A new steeple

This is a view of my home church in Manitowoc, WI, First German Lutheran, which is getting quite the face lift for its 160th anniversary. The old cedar shingles were stripped off and now copper 'shingles' are being installed on the steeple. This view is looking east, the lake being at the end of this street. I was thinking how nice it would be if the sun were out, but I bet the workmen are glad to not have to deal with the sun glaring off the copper while they are trying to work with it up close and personal. Both of the pastors took a turn riding up to the highest points in the crane's basket. As Mom would say, it turned my belly button inside out seeing them. But what a panoramic view of the city they were afforded. 

An International Day

This morning I went to get a car wash at long last. My car was looking tough and now that the kids are gone, it needing a good cleaning. As soon as I was done with that, I swung by to get Nancy W. We went to eat at Grumpy's to celebrate National French Fry Day. It nearly got passed me but I saw a segment on Fox and Friends where a chef was making all sorts of different fries. This stirred my taste buds and not one to pass up a National Holiday, off we went to Grumpy's!  It was kind of funny when I pulled up in her driveway, Nancy noticed immediately that I'd gotten the car washed. It must have looked quite bad before the wash!

We talked about some of the groups for whom to obtain school supplies. It's hard to believe some kids are starting school in a couple of weeks. Our friend, Maureen, has appreciated donations in the past, which Nancy was able to bestow on her after going through stuff at her dad's house. Two baggies of pens and pencils alone for Maureen's classroom. Justin will have that many when I pass away, too, I bet, being a fan of writing instruments. We are going to watch for the best prices on supplies and go together to stock up. My friend who is in real estate is having a program where people can stuff a back pack which will be given to someone in need. We will have a ball getting everything.

After I took her home again, I worked at my desk for a bit before taking a nice rest. Late afternoon I joined the Chappells for the long ride to the funeral home. The mother of one of our members passed away and we went to the visitation this evening. The mom was also a member but was shut-in the entire time she was a member. When Michael was serving their previous congregation as Staff Minister he had called on this lady several times so it was right for him to go, for us all to be there for Frank and Maggie.

As we drove back we decided to stop for dinner at The Olive Garden. I hadn't been there for dinner in a long while so it was a nice treat. They were having a special on multi-course choices which resulted in all of us taking boxes home with us. It was called "A Tour of Italy" where we got tastes of three different entrees. Oh, my, so delicious and such a good price, too.  Michael got a chuckle out of me knowing someone seated at an adjacent table who came over to greet and hug me. She works at Saigon Tokyo so we see each other regularly. 

Anyway, it was nice celebrating "French" fries and Italian food all in one day! 

...and, they are gone!

Yes, the house is empty, the family room returned to its normal state with Noelle's airbed deflated and put away. Sheets are either washed or soon to be from the three beds. I hate it! I hate saying good-bye to those kids that I love!

They presented me with a gift certificate for Grumpy's and a larger compartmentalized picture frame into which I can consolidate the photos from the previous years, plus ones Michael and Judy put in from this year. Of course, I will cherish it, and them! Every time I go to Grumpy's and make use of their generous gift, they will come to mind.

The beautiful sunrise this morning as the kids were getting ready to go.

Michael came by early this morning for the young folk were not exactly ready to go. This made me nervous but I understand that is my thing, not theirs. The good news is that flew into JAX instead of Orlando this year saving many miles for Michael. They are also flying directly to Denver, no plane changing, which is good since they have no adult escort with them this year. At last they were out the door and on their way, and I could sit down to soak up the quiet.

But not for too long, as I had to ready myself for Bible study and worship. A couple people asked me how I was now that they were gone, but it was too soon for me to answer. I mourn! Judy had gone to church after Grumpy's yesterday and helped make sure everything was cleaned up and put back in the proper place. It all looked nice today, as though nothing had gone on.

We went to Chili's after church, and they seated us at a table which made for a tight squeeze. I moved around to the end to allow more elbow room. As we sat there, Michael got a text message from the CO kids reporting they had arrived at the airport in Denver. He took a picture of me to send them, showing how sad I am that they are gone. Except, I gave my default look:

Who can be sad with the Triple Dipper and Diet Coke sitting in front of them???  

Yes, I miss them but they are off now on more adventures. Two of them are going to camp where they will be counselors. From one fun time with young ones to another. God bless them!

