Mail and Publix

 Not a very exciting day.  Cold and windy day.  Tonight, we will let the faucets drip since it will be in the 20's.

We left the house after lunch to get Marilyn's mail 

We then went to Publix and Terry went in and got a few things.  She said it was like a zoo as people were preparing for the cold days ahead.

Jessica and Andrew were picked up at the airport, after their Mexican trip, by Stacy and are on their way back to Wisconsin.

Some Florida people posted on Facebook a message to people from the North.  Your weather is in my backyard, come and get it.

Waiting for Freezing Cold

 After lunch, we hosted mahjongg at our house with Ethel, Diane and Joy.

Another selfie with me, Terry, Ethel, Joy and Diane.  We REMEMBERED to take a photo!

We are listening to the news and they are fixated on the weather.  We asked the landlord if he wanted to cover the water pipes and he said he did not think it was necessary.

We are going to be watching Jeopardy and then our Temple Services.

Another Cold Day

 Jeopardy was on at 9 a.m., and Marilyn watched it.

We both went onto Sally's class and Terry had trouble accessing her camera on her new laptop.  She moved to her I-Pad and was in business. 

Marilyn took a look at her settings on her new laptop and her camera was in the off position.  It was working when we put it into the on position.  We ordered camera covers from Amazon to come on Saturday.

After lunch, we went to the Hospice Resale Shop, which Diane had told us about.  They did not have too much in the way of clothing.

We next went to Marie Rose (consignment shop) and again bought nothing.

We heard the news about how cold it will be over the weekend (20's) and asked the landlord about turning off the underground sprinkler system so the driveway would not freeze.  Bernie had to come over to turn off the system as Marilyn could not get the box open.  We will run water where the faucets are on outside walls.

We watched the evening version of Jeopardy also.

Thanks to Jan Flapan for telling us about the League of Women Voter's Senate Democratic Debate, we were able to stream it.

Evidentially, there are more than the three leading Democratic candidates running, and there are also Republicans running.  The candidates who were on had similar policies  The ones we heard from were Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Juliana Stratton.

Cold Day

 It was another day with freeze warnings overnight.

It did get up to 58 degrees later in the day, while we were out.

We listened to a podcast about the Japanese Interment, with Rachael Maddow.

We then listened to Main Justice, with Mary McCord and Andrew Weissmann.

We then watched yesterday's Jeopardy, which Marilyn had recorded.

Marilyn then listened to the economist from the National Assoc. of REALTORS, Lawrence Yun.

We then, finally, left the house to run to Dollar Tree, Costco, and Publix.

After dinner, we are watching the news and then Jeopardy.

Lazy Day and Laundry

 We had a lazy day and it was COLD outside.  

I know no one feels sorry for us, but Florida is having freeze warnings, wind chill, and warming centers.

We both did laundry and the laundry room is in the garage - burr!

We caught up on the Sunday and Monday newspapers and hopefully, will be able to read Tuesday's paper before it is Wednesday.  Marilyn did the crossword for both Monday and Tuesday.

We also listened to the news - depressing!!!

At 7:30 our time, we will go onto Barry Bradford's presentation of what happened this month.

Mah Jongg and Ethel and Steve

 We both slept late - Marilyn until 7:30 and Terry until 8:30.

We went to Diane's to play mahjong, as subs, with her Monday group.  Terry, did not take one game.  Marilyn had two mahjonggs.

From left - Dale, Diane and Pat

We got home for a few minutes to rest and then went to Ethel and Steve's for a delightful dinner.

Here is our selfie.

Marilyn got a call from a neighbor in her building that a pipe had burst in the apartment next to her a few days ago, where the heat had been turned off.  The water had been off and also the heat in the building as the damage was repaired. However, Glenn, was at her house today and things were great in her unit.

Nice Day with Friend of Long Standing

 Diane and Tom picked us up at 1 p.m. to go to Melon Patch  Theater and Murder on the Orient Express! 

From there we went to Rodello's, also in Leesburg, for dinner and to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary 

We came back here for some ice cream and cookies and to play cards.

Talked with Ida and she, like so many others, is snowbound.

Reading, eating, and Costco and Publix

 Marilyn spent a  good part of the morning reading Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, for our family book club.  Terry was busy on Facebook.

We finally left the house and needed a few things at the Dollar Tree.

We also needed gas at Costco.

Also, groceries at Publix.

AT&T and George Clooney

 Terry spent the morning talking with AT&T about her bill and needing to have a copy, which WAS NOT available on their website.

After lunch, we went on Barry Bradford's program for Seaford Library (New York) about George Clooney.

After the program, we went and got Marilyn's mail at the postal station.  Terry had some Sisterhood mail in the box too.

