Tuesday - September 30

 Wow....the last day of September and it's a winner in the weather department!    Our friend Darrel arrived at 9 to help Mark get the sofa out of Flo, reassemble on the picnic table and take to town to donate to ReStore (Habitat for Humanity).   Mark thought it would be a good idea for me to be outta there as he wasn't sure how this was all going to work out?   (Almost a 4-hour job)  So, I left for "Revive", the coffee shop in Goodfield we really like- had a harvest latte and a raspberry twist and played some games on my Ipad.    Then to Scottwood Floral in Eureka - LOVE this place and sooo many fall pretties along with the start of their Christmas decor.

Final stop was Braker's Mennonite Grocery - another favorite.   I browsed around and 4+ hours later from when I left KK, I came back.   I saw that Mark and Darrel were in Bloomington delivering the couch, so now safe to come home?   😀

Put away my groceries, vacuumed where the couch had been and had some lunch.   The guys returned after lunch at Culver's and told me all the tales of removing a couch from an Airstream!  😕

The farmers are going strong with the fall harvest and the good weather is to continue thru the weekend.

Did some more packing for our weekend in Cedar Rapids and Drew and Tessa's wedding.

Bye bye September - only 3 months left in '25😔  I walked around KK - Mark put in a really big day.....but we are ready for our new recliners next week.

Monday - September 29

 A very warm summery day and going to continue thru the week!

We sorted the laundry and then off to The Hornet's Nest in Heyworth for breakfast with the Monday bunch and joined today by Marty and Darrel, but missed Sue.   We all really liked this place and prices were very reasonable.    So, planning to return next Monday.

Sigrun, Pat, Brenda

Pat, Darrel, Mark, Marty, Ken

Then to the laundromat in Normal - got the washers going and went next door for an iced latte only to find Gloria Jeans is all closed up and have moved to Champaign?    

Back to KK with our clean laundry, put it away, and enjoyed the AC for rest of the afternoon.

Tonight we went to Busy Corner with the MNF's although several were missing.    Great food as always, but very chilly and unfortunately, it's always chilly at BC morning, noon and night!   

Jody, Ruth, Mark, Pat, Marsha, Nadine, Mike

Friday-Sunday - September 26-28

 The sisters have all returned safely to their homes after another very fun sisters weekend.   Here's what we did...

Friday - I went into town for a mani/pedi with Lisa.   My appointment was at noon, but the lady before me was 1/2 hour late coming in....ugh!    Anyway, it was so nice to see Lisa - was last September when she did my nails.    Also her sister Tao who works there and bought a bunch of my holiday decor when we had our garage sale before selling our house on Jackson Street 10 years ago.    Tao told me the snowmen are doing great and she can't wait to get them out again.    These sisters are so sweet.

Picked up some iced coffees at Jasper's Java and onto visit Donna Rae....as always, enjoyed our 1 hour visit and lattes.    Hope to see her in December when we're back in town.

Pat and Donna Rae

And finally I'm on my way to Potomac, IL and meet the sisters at Riverbend.    We trickled in at various times but by 5:30, all 7 of us had arrived with hugs, our suitcases, snacks, wine etc.  We had appetizers/ ham and cheese sliders and tomatoes which Joan brought and shared!

Lots of yakkin' went on all weekend + game time (Swoop, Piggy Piggy, Hand and Foot and Sky Jo).  We remember how many years (been having sisters weekend since 1993) ago we stayed up till the wee hours of the morning and Friday night at 9, we were all ready for bed; Saturday night, we managed till 10!  😊😊

Sunset at Riverbend

Saturday - a beautiful very warm day in the country.    We had a delicious breakfast casserole, mini muffins, yogurt with raspberries, nuts, granola, etc.   We walked around the man-made lake with fountain - Riverbend is 240 acres - lots of trees, huge garden, 2 guest cabins along with the main house, etc.   It is a lovely retreat in the country owned by Beth's friend, Sybil.

