Saturday - June 30

Hot, hot, hot and the best place to be was Lake James........we all left around 10:30 (took Daisy, too) and spent a fun day on the water - kids enjoyed the tubing, surfboarding, boat rides, kayaking,  swimming and the "relaxation station".   And a very special part of the day was a walk-thru of the new lake home Michael and Brooke are building which should be done in a few weeks!!!!

  Here are some highlights of this last day of June.

Liam - ready to roll in Daisy

Davis can ride the tube FOREVER

Connor - just chillin' with the bag of doritos

Brady and Connor enjoying icy cold watermelon

Left the lake at 4:30 and Mark's sister, Karen arrived later for dinner - she and a friend are enroute to Washington, DC.   Great to see her



Mark, Brooke, Annette, Philip, Michael and Auntie Karen

Friday - June 29

We arrived in NC at 2 this afternoon.....the cousins have been going non-stop since!     Philip and Annette drove in from Florida at 3:15 and while the kiddies played outdoors (heat did not bother them a bit), we adults chatted and caught up.....so good to be together and looking forward to Anne and Patrick joining us Sunday night.   

After delicious shrimp dinner we played dominoes (Michael won) and Ryan called.    Drew has built a phenomenal fort in the basement out of blankets, quilts, afghans, etc. --- it is quite something and that's where the little darlins will sleep tonight!

The boys...

Davis, Liam, Drew, Connor and Brady on the trampoline

Best buddies - Connor and Brady

Chowin' down at the kitchen table

June 28, 2012

Forty-three years ago today - June 28, 1969....warm and sunny, but NOTHING like this heat!    Today is our wedding anniversary and we stayed indoors Daisy OR enjoyed the pool here at Fox Inn Campground in Clinton, TN.    Daisy's outdoor thermometer registered 120 and 109 in Toad!   

Had an uneventful day of travel except for an 8-mile stretch in TN that was a good 1-hour backup due to construction!     Boys have been great travelers - we got Daisy settled, put on our suits, lathered up with sunscreen and off we went.   Water was sooo refreshing, but even out for a short time, meant drying off quickly and hot, hot, hot!!!

We went to Harrison's for dinner - all very good and Liam took this first picture....

might have a budding photographer in the family?

Grandma, Grandpa and Connor after dinner

Quick stop outdoors and then into cool Daisy

Thanks so much for the phone calls, cards, e-mails, texts and e-cards!!!   Stay cool wherever you are!

Wednesday - June 27

Willie Nelson should be singing “On the Road Again.....as you read this, but still no music yet! AAAARGH! The boys were up at 6 AM and went with Grandpa to Dunkin Donuts and brought home some yummy treats. Mark and I exercised, loaded up the boys stuff , hooked up Toad and we were off around 9:45.

Mark connecting Toad and Daisy

Hot and sunny and 40 minutes later, both boys were asleep!!! Good day of travel and tonight we are at the Oak Creek Campground in Walton, Kentucky.    We stayed in this same park a few years ago enroute to the Smokey Mountains.   Spent some time in the pool and playground and after supper, Grandpa took the boys to the little store for ice cream.

Truckin' on down the road with Pillow Pet

 Leaving the pool after a refreshing swim

Enjoying ice cream on our picnic table

Tuesday - June 26

Delightful day.....Donna Rae and I got manicures; I had lunch with Claire at Panera and then home to finish up more stuff on Daisy.  Mark did more Daisy jobs and changed Toad's oil.     Said good-bye to neighbors, Candy and Marty!

Liam and Connor are spending the night - after showers and shampoos, these little guys are about ready for bed, but first playing Candy land with Grandpa.     Just a few last-minute things to put on Daisy in the morning ++++++ 2 very excited boys!  

 North Carolina, here we come!

Monday - June 25

Gorgeous day - breezy, sunny and upper 70's.    We'll enjoy today and tomorrow until the heat returns with a vengeance!

