Monday - Leap Year Day

Happy Leap Year Day!!!     It was a winner in the weather department and after a good night's sleep and breakfast, we were on our way to Lake Wales.    Arrived at the L'Incontro Italian Bistro and met my brother Bob, Linda, Jennifer, Jake and Leia (visiting from Chicago area) and Annette.    What fun to all be together and enjoy Luke and Leia!

 

Lunch was delicious and lots of good visiting.   Said our good byes and the Lakeland crew went on back home (Leia, her Mommy and Daddy are going to Disney Wednesday for 2 days) and Luke and his Mommy drove back to Lake Worth.    What a fun weekend Grandpa and I had with him!

 

Grandma/Great Aunt Pat with 2 little sweeties!

Bob and Leia, Linda, Pat, Luke and Grandpa 

Jake, Jennifer, Leia, Luke, Annette 

 

#5 and #6 - the Fortus maneuver

 

A few more "new" friends from Water's Edge...

 

Jud and Sue from Virginia 

Bob and Mary from Arkansas 

Gary and Sue from Oklahoma

 

Enjoyed another fun happy hour with these folks on a gorgeous late afternoon!   Can't believe our time here is really winding down...leaving Thursday. 

 

Bye bye February.....welcome March (coming in like a "lamb" here in FL....

not so much in other parts of the country)?

 

 

 

Sunday - February 28

Sunny start to the day but clouds rolled in and breezy, cloudy day in the upper 60's.    Mark went to 7:30 Mass in Okeechobee and the guys had pancakes for breakfast.    Luke loves playing outdoors and he and Grandpa had some races, he rode his Batmobile and just checked everything out!!!

 

After lunch, no nap today for Luke....and he's our 3-4 hour napper, but not today???   Oh well...he's happy so,...

 

I rode my bike and Luke his Batmobile around the park and we had a very short happy hour with the RVrs'.  

 

Here are a few more pics of our weekend with Luke

Yesterday at the Brown Cow (M 'n M time) 

Our club house here at Water's Edge

Our Tiki Hut for daily happy hour 

1-2-3 GOOOO

Hi all.....

Luke loves this "It's 5 O'clock somewhere" sign that

goes round and round in front of Big John's RV 

One of Luke's favorite hiding places on Daisy

 

 

 

 

Saturday - February 27

Nice leisurely morning.....Luke and Grandma just lounged around in our jammies till late morning when Grandpa decided we needed to go into town and see if we could find a park or playground for Luke.

Well.....there are plenty of nice playgrounds at schools and day care centers, but everything was behind a locked gate, so.....apparently no public parks in Okeechobee?   We walked around downtown and stopped at the Brown Cow for some ice cream....Luke wasn't really into the ice cream, but enjoyed digging out the M 'n M's. 

Boy, I love these M 'n M's....

 

Tah dah....good stuff

Luke reminds me of the little guy on "Home Alone"!

 

Later we went to Joey's for pizza/spaghetti.   And then back to Daisy for naps (all 3 of us)   I went to 4:00 Mass at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus.   At the end of Mass and all the announcements, Father

said "there is a truck parked in front full of cabbages, green beans and strawberries.   PLEASE help yourself and take as much as you want....I don't want any left behind"!    Wow....beautiful fresh produce and Luke is enjoying some strawberries as I write this.

 

Mark and Luke went to Happy Hour for a short time while I was gone....mornings and evenings are really cool.   Pretty sunny day, but only in the 60's and breezy.

 

We did face time with Liam, Connor and Auntie Anne tonight!

 

This is where we hope to be in El Centro (11 days from now) to watch the Blues practice...  

The locals watching the practice from the hay bales a few days ago

Friday - February 26

Beautiful brilliant sunshiny day....we went to yoga, quick breakfast at McDonalds and then were on our way to Lake Worth.    Had a really nice day with Philip, Annette and Luke celebrating my birthday with some very nice presents and Key Lime pie!

 

After lunch we played dominoes while Luke was napping....I won both games!    And another game was part way done, but holding onto those scores till next week when we return!

 

Luke helping Grandma open presents!

 

Annette made some delicious eggplant parmesan and salad for dinner.   We loaded up Luke and all his stuff and left around 5:30 for Daisy.

 

Luke loves Daisy and is settling in and making himself at home!

 

Ryan in El Centro - 15 days and counting until "show time"!

