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Yes, the Pabst Mansion on Thursday then leave early Saturday morning for St Charles, MO. Back home Sunday night. Just a real quick overnight trip. Must not take too long to get there either.

Have had this awful smell in the house for over a week now. I had seen Bill's son uptown and had asked him what I could do since I didn't know where it was coming from. Thought maybe the septic, the furnace, dead mice. He said pour bleach in the sump pump since it probably hadn't ran for a while. I did that and it didn't help. Today my friend Angie just text me to say Hi, she is the one that took me to the hospital and has been looking out for me lately. So I asked her if when she goes by the next time if she could stop and see what she thought the stink could be. Well tonight her and her hubby stopped, we went downstairs and looked all over for mice bodies, but could find none and sniffed all over trying to find out where the smell was originating. I walked over to the counter close to my freezer and saw a bag sitting there. When I picked it up the smell was overwhelming! Then I remembered I had taken some old stuff out of the freezer, meaning to throw it out but had forgot and left it sit in a bag on the counter. So thankfully the smell will be gone soon, I washed the counter with lysol and sprayed the whole basement with Lysol spray. What a stupid thing for me to do!!

Maybe a good thing Bill did not go to work, although it will be better when he gets the stitches out he probably doesn't want to wait that long to get back. Anyway he will still have the other thing in his toe so will have to be very careful. I bet you had quite a bit to catch up on too this week with having a few days off for Thanksgiving.

Going to lunch with 2 gals tomorrow, to celebrate the birthday of one. Nothing fancy but will be nice.

Sharon

Sharon, wow that is crazy about the smell in your basement that you have been dealing with for a few weeks now. I agree you must have felt nuts from doing that yourself and totally forgetting about it.

So a short trip tomorrow and then another 1 on Saturday and returning on Sunday. But at least you are getting out and doing things exciting. Enjoy and have a great time.

Bill sees the Dr today and then next week to have the stitches removed. So I have no idea whet he will do. The weather has been real mild and we will have the coldest temps of the season thus far on Friday.

So today you are going out to celebrate birthdays. I hope you all will have a nice lunch and an even greater celebration.

Kathy

How is Bill feeling with his foot, no problems. Must be kinda hard sleeping and not hurting it.

It was cold today, and dreary with a light mist that they say could turn to a light snow later tonight. Hope not going to see the girls later.

The birthday celebration was just the 3 of us zumba gals. The 4th one that usually comes has started their Florida winter trip already and don't plan to come back until spring. We had a nice visit and talked alot. One of the gals, not the birthday gal, wasn't sure if we were getting together for Christmas, which we always have done, so she brought me a little angel pin and a whole Lemon Meringue pie from the bakery. She remembered I had said I liked that kind of pie. It looks really good but I think I will take it tonight and share it with everyone.

Hope the snow stays away!

Sharon

Sharon, I guess you are on a bus trip to MKE. I hope your day goes well and that you have a great time today.

Bill is going to be off work until next Wednesday. As the Dr wants him to be off it as much as possible. He does seem to sleep well at night and does not get up at all. Next Wednesday is when the stitches come out.

I agree we went from 1 day where it was at 60 and then go to the 30's. I think that the real nice days are all over and we will be seeing more of this cold temps from now on.

Well it sounds like all in all you had a nice time out with you friends. It is always nice getting out with friends to get together and have a nice meal. I have found myself doing more online shopping versus going out to a store. Plus most of them are offering free shipping as well.

Kathy

That is a good idea I think too, stay off his foot and let it heal. You put a lot of pressure on your feet. My friends husband broke his heal several months ago and just now is abke to put some weight on it.

The restaurant was called Lake Park Bistro. It was across the road from Lake Michigan. They served a flattened breaded chicken breast that was as big as a dinner plate! Dessert was a powdered sugar topped brownie with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Just a little sliver of some of them sittong in a drizzle of vanilla sauce. Then we went to the Pabst mansion for a self guided tour. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas but would have been nice even hust normal. Lots of carved wood and beautiful ceilings.

