When we all left for our walks this morning it was only 39 degrees, very cold for Florida! But, it is frigid and setting records for the cold in so many parts of the US. I think Michigan and Wisconsin had some wind chill temperatures up to 50 below. Positively crazy!
After breakfast I drove to North Point Park to play pickleball with some folks I had never played with before. I really had a good time and although I felt a bit hesitant at the beginning, I soon realized that I could hold my own with most of them. After about 1 1/4 hours of playing, one of the ladies from church who is just learning to play came and I spent time playing and hitting with her and another lady who was a beginner. They are doing well. I was back to Wilbur by 12:30, tired and stiff.
After lunch, Ken really wanted to go to Manasota Beach, but I was a bit hesitant feeling that it might be chilly. Off we went, getting there around 2:15 and the breeze was coming off the ocean and being in the low 60's, it was cool. We stayed for about 1 1/2 hours and decided we were chilled, so we headed back to the CG stopping for a few groceries.
Ernie and Noela's family were here at the CG most of the day so we were able to meet Peter, his wife, and their 3 young children. What cute little ones who adore their grandparents.
I did some typing revisions on Ken's testimony which he had worked on this morning while I was gone. Ernie and Noela invited us over to play Uno, because Peter and his family had left around 6:30. It was a silly evening with the women being victorious.
I worked on this blog when we returned and then watched New Amsterdam at 10. I certainly wish that show started earlier because the start time is past my bedtime!
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
Monday - A Relaxing Day at the Campground!
It was in the mid 40's when we got up this morning and Ken left at 7:15 to meet Ernie on their walk. Noela and I decided to sleep in.
After breakfast, I did some clean-up and my normal morning routine. I got some cards ready to send while Ken did some work on the computer. Then I had a nice conversation with Donna, the gal who lives under us at our apartment in Lititz. After lunch we took a walk around the campground. Ken did more reading while I painted some rocks. Then he had a long conversation with Kevin, the gentleman who had worked with him in Real Estate.
Ernie and Noela had left the campground this morning to spend the day with their son and family, so we didn't get together.
After dinner, I went to play pickleball and Ken drove to Celebrate Recovery. It did get into the low 60's today but the sun was in and out, so it never felt very warm. By dinner time the sun was shining brightly, the wind had died down, and it felt a lot better.
I had a good time at pickleball and because there were only 8 of us I got to play a lot and it went well. I painted some rocks when I returned while watching America's Got Talent. Ken watched too when he got back around 9:15. Off to bed at 10.
After breakfast, I did some clean-up and my normal morning routine. I got some cards ready to send while Ken did some work on the computer. Then I had a nice conversation with Donna, the gal who lives under us at our apartment in Lititz. After lunch we took a walk around the campground. Ken did more reading while I painted some rocks. Then he had a long conversation with Kevin, the gentleman who had worked with him in Real Estate.
Ernie and Noela had left the campground this morning to spend the day with their son and family, so we didn't get together.
After dinner, I went to play pickleball and Ken drove to Celebrate Recovery. It did get into the low 60's today but the sun was in and out, so it never felt very warm. By dinner time the sun was shining brightly, the wind had died down, and it felt a lot better.
I had a good time at pickleball and because there were only 8 of us I got to play a lot and it went well. I painted some rocks when I returned while watching America's Got Talent. Ken watched too when he got back around 9:15. Off to bed at 10.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Sunday - Cold and Rainy All Day!
It started raining hard during the night and continued almost all day, never getting out of the 50's. Ken and I were at Edgewater Church by 9:15 and enjoyed some fellowship time. It was a great service as per usual and when we left around 10:45 we drove to Costco in Sarasota, stopping for drinks on the way.
The rain was heavy when we got there. We got a few items and were back to the campground around 1:45. We ate a light lunch and then spent the next 3 hours working on Ken's testimony that he plans to present at the Celebrate Recovery here in Port Charlotte. Ken had written it over the last 3 weeks and asked if I would type it for him, but he definitely needed to be beside me editing it as we went. It was a long process, but he has done such a good job of telling his life story and the journey that has led him to his recovery of no alcohol the last three years. I find it amazing! He was thrilled when we were able to print the 10 pages.
