I'm too tired to write...

...just when you thought you'd heard it all---she's too tired to write!

*

It's nearly 10:30 pm and I'm ready for bed. It was such a busy day, starting with some computer work at church, Bible study, lunch with Justin, painting class, and then Ladies' Group, getting home about 9:30 tonight. Whew! First weeks in the month are always jam packed with meetings and activities, and this is going to be one of those!

*

Tomorrow morning brings a sort of telephone meeting with the Planned Giving counselor at Synod so I'll have to be sure I'm up and dressed nicely for that phone call! We tried to get together when he was here in Florida a couple weeks ago but our schedules didn't match. In the afternoon I have a hair appointment and then nothing until dinner with my friend, Martie, before heading over to our Art Guild meeting. Wednesday brings some more hearing tests for Justin in the afternoon and then worship followed by choir in the evening. Gets to be a late night since church starts at 7:30 pm with Fellowship and finally choir rehearsal. Another whew is in order!

*

One more thing to do before bedtime and that's to send out a reminder notice to the Thursday night group about our themed dinner--Irish fare this month. I am making corned beef, my first time, so wish us well on that. Good night all and pleasant dreams!

Sunday morning at home

"I woke up, it was a Chelsea morning and the first thing that I heard was a song outside my window....." Actually I heard geese honking bright and early. Hardly Chelsea-sounding, at least not with traffic sounds as the song (by Joni Mitchell) goes on to say. But I do share some of the colors she mentions: "Blue, red, green and gold to welcome you, crimson crystal beads to beckon"

*

Justin and I are going to Palm Coast to visit Tina, my niece, and her daughter, Maya, later this a.m. We worshiped and communed at Victory last night. Usually I go again on Sunday at Good Shepherd but today we're heading out earlier than church would allow, particularly on a communion Sunday. One reason to go earlier was so that we could spend time with Keith before he went to work, but Tina told me last night that now he had to work all day and we'll still miss him.

*

We have Maya's CHRISTmas presents yet and it's nearly Easter! Justin will most likely see them up here at Easter, since Harv and Barb will be coming down for a visit and will have a feast (I'm guessing anyway) at his dad's house. Marian and Biff, Tina's parents, are planning to come up from Davey when Harv and Barb are here, but that remains to be seen, depending upon their health situations.

*

What an awesome afternoon I had yesterday---one for the record books! Dee, my friend at Great Hang Ups, had encouraged me to work with acrylics and gotten me started on a painting of irises. Well, as always, I thought it looked like Armageddon, the flowers not even resembling irises. Instead, at my Monday art class, I sort of played with it a bit, and told Christine (my lady friend, fellow artiste(little French lingo there) and writer) I was going to tear it up into little pieces and throw it out the window on the way home. I didn't, of course, and my biggest critic, Justin, saw it in the back of my car and said, "That's nice." Wow! I played with some more colors after Bob, my art teacher, gave a lecture on the proper mixing of paints to avoid getting muddy values (a little artist lingo there...).

*

One day I showed it to Dee and she saw a couple salvageable areas on the canvas, offering to cut it up for me. Not for the same reasons I wanted to cut it up, she does lots of collage work. When I got to the shop yesterday she showed me the cut portions, from which we laid out a "relief" exhibit for me to enter in the 3-D show next month! Dee knows how to affix the pieces permanently and will frame it for me. Another masterpiece! I expressed concern that it would be juried out of the show but all three ladies said, "No, it won't!" Do they know something I don't? Obviously they know more about that stuff than I ever will. My niche seems to be non-representational art (a.k.a. "this woman has no idea what she's doing!).

*

Because of going to Victory Lutheran last night, I had to pass up a dinner offer from the Rosses but we are getting together for a bite tonight. Jen has a hankering for a steak, which means we'll probably dine at Longhorn. We all love it, but guess what---I order the chicken fingers there! And I'm a steak and potatoes girl! I love their fingers at Longhorn!

Catching my breath

How cool! I got through an entire Wal-Mart bag of mail, packed full, and had only one or two pieces to keep. The rest will feed the landfill. It was a nice, lazy morning for me--and Lynx--as so far I haven't coughed or laughed to startle her. She is lying on the foot of my bed, curled into a ball atop a baby blanket that Lynn had made for Timmy. It comes in handy when I take a mid-day rest and don't want to mess up my bed. The afghan warms me in more than one way!

*

Last night Justin, Joanne, and I were downtown for yet another theatrical event--"Movin' Out". It was a music/dance show which told a story, with almost no spoken word other than Billy Joel's song lyrics. It was most entertaining and certainly not standard fare. Our dinner at Juliete's was delightful, unrushed. It's getting so that they remember us, as the waitress told the new hostess-in-training that we are "regulars". I'd rather be regular here than at some less-than-reputable establishments!

