Making things ready

Earlier this week I had my friend, Marlena, here to help with some cleaning for the upcoming event. Actually, what she did for me would not figure into the Meet 'n Greet but was something which I could no longer tolerate---dust in my room! This area would not be open to visitors at all but it's where I spend most of my time, which is likely why it gets so dusty. Because I was tied up with getting other things ready, I got her here as my designated duster. She doesn't mind climbing around on the ladder and reaching the high stuff which I cannot.

Tomorrow my friend, Owene, is going to bring her lady here to do the rest of the cleaning in the formal rooms. Marys is an Haitian refugee befriended by Owene who has been desperately seeking employment for Jean and Marys. They have 8 children, not all of them here, with one being in high school. Earlier this summer I was able to donate some castoff clothing to this family and now am able to employee Marys for a couple of hours. She does not speak much English so I had sent a list of what I'd like done to Owene who then sent it to the daughter who can translate for her mom. This should be interesting, and far, far different than when Marlena is here. Wow, she talks more than I do!

Justin and I decided to not go shopping last night because of the storm, and not wishing to miss the Jaguar game. Football is football, we don't care if it's preseason or not. Sadly, the Bears beat the Jags by one point, one point!! It so easily could have gone the other way but alas, twas not to be. Oh well....

So, anyway, I agreed to do the shopping alone today in order for him to have all the ingredients he needs for his recipes. Justin wrote me a list, but not your ordinary list---his was written so that it takes me directly to the location in the store where the items is located. An example is, when entering the store you bear right past the BO/GO items. I can throw them in the cart even if not on the list, right? Anyway, next he lead me to the deli for the Swiss cheese and ham, and down the aisle to the Hawaiian rolls, and so on. He knows his Publix layout that well!

Connie helped me carry stuff upstairs, at least the refrigerated and necessary items. After a rest, I went down to get some more. She is such a good helper, especially at times like this. Today she washed off my doors from the outside and hosed the area around my door, at her own suggestion, so it's nice for the gathering on Monday. That saves me a job, and I appreciate her help. 

A crazy summer storm!

Justin and I are waiting for this wild storm to wrap up before we head to Publix. It has been thundering like nuts and lightning right on top of the thunder, rattling the windows and my nerves. My friend, Cindy, reported that another storm has just left her area so we are getting another wave right now. We lost our power a couple of times which nicely takes the Internet with it. During The Five, mind you! Interrupted Linda's and my conversation mid-sentence!

This was the sky which greeted us this morning, as captured by my neighbor, Sharon. I had taken a photo before she took this one and it was lame by compare. She is a pro and it shows!

Tonight we are shopping to get our supplies to make for a political function being hosted here on Monday night. My next door neighbor, Kay, asked me to help her since her house is smaller than mine. Justin is quite excited because he is interested in politics, plus he's been planning items to make for appetizers. Kay is making stuff, too, and took care of distribution of the invitations which I made up. We are quite the team! Glo Smith is running against Corrine Brown and has my full support!

Cleaning has been going on here, badly needed, including me breaking the rules and climbing on the ladder to polish up my kitchen cabinets. Whew, what a job that was! Yesterday I did my curio cabinet which was badly in need of dusting. I have a burned out light on my chandelier and I think it needs the attention of an electrician because the socket might be bad. Will have to get along with one bulb out. Hope no one notices...

We have plans to watch the Jaguar game tonight so I hope the storms let up soon enough to allow for shopping and getting home in time to watch the game. Justin can't stay up long enough to see the end and I am not sure I will either, but we'll see. It starts at 8:00 pm so we'll watch Jeopardy! first while we eat dinner and then start watching the game. Go Jaguars!

Such goofy weather

This morning we had something quite unusual occur during our water exercise class---we got 'thundered out' of the pool!!  It's not unusual to have this happen in the later afternoon but it is extremely rare for 10:15 in the morning. The lifeguard, Tiana, summoned us out of the water as soon as she heard the second roll, being in compliance with the pool rules. 

We grudgingly sat on the side at first...and then someone had the terrible idea of exercising out of the water. What???  The ladies grabbed their foam barbells and away we went. After a certain point we realized it was harder to do our routines out of the water! We thought they were strenuous enough in the water and they were worse yet on dry land. Nancy L. said doing them hurt her shoulder and I didn't want her to feel bad about sitting out, so I joined her. I am the best friend (and not interested in dry land jumping jacks!).

