It is nearly time to go....

...and I still have people to see! Where does the time go? And so quickly?? The cross-state traveling takes up time but was necessary to see Judy and celebrate ThanksLiving with Lori and family. Linda is already thinking of ways to get the three of us--Judy, Linda, and me---together, under one roof in the future. I cannot even imagine the great fun THAT would be!

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Mom and I went shopping this a.m. as she had to fill a scrip again at Wal*Mart. Her insurance does not allow her to fill them all at once so has to do them almost one by one as they come due. Such a bother for an older person, or for any person as far as that goes. I bought a passel of CHRISTmas presents to wrap and leave behind for those not coming to FL to celebrate with the rest of us. I love shopping for the kids, the best fun of all is choosing the most fun toys and best books. Once the kids get older, the going gets tougher, but I think I did okay. I have gift receipts to accompany the packages if they don't work out.

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Mom and I had lunch with Linda, who was our wheel man today, and enjoyed Thai-American food at a new place in town. Yummy food but a great deal of it so Mom will have another meal or two from our combined leftovers. A kettle of my delicious chili was brewed on the stove all afternoon once Linda and I got back from shopping at the Honey Pot. Cindy, the proprietress, was not in this afternoon so I did not get to greet her. Nor does she have to ship me any lovely glass as none caught my eye today. I think the holiday stuff in her shop took the place of the temptation and I walked away with only homemade chocolates in my bag. Linda did better than did I with a few exchange gifts taken care of today.

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She was worn out from her busyness last night, preparing for and serving her table of guests at the Ladies' Advent Service at church. Jill, Mom, Alayna, Lynn, and I were seated at her table along with Joanie and two ladies she invited. The service was lovely, and I got a few pictures with my purse camera which I won't be able to download until I get home. I hope I like the photos from the little camera or else it is back to the giant Canon for my picture taking. Before I left there, I got and gave hugs to Tommy, who was doing dishes in the kitchen, and the two pastors, one also doing dishes and one carrying his newly born baby in her carrier. I think the baby needed her mama, if you know what I mean.

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This afternoon while making my soup, I also chatted at some length with my cousin, Rochelle, who is caregiver to my sis-in-law, Sharon. It saddens us both that Sharon is rather "abandoned" since her mom died two years ago and her dad in an Alzheimer unit. My friend, Letty, took Sharon along to a concert at Lutheran High not long ago, being asked to do so by another friend of Sharon's who could not take her. Letty did not know Sharon before but took her along, only to be met by Mom and Lynn who informed Letty that Sharon was 'family'! Small world, is it not? I really wish there was something I could do, but it is out of my hands at this point. Tomorrow afternoon I am going to pick her up and take her to supper somewhere, and then am meeting my other sis-in-law, Barb, at her parent's house. Whew!

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Mom, Jill, and I watched the funeral video this evening, at Jill's request. She had no idea, until I mentioned it recently, that Mom had a copy of it. To hear that sermon once more does not hurt a bit and there were fewer tears shed tonight than the last time I watched with Kelly T. During dinner I managed to spot my turtleneck with tomato sauce so off I went to launder it immediately. I had to go change the load over quickly and got back to Mom's apartment just as the sermon was about to begin. I can truck pretty quickly down the hall and back again when I have to, even with a loaded wash basket!

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Joanne called with the weather report for Wednesday, saying high winds are expected that afternoon, with gusts up to 50 mph and potential for power outages. Nuts! I do not want any delays in getting back to Jax as we have church that evening and choir rehearsal afterward. The next day I am expected for Bible study at Victory followed by Ladies' Advent Service runthrough following the study. Whew! I will be right back in the swing of things as soon as I get back. Love it! Saturday is the service and I hope Martie remembers to ask off that day......we have an event at the Thrasher-Horne on Saturday night, too, so we fly from one end of town to the other Saturday. Sunday will be worship and football, and Monday night is our Ladies' Group CHRISTmas party AND Packer football. Did I mention I love it???