Marilyn, Doris, Sharon

Pat, Theresa, Beth

Doris, Theresa, Sharon

Joan, Pat, Beth Marilyn

Pat and Sybil (90 years young)

More games in the afternoon and then off to church at 5 at Holy Family in Danville.    Tom (Mark's brother) and Connor met us.   After Mass, we all went to Possum Trot (a favorite supper club).    So enjoyed the food and ambiance.    Great time here and they have a great guy playing the baby grand - sooo many good tunes.    As we were getting ready to leave, he played "Sweet Caroline" and Connor and I looked at one another - on my, this was Patrick's signature song and what he played at every show with the crowd loving it!    A nice way to end the evening.

Connor and Grandma

Tom, Beth, Pat, Marilyn, Theresa, Sharon, Connor

Joan, Doris

Bye to the guys as we girls headed to Riverbend.   Played SkyJo and by 10, off to dreamland.    I said my good byes as I probably won't see everyone tomorrow before I leave. I will see several  of them at Drew and Tessa's wedding next Saturday.   We sure) missed Janet, Karen and Lydia.

Sunday - up and going stripping the bed, gathering my things together and I was leaving this beautiful place at 8:15.    Beth had told me about "Revel Bakery Cafe" in Danville that is owned by friends of hers.    I like Madgoat Coffee (as does Connor) and that's where we had planned to meet.    But at Beth's suggestion, thought we would try Revel.    WOW....good choice.    It is a cute coffee shop with many beautiful pastries (all in-house made).   They have a very large play area for the kiddies - so cute and perfect for Mom and Dad to have breakfast while watching the younguns.   It was a very popular place this Sunday morning.   Connor was happy to hear about Revel (just open 8 months) but decided Madgoat is the better coffee shop for studying (quieter).   Connor and I had a great visit and loved our coffee/cinnamon roll/Swedish cardamom bun.   I took a cinnamon roll home to Mark which he devoured 😋   Said good bye to Connor (what a treat to see him 2x this weekend.)   He left shortly after with his golf team for a tournament Monday/Tuesday in Sherrard, IL. 

Connor outside the Revel Bakery Cafe 

On back to KK and yakked with Mark about our weekend.    He kept busy working on the couch in Flo and other jobs including a trip to the hardware store.   He was shocked to hear that the churches in Eureka and Roanoke officially closed in June.    We've been to St. Luke's in Eureka several times - how sad.   He went to St. Patrick in Washington and then to Cornerstone for dinner.

Mark found 2 new license plates while I was gone - Alaska and Arkansas

Annette took the kiddos to a Revolutionary War Encampment yesterday in Morganton.

Luke and friend

Maeve and Annette

Anne and friend Patti went to the Iowa/Indiana game yesterday

Great seats and looking across to the children's hospital and the "wave" from fans to the children.

Sad that Iowa lost

Only 6 on zoom tonight.   Have a fun, safe week.

Thursday - September 25

 Another busy but fun day.   I went to town at 9 - had several errands + a latte at Jasper's Java  (fairly new place that is in a red shipping container)

Met Claire at Rob Dob's for delicious almost 3-hour lunch topped off by sharing some butterscotch bread pudding!   YUMMY!

Claire and Pat

Went to Anne's to exchange things for her to me and me to her.   Then to Busy Corner for pumpkin bars which the boys love.   Finally back to KK at 4.   Whew.....it was a beautiful day and got a lot accomplished along with one final lunch/visit hurrah with Claire till January.   And while I was gone...

Mark worked on some odd jobs on Flo and watched YouTube videos on how to remove the couch from an Airstream - quite a process.    He is starting to get this figured out before we pick up our new recliners in a few weeks. 

I'm going to Sisters' weekend near Danville starting tomorrow.   There were to be 9 but 2  had to cancel cause of health issues...I'll do the blog when I return on Sunday.   

Blair loves to cheer.....here she is doing one of her favorite activities.

Always on top!

We walked around the campground and saw South Carolina plates for the 1st time.

Wednesday - September 24

 Finally got some rain this morning - a nice shower but only lasted about 1/2 hour.    It was gloomy and cool all morning and I went to town around 10:45.    Stopped at Dollar Tree for some piddlies and then met Sharon and Brenda at Destihl.    Sue was not able to join us.

