Thursday-Friday, August 27-28

 Thursday - we are off to Dixon for my 60th class reunion.   We stopped at Coffee Express for our fix and then on the road....shared the drive but Mark did the nasty stuff around Chicago!    Hadn't driven in all that traffic for a long time!    Ugh!   379 miles to Dixon.   Along the way we watched Iowa vs Ohio in the Little League World Series.   Iowa lost so they were eliminated, but what a great  experience for these boys and they sure provided thrills and chills for their fans!!!    There are thousands of little leaguers out there but such a huge accomplishment and experience to get to play in Williamsport!    

We stopped in to see Karen's workplace (business manager for St. Patrick's Church and St. Mary's School).    Auntie is Mark's sister.

 Rested a bit when we got to Auntie's, changed clothes and off to the reunion at the Palmyra Pub.    What a surprise to walk in and there was Shirley (a classmate one year behind me) who was there with girlfriends for a planning meeting of their garden club.    Shirley is one of those incredible gardeners responsible for the gorgeous petunias in Dixon (Petunia Capital of the World).    GORGEOUS blooms on all the light posts.    We get together in FL with Dick and Shirley each winter.

What a fun reunion with 24 classmates and 10 spouses.   We had some really good hors d'oeuvres during social (and get reacquainted time) and then we ordered off the menu.    Food here is really good and so enjoyed reminiscing with these long-time folks I knew 60 years ago (mind boggling)!!!   Mark knew some of the guys so he enjoyed the evening, too. 35 classmates have passed away out of 92 in our graduating class.

We came up with a plan that maybe in 2 years, we could have an "80th birthday party"???   We shall see....

My classmates from Amboy High School

Class of 1966

On our way to the reunion, we got a text that our niece's hubby, Ryan was back in the OR with a ruptured artery - oh my.....Ryan has just had one problem or complication after another!    Big time prayers for his recovery and no more setbacks.

Back to Auntie's for a good visit and then to bed - switched from eastern to central time today - tired nomads.

Friday - we were up early with the time change.    Auntie left for work and we were off to Starbucks for coffee/pastries.   I'll see Auntie the end of September for Sisters' Weekend.    Sure appreciate her hospitality.

Youngest and oldest siblings

Notre Dame was our next stop to meet Brady for lunch.   He doesn't have classes on Friday so this worked out perfect.   South Bend is almost exactly 1/2 way from Dixon to Port Clinton.    Great lunch and visit!

Grandma, Brady, Grandpa

Golden Dome in background!

Connor called on our way home.   He had a good 1st week of classes at the U of I....a bit different than Danville Area Community College with 300 in one of his classes!!!

Visited with Jeanne and got a tour of her beautiful yacht - "Magic Carpet".    Then visited with Bob and Donna on "So Blessed"   Dennis, his brother Steve and friend Jerry stopped by.    They are leaving tomorrow on a guys boat trip to Canada.    

We enjoyed listening to the special tribute to Dolly Parton on the XM tribute channel singing her many wonderful songs

RIP to the Queen of Country Music

 

Wednesday - August 26

 Nice sunny day here in Port Clinton.    We did 2 loads of laundry and moved a few things over to Flo.

Watched Iowa lose to Nevada 14-6, so.....tomorrow at 9, they'll play again and hoping for better luck!!!

Went to Dollar Tree and WalMart.    The other day Charlotte sent a pic of Halloween ghosts and ghoulies from her Annapolis Home Depot.    But here we are in Port Clinton with the start of Christmas decor at Dollar Tree!

Christmas 2026 is just around the corner!

Maeve and a beautiful field of sunflowers

And from the sunflowers to the classroom...

Maeve met her teachers, saw her classroom and this cozy corner tonight

5th grade.....here she comes next Monday

Had a good chat with Philip hearing about his new job at FedEx and the training he's going thru.   It's soooo hot in Memphis!

