Oh, a late night...

It was so wonderful to see and hug Stephanie tonight! Her mom, Jean, and she just flew in from WI only a couple hours earlier, so I didn't expect them to show up at class. I should have! When they got up this a.m. it was 14 above zero, so the 64 they came 'home' to felt wonderful!

                                     

Our study tonight was on the Lord's Supper, with six of us in class. What can be a difficult lesson to understand by those not familiar with the practice of close communion, everyone, those going through the class for the first time, seemed to grasp it. And the great mystery of receiving the body and blood of the Lord---well, it was a great class!

I had gotten a phone message from my Elder while in class so I listened to that before driving home. When I called back, it went to voice mail on his end. It could wait, evidently. I was also waiting to hear from someone else from church, but he'd gone to the movies with his son, to see "Lincoln". I know it will be a while as it's a long movie. Can stay up late enough for him to call me back.

Today was the day for Bible history so on my long ride to Lake Asbury, I called Mom. She was surprised to hear from me in the morning on a Tuesday since normally I call in the evening. Shouldn't mess with my mama like that! Part of the road to where I was going is under construction, a good half of it. As I drove along and talked, it occurred to me that I must have missed my turn. I told Mom I had to hang up and drive, which I did, but it turned out I was on the right path all along! The road had been 'redirected' to eliminate the turn and just take me directly to where I was going. Imagine that!

                                          

Amber was late in arriving, by nearly 40 minutes, and I was thinking she was not coming. She was obviously upset and her state of mind was such that class was out of the question. Several tissues later, hers, not mine this time, she told us her troubles, the majority of which are financial ones. Breaks our hearts! Judy was going with her to help take care of some things and I went home to cook up some plans. Prayers are needed for our friend, please...

When I was talking with Justin about the situation a little bit ago, he started coming up with ideas, too, to help resolve the issue. I can't wait to hear what else he comes up with tomorrow when he's had more time to process the whole story. Gotta love a guy who is a problem solver. 

Another friend, a shirttail family member, is waiting and waiting for her house sale to go through. According to her Facebook communication to me this evening, Wednesday is going to be the day. Only about a week and half after it was planned to close, but hopefully now all the bugs are worked out and she is good to go. Her JEEP has been packed up with the remaining items, the POD with her household belongings in it already in WI, with a TV and sleeping bag left in the house. Can't wait to hear that it's finally a done deal and she is on her way. I will see her in December in our shared hometown and we will hug each other in person instead of virtually! Love that...

Still waiting for the phone call tonight...

That's it, folks!

This mornings' Bible study was the last of 2012 for us. Pastor said it gets too busy at this time of the year to have it so we reconvene January 7th, 2013. 2013? That does seem odd to write and then read, doesn't it? We will still have the class on Sunday mornings, and for me, I will have the two classes at Victory until it's time for me to leave for WI. I won't starve but some people at GS just might. They could always go to the class Pastor does at the neighboring apartment complex on Saturdays....

For the next couple of weeks I will still have Bible history class with Amber. She has not been able to attend worship very often but hopefully those gift cards for gas my other friend donated to her will make a difference. While they were intended to enable Amber to get to Bible history, she could stretch the gas to get to church, too. Midweek is good, too, with our little class, if that's all she can afford to do. We have time for three more classes before I leave for the holidays, including tomorrow's class.

Six of us ladies went to lunch at Longhorn and had a different waitress who takes much better care of us. Her name is Amber also, oddly enough, and is in the family way. She had been once before but suffered a miscarriage. This time she has more confidence in the pre-natal care she is under and is nearly 4 months along. Amber is a dear young lady, still has her wedding picture taped to her order taking book! I had a burger from the children's menu with fries, but left most of the fries behind. How a kid eats a burger that size is beyond me!

After lunch I went to Beall's to make a return and an exchange that had been pending for some time. The top was a simple return because I had the receipt, but the exchange of shoes was less easy to do. I had no receipt nor could the clerk track the purchase using my two bank cards. How odd that is! That was my only way of paying for things, why didn't they show up?

This is the shoe I was trying to exchange! Aren't they cute?

