Saturday

 Dave went to Bryan's to "play" in the woods this morning.  They cut up and split wood for Bryan's wood-burning heater.  This was a gorgeous day for them to work outside.  I even had the patio doors open for a while this afternoon.  I mainly just putzed around here.  When Dave got home from Bryan's I was watching the ISU football game so we waited until we got 3 TDs ahead to go for our walk.  I even had on shorts today - it was that nice here!  When we got back from our walk, there was a knock on our door and a loud "trick or treat"!  Some of the ladies from the condo dressed up and handed out bags of candy!

That was a fun surprise!  

This evening we went to Bryan's to have trick or treat with the kiddos.  Aidan was Spiderman and Kaitlyn was Tigger.  She didn't like that we had masks on, but she was okay as soon as we took them off.  I was a unicorn and Dave was a cop.

Fun evening!  

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Friday

 We walked outside around noon today - it was chilly, but at least the sun was shining.  Felt good to be outside!

This afternoon we went to Liars' Club, which I have renamed "Data Club" because it seems that we learn something new every day!!  There were 10 of us today!  We always have more on Fridays.  

I fixed jalapeno chicken grillers in the oven for supper...yum, yum!!  

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Thursday

 We only walked one mile today.  I was very cold!  I obviously didn't have enough layers on.  This weekend is supposed to be a bit warmer...I hope so.  Dave helped a lady here in the condo...I didn't do too much...I read a bit and made a couple more backgrounds for cards.  

Then this afternoon we went to Liars' Club.  We are trying to use up everything in our freezer, and since we had bacon, we had BLTs for supper.  

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Wednesday

 We had a beautiful sunshiny day today...but it wasn't very warm...just a high of 41.  When we walked I didn't wear quite as many layers and I could tell it.  I didn't wear my stocking cap so my ears got pretty cold.  There were lots of people in the cemetery today - there was one funeral while we were there and they just stood around and gabbed.  We thought we were going to have to alter our route, but they finally got in their cars when we rounded the corner to walk by them.

I've been thinking about Sandy all day today.  Just hope she is doing okay.  We've all been expecting Rich to pass, but it's sad regardless.  When I talked to her she seemed to be doing pretty well.  All the people from the campground up north were with her.  I wish we were there.

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Tuesday

 It was another cold day here.  About noon, though, we went for a walk.  The only part of me that got cold was my face.  That north wind about kills my sinuses!  But we made out whole route!  

Dave worked with Neil around the condos getting things ready for next week's big project.  Then we went to Liars' Club.  When we got back,  we leisurely fixed supper and started eating when Dave reminded me about Bible Study.  I was a little late, but didn't miss much.  This week's study was about Daniel and Hosea...more doom and gloom!!  I enjoyed Daniel, but Hosea - not so much!  

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Monday

 We woke up to snow this morning!!  

It didn't amount to much, thank goodness!  We're not used to this!!  I went outside after lunch and walked a mile.  I was not too cold until I turned north...then I was really, really cold!  I even kept my mask up most of the time until my glasses fogged over so badly that I couldn't see.  I was happy to even walk a mile outside, though.  It felt good to be outside!

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Sunday

 This morning, after attend all 3 of our church services, Dave started vacuuming and steam-cleaning floors while I dusted and put things away.  The amazing thing about today was that when we went to Bryan's about 4:30, we hadn't ever unlocked the door!  Neither of us had gone out of our condo at all.  It was only 28 outside this morning, so no walking outside.  Cleaning house was my exercise! 

The other day, I sent emails to my nieces and Kaylee to see if they would participate in a Zoom call at 2:00 today, mainly to see if I had set up the Zoom call correctly.  Linda, Kaylee, Vicki and I enjoyed a very nice chat!  We hadn't seen each other for a long time.  What a fun time!  I wish Rhonda had joined us, but she might have been away from home or out riding her horses.

This evening we went to Bryan's for supper.  It's so fun hearing Kaitlyn say, "Grandma Peg".  She was wearing her cute little striped leggings and her pink tutu tonight.  Aidan ran into her and made her cry...she ran right to her daddy.  She is really a daddy's girl!  She's pretty tough, so I was surprised to hear her cry.  She's usually just as rough and tumble as Aidan is!  

