Thursday - April 30

Chilly, windy and only 57 today!     We are feeling real good about this house stuff - probably 95% finished and what's left needs to go either in storage or Goodwill!    Cleaned out the basement, saw our dining room set being hauled away and remembering all the holiday and birthday dinners.   I   had a nice leisurely lunch and visit with Donna Rae at the Sandwich Shop at Westmister Village - sooo good to catch up with her.  

 

Steve, our estate man came and started taking things and will be back tomorrow.

 

Mark came cross a 1989 Blue Angel poster today with the last of basement clearing out - not sure where that came from as Ryan would've been only 4 years old.   Must have been an omen?

 

Next up is to get Daisy organized and sorting thru clothes - either stay on Daisy or go to Catrina.   Will be nice to have them both places and not have to move back 'n forth over the summer.

 

Back home for a short bit and then I got a manicure/pedicure (what a treat)!     Mark picked the boys up from school.   Patrick is working tonight and Anne is being installed as Co-president of the HolyTrinity School Club.   Did facetime with Michael, Blair and Brady.   Of course, Blair got very excited when she saw "Bah Bah"

 

We had Monical's Pizza delivered to Daisy!      

 Anne picked the boys up at 7 and we hunkered down in Daisy on this chilly night!

 

Can't believe tomorrow is May Day!!!   Enjoy....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday - April 29

Another spectacular spring day....wow!   Love all the beauty of the budding trees, flowering bushes, flowers, sunshine, etc.    We were up and going early delivering Daisy at 7 AM for some maintenance work.    Then home to dig in - happy to report that the upstairs is totally empty; most of middle level is accounted for as to where it's going and then there's the basement?  

Not too bad, but definitely needs time down there.

 

I had lunch with Exchange Club, picked the boys up from school at 3:15 and then they went with Grandpa to pick up Daisy.   Nadine stopped in to see our house one last time

(she used to live on Jackson Street, 1 block away).   

 

One of the gals who came last night was back this afternoon and bought a bunch more!    Amazing how things are flyin' outta here!

 

Makes my day when we get pictures of the grandchildren.   Luke and Mommy are visiting his other grandparents this week in northern IL and here he is playing with a new toy!

 

See you Sunday, Sweetie!

 

Connor and Liam

 

Anne picked the boys up at 6:10 and then Mark and I met Roger and Barb at the Ozark House for delicious dinner and lots of chatter......

 

 

Tuesday - April 28

BIG day for the moving folks to come....Mark was up at 4:15 (why???) and 6:00 for me.   3 strong guys arrived at 7 and the work began.   I stayed in Daisy for most of the time catching up on e-mails and watching as piece after piece got loaded up.   Anne came with Starbucks - what a dear!    She and I had a quick emotional moment and then good to go.....I've been really good about all this.   But, when you see all your long-time pieces of this and that being carried out of your house after ALL these years, well, it got to me!

The moving van

 

Mark's sister Nancy and Mark came with their truck to get a queen size bed, mattress and box springs.   All the stuff for estate guy is in garages and what we're keeping is in storage.

 

Met Anne and Patrick at BraiZe for delicious lunch and then back at it.    Anne is off today

and Patrick worked later.

 

Pat and Brenda stopped in and bought some tables.    And then Marsha came and 4 more ladies and

2 friends of Marty's and on and on - a busy, fun and profitable day!

 

 

 

 

.   

Monday - April 27

Our day started very early, rising at 2:50 and leaving at 3:30 for the Charlotte airport - THANK YOU, Michael or getting us there and then good flight to O'Hare    Arrived at 6:10 and what a hustling, bustling place as always!   39 degrees (burrrr and sunshine)

 

We took a bus to Midway where our car was and finally on our way stopping in Bolingbrook for breakfast and home at 11:15.   Changed clothes and hard at it all day - so much to clear out and be ready for movers who are coming at 7 AM tomorrow to move the furniture
(either storage or garage for estate man).   

