Tales of My Duster

Today I was sad to not be getting ready and out the door for Bible study but we are on recess now for a couple months. It seems Pastor is yet busy with every member visits and Michael needs to direct his attention to the preschool and VBS. Rumor has it we might resume after VBS is wrapped up, which will be fine with us! Now we will have the abbreviated study on Sunday morning before church and one at Victory. Plus, those I will get in Manitowoc!

My duster was scheduled to come over today to do some dusting and cleaning up for me, expected at 11:00. Now, I have been doing this for a while already and know her habits fairly well. When she called in the morning, I had guessed what she was going to ask me. "Would it be okay if I come this afternoon?" Without being cruel, I was careful to not mask my annoyance, telling her I knew this would happen. It happens every time! There was no time crunch but she is the one who is in desperate need of the money, and me who ends up irritated by her lack of time tracking skills.

She often tells me about the discussions she has with her boss, how he is less than merciful to her about her time tracking and being putzy with her work. She does thorough work, I knew that going in, but sometimes it doesn't require time, it requires efficiency. Marlena was in the Navy so knows how to get things spit polished, but in her position, time is often of the essence!

So, anyway, she said she would be here at 1:30 but showed up around 2:15. As a peace offering, she brought me food such as cole slaw, spanakopita, tuna salad, and three bean salad. I know---I am sort of doubtful about eating this stuff, but appreciate her thinking of me. She got busy cleaning up the mess of cobwebs which had taken over my river room. Certainly having my doors open didn't help any, plus the extreme dust from the work outside on the sundeck made it worse. For two hours she worked in there, using the vaccum cleaner, dusting wands, and many cloths to get the room straightened away. Justin will have to come over and take down the lanterns for me to wash in the sink. That can happen later...

The Ladies' Group celebrated our annual picnic at Mojo's BBQ tonight. Twila asked the waitress how big the onion rings were and I jokingly made a big circle with my hands. I was not too far off! They are huge!! Good thing we all shared our appetizers

I had to leave home early to make sure the restaurant, Mojo's, had seating for us as the guy told me it was not their policy to take reservations. That would have been nice to know when I called a month ago to secure the restaurant for our picnic. That young lady said nothing about  not taking our reservation when she took all my information, etc. Hmmm...

Because I was leaving early, I told my duster she should turn her attention now to Justin's shower, as I wanted to make sure that got taken care of. Her last hour of the work was devoted to his shower, it taking a long time to get the soap scum from his walls. 

At one point as I sat at my desk, I heard this horrible shrieking sound and realized it was the water alarm going off. She had gotten water on the floor when cleaning the shower which set off the alarm under Justin's toilet. She asked what she should do, thinking it was a smoke alarm, but I asked her to hand it to me. She yelled, "Make it stop!" as I took a cloth from the sink and wiped the water off of it. We know now that it works!  She is coming back this afternoon to finish up a few things that didn't get attention today. It is always so nice to have things cleaned up!

I am running!

Tuesday evening I got one of my favorite types of phone calls---dinner invitation! Just after 7:00 Judy C. called, asking if I had had dinner yet. I had not! She said Michael and she were "on their way" to St. Johns Seafood and wondered if I wanted to join them. YES! All I had to do was grab my purse and shoes, and I was on my way.  I 'ran' over there lickity split! The parking lot was being re-coated but the area by the restaurant was simply roped off. Judy parked away at first but then moved her van closer to the door.

It was great to share a meal with them, and have my standard fare there of the pollack. It's as close to perch as I can get here and the tartar sauce makes it tolerable. Brought home no leftovers, either, as I finished all the fish, leaving most of the fries and some of the green beans. Judy was leaving the next morning for AZ so it was nice to say good-bye once more before she left. 

One afternoon last week she had called me to meet for lunch at La Napolera on Fleming Island "just because I felt like having lunch out", and we said good-bye there. She was heading to SC for her granddaughter's graduation from high school (I can't believe Victoria is graduating already!) and we didn't expect  to see each other again before she headed out west. Glad we did!

Thursday evening was my dinner, rather, a late lunch, with Cassidy, again at La Nap. We rode over together in my car, so it was a short run down Kingsley Avenue. Besides the chips (no salsa for me) I had a beef quesadilla, with shredded beef.

                   

Friday morning, I was lolling in bed with the laptop in front of me when my phone rang. It was my friend, Pat, wondering if I was coming to breakfast at The Club. We had not made plans to go, but said if she wanted to go, I would too. It was already 8:45 so I had to go with my feet like wings, first to get dressed and then run to The Club before they put the food away. 

I asked Pat to call The Club and let them know we were coming, and she said, "I will tell them right now---I'm sitting here..." It is amazing how quickly one can throw oneself together in a rush! I looked half-way decent but must remember to get a new water squirt bottle for my hair on days such as these! Whew---run, run, run! and fly!

Planted at the pool

Plans were made earlier in the week to meet my friends at the pool on Saturday, always with the disclaimer of 'weather permitting'. One friends' hubby travels for business during the week and arrangements were made to have him dropped off at the pool rather than sending him all the way home. Great! We ladies got a jump start on our visiting--Jacquie, Lee, Maureen, and I before Mark arrived. Later Patty joined the circle of fun and chatter. A couple of the ladies bravely dipped into the pool for only a moment or two, rather than the hours we look forward to soon.

