When you retire and move to The Villages, you want to EVERYTHING. There are over 3,500 activities and 3,000 groups. There is a Life-long Learning College with classes, and the neighborhood activities of "nine and dine," "Monthly Dinner Clubs, and more.

I wanted to be active and want to make friends. Much like my college experience. I jumped into lots of things and quickly became booked seven days a week, with three to four activities. I was rarely home, I felt like I was working all over again. Upon getting a cough for six weeks, I decided to do what I taught my middle school students do, and make three lists. 

The first column was the absolutes. Things and activities that I was either already committed to or family commitments. I am a webmaster to four organizations. My mother lives here and maintaining her life enters in on a daily basis. We have a new puppy and, of course, I want to enjoy time with my husband, Steve.

The second column was things that I had a passion for. This is my music and activities with my husband. It's all about your passion. Stress is not being busy, but doing things you don't really want to do. Passion lets you forget the time and even day! 

The final column was things that could easily be dropped. Things I was doing for "fun."

It was a difficult decision, but the Pickleball group I started, Pickledbd.org (Pickled Babes and Dudes) was the first people I got to know and shared my "firsts" with my new life in The Villages. 

This is NOT a reflection of the group or my desire to be a part of it. I just wish there was more time in the day. But, Pickleball has jumped to the third column, something I can easily drop.

I will still continue to keep all of your informed with the groups Pickleball news, but I am taking a step back from the monthly dinners and playing two times a week. 

Of course living here is extremely fluid, much like the seasons. One month you do this and another month you do something else. 

Thanks to the group for being so welcoming and inclusive. Yes, you'll see me on the courts sometime soon, when the concert season is finished in March!

I have been helping lots of people in their journey of technology within my community of non-users. So, what have I learned? Here’s the list of must use:

1. Must have a google account with an email account. ​
             Google email
             Google Calendars
                      New calendar group - the ability to share and can be embedded in a website
             Google Forms and Spreadsheets
                      Collect contact information on one sheet. Downloadable.

2. Website Development 
    Weebly - fantastic tool for the beginner. That's what this site is created in. If you pony up the money you can password protect it and have contact information password-protected. 

3. Newsletters
    Smore - The ability to send lots of information and post on website. Embeds and on the      back end you can see who has opened it and for how long
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4. Invitations
    Evite - Who’s coming to your event? Looks great on mobile devices.