While we were gone, the electrician came to do a few things (per the inspection) and
radon mitigation was installed.

 

A friend sent this neat video and what a nice start to the day (yup, I watched it at 3:15 AM).   Be sure to watch all the way to the end....

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/daqwGRdRIsk?feature=player_detailpage

We have a new grocery store in town - HyVee which has a Starbucks, full restaurant and then a top-notch grocery/gifts/café, etc.   Wow....we had dinner there and then shopped - impressed!   My Mom always enjoyed shopping at the HyVee near them.....nice addition to our town.

Oh so tired tonight - so bye bye for now...



 

 

 

 

 

Friday - Sunday, April 24-26

Friday - Spectacular day in NC.....the boys were off to school, Blair and Grandma played, Grandpa and Michael ran some errands and Brooke finished the packing.    They left for Charlotte around 10:15 and then flight to Phoenix.    Blair took a 2-hour morning nap and after lunch, we 3 went for a walk.    She is such a busy, chatty little girl.   Always, always on the go!    She just babbles on and on, but also can clearly say several words, including her ABC's.  She loves her Bah Bah (Grandpa) and constantly calling out for him!

What a bundle of non-stop energy.    She just never stops and so many of my pics are blurry, cause she is constantly on the move!
 

Grandpa picked Davis and Brady up from school; Blair took an afternoon nap.   Bob and Judy came around 5 and then all the guys went to do some practice golfing (even Grandpa - the non-golfer).
  He was impressed with the D's golf skills.

Did carry out from Jason's Deli and then played 5-handed euchre (Bob, Judy, Drew, Mark and me) with Judy, Drew and Mark, the winners!

 Saturday - rainy, leisurely morning, played Blitz with Brady, Blair took a 2-hour nap and then Grandpa took Davis and Brady to Moo Moo golf (indoors) and also has great ice cream.

Grandpa and Brady went to 5:00 Mass and then supper, baths/showers and Grandpa and I collapsed!    Ha....

Blair, Grandpa and Brady on their I-pads 

She crawled into her basket of books and started reading as Ted looks on

Watching a video whileGrandpa rests

Brady and Grandpa spiffed up for church

Here she is....trying to stand up in her shopping cart with that look of "I can do this"!!!

Sunday...HAPPY 12th ANNIVERSARY, ANNE and PATRICK

Wishing these two many more happy healthy years together and thanks so much for
our two handsome grandsons, Liam and Connor!   We are all so blessed!

Cool and dreary start to the day - Drew, Davis and I went to 9:00 Mass at St. Joseph's and then stopped at Bojangles for some warm, blueberry biscuits for everyone - yummy!

Drew and Davis played golf in the afternoon and Grandpa and Brady went bowling.   We did facetime with the anniversary couple and boys!

My face and shirt say it all..."Little Miss Trouble"!!!

The boys and their video games

The "twins" and Blair who did not get the memo!   Ha...

Michael and his boys were sooo excited to pose for this pic - NOT!

Michael and Brooke got home at 6:15 - we grilled out brats and burgers, heard all about the wedding, said our good byes to Blair, boys and Brooke.   Michael is taking us to the Charlotte airport at 3:30 AM for our 5:30 flight....

GREAT weekend with the kids and we'll be back in 4 weeks so makes saying good-bye not quiet as hard!    Nighty night!!!











 

 

 

Thursday - April 23

We left home at 7 AM and off to Chicago for our flight to Greenville-Spartanburg, SC.    Arrived at the kids around 5.    Springtime in NC is sooo pretty and today was no exception!    Great to see the kids (big, medium and small) and sweet Blair.    Delicious dinner of my Mom's homemade tortellini (Annette and Brooke have really perfected this), salad and garlic bread.

 

Brooke's Dad came with Davis - he is assistant coach for Davis's golf team. 

