This, too, shall pass

My signal has been intermittent again this a.m. so I am going to write something quickly before it wanes. I am sitting in my window seat here above the river, basking in the sun, squinting actually, because it's shining directly into my eyes. Thanks to Miss Liese, I can still touch type so close my eyes when writing. Also thanks to Spell-Check to find the goofs for me!

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I am wearing my swim suit as I am fixin' to head to the beach today for some sun and fun and reading. I bought the book Judy R. recommended and must dive into it. For some reason, I don't read well in the house, am too distracted by the electronics, I suppose, or the temptation to sleep! If I go down by the pool, I am tempted to chat instead of read. The thermometer is expected to reach 88 and then the drop begins with a predicted "high" of 77 this coming week, perhaps Sunday. Contrary to what you may think, that's no good. When it gets to 88, sell!

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Jill called earlier with a pronouncement instead of a question----she saw a fantastic vision in the sky as she came east over the viaduct on Waldo Blvd. in Manty and just had to tell me about it. She said the cloud shapes were like mountains and there was some sort of barge on Lake Michigan which made for a lovely picture. She regretted not having her camera with her, but I told her it was a blessing alone that her eyes allowed her to appreciate what she saw. Some might have seen the same thing and not even taken it in to their hearts. Way to go, Jilly Willy!

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Last evening, Judy J. and I had dinner at Aron's Pizza, even though there was no Bible study to attend. The waitress remarked that she hadn't seen me in a couple weeks and I said I'd been out of town. She wanted to know if the others can't come when I am gone......funny! Judy and I each ordered the stromboli and shared some garlic bread and conversation. Her grandson and his friend have moved out so now she's an empty-nester again. When I called, she said I saved her, as she was struggling to come up with what to make for supper. I told her I had saurkraut cooking in the oven but it can wait. At the restaurant she asked why I make it, and other than the fact that I like to eat it, I love the way it makes my house stink!!!!! It smells like a boy's dorm room!!!!

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Justin nicely moved my "thrashing machine" to my bedroom office so I can start putting papers through it, but it won't take my offerings. It appears the blades are moving but won't pull any paper down. I'll have him look at it when he comes over again, and if it's broken, I can go get a new one. Jokingly I told him I want to grind up discs and credit cards so he warned me not to try putting them through this one. I wonder if that's why it won't work now...................I could get with the thrasher like I do when I see a bonfire---"ooh, let's see if this burns......" "let's see if this grinds up....."

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I talked last evening with my sister-in-law in south Florida. She'd just gotten home from the hospital again, thinking she was having a cardiac event but the doctor has dismissed it as being arthritis in her chest and back. Wow! She has much pain and says she is not getting any relief from the morphine the doctor gave her. I just can't imagine they'd sort of just blow this off, particularly with her history of heart problems. I hope she feels better today, since last night she couldn't even take a deep breath without pain. Her hubby, Biff, has respiratory illnesses, and can't work. They are slowly but surely working on their trailer to get it ready to sell. Even though he's not supposed to be breathing paint fumes and such, he's been painting doors and a living room wall which he'd patched. Paints now days don't have nearly the pungent fumes they used to have prior to being latex, but I still love the smell of freshly painted rooms.

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She made me laugh, though, because Biff turned the TV up quite loudly when she got on the phone, and then went outside to smoke. Yes, you read that correctly, Mr. "I've got respiratory illness that won't allow me to work" stepped out to have a smoke on the porch! I can only shake my head over it, anything else would be fruitless. Marian said she goes to his doctor appointments with him and tells the doc the truth about Biff; and he returns the favor! He tells the doctor about her eating habits and the things she does to not get better. What a team!

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Speaking of bonfires, I am more than a little upset by the person chosen to moderate the vp debate tomorrow night. She's written a book about "Politics in the Age of Obama" and I hardly can see where she'd be unbiased in the outcome of the election. Her book is due for publication on Inaugeration Day. Polls taken today show Gwen should be replaced as moderator for this event in light of her book coming out favoring Obama. Some suggested having Todd Palin serve as moderator, too, to make it equal!

