Thanksgiving Miracle

Let me go back to last month and tell you about our Thanksgiving miracle in Jacksonville. My 92 year old Dad has been unable to walk due to spinal stenosis for the last two years. His wonderful caregiver, Richard, would pick him up and put him in his powered chair and then back to bed. Last summer, we were devastated when our much loved caregiver had to resign due to health issues. We were so worried, but found a very capable replacement in Linda. Unknown to us, she was on a mission to get Dad on his feet, a goal that Mom has prayed for for a long time. And, though we had faith, we would roll our eyes, and didn't think it was an answer that was possible.

At our family gathering for Thanksgiving, we witnessed an answer to Mom's prayer. Through Linda's efforts, Dad walked. The family cheered and some cried. It was our Thanksgiving miracle.

I tell this story to illustrate two important lessons. First, the power of prayer, and second, good things can come out of seemly bad things (Richard's leaving).

Now, whatever the obstacle, we can pray with confidence and wait for the silver lining. For this I am grateful.

Party Time

We don't have many opportunities to dress up and party, but this weekend we attended two parties within 24 hours! We were guests of my BFF, Rae, at the Elks Club on Friday night. Tony's Big Band was the feature and the menu was Prime Rib. It had to be the biggest Prime Rib I've ever seen and the best I ever tasted. Fortunately, Maurice and I shared it and the veggies and baked potato and I just ordered the soup and salad bar. It was fun to watch the dancing and to take a spin on the floor once ourselves, as Rae took pictures. We had a wonderful time.

The next day at 12:30 we were off to the the Golden 'ears Holiday Party. This is the Disney retiree's club. It was a dress up affair and yes, we wore the same outfits, even joked about just sleeping in them. The entertainer sounded like Kenny G and Jimmy Buffet alternately. The turkey was very moist and tasty. I thought I was completely turkey-ed out by now, but I really did enjoy it. It was fun seeing the people we only get together with twice a year. Of course, the usual health updates were not so good. Even Santa was out of commission for this party. But, we did take home a beautiful potted poinsettia. We were home in time for a nap and then to watch the fantastic Alabama/Florida game. Got all our partying off the list in one great weekend. Life's good!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

What ever possessed me to think I could run a blog? Here it is December and I didn't even cover the wonderful Thanksgiving we had at Jacksonville, and our house. Well, here are my Christmas table decorations. The tree is up and smelling wonderful and the mantle is trimmed with the manger scene. The front has icicle lights and the yard has poinsettias. Now, for the finishing touches of wrapping and finishing the presents. Our theme this year is an old-fashioned Christmas with home-made presents and ornaments from days of old on the tree. The motto is "Less is better" and I hope all will agree. Let's reflect on the true meaning of the Holiday and be thankful for God's wonderful gift. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Birthday Weekend

I had a wonderful birthday weekend. I'm turning a new page in life to bonafide, card-carrying senior citizen. It's fun to reach a special place in time where we say "Let's reinvent ourselves." But then again, I've done that a time or two.This year, I seek to have fewer possessions, of better quality. I hope to use the phase, "How can I help you", more often. Let's all "reach across the aisle". So, although I had good food, great presents, the best thing of all was hearing from all my "chicks" as well as my siblings and Mom and Dad. For your family knows you best and where your heart really lies.

The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Weekend doings

This weekend we went to Flea World and had a nice walk around looking at things but not buying much. I did score a beautiful topaz ring for my birthday, and some mundane vacuum cleaner bags not for my birthday. We splurged with hot dogs and ice cream, then went by to see my brother and sister-in-law in Longwood. We always like to visit them on our way home.

We got to see the pictures of the new puppy they will be getting next month. She's an adorable black and tan long-haired dachshund named Lucy. She isn't old enough to leave her mom yet. It will be a fun addition to their house.

While there, we saw their neat electric fireplace. It's just a nice size, without a big mantel, and they said it really heats the room. Mo was really for it, so that evening we went to Lowe's to see if they still carried it. They did and it was on sale for nearly half price. Unfortunately, they were sold out. The clerk checked on the Winter Garden store for us and they had two left. We asked them to save one for us and we zipped right over. The store is located in the beautiful Fowler Groves Village. It was surprising to see how many people were in all the stores on a Sunday night. The place was buzzing.

After scoring our quest, which was the last one in a box, we ate at our favorite Panda Express. Didn't feel like a big meal, though we will be trying the Longhorn's in that area soon.

My photo of the fireplace is fuzzy. It's not easy to get the picture without a flash which washed out the "flames".

All in all, a fun day and a busy weekend.

Fall Decorations

I finally got my fall decorations out and am in the process of changing closets. I put away all my summer clothes and get out the winter ones. It's rainy and overcast. A perfect day for this job. It's hard to think of winter in Florida when it's in the 80's.

Visiting Grandkids

I visited with Jake and Chloe today in Independence, Florida. Well, their actual address is in Winter Garden, but the community is Independence. We hadn't seen each other since they visited us at Ormond Beach Ocean East timeshare. I was so happy to see them.

They were anxious to show me their joint Website. A very nicely done project for 11 and 9 year olds. They were impressed to see that I had a blog site and they put a link to me on their Webpage. I'll link to them here.

We had lots of fun playing Rummicub together with their Mom and Dad. Pop Pop took a nap. Chloe and Mom Julie won the first game, Dad Eric won the second, with Jake coming in second. Good brain work from all.

A very nice Sunday afternoon.

first day

Hi folks,

This is my first day of blogging. And, just as the name implies, I'm a busy, busy bee. So, don't expect to see things every day. Just a trial run here and there.

I'm in Orlando, Florida and things that keep me busy are my garden (flowers and vegetables), sewing, crafts, reading (especially the New Yorker), and my women's club, Sorosis of Orlando. I'm learning to play Bridge and have a new respect for all those who play. It's a mental work-out!

Besides all of that, I work part time as a Licensed Massage Therapist, (36 years), and am a proud mother of four, grandmother of six, wife and daughter, too. Did I mention I was busy?

Well, that's it for my First Day.