Pat, Sharon, Brenda

Another long leisurely lunch with plenty of chatter and of course, delicious food!    I hadn't seen Sharon since May - hoping these gals will come to Fort Myers this winter - we had so much fun last February when they came and we were with our friend Connie.

I came back to KK and the sun is shining - nice rest of the afternoon.    Mark hung out on Flo doing some logistic stuff - can't believe we leave 2 weeks from today.

Tuesday - September 23

 Beautiful day in the country for the 2nd day of Fall.....we were off to town to have breakfast with long-time friends (over 50 years).   We met Gary and Roger thru the Mid Illini Power Squadron (promoting safe boating thru education) and we've been getting together in the spring and fall when we're back in IL.    Roger's wife, Carol passed away almost 2 years ago.   Gary's wife, Judy has Alzheimer's, so appreciate him taking the time to spend with us.    We always meet at The Bloomin' Cafe - great breakfasts and our visit lasted 2.5 hours today!

Mark, Pat, Gary, Roger

We all shared lots of memories thru the years, family updates, health, etc.   Very enjoyable morning and then Mark and I stopped to visit Patrick's gravesite and on back to KK.

I wrapped some Christmas presents to take with us to Cedar Rapids for Drew and Tessa as they won't be in NC for Thanksgiving.

                                                         

Philip, Annette, Maeve and Luke

Luke is doing cross country and loves it!    Another runner in the family!

 And he's off...

Maeve is taking fiddle lessons - good for her and look forward to some entertaining tunes.

A runner and a musician!

Awesome

Took 2 walks around the campground - no new states.   We need rain so badly but continues to keep missing us.

We're enjoying hearing from friends in FL as to when we'll be back - God willing, October 17th is our plan.

 

Monday - September 22

 WELCOME   FALL

Drizzly, cloudy morning as we were off to Shannon's for breakfast with the Monday morning folks.   We missed Ken and Sigrun, but so nice to have Marty join us.   Marty just celebrated his 89th birthday but looks the same as he did 20 years ago.    Way to go Marty!   He was our long-time neighbor on Jackson Street.

  

Mark, Marty, Pat

Sue, Benda, Pat

We ran a few errands afterwards and on home.    Quiet afternoon and the sun came out around 2.  

Long blog post yesterday but forgot to mention Michael and Brooke's 27th wedding anniversary was Friday, the 19th.    And Saturday was the 6th anniversary of Patrick's passing. 

Five of the Monday Night Friends were not available tonight to meet, but Brenda, Sue and I went to Lucca for pizza and enjoyed lots of laughs - fun time.   I took Brenda home and I came back to KK.

Just 3 MNF's

Brenda, Pat, Sue 

Lucca Grill

Friday-Sunday, September 19-21

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

 PHILIP

  

Our birthday boy and his sweet Annette

Congratulations to Philip on his 49th birthday!   WOW....how can that be?    Philip John was our bicentennial baby born September 21, 1976.   He's made us so proud so as parents and what a great hubby to Annette and Dad to Luke and Maeve.    He loves to fly, do woodworking, travel and enjoy his family and friends on beautiful Lake James.   

Been watching with so much emotion the memorial service for Charlie Kirk - so heartbreaking but so powerful with the many wonderful tributes to this great Christian man...

We are back from our weekend up north for Mark's reunion.   Busy and fun!

Friday - we left KK in the morning with our first stop in Minonk at the Brewhouse Coffee Bar (1st time for us and excellent warm raspberry scone).    Walked across the street to the Minonk Chocolate Co for some caramel apples and chocolates.   Onto Mendota and another stop at the Coffee Barn, (just opened in May).   I remember when this place was Jerry's Flower Barn many years ago.  Then to visit my Aunt Marian (almost 97).   She's now in assisted living at Stonecroft Village.   We had such a nice chat and saw her new "home".   We wheeled her down to play bingo and said our good byes.   She's such a dear...

