Do I hear "three"?

When Justin was a little boy, oh, about 4 or so, he was tucked in for the night........but his conversation continued long after we'd left the room. At one point I went back in to tell him to quit talking and go to sleep, he replied, "But, Mama, I have words left over!" Can't fault a guy for something he came by naturally, right?

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Well, today I'm the one with words leftover! For the 3rd and probably last time today, I am posting.

Martie and I just finished our lovely dinner at the Blu Grotto, the very same place where I had lunch with Justin today! At the beach last week I told her we needed to go there, so when she suggested dinner tonight, oh, yeah, let's go! I saw a mess of people I knew there, and saw some folks at noon, too. Great fun!

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But, here's the thing: I saw Carol, a Realtor at E. H. whom I've known for many, many years, and her hubby, whom I see often at Longhorn. She was happy to see me and gave big hugs, etc. And then she reported that someone said they'd seen me out with a guy........what? I blew it off, saying it was probably Justin, and she said no, it wasn't. Hmmm....people are talking about seeing me out with a guy????? That is nuts on so many levels! I said, "Well, if they did see me out, it was probably Rick, who drew your house plans." Carol said, "No, it was an older guy." I told Carol in no uncertain terms that I was absolutely NOT dating anyone ever, that it must have been a mistaken identity (oh, yes, soooooo many people look just like me)...

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This gave Martie and me something fun to discuss over our dinners. We thought and thought over who it could have been....Paul! Joan's husband, Paul, it has to be! (Justin and I celebrated Christmas at their house, I posted a photo of us all together.) He is the only older man I've had dinner with but certainly not alone, always with our group. Isn't it funny how stories get started? Hopefully I sufficiently defended my honor with Carol, and she'll "share" that information with her cohorts. We just shook our heads over this, just imagine someone wanting to go on a date with me!?!? Puh-lease! The only other option would be when our Bible study group goes for lunch but still, that's not on the Island and is always more girls than boys....

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After Martie left, I headed for the elevators where I met Ellen, my upstairs neighbor, who was coming home after being at the hospital. Her hubby, who is somewhat well-known, had his hip replaced, again, yesterday. If all goes well, he'll be released on Saturday to come home. She said she'll be playing nurse to him, but once he's not as dependent on Ellen, she and I are going to go have dinner at Blu Grotto. I really love it there: the rich blues, the Italian theme, the music....

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While eating lunch, I told Justin the music alone made me want to just pack my bags and go over!!! He said to go for it, just sell all I own and find an apartment near the Ponte Vecchio. He's such a romantic, or a Florentine, as the case might be. When I said I'd miss him, he said, "You could send for me". He's got it all worked out.....the only thing about his plan? No church for me there! Small detail.............

Two postings today.......

After choir last night I caught up with Carol in the parking lot and told her about the big sign at the cemetery. Her infant son and her mom are buried just steps away from Timmy. Judy C. was there, too, when I told about having to collect the memory items from the site......Carol, being Carol, said, in her loving way, "Well, that's another step..." She is so wise, that Carol. She knew exactly what I was thinking and feeling. I used to call her "Troi", from Star Trek: The Next Generation because Troi was an "empath", could pick up vibes from people and know what was going on inside them. And Carol can do that, too, plus knows what to do with the information!!!!! Comfort!

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I'd love to have half the Troi that Carol has.............

Another lovely morning on the river

Southern view of The Club, which is what I see from my front doors....

The humidity has forced me to fire up the A/C last night and today, since I couldn't get my kitchen door to shut properly. It was so swollen, it wouldn't let me out the door for Bible Bites. I figured "what's the harm in turning it on while I'm gone?" It's set on 80 but I arrowed down to 78 (brrr.....!) and have left it at that overnight. At one point before I went to bed, I heard my wood front door open....scary! Certainly it was the wind pushing it, because it could! Enough moisture had left the wood to allow it to pop open, since it probably wasn't tightly shut in the first place. The metal door was safely locked so no worries there, just an eerie feeling to hear the door open all by itself.....(imagine creeeeeepy noises, and voices whispering, "Don't go in there, don't go! Turn on a light!). I don't watch enough of those movies!

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Evidently the roofers don't stay up until all hours communicating with their friends in TX like I do, as they were on the job bright and early this a.m. With the threats of rain yesterday and today, they most likely have to hustle some so as not to leave our underbelly exposed to the elements. I doubt tarps would help much in a good-sized downpour. My parking spot was occupied with a giant dumpster yesterday so am glad I found a vacant "Guest" spot to park in. I offered my garage spot to my neighbors before I realized mine would be taken up outside. The early memo's didn't mention those parking spots!

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This brings to mind a "Seinfeld" episode where George didn't want to drive his car anywhere because he had gotten the "perfect" parking place. I don't want to go bumming today and possibly lose my Guest spot!! Of course, I will, but the thought did cross my mind......Wal-Mart, that den of iniquity, has some re-fills from me to pick up, plus I want to buy a birthday present to take along to Dave & Busters Sunday.

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For those who don't know, D & B is an indoor playground for mostly adults...kids can go but must be attended by an adult. They are also known for their excellent menu and am looking forward to enjoying the company of my friends, some good food, and perhaps a game or two of Skee-Ball! Justin will have great fun playing with the big boys on whatever it is big boys like to do. When the Prange's were here in January, I had to miss going with them and the gang to D & B because of Pizza/Game Night. Later, Fausto said he would have run the fun at church so I could go, but, oh well....it's the thought that counts anyway!

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My heart rejoices that the roofing costs didn't come in at the highest price estimated. That would have been absolutely killer and made me very sad. So, now the sum is not as much, so I am glad to pay the yet horrible amount....if they'd said a lower price first and then found it be higher, my attitude would be damaged. Starting with the higher cost and coming down, now that's the way to play it! Makes it seem like we got a good deal! And last fall, when I had water running down into my family room from the two floors above mine.....yeah, we need to do something about this roof! And we are!!! That same terrible rain storm is the one which flooded my Longhorn and totally warped the wood floors---while people were eating lunch! They have since taken out the wood and replaced it with carpet and tile. Less ranch-like, also probably less vulnerable to Florida weather!

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Oh, my gosh, the moon last night absolutely spectacular!!!!!!! Inspires awe!!!!!!!