My head is pounding, but it's a good pounding.....

....now that my two lady friends from church left for their nearly hour long ride home. No, it might be less than an hour since they're already on this side of the bridge. They work in Mandarin and live in the next county west of here. Must love their jobs!

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Linda and Leanne joined me here to watch the video taken on January 19, 2001, at Good Shepherd. Never before and never since has our church had so many people in attendence----as the preacher says, it takes the funeral of a 4 (5)-year-old child to pack the house. "Jesus Triumphs Over Tragedy". Need I say more? (Reference postings from January 13, 2oo8)

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Leanne told me she felt privileged to be able to watch it with me, and to hear that wonderful message. Good! I was hoping I didn't make her do something she didn't really want to do. She got much from "attending" this service, hearing the message, and seeing Linda with brown hair!!!

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If I had it to do over again and had my wits about me, I'd have had the camera man get more of the attendees into the frame to help me remember who was there, those I couldn't see standing along the walls or in the very back or in the fellowship hall. I could hear the policeman's whistle, Brad, as he directed traffic on Argyle Forest Blvd. Many folks attended who didn't get a chance to sign the Guest Book and my memory is either foggy from the events of the day and/or I just can't remember all those who came in support for our family.

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What's great about having the video tape is being able to see so many faces not seen in a long time. Some have moved to other parts of the country, some have moved on to heaven, while some only come on special days on the church calendar. Tomorrow I must call my friend in TN and catch up with what's happening in their lives. Their young daughter came to the front of the church before the funeral service and simply buried her face in my lap, mourning her lost friend. Judy said she didn't know if she should come and get Rachel or leave her there, and I motioned to leave her there until she was ready to walk away. She was probably about 6 at the time, just a bit older than Timmy. Sweet memories! Back in 2003, Cindy and Judy H. joined me at home in The Preserve to revisit that momentous day, and our heads were pounding that night, too. How wonderful to have my dear friends around me so I don't have to watch it alone.......Yes, you, Cindy!!!!!

I miss you, Judy H. !!!!!!!!! I'll call you tomorrow!!!!! Somewhere in my vast photo collection I have a shot of Rachel and Timmy playing on the floor in the Fellowship Hall in front of the soda machine. I'm going to find that picture, once I have everything ready for the pending storms...

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Justin is coming to help get things ready in case Ike comes to Orange Park. I feel I must protect my art work, especially the special portrait plus my own creations, secure my scrap books in a high, dry place, gather my important documents, protect my electronics, and basically get things away from the windows and off the floor-------just in case! Am I scared? You bet I am!!!

I should be getting dressed for the day....

....but wish to jot a few lines first!

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This morning brought sad thoughts as the news reports the death of a Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer. Only moments after the end of his shift, he struck a parked semi on 9-A and sheared off the top of his patrol car, dying in the wreck. As soon as I hear some tragic news involving JSO, I hold my breath until I know it's not any of the officers with whom I am associated. It's always tragic to lose one of these officers, but would be more so for me to lose those I actually am acquainted with and care about.

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Last night was our first choir rehearsal with Robbie at the helm as our leader and accompanist. He'd called me in the afternoon to review when I will be away, and I sort of "altered" his plans for one of the songs, which will be sung when I'm gone. Originally he'd told me we weren't singing until mid-October so I wasn't too concerned but evidently Pastor wants an anthem in September as well. We rehearsed it round and round for nearly an hour, after mucho discussion about who sings what and when do they sing it. How funny to say we went round and round since it somewhat sounds like a round! Robbie had a part for me to sing alone but I think now he gave it to Brian. We are interchangeable!?!

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I stayed up wwaayy too late watching the Convention and such so it took a long time to get to sleep. My stomach was grumbling and it occurred to me I'd not had any dinner, with only nibbles here and there all day. Breathing a sigh of relief because it appears TS Hanna is keeping away from my shoreline, I still am apprehensive of Ike, who is heading this way as well. I hate it that I won't be home when the time comes and am not certain I can depend upon Justin getting things in order here as will be needed. My long-messy desk and table may just be cleaned off by dumping the whole works into a storage bin and put in the closet for safe keeping. Who knew it would be so simple a task? I have to get my important stuff away from the windows, in case they blow in or leak.

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Judy R. was telling me about her newly re-decorated office/guest room, complete with new flooring and fresh paint. All the "stuff" had to come out of the room in order to work, but less was put back in. I envy her fresh start in the heartbeat of their home. She says her beloved Jer Bear is usually the culprit about not putting things back when taken out, but I have no one other than me to blame in this house! I've always had problems with filing, but a friend of mine, who used to work in our office, simply LOVED to file. I don't get it....wonder if it's a left-brain/right brain thing? I hope not since both Rebecca and I are lefties!

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Well, I must go shower and get dressed for the day, as the new Thrivent agent team is coming by shortly. Evidently they are changing their way of doing business or something but want to come see me and review my insurances. Hopefully no arm twisting to buy some more! My accountant said we have enough expenses that we don't need to add so many more insurance payments to the mix. Love his optimism about not needing it!