Such an awesome day yesterday!

"I'm much more comfortable criticizing people behind their backs..." a quote by George Castanza explaining why he doesn't simply ask his latest girlfriend to quit doing one of her "troubling" habits....the two guys are commenting about their lost lives because of being picky about "little things" their dates do, like ssshhhing them during a movie or eating peas one at a time instead of scooping.......Obviously they have no idea what it's like in the "real world"---good thing it was only a sitcom!

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Well, yesterday was absolutely fantastic, beginning with worship. Before church, though, I had to stop at Publix to get the celebratory cake for the New Member Welcome, but she wasn't quite done with it yet. I had to walk around the store, picking up items I didn't even know I needed, while waiting for the cake. I didn't want to make the decorator nervous with me standing there and watching her every move.

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Once at church, I hurriedly got things set up for the event, working up quite the sweat in the process. I'd already ordered the pizzas the day before and hoped they'd arrive on time. Pastor's sermon was so perfect for helping to restore my diminished joy, using Romans 6 as the text. The last verse of the text reads: "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus". Such great news, not "news" but great, nonetheless.

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There were lots of complications with getting the Welcome underway including the delay of the pizza delivery in spite of my reminder call to them, where I was assured the guy was on his way.....yeah, right! Well, let them eat cake!!! I had to "wrestle" the two ladies who were being feted into the Fellowship Hall to get their photos taken before we cut the cake. Finally, I managed to get them both to pose with the cake and then Julaine got busy cutting and serving.

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Finally the pizzas arrived and we could dig into them. In the meanwhile, Gordy was trying to organize carpools for the Suns Game we're going to but couldn't get folks' attention in order to distribute the tickets and arrange for rides. Pastor was also meeting with the parents of the confirmands so things were just going on all over the place! I did end up with only one full pizza leftover so I sent it home with the Langley family. Many people lent a hand to clean up the mess and get the room set back to rights for the preschool. Again, I was sweating bullets by the time that project was completed.

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I got home and immediately changed into my swim clothes and got down to the pool. Two of the ladies were already in position with a seat reserved for me....aw, I'm honored! Once my hot dog was ordered, I grabbed my Diet Coke and joined the ladies at the table. Still overcast but plenty warm out, I dipped into the pool before having my meal. A couple more ladies showed up and the sun came out and it was beautiful!

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Travis came down by the pool to order some lunch for himself and decided to buy us a drink plus the people at the next table. Most generous! He wanted to thank Rose and me for our assistance with his campaign and told us anything we want from the cabana was on him! The folks at the neighboring table also were friends of Travis (F.O.T.) and we eventually asked them to join our group. We had good laughs and I made a brand-new best friend--Diane! If I didn't know better, I'd say she is my friend, Judy R.'s, twin sister, in looks as well as spirit. She mentioned church a couple times and I asked where she went. Diane told me they are Lutherans and attend at the MO Synod church on South Blanding. We knew some people together and her hubby, Roy, commented on the "six degrees of separation" people talk about. Especially amongst Lutherans, although I believe it's even fewer degrees!!!!

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Travis commented that he was having a get-together at his place in the evening and invited us to come over when we were done at the pool. Sure! Some of the others went back to the cabana and got food and such on Travis, but I only had my strawberry daiquiri he bought me the first time. Of course, the cabana boy assured me that his tab would be picked up by his campaign funds, because all but one of us enjoying his hospitality were in his voting district. The other couple are quite active in the Republican party in our county, so we had some wonderful conversation.

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Some of the people at the pool didn't have a change of clothes along but decided to go up to Travis' anyway. I did stop in at my place to change as a courtesy to my neighbors and the other guests. The other guests were mostly my neighbors plus one of my pool friends who brought her "date". Even though my downstairs neighbors came with a bottle of Crown Royal, I stuck with my decision to have only Diet Coke. One adult beverage a day is usally sufficient for me. The O'Connells returned from their trip to Connecticut and it was terrific to have them back home with us. They are sort of the glue that holds our Palace family together!

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Linda had called when I was downstairs so I returned her call. She was calling about watching the "Traveling Pants" movie which was playing on TV that night and was thinking about me. Awww! The good news was it was coming on again right after the first playing so I got to watch it from the beginning. Judy J. called to report that I had a dilemna, and I had no idea that I did!!!! She saw that both Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman were on conflicting channels at the same time!!! I'd already recorded the Sarah concert so no problemo! Lynn also called to report that the Eagle has landed in Green Bay---actually, it was Brett Favre back "home" to rejoin The Team!!!!