I turned the A/C on again!

It's warm in here, and this only hours after I covered up with my baby afghan from the bottom of my bed. My guess is that the temperatures dropped during the thunderstorm and have since come back up again. It was in the mid-90's today, and no smoke, or very little around here.

The water exercise class had four in it today, a very manageable-sized class for Marlena, especially since one of the ladies was a first timer this year, but had come a few times last year. I am sure I mentioned in this blog that I am the youngest in the class, usually by well more than 10 years, and am younger than Marlena, too. This does not mean more fit, it means I can usually catch on fairly quickly to what Marlena is telling us, and usually hear her the first time she says it. It is downright comical sometimes, which only adds to the fun.

Mary Lew, whom I have described in the past as a 'low talker' and whom Hugh calls "the mumbler", really made us laugh today. Marlena demonstrates the exercise we are to do, using a chair on the edge of the pool to show us what to do. She was telling us to do the frog leg routine, which we do every time, and of course, since she was standing up and not in the water, could only show us using one leg, obviously. Mary Lew asked, "Oh, only one leg at a time???" And, without guile, Marlena exclaimed, "I can only do one leg at a time from up here!" and we lost it!!! I mean, really??? The one man who comes, Randy, who always wants me to sing 'the old standards' in The Club, got into the pool today with his phone in his pocket. I believe it's shot but he was hoping it would dry out enough to work again.

Mary Lew wanted to eat lunch at the pool today so Marlena took our orders from The Club menu and delivered our meals poolside. The lunch Mary Lew got included soup which Marlena brought in a to-go type cup with a lid, like for coffee or similar, plus the foam box the meal came in. She gave Randy and ML their meals, told her that was her soup in the cup, brought them a glass of wine, and left. I ate my burger (served on a wheat bun.....) and fries, listening to the two of them chat. It seems they picked up where they left off last year, arguing about who is older. I stayed out of that conversation! ML finally announced that Randy and she decided she was nearly a full year older than he. At long last, they figured it out. I asked them if it took this long to do the math. Another good laugh. They were asking me if I knew of a Woody Allen movie that took place in New York---I thought they all did.....

About the soup----ML had finished her lunch, having ordered the soup and half-sandwich, when Randy discovered the covered cup between them. "Did you order this?", he asked. "No, that must be yours..." she replied. "Is it wine? I told her I did not want another glass..." "It feels quite hot..." I said, "Mary Lew, that is your soup, it came with your meal." Marlena had specifically told her this was her soup but she forgot or something. Time laugh again and get back in the pool, Kim.....

My friends, Rick and Fran, showed up as I was finishing my meal and I was so glad to see them. Fran was unable to come to the pool much lately since the smoke affects her badly, which she found out Monday playing tennis in the heat and smoke. Rick is a pharmacist and we share many things in common, including politics, so we have some fun conversations. I am going to make up a list of books I have for Rick to borrow as he fluctuates between novels and non-fiction. He is presently finishing "Heaven is For Real", a book on the side of my bed, borrowed from Judy J. He is not really impressed with it, but wants me to read it first so we can discuss it. Rick thought it would be somewhat special since it was a child's experience 'seeing heaven' but then realized when getting into the book that the father was a preacher. He feels that since the father is the writer of the book, some of the experiences might be "enhanced" rather what the child actually says he saw. Now the pressure is on for me to read the book!

When I got out of the pool, I checked my phone and saw that I had missed some calls. Only one left a message, my Justin, who was amusing himself with his video game again. He was calling to tell me where he was in the game, the location, something he saw when in Rome, and thanked me again for taking him to Italy. I love it! Those messages are to be kept if at all possible. This evening he called again, this time asking me to guess where he was. I said, "Let me see----Trivia?" and he laughed, saying, "I meant in the game...." Silly me! This time he was near a bridge where a pyramid was built into the wall (I acted like I knew....) "You know, where the car was in our way?" Yes!!! I do remember, because our bus was sideways under the bridge, unable to clear the turn due to an improperly parked car. He honked and honked the horn, and finally, a group of guys came out of a bar. They did not own the car but our bus driver, one of our passengers, and the bar guys, picked up the car and moved it out of the way! Thanks, Justin, for this reminder of another fun experience! (But why don't I remember the pyramid????)

