7/22/2018

Weekly Update 7/22/2018

I’m back from the mini-reunion in KC. I left Savannah last Saturday and returned Thursday evening. The weather was a little rainy at times, but not bad. I successfully drove in a strange car, on strange roads, in a strange city without incident, and that’s quite amazing. But the best part was seeing everyone again.

Ishy flew out from Rochester to join us, so all the LWS (Lovely Wahl Siblings) were together. Dave’s family is becoming more far-flung. Their oldest, Chris, is a bachelor who lives in Tampa, FL, but he flew to KC just so he could see us. Middle daughter, Kathy, is in the process of moving to Minnesota with her husband and three sons but we got to see them all. The baby, Diane, and her husband and young son still live not far from Grammy and Grampy near KC, so it was easy to meet up with them. We had a chance get to know each other all over again, and to see how all the boys have grown.

Chris

Logan, Luke, Ethan, Kathy & Matt

Brian, Rowan & Diane

We did a little sight-seeing while we were there. I had wanted to visit the WWI museum, and the last time I visited, it was closed. So, that was what I really wanted to see. It was really interesting. We also went to a preserve that has elk, deer and buffalo. Visitors are allowed to feed the animals carrots and apples, and Rowan really enjoyed that. I was not happy to get too close, but I did get a nice photo near a huge mascot.

The WWI museum, Chris & Luke went to the top of the tower

lots to see inside

Go Buffalo!

We ate A LOT! Kerry stocked up on all kinds of goodies, and the girls never came over empty handed. There was always fresh coffee and something tasty to eat. We also ate out a couple of times a local restaurants. One was Jack Stacks, famous for KC barbeque and another evening we went to Stroud’s for pan-fried chicken.

barbeque

chicken

Because Ishy and Kerry’s birthdays are both on July 17, and Dave’s is on July 9, we had a small cake and ice cream event. I had packed three small gifts in honor to the occasions.

oh, man, this was great!

the birthday kids

looking through the gift box

One of the highlights of the trip for me was that I went shopping at Christopher Banks. The store that used to be in Savannah closed last year. Since I had good luck there finding clothes that fit, I was sorry that it was no longer handy. When I found that there was one near where Dave and Kerry live, I asked if we could go there. We did – not once, but twice! I won’t have to shop again for years! And I think Kerry has found a new favorite store.

5 blouses, 1 pair of shorts, 3 pants - I should be set for a while

The flights to KC were ok; coming home was something different. In fact, going out had a some problems. When I checked in online the night before the flight, I couldn’t get a boarding pass for the ATL to MCI leg of the trip. Not to worry, I was told on the phone that night – I could get them at the airport when I checked my bags. OK. But actually, not when I checked the bags, but I was told there that I would have to get it at the gate. And when there, I was told they weren’t ready yet and I would have to wait. Now remember, I need to be at the airport 2 hours before flight time so they won’t be held up by me, but I can’t get a boarding pass or seat assignment until they darn well feel like it, within an hour of take off. For Ishy, it was the same thing when she flew home. Forget about requesting an aisle of window seat – take what they give you and like it. The flights going west we ok, with monitors to ease boredom with games, tv shows, movies and flight info. Going east, I think I was on a plane that was one of the first made by Orvillle and Wilbur – no monitors, peeling paint and rusted bolts of the wings, just old and awful. Isn’t this the 21^st century? Who doesn’t have a USB outlet? Delta, that’s who. I won’t be flying with them again. Flying is stressful for me anyway. I object to being treated as a criminal, and rather than being presumed innocent, I have to prove that I’m not guilty, by having everything I own and wear x-rayed and pawed through. I hate flying!

On the plus side, the pool issues may have been resolved while I was gone. I received an email that stated that while they cannot tell me I can swim alone, they can tell me that it is at my own risk and they would not be responsible if any medical emergency occurs and I’m not able to get attention immediately. I knew that. And then, since I wasn’t seen at the pool for a week (I guess I didn’t understand that I need to report on where I was and with whom and for how long), I received a phone call to check if I had understood what the email message about the risks had said. Well, yeah. On the one hand, OK, its over – I get it. But it was rather nice to have them follow up. That’s never happened before. I was back doing my laps on Saturday morning. And I’ll keep at it.

I’m now back to my normal: DH, The 90, and BC. In addition, Kay and I went to see Mama Mia Here We Go Again on Saturday. I enjoyed it. And I also enjoy being home again.