Some photos from the weekend

In the foyer of the Club, Olivia posted this sign to welcome her guests. Many of the other debs had their parties in more elegant settings and she felt this best spoke of her choice of halls for the Low Country Boil. Many of the guests have visited this Camp or the surrounding lake, including my new best friend, Ms. Huntley, who spent much time at this O Club when her husband was in the Army. She was saying the Army was secondary to the Navy in this area so this was a good place to spend time, loaded with memories for her!

This is a photo of the celebratory cake, again using the theme of "Redneck". The meal was absolutely delicious, especially for those who eat the fish/seafood that is in the boil. I had wanted an ear of corn but by the time I got into line to eat, the corn was gone. There were red potatoes in the mix so I had one of those, some white rice, plus the meat ball appetizer and little hot dogs in a wrap. One of the best parts was the machine which makes margaritas. Too bad they are so expensive to rent or I'd have one for my parties some time! Linda J. told me she won a margarita machine at a silent auction so she'll have to demonstrate for me when I come up to Manty for a visit!

All the debs have been introduced, minus one who couldn't make it to the party. I believe this first girl in line is attending the Air Force Academy, following in the footsteps of both her parents and an older brother. I wish the pictures had turned out brighter but this is the best I could get this one. I worked on the photos much of the afternoon yesterday, and my "mouse" finger was so stiff from manipulating the pictures. When it came time to type something later on, my pointer finger was uncooperative! Who'd have thought?

Olivia was visiting with her many guests, including her dear friend, Elise. Coming up to say "hi" was Ms. Booth, who was Timmy's teacher, followed by her daughter, Caitlyn, who was in his class. How can she be such a grown up looking young lady, when in my mind she should be only 5? Many of the guests were from the St. Johns family because their daughters graduated together, or they were teachers of these debs. I can really get used to attending these parties every weekend, but wonder if the debs will weary of it. Owen was happy to see some of his old friends, one whom he introduced to me as his "dad". I fell for it, too. Only old friends can yuk around like that, isn't that lovely??? Some of the co-workers from Sandy's nursing days were present, too, plus a good representation of family members, the "real" kind, not like Owen's!

This is a sample of the table and hall decorations the Hilchey's used in getting ready for the Low Country Boil. The tables were dressed with fishnets and little stars which I found stuck to my arms. Those at my table had good fun making the stars stick to their faces, started by Ms. Huntley! I got mine to stay by putting a little spit on it....gross! Don't you just love the blue eyes on this crab? He doesn't look so crabby to me!!!!

As often happens at these gatherings, the dancing is slow in getting started. Owen begged and begged me to come dance with him, as he saw me doing my famous hip shimmying (or was I just walking???). I refused, but eventually he got Ms. Huntley to dance with him, as well as Sandy and Olivia. The disc jockey led some of the dancers through a line-dance routine, which I consider countrified disco, and that got more folks to their feet. Just before we left, a couple took the floor who really knew what they were doing and it was very neat. They even looked the part, wearing their cowboy-style clothing and perhaps even boots, but I was too far away to see. It was a great, great party and I am thrilled to have played even a small part in it!

"Look away, I'm hideous!"

I just applied my daily tar and feather, actually only the tar, for my skin condition and feeling like Justin's reference to "leather faces"! Only, fortunately, mine washes off! At first I applied my mud a bit thicker because it came in a foil packet and I figured I had to use it all at once. This little dab goes a long way so I can still smile and laugh without it chipping away. I enjoy getting compliments on my skin, the lack of wrinkles on my face, to be precise, but am not crazy about the raised dots that might be a complete paragraph in Braille! This treatment really seems to be doing the trick, though, so I can stand looking "hideous" for 5-15 minutes a day!

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The other night as I arrived at Publix on the Island, a car was pulling out of a stall near where I parked. The lady rolled down her window to shout, "I love your hair and your earrings!" Good thing it was dusk and she couldn't see my forehead! I thanked her and skipped into the store...The earrings were from Dee and Julia for my birthday, not any that Lori or Linda had made for me, unfortunately.

