Tuesday In Wisconsin

Let me defrost my fingers so I can type.......

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I slept well in Mom’s guest room, preferring to sleep on top of the day bed rather than nestling down under the covers. For some reason, it sleeps better for me, perhaps because the comforter is softer than the mattress! My niece keeps her Barbie blanket here at Grandma K’s so I use that as my cover and am really quite cozy. The temps here are running about high 50’s but the sun is shining which makes it nearly tolerable. It sure does feel quite good to climb into my car to get nice and warm again.

This morning I did my nails and talked with Justin for half an hour. In digging through my suitcase and computer bag, I simply could not find some papers I’d brought along to work on while at Arno’s, so Justin was going to mail them to me tomorrow. Well, upon further review and opening all 26 zippers on the suitcase, ta-da!, they appeared! Justin won’t have to go searching for them after all. He’s having some problems with the tire which was damaged when he spun out on the freeway a few months back, thinking he might have to replace it soon. My suggestion was to go to the dealership and ask them to check it once more, just to see if the seal separated again, before having them replace it. Perhaps it’s an easy fix and cheaper!

Once ready for the day, I set off to have my orientation with John and Mona about Arno’s care and supervision in their absence. John also showed me how to connect to the Internet via wi-fi so I’ll be able to work on things while sitting around the house with Grandpa. Everything seems quite well spelled out on paper which is posted for us all to see, as I’m not the only one staying with him. His head might be spinning from all the people coming and going this week, but Mona thinks Arno will roll with the punches and may even flourish from all the activity. One only hopes that is the case.

After visiting with John and Mona, I set off to meet my dear friend, Linda J., for lunch. We went to a new restaurant, well, new to her, anyway. Years ago when we lived and worked up in that area, one of our favorites for lunch was The Covered Wagon, known for their home-cooked meals including fresh bread, pies, and soups. Someone had told Tommy it was smoky in there so they never went but we discovered today it is now a non-smoking diner. They are moving up to that neck of the woods soon so this will become their go-to place when the mood strikes. I always loved the cheeseburgers at Covered Wagon so that’s what I ordered, believe it or not, instead of the perch sandwich! Linda and I shared a piece of raisin pie which was absolutely delicious. Love it, love it, love it! As I said to Linda, you CAN go home again!!!!

Speaking of home, Linda took me over to see her new one after lunch. It’s in a lovely neighborhood, not terribly old but yet established subdivision, which is high above the Manitowoc River. Oh, it’s a fantastic place: a perfect yard, raised patio, cute front porch which just begs for rocking chairs from Cracker Barrel! The layout of the house is a great flow, all main rooms being either ceramic tile or hardwood. The foyer is a show stopper, so much so I had to just hug Linda from glee! What great fun it will be to decorate and personalize this home. Some modifications need to be done prior to move-in but some boxes and odds and ends have found their way into the garage and closets. My delight and joy for Tommy and Linda tops the charts on the pleased scale! This couple and I agree about who deserves the thanks for all the blessings in our lives---our good and gracious Lord Jesus! Amen!

I left Linda and came back to Mom's. Shortly, Alayna came over after school and we had a great visit. Grandma K was still at church with her OWLS group and had to stay after to clean up (Mom is NOT the Fellowship Lady!!). Alayna borrowed Mom’s car for overnight because she has a meeting with the other class officers before school and doesn’t want to bother her usual driver for such an early ride. Mom has a luncheon tomorrow, no, wait, it’s a breakfast, but Alayna will be back in plenty of time to do the hand-off of the car keys. Mom’s schedule sounds a bit like mine, wouldn’t you say?????

Welcome to WI!!!

I’m so incredibly weary, having to get up before the sun rose this a.m. in order to catch my flight to WI. Judy J. and I ate dinner together at the Longhorn on Airport Road. We had an enjoyable time, yakking and 'dabbing' a bit, until it was time for her to drop me at the hotel. I got checked in and made myself homely after stopping at the snack bar to get a couple sodas to take up with me.

