New Year's Eve

 The last day of 2022 was a busy one for us....starting with breakfast at Buckingham Farms (soo delish), then to Publix for a big grocery run to stock Flo's fridge and cupboards with Anne and 2 very hearty eaters coming for a week!!!

Brought the groceries home and put away.   Stopped at Jim's to borrow a pillow and blanket for our guests and then drove to the Fort Myers airport to pick up rental which we'll have for the week with several of us coming and going.

Then to the Punta Gorda airport to drop off my car for the Campbell's when they arrive later tonight.    And finally, home at 1:45.

We rested a bit, blew up the air mattresses for the boys and made their beds.

Drove downtown for a New Year's Eve dinner at The Silver King (upscale place in the Luminary Hotel).   Weeeeellllll.....downtown was absolutely crazy with all the party revelers, lots of streets blocked off and parking a real challenge.    We got a spot in one of the garages, meandered thru the very thick crowds, music and many food stands, and arrived at The Silver King right at 7.    It was a happening place with loud music and so many people!!!    But dinner was delicious, Drew did a great job as our server and then we were outta there as the traffic was just nuts!

So, the party goes on in downtown Fort Myers without us!    Here's the big colorful ball ready to drop at midnight

The ball.....Fort Myers style

Anne, Liam and Connor will be arriving later this evening - looking forward to a week of Fort Myers fun!

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R !

WELCOME 2023

Friday - December 30

 We went to Home Depot for our flowers and got them potted - impatiens and begonias.    We worked some more in the she shed in preparation for the Campbells coming Saturday evening.   The boys will sleep there and Anne will be on Flo.

Buddy and JoAnn (from NC and across-the-street neighbors) arrived at 12:30.    So good to see them and look forward to fun times thru February.

The annual skeet shooting tournament at Lake James is happening today - big event that our boys and Annette's Dad really enjoy.

Volunteer fireman gave hats to Maeve and her friend Luna at this event

I had appt. for my yearly physical with Dr Freeman this afternoon - all is good!!!

Went for a walk this evening before dark - time to get back at out steps!!!

Enjoy your New Year's weekend!   

Thursday - December 29

 Cool mornings and evenings and then sunny 'n warm rest of the day!    We drove downtown to Peter's for breakfast and was not expecting the news from Marika (owner).    She is so sweet and wanted us to know they are closing....WHAT?????    NOOOOOOO!    Their landlord wants to make their coffee shop and empty building next door into a restaurant.    Fortunately, Marika and Stefan have found another location downtown but will be closed for 7 weeks while they pack up all their stuff and remodel the new place.   So, the good news is that they will be back, just 7 weeks of no yummy lattes, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, etc.

I got a mani/pedi with Tamara while Mark got a haircut from Jose.   He was done much before me, so got the car washed and cleaned inside and then sat in car with his Ipad while I finished up.     Then to Target for a few things, Buckingham Farms for some romaine and their yummy chicken salad and on home.

Worked in the she shed and did some more laundry in the afternoon.   Went for a walk and met Pete who has been a resident since 2012 (he and Barb were among the first couples when park opened).   They are from Wisconsin but recently sold their home and will be building in Georgia.

Mark grilled Italian sausages, I made a salad and that was supper.    I watched the  Christmas special for "Call the Midwife".....soooo good and can't wait for the new season to begin on New Year's Day.

Brady had a very exciting basketball game this afternoon....he made the last second shot to go into overtime then made a steal and lay up to win in double overtime!!

Congratulations to Mark's sister Sharon who is officially retired as of today!    Best wishes for a long healthy and adventuresome retirement!

Maeve painted this sweet turtle to add to my collection!

She named her Izzy!

Tillie and Trixie (turtles); Freddie the Frog and Betty Bunny

welcome Izzy

Wednesday - December 28

 Hello from Fort Myers!    We arrived back at Flo just before 2 PM.   So good to be home and welcomed with very nice sunny 75 degree sunshine!  

