Buying some time....

....or is it more like biding my time? Tonight I talked to Mike K. who is doing my floor replacement project. His brother and he dropped off the materials last Thursday. Justin came over on Friday to move the smaller items and hook up the computer and printer. Mike thought he would be able to start the project not on Monday, as I originally thought, but midweek, which is tomorrow. I do not want to strip my bed and displace myself from this room too soon, although it is basically bare at this time. Well, he called me back tonight to let me know that he has run into a snag in his schedule. So, no, I won't be stripping my bed tomorrow morning nor will he be coming this week at all. He thanked me for my patience and understanding. I told him I have a degree in patience but my computer does not....he went for that!

*

Mike said he got a job to take care of for a realtor who sends him lots of business and he asked if I minded his taking that job first. He also said my friend, Janet, and her hubbby, had some work for them to do but I said Janet can just wait until I'm done! Janet would love knowing that I bumped her out of line....He knows I am prepped pretty much for the project other than the big furniture so he thinks he can start midday on Monday. I hope so because I am not too crazy about having my house in disarray. On the bright side, however, my room is nice and clean!

*

This morning I went to water aerobics for the first time this season, being led by Marlena, the jack-of-all-trades from The Club. Marlena told me to get a noodle for class so Monday at Wal*Mart I picked one up, paying all of $4 for a tube of foam to use in the pool. This class was not nearly as strenuous as last year's and much more enjoyable. I nearly did not go out as the sun was not shining until only moments before it was time to go down. There were only three of us in the class but other times there will be more when Maggie O. gets back from out of town and Ellen comes down stairs. Randy, the man who always wants me to sing torch songs in The Club is on vacation, too, and will be back next week, too. She uses music for us to move to which is helpful as well.

*

After the class, I decided to come back upstairs instead of ordering lunch which Marlena could have arranged. I changed my clothes and got busy working on some neglected church work. Sign-up sheets were produced for the preschool anniversary, e-mails written to the secretary and leadership regarding the event, and ads placed on free sights for VBS. It seems there was no CD in our VBS kit for generating graphics so the ad will have to be somewhat ordinary instead of in color with graphics as we had planned. The free sights do not ask for graphics so that was a breeze! I am also in communication with the publisher of the local paper so he can write an article about Precious Lambs. Or I can write it and submit it....I knew him since we were in a networking group together, which is nice. In a short time, it seems, much was handled. Not necessarily accomplished, but initiated, anyway!

*

One of our members works for Publix and arranged for us to get a donation which we can use toward the purchase of our meats for the Anniversary picnic. We are asking the members to bring the picnic accompaniments that day. I have no idea how many of our guests have RSVP'd but well over 200 invitations were mailed so ????? I hope this thing flies, that's all I can hope or expect. This is my attempt not to freak out!

*

Justin has called me a couple times in the past couple days since I saw him at church Sunday. Sometimes I don't even know what he called for in the first place but we often touch on a number of topics in a short period of time. Surprisingly enough, he did not call tonight to discuss the dramatic drop in the markets today, but perhaps he is too depressed about it. Or he will call tomorrow.....My friend, Brenda N., came over for a bit tonight and I was fine with her seeing my house in disarray. She said that it the sign of a real friend, when they can see your house all torn apart and have me not care! Brenda dropped off some movies that she had borrowed before she leaves for a trip to the Bahamas with her lady friend. She is taking a bag of clothes with her for the poor folks in the area where they stay. It is great for me to have that stuff out of my car and now in hers----I have been carrying it around for months already! Thanks, Brenda! and have a great time!

A present to me from Brad

As I was working on the church newsletter this weekend, it occurred to me I had no photos taken at the kindergarten pizza-making outing in June. Somehow, again, I had left my camera at home but knew others there had taken pictures. Brad, dad of the three Langley boys in the class, happened to be at home this a.m. and answered the call for a photo. This is not the one I used in the newsletter but he sent me this one afterward, thinking I would appreciate having a shot taken with 'my class'! The kids had made their own little pizzas, but Chris, the dad of Mario, front left side, made the grown-ups professionally prepared pizza for our lunch. Too bad it had to end....

