Well, I have done it now!

Fished the box out from under the vanity and removed the last effects of the summer sun and fun from my hair, as well as the old age which had set in. It's over, that is it. No more splashing in the pool, bobbing about like a cork in the water, basking in the sun, dining el fresco from the cabana (at least in the day time...) for 2010. Many folks liked the sunlights, the highlights, that had grown in over the summer, including Justin, but I felt as though the white in the front on one side looked a bit washed out now that the tan is faded. Fading going on all over my head! But not anymore....

*

My breakfast, nearly lunch, was a slice of pumpkin pie which I picked up at Publix yesterday when I went to buy some bread and a chicken. The original plan was to buy a chicken for making soup but then decided to buy a small ham to bake instead, trying to replicate the delicious sandwiches from the funeral luncheon. Not physically healing like chicken soup is said to be, but truly yummy, I hope. I should probably get that baking, Ed said Judy put brown sugar and something else over hers to make it so good. Fortunately there is still some Diet 7-Up to pour over it, plus some apple juice out of which to make a gravy.

*

As I was lying in bed this a.m. I was thinking about making my German potato salad for the Reformation dinner at Victory on October 31st. The recipe calls for bacon and its fat, vinegar, sugar, and a couple other things, which means I must go shopping yet again. And oh yes, potatoes would be good, too. I wonder if there will be leftovers from the funeral to be served at the dinner, like the ham???? That girl is obsessed over the ham!

*

This a.m. when I worked on my hair, I took all the usual precautions including pinning an already yukky towel around my shoulders, applied the baby oil to my face and ears, and mixed up my concoction. Once applied to my hair, the remainder was carefully placed back in the box with the latex gloves over the top so nothing would spill. I picked up the box to put in the trash and the bottom came out, landing on the tile floor. Yikes!! Quickly I grabbed it up and used the yukky towel to wipe up the floor. There I was, trying to be so careful, and the bottom came out! Why does the silver remover appear to be dark purple? What will the hair look like?? No worries, though, the mess cleaned up completely and the hair not purple at all.

*

Last night instead of going to the cabana as planned, a small group of us gathered on the smoke-free deck behind the River House. Sadly, to access the deck, one must walk through that wretched place, but believe me, I checked to see if the gate was unlocked to avoid the other walk. Nuts! One lady in the group, Sharon, the very interesting lady I mentioned from last Sunday night, came with us, saying she had not been to this place in 15 years. One of the other ladies commented that the people camped around the bar are the same ones that were there 15 years ago! Funny, yet sad at the same time.

*

Sharon had thought we were meeting at the cabana so had ordered her meal already, but I did not have the foresight to do that. She took hers home as she lives right next door the River House and planned to eat it later. I was glad I took a jacket along because it was cold out there, not only was I cold, but the others as well. It was nice but somehow the smoke from the bar area made its way out to where we were seated and annoyed some of those in the group. What can you do? They were outside where they were supposed to be for smoking. Oh, they can smoke inside as well as no food is served here.

*

Penny was concerned that my cold would be aggravated by the weather out there and I cannot say if that is so or not. I believe it must run its course regardless of the weather or the chicken soup. Penny used 'my Turkish friends' to move her on Wednesday, and wants me to come over to her new place next week to see it. Maureen is expected to go over and hang her artwork for her, she is everyone's go-to girl for home decorating. Hugh and Maureen's house looks like a magazine, thanks to her skills. My place would make her head spin, being less sedate than is hers. Penny needs to come up here some time, perhaps once the cabana is closed...boo hoo hoo!

Hannah's funeral

"Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom and point me to the stars. Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee. In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me..."

*

This hymn normally blows me away, even the introductory notes will have me dissolving into a pool of tears, but yesterday at Hannah's funeral, surrounded by non-Victory attendees, I sang my heart out. It did not matter if I was sniffling because all were sniffling from crying. Unfortunately I could not lend my voice and support to the choir because I was not able to attend the rehearsal. With their small number, accompanied by Suzanne on the viola and Rachel on piano, they sang beautifully, truly heartfelt. The other congregational hymn was not familiar to me, I am thinking it came from their songbook, Worship and Praise. Since I did not know it, I did not sing out, but did manage to do so on a familiar hymn, "Abide With Me". Stephanie said she could hear me from the back of the church and I was about halfway up.

