I am in Minnesota, but will be heading home soon.
@GardenGerty (169530)
United States
June 11, 2012 2:39pm CST
My new grandson arrived June the 7th, promptly at 8 a. m. My grand daughters and probably daughter and son in law, are ready for things to get back to normal. For more than a week before Curtis was born the other grands were here and while company is nice, all of us grand parents can be kind of disruptive to routines. So one night while we were here, hubby and I went downtown Minneapolis and had supper with a friend that you guys may remember. We went to the Black Forest Inn with Grandpa Bob and his wife Debbie. Then we went to the Walker Art Center grounds and explored some of the outdoor sculpture. Grandpa Bob says "Hi", but right now he is focused on the slots on Facebook. He is looking good, and quit smoking a little over five months ago. How is your summer starting off? I am returning to Kansas and a new/old part time job.
9 people like this
25 responses
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
My Daughter and Son in Law like names the same as or similar to other members in the family. Curtis was my first husband's middle name and Allen, his middle name is Jason's Dad's Middle name. My oldest grand daughter is named a similar name to a great grandmother, plus my middle name. My second grand daughter is named a similar name to my deceased sister, plus Jason's mom's middle name. In the case of the second girl they would have named her after my sister directly except she would have then been Holly Hobbie. 
She is Hallie Hobbie instead.
She is Hallie Hobbie instead.2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
He is a real character and we really enjoyed his garden discussions especially. You have been gone a while. Nice to see you.
@danishcanadian (28954)
• Canada
11 Jun 12
Congratulations on the arrival of your new grandchild, and thanks for giving us the update on Grandpa Bob. I'd wondered where he'd gotten to.
Summer is pretty normal. We're going to various cultural festivals, and I've been invited to join a friend of mine in NYC for a couple of days in August. Can't wait!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
So you should have time to renew that passport then. Yes, it is funny to go out with Bob and Debbie as my husband is also Bob, so we talk a lot about Bob and My Bob. I love visiting my kids and grand kids, but it is also great to do adult things as well. We are already talking about things we might do the next time we come up.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Jun 12
wow, double congrats!!!!
First for the newest member of your family, I am glad mom and baby are doing well...Second for Grandpa Bob who quit smoking..Since you talk to him more, tell him I said congrats and hi..
First for the newest member of your family, I am glad mom and baby are doing well...Second for Grandpa Bob who quit smoking..Since you talk to him more, tell him I said congrats and hi..@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
You can find him on facebook, I am sure. He may even peek in and see this discussion. He just does not have the interest here that he had before. He said the longest he had ever gone without smoking was five and a half months. It is not quite that long this time, yet. He looks really good though.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
Robert J. Olson, I think. Can you see my friends? He is on there. Yeah, I did not ask him why he started back up the last time. Probably stress. I do not go to facebook enough to know how to use it well at all.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Unless his FB name is Grandpa Bob, I don't think I could find him..lol I am surprised that when he went 5 1/2 months before, that he started up again. I think that saying, 30 days to make a habit and 30 days to break one rings true, because other when my husband made me angry enough to smoke again, after the 30 days of not smoking, I didn't have the physical craving anymore.
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Congratulations on the new grandson!
Sounds like you have been having a good time in Minnesota. It's a nice state--in my top five favorite states, in fact.
Things have been busy and stressful here. It seems like every time that we think that we're close to figuring out one thing, something goes awry with our plans--and that is even with me trying to have Plans B, C and D in place just in case. At some point, though, the dust has to settle... right?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
You were headed for Michigan, from Florida, correct? I hope things do settle down for you soon.
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
11 Jun 12
No. I'm in the northeast. I escaped from Florida after a year spent there and returned north of the Mason-Dixon at the end of last year.
2 people like this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
11 Jun 12
I'm so proud to hear Grandpa Bob quit smoking. I wish I could meet some of my mylot friends. I have one in New York, one in Canada, one in Indiana and one in Germany that I just adore. They are my sister friends.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
You are in Georgia, right? It is fun to meet various friends. Grandpa Bob looks really good. I always enjoy time with him and his wife.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
Some people do not trust meeting others from online, but if you have known them for a year or so you can pretty well tell what they are like. I have met Grandpa Bob, Ambie Pam, Marsha32 and Elic Bxn. It has been a lot of fun.
@DILIP1989 (3)
• India
16 Jun 12
yeah most of the people don't like to meet because they may feel shy.so they couldn't attract the meaning in this world.friends now what do you say regarding all this questions
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Hello GardenGerty
Congratulations on your new grandson.
It sounds like you have been having a good time. I had forgotten about Grandpa Bob being on here. I think that I saw his face drift by once on the Facebook, but then I forgot about him. I wonder if he still puts so much time into his garden?
I have just recently moved to Minnesota, and have paid a visit to The Cities twice. It looks like there is a lot to explore there.
I hope traveling mercies upon you on your return home.
Peace.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Yes, he still has quite a garden--eighty corn plants among other things. He lives in C00n Rapids, my daughter is in Brooklyn Center, where do you live?
1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
11 Jun 12
That does sound like quite a garden!
We live in southwest Minnnesota, about 150 miles from there.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Glad all is well, and Congrats on the Grandson. Summer is ok, everyone is busy working. I do remember him, and had wondered where he went. I am glad you were able to visit for a bit.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
He lives about ten miles from my daughter and so we visit with them when we come usually. This is the fourth time.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
It was a nice visit. He is a character. He posts fairly often on Facebook as well. I think Minneapolis ought to put him on the payroll of the visitors bureau. He knows a lot about the city.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Jun 12
THats neat to have your own tour guide.
