My tummy hurts!

In waking early this morning, my tummy was just growling and growling away. It is not an unusual occurrence after eating later in the evening to be extra hungry in the morning. Since the remainder of my delicious white mountain bread took a furry green glow and had to be disposed of yesterday morning, I knew toast was not an option for breakfast. Normally I eat 'breakfast' mid- to late- morning, not 7:30, but I was going to make an exception to the unwritten rule. Aha! I had leftover apple dumpling from my nearly missed dinner plans with the church ladies (when I didn't get the memo!), so I tippy-toed to the kitchen to re-heat the dumpling (you are what you eat!!!) without waking Joanne. It was more than half which means I barely made a dent in my dumpling Tuesday, but did eat the ice cream off the top to soothe my tongue which I'd burned on my chili the night before. Medicinal purposes, for burned tongues and snake bite!

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There was just too much discussion on Fox and Friends today about the upcoming events in Washington DC so I decided I needed a "fix" from my friends on "Seinfeld". There is a complete episode guide that came with the boxed set to help find the particular show which I did find---known as "The Clip Show". I needed that! I just laughed and laughed while eating my dumpling in the warmth of my bed. So, does my tummy hurt from eating apple dumpling or from laughing??????

Time with Twila

Yesterday morning, late, Jennifer called to ask me about the serving time and so on at Koko's. As if I knew......I did! I told her they started serving lunch at 11:30 and serve their last table at 2:00 pm. Her grammy is in town, visiting from Boston, and Jen wanted to take her to lunch someplace "charming". And I was invited to join them! I didn't mind since I'd not been there in a whole day! We met at Hang Ups first and then went to dine at Koko's. Chef Hung cooked for us, always treating me very special, cooking an onion separate for me because he knows I don't care for the veggies. There is nothing on this earth like excellent customer service!

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We were talking about the capital expenses I experienced here in 2008 and her grammy could not understand why those things were not paid from our monthly dues and such, as they are at her retirement community in Fort Meyers. I explained that no provisions were made early on in our Association for these major repairs so now we must pay as we go, great sums in many cases. She was curious about what our building looked like so I invited them to come up and see for herself. She liked my place and was equally tickled that her son, Bruce, did so much of the updating and floor replacement when I first bought the place.

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They could not stay very long, however, because they had to collect Memrie from school and meet Bruce at the pediatrion's office. Bruce was going to help hold Memrie down as they did a blood draw for a work-up the doctor wants. The two ladies didn't think they could hold Mem adequately so Bruce was coming to be the firm one.

*

I had a couple hours before Twila and I were going to a funeral for the dad of one of the boys with whom Mark and Justin were friends at St. Johns. Mark came up from college, near Orlando, to attend the funeral and met Twila and me at the church. We saw many many St. Johns people there, some former classmates, teachers, and even one of my neighbors. Being a Roman Catholic service, Twila and I weren't sure what to expect but we got through just fine. The communion portion took twice as long as the funeral portion, which they practiced as "close communion". Both of us were surprised by this, since we thought normally R.C.'s permitted and encouraged all denominations to take the Lord's Supper. But not having ever been before, this was merely conjecture on our parts.

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We opted to miss the reception afterward and went to Olive Garden instead. Twila loves Olive Garden and Red Lobster but some in our group do not, so this was a perfect opportunity to indulge. She is having her hip replacement surgery on Tuesday so we are tearing up the town beforehand! She had an Italian margarita and I had the strawberry one, and we very much enjoyed our dinner and time together. Two Fridays in a row spent with Twila! She told me about her granddaughters' sister-in-law attending a soccer party at the estate of my former spouse and being blown away by his house. Twila didn't think it could possibly have been the same house because why would this older man have teen-age soccer players at his house, but in putting names and faces together, Twila's granddaughter figured it out. It's all about connecting the dots sometimes. How about that?

A funny from my sister, Lynn

COLD IS A RELATIVE THING. . . . . . .

65 above zero: Floridians turn on the heat. People in Wisconsin plant gardens.

60 above zero: Californians shiver uncontrollably. People in Wisconsin sunbathe.

50 above zero: Italian & English cars won't start. People in Wisconsin drive with the windows down.

40 above zero: Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats. People in Wisconsin throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero: New York landlords finally turn up the heat. People in Wisconsin have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above Zero People in Miami all die. Wisconsinites close the windows.

Zero: Californians fly away to Mexico . People in Wisconsin get out their winter coats.

10 below zero: Hollywood disintegrates. The Girl Scouts in Wisconsin are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero: Washington DC runs out of hot air. People in Wisconsin let the dogs sleep indoors.

