Jill is my Johnny-on-the-spot Commenter!

...and she gets the prize! Jill wins (drum roll please) ice cream of every flavor, up to her elbows! Thanks for being a faithful reader and commenter, Jill!

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My Amarillo friend, Jami, is doing better following her surgeries, both abdominal and breast enlargement. She writes in her blog about doing the "old lady shuffle" since she can't quite stand up straight yet, but the doctor said it might be okay to try walking upright now, enough healing has taken place. Prayers are being answered for her recovery, good thing we didn't place a time limit on it for God! The same goes for Linda as she progresses with her therapy and rehab after knee replacement surgery. I hope I recognize her when I see her again......might not!

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Justin is coming to my house, with Jesse dropping him off on his way to work. That will save some back tracking after the political event this a.m. We are going shopping and then to church at Victory, which begins at 5:00 pm. Lunch is served at the event so we will start off shopping with nourishment already in place. I have a circuit in mind of where to start the shopping, knowing we'll end at Town Center Mall since it's close to church. Wise planning for these things is necessary in order to conserve miles and gallons. I'm becoming a car hugger!

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More paper has been introduced to my desk in recent days, as Wednesday during our scrapping/painting time, I pulled out a file drawer of photos and memorabalia from our first big cruise in 2000. In reading through the newspapers that arrived at the cabin door each morning, the headlines were about the election and recounts and all the drama that unfolded for weeks afterward. It reminded me of Rosalie and how she popped in at our house while we were gone and helped take care of the boys, giving the other sitter a break. She sat up the entire night watching FOX, waiting for the outcome. Justin said she was on the phone, calling folks back in Houston to discuss the race, as she was active in the Party there and W is from TX. People in the Mediterranean region were up on the news and would ask, "Did you vote? Did you vote right?" Sure did, absentee, filled out with pencil so nothing left dangling.

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Back home again now after a whole day out and about with Justin. Once he arrived, I asked him to change the light bulb in my hallway fixture. Those bulbs blow with such fanfare, a huge flash of light and then nothing! He didn't need the ladder at all, could simply reach up to do it. My hallway ceilings are quite a lot lower than the rooms because the HVAC ductwork runs through them.

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First, we attended the candidates event out in Middleburg, meeting and greeting. This also gave Justin and me a chance to just sit and chat by ourselves before the stump speeches began. Boy, it was hot out, we were glad to be under the tent cover. Our meal was delicious, bbq with the works, and then right after Travis spoke, off we went. The program had run long since it didn't start right on time so we needed to take off before listening to all the speakers. My financial advisor lady friend is also in the running for a seat on the Board, and we wished her well also. She complimented Justin by saying he has his mama's smile! (Told you so!!!)

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I didn't feel like using the portables for the bathroom so stopped at McDonalds on the way back to go potty and get a drink (really?). The drinks at the event were two kinds of iced tea, so I had nothing to drink once my Sonic was gone.

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Our first store was Catherine's where I got a couple tops but no blue slacks. Rather than going to the O. P. Mall, we decided to head over to the Town Center for our next stop. Parking was difficult to come by but eventually someone was going home, so we took their spot, right in front of Dillards. What "down economy"???

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I got a top at Coldwater Creek, no blue slacks, and ordered a lightweight jacket through their Internet connection. Delivered right to my house, no shipping fees---cool! The nice lady said my size always goes the quickest, which would seem to me more in my size be ordered in the first place. But, anyway....we did find a pair of blue dress slacks at Dillards, where I also met up with a lady I worked with at Sprint!!! She's lost a ton of weight so I nearly didn't recognize her. Of course, she was amazed at how big Justin's gotten. It occurred to me while we were catching up, the last time I ran into her was also right here in Dillards!!!!! Either Lynn or Mom was with me, perhaps both, and I think that is absolutely amazing to have happen!

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Justin wanted to stop at Best Buy to look for a video game so we did, since we had time before church. I'd mentioned feeling badly about wearing such casual attire to church but he thought I looked fine. He hadn't shaved so we would be quite the pair! He got his game and we headed over to Victory. It was about 30 minutes before service time so we waited in the car, as he filled me in on his new game, first person this or that, live action.....I just smile and nod. It makes no sense to me, but I love to hear him talk. It was getting later and later with no one coming to church. I saw a blue piece of paper on the doors so he went up to read it, and came back to report there is no worship tonight as there'd been a wedding today. Oh man!

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We headed back to his place then just as it was beginning to storm, so I invited myself in to use the bathroom (excuse me----about 5 hours had gone by between potty stops!) and wait out the storm. He was hesitant to let me in, saying he was concerned that I would "judge" him but I promised not to say a word. In truth, it was very nice in there, in spite of only young men living in the home. The Weather Channel told us a severe weather system was passing through and would lighten in about an hour so we watched an episode of "Seinfeld".

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Justin wrapped a towel around me to warm me up because we were both soaked to the skin coming into the house from the car. It felt so snuggly and warm. When it settled down outside, I decided to take off because Justin was sleepy and wanted to nap before going with Jesse to the Beach this evening. Jesse's 'sister' works for a local radio station and was hosting some event at Sneakers Sports Grille. No problem coming home but had to use the wipers all the way.

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The evening now is mine and I'm going to use it wisely. Have a good day tomorrow everyone and Lord's blessings to all!