Wednesday - December 17

 A very early morning..........we were awake at 2 AM, so decided to just get up.   The Fort Myers airport (RSW) is undergoing a lot of construction (big expansion), so inside and outside, things are happening.   We had to meander from the parking lot to get into the terminal in the wee hours.   

Lots of activity at this early hour but our plane had lots of empty seats.   We arrived at O'Hare 1/2 hour early but then had to wait for a gate as a plane was still in our spot with mechanical problems.    Finally we got inside and wow....O'Hare was beautifully decorated for Christmas no matter where we walked.

Got our rental car and on our way to Rochelle where we met long-time good friends, Judy, Ruth and Butch.    What a fun visit....Judy and Mark have known one another since 1st grade and went thru elementary and high school together.    Ruth and I met at Midstate College in 1966 and I was in 4-H with Butch when we were 10 years old......so long-time friendships.    Butch's mother just passed away a few weeks ago at 101.

Ruth, Pat, Judy, Mark, Butch

Said our good byes and hope to get together next time we're back.   Very enjoyable visit and ate at The Butterfly (good home cookin').

Been thinking of and praying for our great nephew, Roman (grandson of Tom and Beth) who has been at the hospital all day for tests after one side of his face was drooping.    Very scary but latest is that he is home, has the flu and temporary palsy but 2 other types of sickness to address.    Waiting for more details.    We'll keep praying - Roman is 9 months.

We're with Anne and Connor for the next 2 nights - lots of good visiting over Monical's pizza and other treats.    

And now we are off to dreamland - been a very long day.   Nighty night!

Tuesday - December 16

 Oh my, only NINE days till Christmas!    I finished packing (including Mark's holiday socks)😀

We walked - beautiful breezy day and then ran a few errands, including WalMart to pick up a Rx and a few more piddlies (always something to buy here)! 😐

And then to Farmer's Market to meet Beth, John, Charlotte and Doug.   We all love this place for their wonderful comfort food, big menu and some of the same pleasant familiar waitresses.   This place originated in 1952 and is the oldest continuous restaurant in Fort Myers.   Based on today's big crowd, they are doing just fine!!!

John, Beth, Pat, Mark, Charlotte, Doug

Lots of chatter and then wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and on our way.    They will be together on Christmas Day for buffet/show at Broadway Palm.

A few more errands and on home.   Another walk later and then home to load up the car.    We're leaving for the airport at 4 AM for our 6:10 flight to O'Hare - 2 nights with Anne and then to Dixon for Chamberlain Christmas.    Lots of fun planned in between and we fly back Sunday.

UPS brought us a package from C. Krueger's Finest Baked Goods tonight  - wow....12 different cookies from Bob and Donna (boat sister) - how thoughtful!    We shared the peppermint/chocolate cookie!   Very good!  Last week we received 2 boxes of Harry and David goodies from Erin and Ryan....yum, yum, yum!    Love these edible holiday gifts!😋

Monday - December 15

 Sandra and/or her Mother, Anna are coming to clean Flo today, so we left for the morning.  First stop was the Sanctuary for my KUB x-ray - tah dah!    Got that done but again, a bit of confusion with orders from Dr. and fax numbers (different # on their website versus what the office gal gave me)!   😞   But Lynn did the x-ray and we were off to Bob Evans for a light breakfast.

Then to WalMart for a bunch of piddlies and a Rx (one wasn't ready, so will have to return tomorrow)!   Stopped at Flore Cafe for a latte for me and then home to unload our stuff.    Cleaning crew was still there, so we put our stuff in she shed and then to Rib City to meet Joe and Joan for some yummy ribs (BBQ beans, cole slaw and garlic toast - our standard and delicious meal when we eat here).

Joe, Joan, Pat, Mark

Joe and Joan came back to CT as Joan needed to use our printer for some orders she needed to have lab work done.    But, whatever Cleveland Clinic sent her didn't work, so???    They left for home (Arcadia).   We'll see them this weekend in Dixon for the big family Christmas.   They are flying back to IL on Thursday. 

Happiness is coming home to a clean and sparkling Flo.   What a nice surprise to see this cute bow-wrapped towel on my kitchen cabinet.

And then the bow was another Christmas towel

  We had a quiet afternoon - both of us took a little cat nap.   Later we walked and oh my....very windy and cool (well, for us....upper 60's with the wind felt "cool"!).   We stopped at the clubhouse and made cups of hot chocolate and then continued our walk.

Sunday - December 14

 We went to 9:30 Mass with Father Robert at St. Francis.    Mike O'Brien was there with all his family.    His wife, Jessica (Jesi) who died 1 week ago will have her funeral at St. Francis on Wednesday.   Jesi was only 61.

Take Two Coffee moved to a different location (they have the yummy donuts) and "Forever Grounded" moved in where Take Two had been and connected to a church.    First time to visit this place - wow....they have wonderful moist scones (peppermint/chocolate chip) and Mark had a bagel.   Outside the coffee shop is a food truck "Brownies and Junk Home Bakery" - he had 4 flavors today (dark chocolate/peppermint,  cinnamon pecan crunch, salted caramel/butterscotch and Reese's peanut butter) Their packaging says "these are made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations"?   

We  bought 3 (thinking the boys would love these - soooo good, but not sure they'll last that long?) 😋

On home, and did 2 loads of laundry.    Started sprinkling at 12:30 but didn't last long and sun came out!

We walked in the afternoon.   I watched another Hallmark movie and read.

We are very proud of Luke and his Adventure CORE friends who hiked 4 miles in knee-deep snow at an elevation of 1500' today to Roan Mountain.    WOW....he loved it!   4 degrees with 45 mph winds!!!

Ahhh...to be young and adventuresome!

Luke (2nd in line) - ready to start the steep incline!

"I think I can...I think I can"

Lunch under their tarp which holds body heat

Warming up inside the tarp

Everyone on Zoom tonight except Sharon and Marilyn.    Weather was a top subject, travel plans for next weekend (101 coming at this point for Chamberlain Christmas), update on brother-in-law, Mike's health at Memory Care and Lydia has a bad cough.   The conversation ended about 10 minutes early as not much else to discuss.

Enjoy your week ahead, stay warm and hope the hustle and bustle of the holidays are "FUN"!!!

Saturday - December 13

 A very nice day in Fort Myers as the snow falls heavily in Bloomington and beyond.   We went to Peter's for coffee/breakfast sandwiches.   Stopped at Dollar Tree and on home.

I've been gathering the warm winter woolies to take back to IL Wednesday-Sunday.   Sounds like warmer weather while we're there compared to what's been, but for we Floridians, still COLD!

Quiet day on Flo with a walk late afternoon.   Our Port Clinton friends (boat sisters) are together tonight at Michael and Chris's home.    Donna sent a video of them saying "hello"....sooo good to see them and so we sent back a video of us wishing them a Merry Christmas in front of our sparkly palm tree.

Finally watched my 1st Hallmark Christmas movie of the season.    Mark's sister, Karen (aka Auntie) is the "Queen" of Hallmark Christmas Movies.