Monday Monday

It's Monday again and it's not raining.  Of course it won't rain or storm now that we're some what ready for it.  Considering the humidity has been a little high and not much of a breeze, today has been a pretty good day.
One of the guys we used to work with drove by and stopped to chat. That kept Ron busy for awhile.  Thanks John.
Then after a yummy lunch of leftover meatloaf sandwiches.
My day was even better till about 2:30 when Ron came into the green room asking if he went to the library did I want to go with him.  The answer was no.  The regular library is closed for renovations so they loaded up two thirds of the books and stored them somewhere, packed up some fiction and moved to the Gaylord Building.  The Gaylord Building was part of the I & M Canal's hay days.  Its a large quarry stone building with national heritage designation.  Or something to that effect.  There's a restaurant on the ground floor, a museum on the 1/2 floor, a banquet hall over the restaurant and the library over the museum.  Yes they have an elevator but no, they really don't have a library as we know it.  Hence I don't go to the library till they're back in the renovated real one.  And that depends on how much they do to it.  I know they're putting the adult library on the second floor so all of us old patrons have to walk up the stairs or take the elevator and the children's library on the main floor.  Obviously, they didn't ask my opinion before they made that decision.
Anyway, no to the library.  So he changed his question to if I go to the ice cream store will you go with me.  The answer was yes.  A complete horse of a different color.  And since I still had some money left on a gift card, I figured we would splurge.  I got a small one scoop strawberry cone and Ron got a small one scoop orange fluff cone.  I'm telling you, we go whole hog.  The quality of the ice cream was excellent, not real hard, no ice crystals and tasted great.
So, in a nut shell.  Monday, today, was an excellent example of Retirement.

We Made It

Today is the day that the natural gas generator arrived.  Yes, it's here, was already here when I got up at 7:30 am.  By lunch it was installed and working except for the tie into the well pump and they are working on that now.  We didn't even know they had made the switch to the generator while we were fixing lunch using the electric stove and microwave.
I don't really want to loose our power since our good neighbors would suffer but I feel so much better having it "justin case".

Almost Made IT Part 2

As it turned out, that was not the end of the story.  The power went out while we were out and came back on before we got home but our neighbors across the street still didn't have power.  One was running a large generator full time on her concrete driveway in front of her house.  Needless to say we were glad we could shut our doors and windows.  

About the time we were deciding whether to invite any of our three neighbors without power to spend the night, our power went out.  I'm telling you, there is no excuse for this, we've reached the end of our ropes.

Outside we go to keep an eye on what ComEd is up to and listen to the damn generator.  If you know me pretty well you'll be shocked at the next thing I have to say.  I had Ron get his radio and turn it on to any music he could find, full blast so I didn't have to hear that generator.  

In this age of modern time saving devices, ComEd keeps us informed via text messages.  About 10:30 pm Ron got a text that the power would be back on by 11 pm or 7 pm on 7/25/12.  Don't bother getting out your calender, today is 7/25/12.  Really cheered us up.  Thank you, Com Ed was off 24 hours.  They came on again just before 11 pm 7/24/12.  

There is a debate on whether they went off again during the night but it's not worth repeating cause I know I'm right.  ROTF LMBO

Today is the 4th anniversary of my cancer surgery.  Thank you Lord Jesus for another year with the people I love.

We Almost Made It !!!

Today, Tuesday, July 24th.  We'll remember today for a long time.  One cause it's one of hubby's brother's birthdays.  He's a nice guy so we're glad.  LOL
Second, we got woke up about 6 am this morning with a storm blowing through.  Sounded like "things" were blowing but I didn't hear any thunder nor lightening.  After the initial slam, I contemplated returning to the land of nod but hubby put a halt to that idea when he spoke one word with venom.  Now I don't remember what the word was but it did cause my brain to open my eyes and say "what".
His answer was, "we lost our electricity".  Now you say, then just roll over and go back to sleep.  Nothing you can do now.  My brain just didn't work that way this morning.  It said you better get up cause you'll miss something if you don't.  Dumb brain.
I found a half a glass of water from last night and filled it with what little ice that was left in the separate ice maker.  That will get me going for awhile.  No coffee or juice.  Keep all refrigerators closed tight.  No coffee cause we have everything electric.  Hubby finally took a ride to Dunkin Donuts and brought back two cups of coffee.  Besides our neighborhood the rest of town was business as usual.
I'll tell you, the 50 years I've been associated with this house and neighborhood, it doesn't get any easier to deal with the lack of electric on a much to frequent basis.
Saying that along with the title of this blog.......We're scheduled to have a whole house gas generator installed Thursday.  Two more days and we would have been home free.
Six plus hours later we got our power.  A line was down behind a house across the street.
We showered (no electric - no water) and left our neighborhood.  The bank was having problems cashing a check because of their power problems and when a neighbor got home from work, she called to let us know she still didn't have electric.
When we finally got back home around 5 pm, the mailman hadn't been by and we had lost our power at least once while we were gone.