The weekend ends

That seems redundant. There is nothing like a swimming pool to make the over 90 degree temperatures tolerable. According to my car thermometer the temp was 90 or 91, but one of my neighbors reported that it was closer to 99 the past couple days. Since I was in the pool much of Friday and Saturday, it was easy to take, other than burning my feet on the hot pavement. Whew! Even though the water was warm (read: hot) as some claimed, I found it quite pleasant. Last night I was planning to go back down for dinner poolside but couldn't make up my mind about it due to the elevator being on the fritz. Going down is not so bad but climbing back up was brutal! It turned out to storm like nuts right at dinner time so my decision was made for me, even though I was so hungry for another sirloin slider burger!

*

When in the pool yesterday, which was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday, a lady came up to me and said, "I saw you here yesterday and you look so familiar to me..." I couldn't place her but she insisted she knew me. I asked if she was in construction at all and she said she was not. Nor was she involved with the Art Guild. Hmmmm.....she mentioned a couple places where she worked in the past but it was later when she said she worked at the Rag Shop. Aha!!! That was it!!! I told her how Mom and I would go shopping for fabric which Mom would take home with her in an extra suitcase back in the days when she still sewed. She asked Mom's name and I told her, and "Nancy" said, "Yes, that name I remember!" and she remembered mine, too. Mystery solved! But it had to have been at least 10 years ago or better that we'd been fabric shopping because the last piece Mom bought was just the day or two before Timmy died----enough to make him a vest. He picked it out himself, asking his grandma to make him a different vest for everyday. The piece has tractors on it, I believe, and is the only cut of fabric Mom kept after she got home from my house that year. Thanks, Nancy, for that little reminder about the 'old days'...

*

Another couple I chatted with were guests at the hotel, celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary. They tried to come every year since they got married, missing only a couple years of their tradition. I did not get their names but this couple lives across the river in Mandarin and were rabid Gator fans. And Jaguar fans but have let their tickets go in recent years. I told them about Don Davey being my neighbor in Manitowoc and they were tickled to know that. I guess they really were true Jaguar fans! There was bad news in the paper, which another lady who lives near Judy J., showed me, about the former quarterback, Mark Brunnell, having to declare bankruptcy due to his failing investments. It seems he and some other former Jags were investors in the Whataburger franchise. I have never had a burger there so it might be my fault that his investment didn't pan out. It is so sad because Mark was the catalyst for the team early on and lead Christian programs for his teammates and others.

*

This morning I got up and dressed, heading over to Victory for Bible study and worship. The class was on Galations, one of my favorite books. I arrived just a few minutes late, expecting they would have started but only one couple was there at this point. I was sure the class began at 9:00 but it seems they are not really punctual. It was fine as more folks came and Brent went to make more copies. We finished in plenty of time before church began, having had great discussion comparing today's events with those facing St. Paul. Pastor's daughter is moving at the end of July to MN and she came to sit down by me before church to tell me her plans. I wished her well and when we hugged good-bye after worship, I assured her that as long as she remains in the Lord, she will be fine!

*

As Betsy and I talked, Justin came and sat down with me. For the service, we sang only songs from the Worship and Praise book, including "Borning Cry" for the baptism of little Alyssa. Pastor's sermon was excellent, talking about not paying so much attention the things of this earth, we should focus on telling others about Christ. "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Matt. 8:20 Justin had let me know on Friday already that he had plans for lunch so I was to not expect him to join me today. I was planning to eat poolside anyway so it didn't matter, except if someone asked me to lunch after church, I would reconsider. They had a brief meeting following worship so I went home to enjoy my afternoon meal at the pool. Miss Chardonnay had a table reserved and I put my stuff down there while I went to order my lunch. Just as it was about to be ready, it began to drizzle, so I went into the cabana.

