So good to be home!

I am home and in my family room, enjoying pizza with Justin. He is staying overnight tonight after collecting me from the airport. I was a bit late getting in as there was a 'paperwork' problem between the plane and the gate. Really? What they finally did was print off the report at the gate and ran it down the gangway to hand it to the pilot through an open window. I guess once the 'doors' are closed, there is no opening them or something. It worked! We were delayed, though, which means Justin would be kept waiting for me at the original time. I turned on my cell phone quickly and sent a text telling him I was running late. He had the flight info and such so he could have tracked it on the computer but he did not mind waiting. He had his laptop or something along to watch while he waited. No worries!

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I am ready to go sleep in my own bed tonight so will sign off for now. I hope I can sleep okay, expect to, anyway. Taking an allergy pill seemed to make things better and perhaps it will stay this way!

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Oh, and one more thing-----I finished a book in less than a month! On the plane I read the last chapter of "My Life in France", Julia Child's autobiography and it was fascinating. Strangely enough, I am recommending a book to you!!!

Shivering at Lori's

It is only 62 degrees here at Lori's house but some here think it is warm out....Well, I guess compared to the below zero temps they experienced over winter, this IS warm but for me, not at the top of my game, I am cold. Still having some lingering effects of my cold, my sore throat and junk dripping down the back of my throat, making me cough unproductively. A good night's sleep would be most appreciated, perhaps tonight or tomorrow night, in my own bed, toe nails and cookie crumbs and all!

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Our weekend in The Twin Cities is behind us and it went well. The show, "Mamma Mia" was a delight, with only a few 'questionable' scenes, which made me feel badly for the parents with young children there, but overall, a great night! We ate dinner at The Capital Grille, the only place Lori could find to take a reservation in time for the show, although she accidently made the reservation for the next night. Fortunately they could squeeze us in but we had to vacate our table by 6:30 pm. A bit of pressure but we did it. I asked the waiter if they still had the potato chips and he said they did, but at the bar. In a short while he came back with a plate of handmade chips and some tartar sauce to dip them. How wonderful!

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Lori and Lynn ate the balance of my steak since it was more than I could eat. When it came to dessert time, he brought the menu around but we told him we were too full. The waiter suggested we come back after the show but our bus was picking us up outside the theater. I remarked at how delicious the creme brulee is at Capital Grille but knew we could not come back. In a few minutes, he came back with a dessert for us to share, creme brulee, on the house! What great costumer service!!!

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Last night I did not sleep well even though I took my Nyquill. I hope that I do better tonight or I will sleep on the flight home, if not on the ride from Lori's to MKE. Lynn said she heard me snoring but that must have been after 3:00 a.m. although I tried to sleep and kept waking myself up with coughing. We figured out, with the advice of the bus driver, how to adjust the time change by flipping a switch on the bottom of the clock. Lynn fortunately woke up early and got her shower taken, and then we got up in succession to ready ourselves for the day. We ate breakfast in the dining room near the hotel, connected with hallways and walkways, and then caught the bus to the Mall.

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Once at the Mall of America, we decided to go to the movies, where we saw "Valentine's Day". Lots of walking today and yesterday, or what seemed like a lot to me. I stink at walking these days! How can one ache from sitting and also ache from walking? That is just goofy.....Lynn was able to get some of her cherished Bath and Body Works products at a tremendous savings, with which she was pleased. We came out rather empty handed but with full tummies after our lunch at the Cantina. Yummy! Now we are enjoying leftovers at Lori's and sharing our fun with David. I will hopefully write Tuesday sometime, after I get settled.

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End of this trip........

Catching Up...

Once more I am feeling poorly....this time a cold. Man, I hate this but I sure prefer a cold to having the stomach bug from my first couple days in WI. Lori, Lynn, and I spent the day together starting with breakfast at The Blue Cup coffee shop. While Lori got her new telephone, Lynn took me down the plaza to the store to buy cold remedies. Certainly I will sleep tonight-----Nyquil will see to that. Also got some throat lozenges and the inside of my cheeks are flaking off from having the discs against them.

