September 15

I left at 8:00 this morning for Mendota to visit Dad and also attend a meeting with the various departments of the nursing home.    My sister-in-law, Linda,  Dad and I, along with 5 gals discussed various concerns and issues and got the update on Dad's health care.   It was a good session!   Linda and I went out for Chinese  lunch (great stuff) and then back to see Dad.   I left for home at 1:45 and stopped for a few groceries at Meijer before going home.

Dad and friend, Doris (card-playing buddies).

Doris just happens to be my Sublettian friend, Debbi's aunt - small world!

Sat and yakked with Mark about our day and then I was off again to eat..............tummy is groaning!   OINK OINK!!  Four of the Sublettians met at Fuji Grill for Asian cuisine - wow!    More good eating!    Had plenty of entertainment while our server/preparer did his thing with the fire, utensils, etc.

Ready to start the show...

Debbi, Pat, Ann and Jane

We sat and laughed and reminisced about the good ole grade school days, former teachers (nuns), etc.   What a fun time with these very special friends!!!

September 14

Another pretty day and we kept busy with inside/outside jobs.   I washed windows, screens and woodwork - very dusty from all the drywall sanding!  Mark did more stuff to Daisy and I  loaded up a bunch of things for him to take off whenever he gets the call that Catrina is ready to be moved to another marina and the waxing begins..

We took a long bike ride on the trail - what a pretty spot with a canopy of trees - the shade felt good.  Can't wait to see this in a few more weeks with the fall colors.

Went to our friends, Wayne and Myrna's for dinner - Wayne and Mark worked together long ago.    We had a wonderful dinner, great visit, rejuvenating time in the hot tub and then awesome Razzle Dazzle Pie alamode!

Wayne and Myrna

September 13

Beautiful day....Mark and I rode our bikes to breakfast with the Monday morning friends/neighbors.   Pat and Brenda stopped by to look at paint samples (I had 3 colors that I painted on 3 pieces of poster board to get a better idea up on the walls).    Josh, our contractor stopped by and he's ordering our hardwood flooring.   I scrubbed the kitchen walls and straightened up a bit.

Mark did Daisy jobs most of the day.   We went for a bike ride this afternoon - stopped at Beer Nuts and then rode the Constitution Trail - so much fun and hope to make this a daily ritual!

I went to SF Park with the Monday night gals.   Mark is using Daisy in the driveway as our family room and out there watching TV tonight.   Hopefully in another few weeks or so we'll have a bit more "normal" around here?

September 12

Spectacular Sunday with clear blue skies and 80 degrees.   After 7:00 Mass, Mark, Todd and I left for St. Louis after a quick stop for goodies at Panera.   Yes, we Nomads are back "on the road again"!   We had planned to take Todd to the train station this morning and on home to St. Louis.    Mark said "Well, we could drive down with Todd,  plus get to see our kids!"   Philip, Annette and Ryan were all there for a wedding yesterday.    So, sounded like a no-brainer to me and off we went.

Met the kids at the hotel along with their friends, Jeff and Ryan (female) who were married August 1st.    Those two got engaged on Catrina when they were doing the boat delivery with Philip and Annette last December.   Great to see them again.    We went to "Little Hills" in St. Charles for lunch and sat out on the patio.    Annette told our waitress that Philip had an upcoming birthday (9/21), so she brought him out a mousse parfait that was delicious (he shared like his Mama taught him)!!!

Philip

Todd, our nephew, the painter who will be back next weekend to finish up!

Back to front:

Todd, Mark, Ryan, Philip, Ryan, Pat, Annette and Jeff

We were there only 1 1/2 hours as Mark started his scuba diving class tonight (5 Sunday evenings) and that started at 5:00.    I drove most of the way home as he was reading the first chapter (100 pages).

Anne called and invited me to join them for ice cream at Gene's.   They picked me up and we enjoyed yummy treats!

Liam and Connor (with Daddy's help) climbing the tree at Gene's.  

  It was a really neat weekend!

September 11

Busy day...Mark, Liam and I left for Mendota and visited with Dad at the nursing home.   He seems to be doing much better!    Liam played with legos and cards and our nephews Todd and Matt stopped by for a visit.   Liam asked Great Grandpa Pete if he could borrow a pair of his suspenders as he wanted to wear some to hold his pants up!   So, until Deember 1st, Liam has Grandpa's Christmas suspenders (red with green Christmas trees) - this was Liam's choice!

Liam and Great Grandpa Pete in their suspenders!

Todd came back with us as he's going to paint - starting with primer in the family room and dinette.

Todd covering the cranberry wall...

Anne and Connor came over to get Liam...the boys had fun with this little ladder I gave them using it for their many animal friends.

Connor, Liam and furry critters

I did a bunch of laundry this afternoon and straightened up.   Mark broought Daisy home from a friend's shed where she's been stored.    We all got cleaned up and went to Los Potrillas for delicious Mexican dinner.