An action-packed night!

You would think it was football season around here with all the excitement on a Sunday night. But, nope, not watching football on TV this time. Instead, I am wading through hours and hours of a recent County Board meeting on the Internet, which lasted 7 hours in total. Some huge topics were discussed at this meeting, and my friends, Jacquie and Mark, live in the community being discussed for a re-PUD. Watching all this would be considered torture in Guantanamo Bay but it does have its interesting moments. Especially when several of the speakers who address the Board are folks I know!

One of the Board members, Diane, is a personal friend of mine, and handles some of my investments for me. She was the sole Commissioner to vote against the measure. 

The homeowners on both side of the issue spoke bravely when at the podium, all with great passion, and one could sense the high levels of frustration these folks have, facing the prospect of additional construction going on in a built-out neighborhood. When Justin came home, I sort of expected him to tease me about my exciting night but he said, "Hey, I listened to three hours of CPAC speeches from three years ago this afternoon!" Yeah, I think we're even!

The night to myself

Justin is off with his friends to have a light supper and then attending a Jacksonville Sharks (arena football) game downtown. Even though I was invited to join my friends out around the pool for the evening, I opted to stay in and just hang out by myself. Not being anti-social but just not inspired to get dressed again after coming in from the pool late afternoon. 

This morning Justin came to my room and was recapping his enjoyment of the time spent at Whitey's with his friends and me. Last night in a text message he said something about me not having folks of a certain "ilk" but rather I had folks who were "peeps". We had no sooner arrived at Whitey's than did one of my neighbors come running up to say "hello" to me. I told Justin, after I introduced him to her, that this was the lady for whom he carried a bottle of tequila down to the pool for me one recent Saturday. 

Here is that story: My friend, Lee, has a sister in the liquor business, and had given Lee some of her 'extras'. Since neither Lee nor I have use for the tequila, I offered it to Julie and Patty to use for their making of margaritas. I sent Justin a text message asking him to carry that bottle down, which he did, in a plain cloth bag! It was sort of comical, being all secretive about it like that. Anyway, that was our first sighting when arriving at Whitey's! And by a peep, not an ilk, mind you. Justinisms!

We decided it was too late to go get breakfast but if we got ready quickly enough, could do our store errands and then grab lunch. Usually I have my lunch at the pool with my friends, but it was still Justin's birthday weekend so off we went. We hit two stores including one offering Diet Coke for a good price. He needed ingredients for making a special 'sherbet' dessert. Because of buying 'cold' items, he pressed the Jaguar cooler I gave him into service!

                  

As we were driving out to the Island, I got a call from my friend, Jacquie, who was already at the pool. I assured her I would be there as soon as we were done with our errands. Justin laughed knowing I was "expected" at the pool. I sent Lee a text message telling her Jacquie was there already, before 11:00 a.m. We got our needed items and went to "Koko's" for a quick lunch. Oh yum! Happy birthday, Justin!

When we got home, he offered to run everything upstairs by himself, if I wanted to just go and sit. The sky had greyed up, looking threatening, but I opted to help carry our stuff upstairs and got changed very quickly. It was so good to have our group together again around the table, gabbing and laughing, the others enjoying their lunches. Bob, sitting nearby, referred to me as the ambassador for the pool and I am cool with that!

The skies cleared and we got into the water for a bit. Betty and Kathy came out, along with Kathy's brother, Gary, our usual later afternoon group. Some folks peeled off of the gathering as others joined. After all afternoon in the pool and around it, it feels good to stay in tonight and marinate in these very enjoyable times!!

Justin's birthdate

Something is funny with this picture---my son, the birthday boy, is already home and in bed for the night. On his birthday! At 9:30 pm he is done for after a long day at work. His boss, who joined us for the birthday celebration at Whitey's, said they cut 19 properties today. No wonder they are weary! 

He left for work about 6:30 a.m. as he stops to get a coffee at McDonald's on the way to the shop. When they mow residential lawns, 8:00 is the earliest they can begin so on Friday, they start at an area restaurant. Then, they go to mow the yard of our former neighbors, Jessica and Travis, whose two boys absolutely LOVE to watch to work going on. They refer to my boy as Mr. Justin---how about that?? Their whole family was at Whitey's tonight as well, celebrating Jess's dad's birthday! 

