Saturday - February 7

 Ahhhh, our wonderful Florida weather is back!   Today was sunny, breezy and upper 70s.    We 3 left for Buckingham Farms and met Jim and Lydia for breakfast.    What a busy place as they had "Stella's Coffee" trailer there + their 1st market vendors,    Luckily we got a table and Mark and Jim were in line with about 15+ before them.   We girls ordered our coffees....all very good and after breakfast, we checked out the vendors with Lydia and Marilyn buying some cute key chains from Destiny (my hairdresser) and her husband, James.

Marilyn rode home with Jim and Lydia while Mark and I were off to Barbara Mann Theater to get tickets for "Moulin Rouge" for the 4 of us in April.    Can't wait (thanks Anne and boys for this Christmas present)!   And thank you, Claire for recommending it!   Picked up a few things at Trader Joe's and on home.

Lydia and Marilyn went for a ride around the park in their rental golf cart....

Marilyn and Lydia out for a ride

So excited that Janet (Mark's sister) and Michael have booked their VRBO for 2 weeks in 2027 (same one they had this year)!   

We walked and stopped in with some lacy cookies for Jim, Lydia and Marilyn who are playing games under their gazebo.   Later we stopped in for a visit - so much to catch up on with Jim and Lydia since they were gone for a month.    AND, Jim fixed me an iced caramel latte which was delish!

Lydia brought us home in the golf cart.   And later we all went to the Rib Fest (3rd annual here at CT) and a huge success feeding 350+ folks.  The rib folks have been cooking the ribs for past 2 days - they are sooo meaty and tender + baked beans, au gratin potatoes and cornbread.    Sooo yummy and fun visiting with folks.   This large committee does an outstanding job of serving getting everyone thru in very timely fashion.

When the music got LOUD, Mark and Marilyn were ready to head home.    It sure cooled off from the time we walked to the clubhouse.   We played 3 rousing games of euchre with Mark winning 2x and Marilyn, the final game.

A very fun day with beautiful weather.

 

Friday - February 6

Marilyn's plane landed 38 minutes early last night.    Jim brought her to us, Mark got her settled in "Marilyn's Motel" and we all went to bed.

Welcome Marilyn

Sunny day but with the wind, another chilly one.    Those ole palm trees were really whipping around. 

Marilyn and I left for Peter's downtown for our coffee (raspberry mocha lattes for Valentine's Day) - I remember these from last February.   We each had a muffin and then Marilyn got a manicure with Alisa at Profiles.    This is the big weekend of the Arts Festival which brings thousands to town.    Streets were closed off and tents were going up.   It starts tonight and goes thru Sunday evening.

We stopped at Publix to get some decaf coffee and on home.    While we were gone, Mark played euchre with Estelle, Michelle and Beth in the library.

Marilyn and I played RummiKub, had lunch, she and Mark took naps and then we played more RummiKub and finally 3-handed euchre (I won)!   Jim and Lydia picked Marilyn up at 3:30 and they were off for a massage for Marilyn and then dinner at Culver's.    Mark and I had left-over pizza.

So today was a special occasion for our family.   In 2000, Mark bought a GMC 1/2 ton extended cab pickup in emerald green.   We loved that truck and later sold it to Philip who enjoyed it for many years and named it "Kermit" (the frog).   He sold it at some point to his friend Jeff in WI.    And now, 26 years later, Drew is the proud new owner......26 years, 3 generations and 222,222 miles later, it's back in the family!  😀

We wish Drew all the best with Kermit

Shelly

Forgot to include this pic of Shelly and her bag of treasures she bought yesterday.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - February 5

 A very fun day in Fort Pierce.    We left Stuart at 8:40 and headed to Fort Pierce (1/2 hour north) - all these towns (Stuart, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce) run into one another - no vacant land in between.   

We stopped at Publix for a few things and then enjoyed the Old Florida Coffee Co. for breakfast (guava/cheese pastry for Mark and white chocolate/raspberry scone for me) + our coffees.   All delish.   We sat with our I-pads and had some light drizzle off and on.    We met our friends Jim and Shelly from WI at Rosslow's for some retail therapy (Shelly and me) while the guys sat and visited.    So good to see them....our once-a-year visit and lunch (usually in Okeechobee).  Mark and Jim worked together at SF and they moved to WI after Jim retired.  They spend 6 weeks in Cocoa Beach.  

