The kids are here!!

I think it was last year when I said I was going to try to not refer to my young CO friends as 'kids' but, they are, in fact, just that. A tough pill to swallow and expectations must be adjusted! They arrived late afternoon and were exhausted after their long day of travel. They lost two hours due to the time zone change plus had to catch a very early morning flight out of Denver. Don't blame them at all about being tired. 

I made dinner for the group and Michael which we wouldn't be enjoying for about 3 or 4 more hours after their arrival, but the kids didn't wish to exert the effort to change into swimwear and go to the pool. That was a first! Usually my guests cannot wait to jump into the pool, but, again, it's their choice.

Justin got home between 5 and 6, and immediately got himself cleaned up. He was filthy and even more exhausted than our young friends could even imagine! He had offered to make our Caesar salad for dinner so after his shower he came out to cut up the romaine lettuce, filling the bowl. Then he said he'd like to put his feet up for a while before we ate, so we planned to serve at 6:30, early for us, really early for our Mountain Time Zone house guests.

I set the table in the dining room, which I truly love to do, and we enjoyed our baked ziti with Italian chicken, the salad, and had apple pie for dessert. Michael was surprised it was so good. I can do it, Sir, but usually I don't care to. For special occasions, it can be done! Everyone helped to clear and then got settled in the living room. Justin brought them his Wii which they knew how to set up, and away they went. Michael has gone on home to rest up for his full week of VBS and activities in front of him. 

They leave very early in the morning for Disney so I do hope they play games too late so they have trouble getting going. I already told them I wouldn't see them again until Saturday because of their early departure and late return. Nothing like Disney and high 90s for the temperature in FL!!  

Happy news and sad news

Today I heard the awful reports from the Director of the FBI regarding the female presidential candidate. I thought I'd just look on-line to see what I could find to read about this situation. What I did find was a news report that in the very early hours of the morning one of my neighbors and pool frequenter lost his life in a roll-over accident. Josh was only 33 years old, lived with his sister on the property, and had been poolside on the busy 4th of July. I only greeted him as he walked past me as I was in the pool. He and his sister found chairs beyond the baby pool so were not handy to where I was seated. Now I missed my last chance to have a visit with him. I am glad to know that he was a church-going man and attended men's Bible study with one of my other friends. I am so sad about this, nothing good happens after midnight.

The good news is that Linda let me know she has her travel arranged to come for a visit at the end of August. She is not coming alone, however----Tom and their son, Matthew, are coming for a few days in order to go deep sea fishing. At long last, the Old Man and the Sea will be reunited!!! Tommy just LOVED our deep sea fishing trip back in 2004. I am so happy about this, especially so since my friend, Nancy W., is anxious to meet him. She has heard so many Tommy stories and now he will need to live up to them! Linda gets to stay a while after they are gone back to Manty. I love it! He hasn't been here since 2006, Justin's graduation and Matthew has never been. I hope to show them a good time! 

"You make me want to be a better man (or woman)"

(This title is a movie quote from "As Good As It Gets", one of my favorite movies. A man suffering with serious OCD meets a woman for whom he tries to get his sickness under control. This quote makes the movie, and is good advice for us all!)

Shared by a friend:

As Mrs. Thompson stood in front of her 5th  grade class on the very first day of 

school, she told the children an  untruth.  Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that  she loved them all the same.  However, that was impossible, because there  in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy  Stoddard. 

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year  before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his  clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy  could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would  actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold  X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers. 

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,  she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off  until last.  However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a  surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy  is a bright child with a ready laugh.

He does his work neatly and has  good manners...he is a joy to be around. 

His second grade teacher  wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is  troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.' 

His third grade teacher wrote, 'His  mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his  father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if  some steps aren't taken.'

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy  is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.  He doesn't have  many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.' 

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem  and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students  brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper,  except for Teddy's.  His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown  paper that he got from a grocery bag.  Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.  Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing  some of the perfume on her wrist. 

Teddy stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like  my Mom used to.'

