What must they think of me?

I had an interesting experience today, when at the booty shop. Not like that ever happens but today was strangely different. Usually it's a bee hive of activity, with clients coming and going, some under the dryer while others are getting their hair styled. Today, though, it was more quiet. 


Normally conversation flows smoothly as Barb tells me what her grandson is up to, her daughter getting a job, or her own cancer battle going on. It might have been the time of day which affected the 'room'..but it was hushed, for the most part. Not me, of course, though. One lady was under the dryer and then was styled out by Susan, leaving just us three ladies in the shop, with the two operators interested in the soap opera on TV. Aha! That's it!!! That is what was distracting them....


Barb asked me how Justin was doing, so I said he was doing well, working now four days a week doing landscaping and one day for his father. I also told how we went on a date to the movies Saturday, going to the cheap show. Susan wanted to know how I liked the movie, once I told which one we saw, but didn't want to me ruin it for her. 


What I did share with the two ladies was how the camera movement made me motion sick so I cautioned them to use a medication first in order to watch with more than only their ears. It was more intense than I would have expected for being geared toward teens and older, but I guess they would know what was coming if reading the books first. 


Then, I told Barb how I called my toes lady in Middleburg, Lisa W., to see if she is still working. Nope, she can't do feet right now because she can't bend over. Barb wondered if it was due to a back injury but I assured her it was a baby in the way of her bending. As I told Lisa, 'Welcome to my world!', not bending in the middle anymore!!! The ladies laughed, knowingly, having been pregnant themselves at one time and not being able to bend. Barb suggested I lift my leg way up so Lisa wouldn't have to bend over, and I said, "If I could do that, I would do my own feet!"


THEN, Barb asked me if I ever saw the movie, "Bridesmaids". Quickly I replied I had not and likely never would, hearing reports that it was 'vile'. Both ladies responded that they found it funny, especially when the heavy set 'star' put her foot up six feet into the air in a doorway, blocking someone's path. It was the being heavy yet able to swing her leg up like that which made Barb think of it. 


My response rather stunned them, I guess no one ever said they did not see a movie due to its content before. They defended it, sort of, indicating that was the female version of "The Hangover" which I also indicated I would never see. I told how my friend went by herself to see "The Hangover", then told me never to see it because it was so vulgar and "stupid". She also reported she laughed her fool head off, in spite of it.


This probably had them feeling a bit uncomfortable but I did assuage them somewhat by saying I made an exception for "The King's Speech". Neither of them had seen this movie. I was informed by my dear church friend that it would be okay, and only in a 'necessary' fashion was foul language used.


As I was paying my for my haircut, I mentioned to Barb how shocked and disappointed my sister and I were when we went with the church ladies on a bus trip to see "The Jersey Boys", finding out only as we handed our tickets that there was foul language AND smoking in this show. If anyone knew about this, I was not aware. But smoking on stage? What? Are you serious? I'm appalled!

Saturday report

On Saturday morning, Justin and I went on a date to the movies. First, he surprised me by showing up at church on Good Friday without my even suggesting or asking him about it. Since Thursday was his 'easy' day, working for his father rather than doing landscape work, worship on Maundy Thursday was a given. On Friday when I left for choir rehearsal ahead of the service, he was sleeping, worn out from the day. I knew he had plans to go with his friends later on, so I left him snoozing. It was good to have him with me at church!

Justin and I went to Steak 'n Shake for a quick dinner after church on Good Friday. We had coupons, and ate for about $5 a piece! He remembered the time many years ago when our family met Joe Z. and Robbie at Chili's after church on a Good Friday, and Joe had an Oreo cookie shake. How does he do that, remember those details???

While we were eating, Justin asked me to go to the movies with him on Saturday, his treat. Nice! Not that I really wished to see "The Hunger Games" but hey, why not? It was not a comic book cartoon-type movie so I was sure it would be okay. Going for the 10:50 a.m. showing got us in for $5 each, and, sadly, my soda cost $5.50! But it came with free refills...We shared it, but he wanted less of it so he wouldn't have to get up to go potty. Wait, what?? 

The movie did not actually begin until well after 11:00 with the previews and pre-movie showings going on. When it did finally begin, Justin leaned over and whispered to me, "Do you have any Dramamine in your purse? I forgot to mention all the movement..." My bottle was empty, used up my last flight home from WI. Oh oh! Worse than watching our home movies---all the swinging, swaying, and swooshing with the cameras to indicate the action of the movie brought my stomach closer to my throat. Rats!