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Saturday night was the Redneck Yacht Club Debutante Party for Olivia. I picked up Mrs. Huntley and off we went, with me leaving the directions on my kitchen counter. We two ladies just gabbed and gabbed all the way to Middleburg, getting to know each other better and such. I was fairly certain of where we were going since Justin and I were out that way two weeks ago, but my passenger had me turn on 218 instead of 215. Since I didn't have the directions to reference, Ms. Huntley had me pull into the Waffle House lot from where I called Sandy for verification. Once back on Blanding we drove a bit further to the correct road and then drove right up to the gate. We each did have the proper ID to get onto the base and got further directions from the guard. It was simple to find though by following the signs Hilchey's posted.

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We were about the first to arrive and I got Mrs. Huntley settled before starting to take pictures. I got some shots of the cake, the decorated hall, the buffet set up, the introduction of all the debs in attendance, and then some. Olivia gave me a lovely art glass necklace as a thank you for taking the pictures, but I won't open it until I know she likes the photos!

This is the table set up in the lobby of the Officers' Club. Justin and I both appear in her collage of photos in the left hand frame.

Captured in the Canon!

One of the best things about having a party is getting to spend time with friends. Brenda and Rick used to work with me and are now just good friends, not only to me, but to Justin as well. In teasing him, I told Justin I was only inviting the people who loved him so it was going to be a small party........Although I didn't get photos of them, Cliff and Carol came to fete Justin on his birthday, giving up their usual "nothing gets in the way of" date night to be with him. See? Only the people who love him! Unfortunately, Cindy and Mike had dinner show tickets so could only be there in spirit. Cindy loves Justin and he loves her and they share a love of M*A*S*H.

Here's the table all dressed up for Justin's birthday party. Beyond the table is the river room with that table sporting the lovely glass piece Dee gave me. Justin's "grandma" Twila and "aunt" Jean were there as well as Judy J. The church family was well represented on his big day!! Only a few of the Middleburg family were able to come as the Hilcheys were busy getting Olivia's party together, while the Woodruff's had a death in the family and had a funeral home visit to make. Sandy and Bruce came, as well as the Rosses, so some of our "hurricane" families were present, including Brenda N.!!!!

This fruit plate was simply begging to be photographed so I obliged. Also shown is spinach dip in the sunflower dish Rosses gave me, and the smaller pan is the artichoke souffle Justin loves!

Justin invited a few of his friends to join the fun. From the left is Potts (former roommate), Olivia, Robbie, Justin, Brian, and Josh. All except Robbie are St. Johns kids, Robbie is his church friend since before they were two years old! It is an "accident" that the portrait of Timmy, painted by Dee, shows over Justin's shoulder. When I looked at the photos from the memory card this afternoon, it struck me and I wept a bit.

Since Dena couldn't do the special cake for Justin, I asked Publix to handle it instead! Not too childish and not overly masculine either.
Arriving just a little late, Jessica and Travis came down from upstairs to share in the party. Travis is looking at Justin's scrapbook I did for him at graduation in 2006, and with the help of Twila, added a few pages of more current photos. (Make a note: get the three-ring binder style albums instead of these !@#$#%% post binders!!! It took both of us, each with a screwdriver to get those pages in the album!)
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The Powell's were also expected at the party but Travis reported that their A/C had gone out and some repair people were going to be there to make the repairs. Too bad about the A/C and too bad they couldn't come to Justin's party. Since VBS was finishing up that night, Paul, Emily, and Sarah arrived just a bit late, as well. Sarah was quite excited about coming, she loves Justin but is shy around him. They gave Justin a book about The Dark Knight and he was absolutely thrilled! He got many nice gifts and gift cards that night, plus the ever-appreciated cash. My gift was a big book about The Beatles with a gift certificate for a car detailing and oil change. Not a flashy gift but I know what he likes and needs.
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His family in WI either sent cards or sang birthday greetings to him. His aunt asked me to extend birthday wishes to him before she hung up Saturday. So far we haven't heard from his godfather but Lynn, his other baptismal sponsor, has sent a card, yet to arrive. At the steak fry, they never forget his birthday because he shares it with the hostess! Lori was always ticked that he wasn't born the next day instead, on HER birthday!

