Tag Archives: Lunch Bunch

March 22, 2024 · 9:54 am

Friday 3-33-2024

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I received a text last night from Patty, Linda’s daughter, saying that Linda’s other daughter, Kelly, was in town from Nashville. She wanted to know if we wanted to meet them, and Linda, for Lunch Bunch today! I’m really looking forward to seeing all of them, catching up, and giving/getting wonderful hugs. I don’t know if Kay and her husband, Bud, will be there or not. That would be truly wonderful.

After we go to lunch, we’ll stop at the local grocery to get more canned dog food for Amber. She seems to be doing well on the food made for dogs with sensitive stomachs, with more wet than dry food in each feeding, so we’re sticking with that for now.

I’m making it a point to bring Abby in every afternoon for a love-the-cat fest. We are both enjoying it. She is showing no signs that she is in pain. I can’t keep the diapers on her, so I can only let her in when I can make the time to sit and love her, then put her outside again. Since she has always been an inside/outside cat, this is working for us.

It’s grim, gray, 54 degrees and rainy-looking today, so unless it clears up, it looks like I’ll have to wait on weed-whacking around my veggie planters today. I’m hoping we’ll get some good, soaky rains, helping our veggies get a good start.

James Marvin Phelps – boredpanda.com

Today is DAY 34 on my practicing my yoga stretches every day. Yesterday I was feeling cranky/out-of-sorts/hostile/sore/tired and I have to admit I went ahead and put a star on my desk calendar because I tried really hard to work out in the yard and failed to make any progress. I talked myself into counting THAT as my exercise for the day. I sat in my recliner trying to relax and felt guiltier and guiltier. Finally, I got up, got my mat, and did my practice as I should have, feeling better physically and guilt-free. Does anyone else have to fight with themselves to do what’s right?

Since it looks like my weed whacking will need to be postponed for better weather, I may actually get up to my art room this afternoon.

Make this a good day.

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March 8, 2024 · 10:45 am

Thoughts on Friday 3-8/2024

Erika Kocsi – @kocsi_erika on X – “When I Walked the Streets of Assisi”

Erika is so talented. Her watercolors make you feel like you’re THERE. I WANT to be there in this one, especially. Just beautiful. :0)

Walmart

This looks similar to my watch. I am NOT tech savvy. I can set my watch by myself, just barely, with a LOT of messing around. I breathe a sigh of relief when the time and day and date are correct. (Mine doesn’t show the month, though, just FR and 8).

Today was the first day since we had Leap Year that everything has been correct on my watch in the morning. “SOMETHING” is wrong and I have to stop and fix it. I think my problem stems from the fact that I use a 12-hour time frame, rather than going with military time, but it doesn’t SHOW a.m. or p.m. Hence, all the changing. I looked at it this morning and actually smiled. Small things make me happy sometimes. :0)

via Sam – @Britton65Sam on X

I have to whine one more time about the end of Lunch Bunch. I feel as though there has been a death in the family there is such a hole. We would have been leaving right now in order to join our friends for lunch, good food, good conversation, laughs and hugs. We have met every possible Friday for over 20 years, but time moves on and things change.

My friend Linda is in a retirement place. She has no car. She forgets to wear her hearing aid, so she doesn’t hear her phone ring. Sometimes her extremely busy daughter Patty is able to bring her to lunch, and we jump at the chance. Otherwise, I’ll now make a point of trying to visit with her after I go get my monthly massage, which has now been moved to Linda’s retirement place!

My friends Kay, and her husband Bud, are very busy doing various things around the house. Kay forgets what day it is, or forgets that today is the day for Lunch Bunch, or gets involved in other things. When I call and leave a message, she says she doesn’t get it. When I reach her, she says they have other stuff to do. Time has marched on. Needs change.

So, Lunch Bunch is a thing of the past. A wonderful memory. Some Fridays, if Patty can, we’ll meet her and Linda for lunch. Other Fridays, my husband and I will go for a brunch at The Dari. Most of the time, we’ll just enjoy our lunch at home. End of whine.

I’m hoping that the cat diapers I ordered for Abby will be delivered today. I ordered a package of 3 reusable diapers so that HOPEFULLY I can allow her in the house with the freedom she usually has. (I’ve told you previously that we just found out she has a terminal malignant kidney tumor that bleeds a lot.) She is 14, has other health problems, and is too old for MAYBE successful surgery. Fingers crossed that

  • I can get them on her
  • They fit and stay on
  • She doesn’t claw me to death while I’m trying to get them on
  • She gets used to wearing them in the house so we can increase her quality of life for the time she has left.

I feel guilty only bringing her in when we can have a cat-loving session with her in my lap. I can only arrange this a couple of times a day, resulting in my closing the door in her face many times when she would like to come in.

Have a wonderful Friday. I hope you have a nice weekend planned.

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February 23, 2024 · 12:30 pm

Daffing

Our daffodils are blooming strongly now. This is about a month early in comparison to other years. The temperature is 65 and is supposed to get to 69 today. I’m really enjoying this, but a bit worried about how hot our summer will be, if this is already the end of the winter.

It’s funny. I’ve ‘cleared out’ the daffodils around the well house several times over the years and we still have a good amount for a display here. I’ve finally given up, letting them do what they will. I’ve relocated bunches, and so have nice yellow all around the yard now.