Okay, here's the plan---I would watch with my ears, and Justin would nudge me when it was still or something I should really see. In the meanwhile, he put up the arm rest between us and asked me to lean against him so he could whisper in my ear to tell me what was happening. What a sweetheart! He felt so badly not remembering the camera motion in the filming. At one point, he asked me if perhaps a salty pretzel would help the urpiness but I refused, knowing I would be okay if I did not watch until nudged.

It is a good story, creepy in its concept, and surprisingly, the books are geared toward the younger set. After Justin saw the movie the first time, on its opening day with his buddies, he either read or listened to all three books before seeing it again. Then he wanted me along to get my opinion on the political implications made in the movie. As I told him, the implications I would describe as being more cultural than political, but that's another posting!

After the movie, he wanted to stop at Old Navy as they were having a sale but was concerned about me. I told him I would be so happy to sit on a bench in the sun with my giant cup of Diet Coke, refilled for free, to wait for him. He said, "I know you're a good waiter but if you're not feeling good...", but I shooed him off, positioning myself with a man on a bench. As long as the sun was on me, I was good!

Before I sat down, I asked the man if it was okay for me to join him. He assured me it was, and scooted over a bit to allow me adequate room. For about 10 seconds we sat there without speaking...I now know where this man works, where he lives, why he moved from the beaches area, that he moved here from NJ after his 3 year old daughter was killed when a TV fell on her, how his girlfriend of three years and he 'are going through some stuff' ("I would think that after three years you'd have it pretty well figured out..") Oh, yes I did say that!

                                

This bench on the left is where I was situated, in order to get the full sun benefit

I asked him if his girlfriend was shopping or something, why he was on the bench, and he said, "No, I just came here for some peace of mind..." I busted out laughing and said, "..and then this magpie sat down next to you and talked your arm off!" He was a man of color and I am sure we looked a sight, yukking and yakking on the bench in front of the Mall! He said he was glad to have someone to talk with, and if Justin had not come out of the Mall, I could have offered some more unsolicited advice. Instead, I shook his hand and wished him the joys of Easter, and he said he was glad to share the bench with me. After the first couple minutes, we were no longer strangers...

Justin dropped me off at home, came upstairs really quickly to grab some Wal*Mart returns and off he went to the Island. He bought the shirts on impulse and decided to take them back. He had my debit card and a shopping list to buy the ingredients for a strawberry pretzel torte recipe Linda M. had sent me. It sounded so good and the picture looked pretty too! He also took advantage of the sale for Diet Coke at Walgreens so we are well stocked. 

Justin did not feel like making the torte on Saturday, instead took a rest before meeting his pals for wings, using up some Groupons they'd bought. Then, they were meeting at Jesse's mom's house to car pool to the County Fair, to save on parking. Originally they were going to see the Oak Ridge Boys, for which they had free tickets, but instead they went to see acrobats, aerialists, and something else, I cannot recall. He said it was pretty good stuff for a small-time Fair.

The problem with ride sharing is when one person with influence is ready to go home, the rest have to fall into step, so Justin and Jesse had to miss the pig races. "But I wanted to go, just for you!" he told me last night. When we first moved here, my sister and her hubby came down for a visit during Fair week. Lori and I were sitting on the bleachers to await the much-heralded pig races, having no idea what to expect. 

              

What we saw was absolutely hysterical---pig races, teeny tiny piglets, wearing racing silks, running through their paces for vanilla wafers. Oh my goodness! Lori and I were paralyzed with laughter, I believe the first time that ever happened to me. What a great memory that is for us, and Justin wanted it for me, in my absence. Of course, never again would it be the same, since we now know what's coming, but back in 1989, we never saw THAT coming!!! In Manitowoc, they have tractor pulls---in Clay County, pig racing!

Easter celebration

Somehow the photos got staggered in their position on the page but that's okay. Not chronological but all the same day!

From left are Betty, Chelsea, Terri T., Amber (blond hair), Gretchen, Ethel, and Darwin. Behind Ethel are Bonnie and her grandson, Nicholas, who gets confirmed this year. He took instructions via Skype, while sitting on his neighbor's porch for a strong enough signal for the Internet. He lives near Orlando

This is the chancel prior to the procession which returns the brass cross to its rightful place behind the altar and the carrying in of the Pascal candle

The congregation directed their attention toward the acolyte who will bring the candle to the front, as they sang the opening hymn 

Pastor is draping the brass candle with the white drape, which signifies light

Robbie, The Maestro, accompanied our singing at the Sunrise Service, which began with a full moon in the sky above us. He played beautifully, including two improvisational pieces during the offering and post-service. 