*

Ed was in charge of parking the cars, even loading up the lawn area in the rear of the property. First he beautified the property, weeded the beds, pruned the shrubs, and edged the lawns, and then parked cars on it. His wife, Judy, was inside making sure the meal preparations were arranged. When I arrived just before two p.m., I met Rita, who used be a member at G.S., in the parking lot. She was leaving and not coming back for the service, but had been busy in the kitchen with Judy and Toni. She gave me some money for Judy and told me she would know what it was for. Later I found out it was toward the purchase of a tree in Hannah's memory so I threw in for that as well.

*

Anne and I walked in together, with her ahead of me. When she was done with her expression of sorrow to the parents, she introduced me, but evidently she did not have to. At least the mom, Beth, knew who I was....Because of this cold, I warned people ahead of time about it and if they still wanted to hug, it was on them, so to speak. Most still wanted to hug, including the parents of Hannah. Later I was able to talk alone with each of them and told them about the freeze drying of the flowers if they want to do that. Also I sent the link through Anne's e-mail so they can get it from her as well. Mine means so much to me, my memory box with the flowers on the cover, and I did not want them to miss out on the opportunity to do the same. In Hannah's 'obit', it mentions how at age two she jumped into the swimming pool and had to be rescued by her uncle, which gave me chills.

*

Before the service was the visitation time with the parents and Hannah's sister greeting at the doors. Folks were ushered into the church proper then to watch a powerpoint-style presentation of Hannah's life in pictures, with music in the background. I was glad to be there early enough because of the shortage of seating and parking. Some nurses were seated next to me on the right, and on the left were teachers. Classmates with their moms were in front of me. The one lady to my left was certain she knew me from somewhere but could not figure out where, and when I told her I live in OP, she then knew she must be mistaken. At one point during the service, she asked if I wanted a tissue, because the tears were just running like a faucet (not my nose) but I assured her I had some, then dug one out for good measure. I told her I usually just let them flow, with no further explanation needed. She was very nice and I am glad she is a teacher.

*

After the service, we were ushered outside to hear the bells ring and to launch balloons, the young people did that. Hannah's dream was to ring the bells some day and Ed was quite emotional as John and he pulled the ropes. Later, when we sat down to eat, he told me that he had stayed outside the entire time. He said he was 'busy' but I am of the mind that he just needed to stay outside and mourn by himself. The ham sandwiches were absolutely delicious and makes me hungry right now for one! Hmmm...I believe I have some ham in the freezer, leftover from Easter---I should go and pull that out for later on!

*

They had a head count of 350 people yesterday, with folks standing along the sides and in the back, perhaps even in the narthex, I could not see from my seat. Pastor's sermon included some of the current news, comparing the rescue of the miners from their grave in the earth with our rescue by Jesus from our 'grave' on the earth. He mentioned the baptism of Hannah's mom with her two daughters in 2001, washed with the water and the Word in the name of the Trinity. I would like to see if he has a hard copy of that sermon I can look at again, because my ears were sort of thundering at the time, if you know what I mean. Pastor Hoyer, after the service, got busy with a bunch of guys, hustling tables and chairs around to convert the church into the fellowship hall so folks could sit down to eat. He was as bad as Ed, keeping busy and making sure everything was set up. Or as good as Ed, I should say.

*

On my way out the door, I took along an apple square on a paper plate and a can of Diet Coke, leaving the ladies with my thanks for their excellent service for this funeral. I might even ask for the recipe for the pasta salad made with spicy pepperoni that Kerri brought. Man, that was so delicious. She works at a fancy restaurant in Jax as a baker, making wonderful decedent desserts.

*

It felt good to get home, and I made a concerted effort to just rest once back here. My eyes, which still feel like pokers, were sore and felt tender from the crying and the cold, so sleep was welcome. Unfortunately, I found myself awake and quite stuffed up before 5:00 a.m., which means an afternoon rest (aw, shucks!) before meeting Penny at the cabana for dinner today. The end is near, soon the cabana will be closed for the season, and then what will poor robin do then? Penny said we have to come up with a plan and a place to meet on Fridays once they close the cabana. I would love to have folks up here, of course, but am not sure about the food portion of that event....

Sunrise photos from October

These sort of make mornings worthwhile.....

October 4
October 4
October 9, Alayna's birthday and the day Hannah went home to the Lord

October 9

What happened to Wednesday?