This TV Guide crossword puzzle book is kicking my butt!

During moments of meditation, I work on a TV Guide puzzle book kept on the back of the lav. I hope it's not me getting more stupid but it seems as though fewer and fewer of the clues result in immediate answers. Some clues are so absolutely obscure that I'd slap the person who actually knew the answer without looking it up. I am happy the solutions are printed in the back of the book or I'd have flushed it down page by page before now! It just irritates me being "clueless" when it comes to answering these supposed "common knowledge" hints, like the middle name of the co-host of the morning show in Cleveland, OH, in 1976. Please!

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To my delight, I just hit the Spell Check button and I got the answer I love the most: No misspellings found!!!!!! Life's simple pleasures......

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In a moment I am getting dressed for church but have to wait until my mud mask dries. Once it's on for 10-15 minutes, I can scrub like nuts to get it off, and watch the breakout on my face disappear. It seems to be doing the trick, and I hope it's not merely an illusion. As I am getting ready for worship, I'll assume Robbie is as well. He is in Morton Grove, IL with the Pranges, and is playing the organ at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Pete's congregation. I nearly wept when I heard he was going to have the privilege and would LOVE to have been there to hear it, hear him, praise the Lord at Jerusalem this morning, with some of my loved ones in the house! Break a leg, Robbie!

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After this service they are heading to the Worship Conference in MN together. This was something I considered attending as well, to hear and sing with the chorus, once again being able to sing "Jerusalem, the Golden". WWAAYY too emotional for me, but I could do it, I think.......

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"I know not, oh, I know not what joys await us there, what radiancies of glory, what bliss beyond compare......"

Steak fry vs. Low Country Boil

Well, I'm up, I'm dressed, what more do you want? Approximately 30 minutes ago I finally put on a full day's clothing, and it's nearly 4:45 p.m.!

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It's not like I was in my nightie all day long, but for many of the a.m. hours this was so. My sister-in-law called and we talked about everything under the sun for nearly 3 hours, which prevented me from getting dressed. However, I did manage to struggle into my swim suit while on the phone because she is a really good talker. I got an update on my father-in-law and his seeming weariness with living these days. Nothing really brings much excitement in his life anymore, especially since he's 90+. She thought summer would bring some renewed vigor after the long hard winter. It seems as though his medications might be the culprit keeping him back. That, and age.

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After hanging up with her, I went down to the pool before it started to rain and ordered my hot dog and chips. No adult beverage for me since I'm going out to Camp Blanding tonight for Olivia's party. I am also the designated driver on Mrs. Huntley, who lives near the entrance of The Club in a magnificent Spanish-style mansion. Once at the low country boil, I am the official photographer. My hope is that I capture all the moments they want tonight and not miss anything. The hired photographer from the other parties snaps every thing but I won't be as intrusive as she is. I hope.............

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Last night was Justin's birthday party and it pulled off without a hitch, Judy R.

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Of course, the day of the party, mid afternoon, the heavens opened and it poured buckets just when I was about to leave to pick up the artichoke souffle Justin wanted. Joan had introduced us to it at another party and he expressed a desire to have it again, me choosing the birthday. Timing is everything and, with his diet, having dip and toast corners isn't really what he should be nibbling on. He had 1 pound to go before reaching his goal of losing 10% of his weight by his birthday. Ooops! I hope having the party didn't sabotage him!

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At this writing, I can hear thunder again. It rained big time when I was down at the pool, causing us all to take shelter in the cabana. As it let up, I said "bye" to Chris, the cabana boy, and told him I'd see him tomorrow. I was quite chilly when getting upstairs but didn't feel like getting dressed yet, so put on my robe instead.