We then went to Beall's Outlet on Highway 441 to return some things that Marilyn had purchased that she no longer needed since her trip to the Thrift Shop.  Terry bought a cute top  there.

After dinner, we went into Temple Services, after which we watched Jeopardy which Marilyn had recorded.

Joan Shore called and we talked for awhile.  It was -7 degrees in Chicago and she was going stir crazy.

Jack Smith and Recycling

 From about 10 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m., we listened to Jack Smith give testimony at a Senate Hearing.  We gave up about 2:30, though it was still going on.

We went to St. Tim's Catholic Church and recycled.  Ran into Tom there - also recycling newspapers.

From St. Tim's we went to Dollar Tree and both shopped for a few things.

Next was the Hospital Resale Shop.  We both bought some things. 

Terry is making chicken pot pie for dinner.

Why Is This Year Different?

 Marilyn listened to the Skokie Board of Trustee's Meeting that took place last night.

After lunch, we went to Beall's Outlet on Hwy 42 and Terry returned a top that she got yesterday, and Marilyn purchased a few things.

From there, we went to Russell Stover's and bought some candy.  Prices have gone up a lot.

Why are things different this year?  No fighting with the Des Plaines Post Office.  Terry's daughter, Mindy, has been getting her mail and reading what is in the mail to her and some she has forwarded to her.  We DON'T MISS the interactions with the Des Plaines Post Office.

OH So Pretty

 After lunch, we left the house as Bernie (the landlord) was coming to install a grab bar in Terry's bathroom.

Since it was too early for the beauty shop, we stopped at Beall's Outlet, in Colony, and Terry found a couple of things to buy.

We next went to the Beauty Shop, and Vanessa did her magic.

We had planned to go to Oakwood for ribs on the way home, but it was late when we left Vanessa's so we placed an order and took the ribs home.  We ate our ribs while watching Jeopardy.

After Jeopardy, we both got out our I-Pads and settled in to watch Barry Bradford and his presentation about Benjamin Franklin.

Earlier in the day, Elaine Jacobson called and told us that Seymour Zaban had passed away.  He was her former boss, and a good friend of hers, and someone whom Marilyn knew well.  May he rest in peace.

Terry and the Printer - Errands - Book Club

 Marilyn had her winter coat on when she went out for the newspaper.  There was frost on the grass and on the car across the way that was in the neighbor's driveway.  The temps were in the 30's.

The morning was spent on trying to figure out why Terry and the printer were at odds again.  Her computer reverted back to the old WIFI.  Printer was set to the new WIFI address!!!!  Thanks Marilyn for solving the mystery!

Big news - Terry can now scan on the printer!!!!

After lunch, as we were pulling out of the driveway, here's what we saw - there were two of them but one was too fast for Terry's camera:

We went to Goodwill and both did a little damage.

From there Terry shopped at Publix for a few things and Marilyn called her voice mail at her Home/Office.

Marilyn's embarrassed that she did not call her voice mail sooner - 8 messages and two important ones.

We came back to the house and Marilyn called the important messages. plus a high school friend worried because she did not get Marilyn's annual holiday letter.

Tonight, we watched Jeopardy.

Then we went into our Sisterhood Book Club and discussed The Goddess of Warsaw. Terry was in the living room on her I-Pad, and Marilyn was in her bedroom on her I-Pad.

Bears v. Rams Playoff

 It was a cold day and we stayed home.

Terry made pot roast with veggies - a wonderful cold day meal!

We both worked at our desks and caught up on paperwork.

After dinner, we are watching the Bears v. Rams game.

At half time the score is 10 to 10.  Toward the end due to a wonderful play, it was again tied 17-17.

They played overtime and the Bears lost by a field goal.

Faster Internet!!!!

 We made a run to the mailbox for Marilyn's package.

For those who follow the blog and wonder what decision Marilyn made about her basal-cell cancer, Marilyn has decided on Mohs Surgery, in Mt Dora, next month.  

Ashley and Jeremy are having a fun time and sent a photo of the whole group during their mystery night.

Around 3:30, Comcast/Xfinity came and installed a faster modem!!!!  Shirley and Bernie  (our landlords) were here also

After dinner, it took two of us to figure out how to get the new modem recognized by the printer - DON'T ASK!

Cool Day but Sunshine

 It was a cool day (30's to start) and the 50's when we went out around 3 p.m.

Marilyn had a meeting with the North Shore-Barrington Assoc. of REALTORS, Government Affairs Directors,  via Zoom - called Lobbying and Latte's.

After lunch, we went to Dollar Tree and Walmart.

We are going into our Temple's services and hopefully, afterward we can watch Jeopardy, which Marilyn thinks she has recorded.

Wind Chill and Warming Centers

No, we are not in Chicago, but in The Villages, Florida.  There is a freeze warning!

