Wednesday-Thursday, September 16-17

 Wednesday - it rained overnight and was a dreary day.   We finished packing and organizing Ruby and then left at 11:15 for Busy Corner to pick up some slices of pie.    Mark got some gas for Ruby and we were on our way thru the country to Princeton to visit Annette's parents, Dave and Judy.    They have a beautiful place in rural Princeton - we sat in their gazebo which Dave built (their previous one was destroyed by a terrible fire from lightning).    This is soo neat and really pleasant sitting out there and yakking away.

The perfect place to relax with a good book, take a nap, etc.

Mark and Dave went for a ride in the pontoon which Dave built on their pond.   And then Mark took me for a ride.  

Mark and Dave

Us back on the water

  We went to Blue Margaritas for dinner (fairly new place in Princeton that was a former Burger King.)    Very good margaritas and food.

Then to Culvers (Dave's favorite for ice cream)!   On home....sat around their sunroom laughing and reminiscing about our kids/grandkids, memories, etc.   And then off to bed.

Thursday - Good night's sleep and a rainy start to the day but then the sun came out and it was hot (92 in Bloomington).    Judy fixed some yummy breakfast sandwiches and blueberries.    Mark and Dave worked on all the stuff that entails getting Starlink set up for them.   We love ours and know they'll be happy, too.   

We left their home around 10:15 with goodbye hugs and look forward to seeing them at Lake James for Thanksgiving.

Judy, Dave and Tia (Mia was "Missing in Action")

Tia and Mia are beautiful cats - "Rag Dolls"

Next stop was Bob and Linda's in Mendota - good visit and checking on Linda who had some dental surgery yesterday - she looks great and hopefully will have a smooth recovery.

Bob went with us to the Sublettian luncheon (Linda still on a liquid diet).   There were 15 of us and oh my............lots of chatter and catching up - we had not been together in 2 years.    Lots of fun, good food at Ziggie's and then took Bob home and a bit more visiting. 

Back:   Rose, Janet, Gary, Marilyn, Pat, Paula, Mary, Mark, Joe, Joyce, Bob, Janet, Joni

Front:  Jane, Dick

Our final stop was to see Aunt Marian and her daughter Paulette who is visiting from Florida.

Another great visit - Aunt Marian looks so good and is doing really well at almost 98 and always fun to see Paulette.   And then............on home!

Cousin Paulette and Aunt Marian

Liam called along the way so fun to catch up with him - he was driving to Bloomington and spending the weekend.   He and Connor's band "The Verdict" are playing at CCHS homecoming tailgate Friday night and then U of I versus SIU tailgate on Saturday.   Those boys love their music - definitely their Dad's sons!

We got more gas for Ruby and on home to KK.    Unloaded the car, unpacked the suitcase and repacked as we are leaving tomorrow for Memphis.    We'll be with Ryan and touring the FedEx facility for "Family Day" - 4-hour tour on Saturday.   Looking forward to seeing this ginormous place and how they process all the packages, etc.   It's for employees' spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and siblings.   The temp for Memphis is 97 all weekend long.

Went for a quick walk around the campground - whew....it is HUMID!!!   New states are Oregon, Washington and Michigan

No blog till Sunday.

Tuesday - September 15

 Hot today and breezy - may be thee last heat wave for us?    I had a fun morning in town at the House of Yolk (fairly new place in a former Bob Evans location that was totally renovated).    I metr Brenda, Sharon and Sue (1st time for us except Sue).    As always, I love hanging out with my girlfriends and catching up,    2.5 hours later, we had discussed lots (unfortunately, a big chunk of the conversation was about our health issues and others we know)    These gals are long-time besties!!!

Pat, Sue, Sharon, Brenda

Said our good byes (I'll see Sue again a few times) and I went to Aldi (next door) for a few things.  On home and yakked with Mark, took a nap and then packed for our trip north tomorrow.   No blog till we return to KK Thursday.

We went to Eureka to the Pickled Radish for dinner - LOVE this place and always an excellent meal.    Mark had the bourbon salmon and I had the bbq brisket - wonderful!    No rain or storms while we were there but Goodfield must've had a doozy - lights are off around town and water standing!    It rained here at KK and Mark showed 4/10".

Anne is back home from visiting her friend Heather in the Dallas area.    She and "H" have been friends for many years!

Nighty night!

Monday - September 14

 Cool Monday morning.    We left to meet the Monday Morning Group for breakfast but first, a stop at Starbucks as my reward points were going to expire soon.    Then to Heyworth and the Hornet's Nest where we met Pat, Brenda, Sigrunn, Ken, Sue and Darrel.   

Pat, Brenda, Sigrunn, Sue

Darrel, Mark, Pat, Ken

So good to be back with these folks - Pat and Brenda who moved to Edwardsville in July are back visiting for a few days.    Good hearty food and then back to Bloomington where we did 4 loads of laundry.

On home - got things put away and a quiet afternoon.   

New Jersey, Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana and Virginia are new states

Tonight the Monday Night Friends met at The Barrel House - lots of chatter as always and great to be with these gals.    Sounds like several are going to be traveling, so I really appreciate the few times we can be together since I'm here just 3 weeks.

Nadine, Sue, Brenda, Pat, Marsha, Donna

Sunday - September 13

 Much cooler when we went for our walk this morning.    

We drove to Gridley for our friend Roger's "Celebration of Life" this afternoon.   Barb greeted us with hugs and tears - just can't believe he's gone.    Barb seems to be doing well but life will be so different without her dear funny Roger.     He was a great guy who will be missed so much.

What a wonderful party which Roger would've loved!   Lots of people; lots of good food; big screen with 423 pictures that their grandson, Michael put together and many stories and memories.   

We had a long visit with Carol and her 2 girls (had not seen them in many years), but we boated together waaaay back on Clinton Lake and then many Cruise and Rendezvous.  Great to see her daughters and catch up as they were just so little.

Lacey, Carol, Katie

Friends from long ago

Mark, Barb, Pat

More hugs and then good bye....we went into town and picked up a few things at Wal Mart

Had some rain tonight but didn't amount to much.

Zoom tonight with 8 siblings - lots of football talk from the weekend - college and pro.

Have a great week!

 

Saturday - September 12

 Warm and sunny....we went for a walk at 8:30 and already steamy!    Had a nice leisurely morning before we left around 1 to go into town - picked up iced lattes at Starbucks and off to visit Donna Rae.    As always love our time together - at 94, she's such a trooper and dear, sweet lady!

Donna Rae

We left at 3:30 and went to 4:00 Mass at Holy Trinity with Father Loftus.   Then to Culver's for supper, Wal-Mart for a few things and on home.

Walked and found these new states:  Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, Kentucky, Nebraska and Missouri 

Watched the Iowa vs Iowa State game - wow.....a thriller with the Hawkeyes winning 16-13.

Big win for Notre Dame today, but Illinois lost!