Sunday, Feb.9 to Thurs. Feb. 13

Well, it has been another very busy week at the Hosler Florida Home!  Sunday friends from our church back home, who are here for about 3 weeks, met us at Edgewater Church at 9:15 to attend the service with us.  So nice to have them join us.  After the service, the 4 of us went to our favorite breakfast spot, Hometown Grill, for a delicious, inexpensive breakfast where the waitresses are getting to recognize Ken and I when we walk in the door.  After eating, they followed us back to our condo to "check out the place" and our community.  They were extremely gracious in their positive comments and really enjoyed the walk we took around the grounds!  It really is a throw back to old time Florida with all the large palms and live oak trees with lots of Spanish moss!  We also got to show them one of two resident alligators, but we weren't sure if it was Forrest or Nelson (we live on Forrest Nelson Boulevard)!

They left around 2:30 and by 4:15 Ken and I were on our way to Venice to the Drum Circle.  We had packed some snacks and drinks for our time on the beach.  We did stop at Target near Venice to check out some chairs for our screened porch, but they really didn't have anything that met with our approval!

We were at the drum circle from 4:45 to 6:30 and it was a very pleasant and beautiful evening to be on the beach, listen to music, and watch the sunset.  Ken got to see "feather man" who used to be at the Nokomis Drum Circle but we hadn't seen him for several years.  It was good to know that he is fine and still a part of these special times on the beach!  The beautiful sunset went down to the beat of the drums, which tends to be a spiritual time.

Feather Man isn't a "spring chicken" but he acts
young and energetic!
 

Lots of people there and they have it every Sunday night!

What a beautiful sky!

The pelicans were very busy!

We left there and drove to Rick and Joyce's home to play double deck pinochle.  It was a fun evening even if the men finally won!  We were back home by 10:15 after a rather busy day!

Monday morning we took a walk and I decided to run some errands, returning somethings to Lowe's and then stopping at Big Lots to look at their outdoor furniture - bingo, I found 2 chairs for the porch that I really liked.  So, I picked up Ken and together we went to check them out and make certain they were comfortable for both of us.  Well, we left there with 2 very comfy chairs that are a nice addition to our very small lanai area.  After lunch I went to the pool to do some exercising.

Love this view!

That evening, I had a quiet time at the condo while Ken was at CR.  I had planned on playing pickleball at the campground, but decided I should give my back another few days rest!  I did some crocheting and watched America's Got Talent - what amazing performers.  We were in bed around 10:30.

Tuesday morning, Harry and Carolyn stopped by to visit.  They were part of the group that we went on a mission trip with last year and left Edgewater to attend another church, so we hadn't seen them for almost a year.  It was so good to reconnect. In the afternoon, we went to the clubhouse for a neighborhood watch meeting, but before that started, a sheriff from the Port Charlotte Office came here and registered bikes.  It was great to not have to take the bikes to the Sheriffs Office to get that done!

That evening, Joe and Carolyn from Edgewater came to visit.  We chatted for awhile and then they taught us how to play Farkle.  We had a fun time and by 9:30 we called it a night!  It was another busy day at the Hoslers!

Wednesday we woke to another gorgeous day with the temperature already near 70 and warming up to a predicted 80+ degrees.  We have had that kind of beautiful weather for about 5 days and it is supposed to continue.  Ken went to breakfast with a men's group and I got ready to  go to the beach, packing lunches, drinks, and the beach bag.  He returned around 8:30 (earlier than expected) and by 10 we were on our way to Manasota Beach.  I had invited all our friends from back home, but it didn't suit many of them.  

Doloris joined us and Eddie and Lori Paparo and it was a perfect beach day with warm temperatures, lots of sun, and a slight breeze.  We did a lot of chatting and walked the beach looking for shark's teeth 2 separate times.  Of course, Ken found the most and the largest as per usual.  He has a special eye for shark's teeth!  We were on the beach from 10:45 till about 4:30 and we loved every minute of that time. 

Walking with my good friend, Doloris!