Such a happy flower!

We’re back from Lunch Bunch now. Patty and Linda were there and it was wonderful. We were the first ones there, so enjoyed talking with David, the owner of the restaurant and Mikey, our waitress. They had wondered why the Lunch Bunch group had quit coming. I filled them in on everyone being seemingly “too busy,” about my husband’s fall and broken collarbone, etc.

Time passes. Things and people change. We all get older and either deal well with the changes or don’t. We left it that Patty will text me the next time she and Linda can come.

I told them that my massage therapist was moving her services to the retirement place where Linda lives. I discovered that when I finish my massage is a good time to visit with Linda, so we’ll both look forward to that next month. :0)

My heart filled up with good hugs with Linda and Patty. We had lots of laughs, good food, news, etc. Wonderful time.

I will try to do something constructive with the rest of my day. I’ll do my yoga practice, maybe do a bit outside, and see how things are going.

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February 23, 2024 · 9:29 am

It’s Friday 2-23-2024

Boo – @333too3 on X

I can’t believe the creativity and talent of this. I love it.

(Group Hug is an improv team in North Carolina.)

One of our Lunch Bunch people texted me yesterday, asking if my husband and I wanted to meet today! It will be wonderful to see them, hug their necks, and catch up. We haven’t seen them since we met before Christmas.

Freepik

I was messing around in the house when something drew me to the back door. I opened it to find it was RAINING – fairly hard! I don’t know how long it lasted, and my husband didn’t even realize it happened. Our weather is wonderful today. I’m a little worried talking about it, because this is SOOO unusual. I’ll try to be quiet and just enjoy it. :0)

Pinterest

My yoga is going well. I will earn my 5th star for the week on my calendar, and I was able to add one more rep to my abdominal exercises yesterday, now totaling 7. Slow and steady.

I keep INTENDING to work outside or to get up to my art room. Somehow, the day gets away from me. I hope that you are finding fun things to do, too.

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February 9, 2024 · 9:09 am

Happy Friday 2-9-2024

Allen Skyy Enriquez – BoredPanda.com

I hope you’re having a happy Friday. My husband has been sleeping in this morning and just now got up. Amber wanted to bother him, but I managed to keep her downstairs and reasonably quiet. Shhhhh!

We’re supposed to get quite a bit of rain this weekend, particularly on Sunday. We’re pretty well stocked up right now, so we’ll ride out whatever comes, planning – like lots of other folks – to enjoy the Super Bowl Sunday.

Red Bubble

Lunch Bunch seems to be a thing of the past, though I’m having a hard time letting go. I’m finding out, one week at a time, that if I don’t initiate the calls, I don’t get any telling us the others won’t be there. Our situations have made it so it’s hard to get together now. Grudgingly, the end of an era.

My husband just came down. He was wearing a tee for the first time since he fell. I don’t know how hard it was for him to get it on, but it’s a huge step for him. He said he slept well, and thinks he was able to sleep on his left side (his broken collarbone side). I’m just glad he looks rested.

BoredPanda.com

I’ve done my yoga practice three days this week so far. I’m feeling a bit more loose now and not so sore. After awhile I’ll get our mail and go grab some things from the grocery and then get on with the rest of our day.

Hope your Friday is a good one.

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January 19, 2024 · 10:14 am

No Lunch Bunch Today

cutigers- @cutigs1 on X

Barn owls are my favorite, and this photo simply takes my breath away.

___________

We had to call our friends and tell them we would not be able to get to Lunch Bunch today. :0( It’s 11 degrees outside right now and the ‘stuff’ on the driveway is solid and quite slippery. We MAY get above freezing Sunday afternoon.

I’m hoping to see if we can gather and drive our trash down to the bottom of the driveway Sunday afternoon before we’re due for either ‘ice and rain’ OR “5-7 inches of snow” Monday, depending on who you’re listening to or reading. Can we have a third choice, please????

We ARE supposed to get a significant warm-up Tuesday. HOOOORAAAAAY! My goal now is to hold everything together until then. We are still fine up on top of our ridge line. Our water pipes have not burst, we have electricity and heat, food, etc.

I woke up to standing water all over the counter around the double sinks in our bathroom upstairs. I called down to my husband. He came up and said something to the effect that, “that’s the setting where it does that” about the faucet we’ve been leaving dripping in his sink during this cold spell. I’m reading this to mean this has happened sometime in the past and he just didn’t say anything. Anyhow, we can’t get anyone up here now. He helped me sop up the water, throw ruined stuff away, and wipe off and put back the salvageable things. Not a great way to start the day…

My husband is enjoying taping and watching some truly awful movies. He enjoys ‘action’ movies, which HE defines in “body counts – the more dead in the most gruesome ways possible, the better.” Needless to say, I’m enjoying computer time, listening to music, reading, playing some in my art room, etc.

I hope that you’re managing to stay sane, dry, warm, and safe during this active winter.

“Every winter has its spring.” ~ H. Tuttle

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January 5, 2024 · 10:33 am

Noooooo! Snoooooooow!

We don’t have a large accumulation of snow, but you can’t see where our driveway begins or ends and we’re snowed in. It’s 35 and quite windy. I called, texted, and sent carrier pigeons to let our Lunch Buddies know we couldn’t get there today.

