March 5-6

I've got 2 days to catch up on.....Thursday afternoon I flew out of St. Pete/Clearwater airport back to IL.....somewhere over Tennessee, the Captain told us a fuel pump went out and we would be turning around and landing in Sanford, FL (near Orlando) to change planes. UGH...anyway we finally landed 3 hours after our original scheduled time. Mark's parents picked me up and I spent the night with them!

This is beautiful "Masterpiece" Mark's Mother is making. She and 2 nieces cross-stitched the Precious Moments and heart designs and she is making this spectacular quilt - coming down the home stretch! Unfortunately, the picture doesn't show all the intricate, fine craftsmanship!
Mark's parents - appreciate so much their waiting for me at the airport and then my spending the night with them - great visit!

Spent the day with my parents - took Mom for Dr. appointment and enjoyed the gorgeous 63-degree day! My Aunt Marian went with us to delicious fish dinner tonight! (The eating up here is very good, too)!!!!!

Dad and his sister, Marian

Mom, Dad, and Aunt Marian

March 4

Wednesday in St. Petersburg.....we ran errands, drove to Tampa and I got a manicure. We rode bikes and then did laundry. We had been told by other RVers' about the great laundry facilities at Roberts Mobile Home & RV Resort here in St. Pete, so....decided this is where we wanted to stay! With all the RV parks we've stayed at, we've seen every imaginable type of laundry! But this one was huge with lots of washers/dryers, large (garage-style) doors to open and let in the fresh air and folks sitting outside rocking away in the sunshine waiting.... Here I am yakking on the phone and reading in the sunshine while the washer and dryer do "their" thing! Tomorrow, I'm flying back to IL for a few days!

March 3

Happy Birthday, Mom. Mark's Mother celebrates today - 83 years young! Mom/Grandma/Great Grandma

We were back on the road today and drove 70 miles north to St. Petersburg. Had a low-key day - blue skies and 62 degrees

March 2

Cool and breezy Monday in Venice. We ran a few errands (after quick stop at Dunkin donuts - oink oink) and then went to 12:30 Mass at the CathedralDrawbridge going up on the Circus Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway to allow boat traffic (sailboats or boats that need more than 24' clearance) to pass
Met friends, Bob and Carol who winter in Venice and were our dockmates in Racine. Enjoyed a brisk bike ride along the Intracoastal

Carol and Bob at Casperson Beach.

Thanks for the wonderful dinner and visit!

March 1

March 1st already........boy-oh-boy, 2009 is just rolling along!!! It was a chilly, windy day here in Venice. We started the day with breakfast at Jim O'Hara's Cafe - very good local place! Then to 11:00 Mass at Epiphany Cathedral with the Bishop presiding. Ran a few errands and then hibernated this afternoon - sun came out a bit, but mostly cloudy and dreary!

I did a load of laundry, we read books and had soup (from the flea market/craft sale yesterday) and BLT's. A few more chilly days (and nights) coming up before things start warming up again!