Eclipse - Storms - Volunteer Dinner - Taxes - Painted Patio

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi  78   Lo 54)  

Monday and Tuesday were the same as normal with Wii bowling, cards, and GBM zoom, diamond art and meditation.  I was going to crochet but helped neighbors with phones and made meals in between events.

Wednesday  started with the eclipse. We had 80% coverage and it was noticeable. I sat outside in front yard for the beginning of the eclipse with Anne and Judy. 

While sitting outside, a black snake went in front of me into the bushes. It's not going to bother us, we need them around for bugs and mice. I've never seen a mouse, guess that's the reason. 

I moved to the lounge patio to join another group for the rest of the afternoon. 

I couldn't get pictures and I'm sure there's a ton of them from the area on the internet. I did get one from Rick, our son in Chicago which was total. 

We had a good time with snacks and wine. The storms started moving in later in the afternoon. We were warned from the managers to bring in everything from the yard due to high winds. They closed the schools and we all took cover. We had tornado watch but in our area no warnings. The town next to us had damage and it was said to be a small tornado, but it wasn't verified by the local media. Besides torrential rains and winds, there was no damage except a few little branches down. 

Thursday was the volunteer dinner which was cancelled yesterday because of the storms. I did go to crochet group and played shuffleboard before going to the dinner. It was a dress up affair, Sunday best. The dining room was decorated so pretty and elegant yet simple. 

We had a piano player, Pam. She played the whole time we were eating.

Dee

This is the latest that was accomplished with the puzzles. They're up on the wall. I had Ryan Hall on youtube with the storms that I watch every time there's storms and he's telling where the tornado warnings are located and to take cover. The wolves are watching and I love it.

The 1000 piece puzzle now on the wall.

One big problem, it's the 13th (before sending out the blog) and I got a letter from the IRS that says  there's a problem with the filing of the taxes. It's due the 15th. I had already worked with taxes on a free site online, but since there was a question about HOW to file being single I let AARP do it at the office here. Seems something went wrong, so I went back to the online preparation and sent in the bank info for payment. It didn't go thru because the email was used from another source. I had a friend check it and found the error that was done here on campus and the website to resend it. After two hours I finally got it to accept the new entry.  Now I wait to see if it went thru and hopefully nothing else will be done.  Next year I'll know how to do it and will work with the online   freetaxusa.com, It's very easy. 

Saturday I worked 3 1/2 hours on the patio. It turned out great!  I'm not as young as I used to be. I'm sore and there's muscles that are yelling at me, Here's the before and after,

Easter Party - Long Time Friends Visiting

 Shalimar, FL  (Hi  77   Lo 48)

Easter was Sunday, again it seems weeks ago. We had a party in our lounge and had a great time. Rosie fixed ham, mash potatoes and corn. There was a couple jello salads and several desserts.

Rosie cutting up the hams

After we ate several of us sat outside. It was a bit chilly so we got the firepit going. The dogs joined us.

Sally in a box

We noticed trees are in full bloom. This is a Tulip Tree, it's alternated with the Crape Myrtle around the villages.

Monday our long time RV'ing friends, Lessie and Ed were here for the rest of the week. They've been fulltime RV'ers for 11 years. They came to see me and the Bob Hope Village to put in their names on the list. Lessie is the other person that told me about this place. 

We did part of what my normal week is but we mostly worked on puzzles. 

Tuesday we did make it to diamond art. Lessie does it too and has a lot of them to do. I took pictures of some of the pictures the gals are working on. 

Wednesday I went to Wii Bowling, then Lessie and Ed joined me for lunch and we worked on the puzzle the rest of the day.  I worked on the top half, 

Lessie worked on the bottom half and the rest of the foxes that I had started. 

                                                            We got it done and this is the result. 

Thursday we started another one, only it's a 1000 piece not a 2000 piece. Side by side there's a ton of difference. 

Thursday morning Lessie and Ed went to the sales office to have the full tour and answer questions they had. I went to activities meeting to see what we're doing for the month. Another long list, so I'll continue to be busy.  We ate lunch at the commons. 

Friday they came later in the morning. They tell me I'm wearing them out. I did make a couple Hellofresh meals and they both loved them. I think once they settle awhile, they'll be making them too. 

We made today a shopping day. I don't get out a lot and there was a lot of stuff I wanted to get like red mulch, and picture frame making items. We worked all afternoon on the big puzzle frame. It wasn't being cooperate at all. The wood is hard and the little nails just wouldn't go thru it. Lessie and Ed left later then they planned and they're leaving in the morning going further south. I'll finish the big puzzle the smaller one is done and on the wall. I'll have the final results hopefully next week. I'll need help getting the big picture above the TV.

Computer, ID Management and Fraud Classes

 Shalimar, Fl  (Hi  73  Lo  59)    To increase size of font, do a control +  to decrease do a control -

This week was a bit different. The regular WII bowling and meditation was on the schedule. I didn't go to diamond art group or the crochet group because I had other places to go.  It sometimes gets hectic in the middle of the month with two or three things the same day and hour. 