It is like Wednesday did not happen. But it did, as I began early watching the Chilean miner rescue operation on the news where I was riveted. Such national spirit they have! Even down in their safe room the walls were decorated with flags. I am not sure if they were always there or just for the rescue effort but it was interesting to witness the patriotism they have. Then, when I looked at the time, I saw I had better get going because it was my last day in the church office and would be running the service folders once Pastor gave them the 'okay'.

*

The preschool teacher had to let me in because I do not have a key for the new building. I stand at the window and hope one of the kids spots me out there, and yesterday it was Chloe who brought me to Deb's attention. She is the cousin to Sarah, my Goddaughter, and knows me. It took me awhile to check all the voice mail sites and sort the mail, and then Pastor came in to give me the okay for the service folders. Lynne had already done the Caring and Sharing portion which was kind of too bad as I had some things which could have been included. Oh well, that's fine, it is not too late to add my stuff next week. The new copier and I had not been seeing eye to eye but yesterday we were in full agreement and the copies were made. We used to print 100 of them but now are down to 75, a paper saver.

*

On the way home I called Mike K. to tell him I would be there when he dropped off the flooring materials. He came alone to off load the packs of laminate which have to rest in their environment for 72 hours before being installed. He sized up the job and knows now that he will have to remove some baseboard and cove moulding in the hallway for the drywallers to work, and it appears the wallpaper will come off easily. Justin is set to come and take down the kid's artwork from the hallway and I was glad to have saved a cardboard box to stack them in. A bin would not do it, there are too many pieces!

*

Mike's brother, Andy, is going to help him with the flooring and such, which is good because of his sawing skills. It will move along quickly which will please my upstairs neighbor, Jessica. She thinks she will go to her mom's or out-of-town while the work is going on so that the baby can sleep. It might be quiet enough in her bedroom for him to sleep, with the saw in the courtyard, making noise. The boards themselves snap together with little racket involved. Mike said he will take care of the painting of the walls and also the ceiling, which has some peeling paint from a previous leak. Yikes!

*

As the day progressed, so did my cold symptoms, and when it came to late afternoon, I was running a temp. I had to dig around to find a thermometer and it is so hard to read, I never know which way to turn it to see the measurement. I could use a meat thermometer but that would hurt! Finally I gave in and called Suzanne to let her know that I would not be at Victory for choir rehearsal and asked her to pick up my donated dinner rolls for me. I had a dream this a.m. that she forgot the rolls and only picked up a loaf a bread. But she did pick up those tiny hot dogs served in bbq sauce. Dreams! Anyway, since I did not practice, I will not sing today although I truly wanted to. The song is a variation of "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb", one of Timmy's funeral hymns so it would have been a struggle anyway. It was best for me not to be there and infect all the choir members.

*

Early evening, after a short rest, I woke up and checked for e-mails again, but did not post to my blog. The ibuprofen seemed to knock down the fever-feeling, but for some reason, my feet were hot. That hardly ever happens, unless I walk barefooted on hot pavement. Now they are cold like usual. My friend, Brenda N., called last night to check in as she had been in the Bahamas for a couple weeks, treated by her friend who has a house there. I love it for her, but they did encounter some bad weather when a hurricane rolled through. I had stopped watching the tropics, so totally missed the one that nicked the Bahamas. The worst thing was the choppy water and possible power outages but they did just fine otherwise. Just another adventure in Brendaland!

*

Briefly we discussed the manhunt going on out in the Jennings Forest area on the far end of our county. Jimmie W. lives very near the search area and I talked to Brenda W. in the afternoon to make sure she was doing okay. She assured they were fine, with her parents and brother also sharing their driveway (like the Ewings!), all locked up tightly and weapons ready if the bad guy showed up at their doors. This man shot four people in his home earlier in the week, killing two of them, and wounding his parents, and has been on a rampage since. He robbed a convenience store and then tried to carjack a man taking his kids to school. Fortunately, the man also had a gun and scared the guy into the forest. The huge search continues since Monday and it surprised me that he stayed in the same area where he committed the crimes. Our conversation was cut short as Brenda W. got another call but she indicated this fellow had some mental health problems to start with. I imagine that is true! My guess is today they will catch him, using their dogs and thermal devices, having the forest surrounded by every branch of law enforcement. Ha, branch, forest, that's funny!

