What a goofy day!

Yesterday morning we woke up in North Florida to fog as thick as 'mushroom soup' as my little nephew would call it. Facebook was alive with reports of stop and stop traffic, folks late to work by an hour in some cases, while others took an alternate route through downtown to avoid the congestion on the beltway. I call it the freeway---how provincial of me!

                                               

The fog may have come into play for a terrible accident or two which took place around 4:30 a.m. on the other side of the Buckmann Bridge, sending four to the hospital, two after being ejected from the car. No seat belts were worn. To avoid that accident, a semi loaded with Blue Bell Ice Cream swerved to miss hitting a car which had abruptly changed lanes, and over he went. Fortunately, he was not injured but I don't know about the ice cream. Nothing good happens after midnight unless it's a baby being born, and that's it!

The fog hung in a long while and then suddenly, poof!, it was gone! The sun was shining, the sky was blue with some white clouds, and all was well with the world. But wait!, there's more! Justin had a short day of work, and had asked to use my car for shopping at the Town Center Mall. Since he was going out, I asked him to swing by Victory to pick up my floral arrangement ordered from one of their members. He did pick it up for me, a silk/artificial all-weather arrangement for the cemetery. Saved me a trip over there!

                              

But, while he was out, the winds picked up, the heavens opened, and we had a doozy of a thunder storm. I was concerned for him being out there in such terrible weather, and he hates it just as much. He was white knuckled, nearly, when he got home as he said my transmission was really acting up for him. Shoot, shoot, shoot!!! I felt sick to my stomach, but he thinks it should be okay for getting me to the airport on Thursday. I will see about getting it repaired when I return from WI.

Anyway, the storm lasted into the evening, and I wondered how my upstairs neighbor would manage to host all her guests, including me, for her Christmas gathering. She has the veranda which extends the width of the building, perfect for entertaining. As it turned out, the patio was dry enough for enjoyment, and the lightning simply added to the ambiance.

I had mixed up a packet of dip from my pantry, using sour cream and mayo already on hand, and served it with wheat Ritz. Don't know why I ever bought those! My "small appetizer" was not that small, because of the platter. Oh well! Justin was concerned about my slipping on the wet tile on the way up so he carried my appetizer tray for me to Nancy's door. Safe! 

                                   

I placed my $5 fee in the charity basket, and accepted the job of overseeing folks making their deposit, then writing their names on a piece of paper. Later, there was a drawing of the names, and that person got to say where the collected monies went. The lady who won donated the money to her favorite charity which is "Pets for Warriors" or something like that. It provides service animals or companion pets to wounded warriors. I was glad she won!

By 8:30 I was home again, after singing a rousing rendition with 11 others of "The 12 Days of Christmas". I worked up a sweat in the process, as it was warm and humid up there. Mid 70's, torrential weather, lightning, and The 12 Days of Christmas seemed like an odd mix to me!

The week in review

It seems I may have been remiss in recording some of my fun this past week. Since we don't have Bible study on Mondays until next January, that day is free. I wonder what I did that day...besides nothing? Sure do miss the Bible study and the lunch which follows with the ladies, and sometimes, gentleman. 

I did get to see many of them, and some who do not attend the study, at Judy's home for the Christmas party that night. I took spinach dip and scoop chips as my treat. Since I was not the only one bringing the dip, I got to bring much of mine home, which I finished off during the football game last night. We had 21 ladies there including Martie. I got a wonderful reed diffuser in a red vase, swapped with Jean for my bath and body stuff. Yay for me!

Tuesday my lady friends, Lee and Jacquie, took me to eat at Biscotti's. I had a marvelous skirt steak sandwich while the ladies had things I would never order. Of course, half of my meal came home with me, including sweet potato fries, my first time tasting them. Not bad, not bad at all!

That night I had Bible Information Class at Victory with a full table again. Love that! Stephanie and her mom, Jean, came, as did the three people working toward membership. I just love this class so much! Linda promises me some classes in Manty in order for me to be filled up there.

