Thursday - January 31

Hello from COLD, SNOWY Bloomington!    We left Fort Myers (50 minutes late) and off to the tundra.   It was -5 when we landed but compared to yesterday's temps, a bit balmy?  Soon as we walked outdoors at O'/Hare, oh my....that blast of cold just paralyzed us.    Quickly caught the shuttle to rental cars and we've never seen so many very dirty cars lined up - row after row and in our car a note apologizing from Hertz for the dirty car but said "w cleaned the interior and any maintenance, but if you really want a clean car, go ahead and get it cleaned (if you can find a car wash open) and give us the bill and we'll reimburse you.."

So off we go to Bloomington - started snowing and blowing and poor visibility.   We arrived around 6ish.    Patrick and the boys were in Decatur for the 7th grade boys sectional which they lost ending
their season at 24-1

We had Monical's Pizza/salad/breadsticks topped off with chocolate lava cake made in the instapot!   We also celebrated Liam's birthday (actually Monday).    Fun evening!

Connor and Liam

Wednesday - January 30

Cloudy and cool.....we had a leisurely morning sitting around drinking coffee, visiting and then went to Skillets for breakfast.    Skillets (breakfast and dinner) just opened last Friday and was wonderful.    Mark and I ate at another location a few years ago   Definitely a return place with large menu.

Beth and I did a little browsing at Wilford and Lee and then we all came home and spent the afternoon yakking and doing our techie things - computers, I-pads and phones+ watching TV and the COLD weather in the Midwest.

Tonight we went to University Grill for an excellent dinner!!!   

John, Beth, Pat, Mark 

Thanks for the great hospitality dear friends

John and Beth

So sad to hear about the tragedy at the University of Iowa today.  A sophomore pre-med student died early this morning due to  exposure from severe weather.   He lived in Drew's dorm,

Flying into Chicago tomorrow........1 more cold day

Tuesday - January 29

We are back in Fort Myers......a bittersweet day leaving Okeechobee at 11 and saying more good byes What a fun month of special memories with dear friends!

Our neighbors - Cheryl, Bob and Rocky from Ohio

Sue, manager of Waters Edge

We stopped in LaBelle for lunch at the Bridge Street Coffee and Tea Co. - great lobster bisque.

Stopped at our lot and chatted with Bill and Charmaine who are staying in our spot  this month.    So good to see them.   Took Flo to  North Trail RV for some maintenance issues.     She'll be staying with them till next Monday   Off to John and Beth's home where we'll stay 2 nights before we fly to Chicago on Thursday.   

So good to be with Beth and John and had a wonderful dinner of chicken and waffles - good comfort food on this cool evening.

It was a beautiful day....clear blue skies and temps in the 60's.   But our thoughts are with the folks back in the Midwest and praying for friends and family that they all get thru this horrendous COLD coming their way!

Monday - January 28

Diana and I were off to yoga for the last time with Miss Belle.    Good bye hugs and a promise to come visit next year.     She is such an inspiration....

Windy and chilly here...back home and packed for 2 nights staying with friends in Fort Myers and then Bloomington and Chicago.    Flo will be at the RV doctor getting some warranty work done while we're gone.

We went to town and had one final lunch at the Brown Cow - yummy as always and then I got a mani pedi and Mark read his book at the Brown Cow.   Off to our last Happy Hour and said our good byes to these dear friends.....here are a few more couples that we've so enjoyed hanging out with.

 Ross and Carly from California/Canada

Jud and Sue 

 Brothers-in-law (Jeff and Paul) from Walnut,  IL - wives are still working

 Gary and Sue from Oklahoma

Sadie and Chris from Maine 

Pam and Joe from Tennessee

Miss Maeve sporting her pink cowboy boots - all ready for the dude ranch this summer!

The brutal cold and wind that is coming to the Midwest has caused various schools to close.    The University of Iowa has never closed but will be on Wednesday due to weather, with -53 degrees coming......no classes for Drew and rest of student body!    Very wise choice!

Tonight I played dominoes (Mexican Train) with Nancy, Mike, Diana and Tom in the Clubhouse with Diana the winner.    Lots of fun as I hadn't played in eons.

Contemplating the next move...

Mike, Diana, Tom and Nancy

Nancy and Mike from Tennessee

Sunday - January 27

Lots of rain overnight and all day.   Okeechobee and much of Florida need it, so, no complaints especially when we know what the folks up north are dealing with!!!    We picked up Diana and Tom and off to 10:00 Mass at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Buckhead Ridge.   Our last time together to go to Sunday Mass with these fine folks and we'll surely miss Diana's magnificent voice.

