Let the game begin!

It's quite breazy outside tonight, as I can hear the palms rustling against the wind. I just love that sound, it's so calming. It's totally dark already at this hour, as I wait for the Jaguar game to begin. This will be a late night in my household if they stay in the game against the Steelers. If it goes badly for the Jags, well, then, good night!

*

Worship was excellent today, many visitors and guests. There was holy communion with additional music plus Robbie sang the cantor part of Psalm 23 for us. Suzanne played the viola before, during and after worship which adds so much to our worship. When Carol was going up for communion and was standing next to me in the aisle, she leaned over as I was singing and said, "Thank you". Choked me up for a bit because I'd been recently remembering the lovely card she wrote me after her mom died, thanking me for carrying the hymn singing during the funeral service. And now, she did it again.

*

Since I was going to Palm Coast, I didn't stick around after church (Justin would have been so proud of me!) but went almost immediately to my car to head out. When I'd left home, I noticed my gas gauge was closer to a quarter tank than I'd like but figured I'd make it to the restaurant just fine. Well, sure enough, about three miles from my exit I heard the little "ding" sound indicating it was time to get gas. This absolutely freaks me out, any bells, whistles or lights on my dash that don't belong there throws me into a fit. I made it safely to the gas station at my exit and the tank took about the entire amount of gallons that it held. Taught me a lesson, because that was wwaayy too close for my comfort.

*

Even with stopping to fill up my tank, I arrived around the corner at Ruby Tuesday where I was meeting Tina, Keith, and Maya in plenty of time. I hadn't seen Keith in ages since usually he's working when we go down there. It's very hard on Tina to travel with Maya, just turning two, because she has no rest in her bones, always wanting to climb on or touch things. She asked my opinion on baby names and, of course, I like 'Hannah' but Tina is concerned the name is too popular right now with the Montana thing. She doesn't want her child to be one of six Hannah's in her class. Tina knows both my kids were supposed to be Hannah's, but that name never caught on for boys!

*

Once back at their home, I gave Maya her belated birthday presents from Justin and me. I'd found this great soft, soft throw with one corner shaped into a crown and has a light up heart shape on it. Two other corners have little pouches sewed in to put her hands in for warmth. It's all princesses all the time for Maya so it was perfect. Keith took great pictures of her wearing her royal robes and coloring with the triangular shaped crayons I found. We also gave her two coloring books, one good for restaurants and one good for driveway. It's huge! Almost didn't fit in the largest gift bag they sold!

*

I was not able to stay very long, though, because I had to turn myself around and head back to Jax to meet the 'family' at Clark's Fish Camp. Justin was planning to meet me at Lowe's so we could ride in together, as parking is difficult once at the camp. However, he said he didn't feel well again so opted to stay home. Thursday he said he wished we could go to Clark's and now, having a chance, decided to stay home. I think he was having more fun watching football at home with his buds and it felt good to not have to go somewhere. All were sad he wasn't there so I let him know he was missed at the table. There were 17 of us so were not short of people!

*

Bruce's sister, Julie, commented that she liked the color of my telephone and I showed her how it went with my earings. She said Sandy had told her about my house, all the glass and bright colors. Bruce piped up, "She's got a lot of color in her life!" which was a nice thing to say, but Rick and Jen's son paid me a terrific compliment, totally out of nowhere. Chris said, "if you were in a pitch dark room and Miss Kim walked in, the room would be bright, she has so much color!" This caused me to tear up a bit and I thanked him for saying such a nice thing. I reached in my purse and gave him a dollar as a token of my affection. Sandy was also telling Julie, who lives in Boston, that as far as I'm concerned, neither Rick nor Bruce can do any wrong in my book! And that's the truth! Julie said their mom feels the same way about Bruce!

*

I am halfway through the book, The Shack, and wow!, Judy R. was right! I do need to hang on for dear life. It's so good! Jami, of Cat's Meow, just finished reading it again and is writing about it on her blog as well. Paul and Emily are ready to play "Seinfeld" with me but Paul assures me that this will be HIS game, mop the floor with me. I can take it, Paul, I can take it!

Go Jaguars!

Oh my goodness! The FNC just announced there was snow fall in some part of the United States last night--evidently not outside my windows or doors. Whew! Must be a slow news day, which is good.