Earlier this evening I gave Lynnie a call to tell her that a local network station was showing "Beach Blanket Bingo". She was yet in the car, driving home from the Wellness Center where she had her orientation session. How wonderful that she is going to go there and think of all the people she will meet. Already she knew a few faces on her first night...gotta love that! Linda J. goes very early in the a.m. before work for her water fitness class and such but I know some other ladies from FG who attend this center as well. It can be fun to go with someone, even if you work independently. Lynn got home while talking with me but her program guide did not show the movie in her listings. Too bad! I thought she might get a kick out seeing something from when she was a girl. Oh well, she was going to watch her recorded "Jeopardy!" program. One of the reasons she was joining the fitness center was so that she did not watch so much TV. Funny, but Linda J. told me the same thing last night, that she was dedicating herself to reading more and watching "the box" less! Gotta love that!

A busy day

As I enjoy a lovely frosted shortbread cookie, cut in the shape of a flower, before bed, I will recap my day. The cookie was purchased with the dinner at Panera Bread where I ate with my driver, Judy J. She was longing for her favorite strawberry summer salad, similar to what my sister, Lynn, enjoyed at Perkin's in Manty. This salad is served with strawberry poppy seed dressing which Judy sopped up with her French bread baguette. Good to the last drop! I had half of my mac 'n cheese and one of my cookies, which were on special when purchased with our meals. Judy took a bear claw to have for breakfast tomorrow morning.

From Panera, then, we were off to Bible study, an intimate gathering of four ladies, plus pastor. This class is offered intermittently throughout the year, called "This is the Life!", and our study last night was about self-control. We went through it quickly and then sat around, talking, afterward. In the class, one section lists 'favorite sins' and we were to read through them to see which ones we 'chose' as ours. Without the list in front of me, I will try to remember some: "Worry", "Not being loving enough", "Selfishness", "Unforgiving", and so on. We were supposed to do this to our ourselves, not really to say aloud which ones were our 'favorites', but one lady likes to mutter aloud and chose hers. I think she does not even realize she is basically thinking out loud, another 'self control' issue, I am sure. I shared the story of my visit on the phone with the insurance adjuster, who told me to find something else to worry about, because "I got this one." What a good feeling that is! Just like Jesus says to us, "I got this, don't worry about it..."

My morning began somewhat early as Maggie O. was coming by around 9:00 a.m. after taking a class for substitute teaching in Green Cove Springs. I wanted to be ready for the pool before she got here to change her clothes but then she called to say she was going straight home due to the smoke rolling in. Good idea, Maggie! Phew, it was dense and stinky smoke at that. The window repair man called to say he was about 30 minutes away so I cleaned off the ledge along the windows, got busy with the dusting brush and Pledge, and even swept some of the floor around there. Ugh! Gross! Good thing Justin was coming to vacuum clean in the afternoon. The repairs went well, with more than one thing amiss on the windows, which explains why the sash would not close down tightly. The guy told me that when the windows are going to be washed, they must be opened all the way up and then tilted so the posts (mine were replaced) won't be twisted or bent. They are going to come back again to replace a pane of glass in my river room, the lower sash only right now, as I cannot see through it due to scratched up film put over the glass. It is more cost effective to replace the glass than to try to scrape off the film!

The smoke was so thick that I decided to not go out to the pool at all, after they left. I looked out and saw only Randy paddling in the water. Whether Marlena was there or not, I could not tell. Instead of going out, I put all my stuff back in my room, did some more dusting and sat down at the desk to work. After having a bowl of cereal mid-morning, Justin sent me a message on Google chat which meant he was in the office at his father's office. I think he again thanked me for taking him to Italy (!) and then said he was "hoongry" for 5 Guys. Since I had to go to the Island anyway, I suggested we meet in a half hour, since I had to change into 'real clothes' and such.

We met there and dined alfresco as Justin was sweaty from mowing the lawn at the office building. Since I had recently had cereal, I was not hoongry but did share the fries with Justin. The best fries! While we sat there, I saw a Realtor I knew, who was the listing agent for my lake house. She came and sat with us for a bit after getting her meal to-go, and shared the story of her miracle, being spared from an inoperable brain tumor four years ago. She is strong believer in the Lord and was not afraid to let us know. I was glad she remembered me, and felt comfortable enough to share her story.

