"How far did you fall?"

It's a gorgeous day today, the sun winning the battle over the clouds. At least part of the morning I had sunshine on me directly and in my room indirectly. I could have gone out to the exercise class but didn't feel like it plus was waiting on a package to be delivered. My neighbor had requested I take a package for them and keep it in my fridge, so I wanted to make sure I was available when it arrived. Besides all that, my legs and hips were unhappy doing the exercises, even when in my seat. I am better off in my desk chair.

After Fox & Friends this a.m., I caught part of a movie seen with Judy R. when she came here for a visit in 2008, a year after we'd met. "The Secret Life of Bees", based on a book which Judy, of course, had read. It was a good story set during a sad time in our nation's history. One portion had the black housekeeper's head bandaged up after a beating. To explain it away her young charge said she'd fallen down the stairs. The lady to whom they told this lie knowingly said, "That had to be a mighty long stairway...". 

It brought to mind an episode in my life when Justin was a little boy. As a builder's son, he had the opportunity to spend many days touring model homes with his parents. At one particular home, we had walked into the back portion of the house to see the laundry room. Justin decided he was going to check out the stairs. Before we realized he'd left our sides we heard a bumpity bump bump coming from the stairwell. As we hurried over to the steps Justin was already getting up, dusting himself off. "Oh, my goodness, Justin! How far did you fall???" I asked him. In typical 'Justin' fashion he answered me, looking at me with that darling little face, "...to the bottom." He was right about that, and I bet I didn't really want to know the full answer anyway! Oh, that guy!

Saints among us

Years ago when I worked in the old folks' home, one of my co-workers, Rita, a devout Roman Catholic, had some interesting ideas and beliefs. One of those beliefs was that if a person smelled something which could not be identified any other way, it meant there was a saint in the room. I am not kidding you! 

Justin and I had a mystery before us---from whence does the smell of bleach emanate? It was in my room, and we noticed mainly around my desk. He said it smelled like I do when I come in from the pool in the summer. But what was causing this?

I checked in my desk storage area in case my compressed air cans had a problem. Nope, they were good. Justin went around my room sniffing everything that could be sniffed---my comforter, blankets on the end of the bed, nothing to make a bleach scent. I changed the trash bag in case it was something in there, like a cotton ball with nail polish remover perhaps. Nope! I even picked up my foot stool from under the desk, a risky item to put to one's nose, but it was not bleachy. 

What in the world? It just started in the past couple of weeks, so it had to be something new to the room. I had recently opened and begun watching some DVDs I'd bought back in 2007 which came in a file cabinet-looking case, but they were odor free. It just had to be a saint! It occurred to me that perhaps it was the air ionizer which Nancy gave me that smelled. Justin had picked it up and sniffed it, pulled out the 'filters', but no scent there either. Hmmm...

Today, Justin told me that he did some research on it and determined the scent was, in fact, from the air purifier. The smell was the purified air! Apparently the way the machine works, changing the chemical make-up of the air, is what causes the air to smell more than clean. It smells downright sterile. 

We were at the table in Chili's with our group when he told me this so I had to relate what we'd been going through. I also shared the story of Rita and her unidentified scent meaning a saint was among us, his first time hearing this premise. Justin jumped in and said, "In your case it's the patron saint of bleach..." and we all laughed. I am normally a friend of bleach, like to purify things. 

I can't tell yet if the amount of dust in here is reduced or not. Perhaps it will be psychological if I notice less dust but the machine MUST be doing what it is supposed to do, right?  I will have to start sleeping with my door opened so the bleachy air doesn't burn my throat when I am sleeping. I could simply turn it off at night, I guess, to keep the saints at bay when I am sleeping!

The 'gift' of friends Part II

Nancy and I went to the movies yesterday afternoon to see "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". We like the Carmike Theater so much better for a number of reasons, not the least of which is ease of parking. At the Mall's AMC Theater the parking is a disaster, especially for the old and infirm, like me! Only, I am not old and infirm enough to qualify for the Senior ticket price this time at Carmike. Other times the ticket seller encourages me to get the lower priced ticket but this lady didn't suggest it. I complied with the rules, of course, and paid the full price. Next year at this time, I will fully qualify for the Senior pricing. 

The concession prices kicked our butts, but not enough for me not to buy a soda or for Nancy her giant bag of popcorn. She got a 'courtesy cup' from the lady so I could scoop popcorn out with the cup. I don't like to touch the sides of the bag...I know, weird, right? Justin said I have that in common with Howard Hughes. 

