Tuesday - October 12

 One year ago this morning we got the call from Mark's sister, Theresa that their sister Sue had died very unexpectedly.    She just didn't wake up.    What a devastating loss for our family.    She would be very proud of her family (Tom and the girls, sons-in-law and 4 grandbabies) and how they are doing with such a huge void in their lives.

After all the rain yesterday and last night (1.5"), today was absolutely gorgeous with clear blue skies and mid 70's.   We were off early to Eureka to do the laundry.   I got the 3 washers going and then drove to Caleri's for streusel blueberry muffin and pumpkin coffee cake with caramel/nut topping - we shared both which were excellent along with our coffee!     Got the clothes folded, loaded in car and back to KK.    

And then we were off again to Mackinaw to meet brother Bob and Linda at the Garden Gate shop and Tea Room at the Depot.    Linda had never been here and she loved it.  The guys stayed in the car while we shopped.    We both had good luck with Christmas gifts and a few other things and then the guys joined us for delicious lunch.

Linda and I then drove up the street to "Beth Anne" - very nice ladies clothing and accessories shop.    More retail therapy.    Back to meet the guys and followed them to Eureka and Braker''s Market for lots of bakery items, frozen foods, dips, chips, etc., etc., etc.....love this place!    Last stop was at Scottwood Floral which is once of my favorites - just beautifully decorated for fall and Christmas.    A few more purchases here and then said our good byes.    We'll see them in early December.    It was a great day!

Mark and I came back to Flo and unloaded our stuff and got the refrigerated and frozen stuff put away.    And then, off to town....one more visit with Anne and the boys.    We ordered Jersey Mike Subs, Anne was off to a meeting for hockey parents and we enjoyed hearing all the tales of the boys state golf tournament.    Of course, we were entertained by Gibson and Frankie, too.    Said our good byes to these guys.....till December!    I HATE good byes!!!    Golf season is over and now onto hockey!!!

And finally back to KK and settled in after a big day!!!    One more day before we head out of here!

Till tomorrow...

Monday - October 11

 Rain, stormy day here in central IL,   we were off to have breakfast with the Monday Morning Bunch at Shannon's and always fun to catch up (forgot picture).    Pat and Brenda had their grandchildren (Brooklyn 7 and Graham, 4 with them).   Had not seen Marty (former next-door neighbor) or Ken and Sigrunn since we were back.    Sue and Jerry rounded out our group of 11.    Ken and Sigrunn's grandson, Jake graduated from the University of North Carolina this past spring..  He is quite the runner and competed in his first marathon yesterday in Chicago.    He came in 114 out of 33,000.   Amazing!!! Said our good byes till December  (I'll see Brenda and Sue tonight with the MNF's) and then Mark and I spent an hour at storage organizing and getting out clothes to take to FL and put more stuff away.

It was really raining when we left, but had 2 more stops - Mark dropped me off at Kroger for a few groceries and he went onto Goodwill to donate a bunch of stuff.    Back to KK at 12:30.

It was a very stormy, rainy afternoon with heavy rain beating down on Flo at times!   I finally got back to watching "Call the Midwife" series which started Season 10 here in the US a few weeks ago.    Since I never know where we'll be when PBS is showing them, I am doing them on demand.   Of course, this new season was off with a bang - LOVE these shows sooo much!

I went into town late afternoon and met the MNF's (7 of us) at Destihl.    Lots of chatter and all glad to be inside as another storm was coming.   WOW....very heavy rain and glad we were not driving in that awful stuff.   

Tamara, Ruth, Sue, Nadine

Brenda. Pat, Marsha

Yesterday was Brenda's birthday - Ruth treated us to a 1 lb. chocolate cake that was scrumptious!

Anne and boys were out of power for over 2 hours tonight....quite the storm!

Sunday - October 10

 We started the day going to 8:30 Mass at St. Mary of the Visitation.    Stopped at Pullman for 2 pieces of their wonderful coffee cake (best we've had) to go and then coffee at The Poindexter made for a very tasty breakfast.    Back to the hotel to say good bye to Michael and family.    We packed up the car and left Iowa City around 10:15.

Had some rain driving in Iowa, but by the time we arrived back at KK (1:15), it was very warm - mid 80's and sunny.   Unpacked and I organized our closet and lockers deciding what's going into storage and what goes to FL.    

We had so much fun in "Hawkeye Land" this weekend and BIG thanks to Michael for all the time and effort he spent putting it together.     Great events and eating and of course, the tailgate and big game.    Ryan is back home; Philip is driving; Annette, her kids, Michael and family are flying as I write this.     We sure missed Anne, Liam and Connor, but what a thrill for them to be in the state golf championship!

The next 3 days are busy before we leave Thursday.    It's been a whirlwind month here and went so fast!    Packed in lots and of course, plenty of good eating.

