No show Sunday

It was not as low attended as some years, for which I rejoice, but there were some availabe seats in the church today. The Sunday after Easter has traditionally the lowest attendance of the year. A long time ago the congregation had a 'dress down Sunday' the week after Easter and we were provided t-shirts to wear with an acronym of "FANSS"---Flock Against No Show Sunday. The picture on the shirt was a person in a bed, with the international NO line striking through it. Right now I can't recall if the event was successful or what, but Twila said she still has her shirt! We've come a long from that, baby!

                                                 

This morning I had a dream with my little nephews in it, but Angelo was often warped into being Timmy. He was doing such cute things, too, like lining up his drinking cups and bottles along the edge of his bed, under the dust ruffle. Evidently I had shopped at a big box store as my pantry was stocked with food items little kids enjoy. As I told Linda this afternoon, when I was telling her about my dream, "It was fun to see him again, as tears run down my cheeks..." She had asked how I was after the dream.

I had a pleasant surprise this a.m. at church as Justin walked in. I had fully expected him to go to Victory now that he moved over there and was so happy to see him. One of the hymns in particular was moving to me, "I Lay My Sins on Jesus", the stanza in particular which moves me says, "I long to be with Jesus amid the heavenly throng; to sing with saints His praises, to learn the angels' song." That line always gets me. 

In the sermon Pastor remarked about how full our church was last week for Easter Festival service (80) and I felt Justin's glance at me. My mind went immediately to a day we actually had a full church (I couldn't help but go there), so full in fact that folks were standing along the aisles or in the overflow seating in the building next door. That day those in hearing range heard about the Good News, the joy of salvation, and I hope, the angels' song, that I long to learn!

We had a touch of snow overnight...

...or did we?

Notice my shoe prints left behind in the dust? The railings and my doors are coated with this residue as well. It didn't pay to hose them off on Friday as the dust came right back that afternoon!

This morning I met Terri T. for breakfast at Grumpy's, early enough to allow us time to talk and eat before I had to be at my next appointment. We had not had breakfast together in ages and she won't be available for lunch after church so this worked out nicely for us. I like having something to do early in the morning, as it helps to motivate me to get up and dressed!

From Grumpy's I went to Argyle for a seminar at my financial planner's office. His new office is not too far from church. I saw my friend Pete's office just a couple doors down from Frank's. I tried to see through the glass door if he was in, but could not. Years ago I had bought a jet boat from Pete but it died in the storm, Jeanne, in 2004.  He was the one who described me as being an 'enigma', and it stuck!

Today the weather is 100% improved over yesterday's rain and gloom. The sun is shining and the wind is brisk, making it feel cooler than the 69 degrees the thermometer shows it to be. Justin and his housemates are busy with a community yard sale, selling items they no longer need or want. He has hopes of making a killing at this sale. Justin had gone through his things before moving, and sold stuff at the estate sale he had in January. Somehow he found some more things to be rid of. I hope they are not disappointed at the end of the sale...

I am not disappointed in my friends who have been attentive and checking on my healing progress, etc. When at the dentist yesterday, he removed my sutures, and remarked my healing is going very well. I told him how people all over the country are praying for good results from the biopsy, and he said he was praying, too. I like that, and I hope the Lord says everything is okay. Some of my friends have called me, others contacted via text message and Facebook. I truly do appreciate their concern for me. I can only hope I am as good a friend as they are to me!

No more T-shirts

Thursday I opted to stay home from Bible study at Victory for no particular reason other than it was pouring rain. My mouth felt just fine, no problems whatsoever, but I felt self-conscious about my puffy lip. I will use that as my excuse, rather than the rain. 

There was a load of laundry accumulated in my closet so I gathered it and went to the washing machine. Can't remember if I bent over properly or not, as instructed by the dentist to use my knees, and keep my head above my heart. Anyway, I pulled Justin's dried clothes from the machine and folded them. There were a couple more t-shirts in that load, plus some undies and jeans. 