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I got myself ready for sleeping and then sprawled out on the king-sized bed before calling my mom. The room was quite cold and the A/C noisy, and no matter how I pushed the buttons on the thermometer, I couldn’t make it warm up or be quiet. At last, I got up close and personal to it, and discovered a button marked “fan”. As soon as I pressed it, quiet! No more roaring of the A/C forcing me to blare the TV over the racket. I have issues with certain types of noise, the equivalent to finger nails on the chalk board.

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In order to ensure waking in time for my flight in morning, I set the alarm (or thought I did!) on the night stand, arranged for a wake-up call with front desk, and set the alarm on my cell phone. Thankfully my cell phone woke me in time to run to the desk phone to answer the wake up call. The alarm clock was strangely silent, as apparently I missed a step in setting it up. So, so glad to have the cell phone with an alarm clock on it, and that I know how to operate it!
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In no time at all I was down stairs awaiting my shuttle ride to the terminal. At the Northwest gate, I was told no curbside check-in was available because I’d be charged a certain rate per bag, determined according to the size and weight of my luggage. Nuts! It turned out my bag weighed about two pounds over the established rate so the ticket agent asked me if there was anything I could remove to put it under the weight limit. Of course, the lap top would lighten the load in the checked luggage but would be so heavy to lug around the terminals. Instead, I grabbed the scrapbook about my mother-in-law, which I’d wisely placed in a garbage bag so it wouldn’t get damaged. The ticket agent found it weighed four pounds which put me under, so to speak. I’d made it, no extra fees! One man was quite displeased about the whole business of paying per checked bag and all that, but I suffered in silence…..well, not really silence, I suffered with a smile on my face, and arms full of stuff pulled from the suitcase!

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All I wanted to do was sleep on the plane, being hardly able to keep my eyes open. I realized my Dramamine was not the less drowsy formula I prefer and I hadn’t slept all that well the night before. Okay, sleep on the plane, why not? Not once did I open the Sky Mall catalog, which Justin would have abhorred. He simply adores browsing through the catalog, pointing out all the things he thinks I should have!
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We landed in Milwaukee to overcast skies and temperatures soaring into the near 60’s…..yes, that’s right, it’s a bit chilly here! In Wisconsin? Go figure! There were substantial delays at the rental car desk, where I nearly launched into Jerry’s routine about reserving a car. “You don’t seem to understand what a reservation does.” “Yes, sir, we do.” “I don’t think so, or you’d have a car for me!” And, again, cooler tempers prevailed, mine anyway. Another guy was chomping at the bit for his car as he had an appointment to make and was on a deadline. He finally settled for a lesser car in order to make his appointment.

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I misunderstood the rental car location and proceeded to drag my heavy suitcase up and down and all around that rental car area until my right arm ended up longer than my left. Finally a nice man helped me find Dollar, which was cleverly concealed on the far end of the lot, behind the Budget rentals. I liked my cute little car, some sort of Suzuki compact, but hardly so. I think Justin will fit nicely into the seat without rubbing his head on the ceiling.
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I just love leaving the garage with a rental car in the pouring rain but I wisely made myself familiar with the bells and whistles on my car, finding the lights, wipers, and AM radio station. Good to go!

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As I headed north for Manitowoc, navigating quickly the freeway through town, it was soon I had the road almost to myself. I could hear some honking, and realized geese were flying in formation heading back toward Milwaukee. This brought to mind my newlywed days in Milwaukee, trying to get back home after dropping my spouse off at work, AMC. When he called on his break to see how it went, I sorrowfully reported that people were honking at me as I drove back home. He wisely suggested, “Just turn up the radio!” Good thinking! I’m better at getting around on freeways but my experience back then was quite limited, especially at rush hour!

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Not only did I see and hear the geese, I also spotted a deer decomposing on the side of the road, and at one point, smelled a very ripe but unseen skunk! It’s great to be home!
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Mom and I headed straight to the brand, new Copps grocery store to stock up on poppyseed filled doughnuts, peanut squares, natural casing hot dogs, and my favorite sugar cookies. Yummy! Manitowoc has much to learn about pricing their Coke products, because it cost me nearly $15 for three 12 packs!

