What? Rain again?

 I am so glad that I got home from Victory's Bible study before this storm got fired up. This is the view looking south along the river, right after 12:00 pm. North FL is no stranger to summer storms, usually later in the afternoon for an hour or so, but this is now getting to be ridiculous. We have even been having rain or its threat in the morning hours when normally the rains would start after the hottest part of the day. Scratching my head....One good thing is that the FL aquifer is being replenished and even some of the lake beds in Keystone Heights have water in them again. The docks built many years ago now won't look so foolish going out onto dry land. 

Another repercussion of the rains is that Justin and his crew struggle to get a full day's work in, being caught in regular downpours which makes lawn maintenance difficult if not impossible. The other day he was telling me how he needed to hook ropes to the ride-on mower to pull it from a muddy yard, feeling a muscle strain  in his neck. The next couple times he got stuck, the guys instead put ropes around their middles and then walked backward to free the mower. Smart!, but working like oxen is not what they signed on for. The lawns water logged but still need attention. It's a royal pain to tend them when so soft. Other areas in our nation are begging for this rain, and I wish for their sakes that they get their wish!

Thinking of my auntie

Back in 2002 when I was still married and our family lived in The Preserve, my mom's older sister came for a visit for Justin's confirmation. Aunt Marie was quite a character, I really got a kick out of her. This was her first visit to FL, and quite possibly the furthest away from home than she'd ever been. It was great fun having her because this trip was so special to her, all that we did with and for her being greatly appreciated.

One reason she has been on my mind lately is because I had to search through old photos to find a baby picture of myself for a Ladies' Group event. In that search I found a photo of Mom and Auntie Marie looking at a scrapbook together at a picnic we'd had. It was the first scrapbook I'd ever completed, one made for my Auntie about her visit to FL. It was special to me and I hope it was to her, as well. 

My friend posted on FB this a.m. about being lulled to sleep by the frogs croaking out in the yard. That, too, reminded me of Auntie Marie. When Auntie was here in Orange Park, she was simply blown away by the racket the frogs made. They especially enjoyed our pond which was still getting finishing touches put on it before the confirmation party. She would go onto the back patio to listen to them start their singing and then to hear them end their song as abruptly as they'd begun. Once when talking with her daughter in WI on the phone, Auntie took the phone outside so Barbie could hear the frogs, who were, of course, quiet. So my auntie tried to coax them into singing for my cousin to hear. She'd go, "Ribbit! Ribbit" and wait for them to join her. They failed to join her song but she kept it up. Talk about funny!!

Barbie with Auntie, Justin, and me in 2011

Because work was still going on outdoors to ready our property for the pending celebration for Justin's confirmation, workman would be wandering around outside the windows. Auntie and Mom would sit at the table in the dinette and watch all the activity from there. Mom knew our guys, especially Michael, who'd been with us for a while already. He was around so frequently that the ladies got used to having him there. At one point when my relatives started to arrive, my brother-in-law looked up and saw this man in our yard. He wondered who it was  and Auntie said, matter-of-factly, "Oh, that's Michael, the houseboy..."  To this day I cannot think of Michael without thinking 'the houseboy'! He got married a couple weeks ago, which brought my auntie's description of him to mind yet again. Isn't it funny how these thoughts come in groups?

Chuckling away

Oh, that Justin---he just makes me laugh!

Saturday when I came in from the pool, I took off my swimsuit and left it on the floor after I got dressed. Earlier when I put it on, one of my 'old' ones, the determination was made this would be last time I wore the suit. The elastic was not doing its job well any longer, the suit and its occupant were both quite saggy. It was simply time to put it down. A couple days prior to this outing, Justin had sadly announced to me that my pool days might be numbered as record low temps were in the forecast. This does not help to warm the pool water one bit. He genuinely felt badly for me while rejoicing for himself, preferring much cooler weather for doing yard work. 

Back to my 'old' swimsuit---once I was dressed again, I gathered up the wet suit plus grabbed my wastebasket, and marched to the kitchen. Unceremoniously I stuffed the swimsuit and emptied my trash over the top of it in the kitchen basket. There! Justin looked at me and said, deadpan, "I guess pool season really is over..." Tore me up!!  

A day of remembering

This head cold or whatever it is is taking its toll on me. This might add to my tiredness as well, my body is sore from the non-productive hacking I am doing. My mouth is tender from sucking on lozenges which Justin provided me. He also shared his throat spray and I really like having that to calm my irritated throat. My friend, Ollavan, said her daughter-in-law has this now, too, so this makes us both think I am not suffering from an allergy. It might be something in the air, just not pollen or other irritants. Just a bug Patty and I have to suffer through. My nightstand looks ridiculous with bottles of cold medicine, throat spray, lozenges, and chap stick. You'd think it was a hospital room with all the junk needed to help me feel better. At least I can sleep fine and look forward to that shortly!

