"The sea was angry that day, my friends..."

"...like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli..." What? Never mind. What a storm we had this afternoon! The rain was hitting my windows like tiny fists, and the wind was whistling like mad.


At one point, my lanterns and sun catchers were moving in the breeze, which somehow got past my closed windows. There is only so much a seal on a window can do, and I am more than pleased the water stayed out. Oh, except for the river room window---again! The last time that happened, a repair to the roof took care of the problem. It also comes in from the unit above me, so once more the tenant, Misty, is mopping up water. She is going to get really good at water mopping!

My window leaking is of little consequence since the walls are formerly exterior walls and the floor has ceramic tiles. I do have paintings and such standing on the floor near that area so might move them away for 'just in case' purposes. It's a slow leak when it occurs, and besides that, the winds were almost directly from the east which liking blew the rain right under the roof edge. We, as a building, have a warranty for this newer roof, so it's not a big deal to have them come out and repair once more.


My day began as usual on Monday mornings with Bible study. I dilly-dallied leaving home so didn't have time to redeem my coupon for the .99 Sonic drink that Justin gave me. Rats! The cost for soda at church went up to .75 a can, with the proceeds being used to support our LWMS missions. It's a win-win! I got my sodas there, then. We had only 8 ladies yesterday with Pastor leading the class this time. 


Toward the end of the class, or before we left the table, I should say, I mentioned a woman interviewed on Fox and Friends that morning. She had been swamped in her kayak upside down in the water, and reports her soul leaving her body. She was not scared, she said, and saw the Lord waiting for her soul. And then, He spoke to her, saying it was not her time, and she lived. The woman said He told her to go back and share the story, so she wrote a book and tells everyone about the hope she has. No bright light for her, just the face of the Lord waiting for her. 


At first I was going to turn it off because of the underwater thing, but am glad I listened. She did not come off as hokey or sensational, but peaceful and calm about her hopes of being with the Lord for eternity. The author said she is not afraid of dying, it was just not her time, she has work to do. Love that! Now, whether that is true or not, I doubt, because the Lord does not tell us this could happen (except for Lazarus being raised again) but I still like the picture of what is waiting for us.


This lead to a discussion somehow of there being animals in heaven. I dismissed it out of hand, as is my custom, declaring boldly that I was out if there are animals there. They have no souls, not formed with Gods' hands the way Adam and Eve were, the whole thing. The animal lovers are sure their pets will be there, and I suggested if that's the case, all animals will be there, not just the normal household pets. Even snakes and reptiles and other horrid creatures...if their theory holds true. 


Nowhere does it say Christ died for nature, He died for those created in His likeness, to save their souls. And how do we know if the animals are believers or not? Have they been instructed, reached by the Holy Spirit and moved to believe?  
                             
Pastor said there are passages in Romans 8 which might support animals being in heaven, but when I read it in the NIV, the passages talk about creation. That could also mean trees, sun, stars, rocks, everything prior to and up to, the creation of Adam. Yikes! I suppose some building materials would be helpful to make my mansion! I shouldn't sweat it too much because we are promised no tears in heaven.


Five of us went to lunch, with a young lady named Amber now being our waitress. Jason would hardly look at us, so I think he is mad we are not his table any more. Judy C. liked Amber's 'service' for years but since we used to arrive before her shift began, settled for someone else. It seemed we were served faster and more accurately than when Jason took care of us, but we might be tainted now since the 'added tip' experience. I had the burger for lunch, not wanting any leftovers since I have the ham to chisel away for the next couple days.


I distributed my hugs to those I won't be seeing for several weeks and then headed to the collision center. No need for me to be concerned I wouldn't find it. It was right where the guy told me it would be! Silly me, I should have used the restroom at Longhorn, but instead, asked to use the  one at the collision center. Before I came back, the guy had gone out and looked at my car. Wow! He was already typing up the estimate. 


The man sent his worker to my car to get the wounded tire and wheel apron (it's official name) from my car. He determined it was not salvageable and would have to be replaced. Rats! I told the man I want to keep the steel rod for my scrapbook but he could keep the tire and the apron. They must think I am crackers!


The rod, he said, was likely from the back of a trailer, used to secure the gate from opening. I figured that, after the one guy said it was part of my car. The wrecker man, Mike, said it was not part of my car with his theory also being part of a trailer. A faulty trailer, mind you!


