Once more, waiting for the doorbell to ring!

Using my Georgia font again today and thinking about Linda---counting the days until we see each other again!!!

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This time the doorbell will ring for a great reason---my boy is on his way over here to clean and we ordered food from Ming Moon, for old times' sake. It is beginning to feel like CHRISTmas! His is my indentured servant, working off his debt of my not having him move back home in order to save money. Believe thou me, he is going to earn his "keep", so he can keep the other address. He doesn't want to sacrifice his freedom and fun, the price for his sacrifice is for him to be my "house boy"! Like Michael used to be, at The Preserve house....We had a young man who did our landscape work for the company and he was busily trying to get our yard ship-shape prior to Justin's confirmation party. My aunt, visiting from Manitowoc, had no idea what his role was in our lives so she described him as being our "house boy"! The title stuck and I often think of Auntie Marie when I think about Michael! Odd, but true! He is one of the last folks let go from my former company, after many years of service. There is a lot of that going around.

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Justin called from the road to report that he thinks he aced his final exam in Art History Renaissance, feeling like he might earn at least a 90. I hope he is correct on this. He really studied for his exams this past week, so I pray he has positive results. Justin is making some plans for things to do when his Auntie Lynn is here, coming up with lunch arrangements for tomorrow. I want to go shopping too so this will work out great! Saturday he is going to see his favorite comic at the Jax Coliseum, I think sitting in his father's reserved "box seats" in order to see Jeff Dunham live. Two comedians in a month's time, wow! First Jerry Seinfeld and now Dunham!

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While we were in Bible study, the winds kicked up and over went the plants in pots out by the benches. We knew it was coming but still are surprised when it lets loose the way it did. (It's been reported a tornado struck in Baker County but as of yet, unconfirmed.) One man commented that if the bell tower tips over, we've got problems!

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This class is just so fabulous, as Pastor always compares the O. T. stories/lessons with what is taking place in our lives today. He is quite politically aware and makes for a very interactive class with much participation. We discussed how no one knows the day or the hour when Jesus returns, we should be vigilant, watchful, and ready. And my favorite part: once everyone has heard the name of Jesus, we can go home! This is referenced in my Profile, in case you are interested....

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One of the things that provoked discussion this a.m. was the mess in IL. Some of the members at Victory are from IL and are quite upset with this, but not at all surprised. The denials are just flying about involvement with this man and his wife, both with filthy mouths. It seems this governor, a puppet for the Daley's, refused to even move into the mansion in Springfield, opting instead to remain in Chicago. That burned a lot of peoples' biscuits right off the bat, as though he was too good to live in the state's capital. Oh, it is going to be soooo interesting watching how things play out. Interesting, yet tragic, as greed rears its ugly head once more.

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On another note, we also discussed the fact that many people are losing their jobs, in particular those at Victory who work at Anheuser-Busch. The former family-owned and family run business was bought by a foreign-owned firm, and already heads are rolling. One of their former members who was presently working in CO, aged 54, was let go as plant manager, and those in Jax who are now employed are wondering when and if they will be let go also. Pastor said it was interesting that it was people in their 50's being shown the door and I said it was because they are the more expensive employees, most likely. He and the rest agreed this was the case, as is also happening at AT&T. One lady took early retirement from AT&T in April and is rejoicing that she did it at that time instead of having it forced upon her. My comment was that it is happening at major firms in our country as well as at building companies in small towns. The big picture and the smaller picture, it is the same effect.

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Victory is all dressed and ready for CHRISTmas, with trees up, poinsettias all over the place, garlands draped, angel suspended from the rafters. It looks absolutely glorious and festive. I can't wait for Lynn to see it when we worship there before the football game! Justin brought me a Packer Santa hat to wear at the airport when we pick up Lynn, as I always like to have something weird on my head so people can find me. That started in the days when we still went inside the airport to collect people---but with heightened security, we can only pull up, barely stopping to collect our passengers! She'll still get a kick out of it, though, in our Packer attire!

