Some new shots.....

This photo is taken using my cell phone and was the best I could do under the circumstances. The little ones in green onstage are children from the homeless shelters with whom the gent sitting on the floor worked, teaching them songs, numbers, coordination and music appreciation. Oh, my, it was just darling!!

This is Kelly hard at work on her CHRISTmas cards---cutting, pasting, framing, mounting, all that. See our fun tools we have to create the fabulous cards and work on our albums?! In front of Kelly, the larger blue tool, used for making tags, good for placing on packages under the tree or many many other uses in the wonderful world of scrapbooking!!!

Still no sunshine but my commenters are back!

Another dreary day, the type calling for a quick nap before our evening at the "theater". It was drizzling earlier and my car was wet from overnight precipitation. Joanne was hoping and praying it wouldn't "rain on their parade" at RE/MAX as this is the big day with outdoor activities and picture taking with the mascot from the Jaguars. When I drove past before noon, all was set up and I saw Richard outside on Highway 17 to direct traffic in case there was a back-up if folks tried to enter the driveway, and not notice it is roped off. I honked and waved, and he saw me since he called later to say he did.

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For some strange reason I slept a bit later this a.m., most likely because the sun wasn't out. Earlier, at some untold hour, I heard the furnace kick in which means it dropped below 73 in here....I adjusted it lower for the comfort of my friend who is staying with me. When I rolled over, I realized I smelled coffee brewing, which meant Joanne was up and about. The Fox News Channel told me it was 8:15, and it occurred to me that Justin was going to be arriving in less than 45 minutes and I'd better hustle. I took my shower and got dressed for the day, and then out to greet Jo. She was reading a magazine in the river room and enjoying a cup of coffee. I told her Justin was looking forward to seeing her this a.m. because he's not seen her since before she went to MI.

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(I just got my favorite message----No misspellings found!)

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Jo and I chatted a bit as we waited for Justin to arrive, but then he called to report that once again, his alarm clock failed him. We agreed to meet at the Museum instead of him coming here first. Yesterday he had troubles with the alarm clock almost causing him to be late for work. That might make for a great CHRISTmas present, now that I think about it. He said he needed one that reached out and slapped him! If he is lying on his right side, his deaf ear won't hear the alarm going off at all. The slapping one would be the way to go in his case.

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Allowing enough time for my sleepy-head boy to get himself ready to go, I came in to check my e-mail. Normally I do that first thing but since Joanne was still here, I spoke to her instead. Imagine that! Live vs. machine! Overnight the JEA statement arrived and I was able to figure up amounts each of Justin's condo roommates owes, the totals for electricity, carpet shampooing, and moving expense. We have only one more thing remaining to settle up, once this is paid, and that's the security deposit after the professional cleaners get through. I am quite disappointed with that situation because I feel the boys could have worked harder on scrubbing the tubs and polishing the stove top! Whatever.........

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So anyway, off I went to meet Justin at the Cummer so he could study some of the Baroque art pieces from which to write a paper. While I absolutely love the Museum, the piece he decided to write about is one he could have examined on-line. We discovered something quite wonderful while there. I saw this piece in the hallway that was primative yet attractive and said, "I can do this!". Justin made a remark about some of the other pieces, like "Oh, come on!", or "That's a landscape?" until we stepped further into the display. It turned out the art work was all done by blind women who have taken classes at the Cummer, with a video showing the method used to allow for these women to apply paint to canvas and other surfaces. Wow! It was truly inspiring and incredibly moving, even Justin felt it. This is something I might wish to get involved in, helping these mulitcultural women use their memories and imaginations instead of vision to create a masterpiece!

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Once back here, I mixed up a kettle of corn and potato chowder from a mix I'd gotten in Door County, WI for our lunch. I added a can of creamed corn and we waited for it to finish simmering. Also, I had a brownie mix in the pantry that I used for my "sweet" offering to take to for the Youth Group party tomorrow afternoon. All the girls are bringing a sweet and the menfolk bringing something "salty". The brownies smell so wonderful, it will be a struggle not to cut into them before tomorrow. Justin got my Friends and Family plate down from on top the fridge so I can use it for the brownies.

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While I was being Suzy Homemaker, Justin was busy getting the tree out and the ornaments ready to go. He set up my little snowman near the front door, propping him in the pot where the lemon tree used to be, using the Advent wreath to conceal the soil. It looks so cute! I'd fallen in love with this snowman after seeing it at Kirkland's so my former spouse had gotten it for me oh, so many years ago. I put up my wreath which Linda's niece made for me last year when they were here. It's already beginning to look a lot like CHRISTmas at my house!

