Justin's birthday!

What a crazy celebration it's been! Not wild crazy but out of order.  I will explain that later. Justin is now 29 years old, and this year I was here to be with him for his special day. Actually, it is the mom's special day, truly, but I will not buck the system on this. Justin weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 19 1/2" tall when he was born, was the length of his father's arm from elbow to finger tip. He is not that any longer, now being a full grown man. I consider him to be my boy but to everyone else, he is man.

Justin and his long time church friend, Robbie, December 2015

Justin has chosen to dine at Carrabba's for his birthday the past couple years when I've been in town to celebrate with him. This year was no exception with those plans made for tonight. However, I also had a Board meeting to attend where important matters regarding our upcoming repaving project and its ramifications would be discussed. Oh, oh....what to do, what to do??

We talked about it and came up with an alternative plan of us having his birthday meal on Monday night instead. It worked out better this way for his friends whose work schedules allowed the actual birthdate for them to celebrate Justin. When I said something about it, he said, "I was keeping my birthday for you...." Aww! Love that guy! Anyway, I enjoyed having him to myself at Carrabba's and he will love his sushi dinner with his friends over in Mandarin tonight.

The other day he reported his work boots were breaking down and I offered to replace them for his birthday present. He was fine with that, gave me the size to get, etc. When I asked him about going to buy them, he told me he changed his mind. Oh, oh! That meant I had no presents for him other than renewing his license plates for him. So thankful for Amazon Prime membership and wish lists stored there! Two of his gifts arrived today and another is coming this week. He is happy to have the items he listed which will be a blessing for their tailgating during football season---weights for their canopy plus a fabric fold-out table with cup holders, much like my fold-out chair for the beach. Cool!

At this writing he has likely finished his meal at the sushi and mongolian buffet place, and the players are out chasing Pokemon GO creatures. Yes, they are 30 year old and 29 year old men, chasing Pokemon characters. Hey, it's his party, he can play what he wants to! 

I had my own fun today, starting with water exercise class and then immediately changing clothes to head to Mandarin for the Over 50 Lunch Bunch gathering. This time we went to the Golden Corral where I haven't eaten for perhaps 9-10 years, if memory serves. I think I ate at the OP store with the Ross's when Christopher was in grade school, a fund-raiser for his school. That is a long time ago! At first I was not going to attend but since Terri was picking up Gretchen for it, I agreed to go. Only 10 of us this time but it was still nice. Such good food and only about $8 per person. Not bad for all one can eat, plus cotton candy to go! I had my funeral meal of meatloaf (delicious!), mashed potatoes (delicious!), green beans, and a piece of fried chicken. Plus a couple cubes of Rice Krispie Treats which were intended for the chocolate fountain. I ate them plain, thank you, also on my funeral menu sans the fountain. 

The right side of the table is Linda Henry and her friends, and on the left are Julaine and Fausto, Gretchen, Terri, with me on the end.

Then, tonight was the building's Board meeting, conducted on the sundeck. It was hot but the sun was already behind trees. Rosemary brought a cake, plates, napkins, and forks to celebrate our Association president's birthday which was most gracious for her to do. She is the same lady who offered to drive me to my car during repaving. Sweet lady!  She gave me a nice big slice to take to Justin, and that was before she even knew it was his birthday, too! 

There was thunder in the distance so we needed to move things along. It was a contentious atmosphere from the attendees and the weather! The rep was there from the management company with whom many people have issues. It was a bit embarrassing but I guess I understand some of the frustration. Because no one from the building had agreed to serve on the Board as treasurer or secretary, it had to be outsourced, and apparently many are disgruntled about that. Losing our long time maintenance lady, Connie, really hurt many people, and certainly the building as a whole. But being abrupt and belligerent won't change what's happened. As the storm neared, I'd had enough and went upstairs, since the meeting was nearly over. No sooner did I get in the house and the heaven's opened! That was close! I hope Rosemary saved the cake. 

I have to keep quiet

Lately I've spent too much time talking about politics and reading articles, listening to podcasts (that will not end) and am finding myself close to arguing about politics. I have to learn to not rain on other's parades, not try to stem their glee, and point out the obvious problems with the person they are supporting. I can talk with them about the local races, less contentious a topic than on a national level. In a case like this, there is little hope of changing anyone's mind, especially if that is not my goal. Usually I am mostly defending my opinions on the recent nominee running for president, getting many of his votes simply because of what his last name is not---Clinton! And, no, I don't want her to be president, a question I've answered in the negative numerous times. I simply don't believe the alternative is the answer. 

"The devil you know versus the devil you don't know...." 

