March 27, 2026 - Friday
Was able to do the whole walk this morning before going to sing and strum in Lakewood Ranch. It was a fun song list and a lot of folks showed up.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gg52cfZrcwoXgE2o9
March 28, 2026 - Saturday
Went to Publix at the crack of dawn! As we get closer to our departure date, the decision making conversation is:
“We have 3 more weeks!” 😳Organizing boxes to pack.
“We have 3 more weeks!” 🥲 Leaving the people/music we have come to love.
“We have 3 more weeks!” 🥴 Thinking of the drive home. Stress
“We have 3 more weeks!” 🙃 Shopping for BOGO sales on candy, snacks, etc. We can leave extra for Randy’s family.
“We have 3 more weeks!” 😁 Anticipating reuniting with family and friends.
Charlotte left for her daughter’s at The Villages yesterday, so my walk without her this morning was’t the same. The entertainment ended up being garage sales throughout the community. Stoneybrook advertises it and opens the gates for people to come in and shop. There was a lot of activity.
It seems that the big Daddy fish I have been observing might be a predator based on the activity in this little video clip. The mama’s are chasing him away. He looks like a different species.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ioKhsLdCy6kgggS58
March 29, 2026 - Sunday
Walked before winds picked up. Trying to accomplish something on the To-Do-List each day. Also, did laundry and went to on-line church. Played a little bit today. Rich made stir fry…
March 30, 2026 - Monday
Went to water aerobics - the heating pump wasn’t on so a few people turned away, but it wasn’t that bad. Signed my tax return today - yay!
Met Tim and Dee at the Elks for a farewell Florida lunch. They fly out on Wednesday returning for Massachusetts and brought us some goodies that they can’t finish. Bye bye…
We were on the front porch when our next door neighbor, John, came home from work. It was the first time we met him. Met his wife once a while back. He is a professor at Lecom Medical School for physicians and pharmacists. They are renting here now, but they have found a home of their own. The owner has put the condo on the market.
Talked with my son last night and since they have a car reserved for their arrival on 3/17, we will not need to take the Suburban to Tampa Airport for them. Phew! We keep hearing nightmare stories about the traffic, getting lost in the airport parking lot, etc. This allows us to leave earlier and get to see the kids and grandkids before they start their vacations. YAY! In looking at the calendar, we picked a week from tomorrow to head out. You know that 3 week scenario I wrote about above? It just got switched to 7 days!
March 31, 2026 - Tuesday
Rich, good traveler that he is, checked the weather and it is going to rain and storm all day Tuesday! Soooo, we can shoot for Monday or Wednesday - I say Monday. 6 days! We can do this, I know we can. Good thing we are flexible…
So after my walk, we started adjusting the To-Do list and added a few more things on. Very happy to say, we got several things done today that we kept putting off. One of those things was putting the new car cover in the Suburban. Couldn’t find the one and only key we have! Looked all over the condo - in pockets, the washing machine, drawers, etc. Rich was the last to have them, but he is so organized and would never just put them down anywhere. With the clock now ticking, we called the Chevy dealership. They were kind enough to tell us it would be cheaper to call a locksmith. So we called Doors, Locks, and Keys. They were here within an hour.
Within that hour, I went into the guest room to check out the readiness to receive guests. Lo and behold, there were the keys in a pile of bungy chords for car cover, registration, and a new cleaning cloth! Of course, it was me, myself and I who moved his neatly arranged pile into the guest room when I was neatening up for company. 🥴
This locksmith has quite the setup - the back of his van is a complete office/workbench. I don’t think he was here more than 15 minutes, including starting the car to be sure it worked. He had quoted us $195 initially, but because we only needed a new key, he charged $100. Sweet! Now we have a spare key for the Suburban, which we have been without for years. No idea what happened to it.
We took a ride over to the Rec Center to get a windshield sticker for gate access for the KIA. I took a picture of the one on the Suburban to get it updated, if necessary. Drove through the gate to confirm it is still good. It is! Phew…
April 1, 2026 - Wednesday HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY to Nora💕
Water was cold again as the pump hasn’t had time to warm up. Friday will be my last day - hope it’s warmer, although once I’m in it doesn’t bother me at all.
Jim and Cynthia are back from their trip to Pennsylvania to meet their new granddaughter, Margaux. This was our last jam session for this year with all but one player. We will stay in touch through our TeamReach app through the summer and be ready to meet in November. Hopefully, we will hear from the Activity Committee and the Board to become legit.
April 2, 2026 - Thursday
Walk, then 8:30 haircut just to shape and clean things up. No time to walk today…
Had our last meetup with the Aloha Ukulele Group - it has been so much fun and fulfillment for us. These are not only talented people, but kind and caring - always seeking opportunities to help others. They handed the VFW $600 for scholarships from last week’s raffle at the Uke Fest!
