A football day

This morning Linda and I went to Bible study and worship. Everyone was glad to see Linda again, and she distributed the hugs she brought from Mom. Ethel is still traveling so Linda didn't get to see her this time. After worship, our group went to Chili's for lunch, like usual. The nice manager, Katie, put the Packer game on for us to watch while we ate. Sadly, I had misread the TV Guide online and thought it was on national TV today, but, alas, I was wrong. At least we got to see the 1st quarter!

Linda has been hoping and hoping for a lovely sunrise, and this is as close as we can get here this visit. We'll take it!

When we got home after lunch, we added our to-go boxes to the already bulging refrigerator which is laden with last night's leftovers. I couldn't get everything into the dishwasher when we cleaned up after the gathering so I did another load today. Normally don't care to leave a messy kitchen but I made an exception, because we were tired! Linda and I each watched the Packer game on our laptops, not live but on their website, where one can follow sort of play-by-play. The Packers beat their nemesis, the Bears, 13-10!  

Just before the game ended Michael sent me a text message saying they were showing the end of the Packer game after a previous game so we caught that. And then the Jaguar game came on. At first the game was going well, the Jags tied with the Chargers at the half....well, that was the end of the scoring. Thankfully the coaches put in the rookie QB which was a good thing, even though they didn't score again with him. Linda and I enjoyed leftover for dinner, a regular smorgasbord of delights, to make up for the sad football game. At least, I was sad...

For our entertainment we watched a movie I'd borrowed from my neighbor, Kathy H. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is the title. I had seen the previews for the sequel when last at the movies and wanted to see this one first. Now I am ready for the next movie. Some said they didn't care for it, but I really liked it, and think Linda did, too. It was good day of rest --- starting at church and ending on the sofa!

We started out Grumpy!

This morning Linda and I went to have breakfast at Grumpy's, which we like to do at least once when she's here. We got there early enough to not have to wait for a table. I got some razzing from the staff because there were only two of us today (I guess I usually come with a group or something) but that's part of the charm there. Again, Linda grabbed the bill. It's another grumpy day but at least we had some Grumpy's!

I have to back up a bit---on Thursday Linda and I stopped at Publix for a few things for the Oktoberfest dinner which is tonight. She and I worked on our creations some yesterday and last night so we don't have to do it all today. That would wear me out, so I pace myself. Linda made pumpkin bars which she is frosting with cream cheese frosting, plus sauerkraut with pork cut into it, and then, as an after-thought, pumpkin dip for ginger snaps. I am making German potato salad. 

So, today, after our Grumpy breakfast, we stopped once more at the store for a few items for tonight and then got busy in the kitchen. We took turns working on our recipes, and Justin joined the fun as well, making his delicious cooked cabbage, at my request. We ladies did some work, and then sat down, do some work and then sat down, so as not to tax ourselves too much. It was a wonderful rhythm. 

I have the tables dressed, asking Justin to put up a 'kids' table' at the end of the dining table so we can all sit at once. It looks a little tacky but I want us all to dine together. Nancy W. let me know she could not make it, having double-booked herself for a friend's birthday celebration. Nuts! I will miss her and the treat she was bringing---bacon wrapped hot dogs! Yum!  Now we rest until it's time for people to arrive....I'm so excited!!

Let's have a tea party!

Today our group of ladies met at Basketique/Over the Second Cup Tea Room for lunch. A feast for the eyes and the tummies!

 Our table settings

Appetizers and strawberry soup first course

Second course of delights including the 'walking salad' of a lettuce leaf wrapped around pickled carrot and asparagus, which is wrapped in prosciutto ham and Swiss cheese. And I love it!

 Here are the more filling sandwiches and main course foods including chicken salad in tortes, pumpkin bread rolled in pecans, deviled eggs, and other treats I cannot recall. I eat them all except the eggs---there, I draw the line! I also drink one cup of tea, as required by the hostess, and then she gives me Diet Coke in a lovely tea cup!

 Here's Linda and her matching soup

 Terri and Betty digging in

 Here is Judy! 

