4 Days Before D(eparture) Day!

Highlights of the Day:

1. We set out free stuff on our sidewalk much to the delight of the road construction crew. They kept coming over and walking away with lots of things that would have just been added to the landfill during the Thursday garbage collection. One guy said he'd just bought a house and could use all of Art's tools and nails, screws and bolts. It was hilarious to see a huge tractor stop in front of our house so that the driver could come and look at the offerings. He may have left with the bike.

2. My dear friend, Lisa arrived to say goodbye. Lisa and I started teaching together some 24 years ago. I leaned on her more than anything else because I'd just returned to teaching after 12 years at home raising my two kids. The one fond memory I have is that winter day when I'd gotten in an accident and called the school to tell them I would be late. Lisa was in the office and overheard what had happened. I was in the police car a bit dazed and feeling rather subdued. The police officer was being kind. He had me sit in the back so that I could stay warm. What Lisa, who lived in the city at the time saw was me sitting in the back seat with my head bowed. When I raised my head I was surprised to see Lisa standing there in the snow in her boots because she'd come running over, jumping over snow drifts. She was tapping on the officer's window and shouting that he was not to harass me and that he needed to watch what he was doing. I was so startled that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I had to stop her and tell her I was just fine and she didn't have to worry. That's a friend in a million who would battle the police for you!

3. Tif and Art cleaned out the garage. What a job THAT was!


4. Our Anniversary dinner friends invited us to a farewell dinner. We make it a point to see each other at least once a year to celebrate our mutual January wedding anniversaries. We've known them since we moved to Chicago 34 years ago. It was very kind of them to provide us with a sumptuous dinner since our kitchen is awfully under equipped. They have been our surrogate extended family here in Illinois.