Changes keep a Changing

Tonight we went to Kmart. It was 50% off many items and some 75% plus
an additional 20% today.

Today was the first time I’ve been to Kmart since they purchased Sears.

The last time I visited Kmart, few of the employees could speak English.
They all looked at me as if I were from Immigration. They were short little Hispanic looking folks.

Today, they were all white, which seemed odd to me and working really hard.

They were constantly and quickly folding clothes, picking up merchandise off of the floor. Wow, where did they get such good hard working American workers.

Also, the music consisted of Christmas tunes. I heard English being loudly spoken. Kmart has given the country back to the English speaking Americans.

I was listening to someone speaking English and realized it was over the loud speakers, this was suddenly interrupted by some foreign tongue.

I passed some more employees and asked where the sweatshirts were. None of them could answer me. They looked at me as if I were a foreigner and no English—poposki…

WHAT!! Yes, they were not Americans. Just because they were Caucasian I took it for granted they were citizens.

At the cash registers, it looked like little Europe. Men & women that looked and sounded like they were relatives of BORAT….from the movie.

Four registers were going constantly with payments into the hundreds of dollars. Each one complaining about some overcharge.

We spent a few hundred dollars and only had 1 ½ baskets of stuff.

I remember $300 would have bought the entire Kmart franchise a few years ago.

I guess there should be a point. Ah, let me see….I’m an idiot… nope…racist….hmmmm, I hope not…. nothing else.

So Never mind…talk to you soon.

A Quick Panera Exit..

DON'T FORGET TO DOUBLE CLICK THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM



That would be an interesting story for your blog, Mark remarked.

After thinking about it maybe, yes it might get me writing again.

This Morning I got a late start to the front window at Panera.

I walked in just after the 9am services folks arrived and the lines almost went out the door.

I grabbed a chair and placed it as a third chair in the aisle. Took off my jacket and listened to sideshow Si say Jim you’ll be blocking the people. Then he laughed as he realized he spoke in public for the first time in months.

We all started joking and talking when something started to smell. No not Front window Commander Ron, but something in the store.

We all smelled it and saw smoke creeping from the heating vents into the store.

I might be slow but I’m not stupid. Smoke appearing in a public place is a good time to leave.

They all laughed as Panera is always burning their bagels. But we’ve never heard a smoke alarm.

Anyways, I left and stood outside with my jacket and they all pointed thru the window and laughed at me.

I took a few photos thru the window and then assisted some female Samaritan with jamming open the doors.

Then it was my turn. First Roger the Job Dodger walked out, complaining of the smoke. Big John was right behind him. But Commander Ron held off as long as he could.

Even Sideshow ran out before Ron. And of course Lawyer Jim, who is recovering from 2 heart attacks and a Carotid Artery problem, crept slowly out before our Commander.

We all stood outside until Ron said “Why don’t we go across the street to Starbucks.”

We all moaned…it’s too expensive.

“Well, I tell you what, I’ll buy. I’ll buy you one of those caramel drinks.”

That’s good enough for me. So, we all ran across the street, grabbed a little table and sat with folks that ordered drinks with foreign made up names.

We were laughing at how Commander Ron is a school teacher and leader in our community. But he had to be lead out of a smoky Panera.

The fire trucks came and I took photos and videos. Soon, fresh air was restored to Panera and the trucks left.

We still talked for awhile and I had to leave to pick up Karolyn’s bday cake for later tonight.

We all said its time to go and Ron was the first to run out of Starbucks.

We must all be old and senile. We walked across the street to get to our cars and re-gathered in Panera. Again, the laughing continued.

We left after a few minutes while the smell of burning wire was still in the joint and it was refilled with a new batch of customers sucking down coffee.

A Grand Day With The Bo-peeps

What causes our memories to flash back to a picture of a previous fun time?

How about the weather! Yes, the 26 degree temps this morning.

We were at Panera and talking to so many friendly people when I started coughing.

The front doors opened for awhile and chilled air hit me.

I looked out the window and thought of the past summer and especially of my sister-in-law Bobbie’s 65th bday party in July.

Karolyn and I started north on I-294 toward the Wis border. A short distance after Milwaukee we turned down a road toward Lannon. It was 2 lane and we passed a few small towns.

We drove past several quarries when Karolyn told me about Lannon decorative stone, which apparently came from the area.

After a few minutes we arrived at nephew Keith & Kristine’s house. We were greeted without a word but the warmest smiles that scream Hi Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Jolly, are we happy to see you.

That’s the way it is with the Bo-peeps. Yes, we have a nickname for Aunt Bobbies and my deceased brother Ed’s family. The Bo-peeps.

My brother had a nick name. Boppie (bow-pee). It’s a long story how he got the name.

When he was alive and all the cousins were young we would get together for the Christmas holiday.

I would just say, lets get going to the Bo-peeps. They would always be ready to go and never complain about the drive.

My kids remember it as the high point of the entire year. When all the laughing and teasing would continue until the last possible minute we were together.

Unfortunately the kids are all grown and with commitments all couldn’t make it. We did and as usual had a great time.

Bobbie was surprised. She is so quiet, having a relaxed look to her that just her eyes told the story of how happy she was to see so many relatives.

Everyone talked at the same time for hours, only stopping to stuff our mouths with food.