O’Connor Dental Care

The thing I’m most worried about now is our dental appointments Tuesday. They emailed my husband and texted me yesterday, and we both confirmed we were planning to be there Tuesday. Now this. With the forecast for more snow showers, I’m not sure what to do. The dentist charges $150 if you don’t cancel 3 days before. They don’t work today, Sat, or Sun. I have texted them about the problem and we’ll just have to see what happens. We can’t afford to pay for services NOT rendered, but I realize the dentist suffers losses when his patients don’t show up or give him a chance to schedule someone else in our place. Did I tell you I’m not fond of winter?

I just finished getting the makings of beef stew in the crock pot for tonight. We are safe and warm on top of our ridge line, so I have no complaints. Nothing excited planned for the day. Our local schools are open, so the streets must be reasonable, although we can’t get down to the street in front of the house. Maybe it will warm up, or rain will take the snow away….

123RF.com

Laundry, wood-burning, reading, listening to music – NICE day.

I hope YOU have a good one, too.

Stay safe and warm!

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December 29, 2023 · 2:01 pm

Making Progress

I’ve finished reorganizing and labeling everything on my “Etsy shelves” in my office now. I found a couple of things I THOUGHT were listed, but weren’t, so I took care of that.

Now I’m going up to my art room to gather a few more things I want to add to the site.

When I’ve gathered them, I’m going to allow myself the time and space to start experimenting with my new wood burning tool. REALLY. I AM. :0)

We went to Lunch Bunch and Kay and Bud were there. We had a good time catching up.

About an hour ago, FEDEX came and delivered the MIG wire welder my husband ordered. He took it out to our shop and brought back the manual to read. He says it looks good.

I hope you’re having at least HALF a good a day as we are enjoying.

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December 29, 2023 · 9:54 am

Friday 12-29-2023

David Zinn Art
Giphy

I’m hoping that someone will show up for Lunch Bunch today. No one has called or texted, saying they won’t be there, so we’ll go and hope for the best. Getting older is sometimes the pits. It’s harder to keep on top of things, remember what day it is and what that means for your plans for the day, remember details, remember to check or use your phone, set timers so you don’t lose track of time doing something else, feeling creaky some mornings, and more.

Lunch Bunch as been celebrated for over 25 years now. The challenges above brought into question whether we would continue trying to meet once a week. We agreed we wanted to try to continue. Here’s hoping someone will be there today.

I have an overflowing set of shelves devoted to things I have listed for sale in my Etsy shop, HandmadeHavenByLinda. This afternoon I’m going to try to reorganize the shelves so that I can find things more quickly. I also want to consolidate space so that I can add some things to the site.

I received the latest paperback J.D. Robb In Death series book two days ago. I finished reading it last night. I’ll have to wait 6 months to a year before the new one, Random in Death – which comes out in hard back in January, will be offered in paperback. I may experience withdrawal. :0)

Spacecraft

I received the two sizes of thin rectangular wooden pieces I ordered to use with my wood burning tool, so I have officially run out of excuses not to go up to my art room and get started. I’m still fighting feelings of intimidation, but am finally getting to the point I feel ridiculous. When I start laughing at myself, it’s time to go try to learn something new.

I hope that this is a good day for you, that you stay warm and dry, and that you inject some fun into your day.

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December 23, 2023 · 11:07 am

Lunch Bunch Part 2

Yesterday was our gift exchange. I etched a glass and painted a card for everyone.

You probably remember my gritching and whining about trying to learn to etch. I’m not sure what the equivalent is of hanging your child’s artwork on the fridge to encourage their efforts, and that may be the case here, but I had a good time thinking of the people receiving the glasses. I’ve always made a present for Mikey, our waitress, but this year I also made a glass for David. He seemed truly touched and brought tears to my eyes.

Patty made truly wonderful pumpkin bread. My husband grabbed it, took out his knife, opened the package right there at the table in front of everyone, cut a big slice and ate it. He grinned and thanked her for making HIM a bigger one this year… I have a bright, happy-looking holiday towel I hung on the stove door in our kitchen to brighten the room. She also included a card printed on both sides of her, her husband, and their grandkids. Priceless.

My husband got a humongous bucket of three kinds of popcorn from David and Mikey of The Pizza Barn. They gave me a vanilla candle, some warm, snuggly socks, and a box of Hershey’s fancy chocolates. YUM!

Kay and Bud blew us away by letting us choose a quilt Kay had made.

Harvey’s Quilt
MY quilt!

We both plan to enjoy using these in the living room in our recliners. Since we’re older than dirt and usually end up asleep in our recliners some time in the afternoons, we’ll be able to cover up, snuggle down, and replenish our energy for the rest of the day in style. (We also got me a new heating pad which lives in my recliner now, so I can be sandwiched between two sources of heat. :0) )

Other than the “loot” we all got, the best present of the year was that we were all together, sharing time; big, long hugs; good food, laughs, memories, and love. A very Merry Christmas for all.

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December 23, 2023 · 10:45 am

Saturday 12-23-2023

cutigers – @cutigs1 on X

_____________

I’m elated about Lunch Bunch yesterday. I’m going to tell you about it in 2 posts today.

