I miss the sun!

As I write, one of my friends from childhood, a bit older than me, is on her way to Florida, having stayed the night in Dalton, GA. On Facebook, I apologized to Rae Sue for having to arrive in gloomy, overcast weather. At least the temps are decent, in the low 70's, but just very sad looking and feeling. Her hubby and she winter at least a few months near Orlando so they have some time to enjoy bright, sunshiny weather.


Not much to watch on TV this afternoon with even the real news stations covering the funeral of the deceased singer. I am hearing noises overhead, and wonder if perhaps the new tenants are upstairs, getting settled. Travis told me yesterday some people were likely moving in this weekend. Wow, that didn't take long! I hope to meet them in short order, and caution them about the water situation!

Stephanie and her mom, Jean, at my home for dinner last night

The dishwasher is running in my own kitchen after I cleared it of last night's dishes. It gets so grungy around the edges and I wiped as much as I could using the dish cloth. For areas I could not reach, I am allowing the dose of bleach to take care of. Justin came home briefly and asked me if I put bleach in my drinking water, as I was refilling the water pitcher at the same time as the dishwasher running. No, that bad, I am not!


Justin called me from the road, coming from his father's house, asking me to meet him downstairs to offer, in his words, "moral support". He was bringing over the long-awaited bookcase. Justin was of the opinion he could handle it alone but wanted me to stand-by and be supportive. He did manage nicely with a multi-purpose dolly thing to wheel it up. He gathered some clothes for tomorrow, not sure he will make it to church though. His pals are coming over to play games tonight and he then has to make sure the house is in good order for an open house tomorrow. 


Even though I have the nice leftovers from last night's dinner waiting in the fridge, I am still marinating some chicken breasts to make for dinner tonight. Judy C. and Amber are coming over to have Dinner and a Movie. Since Amber is diabetic, I am going to serve something less troublesome for her diet. Good thing I have salad left from last night's meal! We are going to watch "A Good Year", a movie I have had on hand for a couple years after seeing it at the theater. It will still be France, only not Paris this time!

It’s all about networking

Even though we ate together on Tuesday night at Trivia, we ate together again tonight! Stephanie and her mom, Jean, came over for dinner, arriving a few minutes late due to crawling along on 9-A for a distance. Now that I think about it, she never did say if there was a wreck or what caused the delay. It was fine, the meal held nicely. I made a beef roast, baby red potatoes, baby carrots (I served baby food!!!), salad, and the ladies brought dessert. Jean made apple squares which are absolutely delicious, as I enjoy one now. Erica was invited as well but she worked until 6:00 pm and then was going on a date with her Justin.

Early afternoon I heard my doorbell ring which I expected was Connie or one of my neighbors. Nope, to my great delight, there stood Dee! She had dropped her hubby off at Astor Place beauty salon for a hair cut and came over here to chill. It was grand! I told her how Mary and I had just talked about her this morning at The  Breakfast Club, admiring a piece of her art which hangs in the lobby to the garden room.

Last week Friday at Great Hang Ups, Julia and I talked to Mary about swapping art lessons for her myofascial treatments with this artist we knew, Donna. Sure enough, there were about 8-9 of Donna’s pieces hanging in the garden room. Mary is interested in a drawing class or pen and ink classes, and Donna would make a great teacher for her. It’s all about the networking. 

I was proud of myself for walking the long way around (instead of cutting through the pool area) to get to The Club for breakfast, and when we left together, Mary watched the way I walked. She said my right hip drops, which is likely due to favoring my left knee. Of course, I have to take her word for that since I can't see around back. As we walked along, she showed me a different way to walk, tucking my butt under me, sort of arching my back, and making sure my legs go behind me. Lots to remember, but I felt a difference immediately. This will take some practice and remembering but I like not having the burning in the hips.

She has a Facebook page for her business with nothing on it, because she is not sure what to put there. I suggested she write “Notes” about various treatments she has provided, how clients have avoided surgery after she’s helped them, and so on. When I got upstairs, I wrote up a brief (ha, yeah, for me, brief!) article to put in her “Notes” about her helping my walk. It’s all about the networking!

