Church history

I met my friend L at the local historical society Thursday afternoon to start researching the church's 150th anniversary in 2024.

There's discussion going on now to move our 11 a.m. worship time earlier and we both found it funny to see this bulletin with a 10:30 a.m. church time. We texted a pic to the minister.

We searched through lots of old Oak Leaves ...

and found several articles written by yours truly. Most I didn't remember writing.

This little book contained bound bulletins when the church was known as Second Congregational Church.

It was my first time in the historical society since they moved to Lake Street. When I worked at the newspaper I was at the historical society a lot.

The new space is really nice. In the display case is the Tarzan exhibit since creator/writer Edgar Rice Burroughs lived in the village for a while. Interesting to hear that a church member donated many of the Tarzan items.

Bringing B home

Andy and I drove to Champaign today to help B pack up his apartment and move home.

For a minimalist he had quite a few things. A lot of it was kitchen stuff previous roommates left for him. We tossed a lot and put most in his long-term storage for whenever he'll need it.

Space constraints in the Envision limited how much we could bring home. We were able to fit all the important things, including B, of course.

His apartment - 318. In the lobby where he turned in the key they're gearing up to lease the remaining apartments for the coming year.

On the road home. Monday he starts working in the billing department of Andy's firm while continuing to search for an actuarial job.

First tomato

I picked my first regular-sized tomato today. It still needs to ripen more but I had to bring it in before the squirrels got it. It's pretty small.

My cherry tomatoes are doing well. I add about five ripe ones to the bowl every day. The squirrels don't seem to bother these little ones.

Interesting shoe choice

L is ready for work wearing two different pairs of Docs.

Back to commuting

Andy is spending more days in the office. Gearing up for being back full time soon.

More flowers

Our phlox is blooming. They've spread a lot along our fence.

These are from a wildflower seed mix I tossed in our old Weber grill that we've been using as a planter.

Remember my sad Wandering Jew? I put pieces of it in the old Weber and they're doing great. I plan to put them in a hanging basket after the petunias are done blooming and bring it inside for the winter.

Coffee date

I met my friend N for coffee this afternoon at Fairgrounds. It was nice to catch up. We said we'll have to get together with the husbands once the weather cools down.

It was my first time at rhe relatively new coffee shop. Nice atmosphere.

More partying & an ordination

Today L went out with her college friends for her bday. Two were at the party Saturday and slept over. They had lunch at Red Robin after learning that the wait at Chili's would have been too long.

Meanwhile, B caught the train at Union Station to stay in Champaign for a few days. He'll see some friends then clean put his apartment and turn in the key.

Out on the West Coast, E and D went to a racetrack in Auburn to watch the Corgi races. Azula didn't compete but maybe next year!

Andy and I were in Northfield for our pastor's ordination ceremony.

He was ordained last year but the service kept being postponed because of Covid. It finally happened today, which is also his birthday.

After the service we met up with a group of church friends at Hackney's for dinner. Even though I worked up there for years, I had never been there. It's a North Shore institution but I have to say I wasn't impressed.

Birthday party

L's friends over to celebrate her 19th birthday.

She cooked hotdogs on the grill while Andy and I were trying to stay away.

We did some shopping and ended up at the More brewpub in Villa Park. Then it started raining so we stayed longer than we planned. We stopped briefly at home, unloaded the groceries, grabbed B and met Allison for dinner at Margarita's.

Happy 19th, L!!

She bought an assortment of cookies from Spilt Milk AND a chocolate chess pie, and one of her friends brought a cake. That's a lot of sugar.

Early birthday dinner

We took L out for an early birthday dinner last night.

She chose Red Robin. Food was good, service was horrible. L has Saturday and Sunday (her birthday) off from work but has made plans with friends for both days.

After dinner we went next door to Costco where we bought hotdogs for L's "get-together" Saturday night. It's not a party lol. She's been using that line for years. If it looks like a party, chances are it's a party.

Organizing problems

I was organizing the cupboards above the refrigerator when my bag of silver dragees fell to the floor and broke open. I use them for the clappers on my Christmas bell cookies. B was napping in the living room so by the time he was awake and I could vaccuum, they were everywhere!

And while I was wiping up the floor I cut my finger. That should warn me against trying to get organized.

Ripening tomatoes

My cherry tomatoes are almost ready!

My first harvest, four little cherry tomatoes. They'll ripen a bit more inside. Had to get them before the squirrels do.

Another B dinner

B decided to cook for us again so Andy and I got to relax in the back yard while he was busy in the kitchen.

He made ground beef stir-fry and heated up some pork potstickers from Trader Joe's. I enjoy having a night off from cooking.

The diploma has arrived

Interesting that B was wearing his Illinois shirt when his diploma finally arrived today. E was quick to point out that it says "with distinction" (hers didn't). It's for achieving a certain GPA.

He picked out a frame with a watercolor of the quad.

And then there were two

Another plastic owl has been spotted in the neighbor's yard. Maybe it was there before, hiding in a tree? But they did reposition them from last week. Now they're facing the alley. The one on the ladder turns its head and makes a sound. The neighbor said she's trying to scare away birds that the next door neighbor is amply feeding. I like watching birds but there's a lot of birds hanging around.

Meanwhile I'm trying to keep the squirrels away from my tomatoes. This was the second one they've nabbed. Grrr.

I've been spraying this animal deterrent we bought when the squirrels were stealing L's cocoa bombs as they chilled on the front porch. I also read that they don't like the smell of apple cider vinegar. Let's hope it all works.

Sweet treat

Andy and I had a few things to pick up at Jewel so we drove to River Forest and were pleasantly surprised to see a food truck giving out free ice cream samples for National Ice Cream Day today. I had cookie dough ice cream and Andy had chocolate raspberry ice cream.

On vacation

We haven't seen Schubert since early July. I figured he was with his family on vacation and L got a text from them yesterday that yes, indeed, he is on vacation and enjoying a beach. He should be back home in August.

Schubert likes hanging out by our bushes. These are his favorites.

It took us awhile last summer to realize he was the reason our bushes looked like something had been sleeping in them. How funny that less than two years ago I was calling him "random neighborhood cat"?

Party weekend

Andy and I kicked off the weekend by going to Fitzgerald's last night to listen to a Tom Petty tribute band, Flirting With Time. They started off with "Listen to Her Heart," one of my favorites. I was disappointed the last time we saw a Petty tribute band (a different band) and they didn't play it.

We have yet yo try their barbecue but we did have some onion rings. The patio was packed. We didn't have reservations but they put us on a waitlist for a table and we had one in about 20 minutes. It was chilly so we didn't stay too late. I should have taken a jacket.

And today we had two parties. The first was at our church moderator's house.

Lots of appetizers and drinks. I made the caprese skewers with balsamic glaze.

The second party was a backyard concert (Gerald Dowd and Rachel Drew) at our friend L's house. She provided a barbecue dinner and I brought coleslaw.