Whole Foods opened in the new Outlet Mall this week.

It's also known as Whole Paycheck.

All the fresh seafood is amazing. 

Isn't this display something?

This is what I bought.  Two soups, strawberries, popcorn, 

Parmesan chicken breast, and Key Lime juice.

Five items was over $23.00 but everything

in the store is organic and fresh.

I loved the experience.  It's is pretty large and

has things I could just look at all day.

A wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

So Andre' did a great job beating me up but I was still able to walk the stores afterward.  He asked me if I was sore after Tuesday's workout but I wasn't so he stepped it up again.

It's the last day of February and that means spring is just around the corner.  The snow birds will be headed north soon too.  I have lots of them as friends but I will admit it's really nice when they are all gone and the streets aren't so busy and the stores and restaurants.  (This is not for Sandy and Dick! - smile!)

I am off today with the entire day stretched out in front of me to do with whatever I please.  I'll let you know when I decide what I do!

Have a great day y'all.  I will too.  For sure!

To continue this is the desk in the bedroom where 

I have actually been doing beading again!  

And looking into the dressing area.

That desk was my desk when I was a little girl

doing my homework.

And yes, the clock is pink too.

Friday!  I know y'all love that.  It doesn't matter to me because they are all mostly the same but Fridays are good.  I have Andre' waiting to beat me up pretty good.  TCD says I should do the squats every day if I can.  After Andre' I'm pretty much on my own for the rest of the day so I have to find something fun to do.  It is supposed to be cool and rainy, a high of only 73°so no pool for sure.  

Whatever you do make it a good day.  I will too for sure.

Continuing the condo photos.  Let me know if you are sick of it yet please!

February is almost over and I'm glad.  It's my least favorite month and I'm glad it's the shortest.  D#1 is coming in Sunday for a Monday dental appointment.  I'm not sure yet how long she will be here but I'll take any time I can get because she's such a joy to have around.

Today I am playing canasta and having lunch at the club.  No pool yet, it's warm enough to sit out there but the water isn't warm enough yet.

I have switched to texting rather that emailing mostly now.  It's fast, easy, and instant.  I don't know why I didn't use it more before but I do now.

That's it from my world y'all.  It's great here, hope it is the same where you are!

To carry on the photos of the apartment here is the bed.

And a small table by the front door.

I did another one hundred squats with Andre' plus a bunch of other things.  I always think at the time that I can't do it but then I end up doing it anyway.  Without him I wouldn't do half of what I am doing if that much so it's totally worth the money.  Some of you are curious as to what I pay him so I'll tell you, it's $30.00 a session plus it's at the club where I am a member so I don't have to pay gym dues.  So for $60.00 a week I am getting in the best shape I have been in for many years and I plan to continue.

So poker, last night I put in $40.00 and took out $39.00 so I played all evening for one dollar.  Pretty cheap night out and it was a nice game.

Today Steve and Jane come and make my apartment all shiny and clean and you know I love that.  

And I made a mistake about the night I am having dinner with my Broker that I call Bob because that is his name.  Last night the mayor brought me two hamburgers he grilled outside.  How sweet is that?  Service right to the door.  Can't beat that with a stick!

Have a great Wednesday y'all.  I will too.  I promise.

Since you seemed to like seeing my apartment here is a peek into the guest bathroom.  Below is the dressing area outside the powder room.  

Yesterday was a lovely day.  It started with the laundry but got better from there (I actually don't mind laundry at all), then I went to the pool, it was still to cold in the water but I enjoyed sitting outside talking to friends.  

Then I had a telephone call from a cousin that I have not spoken to for many years and I do chat on Facebook with her but it was lovely to actually chat.  She was coming through from Key West to Jacksonville but unfortunately I was not able to meet her.  She will be coming back to the area soon though and I will be sure to see her then.

Then I had a quiet hour or so and then I got to go spend some time with TCD!  We talked for quite a while, that's all but it was very nice.  Then he went back to work but I appreciated him saying he was going to take care of me after my surgery.  I told him D#1 was coming down to do that and he said great but he'd be there too.  How nice is that?  He marked the day out on his schedule and said he'd be at the hospital.  The surgery is 7 1/2 hours and he said D#1 would have to have some breaks and I would never be left alone for a moment.

