A busy weekend

Last night Nancy W. and I joined our friend, Maureen, for dinner, to help her kick off spring break. Maureen (Mo) is a teacher in our County. We've been waiting a long time to get together and at last, we made it to Santioni's, on the Island. Mo was our driver. It was nice for us to get out, especially for her since she normally has a brood of kids around her, and not only in the classroom. Her husband, Ro, and she are parents to 8 children, only a few at home right now, plus an exchange student. They absolutely LOVE kids, those two!

Let me back up a little bit---I had also made plans to get together for dinner with Brenda on Friday. I was going to pick her up from work and we'd go to a nicer place than our quick lunch choice of Steak 'n Shake. All of a sudden I remembered that I had already made these other plans with Nancy and Mo. I felt just terrible about this. We communicated and she was just fine with the plan change, she said. Later, as I drove to the groomers, she called to report that she had also double booked, forgetting she had made an appointment at the hair salon for Friday night. Whew!, I felt so much better that it all was working out after all.

We three ladies had a wonderful meal complete with being serenaded by the Italian proprietor. While we ate, there was a keyboardist playing music in the background but when the owner came out to sing, it was no longer background. Such pipes he had! If we had not enjoyed a glass of sangria and dessert, we could have gotten out of there for less than $20 with each carrying a to-go box with us. A good deal, that's for sure.

Saturday was a full one as well, starting with a Mexican dinner at church, a fund raiser, prepared by Chefs Mike 'n Mike. Sadly, the turnout was dismal, and I felt so badly for all the effort they put into it. Normally we have a good showing for such special meals but tonight's was only 9 people including a child. The pastor's wife had her little niece with them, and the rest were adults. The guys had help in the kitchen provided by two young ladies, newer to the congregation. Their dad is stationed at Kings' Bay and he has been a member here for a year or so. His family would come and visit several times a year, living in New Ulm, and we got to know them. They recently moved down here to all live together, with the girls doing their education via the Internet. Nicer girls I've never met. Their mom wasn't with them tonight as she was back in MN helping her sister after surgery. 

The dinner was held early due to the fact that there was a concert being presented at Victory tonight by WI Lutheran College. Since it started at 7 pm, it was hoped folks would come early to eat and then carpool or caravan to Victory for the concert. Nope, it was only me who left from church, with the pastor and his family leaving from home, picking up his son who is home from Luther Prep on break. He did not join us for dinner. 

The ride over to Victory was nice, more quiet on a Saturday evening than on a work day. And it was hot out! Certainly the choir members enjoyed the beautiful weather, having sung last night at Christ the King, an hour south of us. My guess was right---a day at the beach! Some of the girls showed red shoulders and I hope they don't suffer on their long bus ride back to WI tomorrow. 

Another family from GS came to the concert, and I got to see my friend, Robbie, again. We had a representation of 11 people from GS attending the concert. I got to talk with 2 guys before the concert, prior to them getting their green velvet (warm!) choir robes on. I asked one of the guys if he was originally from WI or if he just went to school there and he said he was from AZ. No stranger to heat he. The other young man said he was from WI, and I asked where. Get this---he is from a small town named Manitowoc! He went to my alma mater and his family actually goes to the same church where my nephews attend school. This young man, Josh, even had for his teacher the same man teaching my nephew now! Love when this happens.

Overall it was a good concert, especially the sacred offerings. The less than sacred stuff was well done, but not my favorite choices. After the concert there was a cookie social and I had a chance to chat with the director. I told him how I remembered his directing the orchestra and choir at the Worship Conference last summer, in conjunction with a female conductor. He asked me if I was a musician (No) or was in a choir (No), and I explained I came to be filled up. I didn't tell him that I likely wouldn't be attending any more of the Conferences in the future though. Will just enjoy the concerts when they come to us!