                                              

I could not help but chuckle to myself about the t-shirts. These were not more t-shirts, but rather some he'd worn since I folded them. Since he got his new shirt folding device, he refolded all his shirts and stacked them nicely on his wire racks he uses in his room. I guess the device works! 

Monday night at Ladies' Group, Terri complimented me on my red top, asking me if I had been shopping. No, it was a shirt I have had for many years ("Oh, this old thing???") but thanked her just the same. Sometimes I have a feeling I wear my clothes too long, but then I have occasion to have folks ask me if something is new, so I am okay. The same happened to me at the Wounded Warriors event in early March, with my peacock poncho. Terri also asked me if I'd had highlights put into my hair. Nope again, this was just my usual hair, but makes me think it is time to remove the silver again!

                                                       

Here is the shirt I was wearing Monday which Terri thought was new. It is at least a couple years old, based on this photo taken at the Tea Party event in 2010. 

When Mom, Lynn, and Linda visited late last summer, I bought some new tops at Beall's. I had also gotten several when in Manty at ShopKo, some of which Mom paid for to treat me. Nice! When it gets warm enough, I will pull out those summer tops again. But for now, I wear my long sleeved shirts for extra warmth. 

One year for Christmas, before we moved to FL, my former spouse bought me a beautiful crepe-y feeling blouse for Christmas. He was prompted by either Mom or sisters, or all of the above, since I fell in love with it on the rack. It was my "go-to" top for every dressy occasion, including those we enjoyed here in FL. I never tired of wearing of it but once, when entering an event where our Realtor was also a guest, he made a remark something like, "I knew you were going to be wearing that..." which made me think I had to find something else to wear next time. I think it embarrassed my former spouse more than it did me, and really, how rude of Steve to say such a thing! Many years later we sang Christmas hymns at his summer funeral, and I should have dug out that fuscia top to wear, just for him!

The space heater is going now as it's cold and damp. Poor Justin is out working in the rain today---miserable! I noticed the rain had washed away the concrete dust from my car, and for that, I am grateful! 

Enjoying my leftovers

The other night before choir rehearsal I was talking with Laurie and Carol about what it was like for Laurie to nurse those three boys when they were infants. Laurie described it as the best weight loss program in the world because no matter how much she ate, it went right back out into her boys. I reflected on my time in the hospital after having Justin, the nurses constantly in and out with food for me to eat. Even Popsicles to keep my fluids up. It was too much, too much, I say!

Well, I am feeling that way these past two days, eating a little something every little while to speed my healing, including having a form of breakfast. To keep myself hydrated, I had some fruit juice pouches left from the lunches I packed for the choir girls. I poured them into a glass mixed with my bottle of Diet Sprite. Plus water. Justin had some bottles of Gatorade left here which I put in the fridge to tap into when the juice is gone. I am determined to regrow the bone which was lost with this goofy tooth thing!!      
                                                 

The other day I cut the ham from the bone, as best I could, and then froze the bone for future soup. The ham was portioned into baggies, some of it being kept out for ham salad. After a few attempts at assembling the meat grinder attachment for my Oster Kitchen Center, I got it together. A nice portion of ham salad was made which is ideal for a person whose had oral surgery. What was not frozen is in the fridge and reheated to eat with the remaining garlic red potatoes from Sunday's feast. Sorry about the garlic, Dr. Smith!

To cleanse my palate, a nice portion of raspberry sherbet will be enjoyed before bed tonight. I have leftover raspberry Jell-O in the fridge, too, but it has actual berries in it, complete with seeds, which would not be advisable right now. Might end up tossing the remainder of that salad. Nuts!

                                   

Justin had expected to come by today after working with his father but he sent me a text message saying he was not coming. His father was going to be able to help him move some of his belongings from storage to the new house, and he has to take advantage of the vehicle and the help. Better watch the tender backs through all this! 

Last night was a good night with no pain at all post-op. Only used two over-the-counter type of pain relievers, one immediately upon getting home per doctor's orders, and a Tylenol before bed last night. All that hassle with the prescription meds and I didn't even open the bottle! I am incredibly thankful about that, 'cause I sure did expect some discomfort after all that carving around he did in there. 