Stopped at Publix - few things for us as we'll be gone most of this week.    Diana and Tom got their usual supply of the essentials (needs and wants)!

Liam was goalie this morning and his team won 5-4...

Connor got a hat trick (3 goals) but they lost 10-6

Sweet little angel - now she has a cold!

So the bitter, brutal cold is on its way to the Plains, Midwest, and beyond.   We'll be going into the tundra when we fly back to IL Thursday for our niece's wedding.   Tomorrow is our last day at 

River's Edge.

Annette's Mom sent this picture taken at Wal Mart in Princeton, IL 

Safe warm and safe this week! 

Saturday - January 26

Rainy Saturday, but luckily we got 5 loads of laundry done and back home before it started.   We just hunkered down with good books as the rain came down and the winds blew....nothing like Friday, but we've got rain in the forecast thru Monday!

Maeve is snuggled under her blankies napping in the car

Luke (top left) and classmates were winners of the recent science fair raffle

So glad this little guy is feeling better!

Friday - January 25

Sooo cold around the country and chilly and breezy here in south Florida, too.    Diana and I went to yoga and then meet Miss Belle at the Brown Cow for coffee and quiche.    Great visit and what an inspiration at 82 years of age!

Miss Belle

Back home, walked around the park a few times while Mark was doing some things with Flo's tires.
Went into town and had a late lunch at the Brown Cow (can you tell we like this place)?    Their shrimp chowder and chicken salad are thee BEST!!!    Butch and Joyce joined us -  they had coffee and we all had ice cream and enjoyed another fun visit!

Butch and Joyce (Champaign, IL)

More good friends here in the park

Carmine and Nicole (New York) 

Glen and Kathy (South Carolina) 

Jerry and Donna (Kentucky)

After all the rain, my impatiens are so vibrant and healthy - thanks to Joyce for plant-sitting while we were gone last week.

The Corpus Christi 7th Grade Saints won their regional class 2A basketball championship a few nights ago.    Connor (in front) holds the plaque for his classmates!

Have a great weekend and stay warm!!!

Thursday - January 24

Heavy rain this morning....Mark was off to get the "bushing" installed in Big Red.    I hunkered down catching up on paper work, e-mails, etc.    After a week of go go go, nice to have a "down" day.

The rain and wind were something - prayed that these big ole palm trees wouldn't fall on Flo!!!

Mark and I walked in the afternoon after all the rain and the sun came out.    At 3:00, we all gathered in the club house for a "Meet 'n Greet" party with lots of good food and chatter.    Later, some of us went to the tiki hut and continued the party with the nice fire pit.

No school tomorrow in Bloomington cause of the bitter cold - free day for Liam and Connor!

7 years ago today my Dad passed away....miss him sooo much!!!

Wednesday - January 23

Diana and I did yoga.    Mark exercised and after breakfast we were on our way to Clewiston (about 1 hour away at the bottom end of Lake Okeechobee).     We met Susie, Brenda, Pat, Sue and Jerry for lunch at Roland Martin's Tiki Bar and Grill.   Sooo good to all be together and catch up.    Great food, wonderful music (oldies), and much chatter.     Afterwards we girls shopped at Mary Ann Martins neat little boutique with all of us (except Sue) buying something.    The guys sat outside on the patio and visited.

We said our good byes - so appreciate Susie driving from Wellington and the Fletchers and Michaels from Fort Myers.    GREAT day with GREAT friends!

Susie, Sue, Brenda, Pat

enjoying some retail therapy 

The guys just hanging out....

Mark, Pat, Jerry

Super fun day in Clewiston

After lunch we stopped at the post office and I got a good supply for "forever" stamps as the price for first-class stamps are going up to .55 this Sunday.    

On the way home we came upon a stand along the road selling fresh produce and Mexican yard art.    I've wanted something for out lot in Cypress Trail - some sort of colorful critter to put amongst the palm trees, etc.    Found this cute turtle (still to be named)

New little buddy for Lot 102

So horrified to hear about yet another shooting tragedy - today at a bank in Sebring, FL

So sorry to hear Luke has an ear infection and wheezing (could be walking pneumonia)?   He has an inhaler for his cough and antibiotic for ear.   Hope he feels better soon.  😢

Tuesday - January 22

Very windy today, 70ish with off and on sunshine!   We picked Gerry and Ruth up at 9 and off to Pogey's for delicious breakfast - Gerry and I had their signature "Reuben" omelet - wonderful!!!!    We drove around Okeechobee to see more of the town and then the lake where we stopped a few times to check out the fishing pier, locks, etc.