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Justin and I also bustled about getting stuff relocated from the room where Joanne is staying into the spare room (i.e. Lynn's room!) where she stayed in August when visiting here. We didn't get everything straightened out and decorated so he is going to come back tomorrow after worship to finish it up, while the Jaguar game is on. I don't have to leave here until about 4:00 pm for the next social event so we can accomplish a great deal in that time frame, depending upon how much we stop to talk!!! I'll have to call a "no talking rule" so we get things ready for Lynn and the house decorated!

Where is the sunshine? Where are my commenters?

Boy, it is just so gloomy looking out there today! Earlier it was bright blue sky offset with puffy white clouds but now only gray as far as the eye can see. Today it is 65 degrees above zero now with is about 50 degrees warmer than in my hometown. Sorry, guys!

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Joanne was up and out the door well before I even opened my eyes as she is taking her dad for his medical tests downtown. She didn't have the remote control for operating her fancy alarm clock (it's a combination device) so used my cell phone alarm to wake herself. Hope that all went well for them.

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Jackie and I went to the Friday Musicale and truly enjoyed the choral group which performed for us. The room was again packed, which is excellent, with the majority being senior citizen groups from various "homes" in the community. The women's chorus sang a nice selection of tunes including many religious (imagine that at CHRISTmas!!!) songs, and a surprise visit from Santa Klaus. The second part of the program was extremely precious as a man, former violinist with the Symphony, who has tackled the music education of children who live in the homeless shelters and domestic abuse centers. Preschool children. You've never seen such darling little ones! There were 12 kids aged 3-5 with whom "Dave" has worked, teaching them little singing ditties in which they act out parts, on the order of finger plays but using instead, stuffed animals and small shakers. My collar on my turtleneck was soaked with tears after watching these little ones go through their paces, and quite well, I might add. Dave said it was like to herd cats!!

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Once they played all their ditties, the door to the stage opened from behind, totally freaking out one of the teachers sitting in the background, and with a mighty "ho, ho, ho!", out came Santa again! He had a big bag of stuffed teddy bears and a small gift bag for each child. Later, the President of Musicale said all the kids would also be receiving a book to take back with them to their "home". I was quite moved, naturally.

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Jackie, the gem that she is, treated me to a lovely lunch at the European Cafe where I enjoyed a delicious brat and a side of beer cheese soup! Oh, yummy! Some folks were enjoying their afternoon repast el fresco but we ate indoors since we are both chilly willys. Which is the reason I ordered the soup. It was good for Jackie and me to have some one-to-one time, as she so aptly stated it, but were also sad that no one else took me up on the offer to attend this event. Now that she has a taste of this bi-monthly social/cultural/free concert, Jackie is sure she'll attend again!

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My e-mail has been fairly quiet these past couple days, save for hearing from Linda, Judy R., and Suzanne. Judy is being a busy bee sewing for her daughters, after doing her knitting and other handwork projects. Oh, for half her talent! And her love of doing it! Speaking of handwork, Kelly brought me a present yesterday when she came to work on her cards. She made me two dishtowels that hang on the oven door or cabinet handles, plus two extra towels. It was such a blessing to have these towels, because as I told her, I need a wedding shower right about now, since my kitchen towels and cloths are going to pot. Must be using them too much!

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Oops, I hit "Publish" before I was ready! Sorry 'bout that everybody. One thing I wished to include in my blog today was the address for a place for where to order edited, family friendly movies but now I can't seem to locate it again. I was looking to buy "Good Will Hunting" in its edited form because I love the story so much but simply cannot, will not, tolerate the filthy language! The one site was going out of business and I'd have to purchase 10 or more movies to get only 1, which is far more than I wish to do right now. I'll keep looking to see what I can find. Today Suzanne sent me a link for a little video which she said made her think of me. I am quite flattered and honored that she thinks that of me. Click on this to open the video and let me know how you like it: http://www.youtube.com/user/andyradorfman

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In a few minutes I am heading to Mandarin to crop/work on cards with Chrissie, Judy R.'s niece. She spent the day in St. Augustine on a field trip with her son's class and is chilled to the bone so I offered to come to her house instead of her coming here. We are having pizza and, of course, a wonderful time! Tomorrow Justin and I are spending the day together until I need to shoo him out before I go to Kristi's concert at the Thrasher-Horne Center with the church family. I have also been invited to see Jax d'Ville at RE/MAX for a party Joanne is part of, but won't have a spare moment, I'm afraid. Remember last week when I thought I was feeling "let down"?????

