It's warming up!

Just as was predicted, the temperatures are working their way up from the depths of being in the 40's overnight. Justin came to my room mid-morning to report that he had to go to his friend's parent's house to wash their Airstream camper. Apparently they have it for sale and a buyer has come forward, so Justin was hired to make it look pretty. Or at least, clean!                                

He was not in a hurry to leave though...it's cold out there! When he came into my room, Justin looked so collegiate in his blue with yellow striped gym shorts and a long sleeved yellow thermal top. It was 'only' 59 above zero and he wanted to wait until it warmed up somewhat before going to Mandarin. At this writing it is 78 above zero but as he reminded me, "I'm going to be working with water..." Ah, yes, ice cold water.

                

Last night Martie joined Justin and me for dinner, at long last. I prepared pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes, and whole kernel corn. Justin made a batch of his dinner rolls using the ball of pizza dough I picked up at Publix. He shredded some cheese that Randy had left for us, and added it to the dough. Good flavor! (Linda, he said he wishes he could make rolls from scratch----maybe next time you come down here, you could show him how to do it??!!)

Martie works just up the road a piece, getting off at 6:00 pm, but she got here about 25 minutes later. I was hoping the pork chops didn't get too dry as they do not 'hold' well, but they were fine. The food was on the table when she walked in the door so I hustled her to the table and we prayed, then ate. Did not want our food to get cold...

It has been a long while since she'd been here, the last time being when we watched "Midnight in Paris" in mid-February. We had much to catch up, including her hubby being very ill with pneumonia and COPD. As the doctor told him, he's a stubborn ole cuss, as Martie had to wrestle him into the appointment. Ernie thought he could tough it out, but not so much!! Martie said this is the first 'social' thing she'd done in a long, long time. 

Speaking of social things, I got a call from the Fellowship Elder last night. Bruce wanted to know if I could meet for a brief meeting after church Sunday to discuss a picnic. I love discussing picnics, including the one we are having at Batkoski's this Saturday afternoon! But, okay, I can meet. 

On the Time and Talent Sheet I signed up for being a "Social Outing Coordinator" which does not necessarily mean a picnic, but what the heck....Right now I have an outing in the works for the Ladies' Group to have breakfast at Honey B's the 12th of next month.  

I would also sign-up people to attend the Concert on the Green coming up at the end of the month, but I would miss that event, too, coming back from WI the night before. That is also Pentecost and Confirmation Day so I have a party to attend! Nothing stops others from going to the Concert, but I will simply let this opportunity pass without my additional notice. 

Bruce would like more folks on the committee but not very many signed up for fellowship. All the good Coordinator jobs must have been taken! I gave him some suggestions but really believe more men are needing to be on the committee. Often man-power is needed for these things, not just a bunch of ladies already involved in other groups. It's always the ladies, it seems. Gotta put my thinking cap on!

Another cool morning

What is NOT cool is forgetting my dental appointment! Even though I knew full well that I was supposed to be at the dentist at 8:30 am, had gotten the reminder call, talked about my "coronation" with Justin last night, there I was in bed with the laptop when I was supposed to be in the chair!


I had been awake since around 6:00, gotten a fresh soda, watched the news, and had switched over to watching the ROKU. When the phone rang at 8:44, I saw the name "Dr. Lessig" in the screen and said aloud, "Oh shoot!" It was Pam asking, "Where are you??" I was apologizing right 'n left, asking if it was too late for me to come. Nope, she said to come on up, so I flew around, got myself dressed, brushed my teeth, sprayed my hair, put earrings in my pocket, and away I went. By 9:00 I was in the waiting room, huffing and puffing dramatically to demonstrate my haste in getting there. 


All the ladies assured me it was fine, but I still apologized once more, saying I had no excuse. As I told Pam on the way out, when I have an emergency, I am there "Johnny on the Spot" but for this, late!


Peggy was going room to room, seeing the other patients, so I had a chance between the temporary coming off and the permanent crown being seated to take a picture of the gold post. Not easy to do, but the assistant assisted me, setting the light overhead just right and holding my lips out of the way so I could stick my phone in my mouth (do you know where that's been??????). After several attempts, I did manage to get a shot of my expensive bling, so I could show Justin.


