A remembrance and later, a party

It's Super Bowl Sunday! Sadly, we won't be watching the Packers pummel the Patriots but the party goes on anyway. Hopefully my house will be shoulder to shoulder with the church family here to enjoy a snack, share some laughs, and even watch a bit of football!

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Justin is picking up my special-ordered cake from my friend in Mandarin, on his way over here. It's the same flavor cake that was given me for my birthday by the scrap booking ladies, and this is the perfect excuse to enjoy another of Dena's wonderful creations.

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I've met and made so many friends through scrap booking, even a cake maker!! Cindy recently re-started her crops and card-making events which is great for helping us to catch up with each other again. Really miss seeing some of the ladies that came over from Mandarin.

This is the cake the ladies got me for my birthday in December

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Since Justin and I worshiped and communed at Victory last night, I only stayed at church long enough this morning to record attendance. I'd pretty much decided this before leaving for Bible study, but was sure of it once I saw that our closing hymn was "I'm But A Stranger Here". Those who were there remember how beautifully Pete Prange sang this hymn, every stanza, at Timmy's gravesite. The words, the melody, the remembrance........

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Lisa included the verses of this hymn on the back of the gorgeous cross-stitching work she made for me a couple years ago. The picture is an image of Jesus holding a young, mop-haired child in His arms, with a white dove framing them. The project was truly one of great love, and when finished Lisa announced, "I don't care if I ever see blue thread again!" She presented this work to me when visiting Florida. The first wrapped package she handed me was a box of tissues.....a pretty good sign that something was going to move me! Then I unwrapped the framed needlework and had to grab for the first box. I realize how difficult yet healing it was for her to stitch that for me, then to have her include: "I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home"----

Stanza three talks about someday being at our Savior's side where we'll be glorified; there, with the good and blessed we'll again see our loved ones who've gone ahead of us, and find rest. Yes, heaven is my home!

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The river is nice and clear today, I find myself searching the water for signs of stingrays. It might be too cold for them yet but I see a turtle sunning himself on a rock by the breakwater. There seems to be lots of boat traffic today, some of which appear to be fishing and others just cruising along. A large bird is swooping about rather high, but I can't tell if it's an eagle or an osprey. Someone with a better trained eye than mine would certainly know the difference, but I don't. Maybe if it landed on my railing I could tell........

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We had dinner with Linda and Frieda last night after church at The Times Grille on Baymeadows. We introduced them to fried dill pickles which they found "interesting". The rest came home with me, although I can't say they'll re-heat nicely. Frieda just can't believe Mom didn't come down this year, telling me how terribly cold it is for her in MN. She said she likes the hamburgers at Wendy's but it's been so cold walking over there. As Linda says, you can't tell these ladies much!

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Well, it's time to start getting some things ready for the party. David says that the Patriot fans are better customers for promotional items for their team so "GO PATS!"......