So far, so good today

My day started on a bright note as this story was shared on Facebook by my friend, Pat. She reported shopping at Festival last evening, getting stuff for the Christmas celebrations coming up. A man got in line behind her holding only a couple of items so she urged him to go ahead because of her full cart. He did go ahead of her and swiped his card in the reader for his items. After he checked out, he swiped the card again and said to Pat, "Merry Christmas", and walked out. She wept with joy, thanking him as he walked away. The man just told her to "pay it forward". He had just bought her over $125 worth of groceries. Their food will taste so much better this holiday season because of this wonderful experience. Pat is wondering what she can do to pay it forward herself. Awesome story from my hometown!

This morning I took my car to the repair shop, arranging for Nancy to pick me up. I drove around a little bit before finding the shop but she drove right up to it. She'd been to an upholsterer down this strip of shops so was familiar. I was anxious about my car, of course, fearing the worst news as to what ails it. Nancy nicely took me to Winn Dixie so I could get a 12 pack of soda, enough to hold me over until I get my car back again. Or, until Justin can go get some more!  She needed fruit and veggies so didn't mind the extra stop. 

When I had asked her for the ride, she invited me to join her friend and her for lunch at Pompeii. At first I declined, not wishing to barge into their time, but today she assured me I would not be, so I agreed to join them. So glad I did! Besides meeting her nice friend, Cheryl, a former neighbor, I had the most marvelous roast beef sandwich I've had in a long, long time. Oh my! The beef was served on foccacia bread and simply delicious. I cannot wait to go back and have another one! I had the 2nd half for my dinner tonight and it was yet wonderful. 

Giant urn I would just love to have!

After our lunch the three of us walked over to the consignment store, Linen and Rust, in the same plaza as Pompeii, where I saw some beautiful pieces. I am glad my home is sufficiently decorated because I could easily be tempted to buy some of the things I saw there today. 

I asked Nancy to pose with this statue head so I could capture the enormity of it. What possible use would I have for such a thing? Who had it first??

We ladies then went over to Nancy's house to see Hank, the cat. He is so well trained that he used to use the toilet but then developed some sort of kidney or urinary issue so now uses a box like other cats do. He is so amusing, giving Nancy high fives and high tens on command, sits when asked like a dog would do, and even goes and rings a bell when Nancy asks him to. Cheryl was entertained by Hank, her first meeting of him. When Cheryl left, Nancy drove me back over to my house. Later I was thinking I could have just walked back...but I took the ride.

By late afternoon I still hadn't heard from Mark, the car repair guy. I knew he had another car in front of mine so didn't expect to hear from him. Just before 5 pm he called to say he cleaned some junk off something (technical terms) and thinks the car would run more smoothly. We talked about him doing a basic tune-up and he gave me a price on it, a reasonable one which should help the engine not vibrate. He was going to take it out on the freeway and see if he could recreate the strange sound once there was less traffic. Good plan! Mark is going to call me in the morning and let me know what he heard, if he did hear it, so we can discuss that solution. I am glad to be having the tune up, was way past due, much to my shame. My oil change people usually let me know when it's time and I didn't keep track of it either. 

Justin went to Jesse's right after work as they are watching the Star War movies in preparation for the new movie coming out on the 18th. They already got their tickets and are counting the minutes to the next one. I sure do hope they are not disappointed by it. 

My tech guy

Today Justin had a day off from yard keeping but sleeping until noon was out of the question. He had two tech appointments scheduled for this a.m. plus one who couldn't keep her appointment because she let the battery get too low and wasn't able to charge it. Something tells me Justin would have been able to charge it for her, but wasn't all that excited about having a third appointment. 

His first call was for 9:00 to determine if our neighbor, Ron's, TV had actually died or what. At 9:06 Justin was back, with money in his hand. He came into my room and asked me, "What do I usually tell you to do when something is giving you trouble?"  I said, "Reset!" and he said, "Yup! I just reached behind his TV, unplugged it, and then plugged it back in...ta da!" Ron was embarrassed, I'm sure. Justin said when it came back on, Ron just said, "I'll be right back..." and returned with money in hand for Justin. Nothing to this game! 

