Property values continue to increase in our area, so I’m pleased with our home investment. It was a great location already with the beach nearby, Spring Training facility, resort amenities, and a small shopping center close by. Venice and Port Charlotte are the closest cities, with Sarasota just 45-minutes away. Wellen Park, next door, is the new up-and-coming community with a lake, golf course, dining, and shopping. They also just announced construction of a Costco and a new hospital just a mile from our new home. The possibilities are never ending, but in the process property taxes are also escalating. Fortunately, I was just able to file our Homestead exemption that will give us some protection over these increases.  

We continue to make improvements to our home including a much-anticipated outdoor kitchen. Our builder should be soon returning from Italy and get this project underway. The garage is overflowing with the building materials and appliances that make up this new addition to the lanai. It will be great to get the new kitchen operational and at the same time clear out the cluttered garage. We’re hoping to get it all done in time for the holidays – maybe a Thanksgiving turkey on the rotisserie between travel adventures. 

We ordered our Covid e-tests for clearance into Canada to jump on our cruise ship. It’s a computer monitored testing system required within three days of crossing the border as part of the Arrive Canada app. More tests will be necessary once we get to the ship, so we’re naturally nervous about the consequences of testing positive. This could absolutely disrupt our travel plans even though we’ve been vaccinated, double-boosted, and already affected by the troublesome virus. 

Tonight is the first official “Date Night” since we’ve settled back into the home routine. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 2-weeks since we returned from our 4,000-mile drive. In that time, I’ve had a birthday night in Tampa and finally saw Santana/EWF in concert. This morning’s run was #4,996 – only four days away from the 5,000 milestone. Then, it will be on to the completion of a full fourteen years as the New Year approaches. It’s one day at a time with no finish line.