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Speaking of attire, my clothes are nearly dried after being soaked going between church and the car, and then again when trying to find the place at the monkey farm to drop off my gifts for the foster child. As much as I hated to do it, I called Directory Assistance to get the phone number to call this place. The nice lady, after listening to the record answering service three times, finally came on the line and was able to tell me exactly where in this complex their office is located. When I got there, she knew I was the one who called, and said, "We like to think we're hidden in here!". Evidently I am not the only person who can't find them! I only hope the little guy I shopped for appreciates his presents.

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I'd meant to go shopping after that but then decided to go tomorrow instead when Lynn is here. This gives us something to do plus we can meet Justin for the lunch he has in mind. More arms, too, for getting the stuff hauled upstairs, since Dave is gone. Now, we have finished our nice Chinese food, and he is taking a nap on the love seat before getting busy. Lynn's flight is slightly delayed but should not affect our plans for getting her collected, dinner eaten, Lynn home and me to the building meeting tonight.........

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Last night, I had a nocturnal visitor! On the way home from church and choir, I had orders from Dee to call her when I left so she could meet me at home. The hour didn't matter to her. She arrived carrying a chunk of cheesecake and a bottle of the delicious egg nog adult beverage I'd told her about! Joanne cackled that only Kim would get company at 9:00 at night! Carrying special treats! Dee's hubby made the cheesecake and she wanted me to have some, as my 'comfort food', prepared for the cancelled dinner. Even though she wasn't going to be able to make it, she still was going to bring some comfort food----and she did! I love her!

Okay, my family, this is the new and improved dance style I've adopted. Call it a shimmy but it is definitely NOT a shake! Notice the "rock star" look on my face----who says all my pictures look the same???!!! No bowls on my head and no uncontrolled hip action.....I wish I could remember just what song I was dancing to........

Enough running to the door already!

I am freaking out my cat, Lynx, because three times now I've gone scooting to my door to see who is there, only to find no one banging. Someone must be doing remodeling or moving or something making a sound that makes me think my door is being banged upon. From now on, I will only go and check if I hear the doorbell!

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Poor Lynn! She is most likely going to arrive in the midst of heavy thunderstorms tomorrow late afternoon. As much as she hates to fly, she hates it worse when it is storming. Oh, there's the banging again, and it's all I can do to stay in my chair........I'm like a puppy that goes running to see who is here. At least I don't tinkle on the floor from the excitement! Years ago when Tarren worked in the church office, she had a puppy she brought to work with her. I came in the door one day and she said, "No tinkling on the floor" to the puppy (I can't remember its name) and I said, "Okay, I won't!" And, I didn't!!

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The fog has lifted but the sun has failed to show itself thus far. I just checked the radio website and it shows the temperature is at 76 above zero. How do I then explain my fingers being so cold? Maybe I should get my heating pad out again and keep it "handy"---te, he, he...

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Kathy B. wants to know the recipes mentioned in earlier blogs and comments. I can give you all the recipe for Joanne's dish, which made a large batch, filling a 9 x 13" Pampered Chef cake pan to the top. If you know the dish, you know it's deep! Her recipe was layered mashed potatoes, French fried onions (like the ones used in green bean casserole) and shredded cheddar cheese. It was the cheese shredder which kicked her butt yesterday because the cheese was soft and plugged up the holes in the grater I had. It's a Pampered Chef crank grater and we surmised, when conducting the post-mortem, that it must be intended for Parmesan cheese rather than soft cheddar. It broke my heart to tell Joanne that the cheese comes already shredded in a plastic bag........of course, she already knew that and gave me a good smack!

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This morning I accomplished the small task of preparing a handout to given the parents of the children attending CHRISTmas 4 Kids on Saturday. We wanted something to tell about the special worship dates and upcoming events to encourage the non-members to return. I forwarded it to church so the secretary can make the copies, half pages, for distribution Saturday. Normally that would be my role, to hand out the hand outs! But, since Lynn is going to be here and I will be possibly hostessing an event at Great Hang Ups that day, someone else with have to handle the registration table duties.

