Must begin with a salute to Domino who must more involved than most and still finds time to let us know about her busy life. A great inspiration, Domino! Thanks......
Appreciation, as well, for those who were able to be with the O'Connells at Peggy's home on 9/20. Sorry that health concerns kept Maura, Tim, Tom, Cathy, Bruce and their girls from being with us. While there has been telephone calls with info on the event, we'll try to give those unable to come with some details. Each family was represented by 3 children. Steve and Bridget Curran; Kathy, Joe Blodgett with Andrew and Kerry and Chris were there with Charleen and Bob.
Mary O'Connell Williams and Judy O'Connell were not able to attend but Terri and Sandy, Bernadette and friend Kent and Patti and Amanda Bolan were Don's gang. Susan, Jay, David and Mark were in the mix as well. (Mary was to leave the next day for a trip to Spain.) Bob suggested to Peggy that Pam and Craig Farrell be invited--and they did come and it was great to have them in the mix. There was an abundance of good food, conversation clusters, many laughs and lots of memories. It was a fine 80th celebration for Jeanne (the OLDEST), Charleen and Bob! Bernadette agreed to coordinate the 2009 event at Governor Dodge State Parkland the date is Saturday, September 19. Mark your calendar.... We must add our appreciation for the ride to and from with Susan and Jay in the van and some new IL scenery--away from expressways.
Rainy here overnight so was unable to start any outside work so the two of us spent some time finishing our homework for our Bible class tonight
Might be able to get out this afternoon. No leaves falling yet! Got all screen porch windows closed and washed on Saturday. Have been able to get all the other windows washed on the outside after
the paint dried as I went around the house and some of them have been washed on the inside, too.
Had a nice break on Thursday of last week (10/2) when we took the RV to Kohler -Andrae overnight. Susan, David, Ellis and Finn joined us for a picnic supper which we had to eat inside because of rain. Charles came for a few minutes, but had to go to his Culver job.
We were able to grill burgers and vegiburgers outside in the drizzle with help from Ellis who has enrolled in a culinary themed curriculum as he begins grade 9. While it was chilly overnight, the sun rose and Friday began as a clear day. After we had our breakfast we walked north on the beach as far as the Sanderling Nature Center and returned to the camp area on a now completed steel corded boardwalk along the crest of the dunes between the beach and north south park road--about 2 miles in all. We stopped at Harrington Beach on our way home for lunch. Observed crews in both parks completing improvements--more campsites at K-A , but now sure about H.B., but know that usage there has expanded a lot, so it probably is related to space for more patrons. (David, Mom also left your Taliesin cap on the kitchen counter before we headed south. She called out for Susan, but no one answered.)
Planning to attend a day long UW Hospitals seminar on Macular Degeneration at the Alliant Center in Madison on 10/14. Had thought we might stop at Ft. Atkinson to have supper with Mark and hear more about Japan on our way home, but he has a business obligation. If the weather will be good, we might take the RV and go on to Devils' Lake overnight an try to have a evening meal with the Melkas, if that might fit their schedule. More on this directly with them, but thought it might be good to give the M's a heads-up.
Know we haven't told all of y0u that Lucille Snyder died on 9/15. She had fallen in her home a week earlier and her monitoring service alerted us and the Rescue Squad, so Mom met them and opened the door they found her on the floor. No severe injuries were found, but she was hurting and she was taken to the hospital. After a few days there, she went to a recovery facility in Mukwonago where they would prepare her to possibly come home. Mom visited her there for a few minutes the evening before we drove to Dubuque. Unexpect ely, she died there quietly. We were involved with the midday funeral and lunch on 9/20.
Mom enjoyed her St. Columkille class reunion on 9/13-14 in Dubuque. The Sunday picnic at Eagle Point had to be moved indoors because of a cold wind. We stayed with the Vandermillens and enjoyed our visit with them.
In those days between the Dubuque reunion and the funeral, we did get out in the RV and see a lot of WI and the early beginning of fall color. By evening of 9/15 we were at Peninsula SP in Door County. on Tuesday, we had lunch at Rib Mountain SP near Wausau and camped at Lake Wissota SP near Chippewa Falls for the first time. There was another first when we camped at the WI Interstate SP on the St. Croix River about 75 northeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul onWednesday. On
Thursday, we drove south along the St. Croix, then the Mississippi to La Crosse before spending the night at the Pine View RV park at Ft. McCoy near Sparta. Lots of miles on 5 wonderful sunny, mild days! All RV systems worked perfectly and even mileage was better because we had a through tune up a year ago thinking we would be driving it to AZ last winter.
Almost forgot to mention that we saw a lot of Whitnall staff members at their annual Golf event (9-5) at a country club near Antigo where the Sutherlands are members. Had pot luck brunch at their summer home before the golfers got started and dinner together at the country club dinning room that evening. A number of questions about all of you from those who remembered you from your childhood years! A one day round trip--so we got home late. A good time!
The October calendar looks fairly open beginning today with only about major obligation per week--so were hoping for some sunshine and trying to anticipate the falling leaves.
Hope all the leaves have fallen and have been taken care of by November 7 because we have decided to leave that day for another river cruise in Europe--this time a 16 day package. We will be making flights from O'Hare to Vienna with a Amsterdam connection and cruising the Danube, Mainz and the Rhine to Amsterdam. Our return from Amsterdam to O'Hare will be November 22. The MV Harmony will be our "hotel" for 14 nights and all meals are included, an inclusive feature which is very convenient. We're already considering how LITTLE we can pack! Have found a parking spot near O'Hare where the fee will be less than 2 RT bus trips from Milwaukee. More details as the departure date is closer.
Thanks to all of you who keep sending e-mails, making phone calls and posting blogs, even though they are not acknownledged as they should be. Thanks, as well, for all the efforts you made this summer and fall to be part of Mom's birthday and the reunion at Currans in Naperville.
Prayers and best wishes to all you as you work, toil, study, explore (caves?), struggle, perform, worry and enjoy. News of your adventures will be of interest of all.....
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