Thursday - October 29

 Warm sunny day - started out with a walk, breakfast and then to Coffee Rush (a favorite coffee shop - just drive-thru) for our fix (their white chocolate maple latte is sooo good).    Mark had his usual decaf Americano and a cheese Danish.   We were sitting in the car and from the time Mark ordered, she took our $ and delivered coffee/food, the gal said "perfect" TEN times.   I started counting and when she got to 5x, I thought "wow, this is it" and she continued 5 more times.   Oh well....just something we find humorous!    Doesn't take much for us to have a good laugh!

Then more errands, including new tennies for each of us (Snyderman's Shoes is a great place and their staff is so knowledgeable.)   They know when new shoes are in need from how the soles look.   So, we walked out with some classy comfort and will be great for walking!    Also got some new sunglasses (me).   So, a $$$ morning but fun 😊

Off to Cristof's to meet Rog and Martin for lunch.    They were our next-door neighbors here at CT for a few years before they got out of RVing and bought a condo.    It's always fun to get together and catch up and we had lots to yak about over a delicious lunch + a shared "bomb" - round ball of spumoni surrounded by dark chocolate hard shell - DELISH (a favorite for Claire and I when we eat here).    We shared this (well, not Martin as he's not into chocolate 😟).

We asked our waitress to take our picture and she said "do you want me to clear the table first"?    We said "no, that's ok" and she said "well, you can always ask Chat GPT."  

Mark, Pat, Rog, Martin

messy table

 We laughed and when we got home, that's exactly what techie Mark did.............tah dah!!!

Same people; no mess!    Ha....

Said our goodbyes after 2+ hours and on home for us!   Mark took a nap.   I enjoyed puzzles (obsessed with these and the fall ones are out - so many really neat ones)!   LOVE my puzzles!

Wednesday - October 28

 Wacky (or as Blair would say "wonky") weather day - dreary and misty, then sun, drizzle, sun, heavier rain, sun and on it went.    We were out and about and it poured and a few miles down the road....dry as could be!

I played canasta and lost at the very end - Vicki B, Vicki F and I could not pull out the win to Vicki H, Becky and Sandy.    There are so many Lisa's and Vicki's in the park with more to come!

We had planned to wash Flo this afternoon but not with the icky weather + it was very windy.    So decided to go grab some lunch and run a bunch of errands.    We had several gift cards to restaurants, so today, chose Panera as it was close to other stops.    Got several errands out of the way and then home sweet home for naps!

While I was playing canasta, Mark was dealing with doctor offices, changing his scheduled colonoscopy, making appts, etc.    Arghhh what a struggle.    Gone are the days when we all had one main doctor and no issue scheduling this or that.   He talked to the scheduler for his cardiologist (changed from October to November and now January).    He is on a cancellation list but the next available appt. is June.    Crazy.....and after his colonoscopy they want Mark to meet with Michael, APRN to go over the results.....the procedure is in February but can't get in with Michael till late April and we'll be gone.   Just nuts and frustrating!

Tonight we played Lucky 13 (bingo with cards) at the clubhouse and I won 2x for $26.50. We had 6 tables and fun as always.   We sat with Jerry and Barb from NJ, Beverly and Danny from KY and Lisa and Kenny from NC.    This game originated back in 2014 when CT first opened.        

Tuesday - October 27

Well, today was the pits!!!    ARGH......UGH....

We walked in the morning, Mark did some computer work and I did 2 loads of laundry.  After lunch we left for my haircut with Destiny and since Culver's was close by, Mark enjoyed some ice cream with his I-pad while waiting for me.    Later we drove past the house that my boat sisters are renting for early March when they come to Fort Myers.

Drove downtown and checked out Bruno's Italian Market (this just opened last month and is in the location of the former Bruno's Italian restaurant which now is in a very nice, much larger location a few blocks away).    The market is open for lunch and has a variety of Italian goodies, wine, ready to go meals, desserts, etc.   They've done very well since opening.  

Next stop was SW Florida Root Canal Specialists to see my "newest" doctor, an endodontist, Dr. Lee about my possible root canal work???    Well.....Mark dropped me off and he left for his appt. with his gastro dr. regarding colonoscopy coming in the new year.   This was rescheduled today after not being able to get out of the park yesterday with the school bus accident and deputy sheriff getting hit by car.

   After some really high-tech x-rays + regular ones, Dr. came in and showed me and explained my teeth dilemma.    I knew there was a possibility that I would need 2 root canals, but what a shock and disbelief that I need THREE.     WHAT?????    Holy smokes....was not prepared for that, but it is happening and my first (of many) appts. will be next week.   

I guess I've been lucky over the years - no root canals, no implants, and haven't had a cavity in eons....after I left the office, I walked (.7) to Starbucks and waited for Mark to pick me up.   

So, in light of all the very serious health issues going on with family/friends, I will put my "big-girl" panties on and deal with this latest glitch!    "3" is what really blew my mind! 😟

Our Fed Ex brothers are flying tonight together for 1st time to Montana!

Monday - October 26

 Very windy today but the sun was shining and low 80s.   Mark had a dr. appt. and planned to leave at 8:30 only to find out Tice Street (in front of CT) was totally blocked in both directions.    There had been an accident involving 2 school buses in front of the Manatee Elementary school and then while a deputy sheriff was directing traffic, he was hit by a car.....no other details.    There was no way outta here so Mark had to call and cancel his appt.    

Luckily he was able to reschedule for tomorrow afternoon (he'll see the PA).    We each walked going our separate ways.   

I played canasta for the 1st time this season - so much fun and happy to be back with these gals although there were only 9 of us and one guy.   Anita, Sandy and I beat Vicki, Donna and Sue.    Home for lunch and naps.

Went to The Lodge for supper.   It was so cold inside so we braved the wind and sat outside.  Mark wanted some ice cream afterwards, so Scoops on First was close by.....absolutely freezing in there, too!

Have you noticed the waitresses and waiters (mainly ladies) or other young people dealing with the public are constantly saying "Perfect"!!!!    Over and over we hear it.    A few years ago they were saying "Absolutely"!    😀 

We drove past the new Legacy Marina which was destroyed by Ian with the docks and boats washed away or severely damaged.    And now 4 years later, it is finally back in business - at least open and operating and one large yacht was there tonight.   When completely finished with Nervous Nellies as the restaurant replacing Joe's Crab Shack, it will be really nice and a big asset to downtown.

Sunday - October 25

 Beautiful day but really windy - we could get "high" from this awesome weather!!!   Went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis with Father Robert.    Then "Take Two Coffee" for coffee and their yummy donuts!    Filled Ruby up and on home.

Enjoyed a quiet afternoon on Flo.    We walked later and had a nice chat with Dave and Sue from Michigan.    We play euchre with them on Thursday nights.

Tonight's Zoom had all but Marilyn, Doris, Sharon and Tom H.    Joan updated us on her ongoing ankle issues and will have more surgery next spring.    She's been thru so much.    Also much talk about golf.

Have an awesome week!