It is almost Easter!

The sun was awake already when I opened my eyes this a.m. but it seems to be a bit hazy out there at this point. Now that the temps have risen I can leave my sliding doors open in the river room all day. It was a bit crisp when walking through to get a soda a few moments ago but know it will soon be toasty warm, especially when I am getting busy in the kitchen with my preparations for tomorrow's feast. The geese were honking away, seemingly more noisy now that the doors are open. My neighbor reports that we are up to three of them at this point, and they seem content hanging out in our basin. I told Tracy about the goose that the ladies fed at our 'old' office in E.H. on the back step and what a terrible mess the goose made. Garbage in, garbage out!

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It seems I forgot to mention something really cool that happened for me this past week....In one or two of my posts I wrote about the Comcast situation we are dealing with here at The Palace. I wrote how the man, Travis, dropped off, at long last, the two cable boxes on Monday night. In the same posting, I wrote something about Publix, as Justin read me the sales flyer over the phone that morning. Well, the next day, I had a comment to my blog from a man who lives in PA now, telling me how much he misses Publix which he fell in love with it while living in Florida. He also works for Comcast in an official role and gave me contact information in case we had any more problems getting our cable up and going. Sweet!

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Wednesday, as I was leaving to have lunch with the ladies, my phone went off, showing a toll number from Ohio. Hmmm, normally I would have let the machine catch a call like that but I opted to answer. The man gave his name and told me he was from Life Line Screening. Oh, oh....one of my tests have come back with bad results or something, why else would they call me??? Nope!

He said that someone had told him how I wrote nice things about my experience on Friday, offering high praise for the more efficient technician, and so on. He thanked me for promoting LLS and said he also forwarded the posting to Tiffany, saying it is rare that they get positive feedback, or feedback of any kind, so he wanted her to know she did well. Awesome! He said it was also good that I wrote what the lady sitting with me said, how the doctors/insurers won't recommend tests like this until AFTER a heart attack or an issue similar, so we become our own insurer by having these tests. That was just so cool, two different businesses catching my mentioning their names and letting me know about it...cool!

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Again, with the doors being open all night, which accounts for the increased dust, of course, it is noisier. How can it be noisy on the river? Thursday night it sounded as though I lived next door to the freeway, but the racket was not from cars and trucks, but rather, helicopters! Oh, my, it was so noisy that it sort of made me laugh. Unless one was here to hear it, they would not believe just how busy the skies were up and down the river for a little while. It was not all night nor was it late night, just struck me as funny to have so much noise outside the door. Yesterday morning I could hear this steady roaring sound getting closer and closer, thinking it was a tug boat going through. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me and I went to see what was making that noise. It was a fan boat, like those used in the Everglades, stirring around in the basin area. I heard that thing coming and going for a long time before it got out here to my windows so I can only imagine how noisy that must be to have a fleet of them scooting around. Not a musical sound like a jet ski at all!

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Justin came Friday after work to do the cleaning, showering first because he said he smelled. Personally I would shower afterward, since I would work up a lather doing the vacuuming and such. He used the hose to clean off the exterior doors, both the wood ones and the iron ones, to get the pollen washed away. It worked! He got rid of the signs of winter in my decor and cleaned up the messy poinsettia. What he did a couple of hours would take me the whole day and he even took frequent breaks to chat with me. He nicely washed the baseboards in the bathroom and vanity areas in my closet, which looks so nice. And, to top it all off, he downloaded iTunes for me and set-up the podcast delivery for a radio show we like. He has the Insider subscription which he shares with me so he got my laptop geared up the same way he had done the desktop. I am up and running!

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Last night was Good Friday worship, conducted in a darkened sanctuary with black paraments and banners hung, and a black drape on the 'rugged' cross which also wore a crown of thorns. We had just a few less than 50 people which was about the same number as the night before. Mike C. conducted the worship as Pastor served the congregation in Keystone Heights, an hour away. We had readings about the suffering the Lord endured and at the close of the service, all the lights were extinguished (It is finished!). The choir sang, "When Jesus Died", and that was the end, as all left in silence. Very poignant.

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Twila was standing outside the church sort of waiting around and I asked her if she had eaten yet. Since she had not, we decided to go and grab a bite somewhere. Kathy B. joined us and because it was a Friday night on a holiday weekend, opted to go somewhere less busy for our supper. We chose Aron's where I had just had lunch that Monday. I love it! Just the three of us and we had a very nice meal, with Kathy eating my salad for me. That salad eater!! She had already eaten dinner but wanted to hang out and have a beer. Neither Twila nor I drink beer so we had soda. It was great, and I have half a portion of fetticini Alfredo leftovers to eat today.

