Hope it does not snow....

The temperatures don't reflect it but the air feels much much cooler than 73 degrees tonight. In fact, those of us on the sundeck this evening decided to make an early night of it because we were getting cold. We are not weenies already---we have not had enough hot days in a row to make us that way just yet.

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Today was Bible study for which I was nearly late because I had to come back upstairs to fetch the packages of Dove candies that I picked up for Gretchen. I rode down in the elevator with the doctor who delivers babies, renting on the 5th floor. As we rode downstairs, both of us were holding cans of Diet Coke, plus I had the Dove candies in hand. Phil was eating a granola bar, and I laughed, saying we were each having 'the breakfast of champions'! He said he has the same thing every morning before work, which tickles me no end, knowing a man of medicine also enjoys a Diet Coke for breakfast!!! Aha!

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This evening I sent some digital photos to my pastor for his use in the Revelation Bible study. They will have nothing to do with explaining the book but might be interesting for the ladies to see where this place is supposedly located and such. We have only a couple more classes left of this topic and then we might be done for a couple month of summer. Yes, I said 'summer'!!! There are no photos of the inside of the cave which makes me think none were allowed to be taken or it was too dark inside the cave.

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Anyway, after the class 8 of us went to lunch at our standard place of Longhorn. Always a nice time and great food and service. From there I headed to the bank on Fleming Island and then came home, after getting myself a nice ice cream cone from McDonald's, to cleanse my palette...

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I guess it is appropriate to be have cooler temperatures since I have been reviewing various Ladies' Advent Services to use for ours this year. It is never too soon to start looking at these things. Tomorrow, if I decide not to clean off my desk some more, I will get on the project of laying out the invitations to be used for the preschool anniversary. Tuesday is my day at the kindergarten and then perhaps I can work on that design project when I am in the church office after recess. Good thing I have some sandwich meat left to make a lunch for myself tomorrow. I like to tell the kids that I tried a new recipe for my sandwich, peanut butter with jelly. They look at me like I am bonkers, for some reason. Who? Me?

Wanting to go to bed!

But it is still too early. In fact, it is not dark outside yet but I am yawning and fighting the urge to crawl under my covers. It has been a marvelous day and it is okay to be winding down at this point. This a.m. I made it to Victory just in time for Bible study which was lead by Brent, although there seemed so be another class in the church proper. Hmmm....not sure why they were divided but it was fine since I knew most of the people in 'my' class. Justin came in when class was over, as we were meeting in their kitchen/fellowship area, and had me roll his sleeves up for him. He looked nice in an orange shirt and khaki-colored Dockers. We went into the church and got seated in the area where he can hear the organ best. Before settling in completely, though, I went to say 'Happy Mother's Day" to Rachel. The service was lovely, singing some wonderful hymns including one called "Joyful, Joyful". The closing hymn was one that always makes me think of Rosalie, my dear friend, now in Houston. That was her favorite hymn and she would play it often as organist at G.S. So, yes, I was thinking about Rosalie and let her know it later on.

*

Justin and I came back over here, with my Pampered Chef purchases in hand, including my new pizza cutter which looks like it really means business. He was hungry for a brownie and even though I had a box mix, he would not let me make some. Instead he ate a section of my leftover calzone from our Thursday lunch. We were not having brunch until 2:00 pm so Justin needed a bite to hold him over. About 1:30 I decided we should go over in case they could seat us, which they did. But, before that, we ran into Jessica and Travis with their new baby out at the pool and Justin finally got to 'see the bayby', as they say on "Seinfeld".

*

At The Club, we ran into John from Jax Memory Gardens, as Mike had told me yesterday that John and his family would be there. Both guys in one weekend, how wonderful! I was also greeted warmly by my former spouse's attorney, with whom I have scrapbooked in the past. Our last encounter was in front of the Judge so it surprised me that she seemed so glad to see me. It's that "Godfather" thing: "It's not personal, it's business...." It was great to see the wait staff again, since it's been a while since I've dined inside, since my birthday, actually. Summer brings out the extra staff, the ones who help take care of the cabana and outside dining. The neighbors who were having brunch were pleased to see Justin, too, many not seeing him since he lost his weight.