It was a good thing we arrived when we did because there were plenty of people coming into the theater. I like to sit in a certain place (as I type this I feel very much like Sheldon Cooper!! Oh my, I REALLY am like him!) and don't mind the climb. At least I don't make weird noises before the movie to see if the acoustics are acceptable. Nancy asked me, "Why are these theaters always so loud?" I have wondered the same for years, and she has hearing problems.

The movie was a delight, and we enjoyed it. At first it took a minute to remember all the characters and where they were when we saw them the last time. The writers did a good job catching us up on their histories. The last movie she and I watched together there was "The 100 Foot Journey", a similar type of story. Both were good distractions and a treat for the eyes, and heart. And we enjoyed our concessions, as well. 

Nancy dropped me off at home after the movie and went on her way. I supposed she was going home but a couple minutes later she sent me a text message from GoodWill (Willies). She found a headboard for a full-sized bed there, the size Justin needs. It is actually an entire bedframe, sleigh style, which might be more than he wants. It was nice, though. A little bit later she sent me another text with picture, this time of a frame for the wallet-sized photo I mentioned recently. It was perfect!! She bought it for me and delivered it later. 

The frame was part of a boxed set, still sealed up, which had the frame plus two round containers marked My First Tooth and My First Curl. This, of course, touched me. I showed Nancy my silver container from Timmy's memory box, marked "First Tooth". It is taped shut but holds a lock of hair the mortician clipped for us. The silver container was a baptism gift from Shirley and Joe Zelenak, and I like the way it's been used now.

Is this not the perfect frame for this photograph? Taken the day after ThanksLiving, 2000. Timmy is holding the teddy bear his father and I picked up on the cruise ship, having just gotten back from my first Mediterranean trip. Justin looks so young, too.

So, once again, Nancy has come through for me, saving my wallet-sized photo from sure disaster being out of my wallet and is now properly framed for display. Nice hunting, Nancy!

...and all is right with the world!

Yesterday was a normal Sunday, all of us back at the table. A friend of Betty's, Jean, accompanies her on Mondays to Bible study and then for lunch. And often on Sundays, we see her and a friend at Chili's after they get done with church. One day her friend waved at me as they went to their table, like she knew me. I found out the next day from Jean that I did indeed know her, from many years ago. Her name was Jan. I told Jean that the next time they come in I was going to greet her. 

This week though, we had our regular waitress, not a strange waiter like the week before where we had a problem with the menu choices. She brushed it off saying because we were regulars the other rules didn't apply. THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! I told her how we were wondering now where to go for lunch on Sundays because of that and she encouraged us not to. But, next week, after Easter, they are getting a new menu. The bad news? No more potato skins. Gasp! Now what will I order with my chicken crispers? This poor creature of habit...In the meantime, though, I still have my skins.

After we finished our meals, Justin had to get going to meet up with Jesse and the rest went their separate ways. I said good-bye to them and went to greet Jan and Jean. I sat on the bench next to Jan and quickly caught up news. Jan was married to my current neighbor at one time, and they had entertained my former spouse and me at their unit here in The Palace not long after Timmy died. My introduction to what life was like here. Then, a year or so later, we built them a home in EH. I think that Jan got divorced around the same time I did. When I bought this unit, she was the listing agent on the sale. Our paths had crossed one more time.

She moved away so I didn't see her again. However, her former spouse and his wife moved back into my building. I find this quite interesting how this stuff circles back to The Palace again. Jan moved back to OP after her husband died and met Jean at a grief group they were attending after losing their spouses. So now, we are reconnected through Jean. I gave her one of my cards so she can call me. And I have hers. We are all set.

As I was seated there, the regular manager came past the table and greeted me. He shook my hand and said it was good to see me, etc. I told him about our unfortunate experience last week and that my group was close to choosing another place to have our Sunday lunch. He assured me that we could order what we want, no problem, and we'd be well taken care of. I like the sounds of that and told him I'd let my companions know everything was going to be okay. I really have no idea where we would go instead so Chili's should be honored to have us! I am no longer a coward, as Mike said I was, for filling out the survey instead of speaking to the manager. Today I did speak to the manager, and did so in a calm, cool manner. It can be done!