Stopped at Panera for breakfast-to-go (Mark ate at the hotel).   As we were traveling along, we read on our phones about a fatal accident on I-95 by Palm Coast where we had just come from.    It was north of where we were and happened about 1/2 hour before we left. 

 Stopped in Okeechobee for lunch at a favorite - Brown Cow Sweetery for sandwiches/soup.    

Lots of unloading and unpacking and then get the washer/dryer going full speed!   A big package of mail and Christmas cards were waiting, too.     Still have a ways to go to get all the wintery clothes, Christmas stuff, etc., put away, but there's always tomorrow and the next day....

Another happy memory from Christmas 2022

Tuesday - December 27

 Hello from Palm Coast, FL.     We left Lake James at 7 AM - stopped at the Small Town Coffee Roasters in Rutherfordton for coffee and I had a "many-day-old" gingerbread scone! 😣  So, McDonalds was close by and that took care of our breakfast needs.  

 It was a good day of travel with lots of sunshine and a high of 57.    Traffic was pretty light (we avoided the interstates as long as we could), but once we were around Jacksonville.....another story for sure!!!    Glad to be here and after settling in our room, we walked across the street to Manny's - very good pizza and Mark enjoyed his sausage parmesan sandwich.

Nighty night...

Monday - December 26

 Chilly, sunless day in North Carolina.    We had breakfast and then drove over to Philip's and had our Christmas - opening gifts, lunch, visiting.    Annette's parents arrived around 1:30 - 2 days later than planned due to the severe weather and worried about their animals.   Good to see them...

Back to Michael's for a few hours, finished loading up the car and just some quiet time helping Blair with her Pusheen puzzle.

What a wonderful Christmas here at Lake James - despite the bitter cold and some sick people, we are so thankful we could be together (missing Drew who was in Iowa with Tessa and family).   And Anne, Liam and Connor.    So much good eating, presents and family time celebrating the "Reason for the Season" - Jesus's birthday!

Brady, Brooke, Blair, Millie, Michael, Davis

Maeve, Philip, Luke, Annette

Dad, Mom, Ryan

Our 3 Sons

Philip-Ryan-Michael

Wonderful host and hostess the past 5 days!

Tonight we all went to Philip and Annette's (her parents arrived this afternoon from IL).    Delicious appetizers and then pulled pork sandwiches.    Exchanged more gifts and then Mark, Michael and I said our good byes....Brooke, Annette, Philip and Brady were playing cards.   On home....Mark and I leave early tomorrow.    Been such a fun, busy week!

Maeve and her incredible unicorn horse that her Pa and Nana made for her

2 terrific cooks

Brooke and Annette

Blair and Maeve playing with Polly Pockets

Dave and Judy gathered 'round the tree with Isabella (unicorn)!

Some pics from the cruise 

All the ice cream they wanted!

Leaving port in Fort Lauderdale

 

Christmas - 2022

 From our family to yours...

Hope your Christmas Day was merry and bright!

Sending love and best wishes from North Carolina!

Christmas Eve 2022

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE !

The bitter cold continues with a low of 5 this morning here at Lake James!   

Brooke made 3 soups - white chicken chili, ham and bean and ham and potato for our Christmas Eve dinner.

Brooke whipping up lots of goodies 

Lots of good stuff comes from this kitchen~

VERY cold Lake James

 Blair and Grandma rested in the afternoon.    We all went to 5:00 Mass at St. Charles Borromeo.     Philip, Annette and the kiddos have been on a week-long cruise to Jamaica, the Bahamas and Haiti.    They arrived back home this afternoon.   

We enjoyed our delicious soups and then watched Elf.    Another "oldie but goodie" Christmas movie!

M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S  !!!

Friday - December 23

 Brrrrr.....soo cold, snowy and windy over a huge part of the country!   And that's certainly the case here in NC where it feels like 7 with the wind chill as I write this in the afternoon.    The sun is shining brightly though which feels good.