*

Yesterday was Kristen's wedding and it was quite lovely. My disappointment was that Bruce didn't wear his fancy Navy uniform to walk her down the aisle but he says he can't afford to keep going to buy new ones each time his girls get married! For some reason, since he wore it four years ago at Kristen's first walk down the aisle, it won't button!

*

It was a small but beautiful service, less than 12 minutes in length but the photos took nearly three times that long. Rick was the photographer but I stepped in for the family shots so he'd be in them this time. When he took pictures for a couple previous family weddings, he is missing from the family shots. Rick had asked Justin to do it, but he was afraid to be "blamed" if they didn't turn out, so I did it. I told Rick his camera must be loaded with testosterone because it was twice the weight of my camera! He's got lots of bells and whistles for taking wedding photos which makes mine look like a point and shoot!

*

The reception started sort of backward with the bride/groom dance and father/daughter/son/mom dances at the very beginning. Evidently the food wasn't ready or something. I know the mom of the bride was not a happy girl as regards the way the show was run---wrong colored table cloths (didn't match the chair covers and sashes which Sandy had rented for the wedding). Her contract showed how the tables were to be set, dressed, decorated, etc., and none of that was done. You don't mess with Sandy and she won't take it sitting down. The food and beverage lady made all sorts of promises and then wasn't even on-site to see them through. I'm so glad that when my turn comes, I'll be the mother of the groom and not have to manage the minutiae that troubles brides and their moms! Oh, the menu they chose also called for key lime pie for dessert but there was no dessert at all!

*

Justin came here to watch the football game before the wedding (Gators) but then got a phone call from his friend in need. It seems Josh was asked to leave his mom's home for some reason, of course, it was the mom's fault (I'd love to hear the entire story). Not being old enough to secure a hotel room on his own, he asked Justin to come to HoJO to get him a room. I don't like this idea one little bit, afraid Justin put himself at some financial risk, but what can I do, besides not bail him out of trouble if he gets into any. He offered Josh space at their condo but he refused and I asked him not to offer my spare rooms, either. Normally I throw my doors open for folks but Josh is different, and Justin assured me he never even thought to do that. Good!

*

While Justin was getting Josh checked-in, here comes Travis and his entourage through the halls of the HoJo. They were ordering wings from Harry's, the hotel restaurant, and watching the game before Travis' wedding. For some reason or another, there was a continous stream of photos of Travis and Jessica's courtship and such running on the flat screens at the Holiday Inn where Kristen's wedding was held, but Travis' wedding reception was down the road a bit. Hmmm...odd! So Justin got to extend good wishes to Travis once more before the wedding after all, even though he'd done so Wednesday when Travis brought me the envelopes and labels.

*

Just prior to my leaving for the wedding, Jennifer called. She had a favor to ask, for Kristen. Okay, I'm listening. It seems that when Kristen had gotten her hair and face done at the Mall, she'd left her cell phone lay, and they asked me to run to get it. Run indeed! I said I'd do it but they had to hold the wedding until I got there. Jen told me to go to Customer Service at Dillard's, upstairs, to get the phone but they didn't have it. Jen had mentioned she'd gotten her face done at Clinique so they called from CS to that counter and sure enough, that's where it was. Back downstairs I went, grabbed the phone, and out to the parking lot to work my way on Wells Road toward the hotel. The traffic wasn't too bad, even though the construction slows things a bit. I got there with minutes to spare and delivered the errant telephone. Justin beat me back to the hotel since he was coming from HoJo. Whew!

*

Justin had a bit of a disappointment, though, when talking with Trisha about renting a room in her house. Actually, she'd not discussed it with her newlywed hubby at all, and had to tell Justin that it just wasn't going to work out. He was sad, but also expected that answer since he knew she hadn't asked Randy about it first. He had looked forward to it, considered it being with "family" because we are close with the family but, I agree, it might not be so good to have another person to work around when starting your marriage. They were married at the end of February this year. Two weddings in one year for Sandy and Bruce!