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A change in plans for today----instead of going to sit in the sand in St. Augustine, I'll be sitting at my family room table surrounded once more by campaign materials. Travis just called to see if I can do 1000 mailers, called Absentee Ballot chasers, which must be ready to go by Friday. His wedding is Saturday--might this be called a "time crunch"? Any of you who have gone through the planning for a wedding would be a little amazed at this interesting twist in multi-tasking!!!! I don't mind one bit and his suggestion to sit poolside as a compromise is well taken and I may just do that! After all, I'm already dressed for it!

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Judy, her lady friend, and I are going to movies on Friday to see "An American Carol". I am going to invite as many of my friends as I can to go see it, too. I told Judy my idea of buying ten tickets and only using one to inflate the tickets sales but she doesn't think it will be necessary, people will flock to see this one! This same group will NOT be going to see "W" which is due out soon, previews being shown in the theaters now already. Boo, hiss, hiss, boo!!!

Up and running

Imagine me dancing around my bedroom, singing,

"My Internet is back, my Internet is back!"

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Rosalie sent me a sweet comment (you'll have to go find it for yourselves!) where she says she pictures my expressions and body language. I've had others say the same thing when they read my blog, which makes me chuckle.

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It's such a long day without the outside world (i.e. Internet) but somehow I managed to keep my mind busy while not dwelling on the markets and such. Two of my account managers have called in recent days, and I jokingly, please note, jokingly, suggest to them they are calling to make sure I haven't jumped off my balcony yet! One guy, Alan, was giving me his spiel about keeping an eye on my investments and so on, to let me know he wasn't asleep at the wheel or anything. I gave him two pieces of advice: the "run in circles, scream and shout" ditty I used as a posting title recently as well as reminding him that the money doesn't really belong to us. It comes from God and He's charged us with using it wisely. Alan is a deeply religious man and appreciates sharing the Word in our conversations. He also laughed about the running in circles thing, and then told me he told his wife that I always "lift him up" when we talk. Wow, that was easy!

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Jill calls me on a regular basis when working on Danny's homework, asking me questions on his religion worksheets. Mom and Lynn say they get to help, too, once in awhile, but I am honored when she asks me. I wonder if we all get credit for the grade??? Tonight the question which stumped us was: "What are the four ways God answers prayer?" I came up with the first three right off the bat, the Yes, No, Not at this time, but lacked a fourth answer.

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Once I got home and could look up the chapter in Matthew, I still couldn't find the answer. So glad to have my Internet connection back, I went looking on-line and came up with a fourth: "Yes, but not the way you expected it to be answered". I hope that's what Danny's teacher is looking for. I suggested that she let Danny look it over to see if this seems at all familiar to what may have been instructed in class. I sometimes wonder how I'd do if I went back to school now......

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Justin called me again on his way home and mentioned a class I could audit if I wanted to, one he will be taking next semester. I can't believe he'd actually want me in his class! My initial thought would be that I'd hate for him to show me up in class but he said auditors don't have to take tests. I'm afraid the class would offer more information than I'd even want. He's so funny, though, when he first suggested I take the class, he cautioned that it wouldn't be all "blue doors and whitewashed houses"!!!!! That sounded a bit like a slam, don't you think? Yes, it was, and I found it humorous, because he knows me so well!

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At his suggestion, yes, this is so, the two of us are attending a Bible study at Victory on Thursday mornings before he goes to UNF for classes. The subject is "Heroes and Heroines of the Bible" which sounds quite fascinating. Nothing I've ever covered before, at least as far as I remember. We are meeting first for breakfast, again, his suggestion. I'll have to leave here by 7:30 am in order to make it on time, especially at that time of the morning!

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Earlier today, in frustration over not having any connection, I was in the family room trying to force the lap top to grab a wave from the air so I could send my e-mail. Usually I listen to the radio via the Internet as compared to the boom box so wasn't able to follow my 6 hours of listening/commentary. Instead, I turned on the TV and "watched" the program with the 8 kids and Jon and Kate. Several of my readers like this show on TLC but I am sorry, I just don't! Sorry, Dolly, I just can't warm up to it. The kids are absolutely adorable, although I can't tell them apart other than boys and girls, but listening to the squabbling of the parents-----I can't pay good money to listen to that, can't do it. The mom bosses the dad around like he works for her, as though she's the only one who knows the right way to do things, no, can't do it. I despise commercials that show men in a bad light, to say nothing about a "reality" show which does the same.