Mark and I exercised,  picked up Ed and Donna Rae and had breakfast with the neighbors - so good to have them back with us.    I ran some errands and he washed and waxed Daisy.

Did laundry, packed more stuff on Daisy and then met the Monday Night Friends at Famous Dave's for supper.   I left early to help serve dinner to Safe Harbor homeless  (Salvation Army)  with

Exchange Club.

Friday - Sunday, June 22-24

Louisville, Kentucky was the site this past weekend for Mark's family reunion – we now number 100 (with a new baby coming in August) and 39 enjoyed the festivities hosted by Sharon (Mark's sister) and Darrell.

Darrell and Sharon

Good ole summertime weather of hot temps and sunshine. Food was abundant and delish plus non-stop chatter. Along with games, cards, etc., some went to Churchill Downs. The Louisville Slugger Museum (Anne, Patrick, boys, Mark and I) was very interesting and now we know where and how major/minor league baseball bats are made. Also, there was shopping and a distillery tour for some of the guys. Several went to 4:00 Mass at St. Raphael the Archangel followed by very competitive Olympic games. The highlight of the weekend was celebrating 3 graduations. All in all....a great time was had by all.

Louisville Slugger Museum

Family fun at the Olympic games

Congratulations to:

Dan (high school); Sarah (college) and Dr. Kathy (chiropractor) (Sarah and Kathy are sisters)

Their cakes were so scrumptious (Caramel vanilla; Neapolitan and Italian Cream)

We arrived home at 1:45 this afternoon - busy Monday and Tuesday coming up getting Miss Daisy ready for her big trip east! Late afternoon we strolled the aisles of Meijer to stock up Daisy's fridge and cupboards and other nooks and crannies!

Talked to Michael and family via the new I-pad (face time) – sooo good to see them all and can't wait to be together this Friday!!!!

Thursday - June 21

We went to 8:00 Mass and met Anne, Patrick, Liam and Connor (Mass was for Patrick's Mom, Mary).     They went onto Indianapolis for a fun day and we'll meet tomorrow in Louisville.

We are getting some estimates and plans for new landscaping (this fall) and met with the first guy and liked his ideas.   Looking forward to what others come up with.....definitely need a "new, fresh" look as some of our plants have been in almost as long as we've lived here (38 years in September).  

  Met Allie and Owen for lunch at Destihl and had a nice shower (just not near enough)!   They came back here to continue our visiting and have key lime pie.   Always enjoy our time with them.

Allie and Owen

Had a really nice visit with Ed and Donna Rae in the evening and celebrated that tomorrow

Ed is going home after 46 days in the nursing home for rehab after his broken hip!!!

Tomorrow we are off to Louisville for the weekend - big reunion with Mark's family!    I probably won't update the blog till Sunday night!    Have a great weekend!

Wednesday - June 20

It's officially SUMMER!!!!     Our day started early with carpet layers here before 7:30 to take up the old and put down the new on our front porch and steps - looks great!     I had mammogram later this morning and then ran a few errands and had lunch with Exchange Club.    Mark ran some errands and is enjoying his new I-Pad.     

Loaded up more stuff on Daisy and got a haircut this afternoon.    Another hot one today, but relief coming tomorrow - just hope we get the rain predicted for tonight and tomorrow?

Went to Liam's ballgame which they lost 20ish-9, but here's Liam at bat with the bases loaded and tah dah....he got a hit!!!!

Our little slugger

Mark and I went to Beningo's for delicious dinner - one of our favorite spots but hadn't been

 there in a long time.

Tuesday - June 19

Another hot one......Mark and I went to 8:00 Mass which was for my Dad.    We drove separately and I met Kathy and Claire (who were also at Mass) for breakfast at Coffee Hound.    Great fun to catch up on our gtravels (river cruise for Kathy and me and Hawaii for Claire).    Then I was off to Meijer's for some groceries and met the BBB (Babies, Books and Bridge) friends at Destihl.    There were 6 of us - missed Ruth, but plenty of yakkin' discussing grandchildren (Holly is the last of us to become a Grandma but that will change ANY DAY)???   We exchanged books and set a date for October.

