Monday

 So, it's Cyber Monday...did you order anything from online today?  Me either!  I saw lots of items "on sale", but I didn't see anything that I had to have...and that's a good thing!

I had my 6-month mammogram this morning.  It must have been okay because I didn't have to have the ultrasound after the mammogram.  I got to go right home.  That's another good thing!

Dave and I didn't walk until around 3:30.  The temperature dropped a bunch, the drizzle moved out, and the wind picked up.  Right now it's 62 degrees.  Tomorrow's high is to be 62 with very gusty winds!  Don't guess we'll be going on any adventures for a day or two.  It wouldn't bother me, but Dave will be freezing!  

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Sunday

 We did our walk early because it was supposed to be hot again today...and it was!  As we walked around the corner of 4th street, we met the German Shepherd, so we did an about-face and walked 3rd street twice.  I don't want to meet that dog...it scared me to death last year!  Everyone who's "met" it says it's really a nice dog, but Dave and I have no desire to make friends with it.  

We took another walk later this afternoon when it had cooled down.  Besides walking, we attended our 3 churches online and that's about it.

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Saturday

 I think it's Saturday!  I've been so confused this weekend.  Our football game was on Friday, so when I got up this morning, I was ready to listen to church...then I remembered it was only Saturday.  It was pretty hot here today.  We walked early, but I was drenched in sweat when we got home.  Later, though, we were dead-heading Ann's flowers and it was beautiful in the shade.  Chrissy stopped by on her golf cart.  She said she just needed to get out of the house.  She had a call from Sandy while she was here, so we got to talk to her too.  She's freezing up there and can't wait to get back here.

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Friday

 Another beautiful day here!  We took our walk at Largo Nature Park.  We saw some birds, but no alligator today...anyway, we couldn't find him/her.  There were several people there with cameras with BIG lenses.  I asked one of them if he was a bird watcher.  He told me he was a bird photographer and then they showed us where a Peregrine Falcon was sitting way at the top of the tower!  I saw it, but wasn't at an angle to get a good picture  of it.

We got home early enough for me to watch The View, but it was an encore presentation!  We ate early so I could watch the Cyclone game.  Wow!  What a game!  We came from behind with 1:29 left in the game to beat Texas at Texas!!  That win was very important because we are leading the Big 12 Conference!!  Awesome!!

We took a walk around the park after 4:00 when it cooled down.

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Happy Thanksgiving

 What a beautiful day!  We are so thankful for our lives, our families, and our friends!  We started our day with a Turkey Trot around the park.  While we were out walking, we also delivered the December newsletter to the residents.  Two birds, you know!  

For the rest of our morning, we went to Sawgrass to see the sights.  Well, the joke was on us!  Not a single alligator and only two birds...one anhinga and one little bitty bird that wouldn't sit still long enough to get a picture.  We had a good walk though!

When we got home, we video-chatted with Bryan, Erin, and the kids.  Then we chatted with Linda, Al, Kyle, Cassie, Blaise, Oaklyn and Rowyn.  Then we ate our turkey dinner furnished by Karen and Tom across the street.  We had turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and pumpkin and pecan little pies.  The best part is we've got enough left-overs for at least 2 more meals each!!

After naps, we talked to Jami and then we had popcorn for supper!

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Wednesday

 No adventures today - we had to wait around to see when the air conditioning person would come.  Last night we determined that the house wasn't cooling down, so Dave called them first thing this morning and he came out this afternoon.  Took him about 15 minutes and now we have a cool house!  We knew we have a slow leak of the freon and that's what it was.  He said it might last another several years or it might not...which is what they told us 2 years ago too.  We're hoping it lasts for several more years.

We did get out to walk twice today.  It was beautiful out.

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Tuesday

 Today for our adventure, we went to Largo Nature Park.  It was a successful adventure, too.  We saw lots of birds, turtles, and even an alligator!  On the path around the lake, a man told us we were being awfully cautious because whenever we got near someone we put our masks up.  He then ridiculed us because we were in the "wilderness" and didn't need a mask...his was in his car.  I finally told him that he could take care of himself and we'd take care of us!  What a jerk...he had to be in his 80's too.  