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Friday night is a cocktail party at Janet's and I am so excited about that. Judy C. is going to make sure she's at church for scrapbooking so no one will be locked out of cropping! Now I hope that the ladies who said they were coming show up! Last weekend I missed two parties by attending the T-H Show with Martie and church family, but one wouldn't have been a good one for me anyway. My friends in Middleburg have a party every year and purposely do not invite me because I'd be "uncomfortable" around their other friends, Bruce's co-workers from the NAS Depot. It's for my safety that I am omitted, and for their being conscious of this, I am thankful. I appreciate the concern, the regard, they have for my sensitivity to filthy talk and foolish behavior. We have plenty of other times to be together when it won't be a problem so this one party each year I don't mind sitting out, especially since I had this wonderful event to attend instead!

What's cooking in the Kremlin, Katie?

Oh, I am so sad this morning! The TV program I like to watch, a first run show, is already doing its season finale on Friday! How did that happen? The show is called "The Starter Wife", and while I realize it has a good deal of trash mixed in, I have been able to glean a few morsels, making it tolerable. I have special glasses to wear when watching it.............Anyway, the 'star' of the show is played by Debra Messing of "Will and Grace" fame, hence there is a gay man playing one of her best friends. Maybe that's the only kind of person she can play off of! (Is that a good sentence?) The other main character is an older woman named Joan. These two have helped "Molly" as she struggles after being dumped by her successful producer husband, a real jerk, who moved on after she'd served his purpose; Molly is dedicated to being a good mom to their child no matter what; she became a published writer, first by accident and then on purpose. Guess which part of this story is something with which I can identify? Even after it is off the air for however long a period, it is still available on the Internet!

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Why am I telling you this? Oh yes, my friend, Suzanne, was making a new recipe called "Sweet and Sour Pork" requiring a trip to the grocery store. I offered my warning: beware of recipes requiring strange ingredients! On a recent episode, Molly took her friend grocery shopping in an attempt to re-ground the friend who'd gotten so caught up in their wealth that she forgot how to buy food and cook. As they walked through the store, Molly put stuff in her friend's cart, telling her how to make certain dishes, and it sounded so simple. Like, Orange Chicken and some dish made with potatoes and tilapia. Wait, I need to get a pen and paper for this! This program is what I thought about when Suzanne mentioned her new recipe, and I figured she is a brave woman!

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Last night Joanne and I were looking at the moon over the river, and I remarked to her about how beautiful were the twinkling lights in Mandarin. This a.m. the fog is so dense that I don't even believe Mandarin is over there, plus someone took all our palm trees from the basin!!....wait, the basin is gone too!!!! Certainly the fog will burn off before long and the vista return to normal, as the temps are expected to reach 80 degrees above zero. My sister, Kerry, wrote me early today reporting that it was 8 above in Oshkosh so she thought she might dig in her closet for a light sweater "in case there is a chill in the air"..............very funny, very funny! I can scarcely wait to get my turn in the cold. So glad I won't be selling my condo and moving north. Someone said I should divide my time between the two states: summer in WI and winters here. Summer is only two or three weeks at best in Manitowoc so it's hardly worth packing up!

Here is the scenery in Manitowoc yesterday morning, closing the entire city. The only one I heard about making it to work was Linda, the church lady. Is she dedicated or what? The area has gotten over 13" of snow already this year and it's early in the season. Mom, want to reconsider coming down here with me???

Thanks for being such good commenters!!!!! By the way, the title of this posting is a line taken from the movie "The Way We Were" and I often think about it when cooking is mentioned......This movie used to be my all time favorite in the whole world. It's been replaced............

Sort of a bummer, but then, not so bad!

Good evening, all! Mom, if this color is too hard to read, just let me know and I won't use it again. We must take care of our Mums, particularly if she is a faithful reader of this site!

