I'm a winner!

One of Justin's favorite things to do is speculate on what he'd do if he won the lottery. He's been doing this since he was a kid. One of his plans was to buy a pipe organ for our humble church. Our friend, then pastor, Pete, told him he'd also have to hire an organist! Can't really have one without the other. Another idea he had, once older, was to put a security system and central air/heating in his cousin's home because her husband worked nights and he feared for the safety of my niece and her boys. Always thinkin'...

Now it's my turn to play the 'what if I win the lottery?' game. Justin and I each got a ticket last week when the prize was up to $186,000,000.  We knew we didn't win the Powerball when the prize went up to over $200 million but yesterday he scanned my ticket to see if I won anything. It turned out I did!!  I won---$4!!!  I speculated I could get almost two 12-packs of Diet Coke with the winnings, or turn it around and reinvest it this week for the drawing tonight. Instead of just one ticket like last week's drawing, this time I'll have two, purchased with my winnings from last week. How exciting!

Already I am making plans for the work I will do in my condo, renovations and redecorating, including, gulp, replumbing the place. Yikes! I could do all this with some abandon due to the huge amount of the prize but can't overdo it and affect the valuation for the rest of the building. Like Justin has told me in the past, no matter how much money he could win, he still couldn't get me any more parking for my building. That is a problem here---the lack of additional parking spaces for guests, and I do enjoy entertaining. Unless he'd build a parking garage....hmmm?

A tragic loss

Yesterday I was talking on the phone with my friend and she asked me if I heard the horrible news from Eagle Harbor. I said I had not. Earlier in the morning a young girl was struck by a car and killed while on her way to school. This is particularly hard on my friend because she is helping to raise her granddaughters and has one nearing that same age. Hits close to home in so many ways for my friend as she lives in this community not far from the grade school. I think at this point the age of the young lady had not been released. 

It was yet dark, before 7:00 and initial reports were that the high school student crossed between two cars, the driver in the 2nd car not seeing her, or the teen not seeing the car. Whichever, the driver is mortified, the young lady is deceased, and families are mourning.

In reading the reports and listening to the local reporters, many refer to this young lady, Gianna, as being beautiful or lovely. I wonder to myself why this matters, why does her appearance even come into play? Such is local news reporting (perhaps even national reporting) and yes, from her photo, she was a lovely young lady. I guess they don't really know what else to say. 

According to the stories, this family moved here recently from another state, the father serving in the Navy. Gianna was already established in her new school and seemingly popular. There was a candlelight vigil held at the high school where she was in her first year with hundreds of folks turning out. A fundraising site has been established to raise funds for the young lady's funeral, and is already near $10,000. I read through the names of the donors, recognizing only a few. I guess lots has changed since I left EH, now over 10 years ago! 

That made me sad, too, because years ago (14 of them!) when my son died, this same community rallied for us. We were not new to the area, had lived in 5 of the neighborhoods in Eagle Harbor already, built many of the homes, and had attended the developer's parties celebrating the 100th family, the 200th family, and so on over the years. If there had been a fundraiser for our situation, I believe I'd have recognized most if not all of the names. At least, my heart tells me that is so. What is special for this family is that even though they are new to the area, they are being embraced by their community. May God bless them at this time of great sorrow in their lives....

A million dollars

I got a million dollars today---at least I feel as though I did. On this rainy and damp day, it felt appropriate for Justin and me to venture out for lunch to Cracker Barrel. We chose this place after sorting through other choices which would satisfy his hunger. Justin was so hungry that his stomach hurt. Last night we ate several leftover cheeseburgers including mine from The Club that day so I suggested we go there again so he could have one. He didn't want to get dressed up (change his pants) so Cracker Barrel it is!

At home, on the ride there, while dining, and riding back home we talked about his plans for me to host a luncheon for some ladies with him doing the food portion. We are both excited about the prospect of it, and hope to make firm plans once he knows his work schedule. Justin was hungry for the chicken 'n dumplins' and I had my usual of meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn. This is also my funeral luncheon menu, oddly enough. We both enjoyed our meals with each needing a to-go box for our extras. 

