Listening to the radio today

In listening to the radio today, I was struck by a few things, including hearing President Bush's closing press conference. We discussed this press conference at lunch and those others who also heard it had the same reaction---tight grips on the steering wheel and clenched teeth as we seethed at the stupid, "gotcha"-type questions the media was using against him. Come on! What do you "think" he's going to say??? What do you want him to say??? The questioners were challenging W to say anything negative against the p-elect and he simply would not bite.

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W did admit that he wished a few things had gone differently during the war, and immediately after the attack on our shores (Attack? What attack? Did we forget so soon that the terrorists attacked us at home??), and even wondered about the "reaction" of national government to the Hurricane Katrina mess. The local and state governments should have been handling this "crisis" but no one wanted to assume the responsibility. We'll see more and more of that in the coming years as folks surrender their individual rights for the sake of "security". Anyway, Pres. Bush emphasized the fruitlessness of trying to second-guess these decisions, that he had to use the information as it was provided, and so on. Especially the Hurricane Katrina mess, most primarily in New Orleans, which is not his fault! Areas from TX to the panhandle of FL were hit by this storm but one city's citizens decided to sit it out and wait for help instead of doing what they had to do in order to preserve their lives and safety. Hundreds of school buses floating in the rising waters which would have worked perfectly to remove people from the vulnerable areas.....Oh, yes, that was Pres. Bush's fault for not going personally to serve food to those holed up in the football stadium, tearing it to pieces.

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Whew, I feel better now. No, W doesn't need me to defend him, and as he stated in his conference, real history will tell his story some time down the road, not days before the end of his administration. I pray the historians are accurate and unbiased, and above all, fair with this president!

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Today is Rush's birthday and his staff broke the rules by coming into his studio to sing for him and deliver a little cake in celebration. He likes to act as though he doesn't appreciate all the attention on his big day, he is really like anyone else when it comes to their birthday. The theme for the day is amusing because it's highlighting the promises and bold statements made by P-eBO (President-elect Barack Obama) during the campaign and how quickly the new administration is already back-tracking on many of them. Nothing new under the sun here, folks, nothing new. Even Club Gitmo won't be getting closed within the first 100 days, now that P-eBO and his staff have been briefed. Basically he said on a TV interview yesterday, "We didn't know what we were talking about....". Pres. Bush doesn't look so bad now, does he???

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Anyway, Bible class was wonderful, even brought some tears as we got to hear Pete singing on a video about worship, "Come Worship Christ", recorded when he was still in the seminary. Even though I knew it was coming, it still triggered some emotion hearing him singing to the Lord once more. This study is going to be helpful in re-visiting the reasons we Lutherans worship as we do, what's "decent and in order" and what's subject to discussion in how we worship. The group is appreciative of this study course but I wish, as always, we had more people there. We've been through this class several years ago but I feel it's important that we do this study just as we are getting ready to use the CW Supplement on a more regular basis.

Once more at the desk

Our worship service was a bit abbreviated today as all the communicant members were asked to complete a brief survey following worship. This will be looked at by the team from Synod who will help evaluate our congregation's ability, or possibly lack thereof, to sustain additional grades at our school. Presently we have an active preschool in place for kids aged 3-5, which serves our members and the community. Ever since, and even before, we moved here in 1988 there's been talk of a school and it took until 2000 for us to get a preschool.

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On the way to church I had to stop at Publix to pick up the cake ordered for the New Member Welcome which would follow worship and survey completing. I got the cake in place, laid out the festive green table cover with matching napkins, forks, and gorgeous paper plates just as the Sunday school kids were filing in for class. Whew!

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Bible study is still the subject matter of "Angels and Demons" which the Tuesday evening class already completed. Today's topics were about New Age things, and then rolling into demon possession. I know these got more discussion on Tuesday nights because we were seated around a table vs being scattered in the pews. There were a few important points from the group, particularly those discussing Tolle and his propogation of self as god. He's a follower of the almighty Oprah, a delicate spot in this household.....Joanne likes her and I, of course, do not. Anyway..........

