NYE

Here it is, New Year's Eve.  Dave and I went to church and then to breakfast at Peter's.  We were talking about Y2K and how it seems like it was just a year or so ago that everyone was worried about the year 2000 and whether computers would work!  Can you believe that it's been 18 years since that night?  Us either!

We went to the clubhouse for the gathering, but we came home about 10:20 so Dave could get his breathing/exercising done.  I'm about to go to bed...don't think I'll be up at midnight.

More later...

Fun Saturday

We had a fun day today!  After breakfast, we went to Sarasota to see Roberta.  Tom & Kelly came over too.  Tonight Jami's whole family are staying over with her.  Anyway, back to our fun day.  We ate lunch up at the pool after which Dave fixed Roberta's faucet.  Then when Tom & Kelly got there, we all went to the Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary.  Beautiful cats...and bears, and monkeys, and camels, and birds...anything wild that needs rescued.  We didn't get to see everything.  There was just too much!

We left there about 4:30 to come home.  Traffic was horrendous today!  There were two bad things about today...I didn't get to watch the Cyclones' bowl game, but I stayed in touch with my phone, and we had to say goodbye to the kids until the first weekend in February. 

Great win, Cyclones!  I'm tired and am going to bed at 9:00!

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Friday

We've had a really good few days with Jami, Megan and Danny. Yesterday we went to Sawgrass and watched two movies.  We watched two movies, downloaded pictures, and even played Farkle. 

Today we went to The Narrows (another nature park).  We also went to get an orange ice cream cone.  Then we came home to play dominos and eat supper.

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Weds.

Jami, Danny & Megan are here, so I probably won't be blogging much.  We watched "Wonder" last night because the kids hadn't seen it yet.  Today we're going to Sawgrass to see the animals. 

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B

Just one B today - bowling is off for the next two weeks.  We won't bowl again until next year!  We still played bingo, though.  There were only 10 of us there, but it still lasted until 9:25...grrr.  Too long of a break and too much goofing around.  I'm getting sick of it!

More later... 

Merry Christmas!

Since yesterday was Sunday, we went to church in the morning and then Dave went up to help at the clubhouse.  I took a nap...in fact, I slept until 2:00!  Then our annual Christmas Eve party and church service again in the evening. 

Today, we baked 30 potatoes for the Christmas dinner and everything was ready when Sudi & Howard got here.  We went up for dinner about 3:50.  Good dinner and good company! 

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Saturday

We were at the clubhouse at 9:45, ready to sort Christmas cards for the park.  We had hundreds of them, but we had several people helping.  In one hour, we had everything sorted and delivered!  Thank goodness we have two golf carts at our disposal!  Sure makes it easier!

We went out tonight to see the lights around the park.  We've got a bunch of Scrooges or grinches!!  Not too many lights...but the ones that are up are really pretty!

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Friday

We had some errands to run this morning.  After that, we went to the Legion.  Several of us were there today.  We saw many dolphins!  Beautiful day to be outside with good friends. 

Tonight we played cards - I finally won!

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Thursday

We had a laid-back day.  No yard work at church today, so even Dave slept in!  He did some small jobs around the park while I did some small jobs here! 

Tonight we watched another movie - The Star...about a miniature donkey who played a big part in Christ's birth.  It's a cartoon-like film that Pastor Jack told us about.  He said to go rent a grandchild so we could see it.  We didn't have to do that - we got it on our box!!

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Weds.

It was pretty humid here today, but it wasn't hot so it didn't matter.  This morning we started with coffee, followed by our annual cookie walk.  Ranchers didn't disappoint - many different cookies to choose from.  Someone even brought a pie!  We had a couple of new people come to buy cookies so that was nice! 

Dave and I went to Sawgrass today to see if we could see either pileated woodpeckers or old 3-legs (an alligator who had a leg chewed off when he/she was a baby).  We saw the alligator, but no woodpeckers.  Other than a couple of birds, we struck out!

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Busy

Boy, have we been busy around here!  Yesterday I made 13 dozen cookies - sugar and chocolate chip.  Plus, we also got a monkey bread ready to stick in the oven first thing this morning for bowling treats.  Last night 8 of us played cards.  Today 9 of us bowled.  Tonight 14 were at bingo!  Tomorrow is coffee and the cookie walk.  Why, I even got the newsletter done and sent out!

We've got everything done for Christmas - the cards are out and the grandkids' gifts are mailed!  Other than a couple of things for the Christmas dinner, we're ready!

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Wonderful Sunday

Great church service!!  Great music!!  After church we went to Sarasota to see Roberta.  We had a great visit and even took her to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch.  Didn't get back until 4:30 or so.  What a wonderful day!

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Saturday

This morning we went to our annual Christmas breakfast buffet at the clubhouse.  Delicious!  Good job, guys!  After cleaning up the clubhouse, we went to Lowes and ordered the vanity for the guest bathroom.  When it gets here, we'll get the countertop for it, also from Lowes.  We finished up our Christmas purchases at Bealls.

In the afternoon, we made crockpot peanut clusters and took a bike ride.  We also watered all of the plants and ate supper on the lanai!  It was another gorgeous day!  Tonight we watched another good movie - Wonder.  Needed the tissues for it!

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Run Around Day

Dave and I went running around today - we're looking for a vanity for the guest bathroom.  We've got a 44" area.  Vanities come in 36 or 48!  We went to Sam's Club, Home Depot, Lowes, and The Warehouse.  I walked almost 3 miles today.  No wonder I'm tired tonight!