 

 

 

Thursday - February 25

A very fresh sunny day after all the rain, but breezy.   After breakfast we were off to Stuart    Stopped at the Stuart Coffee Co. and meet Bob and Carol (their son-in-law, Tom is past commander of the Blue Angels).   We were with Bob and Carol at their winter home in Jupiter about a month ago (they live in PA) and today they came to see what Stuart is all about!   We sat and chatted over coffee and then Carol and I took off and hit the shops.    She bought some neat stuff and really enjoyed the nice stores..   The guys stayed put at the coffee shop, then we all went to Sailors Return for delicious lunch.    Would've been fun to sit outdoors but too chilly and windy.   

 

Some birthday cheer

Carol's birthday is March 2nd

 

Bob, Carol, Pat, Mark

 

We said our good byes around 3 and left to go back to Daisy.    Bob and Carol are such a neat couple and hopefully we'll see them somewhere at a Blue Angel show this year.

 

Back to Daisy, changed into some ""warmer" clothes and with our desserts (Publix, of course) we were off to the wiener roast here in our park.    It was a beautiful evening, BUT still so windy, so kinda chilly.   Lots of yummy food and good time - big crowd

 

Here are a few of our RV Friends...

 

Big John - Texas 

John and Joannie  - Kentucky 

Harold and Judy - Indiana 

Barb and Dennis - Pennsylvania

 

Low 40's coming tomorrow morning!    After yoga, we are off to Lake Worth and picking up Luke for the weekend!   Yippeee

 

 

Wednesday - February 24

Wow....what a wild weather day.....before the first flake fell today back in Bloomington, Liam and Connor's school was cancelled along with several others.     But that was a wise call as they were expecting 4-7" plus strong winds!   Anne and Patrick were sent home at 2 PM when State Farm closed, too.   And the colleges shut down.    Very unusual for all that to happen!    Glad Liam had an extra day to really get rid of that strep.

 

So, our day started off with cloudy skies....went to yoga and then stopped at Publix for a few things, changed clothes and on our way to Arcadia.    Rained the latter part of the trip, but nothing real heavy.    We met long-time Canadian friends, Ron and Lois from Ontario for lunch at the Magnolia Seafood Grill.   There's not a lot of choices in town, but this was #1 according to Trip Advisor.   We had a nice young man, George for our waiter and the place was busy.....nothing fancy, but food was really good!    We had such a nice visit as the rain came down with occasional cracks of thunder.

 

We left the restaurant after our good byes and hugs around 1:30.....a short time later, our weather alerts went off on our phones.....tornado warning for Charlotte (Ron and Lois live in Punta Gorda) and DeSoto Counties (Arcadia).   We drove a bit but it was raining so hard, so turned around and stopped at Wal Mart about 15 minutes until the warning ended.   We had very heavy rain almost all the way back to Daisy (65 miles).   Happy to hear Ron and Lois made it home safely.

Lois and Ron
 

And along with the storms in this area and the snowstorm back in IL, Pensacola had some major damage last night.   A lady at yoga told us her brother and sister-in-law came into LA (near Slidell) last night trying to decide which RV park to stay at.   They chose one....the other across the street was totally demolished by the tornado that killed 2 and injured several (last we heard, 2-3 people are missing) in Convent, LA. 

Luke playing at the mall yesterday!

Tuesday - February 23

Cloudy day....Mark exercised and we left at 10 for Clewiston to meet Barb and Roger and her sister, Carole and Mike who drove over from Bonita Springs.   Browsed the very nice marina store (one of thee best) and then sat under the Tiki Hut for delicious lunch.    Barb, Roger, Mark and I have been here on our boats (different times several years ago).   The lock is right beside the Tiki Hut.

 

Mike, Carole, Barb, Roger 

Roger, Barb, Pat, Mark

 

We had a nice long chatty visit over lunch and then more yakkin' over margaritas (Barb and me) and a pina colada for Carole.    No rain was predicted for today, but what started out as sprinkles and then a little shower soon turned into a downpour!!!

 

We probably won't see Barb and Roger till mid April when we meet in Fort Worth, TX at

Paul and Kathy's and the Blue Angels!

 

Back to Daisy around 4:30.    Weather tomorrow sounds nasty around the country....snow in the Midwest, storms/tornadoes in the FL Panhandle and up the east coast.   We are to have some rain along with very strong winds.

