The warm returned!

Our temperature here today reached the mid-80’s, hard to remember it is only February. At The Breakfast Club this a.m., conversations turned toward getting back in the pool again. Though that is still a far off date, the hope exists the warmer temps will speed the process. Being the big wienie I am, it will be toward the end of May for my first dip in the pool, but I certainly can sit poolside with my friends before then!

It was our pleasure to be joined by Miss Maggie O. today as she ignored being summoned to substitute at an area school for the day. She can work nearly every day at one school or another as a substitute teacher and has been doing that more this year as she is again supporting her daughter. Today, she needed a break!

Marissa returned to college to earn a law degree, leaving teaching, and moved back home with her mama to focus on her studies. She is doing so well with her classes that she has an opportunity to spend the summer semester in Florence, Italy, through a program offered by Penn State. How wonderful for her!!! Maggie might tag along part of the time as she has many foreign exchange students in Europe to hang out with besides Marissa. I would think American law would be complicated enough but add international law to the mix…and yikes!

                                  

Maggie O. and her daughter, Marissa, at Easter breakfast last year

My friend, Joanne , earned extended certification in international real estate to help her better deal with foreign investors and other buyers when they come to town. Many she never really meets, does the transactions and such electronically. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

Breakfast was just wonderful, and when I told Marlena this she laughed. She said, “You tell me that every week!” but I insist, it’s true! The breakfast chef makes the most delicious potatoes, seasoned baby reds, fried almost whole in herbs..somehow the skins get crisped while the rest stays fresh. We all order some, whether with the menu items, or special ordered, like mine! My breakfast is ala carte all the way.

Mary had a client coming in at 9:30 so had to fly. To facilitate her rapid departure,  I covered her breakfast for her. She helped me modify my walk last week (when I remember to do it) and I am so thankful for that. She "treated" our other breakfast partners, Randy and Carol W. this past week, helping them both with some aches and pains. A good friend to have, in the pain relief business. I wrote something for Mary’s website last week which she claimed was payment enough, but I knew she didn’t want to miss her client either. Now that I have written about those potatoes, I want some more!!!

After breakfast I went to the Island to make a bank deposit and then was home for the day. I was a printing fool with Time and Talent Sheets, each with a personalized cover coming out of my machine. The cover for the accompanying booklet should be a colored paper and since mine is cardstock, I will need to get some before proceeding. The newsletter is as far as I can go, unless more words come to me, either from me or to me, to wrap it up.

Justin is working for the landscaper today which means he will be incredibly weary when he gets home. He also worked on Wednesday, was totally beat and slept for a couple hours after getting home. Missed church and everything, though I did not expect him to attend. I suppose as his days pick up again in growing season, the work will become less taxing for him. Soon he will be working nearly full-time for pay, which he deeply appreciates. Almost as much as he appreciates his naps!

Shoulder rubbing

This morning I went to Victory for Bible study, stopping first at Dunkin’ Donuts for a dozen, plus a bottle of Diet Pepsi. Every week someone brings doughnuts to share with the group and today I was taking a turn. When I arrived at the church, I had a minute or two to spare---whew! Dawn got there at the same time I did so we walked in together, and found the others had already gone in to sit. Usually we have to wait for the pre-k students to finish their snack before we can sit down.

What a group we had! Pastor had set up three tables instead of only the two, with three people across each end, and four down the sides, no empty seats. My friend, Judy H., who now lives in Knoxville, has her parents living in JAX since before Christmas, and were in attendance at class. Susanne used to be a dental hygienist, the ‘official’ teeth cleaner of the Green Bay Packers!!

The study is titled, I think, The Names of Jesus, with today’s chapter of Good News being about baptism. We often expand on the topic to discuss things going on in the country and in the church related to what we are studying, with usually marvelous give and take. Pastor reported that this coming Sunday a family of four children will be baptized, age 9 and under, coming through the pre-k program. He has never baptized that many before so this will be a first for him. And what a wonderful gift for the children from their heavenly Father!

As it turned out, I took most of my bakery home because Rita had brought doughnuts to share, too. This often happens, a duplication, but she had told the others at church last night that she was bringing them. She apologized for not sending me ‘the memo’…we chuckled about that, and I assured her they were not going to waste. Waist, yes, waste, no, especially with Justin in the house! I like jelly-filled doughnuts with a sugar glaze but am not a huge fan of the cream-filled or powdered sugar coated chocolate filled ones. Pick, pick, pick! Since the vendor makes the mixture, I don’t have a say in what type go into the box. I did have one jelly-filled, which made me happy.

