The FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!

So much to share! I'll have to begin, of course, with the wonderful weekend we just had, celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. How did that happen?? I don't know how the time goes so fast. Anyway, it was wonderful. On Friday, Collette and Colin and Logan came out after school to help out. Dear Aunt Margie drove up from St. Louis, and she was no sooner in the driveway than Matt drove in, with Brenna and Isadora! Talk about surprised! I had so hoped she could come, but was resigned to the fact that she couldn't, and then here she was! It brought me to tears! And Izzy was so sweet--she came right to me and hugged me and called me Grandma. Hurray for Skype! We all enjoyed a steak dinner (yum!) And then Kelley and Pauls and Sofia arrived late that evening. What a day!

On Saturday morning, Kay arrived. She, Collette, Marge, Brenna and I did a bit of touring, to Brenna's place, Collette's house, Stringtown Grocery, the Cheese House and Golden Delight Bakery. Fun! Dad stayed home with the boys, bless him. Dad arrived after lunch. In the evening we all went to Brandee Bohr's graduation and open house for delicious sandwiches and good conversation, and enjoyed seeing their finally finished house and cleaned out shed.

On Sunday, we all went to 8:00 a.m. Mass, and sat up front. The Newman Singers from U of I were there to provide the music. How nice of them! Fr. Rich gave us a special blessing, then we were home for a bit for rolls and coffee, then off to the Riverside Casino Buffet for a great meal. Karen and Harold and Sean and Barb, with Kitty and Grace, and Susie and Susan McClellen were also there. It was great. So fun to watch the grandkids all playing together, though Sofie mainly watched. ;) Kelley and Pauls had to head home from there, but Brenna stayed. We got up at 3:00 a.m. to take her and Izzy to the Moline airport. Words can't say how happy we were to have them home.

And of course the other highlight is my long-awaited and much-anticipated retirement. Yeah!!! Today is really the first day of the rest of my life! It was good for me to be at Mid-Prairie, but the time has come to move on. And I'm moving!