Quiet by comparison

Tonight we are sitting around in the family room watching TV, a relatively quiet ending to the day as compared to last night when we had our house full of dinner guests. For our dinner tonight we ate leftovers which means we ate at home two nights in a row! I defrosted a container of my 15 Bean Soup plus we had the remainder of Lynn's potato leek soup. Another huge mess was made from my soup as it cooked over in the wave, added to the already horrific spatter from when I heated marinara sauce Wednesday night. Yikes! It was all over the back of the wave, the sides, top, and door. I can reach half way into the microwave and the door but not the rest of it. Justin will have to do that for me when he comes again. The directions for heating up the sauce said nothing about covering it before cooking but Lynn said it is best to always cover anything tomato. From now on, I certainly will!

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We had a lazy start to our day, no lovely sunrise for Linda to watch, only clouds. Sadly I had only a few hours of sleep because my teeth, sometimes top and bottom on the right side were aching me. It was after 3:00 a.m. when I finally fell asleep and was awake again before 8:00 a.m. with broken sleep. Today my teeth have been fairly quiet and I pray that is true for tonight, too. Why do these things always seem worse at night??? Anyway, once up, we enjoyed the river room and conversation before we began our day. The plans were to go to Great Hangs Ups, eat lunch at Koko's, and see a movie. Done, done, and done!

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As we sat around chatting at Hang Ups, my phone rang. It was Justin and as soon as I answered, he asked, incredulously, "How did I know it? How did I know you were going to be there???" He said at 10:00 a.m. he was thinking about us and thought to himself, "I bet they will come up here and go to Hang Ups and Koko's......" And as he drove by, he spotted my car in the lot. Justin was too busy today to join us at all but couldn't get over having predicted our plans! I must be predictable or something.

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Dee joined us for lunch which was so wonderful and fun. Julia had to mind the fort while we were gone but Dee took her some lunch from Koko's. The waiter came out to our table to ask me if it was okay to use shrimp because the chef thought I might not want it. He was assured by me that it was fine to keep the tiny shrimp in the mix but I was tickled that they cared enough to ask me. I just do not eat the large shrimp but the teeny ones were tolerable. Oh, it was such a delicious meal and the company equally so!

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After lunch we went to Kohls so Lynn could get some shoes and to just shop. All I came away with was a pair of earrings from the sale rack! Lynn and Linda both got plenty including shoes for Lynn and off we went to Kirklands. From there to the movies to see "Dear John" where we had a great cry, enjoying the movie very much. My head ached from crying and Linda claimed at one point she nearly sobbed out loud. My plans to play "The Bucket List" tonight were not good since we had already cried so much and instead we watched "August Rush" which the two ladies had never seen. In a minute I am mixing together my ingredients for the egg/cheese souffle for tomorrow's breakfast. The ladies might get up extra early to see the shuttle go up at 4:39 but we shall see if it's going to happen. Hopefully the sky will be clear enough to see the shuttle go up and that it is not postponed. Or, if it is postponed, that it is scheduled for a more reasonable hour!

It smells so good in here!

My ladies and I have been cooking this afternoon, making our entree, soup, and appetizer for the Julia Child dinner tonight. I have to assemble my apple and sausage pie before baking it, but all the ingredients are ready to go. Lynn is making potato leek soup and has to cook hers just before the ladies arrive. The fridge holds Joanne's creation of beouf bourgionne from the original Julia Child's French cookbook. Joanne said her mom had cooked from that book for many many years, especially when they lived in Belgium. They all speak fluent French in her family due to their growing up over there and Joanne actually know hows to correctly say the name of the beef casserole dish she made!

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At this moment, we are sitting in the family room with our feet up, but soon we will be ready to get our dishes together. I did not want to do mine too far ahead so as not to have my crust get soggy from the Italian sausage. It will just too delicious when it is done, after I mix the apples in and pour the cheese mixture over the top. Again, yummy! Lynn is getting her soup ready to go as I write and I guess I should go in the kitchen to see if she needs my assistance finding anything. A few items need to go on the table yet but my back needed a bit of a break, so to speak, before getting busy again. As the time grows closer, I am getting more and more excited to have a dozen ladies around the table, laden with our creations, or creations from Winn Dixie! Bon appetit!

I have been laughing already

....and they are not even here yet! Linda called from the airport, saying, "I'd rather go to jail than go to Atlanta.....". That is a long story but never fails to elicit chuckles from those in the know. I responded with, "I'd rather have an @#% whippin' than go to Atlanta!". My reply is a quote from Dave the Doorman, delivered as he helped unload my sister Jill's luggage from my trunk, after I collected her family from the airport. They were delayed coming down for Justin's graduation and had to stay overnight in a hotel in Atlanta, and as we shared their story with Dave, he gave his opinion. Jill had a shocked look on her face that he would say such a thing, especially to people he did not know, and then we laughed. Yes, Tommy, either choice would be preferable to going to Atlanta!

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Linda reported they are at their gate, waiting to catch the next leg of the trip, which will not be for another few hours. She assured me they were fine because across from the gate was a Starbucks, other eating places, and the restrooms were nearby. Oh, yes, they are fine! Their butts will be tired from sitting so our shopping trip to Publix will feel good. We should drop off the luggage first, I guess, to leave room for our purchases. Some of the prep work might be done tonight for the feast tomorrow, thinking Lynn's might be the most labor intensive. I will pitch in to help with her soup and Linda may as well, since she enjoys cooking.

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On Facebook last night my friend, Susie, who works at Copps, reported spotting my two visitors in the store and that she helped them get some treats for me. But wait! Susie works in the produce department! Are they bringing me some fruit? Linda told me that Susie recognized Lynn and struck up a conversation, and they told Susie about getting me some cookies. The bakery was closed already but Susie had access and got cookies for them to bring me. Whew! I have a bag of apples in my fridge as yet unopened, but do have intentions of doing so. Linda is also bringing me some cheese curds to give to my upstairs neighbor, Jessica, whose baby shower I am invited to. We will have to see how this work out because the shower is at the 2nd floor home of Hugh and Maureen on Super Bowl Sunday. Maureen said I could bring my two guests but I will have to see if they wish to come or not. Both ladies have met several of my neighbors---Lynn at the gathering before Tropical Storm Faye and Linda, at The Club, when we went for prix fixe happy hour in November. The other hostess did not know yet how many were coming so Maureen said, "Just bring 'em!" So there!

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The other day I ordered a new comforter from Overstock.com and I hope it arrives today so I can have my room all pretty before my company arrives. Of course, I guess Justin will need to come to help me get the dust ruffle on so it can wait until he is available. This present bed set is not that old, but it sure did not hold up well. Certainly the cat's nails did it no good and having to take it for laundering very early in its life (2007) after my bed was used as a cat box added to its wear. I think it was my mother-in-law who kept a blanket or sheet over the top of their bed so when they took afternoon naps, they did not mess up the bed. Hmmm.....if you want the bed to look nice, you put something over it? Or was it to look nice for company? Usually people do not get to see my room due to its multiple purposes making it messy, but Lynn and Linda have free run of the place. I want the bed to look and feel nice for me, that is my intent, and the pills and frays do not do that for me!

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When Dean, my painter, came to paint my room after the bathroom/closet remodel was done, he said, "You always choose such unusual colors...." My room is Tuscan Gold, not red, green, yellow and white stripes, like my lake house bedroom was. I used the same yellow from that home in this one, with my kitchen being Sunflower Yellow. My friend, Christine, used my extra gallon in her laundry room, it is so bright and happy. My family room has the lower portions and in the bookcases painted Merlot, and the rest of the painted walls are Shakers Beige, a color suggested by Dean. It is so restful feeling and coordinates well with the Merlot. My bedroom/office is large enough for the Gold color and with my unrestricted light at the windows, the white built-ins, and white furniture, it works, and works well. I love it in here, in this room, and the rest of my home. I will be out in the other rooms now that my company is coming so have sent the thermostat to heat up the rooms so I can stand it! My heat pad will go with me to the family room and I have my Packer blanket to snuggle me!

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Later I will get the coffee maker out from under the sink so the ladies can have their coffee at breakfast. The Space Shuttle is going up on Saturday morning, and I fear Linda might be the only one to see it from this household as the launch is scheduled for 4:39 a.m.! Lynn is also an early riser but am not sure she will be up THAT early. Mom said that perhaps Linda can wake us up to watch but I am not sure I want to do that....might make for a very long day if I do not go back to bed. Linda will snooze in the chair if we watch a movie, or we might go to the theater to see "Dear John" that day. We have our breakfast meeting at church that morning at 10:00 am and I am making my egg/cheese souffle for this function. The recipe calls for it to sit in the fridge overnight so it won't hurt to make it Friday evening and bake it in the morning. It is so delicious and so simple to make, I am proud of me!