              Looking from my railing down to the 2nd floor

We had rain here during the night and into the morning, which seemingly prevented the workers from coming. About midday, Connie called to ask me if she should wash  my doors again. I gave her the go-ahead to try but it doesn't help very much. Washing the walkways sure does keep the dust down, less dragged into the houses. Those who have the darker wood floors must be pulling their hair out by this time! So glad my floors are lighter in color, except for the tile in the foyer. I used my mammy floor mop to clean the dust up before Easter but for now, it can wait until a good vacuuming can be done!

It's over....

...well, almost over. My nose is still numb, my lip feels fat making it difficult and a little humorous for drinking from my can. No straws! Gentle swishing when brushing my teeth and no spitting, let gravity remove the tooth paste. And don't eat peas (it seems they slow healing??). Otherwise, I am good to go with most other foods, with only a few limitations for a while. That is the good news...

The less than good news is that when Dr. Smith was carving around in my gums at the end of my tooth, he came upon a surprise. Instead of just bone or whatever he was cleaning out, he found a mass. No one likes to hear that! This includes me. Oh my! 

Afterwards he talked to me about everything he worked on, explaining that he found more than expected, and by law must send it to UF for analysis. In his two decades of doing this type of work, he has seen only 3 or 4 results which were not benign, and of those, he could tell by looking at the mass what the situation was going to be. He truly believes mine is going to come back as being inflamation build-up and that is what we are going to hope for. 

Part of me wants to be totally upset by the waiting, but the rest of me is confident in his history with these things.  It will be two to three weeks before we get the results back, but Friday I return to have the sutures removed. As of today, I don't like surprises!

I was sent off with a prescription for pain medication which I took to Wal*Mart to have filled. Strangely enough, the pharmacist announced they had neither the name-brand nor the generic medication on hand. And they sent me on my way! She told me to check around at other pharmacies, but this medication is well-known. How odd! 

Truly I didn't feel like shopping around but went to CVS just down the parking lot where they could not have been nicer. The pharmacist himself handled my order and seemed to hurry it up knowing I was still numb from my dental work. I tried to say my phone number but it came out blubbery. He laughed and found it on the paperwork. I think I was smiling back, but I don't know for sure!

As of right now, my top lip is still numb but the gums seemingly having feeling back again, I am doing okay. I trust that will continue throughout the day. It is recommended to use a towel on my pillow for sleeping in case I drool and some blood comes out. Guess folks have had some problems with ruining their pillows or something. I go pretty easy on myself over things like this but will follow his recommendation. 

He said to make sure I eat, no matter what I feel like, as my body needs the nourishment for healing. Good thing I made that big batch of ham salad yesterday using some of my leftovers from Sunday. 

On another note, the air is thick with dust today as the guys are trying to clean up the area using leaf blowers. I can see the footprints on the tile in the courtyard and into my house. I am less okay with the dust than I am with drool on my pillow for some strange reason...

A post-Easter post

So far this a.m., me waking up early and under my own power, I have not heard from the geese. I think I should go down to the river's edge and wake them up, see how they like it. Can't you just see me out there, honking at the geese? Oh, my neighbors would just love me, and likely donate pots and pans in my direction!

I found myself awake with a feeling of apprehension, whether from a dream or because of my pending dental work later this a.m., I am unsure. The morning news is not helping any either, having heard already about the missile strikes in Gaza, potential for another crash in the stock market (get cash on hand, folks!), and the breaking news that couples of mixed faith have a higher propensity for divorce. No wonder I feel apprehensive!

***

Back to Easter Sunday now---after my guests had left, with Justin on his way to the new house, I laid down on my bed with the little laptop in front of me. One of the first e-mails I opened was from the choir director at FG, my home church, featuring a video of the choir. Yes, it was the "Hallelujah Chorus" playing on my laptop! My sister, Lynn, and niece, Alayna, were to the director's left, and to Lynn's right was my other friend, Christin. Oh my! The tears just flowed and I could hardly speak as I dialed Lynn's phone number. 