Justin had to help his father again today so I was on my own. Opting to not have lunch with the ladies, I went home after class. The afternoon was spent primarily at my desk working on the newsletter as far as I can go. My teeth are pretty much settling down now, but still bother me a bit with a dull ache, as expected, from being ‘violated’ earlier in the week. The gums are less tender every day, with ibuprophen handling the pulse felt in my teeth. A restorative nap is helpful, too!

The shoulder rubbing took place at a fund raising event  this evening held at a fabulous home off Doctors Lake Drive, for the campaign for state office of Travis. My former neighbor and present friend is running unchallenged at the moment for a new representative seat opened up from redistricting. I had been at this home in the past for other fund raisers and this time, Justin came with me. He loved it!  Not only the home and property, but the event as a whole. He got to see many of the area’s other elected officials there and talk with some interesting folks. And enjoy a fabulous spread of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres.

One of the first people we met there was a friend from the pool, Diane, whom I had seen not long ago at Manny’s Bistro when I was having dinner with Judy C. Diane and Judy used to be back-yard neighbors years ago in the Belair area, their daughters being friends in school, etc. Diane and her hubby attend St. Peter Lutheran on S. Blanding and know several families who used to be at G.S. that transferred there. Judy’s family transferred from St. Peter’s 30 years ago---small world!


The area hospitals CEO's were there, including Baptist, St. Vincent, and Orange Park. One of the men lives downstairs from me in The Palace, whom I have waved at but never met. Travis, during his speech, mentioned all the area elected officials in the room, listed his family members, as well as Justin and me as being his former neighbors. He laughingly remarked we were glad the overhead noise of little Beckham was gone. He thanked us for being good neighbors. How nice to be mentioned along with the dignitaries in the room!


So, when he said my name, my other neighbor sort of recognized it. I greeted him, and was so glad to finally meet. He said, "You're the one who sends out that nice newsletter! You do such a good job with that!"  And he said it more than once, which was most flattering. I told him I was sorry it took this long to meet, as this was sooo not my style. He regretted it also, explaining his long days at the local hospital. OPMC recently added a trauma unit which is able to treat people usually transported to Shands, in JAX. On the way home I told Justin it is good to have a connection with the man who runs the hospital, in case we ever need their services.

As we were leaving, Diane’s hubby, Roy, greeted us and I introduced Justin to him. He remarked about longing to get back to the pool again, and told Justin about my ‘special drink’. Justin knows about it, as he dug through his boxes stacked in the back room to find a partial bottle of Jack Daniels so I could make one for myself a couple weeks ago. “…and she only has one!”, Roy told Justin. Justin said he knew that and I told Roy we had to go home because I had had one drink at this event!

Before we left for good though, my other friend, Diane H., found us and gave out hugs. Diane is running for Travis’ vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners. She told me she nearly stopped by the other day to return a book she’d borrowed, but couldn’t remember easily how to worm her way down to my house from The Club. I would have loved her visit! She whispered to me that Justin gets more handsome with every birthday. He does! Plus his new glasses make him look even more debonair.

On the way home we stopped at Winn Dixie, or at first, I did. He dropped me off at WD while he walked back to CVS to get the soda which was there better priced. He met me then in the store where I picked up several items I needed plus some I wanted. I now have the ingredients to make my pot pie! When I checked out, the bagger asked me if I found everything, and I said I did, with help from a fellow in one of the aisles who reached a can of soup down for me. He asked me, “Did you at least get what you came for?” which made us laugh because this has happened, in fact, I have left without getting what I have gone for!

One day last week, I lamented on Facebook about feeling like a bad neighbor because I had not offered my new upstairs neighbors anything yet. A casserole would have been good, but I was lacking the ambition and some of the ingredients to do so. A day or so later, I had bought some break-apart sugar and spice cookies for Justin, his favorite, and I baked those for the people upstairs. Judy C. had brought me home-baked cookies she had left in her freezer from Christmas so I put them on a plate with half of the fresh-baked ones. The lady moving in has two teen-aged daughters, and I found the young folks taking a break in the living room with some young men, while Mom was bustling about. She apologized for the mess, but I explained that I understand about moving….yes, I do!