After lunch, Justin went back to work and I went to Wal*Mart to get a prescription refilled, where I ran into Danny Roy. He showed me photos of his grandkids who are visiting this summer from Italy, where his son-in-law is stationed. I had seen photos on Facebook but loved to look at his as well. I can always depend on a hug and smooch when I see Danny in the store! From WM, I headed to Great Hang Ups with a framed clay hand print with me, so Julia can match the frame for a picture she is framing for me. Dee is working on a round family photo I had done after Timmy died, and I want the frame to match the other one.

The photograph was actually two separate pictures which a co-worker of Suzanne's at then Channel 4, used Photoshop magic to unite. No other places would do anything with them because of the copyrights on them, since one was taken on a cruise and the other at Wal*Mart. So, the private party could do it. I wanted a small enough round photo to place inside a pocket watch which I gave Justin's father as a gift 10 years ago. Dee was able to take the larger of the round ones, tweak it, and make it frameable for me. Our other friend, Kris, was there at Hang Ups when I arrived so we ladies had a good visit before Bubba arrived. Bubba and Dee are friends, he is a retired 'educator', having been a Dean of Students and high school principal for many years. He is elderly, extremely hard of hearing, but charming all day long. I have read his poetry in the past, and spent some memorable times with him in the shop over the years. Today he brought in some items for framing, pictures and poetry, for his school in Naples, FL, where he served much of his career.

Once he was in the shop, the floor was his, so to speak. He told a funny lament about trying to get a new dishwasher purchased and then installed, trying to make arrangements over the phone, even though he's deaf! Funny stuff! As I gathered my stuff to leave, Bubba asked me if I minded letting him see my photograph, which Dee gave me to take home. She is going to resize a different one for the frame, so this was extra. I said I did not mind and let him look at it. The dear man complimented me in the photo, and said I was still as beautiful as in the photo. Bubba gets a smooch, too! He asked me about the boys, as he remarked about how cute Timmy was with those big dimples. When I told Bubba that Timmy was in heaven, he got all teared up. Quickly I pointed out that I still had Justin, pointing at him in the picture, while Dee gestured that he was quite tall now. Bubba said that Justin really resembles me, and Dee said he did, in more ways than one. Bubba was still moved about Timmy, asking me how old he was when he died, and I held up my hand to show "5"....He told us he never met a student in all his days that he did not care about, that to this day he hears from some of them, thanking him for all he did to make them turn out decently.

Justin came by my house after work to do the cleaning and swept through (ha, ha!) quickly. Far more quickly than I can do, that's for sure! At one point I told him there was a dead palmetto bug under the sofa in the river room, and he asked, "Can you see that from your bed???" No, I had seen it when in there with the window repair guys, silly boy! He already thinks I am too particular (my word, not his!) about my dust and such, so it would have been funny if I could see under the sofa from here! After he was done with my cleaning, he was going to do yard work at his friend, Ron's, home because Ron's dad was coming home from TX and expected the yard to be in decent shape. Those boys will have to hustle. Instead of beach volleyball on Saturday, they could have gotten sun and accomplished the yard work at the same time. It's all about management, guys! So, anyway, once my floors were cleaned, I told Justin I would sleep better at night....

It was a great great day!

My little nieces

Here are two of my nieces, posing at Allie's graduation party. Alayna, from the Lahaie side of the family, is friends with Allie, although she graduated last year. Allie is from the in-law side of the family. Alayna just finished her summer course from UW-Eau Claire, as she prepares for her 2nd year, and Allie plays to attend UW-Manitowoc for her first couple years. Love it that they are friends!

What? Again?????

This photo was snitched from my friend, Loretta, taken from the 33rd floor of the Modis Building in downtown Jacksonville this a.m.

Smoke, smoke, everywhere---again! Around 9:00 a.m. Maggie O. sent me a message wondering if it was smoky here or not. My reply was that it was hazy but the sun was out and I could see across the river. That did not remain true. As we did our water workout, the smoke was just rolling in, and now, I cannot see beyond the trees in the basin area. Barely can I see the navigation markers in the river. It’s bright out yet, but I still feel like it is gloomy in here. My eyes are tired feeling, likely from the smoke effects.

Justin informed me that we will have four in our group tonight for Trivia and there will be five in the other group, so I am not sure how that will work as far as making one team out of so many. Justin does not like having so many people, harder to come to a consensus for the answer, and we have to sit in the back where the A/C unit roars like a wild beast. It is difficult for him to hear anyway, and add to that all the answers being whispered so no one else can hear our answers….well, it’s just hard!

At the pool this a.m., I was talking with one of the ladies who daily swims laps. Deb was telling me about the yellow algae in the pool, making the steps on the south end more slippery because they are often shaded. I did notice the yellow edging along the tiles but did not realize it was a problem until she mentioned being itchy. YES!!! I was blaming the sunscreen which I promised the doctor I would use, but the irritated skin might be from the algae. The Club needs a different pool cleaner, that is obvious. Guess I will need to write a letter to the leadership and voice my concerns.

Tomorrow a nice man is coming to repair my window next to the desk. At least, I hope he can fix it. Cob webs form there and I am sure the opening allows for spiders to make their way in as well. The other night when the smell of smoke was strong in my house and I was checking the doors, it occurs to me now that it might have been coming through the loose-fitting window. Steve told me he had two other calls in the morning, in areas quite far from OP, but asked if I would be around at 10:00 a.m. I said, “Wow, you guys start early in the day!” and I will certainly make myself available when they can come. All the stuff will need to be moved from the ledge and the guy will have to help me carry the shelf/storage thing away from the window so he can work. It’s a two-person job to move it.

Yesterday afternoon, after a couple hours poolside, I tried once more to reach my insurance man. Instead of calling my agent, I called the fellow who handled my claim last September. A message was left but it did not take long for Greg to call me back. He is so kind, both in person and over the phone, and soothed my concerns regarding the insurance request from my neighbor’s agent. Greg has already addressed it, answered their request before the 30 days were up, and will keep me posted on what is transpiring with this situation. He basically assured me they would handle it, and told me I should find something else to concern myself with. Very funny, Greg! I have every confidence in him and hope he can make this situation just go away!

Pastor sent an e-mail yesterday about upcoming Bible studies, even though the Monday morning ones are on recess for July. At the church meeting Sunday he mentioned a Bible Information Class being held on Tuesdays so I asked him about that. It seems he has a married couple enrolled but they are having problems keeping the appointments so no class today or perhaps next week either. Fortunately he is using the “People Close to God” curriculum this time rather than the DVD one we used last time. It was a bit, um, too lighthearted, for my tastes. So now I will await word of when the class resumes so I can get some Bible study in when we are ‘down’ for the summer. Tomorrow night the two Judy’s and I are attending a Bible study at church, with Judy J. and I having dinner at Panera first. She is hungry for her summer salad from there, with the raspberry poppyseed dressing she loves so much. Not sure what I will have but imagine it will be the mac ‘n cheese!

I smell garlic!

It is coming from me as I ate a piece of garlic toast with my dinner tonight at the Pasta Market . Fourteen ladies, our number doubling since this a.m., came together to eat and socialize, and yes, laugh. Judy J. picked me up so only one car had to be used, but this confused some people when they did not see my car parked there. I was lucky enough to have a driver, and I didn't even need a designated driver. If our group had not been there, this restaurant would not have had any customers. Mondays are often 'down nights' for restaurants so I would not be too alarmed. I had the Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli, half of which came home with me. One more box added to the collection. At lunch another box came home with me so I am fairly well set.

This afternoon after getting home from lunch, I did a little bit of work on the church newsletter before heading outside to the pool. It was too nice a day not to enjoy it, fairly smoke-free and plenty hot, just the way I like it. At first, it was only me and a man named John, a regular pool attendee but mostly unfriendly. He appeared to be dozing in the pool, along the side with his book propped up and held with a large clip so the page stays open. After a little while, two ladies who live in the villas directly across from the cabana came out and we had such fun talking. John left and I was not sad he was gone, because I often feel as though he is not happy when others are talking or laughing when he is dozing or trying to read. Sort of an odd duck but I am used to him. The other ladies were irritated by him, suggesting he put in a pool at his own house!