Our Resurrection cross dressed in flowers. The orange one in the very center is my Hawaiian flower from Julia.

Michael is carrying in the Pascal candle as part of the Easter Festival service processional

The patriarch of the congregation, Joe, greeting folks after church. He always give me a cheek kiss and calls me "Sunshine". I love him!

What's news?

That's a good question, in my opinion. Weekends are like this---a rehash of the week's stories, unless something grievous happens overnight. 


I agree the Navy jet crashing is newsworthy, and thus far, no fatalities. That makes two major events this week with no known deaths, between the jet and the tornadoes. However, the man who killed his classmates in Oakland, CA, has a less than happy ending to the story. It's that short fuse thing again, the inability to accept not getting the 'participation trophy' in life, and not being able to handle disappointment. Likely it is much more deep seated a problem than that, but from the surface, this is how it is adding up. 


The new car show? Yes, I guess that's newsy, but not necessarily news. They did show the 'surprise' vehicle of the year, the revamped "Viper", which looks fabulous. The one on F & F was bright red with a red/black interior. This type of car rather leaves a bad taste in my mouth, though, as a few years ago, a man and his live-in girlfriend rented here, with matching yellow ones. 


He was a builder who left his wife and family, and needed to have a couple Vipers. One time he fired it up while yet parked in the garage, and I nearly leapt into garbage bin, being so startled. It sounded much like that jet must have which crashed yesterday. Since he was a renter, the owner of the Unit was contacted about the amount of noise, so they had to park them in the open air to keep the racket down. They did not have much interaction with the rest of the people here, with many of the folks not all that approving of the situation. After a few months or so, they were gone, without the repossessed Vipers. Oops!


While it is appalling how much the junket enjoyed by the GSA in Las Vegas cost, I do not think it needs to be rehashed countless times. And then to afix the blame to the previous administration is, well, quite lame! Anyone who has had to plan an event such as this, or a State Builder's Convention, knows that the price for food and beverages appears to be substantially higher than market prices. Mostly this is because the cost of the space and the help is figured in as well. Many months ago the airwaves were lit up over the cost of muffins at a government function, $14 each, which I know, and anyone else who has ever done this planning, knows is not actually just for the muffin. But, it fills the time slotted for it, so have your way with it!


Repeatedly also F & F is showing footage of a supposed Easter egg hunt where the parents seem to be rampaging, but actually, there is no hunting involved. The eggs are lying in clear sight on a football field, ripe for the picking. Little ones don't quite grasp the concept of filling their bags to the very rim with plastic eggs, wanting just the couple they found already. Mom and Dad think more is better, or at least, more than the next person. Stop it! Just stop it!
                                  
I hear Justin's shower running which means I should likely be getting myself ready for the day soon. He is treating me to a movie this late morning, going at the discount time to the theater at the Mall. Justin has finished reading all the books in The Hunger Games series, and wants to see the movie again, with me this time. I feel I know pretty well what's going on since he's excitedly regaled me with it. When that guy gets into something, he REALLY gets into it! 


I don't discount his interest in this series due to the fact that a pastor-friend in MN has also read and liked the stories. Justin wants my political analysis of it, in case he missed something from the movie or the books. I made the mistake of telling him what I heard on the news and on the radio, so now, I am going to the movies!


The other night, rather, early morning, I was awakened by the sound of loud talking, to put it kindly. Things are louder at night, always, but it was enough to jerk me from my sleep. It took some doing for me to fall back into dreamland but eventually I did. This left me tired in the morning, so a nap was needed. Last night my sleep was quite restful so I won't fall asleep in the movies. Not that I usually do but Justin likes to tell how his father would doze off when they went to movies on his visitation day. I understand that happens to a lot of men, at least those are the ones I hear about. I am usually crying or laughing my blame head off at the movies, while guys like the shooting and action type of flicks. How can you fall asleep in the midst of a nuclear meltdown?

This He did for me...

Justin and I just got home from church, stopping at Steak 'n Shake for a bite to eat afterward. I had not planned to eat out, thinking I would have my leftovers from last night's outing at Aron's after Maundy Thursday worship. It surprised me to see Justin come into church since we had not talked about it, and he was napping when I left home. He had told me he was meeting his friends later to go play pool so when he walked into the church, I was glad but puzzled.


Before the service began, we were a little nervous as our male voice, Sterling, was not there yet, missing rehearsal and eventually, the entire service. Also, as church was due to begin, the acolyte was still not there. At the last moment, the pastor's son finally stepped into place to carry the candle. Whew! That was close...The choir opened the worship with our anthem "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" at which time the Christ candle was carried down the aisle.


Robbie sang Sterling's parts as best he could on the fly, as it were, and later thanked us for rolling with the punches. (After church was emptied, as folks saw fit, Sterling came flying into the parking lot on his bike, sweating up a storm. He told Cliff he got involved with something at work and totally missed his departure time. And he was the one who requested the e-mail reminders!) I didn't get to speak with him, as he turned right around and headed for home. 


The last two nights we wore our choir robes without the decorative collars, and tonight, the acolyte wore only the black gown without the surplice over the top to match the stark decor of the darkened sanctuary.

This was taken at church tonight using my cell phone. The Good Shepherd picture blurs in the background

Michael conducted the service tonight, with fewer in attendance for this special night than the one on Maundy Thursday. We had nearly 60 in church last night, about half that many tonight. The service was a devotional-style with Michael reading through the last words from the cross, with a commentary accompanying. The hymns we sang were evocative, of course, including "Were You There?" 

Following the closing hymn, the lights were switched off and we left in silence and in darkness, after the Christ candle was extinguished and carried out of the sanctuary. "Jesus died for me, Oh, Jesus died for me..."

Maundy Thursday reflections

"And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on; And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing His love for me, And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, And through eternity, I'll sing on."


This is the closing stanza of the hymn Robbie sang tonight, a capella, as the ladies of the Altar Guild participated in the ceremonial stripping of the chancel in the darkened sanctuary. The last stanza was perfectly timed to coincide with the brass cross coming down the aisle, and being handed to the acolyte to remove from the sanctuary.


Every year it is quite profound to witness, and especially so when there are people who experience it the first time.
Unfortunately, I was not able to catch Amber before she and her granddaughter left the property, to speak with her about it, but Judy might have. 


Immediately following the distribution of the Lord's Supper, the choir sang our anthem "Out of the Depths" which we drilled on Wednesday night and again prior to the service. According to Robbie, it sounded good, and others reported the same. 


Part of what moved me, besides the ceremony itself, was seeing the women taking part. There was Twila, who a year ago underwent open heart surgery. Also, Bonnie, still in treatment for cancer which was diagnosed only weeks after losing her son to diabetes. 

Ethel receiving the stole from Pastor, Bonnie and Donna have their backs to the congregation, blocking Terri from view. On the right are Ellen and Judy

Ethel and Terri, her daughter, every year are responsible for the appointments of the altar, lectern, stole, and the drape of the cross. Terri removes and folds it all, and lays it across Ethel's outstretched arms. Her mom has been ailing with an illness the early part of the year, not her usual self. It was great to see Ethel in this role yet once more.


On Good Friday we are singing again, at the beginning of the service, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", a choral piece, and we are running through it before service again. I must must must remind myself to not watch The Five to the very end to get to church in time to rehearse. 


On days like these, I could use a DVR but do not wish to be caught up in that trap again. That thing held me captive! I remember taking it back to Comcast after Justin moved out the last time, standing in line with the DVR tucked under my arm. The man in front of me had one, too, and I told him it would be the best day of his life to get rid of it. He looked at me sort of funny (really?) and said, "I am trading this one in, and getting two more".
Oh, never mind.....

My bling 'n things

No lounging in bed for me today---bright and early I had to once more be in the dental chair. Somehow I was under the impression (ha, ha!) my crown was going in this visit but now I understand that only the gold post, the basis, for the crown was going in. From there, then, the final impression would be made. This makes sense, and I am sure it was explained to me when I was under the influence of the happy gas. 


Nearly two hours later, I was out the door. Oh, but before the temporary was re-installed, Peggy took out a mirror so I could see my shiny gold stub of a tooth. It was all polished up and really was pretty. She said she hated to have to grind or do any smoothing on the gold, because it's such a waste. The residue goes up the suction tool or down my throat, never to be seen again! As I wrote on Facebook, my million dollar smile is that plus a few thousand more! 


My friend, Julia, had a birthday yesterday, but I didn't go up to the shop until today. I went after the dental visit to extend my birthday wishes in person. She told me about her marvelous birthday dinner at a ritzy place called Orsay, which took three hours to consume. Thankfully they had some gift cards to help defray part of the costs of this fabulous birthday dinner. As my lovely parting gift, Julia gave me a stem from her floral arrangement from Hawaii. 

