Taking a break

A break? From what? Well, perhaps the scent of Soft Scrub from my hands will give it away....I began the process of cleaning for the party tomorrow night, and I do this in increments so as not to upset my back. Often I find that cleaning wears on me, so I will allow Justin the privilege of moving the chairs around when he comes to vacuum clean this afternoon. That is sometimes a back-breaker for me as my dining room chairs are quite heavy. Once the floors are cleaned, he can place the chairs in the family room so I can prepare the table for food. Later I will go get some items from the store including wine and soda, and perhaps some beer. Most are wine drinkers these days but I think I must have something for all, as a good hostess. Justin will tote it upstairs for me which saves me the job.

*

This a.m. before getting in the shower, I stripped my bed and threw the sheets into the washer. The water seemed reluctant but did not do its usual spitting and sputtering which normally happens if it has been off. Huh. At least it was still coming out, right? I went to take my shower and as I stood under the lame stream, I scrubbed like mad to make sure I got done before the water quit all together. Now what? I did not even get to my hair but that's okay, mostly I wished to remove the soap from my skin. Once out, I called the maintenance guy, Hugh, to report the problem but got his answering machine. This made me hopeful that he was out there addressing the problem. I also called Tracy downstairs, as she is still the president of the BOD but she knew nothing of the situation. By the time we completed our conversation, the water pressure had returned to normal, and I restarted the washer. And I washed my hair in the kitchen sink!

*

Outside my door I heard some racket and opened it to find Connie out there sweeping around the plants and such in the courtyard. This pleased me because I want it looking nice when my company arrives. She told me mine were the sole plants that survived the freeze. The only special treatment I gave them was using hot water to water them and not every day. No covers or anything, and mine lived! One pot contains plants from when Timmy died so I really wanted them to make it. Some look a bit weary but are otherwise alive.

*

Again, a Jami story: just prior to her surgery, Jami had been training for a marathon, her first one. On the day of the marathon she found herself in the hospital, facing emergency surgery to remove part of her colon. The doctors are not exactly sure what happened there, whether it was from the training or if it just happened on its own. As she recovers now, she did a dramatic change of attitude, last night declaring in no uncertain terms that she was going to run a 'stinking' marathon!!! The 'stinking' is my word, not the one she used. Good for you, Jami, go get 'em!

*

The party tomorrow is going to be fewer folks than I invited, as often happens, with Pastor calling this a.m. with his regrets. He had surgery earlier this week to repair a hernia and he is taking longer to feel like his old self than he expected. Sadly, his wife and he won't be able to make it to the party, and in fact, his dad is coming up from south Florida to help with the service on Sunday. What a blessing that is for us all! Having a spare pastor in your back pocket, so to speak. It is good that his dad, a former professor from the seminary, is a phone call away when needed. One can never predict how long recovery will take, as we all heal differently. My guess is he is not planning to run a marathon any time soon but does intend to see his kids' sporting events on Saturday and then turn in for the rest of the day!

*

I called Hugh back a bit ago to let him know the water was okay again, and he said they were cleaning up a mess in their condo. It seems one of them dropped a bottle of chocolate wine on the kitchen tile floor and they had sticky wine and broken glass all over. Yes, they will need some water to clean that mess up! Yikes! I have a similar bottle in my fridge that I got from a wine tasting party so I think I will wander down there with my bottle to replace theirs. They are such good neighbors, and I will likely not serve it or drink it myself. Hugh can either drink it or pour it on the floor!

*

Here is a PS to my posting: I just came back upstairs from Hugh's and observed there was water in the swimming pool on the far end. It has been empty and under repair since September. I guess with the horrific weather yesterday I just did not notice the refreshed and lovely blue from that end of the property. Another big news event this week was a group of men filling in the treacherous pot holes that made an obstacle course out of our driveway from the street down. We are guessing that is what caused my most recent flat tire, hitting the pot hole. This prompted the jokes from the Geico commercial and really made me laugh. K, bahy!

"....like smoke through a keyhole....."

In the movie, "The Bucket List", the two men facing their pending demises (is that a word???), were discussing the rapid passing of time, going by nearly unnoticed when it seemed there was still plenty of years before them. Now that it seemed more like only months left in their lives, they speculated how quickly that time will pass, and Edward sort of whispers, "...like smoke through a keyhole....". One of my favorite lines from the movie and I like to throw it out when I can in a conversation. Certainly I have used it in this blog but Mom said she does not recall hearing or reading that expression before. So I am using it tonight as I think about how next month we have Ash Wednesday coming up. Already??? We just celebrated Epiphany and now, working on the newsletter, I discover that Ash Wednesday is nearly around the corner. How did that time go by so quickly, ".....like smoke through a keyhole...."?