The air temperature was simply delightful and the breeze kept it cool. At  one point, after Mark and Jacquie left, I was thinking I might go upstairs but changed my mind. Lee was needing a salty snack, a point she has made regularly with the cabana staff about having popcorn or nachos w/cheese available for these late afternoon hungry times. Marlena scared up some pita chips, so a few of us enjoyed the 'drink of the day' or other adult beverage, as Betty and her family came out to join the fun. They found the water too cold to swim in but sitting around and chatting was fun too. No special desserts this time! Lee said from now on she is bringing a bag of pretzels with her to avoid this dilemma.

Having been outside since 11:00 a.m., by the time 5:30 rolled around, I was ready to go inside. Linda J. and I had tentatively planned to watch a movie together long distance this afternoon but I stayed out far longer than expected. I watched the end of The Five, a replay of Friday's program. Later, I found a movie on the preview channel to watch, "You've Got Mail". A nice one to watch any time. I was flipping between that movie and "The Lake House". 

Jacquie brought me a lovely treat from Panera Bread today, a frosted sugar cookie! It was huge and I nibbled on half of it right away. When I got upstairs and had taken my shower (had to cleanse that sunscreen from my skin!), I had the rest of the cookie. I was not all that hungry today for some reason and the cookie was just right for holding me over until dinner. On Friday night I had the yummy desserts which served as my dinner but I was hungry when I woke up. To avoid that, I made myself some waffles for dinner, embellished with summer sausage. My sister thought that sounded funky but it really is good. Try it! 

        

Here in the South the local restaurants, in particular Johnny Angels or Grumpy's, will serve waffles with fried chicken as an entree. Justin has tried the waffles and chicken, but I never have. I am a cheeseburger girl when it comes to Johnny Angels! Now I see there are potato chips with that flavor. I should pick up a bag of the waffles and chicken chips for Lee, for when she needs her salty snack fix!

It stinks to be me!

Oh, that Chef Sheldon! He decided to treat us ladies to this array of desserts...my my my! The others had already left happy hour at the pool to go upstairs or home for dinner. Only three of us were left, ready to leave, when Chef came out with this. Betty, Kathy, and I made quick work of the treats, sharing one petit four with little Gracie, whose family was passing the table on their way to the car. I gave Tina a taste of the chocolate fondant, the bundt-shaped delight, and she loved it. Chef has us pegged as good taste-testers, that's for sure! Kathy sent one of the fondants home with me which I will savor at another time...Talk about a rich but light dessert. I recommend it! We are so spoiled, you know that?

Some good laughs

I just got back to my house from visiting downstairs neighbor, Cassidy, who is keeping house for her folks. She is a student in Boulder, CO, home on a break. First, she went to visit her sister in SC and, because she extended her stay with them, I had the privilege of watering her mom's plants in addition to switching the A/C off and back on for the recent repairs to the pumps. 

Anyway, one day I had posted a photo on Facebook and said, "The sea was angry, my friends..." and Cassidy recognized the "Seinfeld" reference. Her housemate is a mad Seinfeld fan so she is getting a good dose of this type of thing. Her suggestion was we get together when she was home to watch a few episodes. So we did!

First Cass and I went to La Napolera for an early dinner, riding in my car, leaving at 5:00 pm. Parking was a breeze at that time of day, with the staff standing around waiting for us, it seemed. In fact, we no sooner finished ordering our food and the chips were delivered, our orders arrived! It's like someone knew what we were going to order!!!

She had a beer and I had a strawberry margarita with our meals. She told me about a wonderful adventure she had this spring. Cass had to present a paper in AZ, with two of her friends joining her for the jaunt. They hiked the Grand Canyon. Not all the way to the floor of the canyon but to the plateau and back up. Something like a 8-9 hour hike---yikes! Good thing they are young!

                       

                 Cassidy in the Grand Canyon---April 2013

Years ago, not all that many, though, Cassidy, Tracy, MamMa, and I would go to  La Nap on Fridays for lunch. We were regulars! MamMa has gone to heaven now, and because this was her special outing, we simply do not go anymore. I miss our outings, but love that Cassidy suggested we go tonight. 

When we got back, we went to their unit to watch some "Seinfeld" episodes as she worked on a picture project for which she wanted some guidance. She did fine without my input but the company was appreciated. Love to be included, and to share in the laughs of "The (Kenny Roger's) Roaster" episode!! "Jerry, my rods and cones are all messed up!"

Wednesdays are free again

This a.m. I sent out the church newsletter and was delighted to get responses from a couple folks. It is nice to have that happen, compliments are always welcome. One man wrote to ask if we had choir rehearsal tonight, in addition to acknowledging his newsletter. I told Sterling we were done for the season and he thanked me for saving him an hour and half bicycle ride. My pleasure!! 

