Saturday - April 30

 The last day of April was rainy, windy and cool.    We were happy campers not having to go out in this stuff till this afternoon.   A nice leisurely morning on Flo as the rain came down, then some sun and strong winds and off and on like that.

We went into Eureka around 1 and had coffees and pastries (berry cream muffin for me and cinnamon roll for Mark) at Caleri's.    Their kitchen was closed today for remodeling, but had several yummy pastries/desserts to choose from.

Stopped at Busy Corner to pick up some pies and home just before the rain came down again at 2:30 along with tornado watch for several counties in IL for the next 6 hours.    Rain, hail, sun, wind....

We left KK at 5 and drove into town to Sue and Jerry's home.    Sharon and Harry arrived just after us and we had a very enjoyable evening visiting, laughing and enjoying wine, sangria, cheese/crackers, salad, pizza and coconut cream pie.     What fun to all be together again as we sure missed Sue and Jerry in Florida this winter.

Pretty rainbow in Sue's backyard after storm passed thru

Jerry, Sue and Molly

Harry and Sharon

 

Our handsome Brady and his date, Piper at Prom tonight

Friday - April 29

 Got to the 60's today, but mostly cloudy with a few short spurts of sun in the morning.   I was off to town at 8:30 for some pampering.    First a haircut with Morgan; then to see Lisa for mani-pedi.    Great to catch up with these gals.    I met Brenda for lunch at Medici in Uptown Normal.   Two hours later, we walked out of there (yummy lunch and fun visit).     Lots to catch up on - families, health, friends, so much to yak about.   

Long-time friends

I stopped at College Hills Meat Market for a few groceries and on home.    Mark had an appt. with his orthopedic PA to check on his back.    He will be getting a cortisone shot on May 19th and starting therapy (hopefully soon)?   

Pretty violets growing right outside Flo's door

Enjoyed a nice quiet afternoon on Flo......worked on some Blue Mountain greeting cards, wrapped a baby gift and we both read.  We were supposed to get some rain tonight but it's going around us!    More coming tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend!

 

 

Thursday - April 28

 We are not liking this IL weather.....cold and rainy!    YUCK!!!     And more coming next few days with no sign of warm-up for????

So we were off to town at 7:30 and stopped at Crafted Coffee Brews for our coffee and pastry fix.     Mark left at 8:15 to get a haircut and I walked across the parking lot to VisionPoint and my eye appointment with Dr. Pinter.    All is good and he'll see me next May.

Mark was waiting when I finished (eyes were dilated) and we went to Anne's - so good to see her briefly as she's working from home.    We had things for her and she had things for us, so some hugs, quick exchange and bye bye till Sunday.    The boys have quite the set up with their lawn mowing business hauling their equipment on a trailer they recently bought.    Grandma is proud!!!     The rain started!    UGH    Didn't know it was going to rain today???     Just cloudy and cool, but it did.

Then off to storage and got some warmer clothes out as we are not going to be wearing     shorts, t-shirts, flip flops any time soon here!   

Yesterday the IL farmers were going in the fields (disking and chiseling) and the dust was flying.    When we got back to Carlock, they didn't have rain and farmers were working away.    However, at 12:30, the rain started here, so......we just hunkered down and glad to have no outside activity today.

My brother Bob is a member of the Elks Club and their magazine came out with an article featuring the Blue Angels.    Ryan was in the picture from 2016...

Lance #3, Andy, #4 and Ryan #5

Gee, just since I did yesterday's blog, we've heard of more Covid cases and people really sick (even though they were fully vaccinated and boosterd).

I watched 3 episodes of "Call the Midwife" and now caught up.    Sooo much excitement and wondering what's ahead - episode 7 really left me hanging on a cliff!!!!

More rain coming the next 2 days!

Wednesday - April 27

 We are at Kamp Komfort and feels like "HOME"!    Good day of travel with nice weather and pretty spring beauty along the way.    Illinois trees have not budded out a lot, but the red bud were everywhere.    Near Danville, IL, there was a small pond/lake that was surrounded with red bud - wow!    Of course, I was driving so no pics!    We stopped in Shelbyville, IN for diesel for Big Red and gas for my car.   Nice to gain that hour back, too.

