Galena: The Sequel

My trip to Galena was wonderful, as I knew it would be! This time we did not do all the Historical sight seeing. If you are interested in that, you can look at my first Galena trip by clicking here. This time around, it was all about the shops and just relaxing. We ate lunch at the Desoto Hotel...our favorite place to eat in Galena. I was able to visit the Phat 1/4 shop and picked up a batting for TJ's quilt along with some fabrics.3 different Civil War repos and a fat quarter of green for a pine tree block.We made a jaunt over the Mighty Mississippi to my mother's favorite spot. The Greyhound Dog Track's Mystic Casino, to play the penny machines. I can not for the life of me figure out the thrill in this. For a little over an hour, I sat next to a lady who chain smoked me into emphysema, and lost $110 of my mom's money.....you KNOW I am not putting any of my own cash in those machines. She lost $60, and was somewhat dismayed....I guess she usually wins. Her attitude was it was worth it for the enjoyment of it all. My parents both love the casinos! They are heading to Jumer's next week.

Our hotel was so nice the last time, that we stayed in the same one again. This time our beds had quilts on them.The room was so pretty. The night table was an old school desk and bench.We spent the entire evening in the room....we came back to it around 6pm, played a game of Phase 10 Twist, and headed to bed by 9....I did not sleep until midnight, but once I fell asleep, I slept great. The next day we headed out early and spent the morning in downtown Galena....first stop was my favorite coffee bar...Kaladi's. BEST coffee EVER! We decided to take our time coming home and stop at the many little towns along the way. It was a relaxing trip.....until we hit Freeport. We got hit hard by a storm. We sought refuge in a Salvation Army store and waited it out....it was as dark as midnight at 2:30 in the afternoon! Heavy rains, high winds, and LOTS of lightening!!! It was very scary. It poured the rest of the way home, but once we arrived, the sun came out. My poor mom had no power at her house until midnight last night. We had 2 more storms come through after that one....each just as bad. The same storm that trapped us in Freeport, blew out half a dozen windows from the Sears Tower in Chicago!

Anyway, I am glad to be home safe and sound. I brought goodies for the kids and for Sassy too!! A little pillow stuffed with cat nip and she was CrAzY!!! We all laughed hysterically as she woolied that thing like it was her long lost love....she rubbed her face all over it and rolled on it!!!She played for so long, she wore herself out!Eventually she took a nice long nap....with her cat nip pillow!While I was gone, the kids and Sweetheart kept busy. When I left, this is what my house looked like......white with blue shutters and a blue door.Here is what I returned to. I LOVE IT!!!!!!For years, I have asked pleaded BEGGED Sweetheart to redo our house in the black and red....he is so wonderful. He worked hard the whole 2 days I was gone in order to have it done for me. It is perfect!!!!

I have lots of things to share with you over the next week. I finished the sailboat top, and I have an afternoon of granddaughter pics that are too cute not to post! For now that will all wait.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!!!!