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

Saturday, September 11, 2010

What a sad day for me

My sister went home. Yup, she did it, got on the plane and flew back to WI. Many of my friends and neighbors were encouraging her to stay here and transfer her employment to Jacksonville's ATT center. Who knows? Maybe some day, she will!

One of the ladies last night said Kerry would be surprised at how much cheaper it is to live here, but on the ride to the airport this a.m., Kerry said that is not true. She is basing this on the cost of rent and the price of pork steaks and hamburger at Winn-Dixie. Whether that is a fair measure or not, I do not know, but since we do not have to pay state taxes, we are miles ahead of the game that WI residents face, regardless of the meat prices. Our license plate fees are high but our weather is better. Cannot argue with that logic!
*
Right now I am flipping forth and back between "House" and Fox News where I am watching a special about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Two years ago at this time I was in WI helping to take care of my father-in-law while John and Mona were gone to West Point for a pinning ceremony for JR. All day, it seemed, on 9/11, I watched specials about the terror attacks while Arno dosed on and off in his chair. He had trouble keeping the present and the past separated, and as I recall, was counting the minutes until the Thrivent representative was coming to have him sign something. We were off by a day on the expected visit and Arno did not like that very well at all. Today, there did not seem to be as much coverage, and I am wondering if that is because it is a weekend rather than a week day this time. Too many sporting events to take up time and attention on a Saturday afternoon, I guess. Good thing I have some DVDs of the event to watch if I wish to. In a few moments, the lights will be turned on at the World Trade Center site when it gets dark enough and will shine heavenward through the night. God bless America!
*
Earlier there was the roll of thunder but thus far, no storm. I opted to remain in the house for the evening after coming in from the pool around 4:15 or so. The water was chilly, in some opinions, but the air temperature was in the low 90's, perhaps about 94. When the sun became low in the sky and cast shadows on the water, we got cold! Not only me, but some of the others as well. It felt good to come up here, put my nightie on and cover my legs with this light blanket. My doors are opened, the A/C back in the OFF position and yet, my feet are cold. There is a bit of a headache going on, too, but that might be from the crying I did today. Oh, I am so sad Kerry has left, she had such a good time and I am glad for her.
*
On the way back from the airport, I had to drive passed Orange Park and head the other direction to the Southside for the Pampered Chef party. Anne H. knew I was so sad about Kerry going home that she promised to go easy on me with the 'intervention' talk today. Fortunately, my friend, Kathy R., needed a certain dish and asked me to order it for her so I had something to put on my order blank. That is, besides the Cherry Almond sauce I ordered for putting over ice cream or pound cake. Does that not sound marvelous? The consultant remembered me from a previous party as the person who buys the product but does not cook. How funny is that?
*
After the party, I came back home and got my clothes changed immediately. I knew Penny was coming over to swim so I got down there to order my lunch from Danny. It was great to see the decent-sized crowd gathered there, with the TV in the cabana showing the Gator football game. I understand that Danny was telling everyone who came in about his little birthday party we threw for him last night. Maggie and Jessica baked and frosted cupcakes for his cake, Ellen brought a bouquet of balloons, plus several folks gave him cards. Kerry and I bought him a Gators t-shirt since he told me the Gators were 'his boys' last weekend. When we jammed into the cabana and started singing to him, it was obvious he was totally blown away. What a great feeling it was to make his day special! Kerry expressed regret that she did not say a better good-bye to him before she left. That only means she has to come back and do it again!