"Make new friends...."

"but keep the old..." We sang this little ditty when I was itty bitty. Well, at least when I was substantially younger, with my sisters and friends. We would sing this playground song in a round-style: "Make new friends, but keep the old; some are silver and others gold." Yesterday, I made a new friend who will probably become gold. How could she not? Her name is Kim!

This a.m. I went out for the first aquarobics class of the season for me. It was great to see my friends again and meet some new people. I only screamed a little bit as I lowered myself in to still too cool water but the heat from the sun felt divine, and made up for it. We had a good workout, most of the routines the same as last year. Our dear friend, Randy, in his late 70's, seems to have forgotten what to do having missed last season due some injuries. I am sure it will all come back to him with practice. Nancy W was not there for class and I am uncertain she will join us at all. Morning is not her favorite time of day, having interrupted sleep most nights.

Kim is a woman younger than me by some years but has multiple aches 'n pains primarily from the waist down. Two years ago she was hit by truck while riding her motorcycle and sustained many life-threatening injuries, breaking many bones in many places as well as having internal injuries. She was 'out of it' for two weeks at least before she was brought around to consciousness following the accident, and has no recollection of the accident. I told her God did that for her, spared her that horrific memory. She still experiences pain and discomfort from the pins, screws, plates, etc. which hold her together and yet, she is vital and delightful. She has great upper body strength and raise herself out of the pool using her arms. I have all I can do to climb out using the steps.

Kim the Second (Kim II) is a retired writer, having worked for newspapers and other publications in the area prior to retiring. It will be interesting getting to know her better as the summer goes on. She drives in from Fleming Island where she lives with her husband in a rural setting. She enjoys gardening and is into all things natural. We are just two peas in a pod---NOT! But, she does enjoy beer, and not necessarily Natural Light!

While it's in the high 80's here, my poor nephew is sunbathing Sheboygan-style back in WI. My sister, Lynn, sent this picture via text message to show me what I left behind. I do not miss those chilly temps up there one little bit!

This evening I was privileged to attend the graduation service and ceremony for the preschool at our church. Judy and Betty took care of the refreshments so all I did was meet 'n greet the parents, grands, and other family. And helped take some group pictures as requested. The kids did a good job demonstrating for the gathering the things they learned in preschool, especially their Bible lessons and songs. If they learned nothing else, at least they know Jesus and that He loves them!

Here they are singing one of their little Bible songs, using the hand gestures which help them to remember the words. One little guy was not quite into it. There were four more kids on the other side, not in the photo.

A visit recap

At this writing I am flying back home and thinking of all the things I need to write about. The time with my family and with Linda; going to eat at my favorite places in town; hanging out with Mom most evenings and getting all caught up in NCIS. That should last me a good while. 

Mom insists that Law & Order is on almost every day (when we're awake) but that is just not so. One network carries the SVU series of the franchise but that's not my favorite. I like basic L & O plus the Criminal Intent version. She would ask me what I usually watch at a certain hour and normally I am not watching TV in the daytime. So, anyway, it really didn't matter to me what she was watching as I had the iPad there for reading and communicating. Why rob that nice old lady of her pleasures?  More than once she allowed me to watch "The Five" but it was obviously NOT her first choice.  

My sister, Kerry, was able to come one weekend which was great.  Her work schedule makes it difficult for her to do so. We have such a good time when we're together. Lori came twice to visit---once alone and the 2nd trip with Dusty along. That time was a briefer stay, only overnight as he had to get back for work. (Sorry if this is repeat stuff---working backwards on my timeline here!)

Another highlight was seeing my nephews in a school performance, which was very nice. They have the best teachers who bring out the gifts of the students so well. Also got to spend part of an afternoon with them and then enjoy pizza with the boys and Noah, and Lynn (thanks again, Mom!) for dinner. I just love eating in at Pizza Hut, getting the personal sized meat lovers. Such a treat for me!  On a Saturday morning, Mom, Lynn, Danny, Jill, and I went to a fund raiser pancake breakfast held at the local Applebee's. What a delicious treat that was. As Justin would say, "Whenever I have pancakes, I wonder to myself why I don't have pancakes more often!" Me, too! And our meals came with sausages and a drink as well. It was a great start to that cold, rainy day. 

Speaking of treats, I got to Perkins about three or four times, one time just for pie and a drink, again Mom's treat. She was hungry for lemon mirange pie and I was told it was pie or nothing for me. So I had pie!, and I enjoyed it!  We went once with Lori for lunch before she headed for home. Instead of potato pancakes I ordered meatloaf and mashed potatoes which was wonderful.  I took the rest home for another meal plus bought a cup of WI cheese soup to go. That was simply delicious, two servings from it.

