Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

This is really more than a weekend recap since I've been absent for most of the last two weeks, but here goes a recap...

My BFF, Elaine, and her hubby, Jim, left yesterday morning.  The house seems too quiet again but the cats are kinda happy to not be sharing space with Bella anymore. Actually, the pets did okay.  The cats were calm and Bella was a well-behaved princess. The funniest thing was when I went looking for the cats when I got home from church yesterday.  Lilly was sleeping in the guest room, on top of the sheets that Elaine took off the bed.  She was reclaiming her territory.

I will back up as far as Tuesday which marked my five-year move-in anniversary here in Mas Verde.  Joe and I made a really good decision to downsize in this community.  I am doing okay here, without him, because we made this move together. I still feel him taking care of me.  Blessed.

Last Wednesday, my lunch friends got together for an early dinner (lupper) at Fred's Market.  Elaine and Jim joined us.  It was kind of sad because Terry and Heather are both moving from Lakeland and my lunch group will just be me and Shirley going forward.  An era is ending for us. It has changed over the years from the six of us.  Melody died of cancer, Cindee and her hubby moved away and she is battling Parkinson's Disease. Now Terry and her hubs are retiring to the Georgia mountains, and Heather is moving to Virginia to be closer to her kids.  I am happy for them and that we have Facebook and texting to stay in touch - but it is all changing again.  Life does that, doesn't it?

Me, Heather, Terry
We all worked together at the Museum.

Seems eons ago.

Shirley was Melody's neighbor and we welcomed her into our lunch group years ago.

Jim took our picture as we were leaving the restaurant.

The original six.  Terry, Shirley, Cindee, Me, Heather, and Melody.  

Good friends and good memories, always.

Okay... Thursday is usually dinner with the Mas Verde group but Jim and Elaine (and I) wanted to eat at Shell's and so did Jill and Murray so we broke ranks and went out on our own to Shell's.  Everyone else went to the Cleveland Heights Golf Club restaurant.  I am sure we had a better meal than the rest of the group.  It was a fun evening with delicious food!

After work on Friday, Elaine and I went to Lakeside Village for a little shopping. Belk was having some great sales. I found nothing but Elaine carried out a bag of bargains.  We ordered dinner from Mr. Fish and brought it back to the house to eat.  We were meeting my boss and Mrs. Boss at Swan Brewing for a little get-together.  It was a fun evening.  Swan Brewing is dog-friendly so Bella got to go too...

My boss and Bella

Saturday morning we were up and getting ready to head for Orlando.  Jim and Elaine's middle son and his wife were landing there for a week-long Disney vacation and we were meeting up with them at Disney Springs.  We met them at House of Blues and had some lunch.  Yummy pulled pork sandwiches, bbq beans, and coleslaw. It was fun catching up with "the kids".  They came down last year when Jim and Elaine were here.  

We walked a bit and popped into a few of the stores at Disney Springs before heading back to Lakeland.  Bella would need to go out and the cats needed to be fed. The kids needed to get to their hotel.  It was a very fun Saturday.  Then came Sunday morning and saying goodbye. I am so blessed by the wonderful people in my life. I do not take any of them for granted, and that includes all of my friends and family (and all y'all here).

Wishing you all a blessed week ahead. I need to get caught up now!! 

How can tomorrow be March already?!

Peace & hugs!

God's love is steadfast!!

Whimsical Fashion Review 2022...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and tell us which purse she should carry to dinner.

It is all in fun and just a whimsical thing.

Photos are always from the Storybook of Dreams & Beauty!

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This is a whimsical little (more than) basic black dress.  I just liked it when I saw it.  She is headed for a dinner date at a fancy restaurant and she needs a purse for her night out on the town. Which one do you like best for the dress?  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us about your choice!  It's all in fun!

My thoughts:  As mentioned above, I just liked this dress when I saw it.  I might even try to wear it if it came in my size (probably not).  I think I will go with purse #1.  The dress doesn't need any competition.  What are your thoughts?

