UTC Lady Mocs vs #1 UConn

Well, it was a tough night - a learning experience.
UTC Lady Mocs 31, UConn 79.
Folks, the #1 team in the country is awesome (and you know how I hate to say that).

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, dear one.

Never on Thanksgiving, but

We celebrate you.

What it takes

Family!  Friends!  Love!

That's what it takes to make life worth living.

And sometimes we just throw in some good food - just for fun.

Post- and pre- Thanksgiving Friday

I had a Thanksgiving dinner with friends at home yesterday (good smoked turkey).

I drove to Margaret's midday today.  I drove the back roads, avoiding the interstate, and had good roads and no traffic at all - a very pleasant drive.  We've made dressing, and done some other prep for our family Thanksgiving tomorrow.  Jesse is here, and he grilled steaks for our dinner tonight - Yum!  She got the country ham cooked yesterday - the samples were delicious.  There should be about 15 or so here tomorrow.  I think I'll probably stay overnight tomorrow, too, and go home Sunday morning.  I don't want to drive at night - and I'll stay off the interstate then, too. 

Thanksgiving

Holidays will be tough for us this year - we've had so much loss and sadness and upheaval.  But I have so much to be thankful for.

Sixty years of marriage to a wonderful man, my love and my best friend.

Four fantastic daughters we had together and who gave us six amazing grandchildren.

Thirty-six years with the sweet man who was married to our daughter and fathered two great sons.

Friends who always give us love and joy.

The Wednesday before

The full moon is gorgeous tonight.  And it's shining in my sliding glass doors, right where I sit.

Our Lady Mocs won 55-54 over a tough Arkansas State team tonight.  I'll miss Saturday's game because I'll be at Margaret's.  And we host UConn on Monday.

Slightly different Monday

The pool was open today, but the temperature was only up to about 77 (it's usually 82).  We're just not going into the water at that temperature.  So we skipped class today, and just did coffee (LOL).
I ran some errands, and then played bridge.  I had a few good cards, but probably not enough to finish in the top bunch.  The best hand was making a bid that had been doubled by our "Mr. Know-It-All" - that was sweet.

I remembered to turn on the radio to listen to the Lady Mocs/Lady Vols game.  The Lady Mocs were behind 38-19 at the half, but finished losing by only two points, 59-57!  And this was in Knoxville! 

Working weekend

Sue and Margaret worked so hard this weekend.  They both left today with overloaded vehicles - taking things that they wanted or to store until the grandkids could pick up things they wanted.  The house is mostly empty now (except for the dust bunnies).  The refrigerator is still there - to be picked up by Andy sometime.  Jean is coming back for the washer, dryer, a piece of porch furniture, and the stained glass.

I'm not holding my breath that the sale of the house to the couple who's been looking at it is going to work out.  It seems to have hit a stalemate at the moment.  I've gone over the scenario with Sue & Margaret and told them that I'm almost ready to just go ahead and contact a realtor and let him/her handle all this stuff.  They're okay with that - or with whatever works. We shall see.

Five Things Friday

1. Another bright sunshiny day!
2. Coffee with the swimmers - even without swimming.
3. Haircut!!
4. Refund from cancelled Road Scholar trip arrived.
5. The Lady Mocs didn't play well tonight, but managed to pull out a 53-48 win in overtime over a scrappy Southern Mississippi team.  At least it shows up as a "W" in the stats.

Miscellany

It's been a beautiful bluebird-sky kind of day today - after all the rain yesterday.  I went by the house this morning, but didn't think to check the rain gauge.  It's probably overflowing - I don't think it's been emptied more than once since I moved out.  The crepe myrtle outside my door has completely changed color - and in the sunshine, it was beautifully red/orange/yellow - so pretty against the blue sky.

I got some errands run this morning.  I've been toting lots of coats from the back closets around in my car, waiting for a good chance to get them to the homeless shelter.  Since it's supposed to be in the 20s tonight, I made a point of getting them there today.  I'm SO glad to be giving them to folks who really need them.

