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

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Playing the waiting game

Today there is time to catch up on a few things blog-wise. At this writing, my sister, Jill, is on her way to collect my other sister, Kerry, from the Park ‘n Ride. Kerry comes part way with her car with someone from here collecting her at that halfway point.

Mom, Lynn, and I went to Manitowoc Coffee for ‘breakfast’ this morning, in keeping with their Saturday ritual of ‘going for coffee’. I like the sugar cookies at this downtown establishment, located where Kresge’s used to be. Kresge’s was part of the K-Mart corporation, which would make it now Sears. Interesting! I bought my first album from Kresge’s, “The Sounds of Silence” when I was a young teenager. Imagine that…what a trip down memory lane, all before breakfast!

My days have been busy and quiet at the same time. Perch has been eaten, poppyseed-filled doughnuts enjoyed, sugar cookies consumed, Diet Coke sipped (or gulped, if you ask my mom!), and visits made. Lori left here on Thursday late morning, driving her rented car to Holmen. Kerry, as I mentioned, is on her way here. Lisa and family shared Mother’s Day with us, both at Mom’s house and at Luigi’s for dinner that evening.

Last night I had dinner with Rick and Laura S., those nice folks who visited me in April. Laura had left her sleeping shirt behind at my home so I was able to return it to her at Time Out Grille. We had WONDERFUL beer-batter dipped perch dinners, oh my!, so delicious! I could not even finish the entire portion of perch…had to leave one half of the butterfly behind.

Yesterday I visited Clara and Harvey, both now residing under the same roof but in separate health care facilities. This place is where I used to work but has changed so very dramatically, I can barely recognize it! Clara needs the nursing home care, while Harvey resides on the assisted living end of the building. They still spend their days together but retire to their own rooms and beds at night. Hard to see Clara like this, being the same age as Mom, who still does so well.

I found Clara in the beauty shop and drove her back to her room with her wheel chair. She looked so pretty, hair all fixed up. She called Harvey to let him know she was done and back in the room, but didn’t tell him I was there. We surprised him! He looks really good, I think assisted living agrees with him.

Tomorrow I will spend some time with the other side of the family, at least some of them. Harv, Barb, and Sharon are going to the cemetery to plant some hostas and we will catch a bite afterward. Sharon likes brats and I loved that perch so perhaps I will steer them back to Time Out for another go at the beer battered perch!

This evening we are going with a bunch from church to enjoy a dinner at the Charcoal Grille. I am quite excited about this as I love the group (at least, those whom I know!) and I love their steak sandwiches at the Grille! There are five in our party alone, counting Kerry. So ‘cited about this evening!

Linda J. and I have had some time together, including her treat of a pedicure at Rose Colored Glasses Salon. Linda got her nails touched-up/painted while I had my toes done. Not a moment too soon either, as they were looking and feeling wretched. We have such a good time at the salon, and I look forward to visiting there with Linda when I am ‘home’.

Speaking of ‘home’, I saw my old friend and former co-worker, Theresa, yesterday when at Shady Lane. She is now director of admissions, and has worked at SLH all her life, to date. Theresa started there when age 16, working part-time as a receptionist when the place was yet an ‘old folks’ home’. She is now there for nearly 4 decades! I had gone to grade school and high school with her former spouse, but he’s been out of the picture for years and years now. She is a grandma six times already! Wow! When she introduced me to her co-worker, she described me as a moldy oldie of Shady Lane. I said I was there to pick out my room!

More updates next week, as time and the Internet permit!