Something exciting is happening!

Here it is, less than 24 hours until my family arrives! I pray Hurricane Fay or rather, Tropical Storm Fay, stays far, far away from us, especially with my company coming!

*

In a short while I meeting my friend, Sharon, at Blu Grotto for lunch. She is having a chiropractic adjustment so will be quite relaxed as we dine. Sharon was in the roll-over accident a couple months ago. She asked me to write a Letter to the Editor for her, thanking the Good Samaritans who came to their rescue. I haven't heard whether it was published yet or not.

*

After lunch I am going grocery shopping to lay in supplies for my guests. Over and over in my mind are rolling the lists of likes and dislikes the kiddlings have, plus my list of necessities which will make me a good hostess! Justin is stopping by after work, wait, after a pool party, to help get my purchases upstairs as well as the sleeping mats from the preschool. Deb gave me 5 mats for keeps, since they wouldn't pass State inspection due to cracks in the surface. I didn't need so many but she suggested the boys can make a fort or something on a rainy day. Great ideas from these teachers! But, I think I'd like assistance lugging them upstairs, because they are as long as I am tall!

*

Okay, now to the exciting thing: Mona, my sister-in-law in Manitowoc who, with her family, stays with my father-in-law, called the other night asking if my offer was still good to help out. Sure! I'm somewhat flexible and am glad to be able to do something to lend a hand. Being this far away leaves me at a disadvantage helping-out-wise. John and Mona's son is at West Point Academy and has a ceremony of some kind coming up next month. Unable to come up with a suitable solution for Dad-sitting, she's had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and ask me. A couple of his kids who live in town will be able to give me a breather so I won't be 'round the clock on duty. My primary responsibility will be to administer pills and (gulp!!) see he has meals.

*

I can take my laptop along to Arno's and work at the kitchen table or whereever to keep him company, yet stay connected with the world. I'll have a couple newsletters due by the end of the month and with few distractions out there in the country, perhaps much will be accomplished. Justin thinks the computer is ready to go in order to pick up wireless connections, but must introduce me to it's operation. If not, John can arrange for me to use their home computer. I think I'd rather be where Arno is, although Mona said he sleeps in his recliner much of the time.

*

My older sister, Lynn, the one who is coming to see us tomorrow, will be celebrating her birthday on the 15th so I will be in town to party hardy with her. Oh yeah, I can see it now............perch! Lynn knows how to have a good time!!! She will be 60 years old this year, as is my sister-in-law, Marian, in South Florida. They were born just a little more than a month apart and graduated from high school together. Lynn is quite spry, walks for exercise and has gotten a bicycle now which she uses to pick up my mom for outings-----are you believing this? Actually, Lynn rides her bike to Mom's house and they use her car to run errands, etc.

*

Last night Lynn and Mom went to Sheboygan to see little Gabriel in his very first VBS program. He just loved VBS! I can only imagine how much he's going to love attending preschool starting next month. Wait until Christine sees what a big boy he's gotten to be! The first time she met him, he was a tiny baby, and Christine, not usually a baby-lover, fell head overheels in love with Gaby Baby! Four years goes by quickly, doesn't it?

*

Tommy and Linda have purchased a new home and will be moving soon. I hope that she won't be so busy with packing and moving that she can't go and play........my lower lip is sticking out right now, just thinking about it! They bought a ranch-style home near Lutheran High and I teased her about transferring membership to Grace from First German. I guess Tom threw out the same idea but she shot down the idea immediately. Of course, I was kidding, since she is just two years short of celebrating 25 years in the Church Secretary's Union. And we thought 4 years went by quickly????

*

Our favorite story about her church secretary days at F. G. begins when my former spouse was Treasurer and 'we' had the job of counting the loose plate offerings. In those days, the money was counted at home and took the money to the bank ourselves. After making the deposit on Monday morning, I'd take the receipt and bank bag to church. Of course, I couldn't NOT talk with Linda, could I?

*

At one point I was feeling quite draggy, had this hanging-on cough and cold (this was winter!), never feeling rested, tired as could be. Linda was concerned and thought I should see the doctor about it. Well, in late January, after attending the Builders' Convention in TX, my former spouse, who exhibited similar symptoms and had felt sick on our trip, went to the doctor and was told he had bronchitis. He suggested I get checked out, too. Long story short, the tests came back positive for something other than bronchitis and in July, Justin was born!!!!!! I like to tell Justin he's been to the Alamo and San Antonio river walk, but just didn't know it!

*

So, Manitowoc, you've been warned!!!! Kim, Kim, Kim is coming home!!!

A marvelous day on Wednesday!

What an awesome day I had yesterday! It was SO marvelous, I didn't even have any dinner! What's one thing got to do with the other? Nothing, Jerry, nothing!

*

My lady friends convened at The Club for lunch first, Martie arriving a tad later because she evidently got lost. Remember now, The Club is on the same property as my home....but that's Martie!! She very nicely picked up some soda for me but wouldn't allow me to pay her for it. Martie said she decided between bringing me flowers and bringing me soda, and chose Diet Coke. Wise, quite wise!