Got to pack a few things tomorrow for the next trip on Saturday. Thry are saying possible snow on Sunday, hope not don't want to have to drive home late Sunday night in it when we return to Janesville, WI.

I like to buy stuff on line but hate the shipping, seldom get it free. I don't have that Amazon prime. I think that hives you free shipping. Whst do you use?

Sharon

Sharon, it was good that you got back early. But it will be a different story on Sunday. You did not run into any snow yesterday? I thought I heard that up there snow was in the forecast. All in all it sounds like you had a good trip. It must have been nice eating right along the lake. I'll bet they had some nice views.

I have never heard of anyone breaking their heal. That must have been painful for him. You are right about Bill staying off of it as much as possible.

So just 1 day today to get ready for your next adventure tomorrow. I hope they put you all up at a nice hotel. So how long of a drive will it be for you to drive to WI?

We do have Amazon Prime and I also just got things shipped from Target and the shipping was free. I guess you just have to look around to get the best deals. Anyway it keeps me from going to the store direct. Usually at checkout, they give you various options for shipping. If you want it right away you will pay for shipping, and if you want it later on the shipping is free.

Kathy

Yes getting a few things ready to go, don't need too much for an overnight trip. It will take about 45 min to get up to the bus, I like to allow plenty of time in case I get behind a truck or slow driver. Only thing I don't like is that I have to be there by 6am. I don't like to get up that early. I'll be tired all day since tonight I will be thinking about getting up and not sleep much.

Only a few flurries yesterday, mostly a light rainy mist was all. Today dark again, seems to be the normal lately.

I thought about getting Amazon prime but don't usually buy that much that needs to be shipped. But now I think it includes other stuff too, like movies.

I have been trying to find information about ROKU. It's supposed to be some type of movie streaming thing also, but don't need internet connection on your TV, only a Fire Stick. Still looking into that. Technology keeps moving faster!

Sharon

Sharon, I know what you mean about getting up so early. But the good thing is you can sleep on the bus both going and coming home. I know I am terrible when packing. I am getting much better, but still over pack.

I agree about this time of year and it being so dark and gloomy. It was not supposed to rain today, and yet it has been. I hope you have good weather both ways on the trip.

Lots of places are offering free shipping in order to lure people to shop online, and that is an incentive.

When I get home from work this evening, we are going to our first Christmas Party. It is that time of the year once again.

So once again, I am sorry that you have to get up so very early. But enjoy and have a real great time.

Kathy

A Christmas party sounds like fun, who was giving it? Doesn't your company do one later, I thought I remembered that.

I got up at 4am fully intending to leave by 5, don't know what I was fiddling around with but when I looked at the time it was quarter after 5. I had to drive 70 amd 80 to get up there. The bus was leaving at 6, I arrived at 5:57, everyone was on the bus already. We made two more stops, Beloit and Rockford. Got down here in St Charles at 12:30. Everything is Christmas, saw a Santa Claus parade and walked almost 3 miles down the sidewalk and back to the hotel. We are staying at a Comfort Suites and I have a king size bed. Tomorrow we have a step on guide to tell us about the town, evidently it was the state capital at one time, then a show Lucy & Desi with brunch before we head home. Have free Wifi here too.

The guide from the bus company is the same gal that did the Smokey Mts trip I took so it was nice to see a familiar face. Had dinner with her and another single traveler tonight. Called it a night about 8 o'clock tonight.

Heard it might snow tomorrow at home, here roses and flowers are still blooming.

Have fun at your party!

Sharon

Sharon, this party was with the EAA that we belong to and the same 1 that is headquartered in Oshkosh. This is our local chapter. Yes, you are right work has 1 in January and Bill does not go if it is at this 1 bar. When they do it at a bowling alley like they had done once, then Bill will go. I have no ides what he is thinking of just yet.

Wow, that is so not like you to be doing that. You are very luck that you made it and did not get pulled over for speeding. You did make good time getting there, but that was an awful long walk to the hotel. It has started to snow and it started about an hour ago, but it is melting as soon as it hits the ground thus far.

Enjoy the day today and have a safe trip home once the bus drops you off. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the snow does not stick.