His next appointment was also in the building and also a TV call. Gus got a new TV (he told me his previous one came across on the Mayflower!) and needed Justin to program his remote controls for him. Gus is one of Justin's biggest fans, has mentioned to me a dozen times how handsome Justin looked in his tuxedo (it was actually just a suit) for the wedding. Justin made some easy 'mad money' in a just a couple of hours before lunch!

This evening we had worship with Pastor Lemke as our guest preacher. It was getting to be time to begin and no sign of our pastor. Michael was getting nervous, thinking he'd have to wing it, but had no notes or helps. Traffic is always horrendous and especially so at Christmas. Often folks are later getting to church due to this. Pastor and his wife were coming from Ocala which is a nice long ride in itself. Later we found out he'd tried to call Michael but he'd put his phone away in the briefcase and didn't think about it. We began only a few minutes late, which our members are used to (rarely do we begin our service on time) and Pastor did a tremendous job for us. 

The sermonettes were riveting as we learned about 'the dayspring from on high', and 'the key of David'. He somewhat personalized the sermons by calling out to the boys (a family of four boys), drawing their particular attention to a point he was making. Their grandma told me how much she liked that, made them feel involved. More than a children's sermon would do, she said. 

After the service the choir met to rehearse for two opportunities we have coming up. On the last Sunday of Advent we are singing two pieces, one an anthem and one the verses of a hymn from the Supplement. And then two new pieces for Christmas Eve. We didn't have enough people really for a decent rehearsal but at least gave it a nice run through. We will rehearse again on Sunday, and possibly a Saturday if folks can make it. I feel much better with more practice time but Kristi has such great confidence in us! 

I was so happy to pull onto this property and park my car. Nothing feels better, hardly anything, than getting back home and up to my cozy digs here behind my doors. Justin and I had met for dinner before church at 5 Guys since he had shopping to do at the Mall. He left ahead of me and then we met up. We got over to church without too much trouble, leaving from the Mall. By eating earlier, we didn't have to rush around preparing something after getting home from church and choir rehearsal. Ah, time for bed! 

Life in the shadows

As I sorted stuff from my travel cosmetic bag, taking out the items which I use daily and putting the rest away, I pulled out all my make-up items including eye shadows. 

There is a story behind this:  Linda's sister is an Avon lady. Avon has discontinued the type of shadow I use, the three on the left, but I wondered if Georgia had any left in stock for me to buy. She did not, but did have Linda give me the double ended one from her sample kit to see if I liked it. The colors are somewhat glimmery and will do in a pinch. 

At the airport the day I departed for WI I saw an eye shadow that applied with an applicator like lip gloss so I bought that, in my color of blue. It, too, will do in a pinch. Then, Linda gave me a Mary Kay shadow she got at an open house event, called "In The Navy". I love it! 

Lynn, Kerry, Jill, and I were shopping downtown Manty on Small Business Saturday, and we came upon a Mary Kay booth belonging to a high school friend, Julaine, where she also had the crayon shadows. There I found "Purple Smoke". And the price was right, too. I do believe I am all set with eye shadow for a while!

Ladies' Group Christmas Party

This evening we gathered in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate Christmas with our Ladies' Group. Last year's party had over 20 in attendance but sadly, this year we had 11 come, including a friend of Terri's. For whatever reason, many ladies who were usually part of our group were absent. On the plus side of this was two new attendees were with us this year including a lady who has been a member off and on longer than I have been at GS! The other young lady is a more recent member of our congregation and I wore her down with my nagging, um, invitations! 

Terri brought each of us an ornament plus a candy cane and bookmark

Janet is telling us the instructions for one of the games she had for us to play. Look at that table of food! My dish of meatballs tipped just before I got to church, soaking my car mat in sauce, but only lost one meatball. What a mess I'll have to clean up tomorrow!

Terri's friend, OJ, is checking out the ladies' gifts during the swap (Lynn, OJ, Trish, Renee) The bounty of food is on the table behind the ladies. Because we had so much food and so few attendees, we invited the Council members who were also meeting to come in and fill their plates.