At the register, Justin paid for his share of the bill, and then stepped aside for me to pay mine. I mentioned how I used to always buy a large Hershey bar at the register when I came with Martie and the cashier pointed out the location of several chocolate choices. She also showed me some salt and pepper sets which were quickly flying off the shelves. Quite the friendly girl, but not persuasive enough to sell to me! 

As she rang me up and showed me where to sign, she leaned in and asked, "So, is that your son?" I said it was, expecting her to tell me how handsome he is or ask for a date, or something. Instead she said, "Well, I've worked here for a while now but before this I worked at the McDonald's on Blanding. He came in everyday for coffee and was always so polite and sweet...You did good with him." Wow, just wow! I was blown away, but I managed to gush my thanks to her for telling me this, more than once. 

As we walked to the car, I asked him if he heard me talking to the cashier and he said no. I told him she used to work at 'his' McDonald's and he said, "I thought she looked familiar!" Then I told him what she said, he smiled shyly and said, "Of course!" That's my guy!

A reprint of a posting from 2011

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011

A look back to January 14, 2001

Ten years ago today, about this time, my family was at church, likely listening to the sermon by Pete Prange (10:22 a.m.) Before Sunday school began, which was at 9:00 a.m., Timmy would have given Pastor the pretty picture he painted the night before (lots of P’s in that sentence!). He painted one for me and one for Pastor, announcing he would give it to him at church. I have a photo copy of that painting in my dresser drawer; saw it yesterday when Justin was looking for my headphones. Several years ago I had the picture framed for Pete and it hangs in his office in Morton Grove.

Yes, it is sort of ‘fun’, though that’s not the right word, trying to retrace every step of that dreadful night when Timmy died, but that gets one very very close to dangerous territory of doing the ‘what if’s’ and ‘if only’s’. We do not want to go there, it is of no value and battles against our knowledge that nothing takes place out of God’s handling. 

Many blessings have occurred in our lives and the lives of others since this happened to us. I say it happened to ‘us’ rather than Timmy because it is our loss that we mourn---we do not mourn Timmy’s gain. He shared the Good News faster than I did, and in a different manner in 5 years than I have in my 55. Psalm 31 says it so well, ‘my times are in your hands’. Sometimes I am broken pottery, as is the Psalmist, but the Lord promises to be the glue to hold me together.

Rosalie and Timmy on our front steps

One thing I am so glad about is that my friend and financial manager, Frank, made DVD copies of the funeral service for me, as I no longer have a working VHS player. I believe the ‘old’ TV in the back bedroom does have a working player so if I really need to play something on VHS, I will have to sit in there on the old desk chair to watch it! That particular TV is too heavy to carry into this room or any other room. Frank re-did the funeral video as well as Lisa’s wedding for me. 

Overnight the temps fell to the low 20’s but are expected to climb back up to the mid-50’s today. As I recall, on the day of Timmy’s funeral service, his 5^th birthday, the weather was lovely for January but the next day was horrid, windy and nasty. We were so blessed with good weather that week, all who traveled from distances arrived and departed safely and on time, with Rosalie often being the transportation from and to the airport. She has called me already this a.m. and sent several Facebook comments. I love it, love her, love my family and friends, and miss my little boy like crazy!

Unidentifiable

Justin and I have had some interesting discoveries recently in our refrigerator. The other day he was eating my leftovers from Chili's which included potato skins. He grabbed the container from the top shelf marked "Sour Cream" only to discover it contained green bean casserole from our ThanksLiving feast. Yikes! They were even more green and quite hairy. It really grossed him out, and made him sad because if he'd know they were in there, he'd have eaten the leftovers long  before they grew fur!