This morning's sunrise

When I got back up to my house, the weather was changing rapidly. I was not happy about that because I was meeting a friend for lunch at Ruby Tuesday on Fleming Island. I'd made this date with her in July before going to WI and had looked forward to seeing Lisa. She is a consultant for Creative Memories products which is now operating under a different name since being sold. She showed me their new line of products, gave me a brochure so I can show it to Judy C. who used to deal Creative Memories years ago under Lisa's team. I was glad the rain let up before I had to drive home again. Crazy weather!

My sister, Kerry, works ridiculous hours at her job, first working day shift, then several days of 2nd shift, and then a couple more of 3rd shift. She already has troubles with her sleep habits and this is exacerbating the problem for her. She reached out to me via my Facebook page asking my friends and me for advice on sleep helps. Many of them did come through with ideas including many she'd already tried and some she's not. One person suggested some sort of essential oils to aid her sleep. Sleep is essential too! I feel so badly for her because I know how I am when not getting sufficient sleep. She needs to be at the top of her game for her work and not nodding off when she's on duty at the State Hospital switch board. I will pray she finds the help she needs for getting decent sleep and a more regular work schedule soon. 

Lunch with Jacquie

This past summer has been beastly as far as getting together with Jacquie and Mark poolside. The weekends have been dampened regularly with stupid storms, causing people to dash for cover or for their cars, as the case might be. We had one really good day in May, when Linda was here, when Jacquie presented me with my fancy pool noodle. Other dates we were able to be together included Memorial Day poolside which was so nice. Cotton candy from the buffet---awesome!

Linda and I riding on the fun noodles from Jacquie. I got to keep mine!

Today Jacquie and I were able to catch up for lunch at Panera Bread as we both had things to take care of on the Island. She picked up some framing she'd had done at Great Hang Ups, a lovely piece. Jacquie told me how glad she is that I introduced her to those ladies, as they have become a blessing in her life as well. Love that! While at Panera, I took advantage of the baker's dozen deal for bagels, offered on Tuesdays. 13 bagels, sliced, for $6.99. Half a bagel is a meal for me. Justin asked me to get the cinnamon topped ones so I took 6 of those and then the rest are variety. I get my cream cheese elsewhere, though, because it's too expensive for my tastes and needs from Panera. 

It was nice to be with Jacquie again. We talked about recipes and foods to make for the upcoming Meet 'n Greet I'm having at my home for Glo Smith. Jacquie's been involved in several such events and has much to offer as regards what to serve, what not to serve, and so on. Justin is more concerned with the food and I am concerned with the turnout and where to put everyone if the turnout is excellent. I met with the co-hostess, Kay, yesterday and we are on track for having things under control. At least on paper it looks that way!!

The Eyes Have It

Not long before I left for WI I noticed something was amiss with my eyes. Or, eye, I should say. Not unlike what I experienced last fall which was caused (likely) by a stress migraine in the eye which did not hurt but caused the light flashes on the peripheral which did eventually dissipate. So, therefore, I didn't get too upset by the flashes and the sense that something was running under my bed or that someone was coming in the room when I was alone. Sort of spooky...

I don't know if I mentioned this to anyone in WI either as the flashing seemed to stop but the blurry spot remained. When I got home and settled, I went to the website for the eye doctor to set up an appointment to have it checked over. The appointment was set for this a.m. but I never did get a confirmation e-mail or a phone call about it. I tried calling the office, the old fashioned way, but had to leave a voice mail. When I got to the office, they had no idea I was coming. My explanation that I'd made the appointment on-line was met with "oh, sometimes that doesn't work...". Really? How handy is that? 

The young lady was trying to find an appointment time for me and was well into September for an opening. Once I explained what was happening, she got me in the next day. That's more like it! This means getting up and dressed two days in a row (it sure doesn't take me long to fall into my old habits!) for this appointment. And, I'll miss water exercises because of it, too, but need to get it looked into.

I have to laugh at myself sometimes---laugh, or cry. I got the new washer in July when the CO kids were here, and then a week or so later I left for WI. Now that I am back here and using the new machine, it makes sounds that I don't yet recognize. I am getting exercise running to check that all is well. One time I ran in there and it was actually my neighbor's machine making the racket. Whew! It doesn't sound as though it's working all that hard but makes other noises when it changes cycles. This will take some getting used to, but in the meantime, it's a workout for me and my nerves. 

Church, Chili's, and pool

It was back to church for me this a.m., first to Bible study and then to worship. I was glad to see my friends again, hugs exchanged and some delivered as requested by Mom.  My friend, Carol, is still at her summer home so I won't get to see her hubby and her until September some time. Loved seeing Gretchen and put a few extra hugs on her to make up for lost time...We had talked once when I was in WI, which was nice, but this is better!