When we got home, I made a black raspberry pie with raspberries we'd frozen this summer.  It is very good!!  We ordered some ice cream to be picked up tomorrow, along with other groceries.  That ice cream will make that pie even better!!

We even took another walk around the park around 4:00.

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Monday

 We had such a fun day today.  The weather was absolutely perfect!!  We went to Redington Shores to a park where we met Sudi and Howard.  We visited for quite a while.  We set our chairs up 6 feet apart and had a great time catching up.  Then we left there and went to Treasure Island to see the Sanding Ovations sand sculptures.  This year's them was Sandhedge and everything was based on that theme.  I thought it might be the best that we've ever seen.  

Then we had a couple of errands to run, but on the way there we stopped at Yellow Groves for some orange juice ice cream!  Yum!!  It was still as good as we remembered!!  Our first stop was at Old Tyme Pottery for a couple of things and then to Harbor Freight for a new security light.  After all of this, it was nap-thirty!

Fun day!  

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Sunday

 I got up in time to "go" to early service today - at 8:15.  Very good message at Anona!  Then I was able to "attend" 1st Presby in Ottumwa at 9:30...another good message.  This afternoon, I "attended" 1st Presby in Waterloo - a 3rd good message!  We also took a walk this morning.

This afternoon we put up our Christmas tree and our decorations.  It looks so festive around here now...something to smile about!

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Saturday

 Dave got my bike  tires pumped up today, so I took a quick spin around the park.  Got to see a couple more people today.  We then worked at putting away more stuff.  Dave got everything put away outside and even got the Christmas stuff out.  We'll decorate Monday probably...tomorrow we're going to a nature park to walk if the weather is nice.

This afternoon after a nap, we watched the Cyclones tromp K-State!  That was fun!  They played really well!  Hope they play that well next week too!

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Friday

 We got into our home about 11:00 today.  It is wonderful being here.  Everything looked good.  We unpacked...swept the floor...and started putting things away.  I had ordered food from Walmart last night in the motel, so we were able to take naps this afternoon and then pick up the groceries around 3:30.  We've still got lots to do as far as putting things away, etc., but we've got a great start.  I've hung up all my clothes and we've even taken a walk around the park.  

It's 9:00 PM and we're going to bed.  We're both pretty tired.

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Thursday

 We had another good day!  We made it about 600 miles again but this time it took us 11 hours.  We had to go through Birmingham, Montgomery, and Dothan...I hate that town.  It takes almost an hour just to get around it.  Grrr...  At least we've only got about 4 hours tomorrow!  I'll be glad to get there!

We're in the Hampton Inn in Perry, Florida.  We're in a brand new room.  Unfortunately, the smoke alarm is beeping sporadically...the manager just brought up a new battery which didn't fix the problem.  So instead of being in 302, we're now in 303.  It's another new room.  They are re-doing all their rooms plus their drive up canopy.  They're in a mess!  

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Wednesday

 We drove 589 miles today...about 10 hours...that's enough.  We are tired but we made it to Jackson, TN and tomorrow is another day.  We'll get another early start in the morning and hopefully get within 4 hours of our Southern home.  That's what we're shooting for, but it will depend on how complicated Birmingham and Montgomery and Dothan are.  We just want to be safe!

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Tuesday

 We're all packed except for the refrigerator and we'll do that in the morning.  Florida, here we come!  Say a little prayer for safe travels!

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Monday

We had a fun day.  We went to see Kaylee and McCoy...and Rowyn was there too.  We found their place with no problem.  Cute little house!  McCoy and Rowyn were a hoot.  They were talking about a winky wonky donkey and I had no clue what they were saying.  So they took me out to the living room and I read about the Winky Wonky Donkey - and then I read it again...and Dave read it...and I read it one more time.  Then I took a picture of the  donkey and McCoy kept finding it on my phone!  What a cute story.  Rowyn knows the book almost by heart and if you stop reading, McCoy fills in the words!  If was really, really fun!

Here's the Honky-Tonky, Winky, Wonky Donkey...he has 3 legs and 1  eye and he's tall and slim, and smells really, really bad and likes country music!!  