Twice the manager had to come up front to assist the clerk yet in training, for this simple exchange of one size shoe for another. Then, it occurred to me what happened, why I didn't have the receipt---my sister probably paid for the shoes! We had consolidated our purchases in order to make the most of the coupons I had. Now it made sense! And eventually I was able to exchange the shoes, same priced, just different sizes and was out the door. Wal-Mart and Kohl's have a great program for making returns and exchanges, and that is something to keep in mind.

Justin came in from work covered in dirt from head to toe. Even his feet were black, and he said, "I need new boots!" I would get him some for Christmas but I have to know exactly what to get so his feet and he are happy. At one point he had a brand that did not hold up well at all, and I don't want to do that to him again. Somehow I will have to sneak a peek. Could have done that when he had them parked outside the doors to "dry off", because he had cut residential lawns all day, and almost every home had a dog.....pheew! Thank you for leaving them outside, Justin!

                         

On the left side of the plate is the green bean casserole, then the pork strips, a sauce for the pork wtith Tostitos chopped up in it (he made it up himself), and a Publix dinner roll!
Tonight for dinner he wanted to make some gnocchi he bought at Publix the other day but instead we had leftovers, as I could barely fit my to-go box into the fridge the way it was. What we didn't finish off was placed into smaller containers for the sake of space. Sunday after he got home from the football game he made us breaded pork chops which he coated with crumbs and bathed in shredded cheese. He asked me to make another green bean casserole, since we had the ingredients on hand. It was a very nice meal to have when watching the Packer game. In fact, it was the only good thing about the Packer game. No worries, though, we will brush ourselves off again, come back strong next week!!! By "we" I mean, Justin and me, but I cannot speak for the Packers!!!

Some joy, some misery

The misery factor is high tonight as Justin and I watch men wearing Packer uniforms get trounced in New York. Oh, it's painful painful painful! 
                              
Such a contrast to the game played by the Jaguars today where they actually won! They beat the Titans by five points, making it the 2nd victory this season. Whoo hoo! As much as we looked forward to our Sunday night watching football, we are crushed. There are only so many crushing defeats that I can stand in one month, guys!

Changing it up

This morning we began a new study of the book of Galatians, a welcome change from the five weeks of stewardship classes. As I mentioned, the first two weeks were replays of last year's program and then the next three were the new program from Synod. I also went through the entire 2012 program start to finish in one hour's time at Victory so am good to go in regard to being a faithful steward! Sadly, I won't be able to keep up with the Galatians study because of leaving for WI. Linda assures me there are good studies going on up there which I will enjoy. 

                                 

On the way to church this a.m. it occurred to me that I had left my camera at home. Shoot! I was supposed to be taking photos of people for the Flock Board. I had a nice purse camera which would have worked only the camera won't tolerate its batteries. Guess I could take it somewhere for a check-up to see what is going on. 

It would not do me any good to call Justin to bring it with him as he spent the night at Ron's house and was leaving from there for the football game. Oh, I do hope he is dressed warmly because it got down to 33 above zero overnight and is only in the 60's today. It's a good Jaguar game, now in the 3rd quarter and they don't stink. Justin said they can't win or will lose their good position for draft picks. What do I do? Cheer or not???

After church was Fellowship Sunday for which Judy serves teeny sandwiches and cookies. An offering is taken for the scholarship fund for our two students at our prep Synod school. (One is a member at Christ, Keystone Heights.) At least it helps defray some of their costs for travel and such. Pastor forgot to mention it in the announcements so one of the ladies stood outside to remind people to come in. At first it looked as though there would be a lot of food leftover but then the flood gates opened! No sandwiches remained and only a few cookies. Judy wrapped some up to-go for Joe Z., that sweet loving man!

Somehow or another, as the result of the outcome of a college football game played Saturday, it was decided to eat at the Duval Chili's so that an adult beverage could be enjoyed with our meals. I have no dog in that fight but Mike C. and Terri T. did. Seven of us went up to OakLeaf's restaurant and had to wait for a table. Once seated the service was incredibly slow, and Mike didn't even have an adult beverage!!! What was this all about??? We decided to stick to our own Chili's from now on where everyone knows our names (well, sort of...)!

We were seated before the Jags game began and left during halftime. Wow! That restaurant was busier than the Wells Road one, it seemed, or else it is smaller. Anyway, the company was great and that counts, too!

