Wednesday - March 4

 My last full day with the sisters.....Mark and i walked over to visit Jim and Lydia and catch up on their closing and upcoming move to Shell Point.    My sisters came and we were off to Belk for old times sake for Teri.    She remembers growing up in South Carolina and shopping for her back-to-school clothes at Belk, so wanted to check it out.    Our Belk is at Gulf Coast Mall.....we browsed around the store with just Chris making a few purchases.   Then we were off to Blossom and Brie.    They loved this place - we walked around looking at all the animals and then enjoyed another delicious lunch.    Afterwards, we met Rodney the owner who took us on a tour of the container with all the hydroponic plants.   

Pat, Chris, Donna, Teri

After lunch we came back to CT and played some games - Teri and Donna won at euchre and I won RummiKub.    The girls checked in with Southwest to get their boarding passes for tomorrow.

Late afternoon we drove downtown to the Luminary and went up to the top (12 floor) - Beacon Drinkery Social for drinks and appetizers (4) - all so good.   

Pat, Chris, Donna, Teri

On home - another very fun day!

I'm tired!    We all are!

They set the date for their 2027 visit!

So the word is out that here at CT, that there's lots of sickness, including Influenza A and terrible coughs.   

Planning to avoid big group activities.

Tuesday - March 3

 Today would've been Mark's Mother's 100th birthday!!!    Congratulations on this milestone "Heavenly" day.

And today marks 16 years since our accident in St. Pete, FL when we were hit by a car crossing Pasadena Boulevard - lots has happened since that scary day!

I walked to Kevin and Kathy Connors to pray the rosary.   There were 8 of us and so pleasant sitting under their tiki and Kathy even provides blankets (didn't need them today).   The birds are singing, the sun is shining and no wind - beautiful day in Fort Myers.

Mark and I met the "sisters" at Buckingham Farms for breakfast.    Sooo good and we walked around the farm and saw "Booger" who did not want to come out of his little shed.

Mark with the sisters

We girls played euchre (Donna and I won both games) and RummiKub won by me.

We left around 3:45 for Salty Sam Marina with Chris driving - the "sisters" loved looking at the big yachts (4 of them were ginormous).    And then we all enjoyed our dinner and the Gatlin Show.    They put on a fantastic show and Donna, Teri and Chris were singing along and whoopin' and lovin' all the great music.

                                                                     Sister fun at Gatlin

We went back to their Air B 'n B and Mark met us there and we are back home!

Another really fun day!   Nighty night

Monday - March 2

 Another fun day starting with good bye hugs (this was sad and teary-eyed) for Buddy and JoAnn across the street who are headed home to Asheville, NC after a 3-day stop at Disney (JoAnn LOVES roller coasters)!

Pat and JoAnn

Buddy and JoAnn

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Buddy, Pat, Mark

Normally we would see them later this spring, but when we're in NC, they'll be in Alaska.

Another fun day with my crazy boat sisters!    Mark and I were off to downtown - Peter's for coffee and shared a chocolate muffin; Mark got his hair cut with Jose and I sat in Peter's courtyard with my Ipad.     Mark went on home and I walked to Ella Mae's Diner and met Donna, Teri and Chris for late breakfast.    We sat outside and and enjoyed our yummy meals.

Walked around downtown

Chris modeling pretty scarf she eventually bought

Teri, Chris, Pat, Donna

 and then back to CT for games - Teri and Chris won 2 of 3 games of euchre from Donna and me.      And then I won at RummiKub.

Rousing game of RummiKub (a favorite for all)

Time to eat again....so off to Connor's (Mark is enjoying all leftovers from past few days.)    This is a favorite steak/seafood place - Patty was our server and another wonderful meal (with more leftovers).  

Teri and Pat

Chris and Donna

  Mark met us at the 7 Eleven and they went back to their Air BnB and we came home,

Sooo many laughs today!!!

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!