*

After lunch we came back over here where he requested we watch a program on the cooking channel about diners and drive-ins. Justin is a big fan of this show and got a kick out watching the cooks make their creations. I must admit, some of it did look pretty good, although we were both nice and full from our lunch. At one point, Justin asked me if we should go and 'do my closet' today. Wow, I did not expect that and immediately answered, "Sure!" Together we opened and emptied about a half dozen boxes which had taken up floor space in my bedroom closet, making that room look giant-sized now. He put some of the stuff on my empty bookshelves, high up, and the rest of the things which were not disposed of, were repacked for a future yard sale.

*

The newspapers wrapping the breakable items were dated July 2004, which was when a lady from church, Tinker, packed up our belongings while Justin and I were on a Mediterranean cruise. So, was I missing any of those items? Nope, not really, but it truly was difficult making the decisions regarding their fate. Keep? Sell? Trash? Yikes! There were many memory pieces found as well including a baggie with sympathy cards somehow kept separate from all the others. At first I read through some of the cards but then decided to put them aside for a bit, at least until after Justin was gone. Together we carried three trash bags full to the garbage bin plus the cardboard boxes he broke down, before he headed for home. As the afternoon had worn on, he was getting more and more weary. His evening plans included, as far as he told me, a nap while listening to Glenn Beck.

*

Oh, my gift today was a 24 pack of Diet Coke which was much appreciated and well needed. The greeting card was perfectly lovely with just the right verse, telling me how much he values my sure and steady guidance, faithful living, and that my patience and optimism inspire him. Wow! If even half of this is true, on my part or on his, well, my heart will explode with joy. The balance of my gift is lunch on the deck at Joe's Crab Shack when the weather is hotter. We will do that either on a Thursday after Bible study or on a Sunday when I go over there to worship. Looking forward to that but will enjoy the soda this week! Plus having extra walking around room in my bedroom closet, well, priceless!

"Has your life brought joy to the lives of others?"

They are likely not even to their cars yet but I can't help but write about watching "The Bucket List" with my lady friends! One of them, Kristi, had never seen it before which made it all the more special to see again. It took every inch of me not to recite the movie, slipping up only a few times, but I did make sure to point out things which would come up later in the movie, that type of thing. When it was over and I was mopping up, Judy C., my BFF announced more than once that this movie was worth seeing a second time (probably 50th time for me!). Kristi liked it, too, for which I rejoice. Of course, I had to regale them with the story of the first time Martie, Linda J., Justin (poor Justin....), and I saw it 2007. Oh, how we cried, Justin less obvious than we ladies, and when we had collected ourselves sufficiently, Linda said something that made us start all over again. Patient Justin sat back down again while we cried some more, and, boy, we looked like heck when we left that theater! A week later I went again to see it with Twila, Jean, and Madeline with the same thing happening, tears all over the place! We just had to go to TGIFridays and have a drink!

*

Kristi has not seen "Freedom Writers" yet either, nor has Judy so that will be our next showing. Instead of cooking for them, as was my original plan, I bought sandwich meats and hard rolls plus some macaroni salad and carrot raisin salad to have with it. I had been at the cemetery a long period of time this afternoon after cleaning at church, so by the time I left there, I decided no cooking! A cold supper sounded good to me. The temps outdoors were in the high 80's and quite muggy, so much so the A/C felt good in the car. I had talked for nearly an hour with Mike at the cemetery, telling him all about the Stand Up for America event last night at UNF. He and I used to talk regularly when I was there almost daily, and today, when we parted company, Mike said, "You should come around more often for a visit" and he did not mean just to Timmy's grave site. Aw, nice! I laughed and said, "But I am doing so much better...." and he said he knew that, but they missed me. Again, aw, nice!

