I'm hungry today!

Here is some good eatin' for today:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
II Peter 1

Such good words flowed through Peter’s pen from the Holy Spirit, and how richly they reward us now!

As the nation collectively mourns the tragic loss of life in CT and other areas of the country where murders have taken place, we can take comfort from these words. We have great and precious promises to help us escape the corruption of the world which is filled with evil desires.

                

Today’s worship was extraordinary for me, so greatly appreciated and necessary at this time. The theme was “Rejoice” and the pink candle lit on the Advent wreath, representing joy. It is also known as the Shepherd candle. It was wonderful to hear the pipe organ well played and the singing--oh my!

The Order of Service used was Morning Praise, which is so lovely. I cried a bit during the Te Deum when the text speaks of the ‘white robed army of martyrs praise you’, since the readings and tone of the service pointed that direction as well. The Epistle lesson was from Philipians 4, which is the chapter selected from my funeral sermon. “Rejoice, I say again, rejoice!”

As we were leaving the sanctuary, I spotted my friend/cousin, Yvonne, leaving with her in-laws. She recently moved back to this area from TX and we had not seen each other in the flesh for many years. We can ‘talk’ every day but it’s still nicer to do so in person! My plans this week include going to see her new home and spend some time visiting. I hope she will throw a log or two on the fire!

The parent/teacher group was hosting a bake sale so Jill, Danny, and I went right from worship to the tables. I am well stocked now with baked goods which might hold me for the duration. “Might” is the key word there! Nothing like good, home-baked delights to please the palette!

         

From the bake sale I went downstairs to the Heritage Hall for Bible study, getting there just in time for the class to get underway. The study is in Romans, and I was again well-fed with time in the Word. How I cherish these Bible studies! I did so enjoy it and look forward to the next opportunity to study, especially with my friend, Linda, and my family there beside me.”’Tis good, Lord, to be here!”

Visions of sugar cookies in my head

The day today began with a trip downtown to Manitowoc Coffee for our breakfast. Mom and Lynn customarily go every Saturday, and today Jill and I tagged along. Since I don't drink coffee, Diet Coke was my beverage of choice along with a sugar cookie decorated to look like an ornament. Oh my, so delicious! I also bought a Rice Krispie treat and a molasses cookie to take along back to Mom's.

                             

Jill had ordered cut-out cookies from a local bakery so Lynn took us along to pick them up. I went in with Jill and bought a half dozen more of the same cookies I just had at the coffee shop. Plus, I chuckled a bit as I ordered it, a marble rye! I had a choice of a round loaf or a regular loaf, so I chose the round. The young lady came back to report she had no round ones. Are they just messing with me, or what?  A regular loaf is just fine, thanks, a seeded rye will do.

From the bakery Lynn drove us all over to Wal*Mart. I needed to pick up a few things and we ended up with a rather full trunk between us four ladies. She has Angelo's car seat in the trunk besides so we had to work around it. What's fun about going to such a store is seeing people that I know there! 

At the store, I picked up a few menu items to make dinners for Mom and I during my stay. That makes for heavy grocery bags to carry from the car to the apartment. Jill secured a rolling serving cart for us to tote our purchases upstairs. Good! I noticed one of my bags was starting to tear so I am glad for the cart. Such a thing would come in very handy at The Palace!

This afternoon I got a phone call from my friend, Twila, in FL. She was calling to see how I was after hearing that horrible news from CT. She said "for some reason you came immediately to mind..." and we agreed what that reason was. I have the most marvelous friends who make me rich without measure! 

My mom is going to mix up a meatloaf for our dinner this evening, "if I remember how to...", she said. I trust it will come back to her, as she was the maker of the best meatloaf to my memory! Right now I get almost comparable meatloaf at Cracker Barrel, but am anxious to have a piece or two of Mom's recipe. Having the oven on will also help to warm the rooms a bit, as it's rainy and damp outside today. At least we had a day and a half with sunshine!                    

Last night's concert at the Civic Center was simply marvelous.  Besides the excellent musical presentations, it was great to see so many people there that I knew. Tommy Drill, the official Greeter for the City of Manitowoc, was saying hello to my mom and Lynn, but then interrupted himself with shouts when he spotted me coming up the ramp. That was heart-warming! One lady I had sort of been looking for I never did find, though. Judy S., I was looking for you, too!

