Fun with Lori

When Lori arrived at Mom's, she had her bicycle hanging off the back of the car. Her intent was to take a long ride along the lake shore while Mom and I each did our thing. Linda was coming for us around 8:30 to go to church for a while. Mom had 'signed me up' to work on the newsletter without knowing I had made plans to go with Linda to ladies' Bible study in Mishicot. It worked out that I got do both things, at least for a while, as we had plenty of time before having to head out. Another lady at FG was going to take Mom back home after their work was done. 

Linda suggested we go to eat lunch at the Charcoal Grille after class. I sent Lori a text message asking her to gather Mom and meet us at noon for lunch. She was almost to Two Rivers on her bike so instead of telling me she needed more time, she rode like a bat out of you-know-where for home. She flew in the door at Mom's, told Mom the plan and simply threw herself together in a moment's time to make to the restaurant by noon. When Mom told me about it, it was hysterical!

The host seated us in the back of the place, and I told him that my mom wouldn't like the long walk to the table. He said, "I'll carry her..."  From my seat, I could see the front doors and saw him standing there and watching for her. How he knew she was my mom is beyond me, but he did! When Lori pulled in, out he went to the car to escort Mom in, and walked her all the way back to the table. He said to me, "I tried to carry her but she wouldn't let me...." What a nice, nice guy!

After lunch Mom, Lori, and I went to get our toes done, Mom's treat. Such wonderful pampering for $25 each. Not only do they groom the feet but also massage the calves, lather them up, and then rub them with hot stones. Ahhhh....! Thanks, Mom!  She told us she usually gets to go first at Sassy Salon, Mama-san gets special treatment, but today they did me first, and then Lori. Mom had to wait! It was okay with me, though.  

Once home, Lori wanted to go check out a few shops downtown, but Mom and I stayed home. We were meeting our cousins for dinner at The Green Street. I arranged for the transfer of my auntie's walker to Mom, as she wants one to use in the house. It is more dainty in size and shape than the 'big' one Justin and I got for her back in 2003 or '04. So, once brought home, she now has a fleet of 3 walkers, including one stored in Lynn's trunk for use when no shopping carts are available.

My 'cousin', Alex, hugged Mom at The Green Street. He is the son of my parents' long-time friends whom we called Auntie and Uncle, and I have always considered their kids as my cousins. He was having dinner with his son but stopped by to put a hug on his 'auntie'!

We met our cousins Barb and Jon at The Green Street, plus Barb's husband, Jim. Mom, Lynn, Jill, Lori and I finished off the group. It was a great, great night---loved our time together. During my previous visit my sisters and I met up with their brothers, Jimmy and David. That, too, was a hoot. I miss seeing my cousins and it happens that we mostly get together when I am home. Interesting! They all live in this town with my mom and sisters and yet don't hang out much. 

Lori is going home tomorrow as she has a busy social calendar plus is in charge of her church's VBS which means lots of work for her. I am so glad she made the trip over here even for a couple of days into which was packed much activity. For safety purposes, she brought her bike into the house and parked it on the little porch with Mom's lovely flowers. It was wonderful for her to get the bike ride in, even if she had to fly back to Manty to make to lunch on time!

Church 'n perch 'n TV

Mom and I enjoy watching TV together including Jeopardy! in the evenings. It's on earlier here than it is at home, 6:00 pm. At 8:00 JAG comes on, a program I used to watch years ago and really missed. Love being able to see it again. It is the predecessor of "NCIS" which Mom also greatly enjoys. After JAG comes Matlock, another of Mom's favorites, though she has seen them all a time or two already. Like me with the Seinfeld episodes---some are favorites and others I don't need to see again. Mom regrets falling asleep during the shows and missing parts of them, but that happens. If she slept all night long, she might be able to stay awake later at night. It seems like all her life her sleep has been a mess...

