When I arrived at Victory this a.m., Pastor Hoyer greeted me with the words, "Oh, Kim, you braved this rainy weather to come across the bridge today!" It was drizzling but certainly not enough to deter my trip to Victory...what? I heard him tell someone else that overnight to morning they had gotten over 2" of rain! Wow, that was what he was talking about. In my sleep, I vaguely recall hearing rain against my windows but it did not seem overly 'damp' outside when going to my car. Not 2" worth, anyway. We have not had sunshine for two days and I am really feeling funky through and through because of it. No pool time at all since last Sunday late afternoon, either, with the full schedule, etc. Yet, if it had been clear skies, sunny, and hot, I would have made the time to be out there! The surfing is reported to be fantastic with the passing storm in the ocean, so bravo for those riding the waves and those bobbing in boats outside my building on this blustery, now rain-free day!
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Justin is on his way home, stopping overnight Saturday at Grove's mom's house in NC. He sent me a number of text messages and even an e-mail greeting me this a.m. when I turned on my computer. Yesterday afternoon my sister-in-law, Mona, called me and we had a nice chat, our first since I was home in June. She was less than impressed with Justin's adventure to DC, saying it was totally opposite her politics. She was not aware this was a non-political event, but it is hard to tell from what the media writes. "Reports" would be a real stretch. Anyway, it was merely a coincidence that she called me as I had news regarding Marian, whom I heard through the grapevine, via Mishicot, that Marian was in the hospital again. Her daughter, Christina, in Palm Coast (here we go....) had posted a prayer request on Facebook for her mom as she was having serious heart troubles again. Marian's sister, Nancy, let Marcia know in Mishicot, who contacted me. Somehow or another I had missed the prayer request earlier in the day and was glad Marcia e-mailed me. Immediately I reached out to Tina to find out the scoop, but in the meanwhile, Nancy wrote me via Facebook chat to ask if I knew anything. I told her I was awaiting word from Tina. Biff evidently had seemed quite short of breath when talking on the phone which alarmed Tina and somehow she had gotten time off to go down south to see her parents. I gave Mona as much info as I had regarding that situation.
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When Mona and I get on the phone, we make it count, and somehow I managed to change my clothes for the funeral, and drove over to Publix on the way to church, without missing a beat. Fortunately I had showered earlier in the morning (during one of the gospel songs at the event) and should have dressed in my good clothes right away---duh! Part of our conversation was regarding what Allie was going to pursue for her field of work once out of high school next spring. She likes kids so was thinking of being a teacher or working in a day care. Mona said she has to keep reminding herself that Allie in 'only 17 1/2" and shouldn't be expecting grown-up thinking from her just yet.
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My fridge holds lots of leftovers, from Carrabba's and Longhorn, the funeral on Wednesday, and the one on Saturday. Tonight might be a good night to have the Carrabba's because I hate to have that before I am going to be around people, due to the garlic. I can brush and rinse really well in the morning and be fresh for Bible study. Afterwards will likely be more Longhorn....hmmm....I could take my leftovers along and have them reheated for my lunch! I just finished my little container of green beans brought home from last night's funeral dinner, with the bacon crumbles in, Suzanne's recipe. Pastor raved about those beans and I told him I would share the recipe, but have to clarify a few details of it with Suzanne first. The way it is with these type of things is actual measuring rarely takes place, more like a little of this and a little of that. We will figure it out and see if Lynn K. can reproduce it for him.
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Twila and I were talking at the table yesterday that is was 5 years ago now that we were on the Mediterranean cruise with Jean and her family, sailing from Barcelona. It was on this trip that I spotted my dining room light fixture but the lake house did not call for such a thing. However, only a year later, living in the condo, it did beg for such a thing. Justin searched those streets in Florence relentlessly in search of the shop, hence missing the church where Michelangelo and other famous folks were interred. And tomorrow, he is coming over to help me polish it up before all the company arrives!!!!
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Ethel and Darwin were sitting near us, as were Judy C., Judy J., Twila, and me. Darwin pointed out that it was nearly the entire gang that took the Alaskan cruise in 2007. Sue was sitting at the table behind ours so we had well over half of us around the table. Ethel says they wish to take another cruise and I am guessing they want me to put it together (gulp!), thinking this time of going through the Panama Canal. I told them my vacations now will be to see my mom which they understand but the thought of the Caribbean is awfully enticing! I would so prefer that to Alaska, let me tell you! And we really did have a great time, even though I was cold. Really?
