Fun memories

Tonight I was in the kitchen getting a spoon from the drawer when I noticed there were cruddlies in the slot where the spoons lie. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, I cannot stand to have any crumbs or the like in the silverware drawer, or anywhere, for that fact. I grabbed the remaining spoons out and wiped the slot. As I did this, I  remembered a time at our house in Southlake, a home we built and then rented back from the owner when we found ourselves 'homeless'. My mom had come for the winter and was getting acquainted with yet another home with us. 

I worked for our business by day and for Sprint by night so Mom, my former spouse and Justin would usually eat dinner without me. One day I was emptying the dishwasher and pulled open the silverware drawer. There was what appeared to be a handful or so of instant potato flakes! How did that happen? I took stuff out of the drawer and wiped it all up, asking aloud how the flakes got into the drawer. Sweet little Justin, all of 5 years old, said, "Maybe Grandma did it---she doesn't know where everything goes yet." Ha! I laugh yet thinking about that. "Hmmm, where does this handful of potato flakes go? Ah, I bet in the silverware drawer!" 

It was in this house also that Justin would entertain himself (and us!). One thing he liked to do was take lengths of rope and string it between his rocking horse and other furniture pieces in the family room, and hang clothing items and other things on it. Just like his Auntie Lynn and her 'drying strings', as he called it. That looked really pretty---not! When we lived there he badly wanted a horse for Christmas so Santa had to write him a letter explaining how the landlord would not allow us to have a horse in his yard. This same yard where Justin thought it would be a good idea to cut down all the trees and make a cemetery. He decided on this plan after visiting the Huegenot Cemetery in St. Augustine. He thought we needed one of our own!  Thankfully the landlord would not allow that either. Oh, that Justin was such a character!

One day we were having a particularly hard time with this little 'character', and I was stressing about our plans for the evening. One of our customers had asked us to a house warming party for their new home and insisted we bring our little charmer along. Unfortunately he was not being very charming and when it was time for him to get ready, he refused to come into the house. His father had to chase him around the house, and once caught, got a spanking. I got Justin cleaned up and dressed in his snazzy blue wool blazer outfit and he looked so handsome. On the ride to the party, I explained to him that he had to be the very best boy there and so on. And he was!!  All the guests were impressed with him, how cute he was and well behaved. Wow! On the ride home, I told him how proud we were of him for being a good boy. He said, "You know, that spanking really helped...." My spouse and I could hardly contain ourselves. "Oh, you're welcome, Sweetie Pie, you're welcome!" 

Planning ahead

This morning Justin did not have to work because rain has been expected to last all day, and it has! What is wonderful is that he finally got a chance to attend Bible study again. The bad part was driving in the rain, part of the time on the way to class, and in pouring rain all the way home. Ugh!!

We completed our study of Timothy today and next week will start right into a study of Titus. We wrapped up our study time quickly as one of the area funeral homes was bringing us lunch and doing a presentation on pre-planning our funerals. Mine is already done but I sure didn't mind staying for lunch and the sales pitch. 

Justin was very helpful in getting the lunch carried in, with the other gentlemen in the class, and getting stuff set up. A 'pastor' who came with the lady from the funeral home did the presentation and Justin was not impressed. Said he just can't trust a pastor with a Southern accent. He is so much yet a WI boy! He whispered to me that it felt like we were being sold a time-share. But the lunch was out of this world---soup and sandwiches, and Rice Krispie treats!  I told the lady from HG that I loved them, and had them on my list for my funeral meal. She was surprised to hear that I even had my food planned out!

Before we left Victory, Justin nicely helped Stephanie move a box of castoff clothes and extra hangers into our car, for the PACE clothing event which is next Tuesday. Before class Dawn gave Justin a bunch of bags and some clothes, too. I cannot get over the generosity of folks for this organization. 

We got back here about 12:30 with Justin dropping me at the elevator lobby so I didn't get thoroughly soaked. It would sure help if I could leap from the car like I used to! He had an IT appointment over in the neighboring building but had a few minutes before needing to go over. He helped Sharon out with a few things electronic and chatted with her. She sent her greetings with him, saying we didn't exist in each other's lives outside of the pool. I can so fix that, once the rain ends!

