5 Stores, 5 LOL Visits

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Great Alabama weather going on right now. We decided to take advantage of the good weather and dedicated today to the errands of the LOLs (Little Old Ladies). We left home at 8:30 and returned about 4:30 and didn’t take a break for lunch. We made purchases for all four LOLs as well as ourselves. We started the day stopping at Aunt Helen’s for the shopping list. We had received Juno’s instructions yesterday because we didn’t expect her to be up when we left. However she was up and doing her morning devotion. Love her dedication to daily Bible study. What a wonderful example she remains even in her frail condition. Next was on to Trussville to visit with Aunt Jean at the assisted living and take an inventory of what she needed. She also had a couple of bills that needed to be paid. After taking care of those duties it was time to hit the stores. First was Sam’s Club for Jean, Juno and ourselves. Then Walmart for Jean, Helen, Juno, Mama Ruby and us. Next was Aldi and we think that was just for us. You know it is hard to work five lists at the same time. And yes, it takes more than one buggy and good organizational skills to keep things straight as far as payment, and loading in car in reverse order of delivery. Now it was time to return to assisted living and Jean. Bless her heart she was as excited to see us after lunch as she was this morning. At first she may not have remembered we were there earlier but then seemed to remember. For those that remember Noodle, Jean’s 46 year old turtle, he was doing well today, too. We cleaned his terrarium and fed him six worms.

Then we headed back toward Pine Mountain with one more stop, at Publix. That stop was for Juno and us. Probably wouldn’t have stopped there but we were going right by there and there were some good BOGO’s, plus it was senior day. Back on the mountain we unloaded at Helen and Juno’s. Home to unload there. Then to Oneonta to pay property taxes for Helen and ourselves and purchase new tag for FRED. Back to Helen’s and a visit with them and our pastor and cousin Barry. Finally home for lunch/supper at 4:30. That was our day. Not very interesting, but when we are 93 we might enjoy reading this again. It would probably just put us to sleep. Hope you got a nice nap.

Another Busy Day At Home

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Today was a repeat of yesterday except cooler this morning. Sunny, nice Alabama fall day. Looks like we may be down in the 38 range tonight. We have our antifreeze. It’s just a matter of time, but since we have it maybe we won’t need it.

Today was another busy day trying to get caught up on things at home. More laundry, vacuuming, mopping, and roasting pecans. The roasted pecans were mighty fine if we do say so ourselves.

Deer visiting this morningOne of the things we like about being here is that we have frequent visits by various wild life. Today it was a deer that just hung around the back of the house for a good while. When she was out in the sun it would have made a gorgeous picture. Of course, by the time we grabbed the camera from the living room she was back in the shade. Oh well, we got to enjoy her. Haven’t seen our turkeys lately. Maybe they are hiding until after Thanksgiving. That’s it for our day. Hope you are having a good week.

Moving Day

Monday, November 13, 2017

Today was a very nice fall day. Cool morning, high in mid 60’s and sunny. No complaints.

After a hearty breakfast omelet, today was set aside to unload FRED and get re-organized. When we return to Alabama after being gone for awhile it always takes one or two days of re-organizing the house and FRED. Today started with cleaning out the house refrigerator and then transferring the food from FRED to the house. Still have to wipe down FRED’s fridge and we always leave a few things in FRED like extra soft drinks and water. It took a little reorganizing the house deep freezer before transferring all the frozen food we got at Murphy Harpst. Then we transferred the food from Fred’s pantry to the house pantry. We knew we took too many clothes with us on this journey but really knew it when we had to carry them all back inside the house. Today was also the day to empty and clean the holding tanks. That project always takes a little longer when we return home since we want everything to be really clean. Maybe the biggest project of the day was to go through all the mail that has arrived. It was a huge amount this time. A lot more junk mail since one of us is approaching Medicare age and everyone seems to want our business. Seems we received four and five Medicare ads some days. For those of you that also travel, the USPS now has a free service where you can receive a daily email with scanned images of the mail that will be delivered that day. It helps to know when we need to have things mailed to us or opened for us. You can check it out – USPS Informed Delivery. Finally made it through all the mail, but still have some of the real mail to handle and file away. All the junk filled up the kitchen waste basket. Too bad we don’t have paper recycling anymore. That was our day. Should have worn the step counter today. We walked a couple of miles late this afternoon but don’t know what we did just going from house to FRED and back.

Oh well, it was a busy day but good day. Now it is time for some wonderful hot chocolate with eggnog, marshmallows and Ready Whip – one of the best things about cool weather. Evening treat

A Great Sunday!

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Today started off cool and stayed that way all day. The high was 58 and our thermometer was at 52 this morning. It was also really cloudy but no rain. This time of year in Alabama we watch the predicted lows closely and so far the lowest low is 37 for the next 10 days. Good. No need to winterize yet. Sure would like to head to Florida in January without having to winterize, but we know that is probably not going to happen. Last year we had to winterize two days before our departure.

Morning Worship at Lester MemorialWorship at Lester Memorial this morning was wonderful. It was great to see everyone again, but much more importantly was the movement of the Spirit during worship. We then had a full house in Sunday School. We are looking for a larger room. It’s a nice problem to have.

After church we went to Piedmont, AL to ride the Chief Ladiga Trail with Barry and Donna. We rode from Piedmont to Germania Springs which is on the outskirts of Jacksonville, AL, a total of 20 miles round trip. With a little wind and temperatures in the low 50’s it was a cool ride. Too bad we forgot to take riding gloves. However, except for the hands we warmed up quickly once we started the ride. The Chief Ladiga is a great trail and since it is a rail trail there are only gradual changes in elevation. Fun ride with wonderful friends. Wonderful afternoon. After completing the ride we had an early supper in Rainbow City. It was a very nice Sunday. Hope yours was the same.