Thursday - April 29

 Gloomy, drear, chilly and rainy weather started this Thursday.    Mark and I shared a cinnamon streusel muffin from "Crafted" (new coffee shop in town) for breakfast.    Anne had told us how delicious they were.    Well,  warmed it up in the microwave, cut in 1/2 and whoaaaa...nice surprise to have caramel oozing out.   Oh  my....sinfully wonderful!    Love this place which also serves crafted beer, wine and other cocktails during happy hour!

Excellent!!!

Via the phone, then facetime, Mark helped Judy (aka Shmoo and Annette's Mom) getting set up for Zoom.    Tomorrow we will be seeing our little grands from IL to NC for GrandFriends Day.

The heavens opened up big time around 9:30 - that may be the end of the rain for the day?

Around noon we left for Busy Corner to pick up 4 slices of pie for dessert tonight.   Then into town and Mark dropped me off at the laundromat and helped carry in our stuff.   He went onto a doctor appt.    He got the car washed and I had just finished the laundry when he returned.   On back to KK.   

The sun came out later in the afternoon and so pleasant.    This pretty flowering crab tree is just one site from us here at KK.

Springtime beauty

We had a wonderful evening with friends, Bob and Martha at their home.    We had planned to dine at  Mandarin Garden (a favorite Chinese place for all of us), but they are still only doing carry out.    They invited us for dinner at their lovely home (and backyard).    So much to catch up on and along with wine, a fabulous tenderloin, potato salad, green beans and rolls......then pie from Busy Corner (pecan, triple berry, French Silk and toffee heath crunch.)    Just a delightful and delicious evening!

Martha and Bob

Tomorrow we are off to Dixon and Mendota to visit family for the weekend.

Wednesday - April 28

 Rainy Wednesday....did a little housekeeping on Flo and some computer stuff.   Then off to town for some errands.    We picked up Mark's new back cushion which is now nice and firm.    

We met friends, Butch and Joyce from Champaign at Destihl.    In January, 2018, we were neighbors at Water's Edge in Okeechobee in our campers.    They are such fun and we enjoyed our lunches and lots of chatter catching up about families, travels, health issues, etc.    After lunch, we decided we weren't done visiting, so I suggested the new coffee shop (Crafted Coffee Brews) and away we went.   It was a cool rainy day and nice hot coffee sounded like just what we all needed.

Love this new place, we all enjoyed our coffees and more chatter.    Could've spent more time, but we had another visit at 2:30, so said our good byes with big hugs and a plan to meet at Kamp Komfort with our campers this fall.

Butch and Joyce

And then off for 2:30 visit with our long-time friend, Paul at his condo and meet his friend, Marlys.   We sat on the deck with covered awning as the weather was rainy off and on.    Again, talk was family, travels, our mutual winters in Florida, health issues, etc.    This was our first time to meet Marlys.    She is delightful and 3 hours later, we finally said our good byes and a promise to get together in FL this winter!   

Paul and Marlys

While at Paul's we had showers off and on, but as we were leaving town to come back to KK, we were amazed at all the water everywhere in north Normal.    Must've had a very heavy downpour as ditches, fields, streets, etc. had lots of standing water.

Good night to hunker down as more rain is coming our way.    Love a rainy night on Flo...

 

Tuesday - April 27

 Another windy day, but not quite as bad as yesterday!    It got to 82 and that was warmest since we left Fort Myers.    

Busy morning as I went into town and had several errands, including a new coffee shop and took treats to Anne and the boys.    Mark got some, too.

                                      

                              Anne still working from home for over a year with State Farm.

  I got a manicure from Lisa at their new location (Star Nails) after Topline closed due to tragedy in their family.    Always so fun to be with her - such a sweetie and my very favorite tech around the country!

Stopped at Holy Cross cemetery to say "Hi" to Patrick and on home.    Mark and I read and later walked, but winds are so strong out of the south.   

The farmers are really working away in the fields - the dust is flying!    But rain coming the next 2 days!

