Tuesday - April 30

Gosh, the last day of April....and it's a wet one!    Lots of rain overnight and off and on today with strong winds out of the east and cold!!!!   YUCK!!!    And forecast is showing rain now thru Friday!

Oh well, nothing we can do about it but complain!!!    .I'm feeling better but voice is hoarse and just taking it easy.

We met our friends Lee and Tamara at Busy Corner for lunch and then back to Flo for some good visiting and "pie-to-go"!!!

Lee and Tamara 

 Rest of the afternoon, we just rested with good books and listened to the rain coming down on Flo.

Luke and Maeve are out for a little spin borrowing Blair's wheels.

North Carolina is having super weather - 80's and sunny!!!

Leftovers from lunch including coconut cream pie!!!

Bye bye April.....bring on May and some sunshine and warm temps!

Monday - April 29

Good Tuesday morning.....forgot to post the blog last night!   Duh - thanks for the heads up, Bill.

Very yucky day with lots of rain and temps in the upper 40's eventually getting to 56.     UGH.....where oh where is the sunshine?   Well, not going to see it this week in central IL as rain is in the forecast thru Thursday!

My eyes were a mess when I got up - crusty, red, watery and itchy - time to see the Dr.      Mark took me to Prompt Care and Dr. Mustard diagnosed the eye issue as allergies and other symptoms, including laryngitis, as a nasty cold.    I've got 2 prescriptions - eye drops and Flonase + continue with Claritin D.    Voice is a little better today

We ran several errands, including our storage unit as the rain pelted down!     Good to be back on Flo and hibernate.     Not going to Monday Night Friends nor coffee with Claire tomorrow....😢

Made spaghetti for supper and taking it easy....more rain coming tomorrow!💧

Sunday - April 28

Nice sunny day after all the rain but only int he 50's and our low this morning was 33.     I am lying low today - have laryngitis, so taking it easy.

Mark did some projects on Flo and then went to Connor's games in Normal.   Patrick is there and Anne and Liam are in Jacksonville for games.     Chilly sitting outdoors so glad I didn't go.    He brought me back a burger from Steak 'n Shake.

We had invited our Monday Morning Breakfast group to Busy Corner for breakfast tomorrow and then come see Flo at Kamp Komfort.    But....have canceled with my not being up to par (hate when I can't talk)!!!   We will reschedule!    Darn....darn.....our busy month is not off to a good start!

Salads for supper and then settled in to watch Bohemian Rhapsody - good movie that won some Oscars.

Have a great week!

Saturday - April 27

Cloudy, dreary day, and around noon, the rain started!    Mark went to Farm 'n Fleet and I dug in cleaning out closets and drawers - bringing out the cold-weather clothes for this next week for sure?    UGH......so not liking this chilly, rainy stuff and all the pollen in the air causing our watery, red eyes, hacking coughs, sneezing.    We're assuming it's an allergy-sinus thing?    Not something we are used to, but.....hopefully, a short-term thing!

So this was a good day to hunker in Flo and get things accomplished - Mark got a lot of book work done, too! 

This afternoon we went to 4:30 Mass for Liam's confirmation at Holy Trinity.    What a glorious celebration by Monsignor Timothy Nolan who administered the sacrament of confirmation to 32 young men and women.    The altar was sooo beautiful with all the flowers, the orchestra/choir were phenomenal and Msgr. Nolan's homily was extra special.    It was a very festive, joyful event

 "Peter" is confirmed with Aunt Karen (Godmother) as his sponsor

Auntie Karen, Msgr. Nolan, Liam

Liam and

Parents

Godparents

 

Grandparents

Gorgeous flowers 

 Sweet siblings

Friday - April 26

Happy 16th Anniversary to Anne and Patrick...

.April 26, 2003 

April 26,, 2019

Wishing them many more happy, healthy celebrations on April 26th.

We left Vandalia at 7:50 this morning with blue skies, but chilly temps and very windy.    We arrived at Kamp Komfort and settled in, unhooking Flo from Big Red and I was off to the dentist....

Guess I'm falling apart....yesterday I was having an issue with my left eye - red and watery (been using same eye wash as Mark had a few weeks ago).    And last night I bit into some caramel corn (Michael had brought some "Nuts on Clark" to NC and we've been enjoying it, but)....

Back on June 2, 2018 (Ryan's birthday) when we were in Baldwinsville, NY, I broke off part of a tooth while eating a butterfinger flurry.    Dr. Shapiro fixed me up temporarily and said I would eventually need an implant.   But here we are 11 months later and everything has been great till last night!    My dentist couldn't get me in till July, but his associate had an opening at noon.    She was so nice and explained my options, etc.   The gist is that I will go back May 28th to have the remainder of the tooth pulled and implant put in.    They are well aware of me being a nomad and the challenges of being here a short time. 

