Thursday-Friday, February 27-28

We are back on Daisy after a very fun little getaway to Lake Worth......my brother Bob, Linda, their daughter Jennifer, husband, Jake and Baby Leia (11 months) joined us at Philip, Annette, and Luke's home for a special little gathering where the cousins met for the first time.   We all visited, ate, drank, enjoyed hot tub and pool time, cards and just hanging out with the little ones!!!

 

BIG thanks to Philip and Annette for their warm hospitality and great food!!!

 

Babies on the move....get ready, get set....GO...............

 

Priceless!

Bob enjoying his granddaughter!

 

Hot tub fun

 

Great Aunt Linda and Luke

 

Sweet little Leia

 

Mommies and their babies out for a stroll!

 

Leia and Luke hard at play 

 

One week ago tonight we were in NC with Blair and her brothers; now 2 days with Luke and 3 weeks from tonight we'll have Liam and Connor here (yippee.....seeing all our grandchildren within a months time)

 

Last day of February....my-oh-my, and March sounds like it's coming in like a LION back home.... another storm is on the way!

Enjoy your weekend!

 

 

Wednesday - February 26

Nice day - we were up early to exercise, have breakfast and then picked up Steve and Connie.    We met Sue and Jerry and off we went to Sharon and Harry's in Naples.     After touring their condo, we went our separate ways - the guys went in one car to The Little Bar in Goodland for lunch and driving around the area.

 

We girls went to Marco Island and had delicious lunch at Mango's - then back to the condo and we got our swimsuits on, grabbed the noodles and nets and off to the Lazy River which meanders around their complex.    What fun....just floating around in 3' of water yakking and enjoying the nice day.

 

The guys met us back at the condo and we enjoyed some delicious cake celebrating Sue's birthday!

 

Very fun day with good friends.   We said our good-byes to Sharon and Harry as they leave for

 home on Friday!    Sure have enjoyed our time with them and made lots of memories!

 

Jerry, Mark, Steve, Harry

 

Pat, Sue, Sharon and Connie at Mango's

And the big blue volcano (with dry ice) martini

 

The Babes enjoying the Lazy River

 

Tomorrow we are leaving early for a little 2-day jaunt to see Luke and family in Lake Worth.    My brother Bob and Linda, their daughter and family from Villa Park will all be there.     Leia is 2 weeks older than Luke so can't wait to get the little cousins together and have some good family time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - February 25

Although it started out very cloudy and overcast, the sun shone thru late morning and "wow" - beautiful day in southwest FL.    We ran a few errands including a stop at Biscotti's Café (another good Connie recommendation).    And I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Ryan for my birthday.    He waited till we returned from NC - what a nice surprise and start to the day!

 

Mike and Claire picked us up at 10 and we were off to Sanibel for the day.    Met Paul and Margie at their beautiful condo and so enjoyed our visit, walk on the beach, lunch at the Sandbar and then dominoes won by Mark!

 

Had a good chat with our neighbor, Marty recovering from his triple bypass and doing great!!!

 

Enjoying a nice evening on Daisy and very light supper of cheese/crackers/nuts!

 

Birthday flowers from Ryan

 

Claire and Margie - shelling on Sanibel

 

Claire, Mike, Margie, Paul

Mark, Pat, Margie, Paul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Monday - February 24

Sunny, warm day.    We exercised, rode bikes and did 3 loads of laundry!    This is a busy week ahead, so good to have a day to catch up on the Daisy front! 

Our blonde, blue-eyed boy

 

Luke is such a big boy drinking from his sippy cup

THREE more days and we'll be with him!

 

Tonight we celebrated our friend, Sue's milestone birthday!     We're sorry Connie and Steve were not able to join us......Sharon, Harry, Jerry, Sue, Mark and I met at Carrabba's for delicious dinner and desserts!    It was a very fun evening spent with special, long-time friends!

