Hi Buddies.  It was chilly here this morning and much colder this evening.  I've done laundry and not much else today.  I was picked up at 5:30 by my friend Fredrissa and her hubby to go to Red Lobster for a dinner party with the Village Friends group.  Most of them were members who do errands for people like me who pay an annual fee for rides, trips to grocery store, etc.  But there were a few of us who enjoy these services.  I had a cup of chowder, fresh asparagus, and linguini with shrimp and enjoyed every bite. 

Tim was over this morning and helped me with an Amazon order for Dave, Kris's Dad.  I'm giving him a gift card for his Kindle so that he can down load more E-books.  He's not able to enjoy much now except reading.  I had problems yesterday with connecting with Amazon.

I'm off to bed now.  I'm going to Kroger tomorrow morning.  One of the Village Friends volunteers will drive me.  I need to have my second Pneumonia shot while I'm there at the Kroger Pharmacy. 

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

P.S.  Darlene, my dermatologist burns the brown spots off with some icy spray.  It usually gets most of them off, but some reappear by my next visit.  I use an SPF lotion on my face every day and it helps, but years ago there was no such help and I was always outside in the sun.

Wow!  It's noon here and I'm the first one to post today.  I'm guessing Buddies are out shopping.  I've been to Kroger for weekly shopping with a volunteer driver who has been a long time friend.  I had my last pneumonia shot while there.  It's pretty chilly today and I slept a bit later than usual and didn't get my morning walk in before the volunteer arrived.  So I'm off shortly to get that done and since my house is pretty clean due to Tuesday's visit from Molly Maids, I don't have much to do.  I am re-reading a Nora Roberts trilogy about Ireland and will start the last in this series as soon as I check all the Seniors and Friends forums I keep up with.

Have a nice day, Buddies, and if it's chilly and windy at your house bundle up before going outside.  I'm going to wear a jacket over a long sleeved sweater with a knit hat and gloves.  Brrrr!

Sue

It's cold and VERY windy here on the coast. So cold, in fact, that shelters have been opened since apparently a lot of homes this far south have no real heat source. 

We did go down to the Fitness room for a bit of exercise, but the winds are fierce.  My internet flicked on and off this morning, and I'm assuming it's the high winds and the above ground lines here. 

We're meeting friends for supper tonight...and a place close so we don't have to drive over the causeway in these winds.  Tomorrow and on into next week is to be calm and much, much warmer.   

jane

A lovely, cold, crisp day here today.  And a busy one for me.  I got my mani/pedi this morning.  My gal loves to do fancy things, so I let her do some Xmas stuff for me today - a Santa Clause on my left thumbnail and a Xmas tree on the right one.  Just the usual sparkles on the other nails.  Then I played duplicate this afternoon.  My partner and I came in second in the "C group" (whatever that means), so I guess we did pretty good.  Nothing really memorable, though.

Stay warm,  Buddies!

Hi everyone..yeah Jane..cold now...but by the weekend....much warmer...Texas weather...I'm almost done with shopping..will go to daughters for Christmas Day...weather permitting....Sue..guess I will just keep my brown spots..lol...stay warm buddies Candy

Sue.  My Dermo just went ahead and took about 5 little spots from the top of each arm. I am not going to do anymore. Now when he does them the next day they are like blisters. Takes about a week to go away and can still see little patches. May as well have the spot.  He did take something from the bridge of my nose. Same thing. A blister and now can see where he did it if not covered with a makeup stick. I had never noticed the little spot before.

Freckles and I went to visit my Hospice client again today.  He is such a nice old me I really like visiting with him. Hospice Christmas party tonight. Furry friends Christmas party tomorrow.

Marilyn, sounds like you're a party girl!  Enjoy.  I didn't realize you were going down to Gilbert's for Christmas. I thought the family was coming up to you. I hope the weather will be good for you.

Jane, glad it will warm up soon for you!  It's cold here too!

Mary, good for you on the bridge. Bet your nails are gorgeous!  I fixed a salmon salad tonight for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. Thanks so much for suggesting it.

Darlene & Jeanne, getting the brown spots sprayed is no big deal. John gets them done all the time.  They soon disappear.