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Again, because of no connection, I did manage to get all my laundry done and much of it put away. I continue to have a problem with frisky ants on both my desk and dressers. Today I moved the ant trap on the dresser and saw a mess of them scurrying around when they should have been already trapped. Hmm, what's up with that? I opened the bag of cough drops from on top of the dresser and it was alive with ants! Immediately I zipped it back shut and took it to the wastebasket. Oh brother! I guess ants are better than other creatures I could have infesting my home!

Hurry Up and Wait!

The Palace Press is ready and waiting to be e-mailed to the Owners and residents, however----no Internet connection on either computer. My desk top computer indicated full connection until the moment I sat down to start working. There was nothing, Jerry, nothing.

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Justin and I had a chat earlier today about his potential living situation after his lease is up at the condo. Since his two roomies won’t be able to stay there after November, he is looking to find different roommates or a different place to live. Justin most certainly wants to stay on that side of town where he’s close to school and his playmates, probably more in reverse order than I wrote it!
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One of our extended Middleburg family members, Trisha and Randy, (sister of Jen) lives near Justin’s school and has offered a room for him to rent. He needs the room, they can use the income from his staying there. We will see them at the wedding on Saturday and can talk it all over then. Justin will be comfortable there since, as he said to me, "it will be like living with family!" He wasn’t sure about attending the wedding, having had tentative plans to go Tampa’s Busch Gardens for a Halloween event, but I guess that is not working out. Justin was torn about it, wanting to do both the wedding and the Tampa venture. I refused to pressure him, leaving it totally up to him. As of this a.m., it looks like he’s going to the wedding, but he just has to check with his one roomie first just to make sure. He’d like to let the other roommate know so he can make the plans needed to move up to NC to stay with his mom. Mike isn’t working or attending school, due in part to the injury to his leg from the jet ski. He can go be with his mom and figure out what he wants to do with his life. Moms are good for that, right?
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It is a quiet week here church-wise with pastor gone to Conference. There was no Bible study for us yesterday morning nor any tonight. All I have this week is choir rehearsal Wednesday, plus my opportunity to clean. This weekend will mark the first anniversary since I was struck with sciatica. The reason I remember is that I was cleaning at church in preparation for the Batkoski wedding on the 6th, and after vacuuming, I was totally done. The next day I was supposed to be hosting a New Member Welcome and had to ask for help since I could barely stand at all. From that day through the next two weeks it was all I could do to stand or walk, even lying in bed was awful. Dee introduced me to Carol, the massage queen, who turned my ailment and my life around!!! Every three days or so I could return to Carol for therapy and she made the big difference. I don’t ever want that to happen again, to be totally shut down by this malady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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But, right now, I’m shut down by this stupid Internet….which is much easier on my “system” than sciatica, although it hurts in the same place!!!!!!!!!!!!

"When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout"

This is the advice I just gave my neighbors on the sun deck before coming upstairs to torture myself by watching "Fox" to see what's going on with the market, etc. When I first got down stairs, I commented to the couple who got there ahead of me that I needed to take a break from it and they thought it best not to discuss what's going on. As the others came out and joined us, we tried our best to not talk about it, but still the market and economy worked its way into our conversations. I suggested we'll have to move in together and Rose said that is just what Joe and she decided to do! They got married in Key West last Thursday, now trying to consolidate their households into one. I suggested taking the walls down between the units so we can all live together, which brought to mind the "Seinfeld" episode where Jerry suggests taking the walls down and Kramer says, "these are loading bearing walls, Jerry! You can't take 'em down!!!" The situation called for a bit of levity, if only inside my head....

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Okay, enough of the O'Reilly Factor! I can't stand to listen or look at John Kerry much less have him sit and argue about who is to blame for this mess. The gentlemen from my building who were sitting outside are of the mindset to leave their finances set where they are, saying that right now, it's too late to try to cash out. Hugh said if anyone did pull out their funds they'd be liable for huge capital gains taxes. Yikes! I like to hear what these fellas have to say because they have nothing to gain or lose by sharing their knowledge and experience. Hugh has often said he wants to leave his assets to his kids and not the government or an uninsured contractor!