About being neighbors: a few days ago I got a text message from Jessica, thanking me for being so nice to their tenants, saying not everyone was as gracious as I am. I knew that the night of our Owner’s Meeting the one lady asked them to move the u-haul away from the steps up to The Club. Nancy had asked me how I got to the stairs and I said I went around the back of the truck…not that hard. Jessica had posted on Facebook saying I was going down as the world’s best neighbor---aw shucks…..I think it’s important to be a good neighbor and a good friend, especially when I don’t leak on them!

Ash Wednesday

It is Ash Wednesday and it seems we have only recently taken down the CHRISTmas tree..hmmm...Is that characteristic of aging, seeing the days and times fly past more quickly? Or, is it actually happening--did the world speed up? It might have, since things are so upside down! We have mild weather, though not entirely all blue skies and sunshine. Rain is predicted for later, perhaps while we sleep. Those who suffer with allergies are just waiting for a good rain shower to take care of the yellow pollen. Sunday's winds might have helped, if not only to have stirred things up even more!


Last week I had three different groups here for a meal, and I just told Justin that I thought I would not do anything this weekend. We will see how that goes, as one never knows. So many movies, and so little time. I have time to watch them, but would rather show them to others at the same time. 


I guess pre-screeening might be advisable after last Saturday's movie. Oops! I still have not located the case from that DVD which would have told me it had offensive (to me) language in it. The story is so cute, and would have been just as good with some editing, the way I saw it on TV!


The great idea I had to raise the TV higher on the stand for Super Bowl is yet in place, which means I am missing my file basket. My desk is getting overtaken by pieces of paper waiting to be stuck in the file so I must corral Justin to undo the rigging. It takes both of us to lift the TV out of the way, slide the baskets and the board out and then put the TV back in place.


This weekend we are tackling the back bedroom, where his overflow is placed, to get the room organized and orderly for my coming guests, due in less than a month. It might take us that long to get it done! No matter how much time he spends 'straightening' his room, it somehow does not look much better. Different, yes. Better, maybe. The way I like it? Nope!


This morning I had a meeting with the Stewardship Elder and the Maintenance Chair to work on the Time and Talent Sheets. It has been several years since our members completed them and with so many 'changes' to the congregation, it was time to revisit them. Some items we are removing and are going to revisit others. My job is the clerical end, up to the point of printing them off. I can print the sheets but I, for the life of me, cannot figure out how to manipulate the booklet pages (an accompanying piece called "Opportunities") to print it off. I never could get my head around it, even when I worked in the church office. About that, I am dumb as a rock!


First order of business, however, is to finish the work on the newsletter, which will be tackled in the light of day, after Bible study. And then the 'big' project of working on these T & T sheets and the booklet. I will have to butter up the church secretary to see if she will print them off for us once they ready! 


Tonight's worship for Ash Wednesday was very nice. The chancel was dressed in black, and Pastor wore his black gown. We celebrated Holy Communion as part of the service. Since only one usher was there, another member got up to help him while Pastor served communion by himself. It did not take that long although we had a good number of parishoners. Immediately after worship was choir rehearsal and we are singing a psalm again this Sunday. I hope I don't mess up...Miss one rehearsal and the whole works comes apart!


I am presently watching the debate, having missed the first half, and find it quite interesting as things begin to shake out. I heard somewhere that Ron Paul had a Lutheran background, as does Gary Johnson who also had his hat in the ring at first. Interesting to know this....and not sure why.

“When ends life’s transient dream…”

“…and death's cold sullen stream shall o’er me roll. Blest Savior, then, in love, fear and distrust remove. Oh, bear me safe above, a ransomed soul.” I did that from memory, up until the final phrase. Some days the hymns dwell in my head which is a good thing to have rattling about. I am feeling subdued today, as I watch the clock for my departure time. In a couple hours I will have a replacement tooth in my mouth so I can smile again.

Last night’s Condo Owner’s meeting went far better than last years which had me walk out. No filthy language this time but rather horrible financial news for us all. This economy simply must turn around, and soon! We are going to be on the hook for repairing/replacing the garage ceiling and 2^nd floor sundeck material due to deterioration. The costs for this are coming in at around a quarter of a million dollars. YIKES! Many folks are already financially compromised, being upside down in their mortgages, and such, and will have a tough time coming up with their share of this repair. At least the costs will be billed in 1/3 portions which is better than lump sum. I am very very sad!

