What a mess!

I am seated on the loveseat which is pulled out into the family room, watching a TV only recently plugged back in. The TV stand is also pulled away from the wall and once more towels and sheets and blankets are spread about to sop up the water drips. Yikes! It was Tropical Storm Faye all over again but with incredibly scary winds this time. Paul, Emily, Sarah and I were in the family room, with Paul and I watching a "Seinfeld" episode when it became apparent that the wind was bending the palm trees almost to the ground...Yeah, I think we are having a storm! Almost immediately we noticed the water running in around the window and the sliding glass doors....oh, no, not again!

*

Paul helped pull the furniture out and get the towels in place, unplugging the TV (nuts!) and Emily helped me remove the glass pieces from the window in case the windows didn't hold. We saw what might have been a lawn chair go floating by in the river, and I remembered the winds a few weeks ago that took the neighbors' gas grilled over onto its side. Oooh, that would be terrible if the wind blew it my direction this time! We did not lose electricity but the lights blinked many times. The rains were just torrential, lightning wild, and thunder booming, with Sarah half afraid and half excited about the whole thing. As soon as we said, "Stay away from the windows and doors!", she headed straight for them! Of course!

*

Emily thought they should stay to help put things back but I wanted to keep the water catchers in place at least until the storms ended. They left as soon as it seemed to let up a bit, but it was still raining and lightning. Paul has a bulging disc in his neck giving him a fit and I did not want him doing any more than he already had to help me. Justin is coming by tomorrow to give me a hand with the furniture and such, which I appreciate. He has school tomorrow night so will not be able to stay, and I can do much of the clean up before he arrives. I filed a "damage report" with the maintenance guys in my building, not because they can fix it but they at least need to know what is going on in the various units. Hopefully some of the leaks will be corrected when the building is caulked, sealed and painted this summer. What's another $100,000.00 capital improvement, especially when we are flying around moving furniture and laying out drip cloths for the leaks????

Boy, I am hungry this a.m.!

Normally I can go until 10 or later before rummaging for something to eat for breakfast, but do not think I will hold out that long today. I had a nice little supper last night, making Four Cheese cook-in-the-bag rice and adding cut up ham into it. No directions to follow other than "microwave for 90 seconds". The other instructions on the package were for where and how to grab it when the food is done cooking but fortunately I took a non-hot edge when removing it from the oven. "Sometimes," she said smugly, "I don't need directions!"

*

Part of my time Saturday, on a weather-threatening day, was used talking on the phone with Mona in Manty. Since they had to be on JR's campus at West Point bright and early the morning we arrive for graduation, we needed to find our own ride from the airport to the hotel. I checked on-line and saw our hotel offers "Complimentary airport transportation" ("My, you look nice today!" "New outfit? Great!). It suggested I call for availability so I did and talked to a young man in the metropolis of Newburgh, NY. It seems the hotel does not have a dedicated vehicle (shuttle or town car) but 'someone will be here that can come and get you'. Great! I asked him to please put a note on my reservation that our flight arrives at 10:23 a.m., and he told me the driver would be there at that time. Don't I need time to get my luggage, etc? Oh, yes, he said the driver would be there at 10:30!!!! It must be a tiny airport...

*

Mona said that it is quite small and really old, with blacktop runways and baggage claim is not going to be a problem. I will not tell Justin about this, let him find out himself, or he might murmur about our small plane, rugged airport, riding in the back of a truck to the hotel, being beastly tired because of our early morning flight. I sure would not want him to ruin JR's big day the next day! JR could twist Justin's head off because, according to press reports, JR is "the best powerlifter West Point has ever had"! I'll bet he could get us carried in chairs on people's shoulders from the airport to the hotel if we asked him to make the arrangements in person!

*

It is time to leave for church so will sign off for now. Presently I am sweating just a bit which means it might a good day to sit poolside, but guess I should check the weather first, before making too many plans for the afternoon. I cannot wait until the cabana opens again which will be Memorial weekend and not one moment before! I want a hot dog and an adult beverage poolside!