More than once I told the Manitowoc folks about my usual response when asked by friends here what I do up there. My answer is generally "church and perch". I could have used a bit more perch, but sure good a great fill up of Bible study and worship during my stay. Oh, how I envy the folks at my church (and from the area) for the number of Bible study opportunities available. As one who appreciates the time in the Word, it is distressing to have scantly attended sessions. One particular treat was hearing the Manitowoc Lutheran High School choirs perform the church year in song. I enjoyed most of the concert and seeing some folks I'd not seen for a while. That was on the 2nd full day in town and a great kick off to my time. 

Justin should be here (at the airport) shortly so I will send this off and get my stuff together. Am quite ready to hug my boy and tell him all about my trip. He is my prisoner in the car and can't escape my stories!   

The wedding and reception

The big day finally arrived! Naomi and David's wedding, the reason I came at this time of the year rather than later in the summer. Naomi graduated from Martin Luther College earlier this month, and now her wedding day!

I borrowed this from someone else's photos. The man in the blue shirt served as vicar at my church in FL when we first moved to FL, and his brother served as vicar here at FG before I moved to FL. They are long-time friends of the family and have kids who went to MLC with Naomi and David. 

Here is the school gym all dressed out for the wedding. The bleachers are lined with jars with candles in them and some tulle to make them look pretty. Later Naomi's uncles came around and lighted all the candles which was quite a task!  Linda, Tommy, and I were seated at the 2nd table in, along the bleachers.

I sneaked a picture of Ann, one of the kitchen ladies, who so graciously, with others, served the wedding meal. Her words, "It's the least we could do for this family who has done so much for us." Love it! A group of people made most of the food, and the family did as well. By the way, Ann is no longer a member of this congregation but came back in order to serve her friends in this fashion.

The mother of the bride, Julia, and her mom, Jean, waiting for the meal to be served. Julia was radiant, and I can't say I blame her!  I know she is filled with joy over this for her daughter and dear son-in-law. 

Naomi and David are about to drink a toast after her uncle lead the room in prayer. He is a pastor, serving the Lord in CA. 

My blurry plate of food complete with a natural casing hot dog, dinner roll, olives, pickles, noodles with beef tips, and a slice of ham. I ate the hot dog first, of course!

Naomi's aunt Janice is about to start carving away on the wedding cakes. Naomi's nieces and nephews and other younger ones helped to distribute the cake to the guests. All the flowers were donated from people's gardens and presented in embellished jars. I was tempted to take the arrangement from my table when I left to give to Lynn, because she just loves lilacs. But I resisted!

Newsletter day

Yesterday morning Linda picked me up from Mom's house and took me to church with her. She had already stopped for the flower bouquets for the altar before she got me. She still wears a couple of hats at church since she retired. Thursday is hers to record the church envelopes and other similar tasks. I got busy helping the gathered volunteers stuff and fold their church newsletter, like I used to do with Mom when she was able to help out. 

Linda did her thing and I did what I could with the group, enjoying the time catching up with them. One lady, Gwen, I have spent much time with since arriving as she attends many of the same Bible studies I do. Another of the 'folders' are a long time married couple, a retired pastor and his wife, and another lady, Liz, with whose children I attended grade and high school. Linda treated with fresh baked muffins which the pastor really loved, calling Linda the Muffin Lady. She always come through with the baked goods!

When Linda got done, she freed up the computer for me to work on the next newsletter of the day---mine!  I had worked on it at her house on Memorial Day but was waiting for additional content. Thursday was the deadline and wouldn't you know it?, just as I had everything formatted, Pastor sent something to be included. I squeezed it in and at last got it sent off.  I hate that I can't send Gretchen a colored copy of it, but I can do that when I get back. 

One very nice thing happened while I was working...the pending bride came in with her newly minted marriage license in hand. She was so nervous carrying it around and wished to do a hand off to someone in autority.  That would be Lisa, the church secretary, since the presiding pastor was occupied.  I was so excited to see Naomi that I wept with joy. I reminded her the license is good for life, no need to renew.  We talked briefly about her Call to the same school where she student taught and also helped out in the summers.  Her spouse teaches at a Lutheran school outside of Milwaukee.

