Saturday, April 15, 2006

Well, Here It Is - - Finally

Yes, I am FINALLY able to get some computer time and catch you all up on how our Indiana trip went last weekend! *whew* It's been quite a week!

SO - - here we go - -

We left last Saturday morning, pulling out at 6:00 a.m. *yawn* But we figured we needed that much time for stops along the way for breakfast, gas, maybe an antique shop or three, so evern though I was looking through an early morning fog (inside my head, that is), off we went.

We stopped in Sullivan at a little cafe on the Square called "The Spot", which is the local gathering place for all the farmers in the area to drink their coffee and talk about the weather. It also has great food. Our waitress was a cute little thing, and she knew it. She kept giving Dear Hubby Steve the eye when she thought I wasn't looking. He kept denying it, but couldn't any longer when she brought us our check, and had drawn a heart next to his order! (heh heh heh). When we finally got out to the Jeep, he looked REAL uncomfortable, and I couldn't quit laughing. What can I say? He's an attractive man, and I would be crazy to deny it, or get mad if someone else notices it. But his reaction was priceless.

HOWEVER - -

As we got ready to pull off, I turned around and noticed the sign above the front door of the cafe, that advertised their specials - - which gave us an idea of what kind of weekend this was going to be . . . . .
Folks, you can't make this stuff up . . . . wonder if the local police noticed . . . . :-)

The next stop was in Charleston - - at the Rural King store, of course (yeah yeah - - the FARM STORE again!). And, as usual, I found whole lots of nifty "stuff". It also gave us time to stretch our legs and walk off a bit of our breakfast.

Then it was time to get back on the road and head for the Indiana border. The weather was beautiful, a little cool, partly sunny, and we made very good time. We stopped again in Terre Haute at a great Antique Mall, run by a very nice young couple. After wandering around and finding a few little "treasures", we got back on the road again.

We stopped for lunch in the little town of Linton, Indiana, at the local Dairy Queen. We like the little locally-owned franchises in small towns, because the food is usually really good. We weren't disappointed this time, either. As we were leaving Linton, we noticed a small antique store, and decided to pull in. It was an old three-story house, with every floor full of neat stuff, and the basement was full also. We found lots of little goodies there, and had a great time talking with the owner, a really nice older lady with a delightful sense of humor.

One thing about really small towns - - you usually find some pretty neat places to see, and sometimes meet some really great folks - - but I would NEVER, EVER want to live in one - - EVER AGAIN! Been there, done that - - will NOT repeat the experience. :-)

We got to the Church for the Anniversary party right at 1:00. It was a nice time, but the only people there that I knew were my in-laws, and another couple from Highland who knew the guests of honor.

Now - - I have been told in the past that a "Bored Liz Is Trouble" . . .

SO - - not wanting to disappoint, I set off amusing myself - - at my mother-in-law's expense, of course . . . that poor lady - - she is SUCH fun to pick on! :-)

I thought I was being pretty quiet and sneaky about things, but then Linda, one-half of the guests of honor, came up to our table and asked me, "Have you been having fun playing?" I turned beet red, and Linda had a good laugh at my expense. Apparently she had been watching the antics going on at our table, and was having a lot of fun with it.

Oh well - - at least the time went faster!

After the party, we headed out to their house for a brief visit, We got there before they did, which gave me a chance to make friends with a couple of their barn cats. What lovable little things they were! Then everyone else showed up to the house, so we had a chance to chat a bit before leaving to head up to Indianapolis.

I'll tell about the second leg of the trip in the next post. Again, thanks for stopping by, and comments are always welcome! :-)

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Typing Help

Is it any wonder I have so much trouble typing - - when I am getting THIS kind of help?


But - - HOW can I resist that face????? NOT possible . . . *sigh*

Carmichael is such a Mama's boy . . . :-)

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Yeah, I Lied - - So?? :-)

Yeah yeah - - I know - - I promised to post about our weekend trip.

But it's been a TOTALLY hectic week, and I get home from work frazzled, and facing bunches of stuff to do in the house and the yard.

But I have a 4-day weekend coming up, so things will get caught up.

They WILL get caught up.

Really.

(I hope)


Sunday, April 09, 2006

Back From Hoosier-Land

Well, we are back home.

It was a great trip, and lots of fun. Spent time with good people, saw lots of interesting "stuff", did lots of fun things. BUT - - isn't it amazing that now matter how much fun you have, it always feels so darned good to be back HOME????

The kittycats are excited - - their "people" are home, so they now have laps to curl up on!

I have lots of things to post about our trip, but - - I'm bushed. So it's off to bed for a good night's rest, and I will post about the trip tomorrow, either on my lunch hour, or after work/gym.

So stop by later to see how it all went!




Thursday, April 06, 2006

Rained Out

Well, unfortunately the races this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park have been cancelled due to the nasty weather. We have had TORRENTIAL rains last night and all day today! And by TORRENTIAL, I mean at the rate of 2-plus inches per hour!

Nasty stuff.

But - - Dear Hubby and I are still heading to Indiana. We will still go to the 50th Wedding Anniversary party. We pondered the idea of just coming on back home Saturday evening, but then decided that since we already have the room reserved, we may as well take advantage of it!