Mary gave me a huge compliment before we parted company. I cannot remember how it came up but she described me as being genuine. Oh, I remember now---I was sharing the exploits of using the foam ‘silver remover’ in my hair the other night and still making a mess of it. The stains don’t show up until the light of day, finding discoloration on my white faucet in the kitchen, splashes in my sink, and stains on my night gown. She told me she liked the highlights that showed up around my face with the silver in place, saying I looked sprightly. Is that the new word for ‘old’? I thanked her for saying that and then she went on to say we might be universes apart in our beliefs and all that but it didn’t matter to our friendship. Nice, and I was genuinely thankful!

"...but I'm disheveled"

That was from Justin this morning, when I told him he could forego his morning shower. It was about 5 minutes before our 'apparture' for Bible study and I knocked on his door to make sure he was ready. Yikes! He was yet wrapped in his sheet, nowhere near up and about. I urged him to get up and dressed, going just the way he was, so to speak, without a shower. This appalled him, saying, "...but I'm disheveled!" which struck me as so darn funny. That sounds just like him!

As it was, he got showered, dressed, and brushed his teeth in record time, not allowing wiggle room for getting gas. We were okay gas-wise, and likely would be able to drive to St. Augustine to get gas, as his father used to say, but that is not the way I like to roll. Nothing bugs me more, in my car, than having bells dinging or lights flashing that are not supposed to be signalling at me! I make the rules now, and my rule is to get gas before the light comes on, for peace of mind and using good judgement.

Anyway, we filled up on the way to lunch, stopping on Baymeadows Road to do so. Justin's big idea, a million dollar one, would be to build a gas station off of 9-A at Kernan Blvd, as there are no stations on Kernan until one gets to Beach Blvd. The UNF traffic alone would carry it, he thinks.

Rita, Justin, and I thought Emily K. would join us, which was the plan, but she had to get back home to pack for their move to Charleston. Her hubby is already there, working at Boeing, which the Unions had tried to close. We are thankful for and with this family that he was able to find this job, and then keep it! Todd retired from the Navy and found work in the private sector. We are sad to have our friends moving away but are glad for them making a new home. I wonder whose table I will sit at this year for the Advent service at Victory since Elissa will be gone...She was the hostess for a table two years in a row, as a teen-ager!

Ladies' Advent Service at Victory: from left is Stephanie, Elissa, Amanda, Suzanne, me, and Cathy (Amanda's mom)

Rita had some Groupons to use at Gilman's Bakery, owned by someone I knew from scrapbooking. After lunch we went over there with her, thinking she could use both her certificates. That did not work out, only one certificate per visit (rats!). Unfortunately, Dena was not in the shop nor did they have any of that wonderful layered cake Justin and I love so much. Dena makes a pound cake layered with cheese cake, and flavored with lemon zest. Incredibly delicious! Spared us those extra calories, but saddened us anyway.

My birthday cake made by Dena in 2009. Oh, my, talk about delicious! Yes, those are real roses on top!

My mouth feels almost like normal, which means the antibiotic is doing its thing. As I told my tablemates today, because the problem seems to have been averted, I might not have extra dental work done. I know that I have done this before, same area, a couple years ago when I had my last root canal done, cancelling the appointment since it was not needed, in my opinion. I am going to suggest we keep it under a 'watch' for future problems and see what he thinks of that idea...Bet he is opposed!

At least the day began nicely...

This was the sunrise which greeted me this early morning, begging me from my warm bed to grab the camera

Some of this is gross....

When I went to bed last night, I had a goofy tongue and gross sac inside my mouth, thankfully without pressure or pain. Except for the 'hot' feeling on my tongue. Boy, the ice cream I had at Johnny Angels Diner felt so good sitting in my mouth...

...and now I know why! I made my appointment first thing this morning, getting a time slot of 2:00 pm. Okay, I can wait. When I got there, I had to stay in the waiting room for a bit until they were free to squeeze me in. I drew a crowd! The young lady assistant looked at things with her mirror, referenced my x-rays from Feb. 1st's appointment and said, "Hmmmm...." a couple times. Pretty soon Yvonne came in and she said, "Hmmmm....", too. Then Dr. Lessig, Peggy, came in, started looking things over and tried to figure what that was. 

