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!