Thursday - October 7

 Hello from Iowa City...

Started raining as we woke up....and by 6 AM, really coming down!    We had breakfast, a little lull from the rain to load up the car and we were off at 7:55 for Iowa City.    The radar looked nasty in the direction we were going (northwest) with the storms moving from the southeast.    And we did drive in very heavy rain for an hour.   Fortunately, it stopped in Bloomington and the boys got in their practice day preparing for tomorrow's tournament.

We checked into the hotel, connected with Philip and Annette who arrived about 1/2 hour before us.   We all met Drew at The Hamburg Inn (a favorite of Michael's from many years ago when he was a student here - serving thee best tenderloins.)   That's what we ordered and they were really good.  

After the tenderloins at the Hamburg Inn

Mark, Pat, Drew, Philip, Annette

  Annette drove her car, Philip drove Drew's and Mark drove ours to Cedar Rapids airport.    These cars will bring back Michael and family + Ryan around 4 and Davis, later tonight.

Enjoyed some "down" time in our rooms before the kiddos arrived.     So good to see everyone and shortly after they settled in, we walked to "Spare Me" for some bowling....this is a new really neat bowling alley - very high tech, modern, good music, etc. 

The "B's" - Brady and Blair at "Spare Me"!

   Ryan won the 1st game and Philip, the 2nd.   Then off to eat again...."The Wig and Pen" pizza place was very good - we enjoyed both thick and thin crust, plus our wine and beer.

Red lights...

Drew, Ryan, Brady, Blair, Brooke

Pat, Annette, Philip, Mark, Michael

Back to the hotel and went to the rooftop restaurant (The VUE) - we had drinks outside around the fire.   Wow....super neat 

At the VUE with the ever-changing lights

Philip, Mark, Ryan, Brady

Annette, Tessa, Drew, Brooke

And Michael discussing the stand-out Penn State player (LaVar Arrington in 1997-99) who he chatted with - he's now working for Fox and in town for the big Penn State/Iowa game Saturday!

We all wish Liam and Connor the best of luck tomorrow!!!!

GO SAINTS!!!

Wednesday - October 6

 Another dreary rainy day....we had a quiet morning just getting stuff done on Flo (computer things, packing for Iowa, etc.)     We met Allie, Owen, Jane and Joe at Tequila's Mexican Bar and Grill in East Peoria.    Along with some fine Mexican fare and margaritas, we had an almost 3 hour visit.    Oh so long since the 6 of us had been together!!!

Mark, Joe, Owen, Allie, Jane, Pat

Back to Flo and rested a bit before we left for Hudson to meet Anne.    The boys had golf and hockey practice after school.     The 3 of us drove to Mona's in Toluca for some yummy Italian food - Bob, Linda, Dave, Judy, Annette, Philip, Luke, Maeve, Anne, Mark and me.    Another fine meal (topped off with spumoni ice cream) and visiting.

Pat, Luke, Anne, Mark, Bob

Judy, Linda, Maeve, Annette, Philip, Dave

Across from KK - farmers keeping busy

We met a couple from Sarasota, FL the other day....he is the superintendent for new buildings and travels wherever to oversee the building.    They have been here a few months while a Jiffy Lube is under construction in Normal.     Since KK closes November 1, they will move into Eastland Suites (our December home) till this project is complete.    

So tomorrow we are off to Iowa City for big family weekend planned well over a year ago (was supposed to happen in October 2020, but then Covid hit).    Michael and family and Ryan will fly in from Charlotte, Davis from Raleigh, Philip, Annette, Mark and I driving.     Luke and Maeve will stay with Annette's parents (Judy and Dave).    And the Campbells will be staying home with the state golf tournament......excitement for all.............GO SAINTS.....GO HAWKEYES

 

Tuesday - October 5

 Cooler and rainy off and on - just a dreary day from start to finish!    We were on our way with the laundry by 8:30 (had our coffees from Gloria Jeans next door) and then back home.    Got settled in with the clean clothes, started packing for Iowa, had lunch, and later went into town.,

We ran a few errands and then had a really nice visit with our friends Sue and Jerry (+delicious brownies/ice cream and chocolate sauce).    

