The Roller Coaster Ride is Over

We had our last bridge lesson today and exchanged emails with our table partners.  We will miss the classes and our table partners.  We will look for classes in the Chicago area and try to talk some friends into playing with us.

We had a quick bite at home and then went to the Orange Blossom Opry, which is always an entertaining evening. It is a ride on country roads and a detour made it even more challenging.  Good thing we had been there before and knew our way.  The girl singer changes clothes multiple times during the evening.  The band is great and it is fun.

Tonight, however, we were a little distracted because, on the way there, we called Betty.  They were going to be turning off Phil's life-support equipment in a couple of hours.  The roller coaster ride that she and Phil's kids have been on is over. When we got out of the Opry,  Phil was gone!  The funeral will be on Monday or Tuesday and there is no way that we can get there in time. 

He was such a great guy and made Betty so happy that we are upset that we cannot be there to say good-bye.

We will stop in Indianapolis on the way home and spend some quality time with Betty.

Bus Man's Holiday

Today, I took the car to Plaza Cadillac for its check up before we head back to Chicago.  The car passed with flying colors and we are a go.  We leave next Wed.

Terry was busy working while I was gone.  Mindy: she was not working on business but Temple and Sisterhood and personal stuff.  She'll put the nose to the grindstone tomorrow morning.

After lunch, we went to Sumter Landing to meet a salesperson, who took us to the models.  We have not seen exactly what we would want should we actually decide to buy.  Have seen some resales in the newspaper that look good also. 

A visit to Beall's Outlet, at Colony Shopping Center, produced no purchase.  I think the curse is back.  We have a $5 certificate for spending over $200 and it is burning a hole in our pockets.

Went to Publix for a few things to fill in between now and Wed.

Less than a week and we have to leave Paradise.

We talked to Betty tonight and it is like a roller coaster.  Yesterday, they were encouraged about Phil.  Today, not so much.

We are thinking that when we leave here we need to head there and not make any sightseeing side trips.  Our return route is in limbo - both because of Phil's condition and the weather.  Stay tuned.

Cue Bid?

Are they kidding? I'm supposed to bid the same suit as my opponents as a cue bid?  I haven't a clue!  This bridge stuff is getting more and more complicated.  I'm hoping that I wake up one morning and it all will make perfect sense.  Tough to teach an old dog new tricks.

After finishing bridge homework, we went to Sharon's to play mah jongg.  Had some nice hands.  Had one hand that I goofed up on.  Terry did well and had some nice hands.

As we were leaving Sharon's it started to pour, so we hung around for a few minutes until it let up a little and then dashed to the car.  We had hoped to run some errands, but just came home instead.

I took out the garbage and it was still raining and now I hear thunder.  A good night to be in and reading.

Mardi Gras

I did laundry, Terry cleaned, and we both did bridge homework.

Then it was time to go to Spanish Springs for Mardi Gras.  We got there early to get a parking space and did a little shopping. 

We were to meet Diane and Tom and their friends there.  However, they were right in the sun, so we stayed on our bench.  Loved the jazz music and watching people.  Met up with them again to hear a great band.

As you can see Terry and I were wearing our best gold beads and masks (all Dollar Tree purchases).  It was great fun watching people - enjoying the music.

We left and went to Red Lobster for shrimp dinners.

We are now watching the second installment of the PBS show on the Clintons.

Oh, So Pretty

Terry and I both had 10 a.m. appointments for haircuts and dye jobs (and you thought we had no gray)!

It was then lunch time and we were right next door to Five Guys - so we HAD to have our cheeseburgers and fries!  A small order of fries could feed a family of six - but we managed to polish them off.

We had been wanting to visit Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, where Frank Lloyd Wright designed a number of buildings on campus.  It was about 1 1/2 hours each way, but worth the ride.

On the way there, I got a text from Jeremy that he needed me to answer some questions.  Terry called him, since I was driving. She put me on speaker telephone with him and I answered his questions. Seems that he needed to interview an elected official.  His mom reminded him that he was related to one.  He was at my first swearing in, but I guess he forgot that.  He asked some insightful questions.  One of the badges he needs, on his way to Eagle Scout, was the interview with an elected official.

Florida Southern College,  is a beautiful campus and has an enrollment of about 2300.  I cannot imagine what tuition must be to support all of the buildings and faculty.  Below are some images from our tour of the campus.

 This is the building that serves as a visitor center and gift shop.

 This is the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel.

This is the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel in the background and our little feathered friend who joined our self-guided tour.

 Not sure which building this was.

 Their auditorium - concert venue.

 Roux Library

 Photo of a postcard of the William H. Danforth Chapel

 A view from the car of the water that you see upon entering the campus.  People were water skiing, though it was a little cool.

A little courtyard behind one of the buildings.

As we got closer to The Villages, we became hungry (hard to believe).  We stopped at Sweet Tomatoes for dinner.  Salad should be healthy, right?  Well yes, if that is all you eat!  Don't ask - let's just say that dessert was wonderful!

PBS is running a special on Clinton tonight so I am going to sign off in order to go watch that.

Rain, Wind and a Delightful Dinner

Strange day, filled with working, reading bridge homework, and RAIN.  Very windy and then rainy.  The rain stopped and I ran to the postal station to mail some mail and then went to Bealls to look for a necklace to match a new top and earrings.  Terry was reading and stayed at home while I ventured forth.

Ethel and Steve picked us up and we went to Sharon and Norman's for a delicious dinner, at their rented villa not far from us.  Lots of good conversation and the time flew!

When we left Sharon and Norman's, it had cooled off and it should be cool tomorrow.  Feels good as it has been humid the past couple of days and I don't like humidity, especially when it is warm and humid.  Later in the week it is supposed to be in the 80s.

Comment from Terry I DO LIKE IT WARM.  The only arguments Marilyn and I have had on this trip is what the temperature in the house should be. 

Carriages and More Carriages

Since the first year that we visited The Villages, Diane and Tom had suggested that we visit the Carriage Museum. We even tried to talk our cousins into going one year.  But, alas, we never went.  TODAY, we went to see some horse competitions and to visit the museum.  The owner is a very wealthy woman, who has spent a fortune restoring carriages.  It is something to see!

 This is the statue that you see as you enter the grounds from the parking lot.

 You get the idea of what the carriages that were in the competition look like.  We went to the museum and saw a little of it before it was time to see Diane and Tom's friend in his competition.

 This carriage was restored and supposedly belonged to Franz Joseph.  The guide was from DuPage County, IL.

 Here's Diane and Tom's friend winning his competition.  It is VERY slow paced - a little like watching wallpaper dry.

 This is a hummer that an artist took apart and redid so horses could pull it.  A little like what people did with their cars during the great depression.  Says a lot about the artist's view of the current economy.

 If you are going to restore a car, it might as well be a Rolls!

Terry and her boyfriend, Roy Rogers.  She was a big fan when we were growing up.

Terry took this out of focus photo of me at the Barnam and Baily Circus carriage.

We came home to rest for a little bit, eat a bite, and change clothes to go to a concert, with Diane and Tom, to benefit the local food pantry.  It was held at Temple Shalom and was great fun!  We were up dancing in the aisles for When the Saints Go Marching In.

After the concert, Terry and I went to Perkins, where we heard that had good eclairs.  They were out of eclairs.  But, not to fear - we had brownie hot fudge sundaes!  I told Terry that we need to leave quickly before the Weight Watcher Police arrived!  Sinfully delicious.