Monday, October 21st

Monday 10/21/24: We slept pretty good, the alarm going off at 5:55 a.m. is not a thrill! AA was off to school, cool morning, low at 60 degrees! I stripped our bed, two loads of laundry, plus dishes. Off to a good start. Drove to Ford's Parkinson exercises.

Still worrying about Ford's cuts on his legs. He fell this past Saturday evening and scrapped his left forearm. More blood. Thankfully, he just banged his ankle, no more new wounds on his legs. He bought two new jeans so will cover up his legs while in Missouri.

Publix for groceries, made meatballs for spaghetti dinner tonight.

CCAI Heritage Tour webinar at 8:00 p.m.

And I painted my toes blue:

Tuesday: Early voting begins! Vote BLUE! 

Donna came and cleaned our home. AA was off school due to testing that Seniors are not a part of (PSAT/SAT). Drove Ford to his PT (I walked a little, chatted with Mom - she and Terri are attending Eric Redmond's graveside service in Sabbatus) and AA went to get gas, study at the library then to meet friends at Spring Park Coffee Shop - Siyan's 18th birthday!

The early voting line was very long, so hopefully will go tomorrow.

We ate lunch at Tijuana Flats, delivered a get-well card (with Publix gift card) to Steve Hayes, he's been having gastro issues (he texted his thanks). We shopped at Fresh Market - rotisserie chicken for dinner. Dinner was baked potato, roasted whole carrots and the chicken. River House Happy Hour - I made crostini with goat cheese, strawberries and balsamic drizzle. It was good, and very simple using the prepared crostini from Fresh Market. We all enjoyed watching Jeopardy, lots of good answers and laughs. AA is sometimes cuddly on the couch with Ginger, both my sweet puppies! We get our hugs in the evening!

Wednesday: We had a slow morning, Ford had a nap, I addressed some emails, made Jello gelatin, did dishes. We drove to see Larry's restored Yamaha 1972 motorcycle at Garage Zero (Ross, France Ave, Jacksonville). The bike would not start, blew a fuse, which was an original, but still need to find out why it blew. Also, Ford insisted that it had an electric start, and they said no. After several tries at telling them about the electric start, they did find it (no button on right handlebar as usual; the button is on the left lower side. So we left the bike there and will pay for the electric start circuit to be repaired/restored. They stated that their employee did eight leather treatments on the seat - we did not think it could be saved but it looks and feels amazing now!

Old/original gas tank - new one was only one available in USA! Had to be custom painted with same Yamaha paint number, looks different due to original is 52 years old; also could not find same year Yamaha gas tank logo/sign - he found one on a later model - lettering not same color. His only option was to us a sticker and said a big no to that! We don't mind.

New gas tank:

Look good, certainly not perfect or new. All chrome is original with all pits and aging, they buffed it as much as they could.

Busy place, nice people, knowledgeable, happy to talk about Larry's bike.

We ate lunch at Pinegrove Deli, always delicious - Ford ordered the Hoss burger (comes with fried onion rings on it - next time he will order the regular cheeseburger) and I had the chicken salad on sourdough bread, no soda machine so either tea of lemonade or buy bottled/canned soda. We brought half our sandwiches home.

We met up with AA after school, and we all Voted! Sunny outside and no signs to say we voted for a selfie.

Alyzabeth picked up her Senior yard sign!

I sent an email to Dr. Patrick Jones as AA said she thinks she did something to a knee ligament - so asking if she needs to see him.

Dinner was blackened salmon, Publix cole slaw and sautéed broccolini with sliced onions. AA worked on Government, Spanish and English homework. I found out that an Episcopal priest, friend of Teri Calinao was stabbed in St. Augustine by a woman on a bike. Random act of violence, downtown while he, Matt Marino was having his morning coffee! Leaa knew of it, so sad.