First, and most important, I talked to everyone about whether they wanted to continue trying to meet for Lunch Bunch. We decided to KEEP COMING as long as it was possible. I’m delighted because I’ve been worried my husband would lose patience when we’re stood up over and over. I did ask again that everyone try to call each other if they are NOT going to be there.

Second, I wanted you to meet the members of Lunch Bunch –

David – owner of The Pizza Barn in Greenwood.
Mikey – Waitress at The Pizza Barn
Bud and Kay
Patty and Linda
Harvey and me
Group 1
Group 2

This group has met every Friday possible for over 25 years to share lives. We have shared a meal while catching up on what has happened the past week, what we HOPE will happen in the future, sad things that have happened, what we are worried MAY happen, birthdays, anniversaries, new arrivals, and more. We have helped each other through the bad stuff and helped celebrate the good. This is family.

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December 22, 2023 · 9:50 am

Happy Friday 12-22-2023

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - aka “Lunch Bunch”

We plan to have a gift exchange today at Lunch Bunch. I’ve told you that it’s iffy as to whether we continue to try to meet or not, due to health and other issues. That’s really hard after over 25 years, so this will be a bittersweet gathering today. I’m hoping to get some pics on my phone. Right now it’s drizzly, but not actively raining. I hope that will hold until we get home from errands after lunch.

I finally got my drafting table cleaned off yesterday and have it set up now so I can start experimenting with my Dremel and my new wood-burning tool. I have a big piece of scrap wood to play with, my protection gear, and lots of space. I found some wooden plaques my husband and I cut out years ago just waiting. I also have wooden earring blanks, plus I ordered some thin rectangular pieces of wood on which I hope to do signs and wall art. All I need to do now is 1) find the time, and 2) overcome feeling intimidated.

I got really NICE feedback yesterday from a lady who bought a painted vase for her mom for Christmas. I’m walking about 3 inches above the ground from her kind words. :0)

After looking at the weather forecast for the next 10 days, it looks like Mother Nature is planning to officially change to winter, too. The highs will be in the 40s and the lows in the 20s – quite a change. Time to break out the heavier clothes!

Have a happy Friday.

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December 16, 2023 · 10:42 am

Drizzly Saturday 12-16-2023

Pinterest

I don’t know who the artist is, but I think this elephant is wonderful.

Lunch Bunch was fun yesterday. Kay and Bud were there, plus their neighbor, Cheryl. We had a good time. I reminded Kay about our gift exchange next Friday, but she acted as though we hadn’t already talked about it and agreed. Our waitress asked me as we left. I told her that I had reminded Kay and would remind Patty and Linda at the first of the week, but that I wasn’t sure of anything anymore…

I didn’t receive my wood burning tool protection stuff I ordered yesterday. Maybe today.

‘Something’ other than birds has been eating our birdseed lately. Last night we caught a possum inside the garage in our humane cage. My husband will take care of this later. This is one thing I’m happy I don’t have to do. We relocate raccoons, but not possums.

Women’s Health

Shout-Out to Marsha, MaryLou, and Bill who are all on the wrong side of Mother Nature’s temper this weekend. I hope you all come through the coming bad weather healthy and happy.

Shout-Out to Cathy, who has health issues she is handling with much more grace than I would. I wish you lots of good rest, feeling better, and good results.

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December 15, 2023 · 9:43 am

It’s Friday! 12-15-2023

Cheezburger

We’re scheduled to meet our friends for Lunch Bunch today. I’m really hoping we have people show up. If not, we’ll eat somewhere and then do our grocery shopping before the rain is supposed to start this afternoon. We’re in for a couple rainy days if the forecast is correct.

I’m supposed to get the wood burning equipment I ordered today in the mail. I got the tool yesterday, and I’m supposed to get the goggles, mask, and finger protectors today. I’ll at least work on clearing up my drafting table today in preparation for trying to use both the Dremel etcher and the wood burning tool very soon. It looks a bit like a bomb exploded after my work on the glassware lately.

My hair is blowing time is moving so fast! We just started December and it’s half over. I struggle to believe it. I remember counting the days until Christmas as a child and it seemed the day would NEVER come.

I have really happy memories of Christmases past. One particular memory this morning is our family walking to a neighbor’s house singing Christmas carols. (Our neighborhood was two mile-long streets in Tulsa with each house on an acre and a half – 24th Street and 25th Place between Sheridan and Memorial for those of you who might be familiar with Tulsa, Oklahoma.) We would ask the people who came to the door to join us, and would then all walk to the next house, singing. By the time we finished, frozen and smiling, we had quite a group of people. We would gather at our house for hot chocolate for those who wanted it, and alcohol for the adults who wanted, all warming up around our fireplace in the living room. Happy times.

I wish you a happy Friday and great weekend.

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December 9, 2023 · 10:39 am

Stellar Lunch Bunch

Freepik

This photo gives you an idea of what our group looks like when we have Lunch Bunch on Fridays at the Pizza Barn in Greenwood.

I’m afraid our Fridays together are winding down due to some health, transportation, and other issues. Since we’ve been doing this every Friday possible for over 25 years, this will cause withdrawal issues.

