October 8-9

Lots going on Friday and Saturday so time to catch up the blog!   I had my LAST therapy session with Lee.    Still will be doing the pulleys at  home and a few strengthening exercises, but finished with the great folks at MCO!!!   Some hugs and tears and I was outta there!   I will miss them!

Got a manicure and then Mark took me to Nadine's and Marsha, Nadine, Tamara and I were off to Cottage Grove, WI to visit our long-time friend and former Monday Night Friend, Carol.     Carol moved to WI in 1986 and we had visited her two times.   This past September 1, her husband, Lyle died of Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontal Dementia after a long 8-year battle (this is a rare form of Alzheimer's.)

We had so much fun visiting, laughing, crying and catching up with our families.

A toast to friendship -Tamara, Carol, Nadine and Marsha

Saturday was another perfect fall day - warm in the mid 80's.   We were off to the Madison Farmer's Market (rated #3 in the nation for outstanding farmers markets)!    It was just phenomenal with produce galore, bakeries with thee most beautiful pastries, beautiful flowers, and so much more - just unbelievable.    We met up with 3 more Monday Night Friends who drove up for the day, my nephew, Jason who spent part of the morning walking around with us - this is his home turf, so he shared his favorites (cheese, bakery goodies, etc.) and Carol's daughter, Julie.

Julie and Carol

Pat and Jason 

On the lawn of the Wisconsin State Capitol

Nadine, Jody, Pat, Brenda, Tamara and Marsha

Carol and Ruth

We had a great lunch outdoors at Frida's and then stopped at Candida's for chocolates (on my...)!!!!   Left downtown Madison wth all our goodies and drove to Cottage Grove with a stop at "Splurge" (we had been here the night before, but wanted to share with Brenda, Jody and Ruth who weren' with us Friday night.)  This shop is close to where Carol lives and is full of so many pretties and we loved their motto...

"Nothing you need; everything you deserve"

Sat outside and had drinks at the 1855 Saloon - fun!!!

Brenda and Pat ready to start sipping on their deeeelicious grasshoppers! 

"Round the table at 1855

Tamara, Carol, Jody, Marsha, Brenda, Pat, Nadine and Ruth

Back to Carol's where she opened our gift to her - friendship stepping stone  

Carol and new friendship stone

Brenda, Ruth and Jody left at 6:00; rest of us went to the Black Bear Inn for appetizers and then took Carol home and we were off - what a wonderful weekend with good friends!   We are all so blessed!