Friday - January 5

 Posted by Mark:

Therapy this morning.  I did a Walmart run for a few items.  Traffic was light and Walmart not busy.   Good time to do this.  Pat had her session with Chad.  She said it went well.

Went home for a bit, then on to Buckingham Farms for lunch with Charlotte and Doug.  Good lunch and good visiting.   Will see them again on Monday.

It was good hearing that Beth is improving.

Had a lazy afternoon, then went for walk around 4:30.  Very nice out when we started but started to get chilly towards the end.

Tonight was leftovers and a taste of Chocolate cake we bought at Buckingham farms.

We're all settled in for the night.

Thursday - January 4

 Posted by Mark:

Appointment this morning with PA - Michael.  Very good visit. Pat can use her arm/shoulder as she sees fit.  If things hurt "don't do it".   Incision looks good.  Not concerned about the fingers,  give it 3 months for progress check. Wants her to see Dr. Mehalik in 4 weeks. Ease off of Gabapentin to every other night.  He thinks her itching problems are probably behind her.

After the appointment we headed to Punta Gorda to have lunch at Leroy's Southern Kitchen with Allie and Owen.  Good food and lots of visiting.  Then we walked a block away to see some yarn decorations by the PGICA in stitches group (Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association).

Then walked to coffee and chocolate shop for a dessert and more visiting.

Owen, Mark, Pat, Allie

From there we went to check out the Wine and Chocolate shop.   Of course we all had to buy some chocolates for later.

On our way home we got an update on our friend Beth.  She is now on an all liquid diet, but they want her to stay a few more days of observation. 

Tonight Amazon dropped off an exercise pulley which her therapist suggested yesterday.  They suggest and Amazon delivers today.  Talk about speedy delivery....  One more exercise added to Pat's list.

Wednesday - January 3

 Posted by Mark:

Did not have appointment until afternoon so no rush to get moving.   We finished sending all of our "2023 Year in Review" letters and emails.   Getting lots of nice notes back.  Pat loves them (me too).

Walked up to Farmers Market.  It was supposed to go until 1, but at 11:15 they were packing things up.  

Pat had therapy at 2:15.  I went to Steak n Shake for a snack.   She had rough session.  She knows from the other shoulder that she would have some of those sessions, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Forgot to mention that yesterday we found a new coffee shop "Summer Moon" off 41 mile north of Bell Tower shops.

Pretty Sunset tonight at CT posted by one of the owners.

Tuesday - January 2

 Posted by: Mark

Checkup with Dr. Olga for Pat.  Follow up on surgery, etc.  Blood work and will see her again in 3 weeks for her annual check-up and review the blood work.

While Pat was there I went to Plexiglass place to see about issues with Flo's front fold up window.  It is tinted plexiglass and has scratches and places that don't clean up.  They suggested trying some special cleaner as to replace it means I have to take out the 25 rivets.  They don't take it out of the frame for liability reasons.  If the cleaner doesn't work, it will be a job for the Airstream Factory.

Then I went to Walmart for a storage container for the Christmas decoration I purchased earlier.

We went to lunch (actually late breakfast) at the House of Omlets.   Both had breakfast choices.

At 12:30 we went to a movie.  Usually see one about every 2 years.  We saw "The Boys in the Boat".  We had both read the book years ago.   Really did enjoy the movie.  Could have done without the 25 minutes of ads and previews before the movie.

On way home stopped for a prescription pick up for Mark.

Got home about 7 hours after we left this morning.  Pat had many texts and phone calls to catch up on.  She made plans for us to meet her brother Bob and Linda in Venice next Monday. Her social calendar is starting to fill up on the days she does not have therapy.

Had BBQ sandwiches for supper.   We had made it together before we left this morning.  Neither of us cooks much, but together we can get the job done.

I was on the phone a few times helping my sister Joan and Joe navigate thru Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi.  They are on their way with their RV to Arcadia for 3 months.  They were trying a new route suggested by Jim, but he's on a cruise to Curacao so I was her backup plan 😀

They hope to make it from Sterling, IL to Tupelo, MS tonight.

Really sorry to hear our friend Beth is in the hospital.  Praying for a quick recovery.

New Years 2024

 Posted by Mark:

Happy New Year 2024!

We had a fridge full of left overs so we decided that today would be a 'stay home' day.

Lots of noise and fireworks last night but after 11 p.m. I was out like a light and never heard any of the noise at midnight.

Easy morning, chilly.  Did laundry and worked on our Year In Review letter.  Did not get a Christmas letter out, but will get a New Years Letter out.

This afternoon did more laundry and sent out many Email letters.  I did the computer work and Pat gave me the names.  Already getting back many nice responses.

Good long walk this evening.  Park is really buzzing with activity.

Tomorrow is Pat's annual visit with her doctor.  This week is either a Doctor visit or PT every day.