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When Justin was here, he went down to the car and brought up the rest of my groceries from the day before, the heavy cans and jars that I could not handle. In one trip he carried three 12-packs of soda, the heavy bag, plus a package of toilet paper! He is a manly man! From the moment he walked in my door, though, he was telling me how much he ached and how hard he worked this past week to get his father's stuff packed up and then cleaned the house. But then he carried all those items up the stairs, not the elevator, for me. I am impressed!

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Today I am going to clean the church first, pick up my ham and then stop for the missed grocery items needed for the feast tomorrow. I guess laundry soap is not needed for the feast, but I still need it. Thankfully the stain came out of my first-time worn top which had patty melt dripped on it Wednesday! Anyway, since my table will now have no empty chairs, I think I will need just a few more things to serve, as if anyone will go away hungry! I could stop at the Publix by church, which makes more sense anyway, before getting the ham (can you hear the gears spinning in my brain???). As Justin re-assured me, I can make as much food ahead as I wish to, so that most of the prep work will be done well before so I won't have much to do after church tomorrow. He asked me ever so sweetly if I would be horribly upset if he attended Easter service at Victory, "in a bright church" instead of at GS. Of course, I wish he was with me but I am also so busy on Easter with greeting and attendance and the choir...boo hoo hoo! No, I like it that he is excited about worshiping there at "his" own church and truly understand his sentiment. Only, he will be a half hour behind me in ending worship and with the half hour drive over, we lose about an hour of together prep time for the feast. Which means I will have to be efficient in my preparations today, and we will have a good hour before our guests arrive on Sunday. No worries, really, at least he will be in worship and appreciating it, especially if they sing "In Christ Alone"!

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Time for me to get busy and out the door! I am so excited about tomorrow's worship, and must remember to buy some flowers to stick in the Easter cross in the morning. Thankfully it will be 'warmer' tomorrow morning so we won't freeze at sunrise service. My downstairs neighbor, Gus, was helping me learn some Greek the other morning: Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen!

This dust is making me crazy!

A paraphrase of a "Seinfeld" bit---"these pretzels are making me thirsty", I am experiencing dust problems again, mostly on my laptop. It looks as though it has never seen a dust cloth or been cleaned while I wipe it off daily, sometimes more than once because the sun makes the dust and such show up so much more. One cool aspect of dusting it off, wiping across it, is that sometimes the text gets much larger as a result of the wiping process. Accidentally, but cool nonetheless!

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Last evening four of us ladies met at Waters Restaurant on Kingsley Ave., near the hospital to taste the northern and southern cooking. I had meatloaf, mac 'n cheese and applesauce (because they were out of baked beans!), thinking I had mashed potatoes coming with the meatloaf. Nope, my mistake. Twila and Jean had the corned beef and cabbage while Judy J. had some sort of dish called the Chuckwagon. Some of the things could have been nicer, or better, but I was pleased with my meal. Twila's corn cob still seemed frozen so she had to wait for a replacement, which the waitress declared, "He had a hard time finding one, but it's coming....", making us wonder what THAT meant. I will try it again, certainly it takes some working in for a new place. The owner was standing at the street with a sign saying "OPEN" when we left. Being near the hospital, it should do decent business and I pray that happens for them.

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Ooops, my TV station just went away. I believe Comcast is still working out the bugs in this conversion thing. When I got home from church last night I was going to watch "Selling New York" but HGTV came up with a message across the screen saying they have detected an interruption in service with a toll-free number to call. I did not do that, choosing to sulk instead. I am not sure my calling would have resolved anything because the cable is paid for by the Association and not me personally. Now all the channels have the same message on the screen, and just in time to turn off TV and switch to Neal Boortz instead! Perfect timing!

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Ah, it has been a week of tragedies in north Florida, not the least being the drowning death of a two-year old girl who sneaked out of the house during her supposed nap. Another child was shot in a car when a bank robber tried to carjack them at a Wendy's drive-through, wounding the mom in the foot and the 2 year-old critically in the face and chest. He is still alive, stable, but in critical condition. Earlier this week a mom's foot slipped while she was reaching for something and the car flew forward into a retention pond over on Youngerman Circle, not far from church. Bystanders dived into the water to help pull the mom and her 8 year-old out of the car, with the child still in critical condition. A toddler somehow crawled out of his yard and into the road and was run over by a hit/run driver in Putnam County, another child hit by a bus at Disney and killed............Oh, my heart!

