November Up-North

US 131 northbound was verry busy yesterday as we drug our little U-Haul up the super-slab: hunters, we suspect.

I picked up the trailer (not on time) and got back to the house just as Bob arrived, so I came down off the ceiling just a bit. The owner and his compatriot at Jack's on Michigan Ave. both showed up for work about 15 minutes late. There were several people already in queue. Fortunately, I had the simplest order so they took me first. We hitched up, plugged in, tested things and I was on my way.

We loaded up in about 15 minutes which got Bob on his way in good time. Bob was going to help a elderly woman and had this meeting set for 10:00. I did not want to be the one to cause any anxiety for that event. Bob and his wife Sheila are also headed for Newberg this week. Their oldest son is married to a girl from N. They are the ones that had the baby...now, well over two...who had the year long wait and subsequent heart transplant. We have known of this connection, but this is the first time will be in Newberg at the same time. Not sure we will connect, but we may.

We had an uneventful trip north...got here just as Trisha and Ben were arriving so we got the furniture reset and assembled. If you remember my post from yesterday...it was Trisha's birthday. We decided to go to Traverse City for birthday supper and all six of us descended on BD's Mongolian Grille. Their format is for you to collect all the things you want in a stirfy in a bowl, such as veggies, all types of meat and shellfish and you put any seasonings you wish to have in a little cup and then give it to a griller (who are five teen+ guys) who then ceremoniously toss your choices on this big, round, grille, They actually walk around the circle and stirfry your food. Then you eat. They give the table a big side of rice and some soft shell tortillias which you can eat however you choose. It was good. The problem is knowing which items to choose when you go down the line to make your concoction. They have several preplanned dishes in receipe format for you to use if you are too overwhelmed. I just took a bunch of stuff. You have to watch the spices, however. I had just a tad too much buffalo sauce.

They also serve Starbuck's coffee...which was a plus.

We then went to the mall. I was not aware that the only mall in the North Country was so large. And it was very busy. So we shopped with the "kids." In the midst of the Mall, but during a rest time for me as I waited outside yet another women's clothing store, Amy called to find out where the heck we were. Grand Traverse Mall, but of course. Where else do you go on a Saturday night?

Jeff and Mary have the house stuffed with furnishings now that they have Mary completely moved out of her apartment. It is rearranged and definately shows the work of a woman's hand. It is cozy, functional, and might I add, has the gender specific fregrences, as well (no offense, Jeff; girls just smell better.)

I hear them getting up for their two churches (we will join them at First) and then off to our Sunday noon standby The Sugar Bowl.

We leave for home before four and hope the flow of traffic is still predominantly north. And good luck hunters, the deer herd is down this year, but their are lots of turkeys....get it?