 

We were back to the condo by 5:30 and Ken rested while I made myself a light dinner and by 6:20 I was on my way to Harbor Lakes CG to play pickleball.  I think I positively hit every red light!  I love playing with the group at the CG and there were about 14 of us this evening.  I got to play 5 games and it went fairly well.  I left the courts at 8:20 and went to visit Ernie and Noela till about 9:15.  It was good to chat with them because we hadn't been together since Friday night.  After showering and chatting with Ken it was bedtime and boy was I tired!!!!!

Another Week in Florida!

Wednesday, February 5, Ken left at 6:45 to meet a group of men for breakfast and bible study.  When he returned, I went to Lowe's to exchange some lights I had bought for our bathrooms with different ones.  The ones I had previously purchased came too close to the ceiling.  Fortunately I found 2 that will work well!

That afternoon we went to Harbor Lakes Campground to spend the remainder of the day with Ernie and Noela.  After chatting, we headed to the shuffleboard courts to play 2 games and we each one a game!  We had salads for dinner and then it was time for Hand and Foot.  It was a victorious evening for the women!  What a fun time with special friends.

Thursday morning Ken helped at the Food Pantry unloading trucks and they got a lot of food.  I worked around the condo and then we took a walk.  We spent time prepping a large salad to take to dinner this evening at the mother of Marilyn and Gene Martin, friends from our church back in PA. in the community of Pinecraft near Sarasota.  Frank, Barb, Lloyd, Deb, Rick and Joyce were also there.  Marilyn had made her "famous" potato corn chowder and it was delicious.  Ken and I provided the tossed salad, while the others brought dessert and bread.  What an enjoyable meal.

After dinner, all of us took a walk around the Amish/Mennonite community with most of the folks coming from Ohio, PA, and Indiana.  It really is a unique area with no cars but lots and lots of adult tricycles.  It is such a "throwback" area!  After a great evening, we were back to our home by 10 with the prediction of major storms.  Fortunately, the storms were very minor in our area!

Friday Ken and I went to the Church's Food Pantry and worked there from 9 till 1 with 87 people coming to get food!  It is such a special time for Ken and I and we really try to bring a beacon of light to these folks, but they end up brightening our day.  Our work crew was invited to Debbie's home (she is one of the Food Pantry Team) for lunch and we had signed up the week before to bring one food item to share at the luncheon.  There were about 18 of us and we had such a variety of delicious food - pasta, sandwiches, veggie casseroles, Italian sausage, fruit tray, garlic bread, pasta salad, etc.  I had taken an ice cream sandwich layered dessert that was a hit - I didn't like sharing the recipe because it is so easy! 

We were back home by 3 and by 6:00, Ernie, Noela, Jim and Joyce came for the evening to play Hand and Foot.  They had brought the treats for the evening and everything was so good.  The women won the 1st 3 rounds, but the men finally won the last one, but it was too little too late!  What a fun evening with some wonderful friends.

Saturday morning Ken and I met Mick and Susan at the Hometown Grill so we could buy them breakfast to thank them for hanging the wallpaper border in the guest bedroom.  But, now we owe them another meal, for they came back to the condo and Mick hung our new lights in both of our bathrooms and boy, it certainly makes a difference.  They left around 11 and I took Ken to Panera Bread to have lunch with a spiritual advisor.  It shopped for hardware for the two pieces of furniture in our DR.  I wanted to change the antique brass to satin nickel.  When Ken and I returned, he patiently helped me change all the hardware on the furniture and both of us are extremely happy with how it improved the look!  We took a walk around the property and someone scolded us from his balcony for picking up some oranges on the ground under the only orange tree I think we have in our community.  Ken and I were just ready to say that we only got them off the ground when we realized it was our friends, Burt. So we went up to their home to visit for about an hour.  The rest of the evening was relaxing, but we were in bed rather early!

New border and lights in Ken's/Guest Bathroom!

New lights in mine but rather hard to see!

New handles on the furniture in the DR -
took off the old colonial brass and added
brushed nickel!

