Thursday - December 19

 Hello from Bloomington.....but what a trip to get here!   We had breakfast, loaded up the car and off to Punta Gorda (PGD) for our flight to Peoria.    What a zoo.....as many people coming into FL as were leaving to head north for the holidays!

And then after everyone had boarded, we were told there was a maintenance issue and it would take 30 minutes to fix (groans from the passengers) and then the pilot announced "after we finish our paperwork, we'll be off"....but then, there was a computer issue and so, another delay (more groans).....one lady grabbed her suitcase and left the plane???   So, this whole scenario ended with us leaving 2 1/2 hours late.    UGH.....we should've been landing before we even took off from Punta Gorda. 

Liam and Connor were waiting for us - so good to see them and catch up - Connor without his wisdom teeth is doing pretty well but certainly has quite the routine of meds, rinsing, etc.

Anne put in an order for Monicals so stopped there, picked up and on home.    Yakkety yak yak with the Campbells over yummy pizza, breadsticks, and monkey bread.

Michael and his boys are at Notre Dame this weekend for the big game against Indiana tomorrow night.    GO  IRISH!

Michael and Davis 

 

Wednesday - December 18

 Very warm today with clouds and sun.    16 for canasta - Donna, Linda S and I were far ahead and I'll be darned, Anita, Nancy and Linda came back to beat us in 4 games!   Denise has been bringing treats for the girls - red or green frosted mini chocolate or vanilla cupcakes on Monday and today, the pretzel, hershey kisses with M 'n M's

Mark waked while I was playing and afterwards, we had lunch, I did laundry and finished packing.   

Tomorrow we fly from Punta Gorda to Peoria for family Christmas gatherings (2) and other fun planned with family/friends.    We'll be back Christmas Eve.

BIG Dog in the park

Tuesday - December 17

Connor had 4 wisdom teeth pulled today - his oral surgeon was a former high school classmate of Michael and Anne (Tom Ocheltree).    He's home resting....

 Mark and I had a "Date" Day starting with coffee/blueberry coffeecake at Peter's downtown and big hug and Merry Christmas from Marika (our favorite barista).    We sat in the courtyard and so pleasant this sunny, warm day.

Then we were off to the beach.....decided to take a trip down there before all the snowbirds arrive and traffic gets really crazy.    Wise choice as saw very few people out and about on the street, beach, restaurants, etc.    We stopped at The Pink Shell, swanky resort on the north end of beach - it is beautiful but we had never been there to walk around and see the place.    Few people in the pool.   

The pool at The Pink Shell

Enjoying this view while listening to "I'll be Home for Christmas

Then we drove along the beach - still so much devastation, rebuilding, SAND everywhere and some new construction going on.   A very LONG ways to recover from Ian.

We parked (again, no problem finding a spot) and walked to the new Margaritaville resort - wow, this is huge and very nice!    Several restaurants, huge pool, spa, and indoor and outside, a very beachy vibe - even smelled NEW!

Leoma Lovegrove has a small kiosk at Margaritaville, the perfect

spot for her artwork

Decided to keep walking and had lunch at Snug Harbor on the water - wow, we had a great view on the Bay watching the boats come and go and excellent lunch.    Mark had a grouper sandwich and I had the blue crab salad with fried green tomatoes.    We finished with a very yummy piece of key lime pie.

Cheers!

Very pretty, creamy and delicious!

Our waiter Charlie asked if we were from the area or snowbirds?    He said he was from IL but has lived down here since 2012.....lo and behold, he came from Normal, went 3 years to Normal Community HS and graduated from Bloomington High.    He and his wife have 2 little girls, Dove and brand new baby girl, Sabel born Sunday.   Nice guy and great server.

Ran a few more errands and finally home at 2:15 - nap time!

Walked late afternoon - pleasant ending to a fun day!

Monday - December 16

 Warm 'n sunny....I walked and then played canasta (Denise, Cheryl and I lost to Sue, Terri and Eileen) But it was close!   Big group of 20 today.  

 Mark walked while I was gone and then printed off Christmas mailing labels (NOT his favorite job).

After lunch, I did more packing (warm woolies) and some laundry.   One more walk later in the afternoon.

We are heartbroken after yet another school shooting and loss of life.    Many prayers for the victims, those recovering and their families.    So very tragic especially at Christmastime.