 

Harry, Jerry, Mark

Pat, Birthday Girl, Sharon

 

 

Saturday-Sunday, February 22-23

I had a wonderful birthday weekend in North Carolina – quick little getaway, but so fun with Blair, her brothers, Michael and Brooke.    We had a leisurely Saturday morning – Michael and Mark ran some errands and we all went to Brady’s ballgame at 2.   His team won 16-13 with Brady scoring 4 points!   Mark brought his new camera and got some pics and video of the game,.   Bob and Judy (Brooke’s parents) joined us at the game and then back to the house for some euchre which the guys won 2 out of 3. 

Michael and Brooke went out for dinner with friends and the rest of us enjoyed a delicious tortellini dinner which Brooke had prepared!    After baths and showers, we got Brady and Blair tucked into bed with lots of hugs and kisses.    What fun they are…..so enjoyed our baby girl and of course, Brady is always such a delight!    Drew and Davis are growing up fast and busy with all their 6^th and 8^th grade studies and activities!   And at that stage where they do not like to have their picture taken (Drew, for sure)!    I hate good-byes - so hard when we live so far apart and babies change so fast!

 

Grandpa and I went to bed around 9 – early morning coming up! 

 

Davis, Blair and Grandma

 

Brady practicing before his game

Grandpa hanging out with the "B's"

Sweet baby girl - oh how I'm going to miss you!

Sunday – up and going at 4:15 AM, quietly left the house and on our way to the

 Greenville, SC airport.    

There was very dense fog in Punta Gorda this morning so our flight was delayed 1 hour and 25 minutes.    Finally took off and landed at 11:10.   We had planned to go to 11:00 Mass with Roger and Carol, but didn't make it.   

We did meet Connie and Steve from Fort Myers and Ron and Lois from Punta Gorda at the Laishley Crab House for lunch - so good to all be together and catch up!   Lunch was excellent and very pleasant sitting on the patio overlooking the Peace River.

Steve, Connie, Ron and Lois

 

We went to 5:30 Mass at St. Columbkille and stopped at Publix for a few things!

So proud of and happy for our niece, Colleen who has just accepted a job with the VA hospital in Tepeka, Kansas.    Colleen is finishing up her doctorate in psychology.

Have a great week.....

Friday - February 21

Big milestone here today for our Little Miss......Blair has her 1st tooth discovered by Mommy at lunch time!    Yeah!   Here she is gnawing away on Sophie, her little giraffe

Ahhh,, all this chewing and drooling finally paid off - I've got my FIRST TOOTH!

 

Hmmm...I think I feel it!

The girls having a jolly good time

 

Oh my, is that what I'm having for lunch?

 I just LOVE watching Baby Einstein

 

We had a nice leisurely day - Mark did a few odd jobs around the house, Brooke ran some errands and had lunch with friends.    And Grandma and Blair did more bonding and playing.    We had a morning thunderstorm, but nice 'n sunny all afternoon!

 

The boys came home from school and all excited to hear their sister has her first tooth!

Way to go, Blair....just the first of many milestones for this little girl that her brothers

will enjoy with her!  

 

Grandpa and I were home tonight with the "B's" (Blair and Brady).   Michael and Brooke took the "D's" (Drew and Davis) to their school Valentine dance which was canceled from one week ago cause of all the snow!

 

Here's our pink bundle after her bath

She looks scared, but was very happy playing with her toys and getting sweet 'n clean!

Maybe it's the title of Princess that gave her a fright?    Ha..so much pressure!!!

 

And now here's our little man...

 

 "ooooh,  this grass tickles"!!!

 

Thursday - February 20

Happy Grandma with her NC kiddies

Happy Birthday to me.....and all the others celebrating today (brother Bob, cousins and friends).   We were up and at'em at 4:15 AM.   Shortly after, said our good-byes and much appreciated thanks to Roger and Carol and then left for the Punta Gorda airport.

 

Good flight on Allegiant (despite some scary stories we had heard) to Greenville, SC.    Rented a car, drove 98 miles to Michael's and tah dah....we are here with our NC grandchildren for a long weekend and celebrate my birthday!    Sweetest gift was walking into Blair's room and getting a big happy grin from my baby girl!!!