*

Now, he'll look into a couple options, like finding a new roomie or another place to live. By the end of the month he's got to give notice so something will need to happen and keep happening before then. I made it clear I don't want to sign another lease for him, keeps me on the hook, as it were, so hopefully he'll have enough credit history to allow him to sign alone. Just between us, if I have to, I have to, but I sure don't want to put myself out there for anything. On one hand, we want to be all independent and do our own thing, but on the other, we still have our hand out to mom, asking for support (a.k.a. $$$) in order to sustain this alleged independence......."Mom, can you please get my glasses prescription for me, I don't have time?" "We went to Dave and Busters last night so I'm tired today." No time, eh?

*

More later as I must get ready for church. Going to Palm Coast right from church to meet my niece and family for lunch and then coming back to go to Clark's with the Taylor family at 5:00. Justin is coming for that, too, but not going to Palm Coast. Later!!!!

Kindly note the date of this posting

Many of the readers can remember where they were when they heard President Kennedy was shot. Where they were when the OJ verdict came down 13 years ago (they got him this time though!!!!). Some might even remember the speech by FDR, (on the radio and not the TV!), about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Even I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard Elvis Presley had died. Baby-boomers might recall the news of the day the music died, Buddy Holly, etal. Some in my very own building remember the plane crash which took their fellow band members lives, barely surviving themselves, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

*

Of course, for most recent memories, the terror attacks on our nation on 9-11-01. We know where we were and what we were doing when we heard about the first plane, and then the second, and the third, and the fourth going down in the fields of PA.

*

I remember something else, which, at the time, was earth-shattering and momentous to me. And, silly me, thought it was the worse possible news one could ever get............we are so simple-minded as teenagers, aren't we? Anyway, I remember exactly where I was and what I was wearing and who told me the tragic news that one of my "idols" had died. Janis was dead, at the age of 27, October 4, 1970.

*

As I search my memory banks, a little Star Trek lingo there, I cannot think of any of my friends at the time who were also Janis Joplin fans. They might have gone along, endured, but don't believe they were so caught up in the idea of Janis as I was. This didn't bother me in the least, not being one to be mainstream, as it were. I love that raspy bluesy jazzy Bessy Smith delivery. Present tense. I'm listening to Janis as I write, as is my custom ever since she died. Used to make my spouse crazy having to listen to it the entire month of October---well, that might be an exaggeration about the entire month...........

*

For years I'd contact my sister, Lori, or she'd call me, and remind each other of what day it was, like I'd forget........

"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...."

Plus sunshine on my face, arms, and reflecting off the water makes me happy. Oh, what simple times we used to live in! When Dolly and I graduated from high school, we had Senior Class Night at MLHS, where we performed “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, another John Denver song. We harmonized as Dolly accompanied on guitar. When we were younger, Dolly and I would spend hours on the roof of their storage building in the back yard reading magazines and dreaming about moving to San Francisco to be rock stars and run a craft shop. Lori, my sister, dissuaded that kinda talk by spelling out just what sort of inventory is necessary to sell in a shop and I just couldn't needlepoint THAT fast!!! This little trip down memory lane was brought to you by “Sunshine on my shoulders….” You know, I don’t think it ever got cold in the summers spent with the Meineke family in Mishicot or at their cottage in Little Sturgeon. Is that selective memory or is the earth not really heating????

Dolly in 2008

Speaking of global warming (ahem, ahem) our low temperature overnight was 59 degrees above zero. Gulp! The high is expected to be 81 which is perfect for a wedding, even though the one we are attending is indoors at a Holiday Inn Express. I wonder if it still counts as a marriage if its performed at a Holiday Inn Express?!?
*

Justin will be coming over here before the wedding and I might have a little job for him to do before we go. My upstairs neighbor, Nancy, is having troubles hooking up her ATT Internet and wonders if Justin can help her. I’ll ask him but can’t imagine he’d be overjoyed at doing it. Might involve some climbing under the desk, etc., and he’ll be dressed for the wedding. It can’t hurt to ask him, though. He might need the practice for when I get mine!