 

Liam is feeling better but has raspy voice!   Hope he can go back to school tomorrow!

Maybe they'll have a snow day???   Probably not getting that much though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - February 22

Another nice sunny day and warming up a little bit more each day!   We went to yoga and then the Brown Cow for breakfast (love their quiche).   Stopped at the post office and onto Stuart.

 

I got a manicure while Mark ran some errands and got Toad washed.    Had lunch outdoors at Manatee Island Bar and Grill....a favorite!   Mark had their wonderful mango barbeque pork on a pretzel roll and I had the grouper Reuben!!!

 

Back to Daisy for a bit and then to happy hour - gorgeous late afternoon/evening to sit by the water visiting with friends.

 

Belle (yoga instructor) sent me an e-mail this afternoon on "tech neck"??   Very interesting reading about something so many of us experience as a result of lots of time spent at the computer, reading, checking cell phones, etc.

Bell knows about my ongoing neck issues and now I have a new exercise to try!

"Tech Neck"   hope none of you experience this?    Not sure that's what my problem is, but could all be all related?

 

 

 

Sunday - February 21

A lazy Sunday here at the park....mostly cloudy skies and got to 73.    We took the bikes to the rim trail and had a nice ride.    After lunch, Mark worked on taxes, I read and took a little nap.  

 

I got a text today from the 5K app on my phone that they missed me and hope I'll be back soon!    This technology is amazing.....they know I haven't ran/walked in a week and want me back...awww.    Not just yet folks - ankle still healing!

 

We played 2-handed euchre later this afternoon and he trounced me 4 out of 4!

 

Liam has strep and feeling really yucky - poor guy.   I despise sore throats and can only imagine

how he feels!!  

 

Michael sent the video of Brady's winning shot from yesterday's game.   41-40 Exciting!!!

 

We enjoyed leftovers from last night - great the 2nd time around, too!!!

 

Busy week coming up - meeting friends in Clewiston, Arcadia, and Stuart and then Luke comes

 for the weekend!

 

 Hope you all have a great week!   Stay safe and healthy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday - February 20

Happy Birthday to ME

and best wishes to these special people in my life who also celebrate today:

 

Bob (brother); Michelle, Dave, Amy (cousins);
Kay, Sally, Judi, Shelley, Fred (friends)

 

It's been an awesome day starting with a leisurely morning on Daisy and then off to Stuart for the day.   Stopped at Starbucks for a treat (I had given up lattes for Lent, but had a free treat, so....savored a cinnamon dolce latte (skinny)  and stopped at Wal Mart for a few things.   We were on Jensen Beach and walked around downtown.    Drove on part of Hutchinson Island (north route this time) and went ga ga at all the spectacular homes.

 

We enjoyed a glass of wine in the courtyard at the Blue Door on this spectacular day!    It was 75 and sunny!   WOW!!!

 

Went to 4:00 Mass at St. Joseph and had a delightful priest from Ireland.   Then to dinner at 18 Seminole Street.   Linda, Vicki and I ate here 3 weeks ago.    Just an awesome place!

 

We are back on Daisy - what a wonderful birthday - loved all the texts, e-mails, e-cards, cards and videos.  Thank you!!!
Our NC grandsons were each doing flips on the trampoline as they wished me

"Happy Birthday, Grandma"!

Thee best birthday topped off with the perfect dinner!

Brady.....scored the winning basket today!

 

 

 

 

 

Friday - February 19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PATRICK

 

Best wishes to our favorite son-in-law!

 

We went to yoga this morning and what a surprise to see another guy there?    We met Ed who is Belle's son and his daughter, Meredith (around 10ish) from Battle Creek, MI.    They are in Okeechobee for Belle's daughter (Ed's sister's ) wedding tomorrow.    Ed is in the Air Force Reserves and has done yoga a long time.   He told Mark if he's away from it too long, his body craves to get back to all the stretching, bending, etc.   Hmmmm...wonder if these bods will ever have that craving?    At any rate, Ed is a very nice guy and we were amazed at just all his body can do!  

  He's in very good shape!!!    And he's a big Blue Angel fan!!!

 

Mark did fine with his back/side but as Belle ALWAYS says

"Listen to your body"!!!

 

We went to Pogy's for breakfast and on home to take out the screens and scrub them good, along with washing all the windows inside and out and the tracks.   

 Wow....glad that is done, but Daisy is sparkling!