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I got to be a bit uplifted yesterday in visiting my lady friends at Great Hang Ups. A client came in who was cool and charming for a 65 year-old man. He had brought some vases in for them to sell, but they were unsold, so he is going to give them to a woman he is wooing. He spoke fluent Italian, went to school in Florence and is going back to Italy next week. Involved in every aspect, it seems, of the arts including doing voice-over work in Los Angeles. Every breath of this guy was interesting, including his attire---Panama hat color coordinated to his shorts outfit, long braided hair and he wore shades. Yes, he was a man of color who spoke warmly of his grandmother, who spit in a cuspidor as she instructed him in the ways of the world. What a wild ride he was!

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Since we are soon celebrating the 10th anniversary of our preschool, I took a piece in to Hang Ups for framing. The poster-sized piece includes the handprints of the children from the first class at Precious Lambs, including one from a child gone home to heaven. These copies were originally made for me in Green Bay where I took them to a blueprint shop to be copied. I cannot remember why I took it along up there with me, but it all worked out. I wanted to make sure the parents of the students got a copy but am not sure if I did that or not. After I got the copies made, I had Hang Ups mount and shrink wrap the original art work. I have no idea what became of it, since I have not seen it posted in the classroom either before or after they moved. The copy I took in yesterday will be matted and framed in a coordinating-style frame to work well with the other art pieces hung in the hallways of the classroom building. The first director/teacher, Rebecca, and her family are planning to come down for this celebration of 10 years of feeding the lambs!

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Once I left Great Hang Ups, I headed to Publix to do my initial shopping. Julia gave me a recipe for sweet potato casserole using Peeps on top instead of mini-marshmallows. Justin's friend LOVES Peeps so I hope that works! Now I have three more guests coming so therefore I will go back and get some more casserole in a can to make a larger batch. After I got home from shopping, I realized I missed getting the mac 'n cheese Justin requested plus the laundry soap badly needed here. I can go today as nothing is pressing except for Justin coming to clean plus church later tonight. I am so happy because now the table will be full!

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Now that the mailings and such are done, my attention should be turned toward the desk and its piles of papers begging to be filed. Tuesday when I was in the church office, the preschool teacher, Deb, came in to make copies. We were talking about the mess on our desks, etc. getting ready for taxes and such. I mentioned how when the aforementioned Rebecca worked for our home building business, her favorite task was filing! No one likes that! Except Rebecca, it seems. Piles of church paperwork, unopened mail, periodicals, quarterly reports....all waiting to be put in a final, or near final, resting place. Perhaps today.

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Justin prefers to work from a list, even if the list says to vacuum the hard and carpeted floors, which stands to reason. So, therefore, I will be going to the 'other' computer to produce a detailed list of things needing his attention before Sunday. It is so past time for the snowman to come in, since we have temps in the 80's at long last, the same temperature it was in northern IL yesterday!!! My friend, Judy R., told me the snow has been gone from her home in MN for about two weeks and tulips planted in their lawn by her granddaughter are starting to push through. How pretty that will be when they make it free of the earth!

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My people in WI will have a breakfast at church at FG on Easter morning and I heard murmurings of them having a cook-out for their Easter lunch. My sister, Lori, and her family are coming over from Holmen, plus my other sister, Kerry, is planning to come from Oshkosh. The apartment building where Mom and Jill live has a picnic area complete with a grille so I can see this happening very nicely. Hopefully Lisa and family can make it, too, as surely Lisa won't have to work on Easter!

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Our worship last night for Maundy Thursday was very nice, the solemn hymns, the readings about the first Passover and the Passover meal where Jesus instituted His holy supper, the stripping of the altar, the tears. Even Fausto could be seen wiping his eyes so it is not only the women who are moved by this 'ritual'. The lights were dimmed in the sanctuary as the ladies, led by the acolyte, move into the altar area to remove the items. He carried the yet lit Christ candle down the aisle, followed then by the women carrying the candles, communion ware, as others folded and placed the linens across the arms of another. The final item removed, after Pastor took off his shawl, was for him to carry the brass cross down the aisle behind the ladies, leaving the area stark and bare. We left in silence after a moment of meditation, so moving, as Suzanne and Kathy B. played "Were You There?" softly in the background....