We were talking about going to Barnes and Noble on San Jose, one lady likes the World Market next door while the other lady shops for books. This opened the door for me to ask her preference regarding the electronic books vs. the books with paper pages. Julie is definitely a 'real book' person, having not tried a Nook or Kindle. She likes the idea of holding the book, turning the pages, using a book mark, and all that goes with reading.

Then, I asked the 'other' question----"do you read used books?" Immediately, both ladies answered, "NO!", because they are too dirty. Aha! No library books, used book stores, or yard sales for them either, and when they buy a magazine, or even just look at it, always choose from the back of the stack. I am so not alone with this....Neither lady will read a magazine in the doctor's office or other places with waiting areas, or if they do, wash hands with sanitizer before and after! They said they rarely travel because the thought of hotel rooms and how unsanitary they are just 'bugs' them. Julie said she cleans the room so thoroughly when she gets there, people wonder where her housekeeping cart is! This means I am not the only one who cleans the remote control, telephone, and light switches...Julie does too! We all agreed it was NOT a good idea to take a black light to the hotel....

At Patty's beauty shop, which she owns and where Julie works, they take the books purchased from B and N for 'sharing' purposes, which the regular clients enjoy since they know where the books came from and that they were gently read. Patty said she and Julie are like Howard Hughes, who was a germaphobe, which brought to mind potato chip bags. HH would never put his hand in a bag of chips, for fear his hands would touch the side. Patty said she dumps the chips onto her plate to eat them. Julie said that she will take scissors to trim the bag down, which is exactly what I do. I shared my secret with them, about opening the Cheetos from the bottom where the good stuff is, more cheese and flavor. We all agreed to never, ever eat Cheetos when reading a book though, with the caution being added to avoid getting the cheese on ones clothes. I never had a problem with that, but evidently, they did! Gotta love time at the pool!!! We somehow are able to enjoy the water that other people swim in-----ewwwww!!!!

Thinking I am in the for the night

Even though it is dinner time, I have pretty much decided to stay in tonight and have some leftovers instead. Already I am in my night gown, putting this on after taking off my swim suit, which is dripping in the shower as I write. First Judy C. and I had lunch after the church meeting, Chili’s, with Michael joining us, and then went swimming. Despite it being Father’s Day, we had a good number of folks stay for the meeting. Since church began 30 minutes sooner than usual for the summer schedule, it helped to keep folks from leaving right away. About forty-five minutes ago, we two ladies came out of the pool, with me having been out there for over three hours. Judy, not quite that long.

Our choir sang for Holy Trinity Sunday, Psalm 150, and some of the members commented about how nice we sounded. I felt like I screeched on the closing note but no one else said they heard it. How kind of them! Robbie sang CW 271, the first two stanzas, a capella, and then the congregation joined in to sing the closing stanza with accompaniment. The service was beautiful, starting with the congregation singing "Holy, Holy, Holy".

As I write, I am trying my best not to "strongly dislike" Jon Stewart but am losing the battle. Glad Chris Wallace is so worthy an opponent. Very much I enjoyed the interview, the exit interview, if you will, of Robert Gates that Chris conducted. It moved me to hear Gates say how much the soldiers and military mean to him, and how difficult it was to leave the arena when he came back to the USA last week.

Some of my Facebook friends are griping about the weather being too hot. I am wishing I had my slippers on but that is the way I am. The other night when the neighbors were here to see my home, it was quite warm in here, at least 82 degrees and closed up due to the smoke. When I am idle, there is no need for cooler temperatures and if I had known company was coming, I would have adjusted the air conditioning. They all have much higher electric bills than do I, so that is my consolation.