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As my "high" today, Christine called this morning to ask about my beauty salon lady, Barb. Her mom wants to get her cut like mine, or, from Christine's description, more like Lisa's. Christine got to see Lisa when they were all down here in August and thinks that's what her mom would like. We also discussed the schedule for the Friday Musicale which begins its daytime concerts in November.

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Plans are made to have dinner together mid-month but not firmed up just yet. She has a bit more time available since she's not working with Brenda W. at the builder's office right now and real estate has dropped off exponentially as well. Greg's business is providing for them nicely which frees her up for more interesting venues at this time. Making hay while the sun shines. Christine discovered cooking as a time passer and has also taken art classes with me and at the Cummer. We share a number of interests including writing and painting. She's a voracious reader and encourages me to be the same! I'd first met Christine at Justin's confirmation party as she helped prepare and serve the bbq meal at home after church-----wwaayy back in 2002! She told me there's a writer's function at Amelia Island this weekend but with the wedding, church, and the Jaguar game......can't go to Amelia this weekend. NUTS!

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Joanne is coming back to town within the week, with her daddy in tow. He is going to an assisted living center with accomodations for Alzeheimer patients. Once he's situated, Joanne has to go back up to clean the house and finish getting it ready for marketing. Her other sister is there now to help with things but, as a Realtor, Joanne feels the need to make sure all is just as it should be before listing the property. I wish her well, and she's promised me at least a half day to just hang out and gab, gab, gab, getting all caught up on what's gone on in the months since she's been away.

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There is a girl on "What Not to Wear" tonight who reminds me very much of Linda J.'s daughter, Jen, whom I just saw at Lynn's birthday party. She not only sounds like her but also resembles her physique, except that Jen is quite tall. This young lady is in a PhD program for music while Jen recently graduated as a registered nurse and works in an o.b. unit at a hospital in Madison, WI. So, as I watch them dress this victim on their show, I am thinking about Jen....and, of course, Linda!!

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Lynn and Alayna were supposed to go cropping with Linda at the new shop Friday night but am not sure that happened. Lynn had gone down to Sheboygan to help with the boys because Lisa had a doctor appointment for her weeks' long ailment. Thankfully she was diagnosed quickly as having an infection in her intestines and was given some antibiotics and pain medication to help her feel better. I was hoping she wasn't having the same problems I did years after my C-sections and need surgical repairs. Because she wasn't feeling well, we didn't get to spend quite as much time together as usual. So, now I rejoice that she's on the road to recovery and will be like her old self in no time!

A wonderful Sunday

All settled in for the night, ready for sleeping. Part of my weariness might be from my lemonade and tea-flavored vodka drink which I enjoyed in the company of my neighbors on the sun deck. Man, it was great to see them again, many for the first time since I got back from WI. Much to our delight, we found out our formerly single neighbor on fourth floor is now a married lady, just returning last night from Key West where they got married. Something newsworthy for The Palace Press! I've been looking for something to write about, so now I know! The lady was widowed several years ago and in her "old" age has found someone to share life with---here with her in The Palace! Next week our own Travis is getting married so we'll have two honeymooning couples within a month's time, up on fourth floor!

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Justin and I met here after church and I made brats and brat patties for our lunch. Talk about a delicious meal, and great smelling kitchen! Justin liked the brat patties, saying he liked the idea of having something not exactly the same as usual. My dishwasher is busily washing the fry pan, a cast iron one, not "supposed" to be washed in there but, hey, it's my pan, I can rust it if I want!! The stove is quite splashed full of greasy spatters but it will wait until tomorrow because I don't feel like taking care of it any more tonight.

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Justin and I enjoyed the Jaguar game which went into overtime and was won by a field goal, same as last week's game. Yippee!!! We missed it last week but loved seeing it repeated today. After the game we decided to go shopping at Wal-Mart. I had a couple disposable cameras to have developed from my trip to Manty, since I so cleverly left my "big" camera here at the condo by mistake. The disposables allow me to get a CD of prints so I can post and share as needed, like the digital one does. I hope there are salvageable shots on them, since I can't see what I'm taking like I can on the Canon!

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It was nice to see my church family again this a.m. at worship. Many people asked about how the weather was, wondering if it was "nice" (i.e. cool) but, of course, I had to tell the truth, it was nice but cool isn't what I like! I do remember sitting in the family room at Arno's and having the sun shine warm me as I sat there. It was so lovely and warm that it made Harvey's eyes go shut! He had to go sit in a kitchen chair so he wouldn't fall asleep. Love that sun on my neck and shoulders!