After the children left, she cried for  at least an hour.  On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing  and arithmetic.  Instead, she began to teach children.  Mrs.  Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.  As she worked with him, his  mind seemed to come alive.  The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.  By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest  children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the  children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'  

A year  later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her she was the best teacher he ever had in his  whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from  Teddy.  He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his  class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four  years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon  graduate from college with the highest of honors.  He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. 

Then four more years passed and yet another  letter came.  This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's  degree, he decided to go a little  further.  The letter explained that she  was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had.  But now his name  was a little longer.  The letter was signed: Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. 

The story does not end there.  You see, there was yet another  letter that spring.

Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be  married.  He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and  he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the  place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.  Of course,  Mrs. Thompson did. 

And guess what?  She wore that bracelet, the one  with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the  perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. 

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard  whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in  me.  Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I  could make a difference.' 

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes,  whispered back.  She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.' 

We are all teachers though not always in a classroom. Everything we say and everything we do teaches others about ourselves. I hope to be a good teacher, too. 

"There's nothing worse than...."

I don't know what brought on this memory for me, but many years ago when I was expecting my son, Justin, my spouse quit smoking. Just like that, quit, done, finished. When we had our little nephew in our home for the two years prior, smoking went on. When expecting our own, he was done. Our neighbor and business partner was in our office not long after the smoking cessation had taken place. Chris was a relatively humorless guy, very straight forward. That day he was also quite profound---he said, "There's nothing worse than someone who has lost weight or quit smoking..." Chris was not far off!

In the discussions at the pool, food and its consumption often comes up. While the rest of us are planning our lunch orders from The Club, another lady is lamenting the poisons she fed her children when growing up, not realizing what was in the foods she now avoids. Oh, she is a joy at lunch! She is obnoxious on a good day and having her go on and on about what she will not eat while we do makes her no more dear. The same is true for those who have lost weight or are in the process. They are alive with helpful tips on what type of smoothies to make, where to get the best dry protein or other ingredients to use (both men and women like this subject!) when mixing up their special blender drinks. I wish they were talking about making a Grasshopper rather than other green drinks! 

A couple other ladies are smokers and have to sit off to the side to enjoy their cigarettes. Some of the other ladies are not smokers or were former smokers and have nothing pleasant to say about the smell and such. I guess I am lucky to not be terribly annoyed by it, but certainly I'd prefer to not have it wafting over my plate of food. Don't miss it one little bit as I am eating in restaurants, having now become accustomed to not having it. People who once smoked tend to be downright militant about it, and give our friends every sort of advice, solicited or not, about how to quit. My choice is to stay out of these discussions. 

Two ladies who are adamant about the smoking in the   pool area are quite excited that a Fresh Market is being built out on Fleming Island. I've heard nothing but good things about this store, but, in talking with Julie, this store is true to its name---all fresh foods, nothing in cans, by the sounds of it. I'd like to check out the deli, though, the way they talked it up. Pastor H. told me once that if I loved Festival, I will also love Fresh Market. We shall see!!!

Great brisket, great company, excellent customer service!

This morning I was experiencing the height of frustration trying to log-in to the LWMS Convention, to no avail. Nuts! All I could find was the previous couple of day's events, but no place to watch LIVE presentation. Not even tonight could I find it. I've looked everywhere I know to look, but no dice. I am disappointed if for some reason today's proceedings were not aired. 

After some time I just decided to give it up and go out to the pool. There I enjoyed the company of Mo and Ro. He and I enjoy discussing politics and current events, plus he is quite amusing. They regularly tease each other, in good fun, which I find endearing. Such good folks they are! She had some minor surgery yesterday and the trouper that she is, was ready to enjoy the pool today. Only one of their 8 children was with them today, a 25 year old daughter. Sweet girl!