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From there we went to The Company Store where Lynn got herself a new pillow from the outlet shop. We enjoyed walking through the attached furniture store (my third such store since I got to WI!!) and saw some lovely pieces including some great art work well priced. Lori needed to replace her luggage, or at least a mid-sized bag and found an interesting bag with unique colors for easier identification. Not that she flies anywhere but even on the bus trip tomorrow, she will no trouble picking out her bag. At the appointed hour we met Judy R. at the restaurant in LaCrosse, Hackberry's, upstairs from the food co-op. Yes, I was in a food co-op! Despite my cold symptoms, I enjoyed my lunch of clam chowder and mac 'n cheese. The others loved their meals as well and most especially the time spent together with my sisters and my dear friend!

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Yesterday began early with Alayna and Jill coming by Mom's to say 'good-bye' to me. Mom and I went to have breakfast with my auntie and cousin at Perkin's where we had a nice visit and wonderful breakfast. Not long after we got back Lynn called to say she was on her way over to collect me so I gathered my belongings and waited. She came upstairs but Mom wanted to walk down with us where we said our good-byes in her lobby. She said she was getting used to having me there and was going to miss me....awww! Now I feel guilty about leaving her but what can I do?

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Lynn and I drove to Lori's after stopping at Lisa's workplace to drop off a skirt that Lynn had shortened for her, so I got to say 'bye' to her, too. In Fond du Lac we stopped to have a bite for lunch where I had a hot dog and we shared some fries, while Lynn had a club sandwich. It was raining part of the drive but we made it safely, well before dinner. Lori was busily making an apple pie to have for dessert, after we ate our pot roast and potatoes. Talk about yummy! We were laughing the moment we walked in the door, believe me! Sadly I had troubles sleeping due to my cold so hopefully tonight will be better, thanks to Nyquil!!!

Packed up and ready to move on

This evening, in a few short minutes' time, I had packed up my belongings, most of them anyway, for my trip across the state to visit Lori. Lynn is working a few hours tomorrow and then we are heading off. We should arrive in time for dinner, and since they eat fashionably late, I will be right on schedule again!

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Mom and I are meeting my Auntie Marie and her daughter, Barbie, for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and I swear I will not shut off my alarm without getting up first this time! My niece, Alayna, is stopping by in the morning before school to say 'good-bye' and Jill will be coming up to help Mom with her eye drops so I will have more farewells. I already had to say 'good-bye' to Linda tonight which was difficult, as we really had more time than ever this visit and enjoyed it so very much. We are both so thankfull for e-mail, the blog, and Facebook, plus the telephone for keeping in touch between visits. Gosh, I am going to miss her! I am going to miss them all actually!

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Mom and I sat around much of the morning, in the gloomy light of overcast, rainy skies. I read my book but eventually had to turn on the lamp in order to read because it was so dark outside mid-morning. Linda called me around 11:00 a.m. to see if I had lunch plans....I would love to meet her for lunch!!!! Mom opted to stay home so I met Linda at The Harborside Restaurant, where the chef very nicely made us each a perch sandwich, not on the menu for lunch. Great customer service indeed! Linda needed some help in the office yet so I accompanied her to the nail salon across the street and then to church. I did not help one bit but instead had a great conversation with Pastor R. He knew the Hoyers from MN where they both served and we share a few more people besides them. He is a dear man, as Linda describes him.

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At the appointed time, I swung back to pick up Mom for church, where Linda and Lynn joined us. The pastor from St. John, Newtonburg, was the preacher tonight and I had a chance at the supper afterwards to thank him for his care for my in-laws and my cousin, Rochelle. He is not a really chatty fellow but we did have a nice visit nonetheless. The area pastors are sharing pulpits with each other, easing their prep time since they preach the same sermon six times, going from church to church the six weeks of Lent. This allows them to become a bit familiar with other congregations, and them with the pastors.

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Mom and I are so lazy this evening we might go to bed early (must be the cruddy weather!) and since Alayna is coming so very early, I have to make sure I am up to greet her, or rather, say "good-bye"...boo hoo hoo!!!!

Now that I am getting into this routine....

....it soon will be over! It seems without my constant radio listening that my mind is getting a bit sludgy although today I did get some samples of my programs as I drove between stops. On an ordinary day, I fill my head with "garbage", as my sister referred to it, from when I wake through about 5:00 pm, depending on my day. Never do I plan my day around the radio or the TV news programs but if it happens that I get a full day, I rejoice! Being here at Mom's with a less strenuous schedule leaves the two of us with plenty of time to watch daytime TV, which is slim pickings. Occasionally we enjoy a re-run of "Everyone Loves Raymond" or episodes of "House Hunters" for entertainment. There really is little else to watch during the day, as my friend, Jami, lamented during her recent recuperation. Hence, she loved the movies!

