Back to School 2025

Monday: AA is back to school. Mia is staying here. Ford and I drove to his wound care appointment. The technician and Doctor M. cleaned his legs, applied a pH neutral cleaner, a honey/bees wax patch on his wounds plus compression socks. We feel better knowing his legs are not infected and it is all part of his healing. We go back for at least three more Monday appointments.

I bought lunch at Time Out Deli, Ford laid down as his right leg was aching/stinging from the treatment. Mia worked from our home.

Picked up AA from school, chatted with Terri on the drive. Drove AA to her PT appointment.

Went to Publix to buy dinner and tomorrow's dinner ingredients.

We made salmon and asparagus for dinner. 

Mailed in my request to take federal taxes out of my Social Security check - forgot to do that for 2023! We will owe!

Early night for Mia; she is very tired. Nothing exciting after Jeopardy!

Tuesday: Drove AA to school, the drove Ford to his PT appointment. I chatted with Mom as it was 38 degrees outside and I am still "nursing" my left foot. Stopped at Publix and got gas in the truck for $2.89. I made deviled eggs for Happy Hour; made orange chicken and rice for dinner. Went to our RH happy hour; Kathy was not there, having medical tests at Baptist.

Wednesday: No morning appointments! (I am still driving AA to school and PT). I made spaghetti sauce in the small crock-pot. Worked on Ford's Irish genealogy - Delia and John Delaney. I made progress finding out much information from the 1900 and 1910 censuses and John's obituary. After school, AA had her PT with Richard. We had dinner (Mia had a headache/went to bed early), watched Jeopardy.

Thursday: Federal Holiday for mourning the death of President Jimmy Carter. 

Went to Ford's Parkinson exercises. Time Out deli for lunch. A trip to Publix, bought chicken noodle soup for Mia, still has a headache.

Picked up AA from school, took her car to get the tires aired up. I made Panzanella for dinner. 

Ford is having hallucinations during the day and at night; will see doctor on Monday, 01/13/25; maybe meds can be adjusted.

Friday: Mia working here, at home. AA drove herself to school! She is still wearing the brace, needs to protect her knee for a few more weeks, then moving into a flexible knee sleeve.

Today is the day our President-Elect Trump was sentenced as a felon, no consequences, yet still a convicted felon, he denies everything including the affair and the paying of hush money - he was convicted in a court with a jury of peers. He is a disgusting person, horrible that people look up to a leader who has no good qualities.

Stayed home in the morning, Ford seeing people outside. Sent two sympathy cards to Linda and Cathy on the death of their sister Barbara Holland Brannon, age 80 on 12/25/24.

Drove to Sweet Sensations for lunch, back home as Ford was having abdomen pain; called and made an appointment with Dr. Dolven on Wednesday, 01/15/25. Ate leftover spaghetti for dinner.

Jim-Dad Read send AA a letter, of sympathy about Ginger. So sweet, we all teared up! Called him and found out that Clif-Doc's daughter Stephanie is on life support at hospital in Nashville. May need a lung transplant, all started with a cold right before Christmas!

Saturday: Moving day for Mia into her Middleburg home, I did not help as Masina and family already moved her belongings from their garage to her new home. Everything she had here at our home fit in her car, so I did not go to the new house. We ate leftover chicken outlaw salad sandwiches for lunch while AA studied at the FI library. I baked blueberry scones, which turned out barely okay looking - will use smaller biscuit cutter next time, I think the dough got warm before baking and I made them too big.

Unbaked:

We went to our River house happy hour, very cold out but Shannon had the heat on, started a fire and helped me set up the hotdog cooker. This may be the last or next to last time Hugh and Maureen will be there.

Sunday: Another cool day - going to be in the 30's for the next week, high's in the 50's. I went to church, learned about the 2025 budget and the estimated short fall. Divided by 52 weeks and 80 families, we increased our bi-weekly amount by $50 ($1300 more annually), which is over double what they were asking so hope it helps the big picture.

Carolyn is still trying to figure out what to do as her car (white, 2011 Chevy) is totaled. 

We met up with Leaa at the Barnes and Noble (San Jose Blvd); shopped for books, had a drink in the tea, coffee, lemonade) cafe. Leaa picked up Dylan from her dance practice and then took her to the movies at Regency. We ate a very late lunch at Peony Asian Bistro. It was good food, but not exceptional. Will try other Asian restaurants in the area. 

We shopped at the Jax Oriental market, bought pears and lots of different noodles plus candy for red envelopes.

Mia drove to the Villages to pick up Geo. We watched the Wildcard NFL football games. 

Weekend - End of School Break - 2025!

Saturday: (01/04/25) Put a pot roast in the slow cooker for dinner.

Ate leftover collard greens and Tuscan soup for lunch. AA was housebound, not much going on. 

RH happy hour with my uninspired crostini with fig jam, blue cheese crumbles and fresh basil leaves. Mia came directly from finishing at Dena's home; brought the rest of her clothes to our home. 

Lunch of leftovers, then beef stew for dinner.