COME ON THURSDAY

Utilities

It rained last night.  Over an inch of rain fell on our parched lawn.  Not enough but some.  There was a lot of thunder and lightening but no wind, thank you God.  The lightening struck the National Weather Service Dopler Radar at Lewis University.  We kept our electricity.  I was holding my breath that we're able to keep it till at least next Thursday.  After that we should be prepared to handle Commonwealth Edison's power failure.  We're having a generator installed with a direct hook up to NICOR.  Sure hope NICOR keeps the natural gas flowing.  Always something to worry about.
More good news yesterday.  Yesterday was mammogram day.  All went well.  Can't say it was painless though.  The nice lady operating the machine managed to find a sensitive area but because of the new innovations in medical equipment, it was a short frame of pain.  The end results were worth it.  "See you next year".  Made it through 4 years.
We went out to celebrate our good news and chose Red Robin, I had a free birthday burger coming.  They've changed their menu, dropped the french onion soup and added hot relish and such to their burgers.  I'll probably wait till next year to go back for another free burger but maybe not.

Another Monday Morning

Sorry, if I'm falling into a pattern of the day after blogs.  It just seems like a good time to relax and retell my stories.
This weekend was a busy one.  Ron's brother, John, and his wife, Pat, came for a visit.  As usually it was a weekend of food and talk but this weekend we added shopping.  Pat needed a new dress for her nephew's wedding.  It seems her sister's three children all decided to get married within a year AND she can't wear the same dress to all three weddings.
Thanks to my son in law, I've rediscovered York Towne Center.  I remember going there at Oak Brook with my friend, Caryl, when were were late teens early 20s but had lost track in the 45 + years since.
I really believe York Towne and Oak Brook are, by my standards, the classiest shopping centers in the area.  Von Maurs had a gentlemen playing the baby grand piano while we were there.  They had a rather large area in the center of the first floor by the escalators designated as the place for the piano with easy chairs placed around the outside perimeters.  Not a lot of chairs as to appear to be an auditorium seating but just a few different ones to make it feel like your living room.  Oriental rug on the floor and the sound carrying all the way up to the 3rd floor.  Now that was a shopping experience.  No doubt it was live music from any where in the store.
BTW, we did even have good luck in our shopping.  Pat found a dress she didn't think she'd like after trying on bought.  Ron found some "things" for me on the 3rd floor to make my sleeping more comfortable.
We managed to maintain our level of shopping throughout the entire mall and ended up walking out with the men's hands full of shopping bags.  Of course they did contribute to the bundles.  We wouldn't want them to miss out on the experience.
A quick trip to Macy's at Oak Brook where Pat found some blouses on sale that she couldn't live with out.  Then back to The Weber Grill for dinner.  My steak was perfect and the garlic mashed potatoes were more abundant than I cared to partake.  Ron and John said they enjoyed their meatloaf dinners and Pat's filet disappeared so I'm guessing she enjoyed her meal too.
On Friday night, after they arrived, we decided to try out a new restaurant, new location to us.  Charliehorse in New Lenox.  I can't believe it but I had steak Friday night too but it was just a rib eye and baked potato with salad.  The guys had Ruben sandwiches and Pat had the shrimp.  Now if any of you are shrimp lovers you'll understand when I say, the shrimp were so large and plentiful besides being fried to perfection that she couldn't eat them all.  We all helped but she was right, they were delicious.
Sunday was a relaxing day after I fixed breakfast of bacon, eggs and hashbrowns, juice and coffee. We always enjoy our visits with John and Pat and are looking forward to heading up north next time.