30 below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Wisconsinites get upset because they can't start the Snowmobile.

40 below zero: ALL atomic motion stops. People in Wisconsin start asking...'Cold enough for you?'

50 below zero: Hell freezes over. Wisconsin public schools will open 2 hours late

One more thing.....

.....before I head to Koko's yet again this week.......

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Last evening as Justin and I chatted in the restaurant before Hilchey's arrived, he told me that he caught part of an episode of "Seinfeld" while getting dressed. It was the episode when George and Jerry went to Atlantic City where Jerry was going to perform and he took George along. Elaine couldn't go because she had just started a new job and had to find just the perfect white socks for her boss, Mr. Pitt. She got the job with him because she reminded Mr. Pitt of his old friend, Jackie O. Justin said he couldn't help but laugh at it, but not because he found it all that funny----no, he was laughing because he knew I found it funny! I love that kid!

What happened after the pedicure?

Once my home was empty, around 4:30 p.m., I got dressed and fixed my face for the evening outing. Justin sent me an IM during the pedicure and I happened to come into my room for something and saw it. He asked me to call him when I got close to the Mall so he could meet me there and we could chat before the Hilchey's arrived. Cool!

*

I had less than an hour of down time between activities so I sat in the family room to watch the news. Earlier I had turned on the TV for Memrie and discovered the recently crashed airliner in the river in NYC. Praise be to God for sparing the lives of all these people! As the events unfolded, it was evident that nothing besides the grace of God and the skill of the crew on the plane saved those folks. It was amazing and fascinating to watch, the first three or four hours anyway.

*

Before long I had to throw off my Packer blanket and head out into the elements to meet Justin at Mimi's Cafe at the Town Center Mall. Twice in one day I made the trip over there! Olivia heads back to college on the 31st and we wanted to make sure we got together once more before they leave. Her mom goes with her to college, and has ever since Olivia moved to TN. Justin and I sat in the bar area to wait for our group, who called to say they were running just a bit behind schedule, having to come all the way from Middleburg to the Mall. That is a hike, believe me! The reason I wanted to sit on the high chairs in the bar was because the cold air blew on us when we sat in the regular waiting area and being up a bit higher kept the wind off our legs. Even Justin had the chills but wore a short sleeved polo, so he deserved it!

*

We were given complimentary soft drinks while we waited and the bar tender, Jason, stood and talked with us a bit, comparing notes on cold weather. If we have nothing else in this world to talk about, there is always the weather! Our friends arrived without much delay and we were seated immediately. Owen and I each ordered the meat loaf and mashed potatoes, of which I brought half home. We also shared an order of fried dill pickles. Sneaky Sandy grabbed the bill before we had a chance, even after I told the waiter that Justin and I were to be billed together. She is so good at that, grabbing the bill. Owen said it was for my birthday, so we accept! I'd gotten a bag of grapefruit from Pastor Hoyer's tree and offered them to Hilchey's. First I took out two for Joanne to eat and gave the rest to Owen. I got to see my big red car again last night, too, as Olivia drives it now. It's still beautiful!

*

While sitting in the restaurant, Lisa sent me a text message asking me to send her a photo of Timmy. I told her I would when I got home, but it was so late by the time I got into the house again that I opted to send some this a.m. instead. Joanne was still up when I got home from Mimi's so I sat in with the family room with her for a bit before heading to bed. I just longed to get under my covers and warm up! She was watching some of the coverage of the plane crash, and we just marveled at the Lord's hand over those people.

*

Without much delay, I found myself asleep, snug and warm in my bed. Suddenly I was jarred awake by loud talking in my house and realized Joanne was on the phone with somebody having an intense conversation. My eyes told me it was still night time as the sun wasn't peeking over the edge of the sky yet, so I decided to go see what was happening. Since her dad is in an assisted-living facility on Fleming Island, I wondered if perhaps there had been an incident or something. At 3:00 a.m.! I flipped on the light in the hallway, partly to help me find my way and partly to let her know I was coming. She was in the family room on the phone, and I asked her if everything was okay. She said she was okay so I simply turned and came back to my room. Joanne has complications in her family all the time and this must have been one of those events.

*

I anticipated having troubles falling back to sleep but somehow I managed to sleep until nearly 8:00 a.m.! Must have needed the rest or it wouldn't have happened! Fortunately I woke up just in time because I was in the throes of a horrible dream where my friend, Cindy's hubby, was trying to help me account for my expenditures as I prepared to face my former spouse concerning our finances. I can spend money on decorations for church and let the paint chip on the walls in my house, thank you very much! Dreams!, I tell you what!

Tears are flowing and it's only 8:30 in the morning!

