"Well, I don't really work here." "That's what makes this so difficult!"

I'm watching/listening to an episode of, guess what!, "Seinfeld", called "Bizarro Jerry". In this episode, Elaine makes friends with a group of guys exactly the opposite of the guys she normally hangs out with. These new guys go to the library to read, have tickets for the ballet, and knock before entering the apartment. Elaine got in trouble for opening a jar of olives and eating them without asking permission first.....that is so contrary to what she's accustomed to. Of course, it doesn't last, they are just too good to be true! Jerry is also dating a woman with man hands---hands so big she can tear the top off a beer bottle and tear lobster to bits with her "bear" hands!

*

By the grace of God, it seems the storm, Ike, is heading further south instead of coming up this way. Tragic and dangerous for them down south, but I can't help but feel great relief. Justin and I didn't do half the storm prep stuff I'd planned to do, but have a list of things to be done in case something does happen. We've got the furniture pulled out and towels in place 'just in case' a storm comes this way. Oh, poor Kramer! He just announced that his vasectomy failed, and finds he's even more potent than before!!! Kramer has so many problems, we have no idea, no idea!! "Look away, I'm hideous!!!!"

*

After I cleaned the church, Justin and I met at Grumpy's for breakfast. There he told me the most dreadful news: his roomie, Mike, was injured when the 4 guys were out on Justin's father's jet skis Thursday night. Due to some horseplay, 'hot-dogging' I like to call it, the two skis collided or maybe didn't, and Grove got hurt. He was riding on the back of Justin's ski and the other two tried to soak them by riding close and turning abruptly. Those of you who have skied know what I mean. No one is sure exactly what happened, but somehow Grove's leg got scraped and a slight break in a non-weight bearing leg bone. Yikes!

*

Okay, so you are counting back the days and see that some time has gone by between the accident and my hearing about it..............Well, Justin didn't want anyone to tell me just over the phone or in e-mail, so he waited until today to tell me face-to-face. I am upset, of course, greatly concerned by Mike's injuries and the problems the guys have now after being involved in a water accident. Reports had to be written, people given rides, sitting at the hospital until 1:30 in the morning......It seems the "captain" of the 2nd jet ski got a ticket for reckless operation and faces a fine or more. Grove is laid up with a splint on his leg and 15 stitches to close the gash. (Family in WI: I'll give you all the details and throw in some theatrics when I see you next week!) Grove is home on the sofa, having the splint removed Monday and may possibly be able to return to work next week. I hate it that he's missing work and a day of school. I asked Justin what his father said about it, and he said basically they will have no more jet skiing for some time. Grounded is the word we're looking for! I have zero tolerance for hot dogging and people acting stupid, and this just goes to show..............................Justin assures me that all 3 guys are waiting on Grove hand and foot, which is as it should be!

*

Ooooh, my feet are cold---I know why! I had turned the A/C on when Justin was here and now I'm freezing. We spent the bulk of the day together. After breakfast Justin and I went to Circuit City to buy an external hard drive in order to backup my entire computer. I'd inquired about one when it appeared the storm was looming, and decided to go ahead in buying one. Justin and I each got a mouse to use on the lap tops, his being cordless and mine attached.

*

Justin helped me carry the rest of my groceries upstairs and between us, we got cat box changed out and self-feeder ready to go for Lynx, gathered all the garbage together and bagged it up, and then watched some re-runs. He also helped me measure the windows and patio door because one of the Owners is going to get prices on storm shutters, hopefully getting a bulk-rate price. I know the downstairs neighbors with two sides exposed paid just short of $20,000.00 for theirs and I pray mine wouldn't be that much, not even half ! Would it be worth it to ease my troubled mind???? What price sanity?????

Good news all around!

A short while ago I received a phone call from Julia at Great Hang Ups to report my submission in the art show at the Thrasher Horne Center was juried in. Yippee! I am now 3 for 3 as far as entering shows, not being juried or judged out of the show. Julia claims I can't deny being an artist any longer, since I've not been "voted off the island".

Other good news for me, it's all about me, is Hurricane Ike looks to be staying further south rather than originally thought. What a great relief, and not that I wish evil on anyone else, I'm so glad it probably won't have Orange Park in its bull's eye. Next in line is Josephine, and I pray again that she stays away from my house! The bulk of my concern is that I'll be away when all the storms are threatening and I hate the thought of making extra work for my neighbors. I'm going to leave Justin with names and phone numbers for "just in case" scenarios. He's talked me into allowing him to come up to WI at the end of my stay so, for a long weekend, my home will be left in the loving care of my neighbors and Dee.

