(Monday & Tuesday) Monday, June 17, 2019 - Golf Cancelled; Shopping Expedition; Visiting Friends Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - Long Day in Springfield, It's Good to be Home

Monday and Tuesday
Monday, June 17, 2019 - Golf Cancelled; Shopping Expedition; Visiting Friends

I woke up to rain again this morning, and it continued for awhile.  The weather report indicated a high chance of rain today.  I worked on Sunday's blog while I drank my first cup of coffee.  Dean and Frank have plans to golf this morning, so I'm not sure if they will or not.

About 9 or so, Dean called Frank to tell him he thought they should cancel due to the forecast.  I know they were both disappointed....

We had made arrangements the day before to have dinner at Rib Crib this evening with Frank and Joyce.  Joyce sent a text to see if we wanted to eat around 11:30am instead.  We agreed, and in the meantime Dean and I had a couple of things we wanted to do.  

Branson City Campground on Lake Taneycomo.  Beautiful location!

Dean has been wanting to get a new set of golf clubs, but he would like to have them fitted for him.  We found two places online that provide that service in the area.  The first place was no longer open and the second place no one was there.  I called the number and did not get an answering machine, so next we headed to Bass Pro on the Landing in downtown Branson to see if we could find hats for our trip west.  We hope to do some hiking and wanted to have good head coverage while we are in the sun.  Fortunately, we each found one there.  We looked at shoes for Dean as well but he wasn't that happy with what was available.  

We were a little early but decided to go ahead and drive to Rib Crib.  Before we got there I received a text from Joyce they were already there.  We pulled in the parking lot, but we did not see their car.  I sent a text to make sure there wasn't a second Rib Crib, when Dean decided to drive on around - and there they were.  They could see us through the windows as we drove in, but with the sun, we could not see them.  We enjoyed our lunch with them and the food was great.
From there Dean and I continued our shopping spree at Tanger Mall to find shoes for Dean. 

As we arrived at Tanger Outlet Mall on Branson 76 Strip - I love the view as you drive onto the entrance road.

Our first stop looking for shoes, we found one pair he liked but they didn't have his size.  I wanted to stop at the Kitchen store, which was just a door down from a Tool Shop.  We split up here so we could both enjoy our own shopping experience.  I was looking for something specific - Dean wasn't.  Fortunately, I found exactly what I wanted - some glass "custard" bowls that I can use in my Instapot to make custard.  Thanks Patsy from the blog "Chillin with Patsy" for posting her tutorial for making custard in the IP.  I'm anxious to give it a try, as both Dean and I love custard.

Dean came up empty handed at the Tool Shop.  I didn't want to carry my package, so we walked back to the truck, and then headed to the other side of the mall area to Rackroom  Shoes, where we discovered a buy one, get one 50% off sale.  We found a tennis shoe he liked, so I suggested he look at a pair of casual shoes as well.  The last ones we bought for him are probably 10 years old or more.  Fortunately, we found a pair he liked so we left there - deed accomplished!

We returned to Treasure Lake with our new purchases around 2.  Earlier Joyce had mentioned going to Cakes & Creams - our favorite sweet shop.  

Dean hitching a ride with Frank and Joyce - glad they let me ride too!

In all their years coming to Branson Frank and Joyce had never been there.  I don't remember who introduced me to this place, but I can hardly remember a time coming to Branson (before Bentley) that we didn't stop here at least once for a sweet treat.  We all ordered cobbler (I think we all had peach) with ice cream.  We've never been disappointed.  I think Frank and Joyce enjoyed theirs as much as we did.

Sorry I was too busy eating to take pictures of the cobbler & ice cream!

Once back at the park, Dean and I headed over to Phase 2 of the park to visit Escapee friends Vern and Joanne.  Their friends Barbara and Milt stopped by, and we all had a nice visit.   As we were leaving, a group of Escapees returned from playing cards and we got to say hello to Carolyn, Sheila and Mike and Mary.  It was good to see them all.  They are having the Escapee rally here this week.  Their pot luck dinner will be Wednesday evening, since they couldn't get the building for their regular Tuesday night dinner.  They invited us to join them if we can.  

When we left there we swung by Bentley, picked up the hat Dean bought earlier and took it back to Bass Pro.  He decided he needed a large rather than the medium he purchased.  

Looks like some rain in the south - hope we make it there and back before it comes our way.