So, I'm in no pain or discomfort and will have my regular cleaning and then consultation about this implant on May 20th.

Came back to Flo and slept 2 hours - think I have allergies (stuffed up, sneezing and then the eye issue,).    Trees are just starting to bud out here!

We ran some errands late afternoon and then to Anne and Patrick's.     Tomorrow is Liam's confirmation and tonight was practice with his Auntie Karen here visiting.    She is Liam's Godmother and sponsor.    We all had Monical's for dinner and delicious anniversary cake compliments of Auntie.    Great to all be together and catch up!

Connor, Liam, Auntie Karen

Thursday - April 25

Today started out high and dry with mostly cloudy skies; but around noon, the rain started (radar had looked ominous.)    When we got to southern IL, we saw so much water in fields, ditches, golf courses, and flowing over the river banks.   WOW.......had some heavy rain off and on and we stopped in Marion to let some of the heavy stuff pass thru. 

We stopped at the Five Brothers Restaurant in Salem for some chicken pasta soup (me) and chocolate cream pie (Mark) to go and were back on our way......added BLT's for supper!

So....a very wet afternoon and still coming down here in Vandalia where we are parked for the night at the Kaskaskia Dragon Campground (only 12 sites and operated by the Kaskaskia Hardware Store folks across the street). 

 

 Beauty in Vandalia with all the rain

Landmarks here at Kaskaskia Campground

Windmill and Dragon

What a difference a day makes for traveling....yesterday was picture perfect in the mid 80's - and a short time ago it was 58 and dropping down to an overnight low of 49.   WELCOME to IL !!!

Today is Mark's patron saint day - the feast of St. Mark!   

 130 miles to Kamp Komfort (our home for the next 5 weeks)!!!

Tuesday - Wednesday, April 23-24

We didn't have internet at Lake James last night - ATandT was shut down so no blog!   Here's what's been going on....

Tuesday - Some of us slept in this morning - Grandma and Blair!     Then we all went to Annette's for delicious breakfast.   Back to Blair's house - Brooke arrived and we caught up on her time with Davis at Georgia Tech, I started the laundry and others skedaddled off here and there.    Mark and Philip worked on new jet ski ramps

Annette and I played a game of Pass the Trash with Brady, Luke and Maeve with Luke the winner!

After lunch, Brooke and Annette took the kiddos to the Camp - I finished our laundry and got things organized on Flo and in Big Red for our travels tomorrow.

A "Ray of Sunshine" with some of her new treasures from Claire's

And then there's Maeve trying on her new make-up, tasting it, whatever!!!

Said our good byes to Brooke, Brady and Blair.....they headed home and we went to Philip and Annette's and they had a date night - ran some errands and had dinner.   Said our good byes to all and we came home to Flo.

Our funny girl 

One last picture with these goobers!

What a fun week we've had and got to spend time with our NC kids (+Ryan) and the 6 NC grandchildren!!!!    Good memories and sure going to miss them all (especially the 3 little tykes)

Till July in Colorado when we're all together again....

Wednesday - another spectacular day in NC - deep blue skies, sunshine and the birds are chirping on this glorious spring day.    A few more photos of Lake James, hooked up Big Red to Flo (after breakfast of yummy casserole Annette sent with us).    On the road at 9:20.    We stopped west of Knoxville for lunch and arrived at Spring Lake Campground in Crossville/Fairfield Glade, TN at 1:30.   Nice to be back on central time and regain that hour.

Brady, Blair and Luke are on spring break this week.....so Brooke, Philip, Annette and Maeve are taking these kiddos for 2 days of fun at Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte (hotel with huge water park).   Imagine they are having a great time!!!

At Hartford, TN rest stop this morning

and ...

pretty pansies

Happy to have internet again - did some computer stuff and read this afternoon.  

Later this afternoon we drove to our friends, Vince and Sandy's home and joined by Bill and Nancy and Heather.    We are all long-time friends from Bloomington who first met thru boating and then RV'ing except for Vince and Sandy.   They all retired to this area (Fairfield Glade/Crossville)

We had drinks and snacks on their lovely deck overlooking Lake Dartmoor followed by delicious BBQ ribs, broccoli salad and potato salad topped off with 3-berry pie and ice cream.   We chatted non-stop and had so much fun catching up on families, travels, and reminiscing thru the years!

Heather's husband, John passed away 2 1/2 years ago - sure miss John and all the fun memories we've shared together.

 Sandy, Vince, Nancy, Bill, Heather, Mark

We look forward to all being together (hopefully Bill and Charmaine, too) in October!

  

Monday - April 22

What a fun day!!!      Annette picked Blair and me up around 10 and Luke went with Grandpa and Brady to play mini golf.     We girls went for some pampering in Morganton.    Got to see Philip for just a bit as he arrived home in the wee hours of today (2:30 AM) from Fort Worth.,     Michael flew to Chicago for the week.

