Welcome back, Joy. I know that getting used to a new computer and OS is difficult, but you're doing it!  Learning new things keeps us young(er). Sorry the one family member is still not back in their house. It must be awful.

Hi Sandy.  I know how much you must have appreciated Joy's call.  Wherever did you get the so appropriate emoji?

Sue, sorry you didn't win yesterday, but glad you had a good time.

I went to the grocery and did my final load of laundry for the week yesterday. Today, I don't really have any plans.  Oh, I also wrote and emailed church news to 2 newspapers, the beginning of my new service project.  It's something I can do from home and still help out.

Jane, I'm so sorry you're having such a time with your condo and finding a new one.  Why did they suddenly change the parameters?  I do hope you find something. I'd hate to think of you staying in Iowa's bitter winter next year.

Mary, is your pool open yet?  I hope that if it isn't, it soon will be.

Hi to Darlene, Ginny, Jeanne, Marilyn, & anyone else who pops in.  Sharon

In the area that I post I click on
the  [more] 
under the imoges showing... 
and more come up to choose from....     
like this ambulance
   etc etc

Beautiful day here...very warm and humid...but we got our walk in and then we went out for "brunch" at a favorite place.  We came home and I wanted to get a light weight sweat shirt.  At home they're all so heavy, but I found one that was lighter weight at one of the gazillion "tee shirt" shops here.  I think it'll work fine for those cool days at home when a heavy sweatshirt is just too much.

I have sheets in the wash and will do towels next.  There's linen service here, but their detergents are so harsh and their sheets often don't fit well, that I bring my own set of sheets for our bed and wash the sheets and the towels (they furnish) myself in "free" detergent...free of dyes, perfumes, etc.

Kite festival is this weekend, so we'll go up for some time tomorrow, I think. I imagine the same folks are back as the last few years, but it's fun for a couple hours. 

jane

Joy, good luck with your computer..  I'm sure that once it gets more familiar, you'll love the new things you find.  I hate that some of your folks are still out of their houses - as well as others.  It must be so hard to deal with.

jane, I know your kite festival is fun to watch for a while.  They're so creative.  I hope you find someplace to go next winter.  Like Sharon, I hate the thought of your having to go through an Iowa winter.

Sue, it's frustrating when you can't drive, I'm sure.  I know I'll hate it when I finally have to give it up.  Now I can still drive, but I do pay attention in going places to know how far I have to walk when I get where I'm going.  Oh well, just more challenges, right?

I didn't go to duplicate Monday night - didn't think I could handle it.  I went this afternoon, but the scores haven't been posted yet.  We played a few hands and did them well, but didn't communicate too well in our bids.  I'll be checking the various hands to see how other folks did.  No plans for the weekend here. 

Hello Buddies. This evening instead of going out for Mexican Food Freckles and I will park our tushies at Bay Appliance for the enjoyment of those who participate in the monthly Wine Walk.

Not much new here to day, I went to a friends house this afternoon to pray for  her boarder, who fell at work yesterday and who is also suffering with severe depression.

Hi Buddies.  I spent the morning doing chores, walking around the block, and fixing my lunch.  Afterwards I went to my bedroom with my book and enjoyed reading it, but Bonnie called when her nap was finished and then came to pick me up.  We went to a shoe sale at Shoe Station (I think that was the name.  I tried on lots of Keds and other shoes like that to see what I could put on with the brace on my leg.  I finally bought 2 pairs of casual shoes, one sort of sneaker like and the other was a leather flat with a Velcro strap across the front and will be easy to put on and to wear with my brace.  Afterwards we stopped at Marco's pizza to get a pizza to bring to my house where we ate 2 slices each and had a beer, then we divided up the rest, and had a dish of ice cream.  She took her half home and I saved mine for tomorrow's lunch.

My plan for the evening to watch the rest of the news and finish Trade Wind by M.M. Kaye.  It's long, but an easy and enjoyable read.  I'm glad I looked in my book shelf in the casual room which was at one time a carport, but very livable since Kris and Tim helped me renovate it when I moved up here from the farm.

Joy, good luck with your new computer.  Take it slowly and you'll soon find yourself enjoying it.

Sandy, welcome back.  Your little "running person with the mail truck" (at least that's what I think it is!) is cute. 

Sharon, you had a nice day--and accomplished a good bit besides.  How long does it take to prepare the church news for the paper?  That sounds like an interesting job.