I did a load of laundry, talked to Lori, and got my new printer unpacked and plugged in, although not connected to the computer yet.  Also went to Ms Frances' of course.  Not much else going on.  Sharon

I just tried to write another post here--and lost the whole dang thing.  Just wanted to say Hi and to encourage everyone who spends any time outside to use sunscreen. 

I had my second pneumonia shot today while at Kroger--and now my left arm is swollen and very painful.  This has never happened before and it's a dang nuisance.  I hope the swelling goes down over night.  Bonney and I are going to the MOAA Christmas luncheon at the Country Club and she's going to take me to the book store in TigerTown shopping Center so I can buy a couple of children's books to take to the book club party.  I'm partial to Beverly Cleary stories about Ramona, big sister Beezus, and their friend and neighbor, Henry.  I have to take a book or two to donate to schools which are more rural and don't have big libraries with selections for children.  I also will take a bottle of red wine as my contribution to the party.  Others will bring wine and/or hors d'ouvres.  (my spell checker is telling me that is spelled incorrectly, but Sharon, our resident French expert can  correct me the next time she posts).

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Sharon, glad you had such a good dinner with the salmon.  I can almost taste it.  Yum!

Sue, sorry you had such a reaction to the pneumonia shot.  I've never had one, but I guess I'll do that when I see my FP in January - just get the new one that has only one shot.

Again, Marilyn, I do admire you for your Hospice visits.  It's so good to give the dementia patients someone besides the family to talk to and to give the family a break.

Happy cold and windy Saturday morning from the Gulf shore.  Not much improvement in the weather overnight, so we're in no rush to go out and get groceries....have soup for lunch, Ray has his American pole caught wild tuna and I have left-over oriental chicken salad from last night's supper out with Iowa friends. 

The bar was packed....guess lots of folks with "cabin fever"....esp. those couples who stay in one motel room for 3 months!  [Only a microwave and small under the counter refridg....we'd both be nuts and probably divorced. ].

Nothing much planned..watch college basketball, read, and knit.  I'm making baby caps and bootie sets with yarn I bought when our local shop closed and she had it all on sale. 

Have a good Saturday!

Jane

I bought myself a Christmas Present that I told Keith I wanted for Christmas. It is an  Extra wide convection, toaster, broliler oven. I can cook the 13 X 9 cakes it is that big. It was on clearance at Wally World for $59.00. The old on I put in the garbage bin last week as it wouldn't even turn on anymore.

The Dinner was so good last night at the potluck Hospice party.  Lots better that the usual Friday night dinners at the Mexican place in the mall. Today will be just s fantastic.

Jane I bet the wild caught tuna is better that here, or maybe not since the gulf oil spill. We have some of the stuff in very small amounts form the tsunami that did in the Fukushima nuclear plant. It was just talked about on the news again recently. The amounts arent enough to bother anyone though.

Marilyn...this tuna isn't local here in Texas.   It's from your part of the country--Pacific Northwest, and Ray has it shipped to him in cans.    https://www.americantuna.com/    We've gotten really very picky about where our food comes from, and we go out of our way to avoid buying meat, esp. from the far east....China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, etc.  If we can buy American, we do every time.    I'm glad you had good food last night. Eating at the same place every week would get boring for me, too. 

We've done our grocery shopping for today...ended up in 4 places...shrimp from the shrimp basin that's wild caught here in the Gulf waters, then the three grocery places to get everything we wanted. 

It's much warmer, now....in the 60s but still overcast and the winds have died down, so much improved over the last two days.  At home, Iowa's in a winter storm warning...4-7 inches of snow and then temps going below 0.  We talked to neighbors this morning and they were off to the grocery to stock up.

Something kind of scary happened as we'd left WalMart.  We'd gone back in to buy a gift for a child from church, and had just gotten to the car when two police cruisers came screaming into the lot...sirens and lights going. They pulled up by the grocery entrance...both officers jumped out and ran into the store.  With all the awful shootings and stuff going on places, we got in the car and left the parking lot.  I hope nobody was hurt. 

Stay safe, Dear Friends!!

jane

Hi Gals, I didn't get to sleep till about 4:30 last night so slept in till 11:30! Consequently, my day is just now really in gear.  I took a shower and washed my hair, read my SS lesson, the paper, etc, but haven't done much else.