After Linda and I were done at church with our jobs, we met a friend, Angie, for lunch at Harborside.  Linda treated us and I so enjoyed the good time spent together. Angie is a friend Linda met at the Welnness Center and they became fast friends. I became friends with Angie through Linda, plus she is friends with some of my in-laws.  It was a great time together and I was sorry Angie had to leave to get back to work. Linda took me home, and then had to take me right back to church to get my iPad which I left plugged in. Nuts! Glad I remembered before she drove off so I wouldn't be without it for too long. Can't be without my electronics! What a good start to my day it was being at church and doing church work! 

Time with the boys

                             

Lynn brought the boys up from Sheboygan so we could spend some time together before I leave for 'home'. No sooner is Angelo in the door than does he ask for the box of toys. I played dumb and had him show me where the toys were kept. Several of these toys were once Justin's and it's fun to see them being played with. He is so darn cute, and such a good boy!

Our little tradition has been to dine at Pizza Hut with the boys, which we have done for the past 4 years, whenever I come to Manty. Mom chose not to join us, so Lynn, Noah, the boys, and I went on our own. At the table there are trivia cards which the kids like to read and quiz each other. This is Gabe reading the cards.

Angelo can't read the cards but Manny can. They are waiting patiently for their drinks to be delivered to the table. We will order the Personal Pan Pizzas with Lynn sharing hers with Angelo. She is the best grandma!

Noah came to meet us at Grandma K's house after work and then we went over to Pizza Hut for dinner. Lynn had the boys 'last day of school' stuff in her car so we had to transfer all the belongings to their van. Certainly the boys are glad to have the school year behind them and only summer fun in front of them.

A blessed Memorial Day

Today was marvelous in so many ways. This morning my plans were changed from the original because Lori adjusted her plans to arriving today instead of later in the week.  I was planning to spend the afternoon at Linda's and having dinner with Tommy and her.  Linda said she was like Gumby---flexible so instead she swung by and picked me up after 8:00 to start our day together. I hustled to get myself presentable and did so in less than 10 minutes. It can be done!!

We hit Festival running and even "ran" into some people we knew from church shopping for picnic foods. The parade was cancelled this morning due to bad weather predicted so people were making alternate plans. Just like I did!  Linda's daughter and family are coming tomorrow to celebrate the twins birthday so we picked up some items for that party. I got some more caramel puff corn and some Diet Coke. Oh, and a package of peanut squares.  Yum!

When we got back to her house she helped me get hooked up to her laptop so I could work on the church newsletter. What a blessing!!  While she got her stuff together for tomorrow's party, I worked and talked!  I'm good that way, as is she. I can't wait to try her recipe for making twice baked potatoes for Justin and me when I get back home. Those potatoes will be part of their celebration feast for Madison and Cassidy. 

Linda and I had a great afternoon watching the documentary "Honor Flight", fitting for Memorial Day. We cried almost all the way through it.  It was a perfect "Kim and Linda" day!  We enjoyed cheese and sausage crackers for our afternoon repast, with a peanut square for dessert. Good treats!  Linda took me back to Mom's to wait for Lori to get there. 

Lori and Dustin arrived about 4:30 and plans were made to have dinner at The Charcoal Grill.  We had to wait for Jill to get home from work as the ice cream parlor was quite busy.  It turned out to be a lovely day anyway so business was brisk. Mom even got talked into joining Lynn, Jill, Danny, Dustin, Lori and me for dinner. Our meals were great and the time together special, in my opinion.  Now it's time for bed!  Good night all!

A trip to Howards Grove

My nephews were in a school play, a musical at St. Paul's, Howards Grove Thursday night. Oh, what a good show it was and how fun for me to see them in a school production for once. Twice the Christmas plans to see them in their service were dashed---once by weather and once because they were sick. They did a good job in this production,as did their classmates and director/teacher.

In the center in the blue plaid shirt is Manny, who had a speaking role. Their grandma, Lynn, was quite helpful in getting the two boy's outfits together. Gabe played President Jackson but I didn't get a nice picture of him in his role. 

Mom and Jill sat in the chairs while Lynn, Noah, and I sat on the bleachers. Angelo enjoyed the play and being 'busy' with things. He is such a cutie pie!

These two can hardly contain themselves after the play! I didn't get a chance to read the bios on the wall of the gym but Lynn said they wrote something flattering to her and thanked God for their blessings. So nice! 

 On the ride home, we witnessed this lovely sunset which begged to be captured. In fact, Lynn, in her car ahead of us, called to make sure we saw it and took a picture of it. Mom, with us, could not believe Lynn would use her phone while driving. No matter how old we are.....