Monday, January 28, 2008

We were up and ready kind of early this morning as I had a doctor's appointment at 9:45 to have our family physician check my leg and renew a prescription.  Because of the weird pains I was having in my foot I ran through my supply of Vicadin.  I generally have plenty on hand in case I should happen to get a Kidney Stone.  The prescription renewal is something that is difficult "on the road" unless you have a doctor who knows you.I had to take some razzberries from the nurses and receptionists when I arrived at the office, but nothing I haven't heard in the last two months from other friends.

We came back to Jen's house to have chili for lunch since Sharon would be taking off with my mother and Jessica at 1 PM to go shopping for a silverware set for the new baby. I stayed home since she didn't need another charge to babysit today.  My mother would be enough.

I just stayed near home and watched TV.  Besides we would be picking up Chicken and Spaghetti from Damian's and going over to Jess's tonight for Dinner.  We've never had food from there, but Jen says it's delicious.

After Sharon's successful shopping trip she was back later in the afternoon.  We left about 5 to pick up tonight's Dinner and Jen was absolutely right.  It was a complete Dinner with Chicken, Spaghetti, Salad and Garlic Bread and it was extremely good.  We stayed at Jess's until about 9 when Stella was preparing for her bath and then for bed.

We came back to Jen's and watched the end of the State of the Union Speech by the President.  The Democrat response by the Kansas Governor (Kathleen Sobelius) was quite out of touch for a response.  I hadn't a clue as to what she was responding to.

By this time it was around 10 and time for the bewitching hour.  Although Seinfeld was on for two episodes and I made it through an episode and a half before my eyes wanted to slam shut.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

We had a casual start this morning as I had to go to the Chiropractor.  Ever since our flight last Thursday I've had the recurring pain in my leg.  I'll go at 10 this morning and see if Dr. Brian can take care of it.

We had intended to go to Breakfast this morning after my appointment.  We chose the Country Kitchen that just re-opened in a different location.  It relocated in a building that was a restaurant before that had closed up, but was only a half a block away.  The new renovations were gorgeous.  We found the new McDonald's to be a very beautiful new building also.

The food was very good and we found the service to be excellent.  It's decorated in a retro motif with old memorabilia hanging on all the walls.  There was a huge array of varied stuff.  Enough so that you couldn't see it all with one visit.

After we ate we stopped by the house and picked up some dress clothes because Jess and Mike are having the baby Baptized while we are here, Saturday.  There wasn't too much snow over there when we went, but this afternoon the blizzard will start and dump a load, and the wind will blow it all over the place.

Just like clockwork like snow started falling and the wind picked up and we were locked into a full scale blizzard.  We were comfortable in the house and we wouldn't be going anywhere soon.  By this evening the wind was howling pretty good and the temperature plummeted to below zero.

The wind blew all night and was still howling in the morning.  We are wondering if our Escort will start in the morning after the frigid temps overnight.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

We got a call from Lifeline this morning saying that my mother had fallen but she was okay.  They could have waited until a reasonable time as long as she was okay.  They called us at 5:15.

It was colder than a witch's thorax this morning when we finally got ready to go.  I think it was about 8 below zero with a windchill of -37 degrees.  We walked about 40 feet to get to the car and we both had headaches from the cold.  It is not nice weather here.  It just verifies why I don't want to be here in the winter anymore.  Broken leg and all, frankly, I'd rather be where it's warmer.

We headed over to Victorian Pines to have dinner with my Mom and check out her bruises from last night.  We had planned this lunch several days ago, and we weren't about to cancel in spite of the weather.  She had our lunches delivered to her apartment because of the fall this morning, although I think she could have gone to the dining room in spite of the fall.  We stayed for about an hour including eating our lunches.

We left and headed to Jess's for awhile before we went home.  She was happy to see us since she wanted to do some shopping, and needed a babysitter, so she was able to leave.  And we were ecstatic to sit for the baby while she was gone.  Sharon decided to finish up Jess's laundry as long as we were there anyway.  We were there for a couple-3 hours before we started getting hungry.  The lunch we had at the Assisted Living was enough to eat but it didn't last a long time.

We decided that we would go to the Chuckwagon for a sandwich before we went home.  The Chuckwagon is a little "hole in the wall" eatery with absolutely fabulous food.  We could also get a couple of beers there with our sandwich.  We weren't disappointed in the least.

By the time we got home it was almost TV time.  I watched the end of Special Report on Fox and then we competed in Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  Sharon was Red Hot tonight.  She played on the computer while I watched American Idol.  Actually I surfed for most of the hour.  After that I watched a couple of shows until we caved at 10 and went fast asleep.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

We were up and rolling this morning in spite of the weather.  It was -8 with a windchill of -17 which was a heatwave from the 37 below yesterday.  We were up early and off to Breakfast with John and Becky Spera.  Good friends who spend their summers in the campground below our mobile home park.  They actually live on the West Side of Iron Mountain, which is not much of a commute to the campground.  We went back to the Country Kitchen as John and Becky hadn't seen the remodeling job since it reopened.

After Breakfast Sharon dropped me off at Jen's and she went shopping for groceries for the Baptism on Saturday.  I couldn't walk around the store and I didn't feel like sitting in an ice cold car, so I came home.  Besides I needed to finish yesterday's entry into the Journal.

She was back about noon and we just  around reading for the rest of the afternoon.  I was hoping to get interested in a Tom Clancy novel to take on the flight on Sunday.  Three and a half hours got a little boring after awhile, and I really need a distraction.