Shelly loved Rosslow's - great ladies clothing, baby/children and gift department.    She has some little ones to buy for, so that was fun + 2 new tops for herself.    Nothing for me....I did my damage in Stuart!

We had lunch at Cobb's Landing - very good and nice 'n cozy indoors with curtains down.   We said our good byes with a hopeful thought of getting together in late April or early May if we're all in Bloomington and can meet at Lucca Grill for an a la Baldini pizza?   Shelly and I LOVE this!!!   So fun to be together again!

Mark, Pat, Shelly, Jim

On home and rained as we were leaving Fort Pierce, but not for too long and later, the sun came out.    But the winds were ferocious and crazy when we got back to CT (gusts at 29 mph).   Good to be home.   Unloaded the car, unpacked the suitcase and made sure "Marilyn's Motel" (aka as the she shed) was all ready for her arrival later tonight.    Jim will be picking her up at the Punta Gorda airport.

We picked up Jim and Lydia and off to the clubhouse for euchre.   5 tables tonight.   Fun but no winnings for Mark or me.

The wind has died down fortunately, but the cold continues!   

Wednesday - February 4

 HAPPY "21st"  BIRTHDAY

LIAM

Liam

Liam Patrick (our 3rd grandson) arrived the morning of February 4, 2005.    We remember so well Patrick carrying his brand new bundle of joy and first-born son down the hallway to meet his grandparents!  

How we wish Patrick could be here to see this young man.  Anne's a proud Mama for sure

  And now 21 years later, he's a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in Computer Science and Math.   He's also working part time and running/swimming/biking keeping in shape for marathons and triathlons.   He's got oodles of energy, loves to cook and has a fun sense of humor.    You make us proud, Liam!!!

Mark and I left CT at 8:40 this morning for our little getaway to Stuart (2 1/2 hours).    We stopped in LaBelle for coffee/breakfast at the Bridge Street Coffee and Tea Co. (aka Charlie's to the locals).   I drove from CT to Okeechobee and then Mark took over.    Parked downtown and I hit the Flagler Avenue shops.    It's been 7 years since we were in Stuart (visited here frequently when we had Daisy in Okeechobee).   Some of the shops are the same, a few different, but so enjoyed strolling and browsing.    Then we went to Sewell's Point for more good shopping (Mark stayed in the car with his I-pad or napped).   I was even offered (and accepted) a glass of wine at a new shop that opened a few weeks ago and still celebrating their "Grand Opening" with wine, cheese/crackers, strawberries, grapes, and little cookies + water to go!   WOW....pretty neat!

We had linner at "Waterfront" - pretty restaurant on the water....enjoyed our meals and then walked a bit, but chilly along the boardwalk.   Checked into our hotel and wound down for the day!

Had a great chat with Liam.....he's had a busy day starting with a 19-mile virtual stationary bike ride with Connor.   He had 4 classes, went for a run, fixed dinner and treated himself to some salted caramel/brownie ice cream!   

Tuesday - February 3

We were down to our lowest this morning at 31, but it warmed up nicely.   In fact, the sunshine felt so good and the best part was no wind!    We got to 67.

I got a haircut with Destiny at 9 and then Mark went to WalMart for a Rx and other stuff.    I left at 10:50 for Cristof's to meet Claire for lunch - no sitting on the patio today and they were busy inside.    As always enjoyed lunch and visiting.   

Pat and Claire

I did some laundry and tidied up the she shed preparing for Mark's sister Marilyn's visit.    She's flying in late Thursday night.   

We went to the 4:00 documentary of "Melania" - the 20 days leading to the inauguration.   It was excellent - she is such a beautiful, classy and fun First Lady.

Then to Bella Mia's for pizza in North Fort Myers - very good.   On home.    Tomorrow we are going on a little getaway to Stuart (east coast) and spending the night.    Thursday, we're meeting State Farm friends for lunch.   And then on back to CT.