*

Last night's event was absolutely fabulous, as I was telling Mike. Afterward, Justin and I went to 5 Guys. As Justin and I shared a hot dog and some fries, I told him that I loved the event, but did not really know what I had heard. As though I was still trying to process it all. Lots of information was shared, some of it, much of it, frightening, but also a fair dose of optimism from our friend, Clark Howard. We talked for a long time, even though the place was closing, which was fine since we were dining "el dente", Linda!

*

One of those 'in the house' at the event was a candidate for senator, Marco Rubio, but he was classy enough to not draw any attention to himself. Unlike the candidate running against Corrine Brown, whose last name happens to be Black, which we find ironic. I am in her district, much to my embarrassment, due to the gerrymandering. Oddly enough the opposite side of Hwy. 17 is NOT hers, but my side is. This district goes all the way down the river to the suburbs of Orlando and points north into Duval. Absurd!

*

As I mentioned, I had the opportunity to serve this a.m. by vacuuming at church, and paced myself well in order to spare my back and hips. While there I worked on a couple bulletin boards since I will not be at GS for worship tomorrow. The Sunday school children are singing "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb" so it is just as well that I am not at GS because I know that would blow me away. It might still be an emotional day tomorrow, spending even more time with my Justin, coming back here after church for lunch at The Club. Watching "The Bucket List" with my lady friends might have drained some of those reservoirs and I will manage nicely.

*

Happy Mom's Day all you mamas out there!

One of my favorite subjects

Please do not make me choose a favorite thing to talk about because I would have a tough time. But, for today, it is friendship, and another word I do not like to use, relationships. Let me change that to 'connections' for my comfort and purposes.

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At this time of the morning I would normally be off the bed, showered, and dressed but instead, decided to do this. The skies are overcast but the sun is breaking through the clouds and sparkling on the water. The weatherman said it might be over 90 today which really makes me question my plans for the day. If I go to lunch, I might miss the better part of the day poolside....I must be on the Southside, meeting Justin in the parking lot at Victory at 6:30 so we can drive together to UNF for the "Stand Up for America" event. We are quite excited about this gathering and imagine we will come out all pumped up!

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Yesterday I spent some forth and back time with a former classmate, a year ahead of me at MLHS, who expressed on FB the need for a friend. She posted it in the form of a Wanted Ad with the stipulation that the applicants be under the age of 70. Some of the ladies I do fun things with are near or beyond that age so I would not limit myself but J. has her reasons, I am sure. It has been years and years since I have seen her, and she found me on Facebook. Her brother used to live in the same house as my sister, Lynn, a few years ago. So, anyway, I told J. that if I lived closer to her, I would go to lunch with her! You know I would!

*

With what I remember from high school, which I realize was a LONG time ago, she was the last one who would be without a friend. She said all she has in her life now is work and home (computer), and although she is married, is not the same as having a 'girlfriend'. I get that, I really do. This just breaks my heart and I know I should realize that not everyone wants or even needs friends 'on the outside'. I say again, I realize it but certainly do not understand it!

*

A couple Fridays ago I mentioned the craft night at Victory and how our devotion was about friends and what makes them. If memory serves me, Linda J. and I were talking about this on the phone, you can correct me if I am mistaken, Linda said, "You have to be a friend to make one". In other words, when you are good and decent to others, and open, you are more apt to make a friend. That might be a keyword, not wanting to be "open" to letting others into your life, or feeling the need, as it were. However, if that is the case, no crying about not having any friends, okay? Now, I am not saying this is the case with J. in T'Rivers, not at all, but I am thinking about a lady whose entire relationship with her friend hinged on whether or not she got a Christmas card after she moved. No! In my opinion, it would be what goes out from you (me) than what comes in to you (me).

*

J. said she had taken many, oh what was her word?, bullets, in her life after high school. Her best and dearest friends had moved away, leaving her alone with computer friends. I am one of those now and am not offended, I am privileged, that she can 'talk' about this with me, us. I jumped on that, 'suggesting' she get out there and make some new friends, telling her to start at church. Immediately she replied that the congregation she belongs to, an 'old' one, already has their circle of friends in place and there is no room for her. This may be true in part, but I encouraged her to get in there and stir things up a bit, muscle her way into the holy huddle. Hey, she asked for it, and now she is going to get it from me! I answered the ad.....