Tomorrow we are driving 6 hours to Dixon, IL (Mark's hometown) for my class reunion (60th) from Amboy High School.  We'll spend the night with his sister Karen (Auntie) and come back Friday, so no blog till we return.

 

Tuesday - August 25

 A big day for we nomads and just got back to Catrina at 5:30.    We left at 7:15 AM for Frankenmuth, MI (2 hrs., 45 min).

Stopped in Oregon, Ohio (suburb of Toledo) for coffee at 7 Brew Coffee and arrived at Bronner's Christmas shop (world's largest at 96,000+ square feet).    Been here several times and always a treat!    Fun as always (if you don[t get lost - ha)!    I got the ornaments I wanted and had them personalized.   Our friends Ron and Pat arrived from Muskegon, MI.    They had never been here and wow....so impressed    They shopped and we walked around this massive place visiting, oohing and aahing.   2.5 hours later, we checked out and onto downtown for lunch at Zehnder's (our favorite for their chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and bread. )   After this big feast, we went to the bakery - they bought a cherry fritter (nothing for us).   Walked a little outside and then said our good byes.    Hoping to see them in January when they are in Venice, FL.

Gorgeous patriotic tree and celebrating the USA's 250th birthday

LOTS of red/white/blue decor throughout Bronner's and Zehnder's

Leaving Bronner's with their 1st purchases

Hearty lunch at Zehnder's

Ron and Pat

Pat and Pat

Frankenmuth was a big hit as always - shopping, eating, flowers and beautiful weather!

On home - it got much warmer than predicted, so cooling down Catrina.   No supper tonight as we are stuffed.

So sad to hear that Dolly Parton passed away - what a legend with so many big hits and so loved!

Monday - August 24

 Today is the 58th anniversary of our engagement............so a trip to Coffee Express was in order.   We both had their Farmer's Quiche (so delicious) with grapes and our coffees.   On home.

It is a beautiful day but definitely feels like fall (my favorite time of year).    And very windy for 2nd day in a row...

We had some computer stuff to take care of,  Mark had an electrical job having to do with radar, chart plotter and depth gauge.   And we did some laundry here at the marina - takes a LONG time, but it's FREE (the laundromat now wants $6.50 per load!!!)  😦

After lunch and a nap for Mark, we went to WalMart for a few things and got Ruby washed and gassed up

Walked downtown to The Brickhouse for dinner - always busy and tonight just had high-top tables available (they only have 4 regular tables).   Mark's back and high-tops are not a good match, but we did it with him standing frequently.    Pizza was very good and walked back home.

Blair

Last "first day" of middle school

GO IRISH

Frankie is still in pre school, but Gibson is a big college boy!  

(Liam sharing his Chat GPT talent!)  😅

My friend Charlotte sent this

Home Depot in Annapolis ready and waiting for Halloween

 

Sunday - August 23

 Beautiful sunny breezy Sunday...we went to R Coffee Corner for coffee and raspberry/lemon Danish.

Then to 10:30 Mass with Father Jonathan, stopped at Baby Bassett's for a few things.  On home.   

Watched the Iowa ball team play their 2nd game in the Little League World Series this afternoon and win 6-0......so exciting!!!    Way to go IOWA

Tomorrow starts another school year for our kiddos....

Liam - senior at U of Iowa

Brady - junior at Notre Dame

Connor - junior at U of Illinois

Blair - 8th grade at Liberty Middle School

GOOD LUCK to all!

Luke and Maeve have 1 more week of vacation.

We have 2 out-of-town trips this week.....Tuesday to Frankenmuth, MI meeting friends for shopping and lunch.   Thursday to Dixon, IL for my class reunion.

Zoom tonight was missing Sharon and Janet - plenty to chat about - update on nephew Ryan, Lian's job next July, Jim and Lydia in Colorado till Wednesday, our hog roast here yesterday, Tom and Beth have the movers coming next Monday, etc.