What a great witness!

Today on Facebook I saw a link for a news story where a member of an anchor team on a local newscast somewhere in OH made an announcement. The show was ready to wrap, his co-host and he were sitting off to the side on chairs, knee to knee. He said that his cancer had returned and was advancing rapidly. He had only a few months, if that many, to live. His female co-host was softly weeping, which made me wonder if this was news to her as well. Anyway, Dave said he was entirely at peace with what was to happen to him, and he was prepared to meet the Lord. It such a wonderful testimony of his belief in the Lord, saying, "I am in God's hands." And then they signed off. Wow, powerful and moving! I pray he does not suffer long.

At my home church there is a young man who is suffering with an inoperable brain tumor. He has a wife and two young children he will be leaving behind. It is heart-wrenching to think of what he will have to go through and wondering how his wife will get along after he is gone. She has a strong family support system, and, of course, the congregation there for her, which helps greatly. In his case also, I pray he does not suffer long.

Justin has been working on my computer and my phone, trying to coax my phone to recognize the newly reset password for my e-mail account. We'd gotten a notice the other day to reset them to avoid being hacked, but the phone won't accept the new address. My boy is relentless in his endeavor to get me access to e-mail from my phone. It is rather important if I am not at home. He is so capable when it comes to things like this. 

Linda and I are cooking up plans for her pending visit here next week (yikes!). So far we are going swimming, to Bible study, out to eat, and even hosting a party for Oktoberfest! She loves to cook and bake so is thinking of what to make for her dish to share. I will likely make the meat dish since I don't have to transport it. Maybe a pork roast or ribs...hmmm? I better get moving on inviting folks, planning on the usual gang from the pool for this event, since Linda had such fun with them all in May when she was here. This is so exciting, I love people around the table!!  Auf weidersehen!

Enjoying the pool side

It was a grand and glorious day at the pool today, at long last. The water most assuredly could have been warmer for my tastes but thanks to the sun beating on me, I endured! It was great to see everyone again, well, at least those who are not working or otherwise involved. Bob was there doing his version of laps, swimming back and forth the width of the pool instead of the length. He said he has lost weight over summer doing this so good for him!

One friend, Janet, stopped where I was sitting to introduce me to her visiting niece. Pam had wanted to go out on the sailboat but Janet declared it was too hot to do so. Now that's a problem! It was 91 for the high and I guess just sitting out on the water with no breeze doesn't work too well for sailing. I bet her niece wondered what in the world was going on---too hot to go boating??? Yeah, I know...

Thankful that my neighbors, Hugh and Maureen, with the assistance of Connie, put the flag up in remembrance of the terror attacks on 9/11. We can see this from the pool, of course, and is admired by many.

Last weekend my friends, Bill and Nancy, went on a sailboat adventure with another couple from the pool, Charles and Kathleen. It was a beastly hot day and not windy at all, but off they went. They ended up having to use the little motor to move the boat from Point A to Point B, which was incredibly slow, and miserable, according to Nancy. I was concerned for them going out at 6 pm, fearing bad weather would come up like it usually does, but they were fine, except for the slow movement. They were telling me all about it today at the pool. 

Other friends from the pool, Tim and Stephanie, were telling their boating stories as well, only theirs were funny. At least to us, perhaps not to Tim. They took their pontoon boat out one day and ended up having the motor fall off. They had to call around for help, glad to have their cell phones along, and had service. Finally, they got hold of Charles who came with his jet ski to tow them back in. It was not a simple fix for this either, since the engine falling off pulled the fuel line out, etc. Tim tried to make the repairs himself but to no avail. His wife says he is not the handiest guy, which might explain why the engine fell off in the first place. Man, that was some funny stuff!!  A good day of laughing when at the pool, don't even mind the pesky love bugs!

A day of remembrance

Today is the day we remember the Muslim terror attacks on our soil, using this nation's airplanes to attack the financial district, the hub of our military, plus the foiled attempt to hit the US capital building in Washington, DC. Our nation remembers the souls lost in the buildings, on the planes, those doing the rescuing, and those simply walking down the street, minding their own business. If that had not taken place in 2001, the same year that Timmy died, I'd say this event was the worst thing to happen that year. Pastor Hoyer had preached a powerful sermon that New Year's Eve, looking back on the terrible events of 2001, but my former spouse and I reflected back to the loss of our son instead....

I checked for programs on the cable channels recounting that fateful day's events, thinking I might even stay home from Bible study to watch them. I found nothing in the daytime hours, so I went to class. When I got there I expressed my desire to watch the shows which recap where people were when the attacks came, who survived and how, and memorials for those lost. I liken it to biting on a sore tooth, watching these programs offered every year at this time. A couple of the guys in the group basically scoffed at my wishing to watch the shows, asking why I would want to see them, urging in not so loving ways to just let it go. Nice!  And that, my friends, is why this can happen again in the future!