 

Sweet patriotic girl

Luke - Major Hunk

 

 

 

Wednesday - April 22

Another chilly, windy day......what happened to spring???     After getting 2 estimates yesterday from estate guys, we made the BIG decision to NOT have a sale. and are going with the highest offer (obviously)!     What a huge relief...whew wee, big load off our shoulders and that black cloud overhead has gone away and it's all sunny again!

 

So, we plugged away all day packing up more things, Mark made another trip to storage and dissembled the guest room beds.   We will be ready at 7 AM Tuesday when movers come to either put furniture in garage (for estate guy) or storage.   

 

I had lunch with Exchange Club and then Claire stopped by in the afternoon and bought some Christmas décor and other  miscellaneous.   Makes me happy that family and friends are taking some of our treasures and going to good homes!

 

Anne and Liam stopped in after school and Liam's ortho appointment - tah dah....braces off today!!!

Nice smile Sweetie - looking good!

 

So.....tomorrow we are off to Midway in Chicago for flight to NC and babysitting thru the weekend for Blair and brothers while Michael and Brooke go to a wedding in Scottsdale!

 

It will be so nice to have a break from our stuff which just seems to keep accumulating!   I had last weekend off going to Texas, but this will especially be good for Mark who has been the Energizer Bunny who seldom stops!

 

 Our last night to sleep in our house......we'll be hangin' out on Daisy or Catrina from here on out!

 

Love the Blue Angel Tribute page on facebook....here's #5 and 6 (we "think" Ryan is on the left?)

This very "up close and personal" shot was taken in Beaufort.

Tuesday - April 21

Busy productive day.....we hauled out more stuff to garage and had 2 estate men stop by for estimates on taking our stuff (and then we wouldn't have a big estate/moving sale).   Sounds very promising and we shall make that decision tomorrow.   Mark's sister Nancy and Mark came to get kitchen table and chairs for their daughter.  Also, plumber came to do some minor work (per the inspection).     My brother Bob and Linda, cousin Dick and Mary came and did some good shopping and we loaded them up.   Anne stopped by after work and loaded up her car, too. 

We had dinner at Biaggi's!     

Bob, Linda, Mary, Dick

 

It was a cold, windy, sunny day!    Burrrr.....

 

 

Friday-Monday, April 17-20

Claire and I left for Chicago at 7:00 AM Friday morning.    Good trip to Midway airport and then flight to Dallas (Love Field).  

 

Claire and I waiting for our flight

 

  Kathy and Paul met us – sooo good to see them and their beautiful new home in McKinney.    It was a whirlwind weekend of visiting, wine tasting, eating and seeing all the sites of Dallas (George W Bush Institute; the JFK memorials at Dealey Plaza, Texas Book Depository Museum, etc. ) We browsed around Legacy in Plano– great area of shops and mainly restaurants.   

 

Outside the George W Bush Institute (presidential library)

Clare, Pat, Paul, Kathy

The girls with father and son presidents

Pat sitting in the oval office 

I had not been to Dallas since 1975 and Claire had never been, so…..wow, it is exploding with sooo much building and new businesses, homes and shopping areas everywhere!    

Mass and brunch on Sunday; Kathy and Paul’s daughter and family stopped by and then Kathy, Claire and I shopped in the afternoon in downtown McKinney – charming downtown.   Kathy prepared a delicious dinner with Chef Paul grilling excellent steaks.

Kathy prepared another yummy breakfast before we left for the airport and said our goodbyes.    This was just such a special time for we 3 friends to hang out and see Kathy and her new home.   Claire and I arrived back in Chicago at 2:20 and then the drive home.    COLD and windy day - not a nice warm welcome back to IL that's for sure! 

Ahhh….but it feels good to be back in the thick of all our stuff and mess!    HA!    Mark and I went to Panera for supper and he went to the Mid Illini AP class to deliver 2 big boxes of boating books and other memorabilia.

Mark visited his Mom while I was gone, cleared out the back garage and got more stuff sorted thru!