*

On Tuesday evening I sat outside with some of my neighbors for a bit on the sundeck. At one point, Maureen asked me something about the adjuster being at my house earlier in the day but since other folks were there, I did not want to say too much. I did tell her about the drywall being damp yet and that it will be replaced. We chatted a little bit and then she said, "We think sometimes you can be a little naive..." WHAT??? Who does? Probably her husband and she, but I supposed it is because I try not see the worst in others. They are much more cynical than am I, unless I have some first-hand knowledge to make me think otherwise. Evidently they do have such knowledge about many of the folks in the building but so far, I pass muster, I guess.

*

The rest of my day is going to be one of rest and drinking fluids, and taking my cold medicine. Around 1:00 pm or so I will head to Victory for the funeral service for Hannah, although I should not be helping in the kitchen or handling food at all. My friend, Ed, has been busily sprucing up the lawns and flower beds for the influx of guests today, and is deeply mourning this loss. His wife is running the kitchen portion of the day. I do hope Suzanne picked up the rolls for me and not only a loaf of bread!

Some cool things, some not so cool

As I was driving to church early yesterday morning to work in the office before Bible study, I was sitting at the long light on Blanding, waiting to make my turn. In the mirror I saw the man behind me open his car door and watched him run toward my car. Naturally, I put my window down to see what he wanted, certainly he would not slash my throat in broad daylight. He looked happy so I thought perhaps he knew me or had to tell me my brake lights were out or something. Nope, "George" (his name tag said so!) came up to tell me how much he loved my license plate! N Nigma....Or was it actually the frame he liked---Green Bay Packers? He specifically said, "I love your license tag!" and ran back to his car with my thanks and smile following him. Nice!

*

Yay, the Jaguars won, booooo, the Packers lost. And I fell asleep before the end of the Monday night game so widely hyped. Lots of language going 'round n 'round about the antics of the grandpa quarterback and a Jet employee, the match up with Favre and Moss, etc. There was a rain delay in the game which made it begin later and with the assistance of my cold medicine, I was off to sleep when the score was 3-0, but do not know in who's favor. Reading on-line this a.m. I see the Jets won, due to yet another late intercepted pass from Favre. Are all his "passes" bad ones these days? Mom will hate this part of the posting as she is sick of the football news on TV and radio and now, blogs.

*

In the office, I was able to complete my assigned tasks and even a new one which Pastor asked me to do for the Council meeting, since Jim B. is gone on vacation. Our Bible study had eight people including a man named Joseph, who walks over from the neighboring apartment complex. Supposedly he has a Lutheran background but now spends his time doing mission work, what appears to perhaps be street missions from what he tells us. Regularly he is getting messages from God, directions, as it were, regarding what he should be doing. Some of us are envious of his inside line, but then remember that we, too, have an inside line, the Bible. Yesterday he came into the office and asked Pastor how good he was at translating dreams, but because Joseph has teeth missing in bottom front, his words are not always clear. Pastor offered him a German dictionary for translation purposes, thinking Joseph had asked about German language. It was funny, we all laughed, especially Joseph. What could be worse than a difficult dream in a foreign language??? Pastor referred him to Hebrews 1, I think, for the answer to the question, not really having the time to delve into dream interpretation. Joseph is quite concerned with his great-nephew who is in jail and felt the dream was about him. I should tell him my alligator dream and see what he thinks about that!

*

After Bible study, Judy went to get Terri T. who joined us for lunch at Longhorn. She is recuperating from her knee surgery and it felt good for her to get out for some social time. Since Judy had picked up Sue that morning, I took Sue with me to the restaurant where we met the other ladies, allowing a chair for Terri's leg to be propped. When our meals came (I ordered from the adult menu where the majority order from the kid's menu), my plate was simply overflowing with chicken tenders. Sue, across from me, told Jackie, "She never eats her whole meal, she always takes some home..." as though Jackie did not know that already. Even though it is the adult-sized portion and price, I get two meals, at the least from it, which is perfect for me. And now, they give plastic to-go boxes in efforts to be 'green' (really?, the boxes are white, ha ha) so no one can squawk at me for reheating in the foam boxes anymore.