                                               

Back in the Fellowship Hall, Gretchen was talking with me about my climbing the stairs at First German to sing with the choir on Christmas Day. Former choir members are encouraged to join the current ones in singing "The Hallelujah Chorus", which I did last year. I told Gretchen I had to start out early enough in the service to have caught my breath in order to sing at the appointed time. She finds that so amusing! Then, Gretchen said she wished she could hear it. I told her she can! Last year I had gotten a CD recording of the service and am taking it to her Monday so she can listen at home. "Oh, some good music..." she exclaimed when I told her the entire worship service was on the CD. Yay for Gretchen!

Besides the Chorus, she was talking to me about her great purchases at Publix this past week. Apparently she enjoys the BO/GO sales like Justin and I do, only she stocked her larder (crisper drawer in the fridge!) with Dove chocolate! She is such a hoot! I guess that is in keeping with the stewardship classes we have been going through---getting the most for your money!

Well, it seems the Jaguars are going to pull off a victory here against the Titans unless they do something wretched to mess it up. Justin will be so glad to leave the stadium not in tears for a change! Go Jags! And tonight, Go Pack Go!!!

It's so dry

The other day I mentioned to Judy C. how I hesitated to say something for risk of ruining it, but my knees seemed less bothersome. They are still stiff, but not angry at me. Strange, I know. My thinking is that perhaps the humidity being less (barometric pressure changes) is having a positive affect on my joints. One negative effect (I am having a dilemma with the "a" and the "e" proper usage...) with dryer, heated air is the dry skin. I seriously need some moisturizing lotion!

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Justin came into my room this morning, looking all disheveled from sleeping, with a dour look on his face, and making growling noises. At first I wondered if someone outside or upstairs woke him up. I asked him why he looked so surly, to which he replied, "...another synonym...". Ahhh, I get it! I said, "Why do you look so grumpy?" and off we went to Grumpy's for breakfast. My sly and clever boy!!!

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Justin and his friends went to the late morning showing of "Red Dawn", newly released re-made version of the movie by the same name. I never saw the original, at least I don't think so, and I am glad his pals could go and I  don't have to! At Judy's the other day, Mike S. remarked that it has been 15 years since he has been inside a movie theater. How does that happen? 

                                   

He only recently bought a DVD player in order to watch a political DVD he ordered. Good for him catching up to technology. Now all he needs is a gas line hooked up to his range and he'll be able to bake. He doesn't like microwave ovens either...What a character! At least he has a cell phone and knows how to use the text feature.

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Yesterday the mailman delivered to my door a box with my Advent cards in it, and two catalogs. As he handed them to Justin he said, "Sorry, no checks today---only catalogs." By this time I had come to the door and greeted him as he was walking off. I laughed and said, "He gets a hug and kiss when he brings me a check!" I thanked him for delivering the box to my door for me. I think he is not afraid of me anymore! 

                                                  

Now I could get busy and work on the Advent cards for the kids at church. Sadly, it didn't take very long for me to complete my task. Not enough kiddos at church anymore....We have one guy who is six years old, and the next one in line will be a one-year-old soon. Eli would not  yet appreciate an Advent card so he will have to wait a couple years for his.

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I made an executive decision, with which Justin is okay as long as I am. No Christmas tree is being put up and decorated this season. Wow! Instead, I will put up the table-top tree and perhaps a few other pieces to make the house festive. Since I am leaving so early in the month for WI and not coming back until after New Year---well, I just decided not to do it. He is a teeny bit relieved, as he is the guy to put up the tree and then take it down. Recently Justin has been looking at the catalogs which come at some regularity, finding trees that go up more easily, store more readily, and so on. This time he won't have to mess with it at all. 

                                     

The reason I am going 'home' so early in the month is to be in town for the major cultural event---the Lutheran High sacred concert at the Capital Civic Center. Not only is the concert marvelous, but it's a great opportunity to see folks I haven't seen since the year before. Old classmates, my former teachers, other people from the various congregations. 

                                 

Last year I had the chance to meet at this concert one of my Facebook friends, in the flesh, instead of only via the Internet! Love it! It is a great way to kick off the Christmas season, even if it's more than two weeks before Christmas! Messing with my schedule there, guys!