Our group picture of Terri, Betty, Linda, me, and Judy, taken by Pat. 

Terri was working from home today so she could allot the time to meet us for lunch. It was wonderful, just wonderful! Pat, the proprietress, did not have muffeletta on hand for Linda so arranged to ship it to her home once it came in. Such good customer service for Linda!

The first full day ends

It ends with happy tummies! Justin, Linda, me, and Mike S. had dinner at The Club tonight. His birthday was on Tuesday and since he is having sort of a rough couple of weeks, I wanted to do something special for him. This was perfect! He has a long history of restaurant working, in the kitchen, so he greatly appreciated the fine dining we enjoyed, on Casual Night! Three of us had the Delmonico steak and Linda had the sirloin. Mike was quite impressed with the whole thing, the special attention we get there, and all that. I had a credit on my account due to a new member joining under me so this evening really didn't cost me a thing, but brought a bounty of enjoyment. 

Linda at Mimi's Cafe

Linda and I went to Bible study this a.m. after stopping at Dunkin Donuts for a dozen. I had a coupon burning a hole in my pocket to use for them. The study was good, of course, as we are back in our booklets from CPH, Good News, looking in depth at Psalm 23. From there we drove to Mimi's Cafe, a place I'd not yet taken Linda. It was a bit drizzly so we dined indoors. Normally I like their meatloaf but today both Linda and I had soup and a sandwich. The corn and cheese chowder is so filling, with me taking half my sandwich, a 5-cheese grilled cheese, home with me. Linda treated us to our lunch. It was great and she enjoyed the ambiance of the place. 

The sun finally came out around 11:00 a.m. when we got out of Bible study. Linda had gotten up at 6:30 to watch the sunrise but I told her she could have slept a few more hours! The forecast for this week is not a good one, sad to report, looking at rain every day. At least the temperatures are still warm, it would be worse if it was cold on top of gloomy. Hopefully we have some spectacular ones for her to enjoy while she's here. 

The sun did come out a bit this afternoon so we ladies went out to sit by the pool. I was brave enough to stand in the water up to my ankles but that was it---tooo cold for this girl! Linda is accustomed to the warm water pool at the Wellness Center where she does her fitness routines so this water temp would not do. 

Very cleverly (accidentally!) I got my tablemates all in one picture!! The rest of the photos can be seen in my Facebook albums under Linda's September Visit

Once back indoors we settled in with our machines until such time that we watched The Five. Justin came home from work, exhausted, of course, and got cleaned up to go to The Club. I reserved a dining time which would suit Mike since he was working on the other side of the river and had to get home to clean up for dinner. We timed it just right, too, because we all arrived at The Club at the same time. I am so glad he enjoyed himself, and in fact, he wrote me later from home, thanking me for a night he "will remember for a long time." Aw, shucks....Love it!

Linda's here!

After a long day, especially for Linda, we are settled in our rooms and ready for sleep. Linda arrived on schedule, flawless traveling for her, thankfully. The only downside was a grumpy man seated next to her on the 2nd leg of the journey but hey, that's okay. His loss because he was out of sorts. It was the shortest flight of the day so it wasn't so bad but I know it's hard when the person in the next seat is unpleasant. But the ride to MKE went well, she got the car securely parked, got the shuttle to the airport, arranged for her wheel chair ride to the gates in each airport and settled in. Love when it all works out!

As for me, I had a meeting this late morning/early afternoon at The Club. The Republican Women's group had a speaker from the Secret Service who discussed one of the important aspects of their business (not only protecting the elected officials) which includes identity theft. That discussion left me feeling quite uneasy when he reported all the ways this affects people. Yikes! After the meeting, I asked him about the recent interlopers at the White House and he admitted it was embarrassing for the 'Service'. He went on to explain that the most recent case where the man got into the White House was not as bad as it seemed. The man was known to the agents, was a 'regular' person of interest to them. The decision was made to not sic the dogs on him on the WH lawn and also to not shoot him on the front porch in plain sight of people. I accept his explanation but we'll see what the press does with all this.

