Time with friends

Today is a quiet one, the opposite of last week's busyness and adventures. What I love is that both are perfect! Justin left early this a.m. for his future residence to finish bagging up the branches and brush he cut down yesterday. He called a little while ago to tell me about trimming some plants at the edge of the yard, and determining it 'smelled like WI back there'. 

                            

Ron and he peered through the brush to discover horses on the adjacent lot! He had to laugh about how his work starts on a farm and he goes home to another one. The smell of the horse manure is not offensive to him, not the way the dog poop is. I attributed that to diet, which he thinks is the likely reason. Ron and Sarah have a young dog, and with that dog comes poop!

From there he is headed with his pals for a brewery tour, or two, I am not sure of how many. It is part of a package they bought on-line. This evening is a surprise birthday party for Jesse, more of a surprise since his birthday was a couple weeks ago. His father is hosting it at his house at the beach, where Justin and Jesse used to live. Old home night for them.

Yesterday I went up to Great Hang Ups to settle up and see which piece was Juried into the show. I brought home the other framed piece which I really really love looking at. Should be finding a place in my room to hang it, or display it. I had to stop at the endodentist and at Wal*Mart to get stuff for taxes, those two being the last of the paperwork/numbers needed for my preparations. The tax packet is now ready to be dropped off at the CPA the next time I go out. Yeah! My desk looks so different now with my papers dealt with. 

Last night, I had plans to attend the Wounded Warrior event. My friend, Peggy, and her husband, Jon, came up to see my place before we headed over to The Club. We were greeted warmly by my friends and neighbors, many I have not seen since Lent began. There were only a few tables set up with chairs, and the seats were reserved. Maureen told me to tell Kerrie, the owner, to bring out more chairs, "she'll listen to you..." I don't know about that, but I did speak to Courtney, who is the restaurant manager. She said no more chairs would be provided as this is a cocktail party, not a dinner. Makes sense but I still didn't have a chair...

When Peggy, Jon, and I were in the silent auction area, we saw a couple waitstaff folks go through with chairs. Chandler, the young man who works in the cabana with Julius said to me, "I told them "this is bull! Miss Kim is out there, standing!" I had not even spoken to him about it, only Courtney, but we got chairs! That was kind of funny. When we ordered our drinks, Jon wishing to pay, Jacob knew what to make for me without my asking. He apologized for mixing it a bit strong so kept bringing me soda to thin it out. They are so great over there!

Peggy had a good time playing the tables, as it was a casino night event. The lite jazz combo was good, not intrusive to conversation. She put her name on her tickets and phone number in case she won something from the drawings which took place after we were gone. Peggy was running this a.m. in the River Run so we made an early night of it. It was still after 10:00 pm when we walked back over here and we were ready to call it a night. 

Before we did that, though, I had a great chat with Jon, who has joined the Toastmasters. He had interesting stories to tell me, including one about a study he did on Viet Nam era POW's. It started when I mentioned that John McCain had lived on the property at one time. No wonder he is in Toastmasters---he was captivating! 

Peggy and Jon invited me to their home for a St. Patrick's Day party next Saturday. The only criteria is that I wear something green. This might require some effort since I have little to nothing green in the closet. I should look very closely in there, though, because last night I got many, many compliments on my peacock poncho top I wore for the 'cocktail' attire event. 

When Maureen was admiring it, she asked where I got it. I told her I got it at Coldwater Creek----when Justin was a senior in high school. She smacked me, kindly, thinking this was something brand new, when it actually came from inventory. There might be something green in the back of the closet!!!

What a "Vision"!

A few weeks ago I had e-mailed to Julia at Great Hang Ups a photo of Timmy's eyes to be entered in an art show titled "Visions". That photo was not really clear enough to be used but both Dee and Julia encouraged me to send in some other photos of scenery and such from my travels. I did that last week, the same day Linda and I were at the shop. I did not expect there was time for anything to happen since the take-in for the show was Wednesday.

Well, imagine my suprise when Julia let me know last night that the above photo, which she had framed and matted for me, was Juried into the show. Between the two ladies, they chose the framing and mattes and got them ready for the Judge. He chose the one above, but not the one below. One has 'action' in it, while the one below is more still. It does have Vision but he liked the wave action in the other photo. Julia used a white frame with a blue-edged matte. Looks great! Not sure I will win anything but once more, it's a privilege to be included. I am now 5 for 5 in being juried in when entering a show! (Both of these shots appear on my home page of the blog, if they look familiar to you.)

