Tuesday - Wonderful Day!

Ken was up early and woke me at 6:30.  Ken did his usual morning routine and then he left at 7:15 to walk with Ernie.  Noela joined them around 7:45.  I didn't walk because I wanted to leave to play pickleball at North Port at 9.  So, I got ready and then started my dessert for later today and got breakfast started for Ken and me.  He was back by 8:30, we ate, and I left at 8:45 for pickleball.

It was a beautiful warm, sunny morning with temperatures in the upper 60's when Ken walked.  I played pickleball for one hour before Gail and Carolyn came, they are the ladies from church who are learning to play.  So, I played for another hour and had a great time!

From there I ran several errands including Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, car wash, and then Michael's returning to the CG around 1:30.  Ken had a very busy morning while I was gone.  He had done an unbelievable job of cleaning up both inside and out.  The place looked great!  He also had a special 2 hour phone call with our daughter, Jamie!

He read and rested when I returned so I ate lunch outside and did my devotions.  I made salads for dinner and got potato packets ready for the grill.

Rick and Joyce were here by 3:15 and the 4 of us sat outside chatting.  We invited Ernie and Noela to come and join us and the 6 of us had a wonderful time together. By then it was in the mid 80's!

Around 4:45, Rick, Joyce, Ken and I headed to the shuffleboard courts for one of those men vs. women games.  It was a fantastic day for the women for we won both games.  Then it was back to Wilbur to make dinner.  Ken grilled salmon, pork, chicken, and regular and sweet potatoes.  We also had baked beans and salad and ate at the picnic table.  It was a gorgeous evening!

Joyce washed dishes while I dried and put things away.  Then the pinochle game began and the men won big time but the Skip-Bo game went to the women!  What a fun evening!

They left around 9:30 and we got ready for bed.  I decided to stay up to watch New Amsterdam even though I was tired.  I just really enjoy that show.

Monday - Another Hot, Sunny Day!

It was in the upper 60's early this morning and it got into the mid 80's with plenty of sunshine!  Ken was up early and woke me a 6:30 so we could do our usual morning walk.  For some reason I felt extremely tired and decided I just wasn't ready to greet the day.  Ken left at 7:15 and I was back in bed before 7, sleeping till 8:15.  I guess all that time in the sunshine yesterday made me tired!

Ken was back by 8:30 and I had gone over to Joyce's and put in a load of wash.  Ken went to the laundromat and put in another load plus one of rugs.  After breakfast, it was time to hang out all of the finished wash and that required using our drying umbrella and Joyce's.  Somehow the morning "flew by" and by 11:00 we were on our way to meet Ray and Barb at Farlow's on the Water for lunch.

We had met Ray and Barb about 7 years ago at Royal Coachman RV Resort in Venice/Nokomis when we were camping beside each other.  Since then, they bought a 5th wheel and placed it on an annual site in that CG.  When we are here for the winter we meet for a meal at least one time during the season and we also visited them in Maine this past fall when we were in the New England States.  We always have such a good time when we get together and there is lots of laughter!

Farlow''s is definitely one of our favorite places to eat when
we are here for the Winter!

Ray and Barb are such delightful people to spend time with!

Another stop at Wal-Mart on our way back to the CG arriving at Wilbur around 2.  We brought in all the wash and put it in its proper place.  Ken rested while I did some reading, downloaded photos, and worked on this blog.  He had a long phone conversation with his sister, who is doing a lot better following her knee replacement several weeks ago.

After getting some cards ready to send, Ken and I ate dinner (my leftovers from lunch) and then I rode bike to the pickleball courts.  No one showed up at our normal time, but as I was riding back to our campsite, 2 more players were heading there.  So, the 3 of us started a game and then a 4th player appeared and we had 5 very close games.  What a fun time!

Chatted with Ernie and Noela on my way back.  I showered and watched The Voice before Ken returned from Celebrate Recovery around 9:15.  What a good day!

Sunday - Gorgeous Hot, Sunny Day!

Ken was up early and left a message for Ernie that he would like to walk with him (usually Ken doesn't walk on a Sunday) and because of the change of time and the darkness, they both left at 7:15.  I got ready for church and by 9:00 we were on our way to Edgewater Church where Eddie and Lori joined us.

