What a fun day

Yesterday was a wonderful one, complete with two worship services, a lovely breakfast, and time spent with my in-laws before and after church. Justin and I had to run off for our lunch reservation but Harv and Barb made plans with me for lunch today. 

Taken yesterday at church. Harv is Justin's godfather.

So, this morning, Harv and Barb joined me for an early lunch at Grumpy's. Nothing but the finest of dining for my in-laws!  We enjoyed our lunch by arriving right after the breakfast rush and prior to the lunch busy time. While we were waiting for our food Harv got a phone from a friend in Manty reporting that one of their mutual friends was very ill and wouldn't likely live much longer. This was terrible news and Harv hoped that she would hang on until they back to WI. This might be much to ask given her condition. 

I was so glad that Harv asked if we could go to the cemetery, I can't even tell you. Since we didn't have any Easter lilies this year for me to take to the site, I stopped at Winn Dixie before Grumpy's to get a bouquet. I chose the assorted colored daisies because they looked so springish. Harv and Barb  followed me to the cemetery, an easy ride down Blanding. We spent about 20 minutes at the gravesite, with some of the guys even stopping by to greet me. They are just the best. They agreed to raise Timmy's bench a bit because it seems to be sinking. Nice!

From the cemetery H & B followed me back to my place. I told them as we drove down the driveway to the parking lot that when I swerve, they swerve, so as to avoid the enormous pot holes. I would hate for them to wreck their axle before the long ride back to WI. They did well following directions and got parked. We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting until it was time for them to go back to his brother's. 

Their plans this week include going to St. Augustine and perhaps the Alligator Farm. There is little chance we'll get together with them when they can spend time with Justin before they go on to their time share further south for the week. Perhaps we can do something when they get back. I hope the weather holds for them and they can fully enjoy Barb's first weeks of retirement. What a good way to kick it off!

"He is risen indeed"

"Christos anesti"!, as taught by my downstairs neighbor, Gus. Of course his name is Gus, as he is Greek. I, however, cannot wish him this just yet as the Greeks do not celebrate the same date for Easter as other Christians. I think he celebrates a week or so later, a different full moon after the spring equinox...But, I like his teaching me this---Christ is risen!

We had a good turnout for sunrise service, just under 50 people, and one newborn baby. One of our members had her granddaughter along, with her newborn (two weeks old) baby. I asked Maggie if the baby was being baptized today but she said no, but soon. I would love to have a baptism on Easter, celebrating both sacraments along with the Word, but that's okay---I can wait!

The inevitable technical difficulties of having outdoor worship prevented us from being able to sing the opening hymn of Psalm 63 and we also sang 4 stanzas of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" a Capella. Well, I mostly listened even though my help would have been good supporting the hymn from the back row where I was seated. Everyone there knew the hymn and did fine without me. That hymn has become a listening one for me, for the most part.

At last the guys got the system to work so we had accompaniment from the MIDI which was inside the church. In the past we've had a keyboardist who'd play outside where the congregation was assembled but we no longer have that availability. After the service we gathered up the hymnals and got them back into the pew racks while others carried the chairs into the Fellowship Hall. It's nice having doors that open directly onto the area where the service is held. Sadly, my friend, Betty, tripped going in the door carrying her chair, but two strong men got her back up on her feet. I called her tonight and she said her knee is quite sore but she can walk, which is a good thing.

Breakfast was wonderful, Chefs Mike 'n Mike presenting once again their culinary skills. They have decided to discontinue their services, however, but I asked them to reconsider when it's time for my funeral. I am counting on them to make the reception food, all my favorites. It will be quite the feast! Mike S. said he'll be long gone (dead) by that time but he forgets that I am older than he is!  

Justin joined us for breakfast and together he and I were awaiting the arrival of my brother-in-law, Harvey, Justin's godfather  and his wife, Barb. They are in town visiting his brother but wanted to worship with us at a WELS church. We had a chance to visit before going into church, since I was taking attendence. Got them squared away with Pastor for attending the Lord's Supper and then Justin showed them to 'our' pew. 

We had a procession as part of the service, and the acolyte was holding the candle, ready to proceed. All of a sudden Pastor disappeared. I asked the usher where he went and the usher said he went to get the cross. The cross was already in the church, lying on the organ bench alongside of where I was standing. Darwin took off after him to tell him the cross was already there, so we could get started. 

