13 years ago tonight....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

From Timmy's Auntie Kerry on his anniversary

Do You Remember Me?

I can't believe after all this time, I can't get over you,
I guess a love like ours is one of a kind, a love that is true.
It's been nine years since you left me to go to God & heaven's immensity,

Do you still remember me?

It's like a bad dream that plays over and over in my head,
Of things I wish I'd done or words I would have said.
There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you,
Even after all this time, what am I going to do?

Maybe this is the way mommies are supposed to feel,
Perhaps our wounds are never intended to heal.
If I could ask but one question why,
How is it God could need you more than I?

Some of my people and snow....

Here is my sister, Kerry, all ready for church on Christmas Eve                            

My sister, Lori and her hubby, David, brought a tree and decorations to make our motel meeting room look more festive for Christmas. In this photo is my mom, my sisters Lynn and Kerry, my niece, Alayna, and the three boys.

 Kerry posed with this cut out of Aaron Rodgers at Festival Foods----too cute!

 Speaking of Aaron, I won this pennant in our white elephant gift exchange!! I gave it to Justin for his room.

 The Sunday after I arrived, we had a huge snowstorm, bringing upwards of 9" of snow as the day went on.  This photo was taken from the church parlor window, looking out at the street

 Talk about snow accumulation! This is Mom's porch railing heaped high with fresh fallen snow

Here is Mom, watching the snow fall on a Sunday afternoon....

Great to see everyone again!

This a.m. I went to Bible study, looking so very much forward to seeing everyone again. I was 'warmly' greeted, with many if not most asking me about the cold, wintery weather I had in WI. 

                                 

I had on a sweater I'd worn in Manitowoc, one that had been washed and then dried on my river room chair. Somehow, it didn't seem like the same size any more, or it just needed some stretching out. It was fine before it was laundered, and the tag indicated machine wash/tumble dry. I air dried it instead. So, I wore my black, heavier cardigan over the top of the sweater, which felt good in our cool FL temps. When Pastor was identifying the person at the table who would be the reporter for the break out groups, he chose the person who was dressed the warmest. Yes, that would be me yet again!

                                          

Gretchen got her special chocolate candy Mom sent down for her. She had not come to Bible study but did come for worship. Gretchen jumped up when I walked into the church, she was seated along the wall, to hug me. I was so glad to see her, and all the others. Even got some more Christmas cards in my church mailbox! 

The roof on the church had been torn off and was being replaced at the end of the week. Fortunately, enough of it was finished to prevent the heavy rains from last night leaking into our structure. Whew! They had gotten a later start to the project due to the cold temps earlier in the week but hope to have it done by the beginning of next. We got such a good price on this project, we can't believe it!

Of course we went to lunch at Chili's, only 5 of us this time. Terri was going to join us but sent me a text message as I walked in the doors that she went home instead. She'd had knee surgery before Christmas and was walking without a cane or walker, but the therapy on Thursday is taking a long time to get over. Time and therapy are the things that will help her get back on her feet, so to speak. Next week, maybe!

Attendance has been quite low (except for Christmas Eve's kids' service) and today was no exception. I hope and pray things pick up now that we are back to 'normal' with our services and Bible study schedule. It's time to send some cards to those whom I miss. After all, I got such a nice pack of handmade cards from Linda for Christmas, just begging to be sent off!

Time is flying, or the temperature is dropping--take your pick!

I mentioned the other day that Justin needed to get some stuff from the grocery store. He is planning to make for us a recipe he's been wishing to try for some time, but needed a spring form pan. For Christmas, he got one, so now he is good to go! The recipe calls for rigatoni which is cooked and then stood on end, to be filled with meat sauce and cheeses. I cannot wait to try it!

We've got some mixed up weather today, going from foggy to clear to now overcast. Rain is predicted for later on, likely around the time Justin is to meet his friend, Grove. I hate to have him or anyone out driving in that type of weather. The same is true for the snowing and icy driving my friends and family are doing up north. I fear for them all, my boy, as well.

This a.m. I went to Wal*Mart to pick up a scrip and to buy my new comforter set, purchased with my Christmas money from Mom. I had spotted the set when Justin and I were there shopping before I left. It is almost, if not, an exact color match to the one I have now. 