Many years ago when my sister-in-law and I were both taking classes at the technical college near our home town, Marian struggled with her composition class. I was taking bookkeeping and struggled with that. We teamed up so we could help each other---perfect! One paper she was writing was about smoking. I jokingly asked, "Pro or con?" and she answered me, "Well, pro, of course, because I smoke...." Yes, you do. Okay, so in order to justify being unable to quit or not wishing to recognize the negative affects on her health, she chose to find or look for positive things about being a smoker. 

Sadly, I cannot remember what actually was a plus, but her comments to me have remained symbolic for why we do the things we do. People can explain something away or ignore the bad stuff entirely, as if it doesn't exist. I equate that type of thinking to Marian's paper, gotta find a way to justify or affirm a decision even though there is plenty to show the negative. 

In my favorite place, watching "Law & Order", (how interesting that he wants to be the law and order candidate??? Scary some?), there is an episode, one of which I am not fond. The story features a father that lords it over his daughters and their step-mother, who, it was revealed, he married only to take care of his kids. The kids adored their father, were worshipful of him, even though he basically bullied them into submission. 

They couldn't really see it, felt as though this was the only way to live. No sleep overs with friends, not accepting anything but A's on the report card, no family visits because "my father only wants what is best for us." "Someone has to be the leader" said his wife, whom he later described as a 'stupid cow' for speaking up from the stand. Even when their biological mother, from whom they'd been kidnapped, came to claim them, these young ladies shrieked in horror at the thought of no longer being with their now sentenced father. No matter how awful their life was, they were willing to continue it. They didn't find it awful any longer, having gotten accustomed to his 'leadership'. 

Why am I writing about this? I do stop short of referring to this as a 'Barabbas situation', though some of the rationale is the same. I think people are simply blindly accepting of the candidate despite all the negatives, many of which are not known or are ignored, simply because they don't want Mrs. Clinton in the White House again. Frying pan into the fire, I say. Scratching my head, truly, because what can a voter do now, one who has a conscience and convictions? Look the other way? or is it look the other way!

So nice to see these folks!

A few months ago plans were made for the Meyer family to stay with me for a few days while vacationing in FL. John was a member of our church as a young man, was confirmed there, before moving to GA with his family. I had become Facebook friends with John and his wife, Tammy, finding them both, separately, at the 2011 Worship Conference in St. Peter, MN. Such great fun to actually meet the people with whom I am 'friends'!! So when Tammy asked for this favor, I was quite excited to have them come to stay. A month ago their plans changed as additional family members joined their time in N. FL. At least they'd get to worship at Good Shepherd and join our group for lunch!

John, now a pastor, made sure I stood up front which allowed for the picture of Jesus to show between the taller folks in the back row. John and Holly, who will be a junior at LPS this fall, and Johnny VII. Next to me is Jimmy, who is such a character, and Tammy. Even the younger ones are taller than I am! Obviously I can hardly contain myself...

I called ahead to Chili's to let them know we'd be coming with a larger number of folks than usual. Another former member, Julie Harris Seals, and her two little ones were also on vacation, from TX. The waitress stood on a chair to take our picture, making sure all were included. She did a good job of serving us and keeping us watered (or soda cups full). Two weeks in a row we had large numbers at our lunch table, will be strange to go back to 'normal', whatever that might be! 

While we would have liked more time together, the Meyers and we are just glad for the time we had. John took pictures of the dry pond on the back of the property where we used to hold our Easter Sunrise worship, and the area in the parking lot where he loved to play in the puddles. I told him if we had some rain, his puddle would be back, even though the parking lot has been recently paved. Good times and great memories for John, and for us who remember him as a young man!

Another type of wrap!

Yesterday I wrote about staying off my knee today unless called to go to lunch. Well, it was not lunch but actually breakfast! Nancy W. knew my house was going to be vacated today and contacted me to go to Metro for comfort food. I needed more knee comfort than anything else. Michael had the CO kids well in hand on their way to the airport (he let me know when they were boarding, as per Caleb's text) so I was on my own. 

Nancy came by to collect me and I managed to get down to the car with my leg unwrapped. I couldn't get the corset wrap to stay on and it looked terrible anyway. We ladies enjoyed our breakfasts and then, at Nancy's insistence, stopped at Atkinson's Medical Supply to check out knee braces. My fear was confirmed---my non-standard knee does not match up with the standard braces. The nice lady helping us would try the braces but no go. I explained to her what I was using that helped me, my corset given to me after Timmy died to help hold my tummy muscles in post-op, in case I messed something up that night. She said, "Oh, we have something similar used for ribs..." We tried that, right over my pants leg and it worked perfectly!