Saturday sittin' on the river

Well, I guess it is time for me to go to the h-o-m-e....In anticipation for friends coming over to go swimming today, I decided to make a pan of brownies for dessert. There were cans of whipping cream left here from the dinner on Thursday last week which would taste so good on brownies. Well, it has been awhile since I baked anything....already defending myself here....I goofed! Instead of putting a quarter cup of water into the mixture, I misread the amount and put in 1 1/4 cups of water. OOOPS! Now what? Well, I put it in the oven anyway and we will see what happens with it. Chocolate soup anyone? Nuts! It is heck to get old....

*

Since our plans were changed for tonight by the cancelled concert, some are thinking of coming over here to go swimming. I do not know how many to expect so might just order pizza for supper rather than try to cook something. It is not my day to be cooking, I am afraid! "Hello, Pizza Hut? It's me again....." It sure would be lovely to be sitting under the stars at Metro Park tonight and listening to the orchestra, but it is not to be!

*

The river is active with boats today, many pulled up to fish. Some were the noisy kind that certainly scared the fish away. The water level is higher now that the moon is no longer full, so I do not have to look at the nasty underbelly exposed during lower tides. Wednesday night was our condo BOD meeting and I arrived just in time for them to adjourn. It seems they began 30 minutes earlier than advertised (oops!) so finished before I could return after choir practice. One of the guys told me they assigned a job to me, to contact the ceramic tile cleaners to come and give us a price. See what happens when you miss a meeting??? The same folks who cleaned my rugs last week also clean the tile, and in fact, did clean the area around the elevator once before, when they cleaned and refinished the floor in my river room. Aaron was going to come Friday but they got too busy so plans are now to come on Monday afternoon. It will be nice to see the tile cleaned up again, after so many people have moved out and in, leaving black tire marks from the handcarts .

*

Because our concert plans were changed, Justin told me he was going to church tonight rather than Sunday morning. He likes to sleep late I guess. Even though worship does not start until 10:30, and he lives only blocks from church. As long as he gets there, this is what matters. I only hope the weather holds and those of us who are going to swim and sit poolside can actually do so. If the weather does not cooperate, we can be thankful to not be under the skies downtown when it begins to rain!

*

Last night was our Youth Group gathering here, complete with Pizza Hut and salad. I thought Kathy might like something other than pizza so I bought a bag of lettuce and some low calorie dressing which we all enjoyed. Kathy had the bright idea of adding olives to her salad so I did, too, making it more tolerable. Brian had the idea of ordering two Panormous pizzas and end up taking an entire one home with him. Evidently not everyone was as hungry as Brian was! Earlier in the day I had gotten the Youth Group newsletter via e-mail so I printed it off for Brian to use. Pastor Kuske wanted to show the kids the website just for young people the WELS has, so I set it up on my desktop and turned the monitor around for viewing in the river room. Sadly, only two kids came which can leave the leaders feeling quite defeated. Hopefully with some regular activities and promotion "we" can stimulate some more interest, like the kids used to have "back in the old days" at church.

*

The little newsletter mentioned some interesting topics such as the age group referred to as the Mosaic Generation. Nothing to do with Moses, I fear. This age group was born between 1984 and 2002, I do not know who made this decision, but that is what the article stated. General statements attributed to this Mosaic Generation: they are comfortable with contradiction, post-modern, exhibiting non-linear thinking, eclectic in lifestyle, fluid in their personal relationships, with cut-and-paste values, and a hybrid spiritual perspective. The discussion that followed, led by Brian, who teaches sociology and similar subjects to high school kids, was how people are so connected now days that we are disconnected. I have said this for a long time, beginning with the portable CD players with ear buds. Very isolating. He asked them about what it says when you take a phone call from one person while talking to another---what does it possibly say about the first caller? Or, how people seldom make eye contact, particularly not taking their eyes or fingers off their cell phones. Our conversations, especially this mosaic generation, have been reduced to short bits and pieces, often over the top of the other person's bits and pieces (I knew this too!!!), and I threw in the fact that we speak in sound bytes now. Not me, of course, I can just go on and on and on.....In fact, I do!Anyway, I just found this entire conversation incredibly interesting and more than a little frightening, with little hope of reversal.