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I have to chuckle about how Pastor has to set up for Bible study-----All the attendees sit in the back three or four pews because no one would sit up front. He kept moving back toward the rear until people have resorted to setting up folding chairs if they tried to sit any further back! Pretty soon he'll need an extension cord for the overhead projector if we move any further back. Anywhere else we pay extra to sit up closer but not in church when it's free! Is this what St. Paul meant about meeting people where they are at (paraphrasing)?

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Once at Friday Musicale the room was so full and seats needed that the head lady encouraged us to do like we do at church on Sunday: everyone move to the middle to make room for the rest! I leaned over and told my neighbor, "Oh, don't I wish!".

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Kathy B. had a few questions for her portion of the paperwork needed for the survey committee of which we made quick work, and then it was time for church to begin. On my way to church this a.m., I called Kathy to ask if she had her camera along because I'd left my angry one at home by mistake and needed shots of our new members. She did have it, keeps it with her all the time. Guess I need one of those purse-sized cameras instead of my big clunky one so it's more convenient to use.

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One of the readings today was a special one to me, and hopefully for Twila, too. It was the story of the jailer at Philippi, how he heard St. Paul and Silas singing hymns with the other prisoners. An earthquake occurred and the jailer nearly took his own life because he thought the prisoners escaped. Paul told him they were all still there, and in his joy, the jailer asked what he needed to do to be saved. What an awesome question!!!! Paul said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The jailers' whole household became believers, were baptized in Jesus' name, and he then prepared a meal for the prisoners. Twila's husband came to faith only weeks prior to his death, was baptized and we rejoiced! This text was perfect for Nick's funeral, and for our reading today.

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I wore my new sweater from Mom for church today and got many compliments, including looking like a disco ball, it being the perfect color against my face, matching my glasses and lipstick---AWESOME! Even the check-out lady at Publix commented on it, and when I told her my mom got it for me, she said, "Neither my mom nor my daughter are ever in tune to what I'd like, they'd rather get what they like!" We laughed and I said, "Well, my mom goes to the store and looks for the last thing in this world she'd ever wear, and knows it's perfect for me!" Last year, too, she got me a wonderful fuscia-colored blouse that was also perfect for me. And the good news is: Disco is NOT dead!!!!

Shhh, it's a quiet day!

I was torn---do I write my posting or go take a nap? Yes, it's that type of day today. Earlier this morning the sun and clouds did battle, jousting for position in the sky, and, as of now, the clouds have won! It looks like a winter's day but fortunately, the temps don't quite reflect the dreariness, being 70 degrees above zero when I got home from church.

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The television is dry as far as viewing goes so I've turned on the football games being played, leading up the Super Bowl. Originally I'd turned on the movie "Anger Management" with Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson but it caused me to feel stressed and we certainly don't want that to happen.

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Justin and I had a fine day together yesterday, even though he arrived a bit later than planned. To make it up to me, I sent him on a mission to Walgreen's because their sign told of a special price for sodas. He still says it's too much per case but it's what pleases me so he did it. The decorations are down and he did good job putting them away, all the while telling me scene by scene about a movie he'd rented from The Big Box at McDonald's and watched the night before. I heard all about the movie but can't come up with the name! This is something he's done all his life, as long as he's been viewing TV or movies, and it's his custom to replay what he's seen, taking the long way around. He wouldn't be good at synopsis-writing!

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The sky, aside from being grey, is also busy with jets today. I wonder if a ship came in recently to explain the increased F-model planes tearing up the air. I'd noticed increased helicopter traffic, too, so perhaps some squadrons came home.

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Back to Justin now----after the tree and decorations were stowed, he nicely got out the vacuum cleaner to clean up the fallen needles and other debris from the floor. Even a fake tree drops its needles, especially since a certain cat was nibbling on it! Right on time we headed to the Mall in Orange Park to have our quick lunch at 5 Guys---Justin having a hot dog and me a small cheeseburger, with shared fries. We only ate a bit more than half of the "regular" sized ordered, which makes me wonder just how big is the large size order! Do any of my readers like 5 Guys or have one where you live? It's almost my new favorite!

