Saturday Roll Call

Good morning Illinois!

What do you have going on today?

We have a retirement party this afternoon and that's about it! I plan to do some knitting this morning since I did all my errands yesterday. I got a new Voyager phone which will take weeks to learn and I'll be trying that. I can even get to OH on the phone! This technology pushes me to the limit! Kay doesn't even want to know!

Have a great day!

Connie 

Good morning Connie and Illinois! Not much going on here today. I must go shopping to get a few last minute things for my trip to WV like sunscreen, protein shakes, pool toys for the grandkids, etc. Connie, it is amazing to learn all the things you can do with these new phones. My son has one that gets the internet too. He loves it, but I will stick to my simple phone. I don't want all those added features. Have fun at the retirement party. Hope everyone has a great day!

Technology is awsome dont ya think! I have a new phoone and have had it since March and I am still learning things on it.  Not much going on here, hubby is coming home for a couple days so we are going to see his ppc dr to get his meds filled. Its been 3 months and he need blood pressure meds bad.  Then just sit out in the yard and enjoy his time here, its very little so I make the most out of our time. Being a long haul trk drver I see him about 3 days out of every 2 months sometimes even longer! Not complaining, really I like his job it makes us appreiciate each other more!  Tomorrow is all about the grandkids when he is home I get one day they get the next while catch up LAUNDRY for him! Have a great day Illinois!!!!!!!!!! Karen

Good Morning Connie and the rest of my IL family.

Today Tyler has a ball game at noon and then the All Star Game at 7pm.  It's quite windy out and I hate sitting at the fields when it's like this because of all the dust, but I do it to support him.  He's not feeling great either, he is very congested and his ears hurt.  They aren't infected though, we were at the Dr yesterday. 

Other that those games...no other plans today.

I got a phone call yesterday from a friend that I have had since kindergarten and we haven't really talked in about 3 years....it was a very nice surprise and she is going to come over and visit on Monday!  I am excited, but also a little apprehensive because of some things that happened in the past with her.  We'll see

Have a great day everyone!!

We are home! Got home about 2pm. What a wonderful B-day. I kept saying over and over that this was the best year ever. We had such a great time with walking everywhere. We logged 5+ miles on my pedometer each day. St Charles has 4 different venue's for all the events. The hotel was quaint, clean and great service. There are 55 rooms and all are different. We tried to get a second night but they were sold out. Today we walked on the bike/running/walking path from St Charles to Geneva which is 2+ miles one way. The whole way is right along the river, which stinks. I almost lost my cookies with a gust of wind as we were walking. It smells just like the creek in Itasca, yuck. It took us just under an hour to walk one way, about 2.25 miles. From what we heard and read this path goes from either South Elgin/St Charles all the way to Aurora. Pretty cool.  I am tired. We put on a minimum of 5 miles walking  We are going to use our new bed tonight. This is going to be interesting as we are used to a king size bed and this is a queen. Oh well I am tired and I will sleep I am sure. Tomorrow I have a bridal shower in McHenry. I am going to drive with my niece from down the street and go early and help set up. Chris

hi Chris - that bike trail actually even goes all the way south to oswego and north to crystal lake - 49 miles in length total - I ride  the round trip dundee to crystal lake regularly since I got my bike, and rode the trail to Elgin to get on the metra train with my bike to take it down town for the bike the drive event.  by the end of the summer I want to be up to riding the full round trip which is 98 miles - + add on 2 more to get in the whole hundred.

Val, thanks for the info on the trail. WOW, I did not realize it went that far. Is it the same all the way up and down? By this I mean is it paved and close to the river like between St Charles and Geneva? I am going to have to google for the info on it. Because we could always hop the train here in Itasca and ride to Elgin. I would be comfortable doing that or even driving with them on my car rack ( I have a Bones also). I always fear that we would get on the train and then there will be too many people for the return trip and we would be denied access on the return trip. But the west bound route to Elgin would probably be okay.  Enjoy your trip. Chris

the part I have been on is almost entirely paved - I have been on one short section - few hundred yards - that was packed crushed limestone and even my skinny tire bike barely noticed it was not paved.  mostly on the part I have been on it follows the river, some areas very close some it is a little further - I never have had the experience with the smell though.   some areas go through residential , mostly it is just scenic nature,  forest preserve, used to be an old rail road track.  there are a couple good books on IL bike trails. I have both of the ones below http://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Trails-Illinois-Ray-Hoven/dp/1 574301314/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212929867&sr=1-27 http://www.amazon.com/Biking-Illinois-Trails-Books-Guide/dp/ 1931599645/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212930081&sr=1-1 the metra trains generally have at least 3 cars that accept bikes, and each car accepts 3 bikes, the one I was on had 4 in our car - no problem.  that was the day of the bike the drive.  otherwise I rarely see bikes on the train - I wouldnt worry.

Good evening!! We had a busy morning, but a very relaxed day. My oldest had Karate, and my 3 year old had his last soccer game of the season. After that we all came home and took naps! It was very nice. Now I am just waiting to see if the rain starts or not. My neighbors are having a campfire tonight, and my oldest is REALLY looking forward to it!!

Better late than never to get in on roll call eh? Today was a pretty boring day- I watch kids for a living and one of my overnighters came today and is still here.  Let me say, I can't wait until bed time (2) three year olds and a 15 month old running around screaming because they can't go outside grates on your nerves after awhile.  Hubby works from 10-9 on Sat/Sun so it makes for a long day.  Life is good though!  I am very grateful I found you folks, and the sun finally came out after the bad weather!  I hope all of you are safe and weren't affected by the tornado. Have a super night! Katie