Today was chilly and windy.  We did not leave the house.

Marilyn had a 4-hour Professional Standards Training Class which she did out on the porch (lanai) with the heater turned on.  She had the outline on her laptop and the program on her I-Pad and her telephone nearby.

Terry was playing catch up, but the  Internet speed (or lack thereof) hampered her progress.

Marilyn texted the landlord and asked if they could get us any higher speed and on Saturday Xfinity/Comcast is supposed to come and install a higher -speed modem.  Stay tuned.

We hope to leave the house tomorrow in our winter coats!

Friends of Long Standing Day

 We started with a quick breakfast and ran over to River's Family Medicine for Terry to meet with Justin.  She's doing great!

We got a photo from Ashley and Jeremy from Universal!

Marilyn then had a North Shore-Barrington Assoc. of REALTORS' Past President's Meeting which went for an hour and a half.

After the meeting we ran over to Ethel and Steve's to meet their daughter, Shari.  Shari had driven in with them (so Steve would not have to drive) and she leaves tomorrow.  

We spent about an hour there and then had to go back home to prepare dinner as Diane and Tom were coming for dinner.

We played cards after dinner and Marilyn was the winner!!!!

Of course we remembered to take photos after the fact!  Our bad!

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - Fun Day and Then Kids Leave

 We had a lazy morning and then after lunch (of leftovers) we went to Sumter Landing for Terry, Ashley and Jeremy to walk along the Boardwalk, so Jeremy could get in his steps.  Marilyn stayed in the car, as she had a leg problem.

We came back to play more mahjongg!!!

The kids packed up and were ready to go and we had some dinner and more celebratory cake.  Philip, the driver, was early.  He was taking the kids to Universal Adventure Hotel and they will do Universal tomorrow.

On Thursday, they will meet up with their friends and stay in an AirBNB, in the Miami Beach Area, to celebrate Ashley's 30th Birthday.

After they left, we washed linens and towels, and Marilyn did some personal laundry.

Later, we were on our recliners with our I-Pads, to watch Barry Bradford's presentation about Carnegie.

Sightseeing and Celebration

 We finally left the house around 11 a.m.!

Before we left the house, we called Ida and got her answering machine and sang Happy Birthday to her.

Went sightseeing down in the Southern area - mostly Middleton and the school.  It's a far piece.

We went to Too Jays, in Brownwood, for lunch.

From there we went to Beall's Outlet, in Colony and Ashley got a sweater and Jeremy a pair of slacks.

We then went to the Dollar Tree, where they bought some ponchos since it will rain on their day at Universal.

We went into Costco and we bought some fruit, and they bought some fruit things for their trip.  They are going to Miami and will be in a Air BNB with 9 other people to celebrate Ashley's 30th birthday.

We came home to rest for a few minutes before leaving for a Chinese dinner at Cheng's.  Everyone had something different and it was all yummy.

We came back to the house to play mahjongg and then celebrate Ashley's Birthday, with cake and champagne.

Ashley and Jeremy are here!!!!

 After breakfast, we went to the Orlando International Airport to pick up Ashley and Jeremy!!!

Their flight was early and we waited near a TGI Friday for their call that they had their bags.

On the way home, we stopped on the Turnpike, at a rest area, to use the facilities and then drove them to the house to drop their bags.

After visiting for awhile, we drove them around the Spanish Springs Square and then to The Orange Blossom Country Club in the historic section.

After dinner, we came back to the house and they asked us to show them how to play mahjongg, they both caught on very quickly.  Fun evening.

Getting Ready, Shopping and Mail

 We are getting ready to greet Terry's grandson, Jeremy, and his wife Ashley.  We are picking them up tomorrow at the airport in Orlando.

Laundry, with more tomorrow, and then we are off to pick them up.    Yea!!!!

We stopped at the mailbox to get my mail that had been held since 12/23 and came premium forwarded.

It was quite a pile of mail, here is some of it sorted, but that pile near the plant had to be opened and saved, or tossed.

We also went to Dollar Tree and Publix for some last-minute things.

In the mail was a note that Herb Sweetow passed away.  Herb was a Township Trustee with me and his wife Bobbie (also deceased) was a dear friend.  Rest in peace Herb.

Lynnhaven Neighbors

 We had a restful morning and then after lunch we went to Colony for Marilyn to return some things at Beall's Outlet, and then looked at Anthony's but most of the stuff was not on sale, so we can wait.

Terry went into Publix and picked up some things we needed.

We got home and put the groceries away and got our cheese and crackers out to take to the Lynnhaven Neighbors.

At our table were:  Diane and Tom, Karen, Gloria, Pat, and Dick.

Johnny Petillo was the entertainer.