*

My upstairs neighbors and their baby came into the cabana, as well, and were quite engrossed in the soccer game. I mentioned to Jessica that she seemed well versed in soccer lingo and she told me she watches lots of sports and TV when she is nursing the baby. I shared with Travis and Jessica the story of being in Italy four years ago. Justin was inside the "St. Paul in Chains" museum while I stayed outside recuperating after running all over the ruins in Rome. Some nice ladies from the tour took Justin under their wings for me, which was nice. As I sat there on the half-wall, the streets were suddenly alive with cars and Vespas and horns blowing and flags waving. Holy cow! What's going on? The bus driver told me that Italy just won the World Cup and I thought it was yachting! Never before had I seen such a display of team support and it was quite incredible. I told Justin all about it when they came out of the museum. While I regret missing the St. Paul in Chains presentation, I do not regret staying outside to see that amazing parade of Italian pride!

Justin is my hero!

He was here yesterday to move my computer and its components from my room in preparation for the floor replacement set for midweek. I was telling Justin my sad lament about not having cable for sleeping the night before. He wiggled around on the wires, disconnected a splitter that was attached to mine, we think, for the computer when it was on Comcast for Internet, unplugged and replugged the cable box, and ta da!!! I was back in business. Still no connection for HGTV in my room which means I must go to the family room for "Selling New York", 'my' show. I get to participate when others play the game of 'their' shows, because I like to set aside time to watch "Selling NY" even if it is a rerun. There is not much else going on at 9:00 pm on a Thursday night that gets bumped by my watching the program. Usually....

*

Well, my house is pretty well in disarray with the lighter-weight pieces of furniture and such moved out by Justin and me. I cleaned off my dressers and desk, stacking and piling on the bookshelves and other surfaces I cleaned off to accommodate my geegaw's. Many hold fond memories for me and I might be prompted to write a note to my friend, Joe, who gave me so many of the sweet pieces that decorate my dresser. He has e-mail but I think a note is nicer to touch base. He was our trim man for many years but has since sort of retired. He was allowed to join the Rosewood family when they came en masse for the funeral visitation but he could not stay--he was so torn up. Besides the little sentimental gifts he gave me, Joe also brought me a CD of a man who sang at their church, Charles some body, which he thought I would like. I had thought about Joe last week already for some reason, remembering the Charles CD, and then yesterday again with the geegaws being moved. So, I must move and reach out to him!

*

It is going to be a scorcher today again. My original plans were to clean at church and then spend the rest of the day at the pool but since I got rather browned yesterday, might rethink that plan. I could sit and enjoy the company and good weather without basking, but I love to puddle around in the water. My meals came from the cabana Friday, lunch being my traditional hot dog and chips, and later, a pina colada. For dinner was the sirloin sliders with cole slaw and chips. I did not like the slaw and picked the hunks of cheese off the burgers. Like one of the guys at our table said, they (the Club staff) are trying really hard to make it all work, they just have to work out a few things. Like decent cheese and its application to food. It certainly is not a deal breaker for me!

*

The bottoms of my feet are burned too but that is from trotting up and down the promenade barefooted late afternoon. After Justin had set up the computer in the guest room for me, I was doing some downloads and such. He put a new program on it for me which would run a continual play feature on my podcasts since I won't have cable TV in the guest room. A problem I may solve with Comcast when they come for my other TV set up. Anyway, when I came in the from the pool I simply slipped on my nightie until it was time to dress again. As I sat at the computer, I heard some music not related to the piano, coming from outside. Sure enough! It was bag pipes being played. I ran to grab my camera and down the promenade I went, burning my feet and likely totally freaking out the wedding attendees over at The Club. As a service to them, I had put my beach cover over my nightie but still.....Talk about hot-footing! Man, that was hot stuff under my feet!