*

My friend, Jami, whom I 'met' through The Bucket List, is home recovering from a rather dramatic surgery and is going stir crazy while at the same time feeling miserable. Movie watching is her past time because the medications do not allow her to read and focus. She asked today for suggestions for movies to watch and I sent her a list of my faves, not including the two we already share, besides "Bucket", we also love "Freedom Writers". In her blog she wrote that she roared her head off watching "The Hangover" and then added in parenthesis, "No, Kim, this movie is not for you!". She is not the first one to tell me that and I could tell from the previews this movie was not for me either. Joanne went and saw it alone one day, and told me it was horribly raunchy and vulgar, but she never laughed so hard in her life. What does that tell you???

*

Thursday is usually the day Justin and I start together at Bible study but he sent me a sad text message this a.m. reporting he had to go to work on a house to prepare it for a walk-through. Evidently he had not finished it yesterday so had to go back in today. Rats! We needed him too as we had a skeleton group for class. Last week they set up extra tables and chairs so we could all squeeze in and today only three of us showed up. On the way to class I called Mom, as usual, and while we were chatting a phone call came from Martie. After class I called her back to see what was up. Normally she works on Thursdays but was off today and wanted to meet for lunch. What do you know? It worked out well that Justin was not available because Martie stepped in perfectly to take his place! Cracker Barrel it is!

*

Because I was already up, dressed, and out on the road, I got there first and saved us a seat by the window where I could watch the rain come down and the lightning flash. Yup, a storm was brewing for sure! My lunch consisted of the veggie plate complete with fries, which I ordered for Martie to snack on as she waited for her apple dumpling to come. I had food, she had dessert-----that's what friends do! It was great seeing her again since she has been laid up with a terrible sinus infection and then family coming in from London and a new grand baby being born.....She is coming over Wednesday to help with my project for church and to work on some painting or cards or something. Chris, too, if she is not playing bridge next week. We need an appointment to get together with Chris, she is such a busy bee!

*

Since the storm had intensified while we were in the dining room, Martie, who needed a birthday present for her granddaughter, and I shopped in the general store. It was just pouring down out there, and I thought I heard a customer telling about tornadoes somewhere but did not catch where exactly. We had been under a watch since morning until 4:00 pm but it seems a touch down occurred south of Green Cove and a possible siting at Doctors Inlet. I wonder if Twila had some excitement this afternoon??? Instead of Rush on the radio, the station went to weather reporting, have folks calling in to tell what they were seeing or experiencing on the area roads. Even on the interstate west of Jacksonville there was flooding and a huge mess from sand which moved onto the freeway where construction was going on. Glad I only had a few miles to go to get home, although going the back way was probably not the best idea as there was standing water on the street all along the river. One of the reports that came in made me laugh, because the man reported the wind was so powerful in Penney Farms, that a squirrel blew out of a tree and landed on his windshield. "We got cows!"---from the movie "Twister", only in this case, we have squirrels. Sadly, two construction workers were blown off an overpass by a gust of wind, landing on the road below. Hopefully their injuries will be minor and the squirrel recovers as well!

Here is a picture taken of hail stones which fell this afternoon. Wow, that's going to leave a mark!

Sun bathing in January

First of all, thanks to all who reached out to Justin and me yesterday, and on Timmy's anniversary day, which Justin calls his "death day". That is right, one is his birthday and one his death day, the day he entered eternal bliss!

*

Finally the sun has broken through, burning off the fog which concealed Mandarin the first part of the morning. It feels so good roasting my back and shoulders, even making me squint a bit as it comes around my face. My desk is piled with my CHRISTmas and holiday cards, and, yes, there IS a difference. After I record the senders in my computer for the coming season, I will sort them according to their theme, and take the CHRISTmas ones to church for recycling. Booklets using parts of the cards are made at the end of the year for distribution to the shut-in members and when we go caroling. The rest, those that will not work for re-using, will go into the trash. It saddens me because I love my cards so much but some cleaning up must be done before my party on Saturday night!

*

Justin will be coming after work Friday to do the cleaning, badly needed since we took down the decorations. Lori had vacuumed on New Year's Eve but it still needed much more attention than she gave the rugs and floors. Those nacho chips are just so messy! Must add that to my shopping list for the party---chips and dips! At this writing only a fourth of those invited have replied to my invitation but today is the day the invitation asked for RSVPs. Until I know how many are coming, I am holding back on my food preparations. Much is already on hand but some will need purchasing, especially the adult beverages. Justin can help me with that tomorrow after Bible study and lunch.