Sunday - December 15

 We went to 9:30 Mass at st. Francis with Father Robert.    Then to the Fowler Street Grill for breakfast (small place, but good food - they do a LOT of carry-out orders).   Then to Target which was a zoo.   In and outta there and on home.

Nice sunny day reaching 80.   We both took a little nap (I did not sleep well last night)....then worked on computer stuff and started packing for our trip to IL (flying on Thursday).

Walked late afternoon, leftovers for supper and later, zoom with Mark's siblings (10 tonight).   Main topic was bank fraud and how some were affected - 0h my!    Tom, the banker explained how this very frequent mess occurs - very scary and what a nightmare for the innocent party.    Next weekend is our Annual Chamberlain Christmas in Dixon - big crowd planning to attend.

Enjoy your week ahead!

Saturday - December 14

 Breakfast, walked, put away laundry, vacuumed Flo, blew off our driveway, and then off to downtown for another fun outing with Beth, John, Charlotte and Doug at The Lodge.

Enjoyed our lunch (great BBQ and other goodies) and chatter.   Said our good byes till we meet again on Christmas Day.   

Charlotte, Beth, Pat, Mark, John, Doug

It's been a wacky weather day - sun, clouds, rain, wind, rain, sun, and on and on.....did not get as warm as predicted, restaurant was cold so afterwards, Mark and I went to "Take Two for Coffee" to get some hot drinks, 2 more stops and on home.

 Watched Navy beat Army 31-13......................Congrats to the Midshipmen!

And then a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Yeah....the fountain at entrance to our park is finally back up and working after a lengthy repair from Helene and Milton.

l

Entrance to Cypress Trail

Friday - December 13

 Beautiful day with plenty of sunshine, breezy and 76 for a high    After breakfast we walked and then played euchre in the library - just 4 of us today (Jo and I beat Anita and Mark 2 of 3 games which were all close)!

Quiet afternoon - read, worked on some computer stuff and gathered a few things to take back to IL next week.   And of course, always have the Christmas music blaring away in Flo and the she shed.

Walked later in the afternoon - kinda quiet here in the park,    Lots of folks have gone home for Christmas.

Thursday - December 12

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL and ANNE

 Our twins are 54 years old today!    Many happy and shocking memories from that day - 12-12-70 expecting one baby and then surprise.....Anne comes along!    What a joy they've been - so proud of  the lives they built, their parenting and successful careers.

Happy Birthday Anne

Happy Birthday Michael

with his sweet girl

We woke up to a chilly 42 this morning - that's burrr weather for SWFL, but balmy compared to most of the USA.   Our kids/grands are in IL, IN, IA and NC - Liam gets the prize for coldest with 5 degrees in Iowa City!

5 of us (Cindy, Nancy, Jo, Todd and myself) played RummiKub in the library this morning.   Fun as always and I won a few games!    Did 2 loads of laundry and Mark worked more on his computer and later we went for a windy walk in the park.    Then to Buckingham Farms for excellent lunch (crab cake BLT for him and BBQ chicken sandwich for me)!                                   Love Buckingham Farms!

Booger, the tortoise and long-time resident at Buckingham Farms strolled past us today

Maeve and her 3rd grade classmates made 2 appearances this week to perform

their Christmas program

Enjoyed good chats with our birthday kiddos

Hope your holiday hustle and bustle are well underway but don't forget the 

REASON for the SEASON!!!

 

Wednesday - December 11

 Rained a bit overnight - we walked, but humid and more rain coming.    The sun was shining for most of the morning.    Mark worked on his new computer with all the downloads.

I played canasta - didn't get to finish as we had our ladies luncheon, but close game at the end.  Off to The Rum Bucket - 20 ladies enjoyed beverages, yummy lunch, non-stop chatter and lots of laughs.

Margaret and I rode together and when we came out of the restaurant, it was pouring.   I ran to the car getting soaked, picked up Margaret and on back to CT.    Dropped Margaret off at her lot and home sweet home,   It was still raining just a little, but Mark and I had planned to run a bunch of errands, so....

TWO hours and a few rain showers later, we were finally back home.   But we accomplished a lot!   The wind really picked up, a cold front has come thru (my hand is talking to me) and much cooler temps overnight and tomorrow.

I was able to check a bunch of things off my lists today!    YEAH!!!

