Sunday - March 1

 WELCOME

to

MARCH

Oops, forgot to post the blog last night!    We didn't get home from Buddy and JoAnn's till after 10, so....guess I was too tired to send it off?    Thanks Anne for the reminder!

But today's a brand new day and my "Boat Sisters" arrived about 1/2 hour early - 7:44 from Columbus, OH.    They will be zombies after that very early flight.

Had some rain early this morning - we'll gladly take anything we can get!    Mark and I walked and had breakfast.  It was very humid.  He did some bookwork and I'm just chillin' till my "boat sisters" arrive.    

And then the girls arrived around noon - sooo good to see them.    They had been up since 2ish this morning.    We sat on the patio and yakked and yakked.    Chris sat outside in a recliner and got a little shut eye while Teri, Donna and I continued yakking.

And then we 4 played RummiKub with Chris the winner.    So fun to be together again.    At 3:50 we left for Pincher's and early dinner.    Got a table right away and sat by the water.   All enjoyed our drinks and food.    They were off to check into their VRBO and see what they might need at the grocery store before they crash tonight (coffee for sure)

My sisters are back!

Donna, Pat, Chris, Teri

We'll meet up tomorrow whenever they are up and navigating!   

Zoom tonight with 8 siblings - Theresa is back home from NC; Jim and Lydia are back to CT from St. Louis;  

Enjoy your week ahead

Saturday - February 28

Had just a few sprinkles around 6 AM.....we need rain so badly, but just not happening!

I did some laundry and we picked up neighbors Chris and Diane from Connecticut for lunch at Blossom and Brie.    We had such a nice visit and great brunch/lunch.   They really enjoyed this unique farm-to-table experience.    After eating, Diane and I walked around to see the animals.    Chris is having some painful back issues.....he'll be seeing an orthopedic doctor till they return to CT.    

Rodney, the owner of Blossom and Brie, gave Chris and Diane a tour of his hydroponic container where all the fresh greens are grown - amazing set up.

Mark, Pat, Diane, Chris

On home and Mark and I took a little nap before we were off to 4:00 Mass with Father Robert.   Afterwards we went downtown to The Luminary and the 12th floor "Beacon Drinkery" for some yummy adult beverages (old fashions) and shared an appetizer of Asian chicken sliders (sooo good).   It was a very busy, loud place....we definitely bought the age level up a bit!   😉

JoAnn invited Joe, Barb and us for her wonderful chocolate cake and peppermint ice cream.  We had a 3-hour visit under their tiki - such a fun time and Monday, Buddy and JoAnn will be headed home to Asheville, NC.  😒   Joe and Barb are from Flora, IL and leaving later  in March.   Hate that folks are talking about when we're all leaving!   

Pat, JoAnn, Barb

Buddy, Mark, Joe

Connor and his DACC golf teammates, coaches, etc., are in Scottsboro, Alabama for the start of their golf season.    We wish them all the best!

My brother Bob loves to put puzzles together - his son Jason had this picture of our family farm made into a 1000-piece wooden puzzle and Bob just finished this week!

Dinges family farm - 1965

Tomorrow my 3 boat sisters (Donna, Teri and Chris) arrive from Ohio.    I cannot wait to see them - lots of fun coming up this week!

Friday - February 27

 Beautiful balmy sunny very busy Friday starting with 9:00 Mass at St. Vincent de Paul with Father Murchadh.    Back home for euchre in the library.   Estelle and I beat Diane and Mark 10-9.  Exciting game!

JoAnn and I went to Gomez Mexican Grill for yummy lunch....we've been planning this for several weeks - Buddy does not like Mexican, so we girls decided to do our own thing!    We both love their food and margaritas - fun time!   On home and they came over to play dominoes.    Today we played with the colored numbers versus dots - a little more strategy but still fun with the double 12s. (thank you Joan, Mark's sister).  We only got thru double 5s with JoAnn, the winner.   She is officially the DQ (Domino Queen) till we can meet again next season.    They are leaving CT on Monday...😔

Tonight we met Charlotte and Doug at University Grill for dinner - very busy place and another excellent dinner.   Then to the Righteous Brothers concert at the Barbara Mann Theater.   They put on a really good show - Bill Medley (one of the originals) will be 86 this year.   Amazing as was Buddy Heard who replaced Bobby Hatfield 11 years ago.    Bobby died in 2003.    So, it was an enjoyable evening EXCEPT for 3 very loud, rude and obnoxious people behind us (one gal in particular who giggled, screamed, laughed and whistled throughout the show!!)    She was carrying on when rest of the crowd was quiet??  ARGHHH!

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - February 26

 We were off early (7:15) in rush-hour traffic with Mark driving Big Red and me in Ruby for Sam Galloway Lincoln/Ford dealer - maintenance on both today.    They gave us a very nice BIG Lincoln Navigator as a loaner with just 1200 miles. 

Next stop was Chocolatte for my free coffee (birthday treat and I had 2 weeks to use with tomorrow the last day).    You can order any size, any drink - what a treat.    Mark had a breakfast sandwich, too (we shared a bit) and his Americano decaf.    Then my appointment with Dr. Langford, urologist - she is so nice and all good with the kidneys (as long as the stones I have lurking around stay put)!   She''ll do another ultrasound later this year,    We discussed books as she's given me some really good recommendations.

On home.   Flo and the she shed were in need of some TLC, so straightened things up and did a load of laundry.   Mark left for his yearly exam.  

At 3:15 we left to pick up our vehicles.

It's been 2 weeks since mty eye surgery - I'm down to just one application of ointment on the lids (nurse Mark handles that) at bedtime.   

Euchre tonight was only 4 tables but Mark won 1st prize!   Steve and Barb tied for 2nd place,   Fun as always!

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!