Mark and I worked on Daisy getting things packed away with still plenty to do (we leave one week from tomorrow).   I trimmed some Asian lilies and bleeding hearts way back.  According to the gardeners we saw this past weekend on the tour, now is the time to hack away!

Good-bye Spring - welcome Summer and the "HEAT is ON"!!!
 

Monday - June 18

Hot 'n sunny!   Had breakfast with the neighbors and then Connor came to spend the day - he's a bit under the weather.    Anne took him to Dr. (sore throat), but does not have strep and so, just taking Tylenol and ibuprofen.    We think the little guy is just exhausted - so much go go go and so, he took a much-needed 3+ hour nap.

Mark did Daisy jobs, I gathered more stuff to load up on Daisy and also laundry.  We were to give blood this afternoon, but they were way behind schedule and then computers locked up, so.....I stayed, but Mark will donate at a later date.

Went to Jody's with Monday Night Friends - she has a brand new home and it is gorgeous!    And she's our gourmet chef and prepared a wonderful dinner (Parmesan chicken, salad, rolls and blueberry/lemon crumb cake with ice cream and fresh blueberries) - All delish!!!!  
 Ten of us tonight - missed Marsha.

Having issues with the blog and driving me crazy!   I put several spaces between paragraphs and still, it jumbles it all together!!!!!   Once in a while (not sure why), it does leave spaces, but usually not!    And I can't believe they are not letting us play music - something going on with that and Mark is looking into other options?     Not sure you folks listen to whatever tunes we have, but
 I WANT MY MUSIC!!!!

Ok....amen and sweet dreams!

Father's Day Weekend - 2012

Hot weekend, but lots of fun......Saturday we drove to Princeton and spent a nice afternoon visiting with Annette's parents, Dave and Judy at their home including lunch. Then to Mendota and a cookout with my brother Ron and Vicki and Linda (Bob was out of town helping with Linda's brother's recovery from surgery). Good time and of course, more good eating. Mark and I spent the night

with Linda.    Happy with the rain we got, but could use more as it's a HOT week coming up!

Sunday, we went to 8:30 Mass, breakfast with Linda, stopped at the cemetery and onto Dixon and visit with Mark's parents. Then, time to eat again....off to his sister Sue's home for delicious bar-b-que chicken and all the trimmings.    Back home, unpacked and met Anne, Patrick and boys for ice cream and presents at Gene's.

So many great Dad's to remember and praise this Father's Day......my first without my Dad and miss him so much! And to thee best Father-in-law and his fantastic son and Dad to our kids, Mark. Then we have Michael and Patrick (great Dads to our grandsons), my brothers and brothers-in-law.

Love you all!!!

Two very special "Dad's"

Connor, Grandpa, Liam, Anne and Patrick

Friday - June 15

What a FUN day.......Mark took Liam and Connor to their Game Time Gym and then had Daisy's new tires checked.    I exercised and did some laundry.     After lunch Mark and I went on the Glorious Garden Walk - 9 beautiful gardens (a few really "over the top"), but all, very enjoyable especially Candy's (our neighbor behind us).   Her garden was described as a "jewel box of gems for shade and sun" and that it is - color, color, color everywhere!    And an extra fun part of the afternoon was all the people we ran into and hadn't seen in eons - so enjoyed catching up!    Despite the heat, had a great crowd and  tomorrow, the tour continues 9-5.

We are heading north tomorrow to visit family for the weekend and celebrate father's day, so here's to an early "Happy Father's Day" to all you Dads!   Be back in touch after the weekend!

Wednesday/Thursday, June 13-14

Busy few days......Wednesday, had breakfast with Patrick at Kep's; lunch with Exchange Club and Mark came home! Met the Sublettians at Wise Guys in Princeton – 17 of us and always fun, plus the added surprise of my sister-in-law, Linda and another Sublettian wannabe, Judi joining us.