Jane, you accomplished a lot, too.  Laundry and changing sheets is plenty to do in one day, plus having time to take a nice walk.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for finding a new place next winter--and soon.

Marilyn, I'm sure your friend was encouraged by your prayer support.  Good for you.  I hope you and Freckles have fun at the Wine Walk.

Mary, I'm still hoping to drive again, but it will be a while.  I HATE having to ask Village Friends to take me grocery shopping, beauty shop, other errands.  Yes, I pay the organization and the members who do this are volunteers, but I am like my children who used to beg me to "Let me do it myself!" when they were young. I have a wonderful new friend from the V. F. organization, a young German woman whose husband is a new prof at Auburn--I think on an international exchange.  She takes me to Kroger every Friday.  I'm thinking of making some gingerbread men and inviting her and her children over some Saturday to decorate them.  I used to do that with the neighborhood kids, but most of them are teens now.

I'm off to watch the evening news now.
Sue

Everyone must be busy today. No posts.

I was up till 4 AM this morning and then slept in till 10:00.  Ugh. We're back down in the 40's today. Brrr.

Sue, you really are a voracious reader.  I don't read as much as I used to. Spend too much time on the computer and then watching TV in the evening. I'm sure I have read Trade Winds but can't remember the story now. The articles have to be very short for the paper so it doesn't take very long once I know what I need to put in.

Jane, hope you enjoyed the kite festival. Sounds like fun.

Marilyn, I hope the wine walk went well and that Freckles got lots of love!

Mary,  John and his partners have partnership sheets that list what conventions and bidding systems they use together. Maybe it would help if you and your partner worked that out.  John plays with so many different people, he gets the current one out and studies it before they play together. Even if you don't play many conventions, there are still a lot of variables in bidding patterns.  I hope you find something interesting to do this weekend.

Nothing happening here. I talked to Lori this afternoon, but that's about all. Have a nice weekend.  Sharon

We've had rain most of the day, so the Kite Festival today didn't get many spectators.  We went up for just a short time and it started to rain again, so we came back to the condo. 

Today was the day a couple here had a priest visiting them, and he had mass for anyone interested today.  There was quite a crowd and they had it in the lobby.  After mass, we walked outside a bit just to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. 

I hope tomorrow we can get back to our walking.  Tomorrow night will be the Super Bowl, of course!

jane

Sharon, re the bridge conventions - we had talked about them before we started play that day, and specifically talked about a 2C open.  She did have only one point and was void in clubs (which is not relevant to the bid).  Anyhow, I think she's starting to have some memory problems.  I don't really know her  except for playing bridge, so I'll just deal with it. 

Nothing doing on around here today.  I made a quick trip to Walmart this morning for a couple of things, but that was it for the day.  I've almost finished the sleeveless V-neck sweater I'm knitting for Randy, so it was a productive time.  I hope everybody who watches enjoys the big game tomorrow.

Good Evening, All.  I've been reading today, finished Olyne's book, A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy.  This was Binchy's last book.  She died after it was published in 2012.  Not up to her lengthier novels, but interesting.  I love reading anything set in Ireland.  Binchy was only 72 (I might be wrong about that--but don't want to go back into the kitchen to look.  I've already turned off the lights in the front of the house).

Sharon, being unable to drive and go out on my own has increased my reading time.  The Molly Maids come every 2 weeks and keep my house fairly clean.  My chores are doing my laundry, fixing my meals, and tidying up--and I'm not doing anything elaborate with that.  Although I did buy some beautiful large mushrooms yesterday at Kroger, so I sautéed about a half pound to eat with the left over pizza Bonney and I shared yesterday.

Jane, it's nice that you have a local priest who comes to your condo.  It sounds like a lot of the residents may also be Catholic.  Hopefully your weather will be nice in the early part of the day so you can get a long walk in before the Super Bowl.  I hope your team (whichever one you are pulling for) wins. 

Mary, I still play bridge like I learned from my Aunt in 1955 just before I went to college.  I have learned a bit more, but only play party bridge, so don't really need to know it all.  I do know about the 2 club convention and a few others, but don't often have to answer it.  One of my bridge clubs has a 97 y.o. member who took bridge lessons when she retired from the University.  She only remembers the one about bidding one club t0 ask for your 4 club major--and when you answer her, she passes.  Then she puts her hand down and may have only one or two cards of the major--and no honors!  I have lots of yarn stashed here and I ought to get some out and at least make a baby blanket or some other easy project instead of keeping my nose in a book all day!

