Monday - January 26

 Today is our last warm day for awhile....I played canasta and helped Barb (2nd time to play) and Alice (1st time).   We had lots of fun and our team along with Margaret and Marilyn beat Denise, Debbie and Sandy.   It rained while we were playing but sure could use more.

On home for lunch and got the she shed all set up for Donna's arrival tomorrow.   

Did some laundry and around 5, we went for a walk, but it's crazy windy and chilly!   It was a "short" walk!   😏

Sunday - January 25

 Beautiful sunny warm day - our last for a while as we'll be in the 60's for several days (poor us). 😔   Been watching the Weather Channel and sure feel for the folks in rest of the country.

Went to 9:30 Mass with Father Robert at St. Francis and then to "Take Two Coffee" for donuts and coffee.    Onto Publix for a few things and then home.   

Did facetime with Annette, Luke and Maeve.   The kiddos are enjoying the snow - remote school tomorrow!    Maeve loves crafts and whipping up goodies in the kitchen.

Making snow ice cream

Crafty girl "decorating" the snow

I'm sure hoping "3rd time is the charm" for our friend Donna who's trying to get to Fort Myers from Columbus, OH, but the weather is having other ideas with the cold and snow.   Plan "C" is that she'll fly in Tuesday afternoon.   Fingers crossed and prayers for all those traveling in the bitter cold, ice and snow.

JoAnn and I played RummiKub in the afternoon.    She had never played - we had fun and she really enjoyed the game.   It was so crazy windy, so we played under their tiki instead of our patio.

Zoom tonight was everyone but Jim, Janet,  and Tom H.    Weather was a big topic, amounts of snow and of course, the bitter cold that's going to stick around for awhile.    Also, talked about Mike's memory issues and his family coming to visit from AZ for he and Theresa's 49th wedding anniversary.   Tom had a dinner tonight (Connor was a lucky guest) and made his specialty lamb using the "sous vide" method.   Tom loves to cook and does an excellent job at everything he prepares.

Have a great week and stay warm!

Saturday - January 24

 14 years ago today, my Dad (Peter Dinges) passed away.    We were in Marathon, FL at the time.   After all these years, he is still so missed - such a great, humble, gentle man!   Love you Dad!

Before it reached the mid 80's, we went for a walk - pretty warm but a nice breeze at 9:30.    Back home and started the laundry and then gave the she shed a good cleaning to prepare for my boat sister's arrival.   Donna's original early morning flight on Monday was canceled but she's scheduled for a later flight on Monday, so fingers crossed this will happen as everyone gears up for the big storm a'brewin!

Buddy and JoAnn came over in the afternoon and we played Dominoes with Mark the winner.    Then we went to a new place for all of us....Slipaway" is in Cape Coral - it's huge just over the College Avenue (Cape Coral bridge) bridge and is a huge place with large bar, 10 different food trucks and live entertainment all on the Caloosahatchee River.   It was packed, but luckily 3 guys were leaving their table and we grabbed it!    We all enjoyed our food (BBQ for Buddy, Cuban for JoAnn, Mexican for Mark and Greek for me)!    Fun afternoon and evening.

JoAnn and Buddy

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Friday - January 23

 Another very summery day although it started out foggy again...Mark and I played euchre in the library...more lousy cards and Ann and I lost 3 games to Marsha and Mark!   😖

We left at 11:30 for Blossom and Brie - lunch with our long-time boating friends from waaay back - Marcia, Jeannie and Roger.    This has been a yearly tradition for many years as this group (used to be 15-10) spend the winter in Florida.    But today we were down to just 5.   Marcia had been to Blossom and Brie, but new for Jeannie and Roger.   Food was great, place was packed and we walked around afterwards to see the animals.

Said our good byes and hoping to get together later this season when Barb and Roger are in FL.    

Marcia, Mark, Pat, Roger, Jeannie

Got Ruby washed in North Fort Myers and on home.    Walked later....

Weather is the main topic of conversation.   Mark's sister Sharon called this morning saying she and Darrell are canceling their trip - they were to fly in Sunday night from Louisville.   They will reschedule - can't imagine the nightmare for the travel agents or airline employees and of course, all those folks who have to do the plowing, EMT's, first responders, police, firemen and anyone whose job takes them to the brutal outdoors.

My friend, Donna coming in Monday morning from Columbus is still iffy - heavy snow predicted?   We shall see.   The bitter cold is a real concern for sure.

Stay warm and safe this weekend!

Thursday - January 22

 The weather was icky when we got up - very dreary.    Mark wanted a Hardees fix, so off  for biscuits and gravy.   He brought home a biscuit for me.   And then a fun day starting with a manicure with Alisa at Profiles downtown.   Mark took me and hung out at Peter's.  The upper stories of the downtown tall condos were totally shrouded in fog.    He dropped me off at Wisteria Tea Room to meet Claire, Charlotte and her friend Mary Lou visiting from Annapolis.    We had such a nice time - delicious food with lots of chatter.   We had a 1.5 hour time frame and then we said our good byes (another group of ladies arriving for next seating).   When we came out of the tea room, the sun was shining and it had warmed up!

Claire, Pat, Charlotte, Mary Lou

Mark picked me up and on home.   We both took a nap and had a nice long chat with Connor.    

We walked later in the afternoon - very pleasant outside.    Played euchre tonight - fun but lousy cards!   Had 6 tables.