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Well, I am back from the dentist and have a temporary tooth in place so I am free to smile again, if I want to. I know I will, someday, when the numbness wears off. Not only the Novocain-induced numbness but that of the incurred expenses and those coming up soon. *sigh* 

Lots to think about today...

Well, I am home from the endodontist minus a bunch of money, and one front tooth. Not my very front one, but next to it. He made every effort to save it, but the crown shattered when he tried drilling through it. This was the second time he'd drilled through the porcelain since he did manage to save it the last time he did a root canal on that tooth, nearly three years ago. We knew this going in and I was optimistic that it could take the second visit. Nope. 


In fact, he wondered if perhaps the 'loose' crown might have been the source or pathway for the abscess to form. It seems the antibiotic did its thing in knocking down most of the infection, leaving a hollow area around the ends of the two teeth (do not disregard an abscessed tooth, people!) and hopefully the bone will heal where the pocket formed. Oh, brother! Me and these teeth! Cha-ching!


The earliest they can see me at the regular dentist is tomorrow morning so I will be overnight with an unsightly grin. One thought is to wear a surgical mask so I can continue talking, feeling less self-conscious, or simply keep my mouth shut. Not likely the latter will happen...I wish I did not have a meeting tonight so I could just stay in and have no one see me this way. 


Justin came out to my car after my appointment, as he was at work in the office next door. He gasped when he saw me, I almost thought he was going to cry. I just missed the dentist next door when they left for lunch so he took custody of my paperwork and was going to "keep watch" for them to come back. I came home to rest a bit, after having been in the chair nearly two hours. Later, he sent me a text message asking if he should make my dinner and leave it on a tray outside my door. Such a sweetheart, appalled at his mother's appearance!!


The good news is that my teeth did not and do not hurt, the infection is under control, and the work is done. The bad news, besides the broken crown ("Kim fell down and broke her crown, while Jill came tumbling after..."), was having to pay the bill. It sort of galls me that I have to pay twice for a root canal in the same tooth, but I guess it's not on them if it goes bad. Human nature talking there...I am also relieved in some ways to have one less living tooth in my mouth to shoot me through the roof when I least expect it. This is root canal #18 for me, since #17 was a do-over. I do not know how much a new crown will be but it is a must-have situation for me!


Judy C. called a bit ago to check on me, reporting what a nice class I missed today. She also told me the waiter at Longhorn, Jason, wondered where the "Firefly" lady was today. Michael explained where I was, and Jason felt badly for me. Michael asked if I could get a free Firefly next week...we'll see! Michael was the leader of the Bible study today since it was President's Day and Pastor was going to be off. 


The winds were wicked yesterday, but today, a bit quieter. It has been partly cloudy much of the day, and right now, the sun is out. Unfortunately it is on the other side of the building and not warming my room so the space heater is taking care of that. The air temperatures were cooled by those winds, according to Justin's report, but not insufferably so. In checking the weather for Orlando, I see that Thursday is supposed to be 84 above zero, which my friend will truly appreciate. Even though the winter was mild in WI, she looks forward to her time in Florida, not having to get a suntan through her goosebumps!
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Today is the funeral service for the Clay County detective killed in the line of duty on Thursday night during a drug bust. David White is his name, leaving behind his wife and two young children, including an infant. The funeral took place at First Baptist in Middleburg and the burial near Lake Asbury. I heard on the news that approx. 500 police and fire fighters attended the service and/or lined the streets when the procession made its way to the cemetery. 


At church yesterday I snuggled up next to Brad L. and told him that I had been thinking about him a lot since this happened. He said it was eerie because his team and he were doing the very same thing, breaking up a meth lab, but in Jacksonville. Almost to the minute when this happened in Middleburg. I have expressed my thanks to Brad almost every week but this time, it was different. I did not speak to Laurie, his wife, because I didn't wish to freak her out. She is likely borderline frantic every day the way it is..and now this...It has been nearly 100 years since a Clay County Sheriff's Officer has died in the line of duty which says much for their record. The other officer wounded is expected to make a full recovery, thanks be to God. The fallen man is now enjoying eternal bliss while the community continues to mourn...
                                                 

My day was made!