Sue and Jerry

Donna Rae who is the dearest of long-time friends and former neighbor for 40+ years invited us to happy hour at her Westminster Village home.,     We were enjoying wine in the lounge when Earl and Rhea appeared - oh my.....what a nice surprise and so good to catch up.   I was in Exchange Club with Earl for many years and they were big fans of Ryan and the Blues.     Also saw other folks we've known thru the years who now reside at WV.    It was a great evening and delicious filet dinner.

Earl and Rhea

Donna Rae

And finally one more stop to see our golf boys and share in more excitement.    Today their coach decided to have a challenge match so Liam had a chance to go to the state tournament.    He played against the 2 lower placed boys from yesterday's sectionals and he won.    So, both our guys will be playing Friday (hopefully, Saturday, too when the top 8 teams out of 12 from Friday will play another 18 holes).     Everyone so happy for them.....but they will not be in Iowa with rest of the family for big football weekend (we'll be cheering them on loud and clear from Iowa City).

Our golfers

Connor and Liam!!!

GO CCHS.............

Saturday-Monday - October 2-4

 Saturday - Rain was threatening all day but just a few spotty areas so no biggie to affect the wedding and other outdoor activities.    We left KK around 10:45 all gussied up for our niece Lisa's wedding.    Mark drove thru the country and we arrived in Sterling around 1.    Stopped at the AirPlay Espresso Bar and Bakery Cafe downtown and enjoyed our coffees and shared a berry scone (Mark is not into scones, but they did not have a lot of choices and this was very good).   

Off to the wedding at St. Mary's just a few blocks away.    So good to see the family (few were missing, but it's been so long since we were together).    John and Lisa had a gorgeous wedding  - I LOVED the color (plum) and style of the 5 bridesmaids dresses.    Checked into our hotel in Dixon and did some visiting before the reception.    Then to the Elks for more yakking, good food, and dancing.    We didn't stay too late as the music was loud and Mark's ears are very sensitive (he was wearing ear plugs), so we decided to head back to hotel as did several others.    Said our good byes and called it a night!

Mr. and Mrs. Flynn

Sunday - We had breakfast at the hotel with some of the family and then off to Princeton to visit Annette's parents, Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve..    It was so good to see them, and enjoyed lunch at Culver's and these pics.

Grandparents with Luke and Maeve

Sweet Maeve amongst the flowers

Dave, Judy, Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve

We said our good byes but we'll be together again on Wednesday night to do what we do best (eat)!!!   

We drove to Sublette and St. Mary's Cemetery to visit my Mom and Dad's graves and see the pretty fall flowers and then onto Mendota to brother Bob and Linda's.  

My parents final resting place

  Quick update on Bob's foot (he may have "Turf Toe", which is when big toe is bent causing ligaments to stretch).    He also had some gout, but that appears to be better.    

We 4 were off to pick up Aunt Marian and then to LaSalle to the Uptown Grill (a favorite) and meet cousin, Dick and Mary for dinner.   Along the way, we saw this pretty rainbow over a harvested corn field.

Somewhere...over the rainbow!

Mary and Dick

Aunt Marian and Pat

After our delicious dinners, we all went back to Bob and Linda's for euchre (3 rousing games of 6-handed) with Aunt Marian, Mark and me beating Linda, Mary and Bob 2 of 3 games.  (Dick sat and watched)!     Exciting and lots of fun!    Hope to all be together again in December!

Aunt Marian with her niece and 2 nephews

Mark, Bob, Linda, Dick

Aunt Marian, Mary

Monday - we had breakfast with Bob and Linda and on back to KK with some off and on drizzle.  Today we were focused on Connor playing in the sectional golf tournament in Crete, IL.    And so excited to hear this afternoon that he shot a 78 and his CCHS Saints came in 3rd place.   He was 6th out of 109 golfers.    Friday and Saturday they will be playing in the state finals at Prairie Vista, Bloomington.    We are so proud of him!