Unfortunately, our Brady has Influenza A and been to the doctor and on Tamiflu.   Brooke took him to the doctor and the poor guy really feels punky...

Brooke made her delicious homemade meatballs and I formed into balls and baked for the spaghetti we're having tonight     We wrapped several presents and Blair worked on some craft projects that she's giving for gifts.   

Jinx and Millie are out to potty very quickly - just too darn cold.   Millie loves her pretty pink sweater.

Sweet Millie

UGH...later today Judy (Brooke's Mom) tested positive for the Influenza A virus. 

Brooke made some delicious lemon drop martinis for happy hour!

A little Christmas Cheer

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY to my dear Dad who would've been 105 today!

🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

Ryan arrived home after an overnight stay in Chicago (weather related) with his Aunt Theresa and Uncle Mike.     We had a delicious dinner (spaghetti w/meatballs, Caesar salad, breadsticks and wine.)    Watched "Home Alone 2" and had lots of good laughs!

Stay WARM....

   

Thursday - December 22

 Dreary start to the day when we left the hotel around 8:30 and headed to the Dulce Cafe (opened Halloween) - cute coffee/dessert shop.    We had lunch in Columbus, NC and arrived at Michael's around 1:30.    Everyone concerned about the bitterly cold temps/wind coming so checking things out at Philip's, Ryan's and Michael's homes.

The sun came out later and a nice pleasant drive.....the "calm before the storm".

Carried in all our stuff and settled in for the next few days.    Michael and Blair enjoyed a "Daddy/Daughter" morning with breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then shopping.    Good to be here, but.....

so sad to hear that Jerry Nibbles (their long-time "fat" cat) passed away.    Jerry was 14 and led a good life but health issues finally kicked in.    

We remember so long ago when Jerry was a kitten found and named by Davis.  

RIP Jerry

We went to Morganton for supper at  Town Tavern.   Bob, Judy and Michael and Brooke's friends (Dave, Kate, Zach and Anna) joined us. Then we went to Brady's game against Mt. Mitchell (Bakersfield) and we won 77-47.    Brady scored 4 pts., and had some assists and steals. 

We watched "The Christmas Chronicles" movie - cute!!   We gathered by the tree and nice fire

 

Wednesday - December 21

 We left Cypress Trail at 6:45 in the dark and drove 600+ miles to Augusta, GA.    Had cloudy dreary skies and a lot of drizzle and lighter rain a big part of the trip.    First stop was in LaBelle at the Bridge Street Coffee and Tea Company aka Charlie's.    We've been here several times when we're in this neck of the woods - good coffee and pastries

We shared the driving and happy to be settled in for the night - temps dropped all day long (high was 70 and now it's 44 and still raining.)  When we got to our room, the temp was 63 - brrr....they switched us to the room across the hall after service man came to check the heater.

We had first thought we'd stop sooner, but Augusta wasn't that much further and got a good rate on our room.    There are several chain hotels here and the the big Masters golf tournament next April shows everything is booked with rates thru the roof.   To get a room, for that big weekend. you have to travel 40 miles and then it's $500+.     Avoid the Masters weekend and you'll get a very reasonable rate; otherwise...ouch!   But then if you're here to watch all the pro golfers, you don't care what it costs just to have a room and the privilege to be here!

We brought leftovers with us from the Fowler Street Grill (yesterday's lunch) - glad we don't have to go back out in the cold/rain!

Watched 2 Hallmark movies and called it a day!

Tuesday - December 20

 Up and at 'em to finish laundry, packing, etc.    Taking plenty of "warm" clothes for the brutal weather coming everywhere!

We left late morning for Quest Diagnostics and lab work for me before my yearly checkup after Christmas.    We tried a new spot for lunch - The Fowler Street Grill.   It is small but got great reviews (breakfast/lunch).    It was very good - Mark had the chicken fried chicken and I had hand-breaded chicken fingers (6 big ones).....excellent!!!

On home and after loading the car with gifts, suitcases, bags, etc., the rain started!   Nice and gentle all afternoon and evening.

Nice article and this pic all about Patton HS and Brady's contribution for a big win in a recent game scoring 19 points.   Cant wait to see him play Thursday night.

Brady on the move

Christmas Angel 

at her school program

Tomorrow we are off to NC (2-day trip) - 781 miles (from Flo to Michael's door) but taking a longer, less-stressful route avoiding the interstates so about 15 miles further.   Everyone is keeping an eye and ear on the scary wintry weather.    Stay safe and warm!!!

Monday - December 19

 Sunny but only 48 when Mark got up at 6:30.   A VERY cold and snowy week coming all across the country including a real surprise for south FL residents/visitors!

I made sausage/cheese omelets and bagels for breakfast and then we set to work finishing up all the stuff we need to do before heading out Wednesday - laundry, sending out last of the cards, packing, few more gifts to wrap, etc.    Mark ran a few errands to pick up some last-minute things.

Today's mail brought a bunch of cards - love to hear from family and long-time and new friends with their newsy letters and pictures!

Tah dah.....drum roll please................the 60th Chamberlain great grandchild arrived this afternoon to our niece Theresa and Richie.    Jameson David weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz. and is the 10th grandchild for Mark's sister Doris and Rich!    Jameson has an older sister, Emma, 18 months.   Congratulations on this precious gift at Christmas time!!

Mark and I went downtown late afternoon and had an early dinner at The Oxbow - sat outside along the water with a heater - very nice!

Dining al fresco on December 19th

New entrance gates to Cypress Trail 

CT for Cypress Trail

 

Our goofy growing bougainvillea which is now blooming like crazy !

Beautiful display of cookies that Blair made (with just a little help from her Gram)!    Wow....she's saving these for when we get there!    Too pretty to eat!

                   

Thursday-Sunday, December 15-18

 We are back from a whirlwind trip to cold, snowy IL.    Here's a recap of the past 4 days...

Thursday - up early to drive to Punta Gorda and our 8:30 (30-minute delay) flight to Peoria.    Burrr....so cold and flurries off and on.    Got our rental car and then met Allie and Owen for delicious hot breakfast at Eggcellent Cafe in East Peoria.    Enjoyed a nice long chat and again, so sorry for the loss of Owen's brother recently. 

Eggcellent breakfast on a cold snowy day!

  Then we were off to St. Francis Hospital to visit my cousin and fellow Sublettian Jane.    What a ginormous complex with tunnels, and zig zaggy paths everywhere!!!    At this point, Jane had been in the hospital a week and been moved 4x.   We had a nice young man (orderly) escort us to her floor - what a trip!    Ha.....but so good to see her, and also hubby Joe and grandson, Josh.    We had a great visit, but Jane was so tired.    Hopes to come home tomorrow.

Then we were off to Bloomington - ran a few errands and picked up some groceries for Anne.    Got to her house (boys were at swim practice).    Great to see them all - ordered pizza/salad from Monicals and enjoyed our dinner (+ wine for the big folks)!     Then we exchanged our gifts and called it a day!

Fun family Christmas

Waiting for the presents

A man and his dog

Connor and Frankie

Friday - Said our good byes as Anne was off to work (upstairs) at 7 AM and the boys left for school at 7:20.   Mark and I loaded up the car and then picked up Starbucks coffees and breakfast treats and off to visit Donna Rae at her Westminster Village assisted living apartment.  We had such a nice visit and then her daughter, Judy stopped by and more chatter.....so many good memories of Judy and Steve for many many years having the craft sale in November at our house on Jackson  Street.   Bye bye till spring...

Donna Rae and Judy

Left for Mendota and lunch with Bob and Linda - their house is always sooo pretty and Christmassy.    Can't believe I forgot a picture....arghhhh.    Great lunch of 2 soups, mini ham salad sandwiches, cheese/crackers and then red velvet cake roll/grasshopper pie for dessert.   We'll see them in FL this winter.    

Onto Stonecroft Village to visit Aunt Marian - she is such a delight at 94 and we sat in her cozy apartment and yakked and yakked.    Walked down the hallway and saw my cousin Delmer and 2 other ladies I've known for a very long time....Betty is 99 and Mary will be 100 on Christmas Eve.  

Aunt Marian and pretty Christmas village

Stopped in Sublette to see Mom and Dad's gravesites and the pretty greenery bouquet.

Onto Dixon (it is soooo cold and windy) - checked into the hotel, settled in unpacking and then joined the family for games/pizza and lots of chatter.   Mostly siblings and spouses there tonight (many more coming tomorrow).    We have the big party room for the weekend and we will fill it for sure as expecting 98 tomorrow!

Saturday - snowy and cold.....we picked up my cousin Eileen (Jane's sister) for breakfast.   Went to the Coffee Crush - good coffees and sandwiches/waffles.    We so enjoyed our visit and then ran some errands including a trip to her favorite grocery store - Oliver's.    Just so cold to be out running around.    Snowed off and on.

Breakfast at Coffee Crush

Eileen's yummy strawberry waffle

Eileen showed us her apartment after we carried in the groceries, said our goodbyes and back to the hotel.    More games in the afternoon and more family arrived.     We went to 4:30 Mass at St. Pat's and then back to the party room for wonderful bountiful feast, gift exchange and lots of visiting - it was very noisy with so many + little ones running around, but everyone had a good time and another Chamberlain Christmas for the record books.    Annette's parents, Dave and Judy joined us, too!

Sunday - up early again and left hotel at 6 AM for Peoria airport.   11 degrees out, but tah dah...we did have brilliant sunshine.   Got the rental car filled with gas at station nearby, turned in car, got some breakfast and then we were off at 10:10 back to sunny, 75 degree Punta Gorda.

Unpacked but didn't put our bags away as we'll be leaving again on Wednesday for NC.    Did some laundry and settled in.

Have a great just-before-Christmas week!

Wednesday - December 14

 I was off to downtown for a manicure with Tamara this morning after a stop at Peter's for a latte and wished Marika and Coral a very Merry Christmas!

Home and did some laundry and then finished packing the warm woolies for north country.   We leave tomorrow morning for IL out of Punta Gorda.   Looking forward to seeing friends and family plus 2 family gatherings (the Campbell's tomorrow night and big Chamberlain get together Friday/Saturday.)   Quick trip and flying back Sunday.

Taking a break from the blog....back in touch when we return.

Have a safe, happy, stress-free last weekend before Santa comes~

Tuesday - December 13

Woke up to clear skies today - bye bye fog,  but no voice for me!!!     I feel fine, but either have to whisper or squeak to talk!!!   I left at 8:05 for my 9:00 haircut with Kaitlyn and arrived at 8:55......oooohhhhh, the traffic is something else!

Sure was tough to communicate but Kaitlyn and I managed to get thru the appt. and catch up a bit.    Still not sure of Jewel's status and if/when she'll be back?

Stopped at a few other places, got a Starbucks and on home.    Finished wrapping and organized all the supplies for next year.     Mark had an appt. with Dr. Alessi this afternoon  for final check-up from the YAG procedures on his eyes.   All good and has appt. for December 2023.

We picked up Mark and Brenda for dinner at Cristof's and had a wonderful meal on the porch on a beautiful evening.   So fun to catch up with these dear friends and neighbors.

Mark and Brenda

Still don't have much of a voice, but did my share of chatter tonight!

Monday - December 12

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y

MICHAEL and ANNE

Our twins are 52 today!