Sleep well, Buddies.  I'm off to bed to read now and hope I don't stay up too late.  Olyne is picking me up about 9:30 for Sunday School and Church.
Sue

It's going to be quite warm here today, so we did our walk early.  There are a lot of Mexicans here this weekend...it may be some sort of holiday for them. 

The visiting priest was just a one time thing.  He did a nice mass, but his homily was very weak...he rambled all over the place and didn't seem to have a point.

I guess I don't understand how you gals bid the club thing.  In our area, 1C or 1D means you have opening count, but no 5 card suit. {Being left there is a huge no-no, since the bidder may have only 3 of that suit. Answering is tough when you, the partner, has only 1-4 points! I was taught to pass if have less than 6 points, so this gets tricky/} A 2 bid means you have 21+ points and want your partner's best suit.  I think it's these things that make playing with strangers so difficult.

We're looking forward to the Super Bowl tonight. 

jane

Hi Gals, yes, bridge bidding is confusing sometimes, especially with people whose system you don't know. John & I took a refresher course in "modern" bridge down in HH. That is what most people play these days around here. I'm not aware of the 21 count necessity for a 2 bid.  I have been told that a 1 C or 1D means opening count without a 5 card major. So the partner can answer with a major if they have 4 or 5. If they like the minor suit, they need to have 5 of it to answer 2.

Mary, there's not much you can do if your partner's memory is failing, just play and try to have a good time. Good for you on getting Randy's sweater almost done.

We went to SS & church & John has gone back for a finance meeting.  Today was Scout Sunday, as well as communion, so we ran over time quite a bit.  On the way home I stopped at Food Lion to pick up some salt-free peanuts for Frances.  Her gal who shops for her accidentally got her salted ones, so I traded her.

After I got home I put in a load of laundry, put a pork tenderloin in the crock pot, fixed lunch & have finished the paper.  Nothing else going on here.

Jane, too bad the priest's homily rambled. I hate that. Our pastor often does that. She is great in all of her other duties, but poor at sermons.

Sue, I'm glad you have someone to take you to church & SS.  The knitting might give you some distraction. Can you do it and watch TV? I know some can.  I, of course, am all thumbs and can't knit or crochet.

Not many people coming in lately. Where is everyone?  Sharon

I've been reading, but just haven't been doing much.  I've gotten the sweater finished, and it's soaking now, so I can block it before I send it on.  Sharon, I knit while I'm watching TV - rarely any other time.  I can't just sit and watch TV - have to be doing something with my hands.  I'm just now getting on the computer - late in the day for me.  But I've read the paper, finished the sweater, and now it's computer time.

I'm enjoying an amaryllis blooming.  Jesse gave me a couple of those bulbs-in-a-pot things for Xmas.  I planted the amaryllis and the paperwhites.  The amaryllis has finally bloomed - three fully open and two buds which will probably open this week.  It's so pretty.  The paperwhites put up some leaves, but no buds or blooms.  That's about it for my gardening.  LOL

I have an appointment for an echo cardiogram to check on the status of my heart murmur at noon tomorrow, so that should take care of lunchtime for me.  I hope everybody has a good week coming up.

Re:visiting priests-----
I am a Catholic and appreciate having one of two local priests (every other Sunday for each)that come and say
Mass here at Williamsburg Senior Living.  It is not like going to a real church but if you don't drive it is a blessing
to have the priest come to you here.
Joy

At church this morning I was asked by our worship leader to come to music practice and bring my music to sing for church this coming Sunday. Now I have to find my music on you tube and practice. I love to sing and don't really do solos very often. once in a great while. in fact.

It sounds as if all reporting Buddies have had a nice day.  If you watched the Super Bowl, I hope you enjoyed it and your team won.  I watched Casablanca again and enjoyed it as much or more than every other time I'm watched it.

It rained this morning on the way to church and a bit on the way home.  I stayed inside except for getting my trash ready for tomorrow's pick up.  I was invited to make a 4th at my neighbor Brownie's house for one table of bridge at 3:00.  I had some good hands and some bad.  We played 3 rounds of 6 hands, changing partners after each round.  Two of the players are ones I play with at least once a month.  I had not met the 4th player before, but she was a good player and very cordial.