*

On the way home, I stopped at Dilliard's to return some shoes I bought that were just too tight across the toes, and exchange the lounge pants that Ellen gave me a week or so ago. As I told the nice sales lady helping me, "I need a few more XX's on my clothes!" and she laughed. Finding the exchange piece was the easy part, the getting it processed took some work. Elizabeth had to call Amy to do an override, so I stepped aside to allow others to check-out. The lady behind me said, "You must be someone special..." and smiled at me. She looked very familiar and I wonder from where I know her...hmmmm. Amy was helping a lady who had had a mastectomy find a comfortable bra that would not rub on her scars or sore spots, and it made me sad for her. There was a style called 'bff', which stands for 'best friend forever', because it is made with t-shirt fabric, nice and soft. After they were done, Amy could help Elizabeth process my in-kind exchange, override or whatever needed to be done, and I was out the door. I could not wait to get home and lie down, as I was getting a cold!

*

In the afternoon I rested, listening to my radio programs until I heard Justin come in. He could not stay for 'hours and hours' because he needed to give a ride to his friend, whose truck had broken down. Jesse was at his mom's house so in a good place to wait. We transferred the movable items from one bedroom into the other, leaving the larger furniture for Mike and his helper to relocate. I will hate it when it's time to move it over to the other bedroom when they finish the empty room. Justin and I will have to figure it all out before moving things to the appropriate places, but for now, scattered. After the guys are done and things are in place, I will ask Sherri to come back and clean for me. Justin can vacuum the floors and rugs, area rugs, but she can do the wiping and dusting. She needs the income and I need her help. The insurance company provided money for that so why not?

*

Speaking of insurance---the claims adjuster for the building was just here with his entourage including his female assistant/note taker, and Tommy, our condo president. He took photos of the offending pipe that broke, which I have retained for posterity and also of the replacement pipe/valve in the bathroom vanity. Andrew took measurements with his moisture meter which sunk too deeply in the walls on the hallway, which he determined to be too wet yet (oops!) and is going to authorize that areas of the wall be removed 4' high from the floor. Apparently Aaron should have removed the baseboards and/or drilled holes to allow the air to circulate under the wallpaper and such. This is covered, I am told, by our condo association's insurance. The 'problem' is that I am set to have my floors installed next week, which would not be good idea before having drywall work done. Mike wanted to do the laundry room first so he can move the washer/dryer into the hallway on the yukky floor and then move it back in to go down the hallway. I have since spoken to him and they will do the bedrooms first, and use a transition piece in the doorways so they have a stopping place until the hallway work is done. I can so live without that wallpaper, with a good place to break at the laundry room doorway, which almost reaches the ceiling and entire length of the hallway on the other side. A good place to break is at the corner. We can work around it but I am sure glad this adjuster found it or we could have had mold problem later on, especially as hot as I keep it in here. Like a petri dish!

*

Off to Great Hang Ups!!

A fantastic Sunday

Today I am determined to get to the store to buy some athlete's foot ointment because my itching toes are making me wild! When Lynn and Linda were here visiting me, I got what I thought was an ant bite on the ring toe, left foot, which I treated with antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. One day I even posted on Facebook how hard it was to put a band-aid on my toe when wearing tight jeans. The owie had pretty much healed, the skin around it sort of flaked off (am I making you sick yet?) and I thought the worst was over. Upon closer scrutiny, it appears there is still perhaps a stinger in my toe and it itches. Perhaps it was not an ant bite after all. The past few days I have been wearing my little red shoes which fall right across the toes, or rub on the toes, and aggravated the bite. My thought is that some Dr. Scholl's might take care of it, or Gold Bond Medicated Cream. No matter what, the itchiness is most annoying and maddening!

*

So, here I am up, not wide awake but up nonetheless, when it is still dark outside. Not because I went to bed too early, actually quite the opposite. My day began at a decent hour, waking on my own after having fallen back to sleep in the wee hours, when I had forced myself awake to get out of a horrible dream. It used be mouse dreams that did that to me and now it was alligators! In the dream, I was lying on a bed in a sort of dormitory where other folks were also on beds in a scattered fashion, not lined up, and it seemed to be somewhat outdoors. As I opened my eyes in the dream, I could see Justin on the floor, curled up, sleeping, with his deaf ear facing up, which meant he could not hear me if I called to him. There, on the edge of the water (why was there water??) were alligators, which also seemed to be sleeping, or something. How could I get Justin's attention without startling him and then startling the gator?? I threw something his direction, like a shoe or a book, and then decided that might not be best.I remember telling someone to throw something over the gator which might prevent it from seeing where it was going but my heart was pounding so hard, I had to wake myself up to get over the dream. Thankfully, I did go back to sleep and not dream any longer about my son being in danger from the alligators!

