It really seems like I just did the last Friday Focus a couple of days ago. Time is going much too fast.
I have had a very chill week and have not one new picture to share here today. Not one.
On Wednesday, I went to lunch at the Peking House restaurant with my friend, Shirley. If you have been here for a while, you know Shirley is a long-time friend who has been part of my museum lunch group since 2010. We are the only two left from that group (two deaths, and two who retired and moved away), but we still have lunch once a month. Shirley is a widow, 89 years young, still driving, still lives alone with her dog, Tinker, and is as sharp as a tack. She is funny, an accomplished seamstress, and does needlepoint like a pro. She hates having to use a walker, but laughs and says she can go faster than when she just uses her cane. Shirley's son retired and moved back to Lakeland from Texas. I'm glad he is close now, and that they go to church together on Sundays.
Yesterday, I had Bible study, and when I got home, my neighbor, Susan, asked if I wanted to go to the Mall. Yes, we still have a mall. Sears is gone, Macy's is gone, Burlington is gone... but J.C. Penney is still there, and so is Dillard's (department store).
Susan told me Penney's was having a big sale with pink-tagged items at only $5.00!! She found some things a couple of days ago, and wanted to go again, so off we went! I did find a pair of slacks for $5.00!! It still feels weird that I don't need "tall" anymore, and that I actually fit into a smaller size. We also went to Dillards, where I found a pair of capris and a top, both on sale (but not $5.00). We hit the food court for soft pretzels and lemonade before we headed home (Susan treated!!). I hadn't been to the Mall since before Covid. It is nice to see people there and lots of smaller stores open. I saw on the news that the younger set (Gen Z?) is shopping in person now, and malls are beginning to make a comeback. The food court was full of mini restaurants, and quite a few people were eating. Hooray for that!
The Mas Verde Dinner Group did not go out last night. Larry (wife Sharon) is in the hospital again, Judy and Tim are traveling, Sandy and Bob went to Disney, and Ginny and John are traveling. That left just me, LOL. I had plenty to eat right here at home.
Today is my great-nephew, Ezra's, 4th birthday (in Ohio). His party was last weekend. I have pictures, but I am not allowed to post them on social media. He is into space, astronauts, planets, etc., and that was the theme of his party. Speaking of birthdays, both of my sisters have birthdays coming up, June 1st and June 5th. I have gifts ready to send and will get to the post office today, so they are on the way.
It's a holiday weekend. I have no plans on purpose. I could have, should have, invited a few folks for Monday, but I just decided it's okay to have nothing to do. Yes. What are your plans?
men and women who gave their lives for our country.
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me."
No plans here, Terri. Just some pool time and relaxing. Wishing you a beautiful day. smiles
ReplyDeleteOH, shopping at a Mall...and JC Penney's! I miss that so much! We used to have a small mall here in Palatka, and it had a Penney's, but they pulled out a few years ago and that was pretty much the end of the "mall". However, a Rose's store and an Ollie's went in where they were. Not exactly the same thing, and they do not open onto the "Mall". All the remaining stores, such as they are, just open to the parking lot. I could go to Gainesville or Ocala to shop at a Mall, but that's just too far to go. I do miss shopping at Penney's, however. I literally cry when I go into the Roses store here and remember when it was a Penney's. So sad. Oh well, I'm happy for you and your $5.00 bargains!!! How cool is that?
ReplyDeleteSo glad you and Shirley can still enjoy lunch together occasionally. I am sure she appreciates you being there too! Re: Memorial Day...our church is having a picnic on Monday at the "Parsonage", which is the house that a pastor could live in, but our pastor has his own house, so we use it for our ladies' meetings and Bible Study and for this annual Memorial Day picnic in the back yard. We are actually supposed to get some rain Monday, so I don't know for sure what the back up plan is. Personally, I'd rather have the rain than the picnic. LOL!!!!! I hope you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend. Yes, "God bless the U.S.A."!!!!
Terri, I know you had an enjoyable lunch with your friend, Shirley. I don't think the Penney's is still left in the almost nonexistent mall in Charlottesville. I know Belk is still there and where Sears was, a Home Depot renovated that end and moved in. I love that song by Lee Greenwood. Have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDeleteI miss being able to shop at JCPenney's in person!
ReplyDeleteWe walked in our mall last week. Hadn't been there for some time and there's lots of empty spots so I don't know how long it'll last. But we have a Penney's too, and a Kohls.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing nothing on Memorial Day either, just a relaxing day!
Sometimes it's nice to just have 'nothing planned'. I am still out of town and will be getting home around midnight on Sunday. That song by Lee Greenwood is one of my favorites! God bless the USA! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI heard the same on the news that malls are making a comeback with the younger generation. I think that's a good thing! We don't have anything planned for this weekend, either, Terri, and it actually feels good. Enjoy a quiet weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove that a little one loves space --- Lindsay decorated for me for my 60th with a space theme. I was over the moon. Pun intended!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to go shopping and actually enjoy it. I mourn the loss of our mall. I loved going in the "old days." I think the mortar stores have almost gone by the way in our town. I think we almost have too many choices too. I must be old:)
No plans here, either. We'll put up a flag out in the front yard. I think hubby plans to fly the black POW/MIA flag. I like it when he does that for Memorial Day. We are sooo blessed, all of us in the USA.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun going to the mall with you and I was so happy that you found some nice pants for $5.00!! It is always exciting to find great deals! I also enjoyed walking through the mall with you and eating Auntie Anne's pretzels! Looking forward to going to the farmer's market tomorrow with you and Sandy.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any plans and I am okay with that. Our mall has the same big stores closed. I hope it does make a come back - but I think ours is too late. I think weekends of rest are good.
ReplyDeleteGosh, an honest-to-goodness shopping mall? How reassuring!
ReplyDeleteThis holiday actually snuck up on me/us. Odd, because the city's Memorial Day observance/concert isn't until the 29th. Oh well, we'll probably just stay home and watch the concert from Washington DC.
A chilled wee sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteShirley sounds like a great friend and a wonderful woman.
What fun to go to the mall and it sounds like you got some great bargains.
Happy birthday to your great nephew Ezra.
We have a holiday weekend here too with no plans on Monday as it's set to be really hot. I think I will just potter around in the garden.