*

My sister, Lori, called me a while ago and was rejoicing because she had tracked down an old folk song we used to sing together, called "Jamie". My nephew is named Jamie, so I think we should sing it at his wedding. Lori tried to play it over the phone but it didn't work, so I found it myself on youtube and we listened together----no eye contact but certainly our hearts were! She said she had been searching for it since I was there last year and was just so happy to finally scare it up. Lori is going to have David learn to play it for us, so I cannot wait to get out there. I believe I have the original album in my possession but will wait for Justin to come and pull it out of the closet for me. I also got a wonderful invitation via e-mail from my friend, Linda O., at Victory. She wanted to know if I was interested in going to a Pops concert on Memorial Day with her, but I will be in New York at that time. Nuts! But I was seriously tickled to be asked by her!!!

*

My toes are cold, I hope it is not chilly outside. The sun needs to be on me if I go into the pool so it had better break from of the clouds and warm things up. There is a little breeze and little sun. Perhaps I had better get out there now while it is still showing itself!

Scuttled Plans

Oh, hear the cry go up from Orange Park, the cry of scuttled concert plans! Kathy let me know this a.m. first thing that the Jacksonville Symphony concert featuring Leann Rimes has been cancelled. The disappointment took my breath away at first, but I has since collected myself and decided we can still get together here at my place and spend time poolside, picnic down there or up here, weather determining. It seems Leann has lost her voice but in my opinion, we could have enjoyed the Symphony all night long without hearing the country western music sung, right?

*

The breeze off the river is delightful today but is making my river room look like the a wedding is going to take place! Loose petals from my Mother's Day bouquet are being scattered about on the floor, catching my eye as the wind scoots them along. My first thoughts are usually, "mouse!!!!", but since there have been a couple snake encounters recently, I think for a moment, "Snake!!!" Oh, how I so wish Connie would have never told me about the snake wrapped in my door!

*

One of my "friends" on facebook, Carrie, is mourning the fact that her dad is going home to be attended by Hospice in his last days. He has lung cancer and there is nothing now for the doctors to do except keep him comfortable. Dan is a retired pastor and moved to Manitowoc to be close to family. The last time I was home in WI I got to hear him sing during the worship service, Morning Praise. Prayers for all involved are appreciated, the Unggemach's and Hennigs.

*

While I am sitting here at my desk, Linda J. is preparing to go to Stamp Camp this weekend, and I am soooo envious of her! One time I had a chance to go with her but for some reason or another, I think a family issue came up, I was unable to go with her. I blew my chance! Yesterday when reading Carrie's postings on facebook, I saw the name of someone Linda and I met at the Women's Leadership Conference in 2007. I sent Kelly as message through Carrie's site and sure enough, she wrote back and we are now officially "friends". It didn't "take" evidently when we met in person----nah, we had to wait a couple years and reconnect via the Internet!!!!

*

Speaking of things not "taking", Justin and I watched a couple episodes of "Seinfeld" on Mother's Day, and no, my mom does not approve. Many years ago my sister, Jill, was a fan of Bobby Sherman and would watch his TV show, much to the rest of the girls' chagrin (I have 5 sisters!). We wanted to watch "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." or something instead, back in the days of only one TV in the house. We would mock Jill about her love of Bobby Sherman until such a time as my mother announced, "NO MAKING FUN OF ANYBODY'S FAVORITES!!" So there! So, because of that declaration, I try to not be critical about TV shows people watch...I learned from my mother not to make fun of other people's favorites! Anyway, the "Seinfeld" episode that was on was one of my favorites, when Jerry and George come to the conclusion, while sitting in the diner, that they are NOT men, they are boys! They decide to change their ways, not break up with girlfriends just because they eat their peas one at a time, or shush them in the movies. George confesses to Jerry that he thinks about his former girlfriend, Susan, who, when they broke up, became a lesbian. George drives his girlfriends to lesbianism, but that is another story. Jerry asks him, "Susan, hmm, didn't she become a lesbian?" and George immediately came back with, "Nah, it didn't take...." which just made us roar with laughter. Jerry sits with his raised coffee cup and simply acknowledges the comment. "It didn't take...."