Kathy

We left St Charles at 1:30 after a lunch show that was kind of progressive. First we had salad and fruit then Lucy & Desi came out and we were all part of the show. Before the show started they passed out names and parts that different ones would read at certain parts of the show. I was Bon Ton one of 4 of the South Pacific hula dancers. After that we had the main course and they came back out and continued with the skit. The premise of the skit was they were on a cruise ship. Then we had dessert and once again they came out and finished up. It was a fun thing and got all of us involved. The show was Lucy & Desi's Christmas show, put on at the Mother-in-laws restaurant.

We got home to Janesville after stopping to unload people at Rockford and then Beloit at 8:30. There was about 8 inches of snow on top of my car. I didn't have mittens or gloves but I did have an ice scrapper, thank goodness. It took me almost an hour to get home even though the roads had been plowed and salted. When I pulled into the driveway my guy was here plowing.

How was the party, have a good time? Food and entertainment?

I am going to try and go to zumba tomorrow, still pretty sore ribs but will take it easy and at least try to get some exercise in.

Sharon

Sharon, a big surprise with the amount of snow that fell yesterday. We ended up with about 5". It is always a big deal with the first snow of the season.

The party was good. We had a nice dinner and toured this mansion that was sold to the state and is slated to be the areas third airport. So no entertainment, just a nice dinner and touring the mansion and then we came home.

So all in all it sounds like you had a nice short time away and did something unusual . Did you buy anything from the shopping? How was the bus trip going and returning? When did you encounter the snow on the way back?

I hope you are feeling OK to go to zumba today, if not then just rest and recover from all of the activities you have had.

Kathy

They are planning a third airport? I haven't heard anything about that. Who's house was the mansion, did they have it all decorated up for Christmas?

I got to sit in the very front seat, actually had both front seats. I have never sat up there before. But it was open when I got to the bus on Saturday so I took it. You get quite a view because the windows are so large. Sat there going and coming back. Everyone seemed to just take the same seat without anyone telling them to do that. I thought sure someone else would want the front, but no, I got it again.

St Charles reminded me of Galena, have you ever been there? It's a whole bunch of little stores all in a row on both sides of the cobblestone street. I did not buy anything as it seemed all the prices were inflated. Even a bag of popcorn was $6.25. This area used to be in the "blighted" side of town. One woman decided to get it into shape and bought several of the buildings and fixed them up, but still left the 1800's look to them. This idea spread and soon they had the whole 7 or 8 blocks looking pretty good. This street is also where the first state capital of Missouri was for a while. So it has some historic value. They also have a claim to Davy Crocket, since he and his wife are buried there. Evidently they had lived there for quite some time. They had people dressed as carolers and scroodge, and Santa Clauses of many countries since Missouri was first owned by Spain and then by France before becoming a US state. So got a lot of history from the step-on guide, and very interesting. Way too many people though, cars from all the surrounding states were parked there. Also a huge casino but didn't get there was a little too far to walk to.

Today went to zumba then came home and shoveled the sidewalk and deck. Now I am feeling it in my shoulders, back and legs. Think its a combination of both things.

Sharon

Sharon, around here all of the snow melted on the sidewalks and driveway from the heat of the sun. So we did not have to go outside and do any shoveling or using the snow blower. Bill still has the bootie on and tomorrow he goes and gets the stitches taken out.

So this mansion was built by a guy for his family. It has 7 bedrooms and all of them have their own bathroom. He also build an airport. So he sold it to the state and it may take 10 or 20 years or maybe never. But the talk was that this could be a third airport. It was not decorated. But a very large and impressive place.

So that was good that you had such a nice view and the front seat. I or we have never been there and I was not aware of such history for that town. It was good that you could see that the prices were very inflated. That is a large price to be paying for popcorn.

So how long of a drive was it once you had picked and stopped at all of the pickup places?

