Whew! What a day it has been!

This is really the first time today that I could sit down here and put thoughts together. Facebook quips do not count, really, as organized thoughts, which is, I believe, the charm.

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Only a few moments ago I came upstairs after attending the monthly Board meeting for the condo association, held to prepare for the Annual Meeting next week. If it is going to be anything like tonight's----oh, I can barely wait! Once more I respectfully declined the "offer" to serve on the Board but did accept the opportunity to address the Owners at the meeting next week regarding the behavior of some toward the sitting Board in the past months. Such shameful, boorish conduct from otherwise civilized adults! No need to pull out the thesaurus as the words and descriptions flow freely. The reason I accepted the role of speaker was because I would keep it clean and inoffensive, and I am honored that they know this about me.....I offer classes on this if anyone is interested!

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Justin and I spent the afternoon together complete with going to get his haircut, shopping for soda and dark chocolate coconut eggs available only at Easter, before coming here prior to dinner. Even though he was here Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, we still had much to talk about so that is what we did this afternoon and over dinner. The weather was so nice we wished we could dine el fresco but upon arriving at Carrabba's, it had cooled off some. The two of us figured out that the last time we were there was for my birthday, so, yes, last year!!!!! No wonder Carrabba's sounded so good!

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Today I began my day with Bible study which was incredibly interesting. We discussed traditions in Lutheran and/or Christian worship, how they sometimes vary and how they sometimes stay the same, going back for hundreds or even thousands of years. We studied the church year and why we follow it, and how. So interesting!! Afterward, of course, we were at Longhorn with two new faces joining us, Donna and Bonnie. Just as I placed my order, even though Patty already knew my order, Jen called to see if I wanted to have lunch. I invited her to Longhorn and even placed the order with Patty so it was ready when Jen arrived. Most everyone knew her already except Bonnie and Donna so it was fun. A couple weeks ago she joined us, too, plus the scrapbooking ladies know her from there as well.

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Immediately after lunch I had an appointment for an oil change, tire rotation, and wiper replacement at Griffin Jeep. When I pulled into the lot, something seemed strange----scarcely a car in the lot! Once the service rep came outside finally, I asked him where all the cars were and he nonchalantly replied that they are no longer selling new cars, dealing only in used cars and service work now. Wow! It wasn't long and my car was ready, but another man who was there before me was still waiting for his oil changed car. He asked about it, saying he was there over an hour and half, not happy that I was taken care of quickly. Not upset with me, of course, but with the service department. Oops!

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That is the end of Monday, but now, Sunday!!!! I had the greatest time with my friends, no, my family, in Middleburg last night!!! We got to watch the space shuttle go up with me thinking of those who witnessed it with me last time from my river room. Never did I expect to have such an amazing view from the countryside, but it was spectacular. The sun reflected off the shuttle itself as well as lighting the boosters as they fell away, and illuminated the vapor trail in its red and orange and white colors. Words can barely express the delight and when I told Justin I was jumping up and down, he scolded, "Mom, you've got to watch your knee!" I did not leap THAT high into the air but I could hardly contain my joy at seeing this sight with my dear friends beside me!

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My taco salad bowl came home licked clean, with Brenda's dad getting the very last of it before he hopped into his souped-up golf cart and went home. When Brenda brought it out as we prepared to eat, I thought the contents looked diminished but it probably would settle some after being prepared in the early afternoon. When Jason and Lisa (my toe nail lady!) came home from fishing, she commented that she took a dish along to the pier with them. Now I knew why it looked like less in the bowl!

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I got to see JD and the girls again as they stopped by to pick up Faith and Hope on their home from the Gator Nationals, a racing event. They are such cute little girls, and really quite well behaved. They are also the apples of their grandpa Jimmie's eyes, naturally. I had not seen JD and family since August when Lisa and Lynn,etc. were here. Greg and Christine came over to have dinner with us, which for some might constitute a midnight snack since it was well after 8:00 pm when we finally ate! Even Brenda's parents came down to see the visitor out on Longhorn Road!

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Earlier in the day, Justin was busy cleaning at my house when I got home from church, as he got out before I did. He finished his vacuuming and moved on to cleaning the decorative doors on my home. They look nice and fresh right now, I hope the pollen lets up sooner rather than later so they stay nice and fresh looking! Everything outside is absolutely coated with yellow dust/dirt from the trees, and some are praying for rain to wash the pollen away, to relieve their allergy symptoms! Possible rain tonight so we will see. I like having my doors clean, my floors vacuumed and my furniture dusted---as long as it lasts!