*

Justin and I met at the cemetery yesterday and placed a Thomas the Tank Engine balloon at Timmy's site. Some one had already placed a bouquet in the vase so the bouquet I brought was placed in a glass vase which was rolling about in my back seat, waiting to be dropped off at church. The wind wanted to blow it over but I secured it well enough to prevent that, I hope. Justin tied the balloon to the bench, as the lady applied extra length of string for me to make it easier to secure. As we stood there, we speculated what kind of boy Timmy would be today and I recollected that Pete had said, "Some kids will do anything to get out of my confirmation classes!". If I thought piano lessons were tough, I can just imagine getting the homework for confirmation completed!! I do better remembering and thinking of him as 5 and not a hard-to handle teenager! Justin figured Timmy would be interested in Pokemon or some type of game system, something his father would have had to buy for him since the mom in this household is too cheap!

*

We enjoyed our lunch at Sweet Tomatoes, reminiscing about Timmy and discussing our usual politics and his TV passion of the moment. Now that "24" has started again, he is caught up in that, plus "American Idol". I know that any time now he will be sending me youtube links to listen to this singer or that artist doing an interpretation of a song he thinks I would like. He tries so hard to draw me into "Idol" but I am not a taker. Leave me with my old TV shows or hulu to entertain me if I need it. Oh, and Cash Cab is back on Discovery Channel which I really really enjoy because it takes place in NYC!

*

He had to leave rather abruptly from our lunch, where, by the way, he ate the chocolate muffin with ice cream that his brother loved so much. Justin needed gas before heading back to the southside for his class and he was not sure his backpack was in the car. I gave him a pen to use for the class in case he was lacking his backpack and he would pick up a tablet at the bookstore if he had time. Parking takes the longest at school, longer than the class itself, so he needed to allow extra time for that. Hope he made it on time. I sent him a text message last night after the good news from MA broke and he replied to me but I did not continue the conversation, knowing he was deeply involved in his TV show. He told me the other day that his buddies warned him--No Talking!--during their programs. He was put out that they "shushed" him, which is a "Seinfeld" reference, of course, but he liked to say that about me at the movies! He talks more than I do, coming into that honestly, as the expression goes!

*

The other day I mentioned the purple sweater that was bounced in my dryer in order to stop the lint mess. Yesterday, I was using my bathroom sink and thought, "My, this is soooo dirty in here!". When I wiped it out, the dirt was actually purple fuzzies from that same sweater which I wore on Sunday. Yikes! There are still purple tumbleweeds blowing about in my closet and bathroom, which connect. What a shame to have to clean up behind yourself after wearing a garment!

*

Before meeting Justin for our time in remembrance of Timmy, Twila called, asking me what I had in mind for the day. Great! I told her about my lunch date with Justin and said I was open after that. The ladies had decided to go to the movies that afternoon, and before hearing what the movie was, I said "YES!" It was better to go do something than sit home and do nothing. Well, they were seeing "The Lovely Bones" which I had heard much about, with my friend, Jami, reading the book. When I told Justin what we were seeing, he asked, "Have you lost your mind??!!??" The movie really did get to me, but not the reasons you would think. Besides it being about a girl supposedly caught between earth and heaven, there was a great deal of soaring and swooping with the camera and images that made me more than a little motion sick. Jean, too, experienced it and I was glad to have taken a Dramanine early on to allow me to stay in the movie. Much of it was watched with my eyes closed, just like Linda watches movies!!!

A repeat of a message from my friend, Suzanne.....

I remember so much about that week in detail! I remember wiping the dining room table off, because it was covered with icing from Caitlyn's first birthday cake, and the phone rang. It was Chris Douglas telling me what had happened, and that you were all at the hospital. I remember him asking me to make calls to other families, asking them to pray for a miracle, and I remember Chris calling me again and telling me Timmy had died, and then having to share this news with the same families again.

I remember sitting in the church with Mark Vance, alone, staring at our stained glass picture of Jesus for hours, and wondering WHY babies die, and what was the purpose, but mostly I remember saying... "You made it Timmy! You get to see Jesus before me! See you when I get there!"