Justin is finally back home tonight after having been staying at his father’s house for several nights. First, he had to watch over his young step-sister and the dogs, and then, only the dogs. Oh, yes, and four outdoor cats. Hard to believe that there is a veritable menagerie under the same roof as these people. 

Justin had his pals over there to play games and such last night. Then, today, he had to make all things ready for an Open House plus Swiffer the floors at his step-mother’s home which was also having a showing today.

Late afternoon he called to ask me a flavor---could I please pick him up at the dog track where he was dropping off his father’s car, and then give him a ride back to that house. It’s not nice to interrupt your mom’s Sunday afternoon rest but I gave him a break and did it. The good news was that four families toured the place during the Open House which sort of makes it worth the effort.

It was over an hour on the road going up and then back down Hwy. 17 to help out my boy. It's a good thing he's cute, as Mom and I used to say. But, I know he will help me out when I am in a pinch…Anyway, he promised to stop and get soda for my troubles so that is great!

Before his call, I had begun watching a funny movie, one I would not ordinarily tune into, but it captured me with talk of Europe. “The Last Holiday” with Queen Latifa in the lead role, was about a woman diagnosed with three weeks to live. She cashed out all her investments, quit her job, and headed to Europe to enjoy a certain hotel/spa of her dreams. She spent like she had it (which she did after cashing out!) but was kind, spoke her mind because she had no reason not to, and was about to meet up with the man of her dreams…when Justin called for his ride. Blast! Now I won’t know how it turned out! I will have to watch it another time to see how it ends.

You might wonder what made my day, though. This happened when Justin got back here, carried up his belongings as well as the soda cases, then sat in my desk chair. He heaved a great sigh, and said, “It feels so good to be home…” Justin went on to say that he had felt sort of funny staying down at his father’s house, had a weird feeling in him, but as he got closer to home, he began to feel better. And now, he felt good again! I was 'heart-warmed', doing cartwheels inside, but outwardly, I simply acknowledged his feelings. There is a huge difference between living in a 'model' and living in a 'home'. He was looking forward to taking a shower ‘in my own shower’, washing his clothes in fresh-smelling water, and being in his own room. In fact, even promised to straighten things up in there tonight. Most recently though, he confessed to losing his ambition---boy, I never saw THAT coming! But yet, my day has been made!

I miss the sun!

As I write, one of my friends from childhood, a bit older than me, is on her way to Florida, having stayed the night in Dalton, GA. On Facebook, I apologized to Rae Sue for having to arrive in gloomy, overcast weather. At least the temps are decent, in the low 70's, but just very sad looking and feeling. Her hubby and she winter at least a few months near Orlando so they have some time to enjoy bright, sunshiny weather.


Not much to watch on TV this afternoon with even the real news stations covering the funeral of the deceased singer. I am hearing noises overhead, and wonder if perhaps the new tenants are upstairs, getting settled. Travis told me yesterday some people were likely moving in this weekend. Wow, that didn't take long! I hope to meet them in short order, and caution them about the water situation!

Stephanie and her mom, Jean, at my home for dinner last night

The dishwasher is running in my own kitchen after I cleared it of last night's dishes. It gets so grungy around the edges and I wiped as much as I could using the dish cloth. For areas I could not reach, I am allowing the dose of bleach to take care of. Justin came home briefly and asked me if I put bleach in my drinking water, as I was refilling the water pitcher at the same time as the dishwasher running. No, that bad, I am not!


Justin called me from the road, coming from his father's house, asking me to meet him downstairs to offer, in his words, "moral support". He was bringing over the long-awaited bookcase. Justin was of the opinion he could handle it alone but wanted me to stand-by and be supportive. He did manage nicely with a multi-purpose dolly thing to wheel it up. He gathered some clothes for tomorrow, not sure he will make it to church though. His pals are coming over to play games tonight and he then has to make sure the house is in good order for an open house tomorrow. 


Even though I have the nice leftovers from last night's dinner waiting in the fridge, I am still marinating some chicken breasts to make for dinner tonight. Judy C. and Amber are coming over to have Dinner and a Movie. Since Amber is diabetic, I am going to serve something less troublesome for her diet. Good thing I have salad left from last night's meal! We are going to watch "A Good Year", a movie I have had on hand for a couple years after seeing it at the theater. It will still be France, only not Paris this time!