Tuesday - December 10

I walked this morning and Mark waited for the delivery of his new computer!   I did some laundry and then we were off to downtown - first dropping off our "giving tree" gift at the St. Francis office.

Met John, Beth, Charlotte and Doug at Bruno's, the new Italian eatery downtown - actually, it's been at a different location (much smaller) since 2014.    Charlotte, Doug, Mark and I ate in the former spot last spring.

After finding a larger space (former law offices badly damaged from Ian), the new Bruno's is WOW!    Very upscale but warm and homey with the natural brick walls, exposed ceiling, nice music, etc.    Food and service were top notch.   Upstairs they have a dessert area - for $25, all the desserts you can eat and from what I saw from pics and read about in the paper, this would be quite something!   Cal (owner and chef) and his wife Genevieve are very hands on.

Had a fun  visit as always with our good friends.....said our good byes, but Saturday, we'll be back together (trying to pack in as many get togethers as possible before John and Beth leave for the winter.)

John, Beth, Mark, Pat, Charlotte, Doug

We went to St. Francis for reconciliation service (confession) tonight.  

  

Monday - December 9

 Another beautiful day.    We walked and then I played canasta in the Omni Room.    It was a very close game but Susan, Eileen and I lost to Denise, Margaret and Sue.    While I was gone Mark repaired a leaking toilet seal.

Did more online shopping, worked on some computer stuff and enjoyed our mail which came today with the first 4 Christmas cards!

Walked again in the afternoon and visited with Anita and Jim who are in the process of moving into their new RV after theirs was destroyed from Helene while they were visiting in Asheville.

Went to 7:00 Mass at St. Vincent de Paul with Father O'Madagain for the feast of the Immaculate Conception - beautiful Mass with thee most spectacular cantor singing Ave Maria and other favorites songs about Mary that I remember and love so much from my childhood.

Sunday - December 8

 Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic church - since it falls on a Sunday this year (December 8th), the Diocese of Venice, FL is celebrating tomorrow with obligatory Mass.   The Peoria, IL Diocese is marking today as the day of celebration for this holyday.

After 9:30 Mass with Father Steve at St. Francis we grabbed a tag off one of several trees to buy a gift for those less fortunate.   Then we tried a new coffee shop "Take Two for Coffee and Donuts" - this place opened in April and along with all the coffees, they have several donuts to offer.   Now these donuts are the usual round shape, but very thick.   Mine was a Florida special with a tangy orange filling; very good and filling.   Mark had the traditional donut with white icing.

Bunch of errands including some Christmas shopping and getting my flowers for outside pots.

On home finally at 1:00 - we were both tired from all the errands, crazy shopping and long lines, so took a little nap and then refreshed and ready to organize our stuff.

Mark was wearing his Danville shirt today - while out walking tonight, a couple stopped and asked if that was "Danville, IL"?   We said, yes, our grandson goes to school there.  Mike and Gail are from Woodstock, IL and we had a nice visit.

Zoom tonight included all but Marilyn making 10 doing the usual chatter.

Michael, Brooke and Blair spent the weekend in NYC and had a wonderful time.....along with all the magical sights and attractions, they saw the Rockettes and Aladdin.    Grandma was envious!

.

Saturday - December 7

 We had a busy fun Saturday starting with a trip downtown to meet Beth and John, Charlotte and Doug at Peter's for coffee/breakfast.  Charlotte and Doug just arrived a few days ago from Annapolis for the winter.    Sooo good to see them and all be together (1st time since April).

We sat and chatted for a long while - the guys at one table, and gals at another.    We girls checked out Crooked Halo next door and then Leoma Lovegrove across the street - her art gallery is quite something!    Just walls and walls of very colorful paintings, signs, etc.

Mark, Pat, Beth, John, Charlotte, Doug

amongst all the colorful art with hefty price tags

This new place just opened in November after Ian destroyed her business on Matlacha.   

We all left and met back at Charlotte and Doug's condo rental for the next 4 months.   It is in one of the high rises on the way downtown - 26th floor and truly spectacular.    Beautifully decorated and oh my the views overlooking the Caloosahatchee River.    WOW.....more visiting after the tour and then bye bye for now.

Mark and I decided we were just a little hungry so drove back downtown to Scoops on First for ice cream.    On home, a little cat nap and then changed clothes and off to meet Steve and Connie at The Prawnbroker.    Excellent dinner at one of our favorites and great visit with these dear, long-time friends.

Steve and Connie

Friday - December 6

 After breakfast, Mark and I were off  to play euchre in the library.    6 of us today, so Todd, Vicki and I played Anita, Cindy and Mark and we won.    Then played a game of 4-handed as Anita had to leave and Mark sat this one out helping Vicki.   She and I beat Todd and Cindy!

On home for lunch and then I left for downtown and my mani/pedi with Alisa.   Enjoyed being downtown with lots of folks eating outdoors, shopping, music playing, etc.   One of the shops "Crooked Halo" was badly damaged (major flooding) from the hurricanes and finally back up and operating.   So many pretties for Christmas.   Went next door to Peter's and oh my.....several specialty holiday drinks (hot and cold).   I had an iced cranberry mocha latte - excellent!

On home.....Mark did a bunch of computer stuff while I was gone - we went for a walk just as Susan and JD (Missouri) were arriving in their big class A for the season.    Nice to have them back.    Also met Jim and Debbie from Long Island, NY who are leaving tomorrow for the holidays -  Long Island, St. Paul and Boston.

Mark suggested we go to Rib City for supper - YES!    Tonight they had a special ribs/shrimp + 2 sides.    Sooo yummy and plenty of leftovers.

Enjoy your weekend and all the hustle and bustle of December!

Thursday - December 5

 I put some laundry away and then off to play canasta - Susan, Margaret and I beat Anita, Peggy and Terry.  Fun morning.    Home to check in with Mark and then we were off to run several errands and lunch at Biggy's Place - a great diner serving breakfast and lunch.

More errands after lunch including getting Ruby washed and a stop at WalMart for piddlies and 2 Rx.

On home - while I put stuff away, Mark went for a walk.   CT is nicely decorated in and outside the clubhouse, main entrance, etc.    Later, we went for a walk together - another beautiful day but hate talking about the weather when it's sooo cold and snowy around a big part of the country,

Leftovers for supper and called it a day!

Wednesday - December 4

 Happiness is having a sparkling fresh clean Flo.    Anna and her partner with A-P Maintenance came to give Flo some TLC.    I was off to play RummiKub - Anita, Nancy, Cindy and I played at one table, while Todd, Vicki F, Vicki S and Denise played at another.    Decided next week we'll actually keep score - a fun time was had by all.

Mark went downtown for a haircut with Jose.   We went to Cracker Barrel for lunch while the cleaning ladies did their thing.

After they left, we walked and had a nice visit with Buddy and Cindy who are back as work campers and a definite "favorite" couple in the park.    And then home to see Brenda and Gary, our next-door neighbors who had just arrived!    Slowly, but surely, folks are coming back with more arriving late December into January.

I walked late afternoon, had supper, and watched the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.

Tuesday - December 3

 The rest of yesterday (Monday) went like this.....Luke and Maeve came home from school and we left shortly after all the hugs with them and Mommy - such a fun Thanksgiving week!

Away we went with Ryan with our 1st stop at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain where we plan to live one day (retirement community).    Wanted to see the new construction going on and how much it had changed since we were there in June.     Fortunately, Givens Highland was spared any serious hurricane damage but other parts were a different story.

The next town after Black Mountain is Swannanoa and oh my,,,,,,,,,,,we knew this town was hit very hard by Helene, but wow....just piles and piles of debris and so many buildings destroyed, vehicles overturned, trees down - another war zone.   So very sad for this little town but as we keep hearing, these residents are very resilient and continue making progress.

Onto Asheville and decided on PF Changs for dinner.    It was excellent and loved having the one-on-one visit with Ryan.    

Pat, Ryan, Mark

Then to the airport which was fairly quiet but our flight was almost full back to Punta Gorda.    We left 15 minutes early and landed 10 minutes early.   The parking lot was really empty compared to when we arrived a week ago on Sunday,    Found Ruby and on home crawling into bed at midnight!

Here it is December 3rd already.....slept in and then got the laundry going and the Christmas tunes cranked up - good to be back and got a few little decorations out - not much compared to ALL the stuff I've had over the years when it took me 5 days to decorate.  😕

We drove to Alva and had lunch at the Alva Diner where we ate breakfast a few weeks ago.   Some gals here at CT told me that their broasted chicken was sooo good along with mashed potatoes and gravy and the vegetable of the day!    So, that's what we had and it was very good!    Then to Publix for some groceries and on home.