*

In a few minutes I am heading off to have lunch with Justin. He invited me to join him as he has office duty today and can take an hour for lunch. The restaurant choice was mine to make and while I would much rather eat at Koko's, I knew Justin's diet would like Ruby Tuesday better. Truly, I do not care where I eat, normally I can find something to order, but it is more the company that interests me. It is overcast again today, and I noticed something interesting here in my room----when I stand in a certain place in my bedroom/office and look out, the cross piece on the windows obliterates the trees on the horizon, so the sky and the river look exactly the same color! I know, I know, this girl needs a new hobby!

Some are getting their wishes granted!

In fact, probably many are! It is raining cats and dogs out there, complete with some wind and rumors of hail. I did not encounter hail on my drive but the radio mentioned reports of small hail in areas of town. I felt just like our friend, Tommy J. in Manitowoc, driving in huge puddles, only not on purpose, like he does! I hope the engineers that are working on the construction on Wells Road have a chance to observe the great amounts of standing water today!

*

This morning I went to Victory for Bible study, on another "tour" about the Truth. The DVD we watch is taken from an actual classroom and sometimes I feel compelled to answer when the professor asks a question. It is pretty real. Our lesson today was about The State and I will tell you, it was so good that it made us feel sick! Uneasy is probably the better description of how we felt, shifting in our seats, fully aware of the warnings given to the Israelites in I Samuel which came true, and are truer yet today. This DVD series was prepared in 2004 and has proven to be quite prophetic, the way things in the government have become exactly what the Bible cautions. Yet, despite the warnings from the Lord, the children of Israel said, "We want a king!", and the people in Jerusalem said, "Give us Barabbas!", and what do our voters say? Let the chips fall where they may, we get exactly what we asked for....gulp! The closing prayer asked the Lord to help us draw a line and say, "This far, and no further." I like that. We can do that within our homes, in our Christian schools, our Synod, making sure that God Almighty remains our head, our focus, making sure we remember that all things are in His control and under His control. Powerful lesson.

*

I remember as a little girl, (if no one knew it, I am in my young 50's), getting milk in little bottles at school. The milk man carried the bottles downstairs in the "old school" where they sat until lunch time when the boys would go downstairs (the older boys, of course) and bring them to the classroom, rattling and clanking against each other. The bottles, I mean. At one point, I recall there was conversation about "the government" helping our school or the students pay for the cost of the milk, for those who could not afford it or something. The answer was "NO!" to the "government intervention", because 'what would stop 'them' from telling us what to teach in our classrooms?" I was just a wee little girl but I distinctly remember this being a big deal. What was so tempting and gracious could also be a curse on our curriculum and way we did business. Who else remembers these glass milk bottles or the free milk controversy? I am glad that our parents and church leadership opted to not compromise our religious freedom in the face of getting something from the government.

*

The ride over and back was quick, little traffic to hold me up, and no rains yet. Just before I left this a.m., my doorbell rang, and there was Connie at the door. She wanted me to move my car so she could work on the lawn around the area where my car sits. I told her I would be leaving in a minute and sped around my house to get myself out the door. Certainly did not want to hold up progress on the lawn reworking! I heard she is getting some flak from the neighbors on the north end of the building when she tries to work on the trees and plantings, in the common area. No trouble from me, I will get down there chop chop, so to speak. When I returned home, she announced that my snake was back, discovered by the young lady on the 2nd floor, encountered on the stairs. I asked if she killed it this time and she said they threw it in the river, which means he will be back!!!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!!