Aunt Marian

Next stop was at St. Mary's cemetery in Sublette to visit my parents' grave.   Off to Sterling and Mark's sister Joan and Joe's home.    We settled in and enjoyed a slice of Joan's delicious raspberry/cherry pie and visited a bit.   We changed clothes and off to Mark's 60th class reunion from Newman Central Catholic High School (class of '65).   5:00 Mass at St. Andrew's with Father Jon Koehler (classmate from New Orleans) presiding.   Then to the Candlelight Inn for heavy appetizers/drinks and reconnect with classmates (I know several, so fun for me, too).    The food was wonderful!    A great start to this big event.

Saturday - we went for a hearty breakfast at The Red Apple in Dixon with Joe and Joan - more visiting and so enjoy these one-on-one visits.    Said our good byes and big thanks!

                                           

                                                                        Joan and Joe  

We went to Oakwood Cemetery to see the graves of Mark's parents and sister Carol.   Joe and Joan also stopped by.   We drove around Dixon (Petunia Capital of the World) - wow.....we remember for many years, the beautiful blooms that used to be in the ground along the streets of Dixon but now in these gorgeous hanging baskets around town.   

Spectacular blooms

Then we hit another coffee shop (our favorite in Dixon - Coffee Crush).    Off to Oregon for next reunion event.   The classmates boarded the "Pride of Oregon" for a 2-hour cruise on the Rock River.   

Our first hint of fall

Cruising on the Rock River aboard the "Pride of Oregon"

Chief Blackhawk - high on the banks of the Rock River

More fall beauty with our paddleboat in background

Some classmates

Linda (also a cousin), Mark, Pat, Joe, Judy

 More visiting with classmates and friends.    Afterwards we gathered at Maxson's for a buffet dinner which was excellent but the highlight was the 16-piece Rock River Jazz Band performing very entertaining music!!!    Said our good byes (the plan is to possibly get together in 2 years)  This class gives us a "save the date" well in advance.

Mark had a class of 150 students - there were around 60ish (with some spouses).    49 have passed.

Drove to Rockford to Mark's sister Janet and Michael.   (Another fun one-on-one).   We had a glass of wine and chatted before off to bed.

Sunday - we went to 8:15 Mass with Janet and Michael at St. Bridget's.    Their son (our nephew and godchild), Tommy and family joined us.  Afterwards we went to the Japanese Anderson Gardens for breakfast - what a gorgeous place.    Would love to tour these gardens someday.    Our meals were awesome + the specialty coffees.    

Pat and Janet with yummy vanilla/cinnamon lattes.

Tommy, Samm and precious little girls

Lily (3), Riley (6) and Olivia (4)

Janet and Michael

Zoom tonight included 7 siblings - football talk/scores, family gatherings, Mark's reunion, Drew's upcoming wedding, and the 3 birthday boys - Tom (Mark's brother), Philip and Paul (Jim and Lydia's son).

Have a great week!   Bye Bye Summer!

 

Thursday - September 18

 Mark went to town for a haircut with Brandon and ran some errands.   I walked around the campground - another very warm day.

I packed for our trip this weekend to Mark's 60th class reunion in northern IL.    We'll be back Sunday so no blog for a few days.

Tonight we met Pat, Brenda and Sue for dinner at Pickled Radish in Eureka - love this place and tonight was excellent as always.    Sue had never been and she enjoyed it.    On home and walked around the campground - no new states tonight.

Pat, Brenda, Sue, Pat, Mark

Great dinner, great visit, great friends

Wednesday - September 17

 Warm sunny day....Mark left for East Peoria and Lowe's, Costco, etc.    My cousin Jane came from Peoria for the day - we had such a fun time visiting, playing rummikub, Busy Corner for lunch, more games and yakkin'.     Even though it was really warm, we sat under a shade tree and played on the picnic table - very pleasant with a nice breeze.

Cousins

Jane and Pat

Walked around the campground tonight - new states are Wyoming and Utah.