Missing 3 siblings on zoom tonight - Joan, Nancy and Tom.    Chatted about Doris's husband, Rich is 75 today, Sarah's wedding (Sharon's daughter) on Friday.    Also knee updates from Doris (replacement) and Janet (meniscus), Janet's daughter Bridget's miscarriage, our trip to Iowa, the boys golf tournament, and Tom and Beth's cruise in the South Pacific (ship is only 1/2 full - 174 passengers, so that's nice).

Take care and enjoy your week!

Saturday - October 9

 Oh what a day to be in Iowa City with an experience unlike anything we've ever seen....Iowa Hawkeye FEVER!!!     Iowa is playing Penn State and both teams are 5-0.   Totally mind boggling!!!

 We started the day by going to The Encounter Cafe (close to hotel and recommended by Drew - he knows his G and G like coffee shops).    It is owned and operated by the Mennonites and such a neat shop with excellent breakfasts and coffees.   Philip and Annette joined us as we were finishing our meals.  The day was off and running.

Around 11ish Mark and I started the trek to the tailgating (others were ahead of us)....unbelievable all the yellow and black EVERYWHERE and every sort of apparel imaginable.    80,000 plus in this sellout crowd +++ all the others not going to the game.     Absolutely CRAZY    Food, food, so much food and drinks.   

Annette and Philip

Grandpa and Grandma

Pat, Brooke, Annette

Drew, Tessa, Brady, Davis

Our boys

Philip, Ryan, Michael

Grandpa and Brady just chillin'

Michael, Drew, Brady Davis, Brooke

Blair

Michael's colleague, Kevin made some awesome black cherry mules

complete with the copper mugs!

Michael, Kevin, Ryan, Pat, Philip, Annette

Kinnick Stadium

Childrens' Hospital

So moving and emotional watching that "wave" from the crowd to all the children high up .

Mark and I brought Blair back to the hotel to watch the game....we were all tired and very warm (a gorgeous day but in the 80's).   Mark went to get some custard for he and Blair and took Blair swimming for a short time.

Just before the game... (hospital in background)

What a game.....outstanding and a nail biter right to the finish with Iowa winning 23-20.    And then the mobs on the field...

Hawkeye fans are delirious after this win!

Celebrating at the VUE - Ryan, Mark, Davis, Brady, Michael, Philip

 

Brooke, Blair, Pat, Annette

Connor got an 87 today and that ends the boys golf season!    Really proud of their performance and opportunity to make the state finals.    Onto next year!!!

 

 

 

Friday - October 8

 A rainy morning in Iowa City and fog delayed the start of the golf match in Bloomington.    Michael, Brooke, Drew, Davis, Brady, Blair and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Pullman (a favorite from past visits).    Philip, Annette and Ryan were there also - but almost finished when we arrived.    The Bloody Mary's were excellent, too!    😊

Brooke, Michael, Davis and Drew pondering what to order?

Blair, Grandma, Brady

Mark left around 8:45 for Walford, Iowa (near Cedar Rapids) to visit his college friend, Mike.    We had lunch with Mike in August, 2020 at the Cedar Ridge Winery near Swisher, IA - what a neat place, but yesterday's weather just didn't work for us to meet there (those tenderloins at the Hamburg Inn were so good, though).    

Back to the hotel and waited for the rain to stop....Blair gave me some tips on yoga - whoaaa...haven't done that since 2019 at Cypress Trail.     Where did she learn all these poses and description of each???   We were also doing posture and balance exercises!

Grandma and Blair hanging out with "Herky"

Mark really enjoyed his visit with Mike and was back in town at 11:45.   Several of us went to the Iowa Bookstore - huge and Brooke bought several pieces of Iowa clothing.    Then everyone but Mark and I went to Short's' for lunch (we were not hungry at this point).    They got a table but a LONG wait for their food.    We stopped at Target and on back to hotel.

At 3:30 some of us walked and some drove to Big Grove Brewery - wow, what a neat place mostly outdoors and ginormous.    People, people, so many people.   Tessa had family and friends, Drew invited friends, colleagues of Michael's  and along with our clan, made for a big group.    We played 2-handed, 4 handed, and 5 handed euchre,   Tessa's family are really into euchre so she fits in with our family very well, plus she's a real sweet gal.

The food at Big Grove was wonderful - we shared several appetizers and then other good stuff including various tacos, crispy cauliflower, shrimp lettuce leaves, etc., etc.    Mark, Blair and I walked back to hotel around 7:30 - rest of them are still going strong and many people still arriving.    This is quite the place and another fun evening to end the day!

GOLF update - CCHS Saints did not do so well today in the state finals so will not be advancing to tomorrow's match.    Connor shot an 82 and Liam, a 90.    Connor and his 3 top teammates were all individual qualifiers, though and will play tomorrow.    Good luck Connor!!!