What a day!

I just got home a short while ago from Ladies' Group where some of us stayed a bit longer to keep Carol company as she had to wait for Cliff to be done with the Council/Elders' meeting. It was nice to sit and chat, with Betty and Judy C. staying as well. When we left, Betty said it was good to hear some of the history and such of our members and congregation. Betty is a newer member and it is great to have her getting more comfortable, including now, taking part in Ladies' Group! One of our projects coming up for the Ladies' to keep us busy through the slower summer months is to redo the photo albums put together many many years ago on the sticky-type pages. It would be best to have them on archival pages for posterity purposes.

The other day I was fussing about there being no news on the news and now there certainly is! Because I do not watch commercial TV and had no news on last night, it was great to turn on Fox this a.m. to be greeted by the story about OBL being taken out. Wow! With all the other commotion in the mideast, he was almost forgotten in recent months, maybe even years. Every time a new video was released, his face would come before us, but less often than when the war began. Bravo US military! Bravo! Now we must be cautious and aware of the increased threats in retaliation for this victory in the war against terror. And prayers for those in harm's way overseas and at home!

This morning was spent at Bible study and then lunch at Longhorn. About a third of my new favorite mac 'n cheese came home with me as I added a salad to my meal today. I ate about half of the salad and no bread, I know better than to have bread before a meal. On the way home I stopped for gas (gulp!) paying $3.83.9. Yikes! I know some areas around town and around the country pay more or less than we do, depending upon demand and added taxes. Those who buy from Sam's or BJ's get discounts, almost worth the cost of membership that way.

In the afternoon I worked on the newsletter for The Palace, which is sporting its giant flag in recognition of the taking out of OBL. Part of the time I was working was spent in 'text' conversation with Justin. He was having a wretched day today, trying to get the office furniture and other things moved between the two offices. Justin was in charge, so to speak, as his father was laid up with a bad back. I offered to bring him something to eat before going to my meeting as he had already been working over 12 hours. That is a long day, and he was incredibly frustrated with the entire process. He was also sad because he had wanted to wish his friend, Sarah, farewell as she leaves for a stay in Spain, where her family is from. We are a little concerned for her safety, the traveling as well as the stay while there. Justin told her to make sure she gets nice and tan, and not hang around with people who are too white, so she won't become a target. Might be overkill, so to speak, but in this day and age, it helps to be extra careful. My guess is that he likely did not get done with the project of moving until it was too late to see her off. By running up there to get him some dinner, I was a bit tardy getting to the meeting but I let Twila know I was running late. Only by about 5 minutes, so not too bad considering!

Tomorrow morning the window washers are coming so I got busy moving stuff out of their way, as much as I could without Justin's help. He said he would come by on the way to work in the a.m. but if the window washers come at 8:00 like they said they would, well, my hanging stuff might just be in their way. My desk is nearly cleared entirely although not necessary, now that I think about it. I actually pushed it back away from the window but it's nice to have it cleared off even if only overnight. The stuff is stacked in a basket to be replaced after he is done. Judy J. is driving us to have lunch in Mandarin with Linda and Frieda so hopefully nothing delays my being able to go. Barring the washer from falling out the window, I am sure in three and a half hours' time, they should have those few windows and the sliding glass doors done in no time!

Eating pizza and watching manatees

It is still light out so I can see the manatees frolicking in the basin. My leftover pizza from last night is my dinner tonight and it’s pretty good! I was hoping the crust would not get tough and I believe the way I reheated my Papa Murphy’s prevented that from happening. Earlier I pulled the patio doors closed because the breeze had a bit of a chill in it but it's stuffy in here. There is no pleasing me!

Somehow I found myself awake at 5:15 a.m., and wandered room to room making sure no water was dripping. Not sure what I heard that woke me up but it’s a good safety tip when one finds themselves awake in the wee hours to go and check for leaks!

Awake so frightfully early and again, no news to watch! That’s twice in two days this happened to me, Friday and Sunday. One day the royalty in England and this time a deceased pope, exhumed for public display. Yikes! The good part of waking up when I did was it allowed me the time I needed to put together a punch list for the old parsonage. Mike K. e-mailed the list to me last night and I told him it would be ready for church this a.m. I did it! Friday I put a list together based on what he told me over the phone so I just had to incorporate his comprehensive, exhausting list into my incomplete one. Wow, is there a lot of work to do out there! And Mike needs some help!

