Summer Recap and First Show of the Fall, October 3, 2011

For some reason, at some point during the summer season I just give up trying to keep everything updated.  Maybe it has something to do with having cable TV at my parent's house--I LOVE HGTV!  Maybe it is because the nephews and nieces keep us busy with all their games and activities.  Maybe I just get tired of all this technology and want to open a book and actually read again.  Whatever the reason, I haven't had anything to blog about since May.  And, that is not acurate, as I always have something to say!  Its just that  those thoughts are finally getting onto the page.  Or some of it, because with my memory I have certainly forgotten most of what I wanted to say when it happened.

Oh, the shows this Summer were definitely down from the prior year--other than my bright spots at Mount Horeb, Libertyville, Lake Geneva and Schaumburg.  Rod was up in Illinois for the Libertyville show--that is him watching the parade on Sunday morning.  The town of Libertyville is so cute--doesn't it look like it could be Main Street at the Magic Kingdom?

We got really lucky with our Holiday Inn room--we got a suite for about $70 a night inclusive.  It was big, beautiful and I think I could live in it if I had to...two nice TV's, a big bed, and a fantastic bathroom with double sinks.  Ah, when you get lucky traveling it is nice--not so much when you get stuck in a dump.

In July, Dad had his surgery and that turned out to be quite the ordeal.  First, he was having it done in Chicago by a orthopedic surgeon who had been recommended to my Mom.   So, that meant a two hour trip back and forth for each doctor visit, lab test, etc.  You can imagine how happy that made my very grumpy father!  The night before the surgery was scheduled we got a hotel room nearby to make the 5 a.m. check-in time a bit easier.  At 5:15 a.m. we were notified that the surgeon had a high fever and would not be operating.  So, we went back to the hotel to pack up and cancel the rest of our stay, then back to Rockford to wait for a call rescheduling the surgery--which we hoped would be before we had to do all the testing redone.  Argh.  

When he finally made it to the operating table the surgery went well, but, the recovery...not so much.  He was told to plan on three days in the hospital.  That turned into six days as he was draining too much and wasn't strong enough to go home.  Dad, who just wanted to go home, wasn't a happy camper.  Once he did get home Mom and I worked hard to keep his dressing's dry, to keep him moving and to get him to do some exercises the physical therapists recommended.  The visiting nurses were a godsend.  How do people do this without good support systems.  I can't imagine.  

 Digging for new sewer and to bury utilities.

 This hole was almost constantly filled with water from all the storms we had during the summer.  Look, Mom, a new swimming pool!

Throughout the summer, we had bad weather with downed trees, power outages and on top of all that, road construction going on out in front of the folks house.  That just added a little extra excitement to everything else.  By the time August rolled around I was ready for another visit from Rod who was coming up for the Boone County Fair.  We had a great time for the first four days and then we got burned out and stayed home.  We did get some kayaking in out at the park, a trip to the casino and a trip on the Rock River by boat and along it by trolley.  It went quick, but, I knew the final couple of weeks would fly by. 

 

 Dad with his cousin, Roger, before the boat ride on the Rock River.  See his nifty back brace.  He wore that for eight weeks after surgery.

  

 Geese out at Rock Cut State Park and some of the trees blown over.

The fair highlights this year had to be the Goose Wrangler and his flock of about eight geese.  He had different outfits for them each day and would walk all over the grounds with them.  He also carried a ferret in his ditty bag and would surprise kids who thought it was a stuffed animal.  It was very entertaining.

During the summer, Mom and I spent a lot of time cleaning out the bedrooms--getting rid of clothes and all that stuff that seems to multiply in our closets.  Once we had a dozen or so tote boxes full of stuff to get rid of, we moved into the junk room (aka my brother's old bedroom) in the basement.  That was another dozen boxes of stuff to GO.  So, Jodie brought her stuff over and we had a big garage sale at the end of August.  Unfortunately the road construction cut down on the traffic for the sale.  Jodie ended up taking the excess to Goodwill and Salvation Army.

And that basically brings us to the big show in Schaumburg.  I was lucky to have both Mom and Jodie go with me again.  They are such great salespeople.  I can leave the booth without worrying about anything.  We enjoyed a couple nights out--Lou Malnati's for pizza and Cheesecake Factory the other night. Our room was nice--a Doubletree--with those great chocolate chip cookies they hand out at check-in!  The weather was fantastic for the show.  Our neighbors, Jeff and Deb of LB's Wood Shoppe were entertaining as always.  A great time was had by all!

The trip back to Orlando was uneventful.  Bonnie co-piloted with ease.  The hotel in Atlanta was the same as usual.  The weather stayed nicely overcast much of the time--which I appreciated since the air conditioner is not working!   I have spent most of my time since getting home making soap to get the Fall shows off to a good start.  The two curing racks above are filled now and I have moved into the other bedroom for additional curing space.  So, let the games begin for the Fall season.  Vero Beach was a bit slower than in past years, but, it continues to be one of my favorites.  My regular customers are so appreciated...and I hope the new ones are loving their new soap!!!