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.

Saturday - August 22

 Clear blue sunny skies to start the day but didn't last long as the clouds rolled in and rain coming this afternoon.....ugh!    This is the long-planned "Customer Appreciation Day" here at Superior Marine,   Bob (master hog roaster)  and grandson Charlie started the process with "Elizabeth" at 7 AM and she's cooking away!!!

My boat sister Donna (and Bob) received some tragic news that their granddaughter's Dad died last night in a motorcycle accident near Columbus.....Craig was only 54 (a car made a left turn into his path).   Donna and Charlie (grandson) left to go home and be with family.   Oh my.....and while Donna was telling me this news, she got a call that there was another death in the family (a grandma).....

Liam called on his way to Iowa City and we had a long chat about Barcelona and all the fun things he and Connor saw and enjoyed.    So interesting to hear him chatter away   AND....he told us the big news that he has a job offer from US Bank where he did his summer internship!   YEAH.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!   He will start next July.

Hog roast was a big success  delicious pork and all the fixin's (mac 'n cheese, baked beans, cole slaw, corn bread) and lots and lots of desserts!   Had some rain around 3:15 but nothing to interfere with our party1

 Bob, the "Hogmaster" says it is done!  He has roasted over 30 of these!

The Carving Team

Donnie, Michael, Dave, Bob, Andy, Dennis

Ready for a party

Gatlin from Fort Myers (Ohio in the summertime) performed from 5-8 - fun show playing "One-hit wonders" (songs that artists only had 1 big hit) and then the countries represented in the World Cup and a popular singer native to that country!    Fun and entertaining.    Andrea ended the show with "God Bless America".    Whoaaa!   Chills and thrills!

Andrea and Darryl

Andrea can really belt out those tunes!

We missed boat sisters Donna and Teri (recovering from knee replacement)!

Big thank you to Superior Marine for putting on this fun, delicious and entertaining evening.