After his act they had a drawing and Terry won $55.75!  She had bought $5 worth of raffle tickets!

Busy Day and Dermatology

 We had our leftover pancakes for breakfast!  Yum!

Marilyn than went into a meeting of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, READ Board Meeting.  It's a monthly meeting that she attends on behalf of the school for whom she teaches.

We both went onto Sally's History and Politics Zoom meeting.  Terry in the office on her laptop and Marilyn on the lanai on her laptop.

We had a quick lunch before Sally's Zoom and immediately after we left for Mt. Dora and the dermatologist.  My dermatologist removed something from my face, which was basal cell cancer, so how to best remove it is the question.  We can do Mohs surgery or CRT (a 13 step radiation process).  Does Marilyn want to go to Mt. Dora (40-45 minutes one way) 13 times??  Or one and done Mohs SURGERY?  Stay tuned.

We both really liked the doctor who studied at Northwestern and likes Chicago, except for winter and the wind!

Blood Work

 We left the house early, for us.  Terry had an appointment for some blood work at Rivers Family Medicine.

From there, we went to breakfast at First Watch.  We had our pancakes (blueberry for Terry and Chocolate for Marilyn).  We each have leftover pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.

We went to Terry's former favorite Beall's Outlet on Highway 42.  She did not buy anything, but Marilyn did.

We then went back to the Beall's Outlet on Highway 441, where Terry had seen a sweater she liked, but had not bought yesterday - she bought it today.  Marilyn also did some damage at that store.

We had lunch and will be relaxing for the rest of the day.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

 Bernie, our landlord, was supposed to come with his "mover" about 11 a.m. to make the garage accessible to the passenger side of the car.  We decided that we wanted to be gone before that.

We started out at the resale shop for the hospital, and bought nothing.

We next went to the post office so Terry could get some stamps.

Our next stop was Dollar Tree for a few things, followed by lunch at KeKe's in the same shopping center.

Terry could not believe that we had not yet visited at Beall's Outlet, so we had to stop there.  Unfortunately, neither of us found anything to buy.

We came home, and TERRY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IN THE GARAGE.

We had dinner and then both went onto Barry Bradford's presentation of the wealthy Astor and Vanderbilt families.

Today was the 5th anniversary of January 6th and the insurrection at the Capitol.

Friends of Long Standing

We had a lazy day, until it was time to get ready to greet our dinner guests.

Bernie Lindquist and his daughter Sue.

Bernie's wife, Barbara, died this past year and had worked with Terry at Shell Oil - before the kids were born.

It was a fun evening with laughs, old stories, and photographs.

Sunday, January 4,

 Oops - forgot to write the blog!

We left the house after lunch and went to Costco (it was being built last year when we were here).  It was a Zoo.

I think this photo was from Opening Day.

We got what we needed for Monday when we are having company.

We then stopped at Dollar Tree for a few items (Terry just ran into the store).

Errands and Good Friend

 After breakfast, we ran to Chase and those nice people gave Marilyn some money.

Terry ran into CVS for some items and we then came home for a late lunch.

A little after 5 p.m., we picked up Joy to go to dinner at Bonefish.  After dinner, we came back to her new apartment at Freedom Point.  She moved from the two bedroom that she and Bob shared into a one bedroom.  It is a lovely one bedroom, which she has decorated beautifully.

Terry went back into the lobby while Joy was still there, checking us out, and took a photo, which we had forgotten to do until we left.

It's now raining, which we thought might happen while we were out with Joy.

Interesting Day

The morning started out with Marilyn yelling at the garbage men that we had garbage.  We did not put it out since we did not know the holiday schedule.  However, their machine was so noisy that they did not hear her.  So we have garbage for next week's pick up.

We also had to call The Daily Sun Newspaper, since we had not gotten yesterday's newspaper.  Seems the order taker could not spell JUAREZ (our street name) even though I spelled it for her multiple times.

We then headed to Marion Flea Market.  Terry bought some things, Marilyn did not.

We went to Marie Rose, a consignment shop, but found nothing to buy.

We discovered Mystic Ice Cream was in the same shopping center and had "lunch" there - hot fudge sundaes.  Terry was busy taking photos while I was waiting for our order.

We next went to Dollar Tree for a few things.

Came home and napped.

Had dinner and will go onto Temple Services.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 We watched the Rose Bowl Parade and felt sorry for those in the parade as it was raining.

After a quick lunch, we got dressed to go to Diane and Tom's for their annual New Year's Day Party.

Unfortunately, we did not take any photos - our bad.

Beside us, Diane and Tom, were Pat and Dick, Gloria, Karen, and two neighbor couples.

We played the annual card game, which was fun.  Neither of us won!

Everyone brought appetizers (both Karen and Terry brought shrimp in memory of Joyce).