It was only in the 60's today but plenty of sunshine.

We went for a walk late afternoon - more folks are arriving, but still plenty away for the holidays.

Blair cheering at her Liberty Knights basketball game today

and Annette took Luke and Maeve sledding in Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock is all decked out for Christmas

Our sweet Snow Angel!

Philip was flying today with a flight attendant named "Connor Campbell"!!!!

Monday - December 2

 Cold and sunny, but nothing compared to the Midwest and other parts of the country.

Philip was up at 3:30 AM and off to the airport for Houston.   Annette took the kiddos and I got the sheets and towels washed.

Annette taught me Kings in the Corner - fun game (form of solitaire).    Mark took a nap as he had a migraine.    Later he played Kings Corner - I sure had beginners luck as I kept winning!   We also played 3-handed euchre with Mark winning 2 games.

Brooke stopped over to pick up some stuff and then the girls were off to get the kiddos.

Fun weekend with these gals

Brooke, Pat, Annette

(Missing Anne)

The 3 Bambi's in the back yard

Today was my friend Connie's funeral in Bloomington.   I wish I could've been there with my Monday Night Friends for her beautiful Mass and sad good bye.

Ryan is taking Mark and I to the Asheville airport tonight for our flight back to Fort Myers.

What a fun memorable Thanksgiving!     Till tomorrow....

  

Saturday-Sunday - November 30-December 1

Saturday -    another chilly day in NC but the sun shone brightly.   Our boys went to a surprise 60th birthday party for their friend Andy,    Brooke invited Mark and me for leftovers.   Played some games - Easy Money with Luke and Jokers Wild with Maeve.    Annette made her wonderful sauce for the tortellini (my Mom's recipe) with lots of celery and onion chopping.    We have 22 coming for dinner tonight....

Watched Notre Dame beat USC but a hairy game for sure.    Folks started arriving around 4ish.   Appetizers, drinks, euchre, football, visiting, etc.    And then time for the big meal,...the tortellini was excellent (Grandma D would be so proud), along with lasagna (thanks Leigh), salad, (Brooke) garlic bread (Judy) and wine!!!    DELISH!   

After the cleanup, 2 big poker games were underway, along with more euchre.    Then we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Drew who will be 25 tomorrow (12/1).   

The birthday boy and his fiancee, Tessa

Our "Littles"

Blair, Maeve, Luke

HUGE thanks to Brooke and Michael for their hospitality over this Thanksgiving weekend -]

hosting so many in their home, providing a marathon of good eating and best of all....

the camaraderie with our family!

Said our good byes to most of the kiddos as they are all leaving tomorrow along with Brooke's family!  AWESOME weekend!!!

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   D R E W

Drew (aka Drewby)

Oh my gosh....our oldest grandson is 25 and getting married next October.    So fun being with he and Tessa this weekend....wishing them all the best with their planning and bright future ahead!

Sunday - winding down the weekend.    Breakfast and then off to noon Mass at St. Charles Borromeo with Father Ken.   He continues to amaze us as he's 80+ years old....always wears sandals.

A lot of travel going on today  - Drew and Tessa driving back to Cedar Rapids, IA; Michael flying to Los Angeles; Brady to Notre Dame.   Davis is home in Winston-Salem; Karen (Auntie), Mike and Theresa arrived safely back to IL.

Played LRC (Left, Right, Center) with Mark, Annette, Luke, Maeve and myself.    Grandpa, Grandma and Annette were the winners.

We had leftover tortellini, salad, bread and wine for dinner.   Ryan joined us and then a good game of 5-handed euchre with Mark the winner.  

We said good bye to Brooke and Blair and then back to Philip's for family zoom with 8 siblings.    Thanksgiving recap, planning Chamberlain Christmas, niece Sarah and family and nephew Ed and family are buying new homes, Tom H having some serious back issues. update on Tom C's new promotion as bank president, etc.

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS...

Carlos, our grand cat

Huge thanks to Philip and Annette for their warm hospitality these past 4 nights and all the good food, euchre, LRC, easy money, wild jokers, bang, etc.

This family is almost ready for Christmas!