Dave has pictures of McCoy and me.   I don't have any on my phone!  

We then came home and had lunch.  Then we went to the chiropractor at 2:00.  After that, we packed.  I cleaned the refrigerator and now we're about 80% packed!  Dave will take the totes to the car tomorrow and we'll just have the refrigerator left to pack.  He cleaned out the car this afternoon and we even went to Liars' Club - there were 13 of us!!  Fun!

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Sunday

 Wow!  It was really, really windy today.  I went to Linda's to see them this morning and it was all I could do to keep the car on the road!  I had a much easier drive home - the wind was behind my back.  I got to see a couple of the kids at Linda's.  I think the only one I won't see is Oaklyn.  This is Blaise and Rowyn.  Can you tell she's a little ornery?!!  But oh so sweet!  

Then tonight we went to Bryan's...this is the last time we'll go there this year.  Here's Kaitlyn...but I can't get Aidan to do pictures or hugs or anything.

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Saturday

 Cold, drizzly, windy day here.  It's warmer here at 9:30 than it was all day and the wind finally died down.  Tomorrow is supposed to be very windy and only 41.   No walking outside today.  I went to the garage and got a lot of my walk in.  Dave was going to walk with me, but 2 guys came down to look at the progress and he talked the whole time I was walking!  

As soon as we got upstairs, he took off for Bryan's.  I worked in the studio trying to organize what I'm going to take with me to play with.  I have to pack light because the Rogue doesn't have as much storage room as the SRX did.  

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Friday

 It was pretty cold when we walked this morning!  I think the temperature was around 29.  We got it in, though!  I'll really be glad to get to Florida where the walking will be so much warmer...and fewer clothes!  Stocking caps do a number on your hair!!!

We're thinking the crew in the garage is going to be done early, so we're hoping to get out of here earlier than we anticipated next week.  We'll pack early in the week and be ready to go whenever they get done!  I've got a lot of my clothes ready...I don't have two wardrobes like Dave does.  If I need something new there's always Bealls!

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Thursday

 I had to walk by myself today.  Dave's back is still spasming.  I took off while he was trying to take a nap a little before noon.  I gave him one of my muscle relaxers and he relaxed himself to sleep!  I walked the cemetery.  When I got there I saw a bunch of military types waiting so I knew they'd be there soon.  I hurried and got away from them. It wasn't long before the hearse and people arrived.  When they started the 21 gun salute, I jumped 6 inches off the ground!!  I was even expecting it, but it scared me anyway.  I didn't walk over by the funeral; I took a different route and got out of there before the funeral broke up.  On my way home, a neighbor up the street was out with one of her King Cavalier Spaniels...Kirby.  Kirby is real timid and had been scared to death by the 21 gun salute.  He did come over to sniff me, but I didn't get to pet him.  So Connie went in to get Timmy and Timmy loves me!!  So I got my puppy hugs this morning!!  She told me that one of her neighbors died this morning of Covid.  That lady's sister used to live in our building until her Alzheimer's got too bad.

I played in my studio and took a short nap.  Then we went to Liars' Club.  

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Wednesday

 It was cold here today - felt like 19 when we first got up.  I didn't go walk.  Instead we got a chiropractor appointment and I walked a few laps in their parking lot while we were waiting for the patients before us (who weren't wearing masks) to leave.  Dave just waited in the car.  His back is in a knot since last night.  He's walking a bit better tonight, though.

We both went to Liars' Club - there were several of us again today.  

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Tuesday

 What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday was so warm and today it was 48 an it rained most of the day.  Right now it is 31 but feels like 19...YIKES!!  That's cold!!  Good thing I didn't have to go out for any reason.  I didn't even walk today.  I did go to the basement during Liars' Club just to see what progress they were making down there.  It's coming along pretty quickly!

I worked in my studio today getting some card elements ready to take with me to Florida.  I only take a few things just so when I'm bored I can be creative.  This evening our HOA board had a zoom meeting just so we were all on the same page with everything.  Then I joined my Bible Study already in progress.  Next week we'll be done with the Old Testament!  Yay!

