Getting back to my version of normal

Look at what came to the top when sorting through stuff from the back office! A CD which Ken had made for us when he redid my wedding photo album for our 25th wedding anniversary. I cannot find the album but I have the photos on a CD for posterity. How fun is this?? (click the photo, if you dare!)

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Yes, it is true. Things are seemingly getting back to normal around here, the dust settling as it were. The insurance companies are working with everyone, as far as I know. Regarding my unit, I am about ready to go select my replacement flooring for Mike to install. Hopefully he has hired someone to replace his brother who recently quit working with him. Andy sure was good with the saw!

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Today was a busy one with not much being accomplished regarding sorting and repacking or tossing. What I did go through, though, was my bag of paperwork from The Writer's Crew and the conferences I had attended. It was interesting to read the 'critiques' from folks on the portions of my book about Timmy that I submitted to the Crew. It sort of makes me think it is time to work on the book again...now that summer is over. (Oh, I always have an excuse!). Anyway, I decided that not much of the garnered paperwork from the conferences needed to be kept so out it went. Now I have an empty cloth bag to deal with!

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This a.m. I got to church really early, about 8:15 so I could get a jump on the service folder before having to leave for my luncheon. The only info needing to be plugged into the bulletin yet was the head count for confirmation class which would not be available until tomorrow, so Pastor said to put in N/A. Works for me! The new copier did not like me and no one was there to advise me so I resorted to using the 'old' one. All other things were ready to go for those who staple the bulletin together and do the children's pages which they will do on Friday. Jackie came in before I left, doing a mailing to the shut-ins. It was nice to have a quiet visit with her while she worked.

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The luncheon was not to begin until 11:30 but they wanted us in our seats by at least 11:15, which Ellen and I did. We sat with non-neighbors, at least we thought so, as it was not until we were walking home that we discovered one of our tablemates is a renter on the 1st floor of The Palace! How in the world did THIS happen? Ellen told Brittany how unusual it was the 'town crier' did not know someone, which really made me laugh. I have seen her come and go when in her car but this our first face-to-face meeting. A new friend! She owns and operates a dance studio and is also part of the ROAR, a Jaguar cheerleader. Nice young lady.

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The food was good and the fashions extraordinary. Many were amazed that Belk had such high-end garments, some with prices over $1000. More than one person remarked, "Not at the Orange Park store!" Must be The Avenues store providing the attire. We knew several of the models including our neighbor, Judee, who looked absolutely smashing. They had professionals do their hair and make-up, first class all the way. Our lunch was chicken salad on lettuce with some fruit and tiny muffin on the side. It turned out the muffin was banana nut so had to leave it. The chicken had some sort of little seeds mixed in which were good, making it crunchy. I ate about half of it, leaving room for my raspberry sorbet. Ellen and I had a nice time together, with her deciding she needed to buy one of the fake fur vest jackets for her daughter, Maggie. It was a bit pricey, in my opinion, and I said we would have to go shopping on Senior Citizen's Day for the discount. She was going for a mani-pedi in the afternoon so we parted company after the luncheon.

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This late afternoon I got a phone call from Mary Lew reporting she was indeed coming to Happy Hour and hoped I would be there. Not in my original plans, I felt like I should be there to keep her company, in case she did not know anyone else. See? Back to normal! We sat with one of the ladies who rents on the 2nd floor and her daughter with whom I've enjoyed HH in the past. They are both a delight and Mary Lew had a connection with them from the past. I did not have to worry about her at all, she was fine. The appetizers were quite good---fried brie, lo mein with tufu (I could pick around the tofu) and more fruit. It was a fruity day for me. Several of the neighbors came over to where I was sitting to ask how I am doing and gave hugs of support and comfort for me. They know I have been distressed about my downstairs' neighbor's situation and were glad to see me out today. Again, the assurances really help. Maureen offered to come and help me put all the bins back again, imagine that....

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Tomorrow is Bible study and lunch with Justin, again a normal thing. This weekend Suzanne and I are attending the LWMS Rally in Port Orange where Mark Vance is going to be the guest speaker regarding our Synod's work in Haiti. I preparation for our road trip, I am getting an oil change and having the tires rotated. Nothing but the finest for Suzanne!