It occurred to me....

....that I have some scattered thoughts to share!

For one thing, the young ladies who shared the air bed in the guest room reported having a bad time sleeping their last night due to some sort of 'rupture'. Justin and I were aware of a small area at the foot of the bed, described by him as being a 'tumor', but I think that after all four of the kids would lie across the bed, the tumor grew! 

Justin reminded me we got this airbed, the walking one, in 2006 for when family came for graduation. After that, he used it as his full-time bed when he stayed with his friend in a loft and then later at an apartment. In the loft, he had to deflate the bed-walk it back, as it were-daily to allow space for moving around the room. This air bed was not really intended for that purpose, so he and I figure it ran it course. Or walked its course! 

The air bed is self-stored in a suitcase-looking wrap. It is unsnapped, with the flaps laid out to the side, and the cord is plugged into the wall. Once the dial is switched to INFLATE, the air fills the bed,  legs pop into place, moving along the floor, length of the mattress, like a robot!

Saturday, after the kids had left, I got online to look for the place from where I'd gotten the first one. Justin recalled it came from Frontgate (see your SkyMall Magazine for details!) so I looked on their site. There was one set which appeared to be double mattress height for less money, but it didn't seem like it would store as nicely as the original one does, or would. I opted to replace the bed with the exact same one simply based upon the ease of storage. It is on the way, and will be here in time for my next visitors in August!

******

One evening, I sat up from my perch on the bed and found my necklace clasp had hooked a thread on the decorative pillow. I looked like Quasimodo as I went to Justin's room with a pillow choking me. I knew those pillows would be the death of me! He got it free without wrecking my necklace and we shared a chuckle over my dilemma!

******

Sunday at church, while standing in line for my lunch, Sandy complimented me on my hair. She told me that during worship she was looking at me, trying to figure out what was different, then determined it was my hair. Sandy thought I had it done professionally, "sitting in a chair" and she was surprised to hear it was a patio chair. The highlights come quite naturally and I get many compliments on them as summer goes on. God gets the credit, not L'Oreal!

*****

A church fellowship outing is planned for going to a Jacksonville Suns game next week. The announcement was made to sign-up in the classroom, last chance that day. As we stood outside after worship, I heard someone calling my name and looked around to see Susan B. waving at me. She asked, "Are you going to the ball game next week? We aren't going unless you are..." I assured her mine was the first one on the list (since I posted it!) and she said they would go, too, under those circumstances. Yay!! 

Their son, Ryan, used to be a bat boy for the Suns, but he is currently in Washington, DC serving as an intern for the infamous Marco Rubio. Justin would LOVE a job like that and envies Ryan's opportunity to do it. Ryan is being 'watched over' by former members of GS who are now stationed in that area. Steve is taking Ryan around and showing him where everything is. I am not sure what his housing situation is, but I know Steve and Kris are watching out for him up there, much to Ethel's relief.

*****

Friday, when sitting poolside with Judy C., my neighbor, Pat, came around with a clipboard in hand. She was in charge of taking up the collection to help send our young friend, Julius, to Walter Reed Hospital to see his wounded warrior brother. The Navy hopper plane was not going to work out due to his work obligations, so our group is chipping together to buy a ticket plus send some cash along for meals, etc. Julius told me his brother wept when he heard what we were doing for him. Judy got a little teared up, too, hearing this story. The other good news was that Danny, the cabana boy from the previous years, will be filling in for Julius while he is away. Yay!!!!

Picture this...

...a posting with text and not just photos!

Yesterday at church, Jackie asked me about the dinner at The Greek Restaurant and I had nearly forgotten about it. Wow! Where did that time go? I do know that week ramped up to the arrival of the VBS kids and getting those things into place, but I should have mentioned the dinner.

Actually, this outing doubled as the Ladies' Groups' picnic, since no one offered to host it at their home. We had a good group, a few less than the 18 I reserved for, allowing for some coming without having signed up. Martie, my friend, had said she was going to join us but when contacted, told me she was held up at work on a mailing. Judy C. brought her daughter, Lynn, visiting from SC. 

This graphic was borrowed from another site, not an actual photo of my dinner

The item I ordered was the Trio of well-known Greek dishes, a sampler, which came with salad, plus two side dishes. Yikes! The platter was heaping with food, and I ordered the potatoes and carrots as my sides. Lynn ate my salad and I scarcely dented my entrees. I think everyone was happy but, sometimes, it's hard to tell. 