My husband and I have swung by The Pizza Barn every Friday, but have been stood up several weeks in a row with no one else showing up. The biggest problem is that our friends aren’t good about using their phones, either, so not only do they not let us know they aren’t coming, they don’t answer their phones, or aren’t set up to leave messages, or say they don’t get the ones I can leave. It’s like throwing bottles in the ocean, using carrier pigeons, smoke signals, and the like.

Yesterday, though, Patty texted me that Linda’s son, Jeff, was here from Florida and he would be bringing Linda to Lunch Bunch. AND, when we got there, Bud and Kay were there, too. AND, after a few minutes, their neighbor showed up to join us. It was a lovely, noisy group with lots of laughs, good food, hugs, and more. Really good for the soul.

We have already agreed to come for a gift exchange on the 22nd, but I’m not sure if anyone will be there this coming Friday or after the gift exchange. We’ll keep swinging by…

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December 8, 2023 · 9:40 am

Friday 12-8-2023

Jinnytty – Tenor

I had a text on my phone this morning that Linda’s son, Jeff, from Florida, is here and will be bringing her to Lunch Bunch. HOOOORAAAAAAY! It’ll be great to see both of them. I don’t know yet about Kay and Bud, but haven’t heard from them.

The big storm that was forecast for the weekend is breezing past us today. We’ll only have some spotty showers and some colder temperatures, rather than the wind, rain, possible snow, and flying hairballs previously predicted. I’m not complaining AT ALL! :0) I MAY be able to get outside and work in some planters this afternoon. Win/win.

Huntley

I’m newly in love. His name is Huntley and I’m hoping he will be the winner of The Voice soon. I think his voice and style are distinctive and I love to watch and listen. I hope you like him, too.

depositphotos

Yesterday I got my exercise for the day vacuuming. It usually isn’t that strenuous, but I noticed that the vacuum hadn’t been getting under the furniture in our bedroom the way I would like, and so took a whisk broom up there. I started using it and was APPALLED at all the ‘stuff’ that came from under the front edge of my husband’s armoire, my bureau, and close up to our bed and built-in bookshelves. I vacuumed after that and was thoroughly pooped when I finished.

I wish you a happy, fun Friday.

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December 4, 2023 · 11:08 am

It’s Monday 12-4-2023

I Can Has Cheezburger?

I just texted, called, and sent carrier pigeons to all those involved, and it LOOKS like the Lunch Bunch group will do our regular Christmas gift exchange on the 22nd! Trying to reach people has become a real challenge, so I was surprised and delighted to be able to contact everyone this morning.

Sadly, it looks like Lunch Bunch – a really special event for every Friday for over 25 years now – seems to be coming to an end. My husband and I go every Friday, but have been stood up so many times lately it’s starting to get on our nerves – mostly because if LB isn’t going to meet, we would really prefer to eat a late breakfast at The Dari, but the timing is wrong for that. Time will tell, but our Christmas celebration may be the end of it.

_____________

Otherwise, we just finished driving our trash down to the bottom of the driveway for pickup tomorrow. Since we were driving down, we got our mail and changed our mailbox decoration. This is “Pepe Le Pew and Penelope.”

This afternoon I’ll start packing the elephant ear planter full of leaves. I’ll do this every day until I can get a good, thick blanket over the plants. I also plan to work on the glassware etching.

I hope you’re having a really nice day.

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November 17, 2023 · 9:29 am

Question-Challenge-Joy 11-17-2023

cutigers – @cutigs1 on X

Unwritten

The question of the day is whether our friends will be at Lunch Bunch in a little over an hour. Why don’t I call them, you ask? Both of them HAVE phones, but neither one answers. I leave a voice mail on one of them, but she says she doesn’t get it. The other doesn’t have any kind of messages set up on her phone, and doesn’t wear her hearing aids much of the time, anyway.

So – we’ll go and see if anyone is there, eat – or not eat – and then get some groceries on the way home. “The times – they are a’changin.'”

Dengarden

My challenge for the day is changing the wire holder on my weed whacker so I can continue neatening up around the house. I may have to break down and enlist my husband’s help, but I would RATHER prevail by myself.

Fox & Spice – Fall – Tumblr

My joy for the day is the truly beautiful fall weather we’ve been enjoying. Usually it’s in the 90s one day – then we have 3 days of fall – followed by snow, ice, and winter. It has been such a nice thing to almost take the beautiful afternoons for granted!

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November 10, 2023 · 12:34 pm

Stood Up

Freepik

We’re home again after leaving to meet our friends for Lunch Bunch. Sadly, when we got to the restaurant, no one else was in the parking lot. We’re usually the last ones there, so….

We ended up going to another of our favorite restaurants, The Dari, instead. We had a nice lunch and I brought home a doggie bag of French fries, since I splurged, not having eaten any for over two years now. I’ll eat some more mid afternoon since the time for Lunch Bunch is at least an hour before our usual lunch time and I get hungry.

If things dry out a bit more, I’ll see what I can do with the push weed whacker behind the shop – beside the garden. My husband is saying he’ll start the mower and do the area in front of the garden. We’ll see if Mother Nature will cooperate.

Tenor

I’m beginning to think our days of “Lunch Bunch” are coming to an end after 20+ years. Linda is dependent on her daughter, Patty, to bring her from the retirement place, and many times her health is such that she doesn’t feel good enough to come. Kay and Bud get distracted, or forget to call us to let us know they’re not coming. We’ll keep going for now, but it looks like we need to make some decisions sometime in the future.

