Lunch with Jacquie

This past summer has been beastly as far as getting together with Jacquie and Mark poolside. The weekends have been dampened regularly with stupid storms, causing people to dash for cover or for their cars, as the case might be. We had one really good day in May, when Linda was here, when Jacquie presented me with my fancy pool noodle. Other dates we were able to be together included Memorial Day poolside which was so nice. Cotton candy from the buffet---awesome!

Linda and I riding on the fun noodles from Jacquie. I got to keep mine!

Today Jacquie and I were able to catch up for lunch at Panera Bread as we both had things to take care of on the Island. She picked up some framing she'd had done at Great Hang Ups, a lovely piece. Jacquie told me how glad she is that I introduced her to those ladies, as they have become a blessing in her life as well. Love that! While at Panera, I took advantage of the baker's dozen deal for bagels, offered on Tuesdays. 13 bagels, sliced, for $6.99. Half a bagel is a meal for me. Justin asked me to get the cinnamon topped ones so I took 6 of those and then the rest are variety. I get my cream cheese elsewhere, though, because it's too expensive for my tastes and needs from Panera. 

It was nice to be with Jacquie again. We talked about recipes and foods to make for the upcoming Meet 'n Greet I'm having at my home for Glo Smith. Jacquie's been involved in several such events and has much to offer as regards what to serve, what not to serve, and so on. Justin is more concerned with the food and I am concerned with the turnout and where to put everyone if the turnout is excellent. I met with the co-hostess, Kay, yesterday and we are on track for having things under control. At least on paper it looks that way!!

The Eyes Have It

Not long before I left for WI I noticed something was amiss with my eyes. Or, eye, I should say. Not unlike what I experienced last fall which was caused (likely) by a stress migraine in the eye which did not hurt but caused the light flashes on the peripheral which did eventually dissipate. So, therefore, I didn't get too upset by the flashes and the sense that something was running under my bed or that someone was coming in the room when I was alone. Sort of spooky...

I don't know if I mentioned this to anyone in WI either as the flashing seemed to stop but the blurry spot remained. When I got home and settled, I went to the website for the eye doctor to set up an appointment to have it checked over. The appointment was set for this a.m. but I never did get a confirmation e-mail or a phone call about it. I tried calling the office, the old fashioned way, but had to leave a voice mail. When I got to the office, they had no idea I was coming. My explanation that I'd made the appointment on-line was met with "oh, sometimes that doesn't work...". Really? How handy is that? 

The young lady was trying to find an appointment time for me and was well into September for an opening. Once I explained what was happening, she got me in the next day. That's more like it! This means getting up and dressed two days in a row (it sure doesn't take me long to fall into my old habits!) for this appointment. And, I'll miss water exercises because of it, too, but need to get it looked into.

I have to laugh at myself sometimes---laugh, or cry. I got the new washer in July when the CO kids were here, and then a week or so later I left for WI. Now that I am back here and using the new machine, it makes sounds that I don't yet recognize. I am getting exercise running to check that all is well. One time I ran in there and it was actually my neighbor's machine making the racket. Whew! It doesn't sound as though it's working all that hard but makes other noises when it changes cycles. This will take some getting used to, but in the meantime, it's a workout for me and my nerves. 

Church, Chili's, and pool

It was back to church for me this a.m., first to Bible study and then to worship. I was glad to see my friends again, hugs exchanged and some delivered as requested by Mom.  My friend, Carol, is still at her summer home so I won't get to see her hubby and her until September some time. Loved seeing Gretchen and put a few extra hugs on her to make up for lost time...We had talked once when I was in WI, which was nice, but this is better!

                   

                            This is the lovely sunrise I witnessed today....worthy of a painting!

After church our usual group went to Chili's for lunch. Judy told me that they tried Buffalo Wild Wings while I was gone, to see if it would do, but it did not work out. The prices were high, the food only so-so, and it was too noisy. It is more of a sport's bar atmosphere than is Chili's though they do have TV's in each dining section so I can watch football when it's that season. Spoiled Kim!  Judy said we just have to resign ourselves to being patient with Chili's, which is a relief to me. I don't get weary of their menu since I have the same thing every week! Sure don't mind having leftovers for another meal or two either.

