Hello, Dear Friends,
All my good intentions went right out the window ~ it's been a month since I blogged. *big sigh*
Hmmmm...the last time I was here with you, I was getting ready to take Mom home, do her church bulletin board for spring, and attend our church open air Gospel Sing. Two out of three isn't too bad, I guess. I took Mom home, stopping for lunch on the way (keeping priorities straight!). The church bulletin board is done, but the Gospel Sing was cancelled due to cold weather. These Floridians are really wimps ~ hehehe.
Book Discussion at the library was about "The Zookeeper's Wife" by Diane Ackerman. It was a true story about war time in Poland. Quite interesting, actually. I do read books due to this group that I would not normally pick. I guess the librarian would say I'm broadening my horizons....lol! I do enjoy it, though. There is some interesting discussion and varrying points of view that come to light during that hour on the second Monday of every month!
My Stampin' Up! demonstrator has classes at her home (Amanda's Stamp Pad) several times a month ~ I'm sure I told you this before. I attend two Tuesdays each month for the classes that interest me. One is "Get Punchy" where several cards are created using the different paper punches. This is really right down my alley, 'cuz I love to "build" cards. The other one is "Scrap 'n Cards" class, which is making three cards and three corresponding scrapbook pages. Cute, cute, cute! I've used a few of these in Connie's album ~ yes, I'm still working on her album (birth through high school ~ and never mind how old she is ~ suffice it to say, I have enough pictures and projects to last me 'til Jesus comes!). And the Tuesday group at Amanda's is just the best. We have become great friends ~ and lunch at TGI Friday's usually tops it all off.
The pastor's wife had a birthday party for the pastor ~ at their little Italian Wagon on Saturday, the 13th of March. It may as well have been Friday the 13th for me, because as we sat outside at the tables, in a rather chilly wind, for an hour, a little "coughy, bronchitisy" bug entered my body. Sunday morning, my throat was quite sore and the cough was in progress and developing nicely. (nicely???) Badly! Mark and I were due to fly to the San Francisco area on the next Thursday ~ he was going to speak at a medical conference and I was gonna just tag along because I can... so I thought to myself, "Self, just lie here in bed and pamper yourself with lots of vitamin C and orange juice, and chicken noodle soup, etc., and you'll be fine by Thursday." So I did! But I wasn't! *sob* It was very, very sad to watch Mark walk out the door Thursday morning without me. You've seen kids throwing temper tantrums ~ kicking and screaming and pounding their fists? That's exactly how I felt inside. Why, oh why had I gone to that birthday party anyway! Mark was busy with a project at work, so I went alone ~ so WHY had I gone? Waaaa, waaaa, waaaa!
Now, here it is April 2, and I'm just now feeling better ~ really better. I have been up and at it, sort of, for several days, but not really feeling good. Thankfully, I believe it is now in the past. I do NOT recommend whatever it was. If you want to lay around and take it easy for a few days, just do it ~ but don't get sick so you have an excuse.... =(
I have been taking a Conversational Spanish class at the YMCA for the past several Thursdays. One of the seniors who in in Silver Sneakers, is from Spain, and he is teaching the class. I thought it would be a class where we would just learn several common phrases and be able to greet someone, ask a few questions and give a few answers, ya know? I mean how much can you learn in 10 2-hour classes? But this dear, sweet guy gets sidetracked every week with conjugating verbs in all tenses and telling us about all the genders and moods that change words completely. I'm in way over my head and can only remember a couple things, like, Hola! (hello), and Buenos dias (good morning, or good day) and Como esta? (how are you?) and muy bien, gracias (very well, thanks). That's about it. I do know that poco means some and pocito means very little, probably because that sums up my Spanish! lol! It has been enjoyable, though, because the group in the class is fun and we do a LOT of laughing at ourselves and each other. =D
One of my Red Hat sisters has started a Bible Study in her home ~ not as a Red Hat activity, but just a few friends going through one of Max Lucado's books, "Cast of Characters." Max has a delightful ability to communicate ~ his word pictures are great. We have a salad or a sandwich, then read and discuss a chapter in the book, then play games, then go home. Actually quite enjoyable. And what a fun way to share your faith!
The physician I "chose" when we moved to Florida was one of these ~ go down the list of physicians in the insurance book ~ look for an American name (ha!) ~ and when your finger stops, call that doctor and make an appointment ~ kind of thing. I went to him a few times through the first year, but wasn't really happy. My doctor in St. Louis was the BEST and I felt helpless to know what to do about finding a good one here. Then I thought about the many friends I have made since I got here, and decided to ask for their recommendations! Idea ~ there's one! *wink* My Red Hat Queen Mum, Helen, suggested her physician that she has gone to for years (she's from here), so I went to see him this week. Only one visit, but I felt much better about the whole situation. As I walked out of his office, I heard another piece of my puzzle of life click into place. Thank you, Helen. =)
Did I tell you I have two new grandbabies coming soon? Both Connie and Debbie are due in May. Can you believe what that's going to do to my travel schedule? One on each end of the country! Keep tuned ~ I'll do my best to keep you posted! Connie's having another girl, and Debbie's having a boy. I've not been privy to the name choices, but I've contributed quite a list (NOT serious ones, though). lol!
April is shaping up to be a busy month, so as things happen, I will endeavor to get them down on "paper." You'll have to watch closely to keep up with...
The Russells at Richmond Place