The actual repair will take a couple of days so I will have a rental car, paid by my insurer, for use when I get back from WI. I could leave it there for when I am gone but suspect Justin will use it for his running around. Maybe I should think about this a bit....


My haircut was scheduled for the late afternoon but when the storm began to brew, I called Barb to change the appointment to tomorrow morning instead. I was wise to do so, because it was wretched out there. Not all areas got the storm either which is so weird. My friend, Rita, in Baymeadows, got nothing. Justin was safe at 'the farm' where the equipment is stored, doing busy work until the storm let up for his drive home. We are having a quiet evening at home tonight, munching on ham sandwiches and watching our respective TV programs. I am going to be so sorry to have HOUSE go off the air, but also, sort of relieved. He is so stressful to me!

"It's a blessed day!"

No, I didn't find something that was lost. Nope, but God did! This morning was Amber's baptism day with Judy C. and I standing with her as witnesses, along with the others in the congregation. She was incredibly nervous but very bravely and boldly made her confession of belief in what was about to be bestowed on her. I ought to get a medal for holding myself together at the font but had to, I felt, in order to be supportive of Amber.

Before the service began, I saw Amber and her family file in, but I was on the far side at my podium. Amber whispered to Frank, her husband, "There's Kim..." and he turned around to wave at me. I went up there to put my hand on her shoulder and to greet Frank, after all these years. I told him we'd catch up at my house this afternoon. Amber's daughter and two granddaughters also came to witness the baptism.

                                                   

Not only was it a blessed day for Amber, but the congregation heard good news about Bonnie S. A prayer of thanksgiving was offered on her behalf, as her recent PET scan indicated she was cancer-free. I am almost crying now, thinking about this, as she was diagnosed at Stage Four and is now cancer-free. It was audible in the congregation when Pastor announced this prayer was going to be offered on her behalf, and I am sure more people than just me were dabbing their eyes. She first lost her son around Labor Day, and then was found to have this cancer. It's a blessed day!

***

I got to church in time for Bible study, and since there was no Sunday school opening, arrived just barely in time! Usually I allow a few minutes for the opening to take place, some wiggle room, but if I want to sit with my friends, have to get there on time.

We were having a one-time stewardship class again, not unlike the one the congregation went through last fall. It was held over and over again, even at people's homes, to reach as many members as possible. The sheets from today's class were made up from 'slides' which were also shown on the wall. 

On the first 'square' of the page, we were asked to draw a picture of ourselves or of something that showed how we felt when writing the check for the offering. The looks on people's faces at my table were priceless, like, "WHAT??? Draw a picture?" Oh my! Mike S. was sitting across from me, and he drew a rainbow, a sun in the sky, and a stick man with his arms raised up, in thanksgiving. Jackie drew a smiley face on her page. The other four of us left it blank, like our faces.

Pastor said visual learners would like to draw, but one man, a newer member from Christ, Keystone, from across the room said, "Well, I'm not!" I think some people attempted to draw a picture but most were not. Paul was behind me making copies for Sunday school and I asked him to bring me some crayons. He was glad he had to make more copies because they had 5 kids today. One of the kids brought a friend, whoo hoo!

We look forward to the day of getting the Fellowship Hall finished, as we hold the Sunday class in the church office. Three conference tables set up fan-styled, tight quarters, with 5 kids using the large classroom next door. Though suggested more than once, for some reason it was not feasible to swap rooms for these months of renovation. People have to keep going in and out of the classroom to get their coffee or soda, which is disruptive to both classes taking place. Maybe by the time I get back from WI, the work will be done. I hope so, as we have need of that building for VBS in early July.

***

After church was the reception for Amber's baptism, but I decided to head for home to get things ready for this reception. I was delayed in leaving though, as I had some good-byes to hand out. Robbie was showing Sterling how to do the MIDI as he will sit in when Robbie is gone to the mountains with his family. I got to give Robbie a big hug before leaving for WI. And said, "Good bye" to Sterling, too!