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The moon is reflecting on the river and looking soooo lovely. When I came in a minute ago, I barely needed the light on but felt I'd better since my heater is in the room and didn't want to fall over it. The temps were quite warm today, sorry to report to the snow-bound people up north, right around 74 for the high temperature. Don't worry, though, it isn't going to last very long, but Lynn might have one warmer day when she's here. I can promise her no snow, however! Sunday our high is expected to be 70 on the head, good football weather. We are going to miss hearing a special speaker at Bible study Sunday, a representative for our Synod's Central Africa Medical Mission. She is a nurse who works directly with the natives, treating their earthly ailments while sharing the Word with them. Our congregational/voter's meeting is also that day and again, I will miss that, all for going to the Packer/Jaguar game. I'll tell you this----one or both of these teams had better put on a fabulous show for us!

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Well, my appointment with the attorney went well, it was really good to see Nancy again, as well as her assistant. After we got caught up on family and all that, we got down to business. Our job today was to "answer" the petition I received last week and now the work really begins---where I must gather the dreaded financial information to fill out the official paperwork portion of all this----AGAIN! Ugh! I kicked myself all the way home for having a messy desk and disorganization but then, who knew? It is not really something anyone else can help with either because only I know if it's trash or keepable, or if it's private information not to be shared, that type of thing. "Come, Lord Jesus!"

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Once back home, I had another appointment, this time with my friend, the plumber. There were a few things needing a plumbers' hand, or tool, as the case might be, including replacement of a shut-off valve under the sink in the guest bath. NOT an easy thing to take care of, though, because it appears that in order to access the pipe, located in the back of the vanity, the entire cabinets and sink have to come out, too! Of course they do! Ugh, again! When they are working on this project, the water for the entire building, or at least the "tower" that houses the units above and below mine, must be shut off. Since we cannot see a date or age on the water heater, no one can tell me how old it is, but it looks wretched. Steve thought it might be on its last leg due to the rust dripping down the sides, but I believe that may have come from the old A/C unit which is above it. The A/C unit has been replaced but the drips remained. While we are at it, I am replacing the toilet in the guest bathroom, since all the others have already been upgraded to the "comfort height" elongated bowl-style potties. Nothing is too good for my guests! I told him the other toilets came from Lowe's and were called "John-in-a-box" and cost about $100---I hope he can find one close to that price or I'll go get one from Lowe's myself! A couple years ago Justin and I bought a toilet for use in one of the places he was living and then they moved out! Talk about planning!

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Our little birthday dinner was a huge success as Leanne was totally blown away having a tablefull of people to celebrate with. She said no one in her family even called on her birthday but her church family certainly did! Leanne was so excited, her feet didn't touch the ground and all we were doing is having dinner at Cracker Barrel!

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Joanne left me a phone message to say she lost track of time (again!!!) when making her special mashed potatoes and promised to clean up the kitchen when she got home later on. What should have been a simple recipe turned out to kick her butt and trashed the kitchen! I cleaned up a little bit but the dishwasher was still running when I got home from the attorney's office. When she did get home, I had a dish of her mashed potato casserole and it was totally yummmmmmmy! Too bad it was such a pain in the @##$% to make! My mom used to be that way when she was baking---always flour and such flying around the kitchen. I don't think she was like that when cooking, only baking. My habit is to have a sinkful of hot and sudsy water into which to place my utensils after using them, no matter if they are going into the dishwasher or not. It's my kitchen, I can do what I wish!

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Tonight I am so tired, probably a little bit stress-relieved and feel like I might go to bed early. The bulk of the cards went out in the mail this afternoon before I headed to Cracker Barrel, plus I tried without success to deliver the presents for my "adopted" foster child at Kids' Net. I couldn't find the right suite number over in the area known as the "monkey farm". I'll need to reference the e-mail to find the right suite number and make my delivery tomorrow sometime, after scrapbooking, perhaps. Monkey Farm is what this area is called because monkeys used to be raised there, and now many of them (or their descendants) live at Silver Springs Park in Ocala. The chimps were used in Tarzan movies and for other ventures, not sure about the astronaut thing, though. Varying opinions of that, but it's fun to speculate. No monkeying around here this evening----it's time for sleeping!