Sweet Maeve went to the salon today for a trim and very pretty style.    She's growing up too fast!

After getting all glamourous, Maeve enjoys some fun in the park with big brother.

Maeve and Luke

Monday - April 26

 Whoaaaa...hang onto your hats today (and tomorrow)  folks - very strong winds - up to 45 mph with gusts!    We met the Monday Morning Breakfast Bunch at Busy Corner...missed Sue and Jerry. 

   Sigrunn, Brenda and I had plenty to chat about at the girls end as did the guys (Marty, Pat, Ken and Mark) on other side of table.

Stopped at Dollar General and then "blew" back home.    Quiet afternoon on Flo but she occasionally felt  the "shudders" from this crazy wind!

Mark went to the boys ballgame at McGraw Park - they lost 13-11.   I met the Monday Night Friends (8) for good ole comfort food at Busy Corner followed by pie, of course.

Ruth, Brenda, Nadine, Marsha, Tamara, Sue, Pat, Linda

Anne's "3 boys" in front of tree that was memorial for Patrick

 from the Corpus Christi and CCHS baseball parents

18 years ago today Anne and Patrick were married at Holy Trinity in a beautiful spring wedding.    Cherishing our memories....

April 26, 2003

Sunday - April 25

 Today is the feast day of  "St. Mark" and we were off to Holy Trinity for 10:00 Mass meeting Anne and boys.    Connor served with his friend, Blaise.

We had not been to Trinity since September, 2020 when Connor was confirmed.

Then to breakfast at a new place "Egg House Cafe" which opened 3 weeks ago.    Food was good, but out of oj and Connor got about 1/2 cup of apple juice and ran out of that???     Apparently not enough kitchen crew or staff as tables/booths were empty but they were not seating people and really spacing them out.

On home and a relaxing afternoon - still chilly with temps in the 50's - sun but mostly cloudy in the afternoon.    We walked around the park later and then had leftovers for supper.

Zoom had all siblings except Jim (and Lydia).    Looking forward to Friday night when most of  the family will be together in Dixon for dinner and socializing!!!

Maeve is always full of surprises - here she models her underwear held in place with colorful barrettes!

Have a good week - stay safe and healthy!!!

Saturday - April 24

 Yucky day with lots of rain and only 50.    Mark thought we should go out for breakfast and so off to Eureka we went - 1st stop - Caleri's Cafe and Bakery.    We've been here before when it was Meeka's, but 1.5 years ago, new people took over, remodeled, etc.    Mark had a breakfast sandwich and I had the praline/pecan muffin (Jim and Lydia....it was sooo good)!   They also have a location in Roanoke, IL. Enjoyed our treats in this cute little spot and then to Scottwood Floral, one of thee most beautiful floral/gift shops I've ever been to +++ they have all the coffees, too.    Nice to be back here and although I have 2 tiny houses, I did buy some gifts.    Customers were coming in to pick up prom flowers and one guy was getting a fresh bouquet for his granddaughter who was graduating from ISU today - he was so proud, but said "she still has 6 years to get her PhD. 

On home to hibernate as the rain continues to fall down.    Mark took a little snooze - good day for that!    This afternoon he went into town for a former SF colleague's visitation.

Update on his back/eye issues......eyes are doing better with latest drops but occasionally still get watery and bother him - so ready for all this pollen to be gone!!!    He takes an occasional Zyrtec, too.

 Back is about the same.    He's avoiding all booth sitting these days and took the back cushion of our bench seating on Flo to the upholsterer to have the firmest foam they could put inside.    But with exercises, the electronic treatments, walking, etc., he's managing.    He's grateful to not have much more serious back issues that we know others are dealing with.

Liam and Connor had a baseball game today in Paxton (an hour east of here), but after sitting in the rain while varsity played, they finally cancelled the game....not a nice day and sure feel for the players and fans out in the elements this chilly/wet day!     Anne said they didn't even have dugouts?

Mid afternoon, the sun came out and it was a beautiful rest of the day/evening!

