Jeanne, there are different kinds of condo complexes.  Ours is not like apartment buildings, but more like townhouses.  I live in a building with four units, side by side and I live on a pond.  Dot lives two streets north of me in a two-unit building.  Her unit is like mine, however, it is about 50 sq ft larger.  I have an inside unit and Dot, living in a duplex, has an outside unit.  We have 66 units here.  Yes, Dot still drives as she is six years younger than I am.  I got a new drivers license this year but it will be an extreme emergency if I have to drive and besides, I sold my car.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - We went out looking at washing machines today, but didn't buy one.  I want another Whirlpool, but didn't see one that had the features I want.  I remember that you got one, and I'm wondering if you got the model without the agitator inside the tub?  We went to Lowe's and to Home Depot, and didn't see a Whirlpool with the agitator.  I did see a GE that I liked, but not sure if I want a GE?  Decisions, Decisions!    In the meantime, my old machine is still working, but only on the lowest water level. 

Larry - It's also a mystery to me, as to why people actually enjoy shopping in a congested mob-scene like Black Friday!  I guess they feel energized by the crowds and the bargains?  Even when I was young and strong, I would have faded fast in a situation like that.

MaryAnn. Now did they just renew you drivers license or did you have to take the road test.  Have to here every 2 years and after 85 every year.  I know I will be O.K as my 2 years up next April.  Take them in another town and hate to do it as I never go there other than the License. Going to buy a new car after taking the next one.  In Texas where family live they just renew as you get old and for much longer without testing. Doesn't stop until you have a wreck or turn it in.

Marilyne, I did not buy Whirlpool laundry equipment this time as I bought from Sears.  While Whirlpool does make a lot of Kenmore appliances, our equipment was made by Electrolux.  I never thought I'd buy anything from Sears but I did!  Our washer and dryer are front load but not the very expensive model.  Tom had used a friends front loader and thought the wash came out cleaner and that is what he favored.  As he does the laundry, we bought what he wanted.  Many years ago Electrolux bought out the Gibson Refrigerator Company in Greenville MI, not too far from here.  In a short time, they moved everything to Mexico, putting a lot of people out of work. 

Jeanne, I was able to renew my drivers license by mail this time.  It is on my license how old I am.  I really do not intend to drive but if necessary I can.  I have not driven for over a year because before we bought Tom's present car, he was using mine and if I needed to go anywhere, he'd take me - as he does now.  I sold my car earlier this year to my nephew, Terry's daughter, who lives in Indianapolis.

Mary Ann

Jeanne, the information you gave about Texas drivers license is incorrect.

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlicense/elderlydrivers.htm

In Alaska, seniors 69 years and older must apply in person and pass a vision test for a five year license.

Anyone heard from MaryPage.  She hasn't posted since the election.  Hope she is doing okay.  I know she wasn't feeling too well the last time posted.

Anyhow, hope the rest of you are doing okay.

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast 51 degree morning here in South Carolina but expected to get to 69 this afternoon.  They have put the possibility of some rain in the forecast for the next few days and it will be most welcome as it is very dry here.  We still haven't had a killing frost and flowers are still in bloom outside, including my 5 small azalea bushes in front of my porch and my potted Impatien plant that waited until late to bloom. 

Pat did feel up to going to church with me yesterday.  I went to Sunday School and then left a few minutes early and came back home and picked her up.  It is almost exactly a 10 minute drive each way and we got there just as the minister was making announcements before the service began.  After church we went to the Sunshine Grill and split a club sandwich.  They are very large and Pat just removed the wheat bread from her portion and had plenty to eat.  We did get a call from our Nigerian "grandson", who had just returned to college from being home for Thanksgiving. 

Today is going to be a light day with only my noon meeting on tap.  I just did something that will save me a trip to the Credit Union.  I had a couple of small checks to deposit.  So I used the mobile app on my phone to deposit them.  It worked wonderfully well and I could immediately see the balance increase as it was accepted.  I decided not to attend the Men's monthly meeting tonight at the church as it will be dark for the trip both ways.  I do plan on attending a special Christmas music program that will be held Thursday evening at our church with our choir director playing the piano and the choir singing with apparently some other special musical  things planned.

Mary Ann, I would guess that the catalog you get a lot of is from Blair.  We get sometimes two or three a week from them.  Obviously it pays off in sales for them because it can't be cheap to produce and mail the catalogs.  We also get numerous others and most of those go directly into the trash can.  Starting a meal with a sweet roll sounds like a wonderful idea.

