Looking back, something I am good at!

Let's see---I think I'll go with "Georgia" font today and have Linda in mind as I do this....only a few more weeks until she comes to visit.

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Reading my first postings from one year ago today, I had to chuckle a bit at some of the content and the comments. My niece, Alayna, wrote that I was "having wwaayy too much fun with this" blogging thing. The content of my posting on the 15th was about the window cleaner being here and that it was terribly cold outside, 54 degrees above zero! And the windows need washing again something fierce. I told Joanne that I'd like to have the windows washed before Linda arrives as well as Joanne's daughter, Heather, who is coming for a visit. We will have a hen house 'round here!

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Linda has already come up with a recipe to make for our ladies' group brunch on the 7th, an apple French toast recipe that her family loves for her to make. The 'active' members are cooking for the invited guests and we'd like casserole-style breakfast foods plus fruit and perhaps some bakery to serve. I promised Linda that would be the only thing that should take our time and certainly she already knows enough ladies at my church to make herself at home while I am busy. Neither Linda nor I know strangers!

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The heat has been running in the house, some overnight and again this a.m. as we are experiencing a Florida-style cold snap. Some predicted lows are in the 20's this week, which I know is not that bad where you might be reading this, highs of minus 2 for today in some areas of the country.....Sorry 'bout that! Our high on Friday is predicted to be only 48!! I am no longer, nor ever was, the hardy sort, and am rejoicing that the sun is shining in on me, making me squint against it.

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Last night when I went to bed, I heard loud talking from outside so I turned off my TV in order to hear what was going on. The light from the moon was incredibly brilliant shining across my bed that I even considered not turning the TV back at all. Lynn, I even saw "happiness" sparkling on my ceiling as if it were the sun reflecting off the water in the pool! The voices were just that, some menfolk on a balcony, smoking I'd guess, and talking too loudly for that time of night. Fortunately it didn't last and I could resume my movement toward sleep.

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Joanne is all bundled up and on her way out the door for the day. Normally she's a pretty hot mama but lately she's been feeling the chill both outside and in, which offers me some comfort that I am not totally crackers about being cold. Before she left, she asked me what my plans were for the day-----sort of a 'round about way of asking if anyone was going to be with me today. She said she didn't want to mention "Timmy" in case I didn't want to talk about it, but I assured her it was fine. In order to get to the topic she instead asked me what day his birthday was. I told her about having lunch with Justin at the cemetery at noon today and then going to church for a committee meeting. I guess today we won't be eating our sandwiches outdoors, though, like Cindy and I did!

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Mom is sending me some money to contribute to Timmy's memorial for the preschool, a tuition assistance fund I've established, and she told me to keep watch for it to come. I am not really good about going to my mailbox unless I am expecting something important or looking for CHRISTmas cards, which I love getting. So, yesterday, I stopped on the way upstairs after Bible class to get the mail. There were three envelopes from my attorney, big fat ones, stuffed with all sorts of information needed for the Court. I am still ticked about them dropping the ball on the response to the initial suit, our counter-suit, I guess, but both the assistant and the attorney assured me it is alright. My advice is to not try to take care of stuff like this over the holidays, too many things can fall through the cracks or get messed up!

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Neal is away from the microphone today and is replaced by Herman Cane (sp) whose voice does not resonate with me, so instead I am listening to music saved on my computer, my Sarah girl is singing for me. My father-in-law gave me some money for CHRISTmas which I'd more or less designated toward the purchase of supplies for my printers. Late afternoon Tuesday I was sitting here deciding what to do about dinner and Bible study---should I call Linda or Judy to see about dinner??? I decided to heat up leftovers then go to Office Max to get my print cartridges so I can work on my photos some more this week. Well, as I was half-way through my scalloped potatoes, Linda called to ask where I was. They were all sitting at Cracker Barrel waiting for me!!! She'd sent out an e-mail on Monday setting up the arrangements but for some reason or another, her e-mails don't come through to me. Judy toyed with calling me to share a ride but didn't, and I didn't call her either. In no time at all I got over there, before they'd even gotten their salads so I had a soda and half an apple dumpling, and good laughs! Judy came along to Bible study so we had a nice group last night.

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This means I didn't get to the store for my printer cartridges but I did get to mail my tax deposit from the post office to assure it is properly post marked. I don't want the government to have that money one moment sooner than I have to send it! Since I had to pass Winn Dixie anyway, I pulled in to get butter and a couple other things we needed at home. If I ask Joanne to pick up something, she either gets "organic" items or something more costly than is needed. Yes, she is a huge fan of Whole Foods which opened in Mandarin recently, and they actually sell "organic" butter and milk! Imagine that! I don't notice anything different other than the shape of the sticks but it certainly doesn't have to be 'organic' to smear on my non-organic bread! Joanne has a box of cereal that even lists "twigs" as an ingredient!!! Yeah........

