Saturday - September 30

The Corpus Christi Saints are #3 in the State for Class 2A!!!!

What a great day at the ole ball park with beautiful weather and exciting baseball.    We lost our first game at noon against Washington 6-1, but then came roaring back to beat Paris Crestwood 15-6.

So, out of 96 teams initially, we are #3.......YEAH!!!

Congrats to all the Saints.   We were at Eastside in East Peoria and what a wonderful facility with many baseball fields, the football stadium for the East Peoria Raiders and a huge Splashdown

 (water park).  

Class 1A, 2A and 3A baseball championship games were all played on these fields 

 

Liam had a base hit and scored as a pinch runner.    Connor was on base as a pinch runner.   So exciting that Mark and I were here for this fun, memorable weekend!

 

Liam on first after getting base hit

 

Connor on first as pinch runner

Liam warming up the pitcher

Connor receiving his medal

Liam receiving his medal

 So proud of our Saints.... # 5 (Connor) and #6 (Liam)

Corpus Christi Saints

 

After medal presentations,  awarding of the 3rd place trophy and pictures, Mark and I said our good byes to the Campbell Clan and came on back to Kamp Komfort.   We did make a quick stop at Busy Corner (not going to be back in these parts till probably next spring, so.....) we picked up 2 pieces of pie to go.

 

Mark got the lights all set up for Toad and loaded up the bikes.   

 

Bye bye to September - what a FUN, BUSY 2 weeks we've had back in central Illinois visiting family and friends, the thrill of being at Liam and Connor's ball games, watching the fall harvest, and so much more!

 

Tomorrow we are off to Albuquerque with several state stops along the way!

 

Bring on

 October!

 

 

 

Friday - September 29

 

SAINTS WIN 4-0

Our Saints

 

Spectacular fall day and the farmers are going great guns harvesting the beans and corn!    Love being near the action here at Kamp Komfort.

 

We were up early with Connor, had breakfast and then he and Mark were off to school shortly after 7.    I left at 7:30 for the laundromat with 3 loads.    We have been to many, many laundromats with our travels and they are all over the place as far as cleanliness, place to fold, hang, etc.    We've had some good and some not so good; in many cases, we have no choice and take what we can get especially when we're on the boat.

 

So I walked into the place I've been going to when we're at Kamp Komfort as it's on the outskirts of Normal (and next door to Gloria Jean's).    It was so nasty and filthy with dirt, lint, trash and oodles and oodles of fabric softener sheets EVERYWHERE!!!!   It looked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks?

 

A young man came in around 9, got the big mop out of the closet and started sweeping the floor.   I asked him why it was so nasty.    He said "Oh, it's always like this.    People just don't care as it's not their place."    He went on to say "Sometimes it's much worse than this"!    I was appalled.    What is wrong with people!    Wastebaskets are nearby, but who cares....just throw it all on the floor and let someone else clean up.   Also, there were so many clothes here and there?    What was that all about?    So every time I've been here before, I guess it's always after 9 AM and already been cleaned?

 

That's my gripe for the day...thanks for letting me vent!

 

Back to Daisy to put the clothes away.    Mark is working on Toad's towing lights and getting everything "ready to go" for our departure Sunday.

 

We left for East Peoria at 3:30 and what a grand day to sit at the ball field cheering on the

Corpus Christi Saints.   We'll be back tomorrow!

 

Stopped at Costco and then supper at Busy Corner - no pie, though!

 

 

Our colorful girlie girl!

 

 

 

Thursday - September 28

Beautiful day - sunny and 73 degrees.    Mark took Daisy into town for some maintenance and a run thru the big truck car wash.    I went to town and ran errands and then met the BBB (Babies, books and bridge) friends at Mandarin Garden for lunch and visit.    We had a great time as always catching up on our families, travels, books, etc.    Big news is that Cathy is going to be Grandma to twins in March - 2nd set born to her daughter and son-in-law in Colorado.    How exciting.     The first set (boy/girl) are 7.

 

We go back to the early 1970's...

Karen, Sue, Sharon, Pat, Cathy, Ruth

We missed Holly

 

After lunch I went to Barnes and Noble to read.    Then picked up a strawberry smoothie and off to get Connor at school.    He drank his smoothie while we went to his house to get clothes and gear.    Then to baseball practice (last one for the year)....I went on back to Daisy.

 

Mark and I left at 5:30 and headed back to the ball field.     After practice, the team, coaches, parents, grandparents (us) enjoyed Avanti's (pasta, salad, bread) at the shelter at Shepherd Park.     Liam and other 7th graders on the team came into town from Lake Bloomington as they are on Outdoor Ed today and tomorrow.    Back out there after practice for Mass at 8:15 and then on home.

