St. Valentine's Day

At first my big, fat idea was to treat Nancy for her birthday on Sunday night. Thankfully, Justin had the presence of mind to consider that might be a bad idea given the fact that it would be St. Valentine's Day. Oops!  Instead, we went tonight, which also proved to be a busy, busy choice. Personally, I love it because it means the restaurant is going to make it, returning to the past glory of what Koko's used to be, and Saigon Tokyo is becoming once again. 

A funny thing happened as we entered the restaurant: a young girl called out "Miss Kim!" and grabbed me for a hug. Of course, I hugged her back and told her how nice it was to see her. She said she would tell Grams that she saw me, and she went back to her gaggle of young lady friends. As we sat at our table, it was consuming me---who was that girl????  As it turned out, this group of young ladies sat adjacent to ours so I could keep looking her over, try to connect dots, etc. to remind myself. Nothing! These giggling girls found the bus boy/waiter quite the attraction, which we, in turn, found cute. I hope they left a good tip. Trying to remember who she is and who Grams almost kept me awake all night!

After worship today, our group, sans Terri, went to eat at Chili's. We anticipated it being busy but wasn't too bad. We could use a smaller table today, not needing all that elbow room. I love this time together and appreciate the opportunity to share at least one meal with this group of folks. 

"Seinfeld" expert!

Yesterday when Justin and I were at breakfast, about 3/4 of the way through, I realized my earrings were still in my pocket. I had already been talking with the lady next to me, Cindy, and now I was embarrassed that she saw me without them. As I gasped and quickly put them in, he said, "Now I know why people were staring were at you..." Ha, ha! 

Horror of horrors---Justice Scalia has died unexpectedly. This is terrible news for the nation, and in particular for those concerned with the fading attention being paid to the Constitution. Antonin was a strict adherer to the Constitution and was well-respected in the legal world and as a Justice for it. I've had some people suggest that the party of the Presidency doesn't really matter, but when you realize that the sitting President does the nominating for the high court, it matters a good deal. We sure don't want to make a mistake made like the current Chief Justice turned out to be. 

My little nephews were in a basketball tournament today and my sister, Jill, their auntie, sent me this photo of Manny and Gabe. I can't stop chuckling at the look and posture of Manny---so reluctant to have his picture taken!  But it means much to the aunties and relatives not there to see them play!!!  

My friend, Linda M., sent me a link to take a test online regarding "Seinfeld" trivia knowledge. It was a 40 question test and I manged to get 38 correct. What about the two I got wrong? One question I answered incorrectly was asking how many Emmy's the show had won (not really Seinfeld trivia, if you ask me) and the other one, an obvious one, asked which character appeared in every episode. Yes, it was Jerry, but I was thinking of every other character on the show, not even him. Shame on me! Otherwise, I did great on the quiz!

Birthday celebrations and others

This morning, Justin and I went to Metro Diner to have breakfast together. I love that! When he goes back to work full-time I will miss him. But, for now, we take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy one of our favorite restaurants. While we were sitting there, I got a text message from Terri, asking me if I'd like to have lunch at Metro Diner. Sure! Justin told me to put my fork down, so I'd be able to enjoy lunch in a couple of hours. Metro Diner has a policy of deducting a percentage from the tab of anyone who dines twice in a day, and I was able to take advantage of that today! Plus my fridge is stacked with to-go boxes for those days when I dine in.

Facebook offers a feature where postings pop-up from years back on a given day. Today's reminders were of 'Timmy's Forever Birthday' (2011) gathering Justin and I had on the 10th anniversary of his baptism. It was also just a couple weeks past the anniversary of his passing, but we celebrated his baptism date instead. We had a nice group of folks who knew Timmy join us for the gathering and I made up a display of mementos, etc. for the guests to view. The next week I had some of my neighbors over for Happy Hour, a few who had expressed an interest in coming to see our display. Warms my heart to remember this!

This evening a group of Nancy's friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate her upcoming birthday and that of another friend, Jenelle. We went to the same place as last year, Vino Java Brew House. Last year I knew to take my own soda along but this year, I completely forgot. The ladies reminded me that I didn't care for the flavored tea they had so this time I ordered a glass of sangria and nursed it the entire meal! 