*

Speaking of which, a couple I know from Eagle Harbor was seated in front of us, and I mentioned to Gail that I hadn't seen her at Great Hang Ups recently. She said she's hasn't been there in awhile and needs to stop by. I will do the same as soon as this is posted! Need my "Hang Ups" fix, plus want to check on Kris's show.

*

Besides wading through the bag of mail I managed to finish the Minutes for Art Guild and get them e-mailed, plus wrote a couple personal messages. Jamie is wondering when I am coming to see them when I'm up in the Frozen Tundra but it's too early to set that appointment. So much can happen before then, and you know what happens to the best laid plans!

*

Earlier today I had the privilege of offering a new service: for the first time, I am recommending a book to Judy R.! Usually she's the one sending me info about this read or that, some of which I've actually obtained and devoured. I've told Judy that I can dish it out but can't take it, meaning I'd rather write than read.

*

Anyway, this book was brought to my attention by Christine, titled "A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveller". There's that 'passion' word again! The author is Frances Mayes, who also wrote "Under the Tuscan Sun". That book I have not read but do own the movie (sorry Christine....I didn't even know there was a book until Christine told me!) I've gotten a few pages into this one and realize that I need a cruise so that I can actually devote myself to reading while floating. Perhaps NYC will allow me some downtime to dig into this "vacation in a book"...it's extraordinary reading thus far! The cover, of course, features the blue domes of the Greek islands.........

A bell tower on the island of Mykonos

The Editorial from my church newsletter

Editorially Speaking……..
Much of my free time recently has been dedicated to writing my blog, which I describe as being my newest “passion”. I have several things in my life I refer to as being “my passion”, such as music or colored glass or art. The newest CD from Sarah Brightman (another passion of mine) features a duet, called “Pasion”, sung in Spanish. Oh, my, if passion has a voice, this is definitely it!

This type of passion is something considered attractive, appealing, gripping. One does not run from this passionate feeling, but rather seeks it. While we presently consider passion as being a pleasant thing, the Latin basis for the word means “to suffer”. Wow, suddenly passion can take on a whole different feeling….

Through His passion, Christ our Lord bore torture, mocking, insults, even death, bearing the sin of us on the cross. This passion of His made us right with God.

Our Lord’s passion, His walk leading up to the events that unfolded from Palm Sunday to Easter, would certainly not be something sinful human being would be drawn toward or seek after. No amount of our passion or desire would ever be enough to pay the debt owed to our heavenly Father. Only His Son could take that passionate walk, to suffer, to die, and rise again, according to God’s plan and promise.

Now, that’s what I call passion, really compassion, the Lord’s mercy on us, making our sins as white as snow in His eyes. Telling this story of salvation being won for us is truly something to be passionate about, sharing with others this wonderful news. Please---tell it and tell it with passion!

Antique Joy.........courtesy of Lori!

I hope everyone likes the new format for the postings....if not, please let me know what you don't care for, okay? It's called "Harbor"--no wonder I liked it!
***************************************************************************

How fast the week flew by! Jen was saying this morning that the week was going slowly even though there's a family wedding tomorrow. I had the wrong day in my head every single day, thinking Tuesday was Thursday and so on. Emily told me once when she was a stay-at-home mom that every day was the same to her, and sometimes that happens to me, especially when there are no appointments or meetings to make.

Jen and I had breakfast at Honey B's, after going back and forth over whether or not to go out in the cold. Yes, it was a bit chilly this a.m. She at first cancelled saying it was too cold which was also fine with me, but then called back to change her mind, since she needed to get Mem's dress for the wedding. It was worth it to freeze to pieces. I did mention to her how Gabe and Manny have to be all bundled up in their snowsuits when it's -9 plus a wind chill factor, so we'd better just tough it out when it's only in the 40's!

Here's Gabe as a baby......he's nearly ready to start pre-school this fall!

After breakfast we parted company, Jen on her way to get the dress and me to the cemetery to tidy up after the wretched storm that rolled through here on Tuesday. I anticipated the bouquet would have been airborne but it had only tipped forward. The marker and such was full of sand so that was swept off with the handy-dandy paint brush I keep in the car.

From there it was over to Home Depot to make some color selections for the classroom building. It has been difficult for the Team to get together all in one place at the same time so it was decided that I could make the initial choices and then we'd settle on the final decisions together. I had a bit of fun trying to pick out tile, carpet, cabinets, mica, and paint colors, three of each, so there's plenty for people to pick from. That was a long time on my feet, running up and down the aisles, looking for people to help me, but all in all, it was good time!

Once I got back upstairs, I turned up the thermostat to get the chill from the rooms. There was some time before the next "event" today so worked on a couple computer things and made my travel arrangements for going to MN and WI while the elevator is being worked on. That was time consuming and a bit frustrating as I ended up having a lovely chat with a Delta rep in India! We got the situation resolved and it's a done deal. It's costly to rent a car for that long a period but it's not possible to be without one either, not if I want to visit all the folks I plan to see.

