July 6

I had therapy at 8:30 and then headed north to my hometown and had a WONDERFUL massage by Judi at her Garden Escape Spa.   Judi is my cousin, an RN and fellow Sublettian.    She is thee best and with my aches and pains and stiff muscles in my neck....well, she really made me feel like I was in

La La Land.  

It was so blissful and relaxing!    Thank you, Judi!

 Judi

I stopped at the church across the street to see the new memorial for the sisters and parishioners who have taught or attended St. Mary's School from 1877-1967.    It was extra special as the flowers planted around this are in memory of Mom using some of her favorites.    It should be a real treat throughout the various seasons and Mom would've been so pleased.  Tomorrow is the 1st  anniversary...

 

The new plantings include roses, day lilies, etc., and more will be added for spring and fall.   

Then to see my Dad at the nursing home - we had a good visit and we both cried reminiscing on all that happened one year ago.   

For many years, I did counted cross stitch and along with my sister-in-law, Linda and friend, Celia, we hit the craft shows in the spring and fall - crazy, busy, fun days!     We are all past that now, but today is Cee's 70th birthday and I enjoyed seeing her at the open house.    Great food and nice to see some familiar faces.

Linda, Pat and the Birthday Girl, "Cee"

 

Linda and Marie (the hostesses)

While I was gone, Mark helped Ed and Donna Rae with a computer problem, ran some errands and got some new pulleys for me (guess I wore the other ones out)!    Therapy hurt today, but not as bad as last week.    I'll be there every day this week and then back to 3x a week till????

To see Ryan's flyover click on the link below (Ryan is on the left)

Link to Ryan's Flyover

July 4 - 5

Sunday - July 4    We had a wonderful holiday weekend - enjoyed Anne, Patrick, Liam and Connor and our time in the pool, then appetizers/drinks poolside.    Back to the boat for short naps and a quick shower passed thru.   We drove into town for a the big pizza bash - Ottawa's newspaper (The Times)  and Binacchi's Pizza sponsor this event each year     We stood in line in the park waiting for 2 slices of pizza (all kinds), water or Pepsi for $2.   What a deal!!!  The volunteers were running acrss the street fast and furious carrying these large pizzas for the hungry vultures!    What a deal and very good (we had been told there are several GOOD pizza places in Ottawa, and Binacchi's was definitely one of them)    Then on to secure our spot  for the fireworks which were excellent along with all the patriotic tunes.

   

Happy Birthday, America

Fun in the pool

After pizza

Waiting for the fireworks

Monday - July 5    Hot, sunny, and windy!    Liam and Connor were really tuckered out as they didn't get up till after 10:00 this morning.    We went for a boat ride with...

Connor at the helm

and, Liam at the helm

 

Anne and her boys

We anchored out and had lunch (Mark grilled brats) and then back to our slip and while the boys napped

 (almost 3 hours), we played euchre with the guys winning 2 out of 3!.

Some of you have asked about an update on Anne and her tests - she has appointment with her neurologist on July 27th (he's on vacation), so we're thinking "no news is good news".   Will report back after the 27th.

I'm back to therapy tomorrow - shoulder is sore, but hopefully on the mend?

Mark and I so appreciate all the nice e-mails and blog comments regarding Ryan's flyover - I'm still so giddy just thinking about it!    We look forward to seeing the video that 2 of our friends recorded live from the game.   Other than the Cardinals playing really terrible on Saturday, it was just such a great day at the ole ballpark!!!     This 4th of July weekend is one for the memory books!

July 3 - 4

Where to start with this fun, incredible, proud day............Mark and I left the hotel and walked to breakfast at a fun little place (White Knight Diner) and then trekked down Market Street all along the parade route!    WOW....this was the 133rd Veiled Prophet Parade in St. Louis and what a biggie with all the inflatables, floats, bands, fire trucks, tractors, clowns, and much more!   

The St. Louis Fair is always around the 4th of July and it brings a jillion (that's a LOT) folks to town for all the festivities down by the Arch and riverfront (which is way above flood stage, so gated off where normally folks could wander around)!    We met up with Ryan and friend, Dave and enjoyed the air show, corn dogs and lemon shake-ups.   It was the perfect summer day - beautiful blue, cloudless hot sunshine!    We went to the Hyatt (across the street from the Arch) and cooled off and visited.   Other friends and cousins of Ryan stopped by and at 4:15, we left for the ballgame.

There were 10 each in Ryan and Kevin's group who had a guest suite at Busch Stadium - lots of food, air conditioned (could sit inside or out), and plenty of beer, soft drinks and water!    After the national anthem sung by my friend, Allie's high school chorus (Monmouth-Roseville HS), Ryan and Kevin roared thru the sky and what a breathtaking moment - it was just so incredible filled with tears, shudders and pride.

Here they come...

Ryan on the left; Kevin on the right

The happy pilots after their first successful flyover

Proud Mom and Dad with their Navy aviator!

HAPPY 4TH of JULY

Anne, Patrick, Liam and Connor are here on the boat with us today and tomorrow!
Hope you all have a great day!!!

July 2

Hello from St. Louis.............I had painful therapy with Jim this morning and then we were off with pulleys, tennis ball, and thoughts of what I needed to do to keep moving that arm!    We enjoyed some time strolling Main Street in Historic St. Charles (love this town) and had yummy ice cream cones.    My only purchase was my 2011 calendar!

We are settled in at the Marriott in Union Station and Ryan has called from Colorado Springs where he and Kevin are re-fueling and should be here around 7:30ish.   Can't wait to see my boy!!!

I have a big ole bruise on my arm that is working its ugly little face downward!    Maybe that's from the manipulation?   Anyway, hope it disappears before our nephew's wedding in 5 weeks?   It ain't pretty!

Had a great dinner with Ryan at Zia's on  "The Hill"!

July 1

Wow....July 1st already and what a pretty day!    Claire brought pastries from Panera and we sat and enjoyed the goodies while sitting on the porch.     Then off to lunch with Judy (Donna Rae and Ed's daughter).   We had such a good chat and lunch!

Pat and Judy

Back home and Mark and I were off to therapy - whoa, very painful!   Lee said he would be gentle and I know he tried, but it just really hurt and will continue as the healing goes on.  Good news is that Lee was pleased with my range of motion!

And now to finish off the day, Mark and I had dinner at Westminster Village with Ed and Donna Rae.    I'm definitely living up to the name Bill (our friend who helped Mark with Catrina's delivery to Ottawa) gave me after reading our blog.............."The Galloping Gourmet".

So, not letting this latest surgery slow me down.   As Lee and Jim both said, "Keep active and do what you want to do, but most important, keep that arm moving all the time".   I have several exercises to do on my own, so....at least every hour, I'm to be doing "something"!

Tomorrow, we are off to St. Louis for 2 days and so looking forward to seeing Ryan and the big flyover at Busch Stadium on Saturday night!