Arrrgh!!!

While all of this goes on around us, we have had an unusually busy week. Elegante Mother and I had a visit to the dermatologist on Tuesday. As we left, she grumbled a bit about being all dressed up with no place to go. Now, you have to know that EM regularly refuses my offers to take her to lunch, so I had planned to zip right on home. We happened to be near a restaurant called "Redstone," which is a chain of places that do wood smoked entrées. When I offered to take her to lunch, EM said YES! It was wonderful. She had their signature cornbread, baked in a cast iron skillet. Then she had about a quarter of a beautiful salad. The waitress was really upset when EM refused to take the salad home with her. I knew she wouldn't eat it, so I didn't press. EM finished off her meal with Rhubarb Crisp. I had a taste of it......it was yummy! And, THAT she took home with her!

Wednesday, we returned to exercise, and my niece and her sons joined us for dinner. The grocery chain she works for had asked her to go to Louisiana to help upgrade the stores just north of New Orleans. They are used to a smaller volume of business and are absolutely swamped by the people who need goods. In addition, they need to train more employees, so managers from around the country are being sent to assist those stores. We would have been happy to have her boys with us for two weeks, but at the last moment, management decided that they would send men only. The guys will be sleeping on cots in gymnasiums, using the locker rooms, and the chain felt it was not safe enough or comfortable enough for the women. She would have done a fine job, I'm sure.

Thursday, EM had her hair permed. While she was busy, I picked up a check at the Title company, and did some shopping at Target. Once every couple of months I buy cleaning and paper products at Target, or Costco, or Sam's. We have the room to store things in bulk and it really makes a difference in what we spend. Dear Husband had his hair cut Thursday night. Mine was done last Saturday, so we are ALL looking Mahhhhhhvelous!

Friday, a friend we haven't seen for some time, and his date, went to dinner with us and then to a movie. We saw "Red Eye." I'll be looking pretty hard at my seat mates the next time I get on a plane!

Saturday, Dear Husband went off to the boat, and I went to the Farmer's Market. I bought more Italian plums. We may have another run at making jam. My Oldest Sister and Youngest Sister joined me for a quick snack about 2:30, and then we drove in to Chicago to see Menopause: "The Musical." You may remember that we tried to do this in August, but the air conditioners were broken that night, and they canceled the show.

We had a blast! The show is technically an opera. The entire story is sung to music from the 60s (or so). There are four characters who meet at the lingerie sale at Bloomingdale's. Who would have thought hot flashes, night sweats, forgetfulness and rage could be so funny!? I thought OS might roll in the aisle any moment, while YS and I were screaming with laughter.

Ohhhhhhh....it was such fun!

Dear Husband took a cab from the boat to the theater, and we decided to go to Hugo's Frog Bar for dinner. Hugo's is at the northernmost point of Rush Street in Chicago. It's prime real estate for people watching, and we did, for 90 minutes. (It pays to have reservations.) We sat at a tiny round table on high stools, and were elbow to elbow with other diners. They make the most of a limited space! It was so noisy that our conversation was limited. None of us wanted to shout to be heard.

You know, I was relieved that today was quiet. I miss the slower pace. I was up late several nights getting paperwork done, and up early to do chores. Those things don't stop just because you're having a good time. We had to miss the Red Hat Lady brunch, and I kept finding other things to do rather than do my shoulder exercises. This week should be just a little quieter.

I hope you enjoyed your week, and that your loved ones are safe. If you're waiting for news from the South, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.