Sunday, April 6, 2008
On the road again....
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Good Friend, Well Met
Of course, we remained friends through high school, culminated by singing together for our Senior Class Night presentation. Dolly played the guitar and we sang “Take Me Home, Country Road”. We’d often talked about moving to San Francisco and opening a craft shop, but my sister, Lori, sort of pointed out that we’d need a whole lot of inventory to sell in our shop…talk about raining on our parade! Good thing she did, too, or we’d have really messed up!
After getting married and me moving to Milwaukee, we sort of drifted apart but talked on the phone occasionally and saw each other at class reunions and such. Since moving to Florida, I think I’ve seen her more than I did when we lived up here! Again, that not seeing what’s under your nose….I have a photo taken at her house when Timmy was about 2 ½ years old, and he’s attempting to pedal her exercise bike in the breezeway. Justin was born one day after Dolly’s daughter, Kristin, and they had a chance to meet up with each other a couple years ago at WELS Youth Rally in CO. That is so cool, and I’d hoped for a second generation of friendship, but it was not to be. Too different and too far apart, unfortunately.
What was such a blessing for our friendship was having Dolly call me last summer when I was in Alaska on the cruise ship, to tell me she heard “our song” on the radio and was simply compelled to call! We used to lie on the roof of the utility shed in her backyard, with a radio and Teen Magazine, and sing along to the radio. Our favorite was “Those Were the Days”, which is what forced her to dial my number (or, push my number, as the case might be!). Whenever we talked or saw each other, no matter how much time had passed, we never missed a beat. I love that!
We had lunch together at Luigi’s in ‘TRivers and then went shopping at Honey Pot. I found some beautiful glass pieces there, and will have them ship it to my home for me, in a couple weeks. I sure don’t want a box to arrive and me not be there to secure it. Honey Pot is owned by another schoolmate of ours MLHS and I love being able to aid her business, plus add to my glass collection at the same time!
Next week when I come back from Lori’s I’m going to take a DVD copy of “Under the Tuscan Sky” to Dolly’s, plus some pretzels and honey mustard dip so I can take her on a vacation without having to leave the house! She has no desire at all to travel, doesn’t have that gene, I guess, so by us watching and sharing “Tuscan Sun” it might be as close to Italy as she’ll ever get! We saw those good chips at Honey Pot but I’ll have to search for the dip….I used to get it at Cook’s Corner but they are no more, so……………………
A full day spent with a dear friend, that’s another reason I am here!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
All Those Stairs!
Sunday, we went down and then back up, and again yesterday. Let’s see though, what did we do on Monday? Hmm, I know! We ate supper at home, and I made it! For our ladies’ dinner in March I’d made the most wonderful concoction of cabbage, carrots and corned beef for which even Justin paid a compliment. I made it again here and Lynn came over to have some. The rest is in the fridge and Jill is going to eat what's left of it. Mom and I had gone to Wal-Mart to bum around and then over to the newly re-opened Penguin Restaurant for a late lunch.
I don’t remember what we did that night but just know it didn’t require putting on our shoes and coats…probably involved something on TV, which is fine. I’d replaced my reading material at Wal-Mart so had a new book to dive into after Lynn went home. When leaving for the airport on Thursday, I accidentally left my Francis Mayes’ “A Year In the World” in my car! Nuts!! Linda gave me a neat book to read, “Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering” which I managed to get through in a couple days. I won’t give away the story, you’ll have to read it yourself! It is highly recommended to read this short “course” of study….
Tuesday was an awesome morning spent in the Word, as Kathy Wedlund led the Women’s Bible study at F. G. She comes from Mishicot to lead this group, studying now Genesis. We didn’t make a whole lot of progress in the lesson however, as some of the ladies had questions regarding the previous weeks’ discussion of angels and Satan. It was an excellent give ‘n take session, just the way I like it! Even I got to throw in my two cents’ worth, probably to my mother’s dismay! That class was over in the blink of an eye. Afterwards I mentioned to Kathy about attending the Women’s Leadership Conference last summer and then going on a cruise with a relative of hers, James Humann, and that group. She commented that Vicki Humann reminds her of Vicki’s mother, who would have been Kathy’s aunt, and another lady told Kathy she is a picture of HER mother. Funny how that happens!
Mom and I went back home for lunch after which we were going to go deliver church bulletins but somehow never got back out. Mid-afternoon I reminded Mom about voting so off we went to cast her ballot and then go shopping at Shop-Ko. Love that store! I managed to find a new purse there, something I’d sort of been looking for but had to be just right. And, strangely enough, it was on the sale shelf! It will get me by until I can replace it with something really special, perhaps in Florence if I go back again! Mom and I went to Jill’s ice cream parlor to have a treat before heading back home. I couldn’t finish mine so took it home for a midnight snack. This parlor has a giant cow standing out front, can’t miss it!