*

Our shared friend, Dolly, whose name I invoked during this afternoon-long "conversation", chimed in later, reminding J. about a Bible study they were in together years ago and even recalled a musical group I do not remember that these ladies played in. There are some gaps in my friendship with Dolly, which might have been when she was a rock star with J.! Now we are getting somewhere!

*

Dolly stepped up and answered the ad, too, and since she actually lives 'up there' and attends the same church, she is inspired to go to lunch with J.! She even suggested going to a Bible study again with J. which really warms my heart. I absolutely MUST be sure to get in touch with J. when I am home in June to see how she is doing with her friend harvesting. Frankly, I do not know, I do not know, where I would be without the Christian friends in my life. They are the icing on the cake, whether they are sitting across the table from me in the Cracker Barrel or 1200 miles away in the snowy north. Go out there, folks, and be a friend, so that you foster some friendships! DO NOT MAKE ME COME UP THERE!

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When Justin and I were driving back to Victory for his car after lunch yesterday, we were talking about that poor guy who had been burned in the accident, needing help with his JEA bill. I said to Justin that I wish I knew who this guy was, because my heart was breaking for him, to see if I could help him out, my words trailing off.......Justin looked over at me and said, "Your Wilson's Disease again!" We both laughed and then I told him I actually heard about this disease again on "House" a couple weeks ago when the Team's patient was a man who was just too nice. I thought the first time I heard them say that they were teasing Dr. Wilson who is also very nice, but it was an actual disease! It is not reasonable to try to help everyone, but even just a little bit of assistance would be good, right? I do have to be careful about what I say in front of Justin because sometimes I actually tell him 'no', so how would that be to help the stranger and not help Justin get a new pair of plaid shorts for volleyball....?

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Speaking of friends, one of the very nice young ladies from my last big cruise to the Mediterranean region in 2007 contacted me about finding each other either in WI in June or here in Florida in July. She is coming down here to the Orlando area and south of there and hopes we can get together for at least a few hours. I might have better 'luck' finding her in Rhinelander or points in between her place and Manty in June! Those are the kind of friendships I like, we can just pick up the fun where we left off! She also asked me to join some of the same group who are going to NYC soon, and man, I wish I were going with them! Her dad and mom were the ones who picked up Lynn, Nancy M., and me at the airport in Seattle and took us to dinner and to the hotel before our Alaska cruise. Love it!

What a great day today!

And it is only half over! Justin and I attended Bible study at Victory this morning, with fewer of us there than usual for some reason . No matter, the subject carried us along as we discussed decision theology vs. what the Bible says regarding God adopting us. Not the other way around, it does not work that way. One of Pastor's favorite things to remind us of is that there are only two religions on earth: "Do" and "Done". We are the Done people as we recognize that our salvation is a gift to us and there is nothing else we must do to earn more salvation. Others are "Do" people who are always looking for how to earn their salvation. Always a good class with ample give 'n take time. Justin and I used his coupon at the Italian place, finding one of this chain's stores much much closer to 'home', Hodges Blvd., rather than going to Fruit Cove. It was lovely and the bill came to just less than $2.00 for the two of us. Quite the discount for our calzones!

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Back to Bible study: Pastor shared a story about a poor man who came to the church doors yesterday with his utility bill in hand, asking for assistance with paying it. He had been in a terrible fiery car accident which caused the skin on face, ears, and hands to basically melt, leaving only stubs for fingers. He was a black man, an immigrant from Africa two years ago, sponsored by Lutheran Social Services. Well, sadly, Pastor had to tell him that this church was not in a position right now to help anyone out, that it has been a rough year financially for everyone, etc. but felt just terrible having to turn the man away. Pastor did refer him to LSS again for help and found out later that there is a Catholic agency who is helping people with their JEA bills. We can designate $5 additional each month to go into this pot. He did not get the man's information to call and let him know this, but has to hope that LSS was able to guide him. Man, that is rough! It was obvious that Pastor felt badly about having to send him along.