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Jill had called on my drive to Manty, wondering if I’d be coming by the ice cream parlor today. After shopping at Copp’s, we went to the parlor for a treat, something to go with the other treats from Copp’s!!! There were a couple ladies posing for pictures with the overly dressed giant cow in front of the parlor so I took pictures of them together. Manty is celebrating Sputnik Week, in commemoration of a piece of the satellite landing in the middle of the street on the north side. The cow is dressed in foil-type wrappers and antlers, and is being ridden by some inflatable alien. Apparently the Rotarians were in charge of this event, which called for dressing the giant cow as a space creature. A couple years ago this same cow wore leathers in recognition of the anniversary of Harley Davidson, so talk about versatile!
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Jami, I had the mint chocolate chip ice cream with raspberry sauce on the top, and cherry sauce in the bottom of the cup. I liked the raspberry the best. Believe me, I was thinking about you when I walked into the ice cream parlor!

I really should be packing....

....but decided to write a bit before getting busy. Judy J. is taking me to the airport tonight, as I'm staying at the Clarion overnight and will catch the shuttle in the morning. I hate having to lug my luggage so many times but I also hate having to ask someone to get up so early in the morning to take me out there. Judy and I will have a bite to eat before she takes me over, so I'll get some Longhorn to hold me until I get home!

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My legs are tired as I did much standing, as usually happens on Sundays. This reminds me of my sister who used to get tired from standing up in church (sorry, Jill!!!!). You know, you say something one time and they never forget it!!!! After recording the attendence in the early part of worship, before which is socializing and getting things set-up in the breezeway---whew!, it feels good to finally sit down during the service.

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After church I stood at the door with a giant baby bottle bank to collect change (and paper money) in support of the New Beginnings Home in CO, for unwed moms and their babies. Everyone got a kick out of the baby bottle, and the little ones liked trying to get their coins into the slot on top. Next week someone else will have to stand there with the bottle or maybe only have it available to collect the change. I joked about the hard plastic nipple on this bottle, about 3" high: "I'd like to see Timmy bite the end off of this bottle!" He did that once in church and I had milk running down my back as I held him. Time for a sippy cup!!!

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Suzanne played the viola during worship as well as pre- and post-service music. Even though I was outside the doors, I could hear them playing one of my favorites, "Be Still My Soul". Ah, it was glorious! Afterwards I came in and thanked them for playing it. I mentioned to Suzanne that I recently watched the funeral video and asked her if she'd like to watch some time. Oh no, not for her! She expressed his death was a landmark in her life, one she didn't want to revisit, even though she'll remark about how much Daniel reminds her of Timmy! She's the lady who said the smell of syrup reminds her of Timmy, too.

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The river has many, many boats on it today, as it's absolutely gorgeous out there. The temps are in the low 90's and the water calm, perfect for mullet to jump out after the bugs. I see no birds right this minute but yesterday a huge osprey entertained Justin and me, swooping and soaring ever nearer the windows.

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This afternoon I served as hostess for an art show at Great Hang Ups, this time for the Jacksonville Collage Society. Many of the artisits are cross overs into Art Guild so were familiar faces, plus I met some new ones. One lady was particularly taken by me, admired my hair at first. Later she sidled up to me and introduced herself as Lisa, saying she loved my energy, and that I gave off an aura, which made her want to be my friend. Well!!! and Wow!!! Don't beat around the bush, there, Lisa! My initial reaction was to sniff myself to see if I really did have aura, but am glad I didn't do that, behaved myself. Lisa said she's an artist, dabbling in several mediums, but didn't enter in this show. There were other people met but this lady was the kicker.

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I also had a great conversation with a lady who used to teach English and writing. She'd remembered meeting me before, because she said, "You're the lady who sits above the river and writes." Yep, this would be me. I told her Justin teased me about having books about punctuation lying around, saying to me, "You're such an English person!" I guess that's all right, isn't it? I don't follow the punctuation rules closely and am the queen of run on sentences, so books like this are valuable to have lying on ones' dresser!

