Thu – 22 Dec/16

We are gradually getting up earlier. I drove Charlotte (along with her sewing machine and supplies) to the Multi-purpose room for 9 a.m.

On my return to the motorhome I used my phone as a hotspot to go on-line to check the local entertainment and plan for the next few months. I checked out The Villages Entertainment (both

“The Sharon”

and “The Savannah Center”)

as well as the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, FL for upcoming shows.

I passed on the shows we do not usually attend including Broadway type shows, opera, ballet and classical (I know – we just ain’t got class!).

I also passed on a few acts we have seen before and a few “Tribute” shows that we were not “Fans” of the “Stars”.

I also passed on a few that were too expensive for our level of fan enthusiasm. Almost $200 each was too much to pay for Johnny Mathis!

Big names sell out quickly – a few only had single seats left. (That happened to us last year for Willie Nelson).

I then ordered the tickets and printed them out (2 sets). We will keep one set on our “Event Rack” in the RV and the other set in the car. That way we won’t forget them we leave for the show.

Our list, from Jan 6 until Mar 6, include:

Herman’s Hermits; Rich Little; The Association; The Everly Brothers Experience; Bobby Bare; Jay and The Americans; B.J. Thomas; The Kingston Trio; The Diamonds and Hotel California.

Unusually, there are none for February – most of the shows available at the moment are not of interest (plays, etc) or feature performers we are not big fans of. We can always fill with trips to “The Villages” as each of the 3 Town Centers feature free live music in the Town Squares every day of the year. Then there are always the Quilt Shows, Craft Fairs, Festivals and Flea Markets if we get bored.

I checked with Charlotte (before I was to return to pick her up) to see if my choices were OK!  I was recruited for a mission. Half of the sewing group are from Canada ( as is 20-30% of southern RV parks in Winter). They want to do a project that commemorates Canada’s 150^th Birthday in 2017. I was asked to see if I could print the coloured pattern on Taylor “Perfect Piecing Foundation Sheets.” This blank, transparent, non-woven material is made for pattern printing and positioning. The pattern is sewn and the sheet can either be left in as a stabilizer or easily removed, as it is non-woven and easily torn away.

Mission accomplished: I was able to scan, copy and print out 2 sets of 6 pages each with the material I was given. I returned the finished product when it was time (Noon) to pick up Charlotte.

We were now on another mission! Several more sets would be needed for the other ladies who wished to do this project so we were off to Jo-Ann Fabrics in Tavares, FL.

By now the temperature was above 70F with clear blue skies. This was our first “Topless” trip (Convertible) since arriving – it was gloriously good! We also avoided the main (hectic) roads and took our usual leisurely route along the lakeshore (Eustis, FL) – most of which is at 30 mph.

At Jo-Ann’s, we bought the last 2 packs of “Piecing Sheets” in stock; however, this should be sufficient. Charlotte also was “Forced” to choose 21 “Fat Quarters”, as necessitated by the $0.99 sale price (reg. $2.49). You can never have enough “Fat Quarters”!

It was now 1:30 p.m. and there was a need for food. Have no fear!  I knew just what to do! Ichiban (Japanese Buffet) in Leesburg, FL was only a few miles down the road. An hour and a half later we departed. It is not that we ate a lot – it’s that we (actually) took our time with only a few items per plate, per trip. After all, we are retired!

On the way back to OMS we detoured for a stop at “Sew What?” in Umatilla, FL. We wanted  to say, “Hi” to the owner, Norlina. This is where Charlotte (and most everyone else in the park) comes to do long-arm quilting. Long arm quilting machines can embroider a full quilt with any fancy pattern you wish to guide it into creating. Norlina is just a “Super Person” …helpful, friendly, etc., etc.  We were just checking in to let her know we were back and had more quilts to finish.

 It was only a few miles from Sew What? back to OMS. By the time we unpacked the  sewing supplies it was almost 4 p.m. My final project for the day was to install the privacy screen on the motorhome’s front and side windows. This screen allows us to look out during the day yet still be private. It also keeps the interior cooler by reducing sunlight heating the interior.

As I was working, Tom, one of the first folks we met here a few years ago, at OMS, stopped by as he was riding by on his bike. We chatted for a bit and I was still able to finish the installation before dark.

Then it happened! CRASH! The last week just caught up with us! We both realized we were both tired! We just turned on the TV, closed our eyes and both had a nap. Fortunately, we woke just in time for Jeopardy!

Odds and end TV channel surfing until bedtime (again). That does it for today!