Camera’s were flashing especially when the presents were opened. I don’t know if Bobbie actually had seen the presents but always seemed to be pointing to someone and lipping Thank You for coming.

I know, I know it was kornie.

Another kornie was greeting all the Grand nieces/nephew. The parents (my little nephews/nieces all grown now), were all so proud of their little ones.

Everyone stayed to the end of the party and were all standing by the cars talking. No one wanted this to end.

Plenty of hugs & kisses and we finally drove away.

I want to ask: How can we be so happy and yet feel so depressed while driving thru Lannon.

Anyway, it was great seeing Bobbie and the Bo-peeps again.

For photos:
http://www.geocities.com/jimelliot@ameritech.net/Bobbies65th.html

Another Check Up

Have you ever:
had glue stuck on your skin.

Well, thats what it felt like along side the sideburn by my left ear. That and a little tingly, numb.
So what would you think.

Dam it those carrots are plugged up andI'm going to have a stroke or whatever it is that happens.

I went to Dr. Heart and he said my heart is weaker and gave me a script for the carotid test & an x-ray script for my chest cold.
I've had pneumonia a couple times and it worries me.

So this afternoon at 2pm Darren gave me the sound carotid test--see photo.

Dr. Heart said my cholesterol is up and i have to cut back on bread stuff.

I then went and had my xray for the lungs...see photo sort of.




By that time it was after 5pm and in the middle of the rush hour.

I would be leaving his office in Evanston, near the lakefront and driving about 5 miles west on a mostly single lane road Oakton to home.

I got home in less than 20 minutes. I made almost every light which is impossible.

Karolyn got home and cooked taco/burritos.

I ate and decided on finishing the bottle of margarita's from Thanksgiving. 2 glasses later and I don't know if I am making sense in this email.

Time to lay down on the couch and watch OH NO, Dancing With The Stars..

Panera Front Window Boys Photo

I just love group photos.

This morning the boys were spread out.

I asked if they would pose for a group photo.

Most said yes, Sideshow Sy jumped from his seat and ran.

Mexican Tony
...leaned back and hid from view.

The other regulars just were themselves
and even Commander Ron had his eyes open.

After the photo, I noticed Rodger was sitting by the sign.
We all laughed.

Some of the pretty ones were missing. Next year.

Prepare for the winds of Winter

Karolyn asked, Would pizza be ok for supper.

Geez, of course. She's been working full time and then comes home and super cleans and cooks in preparation for Thanksgiving.

I ordered a large pizza from Dino's which is a few miles away.

I walked outside, jumped in the car and started driving. Suddenly I saw trees being pushed around and flags waving straight out.

I thought nothing of it until I got out of the car and the door kept shutting on me. My hat almost blew off and my jacket filled with air like a life jacket.

It was windy alright. I got the pizza, (using a $2 off coupon, I know Matt likes that) and walked out the door.

The box acted like a kite, and took 2 hands to hold it.

I ran across the street to the car with my hat pulled over my ears. Ok maybe not over those big things but tight down.

Do I hold onto the pizza or open the car door?
I pushed it into my belly. My belly acted like a vice, wrapping stored energy around the box like an extra hand. Wow the benefits of big gut syndrone.

I got home and somehow got into the house. It was tough. The winds growling and the 3 dogs growling. No the pizza was mine. My belly was growling too.

While eating the wonderful pizza, the center pieces were so good, I pondered on what I had experienced.

Chills, wind, rain, and cold. Winter is almost here.

Looking out my window now I see that funny white stuff covering grass and my porch. Its cold....very cold....and snow is predicted to be 1 to 4 inches by tomorrow.

Just starting. Winter that is.

Don't forget while you're pushing those oversized hockey pucks on those concrete slabs, in shorts and tshirts,what you are avoiding.

As the winter gets deeper, I will take photos and send them.

In the meantime,
BE THANKFUL this Thanksgiving for the gift of living in fla. while Jim is stuck up in Chicago. Ah, life is good for some who prepare.

PS: you might have your warm weather but we have real Chicago Pizza.
nah, nah nah nah nah.

c'ya jim

The Boyles Wedding

Saturday night, our good friends Jim & Barb Boyle celebrated the wedding of their daughter Betsy to Larry Law.

I only took 160 photos and videos as I wanted to enjoy the experience and they had 2 great photographers. A husband and wife team that must have taken a few thousand photos. Of course none as good as mine.

We have been close friends with the Boyles for over 40 years. We have celebrated all births/deaths, christenings, bdays, holidays, parties and summers together.

The wedding was held at The Barn In Barrington, about 25 miles from our home.

When we saw Jim & Barb, they were so spruced up with his 3 piece tux and the beautiful Barb dressed so perfectly.

Barb had tears in her eyes from the start.

When Little Betsy started the walk down the aisle to meet her man, both Barb & Jim got up to give her away. But not without the help of a box of kleenix.

You could have passed a few boxes around the room.

The vows were written by each other.

You know Traditional Vows.

How they would respect their Little Kitty and movie tastes.

Of course we ate a great meal, and danced the night away. Sometimes to music we didn't understand. Apparently, it was from the olympics as the youngsters were all jumping in sinc.

Our kids were there with us. Jimmy&Lori, Jim& Thomas, Jack & ?

We had a wonderful time sharing another slice with the Boyles lives.

Thanks Jim & Barb for all the special memories thru the years