Thursday: We had a fitful night of sleeping, Ford slept for over three hours while I was still up watching TV (bad me!), then on and off each hour after that. After sending AA off (she braided her hair!), Ford did the dishes, took a short nap and then usual routine for getting ready to head out the door. Ford prepared for his colonoscopy on Friday. Only clear liquids, popsicles, 7Up soda and gelatin Jello. He did his Parkinson exercises and I chatted with Mom while walking. We went to the Spring Park Coffee shop for lemonade and a Capaccino before making my 11:00 am. lawyer appointment with Marie. I signed all the papers to close Larry's probate. Next to mail the heir's checks (which I did on Friday).

Our haircuts with Steve didn't happen as he had a doctor's appointment. 

Judy is here, next door at Bill's. We gave them one of our ponderosas lemons, talked about professionally cleaning our driveways, and Bill is adding grass - replacing a mulched bed.

I sat on our bed, relaxing, filled out the seven checks for LB's heirs, almost done! Ford began his preparations, drinking the solution every 15 minutes.

I sent a Facebook message asking for toys in memory of Ian, will give to his family near his birthday, 11/04/2006.

Friday: Ford's colonoscopy day! See separate post.

I made a hotel reservation for our drive to Missouri on November 7th. AA came home from school, we ate our Sonny's lunch together and she worked on a very long Government assignment.

Saturday 10/26/24: I was up by 6:00 a.m.; sent Ford back to bed, and he did nap until 8:30! AA and I had breakfast, chatted at the table, fed Ginger, went through her closet looking for clothes to donate - she volunteered for the NHS Drop off table at the FI Library until 2 p.m.

I chatted with Terri, talked about genealogy - she needs some help from Carolyn, about Robin's family (Kim's brother).

I did some meal planning for next week and went to the grocery store to buy ingredients for Katie‘s corn dip which I took to the River House today. Ford and I had tomato soup with elbow macaroni in it, an old favorite of mine. He also had some leftover fried chicken with it.  Alyzabeth and I threw a ball for Ginger on the side yard which she loves to chase after. We don’t do it very often because she is off leash and we have to be careful that nobody else is around as she will either bark at them or run up to them thinking they are her next best friend. 

We went to the RH, Kathy wasn't well so visited with Hugh, Maureen (they brought a half tray shrimp cocktail) and Karrie (she brought dried chickpeas and olives). Hugh gave us some more tools - electric corded circular skill saw, Dremel kit and a jigsaw, plus some items for the generator (Leaa and Jesse took/have). Leaa said they will take them since Justin doesn't need them.

Leaa and I were in communication to live stream Dylan's dance at about 8:45 p.m. Somehow there was a glitch and we missed it. 

Sunday: We slept in, even though went to bed late (about 1 am), did get some sleep. I got ready for church, then was driving straight to BJ's to meet Carolyn.

Church was a Halloween party for the kids, lots of costumes!

After shopping with Carolyn, she drove straight home. At home we had lunch of Five Guys burgers (I picked up take-out) and watched the Jaguars lose to the Green Bay Packers. 

I made pasta broccoli salad (boiled bowtie pasta, cooked bacon, cut red onion, red grapes and sunflower seeds with mayo-based dressing). Makes a lot so when I was walking Ginger, asked Judy and Bill if they would like some; they took a small portion as they are leaving tomorrow for Cape Canaveral/Daytona Beach for the week. 

I decided to buy pumpkins at the FIUMC patch and then stopped at Publix. 

I will make flower centerpieces with all the pumpkins and maybe give a few away.

I did the dishes, cleaning up my mess and we decided to watch the KC Chiefs game against Nevada (Minshew was the quarterback) - Talons was closing at 6 pm so went to Barley and Pie - and they could not find it even though they have the NFL package! We had a beer and watched three NFL games we were not interested in! Back home, we all enjoyed the corn dip for dinner; AA still working on her Georgetown essays. 

More football in the evening, and soon it was nighttime!