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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!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The cards are coming! The cards are coming!

A couple days ago I got my first 'real' CHRISTmas card from one of the ladies at church. She included a letter telling about the past year and its events, not the least being the passing of her husband of 60 years. She is a delightful woman and an excellent Christian example. I love just her!

People seem to be extra frantic about getting their 'holiday' stuff done, thinking they are short of time. Part of that reason is having ThanksLiving come so early in the month this time. Folks feel pressured to leap into activity when the starting pistol of 'Black Friday' is fired, but actually had an extra week, nearly, to prepare for Christmas. More than once I suggested to people that they calm down, there's plenty of time!
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The other day at Bible study, a couple of the guys in attendance were in fine form. Jean, Stephanie's mom, was there for the class and knows the fellas a bit from previous visits. Both men prior to as well as during class had the opportunity to make crass, general statements about women being gossips or claiming "Did you ever see those Facepages or whatever? That's nothing but a bunch of gossip!" 
                                
First of all, gossip would involve maliciously maligning someone. Oh yes, that's what all the businesses and even the churches do on Facebook---gossip! For that last remark I sort of gasped in exasperation but Pastor addressed it immediately urging fairness and kindness. Granted, some may use this communication tool for less than noble reasons, but certainly not all of us!! I do get defensive when someone provokes me or accuses me falsely. I won't stand for it! And besides, gentlemen, we have a guest at the table so behave yourselves!
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I think I am at the point where I must get a haircut. By the end of the day it starts to tip over and lay down flat, which is not good if I am not laying down flat. Usually I go the week of the full moon but have been holding off to extend the life of my haircut into my visit to WI. Perhaps Thursday afternoon will work for me. 
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I also MUST get my drivers' license renewed as well as my plates renewed before I leave. Suddenly, time is going away from me! I have to assemble all my documents including my divorce papers to take along to the DMV to prove I am who I claim to be. 
                                          
I had to retrieve my marriage certificate from the safe, and came upon Justin's and Timmy's baptismal certificates. Timmy's had the linen napkin in it and you can only guess what happened then....Yes, it was the same thing that happened when I saw Suzanne at church later, wearing the pretty pin Timmy had given his Sunday school teacher only weeks before he died....It was one of those days!

Ladies' Group Christmas Party

These photos were sent to me via Terri T.'s iPhone so control over size and lighting was not mine. Not everyone at the party is shown in the photos---I believe there were 21 of us all told, some first-timers. Betty thanked me for insisting she come!
 Suzanne Chappell, Kristi Husted, and Jayne Shannahan
 In the kitchen is Terri Hallenbeck and her mom, Ethel, Judy Chappell, Jean Nichols, and Gretchen Harrington
 Julaine Lieske Colon and Judy Chappell 
 Sue Kreisher and her daughter, Kristin Norris
 Betty Starkweather, Twila Nichols, and Donna Wilson
 Lynn Kuske and Janet Batkoski
Me and Martie Dorner!!