Thursday - April 23

 We had a fun morning in town first picking up coffees and a slice of pistachio/chocolate pound cake (delish) from Starbucks for the birthday girl.   Also picked up a bouquet of flowers at Kroger.   Donna Rae is 94 today and doing well.    Her apartment looked like a party room with a balloon, gifts, cards and flowers here and there!    She is so loved by so many!!!

Her daughter Judy came and what fun visiting with her, reminiscing about the craft sale we had at our Jackson Street home for so many years.    Judy and Steve came to display all the crafts and what a fun job they did year after year!!!    We enjoyed all the family updates and amazing how quickly the years have passed.   How can our kiddos (big and small) be the ages they are???

The Birthday Girl - 94 years young

Donna Rae and daughter Judy

Us with Donna Rae

Said our good byes and know Donna Rae has lots more fun coming up today/tonight!    Next stop was the laundromat in north Normal.    Mark helped me get 3 washers going and he left for Tractor Supply and WalMart.    Got the laundry washed, dried, folded and then across the street to Steak 'n Shake - yum!

On home and had a quiet afternoon - very windy again today but lots of sunshine and 81

Walked tonight and only one newbie... from Georgia.

Anne and I beat the computer 4 of 4 games tonight!

 

Wednesday - April 22

 A pretty day and breezy but nothing like yesterday!    I went into town and ran some errands - dropped off my 2 pots of impatiens at Anne's - carted them all the way from Fort Myers!    

I met Claire at some new shops in town but they were unique and not our thing.    Went to Destihl for lunch and celebrated Claire's birthday (8 days early).    We sat on the patio and it was so pleasant.    3 hours and lots of chatter later, we said our good byes till next time.    Lots of fun catching up over wine and delicious lunch.

Pat and the Birthday Girl

On home.    Mark had gone to the Carlock Family restaurant for lunch and did some book work and other jobs around Flo.

The farmers are working away with the spring planting - dust is flying along with all the construction on I-74.

We walked around the park - new states tonight are Wisconsin (2), Iowa and Ohio.

Tuesday - April 21

 The sunshine felt good but oh my, the winds were fierce and out here in the country we really felt the brunt.     But it was such a fun day with my cousin visiting.    Jane drove to KK from Peoria and we laughed, cried and laughed some more.    She's so much fun and we had lots to catch up on.

Jane and I have a long history as she was born just 25 days before me, we are fellow Sublettians and went thru school together and then Midstate College.    We yakked and played several games of Rummikub.    Busy Corner was our choice (one and only) for lunch and more yakkin'.   Jane and I then went to Revive, the nearby coffee shop.   Back to KK for more Rummikub and yakkin' of course.    I brought back a slice of coconut cream pie for Mark.

The winds continued to blow very strong all day.....crazy and a tad ominous with some big trees near Flo, Ruby and Big Red.    Jane left around 4 - such a fun day!    Miss her already...

Janie Girl is "thee best"!!!

We went for a walk and  the following campers from these states are visiting KK tonight:

South Carolina, West Virginia, New Mexico, Illinois, Minnesota (2), California, Tennessee, and Florida (2).   

Anne and I beat the computer 4 of 5 games tonight!    Good day of RummiKub and Euchre!

The wind finally died down around 7 PM.    Alleluia!

Monday - April 20

 33 degrees when we got up but sunny skies and no wind.    We left KK at 7:45 heading north on I-55 stopping in Dwight for gas (Ruby) and coffee (us) + a creme brulee donut for Mark at The Perfect Blend.

Next stop was Zip Dee awning company in Elk Grove Village to pick up new awning for Flo - after 8 years, the seam had come undone, so decided to get a new one instead of trying to fix.    Mark and hopefully? our friend Darrel can do this removal of the old one and install the new canvas.    Katherine, the lady at Zip Dee said it was not difficult and comes with directions.   They have the market on RV awnings and just getting into residential/businesses.

We arrived at Windsor Covenant Care at 11:30.    Mike and Theresa met us and we went to her apartment for a little bit and then to the London Grille - very good sandwiches and chili.    Afterwards, we went to see Mike's memory care apartment which is very nice and he's happy there.    We had a good visit and thankful he's in this facility for the care he needs.    So many challenges facing Mike with this dreadful disease and keeping he and Theresa in our prayers.

Said our good byes as Theresa had a meeting (she's on several committees at Windsor).    So glad to got to see them and catch up.

Theresa and Mark

On home....Mark drove to Gardner and then I drove rest of the way - after 6 straight days on the road, we hope to stay put (at least traveling) for awhile.

I decided not to join the Monday Night Friends - another long day and glad to just stay put!

Today Connor heard from Purdue, the 4th college he applied for their engineering program and he was accepted by all 4 with U of Illinois, his first choice!    Way to go Connor!!!

Sunday - April 19

 Hello from Kamp Komfort where we literally "blew" in this afternoon - crazy wind with gusts at 37 mph.    The temp is 58 but feels like 39!    

We left Lambert's RV park at 8 with Mark going to get diesel in Big Red and me to Scooter's for coffee.    What a pretty morning with lots of clear blue sunshine compared to wet, dreary Saturday.     And then we were off on I-55 for our 5th and final day of travel.   Sunday mornings are a good time to be on the road - not much traffic but then we really hit it big time around St. Louis.    WOW.....busy busy.   We saw the exit for Butler Hill Road and brought back memories from almost 57 years ago as this was very close to our first home at 202 Clayridge Drive.    Boy has that area changed (obviously in 57 years) with so many new businesses and a big cancer center right at the exit ramp.   

Always good to see the big Arch - "Gateway to America's Heartland". 

I checked in with Micci at KK while Mark parked Flo.    Micci said they had lots of rain about 2 weeks ago (2 days after they opened for the season)  and KK was basically totally under water - pictures were unreal!!!    

We are here for one month but tomorrow we're off again (just Ruby and us) to Elk Grove Village (near O'Hare) to pick up a new awning for Flo and then visit Mark's sister Theresa and Mike.    The calendar for the next month is pretty full with family/friends visits and eating!!!

We went to online Mass with Father Jonathan in Port Clinton at Immaculate Conception.   Another short and meaningful homily!

Zoom tonight had 8 siblings chatting about health issues, a tree falling onto Doris' Wisconsin lake home causing damage from last week's storm, family reunion coming in August, etc., etc.   Janet and Mike are vacationing in Arizona and Joan is pleased with her recovery from ankle surgery but still a long ways to go.

Frost advisory for KK tonight!!!😕😕😕

Have a good week!