Incommunicado

Justin and I enjoyed our dinner at Saigon Tokyo Bistro​ this evening, glad that a family of three were joining us at the table. We feel badly when the chefs have to go through the routine just for us. The mom, dad, and adult daughter sat at the end of the table opposite us, all three on their phones with games (at least two of them were looking at games) the entire time. Justin and I talked the whole while with each other, rarely a quiet moment. In fact, when he noticed what was going on across from him, he gave me the elbow, but I'd already noticed. I am glad he noticed and gave it a tiny head shake. He said, "I had my phone out on the table because it's so large in my pocket, but I put it away again when I saw that..." Proud Mama moment. And a sad one for those folks at the end of our table, missing the pleasure of their meal and its preparations, and the company of others.

We each brought home a generous portion of our meals, having shared an order of rangoons which were on special tonight. They are even better than the ones I get from Ming Moon, and cheaper when on special at Koko's. I still have one third of my meal from Tuesday night's dinner from The Olive Garden and half my meal from lunch today. That should get us through the weekend!

Today a lady came to water exercise class for the first time this season. She has the distinct characteristic of being on my short list of people for whom I have no patience. This lady has the uncanny ability to insinuate herself into other people's conversations, replacing her stories for theirs, despite what they are saying. Worse than me, I usually say!  She seems to be unaware of the rudeness exhibited. Last season a friend was trying to tell me about her recent trip overseas but this other lady gave it her best to redirect the story to her trip. I did all I could to keep the conversation my friend's and not let this other woman do an override. And I really wanted to hear about my friend's adventures. It sort of took the fun away, too.

Right after New Year I posted about my friend, Nancy's, sort of resolution, something she picked up from Willie Nelson. He quoted someone else but here goes: "Listen more with the intent to understand instead of listening to reply". I am glad this happened today as it brought this resolution back to mind. I shall make every attempt to follow this advice and do my best to not be obnoxious. 

A quiet day

The day began with water exercise class, fewer today than we have other days, for some reason. At the beginning of the season, the decision was made to not have class on Wednesdays until the numbers supported it. Once we had plenty of folks on the other two days, Wednesday was added back into the mix. It's a good time no matter how many show up. 

A couple of the ladies wanted to stay for lunch and not to be unsocialable, I stayed too, just having an order of hand-made chips for my meal. I think I was still full from my Italian food from last night. Oh, I had to laugh at my boy yesterday. He came in after work and looked in the fridge. He announced that he'd won a bet, $300. I asked with whom he bet and he said, "Myself!" He bet that he'd come home and find a to-go container in the fridge with a half cheeseburger in it, and he won! I had checked in on Facebook from Grumpy's but he claims to have not seen it. That is a pretty safe bet, I guess, that he'll find a half of a cheeseburger in the fridge. I am not sure where the $300 comes in. 

So, back to the fellowship around the pool---we enjoyed our time chit chatting until the clouds started to roll in. The ladies' all went their own way and I came back upstairs. The afternoon storms are starting earlier and earlier this summer, getting tiring. Justin has to race against the clouds, as it were, to get as much work done as possible before they get soaked and have to call it a day. Often they end up working on Saturdays to get caught up, if they can catch up.

For dinner we just enjoyed leftovers including my food from Olive Garden. There was enough for both of us including my half cheeseburger. We watched Jeopardy! and then each retired to our own rooms, my boy all worn out from his long day at work. So glad to have Law & Order reruns to lull me to sleep, that, and the falling rain. Good night!

A new steeple

This is a view of my home church in Manitowoc, WI, First German Lutheran, which is getting quite the face lift for its 160th anniversary. The old cedar shingles were stripped off and now copper 'shingles' are being installed on the steeple. This view is looking east, the lake being at the end of this street. I was thinking how nice it would be if the sun were out, but I bet the workmen are glad to not have to deal with the sun glaring off the copper while they are trying to work with it up close and personal. Both of the pastors took a turn riding up to the highest points in the crane's basket. As Mom would say, it turned my belly button inside out seeing them. But what a panoramic view of the city they were afforded. 

An International Day

This morning I went to get a car wash at long last. My car was looking tough and now that the kids are gone, it needing a good cleaning. As soon as I was done with that, I swung by to get Nancy W. We went to eat at Grumpy's to celebrate National French Fry Day. It nearly got passed me but I saw a segment on Fox and Friends where a chef was making all sorts of different fries. This stirred my taste buds and not one to pass up a National Holiday, off we went to Grumpy's!  It was kind of funny when I pulled up in her driveway, Nancy noticed immediately that I'd gotten the car washed. It must have looked quite bad before the wash!

We talked about some of the groups for whom to obtain school supplies. It's hard to believe some kids are starting school in a couple of weeks. Our friend, Maureen, has appreciated donations in the past, which Nancy was able to bestow on her after going through stuff at her dad's house. Two baggies of pens and pencils alone for Maureen's classroom. Justin will have that many when I pass away, too, I bet, being a fan of writing instruments. We are going to watch for the best prices on supplies and go together to stock up. My friend who is in real estate is having a program where people can stuff a back pack which will be given to someone in need. We will have a ball getting everything.