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Yesterday I asked Mom if she wanted to go somewhere, needed any thing from a store, or had an errand to run, simply to give us something to do. She said, "Yeah, this is probably not what you are used to....", since, even if I am at home, I have my laptop or desk top to keep me busy. There is always something needing to be addressed for church or The Palace.

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Speaking of The Palace, we have a new prince, born Monday afternoon just before 1:00 pm. His name is Beckham Weston Cummings---welcome to your kingdom, Beckham! I look forward to going upstairs to see the new baby when I get back to Florida. Linda, Lynn and I attended the baby shower when the ladies were visiting me at the beginning of February, and now, he is here! Mom and baby doing fine, Dad is exultant!

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Instead of going out running errands or anything like that Monday, I tackled my book, "My Life in Paris", the memoirs of Julia Child. How wonderfully interesting it is! If anyone is the tiniest bit interested in the story of Julia and Paul Child, please read the book. I am not a 'can't put it down' type of reader but when I have it in hand, it devours me, and I, it! This is also aiding me in keeping to my New Year goal of reading a book a month, and at this rate, might just finish a book this month! Bravo for me!

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Last night I had the distinct pleasure of dining with my friend, Dolly, at The Green Street Tavern. We enjoyed our perch dinners, our conversation, and realitive solitude in the dining room. Mondays are good night to go there, it seems! She treated me which made it extra special, but I bought my sis-in-law, Sharon, a piece of poppyseed torte as a treat to enjoy before bed tonight. She accompanied my family to the China Buffet for dinner tonight, where I filled her plate with wonderful things. She ate her entire plateful of food plus another plate of desserts. That is why the torte must be eaten another time---her poor tummy must have been so full!

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Earlier in the day I served as driver for some of the ladies and Mom, taking them to St. John, Newtonburg, for their OWLS meeting. This is the same church where Arno's funeral service was conducted and I got to see many familiar faces as the area churches all belong to the OWLS. Some were parents of my classmates, some recognized me from Facebook, and others already knew me. I was about the youngest one there, except for the secretary of the church! It was a good day!

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Seems I am working backward here---I began my day with a jerk (something that I thought was long behind me!!!) as I woke up only 15 minutes prior to a planned meeting time with my other sis-in-law, Mona, at Perkins. I just flew around getting myself ready, reaching into the bathroom to snatch my toothbrush and paste from the vanity as Mom showered. I used the restroom as soon I got the restaurant, and tossed my hair with some water to make me look a bit presentable, coming out just in time to meet Mona at the door. Whew! My alarm had gone off twice since 7:00 am but I so nicely silenced it and fell back to sleep. Yikes! We talked for nearly three hours before we said 'good-bye' and I headed back to Mom's.

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My eyes are tired so I will sign off and go see what Mom is doing in the living room. I think I heard her snuffle which means she dozed off on the sofa. We are both ready to bed and it is so early. What is becoming of me???

....and the Oscar goes to.....

Yes, I am watching the Academy Awards and typing at the same time, with my back to the TV. How does she do it? Right now there are some inane dancers doing routines which do not interest me. It seems the expected winners are doing just that but I still enjoy watching/listening to see the clips and the homage paid to those who died in the past year. Some listed as passing away in 2009 I thought were long gone....who knew? Evidently, the Academy did!

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Mom, Jill, and I had a lovely dinner at Lynn's house this evening, which Justin said he was jealous about. Too bad he had to go back to Florida so soon...Maybe we can do that again when we return in June for Alayna's graduation. Lynn made a roast plus real mashed potatoes, so yummy! Much of the snow is melting as the 'warm' weather continues but I still had to snuggle the car against a snow bank after dropping off my passengers. It is remarkable how much the snow has disappeared in a week's time, though.

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After worship and Bible study this a.m., Mom, Lynn, Alayna, and I went to have breakfast at Perkin's, where I enjoyed my potato pancakes (it was a big potato day for me!). Lynn only had a muffin but it was a large one, and the other two had French toast. Our nearest Perkin's restaurant is in Palm Coast and I rarely get there so this is special to me, ordinary for them. Just like Red Lobster and Olive Garden are ordinary for me, they are special to Lynn etal. I need some Koko's! Linda had company overnight and was making a nice lunch for her guests so I won't see her again until Wednesday possibly, unless I show up at church to bug her!

