Starting the visit off right

My first night here I had a really good sleep in the guest room, being so very thankful for the foam mattress pad Justin suggested I get to use when here. I think it's been a year now since I had it delivered to Mom's. It really makes all the difference in the world for my bones and joints in the morning. 

This morning the first order of business was Bible study. I love it, just love it!  This particular class was held in the church office with only a few ladies around the conference table, beginning a study of James. The lady who leads it, Betty, is a former LES teacher, now working at the public library. She did a nice job covering the material and keeping us reigned in. The group consisted of Linda, Lynn, a lady named Gwen, Betty, and me. A smaller number due to the busyness of season, wrapping things up from the school year, etc. It was an interesting class and I enjoyed it.

Mom doesn't attend this class so Lynn ran back to get her from the apartment (four blocks away) while I rode with Linda to Manitowoc Coffee where we met up again. Mom and Lynn traditionally 'go for coffee' on Saturday mornings, a carry-over from Lynn's working days. I really like Manitowoc Coffee and have said more than once that if I lived in Manty, this place would be my hang-out. And I don't even drink coffee! I had a frequent shoppers card but couldn't remove it from my wallet in time to use for a free one. Next time!  No peanut squares today but I did have a couple of cookies, including one with black piping which made a mess on my hands and teeth. Such fun!

These little 'drawers' were in the gift shop. All the items to make up the dioramas were sold there as well. I heard one lady describe this area as being 'dangerous'. Really cute stuff.

We younger ladies walked around the adjoining gift shop while Mom waited for us in the coffee shop. I only scouted out half the store, leaving the other half for another visit. After we said good-bye to Linda, the three of us went to Festival Foods for some groceries and such. 

I just love that store!  I was downright giddy being there but the other shoppers seemed less so. Perhaps it was the gloomy and foggy weather affecting their good natures but many seemed to be focused on their mission of shopping and nothing else. At the back of the store beyond the produce I found my puff caramel corn, made on-site, plus picked up some pre-cut celery, green peppers, and onions to use for cooking at Mom's.  I did need more items but got so excited about the whole event that I couldn't focus on my list. Some fresh cut ham and hard rolls found their way into my cart as well as Diet Coke. 

Here I am with Dolly, me sporting my 'old' car coat left behind in Mom's closet for just such occasions. It was a blessing to have it!

The highlight of my time was finding, or being found by, my friend, Dolly, who described it as a dream come true to run into me at Festival. Often on my visits we will just miss each other somewhere and only see one another for our planned time together. It was so nice to see Dolly and her mom, Joanne. We have arranged to meet with another of our classmates, Rita, for dinner one night so this is only our first meeting with each other.  Also I saw one of my favorite teachers from high school, Coach Heidrich, and another classmate, Warren, and then my cousin, Jimmy. I just had a ball!

Mom and Lynn did their shopping as well and we met at the registers.  We got our stuff paid for and loaded into Lynn's trunk to be off-loaded using the handy cart from Mom's building.  We should be all set for the time being. 

Last night Jill, Lynn, Mom and I ate at a different place, City Limits. It doubles as a reception hall for weddings but also served pretty good perch. And, fried dill pickles!  One of the owners is a former classmate of mine and it was nice to see her again after all these years. Tomorrow I hope to see more folks I know at church and at a Lutheran High concert at church tomorrow night. My sister, Lori, is coming for a visit for a day or two. My other sister, Kerry, will be coming too. This should be hoot!