And Time Goes By

We went on a sunset cruise on the Manistee Princess.  It was delightful weather and sitting on the top level was plenty comfortable, not a bit chilly.  We traveled south on Lake Michigan almost to Ludington before turning around.  The sunset wasn’t the prettiest but that was okay.  We had some nice sunset photos from our Riverwalk.  We ate one last time at Al’s Pizza and also the Painted Lady Saloon!  We headed back to Troy on Wednesday so we could gather what we needed and traveled to Cincinnati on Thursday.  

The funeral on Friday was well thought out.  Karen’s children did a great job of arranging things.  Granddaughter Jesse wrote and delivered the eulogy beautifully.  Daughter in law Ann did a tremendous job on the photo slide show.  Yours truly showed up several times, even a few at 3-4 years old!  We all did great until at the end of the interment prayers, then their song, “For the Good Times” was played.  Everyone lost it!  We four were always the last two couples dancing in the longest anniversary dance at weddings.  They made it to 63 years and now we are in front at 59 next April.  A 4-7:00 pm celebration was held at a venue called The Farm and everyone stayed until the bar closed and the AC was turned off.

After 3 exhausting days, 2 driving and one funeral, we hung out all Saturday until 4:00 when we attended Mass, with Dan who we were staying with, at the Keehan family church, Holy Family.   Ted’s mother was one of 9 Keehan children with his grandparents being some of the first Parishioners.  Ted’s parents were married there, he was baptized there and our granddaughter was too.  Afterwards we met his two sisters and their husbands for dinner.  On Sunday we drove back to Troy where Kara had everyone for dinner.

By Monday the weather for Florida, and particularly our flight day of Wednesday, was in great danger of being disrupted by Idalia.  We called Delta to see what, if  anything, we could do to facilitate our trip down.  We are not sure if Ted’s Silver status for life and being a Million Miler (3 million actually) had anything to do with it, but she booked us on the 10 pm flight Monday night with no additional charges.  It left 40 minutes late, getting us into Orlando at 1 am.

Bill asked for early boarding because he needs a window seat to protect his bad shoulder and he threw in a 3 year old and two almost 80 year olds!  We were seated in row 31; Bill at a window, CeCe in the middle and Kara in the aisle.  Ted was on the opposite aisle with me in the window seat and no one in the middle seat.  

We had checked nothing so we had 4 suitcases, 2 back packs, 2 canvas bags, 1  purse and 1 cpap machine!  Throw in a sleeping 3 year old at 1 am and we were a sight!  Pushing one thing, pulling another, both shoulders with bags, etc.  And we are entitled to free bags but we lost that vote.  Going home I am checking my suitcase!

Kristin, with the car seat, picked me and CeCe up while Bill, Ted and Kara went to get the rental car.  There is not enough room for all of us in one.  I think 3 am was bedtime for all.  

Tuesday was pool time!  CeCe played for 5 hours, wearing out Pops, Squishy and Auntie Kristin in the process.  

We kept an eye on the weather and the flights we could have changed to (which all took off on time) and our original Wednesday flight that got delayed.  We felt we made a good choice in accepting the Monday night flight.  

We got rain and some wind but nothing to be concerned about.  By afternoon CeCe, Pops and Kristin were all back in the pool.

Tomorrow is our move to Disney!  Since our check in can be as late as 4 pm, Kara has rented a cabana that has couches, fans, TV, snacks, pool boy, etc. so we can arrive anytime after 10, give our belongings to Guest Services and enjoy the resort while waiting for our apt. to be ready.  She sent a grocery list to somebody and we received notice of 10 bags of groceries, 3 of refrigerated items and 1 in the freezer.  It will be delivered to our room when we call for it.  Hopefully the next six days are nice!  We are scheduled to go to Magic Kingdom on Saturday.  Forecast is sunny and 90!