We met Barb and Roger at Baxter's for a great meal and 3+ hours of conversation.     There were several prom kids there but also many empty tables, so we didn't feel we were abusing our time there.    Always fun to be with these two.

Barb and Roger

Friday - April 23

 Sunny start to the day but as time went on, the clouds rolled in with strong winds.   Not real pleasant this 23rd of April.    But I had a really fun morning.    Left KK around 8:10, stopped at Panera for pastries and then Starbucks for coffees and off to Westminster Village for a long chatty visit with my dear long-time friend, Donna Rae.    Today she's celebrating her 89th birthday.    We had so much fun, sipping, munching and yakking for over 2 hours.    She received several phone calls and text messages while I was there - everyone loves Donna Rae.

The Birthday Girl

She is an inspiration to all!

Stopped at Anne's, Dollar Tree and on home.    Good day to hunker down with our books.    

Claire and I met for dinner at Mystic Kitchen, downtown Bloomington.    We ate lunch here in December 2019 and it was so good.   Because of Covid, they are no longer open for lunch.  Tonight was excellent again and love the decor.    We spent over 2 hours catching up!

Cheers!!!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday - April 22

 Sunny but still chilly today with the wind.    We went into town for some errands and then met our friend, Bill from Shippensburg PA for lunch at Biaggi's.    We've know Bill for many years thru boating and RVing.    He was back visiting his daughter and family.   So fun to catch up and enjoy a delicious lunch at the beautiful new Biaggi's (1st visit at their new location).    Looking forward to seeing Bill at his home later in May as we're traveling to NY.

Bill - Pat - Mark

Around 3:30 we went for our 1st walk around Kamp Komfort and 1st since we left Fort Myers (other than short little jaunts when we were traveling).    Had a good chat with Micci (she is so sweet and doing a great job running KK with her husband Mark after the tragic death of Mark's brother, Kevin).    Then a nice chat with Ed and Donna from Stevens Point, WI who are here for 1 night enroute home tomorrow.    They are (young) full-timers who spent the winter in the southwest.

So today Brooke took Blair to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Asheville to check out the thumb.   Fortunately, it was not as serious as first thought and no surgery required for now.    She'll be in her pink cast for 4 weeks and comes off May 19th (First Communion is the 15th). 

   

Pretty in Pink

When Blair was in Morganton Tuesday having her thumb checked and put back in place with splint, she had Dr. Brazinski - same guy I had back in May when he checked my shoulder.    Small world!

Zoom with Kathy and Claire and all kinds of newsy fun stuff + the plan to be together in September in Bloomington.    

Euchre with Mark and Nancy - wow, a real shellacking from them to my Mark and me!    3 of 3 (2 close games and then lost 10 -1).

Wednesday - April 21

 After a nasty, cold, snowy Tuesday, today started out bright and sunny, but got down to 28 overnight.    Micci turned the water back on in the park around 7:45.   

We took off around 9 for town with 4 loads of laundry.   Mark helped me haul into the laundromat and got set up,     He took off for some errands including a much-needed car wash.   Then a hair cut, one more errand and back to the laundromat just as I had finished - perfect timing.    Oh, of course, we are right next door to Gloria Jean's so coffees and Danish were in order.    On home, put our clean clothes away and settled in for the afternoon.

The clouds took over, the wind picked up and it was a chilly afternoon with a high of 46.

We went to Eureka and had a delicious dinner at The Chanticleer.    Mark had the ribeye and I had one of their specials (Italian sausage with marinara and Linguine) + we each had their Chanti salad -  all so very good.    This is a favorite place when we're at Kamp Komfort - good ole supper club.

My entrée - excellent!

Another COLD night coming our way and water will be turned off again.

Tuesday - April 20

 It's April 20th and the snow is coming straight down - no wind but covering the grass, rooftops, trees and Big Red.    Hope the cold that's coming overnight isn't too harsh on all the beautiful flowering trees.

