Thursday, March 31

Mark and I went to 8:00 Mass and then to the Coffee Hound.    He ran errands I went on a cleaning frenzy with the dust cloth, swiffer and vacuum cleaner.   3-months of cleaning neglect around here....time to make things shiny and sparkly (well kind of).....Michael is flying in tomorrow for his grandma and grandpa's big party on Saturday.    I want to have things somewhat in order (still have piles from FL here and there).  Mark said "he's a guy and not going to care"!!!  But it's a Mama thing!!!   Sooo looking forward to having him....we'll miss Ryan, Brooke and boys.

I picked Connor up from preschool, had lunch, and he went down for a nap and I took off for a manicure/pedicure.    Grandpa picked Liam up from kindergarten and we enjoyed the boys till Anne got off work at 7:00,   Had yummy grilled pork chops.  Patrick has an out-of-town gig tonight.

Grandpa playing dominoes with the boys

Liam and Connor love looking at all the pictures on Grandma's computer

Can't believe it's the end of March!!!    Hope April will bring on warmer temps and lots of sunshine! 

Wednesday, March 30

I left Ron and Vicki's at 8:45 and sat with Dad all morning and then had 11:00 care meeting (every 3 months, the staff meets with the families of the residents to cover any questions, concerns, etc.)    Dad continues to feel crummy along with labored breathing and nasty cough.....his nurses are amazed at the many health issues he has faced (some for a long time), but most of them, in recent months (COPD, congestive heart failure, prostate cancer, supra-pubic catheter, neuropathy, pneumonia, conpression stress fracture in his back, MRSA, shingles, flu and gout).  But he seldom complains.   He's a real trooper

I had lunch with Ron and Vicki at "Main Street" and then back to nursing home - Dad was ready for a nap  so I left for home.   Bob and Linda arrived home today from Florida.  I talked to Dad's doctor and he may be starting too wean him off the steroid a little faster (our main goal is for him to be comfortable).  

Mark's mother had more shots today for her pinched nerve in lower back - certainly pray this brings her some relief.

Good to be back home....Mark held down the fort just fine!

Tuesday, March 29

Left for Mendota this morning at 8:00 - cold and cloudy.   Visited with Dad (he was very sleepy);  Father Max came and gave him the annointing of the sick and he also received communion.  Mark and I stopped for lunch along the way and spent the afternoon in Dixon with his parents.    We are all looking forward to their triple celebration coming this Saturday (65th wedding anniversary; her 85th and his 90th birthdays)!!!

Mark drove his little red truck home and stopped at the meat market for some good pork chops and brats.   Visited with Dad for short time, and Mark went on home.   I'm spending the night with Ron and Vicki.   We had a great Chinese dinner....but as usual, ate way too much1   It's sooo good!    Sun came out this afternoon - nice treat!!!

Monday, March 28

Pretty sunny day, but chilly again.....we had breakfast with tthe Monday morning group and fun to have Sue and Brenda's granddaughters with us.

Sue with Haley and McKenna

Brenda with Lauren, Maggie and Reese

Got a few groceries and then home to empty out Daisy and put more stuff away.    Mark took Daisy to Roger's storage shed (will get out to wash and wax at a later date, but too darn cold).    Ryan called this afternoon and so good to chat with him.  Brenda picked me up and we met the Monday Night Friends at Bob Evans for supper and catching up!

Sunday, March 27

  21 degrees when we woke up today!   Sun was shining brightly, but that's darn COLD!!!    Burrrr....the boys slept in and had a small waffle each (they always want to eat the minute they get up)  and then we met Ron and Vicki at Ziggie's for breakfast where they enjoyed Mickey Mouse pancakes and hot chocolate..

Liam and his Mickey Mouse pancake

While Mark and the boys were in Daisy parked on the street, I spent some time with Dad.    He was having a so so day...the prednisone is making him feel really crummy, but he needs it for his lungs.   Mark took the boys to a school playground nearby but it was cold, so he held them up in front of Grandpa's window so they could wave!    Back home and unpacked.   Anne picked up Liam and Connor - great weekend despite spending most of it "on the road"!

Saturday, March 26

Got yesterday's blog updated this morning as we had very slow internet connection last night!    After breakfast we are on the road again and headed to Mendota to see Grandpa Pete.

