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No longer on the river and, again, an empty nester. Back to living on Fleming Island and making some more friends!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I know I have been a slacker

A couple folks have prompted me to write more postings, and now that the paperwork and Court situation is sort of over for awhile, I can dedicate more time to this. I am behind in my reading of others blogs and do apologize for this, my friends, and will get caught up shortly----the only way I can! Ha ha ha....
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Over the weekend and on Monday, the F & F folks were replaying a fake commercial they made, poking fun of the Snuggies, supposedly low budget advertisement on TV. Linda J. ordered a couple but I never heard how they were working out. Even Justin mocked those ads, claiming the family wearing them in the stands at a sporting event look like "cult members". Well, the F & F team all sported their Snuggies for their version of the ad, doing the weather report, wrestling with the cell phone while using a regular blanket, adjusting the thermostat, etc. Evidently the Oprah Show caught wind of the mockery and mentioned it on her program. Funny! Apparently the man who marketed this product has made millions from his blanket with arms, and what can I say but, "Good for him!"
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As I waited for the sun to come up this a.m. I read my "Grandma" book and it was again loaded with wisdom. Let me just say this---if I cannot have my friend, Judy R., under my roof in person, she is certainly here in this book! When I picked up the already opened book, which was face down on my bed, the first passage that reached me was "and we know all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose." What more did I need to read? Truthfully, about three more chapters, but it just kept getting better, more 'right on' for the circumstances surrounding me.
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Suzanne wrote the other day about how she thought of me during a reading from Isaiah in our Lenten bulletin (sorry, I simply cannot find my service folder to reference it..). She remarked about how it seems that every time we hear or read the Word, it is exactly perfect for what we are experiencing, or someone else's woes or joys. The hymns work the same way and offer great comfort and support to His children. Another passage on the same page is from my future funeral chapter, Philippians 4: "I have learned to be content in all things." I hope that is so!
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Is there a worse smell than a stinky dish cloth? NO, I say, NO! Well, except perhaps rotten potatoes or a meat package in the wastebasket too long. But the potato and meat smell is not normally on one's hands like the dish cloth is. Whew! I have washed them a couple times and yet the stink remains. This must mean it is getting to be spring or even summer! My house thermometer reads 77 above zero but is warmer here in the window with the sun shining on me. Outside temp is in low 80's. Both doors are open to allow the fresh air to flow through but my slippers keep my feet toasty. Cannot stand cold feet!
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Butch, the handyman who is coming to make the plumbing corrections and re-install came this a.m. to get the pick-up ticket for Lowe's. He is going to unload another person's purchases first, then go get mine and plans to start here midweek next week. I must tell Joanne so she has her belongings moved, although Butch assured me he is "discreet" with people's things. I wonder what that means??? Just before he left Butch made a note to pick up the new valve and pipe he needs, and said he did not want to forget those things. Especially NOT since that is the major reason for tearing the whole works apart in the first place! When the plumbing was done originally in our Units, I wonder if the plans did not take into account the fact that some day we would have to access those valves.....???
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This afternoon my friend, Christine S., part of my Middleburg family, is coming over for a chat. She has an appointment nearby and the timing was perfect for a "pop-by". We were together last Thursday but with a group around, it is more difficult to just visit. Joanne and I were talking about doing some cleaning, but I expect Justin to be coming this week to take care of a few things. I like to do the dusting but have so many little things to mess with, making avoiding it easier than actually doing it. How in the world does it get so dusty up here in the first place? Really. How does dust get up here to the third floor, seemingly overnight? It will be worse now with the doors open. Perhaps it is pollen and not actual dust....since my car is always coated with it.
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On Thursday, another Christine (Chrissie) and her mom, Diane, who is Judy R.'s sister, are coming over to see my place and have breakfast. This is also the same day as Judy's procedure so I am glad we three will be together during the time that Judy is in surgery. We will distract and focus each other as needed! Chrissie is getting married on Saturday and sadly, I have other plans that day. Our LWMS Rally is in Ocala and I will be gone all day for that. In the evening our member, Kristi, is in a concert at Grace Episcopal right around the corner from me, and Kathy B. wants to meet for dinner before the concert. I might not be back here until 5:00 pm so it might be tight schedule-wise. Like I said the other day, it stinks to be me. But not like the dish cloth!
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Ladies' Group last night was fantastic, with 11 people there instead of our usual 5-6. Yippee! Even some of the young ladies came, those with ambition and good ideas. Our calendar of events became quite full and my job as promoter or marketer must begin soon so we can get lots of involvement for these things. Again, yippee!!! Just prior to the meeting, Joanne called from her office and insisted we go to Cracker Barrel for comfort food, because she knew I was upset after the hearing. Even though I had a roll with summer sausage on it not too long ago, I agreed to go. It is that "turning off the stove and go" attitude.....She nicely treated me to my favorite meal, which I am only this minute finishing, of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn. Half came home with me, or with her, as the case might be, for me to enjoy for lunch today!
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Last night, after getting done with our meeting in record breaking time, I returned a call from my sister, which had come during the meeting. She was wondering how I was and all that, rehashing the events of the hearing yet once more. Lori said she had prayed for me, and for Justin, which is heart-warming. In talking with folks, there is scarcely anyone is untouched by this economic meltdown, whether they are business owners or grocery baggers. We had a great visit on the phone, so we do not forget the sound of each other's voices, as Tommy cautioned might happen with e-mail. They had a house concert Sunday night featuring Celtic music this time, and had a wonderful time in spite of inclement weather. Lori also told about how they sort of redecorated their family room with three colors of paint, one which has stones in it! Hmmm, I wonder if David would come down here and do that for me...........

Expectations, sometimes dashed

This was a most excellent morning, although sleeping and waking have been disrupted, in no small part due to the time change. Wow! And I hear it is not just Joanne and me having troubles. I want to stay all day in bed and then I realize it really is time to get up! Joanne was sitting and watching the news when I went out in the family room to chat. All of a sudden she had to fly, realizing it was time for her to get to work for a meeting. No shower for her today!
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Sunday at church, I was talking with my friend, Jennifer, about her family's trip to the zoo Saturday. Her hubby was excited to see the komodo dragon which I think is a new exhibit and was hyped to their kids. When the little guy, Caleb, actually saw the dragon which his dad was so excited about, he was greatly disappointed, because Caleb expected something bigger, greater, scarier, or whatever, other than what he saw. Hmmmm.....expectations.
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At lunch that same day, Kathy B. was talking with Lynn and Pastor about going to the big aquarium in Atlanta. They had been there, too, on vacation, and had good memories of the experience. Kathy told about hearing so many wonderful things about the penguin exhibit, how there is place where you stick your head and are surrounded by penguins as you look around. Well, it was not a very large place allowed for viewing and Kathy was so surprised at how short the penguins were! She took some teasing about how TV and movies only make them look taller, and such, but in fact, her expectations about the penguins and their exhibit were not met....expectations again!
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Many years ago a movie came out, "Shrek", and it was wildly touted as being a great movie. Justin and I watched it from the hotel room in Las Vegas on CHRISTmas Day, 2001, while his dad slept the day away, not feeling well. Justin and I found it quite amusing, especially the part about the "gum drop buttons" and "do you know the Muffin Man?" It was hyped so much to Pete that when he finally did see it, the movie did not live up to his expectations. He was, like, "What? I didn't think it was so funny" when others thought it was hysterical. I do not think I would find the entire movie to be so good but those couple of scenes just tear me up. I think it reminds me of the "old" Saturday Night Live character, Mr. Bill. Anyway, the expectation of loving that movie was not met.
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And, such is life!