We are enjoying a leisurely day on Flo - toasty warm and catching up on computer stuff, reading, etc.   I made ham/cheese omelets and stayed in our jammies today!     Love having a day to hunker down and this is the perfect day to do that!!!

Big Red not happy with this IL weather

By 12:30, the snow was no longer on the trees, grass or rooftops.   But it's COLD with temps in the mid 30's.   

We played euchre with Mark and Nancy - cards were especially not pretty today with Nancy and I losing 3 of 3 to the guys.    Oh well, still good to catch up with them this yucky day!

So sorry to hear about our great niece, Charlotte, 3 (granddaughter of Jim and Lydia) who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes a few days ago.    Praying for Charlotte and her family.    

It was a productive day (in our jammies) - ha!    Along with scheduling some appts and updating the social schedule, I did some small cleaning jobs in Flo and Mark worked on more logistics for summer travel.

There are 13 campers in the park tonight.    Micci sent an e-mail to all that water would be shut off at 9 PM due to the mid 20's forecasted.   We are ok as our water tank is pretty full.    Throughout the afternoon, we had occasional snow showers.

Just heard that Blair broke her thumb today during recess.    Apparently she was doing some hand stands?   She will be seeing  a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Asheville.

Wow, that is one BIG splint!.....right thumb/arm and glad she's a lefty!

Little Miss Sunshine

And then there's this fun picture we took when leaving Blue Ridge GA - they took some straw bales and made a little camper, painted, added a window and door.    

Cute and clever!

Monday - April 19

 Burrrr....started out sunny this morning but the ole clouds rolled in, winds picked up and it was 48 with gusts of 20 mph.    Wonder what tomorrow will bring with the white stuff predicted???

We went into town and met the Monday Morning Breakfast Bunch at Shannon's for some yummy breakfast fare - so good to all be together as we were not able to last fall with Covid.    Lots of catching up with the gals on one end and guys on the other.

Left:   Sigrunn, Sue, Jerry, Ken, Mark

Right:   Brenda, Pat, Pat, Marty

Afterwards we delivered Sue's pictures that we brought back from Fort Myers and then to storage - put stuff away and got other stuff out for our time here.    On home.     Organized some clothes - time to bring out the winter woolies for a few days???  Later we went to Mass (Sunday's  Mass from yesterday) with Father Adrian in Boston.

The flowering trees are sooo pretty around town -really enjoyed lots and lots of dogwood yesterday driving thru southern IL.    Sure hope the cold weather and snow doesn't affect them?   Also seeing the farmers working in the fields and a few planting corn yesterday.

Went into town late afternoon and picked up a few things at Anne's and saw Gibson who was very excited to see Grandma!    The boys were at baseball practice.   Met the Monday Night Friends at Ancho and Agave for wonderful Mexican fare and margarita.    There were 8 of us tonight and so fun to be together as Jody was back from 2 months in AZ, Nadine from AZ, Sue and I from FL.    Lots to laugh and chat about.

Maeve and her Daddy had a day together yesterday!

Sunday - April 18

 HOME   SWEET   HOME

Thankful for a safe trip....

We are all settled at Kamp Komfort until May 11th.   Feels like coming home!

Had a mixture of sun, clouds and rain today.    Temps were anywhere from 48-65.   Stopped in Arcola at Monical's for a pizza/salad fix - good as ever!    When we got to Bloomington, Mark got Big Red and Flo washed at a semi-truck place - they both look great.    I came on out to KK, checked in with Micci and so good to see her.    When we left here in October, everything was still contactless, office and bathrooms were closed,    Micci gave me a little tour of the office and bathrooms which have been totally remodeled - absolutely beautiful.    What a treat for the travelers to now have showers and a washer/dryer.    It's all very nice!!!

While we were working outside getting Flo ready to stay put for another 3+ weeks, a guy drove past and asked where we stayed in Fort Myers?     He's originally from Rockford but now lives in Estero (1st town south of Fort Myers).    He and his girlfriend are headed to Montana for the summer to be work campers.    We talked about the cold, snowy weather coming and apparently, it's already happening in Montana, Minnesota, the Dakotas, etc.