Carol and Cliff had attended a conference this past week in Atlanta and she brought me an extra packet of the information. After church they excitedly told me about what they saw and heard those couple of days. Also, they got to spend some time with our former pastor, Schuppe, and hear marvelous papers presented. Pastor Huebner from Palm Coast was there, also, but he did not present a paper. Carol was one of two ladies in attendance but she was fine, she said. I wish I had known this was coming up and that anyone could go, because I might have gone along with them. Shoot! But, as Carol said, now I have stuff to read on the plane!

When I got home, Justin was there waiting for me. This was unexpected as he had not planned on coming by. He helped me get some stuff together, his job being to break up the ice for putting in the bucket. Much had been readied the night before, and just needed to be put on the table, but I waited to slice the buns until people were coming in the door. We had a nice group for this reception, including the two Mike's, Terri T., Judy J., and Amber's family who had been in church. 

Judy C. made sugar-free cookies, an assortment, for the dessert, in consideration of those who were diabetic. I had plenty of food, and though Terri offered to leave the remainder of the veggie tray for me, I respectively declined. She knew that before asking! Judy J. came in a bit later, having had to count the offering alone, but she caught up nicely.

                     

I had a chance to visit with Amber's husband, Frank. It's been over 11 years since we have spoken, so I could have talked for hours! He looked at all the photos and memorabilia around the house, saying, "You keep Timmy close to you..." I reminded him that Timmy is with the Lord, that these are only reminders of him. You just never know where some people are in their thinking, and why waste an opportunity to share the 'reason for the hope you have'? When they left, I told Frank that I would save a seat for him in church, so we'll see....

By 2:30 everyone was ready to go, which is the saddest time of the party for me. The ladies had been busy getting dishes cleared away, rinsed plates for the dishwasher, and all that. So helpful! We got stuff carried into the kitchen and in no time, no evidence of a party remained except full tummies and happy hearts! And tired feet!

***

At Happy Hour the other night, the gang was discussing our upcoming assessment for replacing/repairing the sun deck. It is going to be extremely expensive, or has the potential to be, with the Owners share being divided, based on square footage of the Units. Get that? There is a great variation of thought on just how much needs to be done to rectify the situation, cause by rain water leaking through the deck onto the ceiling of the garage, rusting the support bars. That's the layman's explanation of what is going on. 

Because the underside is compromised, supposedly, the cars parked beneath this ceiling get dripped on during rains, a white chalky material which is damaging the finish on the cars. An engineer or two have looked it over and found the supports not being in good condition, so it must be torn up starting from the bottom. 

                      

One of the tenants in the building worked at the time for the company which installed this roof/deck in the first place and thinks what is being done is overkill. But he has no influence other than his opinion and expertise. Yikes! I got my bill for the first of the three equal payments, which I knew was coming, but still....yikes again!

Not much to do today

It will be a slow day today after I pick up the ham from the Honey Baked Company for tomorrow. I wish they were open on Sunday mornings so I could pick it up on the way home from church, but that's okay. It won't hurt me to get up, dressed, and out the door for that today. Except that I will encounter some Mall traffic...Hey, I could have had Justin get it for me since he'll be at the Mall for the movies!!!! 

There is a good deal of honking going on outside my home, but not from the parking lot this time. It's geese! Now, what are they doing here at the same time as the manatees? This is all quite confusing. One week begins with temps in the 40's and ends in the high 80's. Justin came home from work yesterday and was just miserable from the heat. He very kindly informed me he cannot wait for me to leave for WI so he can turn the A/C down at night for sleeping. Yeah, thanks, I love you too! But I love my low electric bill more...

                        

He has lovely hands.....he could be a hand model, like George Costanza!

My A/C just kicked in, speaking of that, so it must be warmer than 80 in the house. If my door was closed to the hallway, it might not run because the thermostat is directly outside my door. The sun pours into my room through my uncovered windows and keeps it nice 'n cozy in here for me. My ceiling fan is on which moves the air around for me and keeps the room comfortable.


Last night was enjoyable, spent the evening with friends at a graduation celebration. The young lady is the same one who is attending The Citadel next fall. I rode with Carol and Randy to her co-worker's home and were greeted in the driveway by the young lady, Rachel. The dining table was covered in blue with white, dishes and bowls laden with sweets. It was a sugar delight! And these ladies work in a dental office!!!