Since I had lunch out, I disappointed Marlena by not ordering food once I got to the pool. She knows I go with church family on Sundays but hey, it's worth asking, right? I did treat Burnie and me to an ice cream later on, since he treated me before I left for WI. He said the reason he jogs and swims laps every day is so he can have an ice cream. I have no such excuse!

Marlena came over to where I was bobbing in the water to tell me a nice story. While I was gone, some one in the exercise class mentioned my name, saying I was still writing my newsletters while away. Marlena wanted to know if I knew the pump was out on the pool, and was told that I did, indeed, know about it. Nancy L., my 80+ upstairs neighbor, said, "...and she would find something nice to say about it..." Aw, isn't that sweet of her? Even when we have a disaster in the building (except for in my unit!) I try to present it in a fair and balanced way, smoothing things over, snipping off the barbs, as it were. How kind of Nancy to say that and for Marlena to tell me!

Of course, it's raining!

It is a no-clothes day for me, but it's not as awful as it sounds. Today is one where I go from wearing my night gown to my swimsuit, and then back into my gown. No reason to get completely dressed unless someone calls and says, "Let's go have dinner!" I can get dressed with the speed of a fireman if I have to, but unless that call comes, I am ready to stay in my sleep wear for the rest of the day. We got whistled out of the pool late afternoon due to the sound of thunder. We are patient and can wait for the 30 minutes to pass between thunder rolls, but when it began to drizzle, well, most us just called it a day and went to our respective homes. 

No worries, though, as there is plenty to do at my desk, not the least of which is to conquer the stack of mail which accumulated in my absence. Before I left for the Conference I had pretty well gotten the desk cleared off but it doesn't take long for it to be piled full again. Years ago my company had an employee, Rebecca, who just loved to file stuff. I don't understand her preference but sure did appreciate her doing it. Somehow that desire did not visit upon me so my piling system sometimes gets the better of me here. The only area in my life that I allow/tolerate a mess is on my desk. And I do know my A-B-C's, so that's not my problem, ha ha!

Oh, it was so good to see my friends again today. Bob was there and I was glad to give him a hug. He'd been with his daughter's family at a rental house in Ormand Beach so wasn't around either for the pump being out. He would NOT have had something good to say about it, that's for sure. Bob gave me a quick run down of his time away, the good restaurants they found, etc. Fran and Rick were a bit further down the pool edge, and eventually Bill and Nancy M. came out for some relaxation. They are still working on their home, affectionately called The Money Pit, but need some down time from their tasks. Painting is in process inside by Nancy while Bill is working on projects outside. Can't wait to see the finished project. It is soon their one year anniversary of coming to the pool, right around Labor Day. We sure did make fast friends with each other!

Nancy W. did not come out today as she is still feeling a bit punk from her respiratory malady. She has been on the sick list since before I left for WI with various maladies, not the least of which is being kept awake most nights by her noisy neighbor. Nancy said she may as well have a baby and being awakened every two or three hours by a lady who doesn't even realize she is doing it. I miss her, though, so will try to get together another time and catch up on her life, etc. Text messaging just doesn't do it sometimes. When she and I went to breakfast the day before I left, she was expecting to have sold her other home so I hope that did take place. She has so much on her plate!

As I sat at a table talking with some folks, the owner of The Club walked through to the cabana, and then back again. She said 'hello' to a couple people as she walked back again, heading for the gate, but then turned around and came back. She came to where I was seated, welcomed me back, and then said, "Mitch worked late last night to get that pump in for you...." I thanked her for his efforts and said I was quite glad to have it up and running again. And then she left. My table mates wondered what THAT was all about and I just said, "She knows how much I enjoy the pool..." I liked the extra effort put forth to get the pump in and running. I don't mind sharing MY pool with everyone else!

Like old times!

While I was gone to WI, at least one week of my time away, great distress fell upon The Club. Not a tree this time---but a failed pump on the adult's pool. In fact, when we got home last night, the yellow caution tape was yet in place around it. Of course, everyone who wanted to could use the teen's pool but not many care for the great amount of fun kids can have. Well, as of 6 pm, the tape is down and we'll be good to go on the adult end for fun tomorrow, weather permitting, of course. I'm so excited to see my friends again and enjoy the soothing of being in the water, bobbing around.