Blair and Maeve shopped at Claire's for some girlie treasures with Easter $ they received from their Grandmas.    They had so much fun.....then to lunch at The Pie Hole where we met Grandpa, Philip, Brady and Luke.     After lunch we girls went for our pampering and got mani pedi's (Maeve's very first and she did so well!) 

 Claire's is a little girl's paradise

Mommy/Auntie Annette helping with decision on purchases 

Lunch at the Pie Hole

Philip, Maeve, Annette, Luke, Brady, Blair, Pat, Mark

I just love a getting a pedi 

Patiently waiting her turn

Maeve has colorful nails (and toes)

Waiting for Grandma and Maeve to finish up! 

The girls enjoying the water on a gorgeous spring day! 

Luke, Maeve, Brady, Blair with beautiful forsythia at the camp 

Captain Btady 

Grandpa and his girls

On home, got swimsuits, towels, sunscreen and off to the Camp where the guys were.    Water was cold in the kiddie pool but that didn't stop the girls.    Brady and Luke enjoyed the hot tub.    Later Grandpa and I brought the kiddies on home by pontoon with Brady driving the boat,.

Annette and Philip visited with friends and then on home for ham and leftovers from Easter dinner which Philip missed yesterday.    We all played Pass the Trash and then Philip and crew went on home and we crashed on Flo with the "B's".

I'm so happy my Daddy's home

Brooke and Davis are back home from Georgia Tech visit - anxious to hear about that.    Mark bought a new Tilley, and then found his that was missing on Flo (fell behind the sofa and still confused how that happened)!!!

  . 

Easter Sunday - 2019

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration with family/friends!    It was a glorious Easter Sunday but only in the 60's here in North Carolina.     Michael took Drew to the Charlotte airport for 10:00 flight back to Iowa City.    Michael then met us at 11:00 Mass at Holy Angels in Marion.   

 Happy Easter, Miss Blair

 Brady, Blair, Brooke, Davis, Michael

Sugar 'n Spice

Annette and her kiddies - missing Philip

After Mass, Brooke and Davis left for Atlanta - tomorrow they are touring Georgia Tech.    Rest of us had lunch at Slices.    Leisurely afternoon at Michael's and Annette came over after Maeve's nap.    We all enjoyed a delicious ham dinner and then played Old Maid, Uno and Pass the Trash.

Surprise (MAGIC) wash cloths!

Saturday - April 20

Dreary, cloudy, chilly and windy day with a high of 52.     Luke and Blair spent last night on Flo.....we played in the morning and later went to Annette's for lunch.    Then we were off to the Camp for egg hunt - the kids had a ball despite the cold and wind.   Good day for hot chocolate!

Said our good byes to Ryan who flew to Belgium for 6 days landing in Paris tomorrow morning.    How sad that he can't attend Easter Sunday mass at Notre Dame....    Around 18 years ago, he toured that landmark with his high school jazz band,

Maeve and I stayed at her house in the afternoon and she napped     Annette and Luke went to another party and egg hunt with school friends.    Around 4:30, we all went to Michael and Brooke's - more 6-handed euchre (Bob and Judy were there) and lots of good eating.....many appetizers, pork tacos and blueberry cobbler.

It's been a big day......said good bye to Drew who will fly back to Iowa City in the morning.,

Here's some pics from today....

Drew studying for a chemistry exam - Luke having breakfast

Easter Bunny with Annette, Maeve and Luke 

Ready for the whistle to blow and run and gather eggs 

And they're off.... 

Miss Blair and all her eggs

Drew, Ryan, Michael Brady 

 Mark, Ryan, Michael, Pat 

Little Honey Bunny

May you be blessed with a beautiful, joyous

 HAPPY  EASTER!

Friday - April 19

Rainy day......Blair spent last night!   She is so funny and you never know what she'll come up with!!!    What an imagination!!!

Ryan arrived at 9:45 - he's been traveling from Memphis since yesterday afternoon.    So good to see him (been since Thanksgiving)!    We all went to Annette's for lunch - she made great egg salad and Ryan did some awesome grilled cheese on jalapeno cheddar bread,

Ryan makes a mean grilled cheese!

Miss Moppet

Working on an art project 

Coloring eggs

Drew flew in from Iowa City for the weekend....great to see him and Davis arrived with Drew (he had spent last night at home due to tire blow-out).    Philip won't be here till the wee hours of Monday morning.

Bob and Judy (Brooke's parents came in the afternoon.)    Judy and I played 2-handed euchre and hung out with Davis, Brady, Luke and Blair.    Maeve napped at her house with Annette and the rest went to Fonta Flora Brewery for a beer or two.

Ryan and his sweetie pie

More heavy rain tonight.....Michael grilled steel head trout and along with lots of sides, we had an awesome meal! 

The girls are giving Mommy/(Auntie Annette) the royal beauty treatment!