Home of Fish Lines, by Lila Fish

JULY 29,2005
 Didn't do an awful lot today.  Linc drove the car to National Tire and had the tires balanced and rotated, but still is not happy about them.  I finally got a permanent today.   And I have been fighting my computer and guess I will continue to do so until next Tuesday when Chris comes over.  I keep getting a message about an encrypted E-mail message, and don't know how to get rid of it.  Almost as fast as I delete one message, another pops up!
 Isabelle should be nearly home by now.  If you are reading this, Isabelle, Linc and I both send you and Bruno our best wishes. 

JULY 27, 2005
 What a day this has been!  First and Foremost, we got up early and drove Isabelle to the Airport.  We visited a while for the last time, and then it was time for her to leave us and get on her plane!  So the rest of the day was a disaster!  I am so fond of Isabelle and truly hated to see her leave.  We enjoyed her visit more than I can say, and I miss her already!
 From the Airport we came home, as it was too early for the stores to be open.  So I balanced the checkbook in Quicken and did a few other jobs that I had put off while Isabelle was visiting.
 We then ran errands that we had also put off doing and Linc needed some repairs done to his Hearing Aid.  Next my aim was to get all of  the necessary parts for the Workshop I am doing for the Red Hats in August.  After a few 'dead ends' we finally drove to the Flower Factory, where we should have gone in the first place, as I found some great birds and 'picks' with which to decorate the wreaths.  Tomorrow I will check out my supply of red ribbon (which I should have done before we went out looking today!) and see whether I need to go back to the Flower Factory to buy some.  They do have just what I need there.
 A stop at Krogers ended our day and it was after 6 when we finally got home. Dinner tonight consisted of a salad, fresh tomatoes, and a Quiche that I bought and just had to pop in the oven for a few minutes.
 Isabelle called a few minutes ago, and promised to send me some E-mail soon.  She will read this 'diary' as she calls it, and know that I miss her.

JULY 26, 2005
 Today we arrived home from Allegan, Michigan, where Carol and Bert are going to move as soon as they sell their home in Holland.  On the way we stopped at Kohl's and bought some beautiful Beach Towels for their pool.  They have a lot of plans for the 'new' home, and are enjoying (as did we) the huge swimming pool there.  We sort of camped out there for a few days so that Isabelle could see Carol and meet Bert.  We did a lot of sight-seeing - showed Isabelle Lake Michigan-and a lot of shopping.
 We got up early this morning for the 6 hour drive home so that we could have Family Night here, and Isabelle could meet Chris and Carrie, who were away on vacation last week.  I was pretty pooped from the long drive, so, although the minute we got in the house I assembled a Blueberry Cobbler and put it in the oven, we ordered Pizza and salad for dinner.  It seemed to be well received by everyone.  As per usual, I gave David all the leftover Pizza and Salad, and a large piece of Cobbler to take back with him.
 

JULY 21,2005
 Busy Day, today!  Linc phoned all of the Walmarts, and the one in Grove City had the storage boxes I wanted for my new computer cabinet.  We bought 4 of them and a few other storage items as well.
 We came home, had lunch and then Isabelle began some of her preparations for the French Dinner she was to cook.  I helped translate her ingredients into English, but the basic preparation was all hers!  David could not come so it was just Rob, Fran, Isabelle, Linc and myself.  That's good, because Isabelle cooked two chickens and we only ate one of them. The other chicken is now in our freezer, along with all the fixings!  Linc and I will really enjoy it some night.  Isabelle also made a Cherry Clafoutis which was very, very good.  There is a small amount  of it left over which I am sure Linc will demolish tomorrow.  We also had a spinach salad made with fresh grapefruit pieces in it,  and topped with sliced hard-boiled eggs.  We each used our dressing of choice, and I must say, although I had never heard of putting fresh grapefruit on spinach, it was a wonderful combination!
 A good time was had by all. The dinner was very good and Rob and Fran stayed for a while before driving off to their respective homes.
 Everything is put in place in my new computer cabinet, and it does look nice and tidy.  I suppose that after I use it a while I may make a few changes, but right now it seems fine.

JULY 20, 2005
 It seems like today was a wasted day.  We had to wait until Oak Express called to tell us when they were coming to deliver my new computer cabinet.  Then of course we had to wait until they came!  In-between, we ran to Arby's to get a sandwich as Pawn and some of her friends were here to clean the house.  Thankfully, Pawn will take the old cabinet tomorrow, so now we don't have to worry about where to keep it.  
 We went to Walmarts to buy some storage units for the new cabinet, but their supply of office equipment was pretty slim.  Guess we'll have to try Staples or Office Max.  In the meantime, we went to Krogers and shopped for the dinner that Isabelle is going to cook for us tomorrow.  Rob, David and Fran will all be here.  Fran remembers Isabelle from when she (Isabelle) went to Lake Erie College in Painesville, back in the 70's.  Isabelle is not sure whether or not she remembers Fran.  We'll soon find out!!
  Tonight, at Isabelle's request, we had corn-on-the-cob, my potato salad and hamburgers cooked out on the grill with all the fixin's.  Isabelle liked everything so much that we may have a repeat of the whole meal on Friday!

