My photo
No longer on the river and, again, an empty nester. Back to living on Fleming Island and making some more friends!

Monday, June 8, 2009

My tummy is sooo happy!

Having just now returned from dining at the Green Street Tavern (Judy J.—you might want to pass on reading this one about perch!), my tummy is saying “thank you, thank you, thank you!” for the wonderful perch plate it enjoyed. My heart is saying “thank you, thank you, thank you!” for the wonderful friends who shared mealtime with me. Those who joined me were Dolly, my friend since grade school, as well as Wendy, a high school friend. It seems we talked as much as we could between bites---about the years gone by, people gone by, and times coming before us. I, of course, encouraged them to attend my funeral when the time comes but Dolly is no traveler. Only a few days ago I mentioned having two funeral services, one in Florida and one here as well, so Dolly can make it. She wants me to send her the hymns ahead of time so she can learn the alto parts…..

*

Earlier in the day I spoke via telephone with Debbie, another 12 year classmate of mine who could not make dinner with us tonight. She filled me in on a few people and events that I have missed out on, including her attempt at putting together an 8th grade class reunion! What an ambitious girl she is! Oh, my, there is so much history between us all, the joys of attending a Lutheran grade school and high school, knowing each other all those years! Surprisingly many people stayed in the area and see each other at the high school events when their kids become students! This year marks our 35th anniversary of graduation and would also be my 35th wedding anniversary in July. Guess there are no plans to celebrate either event!

*

Mom and I sat around the house this morning, freezing half to pieces as the temperatures remain below normal and drizzle continues to fall. She bumped the heat up a few degrees but we could not really feel it getting warmer, even though I wore a blanket all morning long. I’d made plans to visit our friends, the Petska’s, and persuaded Mom to come along to check out their building for her to move into. First I stopped at Late’s Drive-In and got one of their fabulous cheeseburgers and got Mom a chocolate malt and then we headed to Petska’s. Clara gave us the grand tour, even took us downstairs to see their garage and upstairs to see the library and beauty shop. Mom felt like it was too “old folks homey” feeling but really, it seems mostly just homey to me, and secure. Clara says it is incredibly quiet there, never hearing footsteps overhead or doors slamming, none of the noise that this place has. Mom’s major deal about moving from here is that she likes walking to church, the Kwik Trip and her bank. The only reason the police come to Southbrook where Petska's live is when the rescue squad has to come and pick up someone who has fallen---not like here where there are domestic disputes and other commotion all the time. I will just keep wishing and hoping Mom will agree to move to a nicer place.

*

On the way home from Petska’s, we stopped at the ice cream parlor to see Jill, but she had gone home for a few hours. She was due back at 6:00 pm until closing so I guess the break was needed. Sitting around a table in the corner of the room was my niece, Alayna and several of her classmates. They were taking turns signing each others’ yearbooks while enjoying their ice cream. What a pleasant surprise to find her there! I got to physically meet the kids I have only seen on Facebook photos, and they sure seemed to be nice enough kids at that!! We had our treat and then headed back to Mom’s. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching TV before I had to get ready to have dinner with my friends. Mom had a church meeting to attend and arrived home only a short while ahead of me. Monday is a slow night for TV viewing but I will retire early to my room and find something suitable to pass the rest of the evening, as I savor my perch dinner….yummy!

*

Some interesting phone calls came in today, a couple from church family and a couple from my friend, Jen, in Orange Park. I seriously believe it is getting to be time to go home and get some things settled down, and to enjoy some time around the pool! My dear friend, Dee, called, asking me to come and have dinner at her place on Wednesday night, hoping I did not have choir rehearsal during summer. She was a bit mixed up though, not fully realizing that I am already up here in WI, and that this Wednesday will still find me here. Dee’s vacation and mine are going to overlap a bit so I won’t see her again for a couple weeks after I get back. Dee celebrated her 70th birthday and her 50th wedding anniversary while I was gone and she wants to have a separate celebration with me, a private one, because I missed it. Totally unnecessary but she won’t take “no” for an answer. So, I have a special party to look forward after getting back home, at least, some time this summer!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim,
Sounds you are having a great time catching up on everyone in Manty.
You make me jealous with all those perch meals you have enjoyed. There is nothing like it. Glad you got to meet Darlene and Wendy. Maybe I will get to come next time.

Continue to enjoy...

Diane

Anonymous said...

Sorry I mised you yet once again at work. I did not have to work till closing though. Just had an employee meeting same as tonight. I did get to see Alayna before I left though. My knee is still bothering me so maybe I will visit the walk in clinic yet today. This getting old is hard.

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Dee Dee!

I do try to touch base with people in person if I can when I am up here. My visit with my father-in-law was quite depressing, however. Glad my sis-in-law's parents are doing so well yet!

Debbie wants a team put together to plan a reunion so should I add your name to the committee list???

Hugs,

Kim

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Jill!

Sorry that we missed you, but I did get to speak with the Schwede boy. He seemed "new". The other young lady working had things well in hand, it appeared. Alayna's friends were nice, and I felt as though I knew them already from Facebook!

I hope the knee is going to be okay, go to the hobble-in clinic and get it looked at so you won't have to be dragged down the aisle on Saturday!

Hugs,

Kim

Anonymous said...

I thought that maybe Justin and Dustin could carry me down the aisle. Again great supper last night! Yes I did my hair. Hugs!

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Jill!

This dial up connection of Mom's sure is giving me the exercise I need---in patience!

Glad you liked our saurkraut and pork roast meal, I didn't care for the bullets, though. I think I liked the ones made at Shady Lane better, drop dumplings I think.

I did not see your new hair color this a.m. as you came too early but will see you Friday in Janesville, okay?

Hugs,

Kim