Now in the thick of the gift stealing, I meant, exchange, Judy got the most lovely Christmas tray

Janet organized games for us including this one where we pass the gift bag back and forth between the three of us each time she said "Left" or "Right" in a reading of the Christmas story (Judy, me, Betty)

First time afttendee, Kathy, sitting with Kristi

Return to 'normal'

Today I had fits of activity followed by times of rest as I try to get settled back into my routine here at home. I got the washer busy with a few loads of clothes used on my trip to WI, some which mainly were mangled from being shoved in the suitcase. Others needed to be freshened up before being hung back in the closet. What my former spouse used to refer as 'partially worn' garments. My tops don't go in the dryer, however, so some my furniture is draped with clothes to air dry them. That's what you do when no wash lines are available or something must dry flat. I hope no one comes to the door!

Another reason I am trying to get the suitcase dealt with is I have a young lady coming on Friday to clean my bedroom so I want nothing to impede her progress. I had to laugh last night as I unzipped my luggage to grab the cheese curds out...immediately papers poured out onto the floor. Justin said, "Here come your church bulletins..." He knows me so well!  Also there were Bible study sheets in that mess on the floor. (Now on my bed!) For some reason I need to keep them, for review or to share the Orders of Service with others, we shall see!

As I watched the Jaguar game, the 2nd half, as I was at Chili's for the first half (plus stopped at Winn Dixie on the way home), I put clothes on hangers or into drawers, and then rested. Then I bleached some dish cloths and my kitchen sink, yes, you read that right, and then rested. Flurry of activity-rest, flurry of activity-rest. I have a system!  During one of my rests the Jaguars managed to lose the game by three points. This is doubly sad because the kicker missed two points after scores and had a field goal blocked. This could have been a win. Oh, well....

Wesley had his first time serving as acolyte today, and he was understandably nervous. He is the last of the triplets to have his first time serving. I attempted to answer his questions regarding the Advent candles but thankfully his grandma/mentor arrived to help him out. He did great!  His mama took this photo as the pastor offered him more instruction. 

I know it sounds funny to have someone come to clean just one room but for those who have visited here, they know it's not an ordinary room. The bedroom itself is about 18'x18' with a wall of built-ins floor to ceiling, with tchotchkes and books, etc. My room is also my office so I have a desk, table, shredder, and other officie mess to work around. And then there is the bathroom/closet/dressing area, generously sized with more shelving, vanity, mirrors, sink, and potty to be cleaned besides my room's furniture and other pieces. She will be a busy girl for several hours!

Here I am with Carol at Esther's table in 2014

Saturday night as Justin drove us back from the airport after stopping at Long Horn for dinner, we started to hear a strange sound coming from the car. At first we thought something was rattling but nothing we touched or adjusted affected the noise. Made us VERY nervous! No lights lit up on the dash nor did the temperature go up on the engine. Once we got off the freeway and onto Hwy. 17, the noise ended. Afraid of it happening again and causing some damage, I decided to not drive over to Victory tonight for the Ladies' Advent service. I had so looked forward to it, but was too scared to venture out. The car worked okay for going to church and back this a.m., but that is going at lower speeds. Badly hated to disappoint my friend, Stephanie, and the others but she said she respected my decision. So, I am sad about missing it, because they present such a meaningful devotional service every year, besides the beautifully decorated tables and great company. Nuts!

So glad to be heading home

Once again writing from the plane. God bless Justin for fixing me up with these devices and introducing the features for me.  One thing he told me is that I have to get used not editing as I write which is extremely difficult for me to do. I don't like when the auto-fill feature tries to anticipate my words. Or when the spell-checker questions my choices, even if it is incorrect! 

Lynn and Mom drove me to the airport this early a.m.  It was clear and expected to be beautiful today. However, just outside of Sheboygan the roadways became icy and we saw an accident happen in front of us.  Needless to say, I am traumatized by it, my mouth as dry as a desert even yet. What happened is this: a car came onto the roadway from the ramp and spun around into the path of a large truck. The truck hit the car which ended up in the median. The truck fish-tailed and then tipped into its side, drivers side down. We were able to stop as were the others behind us, thankfully. The car driver ran up to the truck to render aid to the driver. I called 9-1-1 and reported the accident. As we sat there, I noticed fluid gushing from the underside of the truck. Yikes!  The car driver moved a large piece of debris from the lane to allow the cars to go past the overturned truck, and we decided to move on. I was scared it was going to explode. 

