Saturday - January 10

 Sunny, breezy day.    After breakfast we went to WalMart but stopped at Starbucks on the way.    This Starbucks on the corner of Six Mile Cypress and Colonial was the 1st and only one of its kind in the country.   A new concept of being strictly a drive-thru on both sides of the building.    We were thru very quickly!

Then to WalMart for a Rx and some groceries.   On home.    Did the laundry and Buddy and JoAnn came over at 2 for dominos.   So much fun - Buddy won the first game and I won the 2nd which was shorter as time to go eat!

Fun afternoon with JoAnn and Buddy

Tonight the CT Grillers had a fun and yummy picnic in the parking lot - over 200 people with many golf carts, chairs, etc. came to enjoy Sloppy Joe's, baked beans, French fries and ice cream/brownie sundaes with caramel/chocolate toppings and sprinkles.

Here's an interesting tidbit that Mark came up with concluding all his stats for 2025.    He's a numbers guy!!!

So, since he retired on June 1, 2006 to the end of 2025, there were 7,153 days during that time where we stayed in 1,195 different locations (RV parks, marinas, hotels, with family, friends, etc.)   Years ago, before we settled in the winter at CT or summered on Catrina  in Port Clinton, we moved around alot to air shows when Ryan was a Blue Angel, and other travels.   We really are Nomads!

A few days ago Mark put our weight bench on Facebook Marketplace - we haven't used it in a long time.   We had 11 different responses but after asking about it, nobody pursued it any further.    Till today, a guy from Holland, MI who is a sailor and lives in Estero met Mark in the Camping World parking lot - tah dah....bench is SOLD!!!

So last night was the big game between Indiana and Oregon.   I was all set to watch and shortly after 7 (the game started at 7:30), we lost internet along with folks in our park and beyond.   Have not heard of the cause but I can only imagine the frustration and anger that people were having when they couldn't watch the game - arghhhh.    Anne sent some updates but in the end, we were happy with the Indiana win (56-22)!   GO HOOSIERS!

LOVE my bougainvillea

Friday - January 9

 A beautiful morning at CT.....Mark and I were off to the library to play euchre, but no one showed up???   Last night, some of the newbie's said they were coming, but.....

But all was not lost as when we got to the parking lot, there was Noble Brews (cute little truck with coffee)!   This guy came once last year and plans to be back more this season.    No one knew this guy was coming - last minute decision from Jason, our activities director.    So, no euchre, but I got my coffee.

Then we got some gas for Ruby and on home.   1/2 hour later I was off to meet Claire at Cristof's for lunch.    We had a reservation for 12:30 but since I wasn't playing euchre, decided to meet at 11:30.   We were able to sit on the patio and an extra hour to visit.   We both had the special - beet salad with goat cheese and delicious shrimp - sooo good.   And we shared their wonderful dessert, "tartufo", a ball of spumoni encased in hard chocolate - sooo yummy!

We sat for 3 hours and 15 minutes on the patio - such a pretty day with nice breeze.    We had not been together since September 25th in Bloomington.

Claire and our "Tartufo"

It cooled down around 5:30 so we walked and met new neighbors (on Ann and Duaine's lot) - Robbie and Mike from Minnesota.   They'll be here thru March.

13 years ago today, Mark's dad passed away - very sudden.   We were in Marathon, FL when we got the news....he is so missed by his large family and would've been so proud of all the new great grandchildren who have arrived since.

Have a fun weekend!

Thursday January 8

 Fun morning with Connie and Steve at a favorite breakfast spot - Sweet Bean Cafe (their grilled cinnamon bread is thee best!)

We had a great visit and all caught up (kind of 😄) till next time!

Pat, Mark, Steve, Connie

Rode bikes in the afternoon - all around the park = 3 miles.    My shoulder starts hurting around 2 miles.....guess its the stress and stretching leaning forward and gripping the handlebars?

We had the big breakfast, so no lunch but early supper (I made spaghetti, salad, garlic toast and wine) - all delicious if I do say so myself!!!   😂😋

Played euchre tonight in the ballroom but a very small crowd of only 3 tables to kick off the season?   Cards were not very nice for Mark or me!

Wednesday - January 7

 We walked and checked out the farmers market (1st of the season and a nice variety of vendors).   Back home for a bit and I was off to play canasta and Mark did bookwork.   My partners Theresa, Deb and I had been ahead the entire game and then lost at the end...arghhh!    Maybe next time.    Vicki H, Linda and June were the winners.    24 played today.

I texted Mark that I was finished and he walked to the parking lot where Vesuvius Pizza was today's food truck along with the other vendors.    They have wood-fired pizza and it's very good - we took back an Americano Supreme and enjoyed on Flo.

Later in the afternoon we rode bikes.   It was such a pretty day in the low 80s.

Folks are coming and going here in the park - 10% of the lots are for sale.   Between health issues, getting out of the RV lifestyle or wanting to build or buy a home, those are main reasons.   

Tonight we played Lucky 13 in the clubhouse - big crowd of 133.   I stood 3x, Mark 2x (this is a good thing) but no wins for us - fun evening!

Tuesday - January 6

 Our morning walk started with jackets, but they were quickly shed and tied around our waists!   

Watched the IL State vs. Montana State game to the end last night - ISU lost in overtime 35-34....heartbreaking loss but what a phenomenal season the Redbirds had!

Finally got the bikes out and around the park we rode - got to get back into bike riding as we enjoy this activity and a change from walking.

JoAnn and Buddy came over the in the afternoon and we played dominos (Mexican Train) - they had never played and we had so much fun with Mark, the winner.   Then we went to Rum Bucket for an early dinner - good food and more chatter...

Mark, Buddy, JoAnn, Pat

Fun at The Rum Bucket