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Last year before my trip to Greece and Turkey, I was down to only one can of Diet Coke a day, which is simply amazing. Of course, being on the cruise ruined it for me, rather, I ruined it for me, got myself right back to where I was consumption-wise. Now, there really is no reason NOT to drink it, soda, that is, but I don't wish to exclude all other forms of hydration in the process.
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It appears I'm writing my Greek-styled run-on sentences again, probably because, as Robbie told me once, I write like I talk! Tarren sent a "Comment" last night from Janesville (thank you!!!) where they are gathered with family in celebration of her in-law's 50th anniversary. She reports Lucas is being the charmer of the event, making everyone in the restaurant smile! Funny, but one time Jackie, a member at the church, described Lucas' grandfather Vance as being "a charmer", in her Bronx accent. That only occurred to me when I typed it about Lucas! You guys know now for what you are in store!
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It is a busy day today with worship and Holy Communion, followed by the New Member Welcome which is my baby. I have to pick up the cake at 10:00 a.m. and pizzas are being delivered at 11:45 a.m. We usually run long on H. C. Sundays and I didn't want to stretch out the delivery until noon, in case the pizza man ran late or something. Pastor is having a meeting after church with the parents of the confirmands so has need of at least 3 pizzas for that group. One of our ladies supposed to be feted this morning is in the hospital due to a stroke so Pastor is going to take her a piece of the cake when he calls on her this afternoon. And I thought I had a busy day!!!!
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Once things are cleaned up after the Welcome (excuse me, I am NOT the fellowship lady!!!) I am coming back home to enjoy some poolside time with my lady friends. But only if the rain holds off. Seems we just get ourselves settled and it starts to pour! Last night I joined them, plus a few new faces, at a Jimmy Buffett Night event at OPCC. That's the second time I've been there this month, once for the Debutante party and now this. I hadn't been there since Pete and Tarren's wedding, I think, and now twice in a month's time!
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The McCauley's were there having dinner, too, and Rick commented he's seen me more in the last couple months than he has in 5 years! It's true! If you recall, he's the man who delivered Timmy on January 19, 1996 and attended his funeral on January 19, 2001. Makes you just wanna gulp, doesn't it?
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I left home relatively early yesterday morning, making a couple stops before heading to meet Justin. I'd hoped to be finished at the cemetery before the big funeral procession arrived but my timing was off, which I hated! There's not so much cleaning up to do anymore since our personal items have been removed, so I only swept the marker and plucked the dried fronds and dead gladiolas from the vase. The summer heat is brutal on the bouquets, then add to that the pounding rains, not good for the flowers.
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From there I headed over toward Regency Square where I was meeting Justin, actually driving right up to the place! I came in from the east rather than west which puts an entirely different prospective on the situation. Arriving about 30 minutes earlier than Justin (I thought we'd said to meet at 1:30) I did some farding before going to sit on a bench to wait for Justin. (Linda: are you rolling on the floor???). Oh, this is so funny!!!!! Tommy caught me farding at the Twin Fountains restaurant before going in for Alayna and Dustin's confirmation party, and called me on it!! Oh, that Rush anniversary brings back many fond memories for me!
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Justin and I saw "Mamma Mia" together, he treated me with a birthday gift card he'd gotten. I popped for the snacks. This theater had a smaller sized popcorn cup for me, which was still too big, but less wasteful than the small bag I get at my theater. We shared the big cup of Diet Coke and he enjoyed some Reeses' Pieces, totally off his diet. Justin never liked chocolate and peanut butter together but he seems to have gotten over that. I tried a couple nuggets but they just aren't my favorite, making it quite easy to refuse. Justin enjoyed the movie, his first time and my second, and darn it if I didn't cry again in the same spot! I was really trying not to but her song is about saying good-bye to people and it just moves me!
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Next week we are going to see the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II" which is filmed in Santorini. He is quite excited about this one because he wants to see all the places he's been to, perhaps even our friend, Jeanne's, shop and bistro! The previews show the donkeys climbing up the mountainside which really just brings it all back for us. Of course, each time I've been there we've taken the trolley instead of putting any donkeys in danger...I was always afraid they'd try to throw a saddle on me and make me carry people up the hill!!!
*This is Jeanne, working in the bistro across from her shop
Following the movie we headed over to Victory for church. Justin more quickly exited the parking lot than did I so arrived at church well ahead of me. We enjoy the Saturday evening services, get to see the same folks often and hear the grand piano being played. Linda O. and her daughter were there but couldn't stay to chat as they, too, were heading off to the movies. They chose "Mummy" since Linda had already seen "Mamma Mia", and longs to head back to that part of the world, as well. It affected me that way, too.
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Time to head over to church and get things ready for the big event. Other people not going to church this morning include those on the approximately 15 floating vessels in the river in front of me. Perhaps they worshipped last night, too!