This photo below is one I call "Cross Eyes". This is cropped from a photo of Timmy as he was sitting in a high chair at church. The date stamp on the picture indicated May of 1997 so he was about sixteen months old. The way the light reflects in his eyes, the shape of crosses, is what makes me catch my breath when looking at this picture. It does not, however, have the proper dynamics for this particular art show. It's hard to look away from his eyes, is it not?

Back to routine

This morning I rode alone to Bible study at Victory, when last week I had both Linda and Justin with me. Our study, the last booklet from this publishing house, was begun today, looking at some of the differences in teaching between denominations. Today's was about baptism and "the age of accountibility" some reformed churches use. Good study!

                                    

Justin went to his future home this morning to do some painting---he wants to cover over the pink and white stripes in his bedroom. Once that is done, he can begin to move some of his items over, like bookcases and stuff for the closets. I am not entirely clear on the thinking there, but think it has something to do with the housewarming party which will take place prior to the full move-in day. 

I am so glad to be going today to the groomers, this after my teeth are cleaned. While there, I will be giving my friend, Peggy, who is the dentist, her tickets to the Wounded Warrior event at The Club which takes place tomorrow night. She has been most gracious to Justin and me, and I want to show my appreciation for her kindness, and support our mutually favorite charity at the same time. She is running in the River Run the next day so it will be an early night for them. Such busy people they are!

*****

Thinking about it now, I recall how much Linda enjoyed dining at PF Chang. Every time we went to eat, when she could, Linda ordered fish or other seafood for her meals. So glad she liked our menu offerings here in FL! Just as I enjoy the perch and steak sandwiches when I go to WI....

Why am I so sleepy?

This afternoon I have a chance to doze and yet the workers above me are keeping me awake. The tile guys have started so are using their wet saw and other tools which make quite a racket as they work. I cannot leave my warm room so I suffer without my needed nap. I think I had a really good night's rest which does not explain my sleepiness today. Perhaps my body rested while my brain was wondering if Linda got home safely to her own bed or not. At last contact, she was waiting for her plane in Detroit, which was delayed an hour from Chicago. If it hadn't been for Chicago, she'd have had a flawless return trip!                    

                     

            Judy, Frank, Amber, and Terri T. on her baptism day

This a.m. Judy C. called to confirm that Amber was indeed coming for Bible history class. Amber, who had been hospitalized, had called Judy to ask if we could please meet for Bible history class. Wow! Blew us away! So that Amber does not have to drive so far, we actually meet at Judy's son's home where she babysits and keeps house, closer to where Amber lives. I drive out there (about 25 minute ride) in order to make this happen. LOVE it, love it, love it!

The last time I drove out there, Amber did not come, so now we are confirming before I make the trip. It turned out she was in the hospital but her spouse did not have the phone information for Judy or me. Finally Judy reached him on the phone and we found out about Amber, hospitalized with water in and around her lungs. She's had a heart attack and stroke already so this is serious business for her. She is younger than I am and in precarious health. We rejoice for her wanting to return to class, and to overcoming her breathing condition.

                                          

So, anyway, we three ladies spoke briefly about the TV mini-series "The Bible" which has thrown Amber for a loop. She said she couldn't keep up with who was who, the order of events, etc. but then said her husband is simply eating it up. This was exciting news for Judy and me to hear, as he otherwise had no interest in coming to church or being involved. She said he loves history and watches this network 'all the time'. What a blessing this might be for some who have no other connection to the Bible, and religion in general. I hope that Amber gets more from it the next time she watches. Judy has it recorded on her DVR so it is possible to sit down and watch it together some time when it works out for us all.

I had an appointment for a haircut today at 2:00 pm but Barb called to ask me to schedule for 1:00 instead. Sure! On my way back from Lake Asbury I stopped at McDonald's for lunch and to wait until time for my groomer visit. While waiting, Barb called again to ask if I could come tomorrow instead. Sure! I was glad to be able to come home instead and look forward to getting my haircut after my teeth cleaning appointment tomorrow afternoon. Busy day on Thursday!!!

Working backward

In case we missed anything, or I missed anything, I will work backward through the days with Linda, to mention the highlights. Just a few moments ago I returned from dropping Linda at the airport and am SOOOO glad to be home! My goodness, such traffic! My sympathies for folks who have to commute in this every single day, often in the rain. I have much for which to be thankful!

We were concerned that the most recent snowstorm was going to delay or impede Linda's travels today but in tracking through the Internet, nothing of significance in her path. I won't know until tomorrow whether this remains the case or not. She must be back in order to process the payroll for the staff at church and school as no one else knows how to do it. That is how valuable their employee is!

Linda and I went to lunch at Pengree's Restaurant not far from home, her first time there. She said the meal portion was just right, as I had hoped it would be since she is traveling during the dinner hour. She enjoyed the patty melt and I had their wonderful country fried steak with green beans. Yum!

    

We had to scrunch down a bit to better show off the hat

From there we went to Joann's Fabric and Crafts to get glass glue. Yes, I am going to try fixing some of the flowers. We also went to the holiday aisle to look for deelyboppers to try on, as is our custom. We each tried on an Easter bonnet head band and took our photos. A lady passing through was tickled we were having such fun. Me, too!

When we came back here, Linda rested her peepers a little bit, having been packed up since morning. She had slept the majority of the night in the family room, having awakened with a headache. Sleeping in the recliner helped her head feel better. She accidentally messed up the TV remote control in her sleep so she missed the news. And she slept through the sunrise, which I managed to capture for her. 

Our weather today was magnificent, the high temp being 75 above zero. Now we're talkin'!!! Linda got blamed for the cold temps we are experiencing but gets no credit for the lovely day we had today. Hopefully she took some of that home with her in her carry on! 

Still working backward....

Let's see---I wrote about the play and dinner on Saturday, but I did not write about Sunday's event. We had a Call meeting after worship and Linda was fine sitting through it. One of the men came to sit with us ladies to hear our opinions on the names on the list, which was appreciated. The Call was an easy one for our table, calling our own member and former staff minister, Michael. This was not without some discussion, not that folks did not want him, but how the Call would be presented, I guess. That out of the way, it was on to lunch!

Some of our group had gone ahead to reserve the table, so they sat there about an hour prior to our arrival. Justin had left to go shopping for work boots, and then went in to sit with the others. Once all ten of us were in place, the service as a whole ended up being horrendous, the 2nd week in a row for such. Our drinks were coming out in to-go cups due to a failed dishwasher. Food was slow coming out due to having three new cooks...so, we did not get home until after 3:00 pm.  Totally missed Fox News Sunday! We will give them one more chance and then change the place we go after church. But, I love Chili's!!!

Sunday night was a BIG event, highly promoted and invitations sent out for watching "The Bible" at church. When Linda and I got to church, the fellowship hall door was locked so we went to the back classroom building. It seems the giant TV screen was not yet hooked up in the fellowship hall, so we were watching the regular TV back there. It was also not hooked up, but Judy J. had control of the remote, and was trying to hook up the needed wires and such. About a dozen folks had gathered, with four or five pizzas to share, a slow-cooker of meat balls, and other treats spread out for us. Finally they got it hooked up and ready to go, only it seems we were not actually subscribed to the History Channel. We, therefore, could not watch the movie we gathered for. Those few of us who stayed enjoyed some pizza and fellowship, but some of the others simply headed back home. Fiasco!

Monday Linda and I went to Bible study at church, looking this time at satanism. Michael is still the leader for this class. It was interesting but I am ready for a new subject. We passed around sheets from which to select our next course of study after Easter. For lunch we went to Longhorn where Linda and I used a coupon to get a free dessert. I asked the young lady to pack it to-go for us, which included ice cream. We had no choice but to go home with our dessert!

Back to church we went last night (Monday) for Ladies' Group (Justin's parting wish to us was "I hope it's not an unmitigated disaster!") and his wish was granted. Terri runs a good meeting, has a knack for leadership. The meeting wrapped up before nine which allowed for Linda and I to watch "The Bible", starting with Moses' life, on the Lifetime Network. So glad Judy J. told us it was showing there. I don't have the History Channel here and would have relied on Justin's computer to see the series otherwise. Not sure I want to venture back over to church again to sit on folding chairs to watch when I can lie on my bed and be cozy at home. What an excellent presentation that mini-series is! Making and breaking all sorts of records---to God be the glory!

It's a sad day in my house....

Yes, broken glass flowers and a broken heart today. I did it myself, which is better than having someone else have this happen to them. Like Justin said when I told him, "Good thing it didn't happen to Marlena..." 

Several of the flowers broke free of their stems while others smashed to bits when the flowers collided with each other on the way to the floor or against the chair. I have a few 'dips' in the wood top from the sharp edges grouging into the wood, They are heavy flowers and especially so with gravity propelling them. 

The sun was shining across the table this a.m. and is not kind, as you have heard me say before, to dust. I told Linda last night that some people think I am obsessive about the dust ("Just the dust???" she asked...) and now it is my undoing! The dusting wand ever so gently, or not, bumped against the base of the vase and over it went. The vase survived unscathed, as did one of the flowers. Another has 'only' one petal broken off which means it is salvagable. Justin, having heard from me about the disaster, called to say perhaps 'we' can use the flowers in another way, like in a bowl perhaps. My silver lining kid!