Friday - December 20

 COLD here when we got up and surprise, snow on the ground (wasn't expecting that)!!!    So, we bundled up and headed to Starbucks for the order Anne had placed over the phone.    Streets were slushy and we meandered in Anne's car "carefully".

Went to Westminster Village with our coffees and cheese Danish and a very enjoyable morning with Donna Rae.   She is so delightful and her apartment was beautifully decorated by her daughter-in-law, Tammy.   Oh my, I got emotional just seeing all her decorations thru the years, several I made.   Great visit and then bye bye till May.

Cheers to Donna Rae - very dear friend

enjoying her gingerbread latte

Back out in the cold and off to the airport to pick up our rental car.    I went back to Anne's, changed clothes and Mark took me to Brenda's for our Monday Night Friends Christmas luncheon.   It was lovely and so delicious (soup, salad, sandwich and peppermint/chocolate dessert) + wine and cranberry punch.

We missed Connie who recently passed away, Linda who did not travel with the snowy weather and Tamara who has health issues.   Lots of reminiscing and memories from our 50+ year friendship.

Monday Night Friends

Donna, Nadine, Ruth, Pat, Jody, Marsha, Brenda, Sue

Mark picked me up at 3 and we were off to Dixon for the Chamberlain family Christmas.    Always a BIG event and we missed last year cause of my injury.    Tonight we had pizza and other snacks, but tomorrow more will be coming for the big event.  

Watching the Notre Dame vs Indiana game tonight - thinking of Michael and his boys they're having a great time AND freezing!    The Irish won 27-17.

Davis, Drew, Michael

on a VERY COLD night

Annette went with Luke and his 6th grade classmates to the Biltmore a few days ago.    What a great experience and treat for these kiddos.

Luke (middle) and friends listening to the narration as they meander around the Biltmore.

Thursday - December 19

 Hello from Bloomington.....but what a trip to get here!   We had breakfast, loaded up the car and off to Punta Gorda (PGD) for our flight to Peoria.    What a zoo.....as many people coming into FL as were leaving to head north for the holidays!

And then after everyone had boarded, we were told there was a maintenance issue and it would take 30 minutes to fix (groans from the passengers) and then the pilot announced "after we finish our paperwork, we'll be off"....but then, there was a computer issue and so, another delay (more groans).....one lady grabbed her suitcase and left the plane???   So, this whole scenario ended with us leaving 2 1/2 hours late.    UGH.....we should've been landing before we even took off from Punta Gorda. 

Liam and Connor were waiting for us - so good to see them and catch up - Connor without his wisdom teeth is doing pretty well but certainly has quite the routine of meds, rinsing, etc.

Anne put in an order for Monicals so stopped there, picked up and on home.    Yakkety yak yak with the Campbells over yummy pizza, breadsticks, and monkey bread.

Michael and his boys are at Notre Dame this weekend for the big game against Indiana tomorrow night.    GO  IRISH!

Michael and Davis 

 

Wednesday - December 18

 Very warm today with clouds and sun.    16 for canasta - Donna, Linda S and I were far ahead and I'll be darned, Anita, Nancy and Linda came back to beat us in 4 games!   Denise has been bringing treats for the girls - red or green frosted mini chocolate or vanilla cupcakes on Monday and today, the pretzel, hershey kisses with M 'n M's

Mark waked while I was playing and afterwards, we had lunch, I did laundry and finished packing.   

Tomorrow we fly from Punta Gorda to Peoria for family Christmas gatherings (2) and other fun planned with family/friends.    We'll be back Christmas Eve.

BIG Dog in the park

Tuesday - December 17

Connor had 4 wisdom teeth pulled today - his oral surgeon was a former high school classmate of Michael and Anne (Tom Ocheltree).    He's home resting....

 Mark and I had a "Date" Day starting with coffee/blueberry coffeecake at Peter's downtown and big hug and Merry Christmas from Marika (our favorite barista).    We sat in the courtyard and so pleasant this sunny, warm day.

Then we were off to the beach.....decided to take a trip down there before all the snowbirds arrive and traffic gets really crazy.    Wise choice as saw very few people out and about on the street, beach, restaurants, etc.    We stopped at The Pink Shell, swanky resort on the north end of beach - it is beautiful but we had never been there to walk around and see the place.    Few people in the pool.   

The pool at The Pink Shell

Enjoying this view while listening to "I'll be Home for Christmas

Then we drove along the beach - still so much devastation, rebuilding, SAND everywhere and some new construction going on.   A very LONG ways to recover from Ian.

We parked (again, no problem finding a spot) and walked to the new Margaritaville resort - wow, this is huge and very nice!    Several restaurants, huge pool, spa, and indoor and outside, a very beachy vibe - even smelled NEW!

Leoma Lovegrove has a small kiosk at Margaritaville, the perfect

spot for her artwork

Decided to keep walking and had lunch at Snug Harbor on the water - wow, we had a great view on the Bay watching the boats come and go and excellent lunch.    Mark had a grouper sandwich and I had the blue crab salad with fried green tomatoes.    We finished with a very yummy piece of key lime pie.

Cheers!

Very pretty, creamy and delicious!

Our waiter Charlie asked if we were from the area or snowbirds?    He said he was from IL but has lived down here since 2012.....lo and behold, he came from Normal, went 3 years to Normal Community HS and graduated from Bloomington High.    He and his wife have 2 little girls, Dove and brand new baby girl, Sabel born Sunday.   Nice guy and great server.

Ran a few more errands and finally home at 2:15 - nap time!

Walked late afternoon - pleasant ending to a fun day!

Monday - December 16

 Warm 'n sunny....I walked and then played canasta (Denise, Cheryl and I lost to Sue, Terri and Eileen) But it was close!   Big group of 20 today.  

 Mark walked while I was gone and then printed off Christmas mailing labels (NOT his favorite job).

After lunch, I did more packing (warm woolies) and some laundry.   One more walk later in the afternoon.

We are heartbroken after yet another school shooting and loss of life.    Many prayers for the victims, those recovering and their families.    So very tragic especially at Christmastime.