Met Anne, Liam and Connor at Busy Corner - it was packed!    Great to see them and enjoy good food as always.

Liam - Anne - Connor

Not able to do Zoom tonight - we'll catch everyone next Sunday.    Have a good week!

Saturday - April 17

 Cloudy and an early morning rain shower before we left for Waffle House which was just down the road.    This is a favorite of Mark's and good as always, but freezing in there and busy busy!

Back to the KOA, Mark got in Big Red and we were off.   A few stops along the way - another 340 miles and at 3:05, arrived at Fern Lake Campground in Paducah.    Glad to be here.    The first part of the trip was very scenic, but lots of curvy roads thru the mountains.    We had tall rugged cliffs on the right and several rapids which obviously would be popular for what they called "wild" water rafting (on a much warmer day).   Ocoee Lake and forest were beautiful but happy to finally be free of all those curvy roads and back on  I-75.     Had our sandwiches for lunch which I've been making the night before.   And, of course I listened to and sang along with the Oldies from the 60's.    Today was especially neat as they were playing the Top 40 songs from this week in 1966 (year I graduated from Amboy High School).    What fun - there were a few I did not recognize but really laughed when I heard them play "Walkin' my Cat named Dog".....really?    NO memory of that one!

They were playing the #1 song just as we arrived at Fern Lake......The Righteous Brothers - "You're My Soul and Inspiration"!   

The dogwood trees were in great abundance today thru Georgia, Tennessee and now Kentucky - just gorgeous!!!

After settling in Big Red with Flo (been so nice not to have to unhook each night - just long pull-throughs at the various campgrounds/parks), we drove the car downtown and had a wonderful dinner at Max's.    Been here before and it's always sooo good.    Mark had the lasagna; the special was Seafood Au Gratin for me.  He had a mosaic chocolate cake and bread pudding with warm whiskey sauce for me.   Everything was top notch in this lovely old building with brick walls and lots of charm.

While we were there, 5 girls came in dressed in their prom finery.    No dates for these gals and I'm not sure what they told their waitress about which high school they went to and what was going on with prom (the schools all seem to be doing a variety of changes this year cause of Covid).    At any rate, the girls sat down in their long dresses and immediately, all 5 were on their cell phones!!!

My great niece, Leia made her First Communion today in the Chicago area.

Leia

Leia and little sis, Kaylee

2 very sweet girls

Our Luke and Blair will have their special day in just a few weeks!

We have 295 miles from here to Kamp Komfort!!!    We knew 27 and 28 degree temps were in the forecast for lows 2 days next week, but now Anne tells us SNOW is coming on Tuesday (possible 1-3")!  ARGHHH .

This does not make us happy and we know Flo won't like snow and cold!!

Friday - April 16

 Woke up to the horrific news about the tragedy at Fed Ex in Indy last night.   Another senseless shooting with so many innocent victims and families affected.    Prayers for all.   

I had texted Ryan yesterday after we got here about the many many FedEx trucks on the roadways that we've seen the past 2 days.    He said "yup, business is good" and then this horrible news.

This KOA campground is very new - really nice and well maintained.    No long-term folks here - just transients and not sure for how long.

Mark has done a phenomenal job at plotting our route, rest stops, lunch, fuel, etc.   Keeping each day to around 340 miles.   

Today was so much fun here in Blue Ridge - we drove downtown and Mark got a coffee and I went to Tupelo Tea Co. for "Tea Time" - some good apricot/black tea.    The shops opened and we visited with Gary and Josh from Cypress Trail - their 2 shops (Blue Ridge Cotton Co and Gather) are so neat.    I did some damage both places, we said our good byes and will see them this fall.   Most of the shoppers and sales people were wearing masks

Josh and Gary (took off masks for picture)

  Mark walked around the town some and then we had a wonderful lunch at Cantaberry (in the basement of neat old building.)    Their chicken salad and soups (tomato basil, chicken and rice and mushroom brie) were outstanding.    I asked the waitress what was in their chicken salad besides candied pecans, grapes and mayo?    Sugar!     Really?    Well, it was excellent, so....something new to try sometime.    Mark went back to Flo and I kept shopping till around 2.    