February 1 to February 4

Saturday was a rainy morning so we spent time at the Condo doing some "catch up" things.  Around 3:45 we left to go to Venice to spend the evening with Rick and Joyce.  

They had an exciting day.  They just listed their duplex on Friday as a For Sale by Owner because they are building a single home in a nearby community.  Someone knocked on their door after seeing the listing and photos and asked if she could tour their home.  Well, she loved it and she and her husband are looking to downsize and their current home is already underagreement.  Long story short, her husband came by to see it and they signed a contract looking to settle in March.  It appears that all is going according to plan, but they still have to do the inspection!  That should not be a problem, as Rick and Joyce have their property in amazingly perfect shape!

We spent time talking about their day and then went to Joey D's for sandwiches.  Back to their place to play double deck Pinochle and the women were victorious both games!  We were back home by 10:15!

Sunday we went to Church and became associate members after taking classes for the last 3 weeks.  It was a good, growing experience.  We are thrilled to be a part of this amazing congregation when in Florida!  We were greeters at the doors for the 11:00 service and then there was a luncheon for the new members with a class on where we might fit into the outreach of the church.  

I was excited to get back home to start to watch the Super Bowl pregame activities but 1st Ken and I prepped for dinner because Rick and Joyce were joining us.  We put pork barbeque in the crockpot, made salads, got potatoes ready for the oven, and then it was time to relax and watch TV.

Rick and Joyce were here from 5:00 till the end of the exciting Super Bowl.  3 of us were Kansas City fans and the game certainly proved to be an entertaining one.  I was so excited for Andy Reid, the Team, and Patrick Mahomes!

Monday morning Ken and I walked and then at 10:30 went to visit friends from church, Bob and Pat.  We had a delightful visit and then they asked if we would go out to lunch with them at one of their favorite spots at a local marina.  We were able to eat outside at the "old Florida" eatery where there was a fantastic view and delicious food.  We had a great time with special friends only returning to the condo around 3.  Ken had CR in the evening and I did some crafting while he was gone.

Tuesday was a very beautiful day and we spent most of the morning at Lowes and Home Depot looking for bathroom vanity lights and faucets for both of our bathrooms, not an easy job.  We came back with what we thought would work, but unfortunately we were wrong.  The lights got too close to the ceiling, so we need to choose a different style - so sad!!!  At 3 we left to go to Costco for a few items, for we were drove almost by there on our way to Plaza Mexican to dinner  with 4 other couples that we know thru our church back home and it was Taco Tuesday - $1.50 Tacos and 1/2 price drinks.  What a fun time for so little $$$$$$.  We only left there around 7:30 and we returned to our condo by 8:15.  It was a very special evening and an amazing few days!

Lots of Fun the Last 2 Weeks of January in Florida!

Well, I haven't posted again for about 2 weeks so it is time to "catch up" on what as been happening in the lives of the Hoslers!  There have been many exciting activities and time with special friends, so I hope I can recall most of them starting with Friday, January 17.

Well, it was a very special day because it was the 40th birthday of our youngest daughter, Jamie.  How can that be????  So, we sang to her and had a nice phone chat before heading to the church's Food Pantry.  It was another special day helping our clients and then having lunch with our friends that help there.  That evening we enjoyed playing cards with Ernie and Noela.  

That Saturday we went to a Craft Show on the streets of Punta Gorda with Rick and Joyce and then the 4 of us ate a "lupper" at Hurricane Charlies on the water, and then stopping at the bridge that goes over the Peace River to look for lizards and watch the sunset.  Then back to our home to play double deck Pinochle which the women won handily!