*

Following our charming lunch, we came back here to crop, with Janet and Karen working on an album for Jason, Janet's son. She uses the Creative Memories-style of album making, and was interested in the style the rest of us use, matting and such on background papers. Janet makes more headway than do we, simply because ours are more labor intensive, more, shall we say?, creative. No, probably more putzy than creative, I guess it's a matter of taste.

*

Martie showed the ladies her ATCs, Artist Trading Cards, which she trades with people around the world. Actually looking like a mini scrapbook page or greeting card, Chris and she make a number of the same style card. Keeping one for themselves, they send the others off to others in their group who, in turn, send their particular cards to Martie and Chris. It's too fussy for me, I don't care to be precise but both of them are into the minutia and love doing it.

*

Oh, I'm simply mortified! Travis came to the door looking all dapper in his monogrammed shirt and tie, and me yet wearing my mud mask! Of course, it's translucent and all that but still! He probably thought I worked on his campaign materials so late at night that time has not been kind to me!!! I filled an entire box to the top last night in only a couple hours' time. Each bag is handled twice by me, first applying his label and a note on the exterior, and then going back to stuff them with the materials. I have quite the system going here! My neighbor, Miss Chardonnay, is taking over for me soon, because I won't have time when my family is here. Unless, they want to help me.........we might have more down time than expected with Tropical Storm Fay lingering near Puerto Rico. Timing, sir, timing!!!

*

Justin came by after work to help me with a few things prior to Lynn and family arriving. His head was hurting from having to smell paint or varnish at the office all day. He was going to change my furnace filter but when he pulled it out, there was almost no dust on it at all. Since I hardly use it for A/C, not much dust accumulates. So, now I have a couple extra filters on hand for when it's time to heat the house.

*

We did a room to room search for his BeastWar toys but couldn't locate them. He remembered talking to someone about them, showing them off, and then it occurred to us that we gave them to Christopher Ross awhile back!! I wish we'd remembered sooner because I spent some time in the "Timmy closet" looking at boxes and such with his blankets, clothing, stuffed animals, shoes....didn't really have my heart ready for this type of search.

*

Justin did get out the Rokenbach(?) marble game we'd gotten the boys for Christmas in 2000. I can't say if his father and he played with it after Timmy died or not, or if it's been unplayed with all these years. He's wanted to keep it for memory's sake but we figured the boys would have a good time rolling the marbles through the maze.

*

I hope he's here to help get it set up the first time, because I certainly don't remember how it went together. He said I'll need a table with sides so the marbles don't roll away, so will have to come up with a plan for keeping the marbles in check. One option would be to set the game up in the underneath of my folding table where they'd kneel alongside to play. Kids don't mind kneeling down to play!

*

I'll ask Justin to bring my "old" folding table back from his condo, I'd prefer it be here anyway. We'd gotten it as an anniversary gift back in 1979. I'm a sentimental fool, more like an idiot! There are stamp marks on the underside from some little kid playing with the "Entered" stamp in the office!

*

Wednesday, after Justin left, I rested a bit before going to the Board meeting downstairs. It didn't take as long as usual since some of the more contentious folks didn't cause much of a stir. The upset upsets our President and she's accustomed to dealing with people on a professional level as a psychologist!!! Perhaps it's too close to home, in more ways than one! I'll have two newsletters to get out by the end of the month and can probably continue to work on them during some down time when the family is here.

*

My busy, busy, fun-filled day all took place without my having to leave the property!!

*

I am ready to rest my eyes and shoulders for a bit. Oh, one more thing: a giant cherry picker machine will be here next week to finish the roof edges and hopefully the boys will get to see it at work. Kids love that type of thing! Also, the dredger is still at it in the basin and helicopters fly by regularly. I hope they have fond memories of their time with "Kim Kim Kim in Floreedaa!"

About friendships....

Okay, so make a liar out of me--again! One of the ladies can't make it today as her back is hurting too much. She has rheumatoid arthritis so I give her a pass. She serves as the ultimate inspiration to Martie and me, hardly lets anything discourage her! A real go-getter, and will be again once the back problem is addressed. I often tease that Chris has no original parts---everything inside her is now titanium!

*

Sunday at the pool, a group of us ladies were chatting about friends and their value. Miss Chardonnay was filled with some sort of self-pity that day which rather changed up the conversation to a whole 'nother level. My theory was: a true, genuine article friend would be the one to change your bedpan when you're sick. This came to light when my friend, Brenda N., hurt her foot badly and was in wheelchair, not able to put any weight on the foot at all. Her better friend, stayed with her and took care of her bodily needs in such a manner. A true measure of love!

*

Who are the friends you could count on, especially in a time of need? I pray your list is long, and don't hesitate to include your family members in your list of friends! If your list seems to be short, now is the time to cultivate some friendships, keeping in mind they don't all have to bedpan friends!

Oh, I am so sad!

My dear heart, Raffi, visiting DisneyWorld in July. They looked for me in the phone directory but didn't find me----rats!!! He's a real tourist, complete with map of the park in his pocket!

