I love fruit and brats!

Well, the fruit I love is actually in a glass, a nice strawberry margarita at La Nop with the church ladies! Judy J., who picked me up tonight, along with Wanda B., prefers the regular margarita with the salted rim. Some of the others enjoyed glasses of wine, sangria, or Miller Lite, while yet others had water or soda. A nice group of about 15, minus Martie who never showed up, had a nice evening of Mexican food and each others' company!

It was Wanda's first time having Mexican food and she was directed to the lesser flavored or spiced menu options. My usual meal is a single beef quesadilla which is innocuous, as I told Wanda, "what kids would order..." The equivalent of a peanut butter sandwich. Afterwards she remarked her meal was good but nothing she'd rush right back to have again. We were just glad she came tonight, as this was rare for her.

I was watching The Five with Linda and told her I had to sign-off early in order to get ready, as Judy was coming for me at 6:00 pm. No sooner did I put my shoes on when my phone went off, Judy announcing her arrival at 5:54 pm! She is forever early and inevitably has to wait for me to come downstairs. We weren't due at La Nop until 6:30 pm but since I am the organizer of the event, wanted to be there ahead of time. And, I was!

                              

Earlier in the day I went to Bible study with Michael as our leader. We discussed the dangers involved in sorcery, divination, harmless 'games' played with hidden dangers such as Ouija boards and Dungeons and Dragons. We further discussed the amazing amounts of films and TV programs which feature zombies, werewolves, vampires, and gruesome slasher movies, like "Friday, the 13th" series. And how music can affect us, become part of our subconscious whether we like it or not. Lots of great give 'n take participation today!

A group of us had lunch at Longhorn, and then agreed we'd meet again in a few hours at La Nop! Not all of us, of course, as some don't venture out after dark, but the majority of us at that table would be around another table that night! I had the chicken tenders with most of it leftover. Just not all that hungry today for some reason.

When I was finished with lunch, I drove up to the cemetery to place the bouquet, which graced the chancel on Sunday, at Timmy's gravesite. The flowers, bright yellows and crisp whites, were in rembrance of Timmy's baptism. After lunch Gretchen said to me how she thought the bouquet was so lovely Sunday and I am thankful she told me that. I have nothing to do with what is ordered but somehow they are always perfect!

                                       

The other night Justin and I had Ming Moon for dinner, which he picked up on his way home. He had gotten me chicken in addition to my wontons and they were yet in the fridge. I added my tenders leftover from lunch to the collection of boxes, and then had a brainstorm----chicken salad! I got out my blitz hacker from Pampered Chef and proceeded to emulsify these encased chicken pieces into something resembling salad. Mixed in some chopped up pickles and mayo, and it was so good! My hands and arms are still tingling from the pounding on the blitz hacker. 

                                           

No one would notice the pounding in my kitchen as compared to the work going on over head. My neighbors are renovating their master bath and the bathroom behind it, which are now connected. They want them to be two entirely separate bathrooms, like mine are, and renovating the laundry room at the same time. Walls are being moved, wood torn out, and yes, pipes being worked on---ahhhh!

                                   

It's good to have a full week ahead of me, but not so good when Justin is trying to plan his meal making around my schedule. It looks like he can prepare his chicken recipe for us on Thursday evening, the ingredients for which were purchased yesterday after lunch. At this moment, I actually have zucchini in my refrigerator! We also picked up two packs of brats from the BO/GO bins so that will be tasty with peppers and onions. Yummy! Have to endure the zucchini before I get the brats!

A day at the beach

Actually it was a night at the beach. On Friday Linda O. called to invite me to her condo, now her permanent residence, in St. Augustine, Saturday evening. The resident "character" and social coordinator, Fred, a throw-back to the 60's, had been after her to have a bonfire again. He is the king of the bonfire! I am the queen! Linda told him she would call Kim, asking him if he remembered the lady who liked to poke the fire so much. I am a fire poker from way back....Indeed he did!

Linda had hot dogs to roast and her daughter, Lisa, brought the works for making s'mores. I got to see Linda's friend, Carol, again, and meet her husband, Bob. Others from the property came out to enjoy the fun as well, including Helmut who has owned a unit there almost since they were built. 

