Sunday, October 29th - Leaa's Pumpkin Painting Party

Sunday: 10th Annual Pumpkin painting at Leaa's (we haven't made but one other time, as it was held on the opening NFJG golf tournament). We took out hotdog machine, hotdogs and buns, plus wine, beer. Leaa made a huge pot of chili plus three pans of macaroni and cheese. A big hit with the families! 

We watched the Jaguar game and they won (beat Steelers)!

Bright sunny, warm day, perfect in the shade! Dylan (back, right):

Sun in Avery and Mila's eyes:

Pearl painting:

Monday - Saturday 10/28/23

Monday:  I left early (5:00 a.m.) to take Carolyn to the hospital, hopefully, last heart procedure (she has atrial fibrillation - AFIB; so had procedure called placing a left atrial appendage closure device). I worked in the cafe, pretty good space!

Ford took AA to and from school. Ford and Nancy went to the Parkinson exercises.

Tuesday: Ford had PT and I walked (talking to Carolyn, Terri and Mom). We picked up wine/beer for our Wednesday Happy Hour on our driveway, then to maple Street Biscuit for lunch. I picked up AA after she stayed after to be available for tutoring (NHS). Ford and I went to the River House for our happy hour, very windy and warm day. We fixed leftover pork tacos for dinner.

Wednesday: The usual, work, school then took AA to PT.

Happy Hour on our driveway with wine and beer (water too). New neighbors came, plus regulars Bill, Joe and Nancy. A man from the next street over (across the pond) stopped by with his puppy terrier, she was a handful!

Thursday: Ford went to his back doctor. Had the shot, hopefully relief for his pain.

To do list: Need to set up at time with our FIUMC Pastor. Need to set a date with Pam and Kenny; Ralph and Sandy.

Friday: Ford had PT, I cancelled my shopping trip with Carolyn at BJ's, then took (she drove) AA to her golf lesson with Stephanie. AA went to the football game while we visited Larry at Haven Hospice (thank you to Noah for driving her to and from the game!).

Saturday:  Florida/Georgia Game, we took hotdog cooker and buns to the River House. Florida lost!

Sunday, 10/22/23 AA Continues to Get her Driving Hours

 AA and I both have runny noses, a cold or worse (hopefully not!), so have been resting, laying low. I went to church and skipped out quickly afterwards. At home, we decided to take a "Sunday" drive and go to Maggie's Herb Farm, then enjoy a beer at Ancient City Brewery, and catch part of a football game. All went well, with AA driving us to and from.

We bought a cherry tomato plant, rosemary, jalapeno pepper plants and a indoor houseplant crossandra.

Monday 10/16/23 - Saturday the 21st

Monday: No school for Alyzabeth. Ford went to his Parkinson exercises.

We all went to lunch at our local deli; AA did lots of homework most of the day as we were on the road yesterday going to Okeechobee. I made chicken pesto provolone cheese panini sandwiches for dinner.

We continue to watch this season's The Voice - always good!

Tuesday: Donna cleaned house and we took Ginger to the groomers. A big breakfast/brunch at Metro Diner (I tried one pumpkin pancake - wasn't a favorite - AA ate it for breakfast the next morning) and we were off to get Ginger and then AA. We made taco soup for dinner.

My usual - eggs benedict; Ford ordered the Breakfast Burger:

River House Happy Hour included Erin; nice chatting, then Karrie joined us.

And we decided to buy tickets to the George Strait concert in May 2024 - he will be 71 years old (young compared to Mick Jaggar!)! I sorely regret not seeing Elton John when he came to Jacksonville, so will not miss this legend.

Wednesday: I went to my dentist appointment (six-month cleaning) and they found a soft spot between my upper back molars - so a drilling, cleaning and filling will happen in November! I drove Ford to his PT, picked up AA from school and took her to her PT (at JOI). I chatted with Terri and Mom while walking a little. 

I have a sore throat and head congestion, not sure what it is but feeling run down - will get to doctor's on Friday! I made corn muffins to go with our leftover taco soup.

Thursday: I worked and Ford went to his Parkinson exercises with Nancy (neighbor). We stopped at the Walmart neighborhood store then to visit with Larry. Larry admitted he was on continuous pain pills now and not feeling like eating; he is declining, just didn't think it would happen so fast. He did meet with his lawyer so he told us all was settled, and we were his contact for all administrative functions, which we are happy to do for him (Power of Attorney, HIPAA contact/release, Designated Health Care Surrogate, Living Will, etc.). We found out his favorite ice cream is cherry/vanilla so bought some to take for next visit. We picked up AA from school; prepared dinner (rotisserie chicken, fresh green beans and baked potatoes - need to eat before her Spanish tutor session at 7 pm). 

Ford and I went to the bank to deposit the two checks from Larry and then had one beverage at Talon's - beautiful day! Wish their house wine tasted better!

And Jaguars were on Thursday Night Football and WON! (with an injured quarterback, knee sprain - Trevor Lawrence).

We had a box of apples delivered from my Mom! I posted on Facebook: We went apple picking in Maine today (well, not really, just imagining). Thank you, Mom, Ann Caton Cobb for the Maine apples!! Happy Halloween back at you! 