There is not much I can do to help but I certainly know quite well how to put together a punch list and make the phone calls and post the sheets and make photo copies and and and…send e-mails to the able- bodied. Some of the Council knew he was working on the parsonage, but most of the congregation, to my knowledge, was not aware the tenant had even moved out! These are things we need to know about and I will rally the forces to get folks to help out. Lots to do in regard to the yard and he is busy inside the house right now doing painting and such. Considering the house is going to be 20 years old this year, yeah, it probably needs some work! Just think---20 years ago I was using the parsonage shower without benefit of hot water or curtains on the windows as I left that jobsite to go to my next job at Sprint. And now Mike says it needs a new shower door installed….I ask, "Who needs a shower door???”

We had a good houseful of people in church today, thanks in part to a reaffirmation of baptism for a little guy born last November. Besides the immediate family, about seven others joined them, in addition to a separate group of seven people visiting from WI. Some of them had worshiped with us on Easter and today were joined by folks who live on the northside of Milwaukee. One in their group retired from the Navy Saturday which is what brought them all together this week in Jacksonville.

After the service we had Fellowship Sunday since we did not have it last week, plus a home-baked baptism cake. Mmmm….that’s twice in a week’s time I had home-baked cake. Judy C. and I went to have lunch afterward at Aron’s, her first visit and she liked it. The place was nearly empty, which is rare for a Sunday, but it was nearly 1:00 pm when we got there.

So, now I have half a stromboli to enjoy with my leftover pizza. We had that last night when Maggie O. and Judy here to watch “Waiting for Superman”. It was extra interesting because Maggie is a teacher, now retired but still working as a sub in area schools. We had wanted to watch it with Michael, Judy’s son, who is trained as a teacher, working both in Lutheran schools and the government ones. We just could not wait for him any longer so went ahead without him! When watching it, one part in particular reminded me of the businessman I saw on TV, an American living in China. He remarked that in China his children were learning academics, but in the USA, kids are taught self-esteem. Hmmm…..In the documentary, one of the charts shows how lacking our students are as far as math and science went, but they are way out in front as far as thinking they are doing better! America’s kids excel at self-confidence, or would that be over-confidence?

Tonight I got a phone call from my friend Linda O. She wants to get together for lunch next week so I am going to cross the river twice on Tuesday for my Victory friends! Linda’s mom, Frieda is now living with her, but they are only in Jax for another couple weeks. Linda's daughter, Heidi, had asked her mom to research some mission opportunities for them to become involved in together, and one was found! Heidi, Linda and Frieda are all going to work as ‘managers’ at the New Beginnings Home near Denver, a home for unwed mothers. Three generations of this family soon to be tending new families…I was incredibly moved by this prospect and so happy for the ladies they will be taking care of!

A short story

This morning I had the distinct pleasure of communicating with Linda J. via the chat tool on Facebook. We exchanged our glorious morning greetings and then inquired of the plans of the day. Later today Tommy and she are heading to the confirmation and party at the church/home of their friends in Minocqua whose daughter is being confirmed. When the daddy was a Pastor at FG, Linda would sit with the mom and help juggle the children during the service. One of those babies is now the confirmand. Seems impossible but it really is not. I know they will all enjoy their time together and soon the family will be moving south to Mequon!

Linda’s first order of business today was to clean out her silverware drawer. We marveled at how ‘crumby’ such a drawer can get and my theory is that it the most used drawer in the kitchen. In Linda’s case, her toaster is right there so extra crumbs get down into the toaster.

This discussion brought to mind a story from the old days when we lived on Kel Lane. My mom had come down to winter with us. She had only been with us a few days when I opened the silverware drawer and discovered what appeared to be a handful of instant potato flakes piled in it. I asked aloud how the potato flakes got into the silverware drawer but none of the two adults accounted for this. Justin piped up, “Maybe Grandma put them there….She doesn’t know where everything goes yet….” He is so darn funny! When I shared that story at work (my other job - Sprint), the ladies just roared with laughter. They also thought he was a hoot! Like the time he excitedly told me about shopping for a Christmas tree with his father while I was at work: "We found a tree that is beautiful like you---broad at the bottom and comes to a point at the top!" A compliment from a 4 year old boy is greatly appreciated!

I love grammar!

Justin was unable to join us for Bible study yesterday as he was summoned to work at the old ‘new’ office again, although he did not specify exactly what was going on. The class was great, as we are now discussing the names of Jesus, perfect for post-Easter conversation. Somehow we manage to get onto current events which can so often be tied into what was happening in those Bible days, or can be addressed using Bible wisdom.

Pastor Hoyer was telling about having four families in church for Easter Festival service from their VPK program, three of them recently relocating from Japan. Wow! Language was a barrier, but hopefully they took away something wonderful from the service. The one family who has been here for 20 years and has a child in the class was able to help the guests, as well as one of the members who is Japanese. What an interesting mission opportunity! Pastor mentioned that they were given a booklet put out by the WELS called Promise, which is in Japanese. They also have English, Spanish, and possible Hmong, he wasn’t sure about that one. It would be a major hurdle to overcome the Japanese culture and deeply-rooted Buddhist or Shinto, whichever, belief system they have. Also facing being ‘excommunicated’ from their family for becoming believers in the risen Savior. We can pray the Holy Spirit moves them along, in His time!

I am a bit embarrassed to report that my feet and legs are a bit cold right now, even though it is 76 above zero outside. Before I went to bed last night, it began to rain against my doors so I pulled them shut but was too warm to not have A/C running. Yes, I turned it on, set at 78 for my sleeping comfort. It ran for a bit and then shut off, not running again until sometime this a.m. as far as I know. The breeze is moving through the house right now and the sunshine makes it all look so pretty. Joanne came up for a little while to see the manatees but then headed home after lunch. We dined at a new Mexican restaurant across the street from her office and were disappointed. Nothing measures up to La Nopalera!

This morning I made my travel arrangements, much to my mom’s relief, I am sure. She told me on the phone last night that it was not like me to let it go this long, although it is a month before I leave. Lori, my sister, and her family will pick me up from the airport on their way to Manty, saving an extra trip for others to come get me. My nephew graduates from MLHS on Memorial Day weekend so we’ll be there for his party and the service. My stay up north will extend through the church picnic in June, and then I will return home for a bit, until the later part of July. For 10 days in July, I will have the houseguests from CO staying here but I think little else will be required of me during their stay, besides the rooms and breakfast!

The other day on the radio I heard a report regarding a school system somewhere that was directing their grammar teachers to change the way they teach. The claim was that grammar was ‘too white’, no longer relevant to be taught, nothing was improper any longer and English was too exclusionary. Oh my goodness! I about drove up on the curb when I heard this. Stop it right now!!! No wonder symbols and abbreviations have been admitted to the Oxford Dictionary…the world is on fire!

Wrapping up the day

This morning I was catching up on the radio program I “watch” on the Internet, since I dozed off yesterday afternoon during the first playing thereof. Good thing Justin and I subscribe to the On-Demand feature of this program. One of the fellas got his lunch delivered during the fun fourth hour of the show, something he is slightly embarrassed about having show up on “TV”. The timing is just right that it comes when the camera is on him. The female producer orders his lunch for him because he is on a diet right, a program to lose 5% of his body fat, and Stu is also a vegetarian. When he opened the lunch ordered for him by Sarah, with his health in mind, he showed us a roasted vegetable sandwich. I threw up a little bit in mouth thinking about eating that! Blech!!

As I sat at my desk, eating my nice breakfast (a.k.a. Easter leftovers), I looked through the sale ad that came via the mail from Winn Dixie. They have great Buy One/Get One deals, and the meal deals. This week they are offering a deal where I would buy two Stouffer Family Size Entrees, and get free garlic bread, Steamin’ Vegetables, a Mrs. Smith bake-at-home pie, and a bottle of store brand soda. Nice! I believe that would be something I could share with Justin, as he could take one of the entrees and the garlic bread, and I would keep the rest! Another ad that came was from Hardee’s where they have introduced beer-batter dipped onion rings, for which I have a weakness, as well as a variety of sizes of (gulp!) turkey burgers! Yikes! First Hardee’s has the artery-bursting Angus burgers, far too large for me to manage, and now 500 calorie or less turkey burgers. Market-driven offerings. What happens if a person orders the turkey burger AND the battered dipped onion rings????

My other friend, Linda M., sent me a recipe for making onion strings at home and it looks fairly simple to do. That might be worth trying, all I have to do is buy an onion. I have the oil and flour, but am not sure I have white pepper. Any spices in my cupboard have been those that moved with me from The Preserve house in 2004 and are likely older than that yet!

At choir rehearsal Wednesday night our small group gathered to run through a few pieces for upcoming services before summer begins and we recess. Robbie had gone through the music files in the church office to come up with something for Ascension. As he distributed the sheet music, he tried to match us up with the names written on the covers. It was truly a trip down memory-lane for many of us, including one marked "Shirley", who was Robbie's dearly departed Grandmother. Another had the name "Sharon" on it, and Kristi knew right away who that was. I told the group how on Monday our Bible study class watched the old video made about our congregation called "A Mission Grows", made in 1981, and Sharon was featured in that recording. It was not really a video but actually a narrated slide-show, quite state of the art for 1981! Many of our older members were in the video, including Evelyn who had a speaking role, and whose sheet music I was given. Sharon and her Naval officer spouse now worship in Palm Coast, where we saw her when attending the School of Worship Enrichment event.