Today, I walked, Mark exercised and did some jobs around the house.    I took Donna Rae to Caffe Italia for a belated birthday lunch. Pulled some weeds in the afternoon.     Went to vacation bible school's closing program - 400+ little ones (pre-school thru 6th grade).  After treats, Liam and Connor are spending the night

  

Liam and Connor are in this bunch - way off to the left in their brown shirts (can you see them)???

Tuesday - June 12

Absolutely gorgeous day - a very pleasant 77 and not a cloud in the sky!   I walked early this morning and then drove to Peoria and met my long-time friends, Allie and Jane.   We then went onto Good's in Kewanee where we met Barb (we all went to Midstate College).    This was first time we were all together in 45 years!!!!!    Sooo much fun chatting away, plus a little shopping in Good's wonderful gift/clothing department (did not check out the furniture) and then had a yummy lunch.    We made a plan to get together this fall....45 years is a tad long to wait again....ha!    What a grand day!

Barb, Jane, Allie and Pat

Home around 5, talked to Mark who has gotten all the big-Catrina jobs finished and coming home tomorrow!    Yeah!!!

Monday - June 11

Hot 'n humid today and big chance of rain, but zilch!    We need it badly!    I exercised this morning, met the neighbors for breakfast and oohed and aahed over Kassie's (Brenda's daughter) engagement ring.    Got a pedicure and then worked in the basement, did some cleaning in Daisy and went for a walk.  

Picked Brenda up and we went to Tamara's (6 of the Monday Night Friends) for delicious dinner and chatter.

Sunday - June 10

Hot here......walked early this morning and then to 10:00 Mass.   Put away some stuff in the basement and walked again this afternoon to the store for a few groceries.     Reading  a good book and Anne stopped by while the boys were at vacation bible school which started tonight!

Mark is making waves in Florida and whittling down Catrina's job list!

Have a great week and stay COOL!

Saturday - June 9

Beautiful spring day, but felt like summer as the temps are heading to 90.   Mark was off early for Chicago and flight to Florida.  He arrived early afternoon and is staying with Philip and Annette.   He's already started on Catrina's job list.

I went for 2 walks and back to the weight lifting (been 8 weeks).   Ribs are healed, so no more excuses!    Time to get serious and shed some extra lbs + a few more added on the cruise.

Got a bunch of stuff sorted and put in its place - piles here and there!    Why oh why do we have so much stuff!   Have a plan these next few days to get my "stuff" in order (either in the garbage or a "place for everything and everything in its place"!)

Till tomorrow....

Friday - June 8

While we're still dealing with jet lag, been keeping busy on the home front with the unpacking, laundry, mail, yard work, etc.    Mark is flying to Florida tomorrow – he and Philip will tackle the Catrina job list and he plans to return home Wednesday.    I have plenty to keep me busy plus work in Daisy who is back in the side yard – she needs a good cleaning inside and then prepare for next big trip out east end of June.

The Discovery II - 440 feet

Here's a brief wrap-up of our river cruise....we traveled in 5 countries (Hungary, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and the Netherlands). We started in Budapest and enjoyed the extra bonus of my cousin, Karen as our personal all-day tour guide. We then cruised 800+ miles to Amsterdam. The Discovery II (its maiden voyage was this past March) thru Vantage World Travel was our home for 15 nights with beautiful accommodations and fantastic staff and crew. The ship's passenger capacity is 176 and we had 169 on board with a crew of 40. California had the biggest representation (43 passengers). There were 5 Pat's and one Mary Pat and a very dear 93-year old man, Keith from CA who traveled by himself and was an avid bridge player. We met so many neat folks from all over the USA and one lady from Alberta, Canada. Paul and Mark (the boaters) enjoyed the specifics on the boat's unique mechanical equipment and the 68 locks we went thru.

