HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2024

 We had a lazy morning and watched some of the Rose Bowl Parade.

Terry prepared the veggies that we were taking to Diane and Tom's for their party, along with some dip.

We were the first to arrive (no surprise)!

In addition to Diane and Tom, Terry, and Marilyn, were Joyce, Karen, her neighbor from England, Ann, another Karen and Doug.  Also neighbors Clayton, Dee, and her sister, Beverly.  We played the card game that changes what you play with each hand.  The winners move to another table (there were three tables).  Losers stay at the table.  Marilyn NEVER MOVED.  Terry was a WINNER.

Everyone brought appetizers and Diane and Tom had ice cream, cake in a trifle bowl, sauces, whipped cream, etc.  Also, homemade cookies!

Everything was yummy!

We got home about 7 p.m. and are reading.

Happy New Year's Eve

 Hard to believe that 2024 will be here in a couple of hours.

We went back to Target and returned two items we had bought yesterday.  Also, went to Dollar Tree and picked up the cheaper, smaller version of what we returned to Target.

Went to Belk's to get my mascara and then came home for lunch and a nap.

Spent the rest of the day reading.

Terry made us a steak dinner and broccoli.  We had planned to have mashed potatoes also, but no dish that was microwavable.  Champagne was also a no go, as we could not get it opened.  We had wine instead!

We will be relaxing tonight and then partying at Diane and Tom's tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL  May 2024 be a good year for all, HEALTHY and HAPPY.

Day Four and Five Combined

 Oops - forgot to write the blog yesterday - Friday, December 29, 2023

The landlords delivered a table to us for us to use as an office.  The desk they had in the kitchen area was moved to the lanai.

We spent the day getting food, etc. into the house.  We went to Walmart and then the Dollar Tree on Highway 466.  That Dollar Tree was pretty well picked over.

We then went to Publix.  I think Terry had it with shopping with Marilyn and suggested that Marilyn wait in the car!  Marilyn was more than happy to do that.

Terry cooked dinner and we relaxed and then attended our Temple's service on line.  Terry in the living room and Marilyn in the alcove/breakfast area that we are using as our office.  Our landlord(s) bought a used table and chairs for us to use as an office.  So nice of them.

Saturday, December 30, 2023

We had a lazy morning, setting up our offices, doing laundry, eating, etc.

We finally got dressed and Diane and Tom came over with the box that we leave in their garage.

They were on their way to the airport to pick up their friends Lolly and Frank, in Orlando.

We then went to Target and the Dollar Tree on Highway 441, which was much better stocked.

From there we went to Mom and Dad's for pizza.  We have leftovers!!!

We hope to have a quiet evening at home.

On The Road Again-Day Three

 Got to our car in the parking lot ($35 to park overnight)!  There was frost on the windows this morning too.

We got everything loaded into the car and used the defroster and we were good to go (Terry did a little scrapping too),

We had a few wrong turns, as Marilyn misread the signs, but our GPS got us back to the Bypass and then I-75.

We hit some rain in spots, but otherwise I-75 was a smooth ride until about 90 miles from our destination. Shortly after we had stopped at the Visitor Center, and had a drive-through lunch in the car ,from Wendy's since it had been raining.  Then our GPS took us on an interesting ride through the countryside, and off of I-75 due to an accident..

We stopped for gas at Love's and saw this Pet Wash.

We got to our rental and met the owners and they were very eager to see that we had everything that we needed.  Nice.

Since it was Thursday, we stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrell, and turkey.  We were underwhelmed.

We lighted an electronic candle in memory of our Dad.

On the Road - Day Two - Day from Hell

Let's start with the Springhill Suites, Elizabethtown.  We wanted to stay at a Springhill Suites as the one we stayed at in New Jersey was so outstanding.   This one not so much.  Near a train - noisy.  Bathroom light shown in the room if used at night.  Light in the "living room" too low to allow for reading, etc. etc.  

We left at 8:12 a.m. (Chicago Time) after breakfast.  ICE on the car!  Burr!!  Fortunately, the brush was in the trunk on top.  That's a first for us.

We had a slow down, but not too bad on I-65.  But I-24 was another story - 2 hours of our lives we won't get back!  We had lunch at McDonalds and stopped for gas and potty breaks a few times.