It must be the weekend

Justin and I were talking about this yesterday---how we are mixed up about what day it is. Besides having church two of the days, having the big dinners and 'holiday' feeling, it just felt like a Sunday afternoon to us. The only thing was---no football! That was our give-away. 

I got upset because the network where I usually catch my early evening dose of "Seinfeld" had a movie playing instead. Wait just a minute there!!! Justin said, "Oh, if only you had a giant box of DVD's in the family room to watch...." and offered to grab a disc or two of "Seinfeld" for me. Thanks anyway, Sweets, I will be okay. 

                                   

                                   This episode is called "The Subway"

Justin said he was messed up, too, so it is not just an 'old lady' thing here. He had to chuckle, getting things lined up for work even though that wouldn't happen for a couple more days! Originally he'd had plans to go with his friends for the evening, but people got tuckered out so scratched the outing planned. His boss swung by to pick up some games to play on his newly purchased XBox but didn't want to come up for a visit. Wanted to get home to play!

                                        

One of my favorite things about the feast days are the classic green bean casserole and real mashed potatoes. I did have potatoes at Judy's and at The Club, but did not have the casserole. Fortunately, I had the ingredients to make my own batch, as well as potatoes. At Judy's Thursday, she was telling me how she doesn't care for mashed potatoes with the skins on. I do, however, and rather appreciate some lumps. "Sticky, but good.." was how my little niece, Lisa, described my mashed potatoes as a child. Sticky but good is right! Made for a good dinner last night, too, with the leftover Wimpy meat to compliment the beans and mashed potatoes.

My day began quite early as I made the jaunt down the street to Sun Tire to have the car checked. The guy I spoke to said to bring it right in before they got busy so I was in their door before 8:00 a.m.! Nick was at the counter when I walked in and said, "We just saw you the other day..." so I explained to him what the deal was. 

A fellow walked in and Nick handed him my keys. Just like that! I asked, "Does he know what he's looking for?" Nick answered, "He does if you tell him..." This was confusing to me, and I asked, "Must I go out there and talk to him?" Nick told me that was the guy I spoke to on the phone so he already knew what to look for. I know it was early but really, that was confusing! How should I know that only Nick and Ray are the ones who answer the phone. And who is Ray???

Anyway, I got situated in the wait area, again with the History Network on, and began to read my book. In less than 20 minutes, Ray came in and handed me the keys, saying, "There you go...." I got him to explain to me what was going on, why I was smelling exhaust in the car. It seems some overspray or overfill got on the engine cover (nodding and looking like I understand...) and he did his best to clean things off. Ray said I might smell it a little bit as it works out of the systems but "it won't start a fire or anything..." I hadn't even considered that!! Thanks very much, Ray!!

                                   

By shortly after 8:00 a.m. I was back home and watching the rest of the news. Should have gotten Justin up to go have breakfast but instead enjoyed a lovely ham sandwich on a home-baked roll. He brought these goodies home with him the night before from his father's house. I should have shared my pumpkin pie with him but didn't. Perhaps today I should make him a pie, spreading out our holiday feast for the entire weekend!

Facebook replaces the newspaper!

The local paper from my hometown, the Herald-Times-Reporter, most of the time blocks my viewing of articles, wanting me to become a subscriber to this on-line 'newspaper'. It is barely that, but I do visit the website regularly to see what's going on, check the weather and see if anyone I know has died. Yes, I am at THAT age now! Often times the Green Bay paper carries the same articles, so I can sneak a peak on their pages. 

Someone posted this photo on Facebook of the First German Lutheran Pioneer's float entered in the Thanksgiving parade. I thought that parade was held at night in the past but this time it appears to be light outside. Or else they have a really good camera! 

In yesterday's paper was a very nice article written about the Thanksgiving Day meal prepared and served at First German. One of their members posted the link on FG's Facebook page. The article featured Ralph and Jean Schwark who do the majority of the meal prep, with a team of helpers to set-up, serve, and take down. Ralph cooked when in the military so knows what he's doing in the kitchen. 

Both his wife and he use canes for getting around which can't be easy when working on one's feet all day like that. Oh my! Open to the public and to their own members, it's a wonderful service to the community. FG has a great PR service going for it, somehow or another, and part of that is thanks to Facebook!