Sue, if your arm is still swollen and painful today, you need to go into an urgent care or somewhere to have it checked. I never had any reaction at all.

Jane, we are really careful about origin of foods too. The Asian countries just don't have the level of sanitation that we do and China especially is all for the money, so they don't care what they do to get it.  I won't eat farm-raised fish either regardless of origin.  Glad your weather is better today. The incident at the WalMart sounds scary. Tell us if you find out what happened.

Marilyn, so glad your Hospice dinner was good.  Woo Hoo on the new oven. I got a new HP 4-in-one printer for Christmas and have it unpacked and plugged in but not connected to the computer yet. Plan to do that in a bit.

Mary, the smoked salmon was a lot better than I anticipated. The only smoked salmon I've bought is from Scotland for hors d'oeuvres  (Sue, this is the correct spelling, but you were close.)

Sue, you had a really busy day yesterday.  I hope the party was a good one.

I had Bunny groomed Thursday and she's been cuddling ever since. I guess she is missing her long fur.  Have a nice weekend.  Sharon

Marilyn....I forgot to say...HURRAH for you buying the oven.  With all the cooking you do, it's the least you can expect to have tools that work!!   I'm a big believer in pointing out exactly what I want and will also buy it myself to make sure it's exactly what I want. 

jane

Marilyn. Good idea. if you see what you want just go buy it yourself.  I found that men prefer you do that.  I have one and love them. Not had my oven on for years.Store in it now.
Jane. Sound good on the tuna.  About $5 a 6 oz can seem high but worth it. I thought I saw one in the grocery store coming from a canning company in Either Alaska or Canada.  I found some red salmon that was coming from up there. I like it. It is about the same price for same size. Can't stand pink salmon

I am like that also. If see any trouble with Police cars. Accidents anything I am in my car and off. Some hang around. Curious.  Had a friend once who followed ambulances.   We had a killing on our Walmart parking lot about a year now. Some husband shot his wife who worked there.  Just to much like that happening her now.  C/U use to be the quietest place in Illinois. Now like a little Chicago.

Hope you weather gets better. You can count on it in Texas.

It looks l.ike I am the first one here today. Where is everyone???

I didn't take freckles to church today.  The pastor asked me not to bring her anymore. I didn't tell him she is my Service Dog and has the ID to prove that she is. She iks reistered with the Americans with Disabilities. ADA.

That oven is sure going to get a work out. I think I can even cook my bread in  there as long as it is tall enough. I have yet to check that out. I don't like to use the big oven or the microwave. this microwave is at least 35 years old and is huge. I would like to get rid of that5 and put the oven in the  place where the microwave is. There is a place  for it to fit  that was built into the cupboard. The putg a small microwave  on the counter where the oven is now sitting. Keith hates to get rid of anything that may not be in good working condition. There is a mist that forms in between the glass on the microwave door and I don't think that is a good thing.

I've had such a slug day that I haven't bothered to write.  I agree, Marilyn, your old big microwave sounds like it needs to go to the garage (since Keith won't let you throw it away).  They can develop leaks around the door closing, and that's not a good thing.  I know you'll enjoy your new one, and turn out lots of yummy stuff.

I hope jane is finally getting some warmer weather.  The Midwest and Northeast are really getting hit hard with snowstorms.

Yes Marilyn. Toss that MW out. You have a leak in it if it is showing moister on the glass front.  They cost so little anymore.  With your new Toaster oven , just buy the small MW.  at the moment all over town for $29 and most places giving a 25% discount.
I am not that happy a person  this morning. Darn Car will not start.  my fault as I didn't drive it for 3 days in this freezing weather. Need to finish getting it charged up and drive out over the Interstate for awhile. Hate this weather. Snow has gone and all the freezing rain but still so cold.  Say Chicago got 15 inches of snow . That goodness we didn't get that.  Think I will go and see if my battery is holding a good charge. It was new a few months ago but doesn't help if one doesn't run it.

Got a lot of running around to do today so that may help it.

Jeanne, hope you get your car problems straightened out.

I had PT this morning, and then went to the attorney's office to sign my new will, power of attorney, and health care directives.  Glad that's done, and I don't have to worry about that any more.  I'll play duplicate this evening, but that's it for the day.

Stay warm, Buddies!

Hi Gals, I didn't get in here yesterday. Went to SS & church. Had a lovely cantata, did laundry with some help from John, got my printer all connected and working and fixed a nice pork tenderloin and sweet potato & broccoli for dinner.  This morning my cleaning girl came at 8:30. I went out and dropped off my old printer to a guy who fixes them and donates them, dropped off special recyclables at the clubhouse and also picked up some more books from the free library. Then stopped at the grocery to pick up a few things I had forgotten Thurs. and then on to CVS to pick up a couple items. By the time I got back and stuff inside, I was hurting big time.  I rested for a bit and then helped my gal get the clean sheets on the bed and then she left  about 12:30.  I'm still waiting for the pain to subside and the motivation to go in and make my Christmas centerpiece from the Kincaid house centerpiece that Lori gave me several years ago. It is so pretty and lights up. All I have to do is put the green foam in the bottom and then put the flowers & greenery in around it to look like a garden. I'm not sure I have enough foam though. I may have to go out to get that tomorrow and in that case will have to put off putting it together till then.

Marilyn, I agree that you should pitch the old microwave. If it is leaking it is dangerous to your health and as Jeanne said, the small ones are really cheap now.  Nice that its spot is big enough for you to put your new oven.

Mary, how was PT today? Glad you got your legal stuff taken care of. Always a relief.

Jeanne, sorry about your car not starting. I had that happen a month or so ago because I hadn't driven it enough to keep it charged.  So many of my trips are very short ones.  Enough to drain power but not enough to charge. Hope you get some one to jump it for you and that you will be good to go.
I'm glad you didn't get all the snow the northern part of the state did. We talked to John's sister near Rockford last night and she said they were expecting 7-15"!  I haven't talked to Lori to see how bad it is for her and whether she was able to get in to work today. She is 6 blocks from the El.

Jane, asking for a specific thing I want works for me too. The new printer is what I requested and got early!

Hi to Ginny, Sue, Darlene, Joy, Molly & Mary Page.  Sharon

Afternoon, Babes!  It was very foggy here this morning, but that's gone now and the sun is coming out.

Marilyn....if Keith won't throw away that old microwave, move it up to his train room...and out of your work area!    That way you won't have to fall over it and it won't be in the way of where you want your new oven.

Nothing much going on here. I think I'll go out for a short walk and see if it helps the stiffness in my joints.

jane

It's getting closer to Christmas buddies...I can say my shopping is done and Christmas cards mailed...nice here today so was able to walk" I know Jane is enjoying Texas weather..even when we get a cold norther....doesn't last long...warms up pretty fast...I am needing to order some honey...do any of you that use it just buy what's at Walmart or order it...Hi to Sue Sharon.Marlyin..MaryZ Ginny Joy and others That haven't been posting....Candy

Hi Buddies.  Yesterday after church I came right home, ate a quick lunch, and my neighbor Cheryl came down to wait for our ride to the AU Women's basketball game with Savannah Southern (I think that was the name).  Jim and Patti from my church also have season tickets to the games and they picked us up.  AU won handily.  Savannah Southern is a small school and didn't have the talent Auburn does, so the score was heavily weighted toward us at the end.  I've already missed 3 home games and I hope I can get to the rest.  I already know that Jim/Patti and Cheryl are busy on the 28th and I probably won't be able to get anyone else in the neighborhood to go with me.  Not being able to drive is the Pits!

I've been out today to the Book Club Christmas Party.  We usually display the books we brought which will be distributed to children or school libraries which are in need of more books.  I was a bit upset that we didn't do that this time--mostly ate yummy finger foods and I drank a glass of wine I'd brought-- several others also brought wine and lots of people brought food (sweet, lots of calories--and I ate my share!).  I like to see what others bring.  Some who enjoy reading don't have much of a clue about the kind of books teachers would like for their classrooms.  I often wonder what they buy for their own children to read.  I think most of the younger women in our club with children have lots of faith in computer programs.  I'm not against computers, but there's nothing like a new book (or even an old one to reread).  I can't imagine a day without a book to read!

Have a nice evening, Buddies.
Sue

P.S.  On Saturday I watched the Army/Navy game and then switched to basketball games and later to Hallmark Christmas programs.  I was disappointed that Navy lost for the first time in eleven years!

