Old People Have Fun Too

Cullman,  AL

Yes, old people have fun.    But first..... some younger folks.

We were honored to be asked to witness our great-grandson be Baptized a few weeks back.   This was a first for me.  As growing up in the Methodist tradition, this is the first time I witnessed a Baptism by immersion.    Methodists usually do it by a sprinkle on the head.    At least, the churches I attended.

Here is Jordan.   Being immersed.

 

Then last week our church had their Christmas dinner.  It was another milestone.   We are in the process of building a new church building.   This was the first event at the not yet completed facility.   We were thrilled that they had to lug out additional tables and chairs to accommodate the attendees.  

We like this picture of us with son Lennie, Daughter in law Lois and great grandson Jordan.

About old people having fun.   This week was our Cullman Senior Center party.   

What was really fun, door prizes!   Leonard won a $10.00 gift card to a local butcher shop.  The one we use!  And I won a $20.00 gift card to Lowes.  Yes, we can use that too.

Then yesterday we attended the Christmas luncheon given by the Commission of Aging here in Cullman County.   Over 800 people attended.   Fabulous lunch of turkey, ham, roll, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, cornbread filling, cranberry sauce and pie.  

What a nice facility.

This gives you some idea of the size.

This gives you some idea of the crowd.

And lots of door prizes here too.  Including a top prize of $500.00.   No, we didn't win that.  BUT I did win a $50.00 gift card to Walmart.   Guess I know where the Christmas turkey money is coming from.  

So, this week was a profitable one.   A total of $80.00.  SSSH    don't tell my Uncle Sam.   Last night we met up with friends for snacks and dancing at our favorite Friday night spot..... 55 EAST.   They hold a 50/50 every week.    The winner got $50.00   No, it wasn't us.

And the fun continues.

Until next time.

Been a while

Cullman AL and Justin TX

Yes, it's been a bit since my last blog.   My computer died.  Had to get a new one.   I was so used to Windows 10.   Now Windows 11.   YUK.  A whole new learning experience.   Both my daughter-in-law Lois and my friend Karen tried to help me with getting the printer connected.   No luck.  It worked once.  Stopped again.   I am hoping if my grandson visits over Christmas he can figure it out.

I also had an issue with loading pictures from my phone.   Last night Lois worked on it.   HOORAY.  As you will see, success.

This old dog is having a hard time learning new tricks.

Let's go back to October.   Halloween.   yup, that's me at our favorite haunt, the 55 East party.   I have no pride.    

Moving along to the house and property.....    One of our back porch steps was decaying.    It took us a few days but determination prevailed.

 

  
Is has been extremely dry here in Alabama.   No real rain since August.  They predict some tomorrow.  We are hoping that is the case.   The pond is down about 4 to 5 feet.  The fish are starting to grow legs.

The biggest event was the marriage of our granddaughter Lindsey to Bailey.   It was held near Dallas on Thanksgiving Friday.

On my gosh.... the traffic over there.

The venue was at a ranch in the town of Justin.   What a lovely set up.   

This was the room of the parents of the Bride, our daughter D'Juana and husband Joe.   They had to take another family with them.   Momma and 5 baby Aussies.   They were born just a few days before the big event.

Grandson Jeremiah was the ring bearer.   Keeping with Western theme, he is all decked out.

Here is the bride Lindsey and the mother of the bride, D'Juana.

And the father and daughter dance.

And the grandfather (Leonard) and bride dance.

And important the Bride and Groom first dance:  Lindsey and Bailey.

Following two days of celebrating, the ring bearer need a rest.  So up on Grandpops lap.   Made Grandpop very happy.

Until next time.

Lots of good times

Cullman,  AL  Eva AL,  Sulphur LA

This month has been a busy one.   Lots of socializing.   Lots of fun.

One of our favorite places to go on Friday night is 55East in Eva, AL.   Dancing, talking, eating.   What could be better.  

A few weeks ago my daughter Terri from Pennsylvania visited for a few days.   She has semi-annual business meetings up in Nashville.   When there she extends for a few days and drives the 150 miles south.

The days she was here we also were hosting dear friends Rick and Karen.   They stop by every so often in their beautiful motorhome.     Terri was also visiting us last time they were here.   How great is that! All three of them were here on a Friday night.   SO..... 55East.

They got to meet our group of friends.   I don't post names.   Just believe these are good people all. 

Oh, tonight is Friday.  Meatballs in the crock pot.  Another hour and it's time to get ready.

Last weekend was Leonard's 55th High School class reunion.    So off to Louisiana.   See him on the right at the end of the float?   It was Homecoming weekend.   A big thing down there.

The parade was Friday night.   On Saturday the group met for lunch at a classmate's beautiful house.  This is their "entertaining" room behind the house next to the pool.  They call it The Lodge.  Thinking being a State Farm agent does one good.

While in Louisiana Lens siblings and spouses got together for dinner.   We so appreciate that they do this when we are in town.   He is the only sibling that does not live in the area.

OKAY.... Time of get ready to go DANCE.

Until next time.

Making plans. And etc.

 Cullman,  AL

I love this time of year.   There are days when neither Air Conditioning nor Heat are needed.   There just isn't enough of them.    As the days grow shorter it brings to mind that our days are growing short too.

But first:     The Senior Center has special dress days on Thursdays.   Yesterday was crazy hat and tie.  I wore my winter hat that looks like Elmer Fudd, Len wore his Christmas cowboy hat.   I wore a compression sock as a tie, he wore his flannel bathrobes belt.   No picture was taken.

