Sunday - November 2

 We were up early with the time change.    Mark suggested we go downtown for coffee at Dean Street Coffee Roasters in the Luminary Hotel before church.    Another gorgeous day....enjoyed our coffees and then to 9:30 Mass with Father Steve (newly named "Pastor" of St. Francis).   Today is the feast of All  Souls and Father gave a wonderful sermon.    At the end of Mass he recognized the 4 servers (3 girls and 1 boy) who serve regularly at the 9:30 Mass every Sunday.  They were given certificates from the Knights of Columbus.   But Father pointed out that we have over 600 students at our school, so where are all the other "servers"???

Onto Waffle House (favorite of Anne and Mark) for breakfast - this location (close to us) just opened in the spring before we left.   It was very good and I enjoyed their fall specialty waffle - cinnamon crunch!   Picked up 2 Amazon orders and then some stuff at CVS and on home.

Wrapped more presents, read, played some games and enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon.  

We walked late afternoon - gotta get some steps in earlier since it's getting dark now.

Zoom was with 7 folks tonight - tomorrow our brother-in-law, Mike moves into memory care.   Wishing Mike and Theresa the best as they navigate this big challenge and lifestyle change.  Lydia gave a good report on her back/shoulder

Enjoy the week ahead...

Saturday - November 1

Welcome 

NOVEMBER

 Oh what a glorious day!     We were happy campers knowing we had the entire day to stay home!    No errands, no doctor appointments, no out-to-eat, etc., etc.   Weather is perfect!

After breakfast we went for a long walk,   I remember so well 50 years ago today (All Saints Day - November 1, 1975).    Mark and I had taken Michael and Anne (4) trick or treating the night before at my parents and some neighbors.  And the next day, my Grandpa Gallisath died at the age of 83.

 I cranked up the music (no Christmas tunes yet) and wrapped several presents.    I can't believe we leave 2 weeks from Tuesday for NC.   Yikes, time is FLYING......

Tonight was all about "cleaning out the fridge" of all those styrofoam containers!   A little bit of this and a little bit of that.   

About had heart failure watching the Notre Dame game - wow!    But we came out winners against Boston College 25-10.

Ryan is back in the good ole USA after a week in France, Italy and Germany!

Halloween - 2025

 Hope you had an awesome "Trick or Treat" kinda day!!!

Mark had an eye check-up at Collins Vision regarding his field of vision.   He passed just fine and no concerns!    I went for a walk and then played euchre with Todd, Cindy and Judy at the clubhouse.   Judy and I won 2 games and then Cindy and I won 1.    Fun morning.

We worked outside putting some clothes away in Big Red and getting organized with my Christmas wrapping in the she shed.   I'm on a roll..🎄🤶🎄🎅🎄

So, we are done (hopefully) with doctor appts for the next several days.   Our friend Connie sent us this cute little ditty she saw on Facebook......sooo true!

They say once you retire you will travel more.

What they don't tell you, is, it's to doctors appointments!

The first food truck of the season came this afternoon - Big Papa's BBQ - this is a favorite.    We first did some walking in the park and then got our supper and brought back to Flo.    Mark had the ribs/potato salad/baked beans and I did the BBQ sundae (layered beans, cole slaw and pulled pork).    Halloween party going on tonight in the clubhouse - I'm sure there will be plenty of cute and clever costumes.

Cute holiday decor here at CT

Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve are in Georgia this weekend with friends....

here's Taylor, Maeve, Jack, Maddie and Luke

Miss Maeve, (aka T-Rex, the inflatable dinosaur) fizzled out - hot and tired!  😀

 Bye bye October 

 

Thursday - October 30

 Another busy, full day starting at 9:15 when we left for my appointment with Dr. Collins (hand specialist/surgeon).    I have certainly been to many visits in this building which is Orthopedic Center of Florida (Dr. Mehalik, shoulder surgeon; Michael Young, PA; Dr. Collins; Paul (PT for hand); and across the street, Nicole Keller, PA (ENT).    

The staff at Dr. Collins office were all decked out for Halloween and having a contest for best costume.    Dr. Collins was dressed like a little old lady - soo funny and her assistant, was in this "green" garb.

Dr. Collins and assistant

After discussing their costumes and other chit chat, we got down to business.    Dr. Collins said that Dr. Holt's nerve study showed some "slight" improvement in my median nerve.   She asked if I have neck pain "No" (Dr. Kagen, my dermatologist) asked the same thing.   So, Dr. Collins ordered an MRI of my neck to determine what's going on with the nerves in that area which could be affecting my hand.   I told her I was going to see Dr. Sullivan (neurologist) on 12/9.    She was glad to hear that and said my MRI results will go directly to him.    I'm scheduled for the MRI on 11/14 at 6:30 PM.

We had some free time before lunch so close by is Starbucks,    We got our coffees and sat in the car as it was freezing in Starbucks.

Then we were off to meet Connie and Steve at Dixie Fish Co.    It was such a beautiful day and so fun to be together with these long-time friends for the 1st time since April.    We had sooo much to chat about, plus enjoy our excellent lunch (Connie and I had shrimp burgers; Steve, a grouper sandwich and Mark, the crabcakes).   They invited us back to Shell Point (their retirement community.)    The cleaning lady was there, so we sat outside by the waterfall amongst the thick, pretty vegetation and yakked and yakked some more.    Said our good byes with a plan to check our calendars and come up with another date before Thanksgiving.

Connie and Steve

On back to CT with heavy rush-hour traffic.    We walked later - loving this cooler weather!

HAPPY   HALLOWEEN !

Wednesday - October 29

Whenever we have an appt. early in the morning, we make a plan on what time to leave (allowing for traffic, school buses, and what Google Maps shows for traffic on the interstate, etc.)  Today, was not pretty on 75, so Mark took backroads and we made it to my ENT office and appt. with Nicole Keller, PA with 5 minutes to spare.

She cleaned the wax out of my ears (inherited from my Dad) and less than 1/2 hour, we were outta there.    Next stop was "Summer Moon" coffee shop (we've been here before and it's a really cute place.)    I've had so many yummy fall coffee lattes, but I think today's was the best - "Autumn Moon" - lots of good spices but no pumpkin and not too sweet.   Delicious. 

   Went to Lowe's and Home Depot (on the hunt for hardware for our new table that Philip will build.)   Last stop was Costco and then headed north on 41 to Punta Gorda and lunch with Allie and Owen at Laishley's Crab House.   We sat outside on this gorgeous day and the place filled quickly.   Allie and I had the grouper Reuben, Owen, blue crab sandwich and Mark, the fish (grouper) and chips.

Lunch at Laishley's

Owen, Allie, Pat, Mark

Afterwards, we walked outside and around the building (waterside) to Harbour Scoops for a "kiddie" size favorite ice cream for each (they have a huge selection and all homemade.)   Great lunch, ice cream and visit with these dear friends!

Played Lucky 13 at the clubhouse with 6 tables.    Two winners at our table - fun evening!