorrow when Terry gets done with him.

That is if he answers his telephone number.

We had a bite of lunch and then left to go to the Melon Patch Theatre to see Calendar Girls.  They were not miked and at times it was hard to hear them.  Also they had English accents which made it worse.

After the theatre, we went to Chang's for a Chinese  dinner and we have left overs.😅

In the car coming back from dinner we spoke with our friend Syril Price who broke her ankle.  She seems to be doing okay.  Hopefully, will get her cast off at the end of the week and go into a boot.

Returns

 This morning, Terry noticed that a bulb was burned out in the fixture over our "office" and also that there was no ironing board or iron.  We've been here a month and had not even looked for an iron or ironing board!  Winter clothes don't have to be ironed!

Terry texted our landlady, Shirley, and within the hour, Bernie (her husband) arrived with an ironing board and an iron.  He also put in a bulb in the "office" fixture.

As a faithful reader you know that I have purchased shoes.  Today, I channeled our friends Eve and Jayne, of blessed memory, who were the champs at buying and returning.  

I returned two pairs to Walmart and two pairs to Beall's Outlet.  But, I am not wearing boxes (yet) because at Beall's Outlet, I found MY SHOES!!!!

These are my favorite sandals, as they provide a lot of support and are getting harder and harder to find.

I thought I had packed them, but I had not.

I also found them on Amazon and ordered another pair.

Color me a happy camper.

Busy Day!

We left the house fairly early for us.

We started by going to Chase Bank, where those nice people, gave Marilyn money from the ATM. 

We then went to Walmart and finally found a tablecloth that we both liked, some Vitamin B12, and a pair of shoes for Marilyn.

We then went to Belk's  (Terry) and for a carwash (Marilyn).  After getting the carwash, Marilyn picked up Terry at Belk's (she had no bags).

The post office was next, then Sam's Club.  We were thinking about a hot dog at Sam's Club but the line was too long.  We got our lox, bagels, and salads and were out of there.

Next was the postal station and Marilyn's box was there, along with the postage stamps that we both had ordered.

Our lunch was left overs from last night (no Sam's hot dog for us).  Dinner was left overs of the Publix chicken.

Marilyn opened her mail, checking what was in the box against the daily list of mail that comes via email.

We then went on our Temple Services.  It was a musical Shabbat and the choir was singing.  We set up Marilyn's computer between our recliners.

After services, Oksana called Terry and they had a nice conversation, catching up with each other.  Oksana is still in the Chicago area.  Her husband is still in the Ukraine.

Happy Anniversary 62 years

 We both worked in the morning and then went onto Sally's class.  Terry in the "office" and Marilyn on the lanai.

We dressed and left the house to meet Diane and Tom for dinner to celebrate their anniversary, at Costal Del Mar, in Spanish Springs.

We came back to our house for dessert.

THE MAIL ARRIVED

 We spent the morning doing laundry, checking emails, etc.

Terry was tracking her package from the Des Plaines Post Office and about 2 p.m., the doorbell rang and there it was.

About 4 p.m., we went to Beall's Outlet on 441 to return shoes Marilyn had previously purchased. Terry bought a  top and Marilyn bought two pairs of shoes that she'll try.

We next went to the Publix on 466, instead of the closer one on 441, since Marilyn made a wrong turn going out of the shopping center with Beall's.

We will be going onto our Sisterhood's Board Meeting that is on Zoom.

Hurray it's in the 70's

Today, we wore sandals!

We had thought that we would listen to our Temple's Symposium until we got a call that the weather was too bad and they cancelled for this week.

Most of the morning, and early afternoon, was in a battle with the Des Plaines Post Office.  I tried them on my telephone, in case they were tired of hearing from Terry.  THE POSTMASTER PICKED UP HIS TELEPHONE.  I read him the riot act.  It was obvious that no package was sent last week.  I insisted that they overnight Terry's mail to her.  He said, "you don't want to wait until tomorrow,"  NO, SEND IT OVERNIGHT.  Someone called Terry with the tracking number and we are following it's progress., it should be here tomorrow.

Terry told them that I am a retired elected official and she said it must of scared them.  Whatever, we will not go through this week after week.

We finally left the house and went to Beall's Outlet at Mulberry.  I bought a top and Terry got two tops and a pair of sandals.  We also stopped at Dollar Tree for some birthday cards and some miscellaneous items.

Our nephew, Marty, called about his friend, from whom he rents, who is ill and is probably in foreclosure.  Because I don't know Maryland laws and social service agencies, I was of no help.

Barry Bradford did a program on musicals/movies that we saw with Marilyn's computer between our recliners! 

Busy Morning and Dinner with Friends

 We got up early, showered and dressed so we could greet the garage-door repairman.  