In little time and no misery at all I was out the door with my "renewed smile" as Justin referred to it, and diminished bank balance. That was an expensive and weird situation with those two teeth, starting with that goofy abscess between the lip and gum. One root canal redone, one new one (#18 if you're counting, which we did yesterday....), the cracked crown, the stub left behind, the temporary tooth put in place, the setting of the gold post, the temporary put back in place, and finally, my late arrival for the permanent crown!!!! My renewed smile!

Where did spring go?

Perhaps this is a normal spring day as the temperatures dipped dramatically overnight. We were spoiled by the 80 degree temperatures and when it plummets to the 60's, we people who live in north Florida, most of us anyway, want to stay under the covers! The ladies were all bundled up this a.m. at Bible study and Judy C. scolded me for wearing a spring-ish top. In my house it was nearly 80 degrees so I didn't even realize how chilly it was until I went the door . I did grab my 'dinner jacket' from the backseat of the car on the way into the classroom. Thankfully it was warm inside so didn't need it for class. 


Yesterday after church a nice group of us went to Sam's St. John Seafood to have lunch for Gretchen's birthday. She is 85, I think, or perhaps 86, but seems much younger at heart. She is a stitch!!! Before the meals came she opened some of the birthday cards she had gotten at church with one particular card bringing down the house. On the cover it showed two little girls in birthday hats with the text---"You're another year older..." and on the inside it said---"and I'm not!" But the funny part is the uproarious laughter that the card plays when opened. Contagious laughter, like Hawkeye Pierce's laugh from MASH. Oh my gosh! What a hoot! Jackie was the presenter of that card and she hit a home run with it, in my mind.


Justin had his first visit to Sam's Seafood and ordered the fish sandwich. It was enormous and he licked up every bit of it. The portions are generous there and I usually order the fried pollock which is a nice, neutral fish I can tolerate. Next time, it's the sandwich for me with just the right amount of pollock to make a meal for me. I could easily dump it off the bun, which was sizable, and also omit the lettuce and tomato. Ethel teased Justin that he ate like me as he dismembered his fish sandwich. However, he does eat fish tacos, which I cannot wrap my head around!!


Anyway, Gretchen brought her laughing card along to add a laugh track to our Bible study and our lunch later. I had told Linda about the card the night before so prior to class getting started, I called Linda on her cell phone so I could have her listen to it over the phone. She was at work but said she had a moment to listen to it. Later in the day she told me she had to explain to the pastors what all the laughter was about, and I wasn't even there!!!!


At Longhorn, we asked to sit in a different person's area due to last week's experience with Jason, but he ended up serving us anyway. Of the six of us there, only one didn't feel funny about being asked to tip extra heavy last week---Jackie, of course. She felt sorry for him, struggling to make ends meet, etc. Pleading his case, Jackie rattled off his fine points of always remembering what type of drink we get, saying he gives us good service, and so on. This is not always true as it seems he is often flustered but is very nice while being flustered. Every time Jackie orders the sweet potato, she asks for no cinnamon but inevitably, it comes with it. Today was no exception, she had to scrape off the cinnamon as best she could. I wonder how large a tip Jason got for the extra cinnamon from Jackie....


It got really quiet for a second when Jackie defended Jason's request for extra tips and at that point, Gretchen pulled out her laugh track birthday card to liven things up. She is such a hoot! As we sat and enjoyed our time around the table, she told us she was going to just record our laughter at the table to listen to at home. Nice! I treated her to lunch and she thanked me for that, but Judy jokingly asked, "Should we have them come over to sing happy birthday?" Gretchen threw her hands up and said, "No, no, no, no, no", because she just HATES that, and we knew it. At the next table was a gaggle of ladies celebrating someone else's birthday and when they were singing to her, Gretchen remarked, "I'm so glad that's not me!" 
                  
She had to put some more money into her car over the weekend, as her air conditioner went out. Back to her old friends at Pep Boys to replace her compressor. As much as she dislikes putting money into her car, she said, "I use my air conditioner alot!" She likes to be cool and was not complaining one bit about the temperature today. However, she kept her cardigan on all during class and in the restaurant which is unusual. 


Last week she had surprise company as her daughter-in-law and granddaughter came to town from TX for a visit to Nemours Hospital. The granddaughter had been diagnosed with cancer as a toddler and, following treatment, has to come back every so often for check-ups and such. Good for Gretchen and good for Rebecca! She was so thrilled to see them again.