 

Quiet afternoon - got to around 72 but very windy and more clouds than sun.  

Rode my bike, read, did e-mails and Mark beat me in 2 games of 2-handed euchre.

He used the heating pad alternating with ice.  

Went to happy hour bur breezy and cool so smaller crowd tonight and no one stayed that long.
We went to Parrot Island Grill for some good catfish and shrimp.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

Thursday - February 18

Beautiful day in south Florida....Mark went to Urgent Care this morning to have his back checked (off to the side) for some issues he's been having.   Dr. gave him a month's worth of anti-inflammatory pills and he bought a heating pad.   Could be from starting up yoga again?   Or who knows, but Dr. diagnosed muscle spasms.   

 

We did the laundry and then home for lunch and just a leisurely afternoon on Daisy.   Was really nice after all the go go go of the past week.   Got caught up on paper work, computer stuff, read, took a short nap, rode bikes, etc.   Then off to Happy Hour and met a new couple from KY,

Buddy and Vicki.

 

Mark grilled out burgers and then we did face time with Luke.   He still has a slight fever but was happy and chatty!    Visited with Mommy and Daddy, too.

We are postponing Luke's visit to Daisy until next weekend and hope everyone is feeling up to par!

 

 

 

 

Wednesday - February 17

Wow....big day and so much eating and fun with friends....started the day with yoga (no problems with the ankle - as Miss Belle always says "Listen to your body".    It was good to be back doing all that stretching, bending and breathing.    Stopped at Dunkin Donuts, changed clothes, took donuts and coffee to go and off we went to Lake Wales with a quick stop in Sebring.

 

We met Jane and Joe, Allie and Owen at Crazy Fish - awesome place with great food and lots of chatter among the 6 of us.    And then surprise - a piece of very dense, delicious chocolate cake w/whipped cream and candle for my birthday with the waitresses singing away!   

 

Joe and Jane, Mark and Pat, Owen and Allie

 

Decadent

 

We were standing outside Crazy Fish when we saw 3 couples (friends of my brothers and wives and all stay in Lakeland!)   Small world and very nice to see them.

Mrs. Becker, Pat, Marty, Juanita

We stopped at Publix in Avon Park for some desserts to take to potluck tonight - walnut-covered brownies and sea salt caramel heath bar cake - yummy!

 

Got back to Daisy at 4:15, grabbed our table service, drinks and desserts and off we went to the Clubhouse.   Great fun with these RVers and sooo thankful several love to fish and provided us with bass and catfish AND thee very best coconut shrimp I've ever had (and I've had a lot)!   Oh my...everything was fresh and cooked to perfection +++ all the wonderful sides. 

 

So, it's been a very big day but before I say good night, here's 2 pics of Luke....

 

Luke got his first strike today!!!

 

Luke is supposed to come and spend the weekend with us on Daisy, but woke up from his nap with a fever, so....we shall see and hoping it's just some quick bug!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - February 16

Rained during the night and some nasty storms in south FL this morning! 

But wow....It was a glorious warm, sunny day.

 

I'm bummed that I can't do any serious walking/running but will "baby" this ankle till it's healed!   Mark did his weights after breakfast!   Hope yoga is kind to the ankle?   We'll find out tomorrow?

 

We drove to Stuart for a nice outdoor lunch at Fresh Catch - another new place that was recommended by the folks here at the park - we both had salads - very good!

 

Had a few errands and then drove out to Hutchinson Island....whoaaaa, looked at some of the phenomenal homes and condos..   Definitely out of our league.   Lynette, realtor, for Sailfish Point, took us around and we now know where the owners of Panera, Walgreens and the Friendly restaurant chain have for one of their homes just to name a few - wow, wow and more wow!!!

 

Beautiful late afternoon to enjoy happy hour down by the Tiki Hut and catch up with all the news since we've been gone.   We have several fishermen (and women) in the group and tomorrow night they are having a big fish fry/potluck at the clubhouse.   Yum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - February 15

Very cloudy today....we left Siesta Bay (Mark driving Daisy and me in Toad) and parked in the Target lot across the street from Biscotti.    Met Glen and Paula there for breakfast which was excellent.....Mark had the French toast which they made and sell the bread there; Glen had a breakfast sandwich, and Paula and I had omelets that were sooooo good!   As I've always said, I hate good-byes and all week long, after meeting and eating and shopping with so many dear friends, there finally comes the time to say "good-bye".   And Glen and Paula were our last hurrah in Fort Myers for awhile.   (Planning to stop back in March for a few days).    Most of these folks we won't see for another year - God willing!