Tomorrow I will be back in the thick of it all.....

Thursday - April 16

The day started off foggy and misty rain, but the sun came out and it climbed to 70!

 

We were hard at it again.....for all we've accomplished (a lot), we still have sooo much to do.    But after 3 intense days, I need a break and tomorrow, Claire and I are flying to Dallas to visit Kathy.    We planned this trip last fall, so.....as guilty as I feel leaving with so much to do and house a big mess, I really am looking forward to a fun girls weekend!    When I return Monday, it will all be here....

 

Mark has his areas to work on especially the back garage, so we can put stuff out there (our sale on May 1st-2nd will definitely be using both garages again).   He also wants to give Daisy a good scrubbing and will be visiting his Mom.

 

I picked the boys up from school and put them to work for an hour (and gave them treats) before Grandpa took them to baseball practice from 4:30-6.    Anne had a meeting after work and Patrick was working.   We picked them up at 6 and had supper at Culver's - yummy!    Anne came at 7:45 to pick them up and I'm about ready for bed.

 

The boys taking pictures out of frames and then a pile of frames for sale! 

 

 Luke celebrated his birthday today (belatedly cause he was sick)....

 

First playground fun...

 

And then let's have some cake

Looks like a yummy #2 cake  

 Hmmm, finger-lickin' good 

 

Big day tomorrow......will probably not be blogging till I return from Dallas!

Bye bye for now...

Wednesday - April 15

Day #2 went very well here on Jackson Street......lots of stuff for garbage day, and then all the piles for storage or sale and got the garage set up hanging pictures, flower arrangements, etc.

 

I took a break and had lunch with Exchange Club - always good to see these folks again and been since mid December.  

 

My friend Brenda is home and her diagnosis at this point is

"Transient Global Amnesia"  which can happen once in a person's lifetime.   Never heard of it!

 

Annette took this pic at the Melbourne air show... 

 

Luke is high fivin' Captain Katie Higgins, the first female pilot with the Blue Angels!    

What a thrill that will be for him someday - he can say "I knew her when...."

 

Katie has been in the news a lot recently with this great achievement and honor!

 

It's so nice having Daisy parked right outside the door - she will be our home once the beds are disassembled, kitchen emptied, etc.

 

And back to Luke....he's in a play group with boys and girls his age and their Mommies.    They do so many neat things - educational, fun, play, etc., etc.   Today's activity....

 

Petting rats - Grandma is not sure about this one?

 

I helped serve dinner with Exchange Club at Safe Harbor (Salvation Army).    We had pizza, salad, green beans, cake and ice cream.   For many of these folks, their only meal of the day.

Always a humbling experience!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - April 14

Mark and I were both awake at 3:15, so........decided why not get up and get started!    Been a very productive day and house is a mess, but feeling good!   And we'll be back at it tomorrow!

 

We are so very glad we had that big 2-garage, 2-day sale last June cause that sure cleared out a lot.    Cleaning out drawers, file cabinets, desks, etc. all takes time and then I stop and look thru special memorabilia and have to decide - save or pitch???    Have a stack for Mark and I both to sort thru and make that decision.    I'm sure that stack will continue to grow and Mark will continue to say

PITCH          PITCH         PITCH

 

We did run a few errands and picked up 3 large wardrobe boxes!

On a roll....

 

Tonight we went to hospital to visit my good friend, Brenda who is having some serious health issues, but just not sure what (stroke related) as tests are coming back negative.    Then to Beningo's for delicious Italian dinner - one of our favorite home-town restaurants!

 

Nighty night!

Monday - April 13

HOME SWEET HOME

 

Arrived at 1:30 on a pretty sunny afternoon with tulip trees, forsythia, tulips and daffodils in bloom!

 

We left our RV Park at 8:00 - what a pretty place just off the interstate with rolling hills in horse country!    Lots of RV's here and certainly many were traveling yesterday.   Along the winding road with black fence all around, we saw some Bradford pear trees, too....