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The tickets for the opera viewing were purchased on-line so we just had to go to the kiosk for ours, with plenty of time to spare. Because we'd just eaten lunch, neither of us wanted pop corn (heresy!!!!!) but got the large diet Coke's that are perfect for movie viewing. There was absolutely no one in the theater yet when we went in, seems my question about having rope lines was answered! There was a little digital timer thing counting backward in the corner of the screen which kept starting over again each time it reached zero. Hmmm....more people did come in but it certainly wasn't going to be full like we had last week for "Marley and Me"! It got to be frighteningly close to 1:00 pm and the show hadn't even started yet, so a couple people went out to find the management to find out what was going on. I told one lady that if we were at the outdoor movies, we could all blow our horns. Not this opera group though, no horn honking going on, only disgust for missing the first 15 minutes of this Live from the Met presentation.

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Once it did start, though, it was fabulous, "La Roudine" was magnificent. It even had live behind-the-scenes looks between acts, showing the crew moving the backdrops, bringing in furniture and props, extras moving about, and the actors giving each other their operatic version of a high five! We loved it, and Justin wrote me a text msg., to avoid whispering during the show, that now he wants to watch "The Phantom of the Opera" again. I hope this occurs again soon and we can experience this taste of culture once more in Orange Park! It would have been great to have a packed "opera house' but it will take time to catch on 'round these parts (little redneck lingo there about the opera!)

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My friend, Brenda N., was finally able to free some time and joined Joanne and me for dinner last night. As the opera didn't release us until nearly 4:00 pm, I had to hurry to the grocery store on the way home to buy potatoes and a pie for our dinner, as I was making scalloped potatoes with ham. I hate carrying my groceries upstairs, especially when I needed most everything taken up but I did it! Potatoes are heavy by themselves and add to that my other purchases---wow, my arms ached by the time I get into the kitchen. The pie went in first, a Marie Calenders' Mixed Berry which proceeded to drip all over the pan I'd wisely placed under it. Then I got busy slicing potatoes and putting together my dinner. My house once again smelled great as the meal came together.

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Joanne knew how to change the bottle on the Swiffer so I mopped the floor in the kitchen and hall bath, which badly needed cleaning, once my food was in the oven. For one reason or another, I simply can't figure out how the bottle comes off that handle....I didn't have to either, because the housekeepers brought their own mops and such. Since the kitchen gets more use now that Joanne is here, the floor gets a bit more activity and mess than ever before. Love the smell of that Swiffer cleaning fluid, almost fruity-scented. Lynx doesn't like it one little bit, though, she runs at the sight of brooms or mops. Must have had a bad experience as a kitten!

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Brenda brought me a belated birthday present, three brushed nickel picture frames. She didn't have to do that but I love it that she remembers my birthday, every year! Hers is easy to remember, too, April Fools Day! She is certainly not a fool, and Joanne got the biggest kick out Brenda, barely coming up for breath in talking about the old days, selling real estate in Jacksonville and O.P. I just sat back and soaked it up, as the two Realtors shared stories of days gone by. While we ate and chatted, the moon shined so very brightly into the river room, we nearly needed to cover our eyes from its intensity! Not quite, but my, oh my, it was bright! And my angry camera refused to take a picture of it for us---again! Ugh! I did get a shot of the ladies at the river room table before we ate---guess they were 'duller' than the moon!

I could do worse!

I could do worse than attend the opera with my son! After all, we've done it before----last year, Justin, Robbie, and I attended a live performance at the Times-Union Center of "La Traviatta". Before the opera, the three of us had dinner at the Omni, right across the street, and we saw a cast of characters NOT part of the opera. Oddly dressed middle-aged adults were lining the bar area as we ate our pre-show meals, specially designed for the time crunch between eating and show-going. We saw men in tail coats and t-shirts, top hats and blue jeans, and one man dressed totally in leather, but not motorcycle leather------suede, cowboy-style with fringes everywhere. What was going on that brought out the characters? We heard later that a Van Halen concert was taking place in the same structure that held the Opera House. Is that a culture clash or what????