Today I am not playing Mahjong, I have an appointment and then I'll go to the pool for an hour or so - oh, and I have Andre' in the morning, I can't forget that.  Then in the evening I am having dinner with my broker.  We meet every so ofter to chat about money and we have become friends over the years so we chat about our lives too.  

That's it for my world today.  How is yours going?

In case you are wondering why I am putting all the house photos on the blog, well I haven't been anywhere really to take any others so stick with me and I am just showing you my world.

You know this photo gave me an idea.  An idea for an invention.  I have no idea how to actually do anything but I can think of things.  Do you see the wires behind this table?  Well in this high tech world in which we are living wouldn't it be lovely if someone smarter than me invented wireless electricity that would sync to your lamps, hair dryer, televisions, everything, just think, no cords any more.  Lovely.  Maybe someday someone will actually do it.

So it got so nice and warm I went down to the pool yesterday and it was good to sit there and visit with everyone and honey there were a lot of people there.  The water, however, cooled down to 74°and it will take a few days for the heater to get it warm enough again.  The duck has a cold so I didn't get to see him after all because I don't do sick people if I can help it.  Bless his heart, he gets so many colds being around that many people all the time.  I am being even more careful now with  my upcoming surgery too.

Have a lovely Monday y'all.  I will too.  I just know it!

Today, being Sunday, is my day to have a date with the duck.  Yesterday was a wonderful day, I didn't even get up until 9:45 and then I enjoyed my coffee and listened to music most of the day.  I never did get dressed, just got a shower and changed my pajamas.  It was warm enough to open the screen doors which I did but not warm enough to swim.  The middle of the week it is supposed to be back in the 80's so I'll go then.

I played on the computer some, I baked some muffins for the governor of the pool, we made a deal because he loves my muffins.  Every six times I make them he takes me to dinner.  I make coconut strudel for him and they have to be almost burned, that's what he likes.  So I wrap each one individually and he freezes them and has one at a time.

Oh, I also did my homework assignment from Ayla, my pretty granddaughter and got that mailed off to her professor.  That was fun.  And Ayla and I texted some.

That was my day, how was yours?

I took this photo last evening on the way to the car.  I just love a Florida sky but it sure was cold.  On the way home it was actually much warmer so I think the worst of it is over now.  I hope so anyway.

Today I am off.  As in not one thing on the calendar.  Yay me.  Finally a day to do as I wish, sleep until I am quite done, get up when I feel like it, eat when I feel like it, do whatever I danged well please.  Maybe chores, maybe not.  Who knows but I'll find out when it happens.  

If it dares to get warm enough I'll go to the pool and if not perhaps a bike ride or maybe just stay in my pj's all day.  

I hope your day is as good as mine.  If it is you are mighty lucky!  We have one more week of February and then we get to have March, a much better month.

Clear and cold, that's the word here.  When I got home last night it was 47°and dropping.  Yikes!  I know that's not cold to my Yankee friends but to us it's mighty cold!

Today Andre' will be beating me up again and then at some point I have to go see TCD because I think I might need a root canal.  I have a tooth under a crown that feels funny now when I drink something hot.  I'll let him tell me what I need but I think that is in my future.  Lucky for me I have him because I know he will tell me truthfully, I think I have had root canals before that I didn't need before I had him.

It has been so long since I have been in the pool, I really miss it.  Soon I hope it will be warm enough again.

I have been letting my fingers do the shopping again.  I don't have anyone telling me not to so shopping has been sort of happening in my world.  Oops.

Have a great Friday y'all.  And stay warm.  I will too!

I was at a friend's house yesterday and she had the cutest things everywhere.  Look at this lamp!  Did you ever?  Adorable.

So yesterday I was playing Maj and one of the girls was driving me nuts acting so hyper and talking every second.  Then I was may have been a bit short with her after a few hours of this and she told me I had a bad attitude.  Holy krap.  If I wasn't polite I would have told her a few things but I bit my tongue and kept playing.  Another of the girls was rolling her eyes at me when it happened like "what?", anyway I don't stay upset about things like this.  I just move on.

Today I have canasta and then dinner with the Mayor and his lovely wife.  

I need to get started with tax stuff soon because I am having the surgery March 19th and won't want to go there after that until past time for filing.  I don't like extensions but if I don't have everything I might have to this year.  Anyway I am hoping I can get them done early in March.

So have a lovely Thursday y'all and stay warm.  It's mighty cold here today!