We were perched up on stools and many of us has tired backs from sitting up there. I was the youngest at the table, and yes, would have loved to sit at a regular height table. This photo shows me, Gail, Jenelle, Nancy, Jeanne, Marsha, Toni (Nancy's classmate/friend) and Sunny. 

Nancy and Toni picked me up at my house for the birthday celebration. My card for her included a treat for dinner at our shared favorite place, Saigon Tokyo. I will make every effort to fulfill that promise very soon. On the ride home, Nancy stopped at her place so we could go in and see Hank the Cat. He is such a character, so well trained. He still fetches, begs, rings a bell on command, and gives high fives and tens. For a while he was being trained to use the toilet, but now uses a regular cat box. Remarkable little friend for my friend! Birthday blessings, Nancy! 

Something special from my sister

My sister, Lori, sent the following article to me today with the note: "This reminded me of you". I am touched and flattered, and thankful. The passage at the start of the article is on my blog home page as well as part of my bio on Facebook. This passage plus others from Philippians 4 are requested for my funeral service. And, I have, in fact, made friends with people at the airports when traveling, one who is now a FB friend and another via e-mail. It's really not that hard! Please enjoy this from Lori to me:

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE!

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8 "Last weekend, I was stranded in Detroit overnight, having missed a connecting flight.   No, it wasn't caused by the giant snow storm on the East Coast.  It was a case of simple human error. (I'm quick to point out that I am one of those mere mortals that is sometimes responsible for human error.)  Anxiety and upset was contagious.  Everyone was yearning to be on their way toward their destination.  Information wasn't timely or reliable.  Many of us sprinted to the gate of our next flight, hoping against hope that the plane would still be there ... and it wasn't.  Promised gate agents weren't there to smooth changes and arrangements.  All were tired and hungry.  It was a recipe for emotional disaster.  It didn't appear to be a Philippians 4:8 moment! I'd been given a gift that brought out my best self, a seat mate on the flight from Buffalo to Detroit, who was peaceful, accepting, and calm.  That, too, was contagious. So, I took a deep breath and made a choice: I was not going to allow any airline to pull me off course from being my best self.  Having no control over anything else - flights, delays, gate changes, missing airline representatives - I did have control over just one thing - my attitude.  I chose to be my best self. (I'm not proud of this, but I haven't always made that choice.  I have gone to a dark place, expressing anger at people who had not caused the situation and couldn't remedy it.  This time, I wanted to do it differently.  Kids and others were watching. I wear a cross ... and I wanted to provide some evidence that I strive to follow the One who went to the cross for me.) I connected with a delightful, if shivering, group of fellow travelers, who were waiting for a hotel shuttle.  I observed a young man unzip his suitcase and give a young woman he didn't know, who was flying from South Carolina to LA, clad in a light cotton sweater, his heavy hooded sweatshirt.  I saw others persuade an elderly Jewish woman that it was perfectly safe to ride with our delightful Arab van driver.  Next morning, I watched people, quiet and friendly, ready for the very early van ride back to the airport after just a few hours of sleep.   Then, it was my turn.  In the airport, I got to reassure and calm a frantic young mom, already away from her little kids and husband for a week, that all will be well.  She bought me coffee and we became friends, who could laugh when our gate changed, not once or twice or thrice, but four times, before we actually took off on time.  New friend, coffee, laughter, and a warm memory - that was the gift I received for choosing to focus on what was good in our world that morning."

Ash Wednesday

Oh my goodness, was it a cold start to our day today! We hovered near freezing this a.m. and only got to the low 50's for the high. While I was snuggled yet under my warm blankets and with my heat pad, I received word that four students from Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School would indeed be coming this summer to help our church with Vacation Bible School. Two boys and two girls this time, and yes, the girls will get the guest bedroom. The two guys will end up in the living room, or perhaps, even in the dining room, though neither area affords much privacy. That is a situation they accept when coming here. More pluses than minuses, I guess.