*

Something similar happened to me on Tuesday afternoon, after being in the kindergarten. I stopped at the bank and was driving through the parking lot of Target to get back onto Wells at a traffic light. A young woman was sort of pacing around and as I stopped at the sign she sort of gestured to me, so I put my window down. She wanted to ask me a question, and hopefully it was one I could answer. In her hand was a cell phone with a stack of bills clutched to it, and in the other hand, a cigarette. Ugh! She told me her car, gestured over her shoulder, needed a new belt and she called around to find the cheapest one, but was $5 short. I encouraged her to check at the CarMatics nearby to see if they could help her out. If she did not have the cigarette in her hand, I would have helped her, but.....

*

As I drove off, feeling badly, I looked back and saw her heading west on Wells in the direction of the store where she got the best price on the belt. Rats! I thought, 'What if that was my sister or my niece and she needed some help???" so I turned around and headed back to find her. Well, I just could not see her, wondering where she got to in such a short time. I went to the car parts store and waited to see if she would show up but nope, no sign of her. Now I felt even worse for not helping in the first place. After a little wait, I decided to give up and go home, but had a sick feeling in my heart, again, picturing one of my family members being in a pinch and no one helping. I was prejudiced by the smoking and let an opportunity to help slip away.....I could have handed her an Outreach flier with the $5, right?

*

This is the part of the month I wait for, when I am expecting a check, so go to the mailbox with a bit more frequency. Today I got a lovely note card from Jackie at church. Hmmm....was she thanking me for something or what? No, a little news clipping dropped out as I opened it, a job opening she thought I would like. Now, isn't that sweet? She said she saw it in the Clay Today and thought of me, an Activity Director at a senior center near the Beaches area. The job description is what she wanted me to see: stimulate residents with fun and creative activities; excite the residents with programs that promote well-being physically, mentally, and socially (she underlined that word!). Since I do not have a bachelor's degree (I guess I would be a bachelorette!!!) I do not qualify but I do have a background in working with seniors, after 10 years at Shady Lane Home! She just got a kick out of this ad, thinking of me, and made me have a happy heart by her sending it to me.

Another hazy start to the day

Manatees frolicking in the basin yesterday morning. What a good life on the river!

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The air is hazy and I am hazy plus a bit lazy this a.m. It is still early in the a.m. and since I have no one to boss me or answer to, who is to say, besides me, that I am lazy? I can be most productive without even putting my feet on the floor! Thanks to this wonderful technology, I can communicate with my family members and friends in all parts of the world, from my bed, even as far away as Africa! One of my 'friends' is serving in the Central African Medical Mission field, due to come back to north Florida in June. She is now busily tying up lose ends and such before turning over the reins to another team.

*

This morning I am a bit hungry probably because Judy J. and I ate dinner quite early last night, throwing off my schedule!, before going to Bible study. I was hungry for the meatloaf from Cracker Barrel which I enjoyed with baby red potatoes instead of my usual mashed, plus green beans. Yum! Judy had some sort of spinach salad with chicken cut up over it, and ate every bit of it! Oh, those salad eaters! To counter the salad, though, Judy talked me into sharing a strawberry shortcake dessert but I was already so full from my dinner that I only had a few nibbles of it. Maybe if I ate more of the dessert, I would not be hungry this a.m.....nah!

*

Bible study was well attended with 10 of us total, including two prospects who will use this class as their Bible Information Class. It is a DVD series called Communicating Christ, portions which we used in a previous Sunday morning class. It will go on for 15 weeks and already Judy and I know we will miss some of them due to our travels. June will find me back in WI for Alayna's graduation and Judy is going to MI in July for a few weeks. I think we can catch up or at least be up to speed in no time when we return from our trips. Hopefully those who were there last night will continue to come every week, it was quite satisfying to see as many come that did, even in the pouring rain! By the way, there was no problem with the A/C since Sunday's event, as it was plenty cool in the fellowship hall for our Bible studies!