The following week was a busy one starting on Monday by calling Samantha to sing and wish her a happy 11th birthday.  We met Brian and Donna at the Hometown Grill for breakfast at 9 (she lives in the apartment under us in PA) and then they came back to see our Condo.  That evening Ken went to Celebrate Recovery and I drove to Harbor Lakes CG to play pickleball.  So good to see many of the friends we made there when we camped.  Tuesday morning Mick and Susan, friends from Church, came to hang a border in our guest bathroom and we certainly appreciated their willingness to do that project.  After lunch Ernie and Noela arrived and the 4 of us went to Joshua Orchards for oranges, grapefruit, and tomatoes.  I had made a pot of white bean chicken chili for dinner so they joined us and we spent the evening playing Hand and Foot, which the men won!

The remainder of the week was our regular routine with the Food Pantry, lunch with helpers that worked there, and quiet evenings at home.  Saturday Ken and I did some things at the condo and then headed to Venice to attend the Craft Show on Miami Avenue.

Lots of people at the Venice Craft Show!

At 4 we arrived at the clubhouse at Frank and Barb's for their annual picnic and a retirement party for Barb.  She retired after 30 years of working as an airline attendant for Delta Airlines - quite an accomplishment.  We had lots of good food, but it was a chilly evening and we moved indoors for dessert, thank heaven!  Ken and I were so cold by then!  At least half of the people that attended were friends from LCBC back in PA that were visiting or are now permanent residents of Florida!

Thanks for a great time, Frank and Barb!

Sunday was another phone call singing Happy Birthday to our daughter, Lanie.  We are getting quite talented and good at singing that song!!!!  After a good and uplifting time at church, we spent the evening playing Hand and Foot with our friends, Burt and Pat, who also live in our community and go to the same church here in Florida.  It was a fun time even if the men won!

The week of the 27th was another fun filled, packed one!  Monday morning Ken was busy on the computer and then at 8:50 realized that we were scheduled to help pack school hygiene kits for the students in the Charlotte County School District at 9.  We raced to the sight where they pack and had a good time helping, even if we were 10 minutes late!

That evening was pickleball for me and CR for Ken.  Tuesday Ernie and Noela were here by 8:45 and we loaded all our bikes in Ernie's truck and headed to Sanibel Island for the day.  We hadn't been there for about 2 years and were excited to go back.  It was a perfect day for riding with calm winds and the temperature in the upper 60's.  We rode through Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve, to the beach, and then drove to OC Otters on Captiva for lunch outdoors.  That is the place we always eat when we go to Sanibel and as per usual, we really enjoyed our lunch!  It always takes a while to get off the island because there is only one bridge to get to the mainland and traffic really backs up.  We decided to stop at The Loveboat Ice Cream Shoppe in Ft. Myers for their delicious homemade ice cream which was fabulous.  We only got back home at 7, after a very long day!

Love seeing the white pelicans!

Blue heron!

Heron and Ibis

Tri-colored Heron

Yellow crested night heron!

Only saw 2 alligators!

Walkway through the Mangroves!

A little hard to see this iguana!

Bowman Beach on Sanibel

Lots of shells!

What a colorful restaurant!

Wednesday both Ken and I were extremely tired, so after his men's breakfast, we spent most of the day and evening just relaxing at our condo.  Because it was the 5th Friday of the month, there was no food pantry, so Ken and I decided to go Manasota Beach on Thursday afternoon.  They predicted sunshine after lunch with temperatures in the mid 70's, but that never happened!  We were there from 11 to 1:15 and the sun never appeared and it remained in the 60's with a breeze.  We were really cold by the time we left but we did have a good day shark's tooth hunting, even finding some seaglass!  I had never seen the Gulf so rough with lots of rather powerful waves!  That evening I played pickleball at Harbor Lakes and Ken had a relaxing evening at home.

Friday we met Russ and Darlene, former neighbors of ours when we lived in Akron, PA, for breakfast at Hometown Grill and then they came back to see our Florida home.  We were together about 3 hours and it was so nice to "catch up" on life.  Ernie and Noela came to visit around 6:15 and finally the girls won Hand and Foot!

It has been a busy 2 weeks but we are loving every minute here in Florida.  We feel so blessed!

Ken and I took a walk around the back of
our condo community and all of a sudden
came upon this very large alligator about
10 feet from us!  Quite a surprise!