After I took her home again, I worked at my desk for a bit before taking a nice rest. Late afternoon I joined the Chappells for the long ride to the funeral home. The mother of one of our members passed away and we went to the visitation this evening. The mom was also a member but was shut-in the entire time she was a member. When Michael was serving their previous congregation as Staff Minister he had called on this lady several times so it was right for him to go, for us all to be there for Frank and Maggie.

As we drove back we decided to stop for dinner at The Olive Garden. I hadn't been there for dinner in a long while so it was a nice treat. They were having a special on multi-course choices which resulted in all of us taking boxes home with us. It was called "A Tour of Italy" where we got tastes of three different entrees. Oh, my, so delicious and such a good price, too.  Michael got a chuckle out of me knowing someone seated at an adjacent table who came over to greet and hug me. She works at Saigon Tokyo so we see each other regularly. 

Anyway, it was nice celebrating "French" fries and Italian food all in one day! 

...and, they are gone!

Yes, the house is empty, the family room returned to its normal state with Noelle's airbed deflated and put away. Sheets are either washed or soon to be from the three beds. I hate it! I hate saying good-bye to those kids that I love!

They presented me with a gift certificate for Grumpy's and a larger compartmentalized picture frame into which I can consolidate the photos from the previous years, plus ones Michael and Judy put in from this year. Of course, I will cherish it, and them! Every time I go to Grumpy's and make use of their generous gift, they will come to mind.

The beautiful sunrise this morning as the kids were getting ready to go.

Michael came by early this morning for the young folk were not exactly ready to go. This made me nervous but I understand that is my thing, not theirs. The good news is that flew into JAX instead of Orlando this year saving many miles for Michael. They are also flying directly to Denver, no plane changing, which is good since they have no adult escort with them this year. At last they were out the door and on their way, and I could sit down to soak up the quiet.

But not for too long, as I had to ready myself for Bible study and worship. A couple people asked me how I was now that they were gone, but it was too soon for me to answer. I mourn! Judy had gone to church after Grumpy's yesterday and helped make sure everything was cleaned up and put back in the proper place. It all looked nice today, as though nothing had gone on.

We went to Chili's after church, and they seated us at a table which made for a tight squeeze. I moved around to the end to allow more elbow room. As we sat there, Michael got a text message from the CO kids reporting they had arrived at the airport in Denver. He took a picture of me to send them, showing how sad I am that they are gone. Except, I gave my default look:

Who can be sad with the Triple Dipper and Diet Coke sitting in front of them???  

Yes, I miss them but they are off now on more adventures. Two of them are going to camp where they will be counselors. From one fun time with young ones to another. God bless them!

Taking my kids to eat

This morning I made the kids rise and shine so we could meet the rest of our group at Grumpy's for breakfast. This, too, is another tradition in which the visiting CO kids must take part, and do so willingly. I didn't know that they had not cleaned up last night, so after breakfast they were heading back to church to put everything back where it belongs. 

Michael, Chris, Noelle, Jacob, me, Judy, and Betty shown here

This end of the table shows Terri joined by Betty and Michael. Later Terri made the remark that today was just like Sunday, only missing Justin and Mike S.

Normally my young guests leave for home on Saturday but this time they are leaving on Sunday instead, very early in the morning. Since I never get to have the kids for a dinner, tonight was my chance. I treated them at Saigon-Tokyo, one of my favorite places to eat. Betty, Judy, and Michael joined us. Mike was not available this evening either, playing catch-up with his landscape business due to the frequent rains this past week. Too bad---he loves this place, too! 

Poor Justin is an only child!

My friend shared a funny poem on FB this a.m. which about what a lady will do when she is old. The gist of the poem is that she will go live with each of her kids and do all the fun things they did when they were young. Among the items on her list was writing on the walls with markers, jumping on the furniture with her shoes on, hating what they give her to eat for dinner, drink from the milk carton and then leave it on the counter to sour, stuff the toilets to overflowing, make noise when they are on the phone, and you get the picture. It is humorous for sure because anyone who's had kids knows exactly what the poem is talking about. I found it funny as well but then feeling badly for Justin---because he'll get to experience all my shenanigans by himself since he's my only. Gulp! 

Justin at Show Biz Pizza

Justin has the privilege now of putting up with me, he doesn't even have to wait until I am elderly (or more elderly!) Thankfully he is a good sport about it---does our night driving when available and the heavy lifting. And when he has time, the vacuuming which just kills my back. I allow him to jump on the furniture now and again just to stay in practice. 

Today was a lovely one spent poolside. My happy place especially when my friends come out to play. Marlena has a CD of music for us to enjoy but it gets a bit too much to have it repeat over and over the way it does. Sometimes the guys hook their phones to the system and music from their Pandora or similar entertains us, a nice mix of 'oldies' and island music. One couple prefers Country Western music but Marlena has none of that. I am really okay with what the two Marks play for us, to break the monotony. Marlena is trying to get an iPod loaded with a variety of music but is not techy at all. The one she bought online was meant to be worn with headphones only so had to send it back, and is awaiting the arrival of a different one. By the time summer is over, we should be up and running!