His wife was back home in Germany undergoing treatment for breast cancer, being tended by her daughter. He said, "They told me I'd be in the way..." Helmut is a real sweetheart, and a fascinating gentleman to listen to. He said his wife, Vilma (Wilma) sends him his orders every day through 'the e-mail', with that day's orders about how to properly do the laundry . What a good laugh we had over that. He said she is responding well to her treatment, no ill effects, and can still issue her orders.

Lisa told me her big news---she is pregnant! I think she got married about three or four years ago (I missed the shower, I think I was sick) and now, at age 40, she is pregnant! At 21 weeks, I could not even see evidence of it. The organist at Victory, Rachel, is also 40 and expecting, so these two ladies have much to talk about at church. I think Rachel is 5 weeks further along than Lisa. This is quite exciting! 

Her sister, Heidi, met her husband while working at the New Beginnings Home alongside her mom a year or so ago. They were married in October. And, I heard that their brother, Vincent, has a young lady friend now. He is a pilot, in training to be a captain (left-hand seat!). Lisa said he must be serious since he brought her to meet them a week or so ago. That's huge! I know this family from GS, so remember the kids as being younger. Fun to see them as 40 years old and pregnant!

The bonfire was marvelous, roasting the fronts of our bodies while our backsides were chilled. Fred had made some very sturdy benches for around the fire so I didn't need to haul my chair down there. (Today Justin apologized for forgetting to put my chair in the car for me...I had asked him to do so earlier) I had carried my own chair down to the car, and when Linda said I didn't need to take it out of the car, my hands were freed for my sodas.

It was also great to see Carol again, and she asked about Justin. She is so taken with him, and was surprised to hear he is going to be 26 this year. Her hubby and she brought their toy poodle along with them, dressed up in a sweater. It was chilly out there, not compared to up north, of course, but the poor puppy was shivering! One of the other ladies snuggled the poodle, protecting it from the breeze with chair cushions. 

Many of the occupants of the condos are renters, there for a month or even just for a week. One such couple came out to the fire, from Columbia, SC. If anyone had trouble understanding Helmut with his strong German accent, they were in a for a real treat talking to that gentleman who I believe was speaking English. Oh, my goodness! What a drawl! No, not a drawl really, but a series of words with no beginning or ending. There was inflection but it was a challenge to make sense out of what he was saying. He was trying to tell us about a controlled burn he saw in SC, and I served as interpretor to the others. Thankful for the years I worked at Sprint and handled these Southern callers!

When we were done around the fire, Lisa, Linda, and I went up to her condo so I could see her renovations. She updated her kitchen and bathrooms, getting it ready to be her primary residence. Having to squeeze her two homes together is a challenge so this will be a project for her. 

She is no stranger to projects, though, as she is leaving soon for Antigua to see about starting a New Beginnings Home there. Linda will be gone for two months so the rest of the settling in can wait until she returns! 

Lisa was going to stay overnight and she asked me if I was staying also. No, I would be driving back to OP, and shared with her the cautions from my mom and from Justin. Before he left for his day, he asked, "Are you going to be late tonight? Do you have your glasses?" Yes, I have my glasses but no, it won't be too late. Mom cautioned me about drinking and driving (no worries), drinking Diet Coke only. And my GPS took me right to the door of Linda's condo. Well, not quite---she's on the 2nd floor!

As I sit here...

  

Snow being hauled away from the streets of my hometown

...the sun is shining on my back and shoulders, making me squint my eyes. If there was snow on the ground, it would be blinding to look out at it. So very thankful for the return of the sunshine!

I have been watching the news all morning, seeing the snow plows attempting to clear the roads in the North East. Some of the radio hosts were making light of the situation, as if it were the worst storm ever and like they couldn't handle it up there. Some of those in NYC were figuratively shrugging their shoulders as to what the excitement was all about. It is winter, after all. 

My hometown seems to roll with the storms---picks itself up and dusts itself off. What IS tragic is that many folks in the NE are still not recovered from the super storm, Sandy, last fall, which is a crying shame. Good thing there were promises that no red tape would hold things up!

*****

My friend, Linda J., had to drive to Chicago this a.m. She sent me a text message letting me know she arrived safely and is snuggling with her little granddaughter. Someone in her son's extended family is being kept alive via artificial means, and her loved ones are gathering to say their farewells before the machines are discontinued. 