I'm off to bed now at 9:00.  I'm reading a lengthy and good book by M.M. Kaye, The Far Pavilions.  I've read it before, but really enjoy it.  Did you see the mini-series on TV in the '70's?  I purchased the paper back when it became available.  And I'll probably stay up a while to get further into the book.

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Here I am again.  I did the usual Monday paper reading and cross word puzzle, walked around the block and will take another walk about 4:00, but a bit longer and in a different direction.

Tim came by about 11:15 to check on me.  I showed him the new shoes I bought when Bonney and I went to shoe station on Friday.  After we did our shopping we stopped at Marco's Pizza near me and bought a pizza to share--and we each had 2 slices left to eat later.  She took hers home and was able to get home before it was too dark.

My plans for the afternoon are to fix lunch (more delicious sautéed mushrooms and Campbell's soup, plus maybe some ice cream) and take The Far Pavilions into my room for my afternoon reading session.  My bed is comfy and I have enough pillows on it to sit up comfortably and read.

I hope you're all having a nice day.
Sue

We're having a very nice day.

We walked this morning, and we've found a nice place for next year, and have the deposit down and are happy with it. That's a big relief that next year is settled, and for the "going rate" of deposit and monthly rent, and not the outrageous price they're going with here.

Ray talked to another fellow who's been coming here for 20 years.  He said NOT next year! Even the various managers are saying, "We've heard Rene has made a lot of changed."  Uh...YEAH! 

We ate lunch late at a favorite place and I brought enough Oriental Chicken salad home for another meal for me.

Now I can relax and enjoy our remaining weeks here.

jane

Hi Buddies, Rain is still coming down here I did get Freckles out for one walk in  the rain we both wore our raincoats for that walk then the one just a little bit ago we got back refore the rain stated again.

Keith is taking me out for an early dinner late this afternoon, We won't go after dark because I9 just can't drive in the dark any more, I wish the Highway Department would put some reflectors  on the  lines in  the streets. But the lines are so hard for me to see at night especially in the rain. Also there just are not enough street light to suit me. Where I live there are only two ways to get here on the Highway, and  going up the hill tlo a very curvy road that has a drop off on one side.

Marilyn, good for you to recognize when you're not comfortable driving.  We should all be so good!

jane, so glad you've found another place you like, and are set for next year.

Sue, you're so good to be doing all the walking.  I wish I could motivate myself to do that, but I know me well enough to  know it's not going to happen. 

I had my echocardiogram today, and that the "outing" for me today.  We've had rain and heavy fog all day, and it's just going to be worse tonight.  My Monday night duplicate partner lives up behind me on Signal Mountain and it's been a "pea soup fog" day for them.  And she's not going to try to drive down here in it in the dark.  I'm not going either - I don't even want to drive down here in the Valley.  Oh, well.....

Jane, that's great news about your next winter's condo!  I'm happy for you--and hope the other tenants do the same.

Marilyn, enjoy your early dinner.  Better to be safe early than Sorry after dark. 

Mary, one reason I push myself to walk is that otherwise I am stuck here in my house alone with no way to go someplace else unless someone offers to take me.  Plus the walking IS good for me, although I don't always appreciate it.  When will you get your echocardiogram results.  I hope all is A.OK!

Has anyone heard from GinnyAnn?  She hasn't been here in a while.  I hope everything is OK.

I'm off to watch the evening news--and I'd sure like to see some GOOD NEWS!
Sue

Hi everyone...another Super Bowl...over....I watched some of it...Jane glad you found another home away from home...it's supposed to be really warm tomorrow...I will be walking early..Marylin..I don't like to drive after dark...Sue..hope you get to drive again soon...Hi Mary Z and Sharon...I'm going to my daughters wed to sat...we always have fun going to thrift shops and just shopping...Hi to any I missed...Darlene

The place we wanted to have dinner was closed for an employee Retreat so we went  elsewhere I had a huge Mushroom burger and a local beer. I don't feel; any older though than I did last year at this time. 

Marilyn, did we miss  your birthday?    I hope it was a Happy Day for you.  A mushroom burger sounds yummy!

Hi, Darlene - have fun with your daughter.

Happy Birthday Marlyin. CC

Hi Gals,  Marilyn, I did wish you a happy birthday on FB, but didn't get in here to tell everyone about it!  Anyway, hope it was a good day. A mushroom burger sounds wonderful!  Hardee's makes an awesome one and years ago, I used to endulge from time to time.  I agree with the others that if you're not comfortable with night driving, you shouldn't do it.  I seldom drive at night. In fact, I can't remember the last time  I did.