We were invited over to Len and Rose Schultz's at 4 for Dinner tonight and we got ourselves ready and left about 3:30.  Len and Rose were our sometimes traveling companions during the winter months out west.  We always had a good time when we were with them. 

Rose made a beautiful Dinner of Stuffed Manicotti, Salad and Garlic Bread.  It was absolutely fabulous.  She had also made a homemade Raspberry Pie for dessert, and it was delicious.

We left there just after 8 and it took us until halfway home until we actually felt the heat from the heater in the car.  It's not as cold as yesterday but it is certainly as cold as we've felt this year.  I couldn't wait to get home and some real warmth.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Sharon slept in this morning and for good reason.  It was still cold out ad we had to go to Jess's this morning so Sharon could help her clean her house for the Baptism tomorrow.  It actually wasn't that dirty except the floors had to be vacuumed and mopped.  By noon they were finished and Sharon went to Subway for lunch.  She got back about the same time that Mike got home for lunch.  What timing.

We left shortly after lunch and Sharon dropped me off at home, and she would be taking Brady out Birthday Present shopping.  We usually leave a gift for him here at Christmas for his birthday but this year we knew we would be home and be able to take him shopping.  Sharon got back before 4 and we had to get ready to take my mother out to eat.  Actually she was taking us out to eat, and bugging us since we got home.  So tonight was the night.

We went to Spud's Bistro which is a new restaurant in an old building.  We all had a Fish Fry which was truly delicious.  The inside of the restaurant had been remodeled and it was quite nice inside.  After Dinner we stopped over to her apartment and Sharon had another beer.  I was full and didn't want a thing more to eat or drink.  We stayed until she finished her beer and then left.  We'll see my Mom again tomorrow for the Baptism and then we'll say our good-byes again for this year.

We got in the car and headed home.  It was still very cold out although it was certainly warming up a little.  It'll keep warming the next two days until we finally get on the plane in Green Bay and fly out of the frozen tundra.

We watched a little TV before we finally folded up our tents for the night.  These cold days really take it out of me anymore.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

It was 19 degrees when we got up this morning, and it would be heading for 30 or so before the end of the day.  It will warm up for the next couple of days.

Today is Baptism day for little Stella Marie Mindok.  She's only 14 days old today but Jess arranged with the Priest to have it today.  It was a little unusual but we leave tomorrow so today was a special occasion.

After the mass at 4:30 the Baptism took place.  It only took about 20 minutes and we were so glad it happened today.  Normally it probably would have taken place after we were gone.  Afterwards we all went to Jess and Mike's and had a little lunch.  It was Italian Turkey Sandwiches and a couple of salads that I can't spell that Mike's dad made.  We also had Calico Beans, sliced veggies and dip.  It was a very nice gathering with about 20 people of immediate family.  She also had a Sheet Cake for dessert.

We were at their house for about 2 hours before we finally said our good-byes and left to come home.  We also said good-bye to my mother since we wouldn't see her again before we leave tomorrow. We had to drop her off at Assisted Living before we headed for the homefront.

When we got home we decided to start packing our stuff for tomorrow's exit.  We had clothes that would stay here, dirty clothes we were taking along, and then of course, our carry-on bags that had to be arranged, and repacked.  It took us about an hour to get everything situated, and then we sat down and relaxed for awhile before we got into the sack.

We're expecting nice weather for tomorrow since the forecast is predicting mild weather.  Hopefully It'll be in the 30's tomorrow.  In any event it certainly won't be as cold as it was earlier in the week when the temps dropped below zero, and the windchills were ungodly.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

The weather was bright and shiny today with the sun making a brilliant appearance.  We spent the first couple of hours getting our carry-on bags all set for the airline.  Sharon also wanted to catch up on some of Jennifer's laundry including the sheets we had used all week.  Our stay at Jen's was a delightful experience for us and I hope for them too.  We tried not to get in their hair.

Jess called about 9 and wanted to know if we could get together for a 4 generation photo.  We had forgotten to take one yesterday.  She suggested we get together at 11 at Victorian Pines.  We got there right at 11 but she was running a little late.  That happens when you have a new soul to take care of.  She arrived by 11:15 and we got to the picture immediately.

I had already called Cindy Trevathan to ask her if she could pick us up at 2 instead of at noon.  It was okay with her so our ride to the Green Bay Airport was all set.  She was there right at 2 and we piled in and got on our way immediately.  We arrived at the airport just before 4 and we set out to find a restaurant to have something to eat and get that out of the way.

We went back to the ticket desk and found out our flight was delayed 2 hours because a Stewardess in Mesa got sick.  The best laid plans of mice and men failed again.  They wouldn't be able to sell us the $2 bag of chips and the $2 drinks without a stewardess.  So as long as we were waiting for the plane from Mesa to arrive, I decided to type my Journal for today.  I probably won't be able to finish it until tomorrow, but at least I'll have good start on it.

Well, our plane has been delayed again and now we're not expecting the plane to be in until 11:30 tonight.  So here we sit at the mercy of the airline and not liking it one bit.

They brought pizzas and Pepsi in for us but we just want to get on the damn plane and get the hell out of here.  Now it's just going to be a waiting game to see when we finally get on the plane.  It doesn't make me wonder why passengers are so disgusted with the airlines in this day and age.

We do know, however, that we won't be back at the motorhome until well after midnight when we should have been there at around 11.  This will definitely be a late night, for sure.