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My dreams woke me today, a mix of remodeling projects and Justin going off to join the service. Yes, quite a combination! The remodeling portion seemed to be the bonus room at 'the pink house with red door' where somone's dog was visiting and pooping at will. One of the guys was going behind it, trying to pick up the pieces, as it were. A lady whom I do not know, took down a light fixture from above the vanity, and sure enough, a water leak developed! I climbed under the sink and turned off the water which stopped the leaking. Of course, that likely would not happen, not if a screw nicked a pipe overhead, but in dreams, it all works!
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The other part of the dream involved Justin going off to join the service, with me along for the ride. Our friends gave him a farewell party and all that, before we left. In the morning, he awoke on a lawnchair that reclines like a bed, outside, and all the others were doing their exercises already. A lady asked him why he was not participating with the rest of the men and he told her he did not even know what the schedule was. Evidently the orientation went over this but he missed it somehow, so we were packed up and put back on the train the same day! (The train must be because we took the train from Newburgh, NY after JR's West Point graduation, and Newburgh has been in the news after the mom drowned herself and three kids this past week.) Back to the dream--when we got back home, everyone who had been at the farewell party was still there, and so disappointed that we came back already, but seemingly not surprised. Hmmmm.......
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Likely I dreamed about the service because of being with my friend, Peggy and her family last night at the Tea Party rally downtown. Judy C. and I rode with them, and they even fed us as we sat and listened to the speakers, musicians, comedians, and other entertainment. Not as tightly packed an event as we had last year, we were able to place our chairs without difficulty, and even get food and drinks. Last year we were on the stairs with no access to food, drink, or bathrooms. Peggy's husband and son were with us, and Jack is looking forward to joining the Navy to be a SEAL when he is old enough. Peggy wants him to enter the service, both her hubby and she served, as an officer. She said, "If he wants to go in as an enlisted man, he should tell me know, so we can take him out of St. Johns!" No need for that high-caliber education if he has no officer aspirations. Their older son, Raymond, also is going into the military, now in his junior year at St. Johns. I knew him when he was little, and knew Jack before he was born!
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It was moving, at the beginning of the rally, when the various branches of the service were introduced as their 'song' was played. The service members, active duty and retired, would stand and salute as the crowd greeted them. Both Peggy and John stood up and saluted during the Navy hymn, and more than half the crowd, it seemed. That part of the event always tears me up, it is so stirring to see these folks, the young and vital, as well as the aged and worn, together like this.
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We heard speeches from Governor Scott, who was also greeted by protestors along the river front, plus the Lt. Governor, Carroll, who is a female Naval Commander(Ret.), black woman from Orange Park. I had heard her speak at a Christian Women in Business event a few years ago, and she is powerful in testimony. A good person to have serving in the 2nd seat! Andrew Breitbart was the keynote speaker and gave a compelling speech about how the media is manipulating 'the story' and how he and others are attempting to circumvent the mainstream. I got Andrew's book which he signed for Justin (shhh.....don't tell him!). Andrew was heading to Madison, WI as he was asked to introduce Sarah Palin today for a rally. When the event concluded, we all sang "God Bless America" together. I pointed out to Judy as we packed up our stuff, that there was not a single piece of paper or any trash lying about from this gathering. Not every group who has this type of rally can say that!
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Judy and I are getting together today to make our plans for the Worship Conference. I had better get my ducks in a row regarding this so I know how to plan. Somehow I have to get to Manitowoc from Holmen the weekend prior to Lori's birthday extravaganza. And then decide if I should fly from LaCrosse or from MKE. Yikes! I still have too much up in the air (ha, ha!) to figure this out just yet. Perhaps I should get a one-way ticket for going up and make the rest of the plans for the return trip later. Judy thinks we have to lock-in our workshops as well but I have not looked closely enough to see if that is so. The other night at the Worship meeting, Robbie mentioned that he would like to attend as well, and Pastor said the congregation had set aside some funds for conventions, etc. which might be used. Robbie went the last time, said it is fantastic and I know he would richly benefit by attending again. The Worship Conference is held mostly at an ELCA college but some will be in the new chapel at New Ulm, at Martin Luther College.
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Before I go to Judy's I must stop to pick up my taxes. The nice lady there called again yesterday to remind me to pick them up, as I have a payment due on Monday. Guess I will be late....but not if it's postmarked by midnight on the 18th.
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Earlier in the day Friday, I drove Miss Daisy, Brenda, to her neurologist appointment where she was getting an EEG. She was delayed getting ready because she forgot about not putting anything in her hair after shampooing, so had to rewash it. Her scalp had to be clean for the electrodes to be attached. When the lady was about to begin, she explained that the overhead lights would be off and a flashing light in her face, so Brenda had to lie still and keep her eyes shut. I asked the technician if I should sit out then, and she said it might be better. As long as Brenda was okay with it, I did sit in the lobby. It went well, and Brenda fixed up her hair afterward, carrying her product with her to control the frizzies. We had lunch at Miller's Ale House, her treat, and then I took her to work. Normally she does not work on Friday but was trying to make up for lost time since she was in classes two days last week. No wonder her brain is buzzing!
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Must get ready for the day and will sign off for now. More coming so stand by!