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Once comfy, I called Mom to see what the poor people were doing today. Mom was busy getting ready for the annual steak fry at my cousin's house. This is a major social event in the family, celebrating my cousin's birthday, as well as my sister, Lori's, birthday, which is tomorrow. The Schippers have come over from Holmen and stayed with Lisa in Sheboygan for a change, instead of at Mom's. She reported that Lisa fell down the stairs in her home again, and had to visit the chiropractor for an adjustment. Thank the Lord it was only this doctor she's had to see! Last time she stepped on an errant toy, and fell while carrying an uninjured Manny, but don't know what caused the fall on this occasion. Ouch!

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So much to do today!

The day started early since the housekeepers had to come back first thing to vacuum my bedroom. It seems it was overlooked yesterday when they were here and the ladies very nicely came right back to do it. Like I told the owner of the company, it's not like I'm a big complainer or anything, but since I have the cleaning only once a month, it's important this be done. Yes, I do own a lovely vacuum cleaner, but that's not the point. He said it was no problem, the girls would pop in and get it taken care of pronto. And it was so!

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After VBS last night, I stopped at "Robbie's" Publix to get some stuff for the party and while I was still on the phone with "Auntie Joanne", observed police activity in front of the store as well as managers outside with scrub brushes and mops, cleaning something from the sidewalk. I thought perhas a nasty spill, like syrup or another staining purchase, but Robbie told me later it was blood, from an apparant hit and run! Wow! Robbie was the one to report it, saw a man lying part way in the driveway near the curbing. I must have just missed the ambulance leaving.

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Oh, my nails look terrible, I must attend them! I finished the last of the photos for VBS last night and have tried e-mailing two of them to the husband of the lady in charge of crafts. He's never printed photos before so if he can't figure it out, I'll have to come up with an alternate plan to get them over to church. Bonnie offered to come and get them, and I may say, "okay" to that, depending upon my day.

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Justin came by yesterday to help me with a small project and to have a chat. He had some stuff to talk to me about, future-wise, and I am flattered that he still seeks my counsel! The housekeepers don't dust my chandelier the way it needs to be cleaned, as dust gathers in the little cups that support the bulbs. It's a two-person job anyway so he gets on the stool and disassembles the lamps, I run to the kitchen to wash and dry the cups, and then he puts them back on. Even the bulbs get dusty, imagine that! It didn't take very long at all to get that done and it looks so much nicer when it is fresh and clean. The last time we did it was back in December before the family arrived. And now it will be done before another group arrives in August!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a shot from the river room looking into the dining room, where the table is dressed for the Ladies' Group CHRISTmas party. The flowers on top of the curio were a gift from the florist who used to do up the arrangements for the cemetary. When she went out of business, she made this up with our favorite choices of flowers, lots of irises and sun flowers!!

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Anyway, I still have some stuff in the car that I couldn't carry up last night so will need to make a couple trips down....maybe I'll find Dave to give me a hand with the heavier stuff. He's such a good helper! On Wednesday I opened my kitchen cabinet and discovered it was alive with very frisky ants! Oh, man! Mom had just told me on Sunday that she was battling ants and now I had them. I don't know how they came in but Dave came up with his trusty spray and went all around the perimeter of the house, inside and out, and under the cabinets because he was concerned about spraying where food was stored. I told there's not much in there but still..........I also found ants in the spice cabinet and did what Mom suggested with the chili powder. Didn't work!

*By the next morning almost all the ants had disappeared. Except, we had not checked in the pantry closet and sure enough, it was now also alive with frisky ants! I'd bought some of the ant trap things and put them in place. By later in the day, the ants seemed to be at home in their ant trap! I am so puzzled as to where they came from in the first place! Perhaps the box of kitty litter I just emptied into the cat box? Hopefully the plague will be over and not a moment too soon!

I began the day as a big weenie.....

....but it turned out okay! Since the sun was out when I awoke, I figured it would be okay to go down for the water aerobics class. It's that "sun" thing, you know? Once I was suited up and had my beach cover on, off I went. Only Randy, the only gentleman in our class, was there so far and he was keeping an eye out for our leader, so he could help carry her equipment.