I have some nerve, don't I? Earlier this week I was fussing because I hadn't had any comments from anyone, and then am richly rewarded with them, thank you! And then I don't post anything at all yesterday!!! Judy R. wanted to know what was up, as she hadn't gotten an e-mail or read a new posting yesterday, experiencing withdrawal. As I told her in an e-mail today, I had such a jam-packed day on Thursday, the only one who got an e-mail was my mom! Sorry 'bout that, readers!

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While we northern Floridians suffer through a cold snap here, my family and friends in the upper Midwest are suffering something fierce in dangerously frigid temperatures. In speaking with Mom on the phone Thursday, she reported that schools were closed, many businesses, Bible classes, etc. cancelled because it simply was not safe to venture out. I wondered if Lynn had gone out to hang her clothes on the wash line or not..................I hope not! Today was to be colder yet making for a long weekend for the kids, and longer yet for their parents! I don't think the schools up north celebrate MLK Day as a day off, I hardly think so. Maybe Martin Luther's birthday should be a day off instead! "Thank God for Luther", as one of our elderly members used to say....

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The flowing tears this a.m. came from watching/listening to a video attachment Suzanne put on her blog, as Daniel, her four-year-old said his bed time prayers. He is praying what Timmy referred to as "the big one"--our Lord's prayer, and it is absolutely beautiful! Thank you, Suzanne, thank you thank you thank you!

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Speaking of postings, Lisa finally updated her family blog and added six months' worth of news and information to her site. She wrote about coming down here and getting to see the "good" Rosewood family and friends, going to Disney during TS Faye, and so on. Then she had the nerve to declare her favorite vacation spot is Las Vegas, which she adds, "sorry, Kim!". Humpfff! http://lisamellison.blogspot.com/

*

Okay, so where was I yesterday? I will tell---Joanne and I got up at our usual times, I think, but often I stay in my room until I am good and ready to interact. This is true when I live alone or with someone else so it is no reflection on Joanne or my houseguests at all. We started talking about all sorts of things when suddenly I realized it was nearly 9:00 a.m. and I was not dressed! Bible study started at 10:00 and I had a long ride to Victory in front of me. Whoosh around my room and bathroom to get dressed and then off I went. I did arrive with plenty of time to spare but hadn't eaten or picked up a large soda at all. However, I did manage to make lunch plans with Brenda W. for after Bible study which was a good thing!

*

Our class topic was David and Bathsheba, which should not have been that difficult for me. After all, it dealt with adultery, deception, falls from grace, repentance, forgiveness, followed by the death of a child. At one point Pastor asked me if I would read and I simply said, "No", so he moved to the next man. I did not say "no, not right now" or "no thanks", or "I'd rather not", just "No". After class Bonnie came and hugged me, knowing and understanding the reason for my choosing not to read. Pastor had to leave class immediately as he had an appointment coming in, so we didn't get to chat either. What I didn't realize was both Pastor and Brent celebrated birthdays this week, as they did 8 years ago, during what we call "the funeral week". They both were present for us, with Phil coming to the hospital to be with us, and all week long afterward in one way or another. Phil had served as counselor for my former spouse and me in 2000 when the problems started and we felt close, as I still do, to him.

*

So, okay, let us move on to Koko's! I arrived a few moments ahead of Brenda W. so poked my nose in at Great Hang Ups, as though I could resist! Brenda was bringing two friends of hers from church to talk about art and such with me, and I offered to introduce them to Dee and Julia. Unfortunately, after lunch, I had to get back home because Dee's daughter, Helen, was coming to do my pedicure, and Jennifer's. Helen is a recent grad of beauty college, her second career, and is waiting to be hired by a salon. In the meantime, she makes house calls which worked perfectly for Jennifer. She could sit in a regular chair with her feet in a Dr. Scholl's Foot Fixer and not be concerned about slipping, sliding, or maneuvering in a salon.

*

Time flew by and it was time for them all to leave, "all" meaning Helen, Jen, and Memrie, the Girl Scout cookie-selling maniac that she is! Jen had her wear her official apron for Brownies or whatever group she is in, and give me her sales pitch about ordering cookies. The sheet has the pre-printed prices for the cookies, up to 12 boxes, which Memrie nicely told me, "You can order more than 12"! I had to laugh, as though I would do such a thing in the first place, but she was assuring me I didn't have to limit myself to 12 boxes!

*

Looking back, something I am good at!

Let's see---I think I'll go with "Georgia" font today and have Linda in mind as I do this....only a few more weeks until she comes to visit.

