I finished another one!

Last night before I went to sleep, I finished reading yet another book for the year 2010. How many does that make for this year? I know I am behind schedule for my planned one book a month but let's see---I think this is #4. The title of this book is "Sweet and Sour Pie" written by a man who grew up in Manitowoc, WI in the 1950's. He lived on River Road near the Rahr Farm, went to school in what we know as "Rapids" where the school he attended still stands. Most of the places Dave Crehore wrote about are gone, the buildings might remain in some cases but the businesses are no more. I am taking the book with me to Manty to see if Mom or anyone else wants to read it. My Facebook friend (and friend of my sis-in-law, Marian), Marcia, went to the library and got a copy of the same book last week. Bet she finished her copy much faster than did I! Yes, I counted them up and this book is my fourth for the year, only a week into June. I am only one behind! I guess reading through the giant book about French cooking does not really count as a cover-to-cover read, but it is so beautiful, it should. Thanks again, Lynn!

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Today at some point I must begin the packing process as tomorrow morning I am on my way to Manty. Dee gave me a suitable box for transporting the painting I am giving Alayna for graduation (shhh......don't tell her!) and if I can get it into the suitcase and still have room for clothes, great! I would sooner use valuable space in the luggage and travel lighter clothing-wise than try to wrestle around with the box as a carry-on item as originally planned. If I traveled by car it would be a simple thing but when flying, not so much! So, it may seem as I am wearing the same things everyday when I am in Manty, but that might be to save room in the suitcase for the box. It transported a laptop computer safely to Dee and will hopefully allow for safe transport of a framed item without glass breakage.

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What is so nice about the Internet is that much can be accomplished or arranged without even throwing the covers off my legs. Thus far I have arranged for some final plans for tonight's event at church, the preschool graduation reception, put a hold on my mail delivery, and confirmed my flight information. Judy J. is taking me to the airport so that's all arranged. I do have to actually get up at some point since I am meeting Judy C. to do the initial set-up for tonight's event, in the fellowship hall. Twila Squared, Twila N.'s granddaughter, gave me a bunch of decorations to use for the reception tonight plus I have some napkins and paper plates with the graduation theme to take with me. A Publix stop will be needed to get the snacks for the little dishes in the shape of graduation hats that Terri T. provided from her son's party. Nice! Anything we can do to keep the costs down is great with me!

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'President Spock...' That is a good one! Some of the commentators are discussing the oil spill situation and accused PresBO of being like Mr. Spock on Star Trek, no capability of showing emotion. His interview yesterday resulted in having the bleeper thing put into action so now they say he went too far the other way in his attempt at demonstrating leadership. Ugh! I wonder how this apology tour will go when it's finally resolved and the clean-up can fully take place.

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Hopefully my dust situation is going to be somewhat resolved once my floor is replaced but I fear that the dust might only become more evident with a 'wood' floor rather than carpeting. I just glanced to the right and see a layer of dust once again on the glass topped table next to my bed. Only a week ago I dusted that table, and its lamp which was custom-made for me by Kevin Eagleton, whom I ran into at Great Hang Ups last week. A few years ago I was hostess for a trunk sale at Hang Ups featuring Kevin's work. Joanne came in and ended up buying the very same lamp that I had my eye on. A sale is a sale so I surrendered the lamp to her, but Kevin promised to make me my own lamp. Mine turned out to be extraordinary compared to Joanne's and Julia told me that it was worth FAR more than what he charged me for it. So there! But, the dust covers it faster than I can remove it, seemingly, with last week finding me sweeping cobwebs from between it and the bed-frame. Yikes! Please tell me cobwebs can form without the assistance of a spider...

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The day I get back from WI will be spent selecting the new flooring for the bedroom which Mike K. will pick up for me. He has to lay the boxes of material out for a couple days to acclimatize it. Justin and I will have to get busy moving the smaller items from my room and Mike and his brother, Andy, will move the rest when they start the project. The greatest 'issue' that concerns me will be the moving and set-up of the big computer with the printer so that I can work once I get home again, since it will be nearly time for the church newsletter again. Justin will take care of that for me, hopefully finding a suitable work location for me with connection to the Internet via the telephone line. Hopefully the entire project will be wrapped up in short order (i.e. a week's time) and I will be back in my room with the new flooring before the 4th of July! When I was talking with Mike about the dust complaints I have, he told me the bedroom is the dustiest room in the house. Add to that the electronics I have in here (Mission Control!) with two computers, two printers, and the paper shredder...plus the TV and me. Thankfully, I have no animals to blame for making dust bunnies any longer but this other dust simply annoys me no end!