A tragic situation to say the least, and what makes it moreso is that she is only a bit older than me. We just never know when our time will come, or what it will be that takes our life. As Linda said the other day, we must always have oil in our lamps for when the Lord calls us home. A couple of strokes, one relatively minor, and the other causing traumatic injury to her brain. Linda's role in all this is one of support on the home front, and to say the right things to the family when the time comes. Prayers for all involved would be appreciated.

I was chatting with my sister about this and she said her living will states to not keep her alive artificially. I was glad she told me this because if something happened, like a traffic accident or such, folks would not necessarily know her wishes. Now, we do! Justin know my wishes as well, to let me go home to the Lord. No tough decision there, just let me go. 

*****

This morning I got a phone call from a number I did not recognize. Thankfully, I took the call, as it was friend, Fran, from The Club. We made an appointment to meet for lunch on Tuesday, as she needs to have a chat. Love it! Very much looking forward to our time together. Haven't seen her since the pool season ended, and I hate that!!! Glad she misses me as much as I miss her...
             

                Guess which one is Fran

It's really too bad that some people are only seen by me in the summer, and once Labor Day comes, no more. Rats! I am not good with that. There are Club members who never set foot at the pool but I see them indoors. For some, never the two shall meet. Their loss, and sometimes mine, too.

Plans are being made to have a dinner here during Linda's pending visit. On Saturday noon of her visit a group of us are going to the Alhambra Dinner Theater to see a play, "Driving Miss Daisy", starring Michael Learned as Daisy. Judy and I are treating Gretchen, as she is Miss Daisy! Should be a blast! The dinner then would be on Friday, with the theme yet to be determined. Justin suggested it be all new recipes, no ones' standard contributions, or I thought about making ThanksLiving dinner for the ladies. We shall see!   
                    

       Lonnie made this lovely picture board

Monday, Jackie V. helped me to put the photographs, remounted, into the picture board at church. I did the shaving of the edges of each one as they were fit into the slots. So very glad I didn't do them all at once because it seems each one fits differently. We are so appreciative of this lovely display board and realize its being hand-made makes it all the more special. I can shave as needed to get the photos into the slides.

I wasn't really watching her put the photos in place and didn't realize until it was sort of late that all the photos were put into the first four rows. We have PLENTY of room to spread them out, so none crowd the others. I can move them around another time, as it felt good to have them at last in the display.

                              

In a couple weeks our former pastor comes back to speak to us about our mentoring program, to see what the interviews and such brought to light. We will have a Saturday meeting complete with a pot luck luncheon, for which I am really looking forward. We haven't really had one in a while, since we have our chefs Mike 'n Mike often cooking for us these days. This time we folks get to do the cooking, or shopping, as the case might be.

An awesome story

This morning I went to the Breakfast Club gathering expecting, without knowing for sure, the others to join me. At first I was alone, but visited with a couple of ladies who were guests at the hotel. One lady complimented my hair, wishing she could wear hers this way, except she didn't think she could pull it off. Apparently, according to her, I have the face for it.

As it grew time for the buffet to be taken down, I decided to begin eating. Kathy, the breakfast lady, made sure I had the 'right sized' soda glass as suggested by Marlena, and she kept it full. The breakfast buffet is the same each week, the leftovers after the Rotarians are done. The bacon is done to perfection, and this time I was able to pick it up with the tongs and not have it crumble to pieces.

As I was about finished, Pat showed up! I was so glad to see her and after our hug, handed her the movie I brought along for her. A couple weeks ago we'd discussed the movie, "Freedom Writers". She said she will enjoy watching it at some point before next week's breakfast. I'd have loved to watch with her but oh well...

As we visited, I told her about a book I'd seen on-line the previous day that talked about paying attention to the stuff around you, taking pleasure in the sights and sounds we tend to rush past on the street. I described it as a "stop, and smell the roses" book, though I wished to avoid the cliche.

Pat smiled and told me a story about one of her students from years back. When teaching her second graders, she was presented with a very difficult student. Andi had spastic quadraplegia, which included un-controlled motions among other problems. The parents wanted her taught the same things the other kids were, despite the fact that Pat was not a special education teacher. Mom and Dad would take turns in the classroom until Pat was given an aide. Because of the spasticism, Andi could not use regular scissors so Pat found a pair of needle point scissors requiring a different motion than a regular pair. Andi mastered them. 