Mark picked me up and we dropped my packages off at Flo and then drove to Blairsville (18 miles east of here) - another little town with a few shops (not as big as Blue Ridge).    Mark had ice cream and a coffee and a latte for me.  

  Blue Ridge has the cutest names for their stores such as "Wrapsody in Blue", "Out of the Blue" "Blue Heaven".    It has everything I could want in a small town  - coffee shops, ice cream, bakery, wineries and awesome shopping (clothing, gifts and home decor) plus wonderful restaurants.    Josh was telling us that October is their busiest month as many come to see the fall colors. 

This morning was cloudy and cool (jeans felt good); but nice and sunny this afternoon with a high of 64.

Walked in the park tonight and along the Toccoa (Taco) River which runs along the back of the campground.   The Blue Ridge dam is close by and if it should break, our KOA would be totally under water as we are in a very low area.    Blue Ridge is very hilly.

Folks have been rolling in all afternoon - coming for a weekend of camping.    There's a few tents, too....burrrr, as we're to be in the 30's overnight!

Anne got her first vaccine tonight - so all our kids have gotten at least the 1st one (Liam will get his on Monday)!

Tomorrow off to Paducah, KY.     Enjoy your weekend.

Thursday - April 15

 We survived Atlanta traffic driving with our little caravan of Big Red/Flo/my car.    Whew....hairy and scary at times, but we did it and now, thanks to Mark (his idea in the first place to take that route) we are in Blue Ridge, GA and taking 2 days to explore the area and check out this charming town.    Our neighbors at Cypress Trail (Gary and Josh) have 2 shops here - "Gather" and "High Cotton" (home decor and gifts).     Just browsed today - tomorrow, will get serious about this shopping!    Ha.....been so long!

The guys know we're in town so we'll see them tomorrow.

We left Eagle's Roost at 8:13 this morning - mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles.    Temps were in the 60's all day (much cooler than yesterday).    We had a few stops and then it was time to do the Atlanta thing - we took the beltline (285 west) around the city but oh my....so many people and going so fast!    For the most part, we stayed together and thank you God....we did it!!!    Probably for the very last time!!!    Ha...

We found parking in downtown Blue Ridge and Mark took the car to check out the KOA campground on the outskirts of town while I wandered around.    I got a coffee at Kaffee Haus and then met up with Mark - just a beautiful afternoon as the sun came out around 1ish.

There is a scenic railway trip that lasts 4 hours and takes people thru the mountains of northern GA.   Very popular as many people were getting off the train (10-12 cars) - filled to 50% cause of Covid.

Along the way today, the scenery was so pretty in this area - everything very green and vibrant with many budding trees.   I told Mark maybe it's cause of our cataract surgery - just looked really clear and beautiful.

Pretty flowering tree and our little bunch of vehicles!

Drew is with friends this week in Hollywood, FL and having a great time.   Philip and Annette lived near here years ago and tonight he's dining at Le Tub (Annette's suggestion) and we remember that place well.    Fun!!!

Tonight we went downtown and had dinner at Chester's in an old building - a happening place with neat decor and great food!   A real treat!    Mark had the rainbow trout and I had their special flatbread pizza.    Chester's had disposable paper menus since Covid which they were going thru like crazy, so they came up with this idea.

Place your phone over the bar code and get the drink or food menus which automatically goes to their website.

 Chester's neat atmosphere plus my Buddy !

Flo needs a good rest and so do we!     Looking forward to a "down" day tomorrow - shopping/eating should be stress free, right???

Wednesday - April 14

 Hello from Lake Park, GA (5 miles from the FL/GA border).    Good day of travel and glad to have the 1st leg under our belts!!!