I remember seeing you at the funeral home, wondering how in the world you were functioning, and thinking you had amazing strength! I remember that you had just had surgery, and that you had had your eye surgery just before that as well! I remember sitting with my friends on the left side in the back row of our church, and that it was so full we didn't have enough chairs, and people were standing outside the doors! I remember seeing so many grown men, big burly contruction workers in tears! And I remember the funeral procession to Jax Memory Gardens, and thinking this was probably the longest ever seen on Blanding, and what a traffic jam! I remember standing at the cemetary seeing his little white casket, and thinking how small it seemed, and the flowers from the wreath beside it that went on top of it! I remember sending a card to you as well as one to Justin, and telling Justin I was praying for him, because I hoped that he wouldn't be forgotten in the sorrow, that it wasn't just the parents that lost a son, but he lost his little brother!

Kim, I remember so much about that week! I'm telling you all this, and I hope it doesn't upset you! I tell you this because I love you so much, and that little boy was a bookmark in my life! A bookmark in my faith, and I want you to know Timothy made a difference in my life!

*

...and that, folks, is what makes a Christian friend and helps sustain us through our trials and tribulations and joys. We know Timmy is with the Lord, soaring around the throne and singing "Holy, holy, holy" in his deep voice!

Another repeat of a posting

This will I will more boldly mark this as being a re-run so as to avoid confusion:

*

I did not mark this one with "Warning" because I suspect most of the readers are already braced today. What was a clear and bright sun-filled sky has become foggy and slightly overcast. I hope that does not last long. And I also hope Justin is across the bridge already and not in the fog while he is driving.

*

Cindy was at church yesterday but after worship when we were hugging, I wanted to say something to her. She said, "Don't say anything!" We just smiled at each other, knowing each others minds and hearts so well, and left it unspoken. Last week she wrote such a lovely comment to a posting, telling about what the first weeks were like in her Sunday school class after Timmy died, how she let the kids ask questions and discuss what happened instead of following the curriculum. I suspect the kids learned a whole lot more those days and weeks than they will ever learn, more than they wanted to learn perhaps when their fellow member, another child, died so suddenly.

*

Kathy and I had a conversation yesterday about grief and the rules thereof, and I am quick to say there are no rules, just go with it! Her daughter, now engaged to be married in April, had lost her first fiance to an accident a few years ago. Kathy was telling me how people, many of the them her daughter's friends, would tell Kelly to "get over it", and "move on". This was only months or weeks after he had died and they said "Move on." What exactly were they saying to Kelly? Were they saying those words to benefit Kelly? From my observations, not so much. In fact, people, and in her case, young people, simply are too uncomfortable, unskilled, in dealing with matters such as these. Sorrow and grief and loss truly do interfere with the "life goes on" mentality our culture has, and folks don't want to let their guard down around others, appear weak or emotional. Folks, I tell you again, there is nothing wrong with showing your feelings and expressing your grief, whether in private or in public. Many folks avoid the subject, saying they did not want to "upset" me ( or Kelly), when in fact, often, it is the speaker not wanting to be upset or show their feelings. Let's just skip along as though nothing has happened, and that is so unfair to the one experiencing the loss. I may be different than others, but I am willing to bet, not all that different. Lesson over.*

Last night at dinner with Brenda and Jimmie, we talked about a few things that made us laugh about Timmy. I recalled the time Jimmie was sitting at the conference room table, the first time Timmy had seen him without a cap on his balding head. Timmy was sitting on his dad's lap and asked him, "What happened to Jimmie's head?" It was also Jimmie's birthday that day and as we waited for the gang to assemble around the table to sing for him, I asked Timmy what song we should sing for Jimmie's birthday, assuming it would be the standard birthday song. Oh no, Timmy wanted to sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"! So, we did...

*

Jimmie recalled that Timmy referred to Brenda as being Jimmie's mama, which, for some reason, really tickled Jimmie's funny bone! We recalled how Timmy would dress himself in outlandish, mismatched outfits, pointing to the blue stripe in his shirt and the blue square on his plaid shorts and say, "See? Blue, blue!". As far as he was concerned, he had a match! One of our guys, Frank, used to ask, "Dress yourself today, Tim?", as it was obvious I had not picked the outfit. One of our members from church also worked for us in the office before leaving to be director of the preschool. One day, Rebecca brought in a bunch of suspenders and clip-on ties for Timmy because he loved them so much. On uniform day at school, Justin got to wear a dress shirt and tie, but Timmy had to wear his school polo shirt----to which he clipped on a tie! I have that same shirt with a necktie attached in the memory box below his portrait in the hallway.