This afternoon when Linda and I were done watching The Five we walked over to The Club for Happy Hour. A few of my neighbors were there and we joined their table. Justin was making dinner for us so I wasn't going to order an appetizer but when the waiter said they were offering batter-dipped onion rings tonight, well, I gave in!  Oh, my! They were just wonderful---better than the strings I normally order. Linda and I shared the order and I offered some to my table mates as well. Only a couple people helped themselves. 

Our dinner was home-made chicken cordon bleu and was simply delicious. He uses a rotisserie chicken and then adds the other meat and ingredients. In no time at all he's got it put together and tastes great. We have enough leftovers from that for another meal this week. I hope we are home enough to enjoy it! We watched Jeopardy! together and then some Fox News and other shows before going to bed. Linda is setting her alarm to wake her for the sunrise in the morning. I hope she gets to see a nice one for her trouble!

On the bright side...

....Linda sent me this photo taken of my mom today at the booty parlor. They go together to have their hair cuts and then go to have lunch somewhere. Mom looks forward to their outings as does Linda. She no longer has her mother so she appreciates her time spent with mine. And I love it that she takes good care of my mommy for us! 

Isn't she cute?

Four years ago today....

....something happened that I might never get over, but I am getting better about it

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

What a nightmare!

Today was supposed to be simple fix, and a new bathroom vanity with sink in place. Or so we thought! Butch assured me I should go to Bible study, that he could handle it, etc. and I knew he could. He is THE MAN when it comes to the plumbing in this building, even though he is not technically a plumber or electrician. He is a handiman who can do about anything. When I left he was removing the ceramic tile from around the vanity top. On the way out I spoke to Connie about getting a key for Gus's unit as he was in CO, since the cut-off valve for the 'stack' with my unit is in his foyer. Who knew?? We all do, but Connie had to get the key from Hugh. As I walked away, I said to Connie, "I am sorry for making extra work for you...." and she said it was no problem. Little did we know!

*

During Bible study at Victory, I got a phone call from Maggie. I stepped into the narthex to take the call. She said, "Are you at home?" and I said I was at Bible study. "Did anyone tell you what happened?" Nope! It seems that Butch had shut off the water in Gus's unit for our stack as well as shutting off the main. Hugh was with him when he did this. Butch went upstairs to remove the offending valve and pop!, the pipe snapped and water was shooting everywhere. It seems there was yet another cut-off valve in Gus's unit which no one else knew about until today. Meanwhile, water is flowing into my guest bedroom, where Lynn just stayed, and also down the inside of the wall to the units below mine. I am so glad that I do not live on the 5th floor!

*

By the time I got home, folks were busily mopping, sopping, hustling, wet vacuuming in all three units to try to get the water up. Tracy's, just below mine, got the worst of it, with inches of water on her hardwood floors in nearly every room, and water running out her doors. I feel sick just writing about it. It was great the way everyone pitched in to help, and I even sent Justin a text asking him to come over. He was helpful with the heavy lifting and such, and giving hugs to highly distraught mama!

*

On the way home, I had the presence of mind to call my friend, Aaron, who does water remediation and he was geared up to get over here and start working. In about an hour he had fans and blowers and dehumidifiers going in the units. Conversations and such have taken place with the various insurance companies and now we wait and see how the floors and such respond to the dehumidifiers. Tracy and Cassidy are staying at the Holiday Inn, since their house is non-habitable right now, with all the fans and such running, and their kitchen torn apart. They can certainly use my kitchen for cooking and their insurance pays for the hotel.

*

There is so much more to tell but I am incredibly tired and hurt all over from hauling boxes and bins, more work than I do in an entire year. Tracy insisted on us going to La Napolera for margaritas and dinner, and I grabbed the bill. After all, it's the least I can do after this terrible ordeal. I am so tired, must go to sleep. Please ask the Lord to allow Tracy's floors to be okay for the most part and say a prayer of thanksgiving for my wonderful, helpful neighbors who came to the rescue today, and for Connie, too!