I love African Violets.  There are just so sweet and don't want or need much attention, just a bit of water and fertilizer and good indirect light.  They are happy then and they make me happy.

Yesterday was my 100th session with Andre' and we worked really hard.  Then the board meeting wasn't too bad and I won twelve dollars at poker so it was a good day.  I am feeling a bit better being out and around people some.  I think that's what I needed, I was alone in here and thinking too much.

I booked the Piano Bar cruise.  It's not until January but you know I'd have to go on that one.  They are having four piano bar entertainers and two are my favorites.  Ben and TC.  The other two I have not heard but understand they are great.  I booked solo but if the duck or D#1 want to go with me I can add them easily to my room.  I'd still like to go on a cruise in May, I should be presentable by then after my face surgery.  The duck thinks he can get away for a short one then too.

Today I have a MahJong game in Old Port Cove.  I have never been there but it's not too far and I'd like to see it so it sounds like fun.

Guess that's it from me, thanks for all the sweet words yesterday.  I'll be fine you know.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Roche' wanted to be featured today, he's hoping a hawt guy rock will notice him and leave a comment.  He's a quirky little thing but sure keeps me company.

I have been depressed for a few days now and barely going out of the house.  I am trying to pull myself out of it.  Today I have Andre' this morning and then a board meeting and then tonight poker so three activities should help me.  I hope.  I dislike getting this way and I especially like telling you but here in this blog you know I tell it like it is.  Anyway I'll be fine soon enough, I always am.

I kept busy yesterday doing things around the house, chores mostly, some cooking, just keeping myself occupied.  If I can't shake it in a day or so I will call Dr. Wacks and see what he says.

There is a piano bar cruise next January and I am going to book that so maybe that will pull me out of this funk.

Sorry to be letting you down today y'all.  Be well and keep smiling!  I will too!  For sure.

The Duck's Apartment!

Living Room

View from his living room and bedroom both.

Bedroom

Kitchen

Other than the bathroom and walk in closet that's it.  It's a condo that he is renting from an owner.  It is small but the perfect size for him, very neat and clean, excellent neighborhood, lots of parking, patio outside that is private or the tables and chairs around the pool are available to him too.  There is also a hot tub and a gym to use.

I am getting him a new tv because he broke his moving it and D# is getting him a microwave and he'll be all set, he will have absolutely everything he needs.

That and a trip to the grocery store was my day, how was yours?

The duck is just like his daddy, he came through with roses yesterday.  What a sweetheart he is.  I am a lucky woman for sure.

I won six fifty at canasta and I had a nice time.  I don't play as much as I used to so now I am enjoying it more.  I was getting burned out on it before.  I feel the same way about poker, I might drop that for a few weeks too since they have so many players in season it would give someone else that wants to play a chance.

I enjoyed looking at the old photos last night, remembering all the things Sarge and I did together, the trips, the vacation home, the cruises, the years in the military.  He sure was a good looking young man!

Have a wonderful Sunday.  I hope to get to see the duck's new apartment and if I do I'll take some photos for you.  I know he won't care.

Valentine's Day 2008

Sarge was never one to say "I love you" or buy gifts but he always showed me he loved me in wonderful ways.  Like making me heart shaped pancakes on Valentine's Day.  Gosh I miss that man.

So I was watching the news last night and I heard that Costco and American Express are parting ways.  I don't know about you but my Costco card IS my American Express card so that means that I will no longer HAVE that card.  I have had it for years and years and all my bills go on it and then I only have to pay that one thing basically.  So I started changing the accounts online and by telephone to another card, what a royal pain that is.  

I am playing canasta today as a sub but it's cold and I can't swim so I don't mind.  It's something to do on a Saturday afternoon.  On Valentine's Day.  When you don't have a sweetheart.  Then tonight I think I'll spend it looking at old photos.  I won't be sad but I will be a bit lonely.  I'll have my wonderful memories though!  You bet I will.

Have a great day y'all,

Today Andre' will be beating me up again.  I don't mind, in fact I actually like the sessions now.  I feel wonderful.

Last night's party was very nice, a lot of fun and good talk with friendly neighbors.  I hope my New Year's Eve party is as nice and I know the food will be better although this wasn't bad, just snack sort of things.  Anyway I hung out with this (gay) guy for a bit and we ended up getting some food afterward and talking.  Turns out he lives above me and just moved in recently.  Safe and fun guy. Loved him!  Lucky me!