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Today we are doing better watching the clock

Right off the bat I am thinking about my dear friend this a.m. because I chose the font called "Georgia", who is Linda's sister! God morning, Linda!

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I am up and dressed for the day, watching the minutes tick by as I wait to head downtown to see my attorney. Part of me is excited, again, because I haven't seen her or her assistant in over four years since this deal was hammered out the first time. I did keep a little in touch with Loretta as her sister lived down the street from me on Doctors Lake. Going over my numbers yesterday made me think back to buying that house and how much I loved it. I actually wept when Joanne, Justin and I went to see it. The realtor who had it listed was so glad when the offer was accepted because she knew how much I loved the place, saying I was "cute" when looking at it. Don't know about the cute part...

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Of course, the storms of 2004 totally washed away, in every fashion, the joys of living on the lake since the costs to restore and clean up the mess storm upon storm were just too much to tolerate. My now downstairs neighbors lived on the same street as me during the storms and they got clobbered a whole lot worse than did I, taking a "hit" of over $100,000 damage to their property which is NOT covered by home owner insurance. Nothing detached from the home is covered, and if something attached is damaged, the deductible is huge, a fixed percentage of the property's value. Ouch! And that is why they moved here, right at the same time I did!

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We'd taken enough of a beating on the lake so we moved to the river and got beaten up again with the seeming endless "special assessments" for our building. Just exactly what is so special about them??? Next year will be another larger assessment, at least one, to pay for repainting and caulking the entire building, to hopefully put a finger in the dyke of the leaks we continue to experience when it rains. The unit two floors above me has recently had its patio replaced and we are all hopeful that the leaks which affected us below theirs will be cured and we won't have to worry about that any longer.

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Mmm, I am enjoying my leftovers from yesterday's lunch. That Jackie---she is so funny! Somehow or another things get by her, and then she is surprised when it occurs to her or she hears about something. Like when Judy R. was coming for a visit---one way or another she didn't seem to know about this. I was stopping cars on the street to tell them about my friend coming but someone with whom I spend at least two days per week was the last to know??? Anyway, before I even finished what I was going to eat, Patty, our personal waitress, dropped off a to-go container for me in which to put my food. Jackie saw that and said, "Oh, that's why you don't order from the children's menu! You take your food home with you!" Mom used to always mention this when we ate out with the church family and others, but it seemed like new news to Jackie. Because I only have me to take care of, I can get a couple meals out of my take-along boxes, as only single folks can do. Those who must cook and prepare for a husband or a family simply can't think this way. Yes, I eat many meals outside my home, but yes, I eat the leftovers if I am not out eating with my friends!

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Speaking of which, the plans I had for dinner here tonight are scrapped----I ate up all my leftovers! No, just teasing about that. Several of the invitees are sick, having respiratory problems or stomach ailments so I have postponed the dinner. Not to worry, I had another invitation waiting in the wings with some church ladies, my usual Tuesday night gang. We are doing something special because one of them has a birthday needing to be recognized----shhhhh! It's a surprise!

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Thanks everyone for being such good commenters on my recent blogs!

We just aren't into time around here!

Joanne told me last night that our temperatures were going to soar to near high 70's later this week, which will be most excellent for when Lynn is here. Wednesday might reach 80 but I won't be holding my breath for that, or getting my hopes up, more accurately. Last year, my friend, Janet, told me that she wept while doing her decorating for the holidays because it was "just wrong" to be perspiring when putting up her tree!!! They have only been in Florida a few years, moving here from MI, and she has trouble with there not being snow for CHRISTmas. I don't believe she wept this year!