Pat felt badly that she couldn't actually teach this little girl the same way she taught the others, Andi being so different than the others. At recess, Pat and little Andi would sit on a mat while the others played. Well, one day the occupational therapist brought Andi back to the classroom, and put on a demonstration for the class. Andi got down on the floor and managed to 'inch worm' her way forward. A major accomplishment!

After this demonstration, Pat was writing something on the board, and then turned around to find her class on the floor, trying to do what their friend, Andi, did. They said, "Look, Ms. Pat, we can be like Andi!" It was a profound moment for Pat as a teacher, discovering that while she was trying to make Andi more like the other kids, they wanted to be more like Andi! She said that teaching Andi helped her to 'stop, and smell the roses', and gives it special meaning for her.
                              
I asked what happened to Andi later in school, and Pat said, "Her parents died when a train bridge broke in LA..." Oh my! It seems the three of them were traveling by train coming back from somewhere. When the bridge gave way, the dad was able to push Andi in her wheelchair up through a window, and then he dove back for the mom. The train car shifted, and both the parents died. Andi survived, in part, because her parents had insisted she be taught to swim like other kids were taught....and she lived through the accident.

The last Pat heard from her dear Andi was that she was getting married and lived in Ohio now. She had gotten a rather substantial settlement from the railroad and she was able to live 'like other kids' after the loss of her parents. 

Of course, I had tears in my eyes and the hair on my arms was standing up. I told Pat that I was so glad to know her and enjoyed her stories from the classroom, even those that involved teaching on the floor when hearing gunshots outside. Yikes! These are extraordinary people, these teacher friends of mine! 

What a day!

Today I had every intention of attending Bible study at Victory. Before I left home, I called my downstairs neighbor to let her know that the remodeling would begin today in the unit above mine. We need to know these things "in case" anything happens. They are remodeling two bathrooms, including the master bath plus the laundry room. That's lots of water pipes we are talking about! Tracy was glad to know the news, and was relieved to know the team hired to do the work, as they are the ones who put their unit back to right after The Great Flood. And they did the original work upstairs, so this job is in good hands. Mine are folded in prayer that nothing horrible happens!

After talking with Tracy I headed out the door for Bible study. Once I got to the lobby I met Connie and one of the workmen. AJ was going to come up and knock on the door, to tell me about the remodeling project and such. What a nice guy! He said if anything goes wrong in my home from the remodel, I am to tell him about it promptly. Even if something falls off the wall from the demo portion, I am supposed to let him know. I wonder if he will do my dusting for me after they are done...No, I won't abuse his offer.

                                    

                 This 'key' is almost as tall as I am!

When his partner walked up, Connie showed them both the big 'key' used to shut off the main water meter---gulp! Oh, I hope and pray they have no use for the giant key! It seems today they only made a little bit of racket but did let me know there will be a good deal of noise once they start the tear out, in case I have company or anything. I did mention Linda coming at the end of the month but hopefully, if all goes well, the project will be close to completion.

                                  

I drove up Hwy. 17, having called my mom from the parking lot. We talked for a length of time, with me barely making any progress toward the freeway. For some reason traffic was extremely congested. It was getting to be 20 minutes and I was not even to Wells Road yet. And, while talking to Mom, Tracy called me, so I hung up with Mom to take her call, thinking something might have already happened with the remodel. I got her answering machine, at which point I decided to just turn around and go home. 

I called Rita to let her know I wasn't coming to class, and had to leave a message. Then, I called Mom back to let her know what was going on, hanging up once home again. When I tried to call Victory to let someone know I wasn't coming, I got a fast busy signal. NOT my day! But I was glad to have stayed home and minded my shop, as it were. I never did find out what Tracy was calling me for, and I wonder if it was a butt-dialed call. I never would have made it on time for the class, so my decision was wise. I used the time the same way, working on filing and other desk-clearing business. It was a good day but what a day!

Trying not to be gloomy Gus

We may have had rain overnight, or at least it rained somewhere as I heard the local weather guy report rain was coming down in some parts of the viewing area. This was last night, but the remnants of that rain remain in the form of overcast skies. 

Earlier I saw one blue streak in the sky between the clouds but it could not hold its own against the greyness. Several people I spoke with today reported feeling quite groggy, as though not having gotten enough sleep or something. Glad it's not only me!