The acolyte was nervous enough because the Paschal candle is so tall, and then to have this delay was rattling his nerves. He did fine though he felt like everyone was looking at him. I thought they were looking at me! The congregation stood and faced the back of the church as the Paschal candle and the brass cross were carried down the aisle. We have done this for many years and it is a lovely procession, while the congregation sings the hymn. 

It was nice to partake of the Lord's Supper with the Days and with Justin on this Easter celebration. When we returned to our pew from the table, I was handed the baby (we only have one baby!), Eloise, while her mom and dad went to the Lord's Supper. She loves fine jewelry so chewed on my necklace, tugged my earring, and sucked on an Easter pin I was wearing. Eloise has three teeth already and is trying to grow some more. I let her chew away so she didn't fuss while her parents were away. Nothing like baby slobber on ones jewelry. Angel and Chad picked her up from me on their way back to the pew.I love it when our communion is timed such that I get to hold the baby for them. 

We chatted with Harv and Barb after church for a bit longer but then had to run because of having noon reservations for the Easter buffet at The Club. They were going back to his brother's house to have a late afternoon feast. I am going to show them the town by going to Grumpy's for lunch tomorrow. Harvey asked if we could go to the cemetery, too, and it just choked me up. Of course we could go, though, sadly, I have no lily to take this year. A change in the florist that supplies our church caused a problem when attempting to get the lilies, so none were to be had. A tough lesson learned there....don't mess with a winning formula!

Justin and I were warmly greeted at The Club, guests and even wait staff introducing themselves to Justin if they'd not already met. I was filled up without taking a bite, everyone was so nice. Justin and I were seated adjacent to my friend, Bob, and his family. So glad to see them all, especially Bob, since he suffered a stroke last fall. His daughter helped nurse him back to health and got him back to his own home mid January. Everyone I talked to is looking forward to pool season again, so the workmen better pick up the pace on the cabana renovations. We are getting impatient!

It was a blessed day today and I look forward to good sleep tonight. Justin has a long work week again if the weather holds. This is my prayer for him and his crew. He has helpers most of the week and he will appreciate their strong backs and able bodies doing the sod laying. Justin is so not a fan of side jobs like this, much prefers the maintenance portion after the sod starts to grow!

"How far did you fall?"

It's a gorgeous day today, the sun winning the battle over the clouds. At least part of the morning I had sunshine on me directly and in my room indirectly. I could have gone out to the exercise class but didn't feel like it plus was waiting on a package to be delivered. My neighbor had requested I take a package for them and keep it in my fridge, so I wanted to make sure I was available when it arrived. Besides all that, my legs and hips were unhappy doing the exercises, even when in my seat. I am better off in my desk chair.

After Fox & Friends this a.m., I caught part of a movie seen with Judy R. when she came here for a visit in 2008, a year after we'd met. "The Secret Life of Bees", based on a book which Judy, of course, had read. It was a good story set during a sad time in our nation's history. One portion had the black housekeeper's head bandaged up after a beating. To explain it away her young charge said she'd fallen down the stairs. The lady to whom they told this lie knowingly said, "That had to be a mighty long stairway...". 

It brought to mind an episode in my life when Justin was a little boy. As a builder's son, he had the opportunity to spend many days touring model homes with his parents. At one particular home, we had walked into the back portion of the house to see the laundry room. Justin decided he was going to check out the stairs. Before we realized he'd left our sides we heard a bumpity bump bump coming from the stairwell. As we hurried over to the steps Justin was already getting up, dusting himself off. "Oh, my goodness, Justin! How far did you fall???" I asked him. In typical 'Justin' fashion he answered me, looking at me with that darling little face, "...to the bottom." He was right about that, and I bet I didn't really want to know the full answer anyway! Oh, that guy!

Saints among us

Years ago when I worked in the old folks' home, one of my co-workers, Rita, a devout Roman Catholic, had some interesting ideas and beliefs. One of those beliefs was that if a person smelled something which could not be identified any other way, it meant there was a saint in the room. I am not kidding you! 

Justin and I had a mystery before us---from whence does the smell of bleach emanate? It was in my room, and we noticed mainly around my desk. He said it smelled like I do when I come in from the pool in the summer. But what was causing this?