Maundy Thursday instead of April Fool's Day

Or, Mundy Thursday, as one of the church signs on Kingsley or Blanding read, according to one of my friends. I wonder how many denominations recognize this day and how many will attend the services being offered....My gang is going tonight but first we are meeting for dinner at a new place across from the hospital called "Waters". It used to be sushi/Japanese place but now serves 'Northern and Southern' foods. I asked Twila which country it meant and she said, "Here! America!" Get out!!! For real? This should prove interesting! I wonder if they will have perch and deep-fried cheese curds. Or, by north, do they mean New England, I wonder? I will check it out and report back!

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As part of our worship tonight, Kathy B. and Suzanne will be playing some of our more recognizable Lenten/Holy Week hymns including Suzanne's favorite "Were You There?". She plays the viola beautifully, and adds so much to the worship. At the close of the service some of the altar guild ladies will be stripping the altar area of all adornment, significant and moving, pointing to the humiliation Jesus endured at the hands of the soldiers and Jewish leadership before His crucifixion. This year I am sitting it out as I was not there Sunday to practice, so for the first time in a long time, I will not be part of the event, for lack of a different word. Carol told me on Tuesday that she has not been part of the altar stripping for five years but next year, she is putting herself back in. It is such a beautiful yet poignant demonstration, so much significance.....And then the grandeur is returned on Easter morning when the altar area is dressed in white and lilies adorn and the music is joyful...He is risen, he is risen indeed!!

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Last night I read a couple chapters from my "It Happened in Wisconsin" book. This book is one another reader would have torn through but I am reading in segments at a time. I picked it up because it has a dark green cover with yellow dust on it, and I wanted to wipe it off. Somehow I managed to read a couple chapters, including the one where Ripon is declared the birthplace of the GOP. No mention of the cookie factory, however. It was also, prior to the GOP, a hotbed of communism, strangely enough, until the commune leader moved to CA. Go figure!

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Earlier I was reheating some leftovers in the microwave oven and as I stood by the stove, waiting, I saw that it was once more coated in yellow pollen. This is unbelievable. Even my black framed metal doors are covered in yellow and while I would like them cleaned off for when company comes on Sunday, it would be fruitless to attempt at this point. A good rain (I can't believe I said that!) might help plus a windy day to move it along would be good.

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Last night Brenda came over and had a drink while we chatted in the river room, enjoying the view. Today is her birthday and she is taking the day off to celebrate with her daughter, plans unknown as of last night. Lori had repaired some antique earrings for Brenda and I gave them to her when she came. She loved seeing them refit for pierced ears and hopes her daughter will appreciate them as much as Brenda does. They belonged to her grandmother, I think, so they must be at least 70 years old at least. Brenda also tapped into my DVD collection for her weekend viewing since she has no cable TV at her house. She thanks me all the time for introducing her to the library for her DVDs so she does not have to spend money renting things to watch. At her daughter's house, when dog sitting, she gets to watch cable TV, but not at home. So, she took along several movies and I told her that this would be my insurance that I will see her again soon! One must really pin her down!

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The TV she and her housemate watch is my 'old' one, weighs about 300 pounds, which I replaced in 2006 after I moved in here. Justin wanted an HD TV and I was under the impression that the entire world was converting to digital in 2007, so wanted to beat the rush. Well, only now did I get the digital converter box on my TV, but at the time, we had a special box or two from Comcast to get the HD look and such. After Justin moved out, I turned that special equipment back in since I did not 'need' bells and whistles, especially since I watch mostly in my room anyway. So, when I got the new TV, Carey, Brenda's friend, came to get the old one, and needed a dolly to move it. Justin and Rick helped Carey load it up here but I do not know who helped him unload it once he got it home. Justin thinks that is the TV we used in the Street of Dreams house back in 1995 but is more likely to remember such details than am I.

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The Clay County Fair is going on now and my friend, Jen, said she thought they would go one day. I am not up for that, not even working in the Art Guild booth this year. Some good county fair food would be nice but we will see. A barge is making its way down the river, or rather, up the river, plus a few other vessels have passed through. The river is glistening and flat, must be no wind at all according to the palm trees outside my window. Today I will go visit my lady friends at Great Hang Ups and get over to Publix to grocery shop. Justin asked me to buy some Country Crock Mac 'n Cheese for our feast so I will comply as one of our guests is a remarkably picky eater. I wish the Hilchey's could come for dinner but they are unable to do so this time. Olivia is staying up in Knoxville for the Easter weekend, having only one day off from college so it was not worth it. She graduates in May so every moment counts now.