So we will still be heading up to Indianapolis Saturday evening to stay overnight, and there are lots of things we can check out in the Indy area on Sunday before heading back home.

We're together - - so it will definitely be fun! :-)

P.S. Bill - - beg to differ with ya - - "burning rubber" does NOT mix well with my morning cup of tea . . . . *laugh*


Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Hoosier-Bound (again!)

We must REALLY like Indiana. I mean, we have been there more in the last 6 months than we have been the last 10 years!

Yes, this weekend, we are Indiana-bound, one more time.

Saturday we are pulling out at 6:00. Yeah, I mean A.M. *yawn* We will be heading about 2 hours southeast of Terre Haute, to a little spot-in-the-road named Odon, Indiana, for a 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Dear Hubby Steve's Dad served in the Navy with the husband, and they have kept in touch ever since they were discharged. Nice family, and it should be a good time.

Saturday evening we are heading up to Indianapolis to stay the night, then Sunday morning up at 5:00 a.m. (*sheesh* I'm NOT liking the pattern that is emerging here!) so we can hit the gates of Indianapolis Raceway Park in time for the 7:00 a.m. Time Trials.

Folks, I'm NOT getting any younger here - - and these early hours are getting rough on this tired old body of mine . . . *laugh*

But what the heck - - Dear Hubby and I will have fun. I'm not really into races, but he loves them, and it's been years since we have gone over there. In fact, the last time I was at this speedway was when we were dating, so we are talking over 20 years ago!

What the heck - - I can make the sacrifice every 20 years or so for him . . . :-)

I'll let you know how it goes - - should be a fun weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, April 03, 2006

Mini-Road Trip

Dear Hubby Steve and I had planned on going to Mattoon (about 40 miles away) to do some browsing and stuff Sunday, but when we woke up, the weather did NOT look promising. Rain, wind, thunder, lightning . . .

But then the sky cleared, and even though it was WINDY and VERY cool, we decided to head on out. The forecast called for some pretty bad storms, but they were forecast for later in the afternoon.

SO - - after shaking off the "groggies" from losing the hour from clock-resetting (curse you, Daylight Savings Time!), we finished up breakfast and the paper, got ready, and headed on out.

Our first stop was Rural King. Oh, I can hear you now - - WOW, a FARM store - - you guys really know how to live life on the edge, don't ya?

Stop that.

That is ONE FUN STORE! In fact, I always find more in there than Steve does! They have food, kitchen stuff, clothes, candles, garden and lawn decorations, and all kinds of neat "stuff".

So just stop.

And - - just for the record - - I ain't no farm girl! And I have cousins in New York City who will help me prove my point! ^-^

ANYWAY.

After Rural King, we went to lunch at McHugh's, which is kinda like a Krekel's (but if you don't live in my town, you have no idea what the helll I'm talking about!) They are mostly burgers and fries and drinks, and it's strictly drive-thru, and it's CHEAP . . .

And the hamburgers were awesome! We had never eaten there before, but Steve's cousin always raves about it. So we tried it. She was right!

If you are ever in Mattoon or Charleston and just want a quick, cheap meal, I highly recommend McHugh's.

After lunch, we went to Big Lots, where I found BUNCHES of stuff. That store is huge, and ever aisle we saw something we wanted. I bought mostly stuff for the house, and got lots of ideas for the new house.

We then went to Cross-County Mall, and looked around there a bit. They have an Elder-Beerman store there, and that place is expensive! But I managed to find some cute little clearance items (the ONLY way to buy) and bought some for gifts for friends' birthdays.

We also went to the Home Depot. We don't have one in our city, so we like to look through them when we get a chance. And Dear Hubby found a wonderful bargain - - a outdoor power washer. It will really come in handy when we start getting this place ready put on the market. The siding need cleaning badly! It will also help with cleaning the patio, and any outbuildings we will have at the new place.

AND - - it was on sale. For a GREAT price. He would have been crazy to pass it up!

Well. He IS crazy. But not that way - - the power washer came home with us. Can't wait to try it out.

We finally decided to start on our way back home, and it's a good thing we did. The closer we got to home, the darker the sky started turning. By the time we got home, it was getting darker, and the wind started picking up.

We had been home about 30 minutes, and it started looking really ominous. The cats started pacing. So did I.

Then the tornado sirens went off.

It was a pretty nasty storm. We got lots of rain and wind, but no tornadoes in our immediate area and no wind damage.

So Sunday ended on a not so nice note.

But spending the day with Dear Hubby was a blast, as always. Yes, even in a "farm store" and "Big Lots" and "Home Depot".

I spent it with him, and that's all that mattered! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Lucked Out Again . . .

Thank goodness - -

There was MORE bad weather this weekend. Springfield got hit AGAIN by tornadoes! And in some of the same areas!

It's only been Spring for 2-3 weeks. Those people have NOT had good luck so far.

Some of the smaller towns in the area got a lot of damage also. Taylorville (about 30 miles south of us) had lots of businesses and homes damaged. Harristown had some damage (just a couple of miles from us) and Warrensburg (a little ways down from Harristown) lost their restaurant to the storm.

I get the feeling we are in for a ROUGH Spring . . . *sigh*

Keep ya posted . . .