Wednesday was my booty shop visit and Big Mac attack, followed by worship with choir rehearsal. (We sang yesterday and had compliments on our hymn. The first stanza was sung in parts, the second one in unison, and the congregation joined for the last three. Not bad for our few in number.)

Thursday was Bible study at Victory, and no one misbehaved at all. We had a great class, lots of give 'n take, getting half way through the program he had planned. We are looking at Advent, and this class was about relationships. Always an interesting topic, and a tender one. Afterwards, Rita and I decided to grab lunch at Johnny Angels Diner, and four others joined us. What great fun that was, once the air conditioning was turned off. Oh my, how we froze when it ran---even the guys were cold!

I think I had Thursday night off, and tried my hand at making puff caramel corn. I would say it turned out but was a bit gummy in its consistancy. Not as good as the stuff my sister-in-law makes, nor as good as what I buy at Festival Foods!

Friday morning was Breakfast Club with Randy and Carol. I had to make a return to Publix, bought the wrong type of trash bags for the kitchen can. We must have the pull-string ties to secure our trash.  

Justin had to help his father put up a Christmas tree on top of the house, not his favorite task, so was late in getting home Friday. I had gone with Lee to a gallery open house and then had dinner with her at The Greek Restaurant. When Justin got home, he ate my leftovers which were offered to him. It seems I had lunch with someone that day, too, but right now I cannot remember who that was! Shame on me! 

Ah!!!, now I know where I was---a seminar at Edward Jones Investments! They provided lunch while we learned how we are doomed. Not really, but I did feel quite unsettled when I left there. A 93 year old lady across from me was so financially astute that I just kept quiet at the table! For the holidays, she wants to go down to Tampa to a casino for some fun. I asked her if Frank knew she was going and she laughed at me. He is no match for Edna!

Saturday I went up to Great Hang Ups as Dee told Justin at Publix that my picture was ready for pick up. I was so excited to see the completed piece and I hope the person who receives it will love it too! Dee put her personal touch to it which makes it all the more special. Justin spent the day at AMC Theater with his friend, Grove, with his fiance, watching a marathon of "Lord of Rings" movies. All stinkin' day! Last night he told me he liked it better the first time he marathoned in high school, because I let him skip! Nothing is ever the same the second time around, it seems....

Thanks, Michael!

Jim presented Michael, former Staff Minister, with a certificate of appreciation and a monetary gift on behalf of the congregation. Mike S. made the meal which was baked penne pasta with meat sauce and garlic bread. The ladies provided the desserts.  

  A group shot of the room as Mike accepted his gifts 

The line forms to the left! 

Robbie, Emily, and Kurt waiting for dessert time!

Midweek Advent Service

This photo was taken on Wednesday evening for our first Advent service of the season. When I entered the sanctuary, I remembered the frantic atmosphere of last year when we were searching and searching for our Advent banners. The Altar Guild leader was at her vacation home and was contacting folks here to look for them. 

Many of us took turns going into the sacristy in search of the blue banners. I even went so far as to call the dry cleaners to see if perhaps they were taken in for cleaning and forgotten. Nope, no sign of our banners. Then, suddenly, it occurred to one of us (might have been Carol) that we do not actually have any blue banners after all. Only the paraments and the stole are blue. How we laughed at ourselves over this! Now we have a photo to refer to for next year!

Ordinarily the baptismal font is located next to the Christ candle in the aisle but was moved over Sunday when the children sang before worship. It was forgotten to be moved back over, I guess. Also, the left side of the church is sort of roped off so folks would sit on one side only, due to only one or two ushers being there, but some like to sit in their place no matter what. It looks kind of funny, like someone didn't shower or something!

I did it!

I passed the test and got my driver's license renewed yesterday! Whew! I was filled with apprehension about not having the right paperwork along or not passing the eye test. It has been more than 12 years since my LASIK surgery and it is obvious age is catching up with me. 

My paperwork was all in order, fortunately, and I even had the paper needed to renew my license plates while I was at it. For the eye exam, the lady had to scoot the machine closer to the edge but I had to stand on my tippy toes to look into the machine and press the bar at the top with my forehead. "Read Line 5", which I did, or thought I had, but then she said to read the rest of it. 