Justin had a long day once more but was not as worn out as he was on Friday, when it was hot out. He took his shower upon getting home and then came in here to fill me in on his day. Generally he gets home when The Five is on and he knows how much I enjoy that show. It's better if he can wait to overflow with words until 6:00 pm, to have my full attention. There will be a test!


One of the major commercial jobs they do is a senior living property and he usually has stories about it. He has already picked out a unit for me, as they are similar to townhouses on some parts of the property. The little grandma's and grandpa's often want the guys to do stuff for them "as long as you are here" but they are not supposed to do that. 


He gets frustrated that they don't understand or follow the protocol for getting extra work done but I defend them, of course. One day he said he couldn't get mad at this one lady who chased him down with her walker because she reminded him of Lucy, from Victory. He loves Lucy (is that a cliche?) and would never think of being mean to her. Nor should he be mean to those folks over there. I asked him how he would like it if someone at Grandma's apartment building was rude to her and he said, "That's different..." I don't think it is!


But, what had him upset this time was one of the landscape workers from other company they combine efforts with on this property, being 'useless'. Jesse and he think the job should take 3 hours but their boss thinks it should take longer. This allows time to dilly dally for some on the team, and drives Justin wild. He would sooner get the work done and not to have slow down to accommodate the less-than-inspired workers from the other crew. Their boss showed up on the job and was able to witness the efforts, or absence of effort, from his partner's team and will hopefully address it. 


Before Justin left for work this a.m.(I was awake early) he reported making sandwiches which would explain the mess I would find in the kitchen. Last week he had problems with the sandwiches he made using the BO/GO loaves of bread we bought Monday. The crusts were so dry, he claims, that they nearly choked him. I wonder now, without going to look, if it is diet bread, the stuff made with saw dust??? Anyway, my landscaper son took sandwiches today with the crusts cut-off, like finger sandwiches. Very dainty in his enormous hands! I could not help but chuckle at this picture!


For our dinner, I reheated the spaghetti dish from last week, added two hot dogs from the meat drawer, plus the remaining half of my steak from lunch. All in the same pan in the oven which made for some interesting flavors. We each got a hunk of steak, a good portion of the pasta dish, and a baked hot dog. We are members now of the Clean Plate Club as we finished our leftovers and polished off the remainder of his second attempt at the Strawberry Pretzel Torte. 
                                      
While we ate, Justin and I watched the end of "Seinfeld", The Marine Biologist episode, with the greatest laugh line in the history of the show. I never grow weary of that scene in the diner, when George pulls the golf ball out of his shirt pocket and see the look on Kramer's face...


After this we watched Jeopardy! and Justin was beside himself about the woman playing at the 3rd podium. He was convinced that she looked like me and made faces like I do, and gestures like me, and was 'cute like you..." I think she won so we will see her again tomorrow if we are home to watch the show. Justin paid me a compliment and I wonder if he knows it. He said, "Oh, when they show her up close, you are prettier than she is..." Thank you, Justin! He wanted to call his grandma to see if she agreed that person looked like me but I reminded him she watches at 6:00 pm central time and this was at 8:00 pm our time. I should have encouraged him to call her anyway, right?


The dishwasher is busily taking care of the dishes while we ready ourselves for sleep. Good night, all!

"As morning breaks...

...I look to you to be my strength today" Psalm 63

This is Sunrise, April 21st. I happened to catch the little boat in the reflection, as the men gather in their crab pots from overnight. This almost prompts me to get the paints out again!

My house stinks!

At least, once I leave my bedroom doorway and enter the halfway, it stinks. More than 'smelling like boy', it is the smell of skunky laundry, and more specifically, skunky shoes. Justin inadvertently left his load of laundered clothes in the washing machine from Tuesday night until Thursday late afternoon when he got home from working for his father. Talk about stink! There is little that smells as awful as wet clothes, and in this case, shoes. He rewashed the load, after I convinced him simply doing a rinse was not enough. He got his work clothes into the dryer before going to bed and pulled out what he needed in the morning. Justin put his canvas shoes on top of the dryer to air dry rather than have them bang around inside it. The smell of those shoes was offensive to the nose.


