I am here!

Michael picked me up before 7:00 am this morning for the airport ride, with Justin getting up long enough to wheel my luggage down and say good-bye to his mama. He'd had a long night with very short sleep after the wedding plus his buddy was coming home with him which is why he wasn't driving to the airport. God bless Michael and his kindness! 

I had a long wait at the curbside check-in and a guy told me it was just as long inside. Everyone leaving at once, I guess.  The line for the security was long, too, over 30 minutes. I had plenty of time but was nervous for the couple in line with me who were afraid of missing their flight due to the long lines. I hope they made it. 

Once again I set off the alarm by forgetting to remove my phone. I did all the rest of the stuff right, but forgot the phone. That is the 3rd time I've done it and pretty soon you would think I'd remember. About an hour after being dropped off at the curb, I was seated in the waiting area. I do well at the Jax airport, far better than at the MKE one. MKE has such a long hike from the plane to the baggage claim area. Yikes!  The shuttle people assured me they would wait for me so I did not have to rush. 

I had nice folks in the van with a very nice driver. One couple was just returning from a Caribean cruise, coming back to a snow storm!  The other man chose to ride in the back seat  so he could stretch his leg out, due to a recent knee replacement. I rode shot gun! The roads were clear and after we left Sheboygan, droppng off the couple, there was no more snow. I guess all the excitement was for naught, though the southern part of the State got over a foot of snow.  I as so happy to get here to Mom's. Lynn had delicious sugar cookies ready for me, which I needed because I was quite hungry. So good!

Later Lynn, Jill, and I had dinner at The Green Street Tavern. We all three had the perch with beer cheese soup. Oh, my, was that ever good. Thankfully the place wasn't terribly busy so we could sit and enjoy our meals. Mom didn't want to join us nor did she want any food brought home for her. She would have loved the cheese soup. I sure did. Looking forward to going to bed and get much needed physical rest. So much sitting and but the walking in the airport puts me away!

My travel was mostly uneventful, the worst part was a slight delay leaving out of ATL because Milwaukee could not keep up de-icing planes. That meant there was no place for us to park once we landed in MKE.  At first the delay was an hour but was shortened to about 35 minutes which was okay for me.  I don't know if anyone else was going to be connecting from MKE but it didn't seem like folks were getting frantic or anything. I did let the shuttle service know of my delay and they said they were monitoring the flights. Four total on my flight were using the same shuttle so I was going to have company. Good! Thanking the Lord for a safe flight and no snow and getting home to Mom's and for perch with my sisters! 

Words mean something...

...or they mean nothing. Sometimes they mean nothing and that's it. An example of such which comes to mind is my grandma, Lily. My mom was a gifted sewer, able to make dresses for her mother which were suited to my grandma's needs. The fabric was polyester, needed no pressing, was heavy enough to keep Lily warm. Mom made the dresses so they closed in the front for ease of getting on and off. The buttons were covered with the same fabric as the dress which was a very classy look, with a self belt. Nothing plain about these dresses but also nothing over-the-top either. (Ha ha, little joke there about how the dress went on and off...)

At the old folks home where Lily lived (and I worked) there were nurses or aids, one per floor in those days, and the one on 4th floor was Lorraine. Every time Lily got a new dress, she'd get compliments on it. Lorraine would say, "Oh, Lily, you look spiffy today..." and that would be the end of it. After many years, one day my grandma asked me, "Now, what does that mean--spiffy?" What!? She almost took it as though it was NOT a compliment. How did this happen? At what point did this favorable remark become tainted? What prevents people from accepting a compliment?  Of course, I explained that spiffy today is the same that it was for the previous how ever many years---that she looked nice in her dress. Nothing more and nothing less. Just take it, and run!

The reason I was thinking of this was because I had a conversation with my mom the other day about my pending visit. Our plans for ThanksLiving Day were being discussed and I mentioned getting some stuff to munch on for watching football. She questioned that idea (really, Mom??), thinking that 'we' won't be hungry after our big lunch. Some of us are dining at church for lunch that day, and I am sure it will be a veritable feast. However, when watching football, it is customary to enjoy munchies. This is so nothing new. I took Mom's bait and said, "I don't have to be hungry to eat..." and she sounded almost stunned to hear this. Now, I know that I have heard her make that same remark to me at some point in her life, but now it's foolishness. Maybe I will look spiffy doing it!

Today I had a very nice lunch with my friend, Terri T., at the former Spaghetti House, which is near her work. Justin and I used to have dinner there with Twila and her grandson, Mark, when the boys were in confirmation class together. We'd meet after school but before class and have sumptuous plates of Italian food. The same was true today at Joey Mozzarella, its new name. My calzone was as big as my head, as my friend, Julia, would say. I ate about half of half of it!