After the service, the 4 of us went to Denny's for our usual Sunday morning breakfast.  We were back to Wilbur with just enough time to change clothes, pack our beach bag and drive to Harry and Carolyn's home (they were with us on the mission trip to Louisiana) to take us boating for the afternoon.  We appreciated seeing their beautiful home (they are permanent residents of Florida) with a boat lift behind their home sitting on a gorgeous canal. 

We were on the water for about 3 hours and it was a perfect day.  They took us all around the area to see some of the huge "mansions" with amazing yacht type boats sitting in the water behind these unbelievable residences.  We also had the opportunity to see some dolphins.  We were so grateful for the wonderful afternoon with some special folks that we just got to know this winter!

Heading out to the open water!

Port Charlotte Park!

Has a small beach area, playground and a boat launch!

Trying to keep their sailboat upright!

Just pretty to look at!

This bridge is near our CG and goes across the Myakka River!

The fishing pier!

Lots of hopeful fishermen!

Thank you Carolyn and Harry for a great afternoon on
the water!

So happy to see a few dolphins!

Here are some of those large homes with amazing settings that we passed -

This one is vacant and maybe perfect for you!!!

Not a shabby boat!

Why not have 2 boats???

Ken and I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way back to the CG getting to Wilbur around 5:15, tired but happy!  We made salads and warmed up some leftover fish and pork for dinner.  Ernie and Noela came over at 7:30 and we played 3 rounds of Hand and Foot with the men having a lead, but not one that us ladies can't overcome!

They left at 9:15 and we did some reading before calling it a day!

Saturday - Gorgeous Warm, Sunny Day!

Ken and I were up early and by 7:45 we were on our way to Edgewater Church to help with the District Conference that was being held there today!  We helped set-up for the continental breakfast and then were the folks we greeted the guests as they arrived.  

Ken and I with Kaylea who was in
charge of the hospitality for the
conference at Edgewater.

After the conference began, Ken helped set-up tables and chairs in the tent on the parking lot for the luncheon.  I assisted in preparing the tables for the morning snacks between sessions and then went with Susan to Publix to pick-up chicken, tossed salad, and wraps for lunch.  Ken and I also did a lot of dishes.  When we were all ready to serve lunch, Ken and I departed and were back to Wilbur around 12:15.  We didn't eat lunch there because of joining members from our church back home for dinner at 2:00.

We arrived at the marina at 2 and met 6 other couples and boarded the water taxi for the ride over to Plum Island, a repeat of what we had done on Thursday with Ernie, Noela, Jim, and Joyce.

The 14 of us filled the water taxi!

Quite a nice ride!

Walking to the restaurant after getting off the water taxi!

Again, it was a great time of fellowship and good food at Rum Bay Restaurant on Plum Island!.  

The women sat at one table......

.....and the men had their own table too!

What a group and we all met through LCBC back home!

Back on the water taxi for the return to our cars where we enjoyed more chatting in the parking lot.  It was a wonderful time with special friends.

Time for the return trip!

Eddie and Lori will be celebrating their 35th wedding
anniversary tomorrow!  Congrats!!!!

This pig is relaxing on a yacht in the marina.

We were back to the CG around 5:45 and I worked on this blog while Ken did some "catching up" on Facebook and his e-mails.  We watched the Evening News and I made a cardholder.  Ken had a long conversation with Lanie and her 1st week at her job went so well.  Ken and I watched a documentary on Loretta Lynn and we found it very interesting.  She is one remarkable lady!

We were in bed by 10:15 with the change of time.

Friday - Food Pantry Morning!

No walking this morning because Ken had a 45 minute Facebook chat with his mentor back home and we had to be at the church by 9.  It was in the 50's this morning with plenty of sunshine and they are predicting temperatures in the 80's for the next 10 days - Yeah!

It was a busy morning at the Food Pantry with about 70 people coming for food and fortunately we had a surplus of fruit, especially strawberries, oranges, and bananas.  5 lb. bags of potatoes were also readily available.  We decided not to join the group for lunch today because we have so many meals that we will be eating out the next 5 days.  Also, we were both rather tired and ready to have a relaxing remainder of the day.