Grandma and her baby girl who is 7 months

Blair and Grandpa

Ready for nighty night

Pretty flowers for me from Brooke

 

So good to see the boys after school......Michael grilled out steaks and Brooke fixed a delicious dinner - this will be a very memorable birthday! 

 

Thanks so much for the phone calls, e-mails, e-cards, and texts!  

 

We had such a fun time last evening with Roger and Carol in their lovely condo....visiting over hors d'oeuvres and drinks followed by a delicious home-cooked, good ole comfort food dinner - chicken kiev, wild rice, fresh asparagus and rolls.....topped off with birthday pie!

 

Deeeelicious

Great hosts.....Carol and Roger

 

Wednesday - February 19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our favorite
son-in-law

 

Patrick and his little buddy, Brady

 

So glad the weather temps are finally warming up back home....but, with this warmth comes

 rain and threat of flooding!   

 

We exercised, did a load of laundry, rode bikes and finished packing....we are leaving this afternoon to stay with friends in Punta Gorda (Roger and Carol) tonight   Tomorrow (my birthday), we are flying to NC to for a much-needed Blair and brothers fix!!!   CANNOT wait.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - February 18

We were up and out Daisy's door by 7:45.   Kathy and Paul were to join us, but both were not feeling well last night, so....bummer!    We stopped at The Grind (cute coffee café that Connie had told us about) - neat décor and very good (we'll be back)!    Then we were on our way to Venice.    We shopped about 1/2 hour - lots of people on the streets of this charming town.

 

This cute painted turtle is just one of several artistic turtles, fish and other sea life around the downtown Venice area.

 

Met at Carol and Bob's home along with Mark and Barbara who drove down from Anna Maria Island.    We all were on E-12 at Reefpoint Marina for many years and this has gotten to be a yearly event in February to get together and catch up.   After a 1-hour visit, we drove to Snook Haven in south Venice and what a very old, quaint Florida place this is on the Myakka River.    Lots of people there, we sat outside and enjoyed the lovely day and food was wonderful!   

 

Mark, Barbara, Bob, Carol, Pat, Mark

at Snook Haven

 

Few more stops on our way back to Daisy and home sweet home at 4:30!    Fun day....

 

Monday - February 17

Our margarita party host and hostess

Sue and Jerry - wow....can they ever throw a fine bash!

 

Enjoyed a very nice "down" day on Daisy and out and about this beautiful Monday!

 

 Exercised, breakfast, long bike ride to Target (and Starbucks).   I got a manicure this afternoon.   Back to Daisy and we were off on our bikes for dinner (delicious) at the McGregor Grille.

 

Tomorrow...off to Venice to meet 2 couples (we all were on the same dock in Racine

 for many years)!

 

 

Saturday-Sunday, February 15-16

Saturday - we had a leisurely morning on Daisy and then met Paul and Kathy and were off to Punta Gorda for the State Farm retiree luncheon at the Elks.   Food is always good there and fun visiting and catching up - cool, windy day, but beautiful views overlooking the Peace River.   

 

At 3:00 we were off to the Wyvern Hotel where we met 4 other couples and had drinks on top of this beautiful hotel - breezy, but what spectacular views on this clear, sunny day.    Next stop.....the Laishley Crab House for drinks and appetizers - all 12 of house shared a variety of goodies and lots more chatter.   Final stop of the day was back to Roger and Carol's lovely condo for dessert (chocolate marble cake, strawberry cake, Key Lime pie - all scrumptious!    We've been on the go with several of these long-time friends (through boating) this past week and now time to say good-bye till next year!    Very enjoyable day....dropped Paul and Kathy off and on home to Daisy around 9:30.

 

Kathy, Vivian, Jeanne, Pat, Marcia, Carol

Roger, Mark, Mike, Fred, Paul, Cy

Sweet little boy taking his Saturday morning nap

 

Sunday -  it was 46 when we got up this morning but nice 'n sunny!    We went to 9:00 Mass at St. Columbkille and then to the Sweet Bean Coffee Café - love this place, and although small, it's always busy and food is wonderful (especially the grilled cinnamon bread)!  

