Monday - March 12

Very windy today and off and on sunshine.     I met Sue at Hobby Lobby and we went to Anthony's where we met Claire for some retail therapy.    We all had good luck with some new fashions and off to Society for lunch which was fabulous!!!    We sat outside enjoying a glass of wine and our lunch - duh, forgot to take a picture.

Went into Bed, Bath and Beyond and Bath and Body.    Said our good byes and Sue brought me back to Hobby Lobby and on home to Mark and Flo.

Kevin (landscaper) and Carlos (paver) came this afternoon and we are all set to get "this show on the road".....course, pavers need to be ordered and we'll be leaving the 26th, so?

Luke and Maeve playing at the Asheville Play House

Tomorrow, Michael, Drew, Davis and Ryan are off to Jackson Hole for 5 days of skiing.    The boys are on spring break this week and their first time skiing!

Thus far, Jackson Hole has had 405" of the white stuff!!!    Mind boggling but great if you like to ski!

I had a big lunch so not hungry - Mark enjoyed a BBQ sundae from the food truck.

Sunday - March 11

After all the rain it was a dreary morning, but the rain was most welcome.  We went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis and on home for a bit.    Drove to the Gulf Coast Mall and met Shirley (a Sublettian) and Dick (grade and high school classmates with Shirley and high school with Dick).    They are in Naples for the winter.    What a fun visit and delicious lunch at Connor's.   We first met them last winter so hope to make this a yearly event!   And the sun came out and another lovely day!

 Dick, Shirley, Pat and Mark

Back to Flo and tackled 4 loads of laundry and then we went for a walk in the park.   

Just a light supper after that big lunch!

Busy week ahead with more gatherings with friends!

Saturday - March 10

Sunny start to the day....fixed sausage/cheese omelets and English muffins for breakfast.   The clouds rolled in and we were off to run some errands including new slip-on shoes for Mark.    He had been planning on some new docksiders anyway, so not able to tie his laces convinced him this is the time and go to the ease and convenience of just slipping on.

 

We met Vinnie and Lori (also PDQ owners) for lunch at The Lodge downtown.    Great BBQ and so fun to see them.   One year ago we met thru John and Beth who sold their PDQ to Vinnie and Lori.

 

Lori and Vinnie

 

When we left The Lodge, it had started raining and been coming down ever since - just a nice gentle rain, but so unusual as we've not seen any for a long time!

 

We ran a few more errands and on back to Flo - 1st time we've heard rain drops on

Flo's aluminum roof!

 

Unfortunately, the Saints and Comets lost their first game in the Final Four.    The Comets (Mark's alma mater) and our CCHS Saints both came in 3rd in their respective divisions of
 Illinois high school basketball today!     👍👍👍
 

Mark is doing well with his injury....he sees the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday - March 9

Beautiful Friday in Florida - nippy start to the day, but then deep blue skies, sunny and 74 for a high.

 

Mark had a good night and alternates Tylenol and Ibuprofen as needed.  Overall, not much pain.   Thankful it wasn't his right hand and he has been very self sufficient (except for tying his shoes).

 

We left for North Port around 10 (I am the designated driver for the next several weeks)!!!    We went to Allie and Owen's condo (lst time for us to see this as we didn't make it to North Port last winter).   It is lovely and after the tour, we sat and visited before leaving for The Bean Depot Café in the boonies of Port Charlotte but what a delightful very "Old Florida" place.    It sure had character, was funky and oh my.....so glad they brought us here.  

  Food was good and so pleasant sitting outdoors in the sunshine.

 

Former post office, grocery store, etc. back in the 1920's....

 

Allie, Owen and Mark outside entrance

 

Stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond and then back to their home for more visiting.    Always fun to be together and look forward to their visit in 10 days.

 

Our view tonight from Flo's new home

 

Thursday - March 8

Big day today......we closed on a lot here at Cypress Trail and now Flo will have a permanent home when she's in Fort Myers!!!    Excited about our new property and now to figure out additional pavers (patio area), shed and landscaping!   Decisions, decisions....$$$   $$$

So, we went to 8:15 Mass at St. Francis, then to lawyer's office for closing on lot and finally to Rebel Coffee Shop for coffee/treats.

On home to Flo and Mark got started on all the disassembly of Flo's water, sewer, electrical, etc.    By 1:00, we were pretty well settled in our new spot and a little later, had our old lot cleared of our stuff (weight bench, chairs, table, bikes, etc.)    Also included a trip to Gretchen's Country Kitchen

 (food truck) for cheeseburger (me) and tenderloin (Mark).

Yesterday when we returned from Marathon, Mark was working on Flo's new hitch using electric drill (Christmas gift from his kids).   It jammed, flew out of his hand but first, hit back of hand.   He went to Urgent Care this afternoon and after a 2 1/2 hour wait, was told their tech was not in today to read x-ray!    So he had to go to ER and didn't get back home till almost 7.   The gist is:

Fracture of third metacarpal bone of left hand.    And here he is...

Big ole cast

Took lots of lotion, 2 nurses + Mark working to get his wedding ring off.   He's to call an orthopedic doctor tomorrow.  

Our kids alma mater (Central Catholic in Bloomington) is in the Final 4 for the Class 2A state basketball championship this weekend.   AND, Mark's high school, Newman Central Catholic is also in the Final 4 for Class 1A.   Best of luck to the Saints and Comets.

Debbie is a masseuse who comes to Cypress Trail 2x a week (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) for 1-hour massages.   I signed up weeks ago (February was already filled when we arrived on the 1st).   Tonight was the night (5:30) and it was pure heaven!    A real treat and hope she's back next year!

So very sorry to hear about the tragic accident Tuesday evening back home.....a 17-year high school senior was killed when a truck ran a red light and crashed into her.    She was a star softball player.    The scene of the accident was at the intersection of Raab Road and Mitsubishi Parkway in Normal which we've been thru many times enroute to town from Kamp Komfort.  

Praying for Olivia and her family....

Maeve is all bundled up as they had some snow today at Lake James!!!

We only got to the upper 60's today and very breezy....going down to 47  tonight!

So it's been quite a day....Flo is in her new home (love the view of the water and night time brings on  fountain changing colors - red, blue, purple, green), Mark is in a cast and

I'm in la la land from my massage (and taking on additional duty as nurse)!  

Till tomorrow....