Pat and Ruth 

Hello from windy Lake Okeechobee

Stopped at The Brown Cow for coffee and dark chocolate/key lime chocolates - yummy!!!!    Sat and yakked some more and then went to "Pickers" - antique store and finally, the end of our visit as we took them to their car in the Holiday Inn Express parking lot.    Hugs and good byes till we see each other in April in Chicago (friend's daughter's wedding)!!!    Very fun 2 days!

Back to Flo and settled in......I exercised and then off to happy hour.    Crazy windy under the tiki hut fun time with these friends.    

Leftovers tonight!     Really good the 2nd time around!!!

Monday - January 21

38 degrees when Diana and I left for yoga....back home to Flo - Mark exercised indoors!    It's windy, too....we left at 10:30 for town and met friends, Ruth and Gerry from back home.    Ruth is one of my Monday Night Friends and she and Jerry were long-time dairy farmers.     They are spending a week in Fort Myers and drove over this morning to see "rural" Florida and all the dairy farms, etc.

We had breakfast/lunch at the Lakeside Grill and then off we went on our little tour of Okeechobee.    Lots and lots of dairy farms.   We stopped at the Brown Cow for ice cream in the afternoon.

Jerry and Ruth

We took them to their hotel around 4-ish and they got settled and we came back to Flo for a bit.    Picked them up at 6 for dinner at Lightsey's - great seafood!    Fun day with these long time friends...

Cheers!

    

Saturday-Sunday, January 19-20

Soooo proud of Brady who was named the MVP of the Lutheran Classic Basketball Tournament this weekend in Hickory.     Brady is usually the shortest player on the court - he's small but mighty and so enjoy watching him play basketball (or on the soccer field).   He gives his all and puts his heart in the game!     A bit of background (from braggy Grandma),  a few weeks ago Brady got his thumb caught in the car door - OUCH!!!!   Its been very sore, nail finally fell off and then really hurt!!!  When we saw him play Thursday night he just wasn't up to his usual game.   And on top of that, the day before had braces put on, so mouth was very sore.     However, Friday night and Saturday, he came roaring back in true "Brady form" and scored some 3 pointers and 19 points on Saturday 

afternoon

   

MVP

Whew, this S L O W pace at Okeechobee sure picked up since Wednesday - off to NC, then to Stuart and next few days more fun with friends from back home!

Saturday - Left the hotel at 8:15 and off to all-day rendezvous of PDQ owners at Marina Cay.   It was a gorgeous day with lots of people.    So fun to see Charlotte and Doug who drove up from Marathon.    Also Mark and Muffie who we meet last spring in Annapolis.    And many others we've met over the years plus new faces who just recently purchased a PDQ..    They came from all over the country but a big majority are wintering in Florida.

Coffee and donuts, then seminars  on "Whats New in the Bahamas" and "Maintenance Issues",      Nice lunch in the warm sunshine (sub sandwich, chips and cookie).   Afternoon session was "Getting the most out of your I-pad and apps".   Then the ladies broke away from the guys and we had a session on where our travels have taken us and favorite spots, sharing ideas of things we've done to our boats and then toured one of the PDQ's (always fun to go aboard someone elses boat)!   The guys covered "Techniques to make your PDQ more efficient" and "Whats new in the world of electronics."   Then it was cocktail time followed by delicious Italian dinner and excellent desserts.  It was after 8 when we returned to Flo....we are TIRED!

Hats off to Connor whose hockey team won today 7-1 with Connor scoring 4 goals.....way to go....

Sunday - Rainy during the night and ended around 8.    Very windy.   We picked Diana and Tom up at 9:15 and off to 10:00 Mass at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Buckhead Ridge.    Another very neat experience with a friendly priest and congregation.    As we were coming into church, an elderly lady gave everyone a big hug......then Father wished all those having birthdays or anniversaries this week happy wishes and we sang "Happy Birthday" and then he passed out small bouquets of flowers to several of the ladies.   Father complimented the beautiful singing during Mass.....well, he was specifically talking about Diana who has thee most beautiful voice.    Father thanked her again as we left Mass.   Ya gotta love these small town parishes!