It was less than $25 and I could walk like nobody's business. We even stopped at Winn Dixie and got a few things, something I'd have never considered otherwise, since my leg hurt so badly. Wow! I am so thankful she insisted on checking this out and got the help from the lady that we did. Yay for me and my gimpy knee!

Wrapping things up

Well, here we are in the house on this perfectly lovely Sunday afternoon in mid-July...The kids said they wanted to stay in and start their packing, saying it was too much trouble to go swimming and then deal with wet suits. I have a washer/dryer as well as zip-lock bags, but I will not force the issue. I opted to stay in, too, if they need me for something and because my knee is giving me a fit again today. Was better yesterday after being in the pool but during church, it really got bad again. Ugh! 

Dear Caleb reports no packing is taking place as of yet, but we are in for the rest of the day and evening so there is plenty of time. I was unsuccessful in printing off their boarding passes as my printer frustrates me. It seems it won't print anything not in Word format. I tried to copy/paste to a Word document but the scan code didn't transfer so that idea failed. Michael was able to print at his house and he is bringing them over here shortly. I told Caleb they can get them at the airport but he'd like to have it in hand which I fully appreciate. 

Like trying to herd cats, I at last got them out the door and to church in time for Bible study and then worship this morning. After church Pastor said something about greeting the young people in the Fellowship Hall but we were leaving almost immediately for La Nopalera for our traditional meal with the kids. They did go in for a bit but then came back out so we could leave. Justin went ahead of us to secure a table, plus some of his friends were meeting us there, too. We needed seating for 15! It was hard to talk to everyone at the table but we did okay. I got some pictures but sadly I cannot post them because they are rotated for some reason. No good!  I did post them on Facebook for those who have access.

Michael came by this afternoon to have the kids write out their thank-you notes (I love this!) and to give me mine from the parents. You will see regular check-ins from me at Grumpy's as they gave me a gift certificate from there. I never even got the kids there, went to Metro Diner instead this year. Anyway, Michael brought along a movie to watch which he did with the guys after our dinner of pizza from Papa Johns. Justin had coupons and discounts I could use to make the purchase. Very good choices!  The guys are getting themselves situated in the living room and the girls are just now starting their packing. I went in there to see if they needed anything and they were just getting started...I said, "I thought this is why we didn't go to the pool today." Alma said, "I know but it soooo hard to pack and everything..." which was her same reason during the week for not going swimming! Anyway, they are getting things squared away and I am resting on my bed, hoping my knee feels better in the morning. Hoping to rest it all day tomorrow, unless someone calls to go have lunch!

Sweet Mary

Back in 2013 Linda J. and I went to the LWMS Convention when it was in LaCrosse, WI. Actually hosted by congregations in the Winona, MN area, it was conducted in "LA" because of the availability of hotel space and a convention center. We stayed with my sister, Lori, at her home, and Lynn, our other sister, came along to hang out with Lori while Linda and I were at the Convention. 

While there, Linda and I made the acquaintance of a charming lady, Mary, 70 years of age and going strong! In a few months of us meeting her, Mary was going to Thailand to work at an orphanage and teach the little ones about their Savior. We were blown away. Linda was vigilant and got Mary's contact info so we could keep in touch with each other, and hear about her trip to Thailand. I am so glad Linda did get her e-mail because I hear from Mary periodically, especially if something is going on in her life. Another fun thing is that Mary and her husband used to live in Manitowoc, had a home on JJ, and we had a friend in common---a man who drove my school bus! What fun that was to meet her!

This week I got an e-mail from her with a sweet and sad story attached to it. Mary wrote to tell me about getting a delivery of flowers from an unexpected source. Her story was that she called Capitol One, her credit card company, to inquire if she had enough points earned to qualify for a free flight. She told the Customer Service lady how she needs to fly to MI to say good-bye to her mother (YES!, she still has her mother!!!) and this would be her 3rd funeral in 4 months. Mary lost her daughter, a sister, and now soon, her mother already this year. Heart-rending! Mary was choked up as she spoke to the Agent, told me she could barely get her info out. 

The flowers which arrived were from that very nice Customer Service agent at Capital One who felt so badly for Mary. I was so moved to read that, such a terrifically kind gesture on her part. And it blew Mary away! What I didn't hear was if she qualified for the free flight or not. I asked Mary but she hasn't answered me yet. It's great that Mary reaches out to me with stuff like this, makes my heart happy and renews my faith that there are good people out there!!  God's blessings to Mary as she travels to say her last good-byes to her mom. "Until we meet again..."

The kids are here!!

I think it was last year when I said I was going to try to not refer to my young CO friends as 'kids' but, they are, in fact, just that. A tough pill to swallow and expectations must be adjusted! They arrived late afternoon and were exhausted after their long day of travel. They lost two hours due to the time zone change plus had to catch a very early morning flight out of Denver. Don't blame them at all about being tired. 