The weather man just reported the highest wind gust here being 29 mph in Orange Park. It's been relatively calm here all day, with only a few sprinkles during the day. I ran some errands this morning, including a trip to Office Max, a bad place for me to go, since I love office supplies a great deal. I bought more hanging files as well as the tabs which mark the top of the file, plus a pack of AA batteries, since they were available near the check out. They always get ya at the register!

After getting my supplies, I stopped at the cemetery to pick up the withered bouquet. Strangely, I felt a bit of relief about not having all that stuff there to pack up in case the storms come here, as I usually had to do. Huh, what do you know? Traffic was light on Blanding so it didn't take me long to get to the car dealership to pick up Jennifer. She was having some work done on the car and we decided to have breakfast while waiting. At Grumpy's, we had a delightful meal, and later met some of my Art Guild friends. They were talking about their entries in the show, too, saying to not take it personally if work isn't juried in to a show. Maybe I should call them to report my good news, or perhaps, they already know it!

Sitting here in the family room and typing on the laptop, I can hear the strains of a wedding march. What a weekend to have an outdoor wedding ceremony! I'll bet they were sweatin' all day about the storm would do.

*

On October 4, which also happens to be anniversary of Janis Joplin's death, there are two weddings in my circle. One is Travis and Jessica's, and the other is Jen's sister, Kristin, and Mike's wedding. Today I removed mail from my box and found an invite to a bachelorette party at the end of the month for Kristin. Part of it looks perfect to me---Joe's Crab Shack! I'm in!!! The invite encourages us to bring plenty of money to cover Joe's and then bar hopping complete with cover charges. That's not going to happen, I'll do Joe's and come home. Jen and her mom might ride with me since they only wish to have dinner and come home again. We are in charge of being the party poopers! I'm up to it!!!

*

Justin is coming to help me tighten things up here in the morning. First I have to go vacuum at church and then I think we'll meet for breakfast before coming here to get busy. I know this might be a waste of time and energy and plastic bags, but I'll rest easier knowing it will be more or less secure in my absence. I have come up with a plan for preserving the video tapes by wrapping them in plastic and placing them in the dryer for safe keeping. Brilliant, yes? One of these days I'll take the advice of my friend/financial planner guy and buy the machine to convert tapes to DVD, but really, can you see me doing that? Me neither.......

My head is pounding, but it's a good pounding.....

....now that my two lady friends from church left for their nearly hour long ride home. No, it might be less than an hour since they're already on this side of the bridge. They work in Mandarin and live in the next county west of here. Must love their jobs!

*

Linda and Leanne joined me here to watch the video taken on January 19, 2001, at Good Shepherd. Never before and never since has our church had so many people in attendence----as the preacher says, it takes the funeral of a 4 (5)-year-old child to pack the house. "Jesus Triumphs Over Tragedy". Need I say more? (Reference postings from January 13, 2oo8)

*

Leanne told me she felt privileged to be able to watch it with me, and to hear that wonderful message. Good! I was hoping I didn't make her do something she didn't really want to do. She got much from "attending" this service, hearing the message, and seeing Linda with brown hair!!!

*

If I had it to do over again and had my wits about me, I'd have had the camera man get more of the attendees into the frame to help me remember who was there, those I couldn't see standing along the walls or in the very back or in the fellowship hall. I could hear the policeman's whistle, Brad, as he directed traffic on Argyle Forest Blvd. Many folks attended who didn't get a chance to sign the Guest Book and my memory is either foggy from the events of the day and/or I just can't remember all those who came in support for our family.

*

What's great about having the video tape is being able to see so many faces not seen in a long time. Some have moved to other parts of the country, some have moved on to heaven, while some only come on special days on the church calendar. Tomorrow I must call my friend in TN and catch up with what's happening in their lives. Their young daughter came to the front of the church before the funeral service and simply buried her face in my lap, mourning her lost friend. Judy said she didn't know if she should come and get Rachel or leave her there, and I motioned to leave her there until she was ready to walk away. She was probably about 6 at the time, just a bit older than Timmy. Sweet memories! Back in 2003, Cindy and Judy H. joined me at home in The Preserve to revisit that momentous day, and our heads were pounding that night, too. How wonderful to have my dear friends around me so I don't have to watch it alone.......Yes, you, Cindy!!!!!

I miss you, Judy H. !!!!!!!!! I'll call you tomorrow!!!!! Somewhere in my vast photo collection I have a shot of Rachel and Timmy playing on the floor in the Fellowship Hall in front of the soda machine. I'm going to find that picture, once I have everything ready for the pending storms...