A vertical rainbow on the river this afternoon, another remembrance that God made for us, His Promise

Not to be deterred, I did check the TV Guide on-line to see what was being offered the rest of the day, finding more programs later in the schedule. Good! But first, I accepted an invitation to join some friends for dinner at Pasta Market. Mike S. had told us that they'd had a one day forced close following a health inspection (Yikes!) so we wanted to show Sam our support by going in to eat. Unfortunately, Mike had a meeting at church tonight but Michael, Judy, Betty, and I were able to go. We were the only dine-in guests so I am quite glad we did go. Sam told us he is bringing in deli service to provide sandwiches and other type fare in hopes of gaining more customers during the lunch hours. Plus he is getting a refrigerated glass case for displaying his desserts. Now, that's a good idea because seeing sells!

I ordered a personal-sized pizza for my meal and this is what Sam made for me---a 12" pizza!!  Obviously, I had leftovers...

Treated like royalty

Last night Justin and I had dinner at Koko's (Saigon Tokyo Bistro), the first time being there in a while. They miss us when we let too much time go by between visits. It is hard on me to not have them open at lunch time anymore because I would have lunch there at least once a week with my friends. They simply could not justify having the lunch hours and it was hard on their staff as well. We want them to stay in business so I will go as often as I can to help keep their doors open. We generally get two meals for the price of one each so the cost is not exactly prohibitive in that regard. 

Tracy, one of the owners, is so good to us, as are the chefs and wait staff. They automatically bring Diet Cokes, know I like two dishes of yumyum sauce, and take onions only for my dinner veggies. And, the chef gives Justin my shrimp appetizer without me having to say anything. More than once as we've left the restaurant with our to-go boxes in hand Tracy or Chris tells us to "have a Kimmy Day!" So cute! Tracy thanks me for posting such positive updates on Facebook, appreciates starting the day with a Bible passage (her daughter finds them for her, she said). This is why I want to keep Koko's open! 

This morning's dramatic sunrise

This morning I went out to water exercise class, braving the now chillier pool temps in order to get a work out. It was said once that shivering is a way to burn calories so I was burning away well before the class got underway. Once we get used to it and start moving around it isn't as bad, but even splashing water on ourselves (myself) in our routines will cause more shivering to result. I wonder how many calories I burn by complaining? I sure do my fair share of it when I am cold, believe me. It was nice to be sitting in the sun while drying off.

There is no need to make dinner plans tonight since we have leftovers to enjoy. Makes for an easy and quick meal for us, after Happy Hour, that is. Not sure I will have any tapas tonight, we'll see if they offer a special or not. Justin can easily polish off both our boxes of leftovers if he wants to, if I do decide to have something with my friends at HH. Right now I can't even think about it but later, all bets are off!

An upcoming gallery show

We have had more than our share of rain of late, today included. I waited as long as I could to head up to Great Hang Ups, so between showers, away I went! The piece I entered in the upcoming photography show was juried in (forgive me if I am repeating myself) so now I had to go up to the store to pay my fee for the framing. All the frames will be the same size and color which is cool, and much easier for Julia to do the hanging in the shop. We are getting the frames for about half the cost of retail so I've got no complaints there. I had hoped to get there before noon to see Dee but I missed her. She leaves to take lunch to her husband but the rain held me back. Shoot!

I am also going to be the hostess for the opening reception which is the 21st so I'll have to rush there from church to be on time. The artists in the show generally do bring something to the opening. I am asking Justin to make some of his mini-pies for me to take to the reception. It's finger food and a sweet, which everyone likes, including me. Justin will be going to the football game that day so I'll have to take the treat to church with me and keep it cold in the fridge. Hope I won't forget it there!

After my time at Hang Ups, I stopped at Publix, glad the rain had ended. I had such a nice time shopping there, always a good experience at Fleming Island's store. Not that other locations are bad, I simply am more familiar on the Island. Not familiar enough, however, because I had to ask two different young men for help finding something, or reaching something from a high shelf. I made note of their names because if a customer reports good customer service, the employee gets a free sub sandwich for their reward. I hope Josh and Chris get their sandwiches! I am making a new-to-me recipe, Pasta Fagioli, like they serve at Olive Garden. Had to find some ingredients I don't normally purchase and the fellas helped me out. 

As I drove home, the heavens opened once again, so I had to unpack my perishables from the car in the pouring rain. I had packed them in such a way as to make the sorting easier once home. Too bad Connie wasn't around to lend me a hand but I managed to get what needed to be kept cold upstairs. That is a job! Makes me feel badly for my sister, Lynn, who has to carry her groceries up a flight a stairs. I am so thankful for our working elevator, for which I paid dearly several years ago!