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Saturday

 We woke up today to 28 degree temperatures - felt like 20!!  I guess winter has arrived in Waterloo.  Today's high was 41 - tomorrow's is to be 34!!  What the heck!?!  Needless to say we didn't walk outside today.  We walked the hallways and the garage here in our building - much more comfortable.

This afternoon Dave went to Bryan's to play Paul Bunyan!  I baked cookies, swept the floors, unloaded the dishes from the dishwasher and then watched the Cyclone game.  It was a close one, but we lost by 3 points...and we missed 2 field goals!!  I guess we could have won that game even though the other team was favored - they were ranked 6th in the nation and we were ranked 17th.  

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Friday

 So yesterday I got a flu shot and today I got my prolia shot (for bone density).  I'm feeling a little like a pin cushion!  I am glad that those shots are in my rearview mirror!  For now I'm done with the doctor's office...until the first week in December...in Florida!!

Dave's been working with our neighbor, Neil, to get some things done around here before we leave.  That's a good thing, cause it's starting to be pretty cold...and there's 2-4" of snow forecast for this weekend!  

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Thursday

 What a miserable day we had today.  Drizzle and rain all day long...we were only in the 50s.  The only thing we did together today is get our flu shots.  That wasn't much fun!  We were supposed to be able to drive up and get our shots but because of the weather we had to go into HyVee to get our shots.  

We did both go to Liars' Club so I guess we did two things together.  

I'm a glutton for punishment - I'm watching this stupid debate!!

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Wednesday

 We were able to walk outside today.  It was cold, but we dressed for it.  I'm still holding out on wearing socks, though!  After lunch, Dave went to Bryan's to "play" in the woods!  I "played" in my studio, organizing the sentiments for my cards...and I finished 8 cards also.  

I made a coating for chicken tonight and baked it (since the grill is put away for the season)!  I used brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder.  It really made the chicken good!  We're trying to use up what's in our freezer so we don't have so much to take south when we go.  I didn't put the chicken in the oven until we came up from Liars'' Club.  

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Tuesday

 After The View I got my hair cut and then had a pedicure.  Not a bad way to spend a couple of ours.  There weren't very many people in the nail place and I was the only one getting my hair done.  That's a good thing for me.  

We both took naps this afternoon and then we've basically done nothing tonight.  I did get my newsletter in to the printers.  I wish there was something to write about!  No activities except bingo and cards.  When  we get down there, I don't plan to do either of those...maybe bingo because there's more control over germs than with cards.  We're starting bowling on Nov. 4th, but we won't be doing that...we sit too close to each other and there's no place to get 6 feet away!  

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Monday

 No walking today - it snowed!!  It didn't accumulate, but it snowed nevertheless!  That's the first snow we've seen for a bunch of years!  Since I don't have a winter coat, I'm not sure I could be warm enough.  I'm going walking tomorrow, though, no matter what!!  

We went down to Liars' Club today - there were 9 of us today - and our newest resident who is just moving in today joined us for a few minutes!  

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Sunday

 We did our three church services and then got going for our day.  I worked in my craft room while Dave took the camper out to Kyle's for its winter storage.  Then we had nothing until 4:30 when we left to have dinner at Bryan's.  The kids were little wild children tonight!!  Is there a full moon?  

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Saturday

 We walked mid-morning today.  The wind almost blew us over a few times.  It may be the last time we walk outside for a while.  It's not fun being here this late...usually we're in our MH in Florida by now.  

Dave did some work for a couple here in the building and since he won't take any money, they gave him 4 coupons from Culvers - two for sandwiches, side dish, and drink and two for sundaes.  So we looked at the menu and figured out our order and drove thru to get our lunch.  Yummy!  Dave had a burger, fries and a chocolate hot fudge sundae.  I had a grilled chicken sandwich, steamed broccoli and a regular hot fudge sundae...but I only ate half of my sandwich and half of my sundae.  

This afternoon Dave went out to help Bryan.  I played with my alcohol inks and new die set that I got.  I enter these blog hop contests on several stamp sites and I win $15 of products.  It makes some fun for me and I can get something I want to boot!

When he got home, I cut his hair out on the balcony AND ABOUT FROZE!!  The wind was still blowing but by the time we went out on the balcony there was no sun hitting it!  

