The wheels keep turning...

 I am having one of those periods that creep up now and then of needing to take care of tiny, irritating details, and it seems to never end. A new tiny detail takes its place when others have been dealt with. 

For example, I noticed on the new arrival of the annual insurance bill for our park model that the amount has gone up again. We thought about doing something about that last year because the amount goes up every year. And then I noticed that Butch's name was the only one on the policy, so that made it necessary to call them. I also told them the fees were too high and something needed to change. And my name is now on the policy. They will do research and get back to me. 

On my last visit to the pharmacy, they told me that one of my meds, the most expensive one, was in stock but could not be processed for 14 more days. They said they would hold it for me if I liked. I liked. I have received notices to come pick it up or lose it for 10 days now, with the last one notifying me that it was no longer being held after today. This necessitated a phone call. Trying to get through to a person is near impossible. I finally did after much faniggling. They said all was fine, and I would continue to get notices because they couldn't control that part of it.

I like my mind to be free and clear of these things; however, keeping the slate clean is a feat in itself. These things can quickly go into the forgotten pile and turn up as a big old mistake later.

On the brighter side, I am happy and busy doing things I love, pool, beading, diamond art, trivia, therapeutic Happy Hour visits, etc. I am signed up for singles and doubles pool in the Valley Golden Olympics. I have mixed feelings about that, and I am doing my best to keep a positive attitude.

More later as always...

Back in 2018

We look like we are drunk! We weren't!

 We were on our way to South Texas and stopped at our friends, the Linders at Canyon Lake, and played some fun games of cribbage.

Merry and Happy

Renie and I just discussed it and decided that dense fog was too damp to walk in this morning. Our weather here has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride, ranging from 70's to 90's in daytime and throwing in anywhere from 40's to 60's for nighttime. Whenever we think of "up north," it becomes just fine!

I continue to be busy, and that too is fine. Last night was trivia, and I pulled a surprise on them. When I made the questions, I purposely looked for difficult trivia questions. They often underrate themselves in their abilities. All five teams were in the same range for correct answers.

I drove to my haircut appointment yesterday, about a 20-minute drive...in traffic. Do I like it? No. It has been years since I have taken driving for granted, where I would just hop in the car and go. I am not sure I will ever get there again, but I will get by.

Candy takes my picture every week, and this was last night's photo.

Everyone helps me do whatever needs to be done, and I am very grateful for that. My life would be very different had I stayed in Iowa. Don't get me wrong, I still look forward to being in Iowa among my lifelong friends there. My life is very different but still full and satisfying.

I am signed up for the Golden Age Olympics in the Rio Grande Valley, playing pool. Last year, I was knocked out of the running very fast. I hope to give them a harder time this year. I will play in singles, and Renie and I will play in doubles. This takes place the first week in January.

Yesterday I moved my wall clock from one wall to another. Take my word for it, never do that to yourself!!

Slightly overbooked...

 Mondays: Walk at 7:00 am, 2 miles, home by 8:00. Pool hall at 1:00, Happy Hour every day from 4:00- 5:00

Tuesday -repeat, except at 6:15, I am going to the main hall to run trivia. We had 5 teams this week. What is the official animal of Scotland? Answer at the bottom of this post

Wednesday: Walk at 7:00 am, 2 miles, Women's Pool League 9:30 -12:00-This takes place in other parks.

Thursdays, I sub in a mixed league, and I have subbed the last two Thursdays! This is when we go play teams in other parks

Friday is usually a day off, except for the morning walk. However, this past Friday, I went to Mexico with friends and enjoyed a fantastic pedicure for $15 and a pastry at the bakery.

Saturday is a day off, but for several Saturdays, I have been going to breakfast at the Alamo Cafe with Bill and Sandi.   

Sundays are my shopping day in the morning, and mixed doubles pool in the afternoon.

The latest photos:

Another foggy morning... The rising sun

  A Diamond Art project

At the entrance to Trophy Gardens is a beautiful spot. The monarch butterflies and others migrate to Mexico every year, and Trophy is directly in the path.

Scotland's official animal is the unicorn!

    

Yesterday

7:00 AM walk with Renie. The sky was spectacular!

This happens to be Dot's house.

Later that morning, the elementary school across the street from us came to entertain us. Their teacher said they have a curiosity about us. It's mutual, we have a curiosity about them!

Later in the day, I washed the sheets... 

And then I cleaned the golf cart. They really needed it!

It happens to be parked outside the Pool Hall. Imagine that!

Candy always takes my picture at trivia. You might like to see what I look like these days.

Happy Hour topics of interest

 Yesterday, we started talking about favorite recipes from years past. It is rare to go home without some tidbit of interesting information.  Butch and I lived in Nebraska for a few years and became acquainted with Runzas.  I was told and believed that Mrs B of Nebraska Furniture Mart fame was the origin of that dish. Well, I decided to check my facts, something we all need to do these days, and I was wrong!

Here is the straight story followed by the recipe. Enjoy!

No, Runza was not started by "Mrs. B" (Rose Blumkin of Nebraska Furniture Mart fame); Runza was founded by Sally Everett (née Brening) in 1949, adapting her German-Russian family's bierock recipe, while Rose Blumkin founded the Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1937. While both are iconic Nebraska figures, they are separate founders of different iconic businesses.  

And here is the recipe: 

    Runza Casserole        

      2 lb Hamburger

      2 onions, Finely Chopped

      4 C. Cabbage, Shredded

            Salt & Pepper, To Taste

      2    Refrigerated Crescent Rolls or

           Crescent Dough Sheets.

      1 lb Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded

[Note: One of my standby recipes. One that Butch was always happy to see on the table. ]

Brown hamburger and onion, drain. Put cabbage on top of the meat and let it steam for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper. Using one tube, spread the crescent roll pieces over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Spread the hamburger/cabbage mixture on top. Add a layer of cheese. Using the second tube of crescents, place it on top of the cheese. Bake in a 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, covering with foil for the last 10 minutes to soften the crust

Here is the original Runza recipe. Years ago in Nebraska, there were Runza stores. I hated to see them go.

https://myfarmhousetable.com/nebraskas-homemade-runza/

Living alone.

The latest AARP Bulletin and Magazine are filled with good articles. I loved the article about living alone. It resonated with me. I am surprised to find out that I am liking it. And before you get shocked by that, I am 100 percent certain that Butch would have felt the same had it been him here instead of me. It is something we talked about on more than one occasion. We both agreed that life was easier when we both took charge of our best assets, well aware that we would miss each other beyond words. Many times, I have tossed the ARRP bulletin aside, not giving it another thought. Not this month!

 

Warning signs of a Cult

Six years ago...

 I love it when I run across one of these photos that were posted in the past on facebook. We both liked to play shuffleboard, but we just did not have time for everything.