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Lynn and I are invited to her house on Friday night which means I have to "stand up" the scrap bookers at church in order to attend. I hope one of the other croppers will be able to run the show in my stead, but the ladies' thought they'd check with me before heading over to church just to make sure someone is there to let them in! Sometimes we have 5 people at the most but I've done some recent recruiting and got the numbers up. Now, I am abandoning them for a party! The other option is to take the whole bunch with me to the party, get them set up in another room, and run forth and back between the two events!

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My friend, Judy in Winona, told me something recently which I found quite interesting---when still teaching, Judy would read a certain chapter book to her students before CHRISTmas, where the characters would practice or do something different each day leading up to the holiday. Like an Advent calendar, looking forward to the Savior's birth, this one did, I believe, more secular things before the BIG DAY. The book is called "The 24 Days Before Christmas" by Madeline L'Engle. Judy is a rich resource when it comes to children's literature, as she recently sent me an entire list of suitable titles and authors from which I can pick book purchases for my great-nephews. I love to give them words for CHRISTmas! Judy told me, I hope she doesn't mind my sharing this, she is also doing one new thing each day leading up to CHRISTmas, such as getting out a special coffee mug for her morning coffee, dressing her kitchen table with a festive cloth as a soft place to rest her elbows while enjoying that coffee, and so on. Talk about consciously getting yourself to do something----hmmm, might be a good way to address the mess on my desk!

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The news this weekend and again today is talking about a boy in Phoenix, a "hero", who donated his CHRISTmas presents to children in the hospital. He is either 8 or 9 years old, and the footage shows him distributing the presents under a tree in the lobby. The strange thing is, the types of toys he's putting under the tree are not all appropriate for a kid his age! Come on, what boy his age is still playing Candyland?!? Most likely his parents and he went to Toys R Us and bought toys for all aged kids, but then they shouldn't tell the story like he gave the kids his own presents. His idea is most excellent but I hate to see this donating becoming national news, which sort of diminishes the impact. This is my opinion. A good deed loses something when everyone knows about it, again, my opinion. Call me Grinch if you wish, but I look askance at things like this, the "giving back" mentality one hears so much about this time of year.

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Just to prove I am not a party pooper, I had the privilege of spending time at my Pastor's home last night for a Youth Group CHRISTmas party. It was a Battle of the Bands-type event as the attendees played in a sort of Guitar Hero tournament. The top three players got a prize package including soda, microwave pop corn and a Blockbuster gift card, perfect for chilling out during the upcoming school break. We had young people from age 52 to 8 years old old, but the rather bashful 52 year old wouldn't try her hand at playing the game (ahem, ahem). Instead, however, if she knew the lyrics, she did not hesitate to sing along. The sad part was not many of songs on the game system were from her era of music, except for "Paint It Black" and "Paranoid"!!! Who among us ever heard of a group called The Dead Kennedys???? Some of the kids there at the party were not those who usually attend this type of thing so we rejoice that they were able to come and show their skills at socializing and playing virtual guitar!

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The parent of one young man was working at church on some finish work in order for other work to proceed on the building. We arrived at the party at the same time and I told him I could have picked up the young man on my way through. He said he's been working there several Sundays now, and I thanked him for this service. He told me how someone blamed him, by name, for holding up the job by not having this work done. I felt just terrible for him and apologized on behalf of the human race for this being said. I was so glad I thanked before he told me this because then my thanks did not seem gratuitous. Ugh, people! I had to attend a brief committee meeting in the new building yesterday to go over the cabinet layout with Cliff and saw the tile is nearly all in place, waiting to be grouted. Of course, the first thing I told Cliff when I walked in was, "Oh, I don't like this tile at all, it has to come out!" He said they'd start chiseling it out starting in the far corner. Those who didn't get the banter immediately were momentarily a bit startled! Tear it out????? We've gotten this far and now she wants it torn out??? I told the story of how I used to give the electricians a heart attack when I'd come into a house and say, "These outlets were all supposed to be brown, not ivory!" or the opposite if they were already brown. Always good for a laugh, having a heart attack!