                                             

What? Oops! There was another group of letters off to the right side which I did not see. Back up on my toes to read them off, and how close I got to correct I don't know. But, she gave me a license and out the door I went--only about 15 minutes start to finish, with no waiting. So glad that is behind me! Now I just have to put all the documents back in the safe again.

***

As I walked to The Club for breakfast this a.m., Chef was coming out the door and down the path toward me. He wondered if I was going for a dip this morning. Oh, how I miss the pool! He walked me the rest of the way into the building, and I did wonder where he was going when I met him. He was just coming to greet me. Yes, I was flattered and touched!

Unfortunately, Breakfast Club had only three of us this time. This weekend Carol and Randy are leaving on another cruise, a reunion of sorts, with folks they cruised with in spring. They sailed across the Atlantic from Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona, and then flew back. On a cruise that long, it was impossible to not become well acquainted with some folks. A group of them decided to cruise again this fall as a reunion with plans to hear the same piano player from the spring trip, only this time to the western Caribbean. Talk about groupies! 

As I was leaving The Club, the owner, Karrie, stopped me to ask if I would be there next Wednesday night for the Member Mixer. I cannot attend as I have Advent worship. She wanted me to be the leader of the singing for this event. Shoot! Of course it would be a nice evening but it would also be my last night this year with my church family. I choose my church family!

Time to clean off my desk! Must get all my documents and such dealt with before I leave!

O, Christmas Tree

Here are two of the decorated areas at The Club. This room above is referred to as the 'living room' of what was the original home, and is where Happy Hour was enjoyed a week ago Wednesday. You can see why it was so cozy and festive that night. There is a fire going in the fireplace in this photo but not a roaring one, which is why it does not show up. 

This is the room off the main dining room but I am not sure how it is referred when being described. It might have been the original dining room, given that there is a door to the kitchen, no longer used, in one corner. This fireplace is also large but not enough for me to stand up in. The living room fireplace opening is high enough for me to stand in if I so desire. This room is elegant and also is cozy.

Cliff diving

As much as I hate to do it, I have to use the media/government's word for our pending financial disaster, the fiscal cliff. One of the reporters from Fox hit the streets of NYC, Times Square in fact, to ask folks what they think the cliff is all about. Of the ones shown, not many knew much about it, but most knew it was not a good thing. It is not!

As I browse my catalogs from the various mail-order people and see the lovely things for decorating my home or someone elses, I cannot help but feel sad. Where I used to just purchase whatever suited my fancy without much consideration I now do exercise restraint. Nothing is the same as it used to be, and I think nothing ever will. My neighbors just had an appraisal done on their unit for a refinance and it came back quite favorable. Quite. However, that appraisal was done before our other neighbors lowered their sales price to below "the mark"---less than half of what they have into it. Rats!

                                          

Justin is researching more economical phone plans for himself, and for me, as I am presently out from under the contract on my cell phone. Now a month to month customer. He found a lesser-known reseller, MetroPCS, which he thinks would serve us well and save about me $80 a month on my bill. Wow! If it sounds too good to be true, it might be! We are going to check that out when I get back from WI. We are also going to look for what I need to add the Internet to my little laptop for when in WI, this after I had sort of decided not to do that. He is quite the salesman!

***

Years ago 'we' had a friend and business partner in my hometown, who was also our neighbor. He was the first millionaire we'd ever encountered. He was somewhat off-putting, a strictly business-type of guy, but once you got to know him, he was fine. He told me something once which I ponder to this day: "There is nothing worse than a former smoker or someone who has lost weight..." Think about it!

One of my friends has lost weight this year. I am glad for her but now her every conversation or comments have something to do with cardio workouts or similar. Enough already! She claims it is not obsession to exercise and lose weight, but if it isn't, I don't know what is! When someone quits smoking successfully, they are all over everyone else who smokes, trying to get them to quit, too. It is misery loves company, but in reverse, kind of....