I have been laughing already

....and they are not even here yet! Linda called from the airport, saying, "I'd rather go to jail than go to Atlanta.....". That is a long story but never fails to elicit chuckles from those in the know. I responded with, "I'd rather have an @#% whippin' than go to Atlanta!". My reply is a quote from Dave the Doorman, delivered as he helped unload my sister Jill's luggage from my trunk, after I collected her family from the airport. They were delayed coming down for Justin's graduation and had to stay overnight in a hotel in Atlanta, and as we shared their story with Dave, he gave his opinion. Jill had a shocked look on her face that he would say such a thing, especially to people he did not know, and then we laughed. Yes, Tommy, either choice would be preferable to going to Atlanta!

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Linda reported they are at their gate, waiting to catch the next leg of the trip, which will not be for another few hours. She assured me they were fine because across from the gate was a Starbucks, other eating places, and the restrooms were nearby. Oh, yes, they are fine! Their butts will be tired from sitting so our shopping trip to Publix will feel good. We should drop off the luggage first, I guess, to leave room for our purchases. Some of the prep work might be done tonight for the feast tomorrow, thinking Lynn's might be the most labor intensive. I will pitch in to help with her soup and Linda may as well, since she enjoys cooking.

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On Facebook last night my friend, Susie, who works at Copps, reported spotting my two visitors in the store and that she helped them get some treats for me. But wait! Susie works in the produce department! Are they bringing me some fruit? Linda told me that Susie recognized Lynn and struck up a conversation, and they told Susie about getting me some cookies. The bakery was closed already but Susie had access and got cookies for them to bring me. Whew! I have a bag of apples in my fridge as yet unopened, but do have intentions of doing so. Linda is also bringing me some cheese curds to give to my upstairs neighbor, Jessica, whose baby shower I am invited to. We will have to see how this work out because the shower is at the 2nd floor home of Hugh and Maureen on Super Bowl Sunday. Maureen said I could bring my two guests but I will have to see if they wish to come or not. Both ladies have met several of my neighbors---Lynn at the gathering before Tropical Storm Faye and Linda, at The Club, when we went for prix fixe happy hour in November. The other hostess did not know yet how many were coming so Maureen said, "Just bring 'em!" So there!

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The other day I ordered a new comforter from Overstock.com and I hope it arrives today so I can have my room all pretty before my company arrives. Of course, I guess Justin will need to come to help me get the dust ruffle on so it can wait until he is available. This present bed set is not that old, but it sure did not hold up well. Certainly the cat's nails did it no good and having to take it for laundering very early in its life (2007) after my bed was used as a cat box added to its wear. I think it was my mother-in-law who kept a blanket or sheet over the top of their bed so when they took afternoon naps, they did not mess up the bed. Hmmm.....if you want the bed to look nice, you put something over it? Or was it to look nice for company? Usually people do not get to see my room due to its multiple purposes making it messy, but Lynn and Linda have free run of the place. I want the bed to look and feel nice for me, that is my intent, and the pills and frays do not do that for me!

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When Dean, my painter, came to paint my room after the bathroom/closet remodel was done, he said, "You always choose such unusual colors...." My room is Tuscan Gold, not red, green, yellow and white stripes, like my lake house bedroom was. I used the same yellow from that home in this one, with my kitchen being Sunflower Yellow. My friend, Christine, used my extra gallon in her laundry room, it is so bright and happy. My family room has the lower portions and in the bookcases painted Merlot, and the rest of the painted walls are Shakers Beige, a color suggested by Dean. It is so restful feeling and coordinates well with the Merlot. My bedroom/office is large enough for the Gold color and with my unrestricted light at the windows, the white built-ins, and white furniture, it works, and works well. I love it in here, in this room, and the rest of my home. I will be out in the other rooms now that my company is coming so have sent the thermostat to heat up the rooms so I can stand it! My heat pad will go with me to the family room and I have my Packer blanket to snuggle me!

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Later I will get the coffee maker out from under the sink so the ladies can have their coffee at breakfast. The Space Shuttle is going up on Saturday morning, and I fear Linda might be the only one to see it from this household as the launch is scheduled for 4:39 a.m.! Lynn is also an early riser but am not sure she will be up THAT early. Mom said that perhaps Linda can wake us up to watch but I am not sure I want to do that....might make for a very long day if I do not go back to bed. Linda will snooze in the chair if we watch a movie, or we might go to the theater to see "Dear John" that day. We have our breakfast meeting at church that morning at 10:00 am and I am making my egg/cheese souffle for this function. The recipe calls for it to sit in the fridge overnight so it won't hurt to make it Friday evening and bake it in the morning. It is so delicious and so simple to make, I am proud of me!

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Again, listening to the radio on the Internet and hearing the ads, I noticed a new ad for water pumps. Finally!!!! The previous ads, read by a woman, told about how the intermittent freezing temperatures "wreck" havoc on our pipes and pumps. What? The word she was looking for was "wreak", not "wreck", although that is what happens in the end. It annoyed me no end that she mispronounced the word and I wondered why no one changed it. Also, the station is running ads for events that have long passed, and I wonder if no one in charge is actually listening to this. If they don't listen over the Internet, they might not catch it. And the advertiser is still getting bang for their buck!

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At dinner last night I was telling the ladies how I am actually drinking water, although I do not in restaurants because I just don't care for the flavor most of the time. Part of my goals for 2010 was to drink more water, and I have, and also to read a book a month. Well, now, since I established the goal, I can establish the ground rules, right? Yes, right! While I have not read a single book cover to cover, I have been reading in more than one book at a time all month. In the building business, this would be considered 'substantial compliance'. Since I put in spoken word and writing my intent to read a book a month, I can go on record saying I have kept to the goal, even exceeding it because of having more than one book going at a time. Twila said she keeps the TV off during the day, listens to the radio or sits quietly, reading or working on her needlework, enjoying the quiet. Quiet is not that appealing to me so my radio or TV is going even when I am asleep! Or listening to music and helicopters.....Having the noise keeps the voices still!