*

Yesterday I marked a mess of files, printed labels for them, and started to clean off my desk. And what did I do today? Stopped at the mail box and brought up more paper! The majority of it went in the trash, catalogs and flyers and advertising...I get paper bills for those I pay on-line which I find to be just goofy! If I pay them on-line, send them to me that way, too! I must insist....Although I filed so much yet there is still much left to do. It appears I hardly made a dent!

*

When I saw the skies darkening and the first storms came through, I could not help but think of our prospective member and her little granddaughter, walking sooooo far in the heat and rain. When I called her, it seems I woke Sheila and she was unaware of the storms. I asked if I could pick her up and take her to get the 3 year-old grand so they would not have to walk in the rain. On a good day that is just too far to walk, so on a rainy nasty day, I can take a ride. I needed to get gas anyway so it worked out perfectly. The heavens opened as I was gassing up so the timing was just right. Sheila was quite glad I called because otherwise she would have slept too long and not made it up there (45 minute walk on a regular day) to get Akeila before closing time. And then the two of them would walk back home in the pouring rain! Whew! If my name was on the list for pick up and if I had a car seat, we could skip the part where I collect Sheila first, but it is okay the way we worked it out.

*

Sheila was supposed to call one of her prospective employers, for whom I am a reference, but she slept through the day after having had a treatment and massage at the physical therapist's office. That must have been some massage! I hope that tomorrow is not too late for her to call in, and I her urged to not tell them she fell asleep because that would not look good to the interviewer. It would be better to have no excuse at all than one which would not reflect well.

*

Tomorrow brings the Youth Group to my house as I hostess Game/Movie/Pizza Night for the teens of the congregation. Brian and Kathy are coming over around 5:00 pm to get things in place for the arrival of the teens, like ordering the pizza and setting up the DVD player, choosing the games and so on. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy having my home used for these types of events, a gathering place for good things and good kids and good leaders! Saturday night is "Starry Nights" downtown, where we have a reserved table under the stars, listening to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Leann Rimes. I think I am going to make ham salad to serve on crackers plus take the table dressing things complete with candles and fake champagne glasses. I have some leftover from another party, perhaps my birthday when I turned 50....I hope they are still good!

Welcome back, Sunshine!

You were missed!!!! And now you are playing peek a boo with us behind some threatening clouds, casting yellow streaks across the grey river. Nice touch!

*

Yesterday on the way back from Middleburg I needed a Diet Coke, other than the five cases in my backseat, so stopped at Hardee's. Before Justin got his driver's license,I was his wheel-man and would take him to school every day. Then I would follow a morning routine which included stopping at Hardee's to get a large Diet Coke, stop at the cemetery, and then proceed to church to work in the office, or run other errands when I was not working for the church. Daily, I got a drink at Hardee's. Back when I was expecting Justin, I had a hankerin' for Hardee's 1/4 pound cheeseburgers, and would slip across town (we are talking about Manitowoc here) to get one. So, yesterday, I thought, "Hmmm...I wonder if they still have those burgers..." Well, they are no longer 1/4 pound, but actually considered 1/3 pounders. Wow! Need I report the mess that ensued as I attempted eating this monster burger as I navigated through the construction mess on Blanding in Middleburg???? My washer is in the spin cycle, taking care of the removal of the stains, hopefully, from my nice Coldwater Creek top, which was on the receiving end of onions and mustard raining down on it from my burger! Make a note: No trying to eat 1/3 pound burgers while wearing a nice top and driving on Blanding!!! And, yes, the Diet Coke was just as delicious as I remember!

*

While at the nail salon yesterday, Lisa had several people come in, waiting their turn to get nail work performed. One rather robust woman (this is the pot calling the kettle black!) came in with her own kit for Lisa to do her nails. It was glitter acrylic for artificial nails. It turns out this woman is a graduate of the clown schools in WI, including one she attended in LaCrosse. She told about climbing up Granddad's Bluff and looking out over three states, and how beautiful the area was. I will be going there in late May, traversing the river to get to Winona to see Judy as well. Anyway, the clown lady does face painting and balloon bending at a restaurant on T-ball and little league nights.