I hope you’re having a terrific day.

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November 10, 2023 · 10:08 am

We Made it to Friday! 11-10-2023

I think the artist says, “Jodi Hills” – Pinterest

We’re having a really nice day here. It’s supposed to get to 67 this afternoon with lots of sun. Soooo nice after all the rain we got yesterday.

We leave for Lunch Bunch in about 20 minutes. It would be good if some of our friends are there.

I’m planning to work outside some this afternoon, plus work on my glassware project some, plus cook breakfast for dinner tonight.

A whole weekend of really nice, fall weather is forecast – all stretching out before us to do with it what we will. I wish you a happy, productive time. :0)

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November 3, 2023 · 10:13 am

It’s Friday 11-3-2023

Quora

We’re leaving for Lunch Bunch in about half an hour. I haven’t heard from anyone. That USED to mean that everyone was planning to be there. These days it doesn’t mean much. We just leave, get our mail, show up and see if anyone else is there. If they aren’t, we enjoy talking with the restaurant owner and our wonderful waitress and eat our lunch and leave. If someone else shows up, we enjoy lots of catching up and laughter.

I’m working on my glassware etching presents. I can only so really short sessions because arthritis in my thumbs makes its presence known after a few minutes. I’m trying to do several sessions each day I can.

Since I don’t know what I’m doing, I watched this video. It’s motivating and intimidating at the same time. I’m fascinated by what Lesley Pyke is able to do, and she makes it look so easy. She has a lot of expensive equipment to go with her expertise. This video shows you to what I’d like to aspire when I grow up. :0)

Meanwhile, I’m using the smaller dremel that my husband had in the shop. The pencil type engraver I bought just isn’t doing the job. I’m hoping that I can limp along with this one, doing the free-form designs I’d like between the stenciled designs I did on each glass with the chemical etching stuff. I’ve bought a set of diamond bits that I might be able to use. They should be here soon.

I’m having a good time, certainly more than challenged. The jury is still out on whether I’ll give them to my friends or pitch them.

If the weather is cooperative, I plan to get outside this afternoon and do something in the clean-up-the-yard project.

Have a safe, happy day. It’s Friday!

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October 27, 2023 · 11:52 am

Lunch Bunch

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We just got home from Lunch Bunch and errands.

My long-time friend, Linda, was there, with her wonderful daughter, Patty. I got some good hugs and we enjoyed catching up.

My friend Kay and her husband, Bud, weren’t there for the 2nd week in a row. The people at the restaurant were worried, too. Patty checked on the way home. She found out that Kay had lost her wallet and was busy replacing driver’s license, etc. She SAID that she had called David, the restaurant owner, to let him know they wouldn’t be there. Patty left it at that because it was obvious that Kay had INTENDED to call him.

Anyway, everyone is doing well, and that’s the important thing.

We had a really nice lunch, didn’t get rained on, got our errands accomplished, and are home. :0)

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October 27, 2023 · 9:29 am

Friday 10-27-2023

Halloween costume for a boy in a wheelchair – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka – I think this is ingenious! :0)

Last week my husband and I were stood up at Lunch Bunch. No one called. No one wrote. No one came. We enjoy talking with David, the Pizza Barn owner/cook and our waitress, Mikey, so we still enjoyed our lunch. Still, it would be NICE if our friends let us know when they won’t be there. We’ll see what today brings. At LEAST a nice lunch…

We are right in the oblong bull’s eye for weather starting today. We’re just southeast of Fort Smith on this map in the orange blob. Lots of rain forecast, several cold fronts, 5 possible days of overnight freezes, etc. I’m still hoping we’ll get more ‘fall’ days before we officially start preparing for winter.

Yesterday I vacuumed up an entire dog’s worth of hair from our first floor carpet. I’ve used the ‘defurminator’ on Amber, but that doesn’t seem to make any difference on the amount of hair ending up on our carpet. She won’t allow me to actually vacuum her directly…

I’ll try to do a bit outside if the rain holds off this afternoon. Otherwise, I might actually make it up to my art room!

Enjoy your Friday.

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October 20, 2023 · 9:36 am

Friends on Fridays 10-20-2023

Marina Blue Studio

Shout-out to Cathy, who is feeling stronger, resting better, and eating better following her radiation and chemo and is getting a chance to catch her breath while the docs decide what they think she should do next. I’m trying to send smiles, strength, and good weather her way so that she can soak them up.

Shout-out to Carla, who has built a race car with her son and is racing last night and tonight. Fingers crossed they do well.

Pinterest

We leave in about an hour to meet our friends (hopefully) for Lunch Bunch, to enjoy a good meal at The Pizza Barn, share news and laughs, and set ourselves up for a nice weekend.

I’m pleased to be able to report that our trash was picked up! This may not seem like an ‘event’ to YOU, but since they’ve missed us two weeks in a row and I had to call, wait on hold for 5 minutes or so, and arrange a work order for pickup, it seems like at least an old-fashioned ‘annoyance’ to me. The lady I talked to was nice, noticed that this was the 2nd time I had had to call, and said she would see if she could figure out what the problem was. Hope springs!