I checked in my desk storage area in case my compressed air cans had a problem. Nope, they were good. Justin went around my room sniffing everything that could be sniffed---my comforter, blankets on the end of the bed, nothing to make a bleach scent. I changed the trash bag in case it was something in there, like a cotton ball with nail polish remover perhaps. Nope! I even picked up my foot stool from under the desk, a risky item to put to one's nose, but it was not bleachy. 

What in the world? It just started in the past couple of weeks, so it had to be something new to the room. I had recently opened and begun watching some DVDs I'd bought back in 2007 which came in a file cabinet-looking case, but they were odor free. It just had to be a saint! It occurred to me that perhaps it was the air ionizer which Nancy gave me that smelled. Justin had picked it up and sniffed it, pulled out the 'filters', but no scent there either. Hmmm...

Today, Justin told me that he did some research on it and determined the scent was, in fact, from the air purifier. The smell was the purified air! Apparently the way the machine works, changing the chemical make-up of the air, is what causes the air to smell more than clean. It smells downright sterile. 

We were at the table in Chili's with our group when he told me this so I had to relate what we'd been going through. I also shared the story of Rita and her unidentified scent meaning a saint was among us, his first time hearing this premise. Justin jumped in and said, "In your case it's the patron saint of bleach..." and we all laughed. I am normally a friend of bleach, like to purify things. 

I can't tell yet if the amount of dust in here is reduced or not. Perhaps it will be psychological if I notice less dust but the machine MUST be doing what it is supposed to do, right?  I will have to start sleeping with my door opened so the bleachy air doesn't burn my throat when I am sleeping. I could simply turn it off at night, I guess, to keep the saints at bay when I am sleeping!

The 'gift' of friends Part II

Nancy and I went to the movies yesterday afternoon to see "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". We like the Carmike Theater so much better for a number of reasons, not the least of which is ease of parking. At the Mall's AMC Theater the parking is a disaster, especially for the old and infirm, like me! Only, I am not old and infirm enough to qualify for the Senior ticket price this time at Carmike. Other times the ticket seller encourages me to get the lower priced ticket but this lady didn't suggest it. I complied with the rules, of course, and paid the full price. Next year at this time, I will fully qualify for the Senior pricing. 

The concession prices kicked our butts, but not enough for me not to buy a soda or for Nancy her giant bag of popcorn. She got a 'courtesy cup' from the lady so I could scoop popcorn out with the cup. I don't like to touch the sides of the bag...I know, weird, right? Justin said I have that in common with Howard Hughes. 

It was a good thing we arrived when we did because there were plenty of people coming into the theater. I like to sit in a certain place (as I type this I feel very much like Sheldon Cooper!! Oh my, I REALLY am like him!) and don't mind the climb. At least I don't make weird noises before the movie to see if the acoustics are acceptable. Nancy asked me, "Why are these theaters always so loud?" I have wondered the same for years, and she has hearing problems.

The movie was a delight, and we enjoyed it. At first it took a minute to remember all the characters and where they were when we saw them the last time. The writers did a good job catching us up on their histories. The last movie she and I watched together there was "The 100 Foot Journey", a similar type of story. Both were good distractions and a treat for the eyes, and heart. And we enjoyed our concessions, as well. 

Nancy dropped me off at home after the movie and went on her way. I supposed she was going home but a couple minutes later she sent me a text message from GoodWill (Willies). She found a headboard for a full-sized bed there, the size Justin needs. It is actually an entire bedframe, sleigh style, which might be more than he wants. It was nice, though. A little bit later she sent me another text with picture, this time of a frame for the wallet-sized photo I mentioned recently. It was perfect!! She bought it for me and delivered it later. 

The frame was part of a boxed set, still sealed up, which had the frame plus two round containers marked My First Tooth and My First Curl. This, of course, touched me. I showed Nancy my silver container from Timmy's memory box, marked "First Tooth". It is taped shut but holds a lock of hair the mortician clipped for us. The silver container was a baptism gift from Shirley and Joe Zelenak, and I like the way it's been used now.

Is this not the perfect frame for this photograph? Taken the day after ThanksLiving, 2000. Timmy is holding the teddy bear his father and I picked up on the cruise ship, having just gotten back from my first Mediterranean trip. Justin looks so young, too.

So, once again, Nancy has come through for me, saving my wallet-sized photo from sure disaster being out of my wallet and is now properly framed for display. Nice hunting, Nancy!