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Friday

I had an appointment at 8:40 this morning to have a  Prolia shot.  Needless to say I had to get up early for that!  I got there on time; they called me back within a few minutes.  They couldn't find my paperwork with the approval for the shot.  If they gave it to me without that approval, I'd be responsible for the cost - $2,000!!  Holy cow!  I said I'd come back another day!  

When I got home, Dave was ready to start working on lining the cabinets with vinyl flooring.  We worked on that a long time today, but it's all done and cleaned up!  Good project to have out of the way.  My job was to empty the cabinets and then when he was done, refill them.  They look so nice!  In between cabinets, I walked in the basement/garage.  Too cold for me to want to walk outside.

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Thursday

 We had a very cold day today!  When we walked this morning, it was 44 but it felt like 29!!  If it is that cold tomorrow, I won't worry about how good I look...I'm going to be wearing at least another layer and a stocking cap!  

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful.  We just worked around here then went down to Liars' Club around 4:15.  

Tonight Dave watched Biden's Town Hall...not me; I'm sick of politics!!  

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Wednesday

 We walked about 11:30 this morning - the wind was really strong!  It was supposed to get to 71 today, but the highest I saw was 67.  Tomorrow's high is to be 53.  Brrr!  But it gets worse.  

We're usually on our way to Florida today.  I'm not going to like staying around here when it's cold.  My little home in Florida is calling my name!

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Tuesday

 Can't believe it!  Aidan is 6 years old today.  Tonight we had a little party.  He wanted a pinata for his party so his other grandma filled one with candy and he tried to hit it, first with a blindfold and then without.  It was hard with the stick he had...so we helped him.  When he got it open, he told his grandma that he didn't like that kind of candy!  

Then we had pizza along with ice cream and cake!  Then the best part for him...opening his presents!  Kaitlyn had to help, too.  Fun evening!

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Monday

 Our building has some mice...not in our condo, thank goodness!  Two apartments on the first floor have had them, as well as one on second floor.  Dave, bless his heart, has been sealing up our apartment to make sure we don't get any...like putting stuff around the pipes for our plumbing.  So when he was working under the kitchen sink, he  noticed that we had a problem.  The bottom of the elbow joint fell out - like a hole in the bottom of the "U".  So he had another project that he didn't expect.  Once he got that fixed, we ran to Lowe's to get some vinyl flooring to line the base of the sink cabinets.  Vinyl flooring makes great shelf liner!

We stopped at the cemetery at 4th and Ridgeway - the trees there were gorgeous!!

I worked on cleaning the house.  I got about half of it done - dusting and vacuuming!  Then it was nap-thirty later this afternoon.  

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Sunday

 We had a beautiful Sunday here!  We got up kind of late, "attended" all 3 church services, and took our walk...all before lunch.

Dave worked here in our condo, fixing some little things while I baked cookies for Dave.  About 5:30 he said he wanted a shake, so we drove over to our ice cream place and picked up shakes.  I put half of mine in the freezer for another day...Dave ate every bit of his!  

We talked to his sister and gave her our condolences and the next thing you know, it's 8:00.  Good thing we had our shakes because we missed supper!  

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Saturday

 We had another beautiful fall day here.  I'm just afraid it won't last much longer.  Perfect day for football...and my Cyclones didn't disappoint.  Great  game in Ames.

Dave and I went for dinner to McFarlane Park where Bryan, Erin and the kids were camping.  Lots of campers in that park today.  I played a game or two with Aidan and Kaitlyn took my finger and we took a walk.  We didn't get home until after 8:00 - first time in a long time that we've been out after dark.  Waterloo looks so different at night!

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Friday

 We were back up in the 80's again today!  Our walk today was at the Cedar Valley Arboretum where they had a huge display of scarecrows.  I got a bunch of pictures, but I didn't get them uploaded to my computer.  :(  When we got home, we both took naps.

Dave's brother-in-law passed today.  Pray for Pat and the kids.  They were married about 55 years so it'll be really hard for Pat.  For good news, Bob got to go home today and when he called me this morning, he said he felt good.  I'm sure he's on good drugs!  He said the doctor is impressed at how well he's getting along.  

This evening I ordered tenderloins from Newton's for supper.  Free French fries on Fridays!  This is what is left over from our two sandwiches...plus, we each only ate half  of our sandwich!!

This is just the bun and condiments...no meat in it yet!