 

Daisy was thirsty for propane and gas so Mark took care of her needs while I took Toad to Publix.    Weather has been so weird....started raining off and on this afternoon and really heavy at times?

 

We arrived back "home" to our little group of friends and fellow RV'ers around 2:00.

 

Saturday when I was doing my walk/run, I briefly tripped but didn't fall and kept on (took only seconds and vaguely remember any of it), but obviously twisted my ankle cause I've been hobbling off and on since.   Doesn't hurt till I walk and then not really bad, but going to curtail my walking/running for a bit!     The 1st Blue Angel Female Family/Friends/Fans are putting together a marathon for November 13, the day after Homecoming and end of the season.    Well, I am not a runner, but promised these gals I would give it a try.....Brooke told Anne and me about an app on our phones to train for a 5K.  

We shall see and time will tell!!!

 

One interesting note....I googled sprained ankles and an interesting tidbit came up:

25,000 people sprain their ankles EVERY day!!!

 

We played some 2-handed euchre tonight - 1st time in a long time and I won 2 out of 3!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine's Day - 2016

 

Wishing a very Happy Valentine's Day to our family and friends!   Hope wherever you are, it's a fun, happy day full of love, flowers and chocolate!  

 

Mark spoiled me big time today with breakfast, lunch and dinner out!!!    We started the day with breakfast at The Sweet Bean Coffee Café (one of our favorites - their homemade cinnamon toast is just thee best)!   Then to St. Francis Xavier Church for 11:00 Mass where we met Ruth and Gerry.   Ruth and I go waaaay back to the 70's and she is a Monday Night Friend.   What fun to be with them this spectacular Valentine's Day.    They are in the Fort Myers area for 10 days.   After church we went to Pincher's on the water for lunch - wow....what a view and what great food (1st time for us)....thanks for recommendation, Claire!

 

Gerry and Ruth

 

After lunch we walked down McGregor and oohed and aahed at the huge homes along the Caloosahatchee River.

 

Gerry bought this mansion for Ruth for Valentine's Day - ha ha!

It's fun to dream...

 

Long time friends

Pat and Ruth

Our sweet Valentine, Luke

He loves his playdoh

 

Liam and Connor had a big day of hockey - 1st playing their game this morning and although they lost 5-3 (to an undefeated team) Connor scored all 3 goals and got a hat trick !    And then the boys had another fun afternoon in the cold and snow with their friends on their very own ice rink!

 

Yesterday you could see the water on the lake....today all snow covered!

 

And to end this wonderful day, Connie and Steve picked us up at 6:45 and we were off to Doc Ford's for dinner with Sue, Jerry, Sharon and Harry.

 

Great dinner with these long-time friends, catching up and reminiscing about past Valentine's

spent together!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday - February 13

Woke up to sunshine and eventually low 70's this pre-Valentine's Day Saturday! 

  Liam and Connor woke up to 6 degrees  (ouch) and then got geared up to play hockey in the back yard with friends!

 

Here's Connor on the kitchen counter getting all his gear on!

 

I went for a walk//run and after a short break, we took a bike ride thru Indian Creek (nearby RV Park)

 Ryan and his jet in El Centro yesterday

 

Michael reported a high of 31 today with windy conditions in NC.

We Floridians are blessed and "happy campers" for the warm sunshinne, although still chilly in Pensacola where the boys are!

 

We met John and Beth for lunch at The Lighthouse - wow, so fun sitting outdoors by the water and boats on this lovely Saturday afternoon.   Mark and I had the Lighthouse Trio Salad with chicken, tuna and lobster salads.....excellent!!!

Pat and Beth enjoying their Shrimp Bloody Mary's

 

We met John and Beth in Marathon 2 years ago - they had a boat just like Catrina .   They are from Charleston, SC but have since sold their boat and bought a condo in Fort Myers.    It was so fun to be together and after lunch, we went to their condo....wow!   It is beautiful and they have done much of the work themselves !

Hoping the next time we meet, it will be at an air show somewhere?

 

John and Beth

 

Liam, Connor and friends enjoying the ice

along with hot cocoa and Krispy Kreme donuts! 

 Our sweet Valentine is all ready for the big day!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to ALL