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Thursday

Dave worked at church this morning while I loafed around!  We took Bob & Ann to the airport this morning, so now it's dark over at our neighbors.  They'll be back Jan 4th or so.  Hope they don't freeze up there!

Tonight we watched a movie - The King's Speech.  Great movie!  It's no wonder it was Oscar material!

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Weds.

Today after coffee, we had our monthly HOA meeting.  It was a good one - lots people and many people were heard.  Dave, Bob, and I ran an errand and then went to Pete & Shorty's for lunch.  Good lunch - we all had Mom's meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Tonight we played cards...Doreen and I got beat by Chris and Denise. 

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B&B

Bowling was just so so, but I did win poker & cribbage on my last game!  Bob had a great game of 172 and Ann bowled a good 155!  Since they go back to Iowa tomorrow, then can go back as good bowlers!!  We went to Applebees for lunch.

Bingo was different.  We had our Christmas night, with presents for everyone.  I even bingo'd once!

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Monday

We had a board meeting today AND a neighborhood watch informational meeting today, so I am meetinged out!!

I guess it was a good day for meetings, though.  It was still pretty chilly out today, so it was good to be inside!

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Sunday

Great sermon today!  Great music, too!  New singer today.  Come to find out, it was Pastor Jack's daughter!  After church we went to Europa for breakfast, then came home and put up the medicine cabinet!  My bathroom is about finished.  Then it's time to give it a deep clean and fill the drawers!

This afternoon we had a memorial get together for JoEllen, who passed away last week.  Then tonight we got together for Just Desserts!  Good desserts.  I made Hot Fudge Brownies in the crockpot.  It's a definite keeper recipe, but next time I'll add nuts!

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Saturday

What a difference a day makes!  It's cold and windy and drizzly today!  That's enough winter for me! 

Very productive day today.  Bob and Dave got the new vanity in and plumbed.  Now we wait to see if there are any leaks.  Tomorrow they hope to get the medicine cabinet up!  Woohoo!  Can hardly wait to use it. 

I about froze today watching the Army-Navy game in all that snow!  I should have watched something else!  Ann made cheeseburger soup today, so we went there for supper.  That really hit the spot. 

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Friday

We had a good day!  Dave got the wall fixed so he can paint it today...then he'll put in the new vanity!  On the way to the Legion, we stopped at Lowes to get some plumbing parts.  I was able to get the new medicine cabinet and a new toilet paper holder - yay!  It was beautiful at the Legion!  The dolphins were frolicking and were close to the piers!

Cards in the evening and then...Sandy told us her computer had gotten hacked and some company was fixing it for her...red flags!  Then she told us she had to pay them $200 to do it!  So she is a victim of phishing!  We went to her house and stopped the scan they were doing, called Visa and cancelled her card!  Be careful, people!!

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Thursday

This was a productive Thursday.  Even though Dave's lawn crew didn't work...he got lots done.  We went shopping in the drizzle.  Finally found a vanity for the little bathroom!  It's taller, which will be so nice.  Plus, it's got two drawers!  I've had no drawers!!  After we got home, Dave tore out the old one, so he's committed now! 

We ate at Five Guys for the first time this season and even got Dave a pair of shoes at Sketchers.  I even got a good start on the Christmas cards for the park.  I also have our letter done and the paper purchased to print it for the cards we mail!

Just watched the Cyclone/Hawkeye BB game - yay, Cyclones! 

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Wednesday

We had coffee this morning - there were 36 people there!!  That's a bunch compared to what we've been having.  It's fun to see everyone again.  Most everyone from the north is back!

For lunch, the red hat ladies went to the Legion.  It was a beautiful day on the water...15 of us.  I had 3 men ask if I was a red hat lady...gee, what was their first clue?!  You suppose it was the red hat I was wearing?

Tonight I decided I didn't want to play cards, so I stayed home.

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Tuesday

Bowling and bingo - both did me in today.  I didn't bowl very well, but I improved every game.  As for bingo, I don't think it's my year!

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Monday

We both worked hard today.  I swept and then mopped both the kitchen and living room floors.  I'll do the bathrooms another day.  Dave swept and mopped the lanai and even cleaned out the shed.  We also went to a birthday party and I played cards.

The hall looks really nice and the tree isn't even lit yet.

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Sunday

After church this morning, we ate at JD's.  Dave worked on the leaky faucet in the guest bath..  It's still leaking...grrr.  After naps, we had massages this afternoon late.  Then got home  to see the beautiful moon!

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Saturday

We've had some bad things here at The Ranch.  Yesterday, two ladies passed away...one at her home and one in the hospital.  One played bingo and one played cards with us.  They'll be missed!  Then a couple who went north for the hurricane, didn't come back. so their daughters were here cleaning out their home to sell it.  It was infested with roaches and even a couple of rodents!  What a mess.  Dave helped clean it out and now the big dumpster is FULL!  Sad!  Their house is next door to the one where the lady died at home...and it's a mess, too!  I think a match would be the way to go, but then the rodents and roaches would just scatter.  Yuck!

After Dave got home and cleaned up, we went to Largo Nature Park for a walk.  We had a good day.  We saw two anhingas, a limpkin, some ibises, several Moorhens, and even a 5' alligator.  Plus, it was a great day for a walk!  I then got my bike out and rode around the park and finished with a Bloody Mary at Bob's.

More later...