When he came home from work yesterday, he immediately showered, changed his clothes, and took a rest. I don't blame him for that at all. He claims it was 88 above zero when he drove home, which might be true on his car thermometer but in real life, I doubt it. It might have been in the lower 80's but he was flushed and had a pounding headache, so I have to believe him. 


Anyway, when he tippy-toed in here later, always liking to startle me as I am engrossed in my Internet programs, I told him the smell of his shoes was making me sick. Immediately he said he knew that and was planning to rewash the entire load, as he could smell it on himself all day long at work! I suggested he put some vinegar in the water with the soap, but he used the fabric softener I had bought in error, thinking it was soap, to soak his clothes. But the shoes still stink, and he thinks he will throw them out instead of try to save them. For $10, he will get a new pair and be done with it. Not a moment too soon, as I can smell them from here!! 
                                        
I am listening to and watching an Internet show via my ROKU at the moment, with the Editor of The Blaze reporting about a man's obituary which has gone 'viral'. For those who do not know, this means that people have viewed the obituary by the thousands on the Internet. Not sure where it's posted besides The Blaze, but the point was how many people wished to read about this man's 'unrepentant' life. I suppose they feel they lived vicariously through his wild ways, or something like that. The editor, Scott, remarked that you can define a man by what his friends say about him at his funeral. Oh oh.....I better be nicer to my friends!! Another man has said, "As go your friends, so go you", or was it someone's mom who said that?


Justin is always weary at the end of his day, whether he is doing landscape work for 6 hours, all day, or driving his father around creation. He has homes or projects going on scattered sites right now, and Thursday, Justin visited four counties as designated driver for his father. This works great, multi-tasking from the mobile office and Justin does not mind being in the air conditioned car. I suggested he think about a career as a limo driver! He is a big fan of tuxedos and he would most assuredly get his share of them driving teenagers to their proms!


Wednesday night Justin made dinner for us, having almost completed the preparations before I got home from choir. He made spaghetti with meat sauce, adding fresh ground (is that the word??) parmesan cheese using my Pampered Chef tool specifically designed for this. Randy had given us the cheese and Justin put it to use, and wow, was it ever delicious!


As we ate, I told him about a segment on Fox and Friends that morning with Dr. Keith Ablow, a psychiatrist. Viewers had written in with questions for the segment titled "Normal or Nutty?" and Keith makes the determination if their behavior is okay or not. One question that morning regarded a man's desire to eat nothing other than hot dogs and hamburgers---ever. A grown man! And the doctor declared him to be nutty. Huh...Justin has a friend who has very limited foods on his list, and what he does eat, is quite bland. For some reason this really annoys Justin and he tries valiantly to get him to change it up a little. 


Dr. Ablow (Keith) said it is ALWAYS deeper than eating only burgers and dogs, there is something else at work here, controlling the only things in your life that you can, etc. Interesting stuff. Justin was upset with what his friend chose to 'give up' for Lent, other than drinking. He gave up something he would never really miss, so instead of doing it to reflect on Christ's sacrifice, as is considered the reason for Lenten 'fasting', he gave up something symbolic instead. Justin tried to 'influence' his friend to do something more meaningful but the guy's fiance declared that one person cannot choose another person's sacrifice. Justin is sure his friend is doing it wrong!


Justin does not participate in this fasting, except last year, he made an exception. In order to save money, Jesse and he decided to give up meat. This was their attempt to stop going to fast food restaurants, since their choices would be extremely limited. It had nothing to do with religion and was all about the wallet, and waistlines! They did fairly well, too, with their commitment, having meat only once a week so planned accordingly. 


My boy is the social coordinator for his group, but that only works when everyone is on board. He just had a disappointment, though, when Jesse, the only other one in his group who could do it, backed out of a movie marathon coming up. On May 3rd, there is a Marvel comics movie marathon at the local theater, showing 5 or 6 reruns of super hero movies (I know, right???) culminating with the showing of the new Avenger movie at the end of the day. 
                                          
When he was in high school, I gave him permission to attend an all-day event showing The Lord of the Rings movies, missing school to do so. What a mom I was!!! He loved that, attending with his friend, Mark N., and still has the lanyard with the souvenier card hanging from it. He wanted to do it again with the comic book characters. Yes, this makes me put my hands to my face and sigh...but, it's a guy thing, I guess. 
                                    