 

Anne is helping with Outdoor Ed and Patrick had a gig tonight, so we filled in.    Connor is spending tonight with us on Daisy.    Stopped at Schnucks on our way out of town to get s'more fixins.

 

While Grandpa got the fire going, Connor had a caramel apple...

 

Gooey and delicious

 

Then the guys roasted marshmallows and we had s'more time!    Connor and I played 2 games of rummikube (I won both but very close) and then shower time and off to bed....

No homework tonight!    Yeah....

 

Grandpa and Connor by the fire roasting the perfect marshmallows!

 

Tomorrow at 4:30 the Saints play in 1st round of the state baseball games leading to the state class 2A championship in East Peoria.    We'll be there to cheer them on!

 

GO SAINTS!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday - September 27

We sure got the cooler temps today, but also breezy and no sun!    After all the heat, it was definitely a change!    

We were off to town this morning for errands, storage unit and then met Barb and Roger at Baxter's for delicious lunch and good visit.   On August 6th, Roger had a heart attack while he and Barb were vacationing in Florida with their 2 granddaughters.     Thankfully, he's ok, but may need another procedure to get out of a-fib.    Also some lifestyle changes coming with diet and exercise.

As always, enjoyed our time together, but certainly a wake-up call.    Just hearing about so many folks having heart attacks, strokes, etc.

Barb and Roger

We said our good byes and we were off to get groceries and then coffees at Gloria Jean's.    They make thee best lattes - better than Starbucks and with all the fall flavors, I'm lovin' every sip!

Back to Daisy and hunkered down with our laptops and books as more campers and RV's rolled in.    This is a busy place again this afternoon/evening.

Tonight just before dark I went for a walk - much nicer than earlier today as there is no wind.   Saw 5 more states represented by our fellow campers.    Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, South Carolina, Pennsylvania + lots from states that were here last night.    There's a couple, Mike and Sylvia from Green Cove Springs, FL (same as us) so obviously they are full time RVers, but haven't had a chance to talk to them.     They've been here several days, but not around when I'm walking.     They have a sign on back of their RV;

Tuesday - September 26

This is supposed to be the last HOT day....ready for some fall-like weather!    But it was a good day and a fun day and an "oink" day as we drove to Peoria and met Allie, Owen, Jane and Joe for lunch at Childer's Eatery (a breakfast/lunch place in Vonachen's Junction.)    Lunch was good and lots of chatter catching up.    After lunch, we gals went a few doors away to browse at "Britches 'n Bloomers" a very nice children's shop.    Had been here many years ago when it was at a different location.    Neat stuff for the little ones.

 

Then we were off to Emack and Bolio's in Peoria Heights for ice cream and more yakkin'.   

 

 Oh, so many yummy choices!

Mark, Pat, Joe, Jane, Allie, Owen

 

After our ice cream, we walked to Trefzger's, a long-time bakery.    We had never been, but heard about it recently.   Yikes....huge place and lots of good pastries!

 

What a place - established in 1861

 Allie and Pat with their stash of baked goods

 

Said our good byes and wished Allie and Owen safe travels to Albuquerque where they are headed tomorrow - bummer we won't be there at the same time!

 

On our way home, Mark asked if I wanted to stop at the floral/gift shops in Eureka we saw on Saturday en route to Dixon.   "Sure".....very nice shops and definitely bringing friends back here this fall.    He read his book and I enjoyed browsing!    What a guy!

 

Sweet Maeve looking so stylish

Posing like the big girls do - hand on her hip!    Ha...

Tiny little camper was Daisy's neighbor last night

Now, this would be COZY!

 

There are campers from all around the country here at Kamp Komfort.

Tonight's travelers hail from Arizona (2), Idaho, Texas (3), Florida (2), Tennessee, Wyoming, Arkansas, Minnesota (2), California, Mississippi (2), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Illinois (5)

 

Lots of excitement this week at Corpus Christi as Liam and Connor's team is off to state....parents are making various signs and banners,  decorating lockers, etc., to support the Saints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - September 25

Sunny, hot day.....we were off for breakfast with Monday Morning Group; then to storage where we put away more stuff and got a pile ready that we'll take with us on next trip.    Went to Westminster Village and Donna Rae gave us the tour of all the big, exciting $200m additions and remodeling going on.     We had lunch at The Sandwich Shop and then Mark and I came back to Daisy.     I wanted Mark to see all this as he wasn't with me last week!     Pouring lots of concrete today!