Along with the larger cities of Budapest, Vienna, Frankfurt, Cologne and Amsterdam, we so enjoyed the little picturesque villages along the way. Several of these areas had a specialty that they were well known for such as “paprika” in Budapest and Szentendre; “apricots” in Durnstein; “Asbach brandy, chocolates and coffee” in Rudesheim and “mustard” in Amsterdam.

We enjoyed many lectures, Albert, the ship's very talented pianist and other musicians who came on board, and demonstrations on making apple strudel (Vienna) and glass blowing (Wertheim, Germany). Other special events included a concert in Vienna, cake and coffee in a German home, cruising thru the Wachau Valley and wine tasting, shopping at Kathe Wohlfahrt's Christmas shop and touring the kitchen with our darling Chef Predrag. The cuisine was so delicious (with unique presentation) each and every day along with wonderful wines and beers.

Each quaint little village, whether nestled in the valley or high on a hill, had their church with the tall steeple seen from far away. The castles were magnificent with so much history. We were always in awe of the architecture wherever we went and loved the cobblestone streets and beautiful blooms from all the flower boxes. And now to sort thru over 2500 pictures that Paul, Kathy, Mark and I took – planning to put together a photo book this summer!    

It was a "dream" vacation!

Had cookout at Anne and Patrick's last night and of course, enjoyed the boys and sounds like they will have a busy, fun summer! Visited our friends Ed and Donna Rae this afternoon. Ed is still in nursing home recovering from hip surgery.

Enjoy your weekend – turning hot here!!!

Tuesday - June 5

We are HOME..... uneventful flight from Amsterdam to Chicago that was 1 hour less

 than scheduled!   How about that?  Our bus driver told us gas is $9 per gallon there.   Interesting tidbit about their airport was that security was right at our gate and we went thru that about 1 hour before boarding.  Mark's sister Theresa met us at the aiport with our truck and we were on our way.  GREAT vacation with Paul and Kathy.    Now to start the

unpacking, laundry, etc.,

 but that can wait  till tomorrow - time to catch up on sleep!!!  

Patrick stopped by with Liam and Connor....oh so good to see them and get those big warm hugs!

    Will catch up more in the next few days when we get "back in our groove!"

Monday - June 4

After 13 beautiful sunny, warm days, the rain and cold has come on strong – Saturday in Cologne and today in Amsterdam. But, we've still been out and about soaking up more history and culture. Cologne is a huge city of over 1 million with a very happening night life. Saturday night after dinner, we walked to the Dom (took 632 years to complete the building of the world's tallest cathedral). It is magnificent. It was such a beautiful evening as the 4 of us strolled the downtown pedestrian mall with shops, shops, and more shops (many high end shops). Mark and I went to 9:00 Mass Sunday at the Dom and then had a very good continental breakfast at Cafe Reichard – we sat inside this warm, cozy place across from the cathedral and watched the rain come down while people were scurrying about as the temperatures dropped.    These big cities are ok, but you can't beat the charm of the  picturesque little villages we've visited.   After a grand Captain's farewell reception/dinner Sunday night, our ship set sail for Amsterdam.

One of our big memories of this capital city of the Netherlands will be the bikes which are EVERYWHERE!!!! There are 780,000 residents of Amsterdam and 600,000 bikes. Even have a parking garage at Market Central (train station) – 3 levels and all bikes. Enjoyed a panoramic tour of the city by bus, the Rijksmuseum (many beautiful Rembrandt paintings) and then 1-hour boat ride thru the canals. It was chilly and rained all morning so decided to skip walking around Amsterdam, eating lunch out, etc. which had been the plan. We returned to the ship for delicious Dutch lunch and then did some packing, napping, reading! A final fabulous dinner and then drinks and reminiscing upstairs in the lounge with new friends and more pictures as all said our good-byes.

After breakfast tomorrow, we'll board the bus at 8 for the airport and direct flight from Amsterdam to Chicago. We are taking with us a wealth of history, new friendships, memories, photos and a few

extra lbs.

