Saturday's come and gone

I had such a rough time going to sleep last night, for an unknown reason. Maybe my foot ached or cramps or something but it took me forever to nod off. Lynx kept giving me the evil eye, wondering when I was going to settle down, because, normally, I just get into position and do not move until morning. Not so last night! Maybe I was idle too long before trying to sleep because of watching a movie on DVD. It was called "Hanging Up" with Meg Ryan as the put-upon daughter of an eccentric Hollywood writer with dementia. Finally she gets her sisters to accept some responsibility for their dying dad and not leave it all on one. It was supposed to be a comedy but some of it did not strike me that way.

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When morning came, it caught me too soon. Nothing would have pleased me better than to roll over and sleep some more. But, being a Saturday, I had to be somewhere, of course! This week was church cleaning day as well as an organizational meeting for Little Lambs, a modified Sunday school class for infants to three years old. This group would then eventually meld into preschool and/or Sunday school. The young mom heading it up had approached me the day Justin and I went to the opera at AMC and the Hilchey's joined us, so it has moved from concept to actuality in no time at all! Oh, so exciting! My understanding is that a group like this exists at F. G. already and my niece might be helping out some day.

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So, anyway, a couple ladies were sitting inside the church on the front pew when I got there but they were not there to clean. They were, instead, waiting for the florist to bring the bouquet for Sunday. It will be my bouquet to take to the cemetary but I will leave it through worship on Wednesday night. Nothing could pursuade them to stay and help us clean, though, as eventually Janet arrived with her bucket of supplies. I had mine, too, and Jackie brought her stick vacuum cleaner which worked great for the pews. Janet and I split the pews and started the process of wiping them clean with Murphy's and water. She can still bend in the middle so took the lower portion of the pews while I did the tops and hymnal racks. We were a well-"oiled" machine, Murphy's Oil, at that!

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We had the doors opened to the street side for ventilation which proved delightful. Not too chilly, especially because I was sweating! Janet should have taken pictures because she will not see this again too soon. After a while Kathy B. came through the doors and pitched in with the vacuum cleaner on the floors. Before noon it had all come together, but not before Kathy played "In Christ Alone" on the piano, rehearsing for tomorrow's Favorite Hymn Sunday. Jackie, Janet, and I sang as Kathy played, the first time Janet has sung it. She loved it, too, and I am so glad!!

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I was bone weary by the time I got home and made my way upstairs to rest. My patio doors were opened as was my kitchen door which made for lovely cross ventilation. It is great to be finally warming up here, making it almost to 80 today. Storms are threatening including tornado chances but thus far, mostly just some gusty winds. Love the sound of the wind in the palm trees, the rustling they make. It made for quite the restful afternoon while I watched the end of "A Beautiful Mind". I worked a bit on the condo newsletter and read some blogs while listening to "Unfaithful" which made me feel quite uneasy, although I had seen it before. Uneasy, yes, a good way to describe it....

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Brian had mentioned to me before we left church this a.m. about going to eat at the Spanish restaurant and previewing a movie for the Youth Group. I called Kathy right after 5:00 to say I felt like staying in tonight, still tired from limited sleep and hard work, but they were already at the restaurant and insisted I come over. Quickly I changed clothes and made my way over, only a few blocks as the crow flies. Kristi and Bruce were with them, sharing "tapas", appetizers, some of which I liked and some I did not. Olives, yes, Cuban bread, yes, spinach in pastry, yes! Not so much the green pepper things or the shrimp things but the company, complete with dessert----magnifique!!

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But, I really did plan on staying in tonight so opted to forego the movie as the others went on. If "Unfaithful" was not enough, I came home in the middle of "American Beauty", another tragic story about people in mid-life "situations". Thank you, I would rather not watch. Is it a holiday or something, a significance to this theme today or what?

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Mid-afternoon the Rosses came by to pick up the golf clubs for Christopher to try on for size, in more ways than one! They are short, for me, and left-handed, for me, too! I hope Chris likes the sport and can make good use of my long-ignored clubs. The old medicine cabinet went with them, too, as Jennifer wants it for a fish pond or something, now loaded into their car. Rick said, as he loaded it, "You were right, it sure was ugly!" but then was concerned that he hurt my feelings. I assured him it was probably lovely in its time, the early 70's, but not so much now. Tomorrow is his birthday but we are not celebrating until next weekend. I will be sure to let Justin know so we can do our shopping. I love Rick almost like a son, as you may know!

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My friend, Cindy, has been trying to save Timmy's lemon tree but today she wrote that Mike put it out in the woods, to keep it close to home. I didn't make it...........

Fun and frustration in one afternoon!

Such a delight! First, I got to see my Justin early this a.m. as he stopped in to get his shipment from American Eagle and Payless. We ordered last week and they arrived on Wednesday less than an hour after he left here. This was his compensation for cleaning my black iron doors. He was going to have what he called a "fashion show" at the office today as he was to be there by himself, all day. I can picture him walking the catwalk in his new outfits....

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After he left I took care of the silver removal from my hair and such a mess I made! Instead of ruining another shirt, I decided to keep my nightie on until after I was done. I will never be able to wear that nightie for shopping or other social events, not with the smattering of stains I splashed all over, or "slinging it about", as Kathy described the messes she's made. Not only on my clothes, but on the counter, the sink, the faucet, the hand towel, the kitchen sink, the kitchen faucet.....Is this mess worth it? Yeah, I guess it is since the booty shops charge something around $40 for silver removal. I can buy several nighties and a new hand towel for less than that! What I need are some of those disposable paper gowns from the doctor's office or like the dentist wears, something to absorb the smattering!

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Once that mess was cleaned up and my mission accomplished, I was finally able to send off the church newsletter via e-mail. Normally I like to have it ready for e-mailing on Thursday because the secretary can then make the photocopies of it for those who have no e-mail access. Pastor was sending me some articles to include which were in my In-Box when I got home last evening. The secretary is not in on Fridays, no copies will be ready for Sunday. Maybe I will print off a couple for some of the ladies who specifically look for the newsletter.

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As I worked this late morning on The Palace Press, Kathy B. called to see if I had lunch plans. It seems she had a training class this a.m. and was available. She flattered me with needing "some Kim time", so we made plans to meet at the newly re-opened La Napolera for a bite. Just as I was driving up that way she called to report no parking places to be had at La Nap so changed our plans to meet at Sonny's. I thought of Tarren when I ordered beans and franks, knowing how much she enjoys their food, especially the beans! As always, it was a huge portion of food, plus the corn nuggets, and now I feel badly because Kathy treated me....and I brought more than half home with me!

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So much for the fun part of my day----Oh, wait, I did have more fun, stopping at Office Max after lunch! I needed a replacement cartridge for my printer, plus the last of my photo paper is in the other printer. I got a different type of photo paper in hopes of clearer images so we shall see. That was a pricey visit to the office supply store, but it always is when ink is involved!

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Now, let us add the frustration---I decided to visit the AAA place to have them help me with making the plans for JR's graduation trip. It is nearly impossible to find a room close to West Point so we must arrange transportation from NYC to the Academy. Mona has tried to help me but they rented a car to get back and forth and are staying closer to the area than are Justin and I. So, enter AAA and take a seat in the waiting area. As I waited, I could hear people on the phone and helping clients when finally a lady close by to where I was sitting asked if she could help me. When I explained, she sent me across the hall to speak with someone else about the ground transportation before she could help me with flights and hotel. Ookkaayy.....off I go, to be met by a Travel Counselor who took my information, took it again, and then once more. She asked me to take a seat at her desk and we went over the details again, only she was surprised they sent me to her since I had not yet made the other travel arrangements. Not good, not one bit good. Eventually she got the computer to respond to her urgings, and while she "attempted" to locate this region on her computer, she opted to get a tour book for New York.

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After several attempts at trying to open the computer to help me, searching in drawers and in stacks of paper on her desk for her password...ahem....I told her I was in a time crunch and had to go. I can only imagine how my former spouse would have reacted to this sad display.....This Travel Counselor for AAA, a travel business, suggested I use Orbitz or Travelocity to make my reservations, which is what she does. Huh.

My dear friend, Judy R., posing with a lovely bouquet of flowers sent by another lady friend. The flowers have brightened Judy's home and her spirits, and now ours!! Look at the sunshine on her floor.....

A great end to the day!