                   

                            This is the lovely sunrise I witnessed today....worthy of a painting!

After church our usual group went to Chili's for lunch. Judy told me that they tried Buffalo Wild Wings while I was gone, to see if it would do, but it did not work out. The prices were high, the food only so-so, and it was too noisy. It is more of a sport's bar atmosphere than is Chili's though they do have TV's in each dining section so I can watch football when it's that season. Spoiled Kim!  Judy said we just have to resign ourselves to being patient with Chili's, which is a relief to me. I don't get weary of their menu since I have the same thing every week! Sure don't mind having leftovers for another meal or two either.

Since I had lunch out, I disappointed Marlena by not ordering food once I got to the pool. She knows I go with church family on Sundays but hey, it's worth asking, right? I did treat Burnie and me to an ice cream later on, since he treated me before I left for WI. He said the reason he jogs and swims laps every day is so he can have an ice cream. I have no such excuse!

Marlena came over to where I was bobbing in the water to tell me a nice story. While I was gone, some one in the exercise class mentioned my name, saying I was still writing my newsletters while away. Marlena wanted to know if I knew the pump was out on the pool, and was told that I did, indeed, know about it. Nancy L., my 80+ upstairs neighbor, said, "...and she would find something nice to say about it..." Aw, isn't that sweet of her? Even when we have a disaster in the building (except for in my unit!) I try to present it in a fair and balanced way, smoothing things over, snipping off the barbs, as it were. How kind of Nancy to say that and for Marlena to tell me!

Of course, it's raining!

It is a no-clothes day for me, but it's not as awful as it sounds. Today is one where I go from wearing my night gown to my swimsuit, and then back into my gown. No reason to get completely dressed unless someone calls and says, "Let's go have dinner!" I can get dressed with the speed of a fireman if I have to, but unless that call comes, I am ready to stay in my sleep wear for the rest of the day. We got whistled out of the pool late afternoon due to the sound of thunder. We are patient and can wait for the 30 minutes to pass between thunder rolls, but when it began to drizzle, well, most us just called it a day and went to our respective homes. 

No worries, though, as there is plenty to do at my desk, not the least of which is to conquer the stack of mail which accumulated in my absence. Before I left for the Conference I had pretty well gotten the desk cleared off but it doesn't take long for it to be piled full again. Years ago my company had an employee, Rebecca, who just loved to file stuff. I don't understand her preference but sure did appreciate her doing it. Somehow that desire did not visit upon me so my piling system sometimes gets the better of me here. The only area in my life that I allow/tolerate a mess is on my desk. And I do know my A-B-C's, so that's not my problem, ha ha!

Oh, it was so good to see my friends again today. Bob was there and I was glad to give him a hug. He'd been with his daughter's family at a rental house in Ormand Beach so wasn't around either for the pump being out. He would NOT have had something good to say about it, that's for sure. Bob gave me a quick run down of his time away, the good restaurants they found, etc. Fran and Rick were a bit further down the pool edge, and eventually Bill and Nancy M. came out for some relaxation. They are still working on their home, affectionately called The Money Pit, but need some down time from their tasks. Painting is in process inside by Nancy while Bill is working on projects outside. Can't wait to see the finished project. It is soon their one year anniversary of coming to the pool, right around Labor Day. We sure did make fast friends with each other!

Nancy W. did not come out today as she is still feeling a bit punk from her respiratory malady. She has been on the sick list since before I left for WI with various maladies, not the least of which is being kept awake most nights by her noisy neighbor. Nancy said she may as well have a baby and being awakened every two or three hours by a lady who doesn't even realize she is doing it. I miss her, though, so will try to get together another time and catch up on her life, etc. Text messaging just doesn't do it sometimes. When she and I went to breakfast the day before I left, she was expecting to have sold her other home so I hope that did take place. She has so much on her plate!

As I sat at a table talking with some folks, the owner of The Club walked through to the cabana, and then back again. She said 'hello' to a couple people as she walked back again, heading for the gate, but then turned around and came back. She came to where I was seated, welcomed me back, and then said, "Mitch worked late last night to get that pump in for you...." I thanked her for his efforts and said I was quite glad to have it up and running again. And then she left. My table mates wondered what THAT was all about and I just said, "She knows how much I enjoy the pool..." I liked the extra effort put forth to get the pump in and running. I don't mind sharing MY pool with everyone else!