*

My haircut appointment was postponed by me until Monday because I just couldn't get out of the pool yesterday. I have a lunch planned with my friend, Diane, and after that will be my cut. Murphy's Law says I will get compliments on my hair just before I am getting it cut and this Law came true Friday. Marlena, who does simply everything at The Club, is also the water aerobics teacher this summer. She asked me, as she swept the pool area, if I was coming for water aerobics this summer, saying the others have been asking for me. Yikes! I told her I wouldn't come unless she told me what they had said, and she said it was all good things, so I agreed to come. I can only do so two of the three days it is offered since Thursday is Bible study day. 10:00 am is a good time to have it, the water will have warmed sufficiently and the sky should be unclouded at that point yet. The cost is the same as last year but I must provide my own noodle. So, off I go noodle shopping this weekend!

*

On Fox and Friends this a.m. I heard the most incredible report about some school handing out condoms to the students. As unbelievable as this sounds, the woman interviewed gave the argument that it is a natural thing that teenagers do and for the school to not provide protection is equal to encouraging reckless behavior. What??? Wait, it gets worse. If the kids are restricted from acting on their natural inclinations, they become more susceptible to enticement from sexual predators. The anchors remained calm but if it was the weekday people, I think one or two of them would have jumped all over this woman. That is such a lame excuse for promoting sexual activity among teens, for heaven's sake. The world is upside down, I say, upside down!!!

Laughing and typing at the same time

This morning there is no cable for me to watch, at least not in my bedroom. As odd as it seems, the cable might be working in the family room but not in here. Hmmmm....Fortunately for me, for us all, it would seem, I have my downloaded podcasts on iTunes from the time I was away to catch up on. And making me laugh! Oh, what did I miss when I was in WI??? Well, for one thing, all these interesting takes on what is going on in the world. "From high above Times Square in New York City---Hello you sick, twisted freaks!" I am looking over at my desk and see the stacks of stuff which could be dealt with, but....I used to laugh out loud all the time when watching "Frasier" and "Seinfeld", with the TV on, and now, merely the laptop or desktop listening will cause me to roar----all by myself in my house! I just love that!

*

The river was lovely last night with the moon being full and the water quiet, as it is quiet again this a.m. At bedtime I did open the sliding doors for a bit to let the breezes through but almost immediately the A/C kicked on. Since the temp was set at 81 already, it didn't make sense to keep the doors open, making it warmer in the house than that. So, I got up again and closed the doors. With the cable being out, I was struggling with going to sleep, and thought the wind in the palms would lull me. Somehow the lull of the A/C running does not have the same effect. Brilliantly, I put on a "Frasier" DVD which would play about 6 or 7 episodes back to back, and off to sleep I went. At some point I was awake again and simply started the cycle over again, falling back to sleep only minutes into the first episode. Great sleep saver, having the dulcet tones of "Frasier" in my brain.

*

My A/C is running right this moment and I do not know what that is all about. It does not seem that warm to me in here and I am yet on my bed. This afternoon I have a hair cut appointment over near Whitey's and will try to get together with Brenda there afterwards. Barb will have to make sure to get all the hair schnibbles (excuse my language) out of my ears and off my face before I go out in public, however. Normally I would be getting my toes done too right around this time and might just make the appointment with Lisa in Middleburg. I could use a nice breakfast at Nana's or Black Creek Cafe one of these days. Just now I looked at my great toe and I see a boo-boo on the tip, quite possibly I was bitten by a brown recluse spider. Better get to the ER and have that checked out. No, wait, I guess it is just a boo-boo. Sorry, Dusty, I just had to pick on your a bit.

*

Yesterday Justin and I went to Bible study at Victory, continuing the study of our adoption as sons of God through our baptisms. We have one more lesson left in this book and suppose that we will continue in this format for the rest of our Thursday studies. We were down to six people in the class, due in part to one man recently going back to work after being off, and folks traveling over the summer. The previous two weeks we were off since Pastor had a conference in south Florida one week, and supposedly because I was going to be gone another week. Oh, come on! Judy was going to be gone, too, not just me!