*

Yesterday was my time in the kindergarten and all six kids were there for a change. Laurie asked me if I could bring her some lunch so I stopped at McDonald's and got her a McDouble and some fries from the dollar menu and myself, a chicken sandwich which I sometimes find too peppery. None of the kids reported ever finding it too peppery but it is so funny what they pick up on and run with. Even the bologna in the little girl's Lunchable was too peppery! Really? One of Laurie's sons has a loose tooth and needs to have his apple sliced up in order to eat it. Well, we had no knife to cut the apple so I told him to put the apple aside and eat something else from his lunch instead. All through the meal he sat with the apple in his hand or in front of him, still asking for a knife. He just could not grasp the fact that he was not going to eat the apple unless he bit it off, see? Her sons cannot go outside to recess until they have finished their tiny bottle of water and often we will sit there, waiting for them to finish it, while the others are chomping at the bit to go outside. It gets comical sometimes, and inevitably one of them ends up spilling theirs, and yesterday, it went down one's back! Don't ask me how that happened!?!

*

More and more work is being done trying to figure out our new banners for the preschool and to promote the big anniversary we are celebrating in July. We are on our third draft, trying to perfect and get the most bang for the buck. Finally Kelly from the banner place sent me a message saying, "We have to talk!! Call me!!" I called her in the afternoon and we hashed things over, as she explained that the most recent request was 'extreme overkill' and would cost a small fortune. They know church money is tight and wants to make sure we are well served by the banners and the cost. I sent another in a series of e-mails to those who are 'in the loop' on this explaining what Kelly told me, and perhaps we will soon have a decision regarding these banners. We will have two posted at once, a permanent one promoting the preschool and a smaller, changeable one at the top of the supports for the special events, in this case, the anniversary. Whew! We just need a decision please!

*

I had left my tools at church for hanging a shelf which I could not locate when I was ready. My tack hammer and nails were left by the sink in the fellowship hall and then vanished. Sunday I searched in the cabinets and cupboards, the obvious places where they could have been tucked away. Not finding the tools, I did find the missing shelf. Yesterday I climbed into the utility closet off the hallway and pulled down a sort of tool basket, and there they were! My little hammer and my nails were safe in the closet in the tool basket. Now I can put up the shelf as well as the framed piece I picked up from Great Hang Ups last week. Hopefully I can get into the classroom building this evening before choir and get it hung in place. Can't be nailing things during the day when classes are going on, right?

*

On Facebook yesterday I posted that I had finished my third book for the year over the weekend, staying up late on Saturday night to do so. This would be my third book completed since New Year with my goal being a book a month. I am missing that goal but way ahead of last year!

*

That night was also the night of the big fight at the wedding reception taking place at The Club. My stomach still feels funny when I think about it. It was so lovely a night on Saturday that after sitting outside with the neighbors, I kept my doors open for ventilation as I sat in the family room. About 9:30 or so, I heard this ruckus coming across the property and thought they must be doing the bouquet or garter toss, as various times a roar would come up. But, it sounded more rough than that, with the roaring and foul language making its way into my house. I could hear this over the music being played for the wedding so I went to take a look. Sure enough, there were fisticuffs going on and nasty words flying as well. I saw the bride outside walking forth and back on the patio, and some of the staff around them. I hoped that no one from the wedding had struck one of the staff or something as it seemed all of the men outside had white shirts and dark pants, like the staff wears. Since it was dark, it was hard to see but with my binoculars, I was able to see someone being attended on a bench and another group off to the side with the police officers. Oh, oh!

*

The next night, the owner of The Club was on our sundeck with us and I just had to ask what in the world was going on over there the night before. Karrie said there was fight (really???) between one of the guests and the groom. Oh no!! How horrible is that?? Maureen asked who called the police and Karrie said the staff has instructions to do so whenever it looks like trouble is brewing. The wedding was closed down about two hours earlier than planned, with the blessing of the bride's mother, and I will bet much much regret will follow this wedding. Hopefully not so for the marriage. No one in our group knew who was involved in the fight with the groom but let's hope it was not one of his new in-laws! This was quite unacceptable and I told Karrie that, too, even though there is little she can do about that.