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Again, listening to the radio on the Internet and hearing the ads, I noticed a new ad for water pumps. Finally!!!! The previous ads, read by a woman, told about how the intermittent freezing temperatures "wreck" havoc on our pipes and pumps. What? The word she was looking for was "wreak", not "wreck", although that is what happens in the end. It annoyed me no end that she mispronounced the word and I wondered why no one changed it. Also, the station is running ads for events that have long passed, and I wonder if no one in charge is actually listening to this. If they don't listen over the Internet, they might not catch it. And the advertiser is still getting bang for their buck!

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At dinner last night I was telling the ladies how I am actually drinking water, although I do not in restaurants because I just don't care for the flavor most of the time. Part of my goals for 2010 was to drink more water, and I have, and also to read a book a month. Well, now, since I established the goal, I can establish the ground rules, right? Yes, right! While I have not read a single book cover to cover, I have been reading in more than one book at a time all month. In the building business, this would be considered 'substantial compliance'. Since I put in spoken word and writing my intent to read a book a month, I can go on record saying I have kept to the goal, even exceeding it because of having more than one book going at a time. Twila said she keeps the TV off during the day, listens to the radio or sits quietly, reading or working on her needlework, enjoying the quiet. Quiet is not that appealing to me so my radio or TV is going even when I am asleep! Or listening to music and helicopters.....Having the noise keeps the voices still!

Tomorrow at this time, my guests will be here!!!

The mail brought me a wonderful surprise, and no, not a check yet. Instead, I got a lovely 'thank you' card from my sister-in-law, Sharon, and her care giver, my cousin, Rochelle. Sharon is listening to the CDs I sent for Christmas plus they caught me up on Sharon's news. There is little 'news', really, since Sharon is blind and relies on everyone else for doing stuff with her. Rochelle wrote the card for her and told me about Sharon's upcoming birthday plans. They are having a pizza party with ice cream cake the night before her birthday, and I am so glad to know that. Rochelle took her to the dentist and all checked out fine, and then they went to Shopko and to lunch. I appreciate it greatly that Sharon has Rochelle to take care of her needs and spends time with her. By now Sharon might have gotten her card from me as I sent it ahead of her birthday. These two cards must have passed in the mail!

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At lunch time I was with the kindergartners, arriving just as they were finishing their reading program. I got to see/hear them reading little poems they wrote to go with a picture they drew about groundhogs. So cute! I am glad they could read the words because I sure could not make them out. They also made picture book with rhymes about the snow, as if they are familiar with it. Again, so cute! Laurie went into the church office to work on some things for Mike C. who is subbing for her tomorrow as her littlest guy has a doctor appointment. We went outside for recess but it was a bit damp and cold out there. Some of the kids did not have jackets so we agreed that after two laps 'around' the playground, we would go back in. The whole concept of 'around' escaped them as some crisscrossed in the middle of the yard and BANG!!!!, two heads collided! Only one was reduced to tears, and I was able to hug the tears away from Wesley's face, but could do nothing about the lump on the forehead. The other boy, Akin, brushed it off and moved on. We did last a bit longer than two laps as they found ways to amuse themselves.

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Once Laurie came back in the classroom, I turned it back over to her after the boys picked up the mess of Legos. One boy, Brant, drew a picture of a snake for me and sealed it into an envelope. I got to take home a souvenir for my efforts today, and sadly, so did Wesley with his head bump! As I headed toward Fleming Island I stopped to get gas and nearly froze my hand off on the nozzle. Gloves would have been good but then they would smell like gas! Yikes! Sorry, Wisconsinites and others up north, it was just really cold here!!

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I met Twila and Elaine at the movie theater and once more I was given a ticket at the Senior pricing. The first time it happened, same ticket lady, I told her I needed to pay the other price, a dollar more, and she apologized to me for the mistake. Now the past two times she did the same thing, and I accepted the discounted rate. One mistake I can overlook, but not two! Tuesday is also the discounted popcorn, snacks, and soda day so it did not cost us so much. The movie was okay, yes, just okay, but time well spent with friends. As I told Linda on the phone, it was no "Bucket List"!!!! But the scenes from Rome were fun to see again as were the street scenes and Guggenheim Museum in NYC. Not bad for only $5.00!

