School Begins!

Monday August 7th: Ford went to his Parkinson exercise class.

I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Tuesday 8th: We received a call from Bill, he heard from Donna that Nana Joy passed during the night/early morning. She wasn't feeling well on Saturday (the 5th), friend Phyllis took her to the hospital; after an operation to implant a pacemaker, Joy was home Monday and called her daughters (Donna Keller said she was going to call us, but didn't); then after feeling poorly again, called 911 but they did not arrive in time. We are all in shock! Joy was so healthy, just thought she had many more years with us. Today, we kept to our planned schedule waiting for news, but none forthcoming as Donna/Debbie Wise and Candy Garska decide what to do. Candy called us but just to commiserate on the sad news. We called Leaa (Leaa spoke to Mia and Nicole), Justin, Cathy/Werner, my Mom, Melissa, Terri, Carolyn to tell the news.

Donna came and cleaned house (her Mother's funeral is this Friday). We went to the Library, Dr. Do for Ford's nerve test and AA went to PT with Lisa. We enjoyed brunch at Maple Street Biscuit.

Wednesday: Made taco soup in the crock pot for dinner. Drove to King Street West, St. Augustine for lunch with Leaa, Liv and Dylan (Jesse teaching lessons). We enjoyed delicious vegan food at Buena Onda. After dropping Ford off at home, AA and I went to Walmart to pick up Ford's prescription (and walked 1500 steps inside the cool air). We called Justin to chat more about Nana Joy, no news. AA and I took two snacks to Donna Musselwhite's home, Catherine was home. They bought the house next door to Penny on Creekmont! We visited with Penny inside, caught up on news, her recently widowed sister, played with her cat, golf news, etc. 

We asked Catherine and Penny to go to Sweet Frog's "no weight Wednesday" but they declined. We picked up Ford and enjoyed lots of frozen yogurt as a treat before school begins tomorrow.

Thursday: First Day of School! (separate post with photos) AA is a JUNIOR in High School! AA enjoyed each class, Biology, English, Math (Pre-Calculus), History, Spanish, (late lunch) and Psychology. All AICE classes. Tough year! She told us her Spanish teacher made everyone stand up and speak for one minute; AA had no problem speaking that long (except saying umm alot!) as she has been doing that with her Spanish tutor over the summer.

She came home and started in on her homework and organizing her binders. I worked while Ford went to Parkinson exercise class; went grocery shopping, then Ford and I had a drink at the River House, bartender Michelle's birthday party so took a card and enjoyed the river view for about an hour. 

We had leftover taco soup plus a southwestern salad for dinner. Much texting with Kaci to learn of any details concerning a gathering of family to honor Joy.

Friday: My morning routine is back to driving AA to school, I'm home by 6:55 a.m.; have a cup of coffee and a breakfast snack; then to my laptop to work. I shopped at BJ's with Carolyn. Ford picked up AA from school and took her to her PT. AA read to me her required book "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; very mature subjects and some words worth giggling at (it was written in 1934); I snapped photos while relaxing on the couch during her reading.

AA's book list:

We received a huge peace lily plant from my Mom (and Maine family), very elegant, pretty and is in our den window. The family is slowly accepting the fact that Joy is gone.

Saturday: I worked in the early morning; AA took a shower. Ford and I attended a session on Parkinson/DBS and always learn a bit more about the disease. We have an appointment with Dr. Legacy which will give us more information on Ford's specific type of Parkinson's. 

We made a big bowl of mango salsa and took some to Kathy's condo for our happy hour (River House had a party in progress with 100 people, so we avoided the crowd). We watched LaLa Land into the evening, good movie! AA completed her Spanish assignment:

Sunday: I made a new recipe of chicken, wild rice soup with carrots and celery, in the slow cooker/crock pot. Delicious!

We took a "Sunday Drive" to the Outlet Shops to walk and shop; AA and I ended up with only 3000 steps because we did stop into several stores. We picked up Sonny's BBQ (at 1:45 p.m.) and ate at Ancient City Brewery (with a beer of course). Enjoyed our jaunt.

Chicken, Wild Rice Soup:

We walked the Black Creek Trail at 4:30 p.m. So very hot - 97 degrees; earlier it was 100 degrees.