When we got to Bloomington, Mark got Flo and Big Red washed at a truck stop!    With all the pollen we've had, they were in dire need.   I went on to Schnucks to pick up a few groceries.

Always good to be here at KK and Micci was telling us that a big part of the park was flooded recently - water, water everywhere, so just now getting picnic tables delivered to each site, etc.    While we were setting up, an Airstream came in and Mark later met Misha.    She and her husband picked up their brand new "home" (they are full timers) in NJ one week ago and will tour the US for 3 seasons and spend the winter months in Costa Rica.    Also met a couple from AZ who are back visiting their son at ISU.    There are 13 RV's/campers here at KK tonight.

Connor got his splint off today (6 weeks and 1 day) after getting the plate and screws out from his wrist.    So........on a nice sunny day, a "man and his dog" are out kayaking!

Frankie and Connor

So pleased with the sign that re-done by Philip, Mark and I.....looks brand new!

Mark and I were going to deliver lattes and pastries to Donna Rae tomorrow and catch up.    However, she has tested positive, so......she's in isolation till May 7th and feeling miserable with a bad cough and headache.   Her back really hurts from all the coughing.   🙏🙏🙏

Also our neighbor in Cypress Trail, Buddy from Candler, NC has Covid and been really sick.    Both Buddy and Donna Rae were vaccinated and boostered.

So, we are back and will hit the ground running for the next month starting tomorrow morning!     Doctor appts., Mother's Day, 2 out-of-town trips to visit family, Drew's graduation, and lots of visiting and eating with friends!   

 

Tuesday - April 26

 Today would have been Anne and Patrick's 19th wedding anniversary...😢

What an abrupt change in the weather.    We sure enjoyed those 70-80 degree temps and after the rain came thru last night and into this morning, whew....woke up to the 40's.   

Since we were in no big hurry to leave and didn't want to drive in the rain, we had breakfast at Shoney's (could've walked there but not in the rain and cold).    Haven't been to one of these in years (many closed) but we enjoyed our nice hot breakfast.    By the time we got back to Flo, the ran had stopped, so we took off cruising north on I-75.    No construction woes but did have some nasty fog up in the mountains that was scary.    Fortunately, didn't last too long.    The sun came out at noon - yeah!    It just feels better when the sun is shining!

We arrived at the Whispering Hills RV Park in Georgetown, KY at 12:45.    We've been here numerous times as it's a good place to stay between NC and IL.    

So proud of Brady and his Patton High School golf team!    Brady finished 7th overall in the conference to make the regionals next Monday.

Congrats Brady - far left

So proud of Liam and Connor and their lawn-mowing business which is growing by leaps and bounds!    Way to go boys!!!    Their 3 uncles (Michael, Philip and Ryan) all had a lawn-mowing business back in the day.

Mark worked on Flo's table and is reconfiguring it minus the electronic innards which are basically shot.    He contacted an Airstream dealer and a new base with electronics would be over $2,000.    CHOKE CHOKE.....no thanks.    So, he has another plan and the table would remain upright but that's ok as we only make into bed when the grandkids are onboard.    When that time comes again, Grandpa has it all figured out!   WOW....so impressed he knows how to do this stuff!

We drove into town (Georgetown is a charming town and bedroom community to Lexington).     The flowering trees are beautiful!    We had a late lunch at Fava where we've dined before.    Stopped at Rural King for some fix-the-table supplies and on home.

So sorry to hear that our neighbor Martin (Cypress Trail) lost his father today.   He would've been 97 on May 7th.   

Going to be chilly overnight.....and then onto Kamp Komfort tomorrow!!!

Monday - April 25

 What a wonderful day for traveling weather wise and beauty wise;  but other wise, not so much!    Ha!

Luke and Maeve were off to school early; busy days for them with swim lessons for Maeve, and field trip for Luke (planetarium) field trip this week.    Annette made delicious omelets - she and Brooke spoiled us with wonderful meals (and beverages)!!!    We said good bye to Annette and Ryan and were on the road by 10:45 with me stopping for gas and then following Big Red/Flo.