The Day After my Birthday

First of all, let me say, that yesterday, my birth day, was probably at the top of the list of best birthdays ever.
Started out the day with a single, long stem, red rose and a beautiful card that brought tears to this lady's eyes.  He could have written it himself and it wouldn't have been any truer.
Fresh donuts and coffee and juice for breakfast.  I'm telling you this man was up early and getting it done.
Road trip to Milwaukee for a family reunion of hubby's foster family.  The youngest brother and his family usually have one every summer but this year was special since one of the nephews got married last Saturday and all the brothers and sisters were still in town.  Not much talking at the wedding, to many other things going on.  Not all the nieces and nephews came to the reunion but a good time and plenty of food and talk was enjoyed by all.
Since our contribution was bread and water we really appreciated everyone else's.  Young Daniel brought his fabulous home made salsa.  It is so good that I could have just had it and chips but I'm glad I didn't cause the rest of the meal was great also. Then games with chocolate candy bars as prizes and the chocolate birthday cake for Marilyn and me.  Marilyn's was last month.  
Before we knew it it was after 7 pm and time to start the start heading home routine.  Goodbyes said and food shared and repacked for taking home.  Folding chairs stowed away in the back of cars.  Then more hugs and good byes.  Thanks to all the family for the wonderful birthday.

The Day After the 4th of July

Talk about a heat wave....That's what everyone is doing these days.  Talking about the heat wave. Definitely a different 4th.  Oh, we had hot dogs and brats on the grill but we ate them in the comfort of our air conditioned home.  Actually my idea of perfect 4th of July food is fried chicken. That's what I remember from the celebrations when I was a wee baby.  Hurdland, MO, local entertainment and a blanket on the lawn.  Lots of friends and relatives and all the pop you wanted...grape, orange, strawberry and creme soda.  A whole six pack.  No kayo though.
 It was an even greater holiday the first seven years of my life.  It was the day we celebrated my mother's father's birthday.  Grandpa's birthday was the 5th but we celebrated it on the 4th along with my birthday, the 7th.  Don't remember any cakes or such, just plenty of fried chicken and what ever else Mom made but we were always told that it was to celebrate our birthdays.
Fireworks weren't a big deal in our lives, they were legal in Missouri so I got to throw a few firecrackers off the front porch and run through the yard after dark with sparklers.  In retrospect, I probably learned to write cursive using sparklers.  LOL
I started this blog with another subject in mind but this is what came out of my brain.  Memories are good.  Hope you had a good 4th and hold a lot of good memories.

Day after THE WEEKEND

This past weekend's memory will probably linger on in the diary of our lives.
Friday night there was a severe thunder storm warning.  Didn't really want a severe storm but we really needed the rain.  Just as I started to shut down my computer for the night and the storm the lights went out, flickered a couple times and then out for the count.
Before we could get to the candles, already in place because of the frequency, the wind picked up and it did blow.  When it finally quit, we ventured outside, careful not to walk on anything that might hurt us.  (Electric wires are in the back of the house).  The back deck contents was all along the west wall of the deck with the cushion storage box open and all the cushions soaked.  The 5 hanging baskets were all till on their hangers but looking much worse for ware.
The front was another story.  The two plants were on the floor, furniture moved some and the cushions all soaked but still on the deck.  The watering can was where I had left it that morning.  The three hanging baskets under the tree were still on the shepherd's hook but also looking the worse for ware.
Tony's tree did it's part in the process.  From what we can figure, since we had a very large diameter branch on the front porch, it had first flown off the tree hitting the house 3/4 way up to the roof, putting a hole in the downspout and knocking a NASCAR M & M's clock off the wall inside and breaking it, hitting Ron's truck above the rear passenger door and then depositing itself on our porch.  Now we're probably wrong because Ron's truck was parked between our tree and Tony's tree 10 feet south of our porch.  But that's what the final results were.  We didn't see the truck damage but Tony did and told me.  Then I had the duty to forward that to Ron.
Friday night wasn't to bad sleeping, the house held the cool enough to make it comfortable and Saturday morning brought another challenge.  We had a wedding to go to in Wisconsin that afternoon.  If you live in a city or town you may not realize that no electric, no water.
We stay at Best Western's when we travel so I called the one we had reservations at for Saturday night and they offered us a noon check on which we hit on the dot.  We were able to take showers and relax before the 4 pm wedding.
The wedding was beautiful and went off just fine as did the reception.  The bride and groom stayed  till all was over but found their vehicle covered in plastic wrap and the inside full of styrofoam peanuts.  The best man had special surprises, besides the wedding vehicle, throughout the night.  We both had a great time visiting with relatives and making plans for next Saturday picnic.
The trip home Sunday went well with a stop at the Pleasant Prairie Outlet Mall.  We got there 45 minutes before it opened and got a good parking place.  Then we walked to the farthermost  store we wanted to visit.  We chatted with the other people in line until they opened and shopped till we dropped.  I can't tell you what store it was or one of my birthday presents wouldn't be a surprise.
Five stores and two birthday presents later our road trip started and ended without any problems.  From what we've heard, we missed a very large storm between Wisconsin and Lockport.  We thank God for His watching hand.