*
I’d resigned myself to staying home last night after Brenda cancelled and just hanging out, but then I chatted with my friend who is in town. She was going to take care of some business up the road from me and if she got done in time, would come by for a bit. In the meantime, my neighbor, Pat, called and asked me to come down to her place to enjoy her porch and have a drink. Great! One of my newer pool friends, Kathy, was there, as well, and we did enjoy the breeze off the river until it got too chilly. They asked me to stay for dinner so I did, as did Nancy, who showed up later. Kathy had made a tomato pie and we had salad plus corn on the cob. I’ll go on record saying that was the most delicious ear of corn I’ve ever eaten (not being a big fan of tomatoes or salad!). I sensed a conspiracy in place!

*
It was past 9:30 and, not hearing from my friend, I opted to go upstairs to watch a movie I’d recorded. For some reason the movie recorded in a digitized fashion, so was unwatchable, and in my frustration, I shut it off and came into my room. Once ready for bed, I watched “International House Hunters” before dropping off to sleep. I love that program, often people looking for homes in France, Italy, or Greece. Not too crazy for the French ones, but Italy and Greece have quite the transporting effect.

*
When Justin was here the other day, I had him take down a picture from up high in the river room for disposal. Evidently when the water leaked from above my unit, it got behind that picture without our noticing. Or, it could have happened when I was in WI and they had so much rain here. One day I was sitting here and happened to glance up at the picture, and saw it had what looked like moths all over the heads of the boys. What?! I got up to look and sure enough, it was mold or mildew coming through, right in the center of the painting.

*
The good news is the painting was not one of my original creations, although I do have one of those hanging below it. Instead, it was a lovely mass-produced watercolor-looking picture of two boys, different ages, sitting on a beach, backs to the viewer. Many years ago, after Timmy had died, my niece, Lisa, and a couple of her friends came to stay at our house in The Preserve. Two of the girls came from WI and one, Gloria, came from CA, all staying with us. Loved it! Gloria saw this picture at Kirklands and thought it reminded her of my two boys, and bought it for me as a “thank you” gift. I loved it, of course, not only because it was beautiful but also for the sentiment attached. I’d put a small nail in the frame and suspended a plaster sea gull to the frame which added to the dimensional look of the piece. But now, it’s in the dumpster. All that remains is a black stain on the wall, about the size of a pie. Nuts!

The top picture on the wall partially out of shot is the one which was damaged. You can't see the sea gull on the frame, but it hung on the top left hand side.

"The last thing this guy is qualified to do is a reality tour!

While I am writing, I am also listening to a "Seinfeld" episode on the Internet, the one about selling muffin tops. Kramer starts a bus tour of sites and sounds featured in someone elses book. In reading on-line the other day about the history of Seinfeld, something like this really happened with the character Kramer is based upon. Cool! Someone threw Kramer out of book signing, treating him "as though he was raving maniac!!!" Oh, really?

*

Justin was over on Wednesday afternoon and I asked him to take a look at my thrashing machine for me. I asked why the switch had a left and right on it, with center being Off. On the right side of the button is an R and the left side has what I thought was a lower case "l". Silly Mama!!! It turns out that the R, which is where I had it set, really means Reverse! Okay then! All I needed to do was move the switch to left of center (it galls me to say that!) for paper grinding. It won't begin to grind until a certain gizmo is touched inside the shredder. I got it all figured out and I'm a shredding fool!!!!

*

Now I'm sad---my friend, Brenda N. just called to tell me she can't go to dinner tonight after all because she is "dead". Not as bad as she sounds, it's just that she was on the jobsite today cleaning a house and is totally wiped out. I understand because I vacuumed at church and my back is aching from that little bit of work. My friend is in town visiting and is coming by between appointments. The timing might be just right to go have dinner!!!

*

This afternoon I was meeting two friends at the movies so arrived a bit early to get tickets. While I was waiting on the bench in front of the theater, talking to Martie, a group of young men came out, one carrying a pink box. I moved my purse over so they could sit and one of them did, opening the box to expose cup cakes. These were not cup-cake-looking guys, let me tell you. Some had piercings, were smoking, wearing the drooping drawers, the whole shootin' match.