I've been working on getting a table of ten together for a PACE luncheon held at the end of March. RSVPs have been rolling in and if everyone says they will come, I am going to have a problem...I asked 11 people! I would guess that is a great problem. I am trying to make sure that the ladies I have invited know at least one other person at the table so no one feels awkward or anything. Thus far it's working out!  

My last Happy Hour

Yes, I have to get on the bandwagon with some others and give something up for Lent. So far I am forced to give up Monday morning Bible study and now, Happy Hour at The Club. I will even be missing a chance to win at Trivia in a tie-breaker after having been tied for first place last month. The rest of my team will have to carry the trophy in my stead. There is also a new tapas menu for Happy Hour and tonight I enjoyed a wonderful cheeseburger using my gift cards gotten for my birthday from the staff at The Club. And a free drink!

This evening I got to enjoy the company of some folks with whom I don't ordinarily sit. One man, Al, lives in the US much of the year and part of the year in Belgium, where his wife lives. She was visiting here for the last three months but is leaving in a day or so to return home. What an interesting and complicated arrangement for them! Al was telling me about how he rented a villa in Sorrento, Italy where he will be celebrating two of his sibling's birthdays, one turning 70 and one 80. What good genes these folks must have to be able to travel to Italy and manage all the stairs they will find once there. Al assured me the multitude of steps to the ocean won't be a problem because there is a pool at the villa! I enjoy them being able to do this as a family and in so gorgeous a setting.

So, tonight I said 'good bye' to Laura, and to the rest of the group until Holy Week when I'll again be available to join this fun. I know that time will fly by quickly! 

Smile power

This morning I had to scoot to the Island bright and early for a dental check up, a 9:30 appointment. I was past due for a cleaning (how did that happen??) but I came through with flying colors. My smile was all polished up! After the cleaning was done, the doctor, Peggy, came in to do her checking. She found all to be in order and we had a chance to visit a little bit. I mentioned that we recently celebrated Timmy's anniversary and she even knew the date. I told how a group of us went to Sweet Tomatoes and her assistant/receptionist said, "On the 19th, right?" I said, "Yes, how did you remember that?" and Yvonne replied, "Well, that was his birthday..." That means so much to me, 15 years and they still remember. When I stood up from the chair, Peggy pulled me in for a hug, and told me I smelled good. Double nice!  Peggy is going to join my table for the PACE function in March!

As I was waiting at the drive-thru at the bank, Terri texted me to see if I had made plans for lunch yet. I had not, so we agreed to meet up at Grumpy's. I told the dental folks that I was going to eat blueberry pie for lunch but was only kidding. I could have had something to make my teeth dirty but had a cheeseburger and fries instead. Loved the time with Terri, especially the impromptu lunch invitation!

I am so glad for my friend, Mike S., who got to spend the day in a boat, fishing, his true heart's delight. One of his customers had him take the day and they spent it on the St. Johns River, from Julington Creek to the Fuller Warren Bridge. Sadly, between them, they caught one fish, a throw back. He told me he was going to wave when he passed my place but it was still foggy when they went through. I was at the dentist anyway and wouldn't have seen them, but it's the thought that counts. While Mike was fishing, my family was in the throes of another winter storm. School closings, meetings cancelled, work from home type of day for them. It's hard to imagine the contrast sometimes. 

My neighbors dropped off this lovely plant as a thank you for protecting some of their precious things after the most recent flood. So thoughtful of them!

Tonight our group met at Sweet Tomatoes (our 3rd Tuesday night in a row of getting together---I'm getting used to it!) for Miss Betty's birthday. Terri had to miss because she had Bunco but the rest of us were there. Justin also had a dental appointment this afternoon and feared he wouldn't be able to eat but he was just fine since the tooth worked on was a root canaled tooth. So glad he was able to round out our group for Betty. She loves Sweet Tomatoes and we like her to be happy, especially on her birthday!

Busy church day!

My day began with Bible study, looking at the people involved in the life of King David. Pretty interesting stuff. We have a good gathering of ladies, including one of our newer members, Trish. Every seat was taken! After class a group of us were going to have lunch, Judy at first resistant. The plan was to go to Pengree's but when we got there, it was closed. Shoot! I forgot, as did Jacky, that they are not open on Mondays. It's hard to get consensus with a group so I sorted made the decision for us to go across the street to the Dairy Queen. We often go to the one on Blanding Blvd. and are happy. Judy opted to go on home, but 6 of us went to DQ. No, it wasn't as 'nice' as the new one on Blanding, but it did the trick. 

We did enjoy our lunch time together, and when we parted company, most of us would be meeting up again in a few hours for Ladies' Group. Isn't it funny how that works out? The same faces at Bible study are those around the table for our Ladies' Group meetings. Fortunately some others do come for which we are grateful. Our president is a teacher and another lady works in retail. In March we are going to try having our meetings on Sunday after worship to see if more ladies will attend. We'd love more involvement, more interest, and more hands for our projects. We will get more input at our Ladies' Brunch next Saturday morning, hoping for a great turnout.

It's a Chili day!

Tonight I walked through from the kitchen and noticed that one of my birthday balloons, now nearly 30 days old, has lost its poof! 

I've created a monster in my Justin, quoting "Seinfeld" or making references at every turn. Ever since watching "The Millennium" episode, we, especially me, can hardly see or say balloon without thinking of Kramer! In this episode, in anticipation of the century turn, both Kramer and his friend, Newman, are making plans for millennium parties. One has already reserved a venue for holding their party, even though they had a couple of years to wait.  It seems out of character for them to plan so far out, being seat of their pants most of the time, but they did. Kramer started hauling folding chairs into Jerry's apartment, assuring him they would be out of the way stacked against the wall, for over 2 years!! Why????

The balloon joke comes in later when Kramer shows up at Jerry's apartment again, this time carrying a huge bouquet of balloons, maybe a dozen of them. Jerry says, "Kramer, there is no way those balloons are going to last until the millennium!" to which Kramer replies, "These are my everyday balloons." Silly Jerry! Even now as I write, I cannot help but laugh. Now, to me, every time I see a balloon it's an 'everyday balloon'. 

This morning was Bible study and worship. In our Bible study we are finishing up a study on "My Son, My Savior", the Synod's most recent DVD release. I had seen the movie in entirety when in WI, but in this case, we are seeing snippets and then having discussion of what we saw, etc. I am not as impressed with this movie, not up to the caliber, in my opinion, as the previous two. Anyway, it will be nice when we are through with this and back to regular study. 

The last Sunday of the month is Fellowship Sunday, sponsored by the Ladies' Group but run by Judy. She makes finger sandwiches which are most popular, plus cookies. Betty has started making cookies, too, both of them good bakers. There is a collection basket out, the proceeds of which are applied to the scholarship fund, presently our pastor's son who attends Martin Luther Prep. We don't collect a whole lot but at least enough for a plane ticket now and again. When no students are in Synod schools, the collection goes into our mission funds for LWMS. 

After church our group headed to Chili's once the Fellowship stuff was cleared away. We all enjoyed our time together at lunch, one of the highlights of my week. I am still using gift cards for our meals there. Justin was with us again, being a 'bye' week between playoffs and the Super Bowl. Love having him back at lunch on a regular basis now that football is coming to an end for the season. Only 26 weeks after the Super Bowl and it starts up again, but who is counting!?

Gorgeous morning greeting

My neighbor, Sharon, took this photo of the morning sky earlier today. It looks as though it's on fire!

Justin and I are having an at-home day today, only because we have no other plans. I am so cool with it. He stays in his room and me in mine, with periodic meeting in the middle, the kitchen! Justin pokes his nose in here occasionally, too, when he has something to show me or tell me. Saturdays are favorites of mine, sadly, because of the TV! Yes, I've said it, the television is my friend on Saturdays. From when I wake up until 10:00 a.m., weekend hours, I watch Fox and Friends, switching between it and Law & Order on another channel. The rest of the forenoon is spent watching reruns of L & O on a couple of channels. Love that!

Space Shuttle Discovery launch, as seen from my river room, July 26, 2005

Probably because of the anniversary of the explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger a couple days ago, the movie "Apollo 13" was shown this afternoon. Three hours worth. At first I wasn't going to commit to this movie, but given there was little else I wanted to watch (no L & O in the afternoon), I did it. I have seen it before, more than once, and I had to laugh at myself. Caught myself holding my breath or hands clenched during portions of the movie. Even though I knew they made it back safely to Earth, it was nerve wracking. THAT is a good movie!