Terri T. and I met for lunch this afternoon at Pengree's. Man, it was busy there! We had to wait a bit for a table to open up, but it was well worth it. I so love their country fried steak, bringing half home with me. I was lucky to get the very last dinner roll. Good thing we didn't want any dessert because that always goes fast from this place, known for their humingbird cake. Not a fan!

Tomorrow would be the anniversary of Timmy's baptism and this arrangement was in the chancel on Sunday. I brought it home tonight after church and decided to keep it here rather take it to the cemetery. It really brightens up the room! 

My primary mission today was making a batch of beef vegetable soup to take to church tonight for our Ash Wednesday Soup and Sandwich Supper. Janet B. made toasted cheese sandwiches and several of us brought the soups. We started out with four kettles and had about 20 people. After most had finished eating, two more soups arrived. Talk about a good variety! We were hoping for a better turnout for the supper and for our special worship. Worship had about 30 people which is not bad for midweek service. Let's hope that continues for the next 5 weeks. 

Flying Noodles Day!

Today was our mini-reunion of the water exercise group at The Club. When I had talked to the hostess a few days ago there was about a half dozen reservations called in. That was disappointing but we'll take whomever we can get. Much to my delight, the table was beautifully set for 12 people, two folks, a couple, showing up without making a reservation. We had to pull in one chair to accommodate a later arrival. In fact, two ladies were late in arriving due to the power being out in their area and not being able to open the garage door! Glad they were eventually sprung (ha ha) and able to join this fun. 

From last month, same people, different seats. Nancy took this picture before the rest of the group arrived.

As some of us were ordering dessert and/or coffee, Pat A. came after an appointment. Maggie O. had been unable to finish her meal so she gave it to Pat so she could eat something, since everyone else was done. In between bites our dear Pat was able to fill us in regarding some recent health problems she has had, and about the recovery of her spouse from esophageal cancer. It was great to get caught up with her, and the others. 

I mentioned the ladies who couldn't get out of their garages due to a power outage. Our lights were flickering here at The Palace as well as The Club. It looked like a disco! I feared that the power might go out and then we'd all have cold sandwiches instead of what we'd ordered. Fortunately the electricity was sufficient to make our meals. Nancy W. had the shrimp and worried that the smell would bother me, but there was none. She is so thoughtful. Her big news is that she might have sold her dad's house, and was needing to keep checking her phone for information from those handling her transaction, etc. Talk about pins and needles! I wish her the best outcome, which would be a closed deal ASAP!

PACEing myself

Today I spent much of the morning over at the PACE Center helping Terri T. and her fellow ATT Pioneers with their project of a clothing give away for the students. When I arrived, my neighbor, Kathy M., was there as well as two ladies who have helped the Pioneers with this same project at the Jacksonville PACE Center. Their help was invaluable as they are considered experts as to how to organize, though they might have met their match with Miss Terri. She is highly organized and all went smoothly. We had until noon to get things taken care of because the girls would come into this room for lunch. Again, I am blown away by the generosity of people when it comes to PACE. 

There I am over at the racks, trying to find a place to hang some items. I wore my orange outfit to blend in with the Pioneers. In the green sweater is my neighbor, Kathy, who became interested in PACE after attending the breakfast event at my home last October. It was nice to arrive and see her hard at work

Many of the items still bore price tags which we left in place so the girls would see and hopefully appreciate their value. The director mentioned how some of the students have never seen such an event and might be intimidated by it all. It was good they came in for a their break and got to see/watch us ladies putting all the clothing out for them to 'buy' tomorrow with their 'points'. I am sorry I can't be there for that part of the event due to a luncheon. So glad to be able to help in this small way, PACEing myself in order to protect my poor back!

Here is a shot of the room from the back corner where I was set up. We had about 10 ladies doing the sorting and placement of the donated items. Most were from the ATT Pioneers and some other volunteers. I joined Terri and three friends for lunch afterward, at The Pig BBQ. Nice nice ladies!

Not only was clothing donated but also shoes and other fashion accessories. OJ got busy and lined the shoes up under the tables, many of them brand new, and 

so so cute!