We were back to the CG by 1:30, ate lunch and then I worked on this blog while Ken read and rested.  Ken made salads while I downloaded photos and then Ken and I went to the CG pool and also enjoyed sitting in the hot tub.  We did some reading and then played a game of shuffleboard that went on and on and on.  We had to quit to come back to make dinner, but I must admit that Ken had a comfortable lead.

We showered and Ken made salmon, a pork chop, and potatoes on the grill.  We did some organizing of Wilbur and Noela and Ernie came at 7:30 for an evening of card playing. We played 1 game of Skip-Bo and I was reminded quickly that I really don't like that game because the women never win!  Actually I do like the game but would be more eager to play it if we could win every once in awhile!  Ken and Ernie beat us handily!  We enjoyed some ice cream before they left at  9:15.  I finished this blog and then it was off to bed to read with lights out by 10:15.

Thursday - A Beautiful Day after a Cold Morning!

It was only in the 40's when we left for our normal morning walk routine - numerous layers needed, but felt much warmer on our way back to our campsites!

Ken left at 8:45 to help set-up at the Food Pantry and I spent the morning cleaning and scouring Wilbur, not my favorite chore but a necessary one!  We had a couple "snackies" for lunch and Ken read and rested while I put the finishing touches on my rocks - now they just need to be spray varnished!  

At 1:45, Jim, Joyce, Ernie, Noela, Ken and I all boarded Ernie's truck and we drove to the marina near Plum Island to take the 20 minutes water taxi ride to Rum Island Restaurant on Plum Island.  It is a nice, short boat ride and the trip out and back is only $6.00/per person, quite a bargain. 

From 2:30 to 5:30 daily the restaurant offers 2 meals for $22.00 with about 10 entree choices plus salad, homemade bread, and a veggie and all of the meals are very good.  Ernie, Noela, Ken and I wanted to treat Jim and Joyce for allowing us to use their washer this winter. 

Getting off the boat and heading to the restaurant!

We were able to eat outside on the deck, a perfect night for
doing that!

The Happy Campers!

Smiling faces after having a delicious meal... 

....and heading back to the water taxi!

Ernie and Noela!

Jim and Joyce!

We were back to the CG around 5:30 and all of us got together at Ernie and Noela's for 6 handed Hand and Foot, which of course was men against women.  The men had a sizable lead after the 1st round, but the ladies slowly narrowed the gap.  At the end of the 3 round it was very close, so we decided to take a break and enjoy Publix's Key Lime Pie which Ken and I had bought for dessert - so delicious.  The last round was won easily by the women and we didn't need to count the points.  What a fun afternoon and evening!

We were back to Wilbur around 9 and Ken got a phone call from one of his CR buddies back home.  I went to bed to read and by 10 it was time to call it a day!

Wednesday - Cool and Windy!

I had planned to play pickleball at North Port this morning, but it was windy and only around 46 degrees, so I decided I should do our normal morning walk instead.  By 8:30 the 4 of us were back to our campsites, windblown, but warm because of all our "layers of clothes"!  We are not used to temperatures this cold - sorry for you folks up north in the cold and snow!!!

After breakfast, Ken went to get the car washed and pick up a Key Lime Pie at Publix, the best around, for treating Ernie, Noela, Jim, and Joyce tomorrow night.  I downloaded photos and spent time "catching up" on this blog.  Somehow I had gotten several days behind!

We had planned to go on a hike with Ernie and Noela about 45 minutes from the CG where you see limpkins, other birds, and lots of apple shells.  After some discussion, Ken and I decided it was a good day to enjoy being at the CG so we walked over to Ernie and Noela's and left them know that we wouldn't be joining them.  Ken spent a lot of time writing a long letter to one of his "brothers" and I decided to do some rock painting.  I also called Chuck and Melissa to let them know the exact dates we will be near The Villages in a CG, for we had previously talked and they had asked us to to stop by.  So we will spend 4 nights at 3 Flags Campground and hopefully spending lots of that time with them.  We have missed them and look forward to a wonderful 4 days!

After an early dinner, Ken left at 4 to go to Rick and Joyce's to attend a worship service with them at Bayside Church.  I did more rock painting and then went to play pickleball from 6:45 to 7:30.  There were only 3 of us so we all got a "good workout"!

Back to Wilbur to shower and watch some TV while making a cardholder.  Ken returned at 9:30 and by 10 we were in bed.  It was a rather relaxing day.