Kathy

The bus left Janesville, WI at 6am, we picked up people in Beloit, WI and the last pick up was in Rockford, IL at 7am. We stopped for a late breakfast at McDonalds for about a half an hour in Peoria and made it to St Charles, MO at 12:30. So we made pretty good time. Coming back we left at close to 2pm stopped again in Peoria at Culvers for some dinner and got back to Janesville after the two other stops at 8:30. So about a 6 hour drive I would guess, we didn't have much traffic either way.

Kind of nice to tour other peoples houses and see how they have them decorated. The old mansions usually have a lot of interesting archetictual features to see.

That was great your snow melted, we still have a lot on the ground and I don't think it will melt anytime soon.

I ran into an old friend of Bill's this afternoon. I still just can't talk about him and how I'm doing without crying. So there I am standing outside the grocery store crying my eyes out. Of course his friend understood and also knew about how his kids are acting so that helped a little. This just never gets any easier, and its not just holidays, its every day.

Good luck to Bill getting the stitches out, first step of recovery!

Sharon

Sharon, since Bill did not displace any of the snow, it is almost all going away with the sun melting it away. But after today, any of the snow left over will remain as we will be in a deep freeze with the coldest weather of the season.

Well at least you did not have to worry about driving. A total of 12 hours driving is a lot if you were doing that yourself. Also it was nice that you stayed over night and did not do all of that driving in 1 day.

So yes, Bill has a noon appointment today to get the stitches out. He will find out how long the pin will stay in as well. He said if all goes well, he might return to work this afternoon. He found a boot that will totally enclose his foot, so much better protection for his foot.

Stay warm,

Kathy

Yes I would think he would need to completely cover his foot up in this cold weather and also for protection not to hit that pin. But he is picking the coldest temps so far to go back to work, brrr.

Went to see the girls tonight, was told when I walked in there was food again. Pork chops, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy and corn and bakery bread. All very tasty again. They had a station on tv that was a Public Service channel, it was playing all oldies and the original recording stars singing them. They had Debbie Reynolds, Pat Boone and many others. We all enjoyed singing along with some of the songs. Had a good time tonight!

On the way home it was flurrying a little, not enough to accumulate just some flying around in the air.

Sharon

Sharon, Bill went to have the stitches taken out and he persuaded the Dr to take the pin out as well. So he went back to work yesterday afternoon. I would imagine that it was bitter cold for him this morning especially with the wind. We have snow flurries just now. Major snow coming in Saturday night into Sunday.

It was nice that you were able to get out last night. That place sure takes good care of you all with the food he provides.

I know on our TV we can put on music channels for all kind of various music for the holidays or for a specific period.

Keep warm,

Kathy

Oh I bet that feels so much better and easier to put a shoe or boot on too now. He better take it easy though and make sure its all healed up.

I came home today and when I opened the garage door I saw a cat inside. I was afraid it might get into the warm engine or something so I went up to it and tried to talk to it. It got scared and hid so I giggled some stuff where it was and it ran outside. I saw then that it was only like a teenage kitty, not full grown. I got some food and was going to put it out where the cat was sitting by the bushes but when I got out there it was gone. Now I feel bad since it's so cold outside and it was so little. It must be a feral cat on its own. Hope it finds a place to get out of the cold.

Went to a book sale, it was the last two days of it so it was $5 for a bag full. I got my bag full and cold hardly carry it. I usually get paperbacks that aren't so heavy but they didn't have much, all hard cover.

On the way home I saw the snow plows spreading salt on the roads. They must think we are going to get alot of snow.

Sharon

Sharon, he seems to be doing OK. Much better with the stitches out and the pin as well.

Yes, we are headed into bitter cold. The forecast for this weekend is not good. Starting Saturday night and into Sunday a lot of snow. Then I guess we will get a break and then it will start once again and into Monday morning. With the cold as well, the snow will remain around for a long time.

Tonight I have bunco with the ladies. It is our annual Christmas Party. Then Saturday and Sunday if it is not too bad, craft fairs.

Well that cat must have found a way to get into your garage. So perhaps it will be coming back. You could always just leave food outside and see if it comes back to eat it.

Stay warm,

Kathy

I did put some food outside the garage door, but it hasn't been back to eat. Still feel bad I didn't feed it while it was in the garage.

