Saturday - January 31

 Geez.....the last day of January!    2026 is off and running!   (Too fast for me)!

Rained some this morning and we were off to Punta Gorda to meet Allie and Owen at Leroy's Southern Kitchen - we've eaten here a few other times with them and always good.    It was packed today and food was delicious.  We then walked towards a wine/coffee/chocolate shop we've visited before only to find out it was gone???   Sign on the door said they are opening soon at Fisherman's Village.   We asked a lady nearby if she knew of another coffee/bakery in the area.    She suggested "Steph's Bakery" on Marion.   We walked there (it was cold and windy) and found it!    What a gem.    It only opened about 6 weeks ago and has a large variety of pastries and desserts + sandwiches, quiche, soups, etc.    Allie had a scone and rest of us, desserts + coffee.....neat place and very busy on a chilly Saturday afternoon.   Nice write-up in the paper (North Port) about Sergio and Steph Smith's new business venture hanging on the wall.    Also have a large variety of succulent plants for sale.

We sat and yakked and yakked.....then time to say goodbye.   We'll see them in February at their home in North Port.

Allie and Owen

Mark brought in my 4 pots of flowers and put in she shed.    The wind is blowing like crazy, it's cold and then rain started around 6.   UGLY night!   Our NC kiddos are getting lots of snow!

Friday - January 30

 We left CT with Donna and her suitcase for Ella Mae's Diner downtown - so good as always and very busy!   We walked thru the hotel and stopped at Dean Street Coffee Roasters for our lattes (Donna and me) and Mark's decaf Americano.   We all enjoyed our delicious breakfasts and visiting before............time to take Donna to the airport.

RSW was a zoo this late Friday morning - sooo many travelers.   Good bye hugs and as much as I hate good byes, knowing I'll see Donna, Teri and Chris in a month makes me feel much better.   Donna is so much fun - always has us laughing and such a gracious guest.    She loved "Donna's Den" and we loved having her these past 3 days.

Bye bye Donna

After we left the airport and had some time before my 1:00 eye appointment, so we drove to Six Mile Cypress Slough and walked.    Such a neat place that we've heard about (Jim and Lydia have walked this), but we had only driven around the parking lot.    Lots of people out on this beautiful day - the sun was shining, it was 70 and no breeze.    The boardwalk is either trex or wood - great for walking and enjoying all the natural beauty - a real paradise for bird watchers, the various vegetation, and nature lovers.

Then to Collins Vision for a  visual field test.   I then chatted with Yvette (counselor) about my upcoming eyelid surgery (February 12th) and she went over the details and gave me a bag of stuff (antibiotic ointment, cooling mask, silicone gel, and scar gel) plus all the instructions!    I "guess" I'm ready to go!   Yvette had this same surgery just before Thanksgiving - she looks great - she's only 51.

On home....Mark wiped the wax off one side of Flo....she's nice 'n shiny.   Other side, another day!    We had a nice visit with our neighbor Diane (renting 3 doors away) and made a plan for dinner later in February,

Walked late afternoon - tonight is the annual "Beer Fest" in the park, a very popular event.   Mark and I are not into beer, so.....they are serving philly cheesesteaks.   The residents bring beer in from their hometown, state, wherever or whatever is their favorite - hundreds of different brands will be available for taste testing!

Enjoy your weekend!   Another big storm coming.....cold and wind for SWFL.

Thursday - January 29

 Absolutely beautiful day with a high of 70 and felt so good after the cold days we've been having (but they'll be back 😔

We 3 went to Buckingham Farms for delicious breakfast with the curtains down on the sunny patio.    Checked out Booger (the long-time resident tortoise) who was sunning himself.

Donna and Pat (boat sisters)

After breakfast, Mark drove to us to Starbucks (a first-time visit for Donna......WHAT?????)    She ordered her 2nd vanilla latte (ever) - 1st one was yesterday at Peter's.

Donna at Starbucks with her latte

   On home and Donna and I got right back to the RummiKub.    She won!  

Marathon RummiKub the past few days

Mark waxed Flo, Donna and I played more RummiKub, had some snacks and  visited JoAnn and Buddy.    We left at 3:15 for my appointment with Dr. Freeman.    Mark and Donna dropped me off and they went shopping at the beach store near Fort Myers Beach for some souvenir shirts for Donna to take home to hubby Bob.

Had a good visit with Dr. Freeman, and just a short wait till the happy shoppers returned with their purchases.   Onto Connor's for dinner - another favorite place.   We sat on the screened-in porch and all very happy with our meals.

Back to Flo and played a few more rounds of RummiKub and called it a night.   I'm sad that Donna will be leaving tomorrow.   It's been so much fun having her visit and hang out in the she shed (aka Donna's Den)!!! 😀

Wednesday - January 28

 A fun day with Donna starting with a trip to Peter's for breakfast.    It was very busy today - of course, with the chilly temps, no one was sitting in the courtyard, so all the inside tables were full.    They have some new menu items - quiche (Donna loved) and a warm blueberry cinnamon roll (me)!   WOW....we checked out a few shops downtown and on back home.    Mark gave Flo a good cleaning and waxing will probably come tomorrow.

Donna and I played Rummikub (I won) and after resting a bit, we left for The Prawnbroker.   First time in 2 years.....busier than ever but just as delicious!    A long-time favorite.   

Donna, Pat, Mark

 After dinner we drove past the home where Donna and our boat sisters (Chris and Teri) will stay when they come in March.

On home and played more RummiKub which I won again.   Lucky streak going.

By 8:00 we were tired, so called it a day!

So very sad to hear that our long-time friend, Judy passed away today.    We've known Judy thru boating activities and our Mid Illini Power Squadron since the 80s.    She's had Alzheimer's for almost 10 years and Gary has been her very loving and faithful caregiver.  God bless you Judy and her family as they deal with their grief and funeral arrangements

Tuesday - January 27

 Cold this morning - 31 with the windchill.   The sun is shining and breezy and got to 61.   We picked up an Amazon package at the Save-a-Lot locker and then got a few things at Publix.   On home for a few minutes and then to Punta Gorda and Laishley's Crab House to meet Joe and Joan for lunch.    Originally, the plan had been for 7 of us (Joe, Joan, Sharon, Darrell and Donna) to meet today, but the bad weather put the kibosh on that!!!    

We had a great visit and lunch was very good - we all had soup (clam chowder for Joe, Joan and Mark and tomato basil crab for me).    They shared a shrimp basket, Mark had a tuna melt and I had an avocado/crab salad.   Fun time as always with these two. 

Joan and Joe 

On home and took our power naps.😂   We left for RSW (Fort Myers airport) at 3:30.    And about 1 hour later, there was Donna coming down the escalator to baggage claim, but first a big hug.    Mark picked us up and back to CT.    So much to yak about and she thought our weather was wonderful and balmy after the bitter cold she left in Ohio.

My funny sweet boat sister, Donna

After catching up over wine on Flo, we left for Rib City around 6ish.    Great ribs and visiting.   On home and played some RummiKub (to be continued tomorrow).   She's all settled in the she shed....