Twila ordered the steak, which is something I would have done having not tried the Greek food. She and I had visited this restaurant a couple weeks prior, which means the menu was possibly not her favorite. That is the way to go, though, have a steak and just enjoy yourself and the company.

                                             

I treated my friend, Judy J., thanking her for being my airport driver when Justin's work schedule changed our original plans for getting me to the airport in May. Judy had ordered a cheese appetizer which was normally delivered to the table ablaze. Sadly, the State law won't allow them to ignite it at the table, too dangerous, so she was sad about not having it flambe. It was tasty anyway. 


When the bill came for us two ladies, I thought something had been missed, so took it to the counter to have it recalculated. Nope, it was all there, and we ate for less than $40, even with appetizers and dessert! With two days' worth of leftovers to go home with me!

                 

Okay, yes, this is a picture but I did not take it. This is a cup of rice pudding which Judy and I had for dessert. She ate hers there but the waitress gave me mine for free, in a to-go cup, as a Thank You for bringing in my group of ladies! Love rice pudding!

Going away dinner

BEFORE picture of the classroom, set up for the going away dinner held for Deb, as she leaves for Houston, TX to work at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Deb and Kim, her daughter, at the end of the table at the going away dinner. In this shot are the other staff members, Lisa (left), and next to Kim are Cindy, and Brenda, who is not a member of GS.

Terri T. brought her grandson, Caiden, with her to church today. He slept for a bit which made it easier for Terri to concentrate on the sermon. 

Since the Fellowship Hall was not finished in time for this function, or for VBS, we had to use every available space for dining. These folks ended up in the church office, squeezed in between the boxes and other stuff stacked around the room. 

As the event wrapped up, folks were starting to clear tables. Even little Jordyn was helping out. Before we adjourned however, we joined in singing the birthday song to Joe (right foreground) as he celebrated his 94th today. He was touched, and even stood up to give a little 'speech', thanking us for remembering him. How could we not?

                                     
A shot of the room...close quarters....

Another shot of the room, including the birthday boy and some guests who are part of the preschool. The resident chefs, Mike and Mike, prepared hams for the meal, while the members donated side dishes and desserts. Justin and I took chocolate cupcakes with whipped icing on top. As always, plenty of food!

Saying auf wiedersehen

 Just before they left my home for the last time, we posed for pictures in the river room. I am the short, round and brown one in the middle of the red kids.

 This shot simply amused me, as you can tell by the expression on my face. When I read the lovely Thank You card in which they wrote messages to me, Katie, in the striped top wrote: "I love how you were always so excited to see us when we came in..." Like a little puppy, I almost peed on the floor every time I heard the front door open!

Here is the team of teens who were involved with the Vacation Bible School at Good Shepherd. In the back row is Jacob, Brett, and Travis (who leaves soon for Army basic training). Second layer is Jackson, one of my house guests, and Trevor, brother to Travis as well as being  step-brother to Brett. In the front row are Erynn, Katie, and Brittany. 

The lower photo was shared with me by their teacher and escort, Kari, and is a bit darker than the two taken in the river room, but I think you can make out the faces.

Bojangles breakfast

This morning the young folks had to get up early (9:30!) to have our breakfast provided by the Orange Park Bojangles Restaurant. My young friend from Victory, Brett, is manager of the stores in this area and arranged for this donated breakfast for us. Delicious!!! 

 There were sandwiches, hash browns, and even some sort of frosted pastry.

All done!!!

All filled up!

This morning I had to get dressed right off the bat and in fact, was out the door before the young folks today. Their transportation was arriving as I came off the elevator so I chatted with Mike and Kari as they waited for the kids to come down. We arranged for them (Mike and Kari) to join the rest of us pool side tomorrow. All set!

Due to the longer ride to Victory, I had to excuse myself and hit the road. I called Mom en route and we talked until I was parked in the lot. Just as we were saying good-bye I had another call come in. It was Trevor, a step-son to our member, Jayne, asking if the CO kids had been picked up yet. I assured him they were on the way to meet him at their appointed location for the ride to St. Augustine to the beach house. Sent a text message to Kari to let her know Trevor and Travis were waiting for them, and gave her Trevor's phone number to speak to him herself. Later, she let me know they found each other and all was well. Whew!

