Fox Tail Palm

Today we made the biggest change so far in our little place.  There is about 7 feet between our "home" and the neighbor, John, that belongs to us. Each place has the same, well some are corner lots with no one beside them.  That is ours to do with as we chose.  The trees that were planted there were considered "border" trees.  Ones that leaves/branches came from the bottom as well as the top.  There were multiple "trunks" or large branches that took too much of our space (which is minimal at best).  There were two of these, one up front and one in the back.  We decided to remove these (both) and replace a Fox Tail palm at the front. This has been quite the topic of conversation.  

After taking these out, we also are replacing the back (old) deck with pavers for a patio.  The trees out will allow a sidewalk to go down our lot...easier access to the back and will give us more room to "live" outside.  It will give us room to open our storm shutters further to give us more light inside.  The tree there kept us from doing this.

So here are a few pictures of the old tree, removal, and new palm.  The one in the back is still there to be removed by the paver people.  So happy this is done!  

 This is the old tree (and the one directly behind it).  The blue round can is the trash.  It is to be moved as well.  But can't be moved far, as we both use it!!

 New tree (above) brought out quite a crowd!  Our friend Dennis & Timber below.

 Looks very plain without a tree there!

 Our across the street neighbors, Dot & Joe.

 After putting it in, Clyde was measuring to make sure 
it was just right!

We will pop our shutters back out, yeah!  The new tree looks really nice!  We didn't want one too tall or too short.  

This one is just right.  Whew!

Below are "odds & ends" pics.  The first are a few shrubs Clyde planted where some Oleander trees had died out. 

 Clyde wanted a Bullet for Christmas to make these smoothies!

 These have been delish!!

 Below, Clyde was washing our car (white one) and was delighted (really) to wash two of our single ladies cars.  Our good neighbor, Pierre, came over to spray.  They were a GREAT team!

 Above, in the back of our park where the homes are much bigger and they back up to this sunset each night!  Beauty!

 Our first piece of personal mail!

 Timber came to watch the UK game with us.  

 Kind of hate to show these!  The lounge above is from home, that we haven't used for awhile.  Decided to bring it here and have it restrapped.  So we packed it up and brought it down!  Cost was $60 for an "almost" new one that would have cost $120 if we bought a new one from them.  

The deck is old but soon to be replaced.  With the lounge & patio....we will have more outdoor fun!

Bash by the Beach

Last year in January, we went to a Bash by the Beach.  Holiday Out has these once a month.  It's where you go to the clubhouse, bring an appetizer, dessert or, like tonight, a crock pot dish.  It was at this event we learned about our place from someone we didn't know at that time.  Since then, he has become our neighbor!  We went tonight and remembered how much we appreciate these socials, the people you meet there, and the neighbors/friends you get to know better.

I took Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.

I needed a crock pot and thank Mr. Shearman for having such a nice, almost new one here for me to use!

Clyde has been busy this week....our first week is over!  He mounted the TV to the wall, with the sound bar he got for Christmas.  He vented the dryer out the back room where, for all these years, it was vented in a bowl with water in the utility room!  

Today he planted four new bushes along the back border where some oleander's were missing.

A pink/yellowish hibiscus and a crotan.

 This is a (replacement) bougainvillea that my HO friends bought when Kent passed. I hope we can keep this one alive!

I don't know the name of this one (may be Ixora), it comes in yellow like this one and orange/red.  You see them in many landscapes here.

We also picked out our pavers and ordered them this week.  They are now being made and we'll have them in place in a few weeks.  This is a pretty big project and one we debated on doing now, or later, but decided to do it now.  We will appreciated using the patio and having a walkway to get around to it.

 Our next door neighbor, John, gave us this juicer when we moved in.  The oranges are Honey Bells and they are SO juicy.  Very good juice!  It takes two of these for 12 ounces.

 Beverly, you told me you would love having fresh fruit & veggies all winter, so we went to the fruit stand and thought of you.  I am trying, wishing I loved all the veggies you do!

We looked at bikes today but made no decision.  If you get a cheap one, metal, it will rust in a few weeks or a month.  If you get an aluminum one, the cheapest I found today was almost $400.  So, came home without one and wishing we had brought ours from home.  

We enjoyed Chapel by the Sea church last Sunday, BSF in Stuart this past Wednesday, and began a few activities here at HO.  Clyde joined the bocce league, we watched a movie on Sunday night (they have this each week), we started an exercise class, Tu, Th & Fri and I started going to Sew and So (making crafts for a local Asst. living community).  

