Monday - September 11

 Thinking of all the innocent men, women and children who lost their lives 22 years ago today on that horrific 9/11.

We had such a fun day  - we left KK at 8:45 and stopped for a coffee fix at Java Cafe in ElPaso.    Then it started to rain and continued all day long.    We met brother Bob and Linda, cousin Dick and Mary and Aunt Marian at Uptown Grill in LaSalle for lunch - love this place and as always, very good meals and lots of chatter! 

Dick, Mary, Bob, Linda, Aunt Marian, Pat, Mark

After lunch we all went back to Stonecroft where Aunt Marian lives and played euchre.    6-handed (Mary, Dick and Mark beat Aunt Marian, Linda and me 2 games).    Then we played 4-handed - I was a big loser till Mary and I finally won against Aunt Marian and Linda.    Dick and Bob enjoyed putting a puzzle together.  We also enjoyed carrot cake cake roll.

Bob and Dick at work on their puzzle which they finished!

Sweet Aunt Marian (almost 95)!

Said our good byes to Aunt Marian and onto Bob and Linda's.    Dick and Mary stopped in and we had drinks and snacks and more visiting.   

Linda and I chatted some more, enjoyed a small bowl of her homemade chicken noodle soup and called it a day!

Tomorrow we are off to Racine, Wisconsin!

 

Sunday - September 10

 Warm and sunny Sunday (81).    We went to 10:00 Mass with Father Stirniman at Holy Trinity - their choir is magnificent!

Today is National Grandparents Day and we were hoping to see Connor but he was working at Bloomington Country Club and has a very busy week of golf ahead!    Anne joined us for brunch at Destihl, we sat outdoors and enjoyed our meals and lots of chatter. 

Perfect day for dining al fresco

Mark and I went back to Anne's for more visiting and she sent some very delicious cherry crisp home with us - our neighbor Donna in Port Clinton had given us 3 bags of cherries from their trees.    I've had them in the freezer (Catrina doesn't have an oven) so Anne and Connor can enjoy, too.

Back to KK and rested a bit.    Then started packing for our little getaway tomorrow thru Thursday.  

 It's been a rough, sad and scary week for Liam and Connor as their friend (16 and a junior at CCHS) was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma.    Everyone in shock.   He is on the golf team also.   Please pray for Liam B.    

 We're going to LaSalle/Mendota/Racine/Lake Geneva for good eating, cards (euchre), shopping, etc.  Meeting family tomorrow and then going to WI with Bob and Linda.

Nine on zoom tonight....

Have a fantastic week!

Saturday - September 9

 Busy day but it was a beauty!    We went into town to do laundry, brought it back to KK (after a Gloria Jean's coffee fix) and left separately to go back to town.   I had a few errands and then met Mark at Westminster Village where we had lunch with Donna Rae and Rhea (dear friends).   We had such a nice visit over a yummy lunch, took some pics and said our good byes to Rhea.     Mark and I went to Donna Rae's apartment and visited a while more.

Rhea and Donna Rae with us

Bye bye to Donna Rae (she and I have a plan to do coffee next Friday).

Mark came on back to KK and I met Claire at Panera - this was a last-minute plan that worked out great as we weren't able to get together till the 19th.    We sat in the warm sunshine for about 2 1/2 houtrs catching up!    Duh...no picture.

Mark and I walked on the country road this beautiful evening, but it sure gets dark early (36 minutes before Port Clinton)!

 

Friday - September 8

 Cloudy and cool today (60's).    Mark was off at 8:30 for a haircut with Brandon and then ran several errands.    I left for town at 10 for a 10:30 eye appointment (took some pics of my right eye from a previous visit in May when they were just wanting to check further).    Then I met Kathy (visiting from TX), her friend China (they are back here for their 55th class reunion this weekend) and 2 mutual friends, Barb and Anita.   We enjoyed lunch and visit at Biaggi's.   Anita and China left and Kathy, Barb and I continued the chatter.

I took Kathy back to her hotel, said our good byes with hugs and back to Kamp Komfort.

Barb and Kathy

China, Anita, Pat

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - September 7

 Gloomy day and cool (low 70's).    I left Mark and Flo and drove to the parking lot where Beth picked me  up.    We went on a great 2.5 mile hike on the Kickapoo Rail Trail (another awesome old railroad converted into a walking/biking path like our North Coast Inland Trail in Ohio).

After our hike, Beth took me back to the car and I followed her to Mad Goat Coffee - what a neat place with all the coffee choices and so many pastries to choose from (made in house).    We enjoyed our breakfast and yakked away.    Time to say good bye - what fun to be together and I'll see her in 3 weeks at Sisters' Weekend which she and Sharon are hosting.

Hiking with Beth

First fall color

Awesome coffee shop

Mark and Flo left for Kamp Komfort and were all settled by the time I arrived at 12:15.    Other than a nasty accident which really slowed/stopped traffic on I-74 (semi was on its side), it was a good trip and always nice to be back "home" at KK.

I went into town at 3:30, stopped at Anne's for a good visit and then off to The Vrooman Mansion for the 50th Anniversary of our Monday Night Friends.   There were 10 of us (missing Tamara) and oh my, reminisced thru the years all the fun times and memories we've made.   We looked thru old photo albums enjoyed champagne, delicious food and just so much fun!    

Cheers to 50 years!

Linda, Marsha, Sue, Ruth, Jody, Pat, Brenda, Nadine, Donna, Connie