 

Mark worked on taxes, I did a load of laundry, walked and did face time with

Anne, Liam and Connor.

 

Steve, Connie and her sister, Vicky picked us up at 4:15 and we were off to Sue and Jerry's for their annual margarita party attended by 35+ folks from back home.    So much wonderful food and margaritas, beer and wine!   Just a very fun evening chatting with old and new friends!

 

Our neighbor at home (Sue) who does our yard work sent this picture today of our house.    Sue and others have been telling us that 6 AM-6 PM tomorrow.....yet another dose of wintry weather coming with snow, sleet and ice!

 

Winter wonderland at HOME SWEET HOME

 

 

Valentine's Day - 2014

Hope you all had a happy day with your Sweetie?     It is a spectacular day in Fort Myers - cool, but clear, deep blue, sunny skies!      My day started off on an icky note....I was exercising outside on our patio - birds were going crazy all over the place (tons of big black crows) in the trees.   I felt a plop......poopie landed in my hair and 4 splatters on my shirt - ugh...gross!!!!!!

 

Mark and I went for a long bike ride - perfect day for that.    Rode to the post office to mail Patrick's birthday gift and it was one of those days, we could've rode forever.    Back to Daisy for lunch....

Luke is all bundled up for a morning Valentine's Day stroll with Mommy

 

Our NC boys had their 3rd straight snow day...we did face time this afternoon with Blair and Brady.....next week, we'll be out there with them!    Can't wait!!!

 

   We picked Steve and Connie up at 3:50 and met the rest.  We Florida folks had an "early" Valentine's Day dinner at The Prawnbroker (4:15) - delicious and packed.  This is one of our favorite restaurants and always very busy.   It was either 4:15 or 8:30 - we all preferred the earlier time!

 

Harry, Sharon, Steve, Connie, Jerry, Sue, Pat, Brenda, Mark, Pat

 

Then to The Love Boat for ice cream - sooo many choices - this is really good stuff!     After visiting a bit more, everyone went on home, and Mark and I took Steve and Connie home and stayed to play dominoes with Mark the winner - very nice evening!

 

Outside the Love Boat

 

Back on the home front,  1-2" of snow was predicted, but ended up with 5.7" and a massive 40-car pile-up on the interstate.    Fortunately, no life threatening injuries, but several taken to the hospital and took a long time to clear all the wreckage.

 

Thursday - February 13

Lots of rain and storms around the state of Florida last night - some front came thru and today is cool (60's) and very windy!     But with so much cold, snow and ice again in the south and out east, we are not complaining!

 

We walked around the park this morning and then ran some errands - Barnes and Noble, Target, Total Wine and Starbucks.    My Nook started acting up last night - downloaded a new book, but then wouldn't let me open to read?    Long story short, it's actually the publisher of the book (Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd) and not my Nook that is causing the problem.    Apparently the older version of Nooks which I have cannot accept that particular book.    Nook is aware of the problem and will be getting back to me.   Soon as Mark gave the name of the book, they knew all about it!   So....the guy at Barnes and Noble said I have far exceeded the life expectancy of my Nook!    This technology changes so quickly!     Picked up my new pairs of regular and prescription sunglasses (for distance) at Target.

 

Got the sweetest handmade Valentine from Brady today - 2 weeks of mail finally caught up with us! 

 Michael said they got 8" of snow and it's already starting to melt!

We had a very fun evening - met Paul and Kathy, Herb and Dana at Big Game for drinks and appetizers and later, pizza.    We listened to and sooo enjoyed Gatlin (great entertainment that we heard last year)!    Darryl and Andrea are married now....wow - just so fun!    Big crowd!!! 

Andrea and Darryl Gatlin can sing it all from country to opera!

Herb, Paul, Kathy, Dana, Pat, Mark

 

 Wishing you all a very

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY