Tuesday-Wednesday, February 24-25

 We are back from our little getaway and had so much fun!

Tuesday - we have the rosary in CT every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45 AM.    Kathy and Kevin Connors from Stillman Valley, IL have been doing this for quite sometime.    I had never gone, but with Lent, time to do some extras.    There were 9 of us and with the chilly weather we all gathered inside their 5th wheel with a nice cozy fire versus under the tiki where they normally meet.   Nice gathering and meeting some new folks.

Walked home and Mark and I left shortly for Venice with a stop at Black Gold Coffee Roasters.  Then downtown and met brother Bob and Linda at our usual parking lot and at 10:00 got prime spots.  Linda and I set off on foot to hit the shops - love Venice and this is our usual yearly tradition (did not meet last year though)?   Anyway, we both boosted the Venice economy and had so much fun!   Bob and Mark kept out of the cold in a coffee shop and then sat in the car with the sun shining.    It was chilly walking around.

Linda and Pat

While we were shopping at Lisa's Classic Rose, the sales lady took our picture and then posted it on Facebook!   Whoaaaa...what a surprise - we both love this shop and bought the above clothing + a few other pieces.

Met the guys at Cafe Venice (a favorite and had a delicious lunch).    A little more shopping and then good bye as they left for Lakeland and we were off to North Port.    We'll see them in a few weeks when they come to Fort Myers.

North Port was 20 miles away and arrived at Allie and Owen's around 3:30.    So good to see them and sat and yakked till time to go to dinner.    New place in Englewood that was recommended to them and oh my....a real winner - "Chophouse 285" very good!!!    Back to their home for more visiting and icing of my eyes and then off to dreamland.

Owen and Allie

Chophouse 285

Wednesday - we were off to the K and K Bakery/Coffee Shop in North Port.    Allie and Owen had never been here but oh my............beautiful looking pastries and desserts plus all the coffee choices.   We enjoyed our treats and visited for a while and then back home.   We finished packing up our stuff, loaded up the car and after good bye hugs, were off for Wellen Park.    We'll see Allie and Owen on the 12th.

Very delicious cinnamon roll

We met long-time boating friends from Racine, WI.   We were all at Reefpoint Marina on Dock E-12.    So many memories from years past and thankful we've kept in touch.    We left Reefpoint in 2006.    Ken and Cathy who hosted us today spend the summer at Reefpoint on their boat and rest of the year in their beautiful home in Wellen Park (huge new development that will eventually have 50,000 residents).    It's new with lovely homes, all the shops, restaurants, businesses, etc.    We met at The Banyan House downtown - lunch was yummy and then to Ken and Cathy's - got the tour of their "WOW" house and after dessert (incredible chocolate concoction) Cathy took we girls on a tour of 3 model homes in the neighborhood (all totally furnished) - so much fun and more "WOW". 

Pat, Cathy, Barbara, Carol

Mark, Ken, Bob, Mark

Mark C, Mark W, Carol, Barbara, Cathy, Pat, Bob, Ken

Mark and Barbara live in New Bern, NC but spend the month of February on Anna Marie Island.    Bob and Carol live in Hawthorne Woods, IL.    God willing, we'll be together again next year.

Wellen Park is home to spring training for the Atlanta Braves (brand new stadium).    There was a game today and when we left, oh my......got caught in all that traffic.    Then a bad accident on I-75 near Punta Gorda really delayed us.    But lots of happy memories with family and friends!

Nighty night! 

 

 

Monday - February 23

 Brrrr...back to the cold and wind (of course).   And today was really chilly with the strong wind.   But we could be out east.....yikes!    Cannot imagine those blizzard conditions.  

 We picked Jamie and Dennis up at 10:15 and we were off to Punta Gorda for lunch with State Farm retirees (18).   We met at Laishley's and all enjoyed a fun visit and lunch indoors!    Mark hadn't seen some of these folks in many years.    Thanks to Barb for organizing and getting us together.    We've been to Laishley's many times but never have we seen it so crowded as today.   They have a large outdoor seating area and even with the cold/wind, there were some die hards sitting out there.    But the inside is large and when we left, people were everywhere waiting.    Despite the weather, folks are vacationing in Florida and going out to eat!    HA....

Enjoyed visiting with Jamie and Dennis on the ride up and back - they are just around the corner from us here at CT, but we don't see them very much.    

So, we hunkered down this afternoon - sun was shining, but geez....after several days in the 80s, this feels brutal!

So sad and shocked to read online that Father Jerry Kaywell from Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda passed away this morning.    He's been the pastor there since 2004 and was so loved.    He was 72 and no other details at this time.   So many tributes online expressing shock and disbelief for this wonderful man who was such a true servant of Jesus.   We've been to some of his masses over the years - wow.....very charismatic and excellent homilies.    Before entering the priesthood, he was a singer, musician, entertainer and won a Grammy award.     

Brought the flowers in tonight - not taking any chances with this cold!    When we returned from Punta Gorda, the flowers here in the park were already covered.

Mark and I are going on a little trip north tomorrow (Venice and North Port) to visit family/friends.    We'll be back Wednesday - so taking a little break from the blog.

Jim and Lydia stopped by - they are excited about their move to Shell Point coming up - but  bittersweet, too, leaving CT.   

Sunday - February 22

 Very warm and breezy today....we went to 9:30 Mass with Father Steve and then home for light breakfast.    Did some laundry and later we left for Cooper's  Hawk where we met Charlotte and Doug for "brunch and bubbles".   They serve brunch now on Saturdays and Sundays.   It was packed and so good to be back with our Annapolis friends.

Brunch was excellent but first we all had the most delicious Bloody Mary's (maybe my best ever) with a skewer of lots of yummies.    Doug chose an order of 5 salted caramel donuts which were phenomenal!!!    Then the entrees (Charlotte, trio of beef medallions. Doug and I had the caramelized French Toast with fruit (maybe best French toast I've ever had) and Mark had the candied bacon BLT.   We were all very happy!    After our visit and awesome meals, we said our good byes till later this week when we'll be together again.

Mark, Pat, Charlotte, Doug

When we went into the restaurant it was 88, sunny and windy.   When we came out 1.5  hours later, it was 70, very cloudy and windy.

We went to Costco for some wine and a few other items and on home as the rain started.   The chilly weather is returning for a few days here in SWFL.....

So excited for the USA men's hockey team and winning the gold medal!    Awesome game.

Joan and Joe arrived home (IL) safely in their travel trailer this afternoon after a whirlwind trip!!!

Zoom tonight was just 6 of us - Theresa talked about getting her NC home ready to put on the market; they started digging for Tom and Beth's new home in Ohio; Jim and Lydia are starting to clean out their shed and prepare the lot for sale as they will be moving to Shell Point.    We're all happy that Joe and Joan are home.  

Enjoy the week ahead.

Saturday - February 21

 Another very nice warm day but very little wind so that was pleasant.    Doris came at 9 and the 3 of us went downtown for breakfast - we had planned to eat at Ella Mae's Diner but oh my....all the streets were blocked off for the big Edison Festival of Lights parade which is tonight.   So we went to Farmer's Market and although very crowded (think all the folks who couldn't get in downtown, came here)?    Anyway, not too long a wait and always such good food.   Doris always treats her siblings on their birthday - so this was a belated celebration for Mark from his November birthday.    And I enjoyed the treat, too.

The siblings celebrating Mark's belated birthday

Back home and walked over to Jim and Lydia's for games - 5-handed euchre won by Lydia and me and then Five Crowns won by Doris.   Fun afternoon and then Doris was on her way - wanted to go to church this afternoon.   She'll be leaving tomorrow for The Villages and a family visit and will fly home on Tuesday.    We sure enjoyed her visit.

Blair competed this weekend with her competitive cheer in Greensboro, NC and her team won 1st place AGAIN!    Way to go girls!

Blair and big brother Davis

Yay...we WON!!!

Friday - February 20

 A very warm (87) sunny day to celebrate my birthday and it's sure been a great one!    

Mark and I ran a few errands this morning including my free coffee at Starbucks (today only).    I played euchre with Estelle and Diane - I taught them 2 and 3-handed and we had so much fun and so many laughs!

Euchre buddies

Pat, Diane, Estelle

When Liam and Connor visited in December, they loved one of the many authentic Mexican food trucks we have and so Mark suggested we try one today.....however, no fish or shrimp and since it's Friday during Lent???    So, off to Culvers for their yummy cod sandwich which we shared and an order of cheese curds.    On home.   More icing and enjoying my birthday messages.    

Today is a popular day as my brother Bob celebrates (he's 6 years older), friends Kay (a special one 😊) and Fred and cousins, Dave, Amy and Michelle.

Tonight 3 of Mark's siblings and spouses joined us for my birthday dinner at Blossom and Brie....we had so much fun and sad to say bye bye to Joan and Joe who are driving home tomorrow (2-day trip) and preparing for trip to the Cleveland Clinic and pre-visit for Joan's upcoming ankle surgery on April 10th.    We wish them safe travels and so enjoyed our time together this winter in Florida.

Mark, Pat, Lydia, Jim, Joe, Joan, Doris

Thank you for the phone calls, e-mails, texts and cards from family and friends!   It was a wonderful day!!!