I had lunch at the pool, a hot dog with a side of pasta salad, which was wonderful. The salad has diced red peppers and whole black olives in it, with an Italian-style dressing. I love it! By this time Ollavan  had joined the fun, and then Mark and Patty, and later Debbie and Dick, my friends who live above me. Mo and Ro went home mid afternoon but the rest of the group (Kay and John, too) stayed later than even I did. Since I was going to dinner with Mike 'n Mike tonight, I came upstairs to shower and get changed. I'm sure the guys appreciated that!

We met at 6:00 pm at 4Rivers, which proved to be timed just right. Michael did have to wait a bit for his turkey sandwich but he worked on his side dishes in the meanwhile. Mike chose to not have the brisket tonight and instead ordered the sausage. He was disappointed in it, finding it to be dried out. When the manager came around, one who is very friendly to me when I am there, she asked how everything was. I told her Mike had just mentioned how the sausage was quite dry. Immediately she offered to get him fresh sausage which he at first declined but then accepted at her insistence. The stuff she brought to replace it was indeed much more moist and juicy, obviously not dried from being in the hot box too long like the first one was. She took the dried up stuff to show the kitchen manager for future reference. Love their good customer service! I brought home a couple meal's worth of leftovers plus two biscuits for Justin. He just loves them, and I love him. So there!

Another friendful day!

I could get used to this! For the second Friday in a row, I was off on an outing with lady friends made through the pool. Last week Ollavan treated Nancy M. and me to lunch at Derby on Park, doing so for me because I brought her some cheese curds and Nancy 'just because'. That was so nice of her! Today's outing was to St. Johns Town Center Mall to shop and have lunch. Debbie A. and Ollavan enjoy shopping at a place called J. Jills. Debbie is traveling to visit her daughter in San Francisco next week and wanted new clothes for the trip. Ollavan and she each had bags of discarded clothing to drop at J. Jills for which they each received a 30% discount on their purchases. Nice!

I scoped out in advance the store and its location at the Mall, finding it right across the street from the Apple Store. We had to walk about a block and a half from where we parked, thankful to even find a space that close. I knew from the website there was nothing for me there but that did not prevent me from visiting the racks and looking at the fashion. There were hardly any prints used in their clothes, mainly solids in quite neutral colors. That doesn't work for me but I still like to look. 

By plan we met up with Lynn W. and Linda C. who also brought in clothes to donate. Linda is a friend of Lynn's and I know her from the Republican Women's group. Debbie was the only one who hadn't met her before. The five of us then went to lunch, also planned.

Pictured here are Ollavan, Debbie, and Lynn, guests at my table at the PACE Luncheon earlier this year

At my suggestion we had chosen to eat at Bahama Breeze, silly me expecting we'd eat on the veranda, as I normally do. These ladies would have no part of that, all Southern women who simply could not be warm while dining. It was hot out but terribly comfortable under the ceiling fans and with the delightful breezes blowing through. Inside was quite dark by compare and a bit chilly, but I was a good sport about dining indoors. Sadly, my buttermilk chicken sliders were no longer on the menu so I had the buttermilk chicken breast (2 of them!) instead with the yellow rice 'n black beans. Yum! Somehow we ended up with three orders of onion rings for the five of us of which we barely made a dent. Another waitress came by and said that next time we should order the small portion. Our waiter should have suggested the same but did not. Hmmm....I ended up bringing all the leftover rings home with me, at their insistence. They believed Justin would like them. They are correct!

After we got dropped off at the pool again by Debbie, Ollavan and I decided to get changed into our swimsuits and join her son and his wife, Mark and Patty, poolside. Let's do it! In no time at all, we were in the drink, enjoying the water and the company. It was so pleasant. Mark and Patty just returned from a trip to Alaska so we were able to hear about their fun and experiences. The worst/best part was the very long days---sunset and sunrise only a couple hours apart. They managed but would have benefitted from room darkening shades or drapes. All in all, though, a wonderful time was had. 