It's not been a good day for Dad - struggling with his breathing, coughing and having tummy issues due to the high doses of prednisone he's on. Mark and I took turns sitting with him while the boys stayed on Daisy parked outside.    My Aunt Marian (Dad's sister) was there, too.We all went to 4:00 Mass at Holy Cross and then met Ron and Vicki for pizza. We are parked in their driveway tonight!   Boys had their showers/shampoos and now watching TV with Grandpa.

The guys very intent on someTV show

Friday, March 25

Cold and dreary day as we took off in Daisy with the boys for a weekend camping trip....

Daddy saying good bye to Liam and Connor just before pulling out of the driveway

Snowy day - gosh! COLD, SNOW and then RAIN - ICKY POO!

Stopped for lunch in Vandalia and then "back on the road" again....boys were so good - took a nice nap and watched videos.

Arrived at theTrails End Lodge (owned by a friend of Philip's).   

Grandpa with Liam and Connor at entrance to Trails End

Trails End Lodge

 Parked Daisy and went for short walk, then played Go Fish and went for early dinner at Trails End 

very good.

Here we all are just waiting for dinner!

Back on the road and are stopped in Mt. Vernon tonight!

Thursday, March 24

Today is Sweet Brady's 5th Birhday......wow, how those 5 years flew by!    A few favorite photos

Brady and Grandpa

9/16/06

7/27/08

3/10/11

We skyped and sang Happy Birthday...looks like Brady was having a fun day, despite being sick!   All 3 boys had the flu bug this week!!!

My shoulder is so achy...must be this cold, damp weather.   It did not get out of the 30's today and no sun (yesterday was sunny and 70)!       Back to wearing fleece, sox, gloves, etc.....

I did get out some spring pretties to brighten up the house this dreary day - bunnies, chicks, eggs, etc. are scattered around.

Good productive day of exercising, getting more stuff put away, grocery shopping and packing up Daisy for tomorrow.    We Nomads are on the move again and planning to take Liam and Connor on a camping trip to southern IL where it's supposed to be 15 degrees warmer.   Lots to do down there, but we may just hunker down on Daisy and have fun!!!

Wednesday, March 23

Beautiful day....Mark and I went to 8:15 Mass and then to The Coffee Hound.   Back home to dig in and unload Daisy, get the laundry going, etc., etc.    I had lunch with Exchange Club and always good to see them - most of the snowbirds are still gone,

We raked our front yard - so many leaves, sticks AND gumballs everywhere!    Still need to get all the crud out of the rocks, flower beds, etc., but....enough for today.    Enjoyed visiting with neighbors, Candy and Marty and getting all the scoop on the neighborhood while we were gone.

The wind really picked up this afternoon and then the temps dropped  (27 by morning)!   OUCH!!!!   Cold, cold week coming up!

Mark grilled burgers and we are happy to be warm and cozy at home!    My Dad is back at the nursing home tonight!

Tuesday, March 22

I am back from a good visit with Dad....he was not feeling so good today.    Hopefully, tomorrow he'll be going back to nursing home.   He desperately needs sleep....nurse said the steroid he's taking could affect that.    At least his lungs are better, cough is gone, and appetite is good.   

It was really chilly and windy and rainy.....don't think the temp got out of the 40s, but on my way home....hit 71.     Supposed to get rain and thunderstorms tonight.   I was cold all day and had 2 cups of hot tea at the hospital and then visited my brother Ron and Vicki and had another cup of good ole Earl Grey.    Sure hit the spot.   Ron and Vicki came home from FL early due to major mess of sump pump failing and 16" of water in their basement..........they are in the process of getting it all cleaned up, cleared out and waiting for this nightmare to be OVER!!!

Good to be back home tonight - hope things settle down a bit.   Plenty to do around here, but taking it all one day at a time!

Monday, March 21

We are HOME!!!!    Arrived around 4:15 and got Toad unloaded and lots of our stuff taken off  Daisy.    Nice to have the 73-degree temps, too.   Left Jackson at 7:30 this morning and stopped in Salem, IL at Five Brothers Cafe for lunch.    Noticed gas prices were the highest here at home as anywhere (except the same price $3.69 as Perry, FL)!    Just south of here,  .20 a gallon cheaper!

At any rate, got the wash machine going, Anne, Patrick and boys stopped in for ice cream and lots of yakking!   So good to see them all.   Tomorrow, I'm off to see Dad!   Thinking of and praying for Mark's Mother as she is suffering from severe pain in her back/hip caused by a pinched nerve and bursitis.

Daisy traveled 3400 miles and we spent $1,400 on gas.   It was a fantastic winter with so many happy memories!

