The above photo was taken today at the cemetery when I placed the flowers into the vase. The balloon, tied to the bench since the 14th, danced its way into the shot just as I snapped it!
The afternoon went by so quickly I nearly ran out of day! It probably all started this very early morning when I found myself awake before 7:00 a.m., without benefit of the alarm on my phone. I had to ready myself for the car ride across the bridge to Victory for the 9:00 o'clock service, having to stop for gas on the way. When I pulled in at church, Justin was already there, pulled face forward into a stall nearest the street. He came over to my car and explained he parked that way so no one would see the crack in his windshield. The insurance would pay for a replacement of his windshield but he is afraid the company would deny him, and then he would have to pay out-of-pocket. Oh, the things he worries about! Sure don't want anyone to see the cracks, right?
Justin looked very nice for church today, a step up from last week's attire, which means even though I sort of nagged at him, the message was taken. His thought was that 'everyone else is casual', motioning, but then I pointed out enough other nicely dressed folks, not necessarily 3-piece suits, but outfits such as his today. He looked very nice for church today!
Early service was less occupied than is the regular service, but I did get to see many of my friends and acquaintances either at the service or waiting for the next one. Only a half hour between the services makes for overlap! Justin had a bag of clothes for me to give Penny for Quigley House so he transferred them to my car and away I went to Good Shepherd for my next service! I arrived a few minutes late, during the readings, and sat with Larry R., the brother of a couple of my classmates from MLHS. He lives on a boat in Green Cove in the winter time, a nice retirement...At one point I was singing the liturgy and Terri T. turned around, hearing my voice. Hello! She had almost given up hope on me and was glad I came. Robbie was the pianist today and was joined on the liturgy by our newest member, Sterling, on the bassoon. It sounds fine to have them play together, and I guess he will play now instead of Suzanne on the viola.
It was good to see everyone again, those whom I did not see at Monday Bible study or on Wednesday night. Gretchen gave me a hug and a smooch, and that was with me yet in the pew! I had not been to GS since the 12th of December so it was great to catch up with folks. Once I had gathered my bouquet from the altar, I met Paul and Emily in the parking lot and rode with them to the Red Elephant for lunch. After a short wait, we were seated and the fun began. This restaurant, in Mandarin, used to house a Bono's BBQ but now serves pizza, pasta, and burgers, and wonderful loaded fries! Paul had a coupon for free appetizer so chose the fries. He kept coaxing me to have more but I explained if I ate them, then my dinner would not get eaten. And I was right! I ordered the individual-sized meat lovers pizza, which comes on a thin crust but was just perfect. Before I ordered my food, I made the remark about ordering something that would look good when spilled on my front....but it turned out to be Diet Coke all down my front! My nice white turtleneck was dribbled full for some reason, yet to be determined. I blame the glass, Paul blames my control of the glass. I assured him that I really had soda drinking down to an art but evidently not!
Paul took Sarah to the little game room off the dining room where she 'won' two mini-Super Balls. Not one of us could eat our entire portion so the waitress brought us to-go boxes and gave me an elephant ear, as my prize for being a first-time visitor! I brought half of that home, too! The customer service there was exquisite and I cannot wait to take some of my friends there some time for them to experience it. What I said to Paul when we pulled up was, "I am glad I didn't wear my red sweater...." to the Red Elephant! He has been doing lots of reading and researching these days, and told me about one night standing at his kitchen counter with a Concordia book and other materials until nearly 1:00 a.m., standing there for an hour and a half! My feet would have required a break about 20 minutes into that research, but he was oblivious. Good for him, crackin' the books!
Emily was telling me about Boots, our former cat, who lives with them over three years now. She said he follows her wherever she goes, and when she combs her hair, Boots lies down, waiting to be brushed as well, complete with legs in the air! So funny! I am just delighted they are giving a good home to him, our Middleburg cat, born under a shed in JD's backyard. When Boots was little, Justin could walk around with Boots on his neck or shoulder but now, Boots can tip over the recliner at Emily's house! He's a big ole cat and loves the good life over there.
After they dropped me off at church to get my car, I went to the cemetery with the bouquet, and noticed a local TV station's truck set up down the road a bit. I could see the reporter taping in front of a camera man but had no clue as to what the 'story' was. Perhaps it was about Somer Thompson whose gravesite is down that direction, but in checking the website later, I determined it must have been Scott Speicher's gravesite, since it is the anniversary of his being shot down during the first Gulf War. Wow, where do the years go? Am I asking this question? Silly me!
This afternoon, what was left of it, I spent watching football, talking on the phone with Linda and then chatting with Suzanne. Later, I gave Mom a call, just to check in. All of a sudden, the day was gone and now, my eyes are going to sleep without me. Busy day tomorrow, with Bible study, lunch, and then dinner with Martie. Carol wants to get together this week sometime, so nice of her to remember me. Wednesday Justin and I are going to Sweet Tomatoes for Timmy's birthday and Ellen asked me to join her for the buffet at Happy Hour that same day. I tentatively agreed and am sure I will, but not THAT sure....