My, how did these two grow up so fast......I can recall 12/12/70 so well the joy and the "shock" at having TWO babies.    We are so proud of the fine adults they've become, the families they are raising, their successful careers and most of all, the love they share with all our family!

Another foggy start to the day when we left at 8 am for my colonoscopy.    All went well and really liked Dr. Chris Sofianos and his staff at Gastric Health.

We had a late breakfast at a new place (to us) "The Omelet House" - very good and huge menu for breakfast/lunch.   Several years ago in Okeechobee, Porky's had a Reuben omelet on their menu and it was delicious, but have never seen that offered again anywhere till today.    And this was a winner!!!    Definitely a return place for us!

On home for a nap.   Did 2 loads of laundry.    Talked to our birthday kiddos and then ran a few errands thinking we would avoid the heavy daytime traffic - wrong.....lots of folks out tonight, too!    Supper at Culver's and on home.

 Very foggy this morning

Sunday - December 11

 Today started out dreary with some fog, but by 10ish, it was another sunny day.    I've had a bit of congestion past few days and been extra tired. so since we have lots going on this week, decided to take a Covid test.   The ones we had on hand expired in August, so Mark went to CVS and bought a new kit (2 for $10).    Thankfully, I tested negative and will just lie low today.

We decided to attend Mass from Flo today and as always enjoyed Father Jonathan at Immaculate Conception in Port Clinton.    I worked on Christmas cards off and on - also took a nap.

Mark took Jim and Lydia to the airport for their flight back to St. Louis.

Zoom tonight with sibings - all ready and excited for the big Chamberlain Christmas celebration next Friday/Saturday.    Now to keep everyone healthy!

`

Maeve (1st grade) and Luke (4th grade)

School pics

Saturday - December 10

A sunny, warm Saturday here in Fort Myers    For me, today was all about getting rest of the presents wrapped and work on the cards.

Mark had a bunch of computer stuff to catch up on.

Liam and Connor are on the CCHS swim team.....the school has had a team for 10 years but never beaten another intercity school.    But then, Thursday night, they beat Bloomington High School and what a thrill for their coach, the team and the Campbell brothers!    And then they went on to win their hockey game with goals and assists.    Bet they slept good that night!   That's a lot of exercise!

Mark and I were supposed to volunteer with the Red Cross yesterday but they cancelled - maybe after Christmas we'll see what is needed.

 

Friday - December 9

 Walked in the park - whew....humidity was 96%.    But felt good to get out and exercise which I have not done much of recently!    Mark walked while I was in Bloomington.  Back home for breakfast and then I wrapped more presents.    Also got the patio spiffed up as we've not used it for awhile.

Our former neighbors here at Cypress Trail (Rog and Martin) are back in FM and recently bought a condo.    They came over this afternoon - we had planned to play rummikube, but too much to chat about and catch up, so....over sangria, we talked and talked.    Then we walked to the clubhouse for the performance of the "Calendar Girls" a group from SWFL who perform 200 shows a year and benefitting veterans with service dogs.    They have placed 28 dogs so far since they began their shows in 2006.    Today, 9 gals played a variety of Christmas tunes plus other songs with a special tribute to all veterans.

The Calendar Girls

Pat, Rog, Martin, Mark

Then we were off to The Boathouse - didn't have to wait too long, enjoyed a good meal and of course, lots more chatter.    It won't be the same not having them as neighbors, BUT glad they'll still be in FM.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday - December 8

 Another early (kinda) start to the day going to Peter's downtown for coffee/breakfast.   I was anxious to see what progress had been made in the 3 weeks I was gone for reopening of restaurants and shops.    So, while Mark was getting a haircut with Jose, I did some walking.    So happy to see tables, chairs and umbrellas on the sidewalk at Capone's Italian and Cabos Cantina!    Yeah!!!   But so many other places still closed.    Little by little...