As we drove nervously along, I encouraged Lynn to exit at her first opportunity. She did that and we found a gas station with a store. We ladies used the restroom and I bought a Danish and some mints, thinking it only right to do so. I told the clerk what happened and she said she nearly fell on the ice crossing the road for the mail. 

After we sat awhile, the sun began to come up and hoped it would move us off of freezing. It did not.  I called the airline to rebook my departure to a later time which gave us wiggle room for getting me there on time.  For $75 they changed it for me and I only arrive two hours later than scheduled. 

As we drove south the roads improved so we could go faster.  Once they dropped me off and hugs and kisses shared, the ladies drove to Perkins nearby to have a coffee and snack. They needed to unwind and wait for the ice to melt further north. I got checked in, (bag not overweight!), zipped through security, got a bottle of soda, and went to my gate. Across the hall they were boarding my initial flight. I could have made it but just barely.  Way too close for my comfort. I was fine with going to Dallas instead of through Philly anyway!

I love this sign at the Milwaukee airport!  I am often discombobulated after going through security so here I could pull myself together again!!

Once in DFW some nice folks told me how to take the train system to my concourse and in no time I was there.  In the hallway near my gate I noticed people praying, a man and woman traveling, and a pilot!  I heard one of the men say, "Thank you, Pastor" but am not sure which one it was.  As they parted I said to the pilot, "That was lovely" as I overheard their prayers for safety and other blessings.  The pilot greeted me like he knew me, asked how I was doing, etc.  I told him of our experience this morning and how I couldn't swallow but was feeling better now that I found Auntie Anne's Pretzels. He laughed about that. He asked where I was going and I said to JAX. He told me he was my pilot and would get me safely to my destination.  So calming and peaceful a spirit he had. He asked my name but I didn't get his. Now I have it because he introduced himself once we boarded.

Gerald is my main man this late afternoon as I head toward home. Well, Gerald, and our Lord, who has blessed me today!  Can't wait to see my boy again, and later sleep in my own bed. Home, sweet home!

My last day in Manty

Today went by in a flurry!  I was up bright and early as a former school mate of mine asked me to go for coffee this morning.  Yes!, I can do that plus asked her to take me to Festival for the fresh cheese curds. My friend, Wendy, who works there, told me they are fresh on Friday mornings. Debbie picked me up and away we went to McDonalds for our visit. I had soda and she had a gourmet coffee with our hash browns.  Once finished she took me to the store where I grabbed five bags of fresh curds to take with me to FL.  Some people will be so happy to have them!

She dropped me off at mom's where Mom and I watched some TV. Each of us took a little rest as well. In the afternoon Linda picked me up and we met a friend of ours, Joanie, at Perkins for some pie.  Who says no to that?  I hadn't seen Joanie in decades, in person.  She reminded me that I sang for her wedding at First German 42 years ago.  Holy cow! 

Our time catching up was great fun, even the waitress got into it with us! Joanie just got back from a trip to Israel and it was fascinating to hear her stories. Joanie's mom and Tommy' s mom were step cousins, both refugees from Russia during the war. Both were wonderful ladies. 

Linda and her guests were going to eat perch somewhere so Linda dropped me off once again at mom's.  Tearful good byes were made there as I won't see Linda again for a long time. Or Joanie ever I bet!

Jill took my picture at The Charcoal Grille. Boy, I so badly need a haircut

Mom, Lynn, Jill, and I went to The Charcoal Grille for dinner. Mom and I shared a French dip sandwich which was just right for us both.  I shared onion straws with the table. Delicious! Jill ordered an appetizer of stuffed mushrooms and got a heaping plate of them. It was almost comical seeing that in front of her plus her meal. She took the majority home to have another time.  Lynn had fish and chips which was a huge portion so took most of hers home as well. What a good finish to my two weeks in Manty!  Good night, and good bye!