PS:  Having a great time with Elaine and Jim and we are halfway through their last week here. Sad to think of them going home.  It has been so nice having them here.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

One week behind us (speaking of my company) and only one to go.  I told them they need to stay longer next time. We have had some fun and have more ahead but some things have been left off the list because there isn't enough time.

I already mentioned that we went to Ford's Garage on Thursday, with the group from Mas Verde. I forgot to post a couple of pictures I took.  This is Elaine and Jim and Jill and Murray.

Jill and Murray are my Canadian neighbors and dear friends.  They have sold their house and will be moving effective March 30.  They do plan to still winter in Florida and are trying to find a place to rent next year. Hope they do or I may never see them again.  😢

On Friday, I puppy-sat Bella while Elaine and Jim went north to have dinner with friends of theirs who are snow-birding in the Villages.  They had a nice time and will be spending a day at the beach with those same friends on Tuesday. 

We got up early on Saturday so Jim could take Bella to doggy camp for an overnight, allowing us to go up to Ocala for the day to visit the World Equestrian Center.  The highlight of the day was meeting up with Barb (Sweet Tea & Sandals) and Gary. We met them in the hotel's lobby and then walked through the lobby and the toy store before having lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the property.  Gary is such a nice man and he and Barb are adorable together!! We talked and talked, walked around a bit and we got to see that beautiful T-Bird in person! 

Stuffed animals in the toy store!

The guys... Jim and Gary

Me among the stuffed animals.

Elaine and Barb with a stuffed dragon.

Only a $19,500 hobby horse... the price is on that ribbon.

Gary, Barb, and me.

Barb made me pose with the car...  (I'm no Vanna! LOL)

That car would look good on anyone, though!! Beautiful!

Horses, horses, horses...

Riders practicing...

The hotel and outside events arena...

We sat in the stands and watched some of the riders jumping. 

Flowers blooming on the property...

You can't see the topiary very well, but there are elephants, dragons, that bigger 

one in front might be a bear.

On the way home, we went to Fancy Farms for some strawberries.  I got home and made some crumb cake so we could have strawberries after we ate our pizza. Yum!

Sunday school and church yesterday.  We went out for BBQ at Sonny's for our dinner. Watched a movie, did some streaming, and had more strawberries on crumb cake with milk and whipped cream before going to bed.

More about this coming week later.  Oh... Cheryl (Sunlit Pathways) is in Florida and she and Pat may find time to stop by for a visit!  I am so enjoying this time with Elaine and Jim (and Bella)!!

Peace & hugs!

God's love is steadfast!!

Catching up a bit on Friday/Saturday...

 It has been a very nice week having my dear friends, Elaine and Jim, here with me and we have another week ahead!  They are having dinner with friends of theirs north of here tonight so I am dog-sitting Bella and I have some extra time to write a quick post.  I will just share some pictures...

Wednesday was the one-year anniversary of Joe's passing.  Jim and Elaine came to my workplace around 11:00 that day and they got to meet my boss and one co-worker, Paolo.  My boss, Danon, took us all out on a tour and it was great fun!  He is so knowledgeable about Tenoroc - he has been there since the beginning.  He could take us into areas others don't get to see.

Elaine and I were in the backseat of Danon's truck.

Our "tour master" talking...

Gopher tortoise den.  We didn't see any of them, but there are lots of burrows.

Long needle pines are so bushy and pretty.

After our tour was done, we left there to head for home.  On the way, we stopped at the cemetery to pay a visit to Joe's earthly remains.  Jim and Elaine were there with me at the internment last year but hadn't seen the marker yet. Second verticle row and second horizontal as well.  D'Orsaneo...  I will be there one day too.  

I am doing okay. Everyone is asking if I'm okay. Yes, I am.  I know where Joe is and that we will meet again someday.  I miss him but a year is a kind of marker, isn't it.  I have been wearing Joe's wedding ring on my right hand since taking it off of his finger at the hospital.  It is now in my jewelry box, next to mine.  I needed to do something meaningful, on my own, and that was what I did.  I am making it on my own.  I am happy and my friends and family keep me busy and engaged.  Joe will always live in my heart and the blessings I had with him still bless me. Oh my goodness, I am so blessed.