...and all is right with the world!

Yesterday was a normal Sunday, all of us back at the table. A friend of Betty's, Jean, accompanies her on Mondays to Bible study and then for lunch. And often on Sundays, we see her and a friend at Chili's after they get done with church. One day her friend waved at me as they went to their table, like she knew me. I found out the next day from Jean that I did indeed know her, from many years ago. Her name was Jan. I told Jean that the next time they come in I was going to greet her. 

This week though, we had our regular waitress, not a strange waiter like the week before where we had a problem with the menu choices. She brushed it off saying because we were regulars the other rules didn't apply. THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! I told her how we were wondering now where to go for lunch on Sundays because of that and she encouraged us not to. But, next week, after Easter, they are getting a new menu. The bad news? No more potato skins. Gasp! Now what will I order with my chicken crispers? This poor creature of habit...In the meantime, though, I still have my skins.

After we finished our meals, Justin had to get going to meet up with Jesse and the rest went their separate ways. I said good-bye to them and went to greet Jan and Jean. I sat on the bench next to Jan and quickly caught up news. Jan was married to my current neighbor at one time, and they had entertained my former spouse and me at their unit here in The Palace not long after Timmy died. My introduction to what life was like here. Then, a year or so later, we built them a home in EH. I think that Jan got divorced around the same time I did. When I bought this unit, she was the listing agent on the sale. Our paths had crossed one more time.

She moved away so I didn't see her again. However, her former spouse and his wife moved back into my building. I find this quite interesting how this stuff circles back to The Palace again. Jan moved back to OP after her husband died and met Jean at a grief group they were attending after losing their spouses. So now, we are reconnected through Jean. I gave her one of my cards so she can call me. And I have hers. We are all set.

As I was seated there, the regular manager came past the table and greeted me. He shook my hand and said it was good to see me, etc. I told him about our unfortunate experience last week and that my group was close to choosing another place to have our Sunday lunch. He assured me that we could order what we want, no problem, and we'd be well taken care of. I like the sounds of that and told him I'd let my companions know everything was going to be okay. I really have no idea where we would go instead so Chili's should be honored to have us! I am no longer a coward, as Mike said I was, for filling out the survey instead of speaking to the manager. Today I did speak to the manager, and did so in a calm, cool manner. It can be done!

The 'gift' of friends

Nancy W. left here a few minutes ago. She is my personal shopper, like a great white hunter. Nancy knew I was in search of a picture frame suitable for the wallet-sized photo I have of Justin and Timmy. My new wallet, gotten last fall for $5 at Wal*Mart, has no provision for photos, so I want to have a way to keep the photo safe. A frame that size is difficult to come by, but she found one which she thought would work. Sadly, it would not work unless I cut up the photo, but I am incredibly thankful for her efforts. She will not give up the search!

In the corner of my bedroom is a new-to-me air purifier, also a gift from Nancy. It was an extra one from her father's house, which she is in the process of emptying out. All I had to do was clean it up, plug the unit in, and let it go to work on the dust in the air. Certainly has its work cut out! When Nancy was here, we sat in the river room for a bit which allowed me to look across my dining room table. Oh my, the surface is layered in yellow pollen!! I guess I have to decide which is preferable---air moving through the house, or pollen! Perhaps the pollen will end soon and the question will answer itself.

The day Justin and I had the luncheon, Nancy came early to see if we needed any help. She brought Justin a brand-new still in its package Sharper Image knife, not quite a carving knife but larger than a paring one. It is extremely sharp, comes with a plastic protective shield which snaps over the blade. Nancy found it for a couple of bucks at "Willy's", a.k.a. as GoodWill. She is ever the bargain hunter, and knew he would benefit from this. Another time she found a broiler pan set at Willy's which she brought to us, thinking this was something Justin was looking for. Sadly, it was not but we graciously accepted her gift and placed it in the pantry closet. What he actually wanted was an aluminum baking sheet, a cookie sheet, basically, to catch drips in the oven. 

I have to be careful when I mention needing or looking for something in front of Nancy because she will show up at the door with said item in hand!  Currently she is scoping out the Ross for Less store for the swimsuits to come in. That is something I can really make use of and love it that she is keeping her eyes peeled for them. She knows my size and the style and color preferences. It is wonderful having a personal shopper!