We're off to the beach!

The Indiana Dunes National Lake Shore! This is our old "stomp'n ground" when we were growing up, and teens. Any given weekend you could have found my baby-oil slathered body soaking up the sun on these beaches. Many good times on the beach, climbing the huge sand dunes -- it is a long hike to the top, but the view is amazing....and jumping down the dunes....well, there isn't anything like it!

Kirk, Cara and I are heading out this afternoon, spending a night in Elgin, IL with my "baby" sister, her hubby and their punks....then leaving after an early breakfast to the beach.

The beach is just one of many perks on this trip. We are also going to the wedding of some long time friends daughter (over over 30 years --who we spent many beach days with). The wedding is Saturday -- but there will be a partying all day on Friday/Saturday at our friends house where we will get to see many old friends. Some of the friends we haven't seen in over 20 years. THAT is sad.

Gotta go find my baby-oil sunscreen!

Home again...
Long drive. Long day. Good to be home.
The photos above were taken on my favorite stretch of the trip. For the last part of our drive we get off the Interstate and enjoy the scenery in the small towns of Raymond and Readlyn, IA. I love looking at the barns, old churches, farmhouses. There are even some deserted farmhouses that really intrigue me. I can't help but wonder what their stories are.
Tomorrow - Church.
Monday - day off

For me????



Tonight I was surprised and celebrated by my St. Louis family! It's not quite my birthday yet, but I'll take the fun I had tonight! Sandy and Kirk cleaned up the dinner dishes and made me "sit". Then Bob poured wine all around....my favorite...a chardonnay ...then Sandy presented a beautiful turtle cheesecake with candles on it. Cara happened to call when the candles were being lit, so she joined in on the Happy Birthday chorus! (Sorry I didn't call you back tonight sweetie...I'll call tomorrow). Sandy is a very wise woman, with an amazing memory and knew that I'm not too fond of cake...but that I love cheesecake! She also remembered that I had blogged about walking on the beach as one of my favorite things to do....and bought me a really neat stamp of a beach scene. I can't wait to try it out when I get home! (I'll post pictures of something I make with it).

Thanks Sandy, Bob, Dad and Kirk for a wonderful evening! It's been a great week here in St. Louis with you all.

Valentine's Day Breakfast !

This morning I was treated to this

amazing breakfast

and I enjoyed it with 3 wonderful men!

A crepe filled with sliced bananas, topped with yogurt and fresh fruit, a side of granola (that I sprinkled on my crepes) and a blueberry muffin. (didn't eat the muffin)

Can you say heaven on a plate?

Don (see Monday's blog), Dad & Kirk were my breakfast companions today...yes, I joined the men for the twice weekly boys breakfast...and glad I did thank you very much.

After breakfast Don took us to a fascinating Italian Deli/grocery store. I was very tempted to buy mucho food, but transporting it to MN would have been a challenge. I settled for looking (and salivating) at the amazing "olive bar", the homemade pastas, lasagne, cannoli, meatballs, cheeses.....ahhhhhh. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow!

Meet the Fam...This evening Dad took us "kids" out for dinner tonight to celebrate Valentine's Day. Figuring that tomorrow night would be a very busy restaurant night, we opted for our dinner out a day early to avoid the crowds. We went to a fabulous Mexican restaurant ... I tried something new and WOW was it fabulous!

A good time was had by all.
Dad and his kids
Bob & Sandy
Kirk and I

I found the internet "hot spot"!!

...which makes me happy! I have got internet access all day from this spot in our bedroom. The last few days I could only get access late at night and had to be a contortionist to find the exact spot each time.

So I grabbed a really nice (oak) tv tray and set up my "desk" ~~

It's the little things in life I'll tell ya!

Every Monday and Thursday morning, promptly at 8:00 am Don picks up Dad and they head over to First Watch (a restaurant) for breakfast. Being a "regular" at a restaurant gives you special priveleges, such as a fun relationship with your waitress. Maggie brings Dad and Don their coffee and breakfast twice a week. On Valentine's Day Dad and Don gave her a card, and Maggie gave them some chocolate roses!
If you are ever in St. Louis and find yourself in Oakville...head over to First Watch and ask for Maggie...she'll take good care of you! Oh, and be sure to tell her Don and Ralph sent you! ;)

Maggie and Dad

Don (and his wife Gayle) live next door to Kirk's sister. They are amazing neighbors ~

just like my friend and neighbor Jackie!

Amazing neighbors are lifesavers and heros. Amen.

Below: Dad & Don

This afternoon, while Kirk was taking Dad to a doctor appointment, I ran a few errands and even took a few minutes to myself for a cup of coffee here. (In Minnesota, this restaurant is called Panera!)

While I was out and about a "winter storm" was producing sleet. In "Panera" I heard a high school student say school was closed at 10 am. WOW I thought...the "weather" hadn't even started yet! When I got back to dad's I had to laugh seeing the kids across the street "sledding". Poor kids...have to sled on driveways covered with sleet...cuz there isn't any snow here!

I suppose since they don't see snow much...

it explains why they use their body's as sleds!

Good morning from St. Louis!
I can hardly believe it, but I'm the only one awake at 8:40 this morning...and I've been up since 7:30, of course I was in bed by 10. This is the view from the living room window at dad's...looking out at the backyard. In the summer it is lush and green. Fellow Minnesotan's...look there is grass showing....and...is it green? I noticed the tree in front of dad's house has buds on it! We won't see that in our part of the country for another 2 months!

On the road to St. Louis...
Leaving MN....the snow was falling, the wind was blowing...
Armed with the GPS....
Our faithful Maddie dog . . .(tucked into her spot in the backseat)
The necessities.... Coffee, pop, hand lotion, cough drops, hankie, cell phone...
Finally we arrive at Dad's house... and the temperature is........48 degrees!!!!
I'll be blogging from St. Louis this week, while Nate holds down the fort and tends to the poultry and Gabby for me.

My weekend at the retreat was a blast. It was good to re-connect with old friends, meet new friends, and see my sister, nieces, and brother-in-law.

It's nearly impossible to get a picture of my kids without someone being silly! Cara, Todd, Danae ...
This was hilarious.....mini marshmallow "shooters" -- Danae and Molly are shooting the marshmallows across the room to another "shooter". The girl in the middle is Emily...an adorable young woman with a very sweet spirit...I wanted to bring her home with me! She also happens to be a grandchild of the couple Cara is living with in Cincinnati.
Driving home....This is somewhere between Winona (after I dropped of Danae) and Rochester...
More fun...

Todd Norris was the worship leader for the retreat. We are proud to call Todd a friend of our family!

Just for the sake of bragging about our friend...you can click here to see him sing the National Anthem at NASCAR in May, 2007.

I took these photos from my sister's facebook...that's why they are so teeny-tiny! Cara with long time friends....Matt, Heather and Todd
My sister Dee Dee and I
Me & Todd
Aunt Dee Dee with Cara & Danae
Todd, Dee Dee & Scott