Waiting for kick-off

And so far, no rain! Justin had planned on attending the game tonight, the first game this season not being blacked out, due to help from area businesses and the city of Jax. As we were leaving Bible study, he got a phone call from his father, asking him if Justin would mind missing the game since the weather was expected to be foul tonight, complete with rain and cold. Justin was cool with it, and while I did not at first realize it was his father breaking the plans, I was bemused that he let the caller/canceller off the hook so easily. I had assumed he was going with Ron, but that was only my assumption. Instead, the father and son team is going shopping for Justin's cousins who live in Manty, as his dad is not sure what to get them. My shopping for them was completed without benefit of a list when I was in Manty, wrapped and delivered to Barb, ready for distribution. I really do not like list-shopping and prefer to take my chances on what I know or surmise.

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Our Bible study went a bit long this a.m. with our discussion of the Lord's Supper and its benefits to our life. We have a newer attendee who walks over from the subdivision next door, happy to have a church, any church, nearby. Francis' background is Methodist and she appears to be quite well-read in the Word but is strange to the WELS and its doctrines. Pastor is talking with her about taking the "Life in the Victory Lane" classes so she can become more aware of what we teach. She brings much to the class and as Justin nicely pointed out later, it helps to revisit the reasons why we do the things we do. He is quite astute sometimes.

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Justin was hungry for rice so "talked" me into lunch at PF Changs. Believe it if you will but we dined el fresco in the full sun. It just now occurs to me that I left my inevitable "to-go" box in the car. My hands were full when I got home carrying my made-to-order Papa Murphy's pizza, which is rather floppy when carried. They had a special of $5.99 for a large pepperoni and the lady nicely threw an extra handful of shredded cheese on the top, no charge! Lisa, my niece, raves about their chocolate chip cookie dough, which they offered at two for $5. I told the clerk how my niece eats the dough right from the container and she said, "It is that good!" I will wait to make mine into cookies until it is closer to when the family arrives so they are fresh.

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Joanne and Judy J. were coming over to watch the game and share the pizza but plans changed and the pizza waits. Joanne was so exhausted that she has dark rings under her eyes. I did not ask her specifically but I wonder if her incredibly noisy, rambunctious, frisky neighbors woke her up from the sound sleep again. She is working very hard these days, having lost her assistant and doing it all herself again. Maybe after CHRISTmas I can lend her a hand but do not want to jeopardize our friendship in any way. It can happen, you know! So, since the ladies are not coming tonight, my dinner will be some of my leftover ribs from Sunday night and mashed potatoes made last night. Twila and Judy J. will come tomorrow for Dinner and a Movie, when we will enjoy our pizza. I bought "Julie and Julia" for us to watch plus Twila has "The Point of the Spear', a movie she has raved about for ages. When I mentioned it to Judy, she seemed familiar with it but said she has not seen the movie, she read the book! Oh, how we laughed----there's a book???? Judy is watching the pastor's kids tomorrow as his wife is going in for her breast cancer surgery. The procedure is expected to be same-day, but we shall see. I was thinking the surgery was today but is actually tomorrow. Prayers that all goes well for her would be greatly appreciated!

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Justin is coming over Saturday to go shopping with me for groceries, mostly to help me get them upstairs. Much of my list is not food items but things needing to be on hand for house guests and their comfort. Justin assured me that the grocery items would be fine for a week prior to their arrival, especially since I am making a dinner on CHRISTmas Day after all. Even Rick and Jen might join us which pleases me beyond measure, and the Hilcheys have been invited. Speaking of which, Jen and I had breakfast early this a.m. at Grumpy's after she dropped Mem off at school. As we sat and talked, in came Owen to meet his friend for breakfast! We hugged and he sat down at the table next to ours so we could chat. He did not know that I had spoken with Sandy about coming for dinner so I hope they can make it. When he was getting ready to leave, he snatched the bill off our table, saying this morning was his treat. Wasn't that nice? Once before this happened to me, at Cracker Barrel, when a car salesman picked up our ticket. I hope all get to come for dinner on CHRISTmas Day, as I reminded Jen, I love nothing better than people around my table! Of course, it does not have to be anything fancy, just basics, but will be lovely nonetheless. Now I am getting really excited!!!!

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Justin will be at Victory on CHRISTmas Eve, attending the children's service with his father, who will be leaving for WI the next day. Victory does not have worship on the 25th for some reason so he can come to Good Shepherd for our song service and home with me for the feast. Did I mention getting excited???

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As I checked my voice mail today I had several from church, asking me about the details for Sunday's big events of putting up the tree, decorating the tree and church, going caroling, and then the chili supper. Technically I am only in charge of the caroling but, as Renee said when she called later this afternoon, there seems, oddly enough, to be a communication gap regarding the events. Really? Fortunately I was able to answer her questions about the tree and ornaments and such since some of the regular players would not be there to orchestrate the decorating. Renee's hubby, our new property trustee, is also in charge of the chili supper and seems to have that well in hand. That whole conversation just made me chuckle as once again, the right hand does not know what the left is doing but somehow, it will all come together. The church secretary had also called with questions but I did not get the message until after Justin and I finished lunch....I can get with her tomorrow, I guess. But, for now, kick off!!! Go Jags!!!