A day of awesomeness

As I wrote on Facebook, it was awesome at the pool today. While starting out a bit slowly, gradually more and more of my pool peeps showed up, making for great fun. The water was still warm enough to enjoy, though one could tell it had cooled since the day before. 

Lee came out, Mo and Ro plus two of their kids, Jacquie and Mark, the three Nancys I've met this met this summer, with Nancy W. only there to eat. Cindy and her hubby, too, with all of us floating or standing and talking. I just enjoy it so very much.

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Justin slept late today, telling me he woke up when he heard me go out to the pool. I think he is over the top of the throat and nose malady he had all week. I had eaten lunch at the pool, of course, but by late afternoon when I came in, I mentioned to Justin that I was hungry. As I opened the fridge, he reported that he ate my fried rice from Koko's. What?? He brought it home for me, when he was dining there with his friend, Michael, on Thursday. I have to eat that stuff immediately or it's gone!

To make up for it, Justin suggested we go to have dinner at Koko's, his treat. Yes, I can get dressed again. He is concerned they will close if there is not enough business, so we are doing our part to keep them open. It was nice and busy which made us feel really good. We shared a table with a nice family of mom, dad, young grandma, and two little ones. I complimented them on their lovely family. So rare a sighting these days, and I acknowledge it when I see it. Parents need encouragement, as do couples.

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Jacquie wants us to have lunch at The Club on Thursday, as it's Fried Chicken buffet again. Linda and I enjoyed it last month when she was here, in the pouring rain. I do hope that scenario does not exist this time. Lee is up in the air about her coming joining us, as her son leaves for Australia the day before, and she will launch into cleaning mode.

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One of my friends dropped a bomb on me today, though. For months and months now she has been talking with me about either building a house for herself, or checking out standing homes. She has looked in the Ortega area, older but yet safe neighborhoods in JAX, and even as far as St. Johns County. I tried to keep her close to OP, so I wouldn't lose her company (it really is all about me, you know!), etc. I tried to dissuade her from moving to Nocatee, in St. Johns Cty. If I heard of a condo or townhouse close by, she was the first who came to mind for it.

Well, at one point she and I were sort of alone on the edge of the pool, and she said, "I have been dreading telling you this..." I looked up at her and said, "What? Did you find a place?" She told me that now that everyone else knows, she could tell me her plans to move back to CA. NO!! Now Nocatee doesn't sound so bad...  

               

I was alarmed at first that everyone else knew but me, but she explained that she meant she'd talked to her mom, sisters, and her sons first, and then me. She said, "Before you get too upset..." but it was too late, I was gone to my dark place. 

My friend said, "Kim, you know how you feel about your Greek places, how your heart is there? Well, that's how I feel about Napa." Okay, I get it, I understand now how she feels. She had lived in Napa over a decade ago, felt good there, and now that her sons are out of the house and on their own, she can seek her heart's desire.

Wow! I told her I don't let go easily but understood her heart feelings. Her sons on their own, so she is free to go. My friend has no qualms about moving somewhere where she has no established connections. She promises to keep in touch via e-mail, as I uncurled my lip and dried my eyes. She had better!!!!