Sandy, glad to read that all is well up your way. 

JeanneP, you must be among a small group of people to never have had a hamburger or hot dog at a restaurant.  Do you have to take a behind the wheel driving test every two years?  I can't imagine what a work load that is on the driver examiners if you do as well as a burden on the licensees.  Here are license are good for 5 years and costs $12.50 or you can get a 10 year license for $25 dollars.  However, for those 65 and older you can only renew for the 5 year period.  We haven't lived here long enough to have to renew our license yet.

Hal, I haven't heard anything from MaryPage. 

Marilyne, we bought a new washing machine, an LG, probably about 3 years ago now.  It doesn't have an agitator but does a beautiful job of washing.  It is also a top loader with a very large tub.  It moves the clothes back and forth in the tub as it washes and when it does its final spin it removes almost all of the moisture from the clothes making them very quick and easy to dry, unlike the previous washers we have had.   

Larry, the catalogs I receive weekly are from Appleseed's and Tog Shop.  However, I believe Blair is part of those organizations.  I have not ordered from Blair on purpose just because I don't want to add another catalog to my list.  I get catalogs from LL Bean quite often.

I'm not dressed yet at 9:40 am, however, when I finish here, I will start getting ready for the day.  I have no idea what our day is to be like because I haven't turned on the Weather Channel nor have I looked at Intellicast on my computer.  It is overcast right now.

Larry, I have enjoyed doing the puzzles you mentioned and I try to do at least one a day.  I can do a puzzle of 110 pieces in less than an hour.

Mary Ann

It must be windy out because I just looked at the Grand Haven scene and there are loads of big whitecaps. 

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone,
from the cool but sunny,  rocky coast
of Maine.   

I have heard from MaryPage and she is doing ok....  except her sciatica issues have
re surfaced...   not sure how that is being handled.   

I will tell her that she is missed .... 

All is well here for me..
Have a good day,
Everyone !

Sandy

Good morning, I have heard from MaryPage and the same as Sandy. She is taking a small break for family time.

MaryAnn, it looks cold and blustery on the cam.

Good morning Larry and Hal!

I have spent the last couple of days cleaning before the hired cleaner arrives. I have always felt it funny that we clean ahead of someone doing a cleaning job but that's just human nature.

Hal.  I was surprised when my daughters MIL at 84 just went in and got her license renewed in Texas without anything but her eye test. She was such a bad driver that the kids didn't want her driving. Never hit anyone but hit lots of fences.  and even their Electric gate around the Ranch.  She passed after getting it 3 years ago.

Looks like MaryAnn didn't have to take a driving test either.  This Illinois seems to have rules of their own.  Will see what happens to me in April next year.

Jeanne, I am sure each state has their own regulations regarding drivers licenses.  For instance, my license expires on my birthday in 2020.  Jim, in Indianapolis, went by his last name initial and had to go to a special place to renew it at a certain time span (maybe a week, I don't remember).  I did expect to have to take a test and at that time I still owned my car.  Tom's car is very different from the car I had, but I think if I had to I could drive it OK.  It would be the positioning of the seat and mirrors.  I don't expect an extreme emergency to come up, but one never knows!

Mary Ann

It has stormed all night here and still coming down hard.  I put off going out yesterday and planned on today. Need to do it regardless of storm.  Suppose to be in the 50s but not seeing it.  I hate days like this.

Jeanne, the rain, possibly storm, is on its way here.  Radar shows it south of us now.  I'm content to stay in.  Our temp is about 45 now and I doubt its been much higher.

Take a look at Grand Haven - big waves.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn.  Still not let up here. Didn't get out of the house again all day.  Maybe tomorrow. Hope it not heading your way.  Seems to be heading east they say. Got to not complain though. Could have been snow. Have had bad ones by thanksgiving.

Jeanne, looking at the computer radar, it might be raining, but if so, it is light.  For one thing I can't hear it and I usually can and outside does not look like it is raining now, but it has rained.  your area looks like it should stop soon.

The kitchen is cleaned up and the cat fed so I'll go to bed shortly.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I must have been thinking of your old Whirlpool washer, that lasted even longer than mine!  I can see that we'll have to look around at more appliance stores before we make a final decision. So many brands to choose from, and so many different styles.