JULY 19, 2005
 Today we didn't do much as it was Family Night, here.  However, this morning Linc and I got the pasta ready to bake.  Then we took Isabelle to Groveport where there is a nice museum and we discovered that there really was a canal that went through the town many years ago! The museum also had a Rock and Roll display of instruments and photos of most of the modern Rock and Roll singers.  I bought Isabelle a copy of the Groveport Cook Book to take home. 
 From there we went to the Mall, where I took my gold watch to be cleaned and Isabelle got to look in all the 'American' stores.  Of course, a lot of them are now in France, so it's not like it used to be!  Then it was off to Walmarts to check out some storage containers, and then to Krogers to finish getting what we needed for dinner.
 Rob, David and Sarah came over for Pasta tonight.  Rob helped me with the Carolers for my Christmas Card.  Here's hoping that this time I can do something with the photos!  Now everyone has gone home and I think I will get ready for bed!!
 

JULY 18,2005
 We have really been busy.  Bruno and Isabelle came to visit us from Paris.  They arrived around noon on Thursday,and we have done a lot of sight-seeing.  I think the best was the tour of the Capital Building which we took.  I had never been there and it was quite fascinating!  We also went to the Ohio Historical Society and then had lunch at the Pot Belly Restaurant,  where they do not normally wait on people, but because we went in with me in the wheel-chair, the manager met us at the door and couldn't do enough for us- including taking our order and delivering the sandwiches to us.  And, by the way, in case anyone is interested,  the food there was very good.  Then, he refused to take a tip! Such a nice experience!!   
 Friday night, we went to Cap's City Diner, where Linc, Bruno and I each had their signature Meatloaf, which was every bit as good as advertised.  Isabelle had a pasta dish, that she really enjoyed as well.  Later, I got a copy of the Meat Loaf recipe off the Internet for Isabelle. as Bruno really enjoyed it!  
 On Sunday, I took Isabelle to the Red Hat's meeting, and she had a great time.  Everyone was thrilled to meet someone from Paris, France!  
 Today, we drove to Amish Country to see the sights there.  We saw a lot of Amish people, and of course, a lot of Amish Buggies.  We had a late lunch in Sugar Grove at a combination Amish/Swiss Restaurant, and I must say, it was the best meal Linc and I have ever had in Amish Country! We really enjoyed everything we had there.  Usually we are so disappointed at the always overcooked food at the Amish Restaurants around there, but this was really delicious.  Then, before heading home I bought Isabelle a pair of hand-made Amish Dolls, that we were assured were made locally by some Amish folk.  Our final stop was at a Cheese Shop in Pearl, where I bought some really delicious Colby and Baby Swiss cheeses that were made there.  
 Then it was a long, long trip back home.  We got caught in some of the 'going home from work' traffic.  Isabelle napped, I think.
 Isabelle was a student at Lake Erie College for Women about 25 years ago.  She stayed with us, along with two other girls, whenever she was not on Campus.  We have kept in touch all these years, visiting each other when possible.  

JULY 08,2005
  Where does the time go?  Honestly, I can't even say where we've been or what we've done since the 4th of July.  Well, I guess we've both been to our doctors to have our prescriptions checked, had a Family Night here, and Rob has been over for dinner, too.  He is helping me with my Christmas Card, but I must confess, I haven't done anything on it since he left.
 Today was spent working on Valances, which we had ordered from Penney's, for the Living Room.  I had to hem them as I didn't like their length, and that took more time than I had planned on, but they do look nice.  We put Valances up over the 2 windows and also over the double doors leading out to the Sun Room.  Now the Living Room looks finished.  
 Then I cut and sewed the material that matches the Sofa Bed on the porch, and put it over the top of the Sofa Bed for Molly to lie on.  It looks so much better than the white blanket we had there!!
 Isabelle and Bruno are coming from France next week, and I think I am finally finished with decorating our Condo.

JULY 05,2005
 Yesterday was the 4th of July. Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!  Actually, Linc and I spent a fairly quiet day until David and one of his room-mates, AJ, came over for a cook- out. We had a great time, but it was over all too soon!  After filling their stomachs, David and AJ went home, where they exchanged David's car for bikes and went off to see some Fireworks.  Linc and I stayed home and watched the Fireworks on three different channels on TV.
 Tonight is family night, and will probably be a repeat of yesterday so that I only have to make some new Corn Pudding.  I have plenty of potato salad and all the fixin's for another cook-out.

JULY 03, 2005
 Yesterday we made a Fruit Bowl in a hollowed out Watermelon and took it over to Chris' and Carrie's where they were having a celebration in honor of the Completion of Carrie's Internship.  Dr. Fish will vacation for a month before beginning to work until the impending birth of her child sometime the end of February.  Sarah, TJ,  David and Rob were there, along with Carrie's sister, Beckah, and dozens of Chris' and Carrie's friends.  We stayed a while, wished Beckah a wonderful year - she's leaving for a year in Sweden on Friday -and came on home.  Tomorrow, David and one of his room-mates will be over for a cook out.  It will be fun, I'm sure.  And one day this week the kids will borrow Linc's truck to transport a refrigerator from Rob's house to Sarah and TJ's.  And I guess that's all to write about today.

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