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Today might be the same scenario, although pre-theater we are having lunch at 5 Guys (remember: the mighty have fallen!!!) before going into the AMC Theater to watch a live broadcast of "La Rondine" by Puccini being sent from The Met in New York City!!!!! Justin asked me earlier in the week if I wanted to go, and I said, "SURE!!!" Oh, we are excited about this. I already got the tickets so we won't have to wait in line and are encouraged to be in the theater 30 minutes prior as it's first come, first served. I wonder if there will be the rope lines up like when a new movie comes out...............Later in the day, a cast of characters like to "linger" around the theater-area but the police have stepped up their presence in order to reduce the amount of loitering and scaring the regular folks. Top hats and fringed leather is not the order of the day for this group, however.

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Well, Linda has a new-born, healthy granddaughter, Amanda, with both mom and baby doing great. Linda reported that when she called Tommy at work to let him know about the birth, he broke down and wept. Me, too!

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Fox and Friends had so much to offer this a.m., which made me chuckle. The primary thing that got me was the one anchor referring to "Blago" as "the gift that keeps on giving." Blago gave this amazing speech yesterday, parading all these so-called accomplishments across the stage (or radio dial, as the case may be) and declaring that these accomplishments were what got him impeached. Really? Does he really believe that? They showed footage of him jogging down the middle of a snow covered street as photographers tried to keep up with him, and it was ridiculous, just ridiculous to watch.

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From that story they rolled into Madoff and that debacle, speculating why oh why that man is not behind bars, even after violating his bail agreement by attempting to shift assets around right under every one's noses. Millions in jewellery and cash being shuffled and no one will notice? One of our members at church has a niece who lost her entire family investment business, $8 million in assets, as a hedge fund manager due to her involvement with Bernie Madoff, while he's still living the high life in a penthouse in Manhattan (which Fox and Friends calls "Weekend at Bernie's!!). Only in America! Now they also showed a line of hot sauces named after Madoff, described by the creator as being "as hot as the hell fires that should consume Bernie Madoff"! Well, I guess we know who got "burned" by him and who did not!

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Justin just arrived to start taking down the decorations so I'd better go and supervise him. I hate the taking down of the decor because it makes me happy to see it there, but as I told Judy R., it's great to see it up and looking gorgeous, but then it's nice to return to "normal", too. Like the great joy one has when company comes, and then the quiet that settles after they are gone. Both are excellent!

Speaking of Linda.........

.............she is awaiting the birth, via c-section, of her newest grandchild in northern IL this morning! Her daughter-in-law had a rough go of it pregnancy-wise so prayers for safe delivery and health for mom and baby will be greatly appreciated!

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Yesterday I received an e-mailed invitation to go visit my newest great-niece, born Dec. 31st in Palm Coast, an hour south of here. I am considering going next week and wonder if Justin wants to join me to meet Rayna, which means "Queen". He'd have to miss some work but Tina prefers visitors on the weekdays when her older daughter, Maya, is at daycare because she's a bit hard to deal with when the new baby is center of attention. Really? Hard to believe! They now have two queens in their household, besides their mother, that is!

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My attorney's office totally freaked me out yesterday, although they've calmed me since, when the assistant sent an e-mail insisting I approve a document she'd sent December 9th. I'd done it immediately and sent it back via e-mail the very same day, but evidently she'd not gotten it, and must have only noticed yesterday!!!!! Ahhh! Truly I was on the ball, and I don't want to think it was them who dropped it, but..........I had Internet connection in WI if they needed to get something else from me, so we can't blame my traveling for this not being taken care of. They have assured me that it does not compromise my case in any way but still, I'm a bit concerned about how it makes "us" appear.

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My friend, Dolly, saw the sister of our classmate in church recently and mentioned that we're reconnecting with folks via facebook. We are sort of kicking around the idea of having a mini-reunion when I am up in WI in May. It will be 35 years since we graduated from MLHS, and also from when I got married. My nephew, Dusty, graduates from high school on Memorial Day weekend but his folks are having the party the following weekend. My nephew, JR, is graduating from West Point Academy the same weekend, something Justin and I don't plan to miss. I'll have to save my nickels and dimes for this trip as we'll need a hotel in The City as well as air fare. I don't know if Justin will come to WI or not but he is adamant about getting to see JR march with his class. Plus going to New York City!