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Thursday

 This was a yoyo day.  Dave's brother-in-law was in the ICU in critical condition with the same kind of cancer that Robin Roberts had - MDS.  This evening's update is that he is a bit better.  Also, my brother had a knee replacement today.  He called me a while ago...he's feeling pretty good this evening.  He's planning to go home tomorrow.

Dave went to Bryan's to get some wood for the new fire ring here at the condo, so I had to walk by myself.  It was absolutely gorgeous out.  The trees here are beautiful right now.

Liars' club was fun, too.  The guys were talking about last night's debate.  I'm so surprised that all of them are voting Democrat!  Yay!

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Wednesday

 Well, I just watched the VP debate...very interesting.  I'm glad that one's over.  Hopefully the election will get here sooner than later.  I'm sick of politics.

We sure had a gorgeous day here today - mid 70s with a slight breeze.  

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Tuesday

 We had a beautiful day here.  When we walked it was only 52, but that was 11 degrees warmer than yesterday.  There wasn't much wind, so it was very pleasant!!  We got back in time to watch The View.  It's been really good.  

Dave had contractors here all day today, except for the time he took to drop the camper off to be winterized.  We'll get it back in a couple of days...they are really busy right now getting everyone's campers ready for cold weather.  I sat outside and read for a bit, but there were so many Asian Lady Beetles gathering on the entire South wall of the building, that I felt like I was crawling with bugs.  I came in after a few minutes.  Those little guys might look like lady bugs, but they bite and stink if you squish them!

Around  4:00 I went to Liars' Club.  About 4:45 the elevator stopped working and we had one guy from 3rd floor who uses a walker and one from 2nd floor with a walker.  The guy from 2nd floor said he could walk upstairs so I carried his walker up and off he went - he's 96!!  The guy from 3rd floor said it would take him 3 hours to walk up to 3rd floor, so he decided to wait.  Within 25 minutes the elevator was working again!!  

I had Bible Study tonight.  There were 12 of us.  We're studying the prophets, but the teacher/preacher tonight made Jeremiah fun.  Next week we're working on the first half of Ezekiel.  More doom and gloom!

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Monday

 It was pretty cold walking this morning, but when the wind died down this evening, it was really nice out.  Shorts for the next 5-6 days at least!!

I went to what I call Liars' Club this afternoon.  Several people gather in the lobby - sit at least 6 feet apart with masks on and just talk.  Today most of the talk was about the President and his photo ops while he has the virus.  What an hoot!  

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Sunday

 It was a gorgeous day here - a little chilly, but I wore shorts and a long sleeved shirt and I was good!  We walked this morning when it was 52 and  sunny.  We had attended one church service with communion and tried to do another one.  The FPC in Ottumwa was messed up so we're going to watch it another day.

This evening we went to Bryan's to celebrate his 43rd birthday which was yesterday.  We had steak/hamburgers/chicken, fire cracker green beans, smooshed potatoes, salad and homemade bread.  For birthday cake, we had Derby pie...oh my, was it ever good!

When we got back to the condo about 7:30, 6 of our residents were outside enjoying our new fire ring.  So we stood out there and visited with them for a while before coming in.  

Saturday

 It was 49 degrees when Dave and I walked this morning.  Even though it was only 49, it felt good - we had on gloves to keep our fingers warm.  I wore my sandals and jeans with a sweatshirt and a scarf around my neck.  

A nap was in order this afternoon and now we're watching the OU-ISU football game.  Quite a game!

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Friday

 We're back home from our last camping trip of this season. It was a cold camping trip!  The temperature never got above 56 and the wind gusted to 35 mph or so!!  In Iowa that means we had a chill factor!  I about froze and so did everyone but Bryan and Dave.  Wasn't much fun when you are all crowded into a cabin for all the meals and it's too cold to sit around the fire.  The kids staying tonight again...today was beautiful...the wind died down and the sun was shining!  Hope that Bryan gets to sit around the fire tonight!

We got home around 2:00.  Before we left we went through all the cupboards, closets, and drawers and removed anything that could freeze.  Those things all came into the condo with us when we got home.  The laundry is almost done so we'll take the sheets and towels, etc., back out to the camper to store them in a cupboard.  Then the camper goes to get winterized on the 6th and out to Kyle's for storage shortly after that.

More later...