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Yesterday I enjoyed a marvelous lunch with a bunch of ladies from church at Pengrees. Our 'guest of honor', Lisellette, actually beat us to the punch and picked up the tab. Twila, Gretchen, Ethel, Judy J., Jackie, and me. Three of us had the patty melt, cooked to perfection and Ethel ordered a chef's salad which was served on a turkey platter!!! Talk about huge! Twice this week I ate with the salad eaters again!!! Ethel had been gone to South Dakota for over a month, helping to take care of Darwin's brother and his wife. The wife ended up in assisted-living, with Darwin and Ethel taking care of that move, plus the brother, who had a remarkable recovery after being on a ventilator, was moved to a nursing home. They had to take care of all his business, etc. and came home here to rest up! No other family was available to assist so it was all on them.

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The last of my mailings went out yesterday before I went to Pengree's so I can now breathe more easily. Whew! Of course, with Holy Week activities picking up today, it will be more busy but not requiring too much of me besides singing and greeting. Oh, and church cleaning! Somehow I landed the job of cleaning before Easter. No pressure....but I want everything to be nice for when company comes, hopefully, on Sunday! I will have to remember to pace myself when vacuuming at church, and not get crazy with the vacuum cleaner, as is my tendency. I should go and do that tomorrow morning or Saturday so it stays nice for Sunday. I am getting so excited for Easter!!!

It's coming!

The nice weather is coming! A man told me yesterday that he did not want the 80 degree temperatures, that this would be too hot. I explained that is one reason why I live in Florida, to enjoy this type of weather, with which he agreed. He works indoors, what does he care anyway? I had some DVD's copied from VHS tapes for church and some family ones made. This man has quite the business going, sure is easy is enough work, even though he has to sit through watching people's home movies....

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As I sit now in my family room I am being serenaded by my downstairs neighbor who is playing their grand piano. It takes me away, not show tunes, but classical numbers and I can just see Cassidy's fingers dancing on those keys...One time she did me the honor of playing "Be Still My Soul", or rather, its melody by Sibelius. It is also nice to be enjoying another room in my home than my bedroom now that it is warming up. The sun is pouring across the floor in many colors as it shines through the colored glass on the clear shelf. I love my home!

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Justin was here early this morning on his way to help his father. First, he had to help me! He got the cable boxes hooked up and I was able to watch Fox and Friends this a.m. for at least an hour or so. He was relieved to know that the moving and storage place his father is using also has bodies to rent, therefore making Justin's job a bit easier. The workmen know how to professionally load the SAM container which will be stored until it is needed again. Finally!, according to Justin. Friday he will be back here to clean, once the packing and moving is over.

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Yesterday was my kindergarten day and the kids, only four this time, declared they were happy I was there. One little guy said, "We were hoping you would come..." AW! I totally forgot about getting them something to play with outside as was my plan (make a note for shopping today...). Two of Laurie's boys were out sick and she was running a temp herself, but hanging in.They are off starting tomorrow so she can lie down tonight. She expressed to me her sorrow/concern about there not being a kindergarten or extra grades next year and I am at a loss as to how to help with this. While it should not, probably, it all comes down to dollars and cents. We struggle as a congregation to keep our kitchen supplied, and toilet paper in the bathrooms, so the prospect of paying another teacher even a partial salary is daunting. However, our mission, our purpose as a congregation is to teach and preach, and by golly, we should be doing that.

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I really need Easter, I really need Holy Week because I find myself feeling weary weary weary of all this 'struggling' in our lives. We must turn our eyes heavenward from where comes our help, and guidance. It does not seem that people in our area of the country or state will see jobs return any time soon which means the financial woes will remain and likely even worsen before they get better. Will they get better? I pray this is so. "Everything is economics", or the litany from the Clinton campaign, "It's the economy, stupid" anchors us in place while we wait for 'things' to turn around.