A day of wild emotions

Of course! Today was the sort of graduation event for the kindergarteners. The reason it is 'sort of' is because Laurie is not a big believer in having graduation per se from grades other than high school and college. BUT, this sort of grew from nothing into something today. A while back, she read the kids a book called "Hold the Anchovies", about making pizza. Mario's parents both work in the family's Italian restaurant in Orange Park, Sorbello's. Laurie said to Mario, "Maybe some day your daddy can come and make a pizza for us!" Mario got all upset, declaring, "Mrs. Langley! We need an oven!!" Laurie assured him that we have an oven, or even two, for making pizzas. The idea grew until it became a field trip to the restaurant on a day they were closed for business to make pizzas themselves, and today was the day! It was a hoot, with each child having dough in front of them, working it with the help of us grown-ups, and then making it pizza-shaped. The kids spread the sauce on the dough, added their toppings, and then Chris took the kids to the kitchen to pop the pizzas into the oven.

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While they were baking, Laurie presented a slide show with music in the background, pictures of the kids taken over the year. Well, needless to say, I totally lost it almost immediately for a number of reasons, not all of them because of this class. The first hymn in the background was "To God be the Glory", and the photos are of the first days of school. My, how they matured in those short months! Mario grew over two inches taller since school started, and we know this because Laurie kept a growth chart in the classroom where she tracked their heights. Eventually I settled down and could watch it dryer-eyed than the first portion. It must have been the 'shock' of how the music and photos just clicked or something. Later, as the slide-show kept playing, the kids would stop their fun and watch, singing along quietly to the little ditties behind the photos. The "B-I-B-L-E", "This Little Light of Mine" and other songs like that that I just cannot think of right now. No worries, Laurie promised me a copy of the DVD for my own so I can watch it anytime I need my eyes washed out....Add one more thing to my collection of eye-washing prompters!

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While I was talking with Mario's parents, Twila and Chris, they told me a sweet tale about Mario---when riding down the street the other day with the kids in the car, they asked Mario what he would like for his birthday coming up. He was quiet a moment and said he couldn't think of anything but added, "I know what we should get for Taj....." That guy! Instead of pondering what he could ask for, he came up with something to get for his older brother, and it's not even his birthday yet! They told about watching "The Blind Side" the other night and hearing the story of Ferdinand the Bull. Chris said that bull is definitely Mario, a gentle giant of a boy, caring so much about others, never angry unless provoked. At that point I was determined to find that book to buy for Mario's birthday which I am invited to attend but will have to miss due to my trip up north. Books-a-Meelyon, as Timmy would say, had one copy that the clerk had to locate for me. Bravo! I also found a Yahtzee Game made up of Toy Story characters for the Langley boys to play, when their birthday comes closer. Hopefully I can resist giving it to them ahead of time....

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This evening the sadness was turned to joy as the Ladies' Group gathered at La Napolera for a social outing. We had 14 show up and some of us shared a pitcher of margaritas, supposedly the cheaper way to go, according to Judy J. The waiters were very good, entertaining and playful, trying to keep us all straight and well supplied with chips and salsa and beverages. Judy was my driver and I made her cross by buying her dinner as my thanks for the all the driving around she is doing for me. Wednesday a.m. we meet again for the ride to the airport as Justin has an engagement mowing lawns in St. Johns county at the model and spec house. She loves her job of chauffeur and I appreciate her offer!

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Tomorrow I am meeting Judy C. at church to set up for the graduation reception for the preschool kids, one of which is my goddaughter, Sarah. She is moving on to kindergarten next fall, which unfortunately is not at Good Shepherd. Justin wants to get Sarah personalized school supplies so that when she gets to the government school she will not have to throw hers into the pile for all to share. He thinks that will prevent it but who knows? Nobody messes with Justin's godchild!

