Friday - October 23

Wow....I slept in big time!    Guess all those medical appts. and family/friend outings caught up with me!   ðŸ˜€   After breakfast, we walked and then set to work.    Mark emptied out Big Red and was off to get 2 new batteries as they were 2 years past their 5-year lifespan.    He got Big Red cleaned inside and out and filled with diesel, so....$$$$ later, he came home and got the cover on Big Red and all protected from the warm sunshine this winter.

I organized clothes in our closet and lockers and then tackled the she shed (not a 1-day job)!  

Mark has had a doctor appt since March for October, but this summer he got a call that they rescheduled for November.    Today they called and said they needed to reschedule for January!    ARGHHH.    Just crazy and unacceptable!   Now he's on a waiting list.    
And more and more doctors are handing we patients over to their PA or NP.

Walked in the evening - so pleasant and had a nice chat with the newbies, Kenny and Lisa.








Thursday - October 22

 Warm and sunny Friday....we left at 8:10 for Sweet Bean Cafe to meet Connie and Steve for breakfast at this favorite for all of us.    Great to catch up with these 2 long-time friends and look forward to more fun outings (and eating) over the next several months.

Mark, Pat, Steve, Connie

Then to Broadway Palm to get tickets for "Oklahoma" when my boat sister, Donna comes to visit the end of January.

Lunch with John and Beth at Dixie Fish Co.    Great visit and lunch hearing all about John's recent health issues - my oh my, both of them have been "thru the mill" dealing with these scary situations.    All good now and so thankful.    We'll be planning a get together with Jim and Lydia before they all leave for more travels in the future.

John, Beth, Pat, Mark

Quick stop at Wal Mart and on home.    Jim and Lydia were in the park this afternoon - Lydia played mahjong with the ladies and Jim was cleaning his pavers and got the patio furniture out of shed before renters will be coming.   They stopped by to visit later. 

We walked in the evening and met Lisa and Brody (dog).    Lisa and Kenny just bought a lot here at CT and are from Chapel Hill, NC





Wednesday - October 21

Whew.....a very busy day starting with our leaving CT at 7:15 for Mark's primary check-up.   He saw a new doctor (Nancy Zurita).    We liked her very much (so young)!😄  Everything was good and he'll be back in 6 months.

Next up was coffee at "Coffee Rush" and then to Target for a few things.   Philip called along the way as he was traveling back to Memphis.  He still has a few weeks of training (simulator).

While at Target, I had wanted to get my flu shot (Mark got his with Dr. Nancy, but since my Dr. Olga is not in the Lee Health System, I couldn't get it).    Dr. Olga's nurse was not in yesterday, so....while at Target, it was not quite 9, so the gates at pharmacy don't go up till 9.    But, they went up at 8:55.....and after a guy asked how he could help me and I said "I would like my flu vaccine", he told me, "oh the pharmacist won't be in for 15 minutes!!!"     Arghhh

So, off to another CVS (closer to CT) and "Will", the pharmacist was busy but said he could help me in a minute which turned out to be longer.    I told him he was "3rd try to get this vaccine today" and about the last CVS and no pharmacist working.   He was shocked cause those gates should never go up till their employees (especially the pharmacist) are ready to start working!    Oh well.....Will gave me the vaccine and then we went home for a short time.

Next up was our dermatologist appts. with Dr. Kagen.    All good for Mark....I've had some nasty spots on my legs for years (long-time sun exposure from back in the day).     Dr. Kagen recommended some cream (last visit April 15th before we left FL).    Been using that for many weeks and no real change; in fact, sometimes very red and irritated.

So, today he decided on Plan B - a liquid compound chemo to use 2x a day for 2 weeks and then go back to see him.    Dr. said they could become very very red......we shall see - oh joy!!!

Since Riverchase Dermatology is across the street from Lakes Park where they have a huge Farmer's Market every Wednesday (Jim and Lydia enjoy this), we decided to walk around.   It is quite large with many vendors - mostly food but lots of other choices.    We found a hog dog stand and Mark had a chili/cheese dawg and I had a Chicago Style dawg - both very good.    So many people out and about this pretty day.