The 'gift' of friends

Nancy W. left here a few minutes ago. She is my personal shopper, like a great white hunter. Nancy knew I was in search of a picture frame suitable for the wallet-sized photo I have of Justin and Timmy. My new wallet, gotten last fall for $5 at Wal*Mart, has no provision for photos, so I want to have a way to keep the photo safe. A frame that size is difficult to come by, but she found one which she thought would work. Sadly, it would not work unless I cut up the photo, but I am incredibly thankful for her efforts. She will not give up the search!

In the corner of my bedroom is a new-to-me air purifier, also a gift from Nancy. It was an extra one from her father's house, which she is in the process of emptying out. All I had to do was clean it up, plug the unit in, and let it go to work on the dust in the air. Certainly has its work cut out! When Nancy was here, we sat in the river room for a bit which allowed me to look across my dining room table. Oh my, the surface is layered in yellow pollen!! I guess I have to decide which is preferable---air moving through the house, or pollen! Perhaps the pollen will end soon and the question will answer itself.

The day Justin and I had the luncheon, Nancy came early to see if we needed any help. She brought Justin a brand-new still in its package Sharper Image knife, not quite a carving knife but larger than a paring one. It is extremely sharp, comes with a plastic protective shield which snaps over the blade. Nancy found it for a couple of bucks at "Willy's", a.k.a. as GoodWill. She is ever the bargain hunter, and knew he would benefit from this. Another time she found a broiler pan set at Willy's which she brought to us, thinking this was something Justin was looking for. Sadly, it was not but we graciously accepted her gift and placed it in the pantry closet. What he actually wanted was an aluminum baking sheet, a cookie sheet, basically, to catch drips in the oven. 

I have to be careful when I mention needing or looking for something in front of Nancy because she will show up at the door with said item in hand!  Currently she is scoping out the Ross for Less store for the swimsuits to come in. That is something I can really make use of and love it that she is keeping her eyes peeled for them. She knows my size and the style and color preferences. It is wonderful having a personal shopper!

Not this time

I mentioned a week or so ago that Justin thought he might be moving out of my home and back in with his friend, Jesse. Much work was done in his room to reduce the amount of stuff, including three bags of clothing being donated and books stacked in my room. As much as I dreaded him leaving here, I knew it was good for him to get out on his own again. As I said, Jesse and he have been roommates or lived in proximity to each other from about the time Justin started at UNF, including the brief time they lived at Ron's house in Mandarin. 

Sadly, though, Justin got the news that it would be quite expensive to share the rent and expenses with Jesse at the house he is renting. It would be cost prohibitive, especially during the months when he is working part-time. I know he is disappointed about this but is making the best of it. He had purchased some food storage containers in anticipation of moving over there, likes them to be uniform (where did he get that from?) so now we have a fresh set if we need to add to the collection already on hand. And he has fewer clothing items to deal with in his room. 

Justin's biggest problem in his room is the lack of clothes storage. His previous bed was a platform one with the drawers underneath serving as his dresser. That bed did not survive all the moves so it had to be trashed. The dresser from his original bedroom set was sold at the estate sale Jesse and he ran a few years ago. Whatever doesn't fit in the closet is, well, elsewhere, to put it kindly. 

I am thinking I'll keep my eyes open for an inexpensive chest of drawers to help him (me) out. Rule #1 for moving back in here this last time was that I had to be able to see the floor and #2 is that the bathroom must be kept clean. More than once I've offered to lend a hand in keeping the rules but he declines. Sometimes he tackles the room and gets things straightened away, to a point. Those are good days!

The heat is on!

Or, rather, the A/C is on. All of a sudden I went from using my little space heater to using my ceiling fan. It was almost overnight, or so it seems. At the beginning of the month Justin resumed working full-time grooming people's yards and finds the heat already oppressive. His co-worker, Ray, had a bad cold last week which made it that much harder to work. Wednesday night Justin came in from work, too exhausted and sore to go to church. I excused him once I got a look at him, filthy from head to toe, clearly worn out. The temperature reached the mid-80's which took the wind from their sails. Our friend, Mike, who also does landscape work, is loving the return of the heat. 

A while back I mentioned to Justin about needing some help getting my closet switched over---winter clothes swapped with the summer clothes. It's hard for me to reach up and down like that without using the stool. He is opposed to me making use of that stool so he said he'd help me. I guess it's too late now. What does need to happen is have some weeding done in there, remove what hasn't seen the light of day. That job would be done with great reluctance because I have a tough time parting with most of my garments for sentimental reasons. Or I have the hope of wearing them again some day. And what to do with them once I decide to have them leave the closet...to a good home, I hope.