After a brief 'thank you' from mom and daughter, we were served cake with blue frosting, the colors of The Citadel. Everyone who had cake had blue teeth, lips, and tongues, just like when I have the blue cotton candy at the ball park! To top it off, she had blueberry flavored licorice sticks (is it still licorice if it's blueberry?), cotton candy, blue and white M & M's which were minty, all sorts of white/blue treats. 


Also, Yvonne made Fruity Pebbles crispy treats which were just delicious. She offered to get me a bag to take stuff home, as she wanted nothing leftover, but I put the licorice in my pocket instead, and popped the cotton candy into my mouth, as we left! Very nice party!

A tiny computer on a bigger desk

I keep messing up, trying to use the disconnected keyboard in my slide-out to type on this little laptop, as the other one is yet in the shop. It seems the repair/exorcism is taking longer than expected. I guess this was not Priority One for them, like it is for me. But, when I called today, the nice lady told me the diagnostic was run, and yes, multiple infections were found and now need to be scrubbed. This jargon, at least some of it, is above me, but I do understand treating something with an antibiotic which is what the scrubbing will do. I should have used the SpyBot like I was supposed to be doing periodically to corral and eliminate the spy ware. It is greatly unsettling knowing someone somewhere could actually be tracking my keystrokes and thereby being able to access my accounts and such. If they would do that and pay a bill or two, I wouldn't be upset. But if they invade and pilfer from me, I will lose my mind!

                     

Steven was going to need my copy of Microsoft Office which I had bought since New Year, I think, in order to reload it, so I took it up there late morning. His dad, the business owner, with whom I have done business a long time, was there when I walked in. I showed him what I brought in, and referred to it as the Kindergarten version. He laughed and I told him how mortified Justin was to be installing it. He wanted to know why I installed it, since the 'Pro' version was already loaded. I explained about getting the warning that the program was expiring in so many days, etc. but he said, "Oh, it would have kept on going anyway..." Ugh! I told him I didn't know that and he agreed that I likely would not, but if I'd called him, he could have saved me the money. No worries, though, he is going to reload the top notch program and I will be good to go once more with the professional program. Nice! And that's why I keep going back there!

As long as I was out and about, I stopped at Publix to get some soda and a bottle of Arnold Palmer Tea/Lemonade. It's a tasty drink and not too sugary, as I got the 'lite' version. Even I like it so might get some to have at Mom's next week. It also comes in cans but I bought the gallon size for the gathering here Sunday. It seems like the number will be fewer than Amber expected but that's fine, I just want to make sure the day is memorable for her. 

We are having Honey Baked Ham, rolls, a veggie tray, a 'lite' dessert, and some chips 'n dip. Amber, Judy, and one other guest are diabetic so I am using restraint on what I serve. Judy told me last night that she was asked to get a cake for Sunday after the service, to commemorate the baptism. Amber does not do well in large groups, (remember my Super Bowl party? She was able to come only because there were 4 people!), and is bashful so that might be a bit stressful for her. 

Yesterday I took care of some business which had been idling on my desk, including scheduling an appointment for having my car fixed. State Farm has a list of approved collision shops so I got those names from a nice lady at SF. This a.m. a guy from the shop called to let me know he had my paperwork so I am going there after lunch on Monday, since it's in the neighborhood.

I also scheduled my shuttle ride from the airport to my mom's house. It puzzled me a bit because I got receipts from two different places with different names. It turned out they are the same place, just using both names. As long as I have a ride, I am good! Mom and Lynn will be out that night at Lynn's retirement bash so Jill or her son will have to buzz me into the building. Making a mental note now to talk to Jill about that, in case she is not home. 

I mailed the tickets for the play we are seeing on Friday night to my mom, in case something would happen to delay me from getting there for some reason. I have the receipt here so I can use that in case anything would happen to the tickets in the mail. You just never know! Mom, Lynn, Jill, Tommy, Linda, and I are all together in the row, cheering for Christin, who is playing "Maria". Oh, and for Marty, also from church!

Online I checked around for available dining venues to have a nice dinner on Mother's Day. Several got back to me, reporting they stop serving around 3:00 pm that day. Lori and David won't get to Manty until late afternoon or early evening so we cannot plan differently. One place will accept my reservation but I must actually call them on the phone! Imagine that!?! It was my first choice place anyway so I will give them a call to make the reservation. Lisa and family will be coming up for that dinner so once more, I am excited!!!