Elaine and I have been sharing cooking duties.  We went to Fish City Grill on Jim's birthday (Valentine's Day).  It was good!  

I made a three-layer red velvet cake for his 71st birthday.

We went out with the Mas Verde Thursday group last night. Dinner was at Ford's Garage. There were only 18 of us.  Several folks had tickets or company for other things.  

Tomorrow (Saturday) we are driving up to Ocala, to visit the amazing World Equestrian Center.  Elaine and Jim both requested the trip up there.  AND... we are meeting up with Barbara (Sweet Tea & Sandals) and her Heartthrob!! What fun!!  I will have more pictures to share on Monday!!

I apologize for being absent from your posts but I will catch up when my company heads for home.  Just taking a break to be with my dear friends.  Love you all, too!! xo

Peace & hugs!

God's love is steadfast!!

Whimsical Fashion Review 2022...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules!

Pick the shoes you like best for the dress and tell us why!

It's all in fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are always from the Storybook of Dreams & Beauty!

Sweetness. Isn't this dress sweet! In spite of the ice and snow up north, Spring is coming and this dress is all about Spring!  Which shoes do you like best for the dress?  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us why!

My thoughts:  As I wrote above, this dress is so sweet and so pretty!!  As for the shoes, none for my feet but for a sweet young girl... I like #1 best.  Pair #2 would be my second choice. That decoration on the third pair would probably catch on the fabric of the dress. What are your thoughts?!

Weekend Recap on Monday...

Good golly, the weekend went by fast and all we did was eat!! LOL

Elaine and Jim arrived around 4:30 on Friday.  Bella was happy to be out of the car and I think Elaine and Jim were too!  I had some chicken tortellini soup cooking on the stove and had purchased some yummy mini cornbread loaves at Sam's Club that were moist and delicious!  We had ice cream later for our dessert.

On Saturday morning, Elaine and I went to Publix for a few things and then stopped in at Bealls Outlet and Tuesday Morning.  I found a cute top at Bealls and Elaine got a couple of beach towels at Tuesday Morning.  Jim took Bella to the dog park while we were gone and she was a happy girl when they got home.

Saturday evening, I invited Jill and Murray to dinner so they could meet Elaine and Jim (who rented their house last year at this time).  It was a very fun evening. I made fajitas.  I had chicken and beef, peppers and onions for the tortillas, with sour cream, guacamole, some rice and beans, cheese, lettuce, and salsa (of course).  I also made a pitcher of sangria with orange, lime, and lemon slices in it.  Yummy, if I do say so.   Jill brought key-lime pie for our dessert. It was a fun evening.  We sat in the kitchen because it was easier to reach the platter on the smaller table, and I didn't want to do buffet-style with just five of us.  The kitchen is for good friends and family, anyway.

Jill and Murray (my Canadian neighbors).
(They just sold their house and I could cry.)

Elaine & Jim

I don't do good selfies but I tried!

On Sunday, I went to Sunday school and Elaine and Jim came later for church.  It was communion Sunday and we are doing our communion Sunday potlucks again so I took a chicken, noodle, and broccoli casserole.  It was a nice lunch after church.  For our dinner, we had leftovers and then watched the Super Bowl.

Back to work today.  We are going to Shell's for dinner tonight. Jim's choice since it is his birthday. We will celebrate Valentine's Day too.

More fun ahead this week!!  I'll be checking in as I can and will post as I can. 

Good friends are such a blessing!!

Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends!

Peace & hugs!

The Weekend...

 Just dropping in to say that Jim and Elaine (and Bella) arrived and we will be busy catching up this weekend. I will hopefully have a weekend recap post on Monday but will be absent here and there. I will try to keep up but don't feel bad (please) if I don't comment or get around to everyone.  Thanks for all of your sweet comments yesterday!!  Love you all!

Peace & hugs!

God is SO good!