We ran a few other errands and then went to 11:30 Mass with Father Fritz (visiting priest) at St. Francis for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.    Stopped at Publix for a Rx and few groceries and on home.

I wrapped some presents and then ran out of scotch tape - arghhh.   But used several gift bags, so, good for now.    We walked over to see Jim and Lydia and the guys sat under the gazebo and yakked and Lydia did the same in their RV.   Been a long time since we were all together.   Lydia gave me some tape to finish wrapping - big thanks!!!   She's a DEAR!

Lydia and Jim

Lydia is such a GOOD Doobie - she and several gals in the park are making mats out of plastic bags for the homeless.

Walking home, we enjoyed some Christmas cheer in the neighborhood - 

 

Wednesday - December 7

 A busy morning leaving Flo at 8:15 and not getting back home till 2:15.    Michael and Brooke gave me a gift card to Massage Envy for Mother's Day and FINALLY used it (none of their locations were close to Port Clinton this summer), so....set up this appointment with Yonay and wow....fabulous 1-hour full-body massage.    Felt so relaxed and pampered.    Mark went to Cafe Flore for some coffee and light snack (not impressed).   This place was just named as one of the top breakfast places in Fort Myers???    Mark would disagree!

So....we went to the American and European Bakery for a nice hot breakfast and then to St. Mark's Surgical Center for Mark's left eye (reading) and the YAG procedure.    Dr. Collins was running 1 hour and 20 minutes behind...I sat in the car for awhile and read, then walked around the building several times (been doing too much sitting) and finally went inside to cool down.    Walked some more and finally, he was done and we were on our way home.

So, Mark was #11 on the waiting list when Dr. came in and all 11 patients were done in a 20-minute period.    Mark had 14 zaps this time.    Wow.....$$$$$$

Last night I was reading that the rough estimate for damage to Fort Myers Beach now stands at $90m and 97% of the structures were damaged or destroyed.     In Lee County, over 4 million cubic yards of debris have been removed.     There's definitely been an improvement since I left 3 weeks ago.    The mountains of debris are just unbelievable.

Because of no housing availability, health issues or have moved, we can think of 8 couples we would normally get together during the winter months but not this year!  😥

Did some laundry in the afternoon and caught up with computer stuff.  

Tuesday - December 6

 Hello from Fort Myers - sooo good to be back and what a welcome with 86 sunny degrees after leaving gloomy, chilly IL.   Anne took me to the airport at 4:10 AM...ugh!    Good flights to Chicago and then onto FM.   And then to be reunited with Mark after 8 days apart!!!!!   He was waiting outside security wearing t-shirt and shorts.    I was wearing jeans, sox, long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt and jacket (also had scarf and gloves with me)!    Ahhh, what a difference 1000 + miles makes!   

Beautiful tree at CIRA (Central Illinois Regional Airport)

Mark and I went for a late lunch at Fancy's Southern Cafe - great comfort food but hadn't been there in a long time!    On home, unpacked and checked out all the packages piled in the she shed - Santa's Workshop will soon be in full swing!

I took a nap later in the afternoon and then we went to Publix for some groceries - yikes, these food prices are choke! choke!   We haven't done any significant shopping in a while!   Picked up our mail - Christmas cards are rolling in...

We drove around the park and saw many pretty decorations.    Glad to be settled for the night!

Last night we had fun in Danville at the boys hockey game which they won 5-3.    Mark's brother Tom and Beth came to watch the game! 

The Campbell brothers

Beth and Tom

Congratulations to our niece Katy and Mike who welcomed their 3rd child this afternoon - "Emily Sue".    Tom and Sue (Mark's late sister) are grandparents.    Emily Sue has an older brother Oliver 5 and sister Evelyn 3.

And  more congratulations to our nephew Danny (Mark's sister Janet's and Mike's son) and Julia who are engaged and will be getting married next August 26th in Wisconsin.   They currently live in Boston.