Tuesday - February 17

Happy Mardi Gras

We were off to Cracker Barrel for a hearty, hot breakfast with some leftovers (me).    Then to Publix and on home.    After we put the groceries away we went for a walk.    Stopped in to visit with Jim and Lydia.  They are excited about their new home coming soon at Shell Point (CCRC - continuous care retirement community).   We will sure miss them here at CT, but know this is a really good move for them - our time will be coming in NC.   

The brothers discussing ???

On home and a quiet afternoon in the AC....this afternoon is big Mardi Gras party here in the park.    Claire and I were to get together today for some girl fun, but she's still a bit under the weather.    There's so much sickness going around - Covid, bronchitis, terrible long-lasting colds and coughs, etc.   

We walked later in the afternoon and I did more planning of get togethers with friends - calendar is very full but doing my best to see those near and dear to us!   😄

Monday - February 16

 80% of Florida is in a drought - very serious so we were happy to hear the rain coming down on Flo around 2 AM but only got 2/10".    But this morning and all day, everything so fresh, sunny with a high of 79.

Mark and I walked around 9 - haven't been doing much of that lately!    Then he set to work on the taxes and I played canasta (wore my sunglasses for part of the time).    My partners (Cheryl and Linda) lost to Barb, Margaret and Patti.    First time I've played in a while and will be 3 weeks till I can play again....arghhh

Back home, fixed lunch, did some laundry and more icing, icing, icing!!    My left eye looks better than the right which is a little swollen with some bruising.

Today was the Mardi Gras parade at 4:00 here in the park - always fun and today there were 15 golf carts and 2 bikes decorated throwing out beads and candy.    We sat with our neighbors, Buddy, JoAnn (and granddaughter Autumn) and Gary and Brenda.

We were supposed to get together with Barb and Roger today, but Barb is still dealing with Covid.

We had orange chicken with vegetable rice from Trader Joe's for supper - sooo yummy!

Sunday - February 15

 Nice sunny Sunday, but very windy.    We went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis with Father Robert.   We had planned to go downtown for coffee/light breakfast, but....oh my, police were everywhere including a SWAT vehicle on all the streets going downtown and blocked off with barricades.    Not sure what was going on???    But decided to get away from that area and went to Starbucks on Palm Beach Boulevard.

On home and back to the icing....I've got a little bruising going on and starting today, have an anti-bruising cream to use 2x a day.

So sad to hear that a good friend (Lisa) of our NC kiddos who lives at Lake James passed away after a long valiant battle with cancer.    Lisa was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10-12 years ago, then in remission for 8 years when it came back very aggressively.    Lisa was only 60 and she and Andy have 2 sons and 2 daughters.   I met her at the camp - lovely lady.

Jim stopped by this afternoon and he and Mark discussed various cruises and cruise lines.

Ten siblings on zoom tonight - Doris had an accident with her 1-year old Lexus (hybrid) and then a fire started and car was totaled.    Quite the story.     Janet is subbing for another math teacher and has a terrible cold; Tom and Beth are in Orlando (Tom's last official business meeting with the bank before retirement); Joan talked about her little getaway to Marco Island and Theresa talked about Mike and her visit to a reptile museum which she really enjoyed.

So, that's it for me.....nighty night!    Enjoy your week   Doris will be joining us here in Fort Myers Thursday-Sunday.   

Valentine's Day - 2026

 Day 2 after surgery - more icing, resting and being well taken care of by my nurse (Mark) again,,, who's been with me thru 2 shoulders, kidney stones, broken bones in my foot/ankle and now the eyes!    He's so patient and kind!!! 💘 my funny Valentine!!!

We met our long-time friends (since the 70s) for our 3rd outing this week at Cooper's Hawk.   Been a long time tradition of getting together on Valentine's Day and past several years have been at CH (usually in Naples, but so happy we have one now in Fort Myers).

And a wonderful lunch with wine was enjoyed by all....sad to say good bye to Don and Cathy who will fly home to Colorado tomorrow....God willing, we can continue our Valentine's Day tradition next year.

Mark, Pat, Connie, Steve, Cathy, Don

Stopped at WalMart and on home.

Arghhhh....here we go again with the USPS.    I mailed Liam's birthday card to Anne since he was going to be home a few days after his birthday (February 4th).    Anne kept saying it had never arrived....till today!   Mailed January 23rd from Fort Myers to Bloomington and arrived February 14th.  😟😟😟

Lucky Luke got to fly today thru the Eagle organization.

Friday - February 13

I'm back blogging squinty eyes and all.    Had a good night with my head elevated and icing when awake 20+ minutes each hour.   Also, no bending, lifting (more than 10#) or stretching.    

Sunglasses are a must and trying to stay out of the sun, but they feel good indoors, too.

Mark played euchre today with Marsha, Arlene and Estelle.    He and Estelle won both games.   On back to Flo and we left a bit later for Blossom and Brie where we met Steve, Connie, Don and Cathy.    They loved this wonderful place in the country - great ambiance, food and even got a personal tour by Rodney (owner) inside the container where they grow all the greens.    They were very busy and along with a private event in the barn, the restaurant served over 250 today for lunch,

They walked around outside seeing the animals.   I sat in the shade and Connie joined me.   Such a gorgeous day to be out in the country.

We all came back to CT and enjoyed sitting on our patio with laughs, reminiscing (where we've celebrated Valentine's Day since 2008 - Steve, Connie and us) and later with friends, Sharon, Harry, Sue, Jerry and Don and Cathy.    We had dessert and enjoyed our memories.

Don, Mark, Steve

Connie, Pat, Cathy

I really appreciate the kind notes from family/friends asking how I'm doing with the eyes!   And big thank you for the chocolates and coffee gift card!

Sad to hear that 2 of my dear friends here in Florida have Covid!    UGH...that stuff just won't go away!

Have a great weekend and...

HAPPY  VALENTINE'S  DAY