Some of my time today was spent watching commemorations of the terror attacks on the US in 2001. Across the bottom of the screen ran the names of those killed in the buildings and on the four jets which took people with them when crashing. I remember where I was that day and who I was with. In particular, I think of our former neighbor, Dan, having to work many hours as a traffic controller, trying to get the planes which were still in the air to airports when travel was being restricted. Dan and Lynn hosted a game night the following Friday evening for the neighborhood, to tear us away from our TV screens.

I tore myself away from the screen this afternoon and enjoyed a couple hours at the pool. Strangely enough, my cold or whatever it is does not bother me as much when outdoors. This would make it surely not an allergy thing since most irritants would be outside, I would think. It felt wonderful to be out there and soak up the sun with my friends around and in the pool. I went upstairs to watch The Five with Linda. 

Before that, though, Nancy W. called, wanting to go to dinner. I explained that I had a cold but she said some soup would be the right thing to fix me up. Off we went to Sweet Tomatoes, and she was right---the soup was wonderful!! I even had some salad, especially love their pasta salad with tuna and tarragon in it. The thing which really helped the most was the soft serve ice cream with sprinkles on it. I was so thankful she suggested it and that she came to pick me up for our outing!

Bible study day

This morning I headed over to Victory for Bible study. We had a nice group gathered, with Rita treating us to special bakery from Cinotti's near the Beaches. I've eaten there (they also have a dining room) and enjoyed their wonderful sugar cookies. Today we were treated to assorted doughnuts which were also wonderful. Our study proceeds through Isaiah, nearing the end with only four more chapters to go. This has been one of the finest studies I've ever been through, and I appreciate so much Pastor's style of leading. We are allowed and even encouraged to tie today's events and situations to the circumstances about which Isaiah was writing. Love it!

 

A haunting sky this a.m.

Justin and I had been thinking about our dinner tonight for a while, having purchased the green beans already before Linda came. It was time to use them up! He really likes my meatloaf so that's what we had tonight, plus baked potatoes to go with our green beans and carrots. He added some honey to the veggies, just enough to add a bit of sweetness to them, but not sticky. So delicious!! We have two and a half of the mini-loaves left for another time, and I look forward to a meatloaf sandwich for lunch tomorrow! 

Another Bible study for me today was the one from last night, broadcast from Martin Luther College. I was to be a host for a group of those wanting to take part in this online study which happened last night. When afternoon came and went with no one indicating they were coming, I just assumed it wasn't going to happen. Justin and I went ahead and had our dinner, following our usual dinner routine. I was pretty tired after my early start to the day with the airport run so going to bed was quite appealing. I could watch the Bible study the 2nd time it was aired last night, not LIVE, but opted to do so today instead.

How interesting this study of Elisha is! I have worksheets with which to follow along but I didn't access them, satisfied to simply listen and watch. Much information is covered in just over an hour's time. This is going to be good! I told Pastor that I was not available to host next week due to Trivia at The Club (passing on Bible study for Happy Hour---sad, yes?) but it would appear that no one was going to come anyway. Nor did anyone show up at church for the session. Hopefully folks are tuning in from home, I had sent out the information and links to access the study earlier yesterday. It would be sad to miss this study when it's so simple to just do from the comfort of one's desk chair, or bed, in my case. 

A dramatic change in plans

Oh, I am so drowsy but should not complain knowing my friend, Linda, is even more tired than am I. She did not sleep well last night fearing she wouldn't hear her alarm clock or that her suitcase would be overweight....Yes, she slept in my home one more night!

Yesterday afternoon, Justin was home from work due to the heavy rains, and agreed to drive us to the airport. I was going to treat him to Longhorn since he's been hungry for it since we last ate there in January when he picked me up from the airport. Linda had stripped her bed and deposited the towels and bedding in the laundry room for me. She is a champ! Before we headed out, I decided to check her flight status to make sure all was on time. And it was a good thing I did! It turned out that her flight coming in was delayed by two hours. Oh no! If she caught that flight she would be late getting to ATL and miss her connection. There were no more flights going to MKE from ATL for her to catch.

It was pretty upsetting for her and she immediately jumped on the phone to try to reach her travel agent, Tom. He didn't answer either time she tried, not even at the office. She was getting panicky, wondering what to do so I got her the phone number for Southwest Airlines. They had a recording taking the calls which was frustrating. Meanwhile, Justin found a number where he could input Linda's phone number and the airline would call her back. 

While we waited, Tommy called her back and wasn't sure what he could do on his end. I heard him ask where I was. I was right here, trying to be a helper. The SW call beeped in on Tom's call (thanks, Justin!) so Linda hung up with him and got help from the agent on the line. The only solution was to have Linda leave this morning, so she took that. The flight was leaving around 7:00 which meant a very early morning but no sweat, I was going to get her delivered and that's it! I asked her to find out what the delay was and the agent said it was a mechanical problem on the flight coming from Chicago. Glad to know it wasn't our stupid stormy weather holding up the show. 