Here I am, back home from a fun late afternoon/evening with Joanne and Christine. Jo invited me to a "mixer" at Eagle Landing, a neighborhood very much like Eagle Harbor, and is, in fact, developed by the same people. My former company has several homes for sale in this community, west of my church in an area called "Oakleaf Plantation". At first, I sort of wrinkled my nose about the prospect of going out there, but then I thought, "Why not?" Christine, my lady friend who has attended the Writer's Conferences with me in the past plus a couple art classes, is now associated with Joanne at RE/MAX, another triangle relationship.

This is Christine, whom I met in 2000 when she served us "pulled pork" when Brenda W.'s dad catered Justin's Confirmation party. Wow, a long time ago!!

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I expected to see many people I knew at the mixer, some I might not wish to see, but took my chances. Right off the bat I got to say "hello!" to Beverly whom I have known since the E. H. sales office was in a trailer at the entrance, plus several other Realtors who have hung in there through the crumbling housing market. Bev and her hubby were among those who cleaned up the dishes and such from our dinner the night Timmy died, while we were all at the hospital.

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Some of the Realtors were of the feeling that a turn-around in the housing market is already taking place and for that I rejoice and praise God. I did get to see a former agent whom I had been close to years ago, around the time Timmy died, and she just happened to be in town and joined the fun. The last time I had seen her was with Justin at UNF at a function in the arts building, cannot remember the entertainment any more. (Since I wrote this, Justin reminded me it was to hear Newt Gingrich speak at UNF).

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This photo of Brenda N., was taken at Justin's graduation party in 2006
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Another couple people I got to see were the group where my friend, Brenda N. is working. Their staff, except for Jimmie, were well represented. I knew Brenda was coming and kept an eye out for her. She, too, worked the room as she tried to drum up business for her company. Her bosses, John and Linda, enjoyed telling others the story of how they had never taken an Alaskan cruise before, and when they did, who did they run into, but me!!!!! Wwaayy over in Alaska! On the ship, I had stood up to wave my arms so the rest of our group could find us in the theater, and all of a sudden a man's hands were on my shoulders from behind----of all people, John Long!!! He spotted me waving my arms, subtly, of course, and had to come down to say "hi"! Great fun, great coincidence!

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At the mixer, we three ladies got ourselves a drink from the bar before working our way to the dining room for the food. After all, that is what we came for, right? Wow, what a great spread they put out for us! Some of the foods, of course, were not my favorites so I passed but the stuff I did like was marvelous. Joanne's name was called for a door prize and when she went up to get it, it turned out to be Christine's card. She won a gorgeous baroque-looking candlestick and candle, which, when we got back to the office, they decided to give to me because it suited me so well...awww!

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The spouse of one of the Realtors was there, sitting at a table in the bar room, and I went to greet Mike. We had built a house for Mike and Carol umpteen years ago and we formed a great friendship which has remained. We used to see each other with some regularity at the E. H. Longhorn when I'd go with the Rosses and others but it has been a while. Mike would be there with his group of buddies but now he, too, is selling real estate and has no time to go out to eat with his friends any longer. Mike had me sit in the club chairs and pulled one up so we were knee to knee to chat. Mike was speaking first with a man named Jeff, who used to go with one of the women from our office years ago, and he also gave me a hug. Anyway, Mike and I had a nice time catching up, and he was incredibly complimentary to me, doing wonders for my spirit. I felt like my feet were off the ground after talking with him, he was so sweet to me. His wife is on vacation in China so I asked him to say "hello" from me, although I do get to see her now and again in E. H., often around Great Hang Ups.

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One of the superintendents with another builder, formerly a salesman at a lumber company we did business with, recognized me. His wife is also named Kim, and used to prepare our weekly floral bouquets which we used at the cemetery after Timmy died. I still have one made up with artificial flowers from when she closed her shop. Kim knew we liked the exotics so made the large arrangement from her leftovers. She was not feeling well last night so Bill was alone. He gave me a big hug and filled me in on family news, etc. His building company is keeping busy with some remodeling work and other projects, getting through the tough times any way they can. Many people, the Realtors and other builders, asked about Justin and were happy to hear that he is in college, although many cannot believe he is this old already. When we started in E. H., Justin was only about 7 or 8, and that is the way many still picture him. Lots of history, good times, and some not so good, with our E. H. connections. They really came through for us when Timmy died, something I hope we never forget.

