Conversation Club Chatter

celebrating 18 days until retirement by spending my Christmas gift certificate at Habig’s. They had many things I wanted and I bought most of them. So little time so many flowers to plant. When is our next cc? I am confused. Long ceremony followed by a luncheon for 8(Al’s family was there from St. Louis and his brother who lives here) at Chang’s. The jasmine iced tea hit the spot.

I have Maureen’s tickets for Saturday pops with Doc Severinson. But alas, we are going to Iowa so if anyone wants them, let me know. If not, I will give them to someone here at work. But CC has priority, of course.

My Aunt Lilly passed away this weekend so I’m going to the funeral. I wonk be able to have CC this week and Carol can’t either. I can have it next Wednesday, May the 8th. How many of you can come Wednesday. Thursday is too close to getting ready to go to Kentucky for Bobby’s Graduation. Let me know if Wednesday is ok. If most of you prefer Thursday Carol might be able to have it. Let us know. Besides the sadnes of my Aunt’s passing I had a good weekend. I enjoyed Happy Hour at the Symphony, Elliott and I enjoyed the Riley Hospital Volunteer dinner at the Conrad ( I won the centerpiece for our table) and I enjoyed lunch with a HS classmate that I haven’t seen in over thirty years. She lives in Carmel ( she has 3 sons close in age to Matt and Bobby) and teaches, at the new Fisher HS, language arts. We might go to the reunion, in Munster, together. We both graduated in 1970.

Maureen called me about rhubarb and I commented to her about Matthew and Taylor’s concert today as part of the Pilgrim Fine Arts Series. I had written about it as a comment to a post here on CC but she hadn’t seen it. So, for all to know, I am repeating it:
At church on Sunday Matthew and Taylor played a piece on the marimba - a “preview” for their upcoming percussion performance at church this coming Sunday afternoon. Part of Pilgrim’s Fine Arts Series. All are welcome - 4 pm. In fact, my folks are driving down for this - they haven’t been here in over 4 years!! (this was mentioned in the “GO!” section of the newspaper on Friday!)

It will last about an hour. My folks have been here since Wednesday and we have been enjoying every minute!

Kara was at the Nashville Film Fest on Friday and didn’t think about calling us. Then Al called Sunday night wondering why we hadn’t called to congratulate him. And then I realized that I forgot to post the results here. Hip hip hooray.

Lori Borgman’s column on line had an article about her becoming a first time grandma and what should she be called. www.loriborgman.com

There was a large number of people in attendance at Debbie’s funeral even with it being a week day. Jeff, her son, teaches at Roncolli - his whole girls softball team was there. In the eulogy he said he never wanted to do anything to get her upset while she was alive and now that she is in heaven he’s really afraid to do anything to upset her. He had several funny lines.

It was great having several days in a row with such beautiful weather. Friday I spent the afternoon washing the gazebo. We invited the neighbor to join us in the gazebo for a late dinner (his wife is out of town with a new sick grandbaby) and had the first kahlua milkshake of the summer. As much as I wish it were sunny early in the morning it is nice to have it light late - which totally messes up our body clock when we eat dinner at 7:30.

Saturday was our first bike ride of the season - 10 miles. We also went to Habig’s and back again when Dave discovered a piece was missing to the new rain barrel we bought. We are trying to get it attached in time for the rain on Sunday!

I hope everyone made the most of their weekend and enjoyed the touch of spring sunshine.

It was so nice to have sunshine for Easter. Dave and I walked to church, my brother and niece rode a tandem bike, Kitty, Rachel, and Tom (Marie’s husband) drove. I am not sure Tom will ever get on a bike again — he was using the bike to “walk” the dog when he went over the handlebars, without a helmet - dislocated one thumb and had surgery to put pins in the other. On the way home I switched places with my niece. I am not sure how much I would like a tandem - really have to trust the person in front. Rachel and my brother John got out the sidewalk chalk and drew an Easter bunny scene - John’s was better. Brunch was at a buffet - we managed to get my Dad there okay. Turns out my brother from Tucson arrived in town - another victim of the economy. The timing is good - Tuscon is too hot in the summer, long distance was difficult on he and his wife and my Dad needed some extra help this week - wheel chair broke, new lifting device in place etc.

Debbie Traylor is not doing well … her husband says we are praying for a miracle. Miracles can happen! She has a tube down her throat so that she can be suctioned. She can hear, opens her eyes and tries to talk which makes her cough so I wasn’t able to stay long since she needs her rest. Her husband said they are concerned about her kidney function.

See everyone Thursday.

Last night’s Poetry Plus was interesting and Mary Ann - (was that her name?) was an entertaining speaker. I don’t think being Catholic had anything to do with my interest. It is hard to believe in miracles and understand the lives of some of the saints - why God chose them etc but I guess that is where faith comes in. I think in this day and age people are wary of cons and are skeptic - seeing is believing and all that. Last night was a renewal of faith in a way.

Parker is walking! and eating birthday cake with his hands. and one of his gifts was a shirt that said “I’m the Big Brother”!!!