Click this link to hear the song...have a tissue ready!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5pfBUUZNbFM

My big Friday night

It seems I am living life in reverse here...The Club is starting something new this summer: Friday and Saturdays at the cabana the doors are open in the evenings, serving different food items and drinks. I went over by myself Friday night to get started and enjoyed a wonderfully tasty sirloin slider prepared medium rare and served with some smoked corn butter. It smelled just like an ear of corn being cooked. Wow, just delicious! As I told the young lady who made it for me, it might have been better without the slice of cheese because it conflicted with the other flavors and of course, she would make it any way I wished. But she felt the cheese was so good it had to be there.

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The young man who tends the cabana during the summer, Danny, is also the tar-bender. When I ordered my adult beverage, Danny had to reach under the bar for his drink recipe book and made me a fine Long Island Iced Tea. It was so hot outside though that the ice kept melting so I went back inside to get ice added to my drink and then ordered a Diet Coke to have with it. By then some others joined me at the table poolside including Miss Chardonnay and some ladies who live in the Villas next door to the pool. We had a very nice time visiting and such, until nearly 10:00 pm. Such a gorgeous evening it was! When Danny called 'last call', Miss Chardonnay asked for a glass of wine to go. Yikes! Not necessary for her, in my opinion, or in that of the other lady remaining at the table with us. One woman not part of our group had shown up with a half snootful started, and Danny cut her off, letting her use his phone to call her husband or boyfriend, whoever, to come pick her up. But, he did give Miss Chardonnay yet another glass to go.

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The other ladies had a glass or two and then quit, and Penny, our newest friend, who moved here from Minneapolis (I love her already!) was drinking Diet Coke with me. At one point, Chard. grabbed my left hand and began drilling me as to why I was still wearing my ring on this hand, etc. What??? How was that any of her concern and what difference did that make to her? Penny just sat there and smiled in an "oh, my goodness" manner. And I knew we had reached the point of no return for Miss Chard. I struggled getting her home, thinking I would still have her nail marks in my arm as I escorted her back to the condo. All the while apologizing and thanking me, I steadied her and carried her wine, wondering how we would manage the stairs from the pool. At least there was a handrail for her to grab onto there. Getting ones keys into the door can be extremely difficult in this condition and it helps if we use the right key to start with......After I took the keys from the lock and got her inside the door, I turned quickly and went away, because after a certain point, it is not my problem. I think I will have a word with Danny the next time I see him and establish a cut-off point. All her friends and neighbors would certainly appreciate it, as this time was just my turn to see her home.

I am back already!

It was a marvelous dinner, starting first with time spent on their open air balcony where Bob grilled our steaks. I took along my laptop to show their visiting daughter and son-in-law my photos taken of the river and the pending storm from yesterday, the photo which I posted in my blog. Both Sarah and Bob are in the creative arts or are artisans so knew they would appreciate the photos, and did. They are visiting from south Florida and was their first time at the parents new home. I sure did enjoy my dinner with their family and the company! Even ate a piece of tomato pie!

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This morning Judy J. picked me up and we met Bonnie at the race track so we could all ride together for the wedding brunch. We celebrated Jayne's recent wedding with a lovely gathering hosted by her former mom-in-law with about 20 ladies from church. Did I say it was lovely? The laptop was set up with photos taken at the private wedding held last Saturday and some of them made me cry. I could not help it, they just moved me so, particularly one where Brett is posing with his new brothers and the couple, and the one brother had his arm around Brett's shoulder. Man! That just blew me away. Dave is the custodial parent of his 4 sons so that makes 5 all together...that's alot of testosterone in one house!

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We drove home from the event in the rain which rather dampened my plans to go out to the pool and the sun never really did come back out, so neither did I. Eventually I did go out to help my neighbors take the photos and we were all washes of sweat before it was over. The humidity was extremely high and the guys' shirts were all stuck to their backs from the perspiration. My face was awash of sweat, much the way I like it. Whew, it was toasty! Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to enjoy the pool or even the beach if Martie is available. Wonder if she will remember that we made plans for tomorrow....

I have only a few moments here...