This morning, I received an e-mail from our friends in Mexico City, reporting that they'd just been to DisneyWorld for little Danny's birthday but they couldn't find my phone number in the telephone directory! Oh, I'd have loved to go down there to meet them, as would Justin, I'm sure, since we are now at two years since we first met on the cruise in the Mediterranean. Danielle had a birthday on the 25th so this was her celebration and Raffa said they planned it quickly. Nuts!

*

As a comfort, however, he did enclose some lovely photos which I will post today. You will see why I am so terribly smitten by this family! Ooooh, here comes the rain and wind! The palm trees are shaking in their boots, so to speak!

The top picture is of both children, Danny and Raffi, with the Finding Nemo fish. The lower picture is of Raffi dressed in pirates' costume in the gift shop. Aren't they adorable children? I can't over how big they are getting, must be MY age not allowing it!

In less than an hour I am meeting a bunch of my lady friends at The Club for lunch and then are coming over here to crop. Yippee! No cancellations today! I may even have to set up my extra table for the overflow. My family room table is taken up by the campaign materials and have somewhat of an order to them, so don't want to go shuffling them around too much. How 'bout that----somewhat of an order!

*

Travis came to the door a few minutes ago so I had to grab my caftan and run out there. He'd dropped off some more things for me to use in the bags, plus the actual bags, last night when I was at the baseball game----hey, that's why my throat is scratchy today! I did a lot of hollering at the game! I had trouble following the action, although there was little of it, and once clapped for the wrong team, by mistake. Ooops! I did get to have my cotton candy and my 50 cent hot dog. Terri T. shared her brat with me because it was soooo huge, she couldn't finish it herself. I am glad I didn't buy a whole one for myself, but it certainly was delicious, smothered in peppers, onions, and green peppers. Yummy! Like at the County Fair! I like to get the blue cotton candy to turn my whole mouth blue and then stick out my tongue. The children find it amusing, as do I! Going to that game with the church family last night was an absolute hoot!!!!!

Too blessed to be stressed! Thanks, Brenda!

This was sent to me by my friend, Brenda N. I enjoyed it and borrowed it, I hope you will do the same! Some of these, of course, I'd probably not do, but some of you might enjoy eating wild salmon.............

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Install a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.

7. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is short: don't waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously; No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness (joy) except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. GOD heals everything.

19. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

20. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

21. Each night before you go to bed complete the following: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

22. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

More about words

One of the ladies from church was talking about a list recently published in the Times-Union paper regarding over-used or misused words. I found this interesting since I've been going on about the "importance of vowels" and such. In looking at the archives on-line for the newspaper, I've been unable to locate the article she mentioned, so have to assume it's similar to other lists of words which should be banned. Justin will love this one--he is not in favor of censorship at all!

*

I'd say the correct word would be "avoid" rather than "censor", one being more harsh and insistent than the other. Once I used the word "than" in a Scrabble game and my brother-in-law didn't even realize it was a word! When making a comparison, he substitutes the word "as" for "than". Example: "I'd rather drive a red car as a blue car."

*

Doing some reading on this subject yesterday, I discovered a few words which I over use or misuse, including the article "the". I read an entire paragraph which did not use the once! This would require practice!

*

On HGTV there is an interesting program on called House Hunters, where a couple is shown at least three properties from which to choose, weighing the advantages against the disadvantages, with the dramatic selection coming at the end of the program. What makes me crazy is listening to the banter when walking room to room, often the same words repeated, every room, every house. "Oh, this is nice. Look at this nice closet. The double sinks are nice. Nice big yard for the nice dog and nice kids." Ahhhhhh! Is nothing exquisite in their lives? Nothing superb? Come on, folks, talk like real people, please!!!! An so?

How about the word "amazing"? This word I hear more and more often on these programs as well. What? Does nothing surprise you anymore that you'd find a wine cooler in the kitchen amazing? Pick, pick, pick!

*

This sort of came to me after my conversation at the pool with the gentleman on Sunday. He seemed to find everything I had to say as being "outstanding", and would offer a high-five to me, for nothing I considered all that special. After one particularly profound comment I'd made, he said they regretted not joining the Club sooner and missing out on this type of fun. What? Talking? Yes, I get that, I get that!

*

OUTSTANDING FUN!

A Sunday flashback....

Sunday at church, I was busily getting things arranged on a table in the breezeway, one which I actually dragged out and set up. Usually I never mess with the long tables, for fear of aggravating my back, but this time I had to do it myself. No men were around yet.

*

Anyway, I heard shuffling behind me and turned to see Suzanne with her two kids, heading into the fellowship hall. It seems that poor Daniel had troubles with his shirt sticking to his chest. The villain? Syrup! Suzanne had often told me the smell of syrup reminded her of Timmy, because when he'd come into Sunday school and hugged her, he smelled of syrup! That child loved his pancakes and waffles, as does Daniel. She knew this information would trigger memories, which it did, but fond ones. Suzanne commented that Daniel does many things which remind her of Timmy (Daniel is the boy who was found sleeping with the knives in his bed!). Oh dear!