Thursday - January 16

 Another dreary cool day - the sunshine has left us and according to my weather app, no sun till next Friday (one week from tomorrow)!!!😔   Yikes, sure hope that forecast is WRONG!

I played rummikub in the library with Anita and Jo.   I won 2 games and Anita, one.    Small group today as several went to the Tampa RV show, have visitors or are sick!    Mark got a haircut with Jose.

Then we were off to lunch at Backyard Social with Rog and Martin.    They were next-door neighbors here at CT before buying a condo.    Always fun to be with them and this was their 1st visit to Backyard Social.    We all enjoyed our drinks and food (Mark and Martin had Asian; Rog, Mexican and I had a gyro).

Rog and Martin

Back home for a quiet afternoon - then for a walk but cool and damp (rain is on the way).   So, it was kinda short (we are fair weather walkers - and another excuse the past few days is the smokey air from controlled fires north of here.    Really bad at times.

Blair and Brooke are on their way to Cedar Rapids, IA for wedding planning (dress shopping and tasting for the reception).    Blair called and we did facetime and she chatted away.    Michael is home with Jinx and Millie for the next several days.   Blair has a 4-day weekend.

Mark and I played 3 games of 2-handed euchre and he won 2.

We played euchre in the ballroom - 7 tables and I won 1st place with Jack and Bev tying for 2nd.   Tah dah!!!    I'm $14 richer! 😀

Wednesday - January 15

 Still cool here in SWFL.....but nothing a jacket, long pants, socks and shoes (no flip flops) won't fix.   I played canasta and...(Anne, Cheryl and I lost to Pam, Eileen and Teri).    Firebread was the food truck today along with the Farmers' Market.    Mark walked up to join me and we shared a cheeseburger sandwich on their delicious bread - LOVE this!    We took it back to Flo and chowed down.

Talk at canasta was about all the sickness around the park including COVID, so....Mark thinks it would be wise to not play Lucky 13 tonight.    I'm disappointed as we both really enjoy this game, but we do NOT want to get sick.    Some of the gals plan to wear masks?

I got a mani-pedi this afternoon with Alisa.   Lots of people out and about downtown.

Several folks are going to the Tampa RV show this weekend.    Never know when you might find something newer and better than what you have?

This morning at Cypress Trail

Tuesday - January 14

 Gloomy and chilly today.    I had 9:00 appt. at The Sanctuary for lab work for upcoming physical.    If you don't have an appt., it can be a long wait as it's first come, first serve.    But I was in and out of there before 9.   Lots of people waiting.

We had breakfast at Bob Evans and then to WalMart for a few things and on home.   Did a load of laundry.

Buddy across the street does not like Mexican food, so JoAnn and I did a girls lunch at Gomez Mexican grill (formerly Patricia's) - it was excellent again.....love their margaritas, too!   Always enjoy our visits and we sat and chatted a while and afterwards in the same shopping enter, she went to Publix, me to Dollar Tree and on home.

The colder weather has really affected JoAnn's new knee; Buddy's ankle which was replaced several months ago and my hand.   All these joints want the warm sunshine back!   And think if we were up north?

It was a good afternoon to hunker down with a blanket and good book!   

JoAnn had told us about "star" fruit a few days ago and asked if we'd ever had it?   "no".   She and Buddy went to Rooster's for produce and she brought us back a piece of star fruit.   We had it on our salads tonight....different, but pretty tasty.

Star fruit

 

  

Monday - January 13

 Summer has returned for ONE day here at CT.....80 sunny, breezy degrees.    Tomorrow, at least 10 degrees cooler.

I played canasta and Eileen, Lisa and I beat Cheryl, Ann and Dayna.    Finally a win, but win or lose, always fun!

Nifty little holder for our cards made by some of the gals!

Back home for lunch - Mark did a bunch of odd jobs and computer stuff while I was gone.   Did some laundry and then got ready for our guests to arrive at 4:30.    Had neighbors over for some drinks, snacks and chatter.

Karen and Garth from Newport, KY

Next-door neighbors, Gary and Brenda from Parkville, MO

I went to the ladies outing at Brenda (another Brenda) - at least 25 ladies there for lots of chatter.   Met several new gals and amazed and so fun to hear their stories!    Love our park and all the great folks.

Several more Christmas cards arrived today and still more coming.  Some were mailed as long ago as December 19th and we're now just getting them???    Good ole USPS.

Sunday - January 12

 Sunny cool (for Florida - 71) Sunday.    We went to 9:30 Mass with Father Robert at St. Francis.    The sanctuary has been beautifully decorated for Christmas and today ends the Christmas season with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.    In the bulletin,, they gave a big "THANKS" to Lowe's for their help in decorating !   WOW.....how nice!

We went to The Oasis for breakfast - wow....big crowd.    Waited 20 minutes to be seated and then took a while to be waited on by Morgan who was efficient, just so busy.   They have outside seating which would've helped with the seating, but no one wanted to sit outside this morning when it was chilly.    Cheryl who controls the front desk, taking names, telling us where to sit, cashier, etc., etc. does a great job and been there forever - she's the owner I believe?

Walked in the afternoon and visited with neighbors (Gary and Brenda and the newbies, Garth and Karen who are renting but hope to buy - they are only 53 and 55....youngsters!!!)  Karen has done a great job setting up their patio with the furniture, plants, rocks, etc.   Very pretty and colorful.    They are only here the month of January.    Garth said they're trying to win the "renters of the year" award!    Ha!

We met Charlotte and Doug at Broadway Palm for buffet dinner and "Buddy Holly" story which was fabulous.  Anne, Liam and Connor gave me a gift certificate and we used it for this show......it will go down as one of the best ever!    Sooo many big songs and what a treat hearing all those oldies but goodies from so long ago with great performances also by The Big Bopper and Richie Valens.......and then their bright future came to a horrific ending when all 3 were killed in a snow storm in Iowa on February 3, 1959.    Buddy was 22 and Richie only 17.    A wonderful night of great food and entertainment with dear friends!

Mark, Pat, Charlotte, Doug

Brady is back at Notre Dame for his 2nd semester starting tomorrow.   Liam and Connor have one more week left of their Christmas break.   Because of the MLK holiday, their classes start the 21st.

WINTER TIME FUN in NORTH CAROLINA

Maeve and Luke with their snowmen

Lovin the snow

Throwing snowballs in the hot tub

So, the NC kiddos got snow on Friday but no school tomorrow???