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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!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Back on track

Here is a photo of Angelo, taken this late afternoon, with no tubes or wires connected to him, just sporting a lovely knit cap!
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Everyday seems more and more like the days I remember from before The Flood. Today was one of those for me, and what a welcome relief it was to feel this way! My day began with getting up and ready for Bible class at Victory, our new study focusing on trials and tribulations in our lives and what we can learn from them. Right up my alley. We had only a handful of people again for class as one couple remains on vacation in MI and WI, one lady filling in for the preschool, and Justin absent. Not sure where he was but am guessing he is still moving his father into the new house. Four of us ladies went to lunch at Beef O’Brady’s which was quite nice. I ordered the hamburger that was on special without realizing it was a half pound patty. It was huge! Before I could do anything with it, I had to saw the burger in half or I would not have been able to pick it up. Half was only what I could manage to eat and some of the fries. Next thing you know, I will be ordering eggs and toast or a slice of pie only, like my grandma did!

On the ride home I called Mom, as I knew she would be back from church where she worked on the newsletter. We did not talk long, though, as she waiting for a phone call from Lisa, who was going to borrow her car to go to Green Bay to see the baby. We did get some chance to talk before I let her go to free up the phone line. Lisa and Noah are going to spend the night in Green Bay at a house similar to a Ronald McDonald House, while their boys are staying overnight with friends in Sheboygan. Everyone will be so glad to have things settled down, after Angelo gets to come home with them. Lisa is trying to spend special snuggle time with each of them at bedtime, so they won’t feel neglected. She needs it, too!

So, anyway, I no sooner got home than I had to leave again for my grooming appointment. Barb could get me in for a haircut this late afternoon, which was badly needed. When I pulled in the parking lot, I noticed a familiar pick-up truck there, so I went into Whitey’s in search of my long, lost friend, Michael Jackson! There he was, on the outside deck, finishing his lunch. His mouth hung open when he saw me coming toward him and, in a case of mistaken identity, he said, “Well, Jesus Christ, how are you?” Immediately I told him I was Kim but it was an honest mistake. He was so surprised to see me, and I told him that Penny was my friend, whose lawn he now cares for. Small world! But I had to rush in to get my hair cut so could not visit very long. How fun it was to see him again after about three years or so.

After my cut, I went back home to take my rest while watching my radio show. Judy J. called to set up our long awaited dinner date, which was planned for Pompeii Oven right across Hwy. 17. You will not believe what time she was picking me up, though-----5:15!!! Now, back in the Bible study on Tuesday days, we would meet for dinner at that time and then go to class which was at 7:00 pm. But there was no reason why we had to eat so early tonight. Oh well, it was fine. While we sat there chatting and waiting for our food, my neighbor, Pat, and her friend, Nathan, came in to thank me for the Gator bracelet I gave her. This is a HUGE weekend in Jacksonville with the big Florida/Georgia football game going on. Pat was all decked out in her Gator gear, head to toe, and wrist, with her new bracelet. Glad she liked it and nice that she stopped by to thank me in person!

Judy loved her spaghetti and meatballs while I ate this ginormous Stromboli, big enough for three meals. Another giant-sized portion today. Usually we like to go to Aron’s for this dinner but thought we’d try the Pompeii for a switch. Now I have so many leftovers and I will be away much of the weekend. At first I was going to drive to Palm Coast by myself and stay the night with Bonnie for the Union meeting and worship conference. Then I found out some others are going, so I am hitching a ride with them and going forth and back as a passenger. We all agreed on the length of our stay each day so I should not need to have access to my car. I sure don’t want to miss anything, especially the Reformation service on Saturday evening!

Somehow I failed to mention a lovely visit I had with Saban, my “Turkish friend” who was busily moving my downstairs neighbors out of their soon to be repaired home. He came upstairs and took the quick tour, saw his gift to me, the flag, and admired the view. Saban said he wanted to bring his wife over here for breakfast someday and enjoy looking out over the river. Of course, I would make them breakfast but he said, “I suppose you make for us bacon and sausage and ham we cannot eat…” but I told him I would make whatever he wanted me to make. Saban asked me if I had been back to Turkey recently and I told him I had not been since 2007. It was after that trip that he came here to move Justin out and then brought me a flag to go with my Greek stuff. He told me if I ever want to go back over there, I could use his condo in Izmit. I offered him the use of mine here if he wanted it, so we are even! I love it that he offered it to me, even if I never go over there again, it’s the thought that counts!