Travels with Len and Lillian

L. M. Slosbergs Winter 2008/09 Itinerary and Journal

1. Nov. 23 Winchester, VA Wyndham Hotel.
2. Nov. 24 Knoxville, TN. ?
3. Nov. 25 Canton Lynn and Mark and Claire
4. Nov. 29 Alice and Will Beaufort, SC
5. Dec. 01-04 Port Canaveral, FL RCCL Cruise to Nassau,
6. Dec. 05 Ft. Lauderdale (La Quinta West Com.)
7. Dec. 06 Ft. Lauderdale (La Quinta Hollywood.)
8. Dec. 07-14 Celebrity Solstice Cruise
9. Dec. 14-17 Punta Gorda, FL (Slosbergs)
10. Dec 17-19 The Villages, FL
11. Dec. 20 Georgia? Or Canton
12. Dec. 21-27 Canton, (Mark and Lynn and Claire)
13. Dec 27 Central Florida?
14. Dec. 28-31 Punta Gorda (Slosbergs)
15. Jan-Mar Venice, Florida (Plantation G&CC)
16. Apr. 1 Georgia?
17. Apr. 2-3 Canton, GA (Lynn and Mark)
18. Apr. 4 VA?
19. Apr. 5 Syracuse, NY

Lillian and I left Syracuse about 9:00 o’clock with fair skies and the road was clear and dry. We arrived at Winchester, VA about 4:00 PM. We stayed at the Wyndam Historic Hotel where we had very nice accommodations. We ate at The Cork Street Tavern where the service and food was also good. Leaving Winchester about 9:00 AM we travelled with considerable rain and arrived at the Comfort Inn, Sweatwater, Tennesee. Accommodations were also good. We ate at the Gondelier Restaurant with a excellent reputation in the area. We had Antipasto and Pizza. The Antipasto was okay but the pizza was one of the best we ever had.

We left Sweatwater again about nine o’clock and got to the Georgia State line about 10:30 AM We called Lynn and agreed we would meet in Calhoun where Prime Outlets was located. Many clothing items were purchased for “the most precious one.” She is a real” doll” and she is also very inquisitive. What a delight to be with.

Thursday, Thanksgiving we played with Claire. Mark and Lynn painted some of the living room walls. Mom, Mark, and Lynn prepared dinner while I took care of the hard work by playing on the floor with Claire. After dinner we received a Skype call from uncle Larry and spoke for short while promising to call him back after Claire arose from her nap.

January 1, 2009

Arrived at condo about noon. Unpacked a few things and went to lunch. We ate at Mamma Leones and found it very good. We had our usual aarival lunch of antipasti and small pepperoni pizza. Excellent! Mike Gervaise called to ask if everything was satisfactory. Of course it is quite so.

January 2, 2009 8:00 AM

Len went golfing ( his style) and then we picked up Gene to shop at Walmart. Went back to Gene’s for supper.
We met Nancy and Miro in our parking lot.

January 3, 2009 9:00 AM

I met Barbara and Phil who also live on the first floor of our condo building.
Len went golfing ( his style). Len went swimming at 3:00 PM and then we went to a Pool party at the club pool. We met Jean and Bob from Durham North Carolina. They live in a golf community thehre and are here for the month of January. They play golf practically every day.

We went to Gene’s house at 7:00 o’clock to play “Greed.” There we met a new couple Ruth Ann and Lance Len.

January 4, 2009 8:30 AM

Did not sleep at all last night. I think the reason was that I drank two glasses of Mountain Dew. Len went golfing, then swimming had lunch and we went out shopping to Dollar Tree, Walgreens, Publix, and Home Depot. Len also went riding on Bike. Spent the Evening in condo.

January 5, 2009 7:30 AM

Len up at 7:30 AM, went to golf , swam laps at club pool, shaved and showered and returned to condo. Lillian went to have her hair cut and colored while I went to the library. We ate a late lunch at about two o’clock.

January 6, 2009 Tues. 7:30 AM

Len up at 7:30 AM, went to golf , swam laps at club pool, shaved and showered and returned to condo. We had breakfast about 10:30, lunch at 12:15, then went to pick jup Gene. The south jetty was very beautiful today where we stopped for an ice cream. Brought Gene back home went to Walmart and returned to the condo.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 7:30:AM

Len up at 7:30 AM, went to golf , swam laps at club pool, shaved and showered and returned to condo. We had breakfast about 10:30. At noon we joined Gene, Ruth Ann, Lance, Peter, and Myrtle for lunch at the Elk’s club. Lillian went to the Senior Arcade while I shopped for pants at Bell’s. By noon time the temperature rose to about 75 degrees with a little brief shower.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Len up at 7:30 AM, went to golf , swam laps at club pool, shaved and showered and returned to condo. In the afternoon we went to Sarasota to have the laptop checked. Then we returned and spent an hour at the senior arcade. With Len’s help Lillian won twelve dollars. Today warmed up to about 70 degrees. Very bright and comfortable.