The assistant had taken an x-ray before the others came in, so they were scratching their heads, figuratively speaking, trying to determine what the heck it was. Two of them tapped on a couple teeth to see if one of them 'ached' when pressed or tapped. Nope, although one felt 'different' than the others. It turned out to be a remaining live tooth, but not where the sac was located. Hmmm....

Peggy decided to take a measurement, using a piece of equipment put into service for root canals, and pushed it up into the 'pocket', the drain. And then another x-ray with the thing in place to see how far the space went up into my head. It did not make sense to her so she referred me next door to the endodentist. My friend, Michael! Rats!!! IF it's one certain tooth, it already has a root canal in it...IF it's the other one, it has no root canal. She thinks it might be the one already treated that sprung a leak. Her poking around opened up the draining a bit more so I taste it now.

I asked why I did not taste anything yesterday already and why my tongue felt funky. They indicated that the ooze would be salty. Aha!! That would explain why I was so incredibly thirsty yesterday, drinking Diet Coke after DC and then water to quench my thirst. Now it makes sense. It also aggravated my tongue, like eating too many chips or nachos. It is much better today, by the way, probably thanks to the ice cream!

Monday is the soonest that Michael can see me, which puts me in the middle of Bible study which I hate to miss. In the meanwhile I am taking penicillin to beat down the infection. I had the scrip filled at Publix while I shopped and remembered there being no charge for antibiotics there. Yay! 

I got my ingredients for making dinner for Stephanie and Jean Friday so I am all set. And restocked my own sherbet supply for medicinal purposes. I was supposed to be at choir tonight but simply did not feel up to it. Robbie excused me, saying we will rehearse on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. as we sing for the service that day. So glad I still get to help edify the worship---at least I hope this is true!

"Your face is falling apart!"

We had to wait for a table...imagine that! When we arrived at Trivia, the first of our team, all the tables were taken in the area where "Nothing Tips Like a Cow" generally sits. It seems that many use Johnny Angels Diner as the place to take their valentine to dinner! Tara, our faithful waitress, said it had been busy all day, and she would know since she'd been there since 6:30 a.m.! Wow!


Cary came alone as Nancy was out shopping for a mother-of-the-groom dress. For some reason, his help was not needed on that project. Erica was absent as well, being out with her Justin for St. Valentine's Day. Stephanie and her visiting mom, Jean, rounded out our team, which managed to take 3rd place. Jean returns to WI on Saturday so this was her last time with us this visit.


Before Justin and I headed to Trivia, we stopped at the cemetery to leave the floral bouquet which graced the chancel Sunday, in memory of Timmy's baptism. I had collected the bouquet on Monday but didn't take them over as I wanted to get home after lunch. The bouquet was lovely with white and yellow flowers plus a trio of purple upright flowers as the backdrop. Cliff said they looked like a frame for the rest. Just beautiful...


The reason I wanted to get home so intently was because two main cut-off valves were being replaced in the unit two above me. This made me nervous even though the water was being shut-off for the entire building while this took place. 


When I was in WI, I had gotten a call that this unit had a leak from the ice maker line but neither Justin nor Hugh could see any damage or dripping in my condo. The Owner told us later that two of the three valves in his unit did not work, were 'frozen', in his words. Thankfully they had the good sense to replace the inoperable ones, and, without incident, this has been accomplished.


I had made a plan to have Stephanie, Jean, and Erica come for dinner on Saturday night, not realizing that Jean was leaving that morning. Instead, they are invited to come on Friday night. Nice! The only time Stephanie had been here was the Saturday after the Great Flood and my house was torn apart. This time she will see it in its more orderly setting. 


Rita has invited Justin and me to join her for lunch on Thursday after Bible study, as she has a Groupon to redeem for cupcakes. We are looking forward to this outing and the time together.
                                                       
I bought a Groupon for having videos transferred to DVD's but have now realized that the videos must be shipped off in order to have this done. I am very hesitant to do that, so may have wasted $30 on this 'deal'. When I read the "fine print", it indicated the service was offered through Walgreens, but I guess they send them off as well. Because the videos are primarily 'home movies' of my kids, I would rather keep them local. I wish the machines for doing the conversions were not so expensive, in order for me to this myself. Once the videos were transferred, the equipment would sit there, idle. I wonder if a used one would be a good investment...