 

Donna Rae

 

Tonight the guys were invited to join the Monday Night Friends for dinner at Linda and Bob's.    There were 9 couples (missed Brenda, Pat, Jody and Ed).    All kinds of yummy snacks and wine, then pizza, fruit salad ending with coconut cream cake!    Great evening with these long-time friends.

 

 

Saturday-Sunday, September 23-24

Big weekend for Liam and Connor - their Corpus Christi Saints won the sectional class 2A state baseball tournament.   So they are in the Elite 8 and play next in East Peoria this Friday afternoon with the championship game on Saturday!

 

GO SAINTS!!!

Connor and Liam

with the team trophy for sectional win

 

It was a hot weekend, but lots of fun visiting our kin in Dixon and Mendota.     We left Saturday morning and took the country roads.    Had lunch with 3 of Mark's sisters at "That Place on Palmyra" and also stopped in to see his sister Sue who was working at the Red Fox grocery store.

 

Karen, Joan, Marilyn, Mark

 

Stopped at St. Mary's cemetery in Sublette, took away the faded spring geraniums and put out a new bouquet of fall blossoms on Mom and Dad's graves.

 

 

Arrived in Mendota around 2:30 at Bob and Linda's.     We visited awhile, changed clothes and left with Bob for Stonecroft and picked up Aunt Marian and cousin, Eleanora for 4:00 Mass at Holy Cross.     Took Eleanora (97 years young) back to Stonecroft and Aunt Marian joined us for delicious summer-time supper of brats, sweet corn, tomatoes, and my Mom's recipe for potato salad which Linda duplicates perfectly!!!    What a great feast!    We played 2 games of 5-handed euchre with Mark winning both and then enjoyed Dutch apple pie alamode - YUMMY!     Bob and Mark took Aunt Marian back to Stonecroft.

 

Bob and I with our Aunt Marian

Fun evening

 

This morning we 4 went to Cindy's for breakfast along with cousin Dave and Mary Jo.    Then to Bob and Linda's where we all had a great visit and lots of laughs and reminiscing.

Bob, Mark, Dave 

Mary Jo, Pat, Linda

 

We left for Carlock and Daisy around 1ish.

 

Unloaded our stuff and at 3:30 we were off to watch Patrick play hockey in an adult league (3 women on his team).    It was a really fun game to watch with the black team winning 8-7 and Patrick scoring a goal!    Yeah!

 

Stopped at Steak 'n Shake for supper, walked around  Kamp Komfort and now, in for the night.   Sure is getting dark earlier and earlier!

 

Have a great week!

 

 

Friday - September 22

WELCOME to FALL

We had breakfast and then washed all of Daisy's screens, inside windows and blinds.    Tah dah!    Nice to have that job finished!.    We went into town with atlas and calendar and stopped at Gloria Jean's for coffee and set to work mapping our trip west coming next week.    We will be leaving the 1st and heading to Albuquerque.     There are 6 states that Daisy has not been to - Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado and Oregon.    We plan to hit the first 5 on this trip.

(Obviously, Oregon will be another year, another trip)!

So, we kind of have our route mapped out and where we want to be for most nights.    The Balloon Fest is October 7-15 and we'll be there the 12-15th with Mark's brother Jim and Lydia in their RV.

One of the gals who works at Gloria Jeans painted this neat picture inside.....we love this place as it's between Kamp Komfort and town, plus next door to the laundromat.   

 They make a "mean" pumpkin spice latte among others

Neat chalk mural at Gloria Jean's

 The Lukester

After plotting our trip, we met these good friends at Mandarin Garden for lunch.    We had so many laughs and wonderful visit!

Mark and Pat, Mary Carol and Tom, Nancy and Jim

Back to Daisy this hot Friday afternoon.    Hunkered down in the AC with laptops and books.

I am heartbroken for my friend, Kay in Arizona who lost her husband, Bruce yesterday.   He has had several health issues and was just the nicest guy.    Mark knew Bruce from State Farm and Kay is a Sublettian - we even share the same birthday.

Walked around the park tonight - no breeze - hot 'n sticky!   Lots of RV's coming in...

Tomorrow we are off to Dixon for lunch and visit with 3 of Mark's sisters.   Then to Mendota to visit Bob and Linda, along with some other relatives!    Back to Kamp Komfort on Sunday afternoon.