*

Justin is coming to help get things ready in case Ike comes to Orange Park. I feel I must protect my art work, especially the special portrait plus my own creations, secure my scrap books in a high, dry place, gather my important documents, protect my electronics, and basically get things away from the windows and off the floor-------just in case! Am I scared? You bet I am!!!

I should be getting dressed for the day....

....but wish to jot a few lines first!

*

This morning brought sad thoughts as the news reports the death of a Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer. Only moments after the end of his shift, he struck a parked semi on 9-A and sheared off the top of his patrol car, dying in the wreck. As soon as I hear some tragic news involving JSO, I hold my breath until I know it's not any of the officers with whom I am associated. It's always tragic to lose one of these officers, but would be more so for me to lose those I actually am acquainted with and care about.

*

Last night was our first choir rehearsal with Robbie at the helm as our leader and accompanist. He'd called me in the afternoon to review when I will be away, and I sort of "altered" his plans for one of the songs, which will be sung when I'm gone. Originally he'd told me we weren't singing until mid-October so I wasn't too concerned but evidently Pastor wants an anthem in September as well. We rehearsed it round and round for nearly an hour, after mucho discussion about who sings what and when do they sing it. How funny to say we went round and round since it somewhat sounds like a round! Robbie had a part for me to sing alone but I think now he gave it to Brian. We are interchangeable!?!

*

I stayed up wwaayy too late watching the Convention and such so it took a long time to get to sleep. My stomach was grumbling and it occurred to me I'd not had any dinner, with only nibbles here and there all day. Breathing a sigh of relief because it appears TS Hanna is keeping away from my shoreline, I still am apprehensive of Ike, who is heading this way as well. I hate it that I won't be home when the time comes and am not certain I can depend upon Justin getting things in order here as will be needed. My long-messy desk and table may just be cleaned off by dumping the whole works into a storage bin and put in the closet for safe keeping. Who knew it would be so simple a task? I have to get my important stuff away from the windows, in case they blow in or leak.

*

Judy R. was telling me about her newly re-decorated office/guest room, complete with new flooring and fresh paint. All the "stuff" had to come out of the room in order to work, but less was put back in. I envy her fresh start in the heartbeat of their home. She says her beloved Jer Bear is usually the culprit about not putting things back when taken out, but I have no one other than me to blame in this house! I've always had problems with filing, but a friend of mine, who used to work in our office, simply LOVED to file. I don't get it....wonder if it's a left-brain/right brain thing? I hope not since both Rebecca and I are lefties!

*

Well, I must go shower and get dressed for the day, as the new Thrivent agent team is coming by shortly. Evidently they are changing their way of doing business or something but want to come see me and review my insurances. Hopefully no arm twisting to buy some more! My accountant said we have enough expenses that we don't need to add so many more insurance payments to the mix. Love his optimism about not needing it!

Oh, where to begin?

I could write in the format Jami often uses in her blogs, keeping thoughts and subject matter separated by the dots or paragraph breaks...My brain sort of won't allow that to happen, needing to keep the paragraphs in order as the thoughts are popping around as if on a burner!

Mona called this a.m. to go over the plans for next week when I'm in Manty and they are in NY for JR's ring reception and ball. I am proud of JR for his accomplishments! She said John is keeping track of any details and information those of us sitting with Arno will need, which I deeply appreciate. I'm already thinking of different things to make, in order to keep Arno as well-fed as he's used to being fed. A nice thing is that Meals on Wheels continues to bring his lunch weekdays which means he'll get at least one "good" meal a day whether I make it or not. I can do it, have no doubt, and will give me some pleasure to have someone to cook for who most likely won't murmur about it!

Since my other sister-in-law will be staying with Arno on Friday night, I'll be free to go scrap booking with Linda. Mona told me a funny story about the new scrapbook store. Saturday was a big Harley-Davidson event in the state (WI is home to H-D headquarters) and motorcyclists by the droves (get it?) were pulling up in front of this scrapbook store all day Saturday, thinking it was still a Harley dealer! One of Mona's neighbors made the remark about how funny that so many Harley riders are also scrapbookers! That did it! I spit all over my desk and keyboard!!!

Evidently there is also some clothing items and such that no one wants, thus I offered to take these things to the MLHS re-sale shop for donation. Maybe, just maybe, I can coax Arno into having breakfast at Perkins one morning. Mona said once or twice he's agreed to go so maybe he'll give in to me. Especially since it will be under the guise of having an errand to run.

This morning's first phone call was of a different nature, however. My neighbor, who is running for public office, called to run some stuff past me regarding the rest of his campaign. Evidently, I made an impression when I said if it got down and dirty, I was out. In thinking about the conversation, I am wondering if perhaps he wanted me to write something. I think it's more like he wanted to see what I thought about a few things. I'll come right out and ask him if that's what he wanted.

Anyway, he asked my thoughts and I gave them, reiterating his campaign must focus on all the highly positive things about Travis and his accomplishments and plans for the "entire" district. The opponent recently jumped party affiliation in order to run against him, which is public information and can be used. I didn't say "against" the opponent but more emphasis on Travis' steadfastness and party loyalty.

In the building business and seminars, we learned about how to give a client the soft "no": tell them "no" about something without really being "negative" about it.

So, anyway, I was pleased Travis felt like he could/should ask me about these things before proceeding. Apparently it matters to him. This self-acknowledged "queen of quips" came up with having Travis take the "high road" vs. only "River Road", which the opponent represents.....Travis will represent the whole 3rd District and not only those supposedly affected by the Dog Track/Poker Room.

Last night was our first Art Guild meeting for 2008-09, with our presenter conducting a brief class on Artist Trading Cards, similar to the Pokemon or baseball cards people collect. Martie and Chris, my painters who come on Wednesday are both involved with swaps, trading their hand-made ATCs with folks in other countries. They have cards in their collection from as far away as New Zealand and Belgium. When Martie and I left, many folks were still hard at work on their first project of making ATCs. I'd taken Martie's folder of cards along and showed it around so folks could see the wonderful assortment of designs and ideas Chris and she have done or received. It's sort of making a tiny collage or painting or scrapbook page, 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" in size!!!

I'd foolishly planned on having three ladies from church come for dinner last night and watch a video afterward, but when it occurred to me that it was also Art Guild night, I had to hustle! I sent e-mails to all three and followed up with text messages to make sure they knew we couldn't meet. Only one got back to me, which was sort of okay, because it meant they weren't going to be able to make it anyway. Some of the finalities were in the air due to one lady serving on a jury this week. We have rescheduled for Thursday now, which is tomorrow. Having a holiday in the week messed up my internal calender, having me nearly miss a whole day in my life. Ooops! I double booked!!!!

I did manage to have the wits to remember taking my painting to the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Art Guild show due to open next week. I'll miss the opening reception because I'll be away. Dee said she'll pick up my painting if it doesn't get juried into the show (boo hoo!!!). I hope they accept it, but understand if it's not, seeing the others which have been submitted. Wow, some gorgeous pieces. Our theme was supposed to be about Clay County but I think the requirements were eased in order to get more submissions. My painting is done in purples, trees reflected in the water, could be Clay County---perhaps in the purple forest????

I did something quite, quite uncharacteristic, however: one of the ladies dropping off her artwork invited me to join her group for lunch, a place yet to be determined, and I (listen to this!) declined!!! What??? As I drove off, I was kicking myself because, regardless of my just eating a Filet-a-Fish sandwich from McDonald's, I could easily have gone along to have soda and/or dessert. Believe it or not, I said in my head, "What the hell were you thinking??" Sometimes I have to get rough with myself! I could have turned around but didn't. No reason why not, other than having already eaten, but from now on: never, never pass an opportunity to hang out with friends-----EVER!!!! Shame on me!

In the afternoon, Louis, the locksmith, paid me a visit and determined that both my deadlocks need to be replaced. He described himself as being a dinosaur when it comes to locksmithing, and our metal doors take only the dinosaur locking devices. These locks are not readily available-I am glad I didn't try buying my own at Home Depot or Lowe's. He's ordered two for me and will have them on Thursday, in plenty of time before the storm and my trip. I need a key for the condo Board so they can access my house in case of an emergency (Hanna, Ike, and Josephine), etc.

Speaking of TS Hanna, it appears now that she's moving further east and our area should only be affected by the passing of her, about 100 miles off the coast. I hope and pray this is true, and our part of Florida will merely experience the same or less damage as when TS Fay came through. I have a wash basket with towels and sheets ready to go to sop up the drips. I've asked Justin to come by to help move my TV away from the wall and pull out the love seat so I can get towels in a place, a preemptive move on my part. Or, the move will be on Justin's part, as it were......

My tummy is grumbling!

Justin and I had a marvelous dinner at Stonewood Grille last night. Having the delicious chips with bleu cheese and balsamic vinegar rather ruined our appetite for dinner, but we still made dents in our meals. Justin's steak came a bit well-done so the waitress took it back and the manager came over to apologize, etc. Of course, we were extremely forgiving and gracious, not the types to go off on wait staff or others in this situation. The manager brought the new steak to our table, and watched as Justin cut into it--perfection! He also got all new sides and was able to enjoy a second serving of creamed spinach. My meal was excellent, too, a pork saltimbocca made with prosciutto ham and mozzarella cheese. It came with rice pilaf which was wonderful, too, and I'm sure Justin will enjoy my leftovers today or tomorrow, as well as his own!!