A reprint of my very first posting, on this 1st anniversary of my blog!

Welcome to my world!
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Welcome to my first blog! Thanks to Justin, who helped me find a template, I can write to many people at one time and perhaps avoid repeating myself or missing someone with news or information! Also, I love a captive audience!

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This photo of me was taken while standing on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, when Justin and I visited there in 2006. The jewelry, my passion, was made for me by Lisa, my niece. It's a pleasure to wear the jewelry made by my family and friends. Today I am wearing the necklace and earrings made by Lori, my sister---red with gold and black swirls, sort of blown-glass looking. Looks wonderful with the lovely ruby red blouse which Mom gave me for CHRISTmas.
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I'm still wearing my church clothes as this evening Justin and I are joining the Hilchey family for dinner at The Capital Grille at the Town Center Mall. We managed to get the first available opening they had for today.
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This is going to be funky week for me (and perhaps my readers as well) as tomorrow marks the 7th anniversary of Timmy's death. I could call it something else but choose to refer to it exactly what it is--death. He left earth, having completed his life's work in the Lord, and now circles the Throne of the Most High singing "Holy, holy, holy" with the saints and angels. Hard to get upset about that, isn't it? What glory he now experiences, while we are left here to carry on the work, to help extend the Kingdom, sharing the Good News of salvation with those who haven't heard yet!
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Timmy's story has a happy ending, and I pray that everyone that reads this blog will have the same happy ending on their last day! Later!

Posted by Kim Lahaie Day at 3:10 PM

Some photos to help brighten your day

Our Monday morning Bible study resumed yesterday with our study about worship, why Lutherans worship as we do. Ethel, Twila and Judy are getting settled in for class. We normally have about 6-7 people in class plus Pastor. Our tree still stands in front of church, devoid of decoration, because after the ladies undressed it, no one (i.e. menfolks) came to remove it from the sanctuary. Oops! I'll see if it is gone tonight when I go to Bible study and if not, make some phone calls to see who is actually in charge of removing the tree. The man whose team put it up is now in the hospital and no longer on the Council so it will probably fall to the "usual suspects" to remove it. One of our members will take it and make an Easter cross from it, but let's get it out of the sanctuary first! Do other congregations have situations like this?

My dear friend, Judy R. in Winona, MN sent these photos taken in her yard over the weekend. This is her lilac bush now dressed for winter, coated with ice and snow. It is hard to picture this same bush wearing bright purples or "lilac" in springtime. Can you imagine this bush trying to shake itself free of the ice in order to push buds out?

One time I wrote an e-mail to Judy about the lovely moon reflecting on the river and she wrote back about that same moon reflecting on her snowbanks. Since then we talk about our "shared" moon. It is sort of the picture of God----the same God watching over me is also watching over her and over our families and our friends and the fields in Winona!

Judy is a lady who is a down-to-earth type, like Lynn and Judy J., who enjoys hanging her wash on the clothes line. But, not even the most hardy sort could coax these pins into cooperating as they appear to be frozen solid.

Oh, for shame! Getting commenters by gun point!

One time my blogging friend, Jami, said something about being "fed" by our commenters and that really stuck with me, but actually, the writing is more for me than for anyone else. Forgive my badgering earlier, please!

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Neal is talking about this wonderful program called "Corporate Angels", where private plane owners, whether corporations or individuals, offer their empty seats to folks who need to get from point A to point B for medical purposes. He gave the example of a corporate jet that was flying from Atlanta to Columbia, S.A. and offered two empty seats to whoever needed to come to Atlanta for medical treatment. Apparently there's a database set up to inform the plane owners of a particular need, and the owners will gladly give a lift to those needing their help. Of course, not ALL corporate planes are doing this, but enough to make it noteworthy. Neal is a private pilot with his own plane and takes people to cancer treatment centers and such for no charge. He's not saying this to gain credit for it, only to show folks that not all plane or yacht owners are selfish heels.

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I spent a good deal of my afternoon yesterday sorting and loading photos onto my facebook page. What great fun that is! And, by visiting every file I have with photos saved in it, I could see where I have duplicates of photos and many many mislabeled, a job of major proportions to clean up. I sort of don't know exactly how to begin that, but am wondering if I should clean off my external hard drive and save the photos individually on that instead of on my desktop-----or would that be in addition to my desk top? What do you guys do with your photos?

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The other day I wrote to the advertising manager of this radio station (I listen on-line rather than over the radio) and asked them to please, please, please do something about the Florida Pump ad. It starts with a phone ringing, being answered with a very rude, "What?". The shrew goes on to tell her lady friend about her "soon to be ex-husband" trying to repair their pump. Yes, I'd dump him in a heartbeat for not being able to fix the water pump, that small print is on the marriage certificate in some states! Anyway, the friend listens as the shrew squawks about having to shower at her in-laws, not being able to do laundry or cook....She would certainly never have water pump troubles as a divorcee! The intent of the ad is to get people to call this Florida Pump company to get the repairs done immediately and properly but the way this ad annoys me, I'd look for another company's service first! I haven't heard back from the Ad Manager but the ad still runs every few minutes----ahhhh!!!! I think I need to take a pill!

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It is yet overcast and rainy, as it was last evening and through the night. Here we have this most beautiful, gibbous moon this month and have only really enjoyed it on Saturday evening when Brenda N. was here for dinner. Last night I made a nice kettle of chili using the Bloody Mary Mix Joanne picked up at Browdy's on Sunday. Normally I get the "cheaper" brand from Publix but this worked just fine. My kitchen smelled really good again, but not as good as it did Sunday when Joanne was making her lima beans. Yes, I said lima beans! She was browning bacon for her recipe and there is nothing like that smell! Jo put some bacon on the side for me to make a sandwich with, as I'd picked up white mountain bread at Winn Dixie Saturday after the opera. Yummy! She also sliced up some leftover potatoes and fried them with the bacon which made a nice little snack for us later on. Eventually the lima beans went into the bacon mixture and cooked away for awhile. While I do love a fried bacon sandwich and the potato mixture, I draw the line at lima beans!

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My friend, Kelly, from church, has invited me to come have brunch with her tomorrow. She is so sweet! Sunday she asked me if I was doing anything special in recognition of Timmy's anniversary and really, no, nothing public, not this year. Pastor asked me yesterday if we'd had special memorial services in the past with other pastors and I explained that we did the first few years. It was before Pete even left that I made the decision to not have a service at the cemetery nor have the balloon launches any longer. As time goes by, it seems less "necessary" for the outward shows, I guess. But I love it that people, some who never even knew Timmy, care enough to ask if I'm taken care of, so to speak!

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An example of "how far we've come"---in speaking with Justin via IM yesterday, I told him I was going to get a balloon to attach to the vase/bouquet at the cemetery on Wednesday. We are meeting there tomorrow at lunch time, me bringing the sandwiches, but then I told him I had to be at a meeting by 12:30.....He wrote back: "What? You're going to a meeting? At church??" It just blew him away that I had a commitment to fulfill on Timmy's anniversary so we had to "rush" through our time at the cemetery. I told him we'll still have our dinner at Sweet Tomatoes on Timmy's birthday as always, but I have to make sure I'm back here in time for a Board meeting at The Palace.......No, I may not be the life of those parties, or meetings, as the case might be, but I will go on and do what needs to be done amongst the living. And Justin really is cool with that!

Guess I feel a bit grumpy this a.m.......

.....but at least the Live Feed meter lets me know someone is reading my postings! Mom, you told me the other day that you read the comments and you can add your own just by clicking on the same box you use to read the comments. On the upper right hand side of the page you'll see the box in which to write your remarks. When you are done, type your name in and then scroll or arrow down the page a bit and click the dot in front of the one marked "anonymous", and the publish button. To set up an account, all you have to do is type in your sign-in name and select a password to use, and then you won't have to remain anonymous, unless you really wish to. I hope to get more feedback from folks, particularly in these coming days......

Warning: "Now we're on the right track!"

It's nearly the first anniversary of my blogsite! The 13th of January was my initial posting to "A 'Day' in the life of.....Kim!" Toot on your little kazoo horns and throw confetti in the air--I made it a year!

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Today is also an anniversary, actually starting yesterday, in 2001. On January 11th, 2001, I'd had abdominal surgery to repair some muscle tears, ironically, from having had a C-section when Timmy was born in 1996. My surgery was delayed that day and in order for them to better observe me, the surgeon wanted me to stay overnight in the hospital instead of coming home the same day as the procedure. My sister, Lynn, and Mom were at my house to help care for the boys, and they all came up to the hospital that evening to see me, including my spouse. At first I was concerned that Timmy would be tearing around the room and causing a disturbance but he was really quite subdued at the time.

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My former spouse had picked up our new work truck that day and the boys got a chance to ride in it. They all had to leave after visiting hours were over, and Timmy looked so sad as he kissed me good-bye. It was then he asked the hopefully immortal question: "I know God and Jesus are going to sleep with Mama tonight, but who's going to sleep with my daddy?" Pete, then our Pastor, referenced this in his sermon at Timmy's funeral, stating that we all knew Timmy was a believer (paraphrasing). No wonder Timmy was sad, he was worried not about his poor mama, because she was all set with God and Jesus, but about his father who had no one to sleep with....................

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So, it was today, 8 years ago, that I was able to come home to recuperate and be waited on hand and foot by my family. Lynn had to catch the bus and head home to WI that same day but Mom was still there. They'd arrived on my birthday, the 30th, in the wee hours of the morning, when I had to drive downtown to the bus depot to collect them. They seemed to think it was safer for them to wait around the bus depot until a civil hour for me to come get them than for me to drive downtown at 2:00 a.m. to get them home again!!! Oh, those two monkeys and their Greyhound buses! Lynn and the boys made a birthday cake for me later in the day and we had a small party on the 30th. So, my point was that Lynn had been there since the 30th and stayed long enough to help get the boys driven around on the day I was in the hospital, and then she headed home.

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They have a funny memory of that as well: Lynn was driving and Mom was shotgun as they headed toward St. Johns to drop the boys off at school. Lynn went out of our neighborhood a different way and found herself at a stop sign with the option of a left or right-hand turn. All three passengers are directing her to the left, saying "left, left, left" as Lynn proceeded to go right anyway! Of course, she got turned around after saying, "Ach!" a couple times, I'm sure, and was headed in the right direction. From the backseat came a little boy's voice announcing, "Now we're on the right track!", a quip that continues to make us chuckle, a bit sadly, to this day. "Now we're on the right track!"

Listening to the radio today

In listening to the radio today, I was struck by a few things, including hearing President Bush's closing press conference. We discussed this press conference at lunch and those others who also heard it had the same reaction---tight grips on the steering wheel and clenched teeth as we seethed at the stupid, "gotcha"-type questions the media was using against him. Come on! What do you "think" he's going to say??? What do you want him to say??? The questioners were challenging W to say anything negative against the p-elect and he simply would not bite.

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W did admit that he wished a few things had gone differently during the war, and immediately after the attack on our shores (Attack? What attack? Did we forget so soon that the terrorists attacked us at home??), and even wondered about the "reaction" of national government to the Hurricane Katrina mess. The local and state governments should have been handling this "crisis" but no one wanted to assume the responsibility. We'll see more and more of that in the coming years as folks surrender their individual rights for the sake of "security". Anyway, Pres. Bush emphasized the fruitlessness of trying to second-guess these decisions, that he had to use the information as it was provided, and so on. Especially the Hurricane Katrina mess, most primarily in New Orleans, which is not his fault! Areas from TX to the panhandle of FL were hit by this storm but one city's citizens decided to sit it out and wait for help instead of doing what they had to do in order to preserve their lives and safety. Hundreds of school buses floating in the rising waters which would have worked perfectly to remove people from the vulnerable areas.....Oh, yes, that was Pres. Bush's fault for not going personally to serve food to those holed up in the football stadium, tearing it to pieces.

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Whew, I feel better now. No, W doesn't need me to defend him, and as he stated in his conference, real history will tell his story some time down the road, not days before the end of his administration. I pray the historians are accurate and unbiased, and above all, fair with this president!

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Today is Rush's birthday and his staff broke the rules by coming into his studio to sing for him and deliver a little cake in celebration. He likes to act as though he doesn't appreciate all the attention on his big day, he is really like anyone else when it comes to their birthday. The theme for the day is amusing because it's highlighting the promises and bold statements made by P-eBO (President-elect Barack Obama) during the campaign and how quickly the new administration is already back-tracking on many of them. Nothing new under the sun here, folks, nothing new. Even Club Gitmo won't be getting closed within the first 100 days, now that P-eBO and his staff have been briefed. Basically he said on a TV interview yesterday, "We didn't know what we were talking about....". Pres. Bush doesn't look so bad now, does he???

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Anyway, Bible class was wonderful, even brought some tears as we got to hear Pete singing on a video about worship, "Come Worship Christ", recorded when he was still in the seminary. Even though I knew it was coming, it still triggered some emotion hearing him singing to the Lord once more. This study is going to be helpful in re-visiting the reasons we Lutherans worship as we do, what's "decent and in order" and what's subject to discussion in how we worship. The group is appreciative of this study course but I wish, as always, we had more people there. We've been through this class several years ago but I feel it's important that we do this study just as we are getting ready to use the CW Supplement on a more regular basis.