 

Travel was much lighter today...rained west of Indianapolis for awhile.  

 

Got Toad unpacked, sorted thru mail, chatted with Marty next door and happy to be home!
   Met Anne, Patrick, Liam and Connor for dinner at Firehouse Pizza - soooooo good to see them!!!  
 Lots of hugs, chatter and visiting!    And then we did face time with Luke!

 

Bittersweet to see that SOLD sign in front yard, but we are all geared up to get the house

cleared out, so let it all begin!!!

 

 

Sunday - April 10-12

We are on our way home as I start updating this blog - it's Sunday morning and we've had so much fun in Beaufort this past weekend, but now anxious to be home!

 

Friday - we all had breakfast at the Waffle House and then back to the Hilton Garden Inn (our headquarters for the weekend) to play euchre out by the pool.    We left for the marine base at 1:15 and enjoyed the practice session for the Blue Angels.   We had dinner downtown at Q on the Bay and it was very good!   Ryan was not able to join us as he was meeting with the new recruits.  

Played 5-handed euchre (I won) and then took Drew and Brady with us back to Daisy at our
Tuck in the Wood Campground.

 

 Ryan and nephews studying the Waffle House menu

At the Waffle House and ready for the Blues

 

Saturday - rain was predicted for today, so hoping it holds off.....after breakfast, the boys, Mark and I headed back to the hotel for more cards.    The guys rode in the motorcade with police escort to the show with Ryan.

 

Michael, Davis, Ryan, Mark, Brady, Drew and Bob

off to the show

 

Judy is checking out the Blue Angel merchandise 

 

Had so much fun today- huge crowd and the boys enjoyed all the vendors selling their wares, the big assortment of food and drinks to choose from, the air show and then pictures taken with the team!

 

We were so lucky that the dark clouds held off till we were in the car leaving the show and then the heavens opened up!    Back to the hotel for showers and then we all had dinner at Brick's - another great meal in Beaufort - one of our favorite towns!    After dinner, more 5-handed euchre back at the hotel with Bob, Judy, Drew, Mark and me.   (Drew and Judy were the winners)

Drew and Davis spent the night on Daisy.

Leaving the show with the grandkids

Davis, Drew, Grandma, Blair, Grandpa, Brady

 

Sunday - Mark got the bikes back on Toad, hooked up to Daisy and we were on our way back to the Hilton to drop off the boys and their stuff and say our good-byes to the NC bunch and Ryan!

 

    So exciting and thrilling to have our family watch Ryan for the first time do his thing with the Blues.    A real treat for the boys, Michael and Brooke, Bob and Judy.    ++++ we got to have some quality time with the Princess.    Now 2 big days of travel coming up!

 

Soo very sorry to hear about the EF4 tornado that struck northern IL (not that far from where Mark and I grew up) on Friday.    Sooo much devastation and 2 women died.

 

Liam and Connor have started their spring hockey season - this morning Liam scored 2 goals and Connor, 1 goal in a 4-4 tie!    Way to go boys!!!    CANNOT WAIT to see you!!!!

 

Today's travels have been so pretty in NC and TN with all the budding trees, red bud and dogwood!    Love, Love, Love Springtime! 

 

 Red bud in North Carolina

Stopped in Powell, TN for gas and a quick trip to Ingles Grocery (nice stores we've been to in NC) for Starbucks treats.

Long day of travel (596 miles) and good weather, with occasional heavy traffic.    But then big-time construction before Lexington, KY causing major back-up.   Finally arrived at the
 Whispering Hills RV Park in Georgetown, KY at 8:15.   

That's our boy - #6 at yesterday's show





 

Thursday - April 9

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNETTE

The Birthday Girl and her little guy

 

Sunny, warm day and we were off in Daisy at 8:30 heading to Green Cove Springs, Florida (19 miles from St. Augustine).    This is where the St. Brendan Isles mail forwarding service is located.    We turned in our paper work and got all the info as this will be our new address effective May 1st.    They will scan our mail and forward to wherever we are.   