*

Yesterday I had the distinct treat of seeing manatees frolicking in the basin, right up close to the building. At first I had gone downstairs to take my photos but went back upstairs where the vantage point was better. We are so glad here in our building that they came back because many manatees, turtles, and fish died during our very cold winter, even though the manatee go to the warmer waters in the fall. It was just plain too cold for too long for them to survive. Not man's fault at all this time, it just happened.

*

Ooooh, I am getting so warm here in my bed as the sun is pouring in on me. Even though it is hazy, the sun is hot! This comforter, new in the spring, is quite warm and a blessing to me. The temps dropped here last evening by nearly 20 degrees when the rains began, showing 69 degrees as Judy drove me home from Bible study. It had been 87 when I left the kindergarten early afternoon. At least we did not have the tornado warnings like my family and friends in WI experienced last night. Praise be to God for Kerry's cortisone shot working so far in relieving most if not all of her pain in the back and legs!!!! The shot about killed her but the relief today, so far, is remarkable. She is giving it a day or so before trying going back to work after being off on disability for a couple weeks. She has been suffering with this since Easter and that is just way too long. I am so thankful she has relief from this and pray it will not come back again ever!!!!

Photos from the Mother/Daughter Spring Fling

Click the photos to enlarge them, if you dare! Then arrow back to return to the posting....

Tamara, Carol, and Sue are in line to have some delicious finger foods before getting ready for the fashion show. The two ladies at the end of the line are guests of Janet's from the school where Janet teaches. The table was laden with wonderful treats, nothing too heavy for mid-afternoon!

This is the part of the show where Janet was introducing the models and telling the guests about how she had to keep encouraging the ladies to think "outside the box" when selecting their outfits to model-----"except for Kimmer who is already outside the box".....Hence, the place went wild! Personally, I find this outfit to be a bit tame...

Lynn and Anna Kuske modeled as a mother/daughter team, both of them slim and tall. I really wanted Anna to have that top for keeps but she said her mom told her 'no' to buying anything. Nuts!, because it really looked so wonderful on her!

Terri T. was the designated photographer as I was busy getting my clothes changed and such so she took some random shots of the crowd, as Janet kept everyone entertained between models. Judy J. is shown here next to Tina and behind Judy is Sandy, Julaine, Jen P. and her mom, Rose.

Another mother/daughter team were Jordyn and Tamara, Janet's daughter. Jordyn is an absolute natural at this modeling thing, complete with spins and holding her head to the side.

This photo was taken AFTER the show as I came back from the staging area. Terri snapped me strutting my stuff in my own clothes, that rascal! Whew, we were some hot mama's with the out-of-control A/C problem and the rapid wardrobe changes!

Here is my BFF, Judy C., with her granddaughter, Hanna, modeling their 'dressy' outfits. Judy is really outside the box in her floral sun dress and she said today that if she did not have to pay for a root canal, she'd have bought the dress!!! She's killin' me, what can I say???

This trio is Godmother Kim, Goddaughter Sarah, and her mom, Emily. I really liked these pants, gauchos, and Sarah liked the beaded medallion on my wrap top. Janet was correct, though, this outfit is really something I would buy and wear. Emily, too, as far as that goes, was quite comfortable with her wardrobe choices.

Oh, that LuAnn! Somehow we both ended up with the same top to model, and leave it to Suzanne to call out, "Hey, isn't that Kim's top?" This was outside LuAnn's normal attire but she reported tonight that she actually bought the capris because they fit so well and were stylish. Her mom-in-law, Fran, bought her outfit as well which at first she thought was too 'fancy'. It pays for Bealls to do these shows!

Here is a group shot of some of our guests, over fifty ladies were in attendance, including some from Victory Lutheran and Christ, Keystone. In the center of this photo is my friend, Stephanie, with the dark hair. She just blew me away yesterday by surprising me with a wind chime to replace the one that is crashing to the floor every now and again as the sun decays the strings holding the glass icicles. What a gem of a friend!!