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Speaking of which, Joanne was just running around here like a headless chicken because she lost track of time and was late for picking up her father for a doctor appointment. Her dainties were in the dryer and not quite ready to go (she'll love me for sharing this information!) so I offered one of my mine. She said hers was dry enough to wear and off she went. Good thing I have that chime clock to tell us we are running behind! It seems we are having some time problems around here, first Joanne's alarm clock not having the remote control, causing her to use my cell phone alarm instead; then Justin oversleeping because his alarm clock doesn't keep time, and now this. I have about a dozen clocks in my family room but we still run late. Obviously, we aren't into time!

Dreary Saturday, Sunny Sunday!

Last evening was simply an awesome event at the Thrasher-Horne Center, seeing the Clay County Christmas program. It’s the first time the T-H or Clay County had such an evening and hopefully it was well received and appreciated for future years. Martie arrived at my door right on time, but was thinking she messed up the details or something as the house was totally darkened when she rang the door bell. I flipped on the hall light as I left my room so she knew someone was home. My room, where I hang out, is in the front of the house, or back, as the case might be, and I keep the door closed so the heat stays in there with me. That poor girl thinking she messed up on our date! I was her date on Tuesday for the Art Guild and she was mine for this experience.

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We drove to the concert in my car, as I told her about Dave leaving and all that news. She is of the opinion that a building like mine really needs someone around more than only 20 hours, that folks have come to expect this type of ‘concierge’ service. Not sure the powers that be feel the same way ‘bout that, though!

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She didn’t have her handicap parking decal with her so we parked in the regular lot and hiked up to the building. My concerns about the “Will Call” line were unnecessary as it took no time at all to get our tickets. There were so many people I knew there, it was just fabulous!

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Our seats were seven rows from the front at the end and we had no seats directly in front of us. The rows tapered evidently as they got closer to the stage. The 1st Act of the evening was a performance by the Clay County Band, and they were absolutely amazing--so talented, and professional sounding. I consider this an under-promoted gift in our community and I simply can’t let that happen! It makes me wish I played an instrument, wow! The 2nd Act was the Orange Park Chorale with my church friend, Kristi, singing soprano. I’d missed the two previous opportunities to hear the Chorale so was glad to be able to hear them last night.

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The closing Act featured a theater group of children from an area school, doing a medley of songs from “Oliver Twist”. Next was a reading of the CHRISTmas story with projections of scenery on the walls, and my upstairs neighbor, Donna, played her flute behind the readings. It was just beautiful! The highlight was the live nativity, lovely costumes and extremely well done scenery. One of my other neighbors, Judee, was in the live nativity although it was hard to tell they were live as the actors stood so perfectly still. It was just fantastic, did you get that?

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Afterward we were going to go with a bunch from church to get something to drink but they decided to go to IHOP for food food. Martie and I decided to go to La Nopalara for a margarita and a bite to eat. She was needing a little 'alone time' to talk some things over so instead we came back here instead of going out. When we came in, I called out, "Is anybody home?", expecting to see Joanne but since she was no where to be found, we just went about our business, laughing and talking and such. As it was getting closer and closer to midnight, Martie was about to leave and I thought aloud where Joanne was. Something made me wonder if she was already home and since the bedroom door was open, I stuck my nose in. Even that was not enough proof so I stepped in and walked to the head of the bed to look. Sure enough, there was she was, tucked into her bed snuggly, and had been for at the least, two hours or so!

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Oh, I felt so terrible about it, making noise and having no regard for someone trying to sleep. First thing this a.m. I apologized to her for the racket. What racket? Joanne was totally fast asleep, never even hearing us come in, mix drinks, laugh, talk or even me coming in her room to check on her! She was all worn out from her big day at RE/MAX, lots of time on her feet, running forth and back with cookie trays, etc. Once she was home, to sleep she went. I couldn't see her car because she parked on the north side of the building in Guest parking which we could not see. From now on, I'll have to extra quiet when I come in, just in case!