Whew! Morning has come and gone!

Here it is just after noon and I've had a full morning already! Only a few moments ago my friend, Kelly, left after spending 3 1/2 hours working on our CHRISTmas cards. She is making hers, including a family photo on hers complete with a matte, and mine being store-bought but stuffed with my newsletter. Barnes and Noble sold out their cards last year after CHRISTmas with a buy one, get one deal, on discounted boxes. Can't go wrong with that price!

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Rush is finally back at the Golden EIB Microphone after being out all week with a cold. Zicam must have let him down this time! I can hear he's still sniffling a bit and sounds husky but at least he's back. Normally the guest hosts are just fine, but there's nothing like the real thing!

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Soon my kitchen is going to smell wonderful as I begin roasting a chunk of beef extracted from my freezer. It's about time I make it, and this is the first time this week that I'll be home at dinner time and Joanne, who is moving in today, might be here to eat with me. Her dad has a mess of medical tests tomorrow and she will be gathering him very early in the a.m. The good news is that they can do about four different tests all in one visit so she doesn't have to try to get him out and about more than once. He's suffering with Alzheimer's disease and lives in a facility less than a mile up the road on Fleming Island. Being a good real estate person, Joanne knows about location, location, location!

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Last night was our first mid-week Advent service, beginning with a brief choir rehearsal and ending with another choir rehearsal. We must be really bad!!! We actually sang at the very beginning of the service so the first time was to go through that hymn, from the Supplement. After worship was the "real" practice, going through our "Awake Oh Sleeper" which is sung for the four Sundays in Advent. I love it, the melody is quite catchy. The church looks so beautiful with the "M & M Blue" paraments for the season. The poor little girl serving as acolyte had troubles keeping the wick lit on the candle lighter and had to return to the rear of the church to be lighted a second time. She seemed nervous but denied it, and I hope she's not too freaked out to do it again the next time. At First German the candles are electric so no problem with getting them to light. Only a few more weeks until I worship at my home church again!

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Earlier this a.m. the sky was nothing but buttermilk and looked so lovely with the streaks of jets woven in between the puffs. Now it is more clear, still some clouds but more blue sky than before. Again the river is quiet, only one small boat sitting beyond the basin, apparently fishing, and the occasional leaping mullet. Joanne is thrilled to see the water level gone down since more shore and wading birds will be haning around than when the water was deeper. Maybe we will even get to see the raccoons walking forth and back from the breakwater. They are so amusing, except when they get into your cooler and steal Capri Sun packages like happened on Chappell's camping trip!

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Besides my great news from the insurance company yesterday, I also got some sad news. Let me retrace my steps a bit: Monday I went downstairs with my trash bags and opened the doors to the area where we load them into a cart for Dave, the doorman, to drive over to the big dumpster every morning. Well, the big cart was gone so I carried my bags over to the big dumpster near my car. The wheeled cart was sitting there alongside, the doors opened into the area where the big dumpster is, but no one was around. Hmmm, where's Dave? Was there a rapture??? The dumpster was filled to overflowing and I tossed my own bag up, only to have it roll back down again. It held my broken wine glasses which made a wild racket when it smacked onto the concrete. Somehow I managed to get the one bag to stay but simply placed the 2nd bag alongside for when the dumpster was emptied and room was made.

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As I fiddled around there, my neighbor, Jeff, came with his bag of trash and I expressed to him that the dumpster was too full to add another bag. He thought the guy would come that day to dump it and I said I just left mine alongside for now, since I couldn't locate Dave. It was time to leave for Bible study so I couldn't hang around to see how it would play out. Well, yesterday I met another neighbor carrying some boxes down and she had to tote them all the way over to the big dumpster, as the regular place was padlocked. I asked if she knew where Dave was, as I hoped he wasn't sick. It was then it came to light that he was not working for us any longer, abruptly leaving his post as our maintenence man! Guess that is why the cart was parked over there and doors left open and all that stuff from Monday! Must have just had enough of our "garbage" and went home!