*

When it was time, I did wake up and even had time to write my blog posting recapping the Rally and events before getting ready for church. The last thing I did before leaving for church was make a sign-up sheet for folks to indicate if they are going to Victory for the Reformation service and dinner. Rarely do I get to church in time for the opening of Sunday school but somehow I managed to yesterday. Three kids were there and in fact, Lynn K. did not end up teaching at all since she had no kids. We are working through what started as "Come, Worship Christ" but makes little forward progress. Somehow the program and such does not resemble what we had studied in the past or perhaps we never got this far before, but I do know we have the student version of this study and not the adult's version because 'ours' got lost when the office was moved from the trailer into the classroom building. We had started this course in Monday's classes and now are plodding through on Sundays, starting over from the beginning, which is appropriate. I do hope we get through it because this study is so very interesting.

*

After class I served as greeter as the Kelley's were not there to do so. A young man came to church on his bicycle, with a backpack and helmet, looking like a guy who might be doing some heavy-duty biking. His name was Sterling and looked like a Sterling! Suzanne was playing the pre-service music which I got to hear when folks went through the doors. Taking attendance did not take very long and I had little trouble finding a seat. Before noon I was back in the car and heading for home while listening to the Jaguar pre-game show. Too bad that Twila did not ask me about lunch because I would have had plenty of time before kick-off. Jean and she left right away so they might have had something to do with the family after church. I had been saying 'no' lately, since The Flood, but yesterday, I would have been game.

*

On the way home I grabbed some McDonald's and ate at my desk as the pre-game show continued on TV. Whoo hoo!, I love Sunday football! During the rotten first quarter, I fell asleep, no longer at my desk, and when I woke up just before half time, the Jaguars were nicely ahead. It was time for me to go back to sleep so they would keep winning! Instead I did stay awake and watched them win handily over a team with no wins at all this year. That's why the first quarter started so awfully, with the other team, Buffalo Bills, capitalizing on the Jags' turn-overs, etc. That little power nap was enough to make going to sleep at a regular time difficult. My sleep has not quite returned to normal since The Flood but was getting close. Oh, I talked to my mom for nearly an hour after the football game. My niece, Lisa, was at the hospital in Labor and Delivery after having contractions, but the medical folks were able to stop them and she could return home. The anxiety is getting to her and she wants to him delivered, via her planned c-section. Her substitute in the office is relieved, knowing Lisa will be at work with her yet today.

*

Last evening I attended a house concert up on the 5th floor balcony at Michelle's, where Kort McCumber and his band were performing. They are on tour and what better a venue than that open porch on a warm, some would say hot, evening! As I was nibbling from my plate of appetizers, I saw a lady whom I recognized come through doors ----Carol, my massage lady! She had seen a small ad in the local paper about the house concert, and decided to come. We stayed together all evening and even took a tour of my place during the break. I introduced her to three of her future clients for whom I bought gift cards for her services as my 'thank you' for helping with the water mess. Carol told me she is flattered that I gave her as a gift to them----Tracy, Cassidy, and Maggie. How fun that they were able to meet each other prior to their treatment.

*

After the concert, Maureen asked me to come to their place for a drink as our friend, Sharon, was going to stop by as well. She is truly a delight, has a rich full life with so many interests. She lives at River Oaks on the opposite side of The Club and we get to see her in the summer time at Happy Hour because she is 'off' then. Sharon leads the bell choir and chorus at OP Methodist on Wednesdays so misses any other events that take place that day. She is a professional freelance photographer and is an artist of some sort, also a part-time student at UNF, auditing classes as well as credit classes. She can audit for $20 a class because of being over 60 years old. We talked quite alot last night about our trips to the Mediterranean, visiting many of the same places. Hugh and Maureen want to take a Greek Island tour so we really talked at some length about what there is to see and do.

*

As we sat talking around the table in their river room, we heard a voice at the door and here came Judee from the first floor. "Are you receiving?", she asked. How funny is that? She joined us and I thanked her again for bringing her grandson, Brooks, to the concert. He always greets me with a hug, which warms me greatly. Brooks and his friend, Wyatt, were classmates of Timmy's, with their names showing up on the painting in my hallway where his classmates all signed the art work. Sweet! At one point Hugh called Michelle and invited her down, now that her condo was all cleaned up after the event. What a nice evening we had, especially after I asked that we stop discussing The Flood and its aftermath. They offer their regular and constant insistence that this was NOT my fault and I should stop feeling sorry for my neighbors. I appreciate this encouragement but there is little I can do to reverse my concern for displacing my neighbors, you know?