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I sure did love the movie yesterday, even though my hands were freezing. It was so romantic and the ending had such a twist that it blew me away. Well worth the money to see it again if anyone wants to go see it. I wonder if this inn actually exists somewhere, because it was certainly a gorgeous treasure of a place to stay, even if in a hurricane! Won't give it away, though...........After the movie I went immediately to Joe's Crab Shack, arriving right behind the rest of the ladies for the "bachelorette" party. It was quite busy but it wasn't long before we got seated. Service was slow but there was no rush at all. Three of us were family or family-friend, and the rest were Kristin's co-workers. The wait staff came over and sang a little ditty to her, the chorus from "Good-bye": "nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, good-bye!"

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And, I'll say the same right now: good-bye!

Three Comments so far today

and only one comment about "The Story of Us". Judy is excused because she has no cable TV at her house.....

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Thank you for your comments and remember, I normally answer the Comments on the comment page. I comment on your comments--a never ending cycle of comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scattered thoughts

Multi-tasking Rules!

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Too many jobs facing me right now. This morning I was "invited" to serve on a personnel committee and to edit a survey letter from the condo president. I can help edit the survey/letter but am fairly certain I won't have time for the other committee. My concern with that one is I'll be expected to be heavy handed with our paid people and I really don't want to do that. I love my role of peace maker or peace keeper, but also don't wish to shirk my responsibilities as an owner here at The Palace!

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I am going to the movie today by myself which is cool, but prior to that is a visit to the bookstore to see if I can find the book and DVD I've been looking for. Justin has plans to attend a football game with a high school friend today so isn't going to church this afternoon. After church tomorrow he's coming over here to watch the football game and have some brats!

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On my reality show, What Not to Wear, the gang is making-over a set of female triplets from Minneapolis. It's faster paced because of having three to shop, cut hair and apply make-up....wow, they look great! And don't sound overly Minnesotan in their diction. None of the girls were allowed to see or shop with each other and won't see their sisters until the big reveal when they get back home. Have the tissues ready! One of the things which I LOVE about this program is the street scenery of New York City!!! Oh, on the big reveal, all three girls went first to hug each other and then straight to their mommy!

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Speaking of love, have you seen the advertisement for Prudential Life Insurance where the little boy asks his daddy about life insurance: what is it?, do we have it? and the daddy offers assurance to the little guy that they do have insurance in case anything happens to his daddy......boo hoo hoo..... If you fathers out there don't run right out and get life insurance this minute, I am going to smack you!

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There's also an ad showing a teenaged boy in a courtroom with his parents and lawyer, and is found liable for personal damage to property with a car. He has to pay $100,000, and the suing attorney tells them he'll get his college fund, his parent's retirement savings, and even have them sell their home to pay his settlement. The sweet part is the young man turning toward his parents and saying softly and sadly, "I'm so sorry". Yes, I'll bet he is, and is sad because of the terrible financial hardship he's imposing on parents by doing something stupid with his car. It really "drives" home the point of acting like a hot dogger (a.k.a. jet skier) and the ramifications thereof.

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State Farm has an ad where a dad is standing in his living room window, cradling a newborn baby and says, basically, he is at the point in his life where it's just not about him anymore. In way too many cases, that thinking leaves their minds, but, for now, I love looking at this picture.

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Just prior to the WNTW program was the very tail end of a fashion design "reality" show where people evidently were vying to "dress" a star for some event. Of course, the 'man' designer is the one who won, and the two women who didn't win handled it like troupers. But, the male whose design was chosen, was bawling like a baby. There should be a sign posted that says "Please don't feed the stereotype!", to borrow from Justin. Dee and Julia were talking about the reality programs they enjoy watching, many on the cooking channel. I don't think my TV picks up that station......

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It's time to go to the bookstore and movies so I have to change my clothes to make myself warm because it's always cold in the theater. Even Justin freezes when we are there. I might take a look at Payless because they send me such wonderful advertisements via e-mail which are quite enticing. Lisa said something funny when she was a little girl though: "They say they're Payless, but they're not!!" From the mouth's of babes!