....before I go upstairs to my neighbor's house for dinner. Yes!! As a favor earlier this evening, Rosemary called to ask me to take some family photos for them as their daughter was in town. Sure! I only hope the shots I took turn out okay since it was not my camera and it was one of those "Sure Shot" cameras without the eye piece for focusing. My previous experience with this type of camera was the purse one I bought at Office Max and handed off to Justin. I just didn't like it, even though it was more convenient than my big camera. So, anyway, I did the best I could and hopefully they turn out okay. Well, Rosemary called me back a bit later and said their family voted to invite me up for steaks cooked on the grille for dinner, and even though I feel like I am imposing, she insisted I come. Who can pass up a steak cooked on the grille?

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If I get home in time this evening, I will write more then, but if not, will finish this in tomorrow morning. The afternoon and evening sort of got away from me, a perfect Saturday!

So much for Cyprus

The other day when Justin was here, we were talking about the Mediterranean region and how I am so glad that I chose not to go over there to live. Not even for part of a year. I mentioned that I would not have to be glued to touristy Greek Islands, although my heart is there already, but why not consider one of the other islands we or I have visited such as Crete or Cyprus? He agreed and even other lesser known islands would be okay except they MUST have some sort of government in place for safe living. Now, Cyprus is in the news for various things including turning away the terrorist vessel heading to Gaza. Yikes! Waayy too close to the volatile middle east region and still under the European Union which might face dissolution with the falling Euro. I think that is just a pipe dream for me anyway, I had better just hunker down and hope for the best in the motherland!

Taken this afternoon as a storm was coming up the river...it never arrived here. Love the colors and dimensions of the sky and water, though, plus the white cylinder of light on the far right-hand side....

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Today Justin and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Koko's after he was finished working in the office, but before he was off to more busy-work. We stopped in at Great Hang Ups, me both before and after, so he got a chance to say 'hi' to my favorite glass artist, Kevin Eagleton. Kevin had brought in some lovely new pieces, and I must admit that one of his pieces has now found its way into my possession. It was a 'must have'---what can I say? I have a place in mind for it to be suspended but will need assistance from Justin in doing so. First I must have a piece of fish line. Or the 'e' string from a guitar! I might have better success obtaining a guitar or violin string than a fish line. Unless my downstairs neighbors might have some extra fish line to spare. Dee offered to help me get it affixed securely so that nothing more comes crashing down from my window displays!

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Justin and I discussed the census at lunch, and its taking which recently took place. I shared with him some information learned Monday at the pool. One of my neighbors has a son, aged 24, who worked for the Bureau of the Census for a few weeks this spring. What I heard was outrageous and have heard similar reports from other sources as well. His son was hired to follow up on those who had not yet completed their forms, hired to work primarily in their own neighborhoods, his being in Eagle Harbor. Their compensation consisted of $18 an hour, I believe, plus time and mileage paid for a half hour commute coming and going from work. Well, if they are in their own neighborhoods, basically speaking, an hour paid commute was totally unnecessary.

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The team would work a couple hours after their training-talk in the morning, take a couple hours for lunch, and then get back to work for a few more hours at the end of the day. At best, a 5 hour work day but paid for the entire day. The Team Leader would scold the workers, telling them to slow down and not work them all out of a job. But, what are you going to do when you are working in these upper-end neighborhoods where people mostly had completed their census forms? He worked himself right out of this cushy job! After Bob told us this story, those of us around the table just shook our heads collectively, and then I said, "Well, that explains alot, doesn't it?" They all agreed, even though some in our little group there do not usually think the same way I do in these type of things. Interesting.....

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This afternoon I worked on The Palace Press and have it about ready to go, except the name and info of our newest tenant on the 2nd floor. Miss Chardonnay has the tenant's pertinent information and is going to get it to me this evening so I can finish either later on or tomorrow afternoon. We might go over to the cabana to have some dinner as they begin their new feature of having light meals and cocktails available on Friday and Saturday this summer. Well, it's about time!! I will do whatever it takes to get a story, you know?, even if it means going to the cabana on a Friday night. Tomorrow morning I am attending a wedding brunch for one of our members, Jayne, who was married last Saturday. Her former mom-in-law is hosting the event and Judy J. is my driver as parking is limited where we are going. I am very excited to be invited and share in the joy with Jayne and my fellow members!