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We just got an e-mail from the Board secretary saying Dave is not coming back and that the position is open, in case we know anyone interested in this type of work. I have a few people in mind, but don't know how they'd feel about compromising their unemployment compensation by taking this part-time work. It is truly perfect for a retired man, and I say "man" because some of the work most likely is more than a woman would wish to do. As I expressed to Justin, I still wish to give Dave his little 'tip' that I give him at the end of the year, as there is no bonus or anything built into our budget for the condo building. Certainly I will miss him and all that he did for us here, and wish he'd come back, kiss and make up!

Here's a new blog for you all to follow, if you wish....

http://girlsfishiikinkosprings.blogspot.com/

Those of you who read the comments will see several from a young lady named Suzanne. She's joined the fun of being a blogger and you can read all about Suzanne and her family at this site. Welcome, Suzanne, to the World of Blogging!!!!

Two of my favorite guys!

Here is Manny as a baby, when the family was all here for Justin's graduation. He looks a bit sad!

What a difference three years makes! I can't get over how much he looks like me! Must be the hair....Lisa just cut their hair, making for new looks for them both.This is Gabe when he still a baby. This fall he began attending pre-school, turning 5 in mid-November!
What a great smile that child has! He is just darling! Lisa is such a good mama to these two boys.

It's a blessed day!

Don't you always feel better after a good night's sleep?!? This is most certainly true for me. It was the oddest thing that woke me early, however----no one yelling for "help" from the next condo, no cat gagging on it's own hair. Nope, it was the furnace kicking in to warm my quarters! The thermostat is set at 74 degrees and there is no reason really for me to set it lower as normally my room stays fairly comfortable for sleeping. The little radiator thing I love so much is set at "low" all night long, the heating pad tucked into my bed warms my shoulders, and my comforter does just that. The morning sun, when it is there, warms the room nicely, which means that the rest of my home, outside my closed doors, is quite chilly! By the time it really was morning, I got up and dressed for the day, not one bit chilly at all right now.

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It's not cold enough in my house to freeze the Slush, though. When we lived in WI, we'd make big batches of a drink called Slush, for obvious reasons. In order to freeze these large containers of "liquids", we'd set them on the back deck and only visit them to give a stir. The alcohol addition to the mix did not allow the ingredients to freeze solidly, only turned the mixture to slush, hence the name. It would be a very sad day here in Orange Park if I could keep my Slush on the porch!! Hmmm, I think I should make a batch for when Lynn is here, a small one, of course. We can mix it up, add the soda, stick two straws in the ice cream pail used to freeze it, and slurp away! Talk about an Eskimo Pie migraine!!

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In speaking with my friend, Kristi, from church last night, I found out she had no more tickets available for the Clay County CHRISTmas Concert at Thrasher-Horne Saturday night. I got in touch this a.m. with the ticket office and secured two seats for Martie and me. Her CHRISTmas present from me is a date to the T-H for this show! Kristi is in the Chorale and will be performing as will my upstairs neighbor, Donna Wissinger, who is a renowned flutist. What a great way to begin our celebration month for the Savior's birth!

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Some of the others from church will be there at the concert as well and am wondering if there will be some before and/or after fun to be had....Speaking of fun, last night Martie was my date, or I was hers, I guess, at our Art Guild CHRISTmas party at the Lions' Club. Oh, my, what wonderful foods we had to eat! I was embarrassed because I only brought a 'pre-made' beef and noodle dish where another couple brought a whole roasted turkey, complete with mashed potatoes and gravy! In my defense, I'd say my donation matched my mood, which started out as a "whatever".....

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Spending time with my lady friends at Guild is great fun and good for my soul, as I shared a table with Dee, Martie, and two other ladies. I recently accepted a position, not really a Board position, to serve as Mentor for new members. When the one lady congratulated me, I said, "I thought the job was for "mental", so that's why I took it!" Her hubby thought that was so funny, but he didn't know I meant it! I won three ornaments in the drawing so came home with a gift bag with bulbs and ginger cookies tucked away for a midnight snack. Never saw midnight!

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When checking my e-mails this morning, I saw one from the insurance company from whom I buy my health and Rx policies. It is renewal time again, and I recently took care of that business. I did have a question regarding the Rx portion, bought separately, or so I thought, so wrote them an e-mail about it. Today's message was that last year's policy actually included the Rx package and I was paying extra all year long. No one caught that apparently and so now she is going to mail me a nice reimbursement check for the overages I paid! This check, while not all that substantial, is better than a sharp stick in the eye, and will pay for most of my CHRISTmas shopping. It is a blessed day!!!