"Well, I don't really work here." "That's what makes this so difficult!"

I'm watching/listening to an episode of, guess what!, "Seinfeld", called "Bizarro Jerry". In this episode, Elaine makes friends with a group of guys exactly the opposite of the guys she normally hangs out with. These new guys go to the library to read, have tickets for the ballet, and knock before entering the apartment. Elaine got in trouble for opening a jar of olives and eating them without asking permission first.....that is so contrary to what she's accustomed to. Of course, it doesn't last, they are just too good to be true! Jerry is also dating a woman with man hands---hands so big she can tear the top off a beer bottle and tear lobster to bits with her "bear" hands!

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By the grace of God, it seems the storm, Ike, is heading further south instead of coming up this way. Tragic and dangerous for them down south, but I can't help but feel great relief. Justin and I didn't do half the storm prep stuff I'd planned to do, but have a list of things to be done in case something does happen. We've got the furniture pulled out and towels in place 'just in case' a storm comes this way. Oh, poor Kramer! He just announced that his vasectomy failed, and finds he's even more potent than before!!! Kramer has so many problems, we have no idea, no idea!! "Look away, I'm hideous!!!!"

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After I cleaned the church, Justin and I met at Grumpy's for breakfast. There he told me the most dreadful news: his roomie, Mike, was injured when the 4 guys were out on Justin's father's jet skis Thursday night. Due to some horseplay, 'hot-dogging' I like to call it, the two skis collided or maybe didn't, and Grove got hurt. He was riding on the back of Justin's ski and the other two tried to soak them by riding close and turning abruptly. Those of you who have skied know what I mean. No one is sure exactly what happened, but somehow Grove's leg got scraped and a slight break in a non-weight bearing leg bone. Yikes!

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Okay, so you are counting back the days and see that some time has gone by between the accident and my hearing about it..............Well, Justin didn't want anyone to tell me just over the phone or in e-mail, so he waited until today to tell me face-to-face. I am upset, of course, greatly concerned by Mike's injuries and the problems the guys have now after being involved in a water accident. Reports had to be written, people given rides, sitting at the hospital until 1:30 in the morning......It seems the "captain" of the 2nd jet ski got a ticket for reckless operation and faces a fine or more. Grove is laid up with a splint on his leg and 15 stitches to close the gash. (Family in WI: I'll give you all the details and throw in some theatrics when I see you next week!) Grove is home on the sofa, having the splint removed Monday and may possibly be able to return to work next week. I hate it that he's missing work and a day of school. I asked Justin what his father said about it, and he said basically they will have no more jet skiing for some time. Grounded is the word we're looking for! I have zero tolerance for hot dogging and people acting stupid, and this just goes to show..............................Justin assures me that all 3 guys are waiting on Grove hand and foot, which is as it should be!

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Ooooh, my feet are cold---I know why! I had turned the A/C on when Justin was here and now I'm freezing. We spent the bulk of the day together. After breakfast Justin and I went to Circuit City to buy an external hard drive in order to backup my entire computer. I'd inquired about one when it appeared the storm was looming, and decided to go ahead in buying one. Justin and I each got a mouse to use on the lap tops, his being cordless and mine attached.

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Justin helped me carry the rest of my groceries upstairs and between us, we got cat box changed out and self-feeder ready to go for Lynx, gathered all the garbage together and bagged it up, and then watched some re-runs. He also helped me measure the windows and patio door because one of the Owners is going to get prices on storm shutters, hopefully getting a bulk-rate price. I know the downstairs neighbors with two sides exposed paid just short of $20,000.00 for theirs and I pray mine wouldn't be that much, not even half ! Would it be worth it to ease my troubled mind???? What price sanity?????

Good news all around!

A short while ago I received a phone call from Julia at Great Hang Ups to report my submission in the art show at the Thrasher Horne Center was juried in. Yippee! I am now 3 for 3 as far as entering shows, not being juried or judged out of the show. Julia claims I can't deny being an artist any longer, since I've not been "voted off the island".