***

I had to take my car in for the brake and rotor job, going back to Sun Tire without getting the 2nd opinion. My appointment was for 8:00 a.m. and after about an hour, I went outside to stand in order to warm up. As I walked around, I looked into the garage and saw my front tires were off, too. Oh oh....now what? The tech told me it is customary to look at the other brakes as well as a safety aspect. Sort of like that...

When I got back home again, it seemed like I had the whole day ahead of me yet, but wanted badly to take a nap. It is newsletter time, however, so sat at my desk composing as I waited to get the last of the submissions for the newsletter, about the preschool and VBS. I could have put my head down on my desk but instead, I went outside to swim with my neighbors. 

The night before I had gotten a text message from Kathy saying I should could to her mom's unit for a pina colada around 4:00 pm. Okay! Kathy's brother, Gary, is known for his blender skills, as Betty will tell every time we get together. Kathy told me Betty was 'not having a good day' so she asked me plus Hugh and Maureen to come over to cheer up Betty. She really has the best kids, I must say. Kathy has a home on Fleming Island as does Gary, but she stays with her mom to keep her company. Gary comes every day for a visit as well. This time, the neighbors got to help keep Betty company!

Kathy, Betty, and Gary were going out to the pool and sent me a message to join them this afternoon. Just what I needed---an excuse to leave my desk! The water was, of course, a bit chilly for me, but the others all found it quite refreshing. The air temp was 90 which makes all things right! 

I saw Justin come home from work about 4:00 pm, and then leave again. Oh, oh---had I missed my opportunity to greet the birthday boy? No, he was going for a haircut before we were together celebrating his birthday. He sent me a text request to use my car, as his has no A/C at this time. 

Once he got back from the groomers, we left for Whitey's in order to get a place to park---both our car and our butts---before it got crazy down there. Half price appetizers and discounted beer is a big attraction, but only lasting until 7:00 pm. We took a table far from the musician and waited for the rest to arrive. Justin's boss, Will and his wife, were coming, as were Jesse and Michael (both those fellows former housemates of Justin's) and then Caleb, Justin's underling at work. He is 18 and a VERY ambitious young man. I am so impressed by him. He brought along his 6 year old sister so I knew everything was going to be okay for us. Later, Justin told me he was so glad I came along, and that just made my day. I was glad to be included, enjoyed the company and excellent appetizers, and celebrating my son's birth. I was home by 8:00 and he was basically right behind me, being dropped off by Michael. 

                       

Justin and I participated in his giant birthday cookie which I had gotten for him and he opened his presents from me. In conferring with Jesse, I ordered Justin a Jaguar jersey only to find out that player is no longer with the team. Explains the sale price! I can easily send it back, no worries, but he absolutely LOVES the soft-side Jaguar cooler. It is wheeled, like a suitcase, and will hold their beverages, meat, etc. when they tailgate. Also, he liked his new Packer t-shirt and Packer flip flops! 

Saturday is the big day of movie viewing and attending a Jacksonville Sharks game with his friends. Tonight was a blast, though, as I got to know his boss better and meet his co-worker. I had not seen Michael in ages, probably since we attended a Glenn Beck event at the AMC a few years ago! He was away at school and recently moved back to JAX. Jesse is working as an intern for a government construction company so is busy all day long when not in his classes. Good to catch up with the guys and even the little girl, Skylar.

Sunrise greets me

This particular morning I found myself awake before 5:00 a.m. for no particular reason other than viewing this lovely and magnificent sunrise. There is a barely perceptible line about halfway across the photo, almost like a before/after affect. Very cool!

Happy after Happy Hour

Yes, I did enjoy a nice adult beverage with my neighbors and friends, but that is not what is making me feel happy. It is just such good fun to be with them all. It was pointed out to me that I was missing last week (ahem, ahem) but I reminded my friend, Kathy, that she was missing the week before! We do keep track of each other---ha, ha!

Hugh had an envelope with him and was showing some documents to our fellow Member, Bob. Both gentlemen are doing research on ancestry which is fascinating in itself, but Hugh found something worthy to share with his friend. I like that! Researching their heritage from the British Isles back to the Magna Carta, and beyond!

Maureen sent word from her side of the table (she assigns the seats...you have to see it to believe it) to her hubby to share some poems with me. From the same envelope he extracted two poems written in 1983, one of which cautions about the dangers of our TV programs. I found it prophetic. The second poem was a cuter one about the woes of being the youngest in the family. Who would have thought there were woes attached to it? Molly did, missing her siblings when they all went off to school or were married. "Not really an only child, just the youngest..." Molly was killed in a car accident in Ireland many years ago, and H. and M. are quite comfortable talking about her with me. And sharing her poems with me. I like that!

