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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!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

A chocolate birthday

Today I went downstairs to help my friend, MamMa, celebrate her birthday, her 91st. Tracy, the granddaughter with whom Willie Mae lives, stated that MamMa loves chocolate above all else so it was my privilege to provide the cake for the event. 


Originally, Justin was going to bake chocolate cupcakes with the same frosting and sprinkles. Instead, though, I got her a chocolate decadence cake from Publix. It was a hit! Tracy bought a heart-shaped ice cream cake to serve with the decadence. The rooms were decorated with heart-shaped balloons, and other Valentine decorations. Several of Tracy's friends joined the festivities as well as Jeff's mom from Ohio, and the interim caregiver, Virginia.


Willie Mae got a few gifts, all in the form of chocolate! Hershey Kisses, Hershey Nugget Bars, and a box of assorted chocolate. That should hold her! It was nice to meet these ladies and visit with them. Tracy's sister from Tampa was expected to come for the weekend, too, but a family emergency kept her from joining the festivities. It was a very nice afternoon!
                             
Despite the terrible cold morning (28 above zero!), I managed to get myself to Bible study on time. There were plenty of seats, with the cold keeping some away. Judy C. said she would be absent as she spent the night at her daughter's home near St. Augustine, but would be there for worship. Gretchen claimed she ran in "Donna's Run" which is why she missed Bible study. So funny! When Gretchen complains about the cold, you know it must be!!!


Pastor likes to have 'break-out' sessions during the class, dividing us by table, with one at the table being the reporter. He said the one who keeps their thermostat set the highest was to the reporter. Yes, I assume that would be me! Not sure about the other two tables, how that was decided...The next time, the reporter was whomever has been the furthest north. It defaulted to me, again, even though the Hallenbecks had been in Alaska with me!


Worship went nicely, with the little ones singing at the beginning of the service, "I am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus", four stanzas. Very nicely done, from memory. After worship, Laurie needed my ear for a few moments before our lunch bunch headed to Chili's to eat. Justin was able to join us since there was no football (boo hoo!) to rush off to. Gretchen was lamenting this as well, today. Only 25 more weeks until the pre-season! 


Anyway, I tried one of the new mini-sandwiches with the trio I usually order (yes, a creature of habit!), a Philly Cheese sandwich. It was okay...When my plate arrived, I sort of looked at the sandwich first, and then realized that Terri was watching me watch my plate. I glanced up and she asked, "Yes?", tentatively. We all laughed, like I was looking at something so strange as a Philly sandwich. I pulled off one green pepper and then bit in. As I said, it was okay. 


Justin made everyone laugh as we sat at the table, asking me, "What kind of salad are you having today?" They all stopped talking for a second and looked at me, like, "What?" Terri said, "Some thing's happened since last time we ate out..." He ordered a Cobb salad and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup, and I said, "He does that to embarrass me..." The rest of us had the trio entrees and we all shared an order of chips and salsa. Michael, I am sure, appreciated having another male at the table, although he's never complained about being outnumbered.
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Away from the table, I grow weary of the entertainment news, wishing for more coverage of CPAC and the results out of Maine. Fiddling again while Rome burns. Speaking of burning, more rioting is taking place in Athens/Greece as the unions and retirees riot about changes in their plans. I cannot imagine it being a very good idea for healthy men and women ending their work lives at the young age of 55, or whatever it is in Greece. There are not enough working folks left to support all those collecting. Some thing has got to give and those collecting are not willing to bend. Burn and riot, yes. But end the rioting, not so much.


Let me say this about Whitney Houston---she really performed one of the finest versions of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl back in 1991. Well done, bravo!