Right now my doors are open to the front and back, and the ceiling fans running to move the air around. It's cooler outside than in right now, but that is expected to change as the day progresses. When that happens, I will close the doors and let the A/C take over. It is warm in my room because of the sun shining on me but once the sun moves around the building, it might cool some. My friend, Nancy W., gave me a gift of an air purifier which should help me with the dust problem. So would keeping the doors closed, right? 

But I love Chili's!

We had a bad time of it today at Chili's, only four of us this time. Judy C. is in CO with her daughter's family for their spring break, and Terri had other plans. Betty had to stay after to clean up following the Lord's Supper. I was in the company of three handsome young men, and yes, I can stand it. 

Normally we are seated in one certain area with our choice, basically, of servers. Often the ladies ask to take care of us, knowing our orders by heart already. Today we sat on the other side (as if you can see that...!) and recognized no one. None of the wait staff nor the managers looked familiar, as if we were at an entirely different store. Hmmm....what's going on here?

We placed our orders with the young man and he entered them into the machine near our table. After a certain point a manager came to our table and asked if we had a question about the menu. We told him we were good, no thanks, and he stepped away. That was odd...but we figured he had the wrong table. Nope, he did not, we just didn't know there was a question. The waiter came to tell us that we could not order from the lunch menu any longer, the new General Manager was going to be a stickler for the rules. Those who had ordered from that menu had to choose differently, from the regular menu. Nuts!

That was going to be problem as some people preferred the lesser expensive items from the lunch menu or the choices there. As we ate, we discussed other options in the area for us to gather on Sundays. Pricing is always a consideration for our group so that somewhat narrows our selection of dining opportunities, as does space, as we need room to seat all us when our number swells. We shall have to see what the others care to do. 

Also, the place we go to must be able to seat us almost immediately which leaves out places like The Olive Garden or LongHorn which are closer to church. On occasion we have been known to dine at St. Johns Seafood but we have to time our arrival just right to allow us room to all sit together in their cozy dining room. 

We don't mean to be difficult, really, we don't. We've been dining at Chili's for several years now and would really dislike changing our place of choice. When the group is all together again, we will have to discuss the situation. Justin completed the survey on the table top kiosk when he paid our bill, spelling out our concerns. Mike S. thinks doing it such is the coward's way. He prefers face-to-face expression of dismay. I do not, and I wear my cowardice bravely!

A busy weekend

Last night Nancy W. and I joined our friend, Maureen, for dinner, to help her kick off spring break. Maureen (Mo) is a teacher in our County. We've been waiting a long time to get together and at last, we made it to Santioni's, on the Island. Mo was our driver. It was nice for us to get out, especially for her since she normally has a brood of kids around her, and not only in the classroom. Her husband, Ro, and she are parents to 8 children, only a few at home right now, plus an exchange student. They absolutely LOVE kids, those two!

Let me back up a little bit---I had also made plans to get together for dinner with Brenda on Friday. I was going to pick her up from work and we'd go to a nicer place than our quick lunch choice of Steak 'n Shake. All of a sudden I remembered that I had already made these other plans with Nancy and Mo. I felt just terrible about this. We communicated and she was just fine with the plan change, she said. Later, as I drove to the groomers, she called to report that she had also double booked, forgetting she had made an appointment at the hair salon for Friday night. Whew!, I felt so much better that it all was working out after all.

We three ladies had a wonderful meal complete with being serenaded by the Italian proprietor. While we ate, there was a keyboardist playing music in the background but when the owner came out to sing, it was no longer background. Such pipes he had! If we had not enjoyed a glass of sangria and dessert, we could have gotten out of there for less than $20 with each carrying a to-go box with us. A good deal, that's for sure.

Saturday was a full one as well, starting with a Mexican dinner at church, a fund raiser, prepared by Chefs Mike 'n Mike. Sadly, the turnout was dismal, and I felt so badly for all the effort they put into it. Normally we have a good showing for such special meals but tonight's was only 9 people including a child. The pastor's wife had her little niece with them, and the rest were adults. The guys had help in the kitchen provided by two young ladies, newer to the congregation. Their dad is stationed at Kings' Bay and he has been a member here for a year or so. His family would come and visit several times a year, living in New Ulm, and we got to know them. They recently moved down here to all live together, with the girls doing their education via the Internet. Nicer girls I've never met. Their mom wasn't with them tonight as she was back in MN helping her sister after surgery. 