Also, the tree trimmers showed up early too.

We both had not slept well the night before, so naps were in order.

We then dressed for our dinner at Ethel and Steve's.

We had a lovely dinner with good food and good company.

How many people does it take to open a bottle of wine????

Steve and Ethel

Sunday and Garage Door

 After lunch, we left the house.  We pulled out of the garage and could not get the door to come down from the remote in the car.

Terry went into the house and closed the garage door from inside the garage and texted the landlord, as it was not easy to do from inside of the garage.

We went up to the flea market for a few things and it was COLD there.  We got almost everything we wanted and left as soon as we could.  Burr!!!!

From there we went to Aldi's.  Terry ran in and bought some wine and pickle relish (I know, she looked like the local drunk when she came out with her two purchases)!

When we got back to the house, our landlords were there doing our "honey-do" list.  Bernie tried to change the bulbs in the fixture over our desks.  He needed a pillars to remove the old bulb, and Terry whipped out the one we bought to open our champagne (that didn't work on the champagne but worked on the bulb).  He also oiled the squeaky door in the master bath and looked at the squeaky chair in the dining room.

The garage door was another matter and the door-repair person will be here tomorrow morning.  We left the car on the driveway, not wanting to get stuck in the garage.

After a steak dinner, Terry got a telephone call from the Des Plaines Post Office.  Before you get too excited, the person who called had NO INFORMATION about her premium forwarded package from last week. He called because Customer Service told him to call, but he had no information.  The Des Plaines Post Office is a waste and ruins every trip to Florida.

We are now relaxing and reading.

Work, Shop and Eat

We both worked most of the morning and Marilyn worked in the early evening also.

After lunch, we went to Russell Stover's for a house gift for next week.  Of course, we had to buy some candy for us too.😀

From there we went to Beall's Outlet for Marilyn to try some shoes she had seen yesterday.  Two pairs came home with us, but will have to wear them in the house to decide if they are keepers.

After dinner, we are resting and reading (after working)!

Flying Biscuit

 At noon, we picked up Patti Moran, for lunch.  We went to the Flying Biscuit, in Sumter Landing, for waffles and chicken, for $5.00 each.  It was the last day for their special.

They brought us each a biscuit first and then the chicken and waffles.

After lunch we all went over to Anthony's and then to Beall's Outlet.  Terry and I each bought a top at Anthony's where everything was 25% off.

We then went to the used book store and turned in a book, for which I have a credit.  They did not have the book I wanted.

Terry had her leftover chicken and waffles for dinner, I'm saving mine for breakfast.  I had leftover chicken salad for dinner.

We then went onto our Temple's Shabbat Service.

Resale Shopping and Paul Revere

 After lunch, we left the house and it was drizzling-which had not been in the forecast.

But, neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night, keeps us from resale shopping.

We started at a new shop (opened in September) called New 2 You.  Marilyn bought a warm top and a jacket, both greatly reduced.  

We then went to the post office for some postcard stamps.

Our last stop was the hospital resale shop.  Marilyn bought a shell to go with the jacket that she just bought ($3.75)!

We came home and Terry doctored up a cheese pizza with ground beef, mushrooms, and onion.  The crust was cauliflower.

After dinner, we watched Barry Bradford do a program on Paul Revere for the Cook Library.

We learned a lot about Paul Revere and it was an interesting program.

We also spoke with Cousin Jeff about his trip to Florida.

A Day of Contrasts

 During lunch, we watched the funeral service for Lynore Schwartz (Rabbi Karyn Kedar's mom).  Lynore was a special lady, a really class act.  As she aged her eye sight failed her and she smiled at the world in spite of it.  Below is her wonderful smile.  We are so sorry that we were not there in person to say our good byes.

After the funeral, we went to Temple Shalom - we thought to recycle our newspapers.  What a surprise to learn that the bins were no longer there.  We gave our recycling business to the Catholics at St. Tim's.

We next went to Sam's Club and bought a lot of stuff for the freezer and somethings for dinner tonight.

After watching Jeopardy, Marilyn listened to the North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS past presidents' meeting, which she missed because of the funeral.

Mah Jongg

After breakfast, Terry and I got ready for our guests, and mahjongg. Ethel misread her clock and arrived an hour early.  Fortunately, Terry and I were dressed!

Terry made her a cup of coffee and she sat with us while we had a quick peanut butter/jelly sandwich.  She had already had lunch.

We were soon joined by Joyce, Joy and ultimately Diane, who went to last year's house instead.

Because there were six of us, we took turns sitting out.

WE FORGOT TO TAKE PHOTOS.

As soon as our guests left, we went to the postal station and Terry's premium -forwarding envelope was stuffed into the mailbox.  Today is Tuesday and it should have arrived on Friday!