*

The cup cakes were frosted with pink icing piled up high. One guy asked if they were bothering me and I said no, that I made room in case someone else wished to sit. Well, you should have heard the exclamations of delight from these men, eating their pink cup cakes! One guy (remember I was still on the phone with Martie...) was going, "Oh, my God, oh, my God" over and over, so I told Martie the cup cakes must be delicious because he was calling on the Lord over it. We all chuckled, the guys and me, and then the one sitting next to me offered me a cup cake. To be polite, I refused, but when he insisted, I accepted. The other guy was just about rolling on the ground, it was so delicious, and I asked him if he needed some time by himself....It was so ironic to see these rather gruffly attired guys were so openly enjoying their pink cup cakes!

*

Martie was laughing her head off, not even being there to see it for herself. One of the guys, as they finished their cup cakes, commented to me that he was the only one of the group who remembered they'd parked on the other side of the Mall. So funny! As they walked away, a different guy was having troubles with his bike and a couple of them assisted with getting it upright again. You can't judge a book by its cover, but you call judge a cup cake by it's pink box!! The shop is called "CamiCakes", located just inside the Mall near the movie theater doors. Yummy!

*

We met such great folks in the movie theater, all were like-minded, several had served in various branches of the service. Oh, it was such a great movie, funny right from the start. All the seats were filled, at least as far as we could see. It was rich with satire and comedy all the way through, even prompting a bit of tears at one point where a man was saying good-bye as he leaves on deployment, because "he wants to go". Very, very good, and will see it again. Kelsey Grammer plays an important role, with Jon Voight playing George Washington perfectly. Even "J. Peterman" from 'Seinfeld' had a role as a maitre d' at a restaurant----it's even mentioned as part of the movie!

*

We went to have a snack after the movie at TGIF and recap, able to dine el fresco because it was warmer outdoors than inside! As we sat and chatted, I heard someone call my name and sure enough, there was Christine and Shannon passing through. They were having a girls' day in celebration of Christine's birthday, which was yesterday. It was so wonderful to see them, since I haven't seen Shannon in months and months. She is as gorgeous as ever, now a full-time student at St. Johns Community College. Man, it was just great to see them out and about.

You can see where Shannon gets her looks!

Well, that's what I get

If I’d have stayed up later last night and written, or not read my e-mail this a.m., I may have gotten the posting sent off before losing my signal----again! I am holding off now on getting the other service, Mr. Slowski’s service, until I find out what’s going to happen with Justin’s moving situation.

*

This is being typed on Word and then copied over, in case any are wondering how I can post without Internet connection. The river is glittering like jewels again this morning, the sun brightly shining directly into my face. Later I'll expect my eye to twitch as a result of the looking in the light, but then I'll be in a darkened theater so it might balance itself out!

*

Yesterday morning was awesome, starting with a nice, slow ride over to southside to meet Justin for breakfast. Good thing I left home when I did because the traffic was quite backed up on I-295. Once free of the I-95 split-off, the rest of the ride was quick to the St. Johns Town Center Mall where we had breakfast at Panera Bread. Oh, how I wish it had been warmer so we could have sat outside to eat! The temps were low overnight, in the 60's, so, no, can't eat outdoors under those circumstances.

We had a nice chat while eating our bakery, he being concerned about his friend, Ron, who had a court appearance that morning. Ron was going to have to face the music regarding the jet ski incident which broke Grove's leg plus his other injuries. We hope and pray that he "only" gets a fine or is held to court costs alone, and that this doesn't hurt his reputation in the business world. He graduated in spring as a civil engineer and is job hunting right now. Ouch! (I asked Justin if Ron's fine and misdemeanor charge was an expensive enough price to pay for a broken leg and wounded friend, hot dogging.....He assured it was, and Ron said it will be a long time before he drives a jet ski again. They have all learned a lesson through this!)

*

Sunday Justin and I went shopping and we bought, of all things, a Gator rugby-style shirt. Instead of going to try it on, we just took it, judging by the size only. Well, it's too big on him, which is fantastic, so he is going to return it for a smaller one. He said it feels more like a sweatshirt than a top shirt so perhaps he'll find another style to get instead. His roomie has turned him into a raving sports lunatic! Even so far as watching cage fighting on TV......my face would tell you what I think about that! He told me at breakfast about having to exchange it although it would have felt good in that cool morning air.