Last call for you to order either of these child-sized Halloween aprons in time for Halloween. One-of-a-kind, hand-painted child’s apron. Size is 2-6 years. The apron is 19″ long and 12.5″ wide, not including neck loop or ties. $19.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy

I hope that you are having a really nice morning and that your day will be calm and pleasant.

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October 13, 2023 · 9:11 am

Happy Rainy Friday 1-13-2023

Anna Om – Getty Images – istockphoto

A cold front is coming through this morning, bringing some light rain and cooler temperatures for several days. We have Lunch Bunch this morning, but we’ll probably come straight home after, rather than running errands in the rain.

Grasshopper Gardens

We carry some loppers and gloves in the truck so that we can tackle things hanging down or out in the driveway more easily. Yesterday I went down to put a notice in the mailbox and used the loppers to start clearing some tall weeds at the bottom of the driveway on both sides. When I finished a short session, I drove back up and added some hand held clippers to the truck so I can continue from time to time.

Julia Roberts

I wish that all of you could enjoy the expertise of my wonderful stylist, Michael Remillard. Yesterday he listened to my concerns, tried to comply, and I was very pleased, as usual. I did tell him, that although he listens to me and tries to do what I ask, he has ignored my MAIN request for YEARS now – to make me look like Julia Roberts. If he REALLY valued me as a customer, you would THINK he would at least TRY to do this SMALL request… :0)

When I’m resting between ‘have-to’s’ or ‘shoulds,’ I’m re-reading all of J.D.Robb’s (Nora Roberts’) In Death Series before diving into my newest paperback, #56 Encore in Death, and before receiving the latest to come out in paperback at the end of December, Payback in Death, which I’ve ordered. It’ll be another 6 months to a year before her newest, Random in Death #58 comes out in paperback. (Hardback out in January 2024.) Right now I’m re-enjoying #23, Born in Death.

I hope that you are enjoying a great Friday with an enjoyable weekend to come.

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October 6, 2023 · 9:13 am

Happy Fall, Y’All!

ASA Builders Supply

I know ‘autumn’ began on the 23rd of September, but since Arkansas has been experiencing record-breaking heat for the month, it really didn’t SEEM like it. Just an abstract ‘wished-for’ concept.

Recently we got rain and a cool front that appreciably lessened the high temperatures. This afternoon we’re due for another cool front (without the rain this time) that will take the temperatures down even farther. HOORAY! The high will be in the low 80s today and I think in the high 60s tomorrow. Woo HOOOO! It’ll be NICE when I’m trying to work outside. I can’t wait!!

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SeniorGif.com

We have Lunch Bunch today. No one has contacted me yet, so I’m hopeful that SOMEONE will be there to eat with us. If not, we’ll just enjoy some lunch and do our errands.

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Makoto Shinkai Potato – Tenor

I’m planning to do a couple of weeding sessions on the area to the side of our shop and in front of our garden this afternoon. I’m making progress, but it’s slow.

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Delish

I’ll also get the makings of chili in the crock pot when we get back from Lunch Bunch. Not sure what else is in store, but I hope the weather where you are is nice and that you have a wonderful Friday.

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September 15, 2023 · 9:58 am

Friday 9-15-2023

University of Westminster

“Rosh Hashanah, meaning “head of the year” in Hebrew, is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. During Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people around the world ask God for forgiveness for mistakes they’ve made over the past year and remind themselves not to repeat those mistakes in the coming year.”

I wish you a happy and safe new year.

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@PaulMillerArt On X – I thought this was a photo when I first saw it. An excellent photo. And then I discovered it WASN’T a photo! I think this is truly amazing art work. I will look to see if I can find and show you more.

USAGIF.com

We leave for Lunch Bunch in a bit. I’m hoping that Kay and Bud’s daughter, LaDonna, will be visiting from Albuquerque. She’s always busily doing something new, so it’s really interesting to talk with her. We don’t have any errands today, except for getting our mail. My husband will probably insist that we visit our nearly-finished new bridge so that he can gripe that it’s not open yet. :0)

The weather is supposed to be nice, so I might work outside this afternoon. I haven’t been able to get upstairs to play in my art room this week. Something else has come up each day, sucking the time out of the day, so it would be great if I could get up there. We’ll see.

Wall Hanging – 9×12 “I’m Ready” – “Living with Gusto” Sign Series – $17.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S.

HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy

I hope you’re having a happy day.

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September 1, 2023 · 9:43 am

F-F-F-F-Friday 9-1-2023

Kemi Filani News

“Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have thirty-one, except February, which has twenty-eight.”

Does it show how old I am that I still recite this when I’m filling out the wall calendar in my kitchen to remember how many days a month has? If that doesn’t do it, how about that I mentally picture Jiminy Cricket

Wikipedia

singing how to spell, “e n c – yc – lo – p e d i a” ?

I like September because usually the summer extremes are finally softened toward the middle of the month and signs of the coming fall begin. Our part of Arkansas has never been great for ‘fall colors,’ because the summer heat has caused the trees to shed most of their leaves or actually killed off much of the vegetation. I love being able to ‘borrow’ beautiful images from our northern states, like Vermont, on the net, to fill my love of turning leaves.