On the way back from the postal station, we looked for the villas Bernie had told us about.  We found them and also found our way back to the house.

Marilyn set up her computer between our recliners so we could watch Barry Bradford doing a program on Donald Trump's  legal cases.

After which we listened to another Prosecuting Donald Trump. 

Marilyn then went on her computer to hear the Skokie Village Board Meeting.

Someone Else's Shoes

 Today was the threat of rain all day and we did not go out of the house.  Marilyn did go out to get the newspaper on the driveway and to take the garbage to the curb!

We had our rib leftovers for dinner - yum.

We then went on Zoom for our Sisterhood's discussion of the book Someone Else's Shoes.  We both enjoyed the book!

After the discussion, we listened to the author being interviewed. JoJo Moyes discussing SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES w/Laura Dave.

Barb and Bernie and Ribs

 Terry and I had a quiet day.  It was cool outside and we stayed in our pajamas for hours.

We both read the paper and other reading material.

Marilyn did some laundry, since two pairs of slacks that she had ordered were delivered today and she wanted to toss them in the laundry before wearing.

We finally got dressed and went to pick up Barb and Bernie Lindquist.  We all wanted ribs, and Bernie's cousin suggested Longhorn rather than Sonny's, since our usual rib place, Oakwood Express, is closed on Sunday.

We came back here for key-lime pie and cookies and cupcakes.

The ladies all have leftover ribs - Bernie finished his.

Jeopardy Marathon

 Marilyn spent a good part of the morning going through her very heavy Premium Forwarded Mail box.

Unfortunately, Terry's box has not arrived as yet.  What's new about that???

After lunch, we went to various stores in search of a new tablecloth...nothing we could/would purchase.

Terry went grocery shopping at Publix, while Marilyn waited in the car.

After dinner, we are watching Jeopardy.  Started out with a regular game and then multiple celebrity games.

Elvis is in the Building

 We had a lazy day trying to play catch up with emails, etc.

We finally dressed and went to Laurel Manor Recreation Center for the Lynnhaven Neighbors Monthly Event.  Alex Mitchell was the entertainment and did a fabulous impression of Elvis.  We brought cheese and crackers, plus celery sticks and bottled water.

During intermission he changed outfits.

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We had bought raffle tickets, but did not win.

At our table was:  Gloria and Lynn, Karen, Joyce, Diane and Tom.

Zoom Marathon

 Marilyn had a Zoom day.

After breakfast, Marilyn went on to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation READ Board Meeting (on behalf of the school for whom she teaches).

Terry and Marilyn both went on Sally's Discussion Group about politics.

After lunch, Marilyn was on the North Shore - Barrington Assoc. of REALTORS Government Affairs Committee Meeting.

After that we went to Staples, Ulta, Dollar Tree and Publix.  Whew!

Dinner and then Zoom with friends Jan and Sara.

REALTORS and Politics

After breakfast, Marilyn went into a four hour Zoom with the Illinois REALTORS and a Professional Standards Training Session.

Terry brought Marilyn some lunch, out on the porch/lanai as the lunch break did not come until very late in the presentation.

There were close to 500 people on the Zoom.

After the lunch break there was still an hour to go on the Zoom.  The presenters did an excellent job and the program moved along.

While Marilyn was on the Zoom, Terry was trying to get the printer to scan to her computer.  It is an on-going battle.

During dinner, we listened to Prosecuting Donald Trump, with Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord, and both prepared for the politics meeting tomorrow morning.  

After dinner, we were on Zoom listening to Heather Cox Richardson.  We read her daily and it was good to see her being interviewed.  

Everything You Wanted to Know About Disney

 After breakfast, we dressed to attend the Chicagoland Ladies luncheon.  We each brought a salad.  Terry had made egg salad and I had made a fruit salad.

The group meets at Truman Recreation Center and the room was cold.  fortunately, we had brought jackets.

Mary Flynn was the speaker and she had worked for Disney and had a lot of interesting facts about Disney.

At our table was Diane, Joyce, Karen and Gloria.

There were high winds and the threat of a tornado.  We came home before the rain and listened to Channel 6, which had on-going reports by two women meteorologists.

After a dinner of left overs, we listened to Prosecuting Donald Trump, until Terry got bored.  I'll listen to the rest later. It was the appeal of the Presidential Immunity case and the arguments.

Tonight at 7:30 p.m., we will go on a Barry Bradford Zoom session.

Oh So Pretty

Terry and I spent the morning trying to figure out how to scan to her computer.  The scanner recognized my computer, but not hers.  She listened to YouTubes and even had someone from India on the telephone, but we still did not get it to work.

We finally scanned the document to my computer and I emailed it to her.