We left Cypress Trail around 9ish after saying our good byes to great neighbors, Martin and Rog.    We will hopefully see them in September when we are in Branson for Mark's class reunion.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Rog                                                                                            Martin                                                                                                                                                                    

Traffic was very heavy - lots of RV's, bikes behind cars and oodles and oodles of trucks!    About one hour of the 6-hour drive, was pleasant driving.    We stopped at 2 different rest stops and at one, saw a trucker outside his rig jumping rope.   Good exercise after driving all day!!!

We are at Eagle's Roost RV Resort with lots of Spanish Moss trees and a few palm trees.     Stayed here last spring when we were getting out of FL heading to NC as Covid was coming on...Mark got diesel and I drove onto the park where they had contactless check-in.    

We traveled 340 miles and the temperature hovered between 89-91.    I enjoyed singing along to my oldies from the 60's.

After arriving here, I had some shocking and very sad news - the owner of the nail salon and stepfather to my favorite, Lisa, was killed last Friday night (stabbed to death after some sort of argument) - don't know all the details.    Dale was the nicest guy and most of my Monday Night Friends are customers of Topline Nails.    We are all in disbelief about this tragedy.

Saw the billboard for Bronner's Christmas Shop close to the border.   This is the world's largest Christmas shop located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. and such a fun place to browse.    Mark said that's a possibility for September on our way back to Kamp Komfort.   Linda, would you and Bob like to meet us there?

We went for a walk around the park at 5:15 - cooled down a little.    They have a flea market here every weekend and lots of tents, shelters and tables set up for the vendors.    Some of the tented areas are totally closed up so must keep their merchandise set up all the time.

Trip Advisor rated The Farm House #1 for restaurants in Lake Park, so that's where we went - really good (Mark had fried chicken and I had grouper/shrimp basket).    We shared a delicious bowl of warm homemade peach cobbler with ice cream!!!   Hmmmm

Yummy dessert

Had to walk some more when we returned to Flo.

Most of the trees here at Eagle's Roost

Mark picked up new eye drops yesterday so hoping they will help as we'll be in various areas and types of pollen these next several days!     Till tomorrow...

 

   

Tuesday - April 13

 A sunny warm day for our last in "Paradise" before truckin' on north tomorrow.     We did some more piddly things in the shed, Big Red and Flo and wrapped up the hoses and stored away (one with us; one in the shed).   

My brother Ron and Vicki came around 10 - we sat on the patio visiting and then to Pincher's for lunch overlooking the Caloosahatchee River.   We enjoyed our margaritas and sangrias, grouper sandwich, coconut and boom boom shrimp and crab/corn chowder.

Then to Wilford and Lee for some shopping (home decor) - such a fun shop and my 1st visit this year.   The guys took naps while Vicki and I shopped.   Back to Flo and more visiting before they left for Lakeland.   So glad they came and a really nice "last" day in Fort Myers for us!

Ron and Vicki

Did the final packing up of stuff, stowed things away in Flo and we are ready to roll outta here in the morning - me following in the car with Big Red pulling Flo leading the way.

Went for a final "walk in the park" and said good bye to some folks also out walking this beautiful evening.

We'll miss this place....

Last sunset for this season

Monday - April 12

 Cloudy and then sunny after all the rain, but rest of the day was a mixture of sun and clouds, breezy and very warm.    I got a manicure, on home and then we met John and Beth for breakfast/lunch at Ella Mae's (downtown in the Luminary Hotel).    Great to visit with them one more time before we leave and we all begin our spring/summer travel plans.    And they have the extra excitement of their daughter's wedding in Aruba in October.

Beth and John

It will probably be November till we're together again.....so thankful for technology to keep us connected.

On home and read, played some games and just a quiet afternoon with a nap for Mark.

Zoom with Kathy and Claire and all caught up on our news.

Rog (next door) is taking my impatiens and will enjoy till they leave in late May.   She's hoping to get them home (MO) and put on their deck.   We got all the pots delivered this afternoon.    She will transplant from my ceramic pots to plastic for the trip home.     They are so pretty especially after all the rain.

