Where is the sunshine? Where are my commenters?

Boy, it is just so gloomy looking out there today! Earlier it was bright blue sky offset with puffy white clouds but now only gray as far as the eye can see. Today it is 65 degrees above zero now with is about 50 degrees warmer than in my hometown. Sorry, guys!

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Joanne was up and out the door well before I even opened my eyes as she is taking her dad for his medical tests downtown. She didn't have the remote control for operating her fancy alarm clock (it's a combination device) so used my cell phone alarm to wake herself. Hope that all went well for them.

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Jackie and I went to the Friday Musicale and truly enjoyed the choral group which performed for us. The room was again packed, which is excellent, with the majority being senior citizen groups from various "homes" in the community. The women's chorus sang a nice selection of tunes including many religious (imagine that at CHRISTmas!!!) songs, and a surprise visit from Santa Klaus. The second part of the program was extremely precious as a man, former violinist with the Symphony, who has tackled the music education of children who live in the homeless shelters and domestic abuse centers. Preschool children. You've never seen such darling little ones! There were 12 kids aged 3-5 with whom "Dave" has worked, teaching them little singing ditties in which they act out parts, on the order of finger plays but using instead, stuffed animals and small shakers. My collar on my turtleneck was soaked with tears after watching these little ones go through their paces, and quite well, I might add. Dave said it was like to herd cats!!

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Once they played all their ditties, the door to the stage opened from behind, totally freaking out one of the teachers sitting in the background, and with a mighty "ho, ho, ho!", out came Santa again! He had a big bag of stuffed teddy bears and a small gift bag for each child. Later, the President of Musicale said all the kids would also be receiving a book to take back with them to their "home". I was quite moved, naturally.

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Jackie, the gem that she is, treated me to a lovely lunch at the European Cafe where I enjoyed a delicious brat and a side of beer cheese soup! Oh, yummy! Some folks were enjoying their afternoon repast el fresco but we ate indoors since we are both chilly willys. Which is the reason I ordered the soup. It was good for Jackie and me to have some one-to-one time, as she so aptly stated it, but were also sad that no one else took me up on the offer to attend this event. Now that she has a taste of this bi-monthly social/cultural/free concert, Jackie is sure she'll attend again!

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My e-mail has been fairly quiet these past couple days, save for hearing from Linda, Judy R., and Suzanne. Judy is being a busy bee sewing for her daughters, after doing her knitting and other handwork projects. Oh, for half her talent! And her love of doing it! Speaking of handwork, Kelly brought me a present yesterday when she came to work on her cards. She made me two dishtowels that hang on the oven door or cabinet handles, plus two extra towels. It was such a blessing to have these towels, because as I told her, I need a wedding shower right about now, since my kitchen towels and cloths are going to pot. Must be using them too much!

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Oops, I hit "Publish" before I was ready! Sorry 'bout that everybody. One thing I wished to include in my blog today was the address for a place for where to order edited, family friendly movies but now I can't seem to locate it again. I was looking to buy "Good Will Hunting" in its edited form because I love the story so much but simply cannot, will not, tolerate the filthy language! The one site was going out of business and I'd have to purchase 10 or more movies to get only 1, which is far more than I wish to do right now. I'll keep looking to see what I can find. Today Suzanne sent me a link for a little video which she said made her think of me. I am quite flattered and honored that she thinks that of me. Click on this to open the video and let me know how you like it: http://www.youtube.com/user/andyradorfman

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In a few minutes I am heading to Mandarin to crop/work on cards with Chrissie, Judy R.'s niece. She spent the day in St. Augustine on a field trip with her son's class and is chilled to the bone so I offered to come to her house instead of her coming here. We are having pizza and, of course, a wonderful time! Tomorrow Justin and I are spending the day together until I need to shoo him out before I go to Kristi's concert at the Thrasher-Horne Center with the church family. I have also been invited to see Jax d'Ville at RE/MAX for a party Joanne is part of, but won't have a spare moment, I'm afraid. Remember last week when I thought I was feeling "let down"?????