*****

Yesterday Connie told me about neighbors, Rose and Joe, having some bookcases they were giving away. I went up to look at them, and decided Justin and I would take the three items off their hands, and out of their foyer. Connie told me the hand truck was in the 2nd floor elevator cubby to help us move them. Justin had a very long work day Tuesday, so we decided to get them picked up this a.m. before he left for work.

I arranged with Rose to get them around 8:20 but Rose called shortly after 8:00 to report they were up, saying we could come any time we were ready. Good! I sure didn't want Justin to be late for helping his father today. We also returned the dehumidifier which belonged to them, had it here since last May when the tropical storms came through. I had tried to return it a couple times but they encouraged me to keep it---just in case. 

The one full-height bookcase is almost a perfect match to the one Justin already has in his room, and the shorter one, same color, will work, too. If he doesn't want that one, I might keep it for myself. Joe also gave him a piece of furniture which is actually a record cabinet, but more substantial than any I had seen. It might work as a coffee table in the house when they get settled. 

                                       

I was guiding the shorter shelves on the dolly as Justin carried the record cabinet, which was quite awkward, with no handles or anything. The elevator door opened and here came Connie to the rescue. She commandeered the dolly from me saying, "You don't need to be doing this, Miss Kim". So I tagged along behind as Justin and she got the rest of the stuff into the house. 

It's hard to remember the days when I did actual physical labor but I aver, I did it! Nailing floors, stuffing insulation, stringing wires, staining and varnishing the trim in the house and painting the walls...My family was there, too, they are witnesses---I used to do physical work. Plus worked at my full-time job whichever it was at the time. Later my time would be spent at the desk, when I wasn't packing boxes to move every few months or every year. Such was the nature of our business.

                                      

I told Connie how my sister said to me one time, "My furniture carrying days are over..." after she had struggled valiantly to help her husband carry a sofa from one level in her home to another. One day she could still do it, but after the sofa battle, no longer. Just.like.that! Yes, I reached that same point some time ago, too, but really, I had that dolly with balanced bookcase well under control. Connie loves to be a helper, though, so I won't take that away from her!

The yard sale saga

Oh, I am so cute sitting at my desk! That is my dinner in front of me. Justin got a new phone with the proceeds from the yard sale, which he used for this photo. He didn't waste one moment in turning that cash into a cell phone!

Justin put in a long day today getting the yard sale wrapped up, and all things put to right at the site of the sale. Jesse and he delivered some of the items to buyer's homes, then delivered some stuff for donation to the Quigley House.

When I got home from Ladies' Group, he presented me with the lovely ruby glass bowl I'd had my eye on since I saw it on the table. Yes! I am so thankful no one else bought it and that he gave it to his mama. Something was missing yet in my home, and the red bowl takes care of that!

This is some heavy-duty glass, but so gorgeous!

He also brought me, as a good son would, an emergency candle which will provide 35 hours of light. Justin seems to think that happens far too often here and wants me to have light when the power goes out. 

(Sunday we lost power while we were gone, due to a car striking a pole with a transformer on it, near the train tracks. When our gang was eating at Sam's St. Johns Seafood, the lights flickered. We were told this was the 3rd time it happened, and we diners hoped it was the last.)

Justin scored a few items from the house himself, including a marvelous book of Norman Rockwell pictures, marked suitable for framing. Tucked inside that book was what appears to be the immigration certificate for the man's father. ("The man" being the deceased person from whose home all this stuff came). It is really cool, but also somewhat difficult to read. Perhaps in daylight we can more readily make out the dates. 

Justin also took a coffee table book about WWII, which is made up of front pages of the New York Times. The headlines or main articles are about the war. Both Ron and he are fond of this type of thing. I wouldn't mind sitting down with it too some time. It does smell a bit like smoke, as the guy was a cigar smoker, but it wasn't awful.

While the two guys were thrilled with the proceeds from the sale, Justin was less than thrilled with the amount of time and effort involved. He was put off by the 'type' of people who came, not all of them, but "some people you can just tell..." 

Justin is the more 'personable' of the duo and loved to chit chat with the customers as well. As upset as he got with some portions of the sale saga, he said they might have another opportunity for someone else's estate sale, claiming their pricing was so right on. 

Justin goes from claiming he'd rather be doing yard work to 'we might get to do this again!' in one sentence. It is good networking for them both, though, with one being in real estate and the other a born salesman!