Once the arrangements were made, Linda calmed down. I remade her bed for her so she'd be cozy one more night as Justin served her a nice adult beverage to settle her nerves.  Linda asked if La Napolera would be open and I said I would think they would be, after our false alarm Monday night! Justin said he thought it would be a good night for Ming Moon delivery and Linda agreed with that, because the rain was still coming down quite heavily. She treated us to dinner and it was wonderful. 

We all went to bed early due to being worn out and knowing we have to get up before the sun for our airport run. We planned to leave around 4:30, probably closer to 4:40, and we were right on the dot. Linda told me she didn't sleep well because of her concerns so I suggested she sleep on the plane. I hope she can. 

I went back to bed when I got home again at 6:00 a.m. (imagine that---gone and back before 6:00!) and dozed a bit before going out for exercise class. We were free-lancing again today, 9 of us, since Marlena is gone. At least the lifeguard was there to put the music on for us. All the rain made the water temperature go down but the sun helped keep our bodies warm. What was extra fun was having a friend of Ollavan's join us for class and for lunch. It was just a delight to spend the time with her again after a year between visits! 

Me posing with Sistie

I am thinking that a nap or two might be in order for me, and I hope Linda gets a snooze in before she arrives in MKE. She has to drive back to Manty once back to her car and has a long day in front of her yet. She should get home, Lord willing, mid-afternoon today. I am sorry she had to cancel some appointments from today, and miss a breakfast with her classmates, but it sure beats sitting in the airport in ATL overnight!  Good night, all!

Labor Day recap

Today is the day that Linda goes home, actually departing late this afternoon. We are going out for water exercises one more time before she leaves. Marlena is gone on vacation but we ladies can have a fun workout with her gone. Since The Club was open yesterday (normally closed Mondays) for the holiday, they are closed today so we'll have to make do otherwise for lunch. 

Yesterday morning we had a fun adventure. Justin had to work again on the holiday, sad to report, but Linda and I were planning for fun at the pool. While we sat and watched the news, I got a text message from a young friend, Brandon, who moved to OP from south FL a few months ago. He touches base periodically asking for suggestions for school for their son, different contractors for services at their home, and so on. He is a son of First German and my niece, Lisa, used to be his babysitter. 

He wanted to know where on the Island to get breakfast and I answered him either IHOP or Panera Bread. I asked him then if he knew Linda was visiting me and he said he did know, seeing my postings on FB. He said if we'd thought about it, how fun it would have been to get together, especially since his parents were in town for a visit. Wait a minute! Mike and Jody are here??  Brandon asked if we had breakfast, just as Linda was taking a bite from a bagel. I told him we had not eaten and we agreed to meet them all for breakfast at IHOP. Linda and I threw ourselves together, dressing as fast as firemen!, and got there before they did. How fun it was to see our former church friends again, a mini-reunion, and meet Brandon's wife and son. LOVE it!  I had sung an anthem with Mike and Jody for my niece's wedding and had seen them last at the School of Worship in 2011. So good to get together again, and on the spur of the moment. We can do it!

After our wonderful breakfast and time with this FG family, Linda and I headed back home to get ourselves suited up for pool fun. We had reservations for the noon buffet at The Club but I figured we would go eat toward the end of the serving time since we'd just gotten up from the table. We sat with Bill and Nancy and enjoyed time in the water. Bill was hungry and not going to wait for us to be ready so they went up to the building to get their food. Linda and I went a bit later, when the kids' pool games were getting underway. We ate up on the patio instead of carrying our plates back and forth. The buffet offered us burgers, hot dogs, pork, chicken breasts, two types of pasta salad, baked beans, plus other salads and condiments. It was delicious and most enjoyable. Linda had an ice cream Drumstick for dessert but I was too stuffed. 

We walked down to the pool area again and settled in with Bill and Nancy, watching the games. And then?? Giant rain drops started to come down, and away we all went. The rain would last the rest of the afternoon, off and on, but Justin managed to get a good day in. They are playing catch up from the week of rain shortened days. 

On the weekend we had talked about how we had hit all Linda's favorite (and ours!) dining places. We left no stone unturned, or so we thought. In the afternoon, I got a text message from Justin saying, "We haven't been to La Nap!" so that became our plan for dinner. As we drove down Kingsley, he pulled into the turning lane, he asked, "Well, where should be go for dinner?" What? It seems on our American holiday, Labor Day, the Mexican restaurant was closed!!  Since we were right next to it, I suggested Metro Diner, so in we went. Not too long a wait either. The manager stopped by the table and shook my hand, as they are becoming familiar with my face there. I told him my patty melt sandwich was the best one I'd ever had---and I wasn't kidding either. Wow, it was great!  More leftovers to be enjoyed another time. I guess on Linda's next visit we will have to go first to La Napolera and hopefully catch them when open!