A Day of Running Around

Tuesday, May 3, 2016
We've got less than a week till we leave Florida and loads of things to do in that time so a couple of days ago we sat down and figured out what we had to get done and assigned those activities to days with the hope we could accomplish it all in a timely fashion.  Today was designated for running around to get a variety of items.  It took us all over!

We first stopped at the clubhouse to mail a bunch of cards and thank you notes.  Then set off for AAA which took us past a Super Target where we stopped to check out several items we were looking for.  Nothing met our agenda so we continued on getting the maps and tour books we needed for our travels this summer at AAA.  While there we took advantage of Ken's smart phone to locate an Oreck vacumn cleaner store where we could pick up bags.  That took us all the way into Tampa but we finally found the place and got them.

Our gas tank was running mighty low by this time so we put in some gas thinking we'd get much cheaper gas at our next destination - COSTCO where it is usually a lot cheaper.  What a surprise when we pulled up to the pump and found it only a penny cheaper.  Oh well, at least it was full.

We found a couple of folding chairs along with a variety of other items we needed at COSTCO and loaded up the car.  Then from there headed to our favorite restaurant in the area, Sweet Tomatoes.  There we met Frank and Bette Foulke and 3 of their neighbors at American Condo: Marilyn, Bridgett, and Kay and enjoyed a late lunch with them taking advantage of the special lower pricing from 2-4:00 pm.

From there we were off to Home Depot for another item we needed and then home to unload everything putting some of the stuff in the motor home and some at the house.  Just as we were finishing that, Bette called to ask if I might like to play cards with her friends at American Condo at 6:00 pm.  It was already after 5 but I quickly gathered together some of the items I was suppose to move to the motor home according to our list and got them in place before heading out for a relaxing evening playing hand and foot with Bette, Marilyn and Kay.

After we finished I stopped at the grocery store on the way back to Hillcrest to pick up the food items I needed for the dinner we are fixing for the Cooks and Christy (our park manager) on Thursday evening.

While it was a busy day, much was accomplished while putting a whole lot of miles on the car (each place we went was at least a half hour or more drive).  But once again we could cross out all the things listed for the day and feel good that so far we are staying on target.

And the best news is we found out that both of my brothers are coming to the family memorial gathering in Ohio to remember my mother's sister, Aunt Margie, who died several months ago.  All four of our children will be there, a couple of them with spouses, our little grandson Karsten, both my brothers and Steve's daughter Whitney with her two children.  What joy to have them all gathered in one spot.  I don't think I've seen my brother Steve since Mom died back in 2004!  Sadly, my cousin Bonnie can't make it as she headed to Florida today to be with her Dad, my Uncle Bob who is in hospice and not expected to live much longer.  His death will make me then the oldest member of the next generation of the extended MacRae family.  All of my cousins and both of my brothers are younger than I.