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?
We all worked together at the Museum.
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?!
Yikes, tomorrow is March already? Wow...I guess I am still in lala land of February. I loved seeing your pictures and all the wonderful people in your life. I am sorry that more of your friends are moving away. That is sad. But I know God always seems to bring new people in when the old move away, so it's like that little song we sang in Girl Scouts, "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold." Sounds like you had a great week with lots of good food, laughter, and friends. God is good. And now you have some peace and quiet and back to work, but routine is good too. Take care and breathe deep. It's a new day!
ReplyDeleteY'all wearing shorts and sandles, grin. SOON!!! Grinning--always a delight to come here and visit, my friend.
ReplyDeleteLove your pics. It looks like such fun. Makes me want to move back to Florida just to be a part of it.
ReplyDeleteYep, time March's on. *smile*
Love & Prayers xx
Love to hear about your times with good friends. As so many of them are moving away, I hope you make many new ones. Loved reading about your week and seeing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou had a full week and I am sure some rest will be in order. If only we could slow all that changing down. One of our closest couple friends moved away and I am still a bit in shock over it. Those sweet little kitties made me laugh that they reclaimed their territory.
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a good work week.
Well, you were certainly missed -- but I'm thrilled you enjoyed a great visit(s) with Good Friends. There's nothing like them!
ReplyDeletePS - I was going to cite that GS song, but Pam beat me to it! 😉
Makes me happy to read about your friends and the wonderful visits you have together!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time you had last week, Terri, with so many friends! Thanks for catching us up on all your news.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Yes, life does march on and keep changing. I grew up with a big boisterous extended family and as the older ones passed away and the younger ones got spread out all over the country we just drifted and don't get together these days. I'm not crazy about it, but it is what it is and as you say, we have Facebook to help us keep in touch. I can't believe it's been 5 years since you moved. I remember you writing about it like it was yesterday and I have always been slightly in awe of the community you've enjoyed there. I'm so glad you've had it this past year. I'm glad, too, that you had a wonderful time with your friends.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I moved to a new blog today. https://instacysshoes.blogspot.com
I will get your new blog added to my Feedly!! Thanks for letting me know! xo
DeleteYou've had so much fun and I know you'll miss these friends and it will be quiet this week. But you have a gift for drawing special friends to you so I know you'll have a good week! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteChange is so hard sometimes. But having a good attitude keeps you moving forward. I know that your attitude is why you are blessed with so many friends in your life. Glad you got this time with your friends!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time!
ReplyDeleteI love all your friends, Terri, and the good times you have with them. But yes, changes happen along the way and I’m really feeling it lately. I’m realizing how many people are in nursing homes or have passed away who were our first church friends when we moved to State College 12 years ago. Also failed marriages in our family that make me so sad when I look back on FB memories. Trying to be positive like you are.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it is March 1 either. Change is so hard and I hate looking around and realizing that folks who were here before . . . are no longer. I love reading about your friendships and what fun you have together.
ReplyDeleteSounds fun! You are blessed with the wonderful people in your life and the good times you just shared.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to do a little shopping Lakeside Village too. Sounds like a nice variety of things you did.
Next time we come to Florida I think we are starting on the gulf side and it would be fun to spend a day in Lakeland. You truly have a lovely city there.
Sounds like you've had a fun, friend-filled couple of weeks. I'm glad you enjoyed time with visitors and that you're doing so well and home feels like home.
ReplyDelete