The phone call which disturbed, much to my relief, the nightmare about going on vacation, was from the plumber, Russ. He reported he'd be here around 9:00 a.m. As a courtesy to him, I decided to get up and dress myself rather than greet him in my nightie. I went out to warn Joanne that the plumber was coming when she excitedly reported that the garbage disposal had healed itself last night!!!! She had accidentally flipped it on, out of habit, and away it whirred! I tried it myself just make certain it wasn't a fluke, and sure enough, it was healed!!! Immediately I called Russ back to tell him the good news and ran my speculation past him. I wondered if running the dishwasher a couple times since the "impaction" occurred might have freed the blockage, since I did notice water from the disposal side of the sink had risen half way up the sides while the dishwasher ran, leaving a greasy ring. He said it is possible that the dishwasher working removed the obstruction and said he wished all his jobs were so simple! Me, too! The disposal lives to die another day!
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Being a new year and life returning to normal after the holidays, my radio guys should be back on the air, live today. Since I listen over the computer, I had to go to WOKV's website to click the "listen live" button. Occasionally I'll hang around the news page that comes up to read the local news, and, as normal, was nothing but tragic stories. A middle-aged guy doing stunts on his motorcycle killed himself in a Publix parking lot when he lost control and wrapped himself around a pole. Tragic, but it figures! Another story was a pedestrian hit while crossing Blanding near the BJ's Superstore, and later, a truck crossed the path of an oncoming motorcycle and the two on the motorcycle are in serious, life-threatening condition. The worst news story, less gory, but much much more tragic was the weekend drowning of a 9-year old girl, found in her grandparent's pool. Yep, that trumps all the rest of the stories on the homepage.
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As my friend, Judy R. mentioned the other night on the phone, it is getting to be "that" time of year again, 8 years since my son died. Jami, my blogger friend, mentioned me in her posting over the weekend when she wrote about loss and dealing with it. When I was at the Building Dept. the other day, I met the new head of the department, who knew who I was because of the pictures of Timmy plus having the "girls" discussing me and my family. He said that even though he didn't know me personally, he thought about us whenever called upon to speak about pool safety and such. I suggested to him that he stress not being "cavalier" about what can and cannot happen, don't assume everything will be okay around the pool. I am so glad I stopped up there to say "hi"!!!
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After worship Sunday, I took the bouquet of flowers from the altar to the cemetery. I'd not been there yet this year! Justin had been given the responsibility of taking the CHRISTmas tree to the cemetery but somehow or another, kept forgetting. That was a huge disappointment to me, but I am also disappointed in me for not getting over there before I left for my trip. I was holding off putting it down there as it wasn't going to be fully in compliance with the rules of the cemetery. Anyway.........
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A group of us went to the movies after church, watching "Marley and Me". It was a true story (I think there was a book!!!) of love growing around the family pet and how this family handles life problems and such. An excellent story, about more than just a dog, loaded with life lessons and such, and loving something more than yourself. It was quite the tear-jerker, a good tear-jerker at that, and I truly recommend it. I think it's healthy for kids to see movies like this, not only the cartoon-type shows. After Jami wrote about how affected was her son, not quite a teen, by "The Bucket List", it might open some doors for conversation. Her son and she had not spent much time discussing having parents die, or death in general, so it worked to open that dialog between them.
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In the lobby afterwards, looking like heck after weeping through the movie, I met my dear window man, Jack, with his family. They'd seen a kid's movie but I suggested that perhaps next time, they see "Marley and Me". His wife was concerned it was too emotional for her kids, as they are quite young, but I assured her that Jack and she would manage just fine if they wished to see it without the girls. It was not what could be considered a chick flick because much of the story centers around the man, a newspaper writer, and how he makes his life choices and such. Excellent movie, and a great birthday present, as Kathy paid my way as her gift to me!!!
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I had to rush home after the movie to meet Judy J. who was designated driver as we were having dinner with other church members. Between Bible study and worship I told Julaine that I'd thought about her while in Manitowoc, when I heard a lady order the same kind of drink she enjoys. Julaine loves Southern Comfort Old-Fashioneds and I know this because of completing one of those friends' surveys where we fill in little known information in order to stump our friends---supposedly. I'd remarked to her that I never had an old-fashioned and she'd offered months ago to make one for me. Well, evidently the time had come! She invited Judy and me to dinner to enjoy a kettle of homemade pea soup and have a drink with Fausto and her. We accept! For lunch I had a small cheeseburger and some fries from 5 Guys, and for dinner, a lovely dinner with friends, patio dining, and sipping an Old Fashioned with Southern Comfort! Judy liked hers, too, but we switched from our before-dinner drinks to soda or water with our meal. Judy had made a from-scratch key lime pie for our dessert, which was delicious. Judy dropped me off at home around 8:30 pm, the end of my whirlwind day of socializing and entertainment! We made a decision to do this at least once a month, taking turns hosting, because I think Fausto still drives at night! I'm in!!!