LIved in Minn. one town was SAndstone the other was Salk centre think I spelt it right
HUbby worked on a power line going thru thee some people didnt like it adn some of our men got killed fro the people went out and undid bolts on the towers and when themen were climbing the towers crumbled.
MOre stuff happened but I never heard all of the details
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
24 Jun 12
Glad your summer is going well. I always eat too much. I need to concentrate on fruits and veggies.
@celticeagle (189927)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Jun 12
Hey G G, Just wanted to give you my congrats. And welcome to the world little Curtis. Sounds like you have been having a nice time. Grandpa Bob quit smoking? That is wonderful! Not an easy task at all. Having a horrid time right now with my grandson and his disorders but Summer weather is actually nice here and that helps. And you are coming home soon. GOod to hear from you.
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
I will be online a little more consistently after this next week. We are actually on the road now. I have a meeting tomorrow for a part time job. Maybe the grandson will do better now that school is out for the summer.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189927)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Jun 12
ALways good to see you on. I told my daugther last week that she aught to use this time off from school to teach him some good tools so when school starts he knows whats expected and is used to it.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Jun 12
My daughter is being induced Sunday night. I am so excited and will be taking some time off work to help her with the baby so my summer is starting off pretty great. I have been very busy and I am also going to take this couple of weeks to rewind a little. Life has been challenging for me lately. I plan on taking today for some catching up here and then maybe some outside time. I can't wait to see the baby though. I am very excited about her arrival.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
24 Jun 12
Oh, how exciting. Enjoy your time off. I have worked almost every day since I got back, except for two. I am not off again until next Friday. We will look forward to hearing more.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Well, what a nice family reunion, and have the whole family get together. For me, this summer I already planned out for myself. I have to be busy, and be busy. Not only to make money to sustain all the bills, I have to upgrade myself and be smart on programming. I have this likes for programming, and I always be lazy not to make myself progress. I think that i should do much more to keep myself knowledgeable.
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Summer is a great time to be getting into learning new things. I hope you do well.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
12 Jun 12
Congratulate you on having a baby born into your family! It was certainly a delightful travel for you.And that you could snatched a little leisure from a busy family affairs to call on an old friend and explore some outdoor sculpture.If my memory serves me well, last autumn you went to your daughter's.On the road,the leaves were changing from green to brown.You were lost in admiration of the scenery.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
You are correct, we went last fall, at the end of September, beginning of October.It is over 600 miles. I have yet to go in winter, I would be concerned about getting snowed in.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
13 Jun 12
It is near 1000 km from where you live,I think you certainly drove to there.Minnesota is to the north of where you live,they must have heavy snow in winter.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
19 Jun 12
hi dear Garden Gerty I didnt know you were in the Black Forest Inn with GB and Debbie. He had posted on FB that he was there and I asked him about the food he had and it was a bratwurst dish, mmmmmm. Lovely.
How did you like the food in the Black Forest Inn?
Glad to hear GB seems to be okay. I didnt know he has given up on smoking. I just worried the situation with his Dad would tire him out too much.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
24 Jun 12
The food was very good. My hubby had been to Germany in the Army and he loves German food, that is, the German Bavarian food. Where I live we have German Mennonite food at all the restaurants and he says it is just not the same. Yes, we were there with Bob and Debbie. I bet there are no pictures of me. I took some of them and of my hubby though, when we went to the art center. His dad is in a rehab or nursing home for a while and that is letting Bob rest up.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
12 Jun 12
congrats on the grandbaby, and that is just wonderful that you got to see grandpa bob and his wife
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
12 Jun 12
Congratulations on the news that your grandson Curtis has been born. It is lovely that you has supper with Grandpa Bob and his wife Debbie. My summer has started off very well and last week was half term. It was a time for happy parties. Soon it will be the summer holidays. I plan a weeks vacation then and a few days out. Good luck with your return to Kansas.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
I know your school terms run a bit different from ours. I am glad you have some good things planned for yourself and family too.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Jun 12
oh its wonderful that you have the new baby grandson. sounds like your trip was a great one. fun and all. even got to spend time with a friend from here. I dont know any friends on here i could visit, but it would sure be nice. cant make the trip im thinking. 
but got a couple i sure would if i was still able to travel@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
It is great. It is very good to see the grand kids and it is good to see friends. Change of scenery all the way around. I hope things are doing well for you. I think we have a friend on here moving to your state when her house sells. Maybe you guys could meet up.
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
12 Jun 12
Congrats on the new grandson. Glad to hear about Grandpa Bob.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Jun 12
A BiG Congratulations on the new grandbaby!!! 
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
12 Jun 12
Congratulations on the new baby who was born on my sister's birthday. I have heard that Minneapolis is a great city except for the winter. It sounds like you and your husband are very thoughtful grandparents. I bet you had a great vacation. I would love to get to Minnesota one day.
I am leaving next week for Boston for my 50th high school reunion. I will be taking Amtrak from Austin to Chicago and then Chicago to Boston but I will have several daytime and evening hours in Chicago before leaving for Boston. Are you familiar with Chicago and the neighborhoods around Amtrak. I have been told that the station is really nice and the surrounding neighborhood safe and nice. I was told that I could walk to the Sears Tower and Lake Michigan.
Any suggestions or tips?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
12 Jun 12
No, I have had no direct experience with Chicago. My daughter went there by train about ten years ago, but I do not recall her mentioning much about the train station or neighborhood. She was there for one year.