He offered to make salads for dinner while I "caught up" on our blog. I had gotten so far behind. It rained all afternoon and they are predicting it to continue throughout the night.
We did not see Ernie and Noela today, for they left around 3:30 to go to Tampa Airport to meet their son and his family who will be renting a home in Venice for a week. They are looking forward to spending time together and seeing many of the things that Ernie and Noela enjoy doing each winter here in Florida. Unfortunately it is supposed to be a cool week, but the rain should be gone by mid morning tomorrow.
Ken and I watched 60 minutes and played 2 rounds of Hand and Foot which he is leading by quite a large margin. I believe I will be able to overtake him! It seemed like the rain was finished when we went to bed. It was another great day in Florida.
Just an extra note - Cindy sent me a photo of a 6 week old Pug they bought today. They are such dog lovers and I am surprised they didn't get one sooner. Sleeping will probably be a bit difficult the next week or so, but he certainly is adorable! Turns out the dog was born on November 15, John's Birthday, and Cindy's is November 16. They thought it was an omen!!!
The rain was heavy when we got there. We got a few items and were back to the campground around 1:45. We ate a light lunch and then spent the next 3 hours working on Ken's testimony that he plans to present at the Celebrate Recovery here in Port Charlotte. Ken had written it over the last 3 weeks and asked if I would type it for him, but he definitely needed to be beside me editing it as we went. It was a long process, but he has done such a good job of telling his life story and the journey that has led him to his recovery of no alcohol the last three years. I find it amazing! He was thrilled when we were able to print the 10 pages.
He offered to make salads for dinner while I "caught up" on our blog. I had gotten so far behind. It rained all afternoon and they are predicting it to continue throughout the night.
We did not see Ernie and Noela today, for they left around 3:30 to go to Tampa Airport to meet their son and his family who will be renting a home in Venice for a week. They are looking forward to spending time together and seeing many of the things that Ernie and Noela enjoy doing each winter here in Florida. Unfortunately it is supposed to be a cool week, but the rain should be gone by mid morning tomorrow.
Ken and I watched 60 minutes and played 2 rounds of Hand and Foot which he is leading by quite a large margin. I believe I will be able to overtake him! It seemed like the rain was finished when we went to bed. It was another great day in Florida.
Just an extra note - Cindy sent me a photo of a 6 week old Pug they bought today. They are such dog lovers and I am surprised they didn't get one sooner. Sleeping will probably be a bit difficult the next week or so, but he certainly is adorable! Turns out the dog was born on November 15, John's Birthday, and Cindy's is November 16. They thought it was an omen!!!
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Saturday - Cold, Windy Day!
Ken had a rough night of coughing and feeling congested. He was awake so many times and woke with a cold. Needless to say, it was a restless night for me too! We text Ernie and Noela and told them we would not be walking!
Ken and I left at 11:30 and drove to Venice so I could walk through the Craft Show they had on Miami Avenue. Noela, Ernie, Ken, and I had attended the same show last year and I really enjoyed seeing the unique items that the crafters displayed. Ken dropped me off and had planned to do some reading, but he only found a place to park 15 minutes before I called him to come back to pick me up. Poor guy!
We drove to Sarasota to the home of Frank and Barb, full time residents of Florida, who used to go to LCBC back home. They invited us to a picnic that 25 folks attended, many of them folks we knew from PA. We also got to meet friends of theirs and Rick and Joyce who go to Bayside Church. It was a very cool, windy day, so we spent some time in the garage and then ate inside. Everyone had brought something to share so there was plenty of delicious food. Ken and I left around 6 and planned to stop at the Costco in Sarasota, but we quickly discovered that it had closed at 6.