Justin sent me a text message this a.m. requesting prayers for his friend, Sarah’s, brother who is only 20 years old and has ulcerative colitis. Alex also has Asberger’s Syndrome on top of all this. At this point, Alex will have to take medication the rest of his life, and I pray that is all he has to do in order to remain healthy. Surgery at some point would not be unexpected, but for now, besides the medication, he has some strict dietary restrictions as well. I appreciate the fact that Justin recognizes the need for the Lord’s hand in this family and for this young man. I am glad the weather was good as Justin was going to be on a boat much of the day. His father’s fiancé was renting a boat for the day in celebration of Father’s Day.

Last night I had a steak at the cabana since they are not offering the sirloin sliders for dinner right now. Not being a fan of shrimp Louie, fish tacos, or chicken Caesar salad, I chose the steak. It was good, but I would have liked it better on a roll, as a sandwich, I think. Not in a hurry to have it again, and if Danny cannot make a hot dog for me, I will simply not have dinner there. It’s certainly their loss!

My sleep remains upset, almost a week after getting home again, with me finding myself yet awake at midnight or after. Sometimes I mess myself up with late afternoon accidental snoozes, but today I am avoiding that in hopes of ‘normal’ sleeping. Last night, as I rolled over to drop off to sleep, my right foot developed an ache out of nowhere. No matter which way I turned, it ached in a place that never touches the ground, sort of in the arch, just above it. After I took a couple ibuprofen, I waited for sleep to come, and it did, but again, after midnight. Ugh! Tonight will be a different story, I pray, thanks to my long workout in the pool today!

Some graduation shots, plus one not a graduation shot!

This photo was taken at the Ungemach graduation party that I crashed in my effort to meet in person my Facebook friend, Patty. She is a cousin to the mother of the graduate and has connections with other mutual friends throughout Facebook Land. Linda J. and I arrived just in time to find Patty and her husband as they were leaving to go home to the Chicago area. Timing was perfect and made my day! It was a fun party, too, as many of my other Facebook and real life friends were inside....

This would be the NOT a graduation shot, taken of Dolly and me at the Fork and Knife. We have been friends since 4th grade. After several years of less than regular contact, my phone rang when on the cruise ship in Alaska, with Dolly on the other end, stepping outside her box to say, "I was thinking of you after hearing "Angel of the Morning" on the radio." Ever since then, we are very regular in our contact and see each other at least once when I am in WI. Hugs, Dolly!!!

My niece, Tabitha, posed with her cake for graduation, as her other auntie, Barb, looked on. Harv, Barb, Kevin, and I had dinner with her family at their home and later enjoyed a wonderful bonfire in the yard after the young people left to enjoy other parties. Her actual graduation ceremony was the next day but I abstained from going back to Valders for it.

Even though I did not attend the ceremony, I still got to capture Tabitha in her graduation cap and gown. Her plans for next fall are to attend the UW-Manitowoc to get her pre-requisite classes taken care of before venturing on to college.

This young lady, looking quite serious at the keyboard, is the multi-talented Naomi, whose graduation party I was able to attend on Memorial Day at church. She is a classmate of my nephew, Danny, and both young people are members of FG. MLHS graduation took place on the Sunday of Memorial weekend.

Danny is walking up to receive his diploma. The guy handing them out used to be our landscape man when we did business in Manitowoc.

Here is Danny marching in to the graduation service at Manitowoc Lutheran High School, May 29th, 2011.

These next photos are of Allie's graduation, another niece, who attended Lincoln High School, and was part of the 100th class to graduate. What a landmark! All the graduates received a commemorative medallion to wear and keep. The trumpeters are one of my favorite parts of this school's graduation events, just prior to the flower girls carrying in their baskets.

Here she comes, marching in with lovely flowers in her hair! Her good friends are with her, the marching partner and directly behind her. Gorgeous procession!

Allie is about to get her diploma. She, too, will attend the local UW Center for her first couple years. In the meanwhile, she is working at two area stores in order to make some money. Allie was also an "Athlete of the Month" in May, with her sport being Track and Field, shot put division. Only the weekend before, she was competing on the State level in her sport, but did not take first in shot put. Two years in a row she made to State!

Allie's party theme was Tropical which is ironic as it was quite cold and nasty that day and evening.
Festive cupcakes and delicious homemade bars rounded out the dessert table. Some of her ribbons and awards are displayed on the wall behind her cupcakes. A couple of her coaches attended the party which I thought was just wonderful!