Hi everyone.  We are starting this day with a few very short showers and have the prospects for more rain during the next couple of days.  It was 68 degrees when I got up this morning and predicted to reach 75 degrees this afternoon. 

The main activity for today is to attend the Adult Fellowship Luncheon and Program at the church.  As I mentioned yesterday today is a special musical program.  I love music so  have really been looking forward to this program.  Either before or after I will go to the place where Pat and I get our CPAP supplies to get her a couple of nose pillows for her head gear.  I also want to stop by Office Deport as yesterday I stopped at another Office Depot to get a notebook that Pat needed for a cookbooks she had me print out.  The price was $5.99 but when it range up it had been discounted down to $1.  I asked the clerk if that was right and she said it was as many items had been greatly discounted.  If they are still at this price I will get several as need to replace some that I am using that are pretty worn out. 

Mary Ann, we don't get either of those catalogs you mentioned and I thought we must be on everyone's catalog list.    The new puzzle site I am using is taking me at least an hour or more to work the puzzles.  They are more challenging as I shuffle the pieces before I start to work on them, which makes them more like a physical puzzle.  I still like the classic cut pieces.

Sandy, thanks for the information related to MaryPage.  So sorry to hear of the reemergence of the sciatica issues.  I feel for her as am seeing what those issues due to a person with what my wife has been suffering with the last three months and more.  Please do let her know that she is missed.

Patricia, I agree that it doesn't make a lot of sense to clean before the housekeeper or cleaner arrives but I do it also to put away things in my office so she has uncluttered surfaces to clean and also to clear off the area next to my bed. 

JeanneP, it sounds like your daughters MIL would be a good person to stay away from when she is in her car.  I hope I will have the will power to give up driving when I feel I am a danger to myself and others.  I know I am already going to cut back on night driving and don't intend to drive at night except in areas I am very familiar with, such as to church and back home. 

Marilyne, good luck on your washing machine shopping. 

Larry, I have not used the ability to have the puzzle pieces rotate yet; i want to get used to doing it before i make any changes.  They have a lot of pretty puzzles, which is what I like.

In a way I gave up driving myself, but in another way, I was kind of forced into it when Tom took over my car and decided to take me to wherever I needed to go, which is what we do now.  Only it's his car we use now.  I really don't miss driving but there are occasions I want to go to a store "just because" and I don't like to interrupt Tom's work for nothing.  Tom is very good about getting anything that I need at the store, including personal items!

It is about 50 degrees here now and i was able to get the mail with only a sweater as a topper.  Those are my kind of days!

Grand Haven is still windy and there are many whitecaps.

Mary Ann

Marilyn, my daughter bought a Samsung washing machine a year and half ago.  She really likes it, but she just got a recall on it.  It will explode under certain conditions.  She is going to take her pro-rated refund and get an LG.

We have had such good luck with Kenmore over the years so when we moved we left our Whirlpool washer and dryer in the house and replaced them in our new (to us) house with Kenmore.  We are very happy with both washer and dryer.  The new washer doesn't have the regular agitator but does a good job.

We are still in the 30's  right now at almost 10"00 a.m.  Should get into the 50's by this afternoon.

Grand Surf does look choppy today. almost over the bridge.
Now Wash machines and such seem to be getting cheaper now. Same with Fridges and such. Thing is they don't last as long. Had my last ones for about 28 years. Now I would have to use a stack up kind . Decided to send all laundry out and they do a beautiful job. Fold like new. Just down the street and so easy . I am spoiled now. If only I could find a good house cleaner about once every 2 weeks I would enjoy sitting back.
Rain has stopped and so going to shower and head out. Thought of letting my hair grow but now not sure. May go and get a trim and see. Would like to get another pair of Prescription glasses done also with a larger frame.

wjoan - I've forgotten where you live in Washington, but I think it's near where we lived for a year, in the late 1950's? At that time, my husband was stationed at Camp Hanford, so we lived in Army housing there.  The winter we spent in that drafty, wood frame barracks style duplex was as cold as I had ever been at that point in my young life.  Before we moved to Hanford, we had a nice warm apartment in Pasco, but had to move, when Army housing became available.   

Marilynne,  you hit the nail on the head there.  I live in Richland which is part of the Tri Cities.  Pasco, Kennewick and Richland is the Tri Cities.  Been here for about 12 and a half years now.  Nice are but we get damn cold in the Winter and some Summers over 100 degrees. 