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Lisa, my niece, sent me a text message today reporting Noah and she are expecting again. Mostly Lisa is expecting and he is along for the ride. She has not been to see the doctor yet but her home tests twice said "YES"....but the tests did not say it was a little girl. As she told me, Gabe is "going for a girl" and so am I! Lisa's two boys are so absolutely adorable, I can't wait to see what a little girl would look like. As Lori said tonight when she called, their baby girl would be as beautiful as Lisa was when she was born. We pray that all goes well with this pregnancy and that Lisa remains healthy throughout!

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Tomorrow I will do my wash, as the machines were tied up this afternoon. I have all day, really, for doing my basket of clothes. For dinner I am meeting my friend, Dolly, at The Green Street Tavern for perch and conversation. We can talk via Internet and Facebook, and sometimes the phone, but face-to-face is needed, too. I love it! Love seeing my Facebook friends in the flesh once in a while, too!

I really miss my Justin!!!!

Just a few minutes ago, at least within the half hour, it occurred to me how much I miss my Justin! Last week Saturday, a week ago, we were saying “good-byes” at the airport and telling each other how much we will miss the other, and now, it came true! Earlier today, Lynn drove Mom, Linda, and me to the Apple Orchard to have a lovely breakfast. I believe we all ordered the apple dumpling with an egg, bacon, and toast. Talk about a big breakfast! I did eat the slice of rye toast, home-baked, with the fried egg on it, plus part of the dumpling. The bacon was a slab-type, too thick for my taste, so I handed that off to Lynn and ate the exterior of the apple dumpling with some of the apple. I was too full to finish the dumpling or drink the glass of cider which came with it!
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While around the table, Mom was telling a story about a friend she had earlier in her marriage, with whom she did all kinds of stuff, and after having my younger sister, they simply stopped being friends. Well, not really, they just stopped talking with each other, as though that portion of their lives came to an end. There is a little story that goes around the Internet every now again, and I have referenced it in this blog at times, about how people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I prefer the lifetime ones, myself. On the way home, I quoted the line from “Julie and Julia” where Julie asked her ‘down to earth’ friend, “What do you think it means when you don’t even like your friends?” Indeed! Those she referred to did not really care about her at all, sort of dissed her and the work she did, while they reveled in their high-powered, self-centered lives. She did not like her ‘friends’ and it became obvious they did not like her much, either!
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After dropping Linda off at Mom’s where her car was parked, we headed out to Festival so Lynn could do her shopping. We managed to find a few items to put in a cart, too, nothing of nutritional value, though. They have a large, sumptuous bakery there and I took advantage of that. As we walked the aisles, greeting the familiar faces of Manitowoc, Justin called me. He quoted another line to me from “Julie and Julia”, this time where Julie mused about the great comfort and pleasure of making a chocolate cream after a horrible day at work where all went wrong. He also told me that when driving my car the other day, he had all he could do to prevent it from turning into the parking lot at Koko’s! I promised him as soon as I get home and situated, I will take him to eat at Koko’s! I really miss my Justin!!! And, so it seems, he misses me, too!
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Yesterday was a wonderful one, even with the visit to see Sharon in the morning. She took the news about Rochelle as best as she could process it. I asked her a couple times if she understood what I told her and what it would mean for her, and Sharon said she did. I hope so. After that visit, Linda picked me up at Mom’s and off we went to Green Bay. Linda needed some home décor pieces and we found just the shop for her—Taylor Creek! We got two pieces of art for the wall, a metal scroll to accompany the art, a lamp for her mom’s pedestal table in the family room, and several Easter or spring themed decorator items for her foyer trees. It is going to look so cute when they are sporting their eggs and other ornaments. My favorite ornament is a lion and lamb glass piece, perfect for celebrating Easter!
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My attention is being stolen by a show on TV, on PBS no less, about Istanbul and other Mediterranean sites where I have visited. One last thing, a sort of sad note: while I was in the store with Linda yesterday, my phone went off, and I chose not to take the call. Here it was Judy R., in Winona, calling to see where we were, as she waiting for us at the restaurant. Oh, my heart sank! She was there a whole week too soon!!!! Eventually she went in and enjoyed a lovely bowl of French onion soup, realizing at last, that she had the wrong date! Well, we will consider it a practice run for next Friday, when Lynn and I join Lori on her side of the state. Ooops!