Monday - September 28

Cloudy, but warm day.    I left Daisy at 8:15 for dentist appt. to get my new crown - easy does it, but the painful part was writing the check!   Mark and I met the Monday morning breakfast bunch and then each of us went our merry way.   I had a few errands, he picked up some firewood and then back to Kamp Komfort.
 
Did some cleaning and tidying up inside and outside Daisy....
 
Last day in the 80s for a while....

Tonight I entertained the Monday Night Friends here at Kamp Komfort for a wiener roast.    We had a potluck of wine, appetizers, roasted hot dogs, potato salad, dill orzo salad, baked beans, deviled eggs and then pie from Busy Corner!    Everything was so yummy.  
 Beautiful evening with wonderful friends!

 Three of the hubbies joined Mark at Busy Corner for dinner and pie.
Pat (Brenda), Bob (Linda), Jerry (Sue), Mark (me)

Brenda, Pat, Tamara, Sue, Ruth, Connie, Jody, Linda
Love the sun's reflection on Daisy's window












 
 

Saturday-Sunday, September 26-27

Saturday - we were off this morning in Miss Daisy heading north for Mark's 50th class reunion.   Nice to have our "home" with us and not have to do any packing for a change!    We took Grandma out for lunch at Arthur's Deli and had a good visit.   My cousin, Eileen was there eating with a friend, so always good to see her.
 
Eileen and Pat 
 
We settled Daisy in at Lake LaDonna Family Campground out in the boonies (no cell or internet service).   I walked for a while, we changed clothes and we were off leaving early as Mark wanted to check out the White Pines Roller Skating Rink where he and his siblings and parents went every Thursday night (back in the 50's-60's.)   The kids all have fond memories of this weekly entertainment with live organ music.   Mark remembers his Dad giving them each a dime to spend however...  And what made this place so unique was the marble floor which still exists.   We talked to the current owner (just 3 owners since the place began in 1948) and they are in the process of doing some massive renovations to inside and outside.  
 
Mark at his ole stomping grounds -
The White Pines Roller Skating Rink
 
Then we drove thru White Pines State Park (lots of tent campers), a wedding party, several young couples were all gussied up for homecoming pictures.   And a girls getaway weekend at the Woodcote Cottage where Mark's sisters and I had a fun weekend several years ago.   Also drove thru Lowell Park and more memories for Mark
 (he went swimming there and worked the concession booth).
 
Went to 4:30 Mass at St. Pat's and then reunion at Timber Creek Country Club - there were 160 in Mark's class of 1965 and around 60 were there with spouses from all over the country.    They have 22 classmates who are deceased and a votive candle was lit for each of them on a special table.   They also honored those who served in the military and the present cheerleaders from Newman came to cheer for us.   We had a very good buffet dinner followed by chocolate or white decorated cake and ice cream.   Lots of visiting and since I know a few of Mark's classmates, it was a really fun evening for both of us!
 
Class of 1965
Newman Central Catholic High School
Sterling, IL
 
Sunday - we picked Grandma up for breakfast and ate at Town and Country which was a happening place.   Took her home and we came on back to Kamp Komfort.    It was a mostly cloudy day with just a tiny bit of sunshine around 11, but didn't last long.
 
Connor, Liam and their friend, Blaise posing with
Pope Francis this morning after Mass....

We had a quiet few hours on Daisy catching up on stuff before we went to Anne and Patrick's for delicious supper.....grilled pork chops, pasta salad, baked beans, rolls and wine.   We brought dessert from Busy Corner....pie of course
(raspberry, blueberry, caramel apple, coconut cream and lemon meringue)!

Lots of clouds tonight so very iffy if we'll see the "blood moon" or lunar eclipse???

Have a great week!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday - September 25

Mark was off at 8 for a haircut and other errands.   I went into town for some shopping, pedicure, and therapy with Donna.    Today started 5 sessions of traction. after therapy   I laid on the table with feet elevated.   Technician put a gizmo on my head that was secured with Velcro and then a neck brace around the back part of my neck very secure as 8 lbs. of pressure was applied.   I lay there for 12 minutes - felt sooo good    The shoulder is doing great!   Now to get this neck fixed!
 
Back on Daisy for a bit....the big RV's are rolling into the park.   Lovely day again and no rain predicted till next Thursday - farmers are loving this wonderful weather as we all are!
 
My goodness, Blair - you're all grown up since we saw you 2 days ago!  
 Pull-up on your head, sporty new specs and  good day on the potty!
Grandma is proud!

Luke and his Mommy are enjoying a few more days in the country with his Nana and Grandpa.   Daddy went back to Florida for work.

Anne and the boys are with friends at the Cardinals game tonight in St. Louis.    Ryan is on a 4-week trip with the Blue Angels....Ventura, San Diego and San Francisco, CA and then Hawaii.

Tonight we met Carol and Roger at Baxter's for wonderful dinner and good visit.    Then to their home for drinks, delicious pumpkin cake roll and coffee!    So good to see these long-time friends and catch up after many months.

Tomorrow we leave in Miss Daisy for Dixon and Mark's 50th class reunion.
Back in touch Sunday!    Have a fun, safe weekend!
 

Thursday - September 24

Had breakfast at the Comfort Inn in Brownsburg and as we were checking out, I thought the guy at the front desk looked familiar.....Michael Ryan (good name too).    He is a former neighbor 1 block away (years ago) and I knew his Mom well.   Had a nice visit and of course, "it's a small world".
 
Another beautiful day and we arrived in Bloomington around 10:30.   Picked up my car at the airport and I was off to get a manicure (had 2 torn nails....darn....but Lisa took care of 'em)!    Had lunch with Exchange Club and it was a real melancholy hour of reminiscing.    Our club was founded in 1934 and after much discussion we are disbanding the end of September!    Our shrinking membership, inability to attract new members and financial issues were the main decisions.  We have several long-time members, including one who joined in 1955.  I have been an Exchangite since 1993 and have so many wonderful memories and great friendships.   No more Santa letters after all these years - our big fund raiser each year.   We can all be very proud of our contributions to the community sharing with so many who have so little; our youth activities, and so many causes we pursued with the
 main focus of Exchange
"Prevention of Child Abuse".
 
The plan is to keep in touch and meet occasionally, especially in December for a Christmas party.
 
Unpacked our stuff and got some fall clothes out, but it's going to stay warm thru next week, so...
 
Good to be back "home" and the farmers are going great guns with the corn and beans - a lot has been harvested in the fields surrounding Kamp Komfort.
 
After spending time with both Luke and Blair recently, I have to share this little ditty that my friend, Allie gave me.....soooo true!
 
Today, two-year olds can unlock a phone,
open and close their favorite apps
ALL by THEMSELVES...
 
When I was that age,
I WAS EATING DIRT!
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday - September 23

Happy Fall.....this first full day of my favorite season was beautiful and a great day for travel.    Mark took Drew to school, we said our goodbyes to Davis, Brady, Blair and Brooke and were on our way.    Always sad for Grandma to leave and of course, Blair is just growing up too fast!   A little more than 6 weeks till we see them all again.

Grandpa took this one of Sweetie Pie yesterday
 
A few last cuddles before Grandma leaves
 
We are in Brownsburg, IN tonight - I drove 155 miles of the 575 we traveled today.     Had dinner at Sal's Pizzeria - good pizza, salad, chianti!!!
 
What's with the gas prices?   We paid $1.95 in Tennessee and here in Brownsburg, it's $2.45!