Casting Party

Next, two weeks in the cast to immobilize the joint 

giving the base of the thumb and a tendon bridge a chance 

to scar and become more stable. 

Progress

Downtown

 In February we moved between Crystal River and Beverly Hills, FL.

I haven't explored my new community, and I really ought to spend more time to do so.

The town is cute. 

There are about two blocks of shops and restaurants.

The town was established around 1900 and there are a few

older buildings that remain. Sadly, this area is prone to flooding 

during hurricanes. There are still a few businesses that are not open

following flooding from last year's hurricanes: Helene & Milton. 

The 'Town Hall' was a WPA project and originally served

as the Fire & Police departments as well as the jail.

Currently it is The Coastal Heritage Museum.

(Google maps indicate that it is temporarily closed.)

I met my local sewing group, the Peacekeepers, for lunch at a 

delightful café, bakery and boutique. 

(Amy's on the Avenue)

I brought a special project with me. 

Bonnie is working on it, on the right. 

Terry helped roll my trimmed project so I could carry it home.

Neither "the Mister" nor I could use my right-handed scissors

to cut out the deer appliqué for the wall hanging I am making. 

It's nice to have friends who are willing to help,

even while at lunch!

 

Oops...Over She Goes

The "Mister" and I both have stubborn, I can do it myself, dispositions. This occasionally creates interesting situations. Case in point:

The "Mister" wanted to off-load a huge tool chest that has been hanging out on the trailer since we moved. It was waiting for a space to call its own. That space is finally ready. 

The tool chest is on wheels, but it is extremely heavy. He rigged up straps, pulleys, what-cha-ma-call-its and doohickies to get the chest down the ramp slowly & safely, onto the floor. It worked without a hitch until it hit a hitch! The chest was off the ramp, except for the back two wheels. They had inches to go before they met the drop at the end of the trailer ramp. One wheel stepped down first. That upset the balance of the chest, and over it toppled. 

The "Mister" called me over to help him. His idea of help was for me to be on hand to call 911 if his plan to right the chest didn't work well!

His scheme plan worked:

No call to 911 needed. 

Pizza

It's Lori's fault. 

Her Naan Pizza always looks good enough to grab it off the computer screen.

The other day I saw Naan Bread at ALDI.

I grabbed it, and ta-da...

My toaster oven has an air fryer mode. 

The pizza had a delightfully crispy crust. 

Thanks for the inspiration, Lori. 

 

I thought I Heard Santa's Elves

 I was exercising at Lowes. 

i.e. I was trying to find which aisle was hiding my husband! 

I kept hearing tapping, so I wandered on until I came to a table with moms, dads, and kids working on a project together. 

This warmed my heart! 

I love the expressions on all of the faces as this family explored the contents of their kit. 

I had to wander on, but my steps were a little lighter. 

Mistake? Maybe?

Time will tell!

The town where I now live has a Newcomer's Club for the surrounding communities.  Last spring I kept reading things about the group, with pictures showing women doing all kinds of things in the area.  

I decided to join the group. I've never done anything like this before....and I'm not sure it's my 'style'.  However, I figured I would never know unless I tried it. 

Almost daily I get an email listing some activity or another that I can participate in: duck-pin bowling, a bus trip to a theater production, a knitting/crochet get together, lunch with "The Lunch Bunch", dinner theater trips, ornament making, and even a trip to Italy. The opportunities go on and on.  

This week I went to a Christmas Card making activity. It was OK. I enjoyed listening to the chatter around me as I made a few cards. The hostess had everything very organized and there were all kinds of pretty papers and embellishments for the cards. 

About 20 minutes before the activity was set to finish I discovered that the two women sitting nearest to me lived in my neighborhood. I enjoyed discovering that connection. They are very involved in the club, and roped me into attending an upcoming luncheon. Next, I was told, they have a small group that offers more activities in my 'hood': cards, lunch groups, and Mahjong, for example. And, would I like to go out to lunch with their group next week?

I may have just tripped and fallen into the deep end of the pool without a life jacket!

Time will tell!

Freeze Your Buns

This picture came up on my FaceBook memories from 2014. 

We were living in Parker, CO. 

Cold weather is the norm at this time of year

....everywhere. 

I guess it just seems to come earlier each year, even though it doesn't.