Thinking back a few years ago,...

....on this date in 2004, Justin and I were on our first Mediterranean cruise, by ourselves. "By ourselves" I mean just the two of us, planned and executed by me. We had a marvelous time, made many good memories, and experienced much. Justin also enjoyed our trip, which was pretty cool for a young man his age, 16 at the time, to be walking the ruins of Pompeii like he did. We did manage to locate an address in those ruins mentioned in one of the books he had read in Latin class, which was the goal in the first place. 

One thing I learned was I should have pre-arranged our first shore excursion because those planned were full and we could not get on the first one to Pompeii. I was absolutely determined to get that boy to those ruins, so I ventured out to the parking area where the taxis were all parked, waiting to take others from the ship on outings. One man swore on his son that he would get us to Pompeii and back again (his son was not even there!). Justin was extremely reluctant to do this, saying it was okay to not go, etc. but I insisted we were going to do this. "Mom, you trust everybody!" and I did trust this man. 

He even took me to an ATM and showed me how it worked because I had also failed to get currency to use for paying for taxis! Yes, he could have robbed me blind, but he did not. In fact, he got us to Pompeii and back again, waiting for us the entire time we were walking the ruins and touring the sites. I did not pay him until we were back to the ship so it wouldn't have benefited him to ditch us! I gave him a tip besides because I was quite appreciative of his coming through for me where I had dropped the ball. Believe me, for that time on, I made sure we were pre-booked on our excursions.

It was on this cruise, also, where Justin and I were introduced to Sarah Brightman and her singing of "Con Te Partiro", or "A Time to Say Good-Bye" which played as we sailed from the ancient port of Dubrovnik. Normally we sailed at dinner time so we would miss this, that at every sail away this song was played. It was afternoon as I was standing on the deck and watching the city go by while this lovely song played. 

I was entirely mesmerized by the sights and sounds, and wished that Justin had not gone down to the cabin to watch '24' on his computer. I wanted him to hear this and see what I was seeing. Just then the automatic doors opened and there came Justin with a look on his face. "Mom, do you hear the music that's playing?" I did, I did! We asked in the gift shop if they knew who sang the song and if they sold it there. The clerk said many people ask about it but no, they didn't know the singer or carry the CD. 

At the dinner table, we asked our tablemates, a Jewish family plus a Jewish couple, if they knew the singer or the song. They did! The dad, Yehuda, told us all about Sarah, how she was married to Andrew Lloyd Webber and starred in "The Phantom of the Opera", etc. Justin and I determined to get her CD when we returned home. At this writing, 4 of my 6 slots in the car CD player are hers! Like I said, great memories made....

An amazing tree

Last night, poor Justin came home from work, soaking wet. It had rained to some degree all day on the various sites where they were working. He was kaput! He did not feel like going over to Happy Hour with me and while I felt badly for him, I didn't want to miss the 'big event' going on over there. During the month of July, we were encouraged to invite people from the area who are not members of The Club to HH where they could partake of the tapas menu and/or have a free drink. For this all-out effort being put forth to garner new members, I felt it was important for me to be there to greet folks. 

While I was at HH, Justin sent me a text message suggesting that I have my picture taken with the sawed off section of the giant tree which was taken down that day. My neighbor, Hugh, was sitting with me and when I told him Justin's idea, he said, "Let's go, Kiddo" and away we went! He took several shots of me with the chunk and of the stump remaining to be ground down, estimating the width across as being 6 feet. The chunk I am near is 5', my height. That is just amazing, in my opinion, a substantial tree!  Oh, and did it ever stink out there---the wood was rotten in the stump, had turned to black mush, and was quite pungent. No problem, though, as Hugh and I went back inside to enjoy the rest of our evening meeting and greeting new people. 

Tonight, Justin and I went to Carmike to watch a documentary "America" by Dinesh D'Souza which was excellent, and well done. The documentary was food for thought but we supplemented that with dinner at Koko's! It would be our last time there for a while, until next month, at least!

No pool for you!

This morning it was overcast and quite gloomy, a carry-over from last night's storm. Phooey! This meant there would be no water exercise class today, much to my chagrin. It was the birthday of one our friends and I looked forward to seeing her and extending my good wishes to her. Oh well...

Our goofy weather did not deter other excitement here at our property, however. Starting early on, the trucks and equipment we'd been expecting was busily addressing the damaged tree located just behind our detached garage, on The Club property. The crane and other equipment was parked in our parking lot, entirely blocking access to the north parking areas. It seemed everyone who needed to get out did so by moving their cars before the machinery arrived.

 Here is the tree as seen on July 4th

The chipper and crane in place, already at work

 There are men everywhere, even up in the trees!

It's getting less and less tree-looking...

She is good that way

I have declined to serve on the Board for my building but sometimes find myself in the mix of things. For one thing, I am usually around during the day, and for another, I know how to use the computer. This week we are anticipating the removal of the damaged tree on the adjoining property requiring the equipment access to our parking lot. I have been asked to be the person who notifies our residents of the time frame and expectations so they can be sure to get their cars out of the garages in advance of being blocked in. Besides sending out the e-mails to everyone, I also posted a notice near the mailboxes for all to see. I hope that does the trick so no one is parked in once the machinery arrives. Certainly Connie will call folks to remind them if the cars are still there. She is good that way.