Last night, though, I missed some of the evening viewing as I joined Linda for her late nail appointment at Rose Colored Glasses. We have a nice time when there and I get pampered even if not buying a service from them. John, one of the owners, greeted us with hugs, and gave us each neck warmers to put around our shoulders which is quite soothing. Nicole, John's wife, does Linda's nails and is an artist at it. They are also WELS and we have such good visits with the ladies and John. 

From there we went across the street to Harborside to eat dinner. We had to wait for a table as they were quite busy. Several of the diners waiting with us at the bar were in Manty by default as the hotels where they were wishing to be were all booked for the EAA show in Oshkosh. A pair of guys were trying to do business in Fond du Lac and a sales lady was supposed to be in Appleton but there was no room in the Inn. Even though she tried booking six months out, no dice! That is good for business in Manty, then, both hotels and restaurants.

The hostess recognized me from the Facebook page, as I often indicate on their daily posting which menu items I'd like, even though I am far away from them. She said she appreciates that, and remembers that on Friday I always order the fried perch! And, they nicely prepared some for us that evening, even though it was not on the menu. That is good customer service, if you ask me. I will see Linda again soon when she picks me up for Bible study which is in Mishicot. We will take her granddaughter along with us as others bring their kids with them. 

My sister, Lori, is coming to Manty for a visit. She had been here on the weekend but had to go back to Holmen for a meeting at church as she is head of their education program. They have VBS coming up and plans must be made!  She is staying here at Mom's so I put fresh sheets on Mom's bed where Lori will sleep. Mom chooses to take the loveseat and/or her chair, where she does her best sleeping anyway. That way Lori can sleep later in the morning, as is her practice, and we won't bother her as much. I hope not, anyway!

I got to see my boys!

The day I arrived at Mom's house I was dropped off from Pastor Schaefer's car which was driven from MKE to Manty by Joel Ungemach. Pastor bailed on us at North Avenue where he met his wife and daughters in a Wendy's parking lot. He jumped in their van while the other two of us continued on our way home. Mom was at first worried I'd talk Pastor's arm off on the ride home but I hardly got a chance to do that! Anna's brother was in town so they were going to meet up with him for dinner that night and just hang out as a family until then. I didn't care who got me to Mom's, just so I got there!

Angelo in the car

Mom let Lynn know that I had arrived and she brought the boys over. I was so glad to see them again!!  Angelo is getting so big. He is practicing using the potty and says many more words than he had when I was there in March. He is so darn cute! 

My sister, Kerry, has a crazy, mixed-up schedule at work and is not sure when she can get here to Mom's for a visit. We had planned on taking the boys school shopping together but that might not happen. Lynn said we can go one day next week when she has the boys again so they can try on the clothes to make sure they fit. 

Today we went to the ice cream parlor and had a marvelous treat. My sister, Jill, is the manager there which never hurts either! I ordered my cone and then realized my other favorite flavor was there, so ended up with a double. Wow, that was almost too much to eat! Lynn said she will order a banana split and have that as her dinner because it's so filling. And healthy, with all the fruit on it!

No rest for the wicked

Usually our first place to go when I arrive in town is the Green Street Tavern. We chose instead to eat Friday night at Silver Valley which is easier for Mom to come and go. She fears the steps at the Green Street and dreads the being squished in the bar area as we wait for our table to be ready. Silver Valley was no wait and had great perch!  

       

As we sat at the table and waited for our food to arrive, I looked up and saw Linda and her family standing in the doorway. What a surprise!!! I had not communicated with her about this or anything, they just showed up, with Tommy spotting Lynn's car in the parking lot. 

Last night Lynn, Jill, Danny and I went to eat at The Green Street for dinner. It was delicious as always, one of the only places where I eat the salad because of their delicious French dressing. Don't know what it is about it, but I love the taste. We had an order of cheese curds for the table to share. I had perch, of course. Mom instructed me to not bring her anything from the G.S. so I obeyed her. It's her loss! The bartender/owner greeted me like a long lost friend, knowing I am in town from FL.  He even recognized me without my red coat on!