Friday: I went to my doctor's appointment, nothing wrong with me except the sore throat - so now have an antibiotic. Then drove Ford to his PT appointment and talked to Mom while walking (and bought a McDonald's coffee!). AA went to her Spanish Club, they made friendship bracelets. 

Close up of AA's bracelet made by Siyan:

AA and I bought pumpkins at the FIUMC pumpkin patch - spent $23 on three nice pumpkins.

Found the perfect pumpkins!

No cooking for me tonight - V's Pizza to the rescue! We just found out that the owners are Trump/DeSantis supporters, so this was the last time we will go. They make donations to children's cancer (locally) but we will donate directly to the children's charities that the Bailey's recommend rather than going to V's.

I put some Fall/Halloween decoration on our dining table that we never use.... make it cute a few times during the year.

Saturday: AA volunteered again with Siyan (for National Honor Society) at the library collecting clothes.

River House Happy Hour, I took a variety of salami/ham from Fresh Market - used toothpicks with the mini mozzarella balls (and prosciutto ham with cantaloup). We were joined with Kay Lynch (widow of Jim - she used to walk her dog past our Winterbourne home). We also scored crab cakes for $5.00 each - a tip from Erin.

Separate post for Sunday, the 22nd.

Terri sent me a photo of Ginny Stone's notebook from 2008 - October - such a sweet lady to write such sweet words!

And Monday morning, I will take Carolyn to the hospital, one more surgery!

Monday 10/09/23 - 10/15/23

Monday: Ford went to his Parkinson exercises. I drove home from the St. Augustine airbnb (Mia, Madison and her college friend left right before I did). Unpacked, did laundry (Ford and AA did theirs on Sunday night). We ate leftover Smokin D's BBQ for dinner.

Tuesday: Ford had his back PT (Alyssa) at the GCS office (I walked while talking to Terri). River House Happy Hour, beautiful weather (sat inside, radio music was loud). Alyzabeth stayed home studying, still no golfing. We made a caprese salad with fresh bread croutons.

Wednesday: Routine morning, with AA's PT in afternoon.

Thursday: Rainstorm during the night, Ford went to his Parkingson's exercises while I worked. Another heavy rain band in the afternoon, we must have accumulated 4 - 5 inches of rain!

AA studied all evening. I cooked Orecchiette with Broccolini and Sausage (Girl meets Farm, Molly Yeh) for dinner very early as we went to the FIGC for the Girls Golf team "Senior Night". The golf match was rained out (separate post).

Friday the 13th: Ford went to his physical therapy in morning (GCS) and AA in the afternoon at 2:30 p.m. 

We went through Alyzabeth's birthday gifts and decided on the split for dog food, savings and spending money. She received gift cards from Amazon, Best Buy and Apple, so will keep those to shop with. She received $125 Visa cards from Cathy and Werner, will spend all on dog food rather than returning; the remaining $100 in cash will be split between savings dog food. So a total of $175 will be for dog food. Plus, we will buy dog food from our family as a donation too.

Saturday: AA volunteered with NHS at the FI library, sorting donated clothes for three hours:

River House Happy Hour: I made the brie cheese, cranberry tartlets:

Beautiful day!

Back home, enjoyed leftover happy hour treats: pepper jelly on cream cheese and brownie bites:

Sunday: Drove to Okeechobee. Refer to separate post.

Drive to Okeechobee - Sunday 10/15/23

Sunday, Alyzabeth and I accomplished so much. We retrieved the box of items Joy's daughter's left for us, a quilt rack, a magazine rack, Joy's rolling pin; then a quick drive tour of University of Central Florida and Stetson.

During our drive, Laurie messengered us about where we were going "south".
How far south are you coming?
You sent: We are on I95 south, going to Okeechobee, then turning around and driving back home. My MIL passed (8/08/23) and we are picking up some belongings at her home for the family. Laurie Clarke said: I’m so sorry to hear that
You sent: You had a wonderful trip to the west - great seeing all the pictures. Sorry it started due to the loss of Chris’ brother.
Laurie Clarke: It ended up reconnecting with family for him and for me meeting a good portion of his family for the first time.
You sent: Glad you met the family. We are sorry that we didn’t get a “Maine” family representative to the funeral.
Laurie: Just remember you are always welcome here if and when I’m town. We do have a never used queen sleeper sofa in the living room as well as a queen bed in the spare room
You sent: Thank you. Once Alyzabeth is in college, we plan to travel more.
Laurie Clarke: Just would need a few days notice to move Fishing rods out of the bedroom..lol. You sent: I am very happy that Chris reconnected. Family is Family. Laurie: Me too.

Our drive to Okeechobee - AA did a very good job driving the 4.5 hours (with gas and lunch stops).

Lunch at Wendy's:

Leaving home, Ford and Ginger stayed home (last minute decision).

Okeechobee: We met with Phyllis (met her in the past, at the mail room with Joy). Phyllis was with Joy during her last three days:

The canal and boat dock:

Walking to the bathhouse:

Our last smile in remembrance of Grandpa Morgan and Nana Joy! Loved them!

For Sale:

From Joy's home: Box of photos and I took her rolling pin.

On our drive home, we stopped to drive around the UCF campus and Stetson campus.

Stetson College: We saw the baseball field, many sorority homes and resident halls:

With no stops after leaving Deland, we arrived home at 8:30 p.m. Long trip of 12 hours!