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I must make a comment on recent political rhetoric.  It is reprehensible that anyone, least of all a candidate for President of the United States should be proposing a religious test for people applying for admission to this country or even already in this country.  "Reprehensible" not a strong enough word for the way I feel - incomprehensible, disgusting, unAmerican, obscene - I can't seem to come up with a strong enough word.

Speechless

I have been and continue to be rendered speechless by all the wonderful help, concern, and especially love from so many people.  I am absolutely overcome, and just hope I can return this love in some measure in the years to come.

Sunday six

1. Sunshine and cold.
2. The girls worked all day at the house.
3. Stephen and I went to the Lady Mocs game.
4. Lady Mocs 60, Butler 49.
5. Dinner at Noodles & Pho with Carol and Stephen, Jean and Jamie.
6. Brewster's cinnamon ice cream for dessert.

Lots of love

Beautiful day today - clear and cold!

Jean and her friend came to get most of the remaining stuff packed up at the house to get it ready for Sue and Margaret to finish it up next weekend.  The girls have all done yeoman (or is it yeo-woman) service through all this.  I don't know what I'd have done without them.  Much love to you all!

Paris

How awful for Paris and France!  Our hearts go out to the French people.

Quiet Thursday

It was quiet here this morning.  We had some overnight rain, but the front came through, with a little wind.  Then the sun shone brightly the rest of the day. 

I was headed out to the Silver Sneakers class this morning, when the maintenance guys showed up to install my curtain rods.  So no exercise for me today.  They got interrupted about half-way through, but came back later to finish up.  The curtains look nice and, while not very noticeable, at least soften the windows and sliding glass doors. 

The death certificates finally arrived, and I have a stack of letters ready to mail.  Most have to be sent with "return receipt requested", so I have to go to the post office. 

And UTC women's basketball starts tomorrow night! 

We honor all Veterans!

We honor all our veterans - especially Bobby and Jesse!
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After swimming this morning, I went to Lowe's and got a shelf to go over the desk I'll be using.  It's one Margaret got, but never used (actually an old dressing table).  It'll work, but I need a shelf to put "stuff" on.  It's just a simple one board thing.  Now to get it installed.  Our pool is going to be closed all next week while the Y puts in a new hvac system in the pool area. We'll surely miss it.

That was about all the excitement for the day.

Sunshine!

I went to the dentist this morning.  A 55+ year old gold onlay had started to "leak", and needed to be removed and replaced.  Fortunately it came off easily, and he was able to just fill the place, rather than do a crown.  I've finally started receiving my widow's payments from John's pension, and went to deposit those checks (already set up for direct deposit now).  Next, I got in a short Walmart run, including getting pictures taken to renew my passport.  So much for outside work for the day.

The official death certificates have finally arrived from Alberta.  And I have a new wireless printer (thanks for hooking it up, Kate).  I did some printing and copying tonight, so tomorrow, I'll start getting things ready to mail, and with any luck, get some of the paperwork finalized.

It was great to have some blue skies and sunshine here today, too.  And the temperatures have dropped to much more November-type levels.

Laying him to rest

I'm back home now, but it's been a long, busy weekend.  The girls were all supposed to be here this weekend to get most of the house cleared out.  Of course, with Bobby's death, that didn't happen quite that way.  Sue, Kate, and Jean were here Friday night, and worked like Trojans Saturday morning.  They completely filled the dumpster I'd had delivered.  Sue went on to Margaret's (an hour + west of here) Saturday night.  Kate, Jean, and I came here to shower and clean up.  Then we went to Margaret's for the visitation.  We came back here Saturday night, not the most comfortable for them, but it worked.  I got the bed - Kate and Jean slept in the recliners.  Sunday morning, we went back to the house to pick up a and organize a few things, then again, cleaned up and headed for Margaret's for the funeral.

Bobby had joined a church earlier this year, and the pastor from his church spoke.  His tribute to Bobby, Margaret and their boys was exceptional.  A small group from the church sang three old hymns a cappella to complement the service.  It was a wonderful service in this small rural town.  The auto procession to the cemetery was very long.  I don't know about customs in other places but, particularly in rural areas around here, oncoming traffic pulls over and stops for a funeral procession - and that was certainly the case yesterday. Margaret and Bobby had picked out a plot in a cemetery in an even smaller community.  And the cemetery and the plot adjoins the farm of one of Bobby's oldest friends.  Bobby had been in the Coast Guard, so there was a flag on the coffin.  Two very young Coast Guardsmen came to fold the flag and present it to Margaret.  As I said, they were very young, and not very crisp, but it was still a very moving experience.