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The four of us chose Bono's for our after-the-movie dinner which smelled just wonderful outside. And inside as well. It made me sad that they do not carry the beans and franks I like so much, like Sonny's has, but at least we could share an order of corn nuggets. Three of us had the sliced pork of which I ate half plus a little container of green beans. Twila took the leftovers home with her in a genuine doggy bag, for her son's dog, for whom she is caring. I just love these times with the ladies and look forward to having some of them back here on Thursday night for our Julia Child's dinner. Even the lady working at the concession stand asked if she could come sometime, announcing, "I'm fun!". That is my kind of answer, too! We should just surprise her sometime and ask her along or to our dinners! I do not even know her name, but that's okay, I will!

Glad to be home again!

Under the covers after a hot shower, I am enjoying the warmth of my comforter and heat pad. It is cold by my standards and I am not alone in this thinking, although my family and friends in the north would likely find it quite pleasant out there. The good news is that the wind has died down but the bad news was that it is starting to rain! Many at Ladies' Group tonight were commenting about how long it has been cold, sometimes forgetting we recently had some days with temps in the 70's. The chilliness overshadows the pleasant days, to be sure!

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This morning was Bible study, based on The Theology of the Cross. We were missing a few key people but attribute that to a mistake in the service folder omitting the study from the upcoming events. Ooops! Five of us went to lunch at Longhorn and I am so happy to be back on track for this restaurant. Yummy, love those chicken tenders! On the way home I swung through the cemetery to check on the bouquets and found the two glass vases lying down plus the one in the attached vase had pretty well had it. I transferred one from the glass to the attached vase and threw the other one out.

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Once home I got myself all snug and warm again with my fuzzy slippers, heat pad, space heater fired up, and afghan on my legs. Ooooh, it felt so good to be warm. Justin came by after work to carry up my flat of water from the back of the car for me. I need to have room in the trunk for Lynn and Linda's suitcases when I pick them up Wednesday. I must check through my e-mails to see what time they land. Anyway, Justin could not stay long as he had to get to the gym before watching "24" tonight.

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Saturday night Justin, Grove, his girlfriend, and I were at the theater for the Bold, Fresh Tour. Unfortunately, what was to have been a live broadcast from VA ended up being a recorded show from the night before because the Tour was cancelled in VA due to inclement weather. At first the sound did not come through but soon the problem was resolved and we enjoyed a great show! It was fun to see the interaction between these two. O' Reilly turned out to be quite funny and of course, Glenn already is, if you listen to his radio show. In fact today when Justin came, he had me listen to the podcast on his phone about an amusing exchange from last week. It was one I had already heard and had told him about and it just tore him up to hear it himself. I guess you had to be there......Pat, on Glenn's staff, imitating an "idling" Arlyn Spector. Hilarious! There is an encore showing tomorrow night for those who missed it Saturday and I recommend those interested to go.

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Tonight at Ladies' Group I had to serve as secretary since Kelly T. was absent. It seems they are going to be taking in a friend of their sons who lives in CO so she was getting his room ready. What a challenge and an opportunity for them, and for the young man. Saturday is our breakfast meeting at church so we went over the proposed menu and such. I am getting so excited about it and the fact that my two guests will be with us! Judy C. is making sausage gravy and my mouth is watering already....Thursday night is the Julia Child dinner and plans are falling into place for that right along. And, of course, Sunday night is the Super Bowl! Like Larry the Cable Guy said on Fox and Friends the other morning, I don't care who is in the game, because it is not the Green Bay Packers! I think, though, that I will root for the Saints because they are the best market for my bro-in-law's company!

Looking forward to February!

I think that once the calendar changes pages that the bad weather will be over. That is just unreasonable, to be sure, but I am ever hopeful! Once more we are being slammed with inclement weather with high winds and low temperatures, by Florida standards, and little sunshine where I live. The moon is playing pee-a-boo behind the clouds and since it is so dark, the wind makes it seem colder still. Waves are crashing into the bulkhead and breakwater.....and I am so glad to be snug and warm in the house!

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It was 39 above zero when I went to church this a.m. so I grabbed my coat before heading out the door. And I am so glad I did have it because once I hit the parking lot, whew!, it was extremely windy down there! My seat warmer was a blessing, to be sure. When I got to church Bible study had already begun, a video series done by the Kingdom Workers as a sort of intro to the Bible program. It was interesting and fast-paced. The receptacle was in place for the donations for the mower and I hope many took a moment after Bible study and following worship to look over the things posted on the walls and bulletin boards. I handed out the invitations to the ladies after church and encouraged many to come have breakfast with us!