Friday, January 9, 2009 8:00 AM

Len went over to the golf range which was closed for maintenance. Instead went to the pool to complete eight laps, sat in the hot spa, got cleaned up and returned to the condo. Lillian and I went shopping in the afternoon and set a memory thumb drive off to Larry. In the evening we went to the club for dinner where they featured a pianist. We enjoyed it very much. Temperature reached 75 degrees by mid day. Met two new neighbors today, Glen and the gervaise’s handyman.

Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:00 AM

Len over to Golf range and pool at 8:00 AM Met a gentleman in at the pool from Sweden. He and his wife own a condo here. His name is Gunta. Lillian and I ate lunch at Peaches over at Jacaranda and Center Rd., Shopped at Seetbay, and looked for fresh strawberries om Highway 41. They were too expensive so we went without. After seven o’clock we played “Greed” with Peter, Myrtle, Pricilla and Gene. Gene and Lillian won. We all had a present social conversation after the games. We skyped Larry and Charlene. Earlier in the evening Becky called and we talked for a few minutes. Temperture rose to 77 degrees by afternoon.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Len went golfing and swimming . Lillian and I went to Sarasota to Dillards. Gene came over to the condo to do some chess research on our computer. Since he had to get back home to cook supper Lilian and I got a pizza from Mamma Leones and brought it back to the condo. The air temperature rose to about 73 degrees today.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Len out golfing and swimming. Lillian and I went for Chinese Monday and then to the senior arcade. I won nine dollars. Temperature rose to 73 degrees. Talked to Bob Paladino on Skype for about an hour.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Len went golfing in thye morning and swam laps in the club house pool. Lillian and I ate breakfast and then she went to the grocery store for a few items. Kopple Realty agent called and I met him at 839 Wexford Blvd. I looked at a beautiful condo for sale there. Lillian came back one minute too late to see it as well. It is a property I would be interested in.During the afternoon we waited for a call from Barry and Naomi to meet for supper. After we got the call we agreed to meet at Buffalo Wild Wings. The wings were excellent and the restaurant offered “two for one special;” Temperature reached 75 degrees today.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

No golf or swimming this morning,today too cold. At twelve o’clock we went to lunch at Chilli’s (appropriate for the day) and after lunch went to Pricilla’s house to play, Greed. We returned to the condo and at 6:00 PM we went to the association cocktail party and bingo. Guess who won $7.50? No me, Lillian. We met Margiorie and and David Ross from Indianapolis and several others. The temperature rose to 65 degrees today.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

No golfing this morning however after taking Gene to the post office I went to the practice putting green for an hour. When I returned to the condo we had lunch and then headed off to the senior arcade. Lillian won a bit and I did not lose any of my own money. We goit matched play of ten dollars because we wore our hats. At 6:30 PM we went to the clubhouse where they had a seafood buffet. It was wonderful. We sat at a table with member hosts and two new member couples. Table mates were Bill and Julia, Hosts, Mary and Dennis and Beverly and Fran both couples were new home owners and club members. The weather warmed up to about 65 this afternoon but dropped again to 52 overnight.

Friday, , January 16, 2009, 8:00 AM

No golf this morning for me, too cold. However Lillian and I had lunch and went for a ride. When we came back I went to the driving range and putting green for a forty five minute practice. Gene called to say we had mail over at his house. He was also having trouble sending money to England. We suggested since he had a Merrill Lynch account that he call them on Monday. Warmed to 66 degrees totay.

Saturday January 17, 2009

No golf this AM for Len. Too cold. Went to Sarasota to pick up Lynn, Mark, and Claire. Their plane was late so we went shopping at B.J’s. Got them at about 1:30 PM and returned to the condo. Amd I played with Claire the rest of the afternoon. At 4:30 we went to view a couple condos for sale. Ownership is very tempting, more so for me than Lilian. Talked to Larry later in the evening. The temperature rose to about 69 degrees today.

Sunday, January 18, 2009 9:00 AM

Claire woke up at 5:40 AM today so she could explore the condo. The rest of us (Lil and Len) slept for a couple more hours. No Golf or swimming today. (too cold) Mom and Lynn went grocery shopping while I baby sat and Mark snoozed. We ate lunch upon their return and Mark and I went golfing, Dad’s kind. On gthe way back we caught up with Lynn and the baby and looked at a villa for sale. Very nicely appointed but really too big. We returned to the condo where Barry and Naiomi arrived and w e had cake and icreame to celebrate a birthday. Claire and dad received each a gift from Barry and Naiomi.We watched football and played dice during the afternoon. After a lovely supper prepar4e3d by mom the Slosbergs had to say good by. But Lil and I will see them on Wednesday at the Broadway Palms. Temperature today rose to almost 70 degrees.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Len and Mark went golfing today Len went swimming and Mark went back to condo. We had lunch in the condo and then went over to Gene’s and Monsignor’s to visit. Claire was very well behaved and a credit to her parents. She adjusted to the new environment and then delighted all with her with her engaging personality. We went over to Venice Beach next to Sharkey’s Restaurant where Claire put her feet in the water. She was not too pleased with the experience but tolerated it. We took pictures and then returned to the condo. Len, Lillian, and Len went to Mamma Leones for dinner and celebrated my birthday again.