A perch sandwich and curds at The Green Street Tavern

At Christmas last year, Justin insisted on having a foam mattress pad delivered to Mom's for my sleeping comfort. It really makes all the difference on the day bed, allows me to sleep like a log. This is not so good because I don't get up in time to help Mom with her drops like I should. My sleep is such that I am well rested in the morning, snug as a bug in a rug. That is, until the train which sounds as though it's in the parking lot goes through. It has to toot its horn 16 times as it makes it way. Sleeping with the windows open has this as a downside---noise from outside!

Today I put the finishing touches on the church newsletter and got it sent off. It is somewhat abbreviated since I am missing content regarding the Bible studies and other info. I did get content from the preschool director with a wish list of things needed for the classroom. I also had to retype a report that the head elder had read the Sunday before I left. He didn't have it in digital form so I just typed it into the newsletter. That was a bit labor-intensive but I appreciate having submissions to the letter. Also, Terri wrote up something to be included regarding her time at the LWMS Convention. Her first time, subsidized by our Circuit, for the Send One Sister program. Very nice for her!  Anyway, next order of business will be The Palace Press newsletter to be written, but it can wait a day or two.

More photos from the Conference

Here is my bed in the dorm room. It was a terrible fight trying to keep the pad and sheets in place on that plastic covered mattress. Every time we moved, all the bedding moved. Judy and I both gave up trying to make the beds in the morning. 

A view of the dining room, which was "L" shaped and on the 2nd floor. Thankfully I found an elevator to use to get up there because the stairs killed me. Judy and I usually grabbed this round table close to the top of the stairs, and one of my friends, Colleen, declared me the official greeter of the Conference, as I enjoyed my cat bird seat!

Got to see some more friends from FL---had to go to WI to do so, however! Ruth and Stacy Vance, mom and sister of my friend, Mark, who is also father-in-law to Pete Prange. Ruth came to spend time with her son and daughter-in-law while Stacy attended the Conference (she is a choir director and church musician) and then joined us for the closing concert on the 25th. 

At the registration table, I found my former classmate, Eileen Fager Matty, who came from AZ for the Conference. We both lamented how our high school class had no reunion this year, our 40th, so we did our own!  It was wonderful to see her after not seeing each other for 10-15 years!

This was the good-bye photo taken with Diana at breakfast on the last day of the Conference. It was so good to spend time with her there in the flesh, instead of just visiting via the Internet. Her son was in Milwaukee with her sister, and had taken the tour of WI Lutheran High School. This will be huge for her and for him since they live in Canada. Nathe will live in a dormitory on the campus and they are hoping to benefit from some grants and other help to make this affordable for his education. I wish them the best!

This is the closing concert with our view of the orchestra. Oh my, what a wondrous event this was! We sang the "Hallelujah Chorus" with the gathered 1700 people in this chapel, and also  "Jerusalem, the Golden" as the closing anthem. What a way to end this amazing Conference! A couple rows in front of Judy and me sat the elder Prange's (he is turned in his seat in this photo) 

Good to be back in Manty!

Today I got to participate in worship and Bible study again at First German, true highlights of a visit to Manitowoc. There is nothing like the pipe organ accompanying the hymns and hearing a powerful sermon from the raised pulpit. Love seeing even more people I know (after seeing many folks at the Conference!) and being welcomed back to their midst yet again. I hadn't been there since March, when I came up for the Pathways to Christ retreat.

Mom, Lynn, and I went to Perkins for breakfast which was a treat for me. The waitress was surprised to hear that I didn't live here because she said she seems me there so often. It must just seem like often. I told her the closest Perkin's to us used to be an hour away but it closed, too, so now my potato pancake fix has to wait for Manitowoc!  I bought us a pie at the check out, a wild berry pie which looks fantastic. Can't wait to have a slice for dessert tonight!