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There, I feel a bit better. My friend, Jen, called yesterday to tell me she is coming over this afternoon. I have not seen her in forever and miss hanging around with her family. They have had some terrible struggles in their lives, not all of them financial, which had them staying much closer to home. I remember one night when making plans with some other friends on where to have dinner, they asked which of the two choices was the cheapest....After considering them, I mentioned how 'funny' it was that this even came up in discussion. Not that long ago it mattered not which was cheaper or more expensive---we just went and had a good time. Now, it mattered. Anyway, Jen is coming over with my Girl Scout cookies before picking up her kids from school so that will be nice. They put in a firepit at their house which is in the country, and said they will have me out so I can practice being a pyro! Brenda N. is coming by tonight for a visit, since she missed the movie night on Monday. Too bad Betty was not able to spend a minute with the elusive Brenda but that is how it goes with her. At this moment I should be readying myself for a luncheon date with some ladies from church and a former member, Lieselette, at Pengree's. No discussion about prices this time and I look forward to seeing my lady friends again since I missed them Sunday. I can already smell the patty melt I usually order at Pengrees...yummy!

It's me again

Not even nine a.m. and I am at the keyboard for at least an hour already. Still in my bed, of course, but up and at 'em early. Today is my day to go to the kindergarten classroom and will try not to be late again. I nearly forgot to go last week and left later than I should but still arrived in time to hear them read what they wrote. It is simply amazing what these kids are taught and what they are learning! Did I learn that stuff? Perhaps, but it might have been more subtle when I was a kid. Now they are learning about diagraphs and four-square writing (one square is the topic, and three squares are the body, with a conclusion box) and sorting skills. They use Skittles and Fruit Loops to help with sorting, counting, graphing, etc., just amazing for kindergarteners!

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Last night when the ladies were here for dinner, we ate the second pizza from Papa Murphy's, a simpler one with only pepperoni. Neither lady had this type of pizza before and I feel like I work for Papa Murphy's or something, the way I talk it up. Even gave the sales pitch to the Comcast man who came while we were eating. He was enjoying the view, starting first on the top floor penthouse unit on the north end. I said it might be hard to go home again and Travis, the Comcast man, said, "If I had to choose between this view and my kids, I pick my kids..." Wow! That was a joy to hear, music to my ears. The penthouse unit had receptivity problems and was told to get an electrician to kick up her voltage a bit. I asked Travis why she needed an electrician for low-voltage work and he said electricians can do low-voltage, too. Betty and I both said that in 'our' business, it was done by two different contractors. We explained about being in the home building business and Travis said that for 17 years he was a concrete man, but now, he installs cable TV. Oh, this market!

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So, at some point during the night, the cable stations went snowy, I am not sure if that is permanent or not, but as of this moment, only the local stations are coming in. I do hope Justin can install those new gizmos for me sooner rather than later because I have had more than enough snow this year to suit me! I think one of my upstairs neighbors is getting some work done in their unit because it sounds like someone bouncing a superball or similar on a hardwood floor. Construction sound carries vertically in this building so we have few secrets if we are remodeling or anything.

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My bedroom is nice and shiny today as I attempted to get the dust under control yesterday. I just have way too much 'stuff' in this room, too many horizontal surfaces to collect papers, books, and dust! My friend, Linda J., has her 'headquarters' set up around her recliner chair in the family room with a pull-up table to work on. Her Bible and its study materials ever at hand, a magazine rack with table next to the chair, pens and pencils nearby, all set. I use an entire room for sleeping, TV viewing, 'working', and piling stuff. I hate going to the mailbox because there is more stuff in it to add to the collection. Well, now it is all dusted and will hopefully stay that way for the rest of the week! This part of the world is experiencing the yellow pollen dust that covers EVERYTHING, making everyone's car yellow. In the early part of the day I had wiped off my counters and dusted the stove, and by afternoon, all surfaces were again coated with yellow dust!

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When I got home from WI, my poinsettia had surrendered its leaves and such to the floor in my river room where they still are. I did pick up a handful of the crispy leaves and threw them out but am leaving the disposal of the plant and its residue for Justin to clean up. That is his job but now I have to wait my turn---again---while he helps his father get packed up. His deadline is fast approaching so now its hustle hustle hustle. I need some hustle over here, too, and it is my own fault for not being more adamant about his doing the cleaning. I do not mind dusting, sometimes, but he must do the vacuuming and heavy lifting.

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On Easter Sunday we are having guests here for dinner, a change in plans from our original ones of dining at The Club. I am so happy about that, because I feared I would regret not having a gathering here on this special day. The same day Justin asked me about it, I had written to Judy R. expressing the concern about not having people around my table, so it worked out wonderfully! While waiting for LeAnn yesterday I made out my menu/shopping list for Sunday so I am ready to go. And so excited. While this is a busy week as far as church goes, it is quiet as far as Bible studies go. We had none on Monday, no worship on Wednesday night, no Bible study on Thursday, but worship both Thursday and Friday nights. Nothing on Saturday but all morning Sunday will be Easter celebration and activities. And then the feast!

