Conversation Club Chatter

How quickly the virus can hit! I had run 4.5 miles on Saturday and had to start walking because my back started aching. Of course I didn’t think virus. Sunday morning I did weights and because I didn’t want to push myself just did a 3 mile walk. Of course afterewards I was feeling lousy! I took sick days Monday and Tuesday. I had forgotten what it feels like to be sick. Fever/chills/all your bones aching - in case anyone else needs a reminder!

Hope everyone else is healthy- and has more interesting news!

Had alot of fun at the bday party on Saturday night - we had authentic cajun cuisine, music (we all danced to Doug Kershaw and did the cajun two-step!), and activities!! Will tell you more when I next see you. The weather here has turned balmy and odd, snow is melting and it smells like spring, really.

The funeral was terrifically sad - Mary Alice had an awful time staying even slightly composed as did Adam (16 yrs old). Alison (27) and Rusty ( 24) were more able to, in fact Alison gave the most beautiful eulogy of her father. The church was packed and they served noon dinner to over 200 of us. Saw many of my cousins, aunts uncles and relatives as the funeral was in New Richland where many of them still live or in other little nearby towns. Mary’s folks(my uncle and aunt) live in town and so they will be a good support for her. For now she is staying on the farm.

I am set to go up to the airport tomorrow when my dad has his eye appointment at the VA. I should get back to Indy around 6:30 pm. When I talked to Steve last night he told me that Lowes called to say the wallpaper was in - hurray!!!!

See you at Barb’s

Any suggestions on exterminators? I don’t know why all of a sudden we got this massive assault. I am killing them but I am afraid the nest will have to be found to kill the queen(or so the web seems to indicate).

Kara and Al took us out for my b’day. I need one more before retirement is possible. We went to the pancake house by Steinmart. It was very nice. Afterwards Kara and I faux painted the curtain rod I bought; hung it and put up curtains in the dining room. I made a chocolate cheese cake and sent them home with a chunk because it was too warm to eat.

The problem with fixing up the dining rooom is that now I am quite dissatisfied with the shabby decor in most of the rest of the house. I moved the furnilture in the living room but I may need Gloria to come and give tips. I ended up with a rather awkward space but on the whole I like it.

I did get a phone call from John on my birthday. He just doesn’t seem to realize how we get concerned when weeks go by without any email. He says he doesn’t have anything to say. He has lost lots of weight mainly because he is walking a lot and his roommates encourage healthy eating. He can’t afford restaraunts as a rule. He still has no plans for next year.

This is one of the best afternoons I’ve had with Matt in a long time! We had lunch at Ruby Tuesday and then went to the Kittle’s Outlet, in Fishers, to look for a bed for Matt. He bought a Queen size mattress and Box Spring, a mattress pad, an metal frame and a nice recliner chair. I really enjoyed helping Matt pick out furniture. We plan to move things to the Condo tomorrow. The furniture will be delivered Thursday. My parents know about Matt moving to the Condo but Elliott still hasn’t told his parents and Matt will be living close to them. Carol I’m happy you made it to Minn. You missed the snow we got today. Kathey, How did your day go today, with the snow? My tea group cancelled our trip to Greenwood and rescheduled for next Saturday. I work so I won’t be able to go.

Think waht you want but I believe!

Background: In the last few days I had just e-mailed my brother about how I was missing Mom and wished that I had taken some time to have had a bonding moment but that it always seemed that I was busy with the to do list whenever I visited Akron. I remimded myself that Mom always thanked me at the end of a visit and that she did appreciate what I did … planting flowers, cleaning, bringing food, the last trip to Edisto Beach etc.

Story: Today I was dusting and in dusting the French desk that used to be in their living room I discovered that it had a drawer. In the drawer, in addition to more of my Mom’s address labels, were 2 brand new cards. One said: Your thoughtfulness meant so much. The other said: Just my way of saying hi. And of course the address labels were her way of getting the last word in my decluttering of her house!

It is amazing how visits like this can lift my spirits and comfort me.

I’ll take a snow day but I really wish they didn’t call and wake me up at 5 to tell me what I already figured out. They called again this evening for Wednesday … and to let us know that our day off on President’s Day is cancelled! So much for my travel plans!

I fixed our candlelight dinner tonight .. pasta with mint pesto sauce and toasted pine nuts. The pine nuts added to it! Dessert was a mint chocolate dip for fruit and pound cake.

Kate … I am all for recycling dresses. If no one notices that it is the same one does that mean you didn’t make an impression the first time you wore it or we put to much energy into things that really aren’t important or everyone has memory loss?

Sue … as to the stamp. Dave doesn’t remember which one it is. If it doesn’t have any sentimental value, I say sell it! For other CC members - Bill in looking through Dave’s stamp “collection” found one that in theory could be worth $300.

Carol H - hope you get out but I don’t think your chances are good. And if flights are cancelled — remember it is for you safety! Be nice to the pilots and crew! Buy them a gift card to Starbucks!

Kate .. hope by Saturday it clears up. Give our regards to the Bride and Groom!

Hooray, I found a dress after buying and bringing home about 5 of them. This method seems to work for me. I’m just going with my black sandals, so the shopping is done. I leave on Saturday. I also am setting up a hot air balloon ride for Mom’s 80th birthday. I emailed her to make sure she was really up to it. She called me at the office and said, “Is this the make-a-wish foundation?” So it’s a go. The place said they would put a happy birthday banner on the balloon basket and bring out birthday cake to go with the champagne and gourmet picnic supper they provide when you land! And only $145 per person–yikes! I’m glad some of us are afraid of heights.

I am happy to say I had two Toddler story times, today, even in the bitter cold. The first one was 5 children and 5 parents. The second one was four children and four parents. The theme is Animals and sounds with a Valentine story and song added to the animal sounds stories, fingerplays and songs. I am really enjoying it. I do the Saturday family story time. I am going to read a book about Payton and the superbowl, one about Valentines and one about winter. I have aFootball Helmet handout for them to create their own Colt’s Super Bowl Helmet. I am missing Bobby, but he seems to be doing ok. He sounded a little tired and stressed last night but it’s an adjustment like any new job. Hope to see you tomorrow

Carol, I got to watch the NC game. I helped Elliott with Credentials so I took a chair and sat in the corner of the court. I sat in the corner across from Michael Jordan. There was an agreement that nobody was supposed to approach Michael to get an autograph. He was there to watch his two sons play basketball. Elliott stopped an man who tried to bring in an oil painting of Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. He wanted Jordan to sign it. Elliott said he tried 16 different ways to get in with the painting but Elliott stood firm. I enjoyed the game. The next night I went with Donna to see the Pacers play the Lakers. We played well against them and held Koby to 4 points the first quarter. He only had 15 points at the end of the game. We beat them 95 to 84. Tomorrow is the Super Bowl so I’m getting a movie in at 11:15. I’m going to Glendale to see Because I Said So. Hope all of you are well and have a great day tomorrow. We are just staying home for the Super Bowl. Bobby called from Florida. He got to work out, today, with some of the Cincinnati Reds. Bobby starts work tomorrow.