Over lunch I shared some stuff with Terri that I'd been writing about or pondering including how sometimes we need to tippy-toe around people, weighing and measuring even the most innocuous remarks. You just never know what will set someone off or cause wounded feelings. You think you know how far you can go, and then miss the mark. Or, what you said last week and was fine is not so fine this week. What changes? Is it tone? Lack of face-to-face exchanges, using electronics too much and missing needed inflection? Or, are emotions simply running high with the onset of the holiday season? Hmmmm.....

Today in Bible study we talked about how pastors and elders are to conduct themselves in this world and their congregations. We also discussed how the members can aid and encourage their pastor to be an effective shepherd to his flock. Our course of study is I Timothy at present and in this book, St. Paul is offering guidance and encouragement to his young fellow pastor, Timothy. Timeless advice offered in these chapters, for pastors, elders, and our own daily living, devoting ourselves to living Godly and God-pleasing lives!

It's all about together

Several years ago at the visitation for my father-in-law's passing, I was seated with my sister-in-law's parents, who were dear to me. Together we watched people come and go to view the coffin and greet the mourners. At one point Clara said to me, "I suppose youse won't get together anymore now that Arno is gone..." That stunned me because it never occurred to me that Arno was the reason any of us did get together. Immediately I assured her that we would continue to get together, but it turned out, she was right!

It was not deliberate, certainly, it just happened. The kids all have their own families to focus on and some of us are not living in WI any longer. Not living there certainly limits the family time. One occasion I was in WI after Arno died, and it was my niece's graduation from high school. My sis-in-law, Nancy, invited me plus my in-laws, H & B, to come to their house the day before for dinner. Nice! H & B picked me up and off we went. Their son, Kevin, came along, too, so we had a nice group around the table. On the ride back, H remarked to me that this was most people from the family he'd been with since his dad's funeral. Wow! So, Nancy, me, and her two kids made for a sizable family gathering (in more ways than one!). Clara's prediction had come true!

This comes to mind as I ready myself for a trip to WI later this week. I am taking with me good wishes from my church family to give to Mom and my family, and to Linda. Twice a year, at least, I make the excursion north and have a blast when I am up there. "Church 'n perch" is how I refer to my time spent in Manty. Already a few of the days are taken care of with places to be and people to see, and I've not even begun packing!! When I talk to my neighbors and friends about my pending trip some will ask, "Again?". I haven't been to WI since May but I guess for some it seems more recent. My reminder to them is that I still have my mother and then they nod, knowingly. What happens when I don't have her anymore? Will I still make the trip north a couple times a year?

Like I said to Clara, "Of course I will!" but will I? At this moment the answer is yes, because I will also still have my sisters and, of course, Linda. But, my family doesn't often get together for gatherings unless there is an occasion, like a holiday, for us to do so. Our ThanksLiving celebration is going to be such an occasion on Friday when my sister can be off work and my other sister will travel across the state to join the fun. Mom says it's all too much work which is probably true at age 90. Nothing is expected of her except to reserve the room for us. This will be the 2nd time this year we are all in one room, minus my sister, Carol, as we celebrated Mom's birthday in early January. This time we can actually sit around and talk with each other.

A month or so ago I talked on the phone with my sister, Lori, a rare event. She doesn't call often, I am the talker in my family. They know to hang onto their arms when I am around 'cause I can talk them right off! Lori called about coming here for my birthday party, so far the only one willing and able to make the trip. I am happy as can be that a family representative will be here to mark my 60th birthday with Justin and me. Lori was blessed to have a July birthday and had a great family representation for her 60th, in WI. Being away from WI and having a 'Christmas' birthday makes it difficult for folks. Justin was more concerned about this than was I since we'll have plenty of folks to invite to my party. My sister and her family will be the icing on the cake. 

As Lori and I talked she lamented that our family doesn't get together more than it does (I am not alone in this) and remembers all the time we used to spend with our cousins, etc. I reminded her that when I am in Manty, I often try to get the cousins together and she acknowledged that. But it only happens when I am there to facilitate it. My cousins live in the same town as my mom and a couple of my sisters, but they don't deliberately get together. 

Sometimes I wonder if I lived there yet, would I make those arrangements to see my cousins? Would I see the value in spending family time? Or has that occurred to Lori and me because we no longer live in our home town? We must take our proximity to each other for granted, being only blocks away instead of a state, or many states, away. My one cousin lives one street over from my sister, Lynn, having the same house number. But rarely are plans made and meetings are accidental. 

When my auntie was alive, I would make sure to get to see her and perhaps a cousin or two would be there, too. That would be so nice, seeing each other again, and spending the time together. Now, Auntie is gone, and the cousins go on with their lives. I will make an effort to gather folks when I am 'home' for these two weeks. Will have to go up against deer hunting season and such, but still, I can make the phone calls. It's time!

Some helpful advice

Every month I get a newsletter from my friend, Joanne, who is a Realtor working out of St. Augustine at this time. She has stayed with me on several occasions over the years but nowadays, I don't get to see her as much due to her venue change. I used to do these mailings for her when her office was here in OP. Love it that she still has me on her mailing list even though I haven't needed her services in several years. The last time she was here in a professional role was after the Great Flood when I was sure I wanted to sell and get out of here. Good thing cooler heads prevailed. At that time, it might not have been the best idea to cut and run as the economy was still reeling from the bursting bubble.

This month's letter included a print out from the professional support group to which Joanne belongs, listing 8 things for which to be thankful, not only one day, but every single day. I agree with it, for the most part:

Expressing gratitude---

1. will improve your attitude, give you a more optimistic       outlook and improve mental strength.

2. builds stronger relationships by using good manners         with family members and strangers. Pay attention           to others and their needs, build them up.

3. will help give you better mental health. How? Write  down whatever is causing you frustration or angst       which can help you evaluate and perhaps deal with the    matter. Expressing gratitude can help you deal better    with life's circumstances.

4. enhances physical health as studies have shown a      correlation between gratitude and health. Frequent      exercise and regular doctor visits will help to achieve     this.

5. boost self-esteem by taking inventory of what you      are grateful for to help maintain the proper               perspective so you don't compare yourself to others.

6. promotes better sleeping if you jot down the things    for which you are thankful to allow for a more             peaceful night's rest.

7.Increase your empathy for others by being more              sensitive to the needs and feelings of other people. 

  If a person is grateful they might be less likely to be         retaliatory in their actions.

8. spreads happiness as it spreads over your whole life, having a sense of well-being and satisfaction in your   daily living.

The source for this is from an article titled: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude That Will Motivate You to Give Thanks Year Round, 2014. This is a mouthful and I am grateful to not have to type it again! 

Along with this list, I would like to recommend a book written by a Lutheran pastor in TX, "364 Days of Thanksgiving", released just this month. It is available via Amazon or Northwestern Publishing House. He has a blog title by the same name, and it has been a blessing to me. I am grateful for it!

Giving thanks at all times

Justin and I were pleased to host our early celebration of ThanksLiving with our group from church. I had gotten a bunch of the menu items ready last night and before Justin left for church he put the casseroles into the oven, set low. I had put the ham in the slow cooker this a.m. with a half can of ginger ale. Before I left for church, the house was already smelling wonderful!

I went to Bible study and worship on this, Saints Triumphant Sunday. One of my favorites of the church year, in End Times. I knew we'd be singing good hymns for our service, including "Jerusalem, the Golden", the 'old' melody. No matter which tune we used, I'd have wept through it. The mark of a good hymn for me, this one especially so for the pictures of heaven it paints. We also sang "For All the Saints" as a communion distribution hymn. This is in my top 5 favorites. 

After church pastor reminded that at the end of the month is favorite hymn Sunday. I leaned over and told Mike that we had it today! I wouldn't be choosing any since I'll be gone but Mike said he was going to choose one in my honor and asked which one. I said, "Crown Him with Many Crowns" and he agreed this was a good choice. Chances are they will sing it anyway due to it being Christ the King Sunday, but I appreciated his offer and sentiment.

After the blessing, Justin left church because he was stopping at Publix to get a couple things for our lunch. He wanted to get pickles and olives plus the whipped topping I forgot to buy. My instructions from him were to leave immediately after worship, with no talking, which he punctuated with a chuckle. He knew that wasn't about to happen, but I did fairly well with my hasty retreat. I did so well, in fact, that I got home before he did!  

We got our food finished up, the last thing was to microwave the potatoes I cooked last night. I had the butter and garlic ready to be melted and poured over the baby Yukons. I used my mushroom chafing dish to keep them hot at the table, thanks to the little candle in the bottom of the holder. Amazing what a candle can do! 

We had our ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing, my green bean casserole, the baby potatoes, orange Jell-o (of course!!), cranberries, and the relishes Justin picked up. He also made some Grand Biscuits to have besides the dinner rolls I had. We had two pies for dessert, one pumpkin and one apple pie with caramel drizzle. Justin also bought ice cream to have on the pie, messing with me by getting 'organic' vanilla. Ugh! 

From left is Terri, Mike S., Justin, Judy, Betty, and Michael 

Everything was good, at least that's what the diners said. My plateful was delicious, especially the ham, potatoes and the green beans. We have plenty of leftovers so Justin won't starve when I am gone. He worries about me and I will wonder about him. One year at Christmas time he told me he was too lazy to go shopping so he ate many meals involving meatballs, taken from the freezer. Now he is sick of them. We don't want that to happen again!