Darlene...I only use local honey.  My neighbor in Iowa has hives and he gives me honey from, literally, my back yard.  Here in Texas we've bought honey from a guy who has hives near the citrus groves...so you can get wildflower honey or orange blossom honey, etc. 

We did get a walk in this afternoon and Ray's off to golf tomorrow in Brownsville.  We're meeting our Iowa friends for dinner tomorrow night at another restaurant Ray likes.

jane

My partner and I did poorly tonight at duplicate.  We both had attacks of the "dumbs" - sometimes at the same time.  Oh, well - sometimes it's like that.

Hugs to all the Buddies!

Good morning, Buddies. It's raining a good soft rain this morning.  I managed to get my walk in before it was too heavy.  What a thrill to actually have rain.  We're still in a drought with no burning allowed, but hopefully if this keeps up all day we'll get a good amount to help moisturize everything!  A lot of my azaleas look like they are giving up.

Jane, there is a once a week farmer's market on the AU campus in the summer.  Local farmers bring their produce to Auburn's little Red Barn and there are several farmers who keep bees, so local honey is available here, too.  I usually forget what time the market is open--only a couple of hours, so don't get over there as often as I'd like.

Mary, I'm sorry about the poor cards and the "dumbs", too.  It happens to all of us, I think.  I don't get too upset when I get it--I just say I enjoyed the company and better luck next time.  I have that wish for you, too.  Do you play at your residence or go out to play elsewhere?

I just deleted about 500 e-mails from my primary e-mail address.  It took quite a while.  I should do that more often.  Tim went though my Bell South account a few days ago and deleted at least 6,000 that I hadn't even looked at!  Mostly ads, very few personal e-mails.

My mail lady just put mail in my box, so I think I'll put my rain jacket back on and go get it.  I need to start doing some Christmas Cards.  I'm not going to do many, though.

Have a good day, Buddies.
Sue

Afternoon, Babes! 

I've been doing laundry and also did a short walk on the beach and now catching up on my couple of websites I post at.

I need to walk up to the grocery for some bananas for Ray's breakfast.

He's off golfing and tonight we're meeting friends for supper.    Otherwise, things are quiet here. They're doing a lot of construction on the street in front of our building.  They've changed the whole parking thing and have added concrete sidewalks and small parking alcoves on the other side of the street.  They're also putting in tiled cross walks, etc.  It'll be nicer and a lot safer for walking when they're done. They'll still have a wide bike path on our side of the street, too.

jane

Hi Gals, I've been to the grocery AGAIN to get some green foam for my flower centerpiece. The florist wasn't there and the guy who came to wait on me, just gave me what I needed--no charge!  I didn't think it would be much but still expected to pay.  I put the foam to soak and then fixed my lunch. Now that it should be thoroughly wet, I need to go in and put it together.  This is a centerpiece Lori sent several years ago and is so pretty I feel the need to recreate it each year.  Probably no one but us will see it, but we will enjoy it.

Jane, sounds like they're making some nice improvements at your place. Hope your weather clears up soon.

Sue, I, too, wonder what parents buy in the way of books for their kids. I nearly always gift the little ones with books.  They all get too much screen time, even if it is educational. They need to learn the wonders of reading.

It's kinda foggy, misty here too. Not quite as cold as yesterday--in the high 40's.

Darlene, I get honey at the farmer's market also.  If you have allergies, local honey really helps.  Some groceries will sell local also, but you have to check.

Mary, John says the "dumbs" or brain glitches happen to him and his partners too. Just part of the game.  I know some days I play well, and some I couldn't play worse.

Guess, I better get in gear.  Sharon

I was here earlier and tried ton post but it wouldn't post so I gave up.

Darlene Sometimes I buy the Sue bee brand of honey at Walmart Other times the local hiioney at the Health food store. It depends on what I am using it for and how much I am using. In my bread that I make a couple of times a week I use the Sue bee or whatever I have on hand, I've even used syrup a time or two.

All is well here but it is very cold today everything was frozen outside. I am all layered up to keep warm. Lined leggings under my jeans, on top a tank top,. thermal top sweater and flannel shirt. My coat was a bit hard to get on with all these clothes.

Keith is going to a BBall game at the high school this evening with two of the guys from our Friday night group of his high school classmates.