Went to get the oil changed in Bill's car this afternoon, they said the battery was not any good anymore. I told them it wasn't even a year old but I hadn't gotten it there, I got it at another place in town. They said I should go back and show them the printout they gave me, as the battery should have a warranty on it. So I did, the guy at the other place said they probably didn't have the tester on right or they had the ignition on while changing the oil or something. I said no, here is the printout. So he went out and checked it himself, 3 different times, came back in and said, yes it's showing that it's bad. So he replaced the battery, didn't charge me for the battery but did charge me for installing it, $25.00. I didn't think I should have been charged at all but went ahead and paid him.

Yes waiting for the snow too, wanted to go tomorrow up to Lake Geneva, there is a speech on The Edmond Fitzgerald and it's sinking. I thought it sounded interesting. It starts at 1pm so maybe I can get there and back before too much snow. Also on Sunday afternoon wanted to go to the "We sold the bar party". It is the dance place Bill and I used to go to every Friday night with our friends. But I think that will be out of the question, lots of open roads to get there.

A craft fair should be fun, hope they don't charge sky high prices. Sometimes they price their stuff out of reach.

Sharon

Sharon, yesterday I had heard that your area is getting the most snow compared to our area. Either way we both are getting a lot of snow. I would go to that speech as that sounds like a very interesting subject. I think you can get back before it starts. As the advisory is in effect from 6 pm today until 3 am on Monday.

Yes, shortly I will be leaving to meet my friend to go to the craft fair. Tomorrow will be up in the air wheatear I will go to another 1. It would be nice to go to that sold the bar party, but I guess you will have to wait and see what the conditions will be like.

I agree you should not have been charged for replacing the battery. It was not unreasonable, but for only 1 year you should not have been charged anything at all.

Have a good weekend and be safe and warm,

Kathy

I did go to the lecture, and it was very interesting. The speaker even read transcripts of the last communication between the "Fitz" as it was called and the Arthur Anderson that was just ahead of it. I never knew about the other ship. And evidently it is still in use today, 41 years after the Edmund Fitzgerald sank.

The lecture was 2 hours long and as I was coming home it started to snow, right around 3pm. By the time I got home my driveway was covered. Guess it got here a little earlier than they thought.

If the weather people are right, I probably won't get to church or the party tomorrow. Better to just stay put than try to get around in snow.

Enjoy your afternoon, maybe you will still be able to go tomorrow.

Sharon

Sharon, it started snowing around here at 5 pm. It snowed all night and this morning we ended with about 3" of very dry snow. Round 2 comes this afternoon and into the evening. Round 2 is supposed to be wet and very heavy. Bill will not go out and plow in the dark. He waits until it is light to go out and clear it all away.

Like you had said yesterday about the craft fair. They had items priced way too high in my opinion. So I did not buy anything.

I am glad you had a chance to go to that lecture. It sounds very interesting. Some years ago we were about a couple of 100 yards off where that ship sank. That was a very sad maritime disaster.

So a very short window of opportunity to go out this morning and early afternoon before round 2 hits us once again.

Stay warm and dry.

Kathy

Still snowing, a little break this morning but then started again. Last night a dancing friend called and asked if I was going to the party today. I told her I would like to but probably wouldn't because of the snow. Well today she called and said they were going to try to get there and would pick me up if I wanted to go. So I said yes but since my plow guy is waiting till this snow is done that I would walk down to the end of the driveway. So ther picked me up, they came from several towns away in WI. On the way she slid through a stop sign which scared us all, and further down the road ran off the edge. You could not see the edge of the road at all. Of course coming back on to the road made the car slide sideways a bit. When we got there they had tons of food, pizza, chicken, mosticcoli, italian beef and free drinks. On the way home he drove and also got off the edge of the road too. Both him and her were only driving under 40 the whole time.The roads were just that bad and it never stopped snowing. Glad to go but glad we all got back hone safe.

I shoveled the sidewalk two times and now you still can't see that it was ever shoveled. Won't be going to zumba tomorrow, will take a while to get plowed out and for the roads to get better anyway.

Sharon