There's no place like HOME; there's no place like HOME; there's no place like HOME!!!! 

Good Night!

Sunday, March 20

Long day of traveling.....we were on Route 45 (nice 4-lane road thru Mississippi and not too busy) most of the day and even I drove Miss Daisy and Toad for 90 miles.   Mark's back and legs really bother him after long stretches, so stopped occasionally to get the kinks out.

One of our stops was in Aberdeen, MS as Mark wanted to show me where he and Gary stopped wiith Catrina when they were doing the river systems last spring and then stranded for 3 days cause of all the flooding.   Would you believe the temperature hit 90 today while truckin' on down the road and at 6:00, it was still 85.   Even though today marks the first day of spring.....temps do not sound spring-like for back home later this week.............30's and low 40's for highs!     UGH!!!

Talked to Dad's nurse and he is doing much better.....she said the nurses are amazed at him.   They were very concerned last night about his condition; today, he's alert, no fever and on soft diet.   He sounded weak when we talked, but so much better than this morning.

We are in Jackson, TN tonight and walked around the park a few times - felt good.   

Saturday, Mach 19

 Today is our grandson, Davis's 9th birthay....as we were traveling along the beach today where Michael, Brooke, Drew and Davis vacationed in this same area in 2003, we thought about these pictures and had to share...

This sand does NOT taste good at all!!!

Messy "Mavis Davis" 

The Birthday Boy

We had breakfast at Caroline's on the river in Apalachicola this morning (very foggy) and then were on our way.    A fellow RVer told us about the "H" parking lot on Pensacola Beach where RV's can park overnight for free and it's right on the gulf.    So, that's where we are and have a beautiful view of the turquoise water and white sandy beach.    Took Toad to Destin to say "we've been there" and it was packed with spring breakers.   What a place!!!

Beautiful day for driving and arrived at St. Ann's Church in Gulf Breeze for 5:00 Mass.   Enjoyed our fresh shrimp from Buddy's for supper and now having a fantastic view of the moon from Daisy....the closest to the earth it's been in 18 years!

We skyped with Davis and he showed us his birthday gifts!  

Sooo worried about my Dad tonight.   Talked to his doctor this afternoon and just when he thought he would be releasing him today, he's having increased difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and low-grade fever,.    Putting this all in God's hands.....

Friday, March 18

Absolutely gorgeous day - not a cloud in the sky, very gentle breeze and temps in the upper 70's.   We walked downtown and shopped a little and got some fresh shrimp from Buddy's 13-mile Seafood Shop.    Buddy is the late husband of Miss Martha Pearl and his large commercial shrimp business continues to thrive along with a retail shop.  Back to Daisy and hopped on our bikes and to our favorite coffee shop where we met 3 cute girls from Knoxville who asked us to take their picture and then they took ours.

At the coffee shop

We did our exercises and then drove to St. George Island - the gulf was so calm, peaceful  and beautiful and occasionally, saw some dolphins playing in the distance.

The beach at St. George Island

Back to Eastpoint and I got a manicure, while Mark snoozed in the car sitting under a big ole shade tree.   We had a late lunch at "Up the Creek" and it was very good.  I had the peel 'n eat shrimp...

Check out the size of this shrimp!

Thought Liam would get a kick out of this tugboat which was being worked on today, but tonight back

out there doing its job!

"The Liam M"  from Seattle

 We walked to 5:30 Mass at St. Patrick's followd by Stations of the Cross.   Mark has Toad hooked up, bikes are back on and tomorrow, off to Destin.

Talked to my Dad tonight - he sounded better and said he may be discharged tomorrow!

St. Paddy's Day

Hope you all had a great day to celebrate St. Patrick!   We arrived in Apalachicola this morning.....so many memories of this quaint little town on Florida's Forgotten Coast from 1 year ago.    After settling Daisy at the city RV parking lot, we drove to my therapy clinic and Miss Patricia (receptionist) greeted us warmly and said that we should come back to see Dr. Tom and Miss Martha Pearl around 3:00.   Just being in the clinic brought back so many memories of doing "wall climbers" and many other painful exercises.   Drove downtown and  browsed around the shops and then lunch at "That Place on 98" (a favorite from last year).    I shopped a bit more and then back to Daisy.    Arrived back at the clinic and oh my.......emotional time seeing Dr. Tom and Miss Martha Pearl.    We hugged and I cried and Tom had me hold out my arms and tried pushing down and could see how "strong" they are!    He was so pleased and suggested we get together for dinner, but would call as he had a busy afternoon and had to stop by the hospital.  