*

I brought up one of my favorite subjects, "Seinfeld", and was telling Justin how I wish there was a trivia game for at home, like we had of M*A*S*H, played like Trivial Pursuit. There are various games to play on TV of different programs and movies, which are fun when you have a group. Tuesday, while watching FOX and the House vote, I played a "Seinfled" trivia game on the Internet but the darn thing had no end. I was never done, and the questions just kept coming. The categories, according to levels of difficulty, shuffled and it was fun, but didn't have an ending place. I did VERY well, by the way.

*

Well, off we went to look at Barnes and Noble for "The Story of Us" and what is sitting directly in front of us as we approached that department??? A boxed set of "Seinfeld" Trivia for play on TV or computer!!!!! I was ecstatic and not a little bit amazed that I had not 30 minutes earlier wished for it and there it was!!!! But, no movie for me to buy, so I'll have to order it instead. (I had opted to leave the game down in my car until my Travis' project was completed or I'd have been in a mess! Can't wait to tell Paul what I've got!!!!! He's the one who said if he had the boxed set of "Seinfeld" he'd never leave the house, so this will be a hoot!)

*

Amazingly we left the store with only the "Seinfeld" game under my arm (or in the bag, as it were) which is odd for a book store. Usually I buy a mess of books and even with Justin along, no extra books. He did show me a couple he'd like, but no begging. We headed over to the parking lot where he leaves his car, I call it Area 51, but it's officially Lot 53, and then together drove to Victory for Bible study. There were only four of us plus Pastor, which made for an intimate class. Next week they expect more to show which will be fun even though it's crowded. The VPK class uses the kitchen area, or goes through it, so we can't meet in there. They have 5 registered kids in the class, needing 4 to break even. Bravo!!

*

After Bible class, in which Justin was an eager participant, I dropped him off at his classroom building, where I call "the parent pick-up line" and we said our good-byes. I always get a hug and kiss from my big boy, even in front of the school! On the way home I called Mom and chatted with her until I went into Winn-Dixie and she couldn't hear me anymore. I was picking up some ketchup and buns in case Judy came for supper, since I made a batch of sauerkraut and had natural-casing hot dogs cooked into it..........made her mouth water!

*

As soon as I got home and took the groceries upstairs (more than just ketchup and buns, of course!), I got settled in to work on my project for Travis. I stayed there almost all day long, except to get up for more soda and to go potty, you know, normal stuff.

*

When Judy called and said she'd wouldn't be coming for supper, I went ahead and enjoyed a nice bowlful of kraut and a hot dog right after six o'clock, which is early for me. I'd not had lunch, really, so it was time. I heard piano music playing so went outside to check it out. My downstairs neighbor, Tracy's daughter, was due home from college to play for Travis' wedding, so I thought she might be playing, but actually it was coming from The Club. My neighbors were outside so I grabbed a soda and headed out to join them. Yes, I was afraid Travis would catch me sitting idle but it was worth the risk. It was a bit chilly out there, so it won't be long before the upright heater will need to be brought out for our listening and dancing pleasure! We can enjoy our sun deck long into "winter" thanks to that heater.

*

I glanced at many of the address labels as they passed through my hands to the envelopes and I was surprised at how many I recognized. Some even lived in my building, choosing to vote on the absentee ballot instead of going to the polls, or whatever. Names from my old neighborhood on the lake, names from St. Johns where the boys went to school, names from Cindy's neighborhood off of Gano........

*

One name in particular jumped off the tag at me, though, as I stuck it to the envelope---Timothy P. Day! I guess I don't have to tell you what happened then.

I am going to roll the dice here.....

..........and gamble on my Internet signal being here when I wake up tomorrow morning! I am too weary, sleepy-wise, to write anymore tonight---at least at any length.

Judy J. was here to watch the debate with me, as she likes to having someone to expound on things with. Her grandson is back up in MI now and she misses him something fierce, and if I can help in just in little bit with the adjustment back to empty nest, I can do it!

I got all my envelopes labeled and stamped for Travis' campaign mailings which need to go out tomorrow. Much of my day was spent on my dupus working on this project, 1000 envelopes, stamps, and labels passing through my fingers. Whew!

I took less than an hour off to sit on the deck with a couple neighbors, and I'll have more to say about that tomorrow. For now, though, it's nighty night for me and Lord's blessings to you all!