Today I was sorting through some things in the fridge, reaching down a container from the top shelf. In it I found some more fur had grown over what was once ricotta cheese. The cheese, originally white and creamy, was now yellow/orange and soupy with fur on top of it. Justin could not even recall which recipe he'd made calling for ricotta cheese so we couldn't actually tell how old it was. The expiration date had not yet been met but I explained that date is good for unopened items only. 

While I was at it, I reached down from the top shelf (we have to stop putting stuff up so high!) a container, a Rubbermaid one, with something else in it which was unidentifiable. I 'thought' it was sliced apples which was perhaps leftover from the crock pot apple crisp Justin had made. Now that I think about it, this would never happen, not with a tasty delight like apple crisp. I threw it out because it was beyond usefulness, so Justin was not able to help me identify what it was at one time. He speculates it might have been onions 'n butter he's kept so it's okay for it go into the disposal. From now forward we are using clear containers only for our leftovers so this won't happen again, or at least for a long time.

The other day I was talking with Mom and she told me she discovered some food in her fridge, in the drawer where the oranges are kept. She tried to describe it to me, thinking it was vegetables of some sort. Her eyes are not good anymore so it was hard for her to make out exactly what she's got there. I don't think it was anything that Justin or I were using to cook with while there. My suggestion was for her to show it to Jill when she comes up to do her eye drops and let her decide if it's keepable or tossable.  Justin did use some Italian meats and peppers in his Christmas Eve sandwiches but I didn't think he'd transfer the remaining peppers (if there were any) into a plastic container. We shall see, or hear, what the mystery food is in Mom's container, a Tupperware-styled dish. Can't wait!

The Princess and the Pea

I am that princess!  Today Nancy W. and I went back to Ross for Less to exchange or return items we bought last week. One of my new tops was not flattering on me, and something she bought did not work out, either. It's never an in and out deal with Nancy, as she is like a great white hunter, on the lookout for the good sales. Last year she picked up a new swimsuit for me at Ross, sending me photos of them and letting me choose which one I wanted. My personal shopper!  Now she is trying to convert me to a full-time Ross shopper.

Together we walked around the store and she found a black skirt for herself. Since I had gotten two tops last week, I was not really in the market for clothes. But when we got to the housewares stuff, I decided to purchase a new set of sheets. The price was so good, the color was right, and the thread count was high enough to give me hope that they'd hold up for me. And, they were 1/3 the original price! I had stripped my bed and washed the sheets this a.m. before we left so it was all ready for the new ones. I ran them through a short wash cycle, dried them, and got the new sheets on my bed. Now we'll see if this princess will feel the pea or if these sheets will do the trick for me. 

A few days ago Justin asked me how much pedicures were and I told him about $20 or so. He said, "That's cheaper than buying new sheets all the time..." Yeah, he is right about that! Then he went on to compare my rough feet to wearing ice skates to bed----no wonder my sheets pill!!  Oh, that guy is so funny!  I will give the old sheets (purchased in October when Linda was here, also at a discount place) to Connie. She can use them to cover plants when it gets cold or as drop cloths when she paints. You don't need a high thread count when painting or covering shrubs, and they don't mind the pills either!

A day of comfort and joy

Oh, it felt so good to sleep in my own bed last night! I'd made sure to wash my sheets before I left for WI, sleeping only one night on them before my departure. They are still pilled (ugh, I am such a princess and the pea!) but slept fine anyway. I just got these sheets in October when Linda was here from the new Home Goods store which is where Target used to be. They have not held up well for me. Anyway, it still felt good to be in my own bed again.

Early this a.m. Terri T. had messaged me that Marilyn, my friend from Victory, had passed away overnight. Only yesterday she was moved into Hospice care. She had told the nurse recently that she was done fighting which is what prompted the move to the facility. Only 64 years, five years older than I am, and she is enjoying bliss beyond compare on this Epiphany day. Marilyn and her twin sister, Kathryn, used to work for Terri at Bell South/ATT and Terri was with Marilyn on Monday. She is such a good friend, that girl. I'm glad Marilyn lived long enough for me to be able to attend her service. 