Not having choir allows me to gather with my neighbors and friends at The Club for Happy Hour. I had hoped we would be outside again like we did last week and it was, in fact, set up out there. The owner, Karrie, and I went out to the patio, thinking we were first on the scene. The waitress came out to say the gang opted to sit inside, out of the breeze. What?? Okay....

One of the gentlemen got me a chair and parked me next to Kathy. Our usual chair arranger, Maureen, was gone for a few days so we got to sit wherever we wanted to. Otherwise, she assigns the seats, making sure the men have other men to talk to. I don't know that they have problems talking with women (maybe her hubby does!) but it is sort of comical to see her bustling people around the tables. Kathy and I like to discuss the news of the day so we are good! 

My roast beef sliders and onion straws were fabulous, making for a filling dinner for me. Betty, Kathy, and her brother, Gary, had eaten before coming over to The Club (I know, early eaters!!). Betty's reason is that her husband liked to eat early so they still do. Not every week, though, as they sometimes eat at Happy Hour. Betty is so sweet, and so is Kathy.

***

This a.m. before getting dressed, I decided to remove the silver from my hair. It is the beginning of summer and I am due for a haircut, so it was time. Now I won't have to mess with it until fall as the sun and pool water do their thing with my hair in the summer. I will get an appointment closer to the time I leave for WI so I look decent for them. There is a reputation to uphold!

                           

Early in the month of June Betty S. and I are serving as hostesses for the preschool graduation program. Betty made some cute mortar board hats using a marshmallow cookie, covered in chocolate, topped with a chocolate graham cracker. She anchored them together with frosting. Then, Betty used a string of licorice and an M & M to make the tassel and button on top of the cracker. She brought me a sample one Sunday and when I opened the container, the scent of chocolate wafted to me. I managed to save it for after coming in from the pool that day. Delicious and oh so cute!! Betty is doing those treats while others and I will be bringing store bought cookies. I am also making the punch and together we will decorate the fellowship hall for the kids and their families.

I had the privilege of taking the graduation pictures of the preschool kids, so thankful to be welcomed back into the classroom again. There was one gown and cap so each one had to slip on the gown and try to balance the one-size fits all cap. Some of the kids had bigger hair so the cap floated on their heads, while other had closely cropped hair which made it hard to keep in place. The pictures turned out cute, as we Monday Bible study folks got a sneak peek at the slide show last week. Best wishes, kids, and God's blessings to you!

A visit from a friend

Wow, these past few days sort of flew by, and I guess I had better get used to it. Things change when it is summer! I can at least claim to have summer-like weather while my family and friends in the north are not being treated to decent weather. In fact, my friend, Mark, who travels for business, reported having temps in the 70's and pleasant as well as rain and ice while in north central Wisconsin a couple weeks ago. Yes, that is about right! He had to go into the hotel for cups of hot water to clear his windshield in order to drive his car. No ice scraper came with the rental car. No ice scrapers needed here, unless one climbs into the pool. Not quite warm enough for this girl!

***

Friday I got myself up and dressed for the day earlier than usual. Not because anyone was calling to have breakfast, but because my friend, Randy, from San Diego, was coming to town. I got busy with my duster brush, this time NOT knocking over any of my pretties in the process. Randy was bringing me replacement flowers for those I broke in a previous dusting frenzy. Me and this dust here---I tell you!!!!

The dark green and brighter orange flowers were survivors from the original arrangement. The rest are new!

He called from the airport and got here around the time he had expected to arrive. He sat and chatted for a bit (later telling me that dust is invisible to men...oh great!) after he gave me my bouquet. He told the lady he wanted one of each so I have a lovely array of colors and types of flowers. These heavy glass flowers were hand-carried from San Diego, to Houston, to Norfolk, to Jax, arriving intact!

Randy took his motorcycle battery which had been delivered here in advance of his visit. He needed to have the bike operative to drive it up the ramp into the truck. The day was expected to be more a relaxed one for him but did not prove that way. The battery was minus what it needed to charge it (I don't understand it all) but he was able to take the original battery to NAPA where they charged it for him at no cost. He was so pleased with this good customer service!

Our tentative plans were to go to dinner around 6:00 pm, at Carrabba's. Later, he called me and asked if we could go at 7:00 instead, which is better for me anyway. He was tired so I thought he would want to get to bed early. Anyway, I asked Justin if he'd like to go too so we made arrangements to meet at Carrabba's at 7:00. Justin and I are very fond of being prompt....I will leave it at that! Our meals were great, dining alfresco, and I had leftovers to bring home with me. 

I dropped Randy at his hotel after dinner with no plans to see him in the morning. However, he called me bright 'n early, asking me to meet him at the rental car lot and drive him to Home Depot to pick up the rental truck. Of course I did it, but wouldn't that have been a good thing to figure out the night before?? I just had to laugh...It was a good thing I had no plans for Saturday morning and could get him straightened away with his truck. He also hired some 'inebriates', as he referred to them, through craigslist.com to load the truck for him. Randy was using the long weekend to make the cross country drive with his earthly belongings in the truck. As of this a.m. the report is he made it safely and he thanked me for my prayers for him, as 'they were necessary....' What a guy!