Eight Days With Dominique and the Boys

Friday; August 28 - After getting set up, we realized the site was not quite level; therefore, the RV is leaning a bit.  Dale headed to Home Depot to purchase lumber to drive up on to level it.  It worked, sort of.  Not perfect, but we're no longer listing to the right, so much.

Dale had lunch at the Midland Inn with his friend and former colleague, Ron Lantrip.  Midland is one of Dale's must do places when in Southern Illinois - Fried Catfish.  Excellent.  He really enjoyed catching up with Ron.  They used to have lunch together nearly everyday.

We ended the day with dinner at Moe's - "Welcome to Moe's."  Very similar to Chipotle - HUGE Burritos.  Everyone had a great time.

#levelup   #midlandcatfish   #welcometomoes

Saturday; August 29 - Football day for the aspiring, future Carterville Lions.  The games were at 10 AM and 2:30 PM - a bit of space between them.  Patti and Dale used that time to hunt down "home grown" mid-western tomatoes and peaches.  Delicious!  Arnold's Market is still alive and well after 23 years.  A welcome site.  Panera Bread for a quick lunch.  The 7th & 8th Grade squad eked out their first ever victory over Carbondale.  Awesome!

Time for showers and a bit of rest.  Burgers on the grill and family coloring at the kitchen table - a past time that Patti and Dale have enjoyed many times over the past 36 years or so.

#ripetomatoes  #ripepeaches  #arnoldsmarket  #cartervillewins  #coloringfamily

Sunday; August 30 - Happy Birthday to Dominique.  The day began with Church.  Both Connor and Carson were recently baptized as young adults in the Crainville Baptist Church.  After church we headed to Barnes & Noble for coffee - kinda like Starbucks.  Picked up some good reading for the boys and proceeded to the "campsite."  It really feels a lot like camping with low bars on the cellphone, no WIFI and no cable TV.  Patti loves it.  Dale's having periodic withdrawal symptoms.  But, seems to be adjusting to retirement, with a ways to go yet.

We celebrated Dominique's birthday with a cookout.  What a beautiful evening.  Chad was back from SEMO (Southeast Missouri State University).  He and Gabe (youngest son) had gone there for a baseball showcase - Gabe's Junior year in High School.  They invited him back.  So, we had a bit of a crowd - Dominique; Connor; Carson; Chad; Bailey (oldest son); Gabe; Patti; and, Dale.  After dinner Connor and Chad built a campfire.  What next?  You guessed it, S'Mores.

#happybirthdaydominique  #sundaychurch  #starbuckslike  #cookout  #smores

Monday; August 31 - Dominique took both Friday and Monday as vacation days (long birthday weekend).  We spent time with her.  It was great to have a little two on one time.  Patti skipped football practice.  She missed the Southwest Crispy Chicken Salad from McDonald's.  LOL  It's been a week now and we're into week two.  We're seeing some signs of the closeness of RV-living.  Interesting the adjustments we've had to make.  Patti doesn't miss the TV.  Dale has hooked up a wireless headset to satellite radio - he's coping.

#footballpractice  #twoonone  #adjustingtorvlife 

Tuesday; September 1 - Boys went back to school on Monday.  Dominique back to work today.  We got to pick the boys up from school and spend some quality time with them before football practice.  First stop, McDonald's for a Caramel Frappe and a Chocolate Chip Frappe; then, home for homework.  Carson had no homework - only Connor.  Responsibilities of a seventh grader.  Got ready for practice and delivered the boys on time.  Patti met friends in Carbondale and Dale spent time RV Accessory shopping at Rural King.

#schoolpickup  #mickeydsfrappe  #ruralking  

Wednesday; September 2 - Morning walks are different from the beach.  Patti sure misses that.  Dale is enjoying the lush green foliage of the Shawnee National Forest.  Dale started the day with biscuits and gravy at the landmark Carbondale restaurant, "Mary Lou's."  Interesting that his least favorite neighbor on Holmes Beach is named Mary Lou.  Then he and Chad headed to Herrin for a short visit with the dermatologist for Chad.  A few stitches later and Chad was as good as new.

Later that day Patti and Dale met Ron and Janice Lantrip for dinner at another landmark establishment in Southern Illinois - Mary's in Herrin.  Very elegant, fine dining.  Ron retired as CEO from SIU Credit Union eight years ago.  We had a wonderful dinner together.  We spent many a Christmas Eve together over the years.  Great catching up.

#marylous  #dermatologist4chad  #marysfinedining  #longtimefrinds

Thursday; September 3 - Temperatures have been rising since we arrived.  Getting into the 90s each day this week.  The boys have complained about the heat at football practice.  They are both so grown up.  One of Patti's favorite salmon dinners comes from Logan's Roadhouse Grill.  There's one in Marion.  So last night we visited the home site that Dominique and Chad are building a house on.  Pretty much out of the weather now, should be moving in around Thanksgiving.  We think we know where we'll be spending the Schumacher Christmas this year.  Excellent food, better company.  Already missing Dominique and family and we don't leave until Saturday.

#hotweather   #loganssalmon  #headednorthsoon

Friday; September 4 - Loaded up, ready to head north.  Everyone is at school or work.  Off to Quatro's for dinner - Pizza, Spaghetti and Italian Beef.  Something for everyone, but Patti.  She had a grilled chicken lettuce salad.  Oh well.  The good news is we had dinner with great-nephew, Jacob Selsor.  Great young man, following in mom and dad's footsteps at Southern Illinois University.  A good time was had by all and a picture was taken.  Should be able to publish tomorrow.

#quatros  #familydinner  #siusalukis