Sunday - November 8

 YEAH...........the Irish win; the Hawkeyes win and what a great finish to a super duper day!!!    We stayed up till the end of that very exciting Notre Dame game!    Whew..... few more gray hairs after that nail biter!  😂

I slept in after the late night....beautiful Sunday and Mark suggested we should go to St. Therese in North Fort Myers for Mass at 11.    We've been here before and always enjoy checking out various other churches.

St. Therese had a visiting priest (Father Ed) who gave a great homily - not sure where he's from butg had an interesting accent.    At the end of Mass, Father Jan Antonik (pastor) honored the Veterans including "Joe", a 97-year old Marine who was still able to wear his uniform from 50+ years ago.   We gave him a big round of applause.

Stopped at Aroma Joe's, a nice coffee shop along 41 - had a peppermint latte (1st of the season - a bit early, but very good).    Had never heard of this coffee shop but 3rd in the area with other locations in Port Charlotte and Cape Coral.    They originated in New England.

Then to the mall to walk - busy this Sunday but got some good steps in.    It's great to see Edison Mall thriving with only a few empty storefronts.   Macy's, Dillards, Penny's, etc......all decked out for Christmas.   This Midwest girl still has a hard time thinking about Christmas coming when it's so warm here.   😊

Next stop was Culver's for ice cream treats and finally WalMart, to pick up a Rx and a few other things.    Came home and Mark grilled out hot dogs - haven't had one on the grill in a long time - yummy!    Spent the rest of the afternoon reading and napping.

Zoom tonight was missing Sharon, Janet and Doris.    Of course, health issues were the hot topic ...again!!!

Have a great week!

Saturday - November 7

 H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y

To the very best Hubby, Dad and Grandpa!

We LOVE you!!!

A very happening day.....along with Mark's birthday, Connor ran a marathon in Indianapolis with a fantastic time of 3:02:00 besting Liam's time of 3:38 from his last marathon.    Anne and Liam were there to cheer him on.  So proud! 

Congrats Connor!

  My boat sister, Teri walked a 5K in Ohio today after having knee surgery with major complications (she's a trooper), and a baby shower for our nephew Danny and Julia in Menomonee Falls, WI for their little one due in January. 

  And last but not least..........the big Notre Dame game tonight against Miami - Michael, Brooke, Drew and Tessa are there (with Brady)...

Our Notre Dame guy...

We walked (kinda short walk with the humidity) and then off to Biggies to meet Jim and Lydia who treated us to a delicious breakfast.   This place has such great comfort food - we didn't make it here last season....good to be back and delicious as ever!    While eating and visiting I had my phone tracking Connor as he kept ticking off those miles and we all cheered as he crossed the finish line!    Said our good byes (and thanks) and we went to the mall to walk some more - so nice and cool and not too crowded for a Saturday.

Jim, Lydia, Pat, Mark

I got an iced coffee at Europa Cafe in the mall and on home.

Mark enjoyed phone calls and text messages....

Quiet afternoon before we left for Harold's - wow....we've heard about this place but never been and recently ranked #1 in Fort Myers    The ambiance, service and food were outstanding - it's definitely a special occasion place - the birthday boy was very pleased (me, too).

Friday - November 6

 Hot and sunny....we were off to Peter's for coffee/pastries.    Marika and Stefan were there today, so our 1st time to see these dear baristas!!!    We sat in the courtyard with our goodies and I-pads and then took off - Mark for a haircut with Jose and a manicure with Alisa for me.    We got done at the same time and on home.

Productive rest of the morning organizing our stuff and starting to gather what we want to take to NC (2 weeks from today).    Mark was busy making dinner reservations for the specialty restaurants for next January's cruise.   His brother Jim and our friend Kathy (both big-time cruisers) have been a very big help as we are newbies to all this cruise stuff!!!

Walked late afternoon and then settled in for the night!

Enjoy your weekend...

Thursday - November 5

 Walked and noticed more folks are arriving at CT as lots are getting spruced up with pavers washed and cleaned, landscaping trimmed, new thatching on tiki's, RV's getting washed, etc.

We left for Punta Gorda around 11:15 and met Allie and Owen at The Riviera Bar and Grill (a new place for all of us but been there for a long time - oldest waterfront restaurant in Punta Gorda).    Our friends Rog and Martin recommended it and we all enjoyed - large tiki and big inside dining with nice views of the boats coming and going.   Food was great and of course, visit was fun as always.    The Riviera is definitely a return place.

Allie, Mark, Pat, Owen

We stopped at Pottery Express and Bamboo in rural Punta Gorda and I got a new pretty pot for flowers (will fill the pots after Thanksgiving).    This place is unbelievable with so much to choose from and beautiful pottery in every shape, size and color!

Ruby's temp hit 90 on our way home.   Naptime...

Wednesday - November 4

 A nice sunny, warm day after all the rain.    We walked and then left for my dermatologist appt. with Dr. Kagen.    He was checking my legs and the skin condition he's treating "Porokeratosis".    He was pleased with how my legs looked (very red but that means the latest medicine is working).    Now I'm to use aquaphor and see him in 6 weeks.

Next stop was lunch for Mark (3 Pepper Burrito Co.) and a Starbucks iced coffee for me. 

  I had my 1st of 6 appts. today with Dr. Lee starting the 3 root canals.    Wasn't too bad.   He said I have a very healthy mouth, but no reason why these things happen that I should get 3 all at once.    He said I was the 3rd patient today who had never had a root canal - very unusual as most people have at least one or many!!!

While I was in the dental chair, Mark was running errands, walking at the mall, etc.

Had a nice chat with my Aunt Marian who is 98 today - what an inspiration she is!!!

Another fun evening playing Lucky 13 and I was a winner!    Smaller group tonight of just 5 tables.