*

On the way to Mandarin, I gave Mom a call to see how their time went riverside in Sheboygan. Apparently Gabe got sick while at the restaurant so Lisa had to take the boys home while Noah and the rest of our gang stayed at Highland House. Lisa thought the sun got to Gabe and as she rushed him to the bathroom to get sick, he didn't quite make it all the way in before.........ooops! How sad about Gabe and the rest having to leave but how wonderful for the rest of the family to enjoy some holiday fun dining el fresco riverside! Life is too short to pass up the opportunity to do these things!!! Saturday the gang had a fry-out at Jill's with Kerry serving as grille-mistress. I had grilled food, too, but cooked by Chris, the cabana boy, rather than my sister!

*

Maybe I can use the grille when I'm at Arno's house next week! Mmm! I can't wait to have my perch dinners, brats on the grille, natural-casing hot dogs, and sugar cookies from Copp's! And Linda's already scoped out the new scrapbooking store on Menasha Avenue, and Lynn even mentioned getting out her recipe scrapbook to work on that when I'm "home". This could get vveerryy exciting! I'll miss the crop here at church on that Friday but hope the ladies will go ahead without me. I'll send out reminders to ensure folks remember it's coming up.

*

Tonight is our first Art Guild meeting this fall, plus I have to take a piece of art to the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Art Guild display. We are back full-speed ahead! At least I can hand over the recording secretary books to my successor tonight. I didn't like that job at all! It cramped my style having extra meetings, not church related. I make no apology for that, if it's not about church, I don't have to be enthusiastic about doing it!!!

*

Since yesterday was a holiday, our Ladies' Group meeting for September will be next week, when I am gone. Someone else will need to take the notes for me, and perhaps even type them up. I can work on my newsletters while away provided the Minutes from meetings are sent via e-mail. Otherwise, I'll have a busy week after I return from WI. Saturday's breakfast was scarcely attended, mostly because people simply forgot about it, in spite of my sending out the reminders. Those of us who did come enjoyed our time, our intimate group, and our meals greatly.

*

In reading the home page of "my" radio station, I see that at Sunday's Jaguar game, there will be giant greeting card for folks to sign, in celebration of Rush's 20 years on WOKV. Evidently WOKV didn't pick him up immediately, must have waited a month or so to get on board. Ooops, I have re-read it and apparently I'm a day late and a dollar short, as this already took place on the last Saturday night pre-season game. What is available is a place to send a message through WOKV to Rush, so this is what I did.

*

I woke up thanking the Lord for His mercy on the folks in the path of Hurricane Gustav as well as His directing, hopefully, TS Hanna away from my house. Sometimes it's all about the people in the Gulf, and sometimes it's all about me!!!! It bothered me to think I'd leave my home to be attended by my neighbors and friends instead of being here myself to run from window to window, mopping up drips. Now, it appears as though it's heading further north, simply brushing our area with bands of horrendous weather instead of us being the bull's eye of Hanna. Hopefully I will be all over by the time I leave on the 8th and head north to WI, where I won't be sitting poolside, I've been assured!

Some final thoughts for Monday, Labor Day`

Several of the TV channels are running marathon programming this weekend, including USA, upon which I like to watch my re-runs. All weekend, and week, too, probably, USA has been advertising a new program called "Raising the Bar". It's about attorneys and court cases, which I like to watch, but as you may know, usually I don't like to watch the programs when they first come out. See me in 10 years for some of them!!!!! That's why I am soooo far behind in my "Seinfeld" viewing! That program has been out of production since 1998!

*

I hadn't really noticed it before but one of the characters on "Raising...." is a guy I remember from "NYPD Blue", one of my favorite "old" shows. Guess I hadn't paid close enough attention to the blurbs or what ever, but I think today is the first I heard his name mentioned, and I sat bolt upright in my bed! On NYPD Blue, his fellow actors referred to him as MPG: Mark-Paul Gosselear, or something like that. Cool beans! I'd wondered whatever became of him and now I know! My name is on the waitlist for the next seasons of NYPD to be released, I think Season 5 is the next one. Last night Paul and I were talking about the entire boxed set of "Seinfeld" being available (around $200!!) and he said he knew if they had the set, he'd never leave the house. That's an episode in itself!