VISUAL HELP

Larry has been getting a lot of support from the VA low vision group. He has received a large screen computer, an apple phone, an apple I Pad, magnifiers, and META glasses.

The frames were to be light brown but they put his prescription into these black frames. They reminds us of Chase. He can take pictures with them, ask them questions and they tell him the answer, they  read things to him, and they can tell him what he is looking at. He just has to say "hey Meta". Amazing.

He also has a pair of sunglasses. They want him to wear sunglasses when he is outside, but if it is cloudy or any kind of shadow he can not see well enough with them on. 
 

CAROL'S BOOK CLUB

Carol Belzer has started a book club. Most of the women are members from the Sunday School class we attended in Clermont. For December we read the 13th Gift. It is a true story about a woman who lost her husband suddenly. She had 3 children ages, 17,14 and 10. Unable to cope with the holidays, gifts started mysteriously appearing at their home for 13 days. A poinsettia, two packages of bows, 3 rolls of  wrapping paper, 4 boxes, 5 candles, etc.  On the 11th day they received chocolate mice, so I had to make some to take to book club. We had a good discussion and would recommend this book.
 

FAMILY VISIT FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND THANKSGIVING

    Friday morning at 5:30 on my 75th birthday the Bush family arrived from PA after driving 16 hours. they came to spend a week with us. Mom and Dad rested while we played with the grandchildren. Then we went to Robata Japanese  Steak House for a fun birthday dinner. Larry got a delicious cake from Publix for us to have a little celebration at home. 
 

They wanted to go to Universal so we helped get them a five day pass. They went four days. The girls got magic wands for Harry Potter and Hunter had a Spiderman mask. We did not go with them so I have no pictures.   To take a break they enjoyed time at the pool. 

Hunter is learning to swim, and after a few times at the pool he was getting more confident and making progress. I am sure he will be swimming this summer.

A few years ago when they came for a visit they bought this whale. Once again Mystique blew it up.

They had fun playing with it in the water. Most times there was no one else at the pool so they had it all to themselves.

Eric played with the children in the water for a long time. I was in once but tired out quicky. The pool is heated to 82, so even in the evening or when it was a little cooler on Thanksgiving they could enjoy it. 

Ashtyn getting on the whale. They enjoyed playing at the pool.

We had a very nice visit.  Randy, Ali ( a friends of Mystique we have know for years) and her daughter Sadie had flown down a few days before and were staying at Universal. One evening they took an Uber over to our house for dinner and played some games. We were surprised when they were able to get an Uber to pick them up in a few minutes. 

I made the turkey and gravy on Wednesday for Thanksgiving. Eric and Mystique made the rest of the meal while I was at the pool with the children. I appreciated all they did for I have come down with a cold and don't have a lot of ambition. The sofa in the living room is a pull out bed and using the side sofa it was perfect for the three children to sleep on. We enjoyed watching some movies each night. Hunter spent many hours drawing and coloring. They children get along so well. 

They left Friday morning at 8 and were back in PA by 11, a long drive. I am happy they came for a visit.

OUR POND

 

For over a month there has been large equipment working behind our pond. It is another part of Sanctuary  development. They are putting in retention ponds, roads and town houses. Besides hearing trees being ripped out, rumbles of trucks and ground being dug up and moved we noticed that the water in our pond was getting lower and lower. They then refilled it using this tarp and hose.

We had a waterfall for over a week, and finally the ponds were full again.  But the big tarps were floating around in the water.

In another week the water started going down quickly again. So they came and got the tarps out, and now a hose is putting water back in.  It is scary how the building is effecting the environment and the view from our home. 

REMIND, RESTORE, REFRESH

The FL Conference United Women in Faith was held at Lakeland United Methodist Church on Saturday, November  9th. 
 

Message and invocation was given by Rev. Dr. Simon Osunlana, S.E. District Superintendent. The scripture that had been read was Matthew5:13 about being salt. He shared how salt is used to preserves and prevents decay.  United Women in Faith has that mission today.  

Bishop Tom Berlin was the speaker. He talked more about salt and that we are the salt people need in this world.  We need to invite women in to fight off the problem of  loneliness. Our mission is powerful. People need us to show goodness, love and kindness. United Women in Faith in Jesus Christ.  Women don't join if all we do is gossip, complain and argue about how to spend a few dollars. We need to show wisdom, love and caring. We need to be grounded in scripture, prayer and service. 

We had a nice lunch and on display were 260 dolls of all races that units had bought and dressed to be given to daycares. 

Linda Parrish the conference president and Donna Spears, the conference treasurer holding one of the dolls.

 So many cute dolls and outfits. Much love shown. 

NEW WINDOWS

 The beginning of September we ordered new windows for the bedrooms and kitchen - doubled paned, and stronger for hurricanes. We have had two hurricanes since, one with very strong winds and we had no damage. October 29th  the new windows were installed. He did a nice job. The windows open easily, have screens, and will keep  more heat and sound out. May we never have to have them tested with a stronger hurricane. 

The kitchen window. The window dividers are between the panes of glass, so it will be easier to clean.

The bedroom window.  Next to put up the blinds, which a cleaned, and hang the freshly washed curtains. 

FOOD DROP

Friday morning, October 25th, Well of Hope Food Bank had a food drop. Second Harvest brings a truck full of food. Tents are set up, tables brought out and cars line up.

Pallets of food are unloaded -meats, vegetables, can goods and then divided and bagged.

 70 volunteers from many different organizations and businesses come to help.  I work at the food banks usually on Monday mornings. I try to help at the food drops, but it is a lot harder work.

Potatoes and onions. Bags and bags. This is where I help. First we put 15 potatoes and 3 head of broccoli in a bag. In another bag we put 15 onions and 8 ear of corn. When we ran out of broccoli and corn we bagged potatoes with onions, eventually we were just down to bags of onions. 

I think about 300 families received food.