Justin did all the math---how much for the marathon, using Jesse's Stubs Card from AMC to get the tickets, discounted sodas with free refills, and a five dollar credit earned by using the card. He can certainly do his 'ciphering when it comes to things like this! But, Jesse was not as excited about spending the $40 as Justin was, so now he is disappointed. Instead, though, they are going to have their own marathon, rent the movies on NetFlix and then eventually see the new movie at the theater. No lanyards though, this time....sigh.....

It's quiet here today

Except for my noise, it's so very quiet today. My downstairs neighbors are gone on a cruise, the upstairs people are either gone for the day or simply not directly overhead, and no machinery running outside. The river has been busy but not so many helicopters today as others. The boats are the floating type, not the roaring jet engines some of them have. Not sure how long that will last, but for now, it's kind of okay. I make my own racket with listening to my shows on the computer, and roaring with laughter!

Half of my Friday morning Breakfast Club are away on a transoceanic cruise so I decided not to go over to The Club this morning. I am getting quite hungry for the baby red breakfast potatoes so hopefully Randy and Carol get back soon. Mary and I could just go but I had not gotten in touch with her about it ahead of time and didn't wish to chance it. Not that I mind dining alone, but if I don't have to get up, I won't!

                         

My friend, Annette, sent me this photo, taken by her friend. She knew I would like it, even shows the F-18 that accompanied the Shuttle from the Cape. Annette and I used to work together at Shady Lane Home, starting in 1976. Although I am several years older than she, we became fast friends, losing touch after we left SLH. One night when I was in Manty, dining at the Green Street, I looked up and there she was, visiting from Las Vegas!!! Facebook keeps us in touch now almost daily...just like when we worked together!

Justin left early this morning, with Fridays being one of their fuller days in the field. The kitchen counter reports that he made a sandwich to take along with him. Monday we bought several boxes of "Hop"Tarts (as Timmy used to call them) from the BO/GO bins for him to take along in the truck to help sustain himself until meal time. The guys usually grab lunch at Taco Bell or somewhere else cheap, where they can go in, use the bathroom, and cool off before finishing the day. 

Today they used a coupon at Gibb's Sandwich Shoppe. He said the theme of the small shop was New York City and he likely drove Jesse nuts with his excitement over the posters and such. He told me Jesse doesn't share his love for NYC, excusing him because he has only been there once...I told Justin he and I are simply cliches and that's it!

There is a "Seinfeld" episode where George was asked to watch a stranger's suitcase on the street, but the guy didn't come right back. George put the guy's clothes on and had a map in his hand when a woman from the Chamber of Commerce sort of adopted him. He behaved like a tourist then and even moved his stuff out of his apartment in order to make it look like he was going to move in. The lady told him he shouldn't move to NYC as the city would "eat him alive"...And his apartment, not knowing it already belonged to him, she said smelled like monkeys lived there before, and was terribly over-priced. 

Jerry teased him about carrying out this ruse, and having this woman show him the town. "Are you gonna take a show while you're in town?"  So funny! How it works out is the man whose suitcase George was supposed to watch found him in a bathroom somewhere, took his clothing back and left George on a pay phone, calling Jerry to bring him something to wear. The woman finds him, in his underwear, and says, "I told you this city would eat you alive!"

                                          

This episode is about George taking over Jerry's kitchen and starting a new business of harvesting the 'crust' off the top of pudding. He has some in plastic wrap, showing it to Jerry at Monk's, their diner of choice.

Wednesday when Justin bagged up my clothes from my cleaning spurt, he also brought my file baskets out of the closet for me. I stored them in there since Linda's visit to make room for the wingback chair. The clean look appealed to me and I will have him wheel the cart back into the closet again once I am done filing. I hope that is soon! Now that the taxes are done, there is no really valid excuse for not cleaning off the desk. I should make sure that's all done before I head to WI in May. This will be my goal!

My arm has returned to what has been normal, no longer aching like it was on Wednesday. In that posting, I used a graphic of racks of shirts. My friend, Joanie, asked me on Facebook if that was actually my closet. She hoped it was so she could show her husband that it's really okay to have so many items in one's closet! Broke my heart to tell it was not really mine, but it was my mistake for not taking a BEFORE picture of the closet!