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Just hung up after a lengthy chat with Justin. He has class today so does not have to work. Probably a good thing because he mentioned his many aches and pains and blood from his working so hard recently. Apparently Justin got hit in the knee cap with the star from the top of his father's flag pole, not sure if that drew blood or not. It is a good thing Justin works out at the gym or he would never be able to handle this. Some of his friends have been helping him out which has really been a blessing for Justin, strength in numbers and young people to boot!

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Justin was reading to me the sales flyer from Publix which he looked up on-line. Potato rolls are on special but I do not want to buy those too far in advance because I want them fresh for our dinner. Nothing is better than a potato roll with Honey Baked Ham on it! Oooh, I am getting so excited about making the feast, believe it if you will. Nothing overly fancy, quick fix items, delicious just the same. Must order my ham before I forget and I have a coupon for it to boot!

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He is coming over tomorrow morning first thing to install my cable boxes for me, even though he wanted to walk me through the installation. Nope, I want him to do it. Friday he is coming to clean and put away my 'winter' stuff, like the wreath on the door and my snowman in the courtyard, holding a little evergreen tree, that I used at the cemetery over Christmas. Since it is soon predicted to be in the 80's around here, it might be time to put the snowman away! And clean up the poinsettia mess, too!

I meant to do this earlier

This morning I thought about things I wanted to write today but only now am I getting at it. One thing that came to mind was how Justin has a different way of viewing things, sort of 'adjusted' for his age group. The other day I said some place being open for business but he stopped me, suggesting I not use that expression any more because it refers to hookers and such. What? Not liking to be told not to say something, I replied that only a select group of people (ahem, his age group) would question such a thing. Open for business is just that, a company or restaurant is ready for customers, consumers, and it does not have to mean anything more or less! Ugh! Yesterday he mentioned the blouse I wore to church...he found it a bit-----Latino! Really? It was red and black on a white background with red sequins stitched around some of the flowers on the front. What exactly makes it 'Latino', and is that a problem? These things might be true in the 'club scene' but are not necessarily true at The Palace, you know? No, and do not try to convert me to another mindset, you silly boy!

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The Palace owners got another notice about the Comcast guy coming to deliver the boxes and receivers. It seems that Friday the guy went to The Club instead of down here and they basically sent him on his way. Rats! So, Jeff rescheduled with Comcast, giving even more specific directions, and they showed up today. They were expected at 3:00 pm so about half past I went downstairs to see if anyone was around and found a man who was getting something from his truck. It was him!!! He told me he was working in another unit but would come to my unit next. Evidently it took a really long time there because he did not show up at my house until three hours later! He dropped off the little boxes, much smaller than what I had before, since I told him my son would hook them up for me. The guy seemed a bit rushed, probably this building took him longer than they anticipated.

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At noon time I met Judy J. and LeAnn for lunch at Aron's where instead of my usual Stromboli, I enjoyed a lovely lunch-sized portion of fettuccine alfredo. Oh yum! I might have a new 'usual'! One nice thing was the lunch portion is much smaller than the dinner size so I was able to finish the whole serving. It was wonderful to spend time with LeAnn again and get caught up with one another. In fact, we made a tentative plan to meet at least once a month so we do not loose touch again. Count me in!!

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Tonight Judy J. came back over here to watch "The Blind Side" with me, and Betty. Brenda N. was invited but as always, she was running a hundred miles an hour. She called part way into the movie to excuse herself, explaining that she had locked herself out of her daughter's house, etc. which Betty could hear from where she was sitting. We smiled, knowing exactly that this was SOOO Brenda! She asked for a rain check to come watch it when things settle down for her, maybe in 2012!! Poor Brenda, always in a flurry....the best thing for her would be to sit down and watch a movie, with the full moon shining in the window on her, like we had!

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I would dearly love to write some more but the long awaited TV show is being replayed tonight, "Selling New York" which I missed due to the goofy Comcast station going in and out! Mostly out that night and I rejoice it is being replayed for me tonight. No worries, I am just looking....

My shirt is wet again

Yes, wet with tears. And my face and neck as well. Once more I have watched on 'regular' TV a movie called "Life As A House", just chock-full of life lessons and poignant moments, sigh....Lori and family had brought the DVD with them at Christmas but it was unedited so difficult for me to sit through. On regular TV, it is edited and therefore, watchable for me. And quite enjoyable. Now that I am sitting up to write, I see the sun beaming on the trees across the river and blue sky exposed. It was overcast much of the day, although I did observe an outdoor wedding taking place at The Club----bbbrrrrrr! It was NOT nice out there but music was quite pleasing to the ear.