A couple hours after that I was contacted by my friend, Nancy W. She had taken Justin to the airport to get my car on Friday and for that I told her I would take her to dinner. Or lunch, whichever. She said she would pick me up in a few minutes and we'd go to Ross for Less first and then see if Texas Roadhouse was open. We struck out the last time we tried to eat there, the line was too long! Fortunately, I was already dressed and ready to go except for my shoes so I waited downstairs for her. Saw several of my neighbors and got to say 'hello' and Happy New Year to them before tearing off with Nancy. She is suffering from a bad break up with her gentleman friend, a cold break up, and she needed to talk. I can do that!

At Ross I found a trio of pretty tops, a fluted baking pan (foolishly gave my old one away after the Great Flood), and a purple lantern for my river room window. Mom had given me some money for Christmas and I spent it well, I think. Ross is a discount place, one of Nancy's favorite places to 'hunt'---ever the bargain hunter!  

Sadly, TX Roadhouse was not open for lunch so she picked 4Rivers as our lunch place. Because she was still fuming/mourning her break up (I should have driven!), Nancy might possibly get a nice letter in the mail for red light running on Kingsley Avenue. I told her as we shot through that I was smiling so I'll look nice in the picture they include with the fine. She also made a left turn on a red arrow into the parking lot of the restaurant, for which she apologized. She wouldn't have gone if cars were coming which thankfully and oddly enough there were none. This area of Hwy. 17 is quite busy and we were graced with an empty street for her fancy driving. 

Nothing some good brisket won't fix. I feel badly for her heartache which has since December 30th morphed into anger. I just listened, for the most part, and kept her company. She misses her gentleman friend and companionship. At dinner before I left for WI, Nancy had told me she loves me to death but does not want to snuggle with me on the sofa and watch movies. I get that, and appreciate that!

Another thing which I appreciate is that it's my sister, Kerry's, birthday today. Early this a.m. I sent her my good wishes on this special day via Facebook and later she wrote back to tell me how our mama had managed to pick out her phone number using her trac phone to sing "Happy Birthday" to Kerry. Almost 90 years old, with difficult vision and croaking voice was able yet to make the phone call and sing to her youngest daughter, now 55 years old. That is joy, folks, joy!

God welcoming me home

As my flight between Chicago and Jacksonville was making its way south, we passengers were treated to this marvelous show of light in the western sky. Not only was I snapping photos, but others around me as I could hear the sound of shutters from the seats in my area. Sadly, these photos don't do justice to the orange and pinks. My seat mate, Christopher, pointed out the moon rising as viewed from the opposite side of the plane, the same color as the sunset. Awesome!

  

Glad to be home again and seeing the full moon and its beams which light up my room!

A 'remark'able visit

I must write this stuff down while I think about it because now that I am 59 years old, my thoughts and memories get away from me!

Some comments, stories, quips, thoughts shared or experienced when on vacation in my hometown:

My sister, Lynn, attended a ladies' Bible study on Saturday morning which is titled "God is In The Laundry Room". The question was asked of the group, "Do you know anyone who is joyful all the time?" and Lynn said she thought of me. Oh, that it WAS true (all the time) but I certainly appreciated hearing that she thinks of me that way. I can be annoying to my people sometimes...

I was blessed and privileged to experience multiple worship services at First German. My appreciation for them increases as the years go by. The services were lovely, the music extraordinary, the sermons well done, and the time well-spent. "'tis good, Lord, to be here."

The Sunday after Christmas, Holy Innocents Sunday, we were able to sing a hymn which had been translated by a friend of mine, Pastor Pete Prange. As we left the church, I thanked Pastor Schaefer for including this hymn and he said, "Oh, yeah, I thought of you when I put that in there..." knowing that Pete is special to me. Aw, so nice of him!

