I like cauliflower!

Okay, get up off the floor, it is not such a shock! Since my appetite is a bit challenged today, my search through the fridge brought nothing of interest except for the leftover cauliflower from Thursday's dinner. My dish of corned beef, cabbage and carrots was scooped into a zip lock bag (I want to shake the hand of the person who invented them!) and is in the freezer. Justin will not turn down anything, because, even if he does not eat something, one of his friends might! This dish, though, is one of his favorite that I make so my guess is he will eat it himself or at least share.

*

Last night Joanne went through and purged the fridge of things which were no longer recognizable or good so it is nice and bare again. Justin has money to pick up a 24-pack of soda for me at Publix because they are having a sale. I hope he remembers to grab it on his way over here....Tonight there is a ladies' group meeting, our make-up meeting from last week, and I hope we have a good turnout. Before leaving this a.m. I sent out a reminder notice and hopefully those at Bible study discussed it as well. Strangely enough I would just as soon stay home and reflect some but it is probably best to go off and hang with my buds instead.

*

While I was waiting at the Court house on a bench in the hallway, people kept walking up and down the hall, marked "Quiet Zone" but the shoes, both men's and women's, made such racket on the floor, oh my! At one point at the far end of the hall, I heard a door open and a young lady threw herself onto a bench and sobbed her heart out. It took all of me not to go down there to see what was the problem but I kept my seat. Before too long another couple people came out and there were more tears as they spoke with a man who I think is the attorney. From what I gathered, some one was sentenced, possibly a shooting incident, and the family of the shooter was upset. I am glad to not have gone down there to offer consolation, not knowing the entire story. And yes, I know, it was not my business. But seeing and hearing the upset really helps to put things into perspective.

*

At church yesterday one of the ladies who regularly substitute taught in the government schools received a phone call from the schools where she worked to inform her that her services were no longer required. Over 400 teachers were "surplussed" last week which resulted in a protest rally over the weekend to bring attention to the problem. Picketers were at Blanding and Kingsley, a high visibility site. Evidently, the plan is when a teacher is out sick or for another reason, the kids from that class are put into another teacher's classroom instead of having a sub. Imagine that! Other teachers I know of are sweating, waiting for the other shoe to fall, at risk of losing their jobs. Stinks!

*

It is a gorgeous day today weather-wise, in the 80's and sunshining. Suzanne reports smelling flowers and I observed blooming azaleas all along the streets. The water fowl are out and about but no sign of the lephechaun yet today. The camera is ready, in case I spot it bobbing on the water. I think I will take a nap now.........

Prayers are answered but....

....hearts are aching. As a result of sitting in chambers with the Judge for a more than 30 minute hearing, upon weighing the testimony, he did rule in my favor, but at a substantial reduction in the amount of alimony. I do not want to discuss it right now, my emotions are a bit raw. It was tough seeing and hearing how badly the market and decision making has affected my former business, my friends, my former co-workers, and probably my son....I just can't talk about it right now. But, many thanks for the great support offered and I ask for more prayers that this market comes back sooner rather than later to preserve the jobs and incomes of others in this real estate market........

Listening to lovely music while Rome burns...

....no, probably not. Kathy B. sent me a play list she put together of contemporary Christian music, as Brian and she were absolutely blown away that I did not listen to this type of music. Kathy has been working on this for some time, gathering the most excellent pieces to send me via electronics and it plays as I write. Some of the melodies reminded me of "Phantom of the Opera": "in sleep he sings to me, in dreams he came, the voice that cries to me and speaks my name....". Guess what I will be listening to in the car these next few days!

*

Remember my promise to stop working early in the night so as not to interrupt my sleeping? It was a wonderful plan but it did not work. Joanne also had trouble going to sleep, too, so we attributed it to the time change. Normally by 11:00 p.m. I am ready to roll over for sleep, but I heard the clock chime midnight and perhaps beyond before sleep took over. To avoid oversleeping this a.m. I had set the alarm on my phone to wake me, but I was not ready to do that when it went off. Joanne and I had make sure we got our showers before the water is turned off again for more repairs. Brown ice cubes, here we come!

*

There is a man on F & F this a.m. who is marketing a Bernie Madoff bank where you drop the money into the top but there is no way to get the money back out. The resemblance is remarkable, and I love that someone can capitalize on this tragedy. Folks are just beside themselves knowing this rascal might be making plea deals to get out of going to prison or shortening his time in prison after bilking billions of dollars from folks. Since I know of someone who was "victimized" by Madoff, I pay special attention to what goes on with this guy, plus F & F stays on top of his antics as well. "Weekend at Bernie's"....always makes me chuckle! Maybe because he lives in a $7 million dollar apartment while his family members are losing their homes to his bogus investments....oh yes, that is hysterical!

*

My attorney wants to meet with me before our appointed Court time so I am heading down to Green Cove earlier than I need to be. Parking can be difficult, with some walking involved and then the inevitable but necessary metal detectors at security to go through. Time will be my friend today. I remember going to the Court House for some documents many years ago and the x-ray machine showed all sorts of metal in my purse. Upon investigation we discovered 5 Matchbox cars plus other toys and "mom" stuff in the bottom of the purse. I am fairly confident there are no cars in there any longer but might take another look at what would show up on the x-rays!

*

Too bad I have to miss Bible study this morning and lunch afterward but it cannot be helped. Last Thursday I missed the study at Victory, but again, unavoidable. Tonight we have our make-up Ladies' Group meeting since last week so many were going to be out or were sick, it did not pay to try and hold a meeting. Guess I had better send out a reminder to the ladies so no one misses by mistake.

*

More later!