September used to mean new school supplies to me, some new clothes to wear to school (even though here – and Oklahoma where I spent a lot of my teaching time) were too hot for the long-sleeved clothes we bought. Now the schools here open in August.

It just occurred to me that the concept of ‘snow days’ may no longer apply to the school calendar. Since Covid, where schools went to online learning for such a long period, I think they just switch back and forth as needed, depending on the weather and other conditions, so they can have classes as usual, rather than having to add on days somewhere in the school year to make up for days busses can’t drive the kids to school.

Giphy

Today we join our friends for Lunch Bunch. We have all aged and conditions have changed, so we’re happy to see anyone who shows up. It has become an event when we are all there, so we feel accordingly celebrational – if that’s a word.

Today we’ll take “Yosemite Sam” down from the mailbox and put our “Tasmanian Devil” up.

Freepik

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! We FOUND a split in one of the hoses going from the yard to the well house last night. We cut a 4-foot length from a spare hose and replaced it. So the leak is stopped and the well house floor being flooded will be a thing of the past. AND both controllers for the irrigation system are working and so things are getting watered the way they should again :0)

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August 18, 2023 · 12:53 pm

Really Nice Friday 8-18-2023

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We just finished putting away the stuff we got at Walmart after we got our mail and then enjoyed our friends at Lunch Bunch. Everyone was at Lunch Bunch – for the first time in about a month now, so it was extra special. :0) We got caught up, laughed a lot, got in some really terrific hugs, and said we should do this again. Life gets so busy and complicated. We NEED to try harder to see the people we care about as often as possible.

We checked on the progress of the replacement of the bridge between our house and town on the way home. The fact that they are replacing the bridge is nice for the long run, but it’s aggravating to have to take a much longer route to get to town than usual. It’s only about 5 miles difference, but you notice and grit your teeth a bit.

This is what we found today. Everyone seemed to be at lunch, or they were waiting for something to be delivered, because nothing was happening. You can see my husband as he walks closer to the work.

It seems that they might be getting to the final stages. Since I can only gawk and suppose, at least I HOPE I’m right. A lot of people are inconvenienced by the lack of bridge. I mainly think of delivery people, trash haulers, any kind of service vehicle, not to mention emergency vehicles and home owners.

To be completely honest with you, I’ll also be glad when we can use the bridge again because my husband is like a dog tracking a bone in watching their progress. We had an extremely small space in which to turn the truck around today. I held my breath, my mouth firmly shut, holding on to the chicken handle of my door, bracing my hand on the ceiling, seat belt firmly tight as we turned the truck, went a couple of inches forward, then turned the wheel all the way the other way and went another couple of inches several times before we were finally facing the other direction on the road. Even so, my husband heard me letting my breath out in relief and said, “What?” I didn’t answer.

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August 18, 2023 · 10:08 am

Look What I Did –

Earrings – Dangle/Wire – 2″ Hand-Painted Orange Multi-Colored Light Weight Wooden Teardrop-Shaped – $13.95 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy

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That’s almost ALL I did yesterday. My husband was fighting with his computer again, chatting with the experts at Microsoft, with me typing for him, twice yesterday – once with a regular expert and once with a Level 2 expert. My husband can now see my computer over the net. He can now save his backup of his computer over here. We thought we had the networking solved going both ways, but found out we didn’t. I told him that I want to throw in the towel at this point so that I can plan my days to get other stuff done.

I got my new “Wreath” Christmas cards listed as a made to order item in my Etsy shop, though, so that’s something.

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YouTube

The jury is still out on my etching of the glassware for Christmas presents for my friends. I followed the directions carefully and I can see the etching after I remove the stencils, but it’s much fainter and more ‘delicate’ than I pictured. I’m going to go ahead and do all the stencils on all the glasses, and then see what I can do to punch things up with my Dremel tool.

This looks similar to what I have. I can write words, create designs, etc.

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Pxfuel

We’re going to get our mail, meet friends, we hope, at Lunch Bunch, and go to Walmart.

I hope you’re having a nice Friday.

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August 4, 2023 · 12:10 pm

Trip to Town

Unsplash-Monika Batich-Getty Images-iStockphoto

We had a good time at Lunch Bunch. Kay and Bud were there. Bud seemed touched that we remembered his birthday with a card. He said one of his thermometers read 116 yesterday. Our shop thermometer read 110, and the one under the deck roof showed 108. UGH. It’s ‘only’ 97 right now, but we’re under both a ‘Heat Advisory’ AND an “Excessive Heat Warning.” Not sure why we rate both, but it does get your attention.

Dreamstime.com

We’re still having to drive miles out of our way to get to and from town since the bridge between us and Greenwood was taken out completely and is being replaced. We drove past our driveway on the way home so we could go check out the progress.

This stock photo gives you an idea of what is going on, but our road is completely closed off. There is a HUGE hole where the old bridge was taken out and they are working on a 3rd of 3 humongous concrete supports that go all the way across the road from one side to the other. There is a big tractor/digger/crane beside the hole which is dug far down below where the old bridge was. I’m not sure what happens after they get that 3rd support poured. I don’t have a clue how they will go across from one support to the next – in line with the road… I’ll try to take some pics next time we go.

We’re home for the day now and I’ll start my projects for the day as soon as I finish this. Stay cool and hydrated.

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