A quiet night at home

The moon is sparkling on the river tonight and the sky is busy busy busy with helicopter traffic up and down the river. My guess is that a squadron came in or another group is doing practice runs. What a perfect night for it, too! As I sit here, I am laughing my head off at "Seinfeld", even though I know the episodes so well already. It is still funny to me! "The Pez Dispenser"....'I can't have an intervention here....my furniture is very non-confrontational!" Ha!

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Justin and I went to Bible study at Victory today, and we had a great class. Much discussion including conversation about the Tim Tebow controversy. This University of Florida football player is expected to be in an advertisement during the Super Bowl regarding his stance against abortion. Many have been quite upset with CBS for allowing this discussion but now, more is being talked about it NOT being allowed. The message is getting out whether proponents of abortion like it or not. If Tebow was endorsing saving animals or sending money to Haiti, all kinds of positive support would be thrown behind him, but certainly NOT for speaking on behalf of the unborn. I made that statement on my Facebook status before class this a.m. and made the point again in the Bible study. Pastor thinks that football is the last bastion of maleness and is glad when the players make a positive, Christian stance. Hopefully influencing the lives of those watching the games. I don't know about that, but I do admire this young man for sticking by his principles and belief. And I am not even a fan of college ball!

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After class Justin and I went to lunch, this time at Mimi's where he got his usual jumbalaya (another Seinfeld reference...) and I had the meatloaf sandwich, of which I ate half. We shared some fried dill pickles but ate only half of that order. Justin took the leftovers home with him because he had to brush his teeth after having his spicy lunch. I used to beg him to brush his teeth when he was younger and now he says, somewhat sadly, that he brushes his teeth three times a day! Before he went home though, we went to Publix for a few things, including water. Yes, indeed, I bought water, soda, and a bag of apples! What's happening to me???!!! Justin chose fruit in cans, but mine is fresh, hmmmm.....

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He finished a house for closing so might be coming over here earlier in the day tomorrow after he checks in with his boss. He has a few jobs to take care of here to get ready for the company coming next Wednesday including vacuuming, bed making, and putting the chairs back around the table. I took two of them for Chris and me yesterday but he can do the rest. Some of them need tightening up but I am not sure I will get him long enough for that. Saturday evening Justin and I are going to the AMC Theater to see "The Bold, Fresh Tour" being simulcast, O'Reilly and Beck as the 'stars'. I guess PresBO wanted to use the theater in Tampa from where they will broadcast, but it was already reserved for Bold, Fresh! How funny is that?!

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Next Thursday is the themed dinner based on recipes from Julia Child. A whole slew of people have been invited and I hope most of them come, I hope all of them come. Somehow or another folks are asked to make a dish although that might be a problem for those who work during the day. I hope they can be creative or innovative coming up with something to bring, even if it is a dessert! We can never have too many desserts or breads, and Julia says to never apologize for a messed up recipe, thankfully!

Ending the day

....and ready to get back into my sleeping clothes! It turned cold here rather abruptly, only in the 40's tonight. The moon was splashed across the floor in my room when I came in from choir rehearsal----it seemed like it should be warm in here! Earlier in the day I enjoyed the sun shining on me but sadly the moon does not have the same effect. I am thinking of my friends in WI and MN with whom I share this moon....

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Chris came this afternoon and we shared a pizza, tackling nearly the entire thing between us. One slice remains and I put it in a baggie for Justin in case he came by after work. Silly me, though, I forgot he has a class/lab on Wednesdays. Chris worked on watercolors, using a type where she had to grind ink in order to mix with water and apply. Reading the directions alone was time consuming and then actually getting some mixed up came much later. It was good for us to be together and plan to do so again in two weeks, since next week I will be at the airport collecting my sis and friend!!!

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The news today told that there will likely be a shuttle launch on the 7th of February and hopefully it will be later in the day or even at night for a more dramatic display. In the morning we will be at church for our "Sisters in Christ" event, a breakfast meeting and kitchen shower. If time allows we could possibly drive down the coast some to watch the shuttle more closely, perhaps to Twila's beach house. Weather permitting, that is!

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After Chris went home I came back in my room to take a rest before meeting Suzanne for dinner. While I was resting, I was listening to the radio over the Internet on my laptop as I worked on my computer. My eyes were getting so heavy that I set the computer off to the side so I could close my eyes, waking up at 5:00 pm! Just in time to head to Panera Bread to meet Suzanne, although I did arrive a bit earlier than she did. When I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a man and woman arguing between two cars, so I waited before getting out. They were screaming and hollering, calling each other horrible names and things, played some tug-of-war with a cell phone, some pushing and shoving. Finally, the man got into his SUV and started backing away, but the woman ran up to his window, still yelling that she didn't want him anymore. I saw the man reach down beside him and I thought, "Oh, oh......" but he grabbed a jug of water and threw some in her face. And then he drove off. I went inside the restaurant to wait for Suzanne, and the lady came in a bit later, calm as can be, chatting on her phone, drinking a cup of coffee. I was the one shook up!

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Yesterday I made my travel arrangements for my trip to MN and WI in March, booking with Travelocity. For some reason, the reservation flagged me that I could not make my seat selections until after I had received my confirmation via e-mail, and then I had to call the airline. I looked up the number for the airline, AirTran, and finally got through to a live person to make the seat assignments. He told me I could make them for free 24 hours prior to the travel date or pay $6 each way to do them on-line now. Because I prefer window seats and wanted to secure them, I paid the $12 for the sure thing. The last situation I would want is to end up in a middle seat in a row of three! So, whether there are three seats across or not, I don't know, but did not want to take a chance. A woman of size needs her room, you know? Is there a bag fee on top of that? I am only guessing.....

Starting the day...

....but yet in my nightie! Every couple minutes I am checking my phone, trying to reach Mom to sing 'happy birthday' to her. The line is busy, so I must be in queue for getting hold of her! I sent her an e-mail greeting already which she will hopefully get. She reads the newspaper on-line which ties up the telephone line so I just keep trying. Guess I could get dressed in the meantime. It feels wonderful here in the sun, at the 'big computer' now, as I have some work on the newsletter to complete plus want to print off something for my church project. Martie had to cancel as she forgot all about her son leaving the country tomorrow. She is going to spend time with him today before he goes to London to pack up their household for the move. They are moving to AZ where his next duty station will be. His wife was already here in Jax, having to travel before she was in her 7th month, the rules for international travel. Her folks live here so they stayed with them. Their baby is now two weeks old, daughter Marilyn, to go with their little boys! Tammy will certainly have her hands full for many years to come!

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More later!

I have been busy this morning....

.....and have not even gotten out of bed! Besides chatting on Facebook with WI friends, and the telephone, I have been reaching out and touching people! Or been touched! Or am touched!!! There was a "Seinfeld" episode where Elaine broke up with her perfect guy because he did not put an exclamation mark after what should have been an exciting phone message he took for her. She then went on a rampage as an editor, using exclamation marks at every opportunity. It seems I do that as well!

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Today I am helping in the kindergarten classroom to give the teacher a little break over lunch and recess, and she called to let me know that two of the kids are out with the stomach flu. Laurie thought I might not want to be exposed to the germs which may or may not be in the air but I told her I will go into battle! Using good hand washing procedures and plenty of Clorox wipes (love those things!) will certainly be my defense.

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After I am done in the classroom I will go in to the church office next door to review the Policy and Procedure book in case I am ever called upon to work in the church office again, as I did last fall when Lynne went to Hawaii. It was really last minute when she asked me and the retraining I had was cursory at best. Things were handled adequately although likely not as in the same military order as Lynne was accustomed. She is going on a cruise at some point in the summer so I am on board to grab the reins once more. Her hours were reduced in order to save money on the budget and since I have the time to donate, well, there must be something in the office that I can do. Even if it is folding or making copies or organizing....maybe even dusting!

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My sister, Jill, called me this morning on her way to work. She said Danny, her son, had mentioned something to her as she drove him to school and she needed my help in remembering. It seems he was thinking about them coming down here for Timmy's funeral and he remembers seeing a wall or balls with people's names written on them. Jill asked me what he could be thinking of, saying he thought it was next to a building somewhere. He was eight when they were here for that. In my vague recollection of those days, I asked Jill if he was at the funeral home at all and she said he did come at first. One of the assistants from Eagle Harbor Realty then took him back to my house to babysit him. I think what he saw, then, when outside walking around with his mama, were the crypts in the mausoleum next door to the funeral home. I think they are black with people's names engraved or plaques on the marble, behind which are the urns of the deceased. He also mentioned the creek behind the funeral home and the pond at the cemetery. Jill does not remember seeing these things but, as I told her, her mind was elsewhere under those circumstances. Hmmm......what things kids notice! And what made him think about it today?

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Pastor also called to see if I was still coming in today and might have some busy-work for me to take care of. If not now, he will in the future when it gets busy mid-month in February when Lent begins. I want to stop at Publix on the way through to get myself a sandwich to enjoy with the children and a gift card for Mike C.'s birthday today. My friend, Suzanne, and her family will be having dinner at Judy C.'s house for the birthday celebration tonight. Yummy! Ssshhh, they are having a beef roast as his special dinner and I think that sounds so good, I am going to get myself a roast, too! Love the smell of roast roasting!

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On the way to Bible study yesterday, I swung by the cemetery to put the flower vases back up after the storms in the wee hours. Sure enough, everything was a mess down there, but neither glass vases were broken. The Thomas balloon was deflated and wind-whipped so I took it away. In the afternoon, it got quite windy yet again so I might have to go check the vases once more as I head toward the church this a.m. The radio reported Monday that power was out in certain areas of Orange Park and the Westside due to the terrible storm and in fact, radio reports had it that we were under a tornado warning when I pulled the covers back over my head! Oh well.....

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It is 55 above zero with ten more to go until we reach the high predicted for today. My friend in Tulsa said they are in store for more serious winter weather with ice and snow accumulating, so I can tolerate the 65 degree mostly sunny weather. Last night we had our annual Owner's meeting at The Club and it had its moments. Some of the more contentious issues discussed included the budget for the coming year which adds 2% to our monthly fees. Yikes! I told the people at my table that I will only eat every other day now to make up the difference. They did not believe me.....The good news is that we had enough people step forward to serve on the Board for the next two years, I think, and I am not one of them! There are always some who make waves and listen with their mouths open instead of closed, so miss half of what is being discussed. Others demand presentation of past year's Minutes to either prove or disprove that some matter was voted on and discussed. I felt badly for the newest couple to the building, although the husband had lived here before with his previous wife. Bob and his then-wife, Jan, were quite gracious to us after Timmy died, invited us to their home and such. That is when I first saw The Palace and it never left my memory. As they took us on a tour of their home, I couldn't believe how it just went on and on....and now, I live here! When I saw a place was available in the building, I snapped it up!

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Last week I heard from an old friend, Jim, who was our draftsman and became a superintendent later in his career with my company. He is mentioned in one of the repeat postings I made, the guy who called Timmy "Hurricane Hank". He is now a married man and quite happily so. I told him I did not feel bad about not being invited to their Keys wedding since it was only his wife and he, plus the minister, their dog, and a homeless man who wandered through during their vows! That figures! Jim did my home inspection before I moved in here, arriving before I did. He was wandering aimlessly, claiming he got all turned around inside my condo! It can be intimidating at first, as Mom will attest. She got turned around herself when she stayed with me here after we moved in. Jim said he got into a closet and ended up in the bathroom, which is true! I changed that situation after moving in, so my guests can enter their bathroom without going through the closet.

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Whenever I travel, I think of Jim---he told the story about his mom who, when he was flying somewhere, would ask him, "Do you have your tickets?". In those days, we had paper tickets to use, not e-tickets. Frustrated, he would say, "Yes, I do!", except once, he did not!!! What a great lesson he learned! Good for you, mom! So, as I approach the bag check area at the curbside, I think to myself, "Kim, do you have your tickets??"

Oh, I hate having those kind of dreams!

We all have them, just some folks do not recall their dreams. Me? Unfortunately, often I do remember mine and today was no exception. The dream took place after being awakened by the thunderstorm which moved through here in the early hours of the morning. I went back to sleep, of course. Dreams seem like they last for hours but according to experts, are only moments long. Mine went on far too long and got more frustrating as it went. Frustration is often the theme of people's dreams, running to catch your ride to work, racing against time to get something done, and so on. I was getting ready for a party (go figure!) and running out of time!

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Mom likes to mention helping us get ready for a party many years ago in WI when we (former spouse and I) had moved into a new house in Indian Bluffs, not quite finished, but were having our contractor party anyway. While Mom ironed the curtains for the family room, I think, others were scurrying about to make things ready, including mounting the bar top in the kitchen. It was just too much for Mom, all the hustle and bustle, thinking we would not make the deadline for the party, that she had to go home! And guess what----we made it! We had our party and it was wonderful!

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My dream this early morning ended before the guests started arriving but was pretty much the same scenario---getting a house ready for a party. After I woke up and was thinking about it, no mention was even made of food and drinks at all. Just everywhere I turned there was dust, layers and layers of it, my nemesis. My former spouse was in the dream as was Justin, who was not the least bit helpful in conquering the mess. There were piles of clothes around, with no hope of getting the piles removed, it seemed. I spent most of the sequence in my nightie, and even though it was nearly time for the guests to start showing up. I am like the bride who gets married with her hair in curlers so she looks nice for the reception!

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At one point my former spouse said he was going outside to tidy some things up and I insisted we get the inside ready first because you can't see outside at night! In one hallway in this house which I did not recognize, Justin had taken my painted canvases and stood them on end along the wall. And the dishwasher tray for silverware strangely enough was on the outside of the door, where obviously they could not be washed. But the tray was packed tightly with plastic ware with what appeared to be icing on them, and looked gross. Just before I woke up, it was time for the party, I was in my nightie, battling to get the forks washed for the party! Whew! My heart is pounding and I am still tired!