Yes, it was dark when we got to the Springhill Suites, Atlanta near the airport.  Actually, after 7 p.m.  After leaving our luggage in our room, we went to dinner next door at the Renaissance Hotel.  A violinist (not too talented) was roaming the dining room.  We shared a salad and a turkey sandwich (with mashed potatoes).

We are now watching the Kennedy Center Awards. Which we have now turned off.  Nothing to watch!

On The Road Again

 Marilyn loaded up the car with her stuff and then picked up Terry and loaded up her stuff.

We left Terry's about 8:45 a.m.

Stopped for lunch at Love's and had Arby's for lunch, and then got gasoline and were on our way again.

We stopped at a rest area and then made our way to Elizabethtown, KY, Springhill Suites.

Terry just ordered from Hong Kong Chinese and we will dine in our room.  

July 19 and July 20, 2023 - San Filippo Estate and Visiting Jessica and Andrew

 July 19, 2023

Marilyn picked up Terry and we met some of the BJBE Sisterhood gals at the San Fillippo Estate, in Barrington, for a tour of the estate.  We asked the guide how long the tour was and he said it was 3 hours (including an hour at the Carousal Building).  We decided to leave after the two hours at the Estate.  The home contains a private collection of music machines, slot machines, priceless antiques, stained glass, a world-famous organ, perfume bottles, in addition to the antique carousel (1890) that can be riden and is in a separate building..

This is all the collection of the San Filippo family (the father who has since passed away), his wife who has dementia, and their five children. We think all of the children have homes on the estate. They made their money in nuts (Fisher Nuts) and other store banded nuts.

The perfume-bottle collection takes up a four-room addition and is a collection that one of the sons initiated.  Marilyn had an allergic reaction in there!

Appleton

We left the estate and took a scenic route that the GPS sent us on to get to I-94 to be on our way to visit Jess and Andrew.

It was pretty clear sailing until we hit a little construction.  We did stop for gas and a potty break.We took I-94 into I-41 North right into Appleton.

We pulled into the Doubletree Hotel parking lot, registered and came down to meet Jess and Andrew.  Jess drove Mar's car to dinner at the Good Company Restaurant.  Everyone had something different for dinner.  Our leftovers went home with Jess and Andrew!  As did Terry's brownies that she baked for them!

We then went to their house to meet the cats, Andrew drove Mar's car.  Terry did pet the cats, but Marilyn did not as she's allergic to cats and did not have any allergy meds.

Jess took us back to our hotel and she pulled her car out so we could use her parking space.

July 20, 2023

We went down for the buffet breakfast and were presented with a bill for $32 for the buffet.  Terry had the name of the person who took the reservation, who said breakfast was included. The waitress found some breakfast coupons for us.  We left a nice tip.  

Terry has asked for a room with a shower stall.  However, when Marilyn went to take her shower she could not adjust the shower head so she could shower without getting her hair wet (as Jess was going to be doing our hair) Marilyn did not want to get her hair wet.  So she took a "sponge bath" next to the shower.  

Terry, who is taller than Marilyn, got the shower head directed down when she took her shower.  Marilyn should have had her do it for her, but who knew that she could reach it.

The room was missing the shampoo container in the shower stall, the kleenex was out, the telephone did not work, there was only one uncomfortable chair, and a desk chair.  We won't be back.  Lots of other hotels in the area.  Also, generally breakfast is not included there.

We drove over to Jess' school and she put us in an area with side-by-side chairs.  Terry got her color and then Marilyn got her color.  An instructor checks every step!  After Terry had her haircut and blow dry, it was Marilyn's turn.  We are "georgous."  We both bought some products.  Jess liked Mar's earrings (black/white from Florida) and she gifted them to Jess!

We then went to lunch at Panera (Jess did the machine to order).  Mar had some gift cards and we all had soup and Jess had a little sandwich also.  We drove Jess back to school and were on our way home!

We stopped for some potty breaks and gas, in addition to Cracker Barrel.  We got turkey dinners to go.  Terry had promised Marilyn a turkey dinner (Thursday special at Cracker Barrel) since our trip back from Florida.  Terry had a gift card.

Marilyn dropped Terry off and arrived home, unpacked and had the turkey dinner.  Enough left over for another dinner.

We forgot to take photos.  Here's a nice photo of Jess and Andrew from Jess' Facebook Page.

Here's a nice photo of Terry, Marilyn with Jess from our birthday.