One of the other ladies came and commented that the pool was still dirty, as the pool man is usually there before we arrive. She stepped into the pool and declared it to be cold, but went ahead and puddled around. I was having serious second thoughts about this, since the sun was no longer shining and the water was cold. My throat is already sore and don't want to be sicker than I am now. Ellen came out and wondered where our leader was, as it was getting late. I told her about my throat and she offered me some Zicam's, which she used over the weekend to help her sore throat and head cold.

I went to my car to get the rest of my groceries from last night, nothing perishable, never fear, and took it upstairs. In turning on my computer I discovered an e-mail from Dawn apologizing for oversleeping this a.m. and not making it to class! Whew, now I feel better!!!

Ellen came by with the Zicam and some other stuff for me. Billy autographed a couple things for me to give to my friend for her seriously ill cousin. Huh? David is a fan and it would boost his spirits to have some special things from his favorite band, so they did this for him.

Last night at VBS was less hectic since I had only one walk-up to get registered and ID'd (is that right?) whereas the night before I think I had 8 walk-ups. The kids get home and tell their friends about VBS and bring them along the next day----according to plan! Emily made mac and cheese for dinner and it was delicious. Fortunately, no storms came in the evening so the games could be played outdoors, team-building type games that are fun as well.

Tonight is my turn to present the meal and we are having pizza! No muss, no fuss! After I closed up shop last night I went to Publix for a few things and ran into Brenda N. She has to buy "special" food for her gentleman friend who has been put on a diet to lower cholesterol and his borderline diabetes. BUT, he claims the doctor recommended the Atkins diet, which I find difficult to believe, since my doctor said the thing about Atkins is that it puts you 10 years closer to a heart attack! Supposedly his doctor claimed the other benefits would outweigh the downside of this diet but she wasn't there to hear it herself. I suggested she get him some fiber pills to take as well because Atkins has a tendency of resulting in constipation. Oh, brother!

My friend, Sharon, has some skin care products for me to pick up, as I am still having trouble with some outbreaks along my hairline. We thought it might have been caused by the gel I use in my hair, but even changing brands didn't help. I still need those Hicky-Off Pimple Pads with Plastic Filler that Cheech and Chong talked about.

I have been trying to print off the photos for the VBS craft project but am having a problem with my one printer. It asked me for a new cartridge but for some reason, it won't recognize that it's been replaced. Maybe Justin can wiggle it around for me when he arrives later on. He's working outdoors these days between showers, pulling weeds, and absolutely hates it. I cannot believe he's doing it because of his fear of spiders.....I had to pay other people to take care of the weeds and such at the lake house!!!

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Twila came over to crop yesterday and we had a great time doing it. No sooner was she in the door and the bad weather started to brew. She said the sky in the north was quite black and it wasn't long before the radio reported a thunderstorm warning for our area. Twila saw the guys on the dredger taking off in their boat, so they knew to take cover. So often the lightning will be dancing across the sky and open boats are cruising by on the river. Not smart or safe!

I've gotten the church newsletter complete and ready to e-mail on Saturday. Friday will be too busy plus I wrote from the perspective that VBS is already done, so Saturday, off it goes! Saturday night is Olivia's party at Camp Blanding and I am excited about it. This will be a welcome distraction to Justin's birthday celebration with his friends, I don't want to know what's going on...........at least most of me doesn't.....Peer pressure can come into play no matter how old you are and Justin knows that, but often reminds me that he knows firsthand he is not invincible. I can't let myself get all in a knot over it, though. Owen, that sweetheart, offered to come and pick me up in case I didn't want to drive "way out there" but really, it's fine. I love the sentiment, however.

Okay, so now it's time to finish the photo printing and work on The Palace Press for our building, due out next week. The cleaners are coming for their monthly visit so when I head to the post office and to see Sharon, they will have the run of the place. Again, there's little they can do with my desk and surrounding area, but my goal is to have this mess dealt with before Lynn, Lisa, Noah, and the boys get here next month. Can she do it?? Stay tuned!