Tuesday - April 7

A gloomy cool start to the day.    After breakfast, we went for a drive in Big Red (1st time in over 2 weeks) and drove for 2 hours all around Lake James up and down this road and that admiring all the beautiful homes, new construction and beauty of the area.   Had a few sprinkles, but fun to see some of the areas we see when on the trail but not sure exactly where we are in relation to the roads.

Home for lunch and later in the afternoon, the sun came out and warmed up.    We went for a short walk listening to "Chatty Cathy" (Blair) on facetime.    She is one creative, imaginative child!    Never know what she's gonna say!

2-handed euchre with Mark - not a good day for me!    Made some chicken salad, read and sat outside admiring the beauty and went to Mass.       Outside our door




 
Davis, Brady, Drew 
shooting some baskets with their Dad

More fun euchre tonight with Bob, Judy, and Anne.


Monday - April 6

We're supposed to be in the 80's for the next 3 days......decided we were going to walk earlier rather than later to beat the heat.    So at 10, when it was 64 degrees, off we went and got in our long walk (planning to do this 3x a week and shorter ones the other days).     So, we walked, had lunch, power napped and then a nice boat ride on the pontoon.    So pretty on the water.\

My favorite hiking buddy 
Lake James

Had a favorite meal tonight - sweet 'n sour meatloaf, cheesy potatoes and salad!   Mark is impressed with my cooking skills.   They have been reincarnated!!!   Ha!   Pulling out all the stops....well, kind of!

After supper, we went to Mass and then settled in for the night

Hard to believe we arrived here 2 weeks ago today - we've not been to the big house nor has anyone come into the cottage.    It's really strange, but doing what we gotta do and most likely, for a long time to come?

Euchre with Anne, Drew and Bob....several games  and we all won at some point!

A happy memory from 6 years ago today...

April 6, 2014
Lakeland, Florida

Sunday - April 5

Another pretty day and a lazy Sunday for us.    We slept in, had a big breakfast (pancakes, sausage and fruit) and then just piddled around doing this 'n that.    We went to Palm Sunday Mass with Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston - just so strange seeing the blessing of palms in an empty Cathedral of the Holy Cross, shortened version of the Passion and of course, no communion.    His homily was excellent.

Michael and Brooke had planned to move to the lake permanently when school was out in June,   However, with schools closed for rest of semester, they are now here for good but still had several loads of stuff to move which they did today.    They took 4 vehicles and the 6 of them trekked into Newton and were packed to the gills when they returned.    So combining 2 big households into one.....they are troopers and sorry we couldn't help out!    Later this week, movers will bring out rest of the big stuff.

Mark and I went for a nice walk (shorter than yesterday) and then had left-over pizza from last night for late lunch,

He watched some of his taped TV shows on Flo, I read and took a little nap. 

This week we were to be here babysitting with Luke and Maeve while Philip and Annette got away or a few days, but of course, that's not happening and bummer we can't even be close to them!

I played Solitaire and Mark and I played 2-handed euchre. and tonight, online euchre with Drew and Anne beating Ryan and me 2 out of 3.

Sunday night Chamberlain siblings chat fest - all 12 present!     Fun catching up with everyone!

Had a few sprinkles late afternoon and then later, this brilliant sunset!

Sun setting over Mount Mitchell

Make the most of this Holy Week - sooo many and sooo much to pray for!   


Saturday - April 4

After a hearty breakfast of ham and cheese omelets, fruit and toast, we did a few things around the cottage and then took off with water bottles in backpack and hiked the trail.    Met some ladies today walking their dogs, but kept our distance.

 
 Along the trail...
  
A real treat at the end of the trail (where a nice bench was waiting for us) was messenger/facetimed with my dear cousin and friends Jane (in Illinois) and Allie (in Florida).    What fun to see each other and have a nice chat!!!   Thanks Jane!!!

Back home for lunch, folded laundry and a nap for Mark.    Total of 3.5 miles today thru the forest!

Later this afternoon after the kiddos returned from a boat ride, Mark and I went out - absolutely delightful and lots of people on the water......gorgeous weather, cabin fever and easy to keep your distance really brought 'em out!!!

Did take out from Fonta Flora (Brooke picked up) - pizza and burger with fries - really hit the spot!!!!

Tonight we played euchre - Mark and Annette against Ryan and me (they beat us 3 out of 3)...ugh!    Then Anne and me against Ryan and Annette (we won 2 out of 3).....FUN!!!

Nighty night!


Friday - April 3

Another glorious day in North Carolina.....walking (road) and hiking (forest) were awesome and hoping each day to go a little further.    Did some laundry, Mark made some phone calls cancelling things, made new reservations, etc.   We;ve been playing 2-handed euchre and holy moly, today I won 3 games!!!   

Annette and Philip did a pick-up at WalMart and Drew and Brady delivered to us!    Our family has been so good at picking up (or shopping which Michael and Brooke have done) and delivering groceries as they want us to stay put.  And Davis picked up a prescription at CVS for us!!!
 Per instructions, we wiped all the perishables down with sanitized wipes and put in fridge.    All the non-perishables were left for 24 hours and then we can (supposedly) handle safely and put away.

Our Blue Angel friend, Linda from Kansas has the "greenest" thumb and here's some of her pretties surrounded by St. Francis
Mark is ready to hit the pavement - check out that glorious blue sky 
Pretty blooms along the way

Happy 49th anniversary to brother Bob and Linda!

Stay home, enjoy your families, get some fresh air and have a great weekend.
We're all in this together!