A meeting of the minds

Tonight we had Ladies' Group at church for which I had written and printed the right Minutes this time. Last month I was in WI and thought I had sent Terri the Minutes, but it came to light that they were not sent. Probably a good thing I failed to send them because they were 'saved' under the wrong month. Ugh! Am I getting old or what???  I have to check and double check things these days because of making foolish mistakes like this.

Anyway, we had a good meeting tonight with much to discuss regarding the upcoming Fall Rally. We ladies need to provide the continental breakfast on the morning of the Rally and dessert for the lunch. Chefs Mike 'n Mike are making lunch---smoked butt and side dishes---the best Rally food in the North Florida Circuit!! I cannot wait! The Rally speakers will be staying with me so I will have to make things ready for them, after Linda leaves, that is.

This morning many of these same ladies met for Bible study at church, having an excellent class. We had such good give 'n take, sort of like when Michael used to do our classes, talking about Martha and Mary. The discussion was whether Martha should have been scolded or if Mary was falling down on the job of being hostess for Jesus, etc. I have felt sort of bad for Martha (yes, I know the 'one thing needful' that Mary was getting) and wish that the story of her powerful witness about the resurrection followed more closely in the Bible than it did. Obviously not rewriting the Bible or anything but those of us who are hostesses and know what needs to be done for guests understand Martha's distress, and those who are hungry for the words of the Lord also understand Mary's settling in to listen to Jesus speak. Like I said, it was a great discussion today, and it felt so good!

For our lunch today the ladies kept asking, rather in general, where we were going to eat. I kept saying, "Wherever you decide..." because neither Judy nor I want to be the ones to always pick. But, no one would commit so finally it was determined we'll go to our stand-by of Longhorn, because Jackie likes it. I do, as well, but don't want to always be the one making the decision. She doesn't like having to pay for her soda which used to be free when ordering on the kids' menu, but she's gotten used to it now. That was one reason we were going other places for lunch, such as the great deal we get at Dairy Queen. It's okay to switch it up once in a while---I can adjust!

A little peek into the past

Justin and I had a most depressing afternoon, at least it ended up that way. First we went to church (I went ahead of him for Bible study) and then attended worship. After church he headed right off to Jesse's as they were tailgating before settling in to watch the 1st game of the season for the Jaguars. Justin had made some wings this a.m. before church, baking them, and then they deep-fried them the rest of the way at Jesse's for their lunch. Sounds good, but not as good as Chili's for the rest of us!

The game started out great, though I didn't actually get to see the first quarter since the restaurant had the Dolphins game on instead. When I got home I found the Jags were ahead 7-0 which was a delight to see and at half-time, the  announcers on the TV made the remark "It's all Jacksonville here in Philly..." with a score of 17-0. Well, THAT was short-lived!!! I don't know what happened in the Eagles' locker room but they came out ready to play, and ended up defeating the Jags 34-17. The first half belonged to the Jags, and the 2nd half was all Philly. Sad sad sad!

Justin came home after the game, of course was perturbed at the outcome but with leftover chicken. He had made a 7 layer taco dip yesterday which he decided to have for his dinner while I simply had some cucumber salad which I had made on Friday. Not much of a dinner for either of us but it did the trick as far as I am concerned. We had a good visit before he retired to his room and I came to my desk. Then, he came back in here and was looking for something on my necklace rack in the bathroom, announcing, "Yes, you still have it!" He came out carrying a dusty but lovely bracelet he had given me for Christmas 7 years ago. 

                                         

He asked me if I can still wear it or if it has gotten too small (he meant that in the nicest possible way). I told him I didn't know if it did or not but I could not ever put it on by myself due to the way it fastened. I laid my arm out and he attempted to affix it to my wrist. His big 'man hands' struggled to push the bead through the loop and I eventually tried to help him, managing to get it hooked. It was not tight but we really had to squeeze my flesh to get it fastened. I wonder if one of my jewelry-making friends could fashion a different type of fastener for it so I could wear it. 

The reason he was so interested in this particular gift to me is because it is the first item Justin ever purchased using his Amazon account. Somehow he could do a look-back to see his purchases and this is what he found. He sent me this picture via e-mail to show me his purchase and the bracelet I have is exactly like this one pictured. It was fun for him to do the look-back to see what he has purchased over the years, now using the Prime for purchasing which gives free shipping. He even bought his text books on Amazon which was wise. Justin is not only a shrewd shopper, he is also thoughtful, knowing my likes and loves quite well. One year I got the marvelous gift of water detectors from him for Mother's Day which have afforded me peace of mind on rainy nights such as this one!