This evening was a Board Meeting for the Art Guild. The turn-around time for getting Minutes out is quite short so will work on that first thing in the morning. Best when done in the light of day. We have many exhibits and activities coming up in these next few months, some which I'll miss out on being gone to NYC and then WI/MN.

Oh, oh, oh, I just remembered something that got bumped when the Internet went down: you all must visit my sister, Lori's, website and see her jewelry for sale. The address is: http://loriellaelements.etsy.com/. Do NOT, I repeat, Do NOT, purchase the "Antique Joy" necklace as I have my name on that one. Please feel free to purchase any of the other pieces.

After the meeting I stopped at Publix to pick up a few things and came away disappointed that the Golden Flake hull-less popcorn was not re-stocked yet. My favorite! Settled for Cheetos' brand hull-less cheese flavored which is okay but not as good as the plain, packing peanuts that I get from Golden Flake! I had given a bag to Twila once and that's how she described them.

By the time I got back here The Palace Board meeting downstairs was well underway and since my house so nice and warm, I decided not to join that meeting. One Board meeting a night was enough for me. My supper was leftovers from dinner at Cracker Barrell last night with some church ladies. Love that roast beef and carrots! There is the most beautiful angel statue in the gift shop at C. Barrell. Its wings are outstretched with the words to "Amazing Grace" painted inside one wing, with an arm of the angel wrapped around a small child next to him. You can only imagine where that would suit perfectly! Thus far I haven't purchased it, for no good reason really.......

Jerusalem, the Golden

Last night was Lenten worship followed by choir rehearsal. Our director was absent but Robbie was able to lead us, not a small task for such an unruly group as the church choir!

*

We got through several of our anthems with a bit of work and then it was time to pick up the Easter song. Okay, Kim, here it comes, buck up, you can do it.........

*

We are singing "Jerusalem, the Golden", using a symphonic melody and accompanied by Suzanne on the viola. Robbie plays the organ as majestically as it can, and we sing the melody line. The tune is lilting and did I say "majestic"?

*

I was so proud of myself--Suzanne played her intro and then we launched into the hymn itself. We were on the second page of the music before the tears started to flow---oh, that vision of heaven and what awaits us there is simply too much. No matter how often I listen on Pete's website or practice with the choir, the emotion flows. Here are some of the words which trip me up:

*

.....I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there,

What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.

*

They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song,

And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng;

The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene.

The pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen.

*

It's like I told Emily, any hymn now that is listed in the "End Times" section will get me, as I long to see heaven and join the throng. Besides being face to face with my Savior, I'll (we'll) get to see our loved ones who have been experiencing that "bliss beyond compare". Tarren told me that whenever she sings the part about the pastures, she thinks about Timmy. See, it's not only me!

Fond, frozen remembrances

In December sometime, getting things ready for one of the parties hosted here, I had a little accident when taking a container of cookies from the freezer. The cover sort of let go, spilling some cookies which had the little colorful BBs pressed into them. Talk about a mess! The cats and I cleaned up the floor but some cookies poured out inside the freezer, which is drawer-style. Not having time to take that drawer all apart, I just left the cookies there---until today! Using the longest kitchen tool which would fit back there, out came the remnants of the cookies. The crumbs and BB mess will have to come out some other time. I wasn't up to standing on my head to get at the residue, it would wait until another day.

*

While in the freezer drawer, monkeying around to get the cookies out, I spotted the zip-lock bag which holds two boxes of pancake mix, one container of drinkable "logurt" with dinosaurs on the bottle, and a box of whimsical corn dogs, sporting cowboy hats. Why would someone have such odd things in their freezer? They were Timmy's! When he died, it seemed important to keep as much stuff around as possible to remind us of him, including the pancake mix used on Saturdays when the boys made breakfast with their father. The corn dogs were left from when the refrigerator was stocked while their parents took a cruise in November 2000. It remains important to keep those things, even if they take up valuable space.

*

Today I was searching in my kitchen cupboard for cold medicine, but I think Justin took it all for his drainage troubles. But I did find, rather, found again, the little measuring tube used to dispense liquid medicine to children, a bottle of baby aspirin, Flintstones vitamins, and dissolving grape-flavored cold tablets. Why are they still there? Why not? Every now and again, I'll look in the plastic bin where they are kept, and remember....

*

Some might think it's not "healthy" but I can live with that judgment. I am not paralyzed by my grief, but instead grow with it, or away from it, much more than I'd have expected. There are reminders all over my house that tell about Timmy. And, some day, if I ever get busy on it, I will finish my book. In the meantime, though, in the freezer, near the crumbs and BBs, are remembrances of him, frozen in time.

This photo captures the true essense of Timmy, waiting for Justin's St. Johns bus in front of Childtime. Just look at that hair..........sort of like mine looks now!