The dinner was held early due to the fact that there was a concert being presented at Victory tonight by WI Lutheran College. Since it started at 7 pm, it was hoped folks would come early to eat and then carpool or caravan to Victory for the concert. Nope, it was only me who left from church, with the pastor and his family leaving from home, picking up his son who is home from Luther Prep on break. He did not join us for dinner. 

The ride over to Victory was nice, more quiet on a Saturday evening than on a work day. And it was hot out! Certainly the choir members enjoyed the beautiful weather, having sung last night at Christ the King, an hour south of us. My guess was right---a day at the beach! Some of the girls showed red shoulders and I hope they don't suffer on their long bus ride back to WI tomorrow. 

Another family from GS came to the concert, and I got to see my friend, Robbie, again. We had a representation of 11 people from GS attending the concert. I got to talk with 2 guys before the concert, prior to them getting their green velvet (warm!) choir robes on. I asked one of the guys if he was originally from WI or if he just went to school there and he said he was from AZ. No stranger to heat he. The other young man said he was from WI, and I asked where. Get this---he is from a small town named Manitowoc! He went to my alma mater and his family actually goes to the same church where my nephews attend school. This young man, Josh, even had for his teacher the same man teaching my nephew now! Love when this happens.

Overall it was a good concert, especially the sacred offerings. The less than sacred stuff was well done, but not my favorite choices. After the concert there was a cookie social and I had a chance to chat with the director. I told him how I remembered his directing the orchestra and choir at the Worship Conference last summer, in conjunction with a female conductor. He asked me if I was a musician (No) or was in a choir (No), and I explained I came to be filled up. I didn't tell him that I likely wouldn't be attending any more of the Conferences in the future though. Will just enjoy the concerts when they come to us!

Cultured and artistic you say?

A week or so ago at lunch with the church buddies, Michael was telling me how so far we have three kids coming from CO this summer, two boys and one girl. One girl, Noelle, was here last summer and will be joined by the brother of Jacob, who came two years in a row. I am not sure who the 3rd one is yet. I remarked that Noelle will once again have to sleep in the living room on the air bed and Michael assured me she was fine with that.

After we were home a bit, Justin came to my room and said, "It's possible that my room will be available for kids to sleep in...." What? What? Apparently Jesse's live-in is moving out and Justin is hoping to move in with Jesse. Not all the details have been worked out with Jesse and his step-dad, who owns the house, but Justin is once again psyched about moving out, and in, once more with Jesse. Those two have lived together almost since Justin started at UNF. He's always lived with St. Johns kids even at The District until Michael G. transferred to another college. 

I would be glad for Justin to be able to live with Jesse, basically on his own again, but sad that he is leaving me. The line from "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" is often used by Justin and me---"Why you want to leeaavve me?" But I know why, and do understand. Somehow I will manage, as I have in the past. Certainly I wouldn't mind having my rooms back again, and clean. I am all about the clean! When I told my friend, Nancy W., this bit of news, she was sad for me, and for herself. She said, "Oh, you're going to miss him....I'M going to miss him!" He is most popular around here. 

Justin has been busy in his room---purging, sorting, re-organizing, putting stuff in bins, and getting rid of stuff. I will not stand in the way of that! He took three bags of discarded clothes to the collection bin, which is a great start. (I should do the same even though I am not planning on going anywhere.) He has attachment to the boxes and containers some of his electronics came in or his collectibles, and he is prepared to part with them. Not being sure of how much room he'll have at Jesse's makes it easier to decide. 

We are having a used book sale at church after Easter and Justin has gone through his collection, bringing them to my room to either read or pass along. One such book is an autographed copy of Andrew Breitbart's last book, which I got signed for Justin when Judy C. and I were at a tea party event downtown, with my dentist/friend, Peggy. Justin does not want that book to leave our custody but also doesn't want to take it with him. Justin and I were together when we heard Andrew had died in 2012, one of those "I know where I was when I heard..." moments. 

Justin was taking inventory of his electronics, counting the number of computing devices in his room. Yes, more than two and less than 10, in various stages of operation. On a whim, he opened up the big blue gas-powered Alienware which used to be in my room. Justin brought me something he found inside the housing of the computer. It was a fortune from a cookie, and he was sure it was mine, based upon the message. "You will attract cultured and artistic people to your home". I just love that guy, and, yes, my fortune has come true!