As the saying goes, I've been "busier than a one-armed paper hanger"! We arrived home from our trip to Aruba on Friday night. The trip home was truly a "trip"! Leaving the airport in Aruba is a chore.........Along with getting boarding passes (Can't print them ahead of time there), you need to go through customs for both Aruba and the U.S. and two security lines, scan your passport and boarding pass and the machine snaps your photo. You check your luggage on the way in and then have to pick it up at a designated spot, take it to another place where you put it on a conveyor belt. Finally get to the other side of security where you have time for some lunch.  We were warned all this would take time so arrived at the airport early. After waiting another hour and a half we finally boarded the plane. Finding our Villages Taxi for pick-up at the Orlando airport and the ride home was another story.    Got home around 10 p.m.

The next day our granddaughter, her husband and two boys arrived to spend the week.  Love them to pieces but wish they had picked another time.

Our dishwasher broke down so we've been washing dishes for six by hand. My granddaughter is a big help with that. Yesterday we ordered a new one but have to wait till Dec. 17th for delivery.

Are you tired yet? I AM! 

Aruba is beautiful and we did have a very nice time! Wish we had a few more days there.

The nights have been cool since we got home but tonight it's lovely out.......71 at 8:20 p.m.

Beverly, that was quite an ending to a wonderful trip to Aruba.  And with your granddaughter and family coming, plus a dishwasher problem, I am sure you have had it!!!

Terry's wife came today to help me get rid of stuff.  She is quite an organizer, which I am not so she is being very helpful.  Goodwill is getting a lot of stuff that i know i will not use in the future.  Much is souvenirs of trips, nothing expensive and certainly not useful now.  in the process, I found some Christmas lights that were missing for several years.  I knew what type of box they were in but never found the box.  It showed up today!!!  When we finish, I'll still have too much stuff.  if i wait long enough, someone else will have to do the job because I will no longer be here.

It's been a nice day with our temp  getting up to 50 degrees plus. 

Mary Ann

wjoan - I liked The Tri Cities.  We were there for a year - arrived in April, and left the following March. I really enjoyed living in Pasco, and didn't mind the long hot summer. I worked at Sears, while my husband was at the Army post every day.  We moved to Camp Hanford in the Fall, and lived there until March.  It was miserably cold all winter. 

Beverly - Sounds like you had a good time on your Aruba trip. No time for you to unwind and relax, with a houseful of company arriving the following day!

FlaJean - I looked at the Samsung washing machines, and loved the metallic blue color.  No chance I would have bought one though, because they only came in the front loading model.  Too hard for me to bend over to load and unload.  I'm sticking with the old fashioned top loader!

Hi everyone on another overcast morning.  We did have some nice rain yesterday afternoon and evening and more is predicted for this evening.  I did really enjoy our adult luncheon at church.  The program was outstanding and was highlighted by several piano duets by our very talented choir director/organist/pianist and her sister.  The choir members present also sang several Christmas type selections as well as a piece from "The Sound of Music".  We topped all of that off with a good meal of a pasta dish, salad, bread and dessert.  I did go to Office Depot but struck out as the price had actually gone up than it was originally before the sale price.  Also there machine to put spiral bindings on things was out of order.  So I came home and had a nice nap and quiet afternoon.

I plan on being home all day today until time to go to the church this evening for our Wednesday night dinner.  I am hopeful that Scott will come out in advance and we can go together so he can do the driving.

FlaJean, I saw some pictures of those washing machines after they had exploded.  I predict she will be very pleased with the LG.  Not long before we decided to move here we also got a new LG range that Pat really loved. It was much nicer than the one that came with our new home and we thought about switching them but it was too late as we had accepted a contract on our house and that wouldn't have been right to switch the stoves. 

JeanneP, we have found housekeepers in the past, as well as the lady who cleans for us now, by asking friends that use such services.  We have also had to let several of the ones we have used in the past go for various reasons.  However, we have a good housekeeper now, although Pat sometimes get a bit aggravated with how something may be done.  What looks fine to me sometimes doesn't meet her standard but overall I think she is happy with the lady we now use. 

Beverly, you deserve a few days off to just rest.  Glad you enjoyed your trip to Aruba.  I hope you like your new dishwasher. 

Mary Ann, it is nice to find something that seems to be lost.  Pat had an old briefcase that had some papers related to her mother that we have not been able to find since we moved.  There was nothing of value worth stealing so hope that someday it shows up around here.