This morning we had a huge downpour and it wasn't long before I heard the kitchen door open, bringing Justin back home. He worked about three hours before rain dampened their work. The boss said the fellows should stay ready to go back if the day improved, but he never did call them to go back, even though they could have. Now, the rest of the week, weather permitting, will be a tough one, making up for the lost time on Monday and Wednesday. Justin did accomplish much in his room, got some of his artwork and other wall decor hung up, really looking good in there.

Justin also prepared a recipe for our dinner tomorrow night---a roast made with three envelopes of mixes including brown gravy, ranch dressing, and Italian dressing. He added to that some fresh onion petals and for the juice (instead of using water or broth) used beer. I like that!  It is my job to plug in the slow cooker in the morning so it roasts all day long and makes the house smell great.

While I was gone to Happy Hour, Justin made a batch of dinner rolls with one of the two bags of pizza dough we bought on Saturday. Between the bagels I got at Panera and the rolls....oh my! AND, we are having such a time with the teeny tiny ants. Even though I have ant houses, poison, and threatening letters out for them, they are still strolling about my cabinets. I have e-mailed my neighbors to see if anyone else has a plague or if it's only me. Makes me wonder if something (ants!) came in with Justin's belongings, though he doesn't have them in his room at all. Nor I in mine. Hmmmm....

                               

Tuesday I had a three hour meeting with my friend, Carol, with the intent of catching her up on the LWMS Convention. I had such a nice report to present to her but unfortunately, my printer was not speaking to my laptop so I could not take her a copy. I did pull it up on my phone to read to her but that's not quite the same. I had to give her a piece of paper so she could write down some notes, thoughts, which occurred to her as we spoke. She remembered how excited her mom would be after returning from the Conventions and enjoyed seeing it in me, all these weeks afterward. Since we met at Panera Bread, I took advantage of the baker's dozen bagel sale at half price. Those bagels are so large, they are a meal. I like that!

Carol was glad to get out and was happy we met somewhere other than our homes. Her elderly father lives with them and when someone comes over, he goes to his room. He doesn't have to, but he does. Three hours would be a long time to be remanded to ones room! Of course, we had more to discuss than only the Convention since we had been apart for well over a month. 

                               

This photo is from the WELS Worship Conference 2011 which Judy C. and I attended

Carol wondered which I would choose in the future----the Worship Conference or the LWMS Convention, for comparison sake. I told her I was planning to attend the Worship Conference in 2014 so that answers her question. It is in WI this next time, south of MKE. Her husband had said that the next time he would attend, so we shall see!!! I would like that!

That's the brakes

This morning I foolishly scheduled an appointment, at long last, for an oil change and tire rotation. The soonest I could get in was at 9:30 so I grabbed it. This worked out okay since it rained during the time I would have been in the pool with the class. Sadly, the fellow reported that my brakes were worn down and rotors needed attention. Hmmm....I am just not sure about this. These were not my usual guys with whom I have dealt so my eyebrows are up.

I have contacted my 'friend', Vince, who checked out my transmission and such for free not terribly long ago, to see if he can take a look at them for me. If he thinks they need work, and is not more expensive than the other place, he can do the work. I trust him! And, don't want to be ripped off OR put myself in danger. What a dilemma, to be at the mercy of mechanics!

                                 
While waiting for my car, I was cold so told the fellow I was going to sit at the picnic table while I waited. He said it was not too hot out yet, and I explained I wanted to be hot. But, then he warned me the table was rickety and to be careful sitting on it----yikes!!! There was NO WAY I was going to put my bulk on what was left of the benches. It needed to be hauled off, not sat upon! 

The appointment was made for me to return on Friday for the brake work, which leaves me time to get another opinion on them. I took the earliest appointment, 8:00 a.m., when the brake technician comes in. My comment was that I should make the appointment for later so I could sit at Aron's Pizza to wait. The guy said, "You could make it for 11:00 when they open, but you don't want the first pizza of the day; you want to wait for the second or third one..." Immediately I replied, "I am getting the first brake job of the day by coming at 8:00!" and everyone laughed. I guess it's okay to have the first brake job (life vs. death) rather than the first pizza out of the oven....