Monday's Recap of Last Week...

 

This week is the last one with Jim and Elaine here.  We have had some fun and it has also been nice just spending time together watching TV, cooking dinners, and reminiscing about families and friends.  It is so special having a friend for 60 plus years who knows my family (and I know hers).  We were in school together, in band together, and were in each other's weddings (my first one).  She and Jim will celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. I will miss them and Bella when they leave.

So, here are some photos and some of the things we did last week...

Wednesday was Ash Wednesday.  We all went to my church for the Ash Wednesday service.  Lent has begun.

The Mas Verde group, including Jim & Elaine, went to Shell's for dinner on Thursday.  That's us, way down at the other end of the table.  The food is always good there!

It was very foggy on the way to work on Friday.

I took Jim and Elaine down to Punta Gorda for a Saturday day trip.  They had never been there and I knew they would enjoy the view and the delicious food at The Captain's Table.  I was right!!  It was an enjoyable day and the weather was perfect for a road trip!

Coconut-crusted Mahi-mahi over rice with sauteed veggies. Yum!!

Posing with the pirate is a must!

We went to Fancy Farms for more strawberries and we all had a

strawberry milkshake before we went home.

Strawberry fields...

My church had a Missions Conference Sunday yesterday.  Jim and Elaine went to get Bella from boarding and they did some grocery shopping.  I was a greeter and we also had a potluck after the conference.  It was very well done and it was great hearing from the missions that my church helps to support.  I took pictures before it really got started and didn't take any photos of all the food.  I made two pans of baked ziti with meatballs to take and one for us to have for dinner at home.  There was lots of food, though!

I am working all day, today, so I can have Tuesday off.  We are going to Sarasota for lunch at an Amish restaurant I've been wanting to try.  It should be another fun day trip!!

I am so far behind in reading blogs but will try to catch up a bit this week.  I am missing you!!

Peace & hugs!!

A Recap of Last Week...

 It's been a busy week with my friends here.  I sure am enjoying our time together!  Life does go on and I have to work in the mornings.  They have been getting out and about and I came home two days last week to find them doing projects.  They fixed a drawer in my kitchen that was coming loose from its sliders.  Then Jim rescreened six or eight screens that had been taken down to be repaired.  I told them they were on vacation, for goodness' sake!

We've been out to eat several times and are enjoying streaming some shows on BritBox.  They went out to eat with the Mas Verde dinner group on Thursday evening.  This is the third year they have been here so most of the group knows them from previous visits.

Saturday was the day I headed north to Micanopy for a 70th birthday party for my former boss (at the Museum).  It was such a good time and well worth the five-hour round trip. While I was gone, Jim and Elaine drove up to Dade City to meet with friends of theirs who live in The Villages and had dinner with them.

The birthday party was at Claire's home.  It is such a beautiful little farm and the weather was perfect for a party outside. 

The "other Terry" came all the way from Georgia and it was great seeing her. Terry was also part of our little monthly lunch group (which is now just Shirley and me).  

Terry's hubby, Terry, Pal, Taylor (holding Colby), and Gregory.

No names on this one because I don't have permission to post everyone, but these are all folks I worked with at the Museum (and Terry's hubby).  Only two are still there.  So fun catching up with everyone!

Claire is in the red shirt and that's her mom sitting next to her!

Her beautiful birthday cake with raspberry filling!  Delicious!

Terry, Pal, and Adam

Me and Claire.  It was very windy!!  Not a good hair day for me!

Bella had to be boarded for Saturday and overnight since we wouldn't be back in time to get her.  I went to Sunday school and church and Jim went to pick up Bella.  They had to get her between 9 and 11.  When I got home from church, we all took Bella to one of our dog parks so she could work off some energy.  She had fun!

More meals are planned out this week.  Not sure what else we will get into.  Jim is golfing with some of the folks and Elaine has been going to the pool in the mornings for AquaFit. The cats and Bella are getting along just fine. I do have a day planned off next week to do a day trip down to the Sarasota area.  That will be fun.  Bella will be boarded again.  We have a great place called Four Paws for doggy daycare or overnight boarding

I've been reading your posts here and there but am trying to not have my nose in the laptop too long with the company here.  

Love & hugs!!

What a Friend we have in Jesus!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

1 Corinthians 16:14 

Let all that you do be done with love.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 Popping in to say Jim and Elaine got here safely with their sweet pup, Bella.  I had a post written and posted before the game last night.  I tried to amend it on my phone to just say I was sad the Eagles lost but it was a well-matched game.  Then it didn't want to update for me and everything went away.

So... having a good time.  We enjoyed the strawberry shortcake for two days.  Sunday school and church was yesterday and they came with me.  I will probably not post every day while they are here but will play catch up as I can and will have photos and stories to share!!

Have a great week!!  Peace & hugs!!

God is SO good!!

A 7-Layer Sunday Stealing...