Congrats to Liam and his hockey team winning 13-4 and Liam getting a hat trick! 

Happy boy....

  A great weekend for our 3 junior high grandsons!!!

Off to Publix after Mass and we all stocked up.   Brought Tom and Diana back home, we unpacked our perishables and off to St. Cloud (95 miles) to meet Patty and Doug, friends since 1972.    They live in The Villages - what fun yakking away at Crabby Bill's on the water (excellent food).   Had so many laughs and had not seen them since December, 2017 when we were both watching our grandsons practice hockey in Bloomington.

Doug and Patty 

The 4 of us....

I drove back to Okeechobee - still very windy.    Have a great week!

Saturday, Maeve woke up from her nap, wandered into Luke's room, plopped down on his bean bag and fell back asleep!     You can never get too much sleep!!

Friday - January 18

It was foggy in Newton this morning when Mark and I took Brady and Blair to school.    Brooke's tennis match was canceled cause of the fog so we had more time to visit and then said our good byes and off to Asheville.    We'll be back for Easter and babysit while Brooke takes Davis on a college visit Easter Monday.

Davis  

 Blair with her pink ukulele

Sweet siblings

Good flight from Asheville back to Fort Lauderdale but traffic leaving FLL was horrendous.    Arrived in Stuart around 5:30ish and went downtown to have dinner.....wonderful (pork chop for Mark; salmon for me) at the Osceola Cafe.    And we enjoyed the extra bonus of watching Brady and team play in a tournament in Hickory and broadcast live!    They won 33-20 and he scored 8 pts. 

We are in Stuart tonight since we are going to a PDQ (Catrina's manufacturer) owners' rendezvous with seminars, lunch and dinner tomorrow.   Back to Flo tomorrow night!

Today would've been my parents 80th wedding anniversary.....Congratulations Mom and Dad!

Thursday - January 17

Last night when Mark and I went to bed we found a little heart and turtle (candy and my favorite) for each on our bed "from Luke"....how sweet!

Off to anther day of kindergarten

Annette made a delicious breakfast casserole and later, she and Philip went for a long walk and Grandma and Maeve had a fun morning playing with her babies, hair and make-up and cooking in her kitchen.

Pretend nap with the babies 

Making pizza with Grandma - pepperoni or mushroom? 

Wah lah....dishing up a double scoop of chocolate and mint chip

Maeve in her pretty pink 'n purple raincoat and umbrella just in time for rain coming this afternoon!

Fruity chicken salad sandwiches for lunch and then Maeve went down (with hugs and kisses) for a nap and grandpa and I left for Newton and more grandchildren fun.   

Grandpa and I surprised Blair and picked her up from school - she was so excited to see us and Mommy had not told her we were coming for a visit!

Sweet Blair

We went to Brady's ballgame which they lost 33-19, but fun to watch and GrandBob is their coach (all 7th graders)

Brady in action 

Yesterday Brady got his braces (for 1 year), so mouth is sore.....we all went to Jason's Deli afterwards 

Brady, Bob, Mark, Blair, Brooke, Judy

Michael is in Boston, so missed him.....

So fun seeing these grandkiddies (Davis, too, but no pic).    Tomorrow, we fly back to FL.    Chilly and raining here...

Wednesday - January 16

Chilly sunny day.....Mark took me to yoga and ran some errands and had breakfast at the "Flight Line Cafe" at the airport.    We heard this was a good place from folks in our park....he was surprised how many people were there and a good new spot!

Soon as I finished yoga,  (9:00), we were on our way to Fort Lauderdale airport.   We breezed thru security (heard stories of LONG lines cause of the shutdown).    No issues here....lunch at Chili's and then a smooth ride with a 20-minute early arrival into Asheville.    Got our rental car and on our way to Lake James arriving shortly after 5:00.

Here we are....

Maeve loves her Grandpa

Luke just hangin' out 

Hmmmm...think this looks like a good one!

Annette fixed a great dinner - grilled chicken, baked potatoes, wedge salad, stuffed mushrooms, blueberry pie and ice cream.   And then we girls beat the guys 2 games in euchre.

So very sorry and sad to hear that our long-time friend and neighbor, Norma passed away today.   What a very special lady she was!

Waters Edge Friends

 Sadie, Joyce, Pat, Sue, Carly - lunch on Monday at Parrott Grill