We were back to the CG by 6:45 and I was really tired. I decided to head to bed at 7:45 to do some reading
Ken and I left at 11:30 and drove to Venice so I could walk through the Craft Show they had on Miami Avenue. Noela, Ernie, Ken, and I had attended the same show last year and I really enjoyed seeing the unique items that the crafters displayed. Ken dropped me off and had planned to do some reading, but he only found a place to park 15 minutes before I called him to come back to pick me up. Poor guy!
We drove to Sarasota to the home of Frank and Barb, full time residents of Florida, who used to go to LCBC back home. They invited us to a picnic that 25 folks attended, many of them folks we knew from PA. We also got to meet friends of theirs and Rick and Joyce who go to Bayside Church. It was a very cool, windy day, so we spent some time in the garage and then ate inside. Everyone had brought something to share so there was plenty of delicious food. Ken and I left around 6 and planned to stop at the Costco in Sarasota, but we quickly discovered that it had closed at 6.
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| What a special group of folks! We had such a good time! |
We were back to the CG by 6:45 and I was really tired. I decided to head to bed at 7:45 to do some reading
Friday, January 25, 2019
Friday - Food Pantry Morning and Busy Evening!
Ken and I do not walk on a Friday, but leave by 8:45 to serve at the Food Pantry. I had a nice chat with Cindy, my sister, on our way. They are in Brownville, TX and have not had good weather - cold, rainy and windy! They should have temperatures near 80 starting next week, at least they hope so!
The Food Pantry went well, but we still had very little produce or fruit. Ken and I decided not to go out to lunch with the group because we had to go for groceries and we would be heading to Rick and Joyce's around 4. So, we went to Wal-Mart and were back to Wilbur around 2:30. We visited for a short time with Ernie and Noela and by 4 we were on our way to Venice.
Ken and Rick drove to Bayside Church main campus near Bradenton and met several other men there, some from PA that Ken knew, and others who Rick knows through the church! Once a year they have Men's Night at the Church and this year there were about 1500 men there - imagine! They were served jambalaya for dinner, followed by praise music, a former NFL Super Bowl MBP player, Derrick Brooks, spoke, as well as Carl Lentz, a minister from Hill Song Church in Manhattan NY. It was an exciting evening for the men!
Joyce, Barb, Marilyn, and I went to Burgundy Square Restaurant in downtown Venice for dinner while our husbands were at the Church. It was the 1st time any of us had eaten there and the food was so good and our waitress, Jessica, was amazing. Only down side was how noisy it was for talking! They do have outside dining, but it was way too cool to be out there. We hope to go again with our husbands when we can enjoy the outdoor seating!
We went back to Joyce's and we taught Marilyn how to play double deck pinochle. After some practice hands, we played a game and Joyce and Marilyn won. She was a fast learner.
The men returned around 10:15 and we all left for home. What a great time all of us had! Thanks, Rick and Joyce!
The Food Pantry went well, but we still had very little produce or fruit. Ken and I decided not to go out to lunch with the group because we had to go for groceries and we would be heading to Rick and Joyce's around 4. So, we went to Wal-Mart and were back to Wilbur around 2:30. We visited for a short time with Ernie and Noela and by 4 we were on our way to Venice.
Ken and Rick drove to Bayside Church main campus near Bradenton and met several other men there, some from PA that Ken knew, and others who Rick knows through the church! Once a year they have Men's Night at the Church and this year there were about 1500 men there - imagine! They were served jambalaya for dinner, followed by praise music, a former NFL Super Bowl MBP player, Derrick Brooks, spoke, as well as Carl Lentz, a minister from Hill Song Church in Manhattan NY. It was an exciting evening for the men!
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| What a huge pot of jambalaya! Ken said it was delicious! |
Joyce, Barb, Marilyn, and I went to Burgundy Square Restaurant in downtown Venice for dinner while our husbands were at the Church. It was the 1st time any of us had eaten there and the food was so good and our waitress, Jessica, was amazing. Only down side was how noisy it was for talking! They do have outside dining, but it was way too cool to be out there. We hope to go again with our husbands when we can enjoy the outdoor seating!