When Justin came home from work, I told him how my tongue felt goofy, as though I burned it. I stuck it out to show him and he exclaimed that it was all red, with a cut down the middle. Yikes! I leapt to my feet to check in the mirror, and sure enough, it looked beet red with a seam. I had noticed also an owie between my gum and lip which was tender. A reaction to something I'd eaten?


This is rather gross but since I could not see in there using a hand mirror, Justin offered to take a picture using his iPhone camera to show me. A pustule has formed for some reason. I will be seeing my friend, Peggy, in the morning to have her check this out for me. In Justin's words, "your whole face is falling apart!" 

Back from another trip

Once more I spent some time in Paris, in the 1920’s, as well as the turn of the century, this time with Martie. She has been unavailable for social things since I returned from WI due to having had pneumonia. I was so glad when she told me she was up for a movie and dinner tonight! Yay!

The original plan was making a turkey pot pie but it seems I did not have the cream of chicken soup I thought was there (it just occurred to me that I did not check in my food storage closet!) so that idea was scratched. My intent is to clean out the freezer somewhat, rotate stuff and restock with fresh, frozen (is that an oxymoron?) food (lovin’ the alliteration! and punctuation!) I had pie crust on hand as well as the turkey pieces from the ThanksLiving bird to use. I must get some mixed vegetables and the cream soup in order to make the pie.

There was a Stouffer’s lasagna in the freezer which I chose to make for us. Justin was going to be away for the late afternoon and evening for a Team Teal event downtown so this lasagna would be enough for us two ladies. In fact, we ate only half of it. The lasagna could be prepared either in the microwave or baked, but I did not allow enough time for oven baking. Earlier in the day I turned the heat on for the entire house, rather than only my space heater for my room, to take out the chill from the air. (I cannot wait until it’s 80 on Thursday!!) but having the oven on would have helped as well.

                                               

I served cranberries with the lasagna as well as the green beans I had made on Saturday, using the bacon and mushrooms, like Suzanne taught me. Yummy! It was wonderful to catch up with Martie and then we got into the movie, “Midnight in Paris”. Yes, it was the 4^th time I’d seen it, the third time at home, but it is so fun to watch it with someone who is seeing it the first time. I do hope it wins at least one Oscar from its various nominations.

Martie liked it and suggested we go to Paris. When I told her how Justin had found a place for us to go on our next trip (he told me this on Saturday night), she said, “Not Greece!!, please tell me not Greece…” I assured her it was not, and very, very likely we would also not be going to Tunisia, which Justin had suggested. Apparently there was a movie made there and all the sets remained for tourists to visit. Which movie was made there, I cannot recall. And I won’t ask, either, and reopen that can of worms.

A valuable lesson has been learned since my boy moved in with me---I cannot expect to find things in the cabinets or fridge which I thought were there. One example, for dessert tonight, I was going to serve vanilla ice cream with whole cranberry sauce over the top. I went to check the ice cream and sure enough, there was only enough for one serving remaining in the container. I had not eaten that much of ‘my’ carton. His carton was Oreo Cookie which he consumed alone. Glad I checked, how embarrassed I would have been!

On the weekend, I had mentioned something to Justin that we could make as I had what was needed in the fridge or cabinet (can’t remember right now) and he said, “Not anymore…” So, because of this, I will not make plans for preparations without checking first for the ingredients. I joked with him when he was making yet another batch of cupcakes that I am going to have him sign a piece of paper acquitting me of all charges if he regains his lost weight. I am not the one making the cupcakes nor am I the one devouring them. Now cookies are a different story…
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Friday was the day my lady friends and I went to Great Hang Ups. When I pulled into the stall, I looked at the lovely windows of the boutique next door, which features clothing NOT for women of size. One display had a open mesh white poncho, for spring. In that moment I was sad that it was not my size and also pondered again what ever happened to my black open mesh pool cover. I was even wondering if Justin would have done something with it since he is NOT fond of me wearing what he calls ‘fishnet’. Then, I walked into Great Hang Ups to see my black mesh poncho lying on the counter as well as my book about Chihuly glass. What??? I couldn’t believe it!

Julia was cleaning some stuff up and came upon the poncho and the book which she has had for a couple summers. When her hubby and she visit his folks’ beach house, she borrows a swimsuit from me and evidently forgot to return the cover-up. What great fun that was, when I had just been thinking about my missing top! Love when that happens!!!

A chocolate birthday

Today I went downstairs to help my friend, MamMa, celebrate her birthday, her 91st. Tracy, the granddaughter with whom Willie Mae lives, stated that MamMa loves chocolate above all else so it was my privilege to provide the cake for the event. 


Originally, Justin was going to bake chocolate cupcakes with the same frosting and sprinkles. Instead, though, I got her a chocolate decadence cake from Publix. It was a hit! Tracy bought a heart-shaped ice cream cake to serve with the decadence. The rooms were decorated with heart-shaped balloons, and other Valentine decorations. Several of Tracy's friends joined the festivities as well as Jeff's mom from Ohio, and the interim caregiver, Virginia.


Willie Mae got a few gifts, all in the form of chocolate! Hershey Kisses, Hershey Nugget Bars, and a box of assorted chocolate. That should hold her! It was nice to meet these ladies and visit with them. Tracy's sister from Tampa was expected to come for the weekend, too, but a family emergency kept her from joining the festivities. It was a very nice afternoon!
                             
Despite the terrible cold morning (28 above zero!), I managed to get myself to Bible study on time. There were plenty of seats, with the cold keeping some away. Judy C. said she would be absent as she spent the night at her daughter's home near St. Augustine, but would be there for worship. Gretchen claimed she ran in "Donna's Run" which is why she missed Bible study. So funny! When Gretchen complains about the cold, you know it must be!!!


Pastor likes to have 'break-out' sessions during the class, dividing us by table, with one at the table being the reporter. He said the one who keeps their thermostat set the highest was to the reporter. Yes, I assume that would be me! Not sure about the other two tables, how that was decided...The next time, the reporter was whomever has been the furthest north. It defaulted to me, again, even though the Hallenbecks had been in Alaska with me!


Worship went nicely, with the little ones singing at the beginning of the service, "I am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus", four stanzas. Very nicely done, from memory. After worship, Laurie needed my ear for a few moments before our lunch bunch headed to Chili's to eat. Justin was able to join us since there was no football (boo hoo!) to rush off to. Gretchen was lamenting this as well, today. Only 25 more weeks until the pre-season! 


Anyway, I tried one of the new mini-sandwiches with the trio I usually order (yes, a creature of habit!), a Philly Cheese sandwich. It was okay...When my plate arrived, I sort of looked at the sandwich first, and then realized that Terri was watching me watch my plate. I glanced up and she asked, "Yes?", tentatively. We all laughed, like I was looking at something so strange as a Philly sandwich. I pulled off one green pepper and then bit in. As I said, it was okay. 


Justin made everyone laugh as we sat at the table, asking me, "What kind of salad are you having today?" They all stopped talking for a second and looked at me, like, "What?" Terri said, "Some thing's happened since last time we ate out..." He ordered a Cobb salad and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup, and I said, "He does that to embarrass me..." The rest of us had the trio entrees and we all shared an order of chips and salsa. Michael, I am sure, appreciated having another male at the table, although he's never complained about being outnumbered.
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Away from the table, I grow weary of the entertainment news, wishing for more coverage of CPAC and the results out of Maine. Fiddling again while Rome burns. Speaking of burning, more rioting is taking place in Athens/Greece as the unions and retirees riot about changes in their plans. I cannot imagine it being a very good idea for healthy men and women ending their work lives at the young age of 55, or whatever it is in Greece. There are not enough working folks left to support all those collecting. Some thing has got to give and those collecting are not willing to bend. Burn and riot, yes. But end the rioting, not so much.


Let me say this about Whitney Houston---she really performed one of the finest versions of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl back in 1991. Well done, bravo!