                                    

I'd been looking on-line for a new set but didn't want to spend very much money on it, nor did I want to change the color theme. My room and bathroom are decorated around my existing comforter set which is getting tired. It was great to find this set at WM and in my cost range! Yay! I picked up a couple more things I needed including hamburger, which somehow was missed yesterday when at Publix. 

A little bit ago I was sitting here at my desk and heard a terrible crash outside, like a vase or ceramic flower pot breaking. I peeked out the window to see what happened, and saw some of the guys sitting outside further up the building. They were looking, too, to see what that was. Gus got up and walked toward his porch, and he picked up what seemed to be a thermometer or a clock which had blown off the wall of an open porch on 4th or 5th floor. Wow! Someone could have been hurt if they got beaned with it. It is so terribly windy out there, hopefully pushing some of the 110% humidity along with it. Of course, having it rain tonight won't help any. Areas around here are under storm watches, but nothing for Clay County---yet!

"It looks like home again"

As Justin put the boxes in the fridge, our to-go containers from Koko's (Saigon Tokyo), added to the other two already in there, he said, "It looks like home again...", the shelves lined with such boxes. Yes, back to normal! The first two boxes were from LongHorn, my leftover steak and baked potato with the other being my free dessert.

At Koko's, where we had our dinner on Wednesday night, the owner came up to give me a hug and wish me happy birthday. She is the one who told me once that I turn her face upside down...nice! The chef also knows us and didn't have to do his whole show, just made me my fried rice and made me a happy girl. Justin got his sushi and he was a happy boy!

We had talked about going to Publix after dinner but he was tired from working all day. Besides, Justin was not working on Friday, so we could go then. He also went along to Breakfast Club with me, and got fawned over by the ladies. He got his name and face out there now to help more people with their phones and electronics. 

(He was employed by one of our neighbors during the holidays to get their WiFi system up and running. Hugh wrote a nice note to all our Owners and neighbors touting Justin's skills and good customer service attitude! Love it!)

Late on Thursday afternoon, I got a phone call from my next door neighbor, Patti. Her husband and she had tickets to the symphony but she feared he might be too worn out from physical therapy to go. Sadly, I again declined her offer, being so short the notice, etc. I like how she always thinks of me first when she has them to offer. My plans were to finish The Palace newsletter that night and I did it! 

The mail on Wednesday brought me an invitation to a baby shower, again short notice, on Saturday. It was downtown at a place not familiar to me. The young lady had sent me a message about it prior to the mail getting here, but I respectfully declined. I wished Olivia all the very best, of course, but I wasn't going to be there.

This is a picture of the fluff from my small pillow which exploded in the washer a few years ago. More came out than was inside!!

Little by little the suitcase is getting emptied. My sweaters and tops are 'hung up to dry' all around my house, hoping no one comes to visit me! I made the mistake of not checking my jeans pocket so made a huge mess with a nose napkin. As soon as I shook out my items to drape them over chairs, it looked like a snow storm! And Justin had just vacuumed the floors before I came home...I am a mess maker with a tissue. You'd think it was the whole box and not just one. Never have one otherwise but I took it before I left Mom's house 'just in case'! Yes, just in case I needed a grand and glorious mess!

Back to normal here

Yesterday about midday, I sent Nancy a message about going to lunch at Long Horn, since I had a free dessert coming for my birthday, and it expired today. She called me right back saying she was on River Road and would pick me up in 3 minutes. Now, that's what I like!! Fortunately I had showered the night before so only had to put on shoes and grab my purse. When I got downstairs, there was a crowd gathered in the lobby. Heather, my upstairs neighbor, said they were my welcoming committee! I couldn't believe it...Connie was there, Heather and her two dogs, Betty and her daughter, Kathy, and Kathy's daughter, Jamie. What a commotion there was! Nancy had pulled up so off we went, after the hugs were exchanged all around. It's good to be home again!

Nancy and I had a nice lunch, she not being a frequenter of LH. She asked me about the ribs and I couldn't really answer her since I never had them. They were delicious, she said, and I enjoyed my small rib eye steak. I gave her a sample and she loved it, too. Bet next time she orders the steak! My free dessert was boxed up for me since neither of us had room for it after our meals, me taking the Chocolate Stampede. I still have some left in the fridge as it feeds several people.