  We straightened up the back of Toad and put some stuff away on Daisy and then enjoyed a bike ride - very pretty day!     Tom called and we are meeting at 6:45 at Papa Joe's Oyster Bar.....

We arrived in the parking lot at the same time and what a wonderful surprise that along with Dr. Tom and Miss Martha Pearl, getting out of the car was Miss Pam and her Mom, Miss June.   More hugs and tears.  It was soooo good to see these great "friends" who were so kind and supportive to me.    Tom brought the fresh red snapper which he took to the kitchen and we sat at same table as 1 year ago.

Enjoyed our delicious grilled fish, 2 sides each, wine, beer and non-stop chatter.    What a delightful, fun group!   I will never forget these special folks and hope our paths will cross again.

Dr. Tom, Miss Pam, Pat, Miss Martha Pearl, Mark and Miss June

Thinking of and worrying about my Dad tonight as he was admitted to hospital this afternoon.   He has the flu and breathing problems.....on oxygen with mask and getting breathing treatments.

Everywhere we drive or walk or bike there are happy memories from last year when Anne and Michael and their families were here on spring break!      Seeing all these children with their parents/grandparents sure makes us want to have our little guys down here!

Wednesday, March 16

Hello from Rocky's Campground near Perry, FL    Our day started with getting Daisy ready to hit the road again and driving to Port Orange where we met Gary and Linda (friends of Mark's parents) for breakfast at Steve's Diner.   Always a good place to "meet 'n eat" and enjoyed our time together (3rd year we've met here)

Gary and Linda

Beautiful day for traveling and oohed and aahed at the gorgeous lilac bushes and flowering trees.   We stopped in High Springs to stretch our legs, Mark got a haircut and I browsed the shops.    Small world...a guy was in the barber shop getting a haircut just before Mark and lo and behold it was someone he knew from State Farn (they both retired in 2006).    Ken now lives in High Springs.

We're settled here in the boonies (not quite to the Panhandle) with neighbors from Georgia and Texas beside us - no phone service, but good internet coverage.    Watching the news from Japan is soo heart wrenching and sad.    Cannot imagine the magnitude of what they are dealing with.

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY to all...

Apalachicola....here we come!!!

Tuesday, March 15

Beautiful day and after breakfast we stopped at Bealls Home Accents (me) while Mark stocked up on cereal at Publix to take home (good stuff....almonds and oats).    Spent a very enjoyable day with friends Lou and Mary Ann from back home.    They spend the winter in New Symrna Beach - sat on their patio with the ocean just 100' away and chattered away.   Then walked to the beach....

Mary Ann and Lou

Off to The Dolphin View for a fabulous lunch on the water....Mary Ann and I shared an Italian flounder sandwich with mozzarella and marinara - delish!!!!

Back to their condo for bridge with our hosts beating the pants off Mark and me.    And then had thee most wonderful corned beef and cabbage potluck with their friends from the condo association and annual St. Paddy's party.    Sooo much good food and enjoyed meeting Lou and Mary Ann's friends!

Great day in New Smyrna Beach....good friends, eating and just hanging out!!!

Monday, March 14

Beautiful day in New Smyrna Beach....exercised, ran a few errands and then drove to Daytona Beach to have lunch (delicious Memphis Bar-B-Que) and visit my Aunt Dee.   She lives on the 21st floor overlooking the Atlantic - phenomenal view!    Could just sit and stare at all that beauty all day long!

Aunt Dee

Stopped at Publix for a few things and now hanging out on Daisy reading and doing computer stuff.    Walked around the park (lots of folks from OH, IL and Ontario here).   The bikers have dwindled

BIG time......the 10-day biker week brings in around 500,000 bikers each year (my aunt said the crowds were down somewhat this year)!   That's a LOT of motorcycles!!!

Friday-Sunday, March 11-13

Time to catch up on this blog after a whirlwind weekend trip to NC for Grandparents Day  We had a great time with the boys, Michael and Brooke!    Enjoyed the cute production of the mini-musical, "Stone Soup" put on by the 1st-4th graders, followed by visits to Davis and Brady's classrooms, refreshments, book fair, etc.

Brady and his pre-school teacher

 

Davis and his 3rd-grade teacher

After a yummy lunch at The Club, Brooke and I shopped in the afternoon and then we all enjoyed a scrumptuous dinner of grilled shrimp, cheesy potatoes and spinach salad followed by euchre with the guys winning 3 of 4 games.

A favorite pose for the "D's" - so intent with their video games!

Mark, Michael, and boys were off Saturday morning for breakfast and then to Lake James.   Brooke and I ran a bunch of errands, had salads at Panera, I got a haircut and on home.   Off we all went to Drew's basketball game and met Bob and Judy (Grand-Bob and Gram).

Bob, Michael, Mark and Brady cheering on Drew.....his team lost 35-30 and their season is over!

Drew warming up on the basketball court

After the game we went to 5:15 Mass (except for Drew who was at a friend's birthday party) and then to Bistro 127 for excellent dinners and wine!   Home for more euchre with Michael and I losing to Mark and Brooke 3 out of  3.....ugh!!!!   Not MY weekend for euchre.

North Carolina grandsons

Michael, Brooke and Jinx

Short, but very fun weekend and NC was already coming alive with spring - daffodils, forsythia, dogwood and Bradford pear trees starting to bloom!

Lost an hour of sleep and so early to get up and leave for airport (4:30 AM).   Smooth flight to Sanford, but really sorry to hear about Mac (nice guy who's property Daisy/Toad were on while we were gone - farm near the airport).    He suffered a heart attack Saturday night and is in hospital.    His wife, Donna picked us up and took us to Daisy.    We arrived in New Smyrna Beach around 12:30.

Beautiful day.....we visited with Arnie and Fay who are from IL and long-time friends of Mark's parents.    Arnie started helping Mark's Dad with the farming when he was a young lad of 14!!!!    Great visit, many laughs and yummy key lime pie made for a delightful Sunday afternoon.

 

Arnie and Fay at their condo overlooking the Atlantic

Thursday, March 10

Lots of rain and wind overnight.   Mac picked us up this morning at 6:00 and off to the Sanford airport and our flight to Greensboro.   Rain, rain and more rain!     We drove to Hickory and so good to be here yakking with Brooke before the boys came home from school, followed by Michael.

We are driving this cute Nissan Cube.......

Jinx, our new grand puppy

Grandma and sweet Brady

Brooke fixed yummy beef stew and I've been playing Dora dominoes and Thomas the Train match game with Brady.     Tomorrow morning we are off to school for grandparents day!

Good news....Dad is no longer on quarantine as of tonight and able to have dinner in the dining room!

Wednesday, March 9

Lent began today and we went to 8:30 Mass at St. Paul's for Ash Wednesday.    Back to Daisy for muffins, did our exercises and a load of laundry.    We could've spent more time in Leesburg (nice RV park and with so many streets and good biking, we didn't even have time for that)  This is the home of "Drew Davis", State Farm agent.    Always have a good laugh when we see that big billboard (2 oldest grandsons in NC are Drew and Davis).

Drove to Mount Dora and I browsed the shops and then met Mark at "Pisces Rising" overlooking Dora Lake for very good lunch (crab cake for me; shrimp for Mark - sooo fresh)!!!

Well...........we are on the move again!    Yesterday we were flying around with Patty and Doug in golf carts seeing The Villages, today traveling in Daisy and tomorrow........flying to North Carolina.     We had a few free days and Brooke mentioned "Grandparents Day" on Friday, so we thought "why not"?    Tonight Daisy and Toad are parked in a big open field in Sanford (cows are grazing behind the fence).     Mac, the owner, rents out space for RV's, boats, cars, etc., for anyone traveling.    He will take us to the airport at 6 AM for flight to Greensboro; we'll rent a car and drive to Michael's.    Sunday, return to Sanford, hop on Daisy and head to New Smyrna Beach/Daytona Beach area for a few days.

Mac told us about a 200-year old tree on the property and a 300-year old oak that has 6 other trees growing in and around it.  Had some damage from Hurricane Charley, but still going strong....

300-year old tree and Mark

We are in Seminole County and this area was once home to the largest producing county of celery

(right where we are parked)!!!

Fat Tuesday 2011

Beautiful, sunny day and we are off to The Villages to have some fun with Patty and Doug!    Soooo good to see them and catch up.  Patty and I went to Bealls and then back to their home for delicious lunch on the lanai with beautiful view of the Nancy Lopez golf course.

Pat and Patty in Mardi Gras garb off to party

At 2:30, we went to Sumter landing for the Mardi Gras celebration.......what a happening place.   Met Doug's sister, Hope and David from Ohio who are spending the winter here and we parked our chairs to "people" watch with quite an array of beads, masks, clothing, hats, etc.