 

Good day of travel and 250 miles to Beaufort.   Ryan and the Blues are there and practicing and as we were passing the Marine base, we could see and hear them!

We are at the Tuck in the Wood Campground on
St. Helena Island, SC, about 8 miles from downtown Beaufort.    Davis has been riding my bike and we literally are "tucked in the woods" in the boonies!

We met Bob and Judy at the hotel and then Michael and family arrived - so good to see them.....Blair is soo sweet and funny!

We all went to The Old Bull Tavern for dinner - delicious!!!!  
 Drew and Davis spent the night on Daisy.

Brady, Davis and Blair

Grandpa and his girl

Here come the troops for dinner...

Drew, Ryan, Blair, Michael, Brooke, Davis, Brady 

Sweetie Pie waiting to eat!

 



Wednesday - April 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUKE

2 years ago and now.... 

a very busy little toddler (and future Blue Angel?)

with Grandma and Grandpa

and Mommy and Daddy

 

We left Philip, Annette and Luke's house at 7:50 and drove to Miss Daisy, hooked up Toad and on our way.    Stopped in Titusville for lunch and traveled 260 miles arriving in St. Augustine at 2:00.    We are at the Stagecoach RV Park (been here before).

 

I took Mark and Davis to the Factory Fun Park (go-karts, mini golf and arcade) very close to us and I went to Publix for some groceries for 3 growing boys who are coming to stay with us.   Unloaded the groceries back on Daisy and stopped at the Outlet Mall - they just happened to have a Chico's (ahhh one last shopping jaunt before leaving Florida).   Picked up the guys and back to Daisy for supper - we are tired (not so much Davis who is going strong)!

 

Davis is all set (electronically) for the big trip

Blair has her shades and chowing down for her big trip to Beaufort tomorrow

 

We did face time with Luke tonight  - sure hope he feels better soon!

 

Our community is hurting so much after the devastating plane crash killing 7 men and leaving so many wives without husbands, children without daddies, parents without sons and brothers/sisters without their brother along with all the countless friends.   Although we didn't know any of these guys personally, Liam played hockey with 2 of the boys who each lost their Dad.

Many prayers for all...

 

 

 

Tuesday - April 7

So sad and shocked to hear about the tragic air plane crash near Bloomington this morning as the pilot and 6 passengers returning home from the NCAA basketball championship game in Indianapolis

 were all killed.
 

Luke is under the weather today.....Grandma and Grandpa are staying with him this afternoon.   His Mommy, Daddy and cousin Davis went out for lunch and then bowling.   I did laundry and started packing up our stuff.   Tomorrow we leave here, connect Toad to Daisy and start the 2-day trek to Beaufort, SC.

 

Tomorrow is Luke's 2nd birthday....he opened a few gifts this morning, but just not totally up to par!

 

Luke and his presents

After a good nap, Luke seems to be feeling better - he's just eating crackers and drinking
pedialite today

Played 2 games of dominoes tonight - Annette won both!!!   Yeah for the Queen!

The Princess.....can't wait to see her in 2 days!!!!

 

Monday - April 6

Mark and I had a big day leaving Lake Worth at 8 and off to check out RV parks north of here in the Jupiter/Stuart area for possibilities next winter.    We saw 7 different parks in various locations, walked downtown Stuart (love this area from previous visits) had lunch in Hobe Sound, and checked  out the area.   

 

Philip worked, Annette took the boys to Adventure Land at Lion Safari Park!

 

 

The Safari boys are back on the roaring lion - love Luke's expression! 

   

The guys hanging out

 

We went to Casa Tequila for excellent Mexican dinner and then to Costco.

 

Had planned to celebrate Luke and Annette's birthdays tonight, but Luke seems to be under the weather with tummy issues, so will hold off tomorrow!