I was so ready to be at home, as the nitrous oxide usually leaves me a bit sleepy. For lunch (yes, it was nearly noon when I got home!) I had the leftover dinner from Tuesday night, Sonny's BBQ! I had the beans and franks, which came with fries, plus mac 'n cheese and garlic bread. The cost of my soda was included in the price I paid, which was less than the sandwich meal Justin ordered. He ate all of his food, sharing the corn nuggets appetizer, plus he ate my mac 'n cheese. When the waitress brought the box, it was hard for me to get the cover closed for my leftovers. Now that's what I call a meal, and a deal! And a good lunch the next day...


I got caught up on the e-mail before resting, and got an interesting one from Chris D., a former member of GS. He directed me to another person's FB page to read the postings. From what I could tell, a young man also named Chris had died unexpectedly in Australia, where he lived and worked. Chris D. and I worked with him in the early 90's at Sprint. No details of his death were offered but one comment after another on his page was that of regret for not keeping better in touch. 


In my exchanges with Chris D., we discussed this, how FB does allow us to find and then reconnect with people in our lives, past and present. Sadly, though, we say we are going to do better with staying in touch or actually getting together, but then miss the opportunity to do so. Chris and Chris had actually lived together for a bit in Orlando, with a third housemate. He was just blown away with this news. I told him about the lady who invited me to lunch last week, fulfilling her resolution to catch up people she has said she would. Do it, people, do it!
*****
I knew full well about the two hour choir rehearsal this evening, sent a reminder e-mail to Sterling since he was absent from choir last week, and discussed it with Justin that I might be gone before he got from work. Well, I got so involved in The Five, watching it to the end, and then suddenly realizing I was late for choir!


As I dashed out the door, I tried calling Robbie to let him know I was on my way, but it went to his voice mail. Rats! I called Carol's cell phone then and she answered after many rings. I explained that I was on the way, blah, blah, blah, and she said, "I'm at Subway. Robbie said choir was at 7:00." 


No, he did not---he said 6 to 8 with snacks in between. I called Kristi and she was there at church with Debbie and Sterling, plunking through one of the pieces as best she could. Yikes! Robbie had told Carol it was at 7:00 even though she knew he said 6:00 pm. 


Anyway, I came flying through the door about twenty minutes late, telling the group how I drove through people's yards to get there. Robbie apologized for the mix-up and the frenzy, and once his mom got there, we began. Our four pieces for the next three worship opportunities went together nicely, and my confidence is in his piano playing. The louder he plays, the better we sound!


I didn't get home until 9:30 which drew Justin from his room. Two late church nights this week already. He asked, "Three hours of practice?" and I explained the mix-up in times. Monday night he was concerned for my safety but tonight he was fine. Oh, and when we left choir, Sterling asked me to send an e-mail to everyone to confirm the times for our rehearsals prior to the services for uniformity. I can do that!


Justin was dragging himself around, bone weary and worn out from his days' work. Jesse and he were extremely late with getting started due to traffic tie-ups which had no cars moving on Blanding or the freeway between Blanding and Hwy. 17. Only one lane was open on the freeway during rush hour, which is not good. 


He told me they were going to try a short cut through the parking lot of the bank on Wells and Blanding, pulled onto Blanding. 25 minutes later, they pulled into a parking lot to find another route, the driveway being the next one from the bank they short-cutted through! No progress found in that attempt. It was all over the news, the traffic reporters trying to warn people away from this route. 


Because of their delayed start, they ended up working later, spending the entire day on a commercial job, gathering up leaves. The good news was that they got to use the Hardees coupons I gave Justin from the week's mail. Great deals, and it was right near where they were working. 


How about those tornadoes in Dallas??? I had read my friend's posting that she was trying to fly out of Dallas but couldn't because there were tornado warnings so I turned on the news. Sure enough, there was live footage of the tornadoes moving around in the Dallas metroplex, complete with Schneider Transport trucks flying through the air. Justin had gotten home already and we watched together. It was unreal! 
                                         
One of our members drives for them so I sent Richard an e-mail asking if he was okay. Kristi told me at choir that he was actually at the depot when it was hit, but his truck was in the repair bay and not damaged, and he was safe where he was. He would send very brief text messages to her at their dad's house to let them know he was alive.Yikes!!!


I know of many folks who live in that area so I kept up with a map on the Internet, looking for the communities the weather guys out of Dallas were issuing the warnings. Kelly finally did get a flight for tomorrow morning, after many cancellations since the tornadoes, so she can get home to her hubby and baby. I hope she makes it this time. What a nightmare scenario, but thankfully, no apparent loss of life. Thanks be to God!