Tomorrow is our last day in FM.....my brother Ron and Vicki are coming for the day!

Sunday - April 11

 A beautiful start to the day and not what was predicted.    Rain during the night and all day was in the forecast, but not till almost 3:30 did we see the first drops.

We went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis Xavier with Father Anthony and then to a delicious breakfast at First Watch (1st time this year) - love their carrot/pecan pancake.    Picked up a few groceries at Publix and on home.

We worked outdoors putting things away and Martin (neighbor) came over to help Mark move the heavy weights from umbrella base under the she shed.    Got the critters stored away till this fall, too. 

Trixie Turtle; Betty Bunny; Tillie Turtle

The rain continued all afternoon and evening.    This was a good ole fashioned thunderstorm - "A gully washer"  "Raining like cats and dogs", "The heavens really opened up"!!!    As of 7:00 we had 1.1" with more coming.     We are still 5" below normal.

Zoom tonight with all 12 siblings!    Fun  as always...    The rain continues to beat down on Flo!

Luke celebrated his birthday today with camp friends + Maeve and Blair

Have a safe, healthy, happy week ahead!

.

Saturday - April 10

 Sunny, breezy and hot today - reached 90!.     We walked this morning and then I wiped down all the patio furniture and we carted more stuff to the car/Big Red.    

Off to Punta Gorda and the Laishley Crab House for lunch with Allie and Owen.    So good to be with them again sitting outside overlooking the water on this pretty day.    Lots to catch up on over drinks and lunch - all delicious!   

Dear friends - Allie and Owen

Hello from Laishley's

 We  left there and drove to Pottery Express - Allie was looking for some decorative pottery for their lanai (having a new floor put in this week).    They had never been to this huge place of every size, color and shape of pottery you could ever want.    With the wind, it was very dusty out in the country (south of Punta Gorda), but we had fun traipsing around and Allie got 2 pieces (a sphere and a pot for flowers).

And then time for good bye hugs and hope to see them in September back in IL.  Wish Jane and Joe could've been with us - today Joe celebrates his 86th birthday!!!   On home and put away our patio furniture and Mark worked more in the shed.     Walked around 6 and then said our good byes to neighbor Dick who is leaving with his pal Rusty for MA and taking a month to get there with family/friends and siteseeing along the way.

Dick and map of the lower 48 that he's visited!

Birthday fun the past few days!

Our little Moppet!

SW FL really needs rain and it's in the forecast for tonight and all day tomorrow - just hope we don't get the nasty storms like parts of FL and other southern states got today.     Around 7:30 tonight, the sky got very dark and the wind was really blowing.

Friday - April 9

HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   ANNETTE

Our lovely daughter-in-law - so thankful and happy to have her in our family!   Wife to Philip, Mommy to Luke and Maeve, "daughter" to us, sister-in-law to Anne, Michael Brooke and Ryan, Auntie to Drew, Davis, Brady, Blair, Liam and Connor, friend to many.   

    She does it all!

 Nice walk in the morning, breakfast sandwiches (bacon/egg/cheese on English muffins) and then dug in - organizing our closet and some bins ready for traveling next week.   

Did facetime with Annette and the kiddos and tackled the laundry.    Sure wish I could take my washer/dryer with us!

We had a real treat for dinner tonight thanks to gift cards from Anne (Christmas) and Michael and Brooke (my birthday) for the Veranda, our favorite fine dining place in Fort Myers.   It is located in downtown in a lovely old home with a beautiful courtyard which is where we were.    Fresh roses on the table, dreamy music playing, excellent service and wonderful food.   When I made the reservation 2 weeks ago, we could only get 5 or 8 PM in the courtyard.    So, we were the early birds but many more coming as we were leaving.

Us in the courtyard

My sea scallops - Mark had the sea bass

We shared the creme brulee

pretty setting

Came home, changed clothes and walked...try and burn off some of those calories and such a pretty evening to be out and about.

Enjoy your weekend!