*

I moved my bouquet of flowers from Justin into the river room so that I can gaze upon them as I work. Some of the petals from the roses have dropped off already but the rest of the flowers look fresh yet. Justin told me that he has one more present coming for me but I won't get it until we are with my sister, Lori. Hmmm, I wonder what it could be....a necklace perhaps? Really, the movie and lunch treat, the flowers and card, and more importantly, attending church with me, is more than enough, but who am I to refuse a gift from my son?

*

Thankfully the sun shined across my face, waking me from a rather unusual dream. I was evidently building a new home with now former, then current, spouse, and the Douglas family was over, looking at the project. Our family room had a little stage at one end for the boys to put on plays or whatever (not my boys, strangly enough, but Lisa's boys). The area where the kitchen normally be instead had a snack bar with prep sink and already had a bed in place. I remember looking at the area, wondering how we would get a dinette table stuck into such a small space. I also felt as though I was drifting through the scenes, not an active part of the dream. Hmmm....It may have been more like our cottage in Door County rather than a permanent home, because I guess we can all agree there is no such thing as permanent!

*

I so enjoyed my time spent at home last night, writing and watching back to back to back episodes of "House", some of which I had seen before. I was a spoiler Sunday when I was talking to Justin about "House", as he was the one who got me into watching a first-run TV program (normally re-runs of old programs for me). We had seen in the opening scenes of "Star Trek" a mom giving birth to her first child. She was in the throes of labor, as they were being evacuated from their starship. The mom giving birth looked familiar and I whispered to Justin that it was Cameron, from "House". At first he doubted me, but thanks to his iPhone, was able to pull it up and sure 'nuff, I was right! Later, at home, we were talking about something else related to "House", where I expressed how strange it was that even the two engaged people referred to each other by their last names all the time. He did not know Cameron's first name was Allison, and I mentioned something about the episode where Kutner died....WHAT???? Kutner died? Oh, wow! Justin had no clue as he is so far behind in his viewing that he did not even know this tidbit yet! Oops, I'm a spoiler!

*

Lisa, the nail lady, is married to my friends son, and is about 24 years old. An old lady as far as she is concerned. A young pup, if you ask me. She had asked me some questions about Justin and I filled her in on the "lost semester" Justin experienced and how he is now trying to make up for lost time, earn enough credits at least to get an AA degree. She kept saying about him being young and doing foolish things, not having his act together, how it might be good to let him have his fun, etc., etc., etc. I found this rather amusing since Jason and she are only a couple years older than Jesse and Justin, and yet she was talking like she was much older. She HAS been self-employed for several years already, and granted, has had room and board pretty much provided, with the Woodruff's being her only family in this area. As I mentioned to Lisa, although Justin is just shy of genius on the IQ scale, that will not make him smart, and I must be genius enough to realize I cannot be smart FOR him. This is a tough tough pill to swallow. I also do not have to encourage foolishness or approve of it, but must accept that sometimes stupidity and childish thinking are simply out of my control. Lisa told me I was right, and that was all I needed to hear! She asked me why he was thinking of moving to Miami and going to school there (higher costs of living, more dangerous, etc.) and I said he told me "because it will be more fun...". She said, "That's all those kids think about, what is going to fun." Again, an inside chuckle because she is not much older age wise, but is a lifetime older experience-wise. I told her I needed to have him come in and get a pedicure and perhaps he would listen to her "sage advice", if not mine!

*

In reading my "Grandma" book this morning (thank you, Judy!), some of the passages were perfect subject matter. The chapters were about dealing with the things life brings us, basically being Proverbs 31 women (like Linda!) "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Or in Proverbs 17: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." I do not want dry bones, I want to laugh! In Psalms we are reminded "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for them." I have confidence in the Lord, in His control of all matters, remembering that our time here on earth is merely a blink of an eye. I also believe that our heavenly Father will watch over Justin, and will guide His ways, even if he is out of my sight.

Proverbs 27 says "Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt."