Melissa sent us two more gifts - a black LSL pullover and the wine glass holder in the shape of a picnic table.

Made a loaf of Irish Soda Bread; gave half to Hugh. Also gave Kathy a re-gifted bottle of wine and some pepper jelly.

Sunday: January 5th - My Dad would have turned 94 today.

We all try to sleep in but usually not successful. Ford continues to get up between three and four in the morning and tries to sleep in his den chair. I am lucky if I get four hours of sleep. Mia is staying with us for another five or six nights hopefully she can move into her new Middleburg home on Saturday. I got ready and went to church first buying 25 Dunkin’ Donuts holes for hospitality. The message at church was all about   "Do you have margin?" which means do you have your priorities straight so that you have enough time in the day or hour or whatever to focus on God and family, instead of being busy all the time.  Being busy may think you are doing the right things, when in actually you need to stop doing some of the busy tasks and slow down (Martha complaining to Jesus that Mary was goofing off while she prepared the meal - here was the teacher at her home and she was not joining in; thought the busy work - which could have waited, was the important tasks). 

AA, Ford and I took down Christmas tree decorations, dead tree is out on the driveway! It was very crispy. I went thru/sorted all our 2024 statements, getting ready for taxes.

AA spent some time in her bedroom; gloominess, sadness and grief takes over sometimes, she misses her puppy (we watched an episode of Bluey to cheer her up). We look for dogs being rehomed, but nothing so far (looking for an adult, female, doodle-mix, near Florida). We all miss Ginger; she was our 4th to our family.

Sunday was "champagne Sunday" and ate cheese and crackers for dinner.

Lunch was caprese salad and leftover Tuscan soup.

Other news: NHS and an email from Bill Hiers:

Back to school tomorrow!

Almost January 2025! Happy New Year!

Monday: 12/30/24. Chatted with Terri about her Christmas celebration yesterday, Sunday. Usual family members, Gloria and Brandon's girlfriend. 

Back at home, the snow pea plants have flowers!

Went to Ford's Parkinson exercises, then lunch at Time Out Deli. I raked for about ten minutes, then had a rest (Hallmark movie playing in background, completed a Sudoku puzzle and snoozed for a few minutes). Afternoon was busy, took Ford to Doctor for a 3:40 p.m. appointment, then dropped AA off at her 4:00 PT appointment; I drove back to get Ford, then back to pick up AA. I walked for about five minutes, talking to Terri (she was reading her new garden book), waiting for AA.

Ford saw a new doctor, Dr. Jillian Keighron, she was nice, efficient, refilling antibiotic cream and ordering an antibiotic; also will get a referral for wound care.

We finished our day with going to the Wicked movie, Ford's first time. A super movie, over the top dancing and singing; have to wait for the finale in 2025.

Tuesday: New Years Eve! I drove AA to her dentist appointment; somehow the appointment we had was for someone else, so booked at new appointment for January 21st. Donna cleaned our home, we gave her Ginger's dog food (gave some already to Leaa/Dolly). Went to Walmart, Publix. 

Lunch was at Hawkers, a favorite. We don't go very often so a nice treat. Once back home, we fussed around the house; went outside, 78 degrees! Beautiful winter day. 

We went to our usual RH happy hour. Hugh told us last Thursday, that he and Maureen will move to Tampa on January 15th. Ford spoke to him briefly while putting some more tools in our truck. Visited with Karrie, Maureen, Condo friends Jeff (very raspy voice) and Vickie (from Wisconsin, have a summer home). Mia arrived and caught us up on the news of moving to the Middleburg home sooner due to Jordan's (Deena's son) inattentiveness to Gio. Mia will stay with us for about a week.

Back home, ate a pasta casserole (from Bill/Joan); it was pretty good, sausage, pasta, peppers, onion, etc. 

We goofed around with AA; then to our bedrooms, listening to the neighborhood fireworks. Happy 2025!

Wednesday: Happy New Years Day! It's 2025! I baked some bacon, then cleaned and picked over the collard greens, get them ready to cook later. I drove to Mia's St. Johns home to help her move; drove to the Middleburg home and unloaded. The house is on an acre lot, 1228 Whipstick Trail, Middleburg, 32068. Siyan picked up AA and they went to Spring Park, walked the Christmas trees, had tea, then went to Siyan's home for snacks and a Star War movie.

After arriving home, I prepared for dinner: sliced the zucchini, summer squash and onion, washed potatoes, cut up the garlic and onion for the collard greens, got all the pots in place including a saucepan for a can of black-eyed peas. Collard greens simmered for 3 hours; ate about 7:00 p.m. with a champagne toast (glasses from Nicole) and NY strip steaks on the grill (temperature in 60's). 

Mia arrived in time for dinner and spent the night; she is cleaning out the St. Johns home (Dena Stolh -114 Fremont Ave) so is staying at our home for a week. Madison is considering taking a gap year after this semester; Mia and Mike are not sure what to do, different options that mess with their finances; depending on what she does. Hopefully she stays in college, sticks out the four years.