I made dinner for the group and Michael which we wouldn't be enjoying for about 3 or 4 more hours after their arrival, but the kids didn't wish to exert the effort to change into swimwear and go to the pool. That was a first! Usually my guests cannot wait to jump into the pool, but, again, it's their choice.

Justin got home between 5 and 6, and immediately got himself cleaned up. He was filthy and even more exhausted than our young friends could even imagine! He had offered to make our Caesar salad for dinner so after his shower he came out to cut up the romaine lettuce, filling the bowl. Then he said he'd like to put his feet up for a while before we ate, so we planned to serve at 6:30, early for us, really early for our Mountain Time Zone house guests.

I set the table in the dining room, which I truly love to do, and we enjoyed our baked ziti with Italian chicken, the salad, and had apple pie for dessert. Michael was surprised it was so good. I can do it, Sir, but usually I don't care to. For special occasions, it can be done! Everyone helped to clear and then got settled in the living room. Justin brought them his Wii which they knew how to set up, and away they went. Michael has gone on home to rest up for his full week of VBS and activities in front of him. 

They leave very early in the morning for Disney so I do hope they play games too late so they have trouble getting going. I already told them I wouldn't see them again until Saturday because of their early departure and late return. Nothing like Disney and high 90s for the temperature in FL!!  

Happy news and sad news

Today I heard the awful reports from the Director of the FBI regarding the female presidential candidate. I thought I'd just look on-line to see what I could find to read about this situation. What I did find was a news report that in the very early hours of the morning one of my neighbors and pool frequenter lost his life in a roll-over accident. Josh was only 33 years old, lived with his sister on the property, and had been poolside on the busy 4th of July. I only greeted him as he walked past me as I was in the pool. He and his sister found chairs beyond the baby pool so were not handy to where I was seated. Now I missed my last chance to have a visit with him. I am glad to know that he was a church-going man and attended men's Bible study with one of my other friends. I am so sad about this, nothing good happens after midnight.

The good news is that Linda let me know she has her travel arranged to come for a visit at the end of August. She is not coming alone, however----Tom and their son, Matthew, are coming for a few days in order to go deep sea fishing. At long last, the Old Man and the Sea will be reunited!!! Tommy just LOVED our deep sea fishing trip back in 2004. I am so happy about this, especially so since my friend, Nancy W., is anxious to meet him. She has heard so many Tommy stories and now he will need to live up to them! Linda gets to stay a while after they are gone back to Manty. I love it! He hasn't been here since 2006, Justin's graduation and Matthew has never been. I hope to show them a good time! 

"You make me want to be a better man (or woman)"

(This title is a movie quote from "As Good As It Gets", one of my favorite movies. A man suffering with serious OCD meets a woman for whom he tries to get his sickness under control. This quote makes the movie, and is good advice for us all!)

Shared by a friend:

As Mrs. Thompson stood in front of her 5th  grade class on the very first day of 

school, she told the children an  untruth.  Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that  she loved them all the same.  However, that was impossible, because there  in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy  Stoddard. 

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year  before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his  clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy  could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would  actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold  X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers. 

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,  she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off  until last.  However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a  surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy  is a bright child with a ready laugh.

He does his work neatly and has  good manners...he is a joy to be around. 

His second grade teacher  wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is  troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.' 

His third grade teacher wrote, 'His  mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his  father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if  some steps aren't taken.'

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy  is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.  He doesn't have  many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.' 

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem  and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students  brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper,  except for Teddy's.  His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown  paper that he got from a grocery bag.  Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.  Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing  some of the perfume on her wrist. 

Teddy stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like  my Mom used to.'

After the children left, she cried for  at least an hour.  On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing  and arithmetic.  Instead, she began to teach children.  Mrs.  Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.  As she worked with him, his  mind seemed to come alive.  The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.  By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest  children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the  children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'  

A year  later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her she was the best teacher he ever had in his  whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from  Teddy.  He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his  class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four  years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon  graduate from college with the highest of honors.  He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. 

Then four more years passed and yet another  letter came.  This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's  degree, he decided to go a little  further.  The letter explained that she  was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had.  But now his name  was a little longer.  The letter was signed: Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. 

The story does not end there.  You see, there was yet another  letter that spring.

Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be  married.  He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and  he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the  place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.  Of course,  Mrs. Thompson did. 

And guess what?  She wore that bracelet, the one  with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the  perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. 

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard  whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in  me.  Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I  could make a difference.' 

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes,  whispered back.  She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.' 

We are all teachers though not always in a classroom. Everything we say and everything we do teaches others about ourselves. I hope to be a good teacher, too.