The MLHS students are quite talented and as one mom told us today, 'well rounded', mostly because they need to be! Being a smaller school, kids must participate in more things they ordinarily might not. Athletes playing in the band, artists singing solos, and so on. Amy, the mom I spoke with, said today how it wouldn't be so busy if they didn't have to go to school besides! 

Joy tinged with sorrow

Mom and I just got home from the Manitowoc Lutheran High Christmas concert, the kick-off to my season. The concert was marvelous and to God be the glory! It is normally a week later but the venue was solidly booked. This brought me to town earlier this year. And away from my Justin a week longer. I am sure he's okay without me...

My travel yesterday was flawless---the flights on time and even better, arriving in MKE nearly a half hour early. I waited only moments for Lynn to get there and after a slight misdirection leaving the airport, we were on our way. Lynn and I had lunch in Mequon, with some wonderful onion strings served with our sandwiches. Half mine came home with me to Mom's. 

                                               

Last night for dinner we met up with Lisa and her boys at Pizza Hut, with Jill and Danny along, and Mom, of course. I ate half my Personal Pan Pizza and Mom ate half of hers, so we shared a to-go box for our leftovers. In my first day, actually a half-day, I had two such boxes in the fridge!

It was so wonderful to see my little nephews again, and have their hugs. This is especially true after the horrible tragedy which took place in CT this a.m. Again I will point out the lack of ability folks have these days in dealing with their problems, as well as the seeming lack of the Lord's presence in their lives. Those of us who are believers can count ourselves blessed to know Him and have Him know us. Let's all offer prayers on behalf of those who suffered a terrible loss in their lives from this killer. "...even so, Lord, quickly come!

I'm here!!!

I will have more to say tomorrow after a good night's rest, but here we are with my little nephews at Pizza Hut this evening for dinner. From the left is Angelo, Manny, and Gabe. Gabe is excitedly telling his cousin about a Pokemon book he is reading. Reminds me very much of Justin at that age!

Prayers of thanksgiving for the safe arrival and for Lynn getting me home to Manty...

Getting ready for 'apparture

To this day, Justin and I plus some family members still refer to the time to leave as being the 'apparuture'. That is what Timmy called it, yelling out, "Time for apparture!" 

Justin and I spent the day yesterday, a good portion of it, with errand running. We started out at Verizon, getting me up and running with Internet access on my laptop for when I'm in WI. This took some doing until the young man getting it set up figured out how to access the serial numbers and such behind a protective cover on the back. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems. But, it is in place now and am good to go once I get there. No more borrowing a cup of Internet from my sister!

Brenda N. had sent me an e-mail in the morning asking if I had time for lunch. I did! My original plans were to have lunch at The Club with Jacquie and Lee one last time before I left. But, Jacquie was feeling poorly and Lee was tied up with family stuff, so yes, lunch with Brenda was doable! She was surprised to see Justin and quite happy. We had a good lunch and a nice visit at Steak 'n Shake.              

                                

From there Justin and I went to the cemetery to put the new arrangement in the vase. My friend at Victory made it up for me and can serve all winter long. 

The car was behaving okay for me, not perfect, but not enough to give me great concern. I will certainly have it taken care of when I get home from WI. I had business on Fleming Island at both banks so Justin rode along with me. Next on the list was a stop at Publix where he picked up the needed ingredients to make our Christmas dinner. He wanted to make what are called "Funeral Potatoes", learned about on one of our radio shows. Linda J. said these are served at FG at the Easter Breakfast so I called them Resurrection Potatoes!

While in the store, I met my neighbor who had hosted the Christmas party the night before. She thanked me for sending her a note last night and then asked me if I had heard about Connie. Oh no! 

She said Connie had quit. NO!!! Evidently there was a run-in with one of the Owners and off she went. Hugh talked with her and told her to take the day to think about it. Nancy suggested I give Connie a call to encourage her. When I called Connie, she was surprised to hear from me, and assured me she would be at work today. Whew, that was close! I told her I didn't want any more information other than that she would be back to work....we need her!

That night Justin served our dinner and then we opened our gifts. I gave him jeans, a couple t-shirts, a reversible belt, a hoodie, a gift certificate to Brookstone, and presented him with a Savings Bond taken out in his name as an infant. How fun is that? Not sure who bought it for him, but it is mature so he might as well enjoy the funds. I found it when looking for my marriage certificate and such for the DMV. He gave me a new printer! I asked him not to hook it up yet because I just bought those new cartridges and want to use them up. I will be a printing fool when I get home from WI!!! 