The trip went well and I was happy listening to my oldies and enjoying the beautiful scenery - all the GREEN in the mountains, pretty wildflowers along the roadside and some lavender trees that were plentiful in NC and TC (no idea what they were)1    But then we came to Clyde, NC and exit 7.   We knew there was major construction going on and would be a back-up, but???    Not just stop 'n go, more like totally stopping for 5 minutes, then moving a bit, more stops, etc.    We said the rosary and chatted on the phone (Bluetooth) and finally came up the major construction site (never saw such a huge area and # of workers putting in a new bridge at the Hammock Den exit).    And to top it all off, a big part of the back up was a long gravel truck that had totally flipped over and a big wrecker was trying to put upright.    My oh my.....what a mess.    

Stopped in Newport, TN for a quick break and more gas for my car and then less than 2 miles from our final exit, another back-up.    Maybe an accident up ahead?  But so glad to get off the road and call it a day!    All in all, we lost 1 hour, 15 minutes!

We are at the KOA Clinton/Knoxville campground (about 15 miles north of Knoxville).  It was 84 when we arrived!

Sweet Luke snoozin' with his stuffies

More pretties...

rhododendron

no clue?

Annette and I on a last hike this morning

Our grand cat Carlos is now a teenager....he shares his birthday with Luke - April 8th

A few more pics from recent days...

Michael and Brooke at Fonta Flora

Ryan whipping up some yummy pizzas

We enjoyed leftovers that Annette sent with us and then went for a walk around the campground.   We were here June 1, 2020 after leaving Lake James and our 10-week escape from Covid.   Still pretty warm and doesn't look like rain, but supposed to start at 9 and continue thru the night and into the morning.    We'll be flexible with travel as we have a short day going to Georgetown, KY. (166 miles)

 

Sunday - April 24

Another beautiful day!    We went to church (Annette, Luke, Maeve, Mark and I) at 9:00 at St. Charles Borromeo.   Then to Abele's for a hearty breakfast.   Both church and restaurant were full and busy this Sunday. 

Sweet family missing Daddy

Grandma, Grandpa and kiddos

Iris and Azaleas

On home and Grandpa and Luke set to work on our bench table in Flo which is having issues.    When Luke and Grandpa put it down Friday night, (to make into bed), the computer charger (brick) was caught underneath and so, its now jammed.   Instead of a dining table, we have a coffee table!    After taking it apart and not finding a fix, the innards will probably have to be sent back to AirStream?    Mark will check in with them tomorrow.    Amazing that no one has had this problem as nothing on AirStream's website.   "What to do when table is stalled in "up" position (yes) but not when stuck in "down" position???  Zilch???

Annette made some strawberry/mint bubbly water beverages for she and I!    Hit the spot this warm day.

We did some hiking in the woods and checked out the bench we donated and the new pretty rock that my friend, Sue painted!

Grandma, Grandpa, kiddos and "The Rock"

Luke, Annette, Maeve

We went to the camp (said good bye to Michael, Brooke and Blair) and later, Ryan and friend, Erin took us for a nice long boat ride - what a spectacular day on the water.    Ryan had us for pizza tonight - delicious, plus plenty of extras, wine, etc.

Said our good byes to Luke and Maeve -back to school tomorrow for the kiddos!    Flo will miss them tonight!

Mark and I were planning to leave Tuesday, but lots of rain in the forecast and we do not want to pull Flo thru the mountains and me driving Little Navy, so....thinking we'll start out tomorrow and get ahead of the rain.

Good night from Lake James

Enjoy the upcoming week....

Saturday - April 23

 Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Donna Rae in Bloomington who is "90" today!   Here's wishing her many more happy, healthy years!

Philip left early this morning for Charlotte and then onto Fort Lauderdale to work till Tuesday.  Sounds like the kiddos had a fun time in Asheville yesterday!

We had a fun Saturday leaving at 9 and driving to Charlotte to visit our nephew Justin and Jessa.    They are both audiologists and we had not seen their new home - it is soo darling and they love Charlotte.    We visited and then went to Cabo Fish Taco for delicious lunch - wow....so many "different" and yummy tacos on the menu - not your usual taco place.    I had miso honey salmon and BBQ mahi mahi; Mark had whitefish.    EXCELLENT!!!   We took them back home, said our good byes and hope we'll see them here at Lake James over the July 4th weekend when we are back.