Tuesday January 20, 2009 6:00 AM

No golf today, too cold. We took Mark, Claire, and Lynn to the Sarasota airport for an 8:00 AM flight back to Atlanta. Went out to the launder mat We watched the inauguration of Barak Obama for most of the rest of the day. Talked to Becky and Mike Murphy about coming to Venice in March. We are excited about their coming. The temperature high today reached 67 degrees.

Wednesday January 21, 2009 8:00 AM

No golf today, too cold. After breakfast we went to Beals to shop. They had a senior’s day sale with an extra 15% off. We made some purchases and then went over to the Senior Arcade until it was time to go to lunch at Bob Evan’s with Gene, Pricilla, and Monsignor, Returning to the condo we rested until 3:30 PM when we left to meet Barry and Naiomi in Punta Gorda. We went together to Ft. Myers to see a show, “Singin in the Rain” at the Broadway Palms Theater. I had a difficult sitting through the show because my back was really uncomfortable. Since it was a dinner shoh we enjoyed the meal part very much. The show itself was also performed well.

Thursday January 22, 2009

No golf this morning, too cold. Went to Walgreens this morning. Then we went to the Senior Arcade until noon. I had to drag Lillian away.Marcia and Kurt came over this afternoon and we went to the club for a Grand Pasta Buffet. The temperature warmed to 58 degrees this afternoon.

Friday January 23, 2009 8:00 AM

Today Lillian and I went to Walgreens to pick up a prescription, bought a Power Ball ticket, and purchased show tickets to “Red, Hot, and Blue” at the Venice Little Theater. We will attend when Joe and Kathy get here. I did practice golf and swam. I felt good afterward but tired.Temp warmed up to 68 Degrees today.

Saturday, January 24, 2009 9:00 AM

Len went to play at the golf practice range and swiam laps this morning while Lilian went to the Senior Arcade.. She picked me up at the club and we returned to th3e4 condo together. Lee and Marion Slosberg came to visit Barry and Naomi so went to dinner at Olive Garden . Was nice to see them this season and we enjoyed our selves. Temperature rose to degrees today.

Saturday, January 25, 2009 9:00 AM.

Heard from kurt today. They enjoyed their Cabbage Key Boat tour. Len golfed until noon and then returned for lunch. Len went to look at a couple condos while Lillian shopped atBealls for some new outfits. When she returned she had some nice ones and savedquite a bit of money. Temperature rose to 76 degrees today.

Monday, January 26, 2009

No golf today because we slept late and had to be at Sarasota airport by noon. Did some BJ’s shopping and then went to pick up Cathy Hawkes. We all had lunch at Steak and Shake. Then went to Venice where we visited with Gene and Monsignor for a while. We spent and hour and a half at the senior arcade, won a bit and returned to condo. Covered all the furniture in anticipation of the plumbers coming tomorrow. Temperature rose to 74 degrees today.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Plumber arrived at eight o’clock. Lilian went shopping and tio the arcade. I went golfing and Swimming. Lillian picked me up at 11:00 AM and we went to Port Charlotte intending to see a movie. We were early so we went to lunch and since I was tired we decided to return to Venice Library. At 3:00 PM we returned to the condo where the plumbers had finished. At ^:30 PM we went to the club house for as lobster dinner. It was okay but lacked the ambience of a Maine lobster feed. The temperature rose to about 79 degrees today.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:00 AM

Len went to swim laps in the small pool today but no golf. We went to lunch with Gene and Monsignor and came right back to the condo.I took a nap and Lillian did her jigsaw puzzles. The temperature rose to about 78 degrees and windy.

Thursday, January 29, 2009 7:30 AM

Len went golfing but no laps in the club pool today. Returned to, codo for breakfast and lunch later at 12:00 PM. We called Gene to plan a trip to the North Jetty this afternoon. We expected the condo cleaner at 1:00 PM whom we left to complete her work. When we arrived at the jetty we had coffee at the North Jetty Fish Camp and sat in the sun for a couple hours. The sunshine was beautiful but the camp was dumpy. When we left there we decided to take a ride through Nokomis and found ourselvers on Casey Key. What an eye opener. There must have been a couple hundred big homes there worth over several million dollars. We did not count but there must have been over fifty for sale. Some were very beautiful and others quite gaudy. Who has all that money to live there? The temperature rose to about 75 degrees today.

Friday, January 30, 2009 8:00 AM

We had plans to go shopping this morning since it was a bit to chilly to golf or swim. We went to Bell’s, where Lilian bought some nice outfits then of course we went to lunch (what else). Made purchases at Publix, Richard’s health food store, and Walgreens.

Saturday, January 31, 2009 8:00 AM

Today we went to look at a couple condos for sale. Len went golfing and Lillian to the arcade. We returned to the condo for supper (steak and potatoes) and then to Kathy Hawkes for “Greed.”Peter and Myrtle Gene and Pricilla played with us.