 Thanks to Bev for today's questions.  You can join in HERE.

7 Layer Meme

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and was published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal 

all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find 

the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

7 Layer Meme

 

LAYER 1: Tell us your...

* Eye color:  Green

* Hair color:  Gray/white

* Height: 5' 10"  (down from 6')

* Righty or lefty:   Righty

LAYER 2: What's...

* Your heritage:  Scottish, British, Scandinavian

* The shoes you wore today:  Croc sandals

* Your weakness:  Public speaking

* Your fears:  30-foot waves coming at me

* Your perfect pizza:   Hand-tossed, pepperoni, hot peppers

* Goals you’d like to achieve:  Staying healthy and of sound mind

* Your first waking thoughts:  Thank you, Jesus

* Your best physical feature:   Ha ha ha...

* Your most missed memory:   (missed memory doesn't make sense)

LAYER 3: Do you...

* Smoke:   Nope

* Cuss:   Sometimes

* Sing:   Not well

* Do you think you’ve been in love:   I know I have

* Did you go to college:  Yes

* Liked high school:  Yes

* Believe in yourself:  Yes

* Think you’re attractive:  Not unattractive

* Think you’re a health freak:   Ha ha ha...

* Like thunderstorms:  If I am safe inside 

* Play an instrument:  Yes

LAYER 4: In the past month have you…

* Drunk alcohol:  No.

* Smoked:  No. Not since 1983.

* Done a drug:  Never

* Made out:  Nope

* Gone on a date:  Nope

* Gone to the mall:  Nope

* Eaten an entire box of Oreos:  Nope

* Eaten sushi:  No

* Been on stage:  No

 * Been dumped:   No

* Gone skating:   No

* Gone skinny dipping:  No

LAYER 5: Have you ever…

* Played a game that required removal of clothing:  No

* Been trashed or extremely intoxicated:  No

* Been caught “doing something”:   No

* Been called a tease:  No

* Gotten beaten up:  No

LAYER 6:

* Age you did get/hope to be married:  19 the first time

* How do you want to die:   Peacefully in my sleep, please

* What did you want to be when you grew up:  Have a horse ranch

* What country would you most like to visit:  Scotland, since I've been to Italy

LAYER 7: Now tell...

* Name a person you could trust with your life:  Was Joe, now just myself

* Name a favorite CD that you own:  I have close to 100 but haven't listened in a long time.

* Number of piercings:  Two, One in each ear

* Number of tattoos:  None

* Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper:  Several. Small town.

Newspapers don't do this kind of reporting anymore... 

* Name a past experience that you regret:  No regrets here.

Sunday blessings!!

Peace & Hugs!

A Sinatra Saturday 9...

Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  You can join in HERE! 

My Funny Valentine

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

 Saturday 9: My Funny Valentine (1953)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Frank sings that his lover is his favorite work of art. Tell us about a piece of artwork you can see from where you're sitting now. (Yes, that crayon drawing by your 5-year-old nephew counts.)  I am sitting in my living room and can see nearly 20 works of art from where I sit. Photography, paintings, ceramics, glass...

2) He asks her to not change her hair. When will you next find yourself in the stylist's chair?  I was just there on Wednesday.

3) Sinatra is often photographed in hats because he began losing his hair while in his 30s. He wore "a rug" for TV, concert, and film appearances but really didn't like it, considering the toupee merely part of his work attire. What do you wear when you wish to appear professional?  Not my jeans, I guess.  The days of coordinated suits, stockings, and heels are long gone.

4) Sinatra is best known for his singing and won an Oscar for his acting. But not many people know he liked to paint until the widow sold his paintings at auction. Do you have a secret talent?  I don't have any secrets anymore!  LOL

 

5) As a kid, he was a paperboy in his hometown of Hoboken, NJ.  Tell us about one of your early jobs.  Other than babysitting, I worked two summers during high school in our local Weldon's Ice Cream Factory.  I was a professional ice cream dipper!!

  
This is the last Saturday  9 before Valentine's Day and so this morning we shall focus on the upcoming holiday. 

6) The holiday is also known as The Feast of St. Valentine. Do you have a special meal planned for Tuesday?  Not yet because my dear friends, Elaine and Jim, will be here and Jim's birthday is also Valentine's Day.  I think it will be his choice.

7) The phrase "wear your heart on your sleeve" began in medieval times. On Valentine's Day, men would celebrate the holiday by displaying their lady love's name on their sleeves. If you were to adopt this custom, whose name would you wear?  Joe, of course.  Always Joe.

8) Women buy and send more Valentines than men do. Who received the last greeting card you sent?  To my friend, Cindee, and my pen-pal GrGr niece Maya.  I mailed them on the same day.

  
9) Sweethearts, those candy hearts with sayings like "BE MINE" stamped on them, began as throat lozenges. Are you a fan of these little candies?   I wouldn't say I'm a fan but I do eat them when offered and they are fun to read.