How do you like that??  My first night back in town and I've been abandoned for the Jaguars!!?!!  Really not one bit upset as I enjoy watching from home and can take care of myself just fine, thank you. For my trouble, I get to see this lovely full moon over the river which is also providing extra light for the teams playing downtown. Of course, they might not even notice since the world's largest outdoors screens have been installed at the Jaguar stadium. It's a hot night...hope Justin doesn't melt out there after working in the heat all day and sitting out in it at night. Yawn.....Go Jags!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Ahhh.....sprawled out in my bed and trying to remember which channels are which. Good thing I wasn't gone from home any longer! I had memorized the channel guide at my mom's house and now have to recall which channel "Seinfeld" is on here as I settle in for the night. Justin collected me from the airport just in time for us to grab some dinner at the Longhorn on the airport property. We had lots to talk about even though we'd communicated more than once while I was gone. He and I are both talkers!

I was delayed in leaving MKE because the flight coming in was held up due to weather problems elsewhere. I plus everyone around me kept getting notifications from Delta about the delays and those with connections elsewhere were being rebooked if the delay would prevent them making the next plane. I was not rebooked but was concerned because what had been a nice length of time between flights in ATL was getting a bit tight. The lady at the counter checked it over and just to be sure, booked me on a back-up flight in case I didn't make it. Loved having that assurance that I wouldn't be sleeping in an airport tonight instead of in my bed. As it turned out, I got off my plane in ATL, used the rest room, and then got to my next gate in time to board. Whew!

Mom and Linda took me to the airport in MKE this a.m., stopping first at Festival for me to buy the cheese curds to take home with me. I have people waiting for them, not the least of whom was Justin. Also got him some string cheese for good measure.  I was a sad girl saying good-bye to my mommy and my dear friend when they dropped me off. I stood at the outdoor check-in counter with tears on my face as the nice man weighed my bag for me. Yay! I could have bought a few more packages of curds. Always fearful of having the bag weigh too much...

I called Mom once Justin picked me up from the airport to report I was on terra firma. She informed me that Linda and she did not stop for breakfast/lunch on the ride home because Linda had a nail appointment to be kept. The good news was that we got to MKE safely and they got back to Manty safely, and I am in my bed, safely.  Good night, all!  Looking forward to the pool tomorrow and seeing my friends again....

Time with Dolly

Yesterday morning Linda picked me up and we went to Manitowoc Coffee for a treat. She had coffee with hers and I had Diet Coke, for a change. Plus another peanut square! They are made and supplied by a local bakery and are just delicious. In fact, all the baked goods at M. Coffee come from there. 

Lynn got me cookies from Hartmann's a couple years ago

The other day in the elevator at Mom's, a man rode up with me carrying a paper plate with bakery on it. I asked him if they were kolaches and he said they were, made by Hartmann's. I expressed my delight at this since that is from where the peanut squares came at Manitowoc Coffee. He said, "Yes, we do deliver there. My sister owns the bakery and I'm a driver." I told him I loved him and he sort of giggled as he walked down the hall with his kolaches. He is lucky I didn't mug him!

Anyway, after Linda and I had our morning treat, we stepped across the hallway to the new gift shop. I badly needed her to see this framed piece which touched me deeply. I had tried to photograph it and send the text to her via e-mail but it was hard to blow it up large enough for her to read. Once again, the owner had the tissues near the display as our tears fell. We do things like that!  She took me back home to Mom's and she went to hers, a great way to begin our morning!

Today had a good start as well when my friend, Dolly, picked me up to join her for lunch. She had to be at work by 1:30 so we did lunch rather than our usually breakfast meet ups. We went to Fork and Knife where she is a regular with her mom. They've been absent for a few weeks since Joann had her knee replaced. The waitress got permission from the owner to fashion a perch sandwich for me from the daily special since a whole plate lunch would have been too much food. My last perch sandwich of my visit, I expect. 

Dolly and I posed for our mini-class reunion picture, taken by the waitress

My sister, Lynn, by pre-arrangement, picked me up at the restaurant because Dolly worked nearby. Thanks, Lynn!  She had been at the Wellness Center for a water aerobics class first and then swung by for me. Lynn had wanted to have us come to her place for dinner but knows the stairs are a problem. Another option was for her to make the dinner at Mom's house but she came up with an even better idea---ordering Chinese! Manitowoc has become Big Time now by having Chinese delivery. Oh yum! Often I tease my mom when she is on the phone with me and says she has to get going, ditching me the way George Costanza's parents did to him. "Oh, gotta go---my Chinese is here..." And now she can really do that!