Back into town in the afternoon for my eye check-up.    It's been a year since my cataract surgeries and I'm having just a bit of blurriness or sometimes hazy when reading in the evening.     Dr. Pinter is going to do YAG Laser Capsulotomy on my eyes (20-second procedure) to remove outer membrane.    I will have this done 1 week apart - December 8 and 15th.   Mark ran some errands and then we met Liam at Crafted Coffee Brews to chat and enjoy some treats.    Fun to see him and of course, share in Connor's big day!

Liam and Grandpa

Friday - October 1

 A beautiful start to October.....but really warm with a high of 88.

I started packing for the weekend, tidied up Flo (she's not getting much attention these days)!    Ha...

We said good bye to Joyce and Butch - what a fun visit and really appreciate them coming to KK to camp with us.    They are off to Comlara Park for 2 nights and then Starved Rock.

Butch and Joyce leaving KK - thanks for coming!!!

Mark and I met Barb and Roger at Green Gables for lunch - busy place this Friday but cheeseburgers, onion rings, fries, corn nuggets and cheddar cheese balls all thee best!!!!    We gabbed for 2.5 hours and then good bye till Florida in January.

Barb and Roger

While we were eating lunch, Mark got a text from KK that a large package had arrived and he should bring the truck to pick it up?     Micci sent a picture and lo and behold.......................it was the original long misplaced bed cover hanging out in Perrysburg, OH that could not be rerouted here but then tah dah.........it arrived today!

Ordered August 24 - delivered October 1

After we left Green Gables we went into town - storage unit to put stuff in and get a few things out.    We had our new electric bikes with us so this afternoon we wanted to ride a bit on the Constitution Trail and have me get used to the bike.    The trail is right across the street from our storage place.    We took off and wheee...........this is fun!    We rode just under 3 miles but I "think" and "hope" I've got the hang of it.    Sure is nice when going up an incline to turn on the electric and take me away!    Ha....

Stopped at Dollar General and CVS and finally on home to pick up our long-lost package.

When we got back to KK, we parked the car and drove the truck to the office where the big package was waiting.    A couple came out of the office (along with Micci) and Mark used to work with Peggy and Len.    Wow....Len helped Mark lift the big box onto back of truck (thank you Len) and then Mark went to work installing it.    Mark was told it was a 10-minute job?    Well, not quite, but close and the job is done!    Alleluia!

The campers are rolling in tonight and KK will be a full campground this weekend - Parents Weekend at ISU.    Not a hotel room to be had (or campground spot)!   Len and Peggy are with 2 other couples in a rented travel trailer for the weekend....could be cozy?

We fixed our drinks and walked around the park -  came upon a big group from Dixon, IL (Mark's hometown) ......here for parents weekend with their ISU kiddos who went to Dixon High School and had Ms. Chamberlain (Mark's sister, Karen) as their teacher!!!    What a surprise and had a nice visit with them.

Then onto Len and Peggy's group of 6 (and another guy who knew Mark from SF and still working) who were enjoying a big bonfire, lots of snacks, music, lights, and the whole shebang.    Visited with them and finally on home.

We are off to our niece Lisa's wedding tomorrow in Sterling, IL.....Sunday, we'll see Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve at Annette's parents in Princeton, then to Mendota to visit and spend the night with brother Bob and Linda + see my Aunt Marian.    Monday, back home.....so taking a mini break from the blog.

Enjoy your weekend!

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So many interesting people in the park - neighbors across the way (young couple) have been at KK most of the summer as he's on a job painting the blades of the wind turbines?     They left late yesterday for Montezuma, IA where he'll be washing the blades?

This morning Mark talked to another neighbor from Alabama.   He and his wife and 2 dogs are now full time RVers and heading to Door County and then the UP.     They lived in Saudi Arabia for 5 years before he retired.