Cruising on the Discovery II has been a wonderful, fantastic, incredible experience – from the moment we stepped on board and throughout our stay, we have been pampered, wined. dined and treated so special. Mark and I highly recommend you add a European River Cruise to your bucket list –

you'll love it!!!

Friday - June 1

In just a few hours, it will be midnight here in Frankfurt and Ryan's birthday.....

how can our "baby" be 27?

Happy Birthday, Sweetie....our Navy "Tophatter" pilot

Guten tag, (good day)

So many adventures and new experiences since I last wrote. We arrived in Frankfurt this afternoon where our ship was waiting for us after leaving on the bus from Aschaffenburg this morning and spending a big day in Heidelberg,

Some highlights of the past few days include visiting and touring the charming towns of Bamberg, Wuirzburg, Wertheim and Heidelberg. After touring Bamberg, we had a fabulous High Tea on the ship – what a wonderful array of small sandwiches and pastries, teas and coffee.

90 of our shipmates chose to take the side trip to Rothenberg on Wednesday (Germany's oldest medieval town about 1 hour away). What great fun for Kathy and I as we shopped in the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop - did our part to boost their economy. As we were leaving the market center, we went into a coffee shop “just in case” we could get one to go and the shopkeeper spoke a little English and said “yes”, but we weren't sure he understand us as there was not a paper cup in sight. So, we explained what we wanted again (each of us) and he said“how many times you ask me and how many times I tell you “yes”! So........he pulls out 2 paper cups and lids from underneath the counter and we were happy campers with our cappuccinos-to-go. He smiled and said “You know this is not a European thing”? ...oh, yes we do know that!

Karl came aboard and sailed with us to Wertheim. He is a glass blower and did a great lecture plus followed by a booming business on the ship selling his beautiful pieces of art. Later after an authentic German buffet on board, Kathy and I walked the 2 minutes into this charming little village and visited his wife, Linda's shop and bought a few more items, plus some lovely jewelry that his daughter-in-law makes. In the afternoon Kathy and I along with 38 others enjoyed cake/coffee or German “Kaffeeklatsch” which 3 families provided us. Our host family was delightful (Elka) and what fun we had listening to her (very good English) describe their lifestyle, family, etc., in the tiny town of Nassig. Her pastries (chocolate cake made with red wine, peachy/whip cream concoction and some sort of rolls with filling were all delish!!!) Before dinner last night we were treated to a man and woman sing, play the saxophone and keyboard – they did everything from opera to big band to good ole American tunes. She had thee most beautiful, clear voice!

And here it is Friday, June 1 and we very much enjoyed Heidelberg, a university town with the very first Starbucks in Germany. Strolled around, browsed the shops and bought some chocolates from the “Student Kisses” shop – big popular spot there for chocolate!     Barbara treated us to delicius strawberries on our return.   We saw many fields of asparagus today.   "White" asparagus is very popular here and soo good.   It is covered while growing with large white plastic sheets which  protects it from the sun.   The sun is what makes it green - learn something new every day!!!   So while we were being bussed to Heidelberg, our ship cruised to Frankfurt where we'll stay till midnight and then cruise all night arriving in Rudesheim tomorrow and looking forward to a gondola ride. Sunday, it's Cologne; Monday, Amsterdam, and Tuesday, Home Sweet Home. We are winding down this fabulous “dream vacation”. When we leave Frankfurt, we'll also be leaving the Main (Mine) River and cruise on the Rhine to Amsterdam AND, can resume lounging on the upper deck in the sunshine with beautiful views – this has been closed for past 5 days cause of low bridges.

Germany....what can we say! Such an absolutely beautiful, scenic country! It's the size of Montana, but with 82 million people!!!     Almost ready to end this very enjoyable day which was topped off by a  fun and very entertaining talent show put on by the crew of the Discovery II - what a riot!

Gute Nacht