I am enjoying our time here.  I tear up some when I think of mother, and the grandkids.  I wonder what Lucas thinks when he doesn't come to nana's house or to Liberty Ridge.  The big kids we don't see as often with their school and many social events, but we would be at their ball games.  I don't have a printer here:( so my letter writing isn't happening.....yet.  Love to all.  

My Friend Susan

On Sunday morning, Nov. 1, 2015, Clyde and I had just left our motel in Chattanooga.  We had been to Florida for two weeks.  We got a call around 8:15 a.m. from our long time friend, Chris.  Nothing prepared us for his saying Susan had gotten sick the day before with what he thought was a virus. As the day went on, he said she got worse.  Then he said "she died" or "she's gone".  Either way, we were in shock with disbelief.  

We were coming home to attend little 3 1/2 yr. old Bennett's funeral visitation.  She was to be buried the next day, Monday.  Upon driving into town, we went home to change clothes, and went to see Chris.  We stopped by Panera's to take in some bagels and a pastry ring....which was the quickest thing I could think of.  I really wanted to make sure we had understood him.

Sadly, she was gone.  The friend that laughed all the time.  That never had an ugly thing to say about anyone.  The one that always was ready for an adventure.  A lunch out with the girls.  A ride in the convertible to Windy Corner.  The Nai Nai Pilgrim loved that takes him to the park, the Library, the mall and to BSF.  The grandmother to Charlotte who was so happy to have a grand-daughter.  That thought Charlotte was the prettiest little girl and she never saw a stranger.  She loved that Charlotte would "go to" most people and was so friendly.  How can this be?  But it is true.

When we got to Chris & Sue's home, her brothers and their wives were there.  Her sister and husband as well.  Chip, Mallary, Pilgrim was napping, Joe & Stefanie, Charlotte was going down to nap, all there.  Brewster came in, with a bucket of chicken.  While there, we went through her closet, laundry room as well, choosing exactly the right thing for her to wear.  My thoughts:  she would want to look nice.  She always cared so much about what she wore, what her hair looked like, and how her makeup was.  She would want to look pretty.  She was pretty.  So very attractive.  Everyone thought so. I'm so sorry Sue.  You didn't know, when you left the house last, your family would be going through your things.  

When I called you from Florida, and asked if I should bring home my capris, we never had any thought that I would be helping choose your funeral clothes, a week later.  We had NO idea.  Nothing prepared us for your death.  You were strong.  You walked more than anyone.  You rode your bike.  You swam at UK and this summer with me at Equestrian Woods. You ate well, watched every bite.  How this could attack you in one day, and take you on to Heaven, just hard to even think about, even now.  After your funeral on Thursday, still hard to believe.  But it's true.  You are gone for now.  We'll see you again.  

You would have been blown away to see how many came to your visitation.  It started at three p.m. and as I was leaving the kitchen area, I stopped by the chapel area, to see the last few going through to speak to Chris.  It was after 9:00.  This was Wed. evening, Nov. 4th. I heard that Mallary asked anyone that wouldn't mind to sign the book and leave without seeing Chris.  That he was worn out at this point.   Our ABF class brought in food for the visitation.  Clyde and I took the left overs back to Chris' house.  Thursday came.  Funeral service.  It was at the church as visitation had been at Kerr Bros.  

The church had much more room and Susan's friends, family, Chris' friends, their church family, we all helped fill it.  Mallary had called to ask if I would speak as well as two other friends.  Of course, I agreed.  My stomach was full of knots.  The morning of, I prayed for Patty and Elaine.  The peace that passeth all understanding washed over me.  I felt so calm.  Said what I planned without tears.  I did for Sue what she would have done for me.  

The days to come will be sad for Chris.  He will miss her like crazy.  With her retirement, she was with him a lot.  She worked with him for their car business.  They rode their convertibles on nice days.  They loved.  He will be lost, for awhile, but he will be OK.  He will go on.  He will not stop.  He will work, go to church, BSF, and maybe come out with friends!  He will miss his other half.  He'll see her again.  

 Susan is sitting on the left.  

 Doesn't she look lovely sitting up front on the floor?  

   This was the first night they arrived late (on Tuesday), after we had eaten.  She texted "where's the party"?  I told her to come on up!  They didn't stay late, after a long day of travel.

Sue loved the beach.  She walked on the sandy shores a lot.  After we left on Friday, she and Chris stayed until Sunday.  This was a gift.  To both of them.  I wish I had taken more pictures.  This is all I have.  What I would have given to have more.  But we do have our memories.  Seeing she and Chris sitting alone on at the water's edge.  A gift.  A blessing.  Thank you God.  Thank you for the gift of friendship.  Thank you for the  memories.  Thank you for Susan.  