Monday after WII bowling I went to a class on Fraud and computer scams. The lady that did the class was from the crime prevention unit at the Okaloosa sheriffs department. Her name is Ashley and she gave us an update on the latest scams and frauds that's happening in our area. It's just getting worse. She gave things to watch out for in the emails and social media.  

                                                Ashley Bailey

Tuesday is was raining really hard so I didn't go to the diamond art. I worked on the puzzle and got some thread organized. I went to meditation for an hour which I really don't want to miss. 

Thursday I skipped crochet group and went to ID Management put on by Hurlburt Air base. They deal with computer scams and phone safety. This class was a lot more involved then the last one. There's so much going on it's hard to keep up. So many of the seniors have been hacked and not know what to do or to call. We were taught "haveibeenpwned"  to check if you're information is on the web and how to clear it. First and foremost, change your passwords. I have a lot to do changing passwords. Plus do a 2 factor authentication which you can do for all your charge cards and banks. When something is charged you'll see it on your phone immediately. Another big thing is to slow down, don't click on just anything. Check it, even if it's from a friend, be sure it's them. 

Friday I got some groceries. I also did some dyed eggs with my neighbor. 

We're collecting the little bunnies that people are finding in the commons area. It was ducks, now it's bunnies. That's so fun to be aware.

Rick and Jack went to NC to see Jim's sisters.

Sharon, Jack, Rick, Robin

Last week I showed the crochet gnomes I'm making. This week it's the 2000 piece puzzle I'm doing in my spare time.

Another month is starting. I'll talk about Easter in next week's blog.

St. Patrick's Day - Council Meeting - Concert

 Shalimar, FL   (Hi  63  Lo 47)    I'VE BEEN ASKED THAT THE FONT IT TOO SMALL. JUST DO A CONTROL +  AND IT WILL ENLARGE. CONTROL   -(minus)  to make smaller.

Sunday seems like months away, but it started out this week with a party for St. Patrick's Day!  One of our gals makes great corn beef and cabbage. It was wonderful. The village pitched in with desserts and sides. (Click on photos to enlarge).

I found out I like this drink. It's like licorice.

We got to the lounge 12:30 and left at 8:15pm. 

Monday was Wii bowling, then dementia class. This class is to inform how to react to those with dementia without causing aggressive reactions. Youtube has a gal that teaches what to watch for and how to react. Teepa Snow is her name. I played cards by 5:00 along with GBM zoom at 7:30. 

Tuesday after the craft class and meditation I had my massage and chiropractor appointment. I'm having trouble with my neck because I pulled a muscle in my neck. How I have no idea how,  but woke up with a stiff neck that I couldn't move left or right. I went back to chiropractor on Thursday for more help, it's finally moving a little more, but will take awhile to get full movement.

Wednesday Wii Bowling and resident council. We heard a lot of info on what's coming up for the village in upgrades and more buildings in the future. Lots of red tape and plans to be done. They also recognized two very important people in our village. Sharon is our social worker and first responder in our villages. She's amazing with answers and assistance in anything we need. She's been here ten years.

                                            Brooks, Sharon, and Bobbie Jo

Volunteer of the year is Hilga. She has helped in the office and has been here many areas in the village. She will go to Orlando for the SE conference leading age volunteer. Congrats to Hilga.

                                                        Brooks, Hilga, and Bobbie Jo

Thursday was dentist appointment. Another cleaning, which is progressing well from six months ago. I guess another age thing with teeth, the gums get weak. I'll keep up with the cleaning so I can keep the teeth. 

Friday we're supposed to get rain this weekend, but the military still held a car wash in our village. The pollen has been really bad so I took the car over for a good cleaning. They do such a great job. I couldn't get out of the car but thought I'd take a couple pictures from inside. 

The rest of Friday was time at home. I had a zoom with the friends from North Carolina but nothing else except getting my weekly meals, making one of them and crocheting or working with the puzzle. 

To catch you up on the little things. One of the residents got a frog for our little flower garden. It's so cute. 

This picture is from one of the chatters on a train in NY. Six guys after a basketball game went up in the luggage racks for their rid home. Three on each side.  Of course they're all on their phones. 

I am trying to make gnomes and several other little things for the August 17 craft fair here on campus. Here's what I've made so far. I'm working on different holidays or months. St. Patrick's day is first with the beer mug and shamrocks.

This is May, but more to come with different colors heads and tiny lady bug or butterfly on top.

Easter bunnies with different heads.

There's a lot more to be made.  

Saturday I made a couple meals, did some housework and went to a concert. https://www.mulligansband.net/    

I went with my neighbor Anne and it was great.

A bunch of old guys doing fantastic singing from the 60 and 70's with an audience of the same age. They were doing a benefit for the kids that are placed in foster homes.  

It was in Ft Walton center,We sat nice and close.

There were several from the Villages that we knew. Anyone could dance in front of the stage. 

I'll see you next week. Thank you for reading.