*

Justin was going to meet his friend, Ron, at the beach after Bible study but he was going to have about an hour between 'events' to spare. He drove us to WOKV to pick up the certificates. We did not open the envelopes until we got into the car again. He tore open the Adventure Landing packet and found four tickets to everything at the park except the water features. Rats! That counts me out, as I have no interest in the video arcade, laser tag, or go carts. I wonder if Justin knows anyone who would share that 'adventure' with him?? Oh, yeah, he snapped those up without a second look. The trip to St. Pete's is a three day/two night stay at the Trade Winds Resort which allows for a room, breakfast and unlimited use of the slide. Can't wait to jump on that slide! Justin indicates that he is interested in going along and with that information, I rejoice! For one thing, he can share the driving and for another, he is really my favorite travel companion because we mesh nicely. A different thought I had was to book during the time when Kerry is down here but then I remembered how fearful she is about driving and cancelled that idea.

*

Justin had time to have some lunch and I was simply famished, since we had eaten dinner somewhat early the night before at The Club's Happy Hour. Justin suggested the something Panda place where we got Chinese-style food and ate outside. After he placed his order, the man from the kitchen brought out the Kung Pao Chicken which he wished he would have ordered. This, of course, brings to mind the "Seinfeld" episode where George enjoys this chicken during his lunch but proceeds to perspire all afternoon. He was constantly mopping his brow, even during a meeting where the boss was trying to get to the bottom of someone stealing from the Yankees. George was sweatin' like a pig, looking very guilty, but "it was from Kung Pao!!!!" Justin was also sweating but more because of it being 90 degrees outside and we were sitting out there!

*

While I was eating my sweet and sour chicken, Mike Kelley called me from Floor and Decor where he was trying to pick up my flooring. They could not find the order nowhere, no how, and in fact, he told me they had to put the order together while they waited. No one had an explanation as to why the order was not already pulled and Mike said they were ready to give them the store just to get them out of there! I had left my doors open so they could drop it off, where the boxes now line the bedroom hallway. Fortunately for the guys, I had also turned the A/C on for them so it was over10 degrees cooler in the house than outside. They were still carrying it into the house when I got home and poured them each a glass of water to cool them when they were done. It looks like they will be back to do the tear out and install the middle of next week so that buys us yet more time to get things ready. I was sort of thinking that perhaps I could live without having the 'big' gas-powered computer hooked-up but Justin insists it is no problem to do so. Guess it will be fine if he is fine, right? Now that I have extra room in my closet since we unloaded all those boxes on Mother's Day, much can be placed in the closet for safe keeping rather than messing up my other rooms so badly. I am not sure where Mike and Andy will put my larger pieces of furniture, they can put it anywhere they want, as long as I can keep coming and going fairly freely from my home. My suitcase will remain packed and moved to the guest room for my uses until after the project is completed.

*

I worked for a bit on the newsletter, as I am still awaiting some contributions from various sources, in particular now, the preschool. Certainly they have some news about their end of year events and what is going on during the summer, etc. I have one photo taken of the graduation that I can use, not putting as many photos in the newsletter any more. Some folks had trouble opening the e-mailed Flock Talk last month as it was quite photo-heavy so I have to be careful about that. But the pictures are really worth more than words sometimes, you know?

*

Supposedly the cabana last night was to have been open for dinner, but I guess they closed at 4:00 pm. Rats! I saw people sitting down there so I went down empty handed, not realizing that I could not buy anything to drink once poolside. My gracious neighbor, Rosemary, brought me a can of Diet Coke as she was going back upstairs to refill her drink. They take good care of me, to be sure! We had some good laughs and I even got to meet a fella who lives in the area condos not next to ours. His kids have attended St. Johns, as did he and his siblings, so we had some notes to compare. Mike has custody of his 17 year-old son and shared many funny stories of what that is like, such as harping about the kid leaving these giant-sized footprints on the dark wood floors. He has to remind his son to keep his shoes on instead of taking them off when he comes in! Such laughs!

*

While enjoying my pot pie for dinner I watched "Selling New York" in the family room before coming back to my room to read. Since the cable was in and out, I could not plan on watching anything, even though I was reading, I have the noise in the background. Somehow the digital in and out of programs does not do it for me! I remember going to sleep at long last to "Good night, Seattle, we love you!" Time to head out to the pool, y'all!