Thursday - September 21

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y

41 years ago today, we welcomed our son, Philip John

The Birthday Boy with his sweet Maeve

I stopped in to see Brenda's new hardwood floors and we had a cup of coffee.    Then to storage to put a few things away and to Barnes and Noble for more browsing.

Met Claire at Biaggi's - as always, delicious lunch, wine and chatter.    I won't see Claire till mid November - both of us will be traveling over the next several weeks.

Pretty flowers outside Biaggi's

Mark met a guy here at the park  from Texas.....he and his wife are en route to Albuquerque and the Hot Air Balloon Fest!   Maybe we'll see them there!

We went back to town late afternoon, ran a few errands and then picked the boys up after baseball practice at 6:15.    They chose Portillo's for supper.    This is fairly new in town and was packed!    Good hot dogs and Italian Beef.

Anne and Patrick had a date and went out for dinner.....we took the boys home and now back on Daisy.

Our "Saints" outside  Portillo's

Date night for these two...

Wednesday - September 20

Fall is just a few days away, but it's definitely summertime here in central IL with 94 degrees today and to be in the 90's thru Sunday!

 

We each went our separate ways this morning - Mark to the Carlock Family Restaurant for his Biscuits and Gravy fix - something he loves but doesn't do very often!    I went to town with 3 loads of laundry.    Visited Donna Rae at Westminster Village where a MAJOR multi-million $ building/remodel project is going on.    WOW....will be so nice when done, but a happening place with men and construction equipment all over.    We had lunch at The Sandwich Shop and then to her apartment for a few hours of just sitting and catching up.    She is such a dear and always enjoy our time together.

 

Back to Daisy and caught up on e-mails.    I walked around the park (not too much - wimped out with the heat).   Mark grilled cheeseburgers and nice to be "home" tonight!!!

 

Life is Good with these Happy Campers

Luke's pirate classmates

ARRGGHH

 

Tuesday - September 19

19 years ago on this date (September 19, 1998) we were in Morganton, North Carolina celebrating Michael and Brooke's marriage.    19 years on the 19th.....wishing them many more happy, healthy anniversaries!

 

 

I left for Bloomington at 8 and met Claire for coffee/pastries at Coffee Hound.    Haven't been together since May, so lots of yakkin to do!

Claire

 

Always a work of art at Coffee Hound....

Delicious pumpkin spice latte and lemon/raspberry muffin

 

Had more errands and then a little time to spare before my haircut, so went to browse and read at Barnes and Noble.    Got a much-needed new "do" and on back to Daisy.    Mark took off for town with his list of errands.

 

Forgot to mention that Mark went to the boys baseball game last night in Gibson City which they won 10-0.    This Saturday they are playing in the sectional against Maroa-Forsyth!

GO SAINTS!!!!

 

Ann picked me up at 4:50 and we were off to Busy Corner to meet with the Sublettians.     There were 5 of the Central IL group, along with Jane and Marilyn's sister-in-law, Judi and her sister, Marilyn and husband George.

As usual a grand time was had by all~

 

Left side:   Marilyn, Ann, Judi, Marilyn

Right side:   Jane, Pat, Debbi, George

 

Pretty flowers here at Kamp Komfort

 

Our little fashionista - off on a mission!

Miss my sweet Maeve!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - September 18

Nice sunny day and we were off separately to meet the Monday Morning breakfast group.    Yesterday was Marty's birthday and he brought yummy treats from Grove Street Bakery.

 

Mr. Marty - 81 years young!

 

Good visiting with these folks and then Mark and I each went our separate ways to run errands.    It was good to be out and about in all our old familiar territory.    Sue and I scheduled a mani/pedi at same time and fun doing that with her and seeing Lisa, my favorite nail tech.

 

We girls just love to be pampered! 

 

Lisa

More errands to run later in the afternoon and then to Sue's to see her new bathroom remodel and décor - gorgeous!     Changed clothes and she and I met Brenda at Sam's to car pool together to Connie's in the country.    Our Monday Night Friends (except for Donna) gathered for a delicious dinner (beef brisket sandwiches, cole slaw, green beans w/bacon).    We were honoring Taylor, Ruth's soon-to-be daughter-in-law.    After opening gifts, we all enjoyed wonderful warm blackberry cobbler and ice cream!    Great evening with great friends!

 

Connie's beautifully "decorated for fall" table

 





Ruth - Taylor - Cindy (Taylor's Mom)

Looking forward to the wedding on November 25th 

 

The rain started as we were coming back to Bloomington and once I was on Daisy, really picked up!

Very glad to be home as radar is not pretty!

 

Aarrgghh

Pirate day tomorrow for this guy!