One particular sermon struck me and others as Pastor Hoppe used a story in his. In a dream, a pastor was preaching to his congregation but no words came out; the members were singing but there was no sound; the organ was playing but no notes were heard. All this pastor could hear was the voice of a child singing "Amazing Grace". One voice. When he woke up, he wondered what in the world that meant and God answered him, basically, "You are all just going through the motions of serving me...." Ouch! Except for the child who loved Jesus with all her heart and let nothing get in the way of that. Oh, for the faith of a child and her expression of it! May our words and service not be only going through the motions...

Same sermon, different thought: "How far would you go to worship?"  Pastor read some statistics about how far most members travel to get to church, the majority less than 30 minutes to commute for worship. Part of his sermon had the words about how far would one go to find their joy, which put me in mind of Linda's and my experience several years ago watching The Bucket List in the movie theater here in FL. Oh my! I go 1200 miles for my joy!

While here at Mom's I got a couple of birthday cards in the mail. One came to Mom's attention with her apartment number on it, and one came addressed to me only at her address, no apt. number on it. Lynn handed it to me and said, "The mailman must know you..." How funny is that???

Also, Mom got a phone call from an attorney this afternoon (yes, weird, I know!) who is resolving the estate of someone who was formerly related to two of my sisters. That's a long story but the interesting part was that Jean had troubles finding the right spelling for Mom's last name. Her husband, a retired judge, told her, "Well, I know Kim Lahaie Day...." Jean wondered if we went to school together or something, which we did not, but somehow me knows me. I did not appear before him in court either so get that thought out of your head! It is likely from Facebook or we might have built their home many years ago---most likely it's Facebook. Love it!

This is an older remark, but it's still funny---Mom, Lynn, and Linda were dining at Harborside, one of Linda's and my favorite places to dine. The waiter came back with their credit cards and was trying to pronounce the names on the cards as he handed them back. Linda's caused him to stumble, he did okay saying Lynn's last name, and when he got to Mom's card he said, "Oh, are you Kim's mother?"  They all just laughed as Mom was hesitant to admit (as she usually is!) that yes, she is my mother. He told them he is the manager of the Facebook account at Harborside and knows I check in on their page every day and sometimes 'order' my meal for dinner. Their menu makes my mouth water!  My poor mom just can't get away from me, though she is 1200 miles away...I am like a tar baby you cannot shake!

Mom's birthday party

 Lynn looked on as Lori put up the decorations 

Mom and all the girls:  Carol Regeth, Lori Schipper, Kim Lahaie Day, Jill Schrimpf, Lynn Senovich, Kerry Gustin, and the lady of honor, Kathy Lahaie

This group of ladies are primarily those from Northern Laboratories where Mom worked plus some church ladies. David is in the background playing the guitar for our listening and dancing pleasure.

Centered in this photo are Pastor Ben and Anna Schaefer who are expecting their fourth daughter any moment now. 

This table shows the WI meat and cheese tray plus veggies and rolls

Here is the punch and some of the other food offerings at the party

My cousin, Sandy, tackled the job of cutting the cake while my sister, Carol, looked on

Carol is ever the cut up! I have a similar photo of her taken at Jamie's graduation, mouth wide open

A shot of the room. Man with back to the camera is Pastor Chris Hoppe. Marion Thiel, a friend from the old neighborhood and from church, faces the camera. Jill to the left. 

 Extended family enjoying the buffet and the company

My dear friend, Linda, who is also our adopted sister!, with her husband, Tommy, and her granddaughters, Cassidy and Madison

As the crowd thinned, my cousin, David, struck up a conversation with my nephew, Dusty. David had questions about technology and about Dusty's interest, architecture. Would have loved for David to sit and talk with Justin but sadly, Justin had gone home to FL before the date of the party.

At last some of the family had a chance to sit down and enjoy the company of those remaining as the party wound down. Tommy was telling a story to the ladies near his table as Mom listened in.