Nothing but trouble

I am home and settled in after another marvelous Bible study at Victory this a.m. Our number varies from week to week, and I realized something rather interesting about this gathering---six of the regulars are married couples! The rest of us come as singles (no spouse along) but I just found that to be an interesting tidbit. One of the ladies who comes from St. Augustine gave me a gift recently, the new CD by Bob Dylan. She knows that I was a fan of his and that my brother-in-law plays his music. Dawn had stood in line in the FL cold to get tickets for Dylan's upcoming concert at the amphitheater next month. Now that is a fan! She also made a quilted book using some of Dylan's lyrics, a true work of art. 

This woman is extremely gifted when it comes to quilting. These pages are approximately 12" x 14". On the reverse side of the 'page' are the lyrics upon which the quilted page was made. She don't mess around!

Monday started out in a fog, literally so. The fog was as thick a mushroom soup, as my nephew would say. At first I could barely see the trees in the basin outside my window, and my concern went immediately to those I know who commute to work. I fear for my friends and others who have to battle the traffic under good conditions, and more so under these. Yikes!

Speaking of friends, Monday night was our Ladies' Group meeting at church, the same night the Council and Elders were meeting. Pastor was able to come into our meeting first for devotion and to give his report, and then went to the other building for the men's meeting. Some of the ladies rode to church with their spouses and since the ladies got done ahead of the menfolk, a group of us decided to venture over to LongHorn to wait. And have a nice drink, perhaps?

Judy, Terri, and I got there first and secured a table in the dining room. When Janet and Tina arrived, they wanted to sit in the bar but there wasn't enough room for us all at one table, thankfully. I have a tough time negotiating the high top stools. We'd ordered a couple of appetizers but hardly anyone touched them. Judy sent her leftovers home with me thinking Justin would eat them. I am not a fan of their onion peels. I had the loaded potatoes and afterward the waitress said I should have ordered the half-sized one. That would have been good advice if she'd offered it earlier. We had our adult beverages, except Judy, me drinking only about half of mine. It was strong and I had to drive home! It wasn't too long before the two husbands showed up to help with the appetizers. They weren't much help though!

Besides us there were only a couple tables of people eating. We got there just in time to close 'em up, I guess. Monday nights are slow anyway in the retail and restaurant business. We did our best to help them out. I got a couple meals out of my to-go box with those loaded fries. Next time, only the half order when we trouble makers from Ladies' Group darken their doorway!

I'm sure it wasn't the food...

...but no sooner did my guests leave my home after the luncheon last Friday did I hit my bed. Something came over me, not exhausted from the preparations or hosting the event. No, it was something different. My stomach was stuffed which is expected after this veritable feast we enjoyed, and I just wished to sleep. And I did, after getting one load of dishes into the machine. I went to sleep for a couple of hours, waking in time to chat with Linda when The Five came on. I told Justin that even if someone called to go have dinner, I would refuse, still feeling so very full.

I slept after The Five, getting up only to use the bathroom, all night. Still having the full feeling but not actually being sick, Justin was quite concerned that the food did this. Since no one else contacted me about not feeling well, I was not so quick to blame his food. I did eat far more than I would normally given the courses. AND, I ate more stuff I don't usually eat, such as fruit. We had the strawberry soup, fruit salad, and fruit in the chicken salad. I don't know, grasping at straws here as to what was going on. Eating fruit should not make someone drowsy, I wouldn't think.

Most of Saturday was spent sleeping away, or resting, hardly able to muster the strength to go to the kitchen for soda. I didn't care for the smell of the chicken salad when I opened the fridge. I simply attributed that to not feeling well. Justin loved it and ate it up, no bad effects. I had every intention of taking care of the clean up in the kitchen after the luncheon but had a tough time mustering the ambition to do so. Justin helped put away the dishes and I put the next batch into the machine. All but one serving bowl fit in the dishwasher which was pretty good for that number of pieces. 

Nancy W. had asked me to dinner on Saturday night as she was making spaghetti but I had to decline, even though I was feeling somewhat better by dinner time. Still not up to eating and I didn't want to make a scene or anything at her house. It was best for me to just stay close to home and do more resting. 

By Sunday morning I was back on my feet and able to attend Bible study, worship, and go to lunch, like nothing happened. It was such an odd thing, probably a 24 hour bug of some kind that simply corresponded with the luncheon. I didn't feel bad prior to the ladies coming or when they were here, but less than 30 minutes after the door closed, I hit my bed. Wow, that was weird! Glad I was able to sleep it off and resume normal activities by Sunday. Hate to miss church and time with my friends, you know!