|
|
|
Notifications
|
|
|
|
Here is an extremely short version of last week:
Josie was here last week for five days. Her plane got in a little early but we were looking for each other in two different places at the airport. She came to work with me the next day - both the museum and my class - where I proudly showed her off. Everyone who already knew Josie was glad to see her again.
The next day we left for our trip downstate concerning her mother's memorial service. We stayed with her relatives who live in St. Charles, Missouri, which is just outside of St. Louis. Josie had either not seen in years, or even met, some of these folks prior to our arrival, and they treated us like royalty. They even treated us to a delicious Chinese buffet. We stayed in the most beautiful home. Chris, her second cousin whom she never met, could not have been a better host when we showed up. We sat outside on this lovely back porch where we had a beer or two before I got so sleepy from the trip I had to take a little nap. Josie's Aunt Joan and cousin Barbie were two of the most charming, and down-to-earth, ladies I ever met.
The next day we made the trek to Ellis Grove, Illinois. We had to wait for a while for some of the family members to show up, and the memorial service itself lasted barely ten minutes. In order to pass the time while waiting, I was going around reading the dates on the tombstones with the intentions of remembering who was president during that year. Afterwards we all went to yet another delicious buffet lunch. One of her aunts had a hard time figuring me out! Her entire family was wonderful and I hope to see them again.
We figured to make our way back home that same day, although the trip would have been at least 5-6 hours. As we came up on Springfield, Illinois, we saw the dark storm clouds. We did not figure the storm to be as violent as it was, and visibility was literally at zero. We pulled under a bridge for protection for a short time. Josie was previously talking about not going all the way back home but stopping for a night at a motel. We used the storm as a reason to do so and spent the night in motel in Bloomington, especially since there were tornado warnings.
The next day we then stopped by my parents' house where Josie met them for the first time. They got along famously and Josie certainly got their seal of approval. Josie really took to them, especially my dad (who talked her ear off, as I said he would!). Her and my mom had a great time getting to know each other and there were hugs all around when we left. So, we both survived meeting the families!
The rest of the weekend was spent at home where I cooked some nice meals, we watched movies, the Blackhawks game, walked along the lake, and just generally had some time alone. I called off from the museum on Sunday to be with her. It was difficult to take her to the airport, but it had to be done.
I hope to get there next month for her birthday. Oh, but what a time we had last week!