I love how someone put these "people" up on top of their building to stare at all of these "visitors".

I've always loved this totem pole outside this store.

Somewhere I've never been - but I've always thought I'd like to try one.  Maybe I should get one for the Escapees pot luck tomorrow!

This beautiful Hilton Conference Center and Hotel in downtown Branson

Branson Scenic Railway Station 

As we neared the Landing, just before we turn right.....

to our destination - Bass Pro.

It didn't take us long to exchange the hat and then we headed back to Treasure Lake.  

Another one of those hills I love to go down.  If you look close you can see the Tower (right in the middle) located at Shepherd of the Hills.

We took the back way into Treasure Lake, where we pass the Royal Oak Enterprises.  We have purchased there charcoal briquettes many times.

Once back at our site, we grabbed our umbrella and walked toward the entrance.  Raymond and Carolyn, more Escapee members, are parked near there and we wanted to see them as well.  We had a great visit, catching up on what they've been doing and have planned for this year.  It started to rain, and it was a good thing we decided to bring our big over-sized umbrella.  It did a great job for us, as we walked back to Bentley.  By the way, remember the golf game being cancelled?  Yep, this was the first time it rained since earlier this morning - but we had a beautiful surprise that we enjoyed on our way back.

It was a full day, but we enjoyed our time shopping together and visiting with our friends. 

For dinner, I took out the two cheeseburgers left over from Sunday that were in the refrigerator.  I took the bottom bun off of each - added a little butter to them, and warmed them and each hamburger/cheese bun portion in the pan - meat down with a pat of butter under each.  Put the lid on and let them heat up for about 8-10 minutes on low heat.  PERFECT!  

Tomorrow Dean is going in for an outpatient procedure.  I'll leave it at that, at his request.  It will all be fine.  I'll be up early tomorrow so we headed to bed a little earlier than normal this evening.



Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - Long Day in Springfield, It's Good to be Home

I woke up a few minutes before my alarm (set for 5am) went off.  I immediately showered and got ready, so Dean could follow.  While his procedure is out patient, when they called to remind us of the time to arrive yesterday afternoon, they said we should be prepared to spend the night if there were any issues.  I told Dean - let's pack as if you will have to stay and then it will be for naught, so that is what we did.

After making sure everything was ready, turned the water off to the RV, we headed to Springfield at 7:15am.  Of course he could not eat or drink, except a sip for the medicine they told him to take, so I didn't either.  Well, I guess I did drink a meal replacement shake - while he was in the shower.  It carried me until we had lunch.  I just hated to eat in front of him.  I know hard that is.

It was foggy this morning so I'm glad we left 15 minutes earlier than normal.  We arrived at Cox hospital and found the entrance we needed to go to.  The waiting room was quite busy with only a few chairs left.  We were fortunate to get seats next to each other.  Apparently someone at the admitting desk had called in sick this morning and they were really backed up.  We were to be there at 8:30 with his procedure to take place around 10:30.  It was around 9:30 before they took him back.  Dean's son Brett arrived a short time after us and I was very glad for his company while we waited.  As soon as Dean went back for his procedure, we headed to the cafeteria for lunch.  They had both of our phone numbers if we were needed.  Brett chose the salad bar - wow, what a salad.  Almost wished I had made that choice.  I selected a bacon/turkey/hot pepper cheese wrap with all kinds of yummy veggies on it, and chipolte sauce.  It was very good as well.

When we returned to Dean's room to wait, (12:30ish), another hour passed before the nurse told us they were taking him to recovery - she said he did well and would be back in the room in about an hour.  We thought we'd get to go home pretty quick after that.  It was 1:30 when they wheeled him back into the room.  The doctor stopped by at 4:15 - everything went great and he said he'll need a follow up appointment in 3-6 months.  The bad news he has to stay until 6pm.  Those were the orders and of course the staff abided by it to the T.  

We left the hospital shortly before 6:30 and guess who was hungry?  We decided to grab some fast food on the way back.  One of Dean's favorites is Freddy's, and it was on the way.  It was shortly before 8 when we finally returned to Bentley - a very long day for both of us; and we were very glad we got to go home!  I knew it was worth it to pack that bag - we didn't need it!

We watched a little TV and were in bed by 10.  Another busy day, but a great outcome, so I'm extremely thankful!