Tuesday - September 16

 A busy day involving eating, of course and good visits.    Started out with meeting Paul and Marlys at Egg Republic for breakfast (love this place).   We were last together on May 6th, so lots of catching up - family talk (Paul has 2 granddaughters at Notre Dame and we have Brady); health issues, travels, etc., etc.   2 hrs. and 15 minutes later we left and God willing, we'll be together next May.

Marlys and Paul

Off to do the laundry on another very warm day.    Did 4 loads and back to KK.    Left for Green Gables (long-time favorite at Lake Bloomington) to meet Barb and Roger.    This was a 2.5 hour dinner/visit but so good to be with these long-time friends.    They'll be off to FL early October so not sure if we'll see them next week at a breakfast with Mid Illini friends?   In Fl?   Or for sure in January in FL.   Lots of laughs over our yummy cheeseburgers (their specialty) and sides.

Barb and Roger

On home and a quick walk around KK as it's getting dark (sooo early these days).   No new states tonight.

The fall harvest has started and the farmers are doing their thing here in the Kamp Komfort area - mainly beans, but also saw them combining corn tonight.

Monday - September 16

 A fun day with good friends meeting for breakfast, lunch and dinner!   We started the day going to Busy Corner and meeting the Monday Breakfast Group.   Great to be together again and lots of yakking + good meals for all.

Ken, Sigrun, Brenda, Sue,, Pat, Pat (Mark was the photographer)

I took Mark back to KK and I went into town and met Claire at Panera for lunch (she had lunch, I had a latte as I had just had breakfast😕)   We sat outside (freezing indoors) and afterwards, we shopped at Von Maur and Jeffery Alans - lots of pretties out for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.   Claire went on to get a manicure and I ran a few errands.  

Claire and Pat

  Stopped at Anne's for some items to borrow and visit.    Gibson and Frankie were happy to see Grandma!   

Gibson and Grandma (Frankie would not sit still for a pic)

I meet the Monday Night Friends at Biaggi's for dinner - we sat outside on the patio - so pleasant.....missing Nadine and Linda.    Fun being with these gals again - Ruth brought me some homemade applesauce and a bouquet of zinnias (my favorite summertime flower) - how sweet!

Late summer beauty

Mark reported new states tonight are Wet Virginia, Nevada, Montana and Kentucky.

Sunday - September 14

 Another HOT one today reaching 92

 

    We went to Mass at 10 with Father Loftus.   The Holy Trinity choir is soooo phenomenal!!!    Anne went with us to Coffee Hound - good pastries and coffee.   Anne went on home and we drove to Panera to quickly change clothes and then pick up Donna Rae at Westminster Village.    Through her church (Wesley United Methodist), they have a program with 2 very nice $$$ bikes where the passenger sits up front strapped in and the driver is behind pedaling (7-speed with 3 electric assist speeds).    We followed Donna Rae's long-time friend, Ethlynn (97) to the place on the trail where we get the bikes and met their drivers.    Ethlynn's son, Greg is a realtor and a volunteer to drive; Darcy was Donna Rae's driver.

Darcy adjusting Donna Rae's helmet

And away they go for their 50-minute ride

All finished and happy, happy!   These gals thoroughly enjoyed their ride  - the trail has a lot of shade, so they were quite comfortable

We asked Donna Rae if she would like to go for ice cream - "YES", so off to Gene's for some yummy refreshing vanilla (Donna Rae), chocolate (Mark) and lemon (me)

Anne stopped by Gene's and got to see Donna Rae!

Took her back to Westminster and we came back to KK - enjoyed the AC!   

Kathy shared these beauties from our trip to NOTL

We went for a walk after supper - it had cooled down just a bit.    New Hampshire was the only new state, but 5 from Florida.    Talked to a guy from southeast of Columbus, Ohio who is on his way home from a trip to the Badlands.    He and his wife sometimes camp at East Harbor near Port Clinton where we like to ride bikes.

 Zoom tonight had 10 siblings - discussed medical insurance for traveling out of the country (different than travel insurance).    Several were not aware of this.  

Enjoy your week ahead and stay cool.