Peace & Hugs!

There will be an answer

Let it be

Friday Fotos...

 

I do have a few new photos to share from this week...

Our beautiful Lake Morton.  

Some pelicans were hanging out one day this week...

More pelicans and the lovely pink flowering 

trees starting to show off!

Lake Morton is a bird sanctuary so there are always

waterfowl/birds hanging out and enjoying the park around the lake.

This was a  pretty sunset taken from my carport one evening

this week.  We have another "cold" front coming in this weekend,

with highs only in the 60s for a couple of days.

Elaine and Jim will be here tomorrow  The cleaning is done and I will do some grocery shopping after work today, including some fresh strawberries from Fancy Farms.  Wishing you all a great weekend ahead!! Friday got here pretty fast for me but I am excited for my friends to get here!!  Next week marks two years since I lost my sweet Joe. Hard to believe it has been two years.  I miss him something awful, but I'm fine.  My heart will always belong to Joe, though!

Peace & Hugs!

God is in control.  Trust and obey...

Whimsical Fashion Spree 2023...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the shoe you like best for the dress.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams & Beauty!

This sweet dress made me think of high school proms.  We are getting close to prom time so let's pick the shoes you think this young lady should wear to her prom... count down 1-2-3.

My thoughts:  It really did make me think of proms.  Did you go to your prom?  I will pick shoe #3 just because they look like they would be more comfortable (for skinny ankles).  What do you think?

Peace & Hugs!

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms...

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for today's Hodgepodge!!  You can join in HERE! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 491

1. Something you've done recently that might be considered a labor of love?  Not real recently but caring for Helen and now giving time to her estate is/has been a labor of love.  

2. What's one thing you love about being the age you are now?  Gosh, I don't know.  Life experience and I appreciate each new day.

3. What do you value more: careful planning or the freedom to be spontaneous? Elaborate. I think my values land somewhere in the middle. I do miss the freedom of being retired which allows one to be more spontaneous.

4. A home-cooked meal or a fancy restaurant? pink or red? watch the sunrise or watch the sunset? wine and cheese or champagne and chocolate?  I'm not really into fancy restaurants so make it between home-cooked and a neighborhood hang out and I'll go to the restaurant. When I cook, I have to eat it for 2-3 days.  Even if I love the recipe, it does get old.  If I put it in the freezer, I will not take it out later. I always end up throwing it out.

5. What's your definition of romance? Are you a 'romantic'?  I've never been romantic and Joe wasn't either.  Just a smile, holding hands, doing little things for each other, caring...

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I got home from work yesterday to find my neighbor, Bill, pressure washing my house. WHAT!!  He told me a few weeks ago that I could borrow his pressure washer.  There was some green growing in a few places on my white siding.  I never expected him to actually do my whole house.  I will either take him and Dee out for dinner or get them a nice gift card for one of the restaurants they like.  That is just above and beyond neighborly. I am so very blessed by the people in my life. 

Peace & Hugs!

Psalm 91:11 ESV

“For He will command his angels concerning 
you to guard you in all your ways. ”

Tuesday 4...

Thanks to Annie for today's questions!!  You can join in HERE!

Just 4 questions weekly

 Welcome weather-weary friends to another episode of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we challenge you to answer 4 questions on different subjects each week.

Maybe we could talk about the internet this week?  

It's all I could come up with as my mind is on hiatus right now.

1. When did the home internet age enter your life?  Computers entered my life back in the mid-80s but the internet wasn't out there for the public until the mid-90s (I think).  I don't really remember when we got it at home.  I started blogging in 2007 though.  How much impact has it had?  Huge. I can't imagine not having access to so much information at the click of a key.  It has made life easier and also sucked away so much time that could have been spent doing more productive work (?).

2. How powerful an influence is your phone?  I wouldn't call it powerful.  If I forget my phone, it doesn't make me anxious. I do walk out of the house now and then and don't give the phone a thought.  For instance, do you feel guilty not answering when you are busy?  No. Do you text back immediately?  No.  Does the phone own you?  No. Do your friends feel they should be able to monopolize your time by demanding to know where you were when you didn't answer?  No.  Is it intrusive or welcome?  Often intrusive (car warranties, etc.) but usually welcome.

3. What places do you frequent on the net and by phone or PC etc.?  (pc.. personal computer, laptop, etc.)   I don't use my phone for the internet very often.  I do use it as my GPS when traveling and I will ask Google questions sometimes. If it requires typing, I prefer my laptop.  I am not fast at texting on tiny keyboards. My hands are big.

4.   Wikipedia is editable and biased because anyone can edit the articles. Algorithms also determine what you can and cannot find on the interest.     So, how much stock do you place in its information?  Not as much as many people do.  One has to use common sense and do a bit more research if it is really important.

Peace & Hugs!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!