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Reading my first postings from one year ago today, I had to chuckle a bit at some of the content and the comments. My niece, Alayna, wrote that I was "having wwaayy too much fun with this" blogging thing. The content of my posting on the 15th was about the window cleaner being here and that it was terribly cold outside, 54 degrees above zero! And the windows need washing again something fierce. I told Joanne that I'd like to have the windows washed before Linda arrives as well as Joanne's daughter, Heather, who is coming for a visit. We will have a hen house 'round here!

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Linda has already come up with a recipe to make for our ladies' group brunch on the 7th, an apple French toast recipe that her family loves for her to make. The 'active' members are cooking for the invited guests and we'd like casserole-style breakfast foods plus fruit and perhaps some bakery to serve. I promised Linda that would be the only thing that should take our time and certainly she already knows enough ladies at my church to make herself at home while I am busy. Neither Linda nor I know strangers!

*

The heat has been running in the house, some overnight and again this a.m. as we are experiencing a Florida-style cold snap. Some predicted lows are in the 20's this week, which I know is not that bad where you might be reading this, highs of minus 2 for today in some areas of the country.....Sorry 'bout that! Our high on Friday is predicted to be only 48!! I am no longer, nor ever was, the hardy sort, and am rejoicing that the sun is shining in on me, making me squint against it.

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Last night when I went to bed, I heard loud talking from outside so I turned off my TV in order to hear what was going on. The light from the moon was incredibly brilliant shining across my bed that I even considered not turning the TV back at all. Lynn, I even saw "happiness" sparkling on my ceiling as if it were the sun reflecting off the water in the pool! The voices were just that, some menfolk on a balcony, smoking I'd guess, and talking too loudly for that time of night. Fortunately it didn't last and I could resume my movement toward sleep.

*

Joanne is all bundled up and on her way out the door for the day. Normally she's a pretty hot mama but lately she's been feeling the chill both outside and in, which offers me some comfort that I am not totally crackers about being cold. Before she left, she asked me what my plans were for the day-----sort of a 'round about way of asking if anyone was going to be with me today. She said she didn't want to mention "Timmy" in case I didn't want to talk about it, but I assured her it was fine. In order to get to the topic she instead asked me what day his birthday was. I told her about having lunch with Justin at the cemetery at noon today and then going to church for a committee meeting. I guess today we won't be eating our sandwiches outdoors, though, like Cindy and I did!

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Mom is sending me some money to contribute to Timmy's memorial for the preschool, a tuition assistance fund I've established, and she told me to keep watch for it to come. I am not really good about going to my mailbox unless I am expecting something important or looking for CHRISTmas cards, which I love getting. So, yesterday, I stopped on the way upstairs after Bible class to get the mail. There were three envelopes from my attorney, big fat ones, stuffed with all sorts of information needed for the Court. I am still ticked about them dropping the ball on the response to the initial suit, our counter-suit, I guess, but both the assistant and the attorney assured me it is alright. My advice is to not try to take care of stuff like this over the holidays, too many things can fall through the cracks or get messed up!

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Neal is away from the microphone today and is replaced by Herman Cane (sp) whose voice does not resonate with me, so instead I am listening to music saved on my computer, my Sarah girl is singing for me. My father-in-law gave me some money for CHRISTmas which I'd more or less designated toward the purchase of supplies for my printers. Late afternoon Tuesday I was sitting here deciding what to do about dinner and Bible study---should I call Linda or Judy to see about dinner??? I decided to heat up leftovers then go to Office Max to get my print cartridges so I can work on my photos some more this week. Well, as I was half-way through my scalloped potatoes, Linda called to ask where I was. They were all sitting at Cracker Barrel waiting for me!!! She'd sent out an e-mail on Monday setting up the arrangements but for some reason or another, her e-mails don't come through to me. Judy toyed with calling me to share a ride but didn't, and I didn't call her either. In no time at all I got over there, before they'd even gotten their salads so I had a soda and half an apple dumpling, and good laughs! Judy came along to Bible study so we had a nice group last night.

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This means I didn't get to the store for my printer cartridges but I did get to mail my tax deposit from the post office to assure it is properly post marked. I don't want the government to have that money one moment sooner than I have to send it! Since I had to pass Winn Dixie anyway, I pulled in to get butter and a couple other things we needed at home. If I ask Joanne to pick up something, she either gets "organic" items or something more costly than is needed. Yes, she is a huge fan of Whole Foods which opened in Mandarin recently, and they actually sell "organic" butter and milk! Imagine that! I don't notice anything different other than the shape of the sticks but it certainly doesn't have to be 'organic' to smear on my non-organic bread! Joanne has a box of cereal that even lists "twigs" as an ingredient!!! Yeah........