Other good news for me, it's all about me, is Hurricane Ike looks to be staying further south rather than originally thought. What a great relief, and not that I wish evil on anyone else, I'm so glad it probably won't have Orange Park in its bull's eye. Next in line is Josephine, and I pray again that she stays away from my house! The bulk of my concern is that I'll be away when all the storms are threatening and I hate the thought of making extra work for my neighbors. I'm going to leave Justin with names and phone numbers for "just in case" scenarios. He's talked me into allowing him to come up to WI at the end of my stay so, for a long weekend, my home will be left in the loving care of my neighbors and Dee.

The weather man just reported the highest wind gust here being 29 mph in Orange Park. It's been relatively calm here all day, with only a few sprinkles during the day. I ran some errands this morning, including a trip to Office Max, a bad place for me to go, since I love office supplies a great deal. I bought more hanging files as well as the tabs which mark the top of the file, plus a pack of AA batteries, since they were available near the check out. They always get ya at the register!

After getting my supplies, I stopped at the cemetery to pick up the withered bouquet. Strangely, I felt a bit of relief about not having all that stuff there to pack up in case the storms come here, as I usually had to do. Huh, what do you know? Traffic was light on Blanding so it didn't take me long to get to the car dealership to pick up Jennifer. She was having some work done on the car and we decided to have breakfast while waiting. At Grumpy's, we had a delightful meal, and later met some of my Art Guild friends. They were talking about their entries in the show, too, saying to not take it personally if work isn't juried in to a show. Maybe I should call them to report my good news, or perhaps, they already know it!

Sitting here in the family room and typing on the laptop, I can hear the strains of a wedding march. What a weekend to have an outdoor wedding ceremony! I'll bet they were sweatin' all day about the storm would do.

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On October 4, which also happens to be anniversary of Janis Joplin's death, there are two weddings in my circle. One is Travis and Jessica's, and the other is Jen's sister, Kristin, and Mike's wedding. Today I removed mail from my box and found an invite to a bachelorette party at the end of the month for Kristin. Part of it looks perfect to me---Joe's Crab Shack! I'm in!!! The invite encourages us to bring plenty of money to cover Joe's and then bar hopping complete with cover charges. That's not going to happen, I'll do Joe's and come home. Jen and her mom might ride with me since they only wish to have dinner and come home again. We are in charge of being the party poopers! I'm up to it!!!

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Justin is coming to help me tighten things up here in the morning. First I have to go vacuum at church and then I think we'll meet for breakfast before coming here to get busy. I know this might be a waste of time and energy and plastic bags, but I'll rest easier knowing it will be more or less secure in my absence. I have come up with a plan for preserving the video tapes by wrapping them in plastic and placing them in the dryer for safe keeping. Brilliant, yes? One of these days I'll take the advice of my friend/financial planner guy and buy the machine to convert tapes to DVD, but really, can you see me doing that? Me neither.......

My head is pounding, but it's a good pounding.....

....now that my two lady friends from church left for their nearly hour long ride home. No, it might be less than an hour since they're already on this side of the bridge. They work in Mandarin and live in the next county west of here. Must love their jobs!

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Linda and Leanne joined me here to watch the video taken on January 19, 2001, at Good Shepherd. Never before and never since has our church had so many people in attendence----as the preacher says, it takes the funeral of a 4 (5)-year-old child to pack the house. "Jesus Triumphs Over Tragedy". Need I say more? (Reference postings from January 13, 2oo8)

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Leanne told me she felt privileged to be able to watch it with me, and to hear that wonderful message. Good! I was hoping I didn't make her do something she didn't really want to do. She got much from "attending" this service, hearing the message, and seeing Linda with brown hair!!!

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If I had it to do over again and had my wits about me, I'd have had the camera man get more of the attendees into the frame to help me remember who was there, those I couldn't see standing along the walls or in the very back or in the fellowship hall. I could hear the policeman's whistle, Brad, as he directed traffic on Argyle Forest Blvd. Many folks attended who didn't get a chance to sign the Guest Book and my memory is either foggy from the events of the day and/or I just can't remember all those who came in support for our family.