Mary, the idea of being able to turn out a beautifully knitted piece while watching TV blows my mind!  I know lots do that though.  Sorry about your bridge game. Hope the echo turned out well.

Sue, I know that I read Far Pavilions a long time ago and thought it was a good book.  I know that all the walking you are doing will help heal you and that before too long you'll be able to drive again.

Darlene, have a wonderful time with your daughter. I wish I had 1 or both of my daughter's nearby to shop with me. We used to love to do that together.

I went to the psych eval yesterday. It took me an hour to drive there! Had to use my GPS to find it. The Dr. was very nice. I had an hour interview and then a test on paper to do.  I won't know the results of the paper test for a few days but her own eval was that I have a mild depression and that if an anti-depressant can't be found that doesn't conflict with other meds, I should have some short term therapy.  She likened it to having a coach for exercise to get me to do what I need to do instead of staying home all the time. I know she is right, but ...

I forgot my cleaning girl was coming today. I had it in my head that it was tomorrow!  I was sound asleep when she arrived, but John let her in and came and woke me.  She comes at 8:30 which is my usual time to get up. Naturally, I get up early on her days usually.  Oh well.  Glad to have her and get the guest room bed made up and back to order.

Today is Walgreen's Senior Day (20% off), so I'm going to go over this afternoon and get a number of things I need.  Other than that, nothing planned.

Hi to Ginny, Joy, Jeanne, and anyone else who posts.  Sharon

Good morning, Buddies.  I spent about an hour this morning trying to get hold of my "hearing" doctor--can't remember the correct term.  I had an annual appointment which I was notified of by phone yesterday, but didn't recognize it was his office as it came through the hospital's main phone line, so I just ignored it and then last evening when I checked my e-mail, there was an e-mail about the appointment and I realized who it was from.  The line at that clinic was busy for a long time, but finally reached them and rescheduled for the 28th.  Hopefully Tim will drop me off there and can come back to get me when I call him.  It is a very busy office and I'm sure I'll have to also see the woman (I think her position is audiologist--she will test my hearing again and probably tell me AGAIN that I'm losing my hearing!).  I don't want Tim or anyone else to have to sit there for at least 3 hours--that's how long it took last year. (my doctor is an Audiologist--I think).

Hurray, Jane, for finding a suitable and affordable place for your next winter's stay-cation!  I'm glad you found something--and I hope the present place gets lots of cancellations.  Maybe they'll see they need to rescind the price hikes.

Darlene, what fun to spend some time with your daughters this week.  Enjoy your visit and let us know all about it when you return home.

Marilyn, I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday.  Lucky you to not feel any older.  My head tells me I'm getting better not older, but my body tells a different story!

Hi Mary, are you playing bridge again today?  I've been wondering if the work at the Y's pool is nearly completion.  I know you miss your exercise there.

Sharon, I'm glad you've seen someone about the depression.  The Navy pediatrician who counseled Tim when Bob was aboard an aircraft carrier during Vietnam arranged for me to see a Psychiatrist and my military status paid for the appointments.  I lived in a civilian neighborhood in San Diego and no close Navy friends nearby.  It was a very depressing 2 years--although we did get to see him for 2 different weeks when the ship came to Long Beach, CA, for repairs.  Seeing the psychiatrist helped somewhat.  Raising 3 active little boys without a Dad around wasn't a picnic!

GinnyAnn, if you're looking in, check in!  I miss you.

Sue

Jane, just realized I missed commenting on your finding a nice condo for next year. I know that must be a big burden lifted.  I hope you like it even better than the one you're in now.

Sue, Good luck with the audiologist. If they say you need hearing aids, get them. They say that uncorrected hearing loss can speed up memory loss. I really am glad I got mine. Just wish John would too. His hearing is definitely not as bad as mine, but it is not good either. Sharon

Happy Birthday Marilyn!! 

When I turned 69,  I thought that this would be the last Birthday that I would celebrate...  and from then on,  I would deduct a year,  each year...

Then I talked to my best friend and after living with
cancer for the last three years,    SHE celebrates each and every one....    So   I AM with HER..   

Each one is a blessing and deserves to be celebrated ...
(from now on!)   

Live and learn,  and be proud of each one!!
Sandy