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The dryer just stopped humming after bouncing my sheets around. Like Suzanne, I'll be sleeping on clean sheets tonight when I get home from scrapbooking. She lamented in her blog that she never remembers about re-dressing the bed until she is ready to fall into it. Glad it's not just me, but really, how can I avoid noticing when I am in the same room with the bed all stinkin' day? This morning I put on a sweater which was dried flat on the "passenger side" of my bed. Joanne didn't realize it was not a dryer top, so we made it wet again, and tried to re-shape it on my bed. It worked, I guess, it's presentable, but only if you don't mind the handsful of cat hair that cover it. Lynx found it to be quite comfortable for lying on, so now it's an angora sweater, I guess! Every once and again I pluck a hair or two off my tongue as it floats off my sweater and into my mouth.....yech!

I am writing about Timmy in this posting.....just so you know

The font chosen for today is again "Georgia" which reminds me of my friend, Linda, whose sister is named after this font. God morning, dear friend! I've also been thinking about my friend, Judy R., who recommended, that rascal, another book for me to read, "Grandma Speaks". It wasn't available at Barnes and Noble, as she feared would be the case, nor did the NPH have it in their store any longer, but I did manage to find a 3-book series by this author which I ordered on-line. Once I am finished reading, I can put them in the church library for others to enjoy. Only one in the series was considered "new" with the other two "used". What have we come to? Buying "used" books??

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I just hung up after talking with the church secretary, going over the list of e-mail addresses. Evidently someone has a new address since the revised Directory came out in December and I didn't change it in my records, prompting her call to me. She seemed to think she'd be better at sending off the newsletter than am I (ahem, ahem)..........I entered the one e-mail address I was missing (in fact, it was changed, not missing!) and kept custody of my mass mailing ability. We also have another person to add to the two already on the Prayer Chain for this week, two with heart troubles, including my friend, Gordy, and one lady with blood clots. Pastor is going to have a full day of hospital runs but at least two of the men are in the same facility!

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Before getting out of bed today I finished reading the "Forward in Christ" for January. This periodical is published by my church body's publishing house and is most excellent reading. Many of the articles in this issue touched my heart, their subject matter being just right for what I am experiencing this month.

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Have you ever noticed, and I guess this is quite well known, that once you decide to buy a new car, you see more and more of that model on the streets than you ever did before? When I was in Manitowoc and missing my son, I'll bet every 10th car was his model, different colors and such, but still were Calibers. Once he was there, I didn't notice the cars as much, or it didn't matter as much perhaps. Well, that's the type of thing that is happening this month for me. First reading how the 9 year old child drown in Mandarin over New Year, and before that meeting the new head of the Building Dept. who thinks about my family whenever speaking about pool safety. Now, the "Forward...." is jam-packed with important articles that are just what helps in soothing my heart as I remember Timmy, and my loss. Not his loss, mine. "For me to live is Jesus, to die is gain for me. So when my Savior pleases, I meet death willingly.....", from our hymnal.

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"Forward...." has an article about a family whose teenage son was killed in a car accident on his way home from a friend's home, in a car driven by the friend. The story told how the family immediately reached out to the driver and offered forgiveness which wasn't even needed because it was only an accident; how they regretted any harsh words or exchanges they'd had with their son in the past; and how the joy that they'll see their son again in heaven is the greatest comfort of all. Another article is written by a former pastor of a Manitowoc congregation who tells about the chaos he finds in an ER as family members and others struggled with the terrible tragedy they just experienced. They were frantically asking the question of how God allowed this to happen and why. I've witnessed this chaos, but I don't think so in OUR waiting room at Shands.

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On the closing pages of this issue is an article about "wiping our glasses", pondering the financial messes around us and remembering that we are not the ones in control of what happens in this world. Similar message to the one shared by Pastor Hoyer yesterday in Bible class. Another professor writes about sending his young son off to Iraq, leaving him in God's care. The underlying message in all these articles is that we are but strangers here, heaven is our home!

What an awesome class today!

It's so great to be back at my desk working on my blog rather than "worrying" about the financial paperwork! The top of my desk is visible although some of my peripheral areas have gotten some junque stacked on them. It is a simple matter now to get those things put away, or sorted, as the case might be. For example, the box with the church papers in needs to be sorted, filed, disposed of, or whatever they require, but for now, they are "organized" into a box and off my desk!

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Twila called early this a.m. to tell me that Mark called from Orlando last night, reporting that the parent of a couple St. Johns kids had had a house fire recently, In searching the Internet, area newspapers and TV stations, I find nothing at all about this fire. I wish I could ask Mark myself where this information came from, if it's something he saw on facebook or myspace or whatever. This woman is a photographer and I'd hate to think she lost her home and her livelihood in one fell swoop. Later I call Twila and ask her if she can find out more from her grandson and get him to name his sources.

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With the New Year comes the return to Bible study at Victory, sans Justin as he has a class on Thursday mornings. Kelly T. came from Good Shepherd, too, and we should have called each other about this last night to ride share, right? I'd spoken with Justin on the ride over to Victory but had to leave him with an unfinished conversation as I had another call coming in which I had to take. After I got to Bible class, I quickly sent a text message to him saying I'd meet him at the restaurant at the Town Center Mall. I sat there awhile at the Mall, snug and warm in my car, with the sun shining brightly on me, waiting for him to show up. Judy R. had recommended a wonderful book to me which I thought I'd get at Barnes and Noble but she told me it was most likely only available through the Synod publishing house. Oh well, she probably saved me a bunch of money by not going into the bookstore!!! Justin sent me a text saying he didn't see my message until after he was home and we decided I'd just head to my house and not have lunch after all. He said he was taking care of laundry, but he also let slip that his two newest editions of "Smallville" had some yesterday and I suspect he'd rather have stayed home until his next class to watch "Smallville", rather than making small talk!!!

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Wow, though, did he miss a fantastic Bible class this morning! I wish I'd had my laptop with me there as I'd have written about it as it was happening. The subject today as we study "Heroes and Heroines of the Bible" was David. The lesson began just after Saul killed himself and David asked the Lord where he should go and what he should do when he gets there. The application was making sure we remember to go straight to the Lord when we have decisions and questions in our lives, how we should maintain our focus, keeping the Lord and His Word foremost.

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We also discussed the influences around us that attempt to keep us from God, and even God from us, the distractions the world throws in our way, etc. Who are those we consider to be heroes these days? People in uniform, of course. But are they soldier uniforms? Police uniforms? Fireman uniforms? Nope, they are sports people very often, whom people will describe as being their hero, or to whom they look up. This affects the amounts of money these people earn, when wwaayy back when, the professional teams were first catching on, the players earned about the same as common laborers. Now, crowds part when a famous person (actor, sports figures, celebrity) comes through, people tearing their clothes off in response to seeing their heroes, their idols.

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Pastor Hoyer mentioned, as I have often (ahem, ahem), how our nation is becoming more and more like ancient Rome, an empire that had it all, and yet, from the outside in, was destroyed by the very successes it celebrated. The Goths were able to march right in and take Rome down while the citizens were being "entertained" in the arena by the gladiators. Interesting. Of course, I personally enjoy watching football on Sundays, but, again of course, after church. Sports were only one example used as a "diversion", but was helpful in making the point today because of the BIG game tonight between the Gators and Sooners. I truly enjoy hearing Pastor make the appropriate comparisons between the foolishness of the Israelites and the foolishness of our present day society. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

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We were encouraged to not sit around wringing our hands, but make a more profound effort to live in accordance to what is God-pleasing, watching over our families to make sure they remain faithful and diligent, especially when it comes to what's going to take place in our nation in the near future. Nationalised medicine, removing personal responsibility for our lives, becoming people, like the Israelites, waiting for their Bread King. Pastor recently completed a personal study that talked about how in the 1850's, when evolution was "accepted" as a science, situational ethics was coming to the forefront, and continues now to permeate our thinking, through the media and our government schools, medicine, and so on. Wow, powerful stuff, good food for thought! Justin would have loved being in this class today, except for the part about "worshipping" the football stars!!!!