She was already on her way home from the family festivities but could hear some strains of the anthem over the phone. Hopefully she was able to see it on her computer, which sometimes doesn't stream well. It was just the perfect thing after our full day of celebrations. Lynn told me she wasn't aware it was being video-recorded so it was a surprise for her as well. 

After Gretchen had given me the flower pots in memory of our loved ones, I was trying to think of ways to be able to show her this video. I know what I can do----take my laptop along to Bible study on Monday and tap into the Wi-Fi (which I thought we didn't really need...) and play it. Great idea!

When I got to church Monday, Mike was already there and he gave me the code to get onto the Internet. I fired it up on my little computer for Gretchen and others to see/hear. Some gathered behind us to look over our shoulders. At the same time, though, Mike pulled it up on his computer which was plugged into the 55" TV on the wall. Voila! There was the First German choir plus guest singers, big as life on the wall.               

If you can see the music stand, center, you will see my niece, Alayna in yellow top, and next to her is my sister, Lynn in dark clothes. Next to Lynn is Christin, in the peach outfit. At Christmas 2011, I was able to join this choir in the "Chorus" which was so awesome!

More of our folks were coming in yet while we were watching the video, including Pastor with some of his family visiting from out-of-town. They came in as it was wrapping up and as I was mopping up. I can't help it---just blows me away. He introduced them to us and I told his cousins they just missed the video of GS's choir singing the Chorus. She said she caught the end of it, and her husband said, "I don't recall seeing the pipe organ in the church..." Busted! I told them it was actually my home church in WI, with my family members contributing. (At the 2nd service, Lynn's daughter, Lisa, also joined the choir to lend her voice). Gretchen very much enjoyed it and said she was glad she risked coming across the bridge even with the threat of rain. I am so glad too! We brightened each others days on Sunday and Monday, and for that I rejoice!

This April morning....

What an amazing greeting this a.m., after the geese honked me awake. I could not be more happy about that! 

There is a pair of geese who have taken up residence in the river outside my windows and doors, serving often as my morning wake-up call. Sometimes I don't mind, but other times, I would prefer to not wake up so early!

For the Easter feast, I bought canned Arnold Palmer tea, which is mixed with lemonade, making it taste more like lemonade than tea. I thought Mike S. would like it but he actually came with a bottle of PowerAde in hand. Since I simply forgot about Mike C. drinking regular Coke ("We have lunch with him every single Sunday..." Yes, Justin, I know, but I wasn't thinking!!!) I offered him an Arnold. Oh, I felt so badly about forgetting his soda choice. And I didn't know he was not a pineapple eater, either. Oops! But, I do like the tea and am enjoying it today. It is calorie-free and quite refreshing!

Worship on Good Friday was very good, entering in near darkness, the choir in our robes. It was Laurie's first time singing for the congregation and she did great. A welcome addition to the choir. Pastor joined the choir for the Holy Week anthems which supported our sole male singer, Sterling. Sterling also accompanied Robbie on a anthem that night. Robbie led our choir in an offering we rehearsed in depth, and our efforts showed, if I do say so myself. 

At our final rehearsal on Wednesday, in a section where we had troubles with cut-offs, someone jokingly suggested singing it acapella. The 'joke' became reality with Robbie being able to direct us properly and not have to accompany on that portion of the anthem. It was a stunning affect, and really brought home the text: "What wondrous love, what perfect grace that God sent His Son to die in our place..." Powerful!

                                                    

Again, the congregation left the church in silence, and before long, I was on my way home again. Justin was gone to the other house to work on putting some of his things away, to free up bins for more packing at home. He had not eaten my 2nd Big Mac from the previous night's dinner (Buy One/Get One!) so I reheated it for my dinner. A reflective service and a satisfying meal, perfect after my impromptu lunch with Lee. 

I know I have said this before but GS does Holy Week and Easter well! To Him be the glory!