*

Maureen kept my soda glass full and while normally that would have been great, I had pretty much stopped drinking the diet Coke at bedtime to help ease myself into sleep. I was good and tired when it came to bedtime but it did take me just a bit to fall asleep. The events of the day and especially the evening were stirring me yet when I went to bed, and how much I enjoyed my evening listening to the lovely music, over the river, on a glorious evening with my great neighbors. Which brings us to this morning......good day!

A recap of Saturday's events

Early yesterday morning I was readying myself for the day, mentally if not actually, when Suzanne called to report that she had been up half the night with a tummy ache. Oh man! She was not trusting her tummy enough to take a car ride or sit through the Rally, which I completely understand, so I excused her. Moms are not supposed to be sick, you know? When I spoke with her later, she was feeling better, eating very careful foods so they did not come back on her, so to speak. I hope I see her today!

*

Just before I was leaving, Anne Hoyer called me, getting my number via Suzanne via John because for some reason his was the only phone number Pastor had stored in his phone. Suzanne and I are both now stored in both their phones, thank you very much. Anne found out Suzanne was not going and offered to give me a ride the majority of the way. I drove as far as the World Golf Village and parked my car at Bublitz's where Anne and Nancy picked me up. Anne had a small cooler along with Diet Cokes and water, she had us covered as she knew there would be no soda at the Rally.

*

Nancy filled us in on her new job as a sec'y. at a grade school, missing her high school because at least there, she had enough work to do. Anne's phone rang and it was her husband, Pastor Phil, calling to report that their young member, Hannah, had died that morning, only moments ago. Tears began to flow and we all jumped on the phones to make calls, as I have some of the member's stored in my phone. It was a relief, in my opinion, that the little girl's struggle was over, even though we believe 12 is too young to die. The Lord hath need of her....

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Besides that conversation which followed, we discussed the fact that Victory is hosting the Reformation Service this year, which was news to Anne and Nancy. No planning or anything had been done, at least on their part, the food part. So, on the way home, 'we' made the plans. My job will be to make a sign-up sheet for the members at GS to show how many are planning to attend. We will be having pulled pork, potato salad, cabbage salad plus other salads, and desserts. Menu planned, details yet to be worked out!

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At the Rally I got to see many old friends including Ruth and Stacy Vance, Mark's mom and sister. They had been at my house a couple years ago when the Prange's were here and they used my house as a gathering place for the families, which was one of my favorite days ever! I think Grace was not born yet, if memory serves...Jennifer Rosenbaum was there, too, and we just soaked each other up. Bonnie, the former sec'y. from Victory, was there, as she is a member of the new church at Palm Coast. We will see her again soon as she will come up to Jax for the funeral service for Hannah. Oh, a nice contingent from Christ, Keystone Heights, was there. I was the only one from GS, which is a shame with Mark, the speaker, being a son of the congregation. It was a great presentation, and so good to see Mark again.

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Pastor Gabb gave the opening devotion and discussed how rich we are, even though we might not think so. Some areas he described had no windows or doors but in America, even our cars have a house! And we only push a button to get in and out of the garage (well, most of us did). Even our poorest in the USA are among the wealthiest in the world. A good reminder when we are feeling sorry for ourselves. And how tenuous our lives are, tears were flowing again in our row as we sang, "Lift High the Cross".

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My evening ended on a high note with dinner at the cabana with Penny. Hugh and Maureen came out to have some wine but prefer to eat their dinner at home. Danny was back, preparing sliders for Peggy and a homemade brat for me. When we were leaving, he asked me if I wanted the rest of the pasta salad as otherwise he would be throwing it out. Sure! I gave him a smooch on the cheek for that half-bag of salad. When I got back upstairs, I put some in a sandwich baggie for Judy J. as I am always raving about how good it is. Now she can know for herself. She got the majority of the halved cherry tomatoes as I pick those out anyway. The sauce he uses is Italian dressing with some mayo mixed in to thicken it. Works for me!

Lisa posted this photo on Facebook of little Manny, sporting his new glasses! Gabe's eyes checked out perfectly but Manny had some problem with distance. He looks quite scholarly with eye wear! Only he could squeeze into that tight corner...