We went back to Joyce's and we taught Marilyn how to play double deck pinochle. After some practice hands, we played a game and Joyce and Marilyn won. She was a fast learner.
The men returned around 10:15 and we all left for home. What a great time all of us had! Thanks, Rick and Joyce!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Thursday - Cooler Day! In the Low 60's!
We did our normal morning walk routine, had breakfast and Ken left by 8:45 to go help unload the truck at the Church's Food Pantry. I decided it was a good morning to make oat bran muffins. After getting them mixed, I had a long chat with Jamie. It was so good to talk to her and I feel for the challenges they go through with Cali and her OCD. My heart aches for their whole family as they try to deal with this ongoing issue!
Ken planned to be back by about 11:30, but the Harry Chapin Foundation had a substitute truck driver and he never got there until after noon and as a result, Ken only got back to Wilbur at 1:30.
We had made plans to get together with Rick and Joyce and because Ken was gone so long, they decided to come to us and got here around 2:30 while Ken and I were getting set-up outside, again! We had taken everything down and put it away when we had some strong winds recently.
The men chatted outside while Joyce and I played some rounds of Word Nerd. Then it was time for double deck Pinochle. We did stop around 6 and the men went to a local coal fired pizza shop to get a large cheese pizza for dinner. It was delicious. More card playing and the women won both games. We had such a good time and really enjoy spending time with Rick and Joyce.
They left around 9:15 and Ken and I went right to bed.
Ken planned to be back by about 11:30, but the Harry Chapin Foundation had a substitute truck driver and he never got there until after noon and as a result, Ken only got back to Wilbur at 1:30.
We had made plans to get together with Rick and Joyce and because Ken was gone so long, they decided to come to us and got here around 2:30 while Ken and I were getting set-up outside, again! We had taken everything down and put it away when we had some strong winds recently.
The men chatted outside while Joyce and I played some rounds of Word Nerd. Then it was time for double deck Pinochle. We did stop around 6 and the men went to a local coal fired pizza shop to get a large cheese pizza for dinner. It was delicious. More card playing and the women won both games. We had such a good time and really enjoy spending time with Rick and Joyce.
They left around 9:15 and Ken and I went right to bed.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Wednesday - Gorgeous Sunny, Warm Day!
It was warmer when we got up this morning - sunny and 53. I was able to wear my capris for our walk. We did our normal morning routine and after breakfast packed our lunches to take to Manasota Beach.
We were on our way by 10:30 and excited to have such a gorgeous day to go to the beach and spend time looking for shark's teeth. We got there at 11:15, set-up our chairs, and then started walking south on the beach, going about 2 miles "round trip"! The further down the beach you go, the better for finding those shark's teeth. We really had a good time and found lots of teeth!
We returned to our chairs after 3 hours of hunting and were ready for lunch. We noticed that Jim and Joyce, friends in our CG, were sitting near us, so we joined them and had a nice time chatting! We were back to the CG by 4:45 and showers felt so good.
I played pickleball from 6:45 to 7:45 and had a great time. There were only 8 of us so we got to play every game. When I returned, Ernie and Noela came over to play cards. It was a fun evening and we were in bed by 10.
We were on our way by 10:30 and excited to have such a gorgeous day to go to the beach and spend time looking for shark's teeth. We got there at 11:15, set-up our chairs, and then started walking south on the beach, going about 2 miles "round trip"! The further down the beach you go, the better for finding those shark's teeth. We really had a good time and found lots of teeth!
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| Not many people this far up the beach! |
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| Some of the teeth we found! |
We returned to our chairs after 3 hours of hunting and were ready for lunch. We noticed that Jim and Joyce, friends in our CG, were sitting near us, so we joined them and had a nice time chatting! We were back to the CG by 4:45 and showers felt so good.
I played pickleball from 6:45 to 7:45 and had a great time. There were only 8 of us so we got to play every game. When I returned, Ernie and Noela came over to play cards. It was a fun evening and we were in bed by 10.
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