We all went back to Margaret's after the service.  Folks from the church and Bobby's family who live in the area had brought great quantities of food.  We all ate and got in lots of visiting and reminiscing, too.  Kate, Jean, and I stayed in a nearby motel last night, then went back to Margaret's this morning for breakfast.  The boys are still there until tomorrow, but the rest of us came home near lunchtime.

It's a tough time.

Tough day

It's been a tough day.  Sue, Kate, and Jean like Trojans, cleaning out the house.  They're not finished yet, but they filled up the dumpster this morning.  I'll have to see if they'll empty it and bring it back.  Still stuff to do.

Sue went on to Margaret's, while the rest of us came back to the apartment to shower and change clothes.  We headed over the mountain and met up with them at the funeral home. The visitation for Bobby was tonight, and the funeral will be tomorrow afternoon.  It's been tough for everybody.

We'll all be glad when this shitty year is over!

R.I.P., BDS

A good father, and

A good husband, and a good

Gardener. He'll be missed.

Out of the past

     On my way to exercise class this morning, I noticed some "Welcome to the Terrace" signs on several doors, and I recognized one of the names.  It was "Bob S."  There was a guy by this name that John knew from the rowing club.  It's not an uncommon name, but I wondered if it was the same guy.

     As the fates would have it, I wound up sitting at the dinner table with this man, who turned out to be not only "Bob", but THE Bob.  He moved in only five days ago.

     As we talked, I remembered that Bob and John had worked together at duPont. John had been a kayaker, but it was beginning to take a toll on his shoulders.  He was talking to Bob, and Bob said when John retired, he should try out rowing.  This was in 1991.  John retired at the end of 1991, and the following spring, he took a class to learn how to row.  As they say, the rest is history.

     We had a nice chat and, of course, he was sorry to hear of John's death.  We'll be talking again, I'm sure.  It was a treat to find someone from the past.  But it makes me sad that there's no one who knows both of them to share the story with.

Wednesday bullet points

• While fixing my breakfast, I burned the toast, and set off the smoke alarms.
• That triggered the alarms in the whole building.
• Nurses and aides came running.
• All this before 6:30 a.m..  How embarrassing!
• Always swimming and coffee.
• Came back home to meet Vicki.
• She hung some more pictures for me.
• After lunch, I went to the Resident's Council meeting, where folks complained about the fire alarm. I didn't confess - too humiliating.
• That was all the excitement for the day.

More moving

I was out most of the day.  Sue's husband came to the house to pick up the pieces that Alison wanted.  We had a handyman who came to help him (fortunately).  He pretty much filled up a U-Haul truck, and the guy went with him to help him unload at his mother's house (It's complicated).  They had to take the door off its hinges to get the desk out of the office, but no other problems.  I have no idea how we managed to get the desk got into the room in the first place.  Anyhow, nothing going on there until the weekend when the dumpster is delivered and the girls come.

By the time I headed home, I had already missed lunch, so I decided to do a Walmart run.  I went to the one closest to the apartment, so it took me a while to find things - and never did find a couple of things on my list. Better luck next time.

Monday, Monday

Monday was an all-day event - as usual.  But I did have the great pleasures of a haircut and a mani/pedi.

I'm struggling with learning to use and getting used to using my new laptop.  It's a Lenovo - and I like the feel and weight of the device.  But it has Windows 10, and that does have a learning curve. It has a VERY sensitive finger pad.  I got some advice from Seniors & Friends about how to make it at least less sensitive, so that's something. I've re-found a lot of my Favorites, but haven't been able to completely transfer everything from the old one to the new one. Then I'll have to figure out the new printer.

It does go on.

Quiet Sunday

Absolutely nothing unusual going on today.  It was nice, for a change.