For supper I made spaghetti with meat sauce which was good but really needed some cheese. Mom picked some up this morning on her way back from having blood drawn. She ran into Jill at the store, how fun is that?? We ate at home two nights in a row!
This afternoon I am going to meet my friend, Dolly, in Two Rivers and I am so ‘cited!!!! We are going to have lunch and go to the Honey Pot to look at pretty things and spend some good time together. Awesome! That shop is owned and operated by a young lady we went to high school with so it’s a pleasure to do business there in many ways. Such unique gift items….if you’ve been to my house, you’ll see several pieces that came from the Honey Pot gracing my shelves!
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Sunday, March 30, 2008
“It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…”
Regardless of the temps, the time spent here is good and already going by too quickly. Saturday began with driving out to Cleveland to meet Lynn for breakfast. The restaurant is located in an apple orchard and serves nothing but fresh-made foods. As often happens, I met someone I knew, this time a woman named Cheryl who was two years ahead of me in high school. Her first time there, and its right down the road! That often happens, can’t see it right under your nose!
On the way out to Cleveland, I managed to get a photo of syrup buckets hanging from trees near the road. Not the shiny gallon metal buckets you’d imagine, but the 5 gallon white plastic kind. Probably more efficient this way, but by far, less romantic a picture.
Buckets hanging on the treesJill and I decided to go to Copp’s after breakfast which turned out to be big fun. As I found a place to park at this very busy grocery store, I mentioned needing to visit Auntie Marie this time, as my last trip here she was gone to the cottage with Barb and Jim.
Copp’s is obliviously Jill’s turf as she knew so many people there, some with whom she’d worked at Sentry and others from her neighborhood or the ice cream parlor. It was just like when I go shopping in my town, always run into somebody I know! We got the good cookies, found my popcorn, another 24 cans of diet Coke, and my wonderful natural-casing hot dogs. Jill got some needed food items and we headed to the checkout.
While waiting there, I greeted the bagger at the next register, Betty, who has worked there for years, and is the mom of a friend from my youth. All of sudden, Jill spotted someone pulling into line behind us---Auntie Marie! WOW, it was so cool to see her and she was blown away finding us there. Her son, Jon, was coming to pick her up from the store so we got to say “hi” to him as well. I just love it when this type of thing happens!!!
For dinner we met Lisa and her family at Timeout and I gave the boys their cute M & M backpack/rolling suitcases puchased in New York, which they adored. Gabe was still feeling a bit poorly but it was so fun to watch Manny chow down on cheese curds and mac ‘n cheese. He is just the cutest little guy! Eats like a thrasher! Gabe did manage to eat some of his food and perked up a bit when they got here to Mom’s. He wanted to play a game of hide ‘n seek, which isn’t too easy to do in Grandma K’s little apartment.
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Manny eating his dinner (it's a dark photo because of my camera phone)
It was also good to see and greet the many members of FG, those I remember and who remember me. Linda and Tom are gone on a cruise with their son and daughter-in-law so didn’t get to see them today, but will get back in touch after my weekend to the Cities. Lynn, Alayna, Mom and I had a late breakfast at Warren’s Restaurant, a hangout from my grade school days, and it dates older yet than that! As Justin text-messaged me, “You can’t beat a dirty griddle”, which is what I say about the good food at Koko’s!
This afternoon I brought Subway sandwiches and soup to my father-in-law, Arno and my niece, Allie, giving John and Mona a needed break. They went down the road to have lunch and then to Copp’s (must be THE place to go!). Not much of a break, but a break nonetheless. Arno and I had a nice visit while they were gone with Allie keeping busy shooting baskets (in this cold weather??) and bathing her dog. She modeled a lovely black dress she’s wearing for an end-of-year party—my, what a young lady she’s become! I just love her!
While at Arno's, I got a phone call from the music director at Victory, where Justin worships. Rachel was calling to ask me to sing for a pastor's conference at their church next month but I had to explain I'd be up here at that time. Nuts! I thanked her deeply for the offer, however. She complimented me on what a good son I have, that she can hear him singing in church, and how he's faithful in his attendance. Aw, shucks.....
Mom and I enjoyed some of the wonderful hot dogs for supper, on fresh hard roll buns…..yum! Life is so good! We hope to have a better night’s sleep tonight, the tenants upstairs being quite disruptive last night, making it hard to sleep. I hope that I’m never that noisy to my downstairs neighbors. I have even suspended practicing my clogging practice at nine p.m………………….
Friday, March 28, 2008
It's cold and warm at the same time!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Let's see, what else is there to do?