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What's great about having the video tape is being able to see so many faces not seen in a long time. Some have moved to other parts of the country, some have moved on to heaven, while some only come on special days on the church calendar. Tomorrow I must call my friend in TN and catch up with what's happening in their lives. Their young daughter came to the front of the church before the funeral service and simply buried her face in my lap, mourning her lost friend. Judy said she didn't know if she should come and get Rachel or leave her there, and I motioned to leave her there until she was ready to walk away. She was probably about 6 at the time, just a bit older than Timmy. Sweet memories! Back in 2003, Cindy and Judy H. joined me at home in The Preserve to revisit that momentous day, and our heads were pounding that night, too. How wonderful to have my dear friends around me so I don't have to watch it alone.......Yes, you, Cindy!!!!!

I miss you, Judy H. !!!!!!!!! I'll call you tomorrow!!!!! Somewhere in my vast photo collection I have a shot of Rachel and Timmy playing on the floor in the Fellowship Hall in front of the soda machine. I'm going to find that picture, once I have everything ready for the pending storms...

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Justin is coming to help get things ready in case Ike comes to Orange Park. I feel I must protect my art work, especially the special portrait plus my own creations, secure my scrap books in a high, dry place, gather my important documents, protect my electronics, and basically get things away from the windows and off the floor-------just in case! Am I scared? You bet I am!!!

I should be getting dressed for the day....

....but wish to jot a few lines first!

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This morning brought sad thoughts as the news reports the death of a Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer. Only moments after the end of his shift, he struck a parked semi on 9-A and sheared off the top of his patrol car, dying in the wreck. As soon as I hear some tragic news involving JSO, I hold my breath until I know it's not any of the officers with whom I am associated. It's always tragic to lose one of these officers, but would be more so for me to lose those I actually am acquainted with and care about.

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Last night was our first choir rehearsal with Robbie at the helm as our leader and accompanist. He'd called me in the afternoon to review when I will be away, and I sort of "altered" his plans for one of the songs, which will be sung when I'm gone. Originally he'd told me we weren't singing until mid-October so I wasn't too concerned but evidently Pastor wants an anthem in September as well. We rehearsed it round and round for nearly an hour, after mucho discussion about who sings what and when do they sing it. How funny to say we went round and round since it somewhat sounds like a round! Robbie had a part for me to sing alone but I think now he gave it to Brian. We are interchangeable!?!

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I stayed up wwaayy too late watching the Convention and such so it took a long time to get to sleep. My stomach was grumbling and it occurred to me I'd not had any dinner, with only nibbles here and there all day. Breathing a sigh of relief because it appears TS Hanna is keeping away from my shoreline, I still am apprehensive of Ike, who is heading this way as well. I hate it that I won't be home when the time comes and am not certain I can depend upon Justin getting things in order here as will be needed. My long-messy desk and table may just be cleaned off by dumping the whole works into a storage bin and put in the closet for safe keeping. Who knew it would be so simple a task? I have to get my important stuff away from the windows, in case they blow in or leak.

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Judy R. was telling me about her newly re-decorated office/guest room, complete with new flooring and fresh paint. All the "stuff" had to come out of the room in order to work, but less was put back in. I envy her fresh start in the heartbeat of their home. She says her beloved Jer Bear is usually the culprit about not putting things back when taken out, but I have no one other than me to blame in this house! I've always had problems with filing, but a friend of mine, who used to work in our office, simply LOVED to file. I don't get it....wonder if it's a left-brain/right brain thing? I hope not since both Rebecca and I are lefties!

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Well, I must go shower and get dressed for the day, as the new Thrivent agent team is coming by shortly. Evidently they are changing their way of doing business or something but want to come see me and review my insurances. Hopefully no arm twisting to buy some more! My accountant said we have enough expenses that we don't need to add so many more insurance payments to the mix. Love his optimism about not needing it!