I don't have any plans for the weekend other than canasta on Saturday filling in for someone.  And lunch with the duck on Sunday and seeing his new apartment but that's it.

No pool for a while here, way too cold.  I think it is going to dip down into the 40's at night and I sure don't like that one bit.

Guess that's all I know today y'all.  Have a wonderful Friday.  I will too, for sure!

Cold and windy, yuck.  I know it's not the same as the snow the Yankees have but still - I dislike cold and windy so today shall find me in the card room at the club staying warm with some gal pals.

Also tonight we are having a party in the Condo's Social Room so I get to go out and not have to drive anywhere.  There are over 100 units in the building and several people in most of them.  We have 26 coming to the party.  I think it's a disgrace that more people don't participate in community things.  We try to make them very nice but some people just don't come.

I am planning a New Year's Eve party there for the building.  It's my baby and I plan on having a larger crowd.  I have already started buying things like hats and noisemakers and stuff.  I will do the food and we will have a bartender and some kind of music, not sure yet if it will be live or not yet, depends on the $.  Anyway I am going to put a lot of work into it and if we don't get people coming then I guess they are just party poopers.

No cruises planned until May.  I was going to try to go on a short one by myself this month but it's not seeming to work out.  The duck can go in May so I'll go with him then.

Well this seems like a negative post and I'm sorry for being whiney today.  I don't feel whiney, it just came out that way for some reason.  Now I shall put my big smile on and go have some fun!  You do the same, won't you?

Wednesday is MahJong!  Yay for me today.  And we won't talk about poker last night but it didn't go well for me.  I was home by 9:00.  It was a nice friendly game though and it's my night out so I won't complain.

I had a really good session with Andre' yesterday ending with 50 leg raises and 50 sit ups.  I don't think I have ever been stronger than I am right now.  I feel wonderful.

I got a phone call from Ayla, my darling granddaughter too.  She is back in school again and has an assignment that requires a grandparent to participate.  She said since I was her favorite grandparent she chose me.  Any day a grandchild tells you that you are their favorite is a great day in my book.

I have been a really bad blogger friend lately, not visiting blogs for several days.  I have just been overwhelmed with a few things and will try to get back on a reasonable schedule soon.  Thanks for your patience.

Have a great Wednesday y'all.  I will too, for sure!

Well it's Tuesday so that means Andre' and poker.  Sorry about that sponsored post yesterday, I was contacted by this company that is really pretty nice actually and they are paying really good for a once a month post so I said I'd do it.  What else do I have to do really?  Just whatever the heck I want, that's what!

Yesterday I went to see Dr. Wacks and I had lost five pounds in the three weeks since I'd seen him last.  He was very happy.  We discussed my upcoming surgery and my pre-op stuff that he will be doing.  EKG, blood work, stuff like that.  I already had my eye tests and chest xray.  I am getting a bit nervous but I'll overcome that.  

My hairdresser told me that my hair would thin where they cut in the hair for the forehead so I talked to the doctor's assistant about that.  Just nerves and stuff.  Everyone has a horror story to tell me, thank you very much.  I have the best doctor according to TCD and I am sure of that, he would never tell me wrong.

Have a fabulous Tuesday y'all.  I will too, for sure!

Today I am going to talk about lamps for a moment.  And the lamps function but also the style.  When I first looked at my lamps I thought I spent what for the pink lamps?  But they make me happy and I have been glad I did ever since.
Also the bulbs have come a long way in recent years.  I thought I'd always want incandescent bulbs because they were soft light but recently the low watt fluorescent ones have improved drastically.  In fact that's all I use any more.  They are also very cheap to use, just a few cents a year now.
There are many choices and you just have to find what you like because a lamp is an investment and will last you years and years.  Spend what you need to spend to make yourself happy.

(Sponsored post)

And now for the life of Bee: today I have Dr. Wacks for my checkup on my weight loss.  I think he will be happy, I have been very good and all the cruise weight is gone plus a bit more.  It's also supposed to be very warm and I am hoping to swim this afternoon.  It's been several weeks since I've been in the pool because it just hasn't been warm enough.  I'm glad I have the bike for the cooler days.

The duck is all ready for his move into his new apartment.  He has been shopping in the style of his mother (me) online.  I think it will be lovely when he's finished with it and a style of his own.  He is really excited about it too.

Have a wonderful Monday and great new week.  I will too, for sure.