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We had Favorite Hymn Sunday today and one of my requests made the cut. I chose "From All That Dwell Below the Skies", and others chose "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art", which were sung recently at Gordy's funeral. I knew Terri would have a rough time with them so after taking attendance, I went to sit with her, taking a few tissues with me. It is time for me to return the favor! Wendy came to church today bringing her two sons and a friend of theirs with them. Very nice to have them all back in the flock again, at least for today!

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Larry R. came to church today, bringing his bride with him. He is the brother of two of my classmates from MLHS and lives on his boat part-time in Green Cove Springs. He married since last year, as his sisters filled me in, so I was not surprised to hear his news. Hopefully Caroline will come back for the Ladies' breakfast on Saturday...wonder if they left a phone number in the friendship register....

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After church Twila and Elaine invited me to lunch at Ruby Tuesday's, with plans to eat lite because we were going to the movie this afternoon and then to dinner afterwards. Twila and I had the quesadilas, each of us taking half home. They were especially delicious today, too, crispy edges and flavorful meat filling. Yummy! Twila said this is her new favorite food! Only moments after I got home, though, Twila called to say we were not going today but on Tuesday instead, due to a problem with Madeline. It seems her debit card info was 'shared' with the world (time to sign up for LifeLock!!) so she was a bit upset and needed to collect herself. I understand that and am not the slightest bit upset about getting to stay inside the rest of this wretched day!

Watching movies in the rain

What a gloomy day it is today! It was raining almost from the break of day and has been off and on. I was trying to use my laptop as I normally do from my bed but the stupid mouse was uncooperative, only working sporadically. I have the other kind of mouse built into the keyboard but I like the external one better, as I lack the coordination of using the thumb-driven flat one. I decided I needed to go to Office Max and get a new one, where I ended up coming home with a bit more than intended but---no paper!

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Before I went to the store though I needed to finish watching a movie called "Unfaithful" with Alayna's look-alike, Diane Lane, and Richard Gere. She cheats on her perfectly good husband with a man she basically met on the street. He gets suspicious and hires a private detective to find out. Photos don't lie and the husband is quite upset but does not allow his wife to know he knows. Meanwhile she is trying to end the affair with the stranger but the husband went to see the guy for some reason. He gets all upset when visiting the young man and ends up killing him. Now to dispose of the body.....It is complicated and involved, but one of the wife's friends, when speaking of herself, made the comment over coffee, "Affairs always end badly, everyone gets hurt..." And that is so true, and came true in the movie...I have seen this movie before but it is so good, I can't pass it up. Love those two actors together, as they regrouped for "Nights at Rodanthe" a couple years ago.

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After the quick trip to the store, I got comfy again to install my new mouse, a wireless one this time, but I cannot get it to work. Prior to hooking it up, though, I read through my Facebook notices and saw that Suzanne sent me a message, suggesting that the batteries might be dead in my other mouse. What? Batteries??? Oh, man! I guess I should check this out as my new one is giving me a fit too! It will not sync even though I seemed to have followed the directions. I wish Justin was here!!!

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While at the store, I snooped in the discount DVD bin and found a movie I had never seen before but heard much about. "The Bridges of Madison County", yet another story based on forbidden love and broken covenants. At least I think it is, the movie is just getting started. So far nothing has happened between the couple, Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.

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Speaking of Justin, he just sent me a message saying he will not be available for dinner tonight before the show. That is really fine, I might eat by myself or get something at the concession stand like a hot dog. Or get a hot dog at 5 Guys! Linda J. is having a gathering at her home tonight with the staff and faculty from church/school and I am so wishing I was there. What a hoot it will be, although the 'star' of the party will be absent. Tommy is traveling on business, something with cranes, so will miss the fun. This party is considered their "Christmas" gathering, waiting until all the hubbub is over before getting together. A wise idea! Her son called it a Groundhog Day Party....wonder if he will see his shadow! In fact, I think Tommy might be in PA, and we hope he does not see his shadow because that would mean a longer winter, right?

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While I watch the movie, I will be affixing labels to envelopes for the fund raiser for the mower. Luann is going to have a colorful receptacle for the envelopes in the morning and I offered my extra John Deere paper plates if she wants to incorporate them onto her can. The next big project for me will be the scholarship poster needed for the son of our congregation, Christ Lutheran, who is a freshman at Luther Prep. We are trying to help the family raise money for his tuition for the coming years, yes, years, throughout our circuit. The boy is already on the honor roll and tutors other kids, so he is a natural. Also I have the newsletter for The Palace to do but that is a quick job usually. But, for now, watching romantic movies about unfaithfulness and labeling envelopes!