Our tenor, the one who nearly missed singing with us Maundy Thursday, is leaving the area, moving up to New Jersey to live with his mom who needs some extra care. Brian is also our Head Elder so another vacancy occurs when he is gone. He is retired Air Force and is presently a teacher at a local government high school, the same one where Maggie O. and her daughter work. Not sure yet if he will work once back home in New Jersey or not, depending upon the needs of his mother. What a good boy he is!

After choir I did not stop at McDonald's as is my usual routine, on cheap cheeseburger day, because I had so many Easter leftovers to consume at home. It will be a treat when it happens again. When we have choir recess I will certainly miss them!! Justin told me at Trivia the other night how the leftover ham he took home with him was scarfed up rather quickly, with the lady of the house making herself four sandwiches from it. Guess it was good! And not all that expensive either---I paid right around $20 for the spiral cut ham which we baked after adding the brown sugar glaze, Justin dripping the glaze between the slices as an added touch. Part of the ham went home with him, some stayed here, divided between the fridge and the freezer, with the meaty bone waiting to be made into a kettle of soup some time in the future. Glad I took the small ham!

The hot cross buns on the counter are a week old now and I think the ones remaining in the foil pan will have to go into the trash as I have been unable to finish them all. Too bad they come a dozen to a pan, a few less would have worked better for me. They always remind me of my working days at Shady Lane Home when we would serve those at this time of the year. Perhaps I will have one more before I throw them out, and buy fresh next year!

A brief recap

There is a half-written blog posting waiting for me on the gas-powered computer but I do not feel like waking up that sleeping beast any more tonight. The information will be good yet tomorrow afternoon when I get home from Bible study and lunch with Justin. In fact, I had lunch with Justin today at Mojo's, as he was hungry for brisket. Me, too! Love their brisket! He suggested I call Twila to meet us since he did not get to speak to her at church on Easter Sunday. She was tired after being there for breakfast and then for worship so left just as quickly as she could afterward, with Aunt Jean being her driver. Today, she drove herself, the second time since she got home from the hospital, to meet us. And, she loved the brisket, too! Unfortunately, just as Justin dug into his plate, he got a phone call indicating the ATT people were coming to the new 'old' office to hook up the Internet so had to gulp his food down and run. In the meanwhile, Twila Squared joined us at the restaurant, but missed seeing Justin.

Twila Sr. was planning to go to Wal*Mart after lunch but then decided to just go back home, feeling a bit weary. It will take her a while to get her steam back, baby steps. I asked her if there was something I could pick up for her and she told me she was going to buy "The King's Speech" dvd. Twila Squared said, "Don't you watch it!" because they plan to do that together next week when they go to the time share at Sanibel. I am so happy those two have each other. I was going to Wal*Mart also and offered to get one for each of us, but she declined my offer saying they would go shopping next week to get supplies for the trip, etc. However, I DID go to get my copy plus I was looking for new cropped jeans since my old ones look that way!

Before lunch I stopped at Great Hang Ups to drop off some of the paper bags left here by Cindy when she cleaned out her scrapbooking supplies. Julia was happy to get them and I was glad to drop them off. The ladies said they had not seen me in awhile, not counting the Art Guild show on Palm Sunday. Since I was meeting Justin and Twila, my stay was shortened but I will go back again another day when I can stay. They did have a minute to tell me about the lady that helps out in the shop periodically, off now because strangely enough, she had gotten a virus in her ear! Just like Justin had, only Penny's has instead affected her balance. Justin's manifested itself with both the deafness and the vertigo but fortunately the vertigo abated. The ladies said that Justin should be thankful to have 'only' deafness resulting and not have the terrible problems learning to live like Penny has. She has a steady horizon with one ear, and a 64% 'vision' with the other ear. Therapy is taking place right now but for her to try to see straight, she moves her head either up and down, or side to side, and talks as though she's inebriated. It is hard to believe that Justin is considered 'lucky' to only be deaf...

More tomorrow, okay?

More photos coming your way

On Maundy Thursday, the Altar Guild ladies participated in the stripping of the altar. Sorry about Paul's head in this shot, but behind him is Ethel receiving the stole from Pastor as Bonnie and Donna remove the candles and paten. Terri, Ethel's lovely daughter, is in front of Donna, folding the communion cloths to lay them across Ethel's arms. It is quite moving to watch, and to be a part of. As they progress, the lights are dimmed. Betty, one of our newer members, remarked yesterday that this was the first time she ever attended a Maundy Thursday service and was totally blown away by what she saw and heard. Could barely get through the hymns, she said....

Mike C. leading the service on Good Friday. Note the black paraments, altar clothes, drape on the 'old wooden cross' as well as the crown of thorns over the top of the cross. There are seven candles on the table in the foreground, which were extinguished one by one as the service progressed. The Christ candle remained lit, was carried out, and then replaced at the end of the service in the darkened sanctuary. It was a highly evocative service...