We sure do love sitting by the fire pit and watching the fire until it's nothing but ashes...a nice evening outside, not too hot and a slight breeze. Didn't do much today, watched Angry Birds and made spaghetti, garlic bread, cucumber, onion and tomato salad and BIll's favorite chocolate cake, because tomorrow's his birthday, and he's been whining for chocolate cake for about a week...lol..I hope you have all had a great Sunday!

I had such a nice day today. Had lunch with my girls of '67 at Joe's pizza...what a great bunch of ladies! Then Bill and I went to Flora to Julian's, which was packed as always, so we ate outside. Then drove to Forbes and sat by the spillway side of the lake and watched the sunset...so peaceful out there...my phone was dead, so no pictures...I hope you all enjoyed your Friday and have a great weekend.

The grand boys pretending to be cath lab nurses...they are so funny!

Picked these yummy tomatoes today!

Happy Anniversary to us!

   Firefly Grill, Effingham, IL                                                                                                      We started out our day going to the EffingHAM JAM..which is all about bbq'd pork. There were a lot of vendors all selling pork. After we decided it was too darned hot to even eat outside, we stepped into the Effingham County Museum. It was a a nice surprise. The museum featured mostly military history of everyone who served in WWI and WWII that was from Effingham County. It was very impressive and interesting. They are working on a Vietnam section, and others...really enjoyed it and it was air conditioned. So we decided on lunch at the Firefly Grill. Great food, some of it grown right on the grounds, nice atmosphere. Loved it. Again, too hot to do anything else, so we stopped by a couple of businesses who were having their Christmas in July sale..wow, Christmas cookies, live music and lots of Christmas decorations and crafts at Country Creek Treasures in Salem. Now home for the evening. I hope you all had a great day! Here are a few pix from the museum.

A memory from a while back in Salem's history

Mary Belle McMackin, look what I found in my mom's drawer today...what a blast from the past. I put it in my curio cabinet, a nice keepsake from days gone by in Salem.

We are sons and daughters of the American Revolution!

So we were going through a lot of old papers, photos, and things that mom had saved. Many things belonged to my grandma Westman ' side if the family. (Mom's mom). The Flannigan's came here from Edinboro, Scotland in the early 1700's. There were name and dates for all of my ancestors up until the 1980's. Also their occupations and how they eventually migrated to Illinois. The most exciting thing though was that many of them fought in the Revolutionary War. That makes our family related to those who fought for our freedom from Great Britain and established our country. I never knew this until today.

It's all over

Mom's visitation and memorial service was lovely. It touched me so much, the number of friends that stopped by, and many stayed for the service. It was such a bitter sweet time, so sad that our mom is not in our lives as a living being anymore, so sweet that the family was together, the family she created. Everyone has gone home now. My brothers and Bill moved some of the big furniture and I have begun the sad job of sorting and cleaning...the world feels so odd to me right now. The sun doesn't seem as bright, the birds don't seem to sing as happily as before...I can't explain it...but I know many, many of you understand....my life will be different now. I am so thankful I have my family, and my many caring friends. I can't thank you all enough for the prayers, the calls, the cards' the food and the many wonderful things you have said about my sweet mama...

Me and and two of my brothers..

My mama went to heaven today.

Bill and I had a busy, but fun day. We went to Litchfield, IL to the Prairie Pickers antique/flea market. It went on for blocks and blocks, many, many vendors, with prices that were pretty reasonable. So we bought some stuff we didn't need and had a fish sandwich while listening to live music in the town square. One interesting thing: There was an episode of American Pickers a few years ago, that featured Hobo Jack, he is a resident of rural Litchfield. He was there playing music and selling autographed pictures. He was a sweet old man, we talked to him a bit, and Bill had his picture taken with him. Of course, we bought an autographed picture. So that was all before noon. After lunch we drove across rt. 16 to Mattoon, to Bauer's auction house, where they were having their monthly

 antique sale, we bought more stuff we didn't need. It was all great fun though. We had a hotdog at Burger King, and who knew, they had Dr. Pepper Milk shakes! So I have some bread in the bread maker and hope I can stay awake long enough for it to get done...hope you all had a great weekend!

A person could die of boredom here

Another beautiful sunset tonight! We have been sitting outside all evening, went for a bike ride around the great metropolis of Kinmundy...didn't see hardly a soul. I talked to mom this afternoon, she is doing well. She still has the very low blood pressure, and too rapid heartbeat. No one can seem to remedy this problem, and so please still keep her in your prayers.

China Gate is da bomb!

We went to the farmers market at Effingham this morning. It was a beautiful morning. We got all kinds of good things to eat. We took off to Vandalia and finished our grocery shopping. Why you ask, so we could have lunch at the China Gate, of course! Love the food there, 4.99 for seniors. Yes we are old people and eat before 4:00...lol. Have a good evening all.

Picnic at the home

Mom and I had a picnic in her room tonight and a nice visit. I got her some new pj's and she couldn't wait until bedtime to wear them...it was so cute! She is doing really well. She wanted a Subway, so that's what we had. The aid brought us some watermelon too. I got all of mom's stuff organized and labeled.. The time went so fast, hated to leave, but she was getting pretty tired. It was a really good day. She had some visitors, Jenny Holsapple and Imogene Denton Tyler. She sure enjoyed chatting with you ladies and couldn't wait to tell me that you came by. Then Jeannell Gaston Charman stopped by to say hello too. Was so nice to see you, Jeannell. Also, thanks to Vickie Johnson for visiting with her at supper last night..You are all the best! Oh, and I love this little bird sanctuary that is in the dining room at the Odin Care Center. I could watch them for hours.

July Red Hat luncheon at Sharon's cafe.

Had lunch with my Red Hat sisters today. It was a small group, but so nice to see them. We had quite a rousing conversation about the political mess our country is in...love these ladies so much. It was Ruth McMeen's birthday, so we had cake! Always a good day when you have cake...