Last week it was mixed prints day.    I wore a flowered top and a pair of his PJ printed bottoms.  He wore a printed shirt, printed welders cap.   He absolutely refused to be seen in public with anything but jeans.  Daughter in law Lois to the rescue.   She volunteered to take an old pair of his jeans and paint something on them.

This is what Biscuit thought of it.

After a slow few month's hosting RV guests through Boondockers Welcome, we have 10 reservations on the books.   Our 266th guest arrives later today.

This summer it was rainy here in north Alabama.   I was forever mowing grass.  Now we are terribly dry to the extent there is a burn ban.   We had wanted to burn some shrubs and a pile of trees and branches we had removed but this is not the time.   Seems strange not having to mow every day.

As I stated at the start of this blog, along with shorter days is the fact that our own days are shorter.  I have a need to be prepared.    One way to that end is to update wills.   That was completed this week.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to make ones wishes known to be less of a burden on family when the time comes.

Along with our wills we have:

         Power of Attorney designations. 

        Durable Power of Attorney for health care. 

        A list of items we want to pass down to certain people outside of the wills,

         A list of things to know such as bank and investment accounts, where to find passwords, keys to             safes, how bills are paid and to whom, info on life insurance, etc.   

        And a list of whom to notify and their phone numbers (one person is provided with this list).

I state all of the above because I have seen so many instances where the surviving spouse or children are at a loss of where to begin.   Four of our children will receive copies of the above.

Well, that's my preaching for today!

ENJOY FALL SEASON.  Until next time.

A terrible loss, family, friends and work

 Cullman,  AL

In Louisiana

In August our family suffered a terrible loss.   Our Grandson in Louisiana was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma a year ago.   It looked for a while that through his strength and determination he beat it.   However, it was not to be.

This is the last picture he have of him when we were in Louisiana in February and we took Nathaniel to dinner.

His light shone bright.  Everyone that knew him was blessed and will never forget his hugs.

While in Louisiana in August we finally caught up with a couple we met when we lived our full time RV life.    Meet Judy and Dick that were also full-timers but have now settled in Orange, TX.

Always a pleasure to visit again with those we have met when traveling the roads.

Our Granddaughter Tiffany and her family live in Texas.   They came to the visitation for Nathaniel.  We met up with them for lunch at a Mexican restaurant.

Later that day, after the viewing we decided it was dinner time.  The group choose ANOTHER Mexican restaurant.   I looked at the menu.  It was the same as the one earlier.   Apparently we chose two Mexican restaurants that are part of the local chain

So, here is more family.   Tiffany and Neal and their kids, also daughter D'Juana and SIL Joe and their daughters, some cousins and my daughter Terri who flew down from Pennsylvania.

When in the area,  Leonard likes to visit with his Godfather Claude and his wife Vern.   Len and Claude share the same birthday and always talk on the phone that day.

Back in Alabama:

Earlier this month was the 21st birthday of our granddaughter Maddie.    Time does fly!

We are still busy with yard work now that the weather has cooled.  Still clearing brush out along the creek.

And trying to keep weeds down from around the pond.

I've  written on this blog about our love of the local Senior Center.   Every Thursday they have "special days".   This past week it was TWINS day.   We were told to find a partner and dress alike.  That's what 7 other couples did.  They had matching shirts, etc.   We went one step further.

Until next time.

Last day of visit and clearing more trees

Cullman, AL

On August 11 the granddaughters annual visit came to an end.  Every year they have the same list of must go to places.   A top must-go-to is McWane Science Center in Birmingham.   We went down to Birmingham on their last Monday here.   Only to find McWane is CLOSED Monday and Tuesday.  

Ok, disappointed but since Leonard had a medical appointment down there on Friday the 11th and it was in the morning, we decided that would be a good time.   Their train to return to Baltimore was not until 5:30 and the train station is only 1/10 of a mile from McWane.

At McWane.   

We arrived there about 11 am.   By a bit after noon we were all hungry.  I noticed a food court directly across the street from Mcwanes' main entrance.   So, we all decided to give it a try.   Charlotte says she could live there.   Her choice was at Pho Pho where she joyfully had their Pho soup.   Abby decided on a pizza that she and I shared.  Leonard had a huge bacon, ham, roast beef, tomato, lettuce, cheese sandwich.

After lunch the girls went back to the Center.  Len and I found comfortable chairs in the food court and settled in for a bit.

At about 4:30 we made it over to the train station.   We were thrilled that this time the train was on schedule.

Abby and Charlotte boarded about 5:20 after our hugs.

There are 20 stops between Birmingham and Baltimore.  They finally arrived back to be greeted by their parents after 2 pm the next day.

Len and I were exhausted.  Whew.... it had been a busy month.   The entire time it was rain a day, sunny a day, rain a day.   On and On.   And the heat was oppressive.

The last few days the weather has cooperated.   I have finally managed to have the complete yard mowed.   Although I notice today it is time to start over.

One of Lens favorite activities is knocking over trees with his Mahindra tractor.   When we bought this property there were trees between the creek that runs along the left side of this picture almost to the buildings and from the trees in the back up the hill.

Last week he took down a dead tree.

Yesterday he removed a cedar tree that is in the process of dying.

Then he started removing Giant Ragweed that grows along the creek.

This fast-growing weed is an annual.   It will die off in the winter then grow to 7 foot in the summer.  We are trying to eliminate as much as possible.

Always work here to do.   This week is expected to be in the high 90s all week.  Some outside chores will have to wait.

Our RV hosting has slowed down a lot.   We do have a guest arriving this afternoon and some scheduled in September and October.   Today's guest will be our 256th.   We know our busy time will be in the Fall and again in the Spring.

Until next time......