We were still hungry and so Cold Stone Creamery was near by and enjoyed some delicious ice cream treats.    The Cypress Compound Pharmacy was close by so stopped there hoping my Rx was ready and I only had to wait a few minutes.    We had never heard of a compound pharmacy (where they actually mix or make up the medicine).    It's a roll on so should be easy to apply morning and night.

And our last stop of the day was WalMart to pick up a few things + 2 more Rx.   What a nice surprise to run into Judy, a CT resident who we play euchre with - she's a lot of fun and just returned with 5 other gals from a trip to Savannah which they loved.    When we were in Muskegon, MI this summer with Linda (another CT resident), she told me she was going on a girls trip in October to Savannah, so....they are back and had a ball.   Finally on home for us.

Some big news to share..............Liam was all set to graduate next May 15th from U of Iowa.    But after checking with 2 advisors, he has enough credits and will graduate December 20th.    WOW.....so proud of him - 2 majors (math and computer science) in 3 1/2 years + working part time.   Since we'll be back for the Chamberlain Christmas the 19th, this will work out just fine!

Driving around today in several areas of Fort Myers, we were amazed at the new construction still ongoing and mostly apartments - many many new ones going up plus the never-ending road work.  

Went for a walk after supper and saw some familiar faces!

I watched the Dolly "I Will Always Love You" special tonight - 2 hours of absolute delight from so many stars singing her big hits plus all the wonderful tributes and memories.    I had my share of tears, too.    We all loved Dolly.   





 

Tuesday - October 20

 We left at 9:15 for my 10:00 appt. with my primary, Dr. Olga, but,.....she was running way late (1 hour 15 minutes).     She was very apologetic and all good with my check-up.

Lunch at Biscotti across the street from our dentist, Dr. Baxmann.    All good with Mark's teeth, but there may be some possible issues for me with 2 teeth (nothing hurts), so I'll be seeing an endodontist to check things out..ugh.   

Finally home at 2:30.    Did a load of laundry and made some appts. 

We went for a walk after supper - very pleasant out, but CT is still pretty quiet with lots of folks not here yet.


Sunday-Monday, October 18-19

 We are home from a whirlwind, fun trip to Lakeland, Orlando and Lake Wales.

Sunday - we left CT at 8:30 and stopped at The Rose' Cafe in Arcadia for coffee.   Onto Lakeland and met my brother Ron and Vicki at Grillsmith for lunch.    So good to be with them as it was April 15th when we were last together (the day we left FL for the season).    Over a good lunch, we yakked away and then went to their home for 2 more hours of visiting and some games of "Swoop" or as they call it in Lakeland "Tens".    Fun game.

Ron and Vicki

Next stop was Orlando and checked into our hotel on International Drive - so much traffic mainly leaving the Disney parks.    Michael and family are having a great time and they were back at the hotel around 6.    We ubered to Cooper's Hawk (1st time for any of them to eat at one of our favorites).    We had a nice round table and chattered away.   Big day for them and the many rides they enjoyed.  But before calling it a day, the kiddos (Blair, Brady and Davis) wanted to play mini golf at Pirate's Cove.   Rest of us were off to dreamland.

Dinner at Cooper's Hawk
Brady, Blair, Davis, Brooke, Pat, Mark, Michael

Monday - light drizzle to start the day.    We met the kids down in lobby for breakfast and then they were off to Universal for the day and we left for Lake Wales.   

Blair and her Mickey Mouse waffles

 Arrived at the Latte Lounge in a very old, unique former arcade building downtown.    Our good coffee buddies, Joyce and Butch recommended this place along our way home and just 20 miles from their home.    It was neat + the turtle brownie we shared.

We last saw these friends and former RVers from Champaign, IL on May 13th.   My goodness, so much has happened since then with 2 hospital visits for Joyce (6 days in Champaign and 21 days in Barnes, St. Louis).    She had some very serious health issues over the summer but now, doing much better, back to line dancing, etc.    They love coffee shops like we do and this was a good one + they told us about a neat one on a farm outside Fort Mead, FL.    So, that will be on the list to check out in January when we're back together.   Good bye hugs and on our way to CT with the rain.   

Us with Joyce and Butch at the Latte Lounge in Lake Wales

 Started out a light drizzle but at times, heavier and shortly after we arrived at CT, the heavens really let loose with a big downpour!    Next 4 days are to be sunny and low 80s.

We have several doctor appointments the next 2 days.