Had a nice call with friend Diane Falk.  She still doesn't know if she will come to Florida this year.

We had a late lunch and then went to the beauty shop and Vanessa did her magic.

We got back to the house in time to have dinner in front of my computer and listen to a Zoom talk about the Frick Museum, from a library in New York.

We have been reading and checking email since then.

Preparing for a storm tomorrow.  High winds!

Shopping for Tuesday

Today, after lunch, we left the house to go to a newer store in The Villages, Sprouts.  It's a little like Aldi's in that they don't bag your groceries.  We bought a few things for us for dinner for tonight and tomorrow.

But, we went to Publix for what we wanted for Tuesday and The Chicagoland Ladies, where we have to bring salads.

Terry wore the shirt that she got yesterday, for $1.  I think you will agree that it looks great on her.

I saw this cartoon on Facebook and feel that I can identify with it.

Lazy Morning

 After a rather lazy morning, working at our "desks" in the "office" we were ready to go out after lunch.

We headed to the Lady Lake Post Office to mail some mail.

From there we went to the Hospital Resale Shop.  Marilyn bought a pair of jeans and Terry got a cute blouse for $1 (since it did not have a size on it, it was on the $1 rack).

Terry went to Ulta, but will have to bring her old package to see what is similar as packaging has changed.

We went to the Dollar Tree over there and filled in some more stuff for the house.

The last stop was Winn Dixie for some fill-in groceries.

Terry made dinner and after dinner, we tried opening the champagne (from new year's eve) and finally got it open.  Of course, we had to have some.

Busy Day

 After lunch we went to The Markets of Marion and bought a few things for the house.  Friday is not a busy day at the flea market.  Terry was on a mission to get a plain pusher for her mahjongg set, one of them is broken.  However, no luck at the flea market.

As long as we were in the area we stopped at Marie Rose, we both tried on a few things, but came home empty handed.

Purchased some gas for $2.99 a gallon (lower priced than most of the stations  near us).

On to Walmart for Terry's prescriptions and some grocery shopping.

After grocery shopping, Terry declared that she was ON STRIKE and did not plan to cook dinner tonight.  We called Ethel and Steve and set a date to meet them at 5:30 at Thai Ruby, in Sumter Landing.

After dinner, we came home to watch Temple Services on our computers.  Terry in the "office" and Marilyn in the dining room.

After some hot tea and some peanuts we are planning to relax.

Politics and History

 After breakfast, working and doing laundry, we went online to Sally's Politics and History Class.  Terry went on her computer in the "office" and Marilyn was on her computer in the sunroom.

After lunch we went to Mulberry and another Beall's Outlet.  We both found a top and Terry found some sandals too

After dinner we are relaxing, reading the paper and checking emails.

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Pretty toes and fingers

 Today, shortly after breakfast, we went off to Angela's Nails for manicures and pedicures.

After, we then walked down the block to Lil Bits for lunch.

We had been here for almost a week and had not been to Bealls Outlet or Anthony's!  So, that was our next stop.  Marilyn found a top at Bealls Outlet, but Terry was bag-less after visiting both stores.

Before dinner we listened to a part of Liz Chaney's book, OATH AND HONOR (homework for tomorrow morning's political  group).

During dinner, we listened to the podcast PROSECUTING DONALD TRUMP.  It is so interesting it is like going to law school.

Still Need Some Things for the House

 After breakfast, we went to Goodwill and then to the Dollar Tree on 466.  After lunch, we went to the Dollar Tree on 441 before we had almost everything we needed.

Made a stop at Ace Hardware for a three-way bulb.  They are getting harder and harder to find and are expensive, but our old eyes needed more light for reading in the living room.

Terry had bought a pliers thinking we could use that to get the champagne to open- NO LUCK.  No Champagne for us!!!!!

After dinner we worked on our computers and then watched FINDING YOUR ROOTS once we figured out how to watch it on the living-room TV.  What happened to just turning on the TV and finding the channel you wanted????

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2024

 We had a lazy morning and watched some of the Rose Bowl Parade.

Terry prepared the veggies that we were taking to Diane and Tom's for their party, along with some dip.

We were the first to arrive (no surprise)!

In addition to Diane and Tom, Terry, and Marilyn, were Joyce, Karen, her neighbor from England, Ann, another Karen and Doug.  Also neighbors Clayton, Dee, and her sister, Beverly.  We played the card game that changes what you play with each hand.  The winners move to another table (there were three tables).  Losers stay at the table.  Marilyn NEVER MOVED.  Terry was a WINNER.

Everyone brought appetizers and Diane and Tom had ice cream, cake in a trifle bowl, sauces, whipped cream, etc.  Also, homemade cookies!

Everything was yummy!

We got home about 7 p.m. and are reading.