The Bible study was great---a deep and troubling subject dealing with forgiveness. Wow, that opens lots of cans of worms, with more than one person dabbing at their eyes. One man struggles with some in his family who chose not to attend their mother's funeral. Strangely, a couple weeks ago it was another man whose family member did the same thing. 

As the lesson stressed, the ones we have the toughest time forgiving are the ones to whom we are related. Or were related to, as the case might be. "Forgiveness is not ours to withhold" was one truth taken away from this lesson today. We are Gods' children, part of His family, and He forgives us all day, every day, even giving His Son for the forgiveness of sins. Yet, we struggle so!

At the end of the class, Pastor H. was critiquing the rather reckless folding skills of one man, a regular problem. He emphasized how important it is that everything be just so, our very best, as the service folder represents the congregation to visitors, etc. He mentioned something from the introductory notes in the folder and one man jokingly asked, "Are we supposed to read that?"

This launched a whole 'nother discussion regarding church manners and behavior. It seems that last week the organist got so frustrated during the pre-service music that she simply quit playing. It was so noisy in the sanctuary that even those not visiting could hardly hear the music. The accoustics in this room do make for an echo, great for singing but not when it's supposed to be quiet.

Pastor said he was using his Bible study people to be ambassadors of quiet and to encourage others to end the chatter once entering the sanctuary. Ed mentioned when worshiping last week in WI, the church was so quiet and more reverent, "more like church used to be". I made the observation that 'church' has gotten so casual and relaxed, with some people not even dressing up for it any longer. This might be a Southern thing, I hope so, but I bet not. As a child, we girls had 'church clothes' which were removed and hung up again upon getting home. Now some folks come in the clothes they wear for working in the yard, or so it seems. It was good to have this reminder about our church manners and attire.

On the ride home, I called Mom back to finish our phone chat. With the battery starting to fail on her cordless phone, we have about 25-30 minutes before it begins to click at us, giving us a warning. From the parking lot at Victory to my own, we made it without clicking, until I put my car in PARK. Timed perfectly! 

I had less than hour before my next Bible study began so I went upstairs to have a sandwich. While I ate my summer sausage sandwich, I sent Mom an obituary she was unable to locate from her home newspaper. She reads them on-line and for some reason this particular one eluded her. I had sent her the link to click yesterday but she did not see the link and deleted the e-mail. This time I made the link the largest sized text plus did a cut/paste of the obituary and included it in the e-mail. It is amazing what can be done long distance and via computer!

                         

Amber had a make-up class to attend at GS, having missed last time when her road was washed out during TS Debby. She is nearly done so Pastor K. wanted to get her caught up to us. Instead of her going alone, I went with her. 

                           

Since she is brand new to the Bible and its stories, I was looking on-line for a good Bible history book for her, like we had as kids in school. I don't mean a childish one, but one rather comprehensive without being heavy reading for her. Wonder if Justin still has any Bible story books in his collection...GS used to have Bible history classes for the kids to take prior to starting their catechism classes but am not sure which book was used. When Pastor references certain Bible stories when going over the lessons, it is apparent that Amber does not know what he is referring to, and this leaves her at a great disadvantage. The search continues!

                      

For dinner, I made a modified pasta dish using Barilla Sauce, the sweet pepper flavor, which was cooked with browned hamburger. Oh my, was it delicious!!! Justin cooked the pasta and by the time all was said and done, there were no leftovers. Both of us regretted having seconds, something I usually do not do, but man, that was so good. 

And now, all filled up with back-to-back Bible studies and pasta dishes!

Breakfast, anyone???

Jackson and Erin are getting their breakfast together. It seems they are using the leftovers brought home from VBS last night, used to demonstrate eating manna. Tortillas, peanut butter, jelly, and marshmallow fluff for breakfast? Now you're talkin'!!!!! Oh, and fresh fruit as well.

Katie and Erin are enjoying their breakfast in the river room, in the blinding sunlight. Sadly, I caught Katie with her eyes a bit squinted but I will try again for a more clear picture of her. Today's adventure takes them to St. Augustine for the day, walking the streets of the Ancient City. It was news to them that this is considered the nation's oldest city. Tomorrow they are going to a beach house near St. Augustine which will be fabulous, weather-permitting, of course.