An unusual Tuesday

I find myself at home on a Tuesday night which is totally goofy, since this is Bible study night. First, we go to dinner and then to church, after I collect Sheila from her home. But not today...Late afternoon, Pastor called to tell me class was cancelled tonight as he had an urgent member matter to attend. He asked me to contact the others to let them know but I got only answering machines at which to leave messages. So, now I have a 'free' night in front of me! My telephone was plenty busy as I got calls from one lady, asking if she could use me as a personal reference on a job application (how personal???), to which I said, "Sure!". My nephew in WI called to discuss some wedding plan glitches he is faced with, and he received my counsel on this, whether he wanted it or not. Hey, that is the price you pay for dialing my number, bro!

*

Last night I talked for over an hour with my sis-in-law in Manty, going over the details for the West Point trip at the end of the month. Some of our original plans are not going to work as they need to be on the campus at the same time our flight arrives, so Justin and I will need to arrange for transportation to the hotel. Hmmmm....Plan B in the making. We always find much to talk about and inevitably my phone battery runs down. When we hung up, I plugged my phone into the charger, only to discover this a.m. that the charger was not plugged into the wall! I hate when that happens! Fortunately I was not expected anywhere until 11:30 so it was no problem.

*

Jen called me while it was still charging but I was able to answer and chat. A while back Rick had come by to get my "old" golf clubs for Christopher to use, left-handed clubs on the short side. Well, it seems that although Chris is a lefty, he somehow finds it more 'natural' to use the clubs, and it seems, baseball bats, right-handed. She asked me what they should do with them and I suggested donating them to the school for some other short, left-handed child to use. I told her I was coming out that way later in the morning to get my toes done by Lisa, and Jen thought she might come over to the shop to visit with us. Nice!

*

As I drove out to Middleburg, picking all the roads with the most construction going on, Jen called to say she would not see me at Lisa's after all, she had too much pain today probably due to the weather. It turned "cold" here, and I know those in WI and elsewhere might find this ridiculous, but a near 20 degree temperature drop is significant 'round these here parts! On facebook this a.m. Tarren's sis-in-law was rejoicing that their temps were going to get up to 70 above zero and she was going to work in the yard. Those temps put me in my fuzzy slippers and under the covers! Yes, funny but true!

*

Lisa did a marvelous job on my toes, today's color being "Big Apple Red", perfect for our trip up to NYC over Memorial Day. I am looking so forward to our time up there, first for the graduation where the speaker is going to be Secretary of State Robert Gates! Yippee! Mona said she was wishing for a real Democrat, the beast that she is, but Justin and I and hopefully the graduates will appreciate hearing from Gates. Anyway, Lisa fixed my toes up, got all the rough edges smoothed, cuticles cute, and so on. She was still on cloud nine after her wedding, honeymoon and reception----Middleburg-style. Her excitement is contagious, I am so happy for them both!

*

I made my way toward O. P. on the under construction roads and stopped at CVS in Middleburg for soda. They offered "buy 4,get one free" so I whipped in there to load up. I did not have my CVS card but the guy used one they had on hand to give me the great bargain for the sodas. Once back on this side of town I stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up a scrip and to drop off a couple disposable cameras for development. Then I popped in to see my lady friends at Great Hang Ups and had a nice visit with Dee and Julia. I just love spending time with them! Dee gave me back my piece from the Thrasher-Horne Art show, but not before paying one more compliment to my work. No wonder I love her!

*

Boy, it is windy out there tonight! We were expecting thunder storms but as far as I know, they never came. The rest of the week shows possible showers but not strong chances, with the temps coming back up where they belong. The news also brings the reports about the area children who have died or were hurt, and my heart aches. Julia said she has been thinking about me lately, hearing the reports of the tragedies befalling children in recent weeks. Last week, in Martie's neighborhood, a four-year-old girl was killed when she pulled a large-screen TV over on herself. In Keystone Heights, some older teens were playing with a gun and accidently shot a two-year old boy, who lived and may be okay after surgery. And then the twin girls, found clutched to each other in the pond....I have to go to bed now...g'night everybody..........