July 19, 2023
Marilyn picked up Terry and we met some of the BJBE Sisterhood gals at the San Fillippo Estate, in Barrington, for a tour of the estate. We asked the guide how long the tour was and he said it was 3 hours (including an hour at the Carousal Building). We decided to leave after the two hours at the Estate. The home contains a private collection of music machines, slot machines, priceless antiques, stained glass, a world-famous organ, perfume bottles, in addition to the antique carousel (1890) that can be riden and is in a separate building..
This is all the collection of the San Filippo family (the father who has since passed away), his wife who has dementia, and their five children. We think all of the children have homes on the estate. They made their money in nuts (Fisher Nuts) and other store banded nuts.
The perfume-bottle collection takes up a four-room addition and is a collection that one of the sons initiated. Marilyn had an allergic reaction in there!
Appleton
We left the estate and took a scenic route that the GPS sent us on to get to I-94 to be on our way to visit Jess and Andrew.
It was pretty clear sailing until we hit a little construction. We did stop for gas and a potty break.We took I-94 into I-41 North right into Appleton.
We pulled into the Doubletree Hotel parking lot, registered and came down to meet Jess and Andrew. Jess drove Mar's car to dinner at the Good Company Restaurant. Everyone had something different for dinner. Our leftovers went home with Jess and Andrew! As did Terry's brownies that she baked for them!
We then went to their house to meet the cats, Andrew drove Mar's car. Terry did pet the cats, but Marilyn did not as she's allergic to cats and did not have any allergy meds.
Jess took us back to our hotel and she pulled her car out so we could use her parking space.
July 20, 2023
We went down for the buffet breakfast and were presented with a bill for $32 for the buffet. Terry had the name of the person who took the reservation, who said breakfast was included. The waitress found some breakfast coupons for us. We left a nice tip.
Terry has asked for a room with a shower stall. However, when Marilyn went to take her shower she could not adjust the shower head so she could shower without getting her hair wet (as Jess was going to be doing our hair) Marilyn did not want to get her hair wet. So she took a "sponge bath" next to the shower.
Terry, who is taller than Marilyn, got the shower head directed down when she took her shower. Marilyn should have had her do it for her, but who knew that she could reach it.
The room was missing the shampoo container in the shower stall, the kleenex was out, the telephone did not work, there was only one uncomfortable chair, and a desk chair. We won't be back. Lots of other hotels in the area. Also, generally breakfast is not included there.
We drove over to Jess' school and she put us in an area with side-by-side chairs. Terry got her color and then Marilyn got her color. An instructor checks every step! After Terry had her haircut and blow dry, it was Marilyn's turn. We are "georgous." We both bought some products. Jess liked Mar's earrings (black/white from Florida) and she gifted them to Jess!
We then went to lunch at Panera (Jess did the machine to order). Mar had some gift cards and we all had soup and Jess had a little sandwich also. We drove Jess back to school and were on our way home!
We stopped for some potty breaks and gas, in addition to Cracker Barrel. We got turkey dinners to go. Terry had promised Marilyn a turkey dinner (Thursday special at Cracker Barrel) since our trip back from Florida. Terry had a gift card.
Marilyn dropped Terry off and arrived home, unpacked and had the turkey dinner. Enough left over for another dinner.
We forgot to take photos. Here's a nice photo of Jess and Andrew from Jess' Facebook Page.
Here's a nice photo of Terry, Marilyn with Jess from our birthday.
