Saturday-Monday, October 5-7

Monday - Bye bye to Kamp Komfort as we left with Flo at 8 AM.    Good day for travel as sunshine, then clouds and more sun with mid 60's for temps.    We stopped in St. Maurice, IN for lunch.    Just leaving the truck stop, Mark's tire pressure sensors went off - we were thankful we were close to a tire place and could have front tire on Flo checked - the sensor showed tire pressure went from 70 to 30 while we were eating.    A nice tech guy put spare tire on (the valve stem was leaking) and we were on our way but lost an hour.

We arrived at Whispering Hills RV Park in Georgetown, KY (have stayed here before - one time with Brady and he used the swimming pool which is now all closed for the season).   

Now to backtrack from our weekend...

Saturday - We finished up our packing of Flo and for ourselves and left around noon for Dixon taking the country roads.    Checked into our hotel, saw some of the family and then the rain started.    It was coming down in buckets when we left for 4:30 Mass at St. Pat's.     Mark's siblings and spouses all sat together and Father Rohmke gave us a special blessing for our anniversary.    Fortunately the rain had stopped when we left church and all gathered at the Basil Tree Ristorante for great family fun, happy hour and then family-style Italian dinner.    My brother Bob and Linda brought Aunt Marian and there were 23 to share in our celebration!

Celebrating our 50th anniversary with our siblings 

Brother Bob, Linda and Aunt Marian 

Theresa, Mike, Jim, Pat, Aunt Marian 

A toast

And while we were partying in Dixon, back in Bloomington......Liam, all grown up was going to CCHS Homecoming with friends

Looking good, Liam

Sunday - we all hung out at the hotel visiting, having breakfast and then at 11:00, we girls (aunts and cousins) enjoyed a baby shower for niece Nicole (Jim and Lydia's daughter).     Nice lunch, games, presents and now, anxiously awaiting Baby Girl's arrival in mid November.   The guys watched the Bears game in hotel lobby.

Lydia, Sue, Karen, Pat, Joan,Theresa, Nicole (Mommy-to-be), Marilyn, Beth, Nora, Doris, Nancy, Bridget (baby due 1 week before Nicole), Janet

Said our good byes but we'll see most of this clan in Omaha next weekend when we celebrate Mark's cousin, Sister Mary Chamberlain's 50th Jubilee as a nun.

Back to Kamp Komfort, changed clothes, unpacked and then off to Liam's hockey game which his team won 10-4 (he scored a goal) and then Steak 'n Shake with Anne and boys.    Said our good byes and now they can get back to their routine and "new normal".    We'll be there for them whenever and again, so thankful for the amazing support and friends who promise to be there for whenever and whatever.

Liam, Anne, Connor

Friday - October 4

Lovely fall day and so enjoy being out in the country - today the harvesting of beans began with the combine working close by.      Normally this time of year, the combines would be going strong out at Kamp Komfort but everything late this year.

Mark and I were off early with 1st stop at Gloria Jeans and treats for Anne, Mark and myself.     Mark is helping set up a new computer system for Anne and while they worked on that, I got a mani/pedi and much-needed haircut.    Everywhere I went, people were so kind and sympathetic to Anne and boys. 

We went to storage after lunch, put some things away and got more things out to take to NC.

Anne has been truly amazing - strong for the boys and keeping very busy this last week off work with so many details to take care of.    Mark and I are so proud of her....and so thankful for her wonderful friends!     Tonight she and the boys are at the Homecoming game.

Mark and I went to Busy Corner for supper - my 1st visit this fall.....good as always, but passed on the pie.

Tomorrow we are off to Dixon and celebrate our 50th with our siblings at the Basil Tree. 

Here's our little people who have had a fun week at their other grandparents in Princeton.

Country Bumpkins

Thursday - October 3

A very dreary chilly day - big change in the weather after all the warm days.    Mark was off to town to get results of MRI which were all good.   He'll be back to lifting weights soon!

I worked on Flo getting things organized to travel again - she's been a bit neglected lately.   Mark braved the strong wind and cool temps to work on some outdoor Flo projects.    It felt good getting caught up here in our little home.

We had such a nice evening with these long-time friends and former neighbors on Jackson Street.    Donna Rae invited Pat, Brenda, Mark and I for wine followed by dinner at Westminster Village.    It was delicious - we had some good laughs, some tears and just a very nice evening!

Pat, Brenda, Donna Rae, Mark, Pat

After dinner, Mark and I visited Carolyn Cockrell, another resident and long-time friend who will be moving to Elmhurst to be closer to family.     Wishing her the best....

Wednesday - October 2

Another busy day at Anne's as Annette drove down from her parents and helped with projects which was much appreciated.

More tears as we read comments from Connor's classmates sharing in his sorrow, praying for him and
wanting to "talk" if/when he's ready,

A friend stopped by with 2 photo albums of pics that she took at the visitation, funeral, cemetery and luncheon.    And the outpouring of generous donations, cards, food, and other thoughtful gestures continues.

Mark ran a bunch of errands all morning.    Anne took Liam shopping for new shirt and tie for Homecoming this weekend.   He's going with several friends.

On the morning of September 20th, our new great nephew, James arrived in San Francisco to our niece, Kathy and Waseem.   That evening, Patrick passed away......"The Circle of Life" continues!

James Syed Afzal

So, that wraps up today.....we stopped for take-out Chinese at Mandarin Garden and on back to KK.    After dinner, we walked around the park and both of us are winding down.....till tomorrow....

Tuesday - October 1

Welcome to October and the beautiful season of fall....

Another busy day with Anne - amazing how much there's to do after a funeral with oodles of paper work, phone calls, appointments, lists and thank you notes.    However, with the tremendous support and love that the Campbell's have received (and so much delicious food), we are extremely grateful  for this incredible generosity.

Mark had his orthopedic Dr. appt. last Friday and his back is healing well,   However, Dr. suggested he have an MRI to make sure all looks good.    He had that this morning and will get results Thursday.

The boys are happy to be with their friends in school and get back into their routine.    Hockey season starts tonight with practice.    One day at a time......