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These days when I have a gathering, it is much less stressful because, I believe, I am the one in charge. If I want to prepare things ahead, I will and do. Even the feasts for holiday dinners, I make as much ahead of time as possible to avoid the chaos. No one ever complains or is critical, to my knowledge, and it makes for an easier time for me. This I love to do---having the feasts in my dining room. Which brings to mind Linda and Lynn's upcoming visit! We have plans to hold a dinner, a "Julie and Julia" dinner where the guests bring menu items from Julia Childs' cookbook! This was Twila's idea and I hope it will fly...I had better get busy putting a bug in people's ears so they can make their plans ahead of time. My idea was to make the raspberry creme dessert as seen in the movie but I might have to tackle the meat dish so Twila won't have to try to transport it. No worries, I can do it!

The Party's Over!

May I present the beautiful taco ring! Rachel brought the garnishments to go with it but most just dived in without the enhancements. Truly a wonderful treat! Wish I could make one that pretty!

Lonnie and Renee are quite entertaining as they shared stories about their lives in the Navy. Emily is listening intently, as Paul joins in with his stories (he is out of the frame to the right)

Brian (nearly out of frame), Kathy B., Rick and Jen, are listening to Lonnie tell another funny story!

The room is empty but ready for the guests to arrive. The lights were dim which makes for the darker picture. Justin carried the chairs into the family room for me and I wonder if he will come back to put them in the dining room....I guess if I asked him to, he would!

Brian took a picture of me at the table, but the flash jumped up and caught the rim of his hat. Quite amusing! In the front we have assorted cheesecakes on my lovely cake plate, hot dog wraps on heated tray (wedding present!), taco ring with condiments, meatballs in the mushroom dish (wedding present!), and nacho chips with dip. The red tapers are in my mom's candle holders from many many years ago. Thanks, Mom! The taco ring was made by my friend, Rachel, from Victory, and she delivered it to my house in time to bake and serve. Her son and she took the tour quickly as she wanted to be gone before anyone arrived. It was delicious and moreso because she so graciously made it for me!

The table was loaded with food incrementally, keeping the hottest foods to the last so it would be good for serving. The mushroom dish has a candle underneath to keep the meatballs hot, and you can see the flame in the photo!

This photo was taken on the morning of what would have been Timmy's 14th birthday. Truly the day the Lord has made! As Carter says in "The Bucket List" when viewing the Northern Lights from the private jet: 'truly one of God's good ones!' Amen, Carter!

Before the party

It is time to rest already after a busy, by my standards, morning of preparations. Justin popped in momentarily to bring up some more stuff from my car and to take a light bulb to the garbage for me. It is a tube fluorescent bulb, about three feet long so it is not the simplest trash I have to get rid of. Hopefully he put the tube alongside the trash bin and not inside where someone might toss their bags on top of it and have a huge mess. Justin is on his way to his father's house to finish taking down the outdoor holiday lights, including lifting a 75# flag pole which is draped in lights. Neither of those two have decent backs and I jokingly asked if I should come along to help. We would likely end up in the river and the pole would remain standing. I should have mentioned the pole is on the dock....

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Thus far today I have made a mess, mostly from trying to make my ham salad but once I got the machine put together properly after several tries, I have a bowl full of Honey Baked Ham salad! Yummy! Too bad Janet won't be here to enjoy any this time. Another time I served it for a gathering and she doubted that I could make such a delicious treat! It might be expensive to buy up front, but it is so "no muss-no fuss" delicious and the meals just keep coming after the feast is past. My freezer holds three containers of the bean soup made from the bone and remnants, and now the ham salad for tonight. A bit more dusting was done, just some finishing touches, and serving dishes gathered for the hot foods. My friend, Rachel, from Victory, has offered to make me a Pampered Chef taco ring for tonight. What a sweetheart!

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Yesterday when Justin came, he walked into the dining room and asked, alarmed, "What kind of party are you having??!!??", as he held the grass hula skirt in his hands. He saw the cactus cut-out and hula skirt and John Deere paper plates----yeah, you know those church folks do like their parties!!! I explained both were church-related but two separate events. Martie is coming Wednesday to help me assemble the hula skirt thing which will help to gauge the donations to our lawn mower fund. Nothing to do with the party at all, just left out on the table where I dropped it when getting home. What a laugh we had over it, though!

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I had another belly laugh with David, my bro-in-law in WI, this morning. Wanting to talk with my sister as I took my break, I called their house. He was the only one up and it was 10:00 a.m. already. David asked if he should wake her up and I told him not to because I need her fully conscious to discuss my travel plans for March. She will call me when she's had a cup of coffee and can think coherently. What made us laugh though was when he asked who was coming to the party tonight. I told him I invited the Called workers and teachers and those elected to office. And then I said, "I invited the elect, and am dying to see who shows up!!!" A little biblical humor there....hopefully not too sacrilegious. I just crack myself up sometimes, and cracked him up too! Justin came in as I was roaring with laughter and was hanging up with David, and he asked, "Seinfeld??" Of course, what else would make me roar like that??