Some of the crazy folks dressed up!

Patty, David, Doug, Hope, Mark and Pat

Back to Patty and Doug's for drinks/appetizers and then we all went to The Oakwood Grill for delicious ribs and all the fixin's.    Sad to say good-bye!   Just a very fun, fun day!

 Pat, Patty, Hope, David, Doug and Mark

Mark and I sure chowed down this Fat Tuesday. 

 Tomorrow Lent begins and time to put the skids on all this eating!!!

Monday, March 7

NIPPY this morning - in the 40's, but after a good breakfast at the park cafe, we did our exercises and tried to warm up!   We spent a delightful day with long-time boating friends, John and Carolyn who live in Leesburg for about 7 months of the year and in IL rest of the time.    We had sooo much fun catching up and Carolyn had a delicious lunch, yummy snacks and wine.   We went to the musical "Melda" put on by residents of their community - it was hilarious!!!!

Back to their home for delicious strawberry shortcake and ice cream!     FUN, FUN day... 

John and Carolyn

Sunday, March 6

70% chance of rain today, but just a few sprinkles and most of the day was sunny and warm!    Mark and I met Bob and Annette at 9:00 Mass at St. Joseph - great choir, trumpet player and neat priest!

I rode back with them and Mark went on back to get Daisy ready to hit the road again.....Toad hooked up, etc.    Had more yummy bagels and parfaits from Panera (THANKS, Annette) and then got down to the serious business of euchre!    FUN....even gave out prizes for our marathon game weekend!    Enjoyed chicken and potato salad leftovers and then we said our good-byes and away we went!

As most of you know, I have no sisters and when Mark and I married, I instantly gained "10" new sisters!  And with an additional 4 sisters-in-law (we each have 2 brothers), I am so blessed to have these great gals in my life!    We all have so much fun and really enjoy our time together!

Ron and Bob enjoying a bike ride around the park

Pat, Annette and Mark

   Settled at the Holiday Travel RV Park in Leesburg (did 3 loads of laundry) and looking forward to spending time with 2 long-time couple friends the next 2 days!

Saturday, March 5

FUN Saturday with family and friends starting with Annette arriving bearing goodies from

 Panera (bagels and parfaits).  

Annette (eyes closed, it's so darn good), Bob, Ron and Vicki

After enjoying these goodies, we girls started our marathon of games (euchre, rummikube and dominoes).   

My cousin, Brett, his wife Tammy and their 3 boys (Brody, Brock and Blake) came for visit and supper.   Great to see them (been 2 years) and enjoyed the boys!

Tammy, Brett, Brock, Brody and Blake

We stuffed ourselves all day long with appetizers followed by fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, fresh fruit, AND fresh strawberry pie, chocolate/peanut butter rice krispie treats and more Greek pastries.....

soooooooooooooo good!!!!!

Sweet Blake (almost 2)

Annette, Sue, Tammy, Linda, Vicki

Bob putting on Brock's shoes and ready to go bye bye

Happy to hear tonight that our great nephew, Michael (2 months) who has been very ill with RSV is recovering and hopefully be home soon!

Friday, March 4

Linda and I enjoyed a fun day of shopping!     Some really cute shops here in Lakeland and we both helped boost their economy.   We enjoyed a great lunch outdoors at Mimi's Cafe. 

All  6 of us gathered back at Ron and Vicki's for supper - grilled burgers and all the fixin's (Hellas Greek pastries for dessert)!  All delicious!!!

Mark went for long bike ride and enjoyed the pretty day!

Thursday, March 3

Happy Birthday to Mark's Mom.....................she is 85 years YOUNG today!!!    Congratulations and wishing you many more happy, healthy birthdays!

Grandma C

Our day started with exercising and then meeting Bob, Linda, Ron and Vicki and off  to Tarpon Springs for fun on a beautiful sunny day.    We girls shopped, the guys walked around, checked out the boats, etc.    Met for lunch at 1:00 (this is Greek town with wonderful salads, gyros, etc.)  at Hellas. Then more shopping and met the guys at 3:30 and each of us chose a delectable dessert-to-go from the Hellas bakery.    Traffic was awful going back to Lakeland.    Had some snacks, drinks and our desserts!

Bob, Ron and Mark after great Greek lunch

Linda, Pat and Vicki - shopping up a storm!!!

And last, but not least.....today is the one-year anniversary of our accident in St. Pete!    One year later....how thankful and blessed we are to  be "going strong"!!!!