Two in one day

I have two baby showers coming up, not two in one day, though. That title references my Bible studies on Thursdays. But the showers are this Sunday afternoon and then one next Wednesday evening, as part of the Happy Hour event at The Club. In order for me to participate, I will have be there at 6:00 pm and leave promptly at 6:30 to allow travel time to choir rehearsal. 


The bar manager, Jacob, and his wife, are expecting their first child and the 'regulars' are holding the shower for them. Jacob is the nicest, most polite young man I have met in a long time. Because he is so sweet, I allow him to address me as Miss Day, even though I have asked repeatedly for him to at least say Miss Kim. Nope, no can do! And Lahaie Day is too much to remember on the fly...


Sunday's shower is for Lisa W., the daughter-in-law of my friends, Jimmie and Brenda. I will make the journey to Clay Hill to help them celebrate the pending birth of their first grandson. Jimmie and Brenda have two granddaughters, Faith and Hope, by their son JD, but now, a grandson is on the way! Lisa is the young lady who does my toes for me so I will have to wear closed-toed shoes that day!


Justin told me about a baby bib he saw in a parking lot where he was working (landscaping) which he thought quite clever. Paper on one side, with a plastic backing, with ties at the neck. A little pocket at the bottom to catch the drips, and then, throw it away! Or, leave it in the parking lot for someone else to pick up. I think I will look for some of those to give as gifts to the new parents, as well as some wipes and disposal bags, always good things to have!
                                   
His describing the bib reminded me of the time I sent extra napkins along to school, when he was in pre-k, to protect his uniform shirt from the spaghetti sauce they had on Mondays. When he came home, his shirt still had sauce stains on it, despite his extra napkin/bib. I asked him about it and he said, "Well, one side got dirty, so I turned it around..." That is sooo Justin!!


Today I had the distinct privilege of attending a pair of Bible studies, one at Victory. What a great give 'n take we had this a.m., and eventually we even finished the lesson. Pastor shared some sad news affecting members, two separate instances of suicide. One family had their parent, recently left a widower, take his life. Another couple had their dinner interrupted as a bullet shattered a framed picture on their living room wall. What? 


It seems their next door neighbor put one in his head while sitting in the backyard. It exited out the other side of his head, through the wall of their home, and shattered the picture. Much much more was shattered that evening than the picture on the wall. 


It is so tragic, the lack of hope these poor folks had. Neither men were practicing Christians, but even we believers feel pressed down on occasion. Prayers for all those affected, those left with questions...


Our small in number group discussed several issues relating to these events and what the Bible says about them. One man who is known for speaking when he should not said some rather...um....less- than-sensitive things, which the rest of us resisted. (How diplomatic was that????) Unless someone has lived with or around a person with mental illness, you cannot speak to it. There!! Even though the actual topic on the pages of the study booklet escape me, the memory of the conversations do not.


Sadly, Rita was absent yesterday as were Marilyn and Judy A. I missed them in the class, my only chance to see them once a week. Oh well, next week, then!
                           
About 5:30 pm Judy C. called to ask if I had plans for dinner. I did not so off we went to meet 'n eat at Steak and Shake, for which she had coupons again. She got home from babysitting early which freed her for dinner before BIC.  
                     
When I order my single burger, I get only pickles on it and use the ketchup at the table to add to the burger. The sandwich comes with shoestring fries and my soda was free with the coupon. Less than $5 and I couldn't finish the fries!


Our friend, Amber, was planning to be at class, and she made it. Whew! Sunday she was absent from church and missed class last week with company in town, which made Judy and me nervous. 


We were discussing baptism tonight and at one point, Amber whispered to me, "That's my problem---I never got baptized!" We were talking about being sinful from birth and having evil inclinations, rebellious toward God, and such. I whispered back to her, "It's not too late..." and she had written on her blank page in bold letters "Not baptized". I think now is good to have a baptism! 


Sometimes I wonder how much is being absorbed due to her concentration problems and such since her stroke but I think she gets it. Knows what is missing in her life, a life in faith! As we parted company, she told Judy and me that she is going to talk to Pastor about being baptized next week. Yes, and I will say prayers of thanksgiving for that day....


" I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."