Taking my kids to eat

This morning I made the kids rise and shine so we could meet the rest of our group at Grumpy's for breakfast. This, too, is another tradition in which the visiting CO kids must take part, and do so willingly. I didn't know that they had not cleaned up last night, so after breakfast they were heading back to church to put everything back where it belongs. 

Michael, Chris, Noelle, Jacob, me, Judy, and Betty shown here

This end of the table shows Terri joined by Betty and Michael. Later Terri made the remark that today was just like Sunday, only missing Justin and Mike S.

Normally my young guests leave for home on Saturday but this time they are leaving on Sunday instead, very early in the morning. Since I never get to have the kids for a dinner, tonight was my chance. I treated them at Saigon-Tokyo, one of my favorite places to eat. Betty, Judy, and Michael joined us. Mike was not available this evening either, playing catch-up with his landscape business due to the frequent rains this past week. Too bad---he loves this place, too! 

Poor Justin is an only child!

My friend shared a funny poem on FB this a.m. which about what a lady will do when she is old. The gist of the poem is that she will go live with each of her kids and do all the fun things they did when they were young. Among the items on her list was writing on the walls with markers, jumping on the furniture with her shoes on, hating what they give her to eat for dinner, drink from the milk carton and then leave it on the counter to sour, stuff the toilets to overflowing, make noise when they are on the phone, and you get the picture. It is humorous for sure because anyone who's had kids knows exactly what the poem is talking about. I found it funny as well but then feeling badly for Justin---because he'll get to experience all my shenanigans by himself since he's my only. Gulp! 

Justin at Show Biz Pizza

Justin has the privilege now of putting up with me, he doesn't even have to wait until I am elderly (or more elderly!) Thankfully he is a good sport about it---does our night driving when available and the heavy lifting. And when he has time, the vacuuming which just kills my back. I allow him to jump on the furniture now and again just to stay in practice. 

Today was a lovely one spent poolside. My happy place especially when my friends come out to play. Marlena has a CD of music for us to enjoy but it gets a bit too much to have it repeat over and over the way it does. Sometimes the guys hook their phones to the system and music from their Pandora or similar entertains us, a nice mix of 'oldies' and island music. One couple prefers Country Western music but Marlena has none of that. I am really okay with what the two Marks play for us, to break the monotony. Marlena is trying to get an iPod loaded with a variety of music but is not techy at all. The one she bought online was meant to be worn with headphones only so had to send it back, and is awaiting the arrival of a different one. By the time summer is over, we should be up and running!

All stacked up!

Today was water exercise class for me, with my house guests sleeping right through it. Michael picked them up for a day in St. Augustine. It was a gorgeous day to walk the streets of the Oldest City. 

Justin and I ate at home tonight, polishing off some leftovers accumulated in the fridge. After we finished eating he encouraged me to pose with the stack of soda cases in the foyer, the result of our shrewd shopping when it was 4/$10 at Target. Can't pass up a good deal like this! Connie so very kindly hauled it upstairs for us using the hand truck. She is a gem!

I hope the CO kids have had a good day at VBS. They are averaging around 23 kids a night. Many are returns from previous years, or were students from the preschool. It's always fun to have them back again to their old stomping ground. Every evening a different person makes dinner for the volunteers. Betty made homemade pizza for them Monday night, but had far more than was needed. The kids brought home so much we had to pack it into two gallon sized bags. I popped one right into the freezer knowing there is no way it would get eaten before going bad. Thanks, Betty!  Oh, her crust is to die for, she is quite the cook and baker. Also, she made homemade cinnamon rolls, Michael's favorite. Everybody's happy!

Shall we play a game Part Two?

Today my houseguests enjoyed an 'at home' day, which included sleeping until noon. They have been going nearly non-stop, as has Michael, so they opted to take a day off in the middle of their long week. After they got up, Noelle came out to the pool to swim some laps, and Caleb joined us later. The last one out was Chris but unfortunately, the thunder prevented him from jumping in. Instead we had an ice cream treat before coming back upstairs to wait for Michael. 

The young people enjoy playing with board games when here. In searching for another Monopoly game for them to play I came upon a Lord of the Rings chess set. They loved it! Also have they played a long game of Lord of the Rings Monopoly. 

Justin nicely shared his game system with them and Chris got it all hooked up. While waiting for Michael to arrive they got in a game of Mario Smash Bros. 

This is the TV screen with the game being played. Noelle is observing.