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Sundays are so enjoyable, restful especially when there are no football games to watch. Busy as can be the first part of the day, and then restful the balance. This a.m. I went to Victory for Bible study and worship, arriving just in time for the class to begin. We had a nice group assembled for class, where we were studying the institution of the Lord's Supper with His disciples at Passover. I sat next to a former member of G. S., Lisa, whose family has been attending Victory and today became members there. When Pastor asked a few questions and no one else answered, I did. Lisa leaned over and whispered, "Teacher's pet!" We laughed---just like old times!

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Before worship began this Palm Sunday, all the worshipers gathered outside the door where we were given palm branches. I read through the service folder and speculated out loud to Amanda standing near me, "I wonder what Justin will think of this..." We were keeping our eyes peeled for him as I was as far from the parking lot as I could be, and Donnie suggested I get up on the bench so I could see. That made me laugh, just picturing that scene, and here came Justin. He said he did not see my car in the parking lot but heard my laugh across it! Ooops! When he got his branch he asked if I was okay with this and I said it would be fine, just nothing I'd ever done before. We had a spoken give and take outside with Pastor before proceeding into the church with our branches, singing "All Glory Laud and Honor". We placed our branches near the altar area and then went to our seats. Not disorderly. At G.S. the Youth Group kids were making crosses from palm branches which were pinned to the congregation's blouses and jackets.

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There were two little ones baptized today, one a student in their VPK and his sibling. Or it might be the other way around, and their mom was confirmed and became a member today as well. Twenty people total were added as members and the church was a full house, or nearly so. VPK parents and family were there too as the kids sang, after which there was applause by many. The daughter and three grandchildren of my BFF became members today as well, but not her hubby, although he was there. Pastor said he had a great conversation with them at Gordy's funeral and later, at Bible study that week, included them in his closing prayer. That prayer was answered today! And two more souls receiving the promise of salvation at the font....

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Usually Justin joins his friends for brunch when he gets out of church and they are done with football, but today, he was going to help his father pack some more stuff. He did have time to enjoy a quick lunch before going to work. We went first to Panera on Fleming Island but the line was out the door so we opted for Steak 'n Shake just down the road. I love their mini-burgers and Justin had a big ole burger of some sort plus one of my minis. Walgreens had a deal on Diet Coke so I stopped there on the way home to stock up. While there I also looked for my chocolate crosses but had to settle for some smaller versions incorporated into a greeting card. They will do. On the way from Victory to Fleming Island, I encountered a traffic jam, rare for a Sunday afternoon. It seems that a man with a walker toppled into the lane of traffic and vehicles had stopped in the two right lanes to assist him. As I crept by in the left lane, I saw someone had placed a towel or pillow under his head as others were around him to lend aid. A small white truck pulled into Aron's Pizza and the passenger door flew open, a young women dressed all in blue went running back to the scene. I am guessing she was in the medical field and knew how to help. The scene made me sick/sad and glad at the same time, because I felt so terrible for the man. Justin said he saw him when he came through before me but the man was seated on the walker bench and not walking. I wonder if he was dizzy or something. Hopefully he will be okay...

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One of the things I did to 'prep' for my tests the other day was to shave my legs. Gross! Well, I now have the worst razor burn to deal with and nothing is helping. Not even scratching until they bleed helps. No lotions, liquid Benedryl, or anything rubbed on, helps. I wish it was warm enough to go walk in the ocean to make it all better. I should just use a tweezer the next time to get it over with. Yikes! We have no Monday Bible study these next three weeks so it worked out well that my friend, LeAnn, called Saturday to make plans for a lunch. I am meeting her tomorrow at Aron's Pizza to catch up on news and just hang out together. Maybe it will be nice enough to sit outside...

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My downstairs neighbor is a trained pianist, home from college where she majors in music, and was providing the most delightful concert earlier. They were a bit surprised to hear that I can hear their piano up here, evidently the neighbor below them must be very quiet or not musically inclined! He is well into his 70's and likely quite quiet! I have some mailings to address and stamp so I had better get at that before it gets too dark to see. Or, I could do like I did last night and actually go sit in the family room! Yes, I did, two nights in a row....shall I make it three???