The water felt so good and the time went fast, and just as I was getting ready to go upstairs to watch The Five with Linda J., Bill and Nancy came out. Shoot! I hated to miss this but needed to be with Linda, too. We need our time!  As we chatted and watched our program, Justin sent me a text message, wondering what I was doing tonight. When I said I had no plans, I expected he'd ask if he could use my car to get to Whitey's. This time he asked me to join him at Saigon Tokyo (Koko's), since it was too hot for them to sit at Whitey's. I am less aware of the heat than most people are, particularly those who labor out in it. 

Of course, I agreed to join him, and asked the Chappell's if they'd like to come. They had other plans, however, so it was just the two of us. We had a group of four with us at the table which Justin likes since he was hungry for sushi and feels badly when the chef only has to cook for me. He so enjoys his sushi, has that every other visit for the above stated reason. He also eats my salad and my shrimp appetizer for me. Nice guy! I had told him how the clothes in the shop this a.m. didn't appeal to me, too beige and neutral. He pointed at my plate of fried rice and chicken, thinking I actually DO like those colors. Yes, I do, covered in the yum yum sauce! That guy tears me up!

A friendfull day!

My morning began with a brief but amusing chat with Linda before she even had her breakfast. She had a busy day in front of her including going to Shawano to make cards and then back to town to work on the potato salad committee for the upcoming church picnic. I would love to watch those ladies throw that potato salad together. And that's a lot of salad!!!  

When Linda had to pause to eat her breakfast, I said I was home until 11:15 for when she was ready to finish our conversation. Not two minutes later, Terri asked me to join her for either breakfast or lunch. Since I already had lunch plans, we agreed to meet early at Metro Diner. We both ordered my standard meal of biscuits with sausage gravy, hash browns, and eggs. I ate one and a half of my biscuits, plus a portion of hash browns. The rest of Terri's meal came home with me as well and we'll enjoy it tomorrow morning! I had to be careful to not overdo it and ruin my lunch.

After I got home, I called my friend, Carol, and we talked for a length of time. She had some good news, as did I, and we enjoyed sharing with each other. Robbie, her son, has passed his State tests and is now eligible to teach in FL. The world is his, or at least, the state is. There was much rejoicing in that household, and he showed up at their door in time to talk to me on the phone for a bit. I wish him all the best!

At the appointed time, Ollavan picked me up at The Palace and then we drove over to get Nancy M. Ollavan was taking us to eat at a place at 5 Points called Derby on Park. It was so neat but what a crazy place to drive! I don't know how we actually found the diner but there it was, right in front of us. We had to park a little way down from the restaurant and walked through some parking lots to find it. The food was varied, something for each of us. O had the shrimp and grits, Nancy had a giant salad (had to put half in a box just so she could eat the rest!), and I had a 12" hot dog served with hand-cut fries. Yum!  We shared a molten lava dessert, all courtesy of our friend, Ollavan. She is so generous and thankful for her cheese curds!

I spent the afternoon, what was left of it, at home. I called my mom and talked to her for a bit but she was rather involved with her little vacuum cleaner and needed to get that taken care of. I understand...I guess. Anyway, when it was time for The Five, I found it pre-empted by the funeral service for Mohammed Ali. Come on, really!!??!!  This was a good day for Linda to be busy at church, I guess, and missing our show. 

In the meantime, Nancy W. called me and asked if she could drop by with her gentleman friend. YES!!  I had yet to meet Frank and he was truly a delightful man. When they got up to leave, thinking a storm was coming, I told Frank I'd love to talk to him for days! He is a retired Army pilot and has stories galore. Nancy and he are leaving today for a cruise to the Caribbean and she wanted to leave some info with me in case something happened to her when traveling. Thankful she trusts me. 

Justin got home in time to meet Frank, too. He was exhausted from the heat of the day and decided to go to Dairy Queen to get a Blizzard for his meal, and got me a funnel cake dessert. Yum! Neither of us were hungry so this was just right. He might have eaten something later on but for dinner, ice cream was the way to go. We watched Jeopardy! and then retired to our rooms. He needs to rest his poor, tired feet and legs. He showed me his scratched up arms and said that he tells people I did that to him for using wire hangers. He has been warned!!!!