Maybe today I can add more pictures

Yesterday I had problems downloading the photos so only posted a few. Today, not too much troubles with loading, so here you go!

Alayna opening her graduation presents, and I am featuring here a special one....This is the first time I ever gave away a piece of my own art. She had admired it when I posted a picture of the art when I entered it in a show, so I decided it should be hers! The official name of the piece is "Rain Unites Earth and Sky", in a watercolor, using only two colors of paint for the whole picture.

Here is a shot of the room where Alayna's party was held, the Fellowship Hall of the church where her daddy, Randy, plays the organ each week. It is an Episcopal church, and I have some lovely photos of the sanctuary and chancel I might post another time. In the foreground right is Dustin, with Justin talking with his cousin from the other side of the family, Allie. Dusty's crutches are propped next to him, as he is nursing a broken leg/foot.

Justin and his 'mini-me' cousins, Gabe and Manny. Not only do they share the same hairstyle, they also share a penchant for all things electronic! What Justin is actually trying to do is assemble a playlist to use for background music for Alayna's party since it seems her iPod was not working or something. David got his ready quicker and served us well. Thanks anyway, Justin! It is so amazing how those things work, as he was using his iPhone for sorting the music he has stored on it. Not sure exactly what David used to produce the entertainment. At Justin's graduation, David played his guitar and went table to table, serenading the guests personally. It was great!

Much to my delight but not to my surprise, my niece, Allie, came to Alayna's party. Although a year behind Alayna in school, they are still friends, which I like to hear and know. She is standing between Justin and me, as if you could not tell, tall like the Day/Hackmann side of the family. I had enjoyed breakfast with her mom, Mona, and she earlier in the week and it was great to see her once more. We often talk about her making a trip down here to visit but we have to get that passed her parents first. The two girls could travel together, it would be fine!!!

Lisa, my niece, and I have something in common---we both like to wear centerpieces on our heads! She looks quite lovely with a table decoration complete with streamers perched on her head at the party. Her boys, Gabe and Manny, got themselves all sweaty playing with the balloons, just batting them around and hitting each other. Life's simple pleasures.....beat the electronics hands down! On July 1st we should find out if she is carrying a girl or a boy. Kerry asked Manny why he wanted his mama to have another little boy, and he sweetly answered her, "Because my mom has such cute boys..." Oh, yeah.........

A phew phun photos from my June trip

Saturday morning, Mom, Lynn and Justin enjoyed a lovely breakfast repast on the ice cream-cone shaped concrete patio at PK's Coffee Shop. As we sat there, the owners came out and began installing the umbrellas for the tables. It finally was time for the sun to shine! It is so lush around their shop, as you can tell by the background foliage and such. I had a lovely Diet Coke and a sugar cookie, and took home a chocolate-covered rice krispie treat for later!

Eating again, this time at The Green Street Tavern with my family. From left is Lori; our cousin, Barbie; Lynn at the head of the table; Auntie Marie; and Mom. Barbie's spouse was going to come but he felt he'd be at a hen party so stayed home. We had to eat early because Barbie goes to bed around 8:00 pm due to her work schedule. Poor thing! She might as well be a farmer with those hours!

Here is a photo taken Friday at The Oar House (I believe I am wearing the same shirt today as I have on in the photo, bought at Younker's! Justin insisted I had already owned that shirt, but he is off by a few colors....) In the back is Linda J., me, and Joanie. Seated is Georgia, who is Linda's sister, and then Lynn and Lori, Kim's sisters! Such great food, too bad more people do not go there to eat! Lori owns the same shirt that I do, and she is wearing her own, not mine.

I am thinking about selling advertising space on my double chins!!! I complained to Kathy B., when I began losing weight, that my chins got flabbier---what is up with that??? She told me there are exercises found on-line to do in order to tighten up the chins and neck. Anyway, Tommy coaxed Linda into pulling my shirt down just as he took the picture....it could have been much worse with even more advertising space available!!!