Pictures from Patti's 1880's Settlement

 Here are a few pictures from Patti's. There was lots to do while you waited for your table. Reservations are recommended, however.  Mostly there are shops and garden areas. And of course the restaurant is the big reason to go there!  Our meal at Moonlite was much bigger and less expensive than Patti's. So we were split in the middle on our choice of best place to eat.  Clyde probably preferred Moonlite and I liked Patti's best.

The photos below are not good ones, but several have said they had not heard of Patti's before.  These are good to show the inside dining room and the shops around the restaurant.  

Liberty Cont.

I'm pretty sure this won't sound funny, but I smile thinking of my recent conversation with mother.  At the time this happened, maybe a couple weeks ago, she never said a word.  She said something about her laundry, no I remember, last Thursday she pointed out this lady.  She said "she's the one that took my dryer"....or stole my dryer....not sure exactly the words.  That got my attention.  

"Mom, what do you mean?" "My clothes were in the dryer, and almost dry I came back to check them, and get them out.  This lady was getting hers and MINE out of the dryer I had been using." Now, my mother's face had to be priceless. As she walked in and the lady was putting all the clothes in her basket.  I don't know what mom said to her, most likely "those are my clothes".....but whatever, they stopped and started sorting clothes.

As I sit here giggling, mother said she had to take back undies that didn't belong to her and the lady did the same for mom.  

Yesterday she said she had a quiet day trying to feel better from her weekend upset stomach, and she hasn't eaten much, so she is weak. She said she had done some laundry and needed to go get her dried clothes.  I laughed and told her to check and make sure she didn't have someone else's clothes as well as hers.  They do live independently as much as possible and do much of their own laundry (sheets & maybe towels are done for her).  Never having to share a laundry room in 65 years makes this interesting for her!

Learn to share mom!

Liberty

Unless I go through all my past posts, I don't remember if I have blogged photos of our visits to mom.  Or exactly what all I have written before of her "new home".  I don't want to repeat, but she is on my mind more than most things these days.  

Maybe due to the fact Clyde and I will be spending this winter in Jensen. Or that she has been sick for a few days either with a virus or a real ugly reaction (which isn't likely) from her flu shot.  Just thinking of leaving she and Clyde's mom for a few months, when they are the age they are, just concerns me.  I, also, don't look forward to not seeing the four grandkids or my own kids for three months.  They change a lot, have many ball games, and family times we will miss out on.  However, we miss a lot of games when we are home, and they have gotten to the age when they don't come here as often as when they were small.  So......we'll manage!

If mom is able and Clyde's mom wants to, it is in our minds to have them fly down for a week in February, possibly.  Something we hope happens, not sure if it will.  Most likely not the same week, due to sleeping arrangements.  Who knows!

I called mom to check on her this afternoon and conversation turned to her siblings.  Today is one of her brother's birthday, which led her to tell me each of her siblings birthdays.  Mom is 88 and this was said without a breath.  She may have said them in birth order, but I was trying to write them down quickly and didn't get them in order!

Elmer-Sept. 30, Ed-Sept. 14, Shird-Jan. 8, Maud-April 20, Ella-July 7, Twins Ora & Ira-Feb. 12, Gertrude (my favorite aunt) Nov. 5, Ernest (lived with granny until she passed) Oct. 17,  Minnie-Aug. 17, Bob (he was the last sibling to pass, a couple of years ago)-Sept. 12 and mother, will turn 89 Dec. 9th.  She has one sister die, in a fire I believe, but she couldn't remember where she came in the birth order.

She is pretty sharp!  Here are some pictures of our visits and some of mom's activities and friends.  

 She give Lucas $1 most visits.  She likes Wendy's frosty's.

 Luke looking at his BFF, Sarah.  She is so good as she works there with the residents and the babies love her as well.

 Sarah polishes their nails on Thursday at 3.

 This lady has a dog and sits at mom's table for meals.  Her name is Joy.  She is a good friend for mom to talk to.

On the left is A.J. he has the small dog, Tucker.  In the chair is Barkley, he likes sweets, and I try to bring him some! 

 On their way to the dining room for the Luau.

 Mom likes to play bingo.  You earn "bucks" for the auction where you can "buy" supplies/food/sweets/treats.

 Mom doesn't go out to sit, that I am aware, very often although I wish she would.  They have several nice patio's off the dining room and these benches out front.  

One day after lunch, the girls went with me to visit mom.  Wasn't that sweet!