The PACE Ribbon cutting

Terri and OJ posed for a picture with me at the Open House. Terri and her group of volunteers from ATT's Pioneers look forward to being involved with the Center and the girls.

This is the actual ribbon cutting with this giant pair of scissors. Rob Bradley and Tay Tay are holding the scissors. Tay Tay was the young lady who spoke at the breakfast two weeks ago which Kay and I hosted

 An action shot of the ribbon being cut. Standing next to Rob is his wife, Jennifer, who is the Chairman of the Board for PACE plus some of the girls from the Center. When Kay and I were leaving, I heard one little girl thank Rob for getting PACE in Clay County. Since she started there, she has had only two anxiety attacks, and she wanted to express her thanks to Rob and Jennifer. I was quite touched.

A local bakery provided these special cookies for the event and I brought my two home with me. They positively glistened with their hard-crusted icing. They tasted as lovely as they expressed themselves to be. 

I am kaput!

Today was a full day for me and has left me exhausted. I cannot wait to go to sleep. But I am also filled up in a number of ways. Let me begin at the start of the day:

At Bible study today we were talking about I Timothy 3, the guidelines and qualifications for the leaders in a congregation, including the pastor. We had a good turnout again, three married couples plus a granddaughter of one of the ladies, a non-member whose little one is in the preschool. I wonder what she made of our discussion, since she comes from a different background. Anyway, good conversation and subject matter was had. 

From Victory I headed back to OP to meet Nancy W for lunch at The Club. It is fried chicken day, The Club known for their chicken. While Nancy and I were dining, my friend, Jacquie, came in with one of her neighbors. It was so good to see her again. The last time was on Hot Dog Day at the pool. That event finished their pool fun for them! Anyway, it was grand to see her and to have lunch with Nancy.

Justin had found a deal for us to serve on Sunday, as we are hosting our church friends for ThanksLiving, since I'll be gone on the actual day. The deal was a 6-8 pound ham, two 2# side dishes, rolls, and a pie for $60. I was willing to go along with it and went over to Winn Dixie to get it. After walking all over the store to get what I needed (making garlic potatoes plus green bean casserole besides the two sides), I could not find the 'deal'. Finally I found someone in the meat department who could not help me, but found the deli manager who should. 

"Steve" came out from the back room and told me that there was a problem with the special and it would not be available until early next week. The ad, as it showed on my phone, indicated 11-11 to 11-17, so they should have had everything I needed. While he was running around trying to figure out what to do. I found a ham in the same brand and type as the special, a 9 pounder, for $16. Hmmmm....this got me thinking. Steve did have the side dishes which he told me were about $5 each. I took them plus the ham (doing the math here?). He said he would call the front and let them know about our situation here and I asked him not to do that. I was going to make out better doing it my way than theirs!! Once I got the rolls, 2 packs of them, and 2 pies, the total for MY deal was about $41. That is one more pie than came with the deal. When I told Justin about it he said, "I wonder why I thought this was such a good deal..."

Once the young bagger got my items transferred to my car for me, including 6 cases of soda, I got into my car, exhausted. By the time I got home, it was nearly 2:00 pm. I could only carry up my refrigerated items, with some help from Connie. At three o'clock I was supposed to be at the ribbon cutting and open house for PACE but I could not imagine going. As I rested for a minute at my desk, I texted Kay to see if she was going. She was and would take me along with her. Great! She and I both were making dinner at home tonight so we agreed to not stay too long at the event. 

I met Terri T. at the ribbon cutting, with her friend, OJ, and another lady named Anna. Their philanthropic group from the ATT Pioneers are involved in the Duval PACE school and are in the process of getting on board with the Clay County PACE. Kay was busy with her fellow Board members so I stayed with Terri and her friends. They are a great bunch of ladies, and so civic-minded.  I got some nice hugs from Senator Bradley and his wife, Jenn, who is Chairman of the Board for Clay PACE. I've known them for years, and they are dear people. 

Once back home again, Kay helped me carry more of my groceries up, as I thought I needed my potatoes to serve with the chicken I was making. She is just a doll. I got my chicken coated and ready to go into the oven before I laid down on the bed. Ahhhhh.....I just can't do this anymore and that's it! Later I discovered a container of pre-made mashed potatoes in the fridge, Bob Evans brand, which I made with our chicken. That way my baby Yukons were saved for Sunday's meal. I can smell the chicken baking now and it makes my mouth water in anticipation. And I just had chicken for lunch!  I'm going to bed right after dinner and our TV shows are done. My poor, tired boy is bushed as well, but for a different reason than being a short, fat lady who is out of shape!