The mail brought a reminder that I am due for my LifeLine Screening again so that is now scheduled for when I return from Manty. I get many of my blood tests done there, which means it will cost me less when I get the extra ones the doctor wants because of my medications. It's cheaper to do this with LifeLine than from a lab. 

This morning I enjoyed Breakfast Club with Carol, Mary Lew, and a young mom, Tina, with her daughter, Grace. We see them regularly at breakfast plus at the pool last summer, and since we had empty chairs, why not? It was nice! Last winter I had told Tina about the tea house where she went to get her hubby a tea strainer she'd been looking for, instead of having to drive to The Avenues. Just another service I offer....

After breakfast, Carol gave me a good-bye hug and wished me a nice trip, and we parted. As we went out our respective doors, it occurred to me that I was riding with them to a graduation party tonight! Randy and she will pick me up about 7:15 for the ride to Fleming Island. This is for the young lady who will be attending The Citadel and I am honored she asked me to come to her 'dessert party' tonight!

Justin and I went to Carrabba's for dinner on Monday...I forgot to mention that. The rest of the nights this week he has been with Jesse and now house sitting. I hope to see him at some point on Sunday, especially since the big party is now at Jesse's instead of at his father's house. No need to clean up..well, yes, they do, but it's not the same as for an open house.

                                  

Tuesday night was my Mary Kay make-over event here, with only Judy C. showing up. Donna was supposed to be there but somehow could not find my house. She was on the property, saw the tennis courts and pools, but couldn't find my house. She has been here before but as a passenger. I sent Belinda the same directions and she drove right up to the place. Hmmm....Donna said her phone would not work either so she just went back home. Judy and I were made over all by ourselves and were visions!!! We can possibly win $2500 if enough people vote for our remarkable improvements. If one of us wins, Belinda gets $500 donated to her favorite charity. I hope my winnings come directly to me, as I am my favorite charity!!!

Things don't always work out

My family in WI is experiencing some severe weather, first yesterday and again today. My sister in Oshkosh informed me about having her power out over night and when the power came back up, she discovered rain water coming into her apartment around the A/C unit and under her patio doors. Yikes! Not only that, but her bucket of minnows stored on the patio had overflowed from the heavy rain, leaving her bait to flip around on the concrete, like fish out of water. As I chatted with her via Facebook this a.m., I wondered if birds would come along to take care of the minnows and sure enough, a robin showed up. It seems, though, that robins don't care for fish, so I suggested to Kerry that she hold out for a crow, as they are not too fussy about what they pick at.

Further, the area streets were flooded, with some closings and she was concerned about how to get to work, using her spouse's truck as her friends' VW Beetle would not make it down her street. Some reports indicated that the highway she would take to work was also under water, so I am not sure how things worked out for her. 

                       

My niece, Lisa, reported to me that the storms shook their home in Sheboygan so hard, it felt like it was moving. The lightning was almost non-stop with the same being true of the thunder. This afternoon, the storms were brewing again, with Mom reporting black skies and a darkening apartment in Manty. OH and IN had tornadoes overnight which makes me wonder if these storms are related somehow.

Kerry also told me about the cherry crop in Door County being seriously damaged by early blooming and then freezing temperatures last month. This would be a blow to part of their tourist business this season, to say nothing of sales of cherries and their products. Oh, how I would love a pie from the stand along Hwy. 42 in Door County. The name started with a "K", I think. Koepsel's! Oh, my! I see they have an on-line store, which means I could actually order a couple jars of jelly/jam, including one I just mentioned the other day, Amaretto Cherry! Yummy!

                       

What didn't work out according to plan was Justin's party for this Saturday. His Cinco de Mayo event has been thwarted, as his father didn't want there to be a party at his home while they are away. When Justin came home last night, he was obviously bummed because of it, while I was under the impression that all were aware of these plans already. It seems not! He is going to ask Jesse if they can have it at his mom's house instead, with my offer of letting him host it here declined out of hand. Guess they would have to be too quiet to have it here. Whew!, I dodged that bullet!

My sister, Lori and her hubby, David, will be coming to Manty on Mother's Day, arriving in time to have dinner. I am going to call around to find a place that can serve a large numbered group. It might be somewhat out of town but on the outskirts will be fine with me. I am really looking forward to this! The church will be having an adults only dinner at The Charcoal Grille, too, while I am up there and I look forward to attending that, as well. I wonder if anyone else from my family wants to go, too....