Josh's parents are coming down for a visit in early April and I've invited them to use my home while I'm gone. Judy's extra rooms are taken up by Josh and his friend who have moved in with her for now. Why not use my place? It would be as handy as a hotel would be, they'd enjoy the view, and I'm not far from Judy's house, sounds perfect to me! It's the least I can do for the help they've given me!
Today was an active one, starting with finishing the April FlockTalk newsletter and getting it e-mailed all over creation. Whew--Done! My first stop after leaving home was Great Hang Ups (actually McDonald's for a drink) to assemble my "relief" piece in acrylic being entered in the 3-D Art Guild show at Village Gallery in April. My dear friends are taking care of it for me, making sure it gets properly framed and delivered to the Gallery. I am so thankful to them, too, for helping me out with that project and such. When done assembling, I left to pick up Barb from where she was staying and we met Justin for lunch at Koko's, right next door to Hang Ups! While there, Pam called to ask where I was and when I told her, she came to have lunch, too! How nice! We got to see each other once more before my trip and say our "farewells".
After our wonderful meal and visit, Barb and I went to Wal-Mart for a little bit as the other two went back to work. She knew I was time-pressed so we made our shopping there shorter, and cheaper, than we normally would. There are simply so many details that have to be taken care of before a trip including banking and forwarding of mail.... I dropped Barb off again and headed back to Publix to get a few things before meeting Justin for his doctor appointment. We went in separate cars to the specialist's office since he had to go to class tonight.
The doctor didn't tell us anything that we hadn't already heard, and recommended an MRI to rule out anything else going on in Justin's head. He did, however, say that he didn't think there was anything else to be concerned about, the MRI was a good idea, but not mandatory. Justin told the doctor he'd think about it, which is a good thing. At least he's not totally throwing out the idea, at least for now. In a year, he's to go back in and have his hearing re-checked, which is a very good idea. Oh well.............
A couple really good things happened today, besides having lunch with some of my favorite peoples. Strange as it may seem, I ran into some ladies from my old neighborhood, each one in a different store! I'd seen Taffy in February and we promised to have lunch but haven't so far, and she took my phone number so she can call me for "a date". At Publix I ran into a lady for whom we built a house in The Preserve, modeled after our floor plan. She'd given us a wonderful book when Timmy died, and I read it just this past winter. It's called "Tender Fingerprints" and its about a man's dealing with the stillbirth of his first child. My, it was good! Just think how long it took me to get around to reading that story, what I missed out on...I guess it was better now than when Timmy's death was yet so fresh. Really, seven years isn't all that long...It was so wonderful to reconnect with Mary Jane again, and we've promised to get in touch when I'm back in town. I love it, love it, love it!!
The weather improved vastly today, getting up near 70, depending upon where I was. Barb said that Harv got to wear his shorts, the mark of a successful vacation. He's had a cold since the weekend, wearing him down somewhat. The sun can only help him feel better, it does for me anyway. Tomorrow is supposed to warmer yet which is good, because they are taking a boat ride. I just hope the river is calm so no one gets sea sick!
Jill called this afternoon from Copp's Grocery Store to find out what I needed them to buy for my visit. She had already latched onto the necessary soda and was searching, perhaps in vain, for the hull-less popcorn I require. She was having trouble finding it so I may have to get along without it. Mom was on a mission to find the poppy seed-filled doughnuts I love----am I spoiled or what? I'll have to add poppy seed doughnuts to my list of "funeral foods", planning the menu for my funeral dinner. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I went to heaven around Easter time, like Linda's mom did? Tonight when Josh and Judy were here, we discussed my funeral foods, which I'm sure Josh found quite weird, and Judy remarked how it's her job, if she outlives me, to put a nice purple lining in my casket. Custom made, perfect! I'll have to remember to ask the mortician to put rose-colored glasses on my face, as well.......Wouldn't that just be a hoot???? We talk about the strangest things, don't we?
One more thought: Linda's mom's funeral was today and my mom was able to go, hitching a ride with another member from church. Mom was hesitant about driving so far out of the city limits and it worked great to catch a ride with someone and spare her nerves. Linda and I had a nice chat last night and she's doing well under the circumstances. The Easter services were so wonderful and significant, she told Pastor she considers the Easter worship to have been her mom's funeral service! "Welcome, Happy Morning"!!!!!
Pam is lending Justin a pet carrier so he can transport Lynx to Paul and Emily's house on the weekend. Paul was sad that he didn't get to see Justin at Good Shepherd for Easter so now he'll see him this weekend. It wasn't going to work out for me to take her tonight--can't you just see me trying to contain her in my arms and stumbling down the steps? Squish! and no more cat! She'd be a flat cat!
I cried and cried saying "good-bye" to Justin after his appointment this afternoon. Moms are so emotional, but hey, God made us that way---take it up with Him!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
How come its so cold in Florida???
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Happy Birthday, Dolly!!!!
