What a full weekend!

My fun began on Friday with our group going to Tallahassee for David Chappell’s swearing in ceremony to mark that he is officially a practicing lawyer. He is a judicial assistant to an appellate judge for the State of Florida. Not shabby at all! Our group met at church at 10:00 am and eventually parted company about 8:30 that night, after two meals together plus the reception at the Court House. We DO know how to have fun!

Saturday morning was choir rehearsal after which I stopped at Publix for soda and a few things. Saturday night was Robbie’s graduation celebration at their home. Justin had an appointment with his groomer, who now makes house calls, so Jesse and he were both taken care of at Jesse’s home Saturday afternoon. Now Justin looks nicely groomed for the holidays. And for the football game which he attended today. Unfortunately, the Jags lost, which is such a disappointment after last week’s victory.

Today was a full one as well, beginning with Bible study and worship. Between the study and worship our little choir ran through our anthem “Prepared for a King”. The children were finishing their rehearsal and then we flowed right into ours, trying to do so before members started arriving for worship. The place was a beehive! At the beginning of the service the choir sang a hymn from the Supplement and the congregation joined in the refrain, “For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits”. Interestingly, I had used the refrain for my Christmas letter this year. Later in the service we sang our anthem, both which went well. Our service had extra folks today with Judy’s visiting family and Betty’s 5 family members in town. We have had one couple return for their 3^rd time, with their baby, Noah. When I spoke with them their first visit, Kate told me they were church shopping and I was glad to see them back again today, three Sundays in a row.

The choir rehearsed again immediately after church, running through the two anthems for Christmas Eve. Kristi told me it was okay to leave early since the melody part didn’t really need much work, mainly the harmony voices. I was thankful for that since our rather large in number group was heading to Chili’s and I didn’t wish to miss a minute! We had 11 at our table and that was minus our three men since Mike ‘n Mike were busy preparing soups for our soup supper and Justin was at the Jaguar game. Judy had ordered for me already so all I had to do was show up. 

In the foreground is Betty and her granddaughter's family. On the other end see Judy's son and daughter-in-law, plus OJ with Terri, Judy, and me.

We had surprisingly good service for the time of day and number in our group with only one person, OJ, having to wait for her meal. The Chili's manager even came over and apologized for the delay, which means a lot. Because we got to the restaurant so quickly after church, we found there was time between finishing lunch and the tree decorating for us to all go home for a bit. This was welcome for me as my back has been giving me a fit again lately. The heat pad felt good as I watched the Jaguar game, until it was time to head back to church.

I got back over to church, the traffic not too bad, in time to watch Mike helping to drape the Christmas tree with lights. It took four people to figure out the lights but eventually they got them strung and operational. OJ and Terri are quite the team, regular whirlwinds! Betty's family helped place the ornaments on the tree (I love it!) and in short time the sanctuary was ready to go. We had to head to the VA hospital for our caroling, three vehicles. I rode with Terri since Betty's van and Judy's were full with their family members. We arrived in good time and proceeded to the halls to sing carols to the veterans and staff. Justin was concerned about my going, knowing it would be hard on my back, but I made it.

If it wasn't for our singers from out of town, our caroling group would have been Terri, Judy, Betty, and me. Sort of sad, if you ask me. It's great to have kids along to sing, the residents love seeing them.

After caroling, we all met back at church for the soup supper prepared and served by Mike 'n Mike. Usually there is not a problem getting people to show up at least to eat but this year only the pastor and his family were there waiting for us. We had three types of chili and three other soups, of which I had broccoli cheese and turkey noodle. Yum to both! The third non-chili soup was a seafood chowder but I had enough with my other two. Plus some French bread to dip in my bowls. 

It feels good to be home reclined on my bed with the heat pad doing its thing on my poor aching back and bones. The weather here has turned cold, about 30 degrees colder for the guys at the stadium than it was last week! Dramatic drop by any standards. Betty's family is going to DisneyWorld tomorrow and I hope the weather warms up for them at least a few degrees. They are tough Illinoisans so are not as aware of the cold here as we are. Terri made arrangements for them to get discounted tickets using some connections she has through work which is a blessing for a family of five. She also told them about certain perks they can get as first time attendees. Terri is quite the gal, that's for sure. I hope Michelle and family have a great time at the world's happiest place. I am enjoying my happy place right now! Good night!