I have a virus!

Yes, I have contracted a nasty virus somehow or another on my desk lap top. (Is that right?? A desk top lap top? Well, it is!) I was just typing away and clicked a link for a website I visit on a daily basis. All of a sudden alarms, bells, and whistles were going off, warning me of a security breech. IF I did not wish to crash my computer, I was to press a series of buttons, etc. 

Being too fearful to do that, I sent Justin a text message asking for his help. He was not able to answer me because he was driving his father around today, so I did the next best thing---asked for help on Facebook!

                                        

Most of the replies were to run a virus scan really quickly, which I had already done. The scan showed nothing was found but when I tried to close the page, I got warnings from the system. Some people thought it might be a trick or a false warning, but others were of the opinion it might be legit. That would include my computer repair guy, also known as The Computer Guy! He was wondering if it was the 'Big One', meaning the Alienware but I reminded him that I replaced that one a year ago. Whew!

                                  

I disconnected the cords 'n wires in order to take it in to the shop. Hopefully I can hook it back up or Justin will do it for me. Likely the latter will take place, if I bat my eyes at him. Randy, my former neighbor, called me this afternoon and he said he could have talked me through the process of removing the supposed virus but it's too late now, it's in the shop.

I forgot to mention...

...something Justin did on Saturday. Early in the day, he took the time to go over to Winn Dixie to get me some beans to use in my "Barb's Baked Beans" which I made for the picnic. He was also busy getting his stuff together for going to the beach, celebrating Ron's birthday. He had to get his grille out of our storage cubby, his swimwear together, and a few other things ready to go. I asked him if he needed my beach chair and he said rather gruffly, "No!"  I asked him to put it in my car. My beach chair is hot pink with big yellow flowers on it. I was really sure he'd want it along at the beach, but I guess not! 


He reminded me he would be coming home from the birthday celebration in time to clean up for the Spring Fling held at St. Johns. He had told me about his plans to go but had not said anything more about it. So glad he decided to attend, despite the fact the other two guys were not interested. I asked him if he needed anything washed or ironed  but he said he was wearing a polo shirt. I would have thought more dressy clothes but stayed out of it. The Fling would begin before I got home from Lake Asbury so I wished him a good time with all his events for the day. 


When I got home later that evening, I immediately jumped into the shower to wash the day away and got ready for bed. I had been awake since just after 5:00 that a.m. so was ready to sleep. About 10:00 or so, I heard the door open and Justin came tip toeing toward my room. He whispered, "Are you awake?" and I sort of muttered, "A little..." He came in and just overflowed about how marvelous his time was at the school. I sat up on the edge on the bed and just let him fly.


This event was held to fete the teachers and alumni, several of the teachers retiring after decades of service to the school. Justin wished to recognize some of his favorite teachers (I was under the impression these teachers were the worst---at least, that's what he used to say!) and say 'good-bye' to them. He was blown away that they knew him right away, without his name tag which had fallen off almost immediately. 


He said the meal served was fantastic, claiming that even I would have liked it. Since neither of his other two friends went along, he found someone else to sit with, from a year or two ahead of him. Most of the attendees were older folks  but there were a few younger ones who took the time to come to wish their special teachers farewell. 


His chemistry teacher, in her remarks, said some of her favorite students were there, but they were not necessarily her best ones. That would be Justin and he knows it. He likes to tell how he'd score the highest in the class on the chemistry tests but do badly on the daily work. He would have liked to greet his Latin teacher who instilled in him his love of the ancients but she was not there. Lots of hugs were handed out that night and he was so very glad he went!
                     
Oh, and he said that many of the teachers he spoke with asked about his mother and he told them I am doing fine. I see some of the lady teachers out and about, especially the art teachers and those who live in EH. It was very nice, though, for them to ask after me. 


On Sunday he showed me a boo boo on his finger, which I thought he got at work. Nope, he said he felt it when pulling some saplings which had grown up around the base of the Bradford Pear tree, planted outside the lower school building in memory of his brother. He was tending the bed under the tree and got a bite from something. I love how he was paying attention to the tree and such, and suffered a bug bite for the cause.              
                          
This bench and statue are just to the right of the tree where Justin was grooming the saplings away