Waiting for news

Not news news, but news for the church newsletter...that might be how it got its name! Ya' think?? Pastor sent me an e-mail this morning asking if I can wait with going to press until he gets me a couple articles or pieces for this coming month's Flock Talk. This rarely happens, so once I got up off the floor, I answered him that I will wait, of course. The preschool is also hopefully sending me something to use but so far, only the Pioneers have submitted their report. Bravo, Jen!!! Linda J. has many folks who contribute a report or article for F. G.'s newsletter but I do not have those resources. Our staff is small and no grade school, etc. to offer news.

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The other day on facebook, I saw that a "friend" from First German was rejoicing that her father would be celebrating Easter in heaven, and Judy R. wrote to me about it this a.m. I just supposed that Judy already knew through facebook, which is where I found out. Kari and Judy know each other as she was friends with one of Judy's daughter at Martin Luther College, and Kari is a member at F. G. We have a triangular shaped friendship, plus throw Linda J. into this mix! She is always in the mix! Kari is the young lady who remarked that Judy and I were "kindred spirits", and Judy had only that week given me a bag with that printed on it!!!! Talk about being pegged!

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Kari wrote a beautiful tribute to her father and posted it on facebook. In it she mentions three grandchildren her dad joined in heaven and I asked her to tell me about them sometime. In no time at all she wrote back about the babies, and told me how she mourned with my family and me about our Timmy. Basically she said whether I knew it or not, she mourned with me. My mom would mention to her in church how much she enjoyed hearing Kari's little boy say The Lord's Prayer, that it reminded her of Timmy. Oh, those little but important things we took we for granted.....

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Mom had sent me an e-mail this a.m. telling about how Kari played the organ on Sunday, including the chimes during the congregational singing of "Amazing Grace". At one point she stopped playing along and the congregation sang acapella for a bit. Mom said it was moving and beautiful, and did I mention, moving??? Jill told me about it on Sunday already so it left an impression on them. This week is Favorite Hymn Sunday at G. S. and hopefully I will get a peek at the list of chosen hymns to see if any of my suggestions made it. Once, when we got a sheet to write our favorites on, Richard S. said to me, "You are going to need more paper!" This time I limited my choices, but did include "In Christ Alone", hoping we get to sing it. Of course, afterward I thought of a few more but will wait until the next 5 Sunday month to put those in.

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Many years ago, Kim's sister, Lynn, made the remark after her cat died, that while she missed the cat, she did not miss walking in cat litter. I feel her pain! When I went to transfer the "soiled" cat box material into the garbage can, the liner began to tear. Not good! Plan B was to get an outside-type garbage bag to pour the entire contents of the first wastebasket into the green bag and hopefully not make a mess. What a great plan! But it did not work! Somehow litter eluded the bigger bag and ended up on the tile floor for me to walk around in. Crunch crunch crunch under my slippers.....guess I could get the vacuum cleaner out or the broom...ugh!

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My friend, Suzanne, would be happy to just have some gritty cat litter to clean up on her floors. She actually had to clean up after her cat, who, not once, but twice, delivered a bird into the house!!!! Perhaps I should simply count my blessings and sweep up the mess in the foyer!

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A "post" script to this posting: I received a letter from my doctor's office reporting that my mammogram was Normal so more "news" for today!!!!

Been to the store and back already

I had to do an emergency run to the store this morning, opting for a shorter run to the Winn-Dixie store only blocks away instead of Publix or Wal*Mart. The house was quiet when I came out of my room, so I figured Joanne had left for the day, then realizing her purse was still on the counter. Ah, she probably went out for her walk this a.m. I stood in the alcove by the elevator as I waited for it to come up for me, and when the door open, out charged Joanne! She was not expecting me to be there and about had an attack by the heart when she came face to face with me at the door!! Oh, how we laughed! I told her she could get her cardio workout just by seeing me outside the elevator door! And I was fixed up, not all ragged from climbing out of bed!

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So, the emergency?? Two of them actually.....cat litter and silver remover for my hair! Joanne had the doors open last night to air the house because it smelled too "uriny" from the cat box, and we hope and pray it was the box and not on the carpets anywhere. Ewww! There is hardly anything worse than the smell of cat **** or a yukky dish cloth! Seems we have had this discussion already....

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As usually happens, I came home with a few more items than only the two urgently needed so I managed to tote them upstairs in one trip. Cat litter is very heavy, I don't care who you are! The other two bags were not too heavy but I did have my purse, too, you know. The elevator took me upstairs and when the door opened----ta da!!! Hello, Joanne!!!!! Again!!! Oh, how we laughed....I pray no one was trying to sleep yet this morning at 9:00 a.m. with our howling on the landing. Twice in one day and never ever before, seems odd, does it not?

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My back was aching from carrying my heavy load so I simply unloaded the bags onto the counter and came to my chair. In 30 minutes (get it, Mom?) will go change the cat litter and make my house fresh smelling again. Does anyone out there want a cat? Seriously....to a good home, heck, any home, a cat with a fresh box of litter! And I will throw in a container of tofu!

Some great excitement here today

Well, maybe not all that exciting but at least great fun! In my bathroom (can I say that??) I have a hand-held draw poker game for passing the time, as it were. Today I had the option of selecting four "cards" with clubs, and hoped the next card coming up, when summoned, would be also be clubs. Sure 'nuff, it was! I watched as the score kept climbing and climbing, not stopping, so I opened the cover to look at the back of the game to see what the high score was. Without my being fully aware, I had just picked a royal flush, all clubs. Wow!!! I won 5000 points just because I opted to keep four clubs! Would that not be fun if it were coins, rattling into the dish in front of me, clang clang clang and bells ringing? And I had no one here to tell about it---so I am telling you!

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I ate my breakfast and lunch in today, more like brunch, as I went to the fridge to pull out the balance of my patty melt from lunch with Louise the other day. Of course, I had gotten sodas out all morning but for some reason did not pay attention to what else was in the fridge. Then, I spotted it----a container of of of of----tofu!!!! Ahhhh! In MY refrigerator!!!! I treated the container like it was a snake or a rodent, batting at it with a wooden spoon. Well, not quite that bad but the sensation I had was the same. I never thought I would see the day. What next??? Just, please, don't make me eat any of it....

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Much of the day was spent working on the Flock Talk for church as well as chatting on facebook and with Justin between classes. He is going as my date to Kathy B.'s daughter's wedding next month. I got through a few of the stacks on my desk mainly because I was looking for my Ladies' Group Minutes from the previous meeting. I was starting to get a bit concerned because I really needed my notes, and was relieved to finally find them only a few inches deep in the stack. Whew!

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Earlier in the day I also enjoyed a couple phone conversations, one with Mona and one with my friend, Judy R.!!! She was working on her prayer calendar and asked me for some ideas regarding the Resurrection. We tried to use facebook to chat but had troubles connecting. The next best thing---the phone! We did kick around a few passages plus she said the hymnal offers great gospel gems to use to fill in all the dates. Fortunately, she also has a calendar from a couple years ago to reference for ideas. It never hurts to recycle, especially when it's the Easter story!!!

Back from the meeting....

....with no bloodshed! Tonight's Palace Annual Owners' meeting went along famously, with little or no arguments, and in fact, one of the pot stirrers even begged for no more controversies! And here I had prepared my special speech just for the meeting, with no need for me to deliver it. But I did anyway, in a greatly modified form, turning into praise for our Board, thanks for their efforts, and for that of the committees. I told the assembly that I had been approached by more than one Board member to serve but I respectfully, repeatedly declined, because "my heart is like a tiny china doll" and I could not take "the heat in the kitchen" which is where the Board finds itself. My remarks were well received and the newsletter complimented, which was quite nice to hear, of course!

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We are still going to have at least one more major assessment, which I am prepared for, that being the caulking, repairing of stucco, and painting of the building. A huge undertaking, much involved, but will hopefully put to rest many more of the leaking problems remaining. Somehow I avoided being on the Team making the color selections as I just finished that job at church. One of the non-resident owners is taking the job with help of Maureen, a woman with most excellent decorating sense. We will have three color choices to vote on, majority wins. The north end bulkhead needs to be repaired/replaced after the damage from TS Faye last August and they would like this done before the season starts again, for fear of additional erosion of our property.

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So, the good news is I got out of there with the same jobs I went in with, editor of the newsletter and on the social team---yippee!!!

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Saturday on my way to the Tupperware party at Wendy's house, I saw a sign for the Urgent Care facility in Oakleaf. Urgent Care----makes one think of cuts needing stitches, an ear infection, or a broken arm, right? Oh, no! This sign, under the name Urgent Care Center listed several items including Botox injections, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, and other seriously non-emergency health problems. What in the world??? I just had to laugh at the prospect of making a quick trip to the Urgent Care Center for a necessary laser hair removal!!!