Had a WONDERFUL lunch with Lulu and Two-pack

The three of us, (4 towards the end with Lu's husband), had a wonderful, relaxing lunch.  I wish everybody could meet, it is so nice to make an "in-person" connection.  We talked and talked, and I learned lots of things from these fine women.

Lu has arranged a swim class for people with MS in her town, and she is indeed a inspiration.  I admire her immensely!

The lunch started out a bit rocky, as I tripped in the parking lot and almost knocked Laura and myself over.  Although good to laugh with people that "get" why I trip! I am no longer graceful...not that I ever really was :)

Anyway, just wanted to share my great day, which did end a bit earlier than I liked (although it was already 3 hours which speeded by), due to one of my kids calling that he was SOOOOOOOO sick and I needed to take him to the doctor.

Always something,

Michelle   (thanks again Lu and Mary for out lunch. Cant wait to do it again, and hopefully others will join us!)

[Lulu54]

It was a great day to make the trip, be the chauffeur for DH while he worked the phones, and wonderful to meet Mary, finally.  We had tried this a couple other times, but had to bail on plans each time. I have rendezvoused with Michelle a couple times already, and it is always good to see her\, too.

Lunch was so-so but the company was excellent.  Both of these women have a wicked sense of  humor and aren't afraid to laugh, especially at themselves.  We've  got to laugh, or we would go crazy.

Yes, Michelle did come crashing into me. I think it was the parking lot - when I went to leave and get in the car, I was propelled a few feet past the door I was aiming for.  I could have sworn it was a flat, level parking lot.  LOL


We chatted for a good three hours until the medical emergency arose - the constant beverage refills and resultant trips to the toilet were entertaining, too

The conversation had little to do with MS - we all have lives outside of dealing with this disease and it is great to have normal conversations with others.   And share laughs and more laughs.  Any of you who can meet up should take advantage of the opportunity - you won't regret it.

Thanks M&M for making the time to join me.  

best, L

[doublevision1]

sounds wonderful (except for the falling part).
where are the pics?!

[twopack]

Guess I might as well weight in on our luncheon.  Well, not literally!!  I would if Lulu hadn't made us eat part of the appetizer variety tray.  (Thanks for treating us to the tastiest part of the cuisine though, Lu).

Just to clarify a few things:
I wasn't the cook of the so-so food and I don't think it should count against me that I found the restaurant location by doing a very tedious aerial view of the freeway on bing maps.  I will take a moment to compliment the management and staff on graciously allowing us to take up table space for several hours and being very pleasant about it to boot.

I'm glad I showed up after the dominos game.  (Yes, I should have used the GPS for that one right hand turn.)  

There WAS something very strange about that parking lot surface.  I felt like I was headed for disaster each time I walked over it.  (No, we didn't sit at the bar.)

I am certain now that these two women each have at least three clones of themselves that enable them to accomplish so much each day.  Just listening to what they do sent me into recovery mode for much of today (once I was home from grandparents day at the elementary school).

If you meet up with someone from this community, you absolutely MUST allow more than three hours.  Lulu, are you sure John was able to drive north, do everything he needed to, and drive back in only three hours?

There is not one topic that I remember flowing cohesively from beginning to end.  Is that the cognitive MS brain in action or just our social natures?  We were pretty focused when ordering food.  Strike that.  Geeze girls, I just realized we didn't get dessert!!

Lulu did not get the psychic dress code message regarding color.  We'll think louder next time.

When having three MSers for lunch, avoid establishments that have two-holer facilities or limit beverage serving.  (Michelle and I have 'run into' this problem before at MS educational presentations.)

As far as M&M's go -- I'd be a red one, nut inside.  I'm sure Michelle is green and certainly not plain.

So Michelle, is he soooooooo much better today?

'Till next time, and it had better be before spring.
Mary

[PastorDan]

Drat, I missed it again!  Where did you guys go?

[Lulu54]

I have one picture, that I have sworn not to share publicly.  And then I have another picture from our stop on the drive home of DH - on the trip to Cleveland we pass through Amish country and always see the big billboard ads for Grandpa's Cheese Barn.  That is the total - 2 pictures.

Driving home I stopped and we spent almost an hour sampling cheeses and dips and spreads and fudge and all sorts of other assorted eats.  

Yes, there really is a Grandpa - easily in his 80s and working the cheese counter (I resisted the urge to tell you he was behind the counter cutting cheese).  All the  hired help calls him grandpa.  

Yes, it really is a converted barn - gift shop, ice cream shop and other assorted sparkly things on the first floor and the second floor is filled with edibles in every corner.

They do ship and I would heartily recommend the maple cheddar or the Berganost (triple cream)-they have a few imported cheeses from England but the vast majority is made locally, mainly in Amish cheese making facilities.   You can see their selections and maybe even order something at http://www.grandpascheesebarn.com

If you do check out their website be sure to read about Joslyns fund.  Turns out grandpa's great granddaughter has a disease so rare she is the only one with it in the US.  Puts our MS woes in perspective when you read about her.

There's another dairy store/barn that I always stop at just south of Chicago in North Indiana, Fair Oaks Farm.  I may have replaced it as my favorite roadside cheese stop.  

that's my report,
L

[twopack]

Yup, I left out clarification numero uno.  Pictures for personal entertainment only.

Lulu, I also had MS woes put into perspective yesterday.  I came home to the news that a classmate and swim team buddy of my older granddaughter had died during practice.  A beautiful 12 year old lost to her family and friends in a tragic instant that will replay vividly in their minds for a long time to come.  Live each moment to the fullest extent possible friends.

Mary