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Monday

 Today we had another beautiful day to walk outside.  It was cloudy, but warm.  The crews came to start working on our garage/basement walls.  They said there might be 8 jackhammers working at one time.  I'm glad we're on the second floor.  Those on the first floor had headaches this evening!  

Dancing with the Stars was fabulous this evening.  They had 3 sets of perfect scores.  It's so nice being able to watch a TV show without all those hateful political ads!  

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Sunday

 Today was maybe our last nice day before we head for Florida.  It was in the low 70s again, but we had a stiff easterly wind.  We did our church services and then took our walk.  Dave went to get a few groceries...not many because we're trying to clean out our cupboards and freezer.  

This afternoon I cut his hair out on the balcony and it was all I could do to keep standing up - the wind was that strong!  At least we didn't have to blow the hair off the balcony - God did it for us.

Tonight we went to Bryan's for supper.  

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Saturday

 What a great day!  Biden-Harris ticket wins!!  BIG sigh of relief!  Agent Orange will be out about noon on Jan. 20th!!  Hip Hip Hooray!!  This evening, the Cyclones went down 14-0 right away to Baylor.  We came back in the 3rd quarter and finally went ahead by 2 TDs.  Baylor wasn't done, though.  The final score was 38-31 - yay!!  Baylor had their best game of the year!  They are far better than their record shows!  Next we play Kansas State...it doesn't get any easier!!

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Friday

 We had 74 degrees today - a beautiful day to walk outside!  We didn't walk until afternoon.  Dave was waiting for an electrician to get done in the garage.  So we ate lunch and then walked.  

I worked in my craft studio a lot of today - in between watching CNN to get the latest news.

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Thursday

Most of these days are about the same as the last day.  We get up, eat breakfast, check the news to see if we have a President, go for our walk, have lunch, take a nap, go to Liars' Club, watch the news to see if we have a President, have supper, go to bed and then it starts all over again.  I hope that tomorrow there's a break in the Presidential election.  I'm tired of all the speculation.

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Wednesday

 We had another gorgeous day here today - 70 and sunny!  We're supposed to have 70s clear thru Saturday!!  Then we're back to typical November weather.

We walked the cemetery today after watching a couple of hours of election coverage.  Tonight we still don't know who our President is, but His Orangeness is sure acting like he's losing.  He's throwing hissy fits everywhere.  

Around 4:30 we went down to Liars' Club.  Just a few of us there today.  Four people worked the election yesterday and they are isolating just to be safe.

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Tuesday

 I've got the tv turned off.  There's no doubt in my mind that His Orangeness will win.  I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want him to be President  for another 4 years.  Maybe if I don't watch, it won't happen!  Ha!  

Today Dave and I went to Cedar Falls to cash in a couple of coupons for donuts that a friend gave us.  All of the people in the Liars' Club talk about Hurts Donuts and how  good they are.  We had never had one...well, now we have and OH MY!  They are delicious and at least twice the size of a normal donut.  I got coconut cream pie and Dave got a raspberry filled raised donut.  He ate all of his.  I, however, still have half of mine.  

While we were there in CF, we walked up and down Main Street for  our exercise.  It was 72 here today so it was a beautiful day to be outside.  It was nice to see something other than tombstones for a change!

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Monday

 It's getting a bit warmer.  Today I was able to take off my socks and take my walk.  We didn't go until about 11:30.  It didn't feel too bad out.  Tomorrow is supposed to be better yet and later in the week it's to be 70!!  Then rain/snow mix.  Yuck!

I went to Liars' Club today.  Dave went to get his glasses fixed and came home with two new pairs of glasses!  Now he's got 2 inside pairs and 2 sunglasses - all prescription!  He went to Vision 4 Less so they didn't cost much!  

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Sunday

 It looked like a beautiful day outside when we got up.  We turned our clocks back last night and both slept well.  It was nice getting up to sunshine instead of darkness.  After our church services, we had lunch and then went out to walk...it was pretty, but very cold with a brisk north wind!  My computer said it was 41 out, but felt like 29.  Brrr...at least we got our walk in!

The bad part about Daylight Savings Time is that it was already dark at 5:27 when I happened to notice.  I don't know what time darkness set in...I'll be more observant tomorrow!  That darkness makes for long evenings!

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