Another exciting job I do is send out notices announcing the elevator being shut down for an hour or so to allow for monthly maintenance. Connie usually checks with my next door neighbor to make sure Jack, wheelchair-bound, has no appointments at that time, and she finds out from me what my schedule is because she knows the stairs are not my friend. Especially the stairs which go up! I believe Connie also checks on the north end of the building where an older lady resides on the top floor, because she is good that way. 

One day she got herself into a mix-up at the pool. While Connie really has no beeswax about what goes on there, she does use the 'public' restroom connected to the cabana. More than once she has asked (told) the pool attendants to move the reclining chairs and swap them with the umbrella table. Connie claims our residents are in danger of tripping over the recliners and perhaps falling into the pool. I don't know that any Palace folks actually have tripped over them, but that was the reason Connie had for moving items around NOT on our property. The pool folks have the chairs and tables where THEY want them to be and are not willing to obey direct commands from our maintenance lady. Well, one day before Marlena came on duty the umbrella table and its chairs were relocated, and the reclining chairs moved. A battle of wills it was going to be. 

Marlena asked me what she should do, since she was sure it was Connie whom moved things around but didn't see anyone do it. My inclination was to run away and avoid this mess, but I did not. There is no sense going nose to nose over stuff like this. Marlena just had the staff move everything back to where it was and I didn't hear anything more about it. But tomorrow, with the work going on, I bet all the tables and chairs will be moved around to allow for the workers to have full access under the tree branches. Hopefully no one will trip over a chair and fall into the pool! 

A good pool day

Even though the cabana/Club is closed on Mondays, I was quite glad to see the lifeguard, Casey, walking around. That meant, besides his company, I could enjoy a cold soda when I needed one. He has access and ability to write up slips for purchases. Life is good!

Several of my friends and acquaintances came and went as the day progressed, many of them using the kids' pool on the far end. If I really wanted to, I could go to talk with them down there but that inhibits the fun kids have with splashing and such. I just stayed where I was and called my mom from the side of the pool.

One lady I needed to speak with did not come out today. My neighbor, Kay, has asked me to co-host a meet 'n greet with her for a Congressional candidate for our district. My unit is larger and better suited for such an event, plus she's already done one with her son on his farm for this same lady. Her name is Glo Smith, and drew national attention when her campaign signs were vandalized, painting over her black face with white paint. Yea, way to go, Jacksonville---NOT! She is running against another black woman so some would say Glo is an 'Uncle Tom' for being a successful business woman. Ugh, hate that kind of thinking!

Justin is excited about the whole event, doing planning of menus and such well in advance, his head spinning with ideas. I am more concerned with the logistics---room, getting the house cleaned, making sure we have enough food and drinks (no alcohol is served), and so on. He is all about the menu!  Kay is delivering the invitations on our property, our territory for the event. I will be making them up and she will get them printed. There are still a few details, or many, to work out before we are set on a date, etc. It is quite exciting!

This was our afternoon sky, just before The Five came on. No rain that I know of, but lots of wind and bluster!

All quiet now....

Even the washer has stopped for the day, having done several loads of sheets, towels, and other items from the guests. The folding can wait, but not too long. I am always in a funk when my guests leave, but it was good to be with the church family today to help me recover. 

Here is a shot of last night's super moon. I had told my sister, Kerry,  I likely wouldn't get a good shot because I stink at moon pictures, but this one is pretty good!

Thursday at Bible study at Victory we heard some very sad news about our friend, Marilyn. It was discovered that she had some sort of growth on her heart and had surgery to remove it. Not knowing what the growth was, cancer or whatever, they couldn't treat until it could seen/removed/treated. During the procedure, another surgeon was called in (not good) to check it out. It was determined to be cancer, and it had spiraled itself around the heart and in the tissue. There was nothing they could do.

Her first few days afterward were rough, as you might imagine after having ones chest cracked, and then to find out they couldn't help her....well, it was truly heart-breaking. She is well loved by her family and her friends, and we feared for her survival. I even put her on our church's prayer chain, so tenuous was her situation. We got word today via Facebook that she is doing much better, and hopes to soon have the ventilator removed. Reports are that she is alert and reacts to family when they speak to her. Thanking the Lord for sparing her this long, at least until her brother and family can get here to see her. Prayers for comfort for Marilyn and peace for her family will be greatly appreciated. 

A time to say 'good-bye'

The day began with a nice, big breakfast at Grumpy's, one of our established places to take our CO visitors. After breakfast, we met back at my house where Michael and Judy got them loaded into the van to head to Orlando. 

 This is Chris and me in the dining room. He promises he'll be back next year! 

 Jacob, his second time helping us with VBS, standing with me in the dining room. He is also a fan of the Packers!

 Jayson, his second time visiting me, was here last year with his brother, Jackson. He is such a joy to have around!

Sweet Noelle, her first visit to help with VBS, wants to be a preschool teacher some day

A group picture of the students and Michael, who rarely poses for photographs. This is a treasure!!

Justin captured me standing on the porch waving good-bye as they drove off...Jayson had asked me to not cry because he would cry and then Jacob would cry and it would be a big mess. So glad Justin was home for me to wipe my tears into his chest when they left.