Justin and Jessa

On our way home, we stopped in Morganton at Pelicans and Brady was working and along with cashier, he made Grandma a delicious pina colada sno cone!    

Brady, our entrepreneur

Over 100 flavors or variations of what you can do with a little ole sno cone!!!

Annette's car has been in being serviced and was ready for pick up, so we drove to Marion and got it for her.    Grandpa drove it home and I was in my car.

We played 3-handed euchre with Annette and I was the winner!    Here's Maeve decorating some yummy sugar cookies!

Yummy bedtime snack!

Friday - April 22

 Congratulations to Philip who is celebrating his 20th anniversary with Spirit Airlines as Captain and Instructor!    It all started April 22, 2002

Here's wishing you many more successful years of flying and instructing!

Today was the long-awaited outing to Asheville for our adult kiddos.    Philip organized a bus trip for friends here at Lake James to visit breweries, shop, and enjoy this beautiful city.    He asked us to babysit several months ago!    Last count, 34 were planning to be on the trip.    They left the Camp at 10:00.

So Grandpa and I had a big day with Luke and Maeve.    After breakfast, they tidied up their rooms,  Grandpa put a first coat of varnish on our sign and the day was off and running.     Blair and Brady are hanging out today.    Grandpa, Luke and Maeve went to Blair's to pick up some frozen strawberries and raspberries for salad I made.

Late morning we left for Morganton with lunch at Blue 42, Luke's choice and a very good one.    We drove around town admiring all the pretty flowering trees and bushes.    Stopped at Ingles for some treats and then to the "Human Bean" for an iced coffee for Grandma.

Came home on a different route and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery - mountains, lake, and springtime beauty.

Grandpa and the Goobers

Awesome azaleas

Pretty pansies

Bristol Industries is a very large wood chipping plant near Lake James that we pass when going to Morganton.    They have a huge pile of lumber waiting for the chipper and all of the wood chips are made into toilet paper!!!

Many train cars carry away the wood chips

Loading more lumber to the already high stack

We went for a walk in the afternoon and then Grandpa took us on a boat ride.    Felt so good!    Really warm today and nothing cools you off like being on the water!

Grandma with her kiddos

After supper, it was time for showers and shampoos for these sweeties.    It sure has been a big and fun day for us!   We hope the big kids had fun in Asheville!

More pics from yesterday...

Happy hour in the driveway before we left for Fonta Flora

Luke is enjoying his fou fou drink in a pineapple.

Our 3 sons

The Munchkins

Sweet girls

Uncle Ryan helping the girls with Jenga

Thursday - April 21

 Cloudy start to the day as these guys are playing games and checking out the world news..

Luke 'n Grandpa

Mark and I are feeling good today -  just minimal side effects from our booster shots.  Annette made a delicious breakfast casserole and then I set to work doing some touch-up paint on our sign that travels with Flo.    Philip sanded down the sign which was showing some wear 'n tear and needed some TLC.....our woodworking boy knew just what to do.    

Grandma doing her thing on sign

Another project.....one of our tables in Flo needed a bit of glue

Time to walk with favorite forms of transportation and cookies, of course

We made pretzel/rollo/M 'n M treats - a big hit with our family...

Another batch of these yummy treats

Grandpa took the 3 littles to Morganton and treats at "Pelicans" for sno cones.   They also enjoyed playing on the large "Connect 4".    And before coming home, picked up an order at Wal Mart

The girls having some ice

Sno cones at Pelicans with 100 flavors to choose from!

Maeve had rainbow; Blair, grape and Luke, cola

 

Big version of Connect 4.

Annette and I took  iced tea to Philip who was working on the dock... cleaned out and vacuumed the 3 dock boxes and we installed a new canopy to keep the sun out on the deck.

Nice canopy

Annette has new variations of the daffodil

We all (Michael, Brooke, Blair, Ryan, Philip, Annette, Luke, Maeve and us) went to Fonta Flora Brewery here at Lake James for pizza and visiting (several of the kids' friends were there).    The little kiddos had fun and Luke and Maeve stayed overnight on Flo.    More pics coming tomorrow.....this Grandma is saying nighty night!