Mary Catherine and I returned at 10 p.m. last night after an uneventful and fairly quick flight. Two hours and seven minutes I think is what the pilot told us. We had an all-male staff of flight attendants, all approaching retirement age it seemed to me. I didn't realize the men had been at it that long. I'm still surprised to see one, and here I was with three. One had dimples. I tried not to stare though.
I don't know where to begin exactly, so I guess I'll start with Terri picking me up at the airport. Thank you, Terri. Thank you, too, for taking me and Pat to lunch at the Convention Grill in Edina and picking up the tab, for heaven's sake. You didn't need to do that, but it was such fun I can't be peeved about it. And thank you for the wonderful meal that evening. I loved it, just being there, but the food was really good too.
Okay, that was Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday, Mary Ann picked me up and took me to a restaurant on Lake Minnetonka, along with Molly. It was a beautiful place, but we didn't eat outside. I'm just not into that. The food -- I had a grilled chicken salad -- was excellent. I thank you again, Mary Ann. Then that evening, Catherine and Dick and I dined at Olive Garden, one of my favorite places. I always eat chicken marsala there, but I talked Catherine out of meatballs and spaghetti or lasagne, saying you can eat those at home, and she countered that she didn't see me branching out if I only eat chicken marsala . . . but we didn't come to blows over it, thank goodness. She had a point, so I have decided that next time I will try something different.
Thursday night Pat and I went to a wonderful movie that we both just loved, called "Ladies in Lavender." If you get a chance, don't miss it, especially if you're in the next generation in our family. It was so good.
Saturday night there were five of us at dinner at the Sunshine Factory, Pat and Katie and JoAnne and Anna and I. We arrived at 5 and left shortly before 10. Our waitress couldn't wait for us to leave, so she left saying someone else could bring us what we wanted, if we wanted anything. Which we didn't.
On Sunday, Pat and I went to the Basilica for Mass and it was beautiful and I loved being there. 53 years ago I walked down that long aisle to receive my diploma from St. Margaret's Academy. Where does the time go? Or, as Henry Fonda said in "On Golden Pond," how did it get here so fast? when he was told he was 75 years old. After Mass we went to a lovely place in the heart of the city called Monte Carlo and had brunch for $6.95 which was very good.
And then home. But let me tell you about that. Whilst I was gone, by children painted and repaired some wall damage in my bathroom, kitchen, and office. It was so sparkly and clean-looking and I know they worked very hard on it. They also had flowers in every room, which is always a treat. This was a well-kept secret plan. They'd been talking about it for a couple of months. I did find out Mary Catherine knew about it, but she never said a word. I am so appreciative of this lovely gesture.
Today I picked out a new floor covering for my kitchen. I had looked at it two weeks ago and thought I might mull it over for a year or two, but now with everyone making such an effort to make it look good, I decided I shouldn't wait to make up my mind. The lady will come Wednesday to take the measurements.
So that's my story. I love being in Minneapolis. It is a truly gorgeous city
Sounds like a great trip. I love Minneapolis, too.
It sounds like a lovely trip! Joey and I would have eaten outside. We always sit outside if there's a choice.
What time did you leave? Did you miss the storm yesterday? I love storms and that one was awesome!
It must have been late because we never saw a drop of it. We arrived at the airport somewhere around 5:30-6:00 and our plane left around 8:00 p.m. I like a good storm too, but I think not when I'm in a plane. However, I landed in a thunderstorm in Atlanta one time, and people on the ground were talking lightening and loud thunder, but we on the plane knew nothing. Why do you suppose that is?
How's your mom, Laura? We had a date for Thursday, but she had to beg off on account of the flu. I hope it was just the 24-hour kind and not the lingering, infamous "summer flu."
I hate when this happens, but I'm about as good a proof-reader as the spell check I guess, because it should read "my children" and not "by children." Did that puzzle any of you? Did you just figure it out, or did you think it was "painting by children?" And isn't it strange -- or maybe none of you have made an error before -- isn't it strange that you can read it many times before it jumps out at you? What in this world is that about?
Aunt Ginnie, we loved having you here. I think the girls had a great time together, too!
Come back soon!
KT
I get the same thing every time I go to certain restaurants. On the occasions I branch out, I have been disappointed and wonder why I didn't get what I went to that particular restaurant for. At Macaroni Grill, I like their Terayaki Salmon. Nothing else pleases me as much, and I don't make the things that are served with it. At MiMamacita's, it is always cheese enchiladas with green sauce. At McDonald's - always the fish sandwich, though I had one the other night (few and far between visits there) and it was nasty; old and hard.
I can't wait to see the finished product of the painting job. I knew you meant "my" and not "by", rest assured. I was there the first day, when Liesel also got painted, and didn't see the kitchen - except for the ceiling which I did two coats on but one couldn't tell. Joey put another coat a day later.
I am glad you returned. I kept feeling like I was missing something in the morning when I didn't get to call you.