Nancy dropped me off again after lunch, having to meet a contractor at her home who was dropping off a ladder for her. Julius, from The Club, is painting her living room for her. She is trying to keep him busy since there is little work for him right now with The Club on shut-down for maintenance.

Little by little I am whittling away at my luggage unpacking. The washer was pressed into service on Wednesday morning, washing my sweaters and other cold weather wear for me. It was only after doing a load or two that I noticed how the drum of the washer had a terrible ring around it at the top. In the past I'd tried to scrub it off, using sprays of chemicals intended for such removal. This time I tried Soft Scrub which I'd had out to do the kitchen sinks which had stains in due to my absence. Some of the stains smeared around, almost oily, which I am sure is from Justin's filthy work clothes. 

When discussing it with Linda later on, she recommended using OxyClean to soak in the washer, but I'd have to put something in the water to raise the level high enough to do some good. I already tried doing a cycle of bleach water but it doesn't reach that high with nothing in the water.

Justin had to work today to make up for being off on Tuesday, due to the cold temps, so I went to Bible study by myself. Did get to talk to Mom on the ride over though, as usual. She had Ladies' Aid in the afternoon, planning to go in the terrible cold. What a trouper!  

Bible study was great, 15 of us around the table, excellent discussion. Two new members came to the class, but two others announced they are moving back to Green Bay. I was stunned, and yes, I wept. Wayne and Suzanne have weighed all their options and the only one that will work was to move back home. While they will surely be missed, I know I can see them when I go back up for visits, since I usually get together with their daughter, Karen, too! Suzanne said, "Our vacation is over...." So sad about this, but glad for them.

I have good scents!

Yes, my house and I smell so very good from all the products intended for that purpose. When I got home on Tuesday night (eventually!!) Justin bestowed upon me a bag of goodies from Bath and Body Works to complement those he got me for Christmas.  He had a coupon!!! For my birthday he got me hand lotion which not only has a marvelous scent but also makes my hands feel like I am wearing a glove! My skin was quite dry from being in the cold so it feels good to have this lotion. 

He also bought a plug-in device and refills for it which send an aroma through the rooms, choosing Warm Vanilla Sugar for that. More foaming hand soap and a couple more hand sanitizers to round out the scents. He also gave me a warm knit infinity scarf in magenta and pinks.  All I gave him were cheese curds---which he just loved.

                    
Well, let me tell you about my round about trip home from WI. My flight was scheduled for departure at 8:40 am, so Linda picked me up from Mom’s at 5:00. I was ready to go when she pulled up, loading my luggage into the car in 15 below zero temps. Yikes! Our trip to MKE was flawless, no traffic and no problems in the cold. There was nothing about which to be concerned as far as the drive down. 

Once dropped off, I went inside to wait in a long line to get checked in. So far so good as to my flight being on time/not cancelled. It wasn’t cancelled, either, until it was my turn to get checked in, however. The nice lady at the counter was able to rebook me on a later flight which would take me to Washington, DC, and then to Atlanta, and then home. I’ll take it! All in the same day, yes, I can do that!

I did a whole lot of sitting Tuesday and then had a burst of walking between my gates in ATL (in Washington the group of us being rerouted were told to stay on the plane). Former vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan was on the flight with me from MKE to Washington. He was about midway up the cabin, in coach, and I was in the second row from the back. I did manage to snap a photo of him, however, which will be posted later, after I have them downloaded. (I've been so busy since getting home last night!!)

My original plan was to have Nancy W. pick me up from the airport since Justin would still be at work. Then, my flight and the delay out of ATL was putting me in JAX about 5 hours later, Justin instead came to get me. We had thought about grabbing dinner at the LongHorn near the airport but since the flight was even later than expected, decided to just go home. We did a drive-through visit to McDonald's so had a quick bite upon getting home again.

I have something funny to add to this: Justin was about 15 minutes behind my landing at JAX, going according to what the Internet told him my arrival time would be. Since it was 29 above zero, VERY cold for our area, he thought I would wait inside for him. I was outside and sitting on a ledge, talking to my mom when he called me to report his location. He wanted me to stay on the phone to watch for him, and come out when I saw him come around the curve, so we could both exclaim our delight upon sighting each other. What a character! He was shocked to see me outside, in what almost felt balmly after my -15 departure temps that morning! My boy missed me!