He made me laugh last night---he was concerned about the belt being too tight though it was purchased to work with the jeans. I reminded him how when he moved back in here that I was going to have him sign a piece of paper not blaming me for any weight gain. He said he knows it is not my fault, "....but when you live in the land of milk and honey..." it's easy to gain weight. Oh, that kid! 

Some bathroom humor (WARNING)

Today is a little bit of a "Timmy Day" Day, somewhat by accident. Justin has been frantic in his pursuit, not for himself but for his father, of a prime cut of beef. Tonight is the staff Christmas party and that was going to be on the menu. 

Justin tried unsuccessfully to obtain a sizable chunk of the prime through some friends but it was going to be cost prohibitive. The entree will need to be obtained through normal means.            

                                                    

This preparation for the party reminded me of years ago when Timmy was little, still a cart-rider at Publix. He and I stopped in to begin the process of collecting some items needed to make our appetizers for the company Christmas party. 

After we had gotten a few items in the cart, he had to go potty. I urged him to hold it until he got home but that was not to be. Parking the cart near the restroom, I took him in. We used the handicap stall and he sat down to do his business.

                            

Okay, here we go---every time something dropped into the water with a splash, he would lean way forward to look into the potty. At that, the sensor would indicate he'd gotten up, flush the toilet, and scare the dickens out of him! BUT, this happened more than once!!! Plop, plop, lean over, swish, and leap off the pot. Finally, I decided this was an "at-home" job and we left, after paying for our groceries. I wonder if he was suspicious of our potties at home!

By the way, Publix on Fleming Island no longer has the auto-flushing toilets. I wonder if they scared too many people...

What a goofy day!

Yesterday morning we woke up in North Florida to fog as thick as 'mushroom soup' as my little nephew would call it. Facebook was alive with reports of stop and stop traffic, folks late to work by an hour in some cases, while others took an alternate route through downtown to avoid the congestion on the beltway. I call it the freeway---how provincial of me!

                                               

The fog may have come into play for a terrible accident or two which took place around 4:30 a.m. on the other side of the Buckmann Bridge, sending four to the hospital, two after being ejected from the car. No seat belts were worn. To avoid that accident, a semi loaded with Blue Bell Ice Cream swerved to miss hitting a car which had abruptly changed lanes, and over he went. Fortunately, he was not injured but I don't know about the ice cream. Nothing good happens after midnight unless it's a baby being born, and that's it!

The fog hung in a long while and then suddenly, poof!, it was gone! The sun was shining, the sky was blue with some white clouds, and all was well with the world. But wait!, there's more! Justin had a short day of work, and had asked to use my car for shopping at the Town Center Mall. Since he was going out, I asked him to swing by Victory to pick up my floral arrangement ordered from one of their members. He did pick it up for me, a silk/artificial all-weather arrangement for the cemetery. Saved me a trip over there!

                              

But, while he was out, the winds picked up, the heavens opened, and we had a doozy of a thunder storm. I was concerned for him being out there in such terrible weather, and he hates it just as much. He was white knuckled, nearly, when he got home as he said my transmission was really acting up for him. Shoot, shoot, shoot!!! I felt sick to my stomach, but he thinks it should be okay for getting me to the airport on Thursday. I will see about getting it repaired when I return from WI.

Anyway, the storm lasted into the evening, and I wondered how my upstairs neighbor would manage to host all her guests, including me, for her Christmas gathering. She has the veranda which extends the width of the building, perfect for entertaining. As it turned out, the patio was dry enough for enjoyment, and the lightning simply added to the ambiance.

I had mixed up a packet of dip from my pantry, using sour cream and mayo already on hand, and served it with wheat Ritz. Don't know why I ever bought those! My "small appetizer" was not that small, because of the platter. Oh well! Justin was concerned about my slipping on the wet tile on the way up so he carried my appetizer tray for me to Nancy's door. Safe! 

                                   

I placed my $5 fee in the charity basket, and accepted the job of overseeing folks making their deposit, then writing their names on a piece of paper. Later, there was a drawing of the names, and that person got to say where the collected monies went. The lady who won donated the money to her favorite charity which is "Pets for Warriors" or something like that. It provides service animals or companion pets to wounded warriors. I was glad she won!

By 8:30 I was home again, after singing a rousing rendition with 11 others of "The 12 Days of Christmas". I worked up a sweat in the process, as it was warm and humid up there. Mid 70's, torrential weather, lightning, and The 12 Days of Christmas seemed like an odd mix to me!