Thursday: Took Ford to his exercises, chatted with Mom sitting in truck. I didn't walk as I cut the bottom of my left foot (hit my lower heel on the metal case Ford keeps his prescription pill bottles in). Limping! Scheduled a tetanus shot for tomorrow.

Made a new recipe, Tuscan Soup. I added some cooked bulk sausage to make it hearty, served with crusty bread, pretty good. Mia was with us for dinner. Very low-key day, AA stayed house bound. We watched two college football bowls, Sugar Bowl (postponed due to tragic terrorist plowing his car through New Orleans NYE revelers - 15 died) and then the one in JAX - Duke/Ole Miss. I did start packing E-E's Sepia Rose china as we are not using anymore since we have Charlotte's/Larry's white Fiesta dishes.

Friday: Went to Publix for my tetanus shot, picked up a few groceries.

AA and I (Ford stayed home, his right leg aches - appointment with wound care doctor on Monday) met up with Leaa and family (8) for lunch: Nicole, Avery, Mila (vegetarian), Dylan and Liv - at Grumpy's on CR210. We enjoyed our food, chatted for an hour, the outside covered patio was enclosed and had heaters, so we were comfortable. Leaa introduced us to Doechii, a singer, tiny concert. Good to meet up, should do occasionally.

Ford made his homemade pizza dough for dinner.

Mia picked up Gio and drove him to the pet sitter (near the Villages); she will stay there for the week while she works and moves into new home.

December 26th - 29th, 2024

Thursday: Our morning consisted of picking up, laundry, dishes, getting back to a normal mess! Drove Ford to his Parkinson exercises, I walked a little then chatted with Mom for 52 minutes! All good, about her day yesterday, Christmas at Andrew/Britney's home. Then off to Michael's to score some 70% off Christmas items. Back home, ate leftover breakfast casserole, fussed around the house, did Maine word search puzzles with AA (from Terri), broke down at least 20 boxes, more laundry, organized the leftover Christmas wrappings; then a quick nap from 2:30 - 3:20 p.m. (AA napped also, always wakes up laughing that she "drooled"). AA is still coughing; may have to call the doctor. Up and dressed for River House, Hugh met us (Kathy was home with both sons and granddaughter). Hugh told us of his plans to move Jan. 15th to a one-bedroom Allegro in Tampa. He has everything set up, Erin helping on the Tampa end. Karrie will buy his condo. We then went to his condo as he is giving us many tools - this time a compact, heavy-duty ladder, a worktable and a shop vacuum. We gave him some Rice Krispie treats and ran into Karrie taking him a piece of her chocolate cake. 

Carolyn texted that she was rear-ended on her drive to see Wayne (relative of Pete); Alex was with her and Kayla went and picked them up.

Dylan got her driver permit!

Back home, I heated up dinner (leftovers from yesterday). We were all in bed by 8:00p.m., AA and I both working on our laptops.
Friday: We continue to have slow mornings; Ford enjoys watching the latest British Baking Show. We picked up Ginger's ashes (which included some of her fur, a paw print and a death certificate) and gave the VCA Vet office eight McDonald's breakfast sandwiches and a dozen Dunkin Donuts. We also stopped at Suburban to air up our low air pressure in our tires, then to Publix.

Made more Rice Krispie treats, packed them up for our progressive dinner and made AA's peppermint chocolate popcorn. The doorbell rang and we received a flower arrangement from Chewy! So surprised; we did receive a very nice email from the company but never expected flowers!

AA went to her PT at 2:00 p.m. with Michael; he was kind, patient and answered our questions and he worked AA hard! She isn't quite ready for the stationary bike but getting closer.

Prepped for the chicken fajita casserole and Mexican cole-slaw. We got takeout from Tiajuana Flats for dinner. AA did excellent answering Jeopardy questions tonight including knowing the Final Jeopardy answer! We miss Ginger, we hug Harriet the horse and her stuffed puppy (blind seeing eye dog named Ginger). We had a good cry and hug after going through the items with Ginger's ashes.

Saturday: Family progressive dinner at St. Augustine. Separate post.

Sunday: I attended Church, was a communion server. Very few people in church as many staff were sick, P. Faith is on vacation, so a layleader brought the sermon. We ate leftovers for lunch (from luncheon yesterday); I did two loads of laundry, watched the finale of the British Baking Show; then watched the Jaguars win, ending the season with a 4-12 record. I was going to rake the side yard, but within minutes of blowing off the deck, a rain storm blew in so cleaned out one kitchen (baking shelves) cupboard. AA worked on some Government notes, we didn't cook a dinner, so AA ate more leftovers, Ford grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, and I ate an apple and some peppermint white chocolate popcorn (with AA).

Christmas gifts from yesterday:

We facetimed/Messenger with Melissa while she was at Terri's home - held their Christmas celebration today (Sunday).

We cleared the dining room table, started (should say restarted) the Yellowstone puzzle.

Early to bed, watched Creatures Great and Small reruns.