October 1

Happy October on a spectacular fall day...got things loaded up on Daisy this morning for our campout tonight.    Ran some errands and then Donna Rae and I went to a PEO book fair and dessert social.   She and I got some goodies at Fresh Market and a mum plant for her at AB Hatchery.    Came home, changed clothes and soon Patrick brought Liam and Connor.   Off we went and tonight are camping at Gander Bay in
Moraine View State Park.   The boys loved the playground, campfire, and just being outdoors or inside on Daisy!    Here are some highlights:

Boys will be boys!

Roasting marshmallows with Grandpa

Oh man, were those smores ever good!

Grandma reads a bedtime story

Couldn't post this last night - s l o w internet!

September 30

Nothing like fall in the country with all the harvesting going on, fall/Halloween decorations and that little nip in the air.   My favorite time of year!   Dad enjoyed getting out and about and seeing what's going on with the farming - brought back lots of memories for sure. 

We took my Dad to a doctor appointment and then had a big rib fest at Ron and Vicki's with Bob, Linda and Jason who is home to help with the combining.   Back home, stuffed and ready for bed!

September 29

Great day to be out and about and EAT!!!    Went to the grocery store this morning and then with Kathy and Paul to meet Glen and Paula who were visiting from Florida, along with Paula's friend, Pam.   We all had lunch at Swinger's and chatted almost 3 hours non-stop!    Looking forward to all being together in February in Fort Myers.

Pam, Paula, Kathy, Paul, Glen, Pat and Mark

Went for a bike ride and then home to get ready to go eat again...

Had dinner with Ed and Donna Rae at The Ozark House and then back to their home for dominoes!

They play the Mexican Train different than us, so we played 4 rounds of their style and 4 of ours - we had a ball and enjoyed lots of laughs!!!    Mark won both games!

Mark is making a move...

September 28

I drove to Peoria and met Jane (cousin and fellow Sublettian friend) and she drove us to Moline where we spent a delightful afternoon with Barb.   We were all roommates in business school and Jane and Barb had not seen one another since we graduated in 1968.   That's a LOT of yakkin and catching up, but we had no problem in that area.    Had an excellent lunch at Miss Mamie's and then hit a few shops.   I got some Christmas gifts and just fun seeing all the pretties out for fall and Christmas.

Back to Barb's for a cold drink, more chatter and then on home.    We hope to start a tradition of getting together once or twice a year!   

Jane, Barb, Pat

Mark had a good day on the homefront, but had to deal with a delay in getting our hardwood for the family room - shortage of what we had picked out, so now waiting to hear back!   Always something!!!

September 27

Beautiful fall day and sounds like more of the same coming all week!   Mark and I had breakfast with the Monday morning group, then ran a few errands together.   I came home and he had more running around to do.   Cleaned out bedroom closets, drawers, etc.  

I was out and about this afternoon - had to take my Nook to Barnes and Noble (doing some strange things) - Todd was puzzled as he had not seen anything quite like this (skipping pages, sentences blocked, etc.).  

He made 2 calls to tech support and hopefully, it's all taken care of!

Mark and I rode on the trail and then I went to SF park with the Moneday Night Friends (probably our last time there with the early darkness and chilly temps.)

Liam and Connor were here for a short visit tonight...

Silly boys