The first two days were rough with a thunderstorm ,(she hates thunderstorms) growling and snapping. The weekend has been really good. Honey enjoyed a walk, getting to know Elliott, ( she took a nap, on the bed, with him while I was at a movie)getting more and more comfortable with the house, being very playful and loving. Today I take her to the vet. Elliott is still concerned how she will be with him while I’m in Munster. I hope Honey is ok with ALL BOY Josh! I can’t wait for MaryAnn and Gary to get here,orrow. Carol, does MaryAnn know what time to be at the church tomorrow? I’ll just take her. I;m really happy I can go to one of your Poetry presentations. I’m really enjoying vacation. I just have to get in the mood to clean and pack! I enjoyed the movie Duplicity, even though it was a bit confusing and hard to follow ,( I need to see it again) it was still entertaining!

Yesterday I had floaters in my eye that were black and jagged. Then a few hours later I started to have flashes of light on the side. I went to the opthamologist at 9:00a and had a full exam. Fortunately everything was relatively normal. He explained what it was and why I had flashing. I have to go back in three weeks because my pressure was elevated. Apparently vitreous gel breaks off in the eyes and bumps the retina causing the same symptoms. This can also be the beginning of a detached retina but there are other symptoms first. I have been disoriented most of the day due to the dilated eyes and the occasional flashes.

Flights from New York were cancelled yesterday so John got to spend an extra night in the airport. He considered going to stay with a friend but he decided that the cab fare($100 round trip) wasn’t worth 4 hours of sleep. Then in the morning he had to fly to Atlanta to get to Indy. He was quite impressed with the new airport. He arrived at 2:00p and his baggage did too. Surprise! He was tired so he went to bed for the night at 6:00. He said to us: wake me up in the morning around 8 or 9. Bill only heard the 8 or 9 part but I intercepted him before he woke him.

Carol When will you get Honey? what about the skin condition? I have been too busy to stop at the Humane Society and am trying to hold off until the end of May. I like being on vacation.

I have three more days of work before a week and a half of vacation. Elliott nad I went to the NCAA sweet 16 at Lucas Oil, yesterday. Matt is working the sweet 16 and the elite 8. We enjoyed seeing Louisville win and half of the Kansas MSU game. It was getting too late to stay for the whole game since both of us worked today. I’m trading in my Impala and buying a Cobalt. I get it Monday. Next Saturday we are adopting Honey. We spent time with her last Saturday and really fell hard. She is such a loving dog it’s hard to believe she came from a puppy mill. I’m off This Thursday and go back to work Monday, April 12th. Maryann and Gary are staying with us Tuesday night. They leave Wednesday and I go to Munster Wednesday, for Passover. I’m bringing Josh back, Friday until Sunday. I’ll let you know about the Monday retirement meeting. Sue, in just three weeks of exercising at the JCC my good Cholesterol has gone from 44 to 64. I’m going three times a week. I got a movie in this week. I saw Knowing. I don’t know how to describe it but I feel it’s a must see and I want to know what all of you think about it. Carol, I hope you are enjoying your trip and I can’t wait to go to your Poetry group, Finally!

Don’t forget to mark Tuesday April 7, 7:30 pm on your calendar. That’s the night when Mary Ann Grove (CarolFay’s friend from Columbus, Ohio) will be at Poetry Plus, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, presenting her talk about the lives of some of her 40 different statues of saints. “CarolFay, is she staying with you at your house?

Tomorrow I am driving up to my folks in Minnesota - I just checked the weather up there and it’s 18 degrees right now. So, I am packing winter clothes! And there is a “chance of snow” for every day next week. I think I will throw in my boots too. Sort of hard to give up spring for winter…

Last night I went to NC to see and hear Nicholas Sparks. I sat in the second row from the front, behind Laura Bramble, and I really enjoyed him! Marilyn Collins went with me, even though she hasn’t read any of his books. She was a great sport and stood with me in line for an autograph. I had two books ( I was helping my friend Dora get a book signed for her son’s GF. Dora is out of town) that needed Nicholas Sparks’ signature and there was a sign one book per person. We left NC at 9:00. today I’m working. Tomorrow Elliott and I are going to check out the 5 year old Sheltie, Honey. Her foster parents live in Brownsburg. After, talking to Elise Honey sounds good and Bad. I will elaborate after We see her, tomorrow morning. I’m excited that I’ve connected, on Facebook, with several Munster High Alumni ( I think I mentioned that) and that the Munster High boy’s basketball team has made it to semi state. If they win today they would be coming to Conceco next Sat. Elliott works the finals and I usually try to go to the 4A game! Matt is traveling with the NCAA tournament. He went ti Pittsburgh, Thursday, and he will be going to Detroit.

I have a load for Goodwill …clay pots and saucers - small to medium size. I’ll be going to Goodwill on Monday so post if you want any. There is also a flower pot that says Italy on the bottom. And …. the big find …. a McCoy flower pot. How can these be collector items when I am finding McCoys all over. Kathy insisted I take this one and I didn’t put up too much of a fuss because shouldn’t everyone have a McCoy. I’ll give it to Rachel.

MMM yum Kate. Thanks for the books. I might be inspired to start baking when I retire. Lovely evening ladies. It amazes me still how we always have more to discuss. Missed you CarolFaye

I’ll be there. Any one want to go to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday?