Monday - May 15

 WOW........EIGHT years ago today (5/15/15), we closed on our Jackson Street house and became full-time nomads.    Still having fun living in our 2 tiny homes so, hoping we can continue with this lifestyle!

Dreary day - had breakfast and packed for our little road trip north.    The sun came out a bit with a high of 70.

Ever since we arrived at KK a week ago yesterday, a little birdie friend has been thoroughly enjoying flying back and forth from Flo to the truck - he must see his reflection in the windows and continues his crazy antics for long-time stretches till we go outside and he flies off.    Soon after, he's back - loves to hit his beak against the windows.   We think he has some issues for sure!    Ha!    Been trying to get some pics but he's always on the move.   Mark took these from inside this morning thru the screen....

Sitting on propane tanks

Splat!   Flying into the window

over and over - also loves to try and fly to roof of truck!

One goofy bird!

Today's plan had been to meet Bob and Linda and 2 long-time friends, Ruth and Jane (also cousin and fellow Sublettian) at Uptown Grill in LaSalle.   But because of health issues with the girls' hubbies, we canceled and Mark and I just went to Bob and Linda's after lunch.

Our first stop was Goodfield and pick up a Door County Cherry pie at Busy Corner.    Then to Eureka and check out Faire Coffee (new to us but been there since October, 2021).    It's just up the street from the laundromat and we had noticed it last week when we were in town.    It's in an old building with the brick walls - excellent brown sugar cinnamon scones.

Onto Mendota and visited with Bob and Linda and then played SkyJo - I won!

We left for Dixon and picked up Karen (aka Auntie) at her home and went to Basil Tree for delicious dinner AND celebrated her retirement which is coming at the end of the school year after teaching 33 years!!!   We are not able to attend her big party on July 7th so it was nice to have this one-on-one time!    She is Liam's Godmother so will be with us this weekend for graduation.

Mark and Karen (oldest and youngest siblings) and me

Congratulations Auntie!

Back to Bob and Linda's.   The 4 of us played another game of SkyJo and I won again!    Sure lucky today!!!

 

Sunday - May 14

Mark and I remember our Moms today and all the memories of celebrating Mothers Day in the past.

 Hope you Moms had an awesome day?   I sure did enjoy the phone calls from the boys + going to Mass with Anne, Liam and Connor and then brunch at Destihl with plenty to chat about.    

Liam, Anne, Connor, Pat

The corn is really popping up in the fields and the rain we're getting this afternoon will be most welcome!    Overall, the rain didn't amount to zip but the temp dropped and it was very windy.

We have a busy week ahead starting tomorrow with a 3-day getaway visiting family and friends in Mendota and Dixon.

Zoom tonight included:  Theresa, Doris, Karen, Tom C and Tom H and us - most were with family for Mothers Day. 

This Mama can't wait to have all her kiddos together next weekend!!! 

 

Saturday - May 13

 Dreary, gloomy day but hit a high of 81.    We got some things done on Flo and organizing in the truck.    Then to town to meet Bob and Martha for lunch at Rob Dobs - always enjoy getting together and today was fun as always + a delicious lunch!   Bob and Mark worked together at State Farm and our youngest sons (Tait and Ryan) went to CCHS together, 

Mark, Pat, Martha, Bob

Ran a few errands including storage to put stuff away and get more stuff out.    Then to Holy Cross cemetery to visit Patrick's gravesite and on home.    I'm sad thinking about the milestones in his boys lives (Liam's graduation and college coming soon) he's missing out on.   But I'm sure his buttons are popping with pride looking down on Anne and his fine young sons!

We had lightning and tornado threats (texts on our phones) but just some rain went thru late afternoon and a little bit this evening.

Brady and Maddie

Prom 2023

 

 

Wishing all you MOMS a very

HA PPY MOTHER'S DAY

💙💚💛💓💜

 

Friday - May 12

 Dreary day with a little rain off and on.   I went into town for my mammogram and then met Sue, Brenda and Connie (Monday Night Friends) at Crafted for coffee and chatter.   But, it was a very busy place and soo noisy, so we took our drinks/scones and went to McDonalds (more drinks there).   Nice booth, not busy and "quiet"!    We visited for about 2 hours - great catching up.   I had not seen Connie since early December.

I ran some errands and back to KK.....couldn't believe all the puddles and standing water as they had much more rain than in town.    Had lunch and then gathered and loaded up our laundry and off to Eureka.    Along the way, Sharon called and said that they would not be able to come tonight (Sharon, Harry, Mark and I were taking dinner to Sue and Jerry).    Harry fell this morning at their condo and hit his head......he was taken to hospital in rescue squad and undergoing tests.   No far, everything is normal, but keeping him overnight for observation and an MRI.    Pray that they find the cause of his fall....

Got the laundry done, picked up a coconut cream pie (Jerry's favorite) at Busy Corner and back to Flo.    Had a few hours to just hunker down and then off again to town....a few errands again and picked up Biaggi's for dinner and off to Sue and Jerry's.

Jerry slept most of the evening but did eat with us.    We sure feel for all he and Sue are going thru with his heath issues.    We did enjoy the evening very much and Sue is such a dear friend and faithful caregiver.

Jerry and Sue

Mark and Pat

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday - May 11

 Another busy fun day...we drove to Mackinaw and met my brother Bob and Linda at the Depot Tea Room for shopping and delicious lunch.   We love this tradition (well, at least Linda and I do) of meeting there and also shopping at Beth Ann's (nice clothing store close by) and then going to Braker's for food goodies from the Apostolic Christians and then to Scottwood Floral to ooh and aah at all the spring-time pretties.    We were there in early December - spring and Christmas time - wow!!!    And the tea room is sooo good.

Said our good byes - we'll be together next week in Mendota.

Linda, Bob and beautiful flowers at Scottwood Floral

On home and a quiet rest of the day.    Walked around the campground and new states tonight are Iowa, Colorado, Texas and Arkansas.

This tree was planted 3 1/2 years ago at CCHS in memory of Patrick - it was so small

 but now really thriving

Annette went with Maeve on a field trip to a mine and discovered that NC is the only state that has emeralds in North America

Panning for emeralds!

Our niece Katy and Mike's' baby, Emily Sue (4 months) has been in the hospital since Sunday night - MAY come home tomorrow.    She's been having breathing problems and not keeping her bottle down - no longer on oxygen so hoping her upcoming bottles are yummy and not upset her tummy.    Prayers please.

Beckett update - he has started the chemo and was hoping to go back to school full time today.    He's got a long road ahead....but what a little trooper!   🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