*

One year for CHRISTmas we (Santa) got Timmy a bike, but it came unassembled. Another of our guys, Michael, got the dubious job of putting our childs' present together. Well, even though Timmy did not know Michaal had assembled the bike, he always asked Mike to put the chain back on or make the proper adjustment when something wasn't right.

*

Another of our guys who used to work for us, Jim Hattaway, knew "Hurricane Hank" before he could even walk. In our old office, Jim would come in from the field and lift Timmy in his jump-up chair suspended in the doorway and would lift him wwaayy up with one hand, and let him drop. This brought great screams of delight from a previously bored infant. Jim only had so many of those in him though so the fun would soon stop. When Timmy learned to walk far too early, Jim's office and storage area was an easy mark for a little guy who loved to pull the covers off of boxes and strew the files around the room. That is why Jim, who never got mad, called him "Hurricane Hank". After Jim quit rather abruptly after a falling out with the boss, I didn't see or hear from him for a year. Finally he came back into my life and as I told my friends, "I can die now." I loved him and he loved me and my boys. At Timmy's funeral, Jim nearly passed out. It was hot, in January, and he had worn a white dress shirt with his suit, and the collar was so tight he could barely breathe. I told him he didn't have to wear that but he thought he should. The lady at the home inspection place where Jim then worked told me how hard Jim took the news about Timmy, and that she made dinner for him and hung out with him the first night, because he was so upset. I like knowing that about him, and about her.

*

I am thankful to have a full day ahead of me, starting with Bible class and lunch with the church ladies. A good place to be. Justin is coming over here after work to do some vacuuming for us, because he works for his room and board, too, if you recall. And then we are going to have dinner at "Taste (Sweet) Tomatoes". We have to go sort of early so I am home again to attend the Board of Directors meeting this evening. We are having an attorney come to help explain the new condo laws and such, and their affect on us as an Association. I am hoping that doesn't mean more money but I am guessing it will. Ugh! Life goes on........maybe not "moving on" but going on.........

I'm feeling very WI these days!

Yesterday as I drove to church, it occurred to me that I felt it was warm outside. What??!!?? On what planet, or in what state, would 65 degrees above zero be considered warm? And it made me chuckle even thinking about it, because I just knew Linda J. and Alayna would think it perfectly warm---almost sleeveless weather! But why me? Well, because only a day or two before this, we were in the twenties, barely eeking higher than that, which made almost 60 seem warm by comparison! 

As I was standing at my podium in the back of the church, Richard B. came in, his first time back since the holidays. He drives over-the-road for an orange trucking company based in Green Bay. He told me that one day he drove all around the state of IA and it never 'warmed' above 9 degrees. And that is why, I explained to him, I was feeling quite Wisconsin-ish these days! In the summer, when we are mostly near 90's, even the 70's would send me scurrying for the afghan and hot cocoa! The dramatic drops, or relative warming, makes it seem either terribly cold or considerably warmer! So, when Judy R. tells me that 28 is their spring thaw, I will simply have to believe her! It is all relative!

*

Tom Hanks was so darn cute as a younger man. I say this because the TV had two movies of his on today, "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle". My Internet radio refused to stream after 3:00 pm so I resorted to TV for my rest time. Not long ago I watched "Mail" but had not seen this one in a while. I had to chuckle about the 'old-fashioned' computers being used to search for the caller on the radio talk show. In 1993 the big desktops were the rage but in "You've Got Mail" Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, same team, used laptops for their communications. What a difference 5 years makes in the world of technology!

*

Justin called me twice today about Glenn Beck stuff, he just gets so excited listening to the podcasts. Justin downloads the programs onto his iPhone so he can listen as he works on the houses, as he is washing windows at a house right now with all the time in the world to listen and scrub. Later he called me again to ask me about a newsletter which he gets e-mailed to him that he thinks I need to get. Justin will come here on Friday to clean before my party set for Saturday and will arrange to have the newsletter forwarded to my computer from his automatically. Again with the techno stuff! Only I cannot stand that Rosie O'Donnell in this 'Seattle' movie!

*

Today I attended Bible study at church, as we begin a study loosely based on "The Theology of the Cross", a book which has gathered dust on my dresser since June. I had wanted to dive into the book and consume it but I was intimidated by it. What I really wanted was for someone to sit down and tell me what I was reading, which is hopefully the way this Bible study will work out.

*

A couple of us left the class early, though, to attend the funeral service for the elderly mom of our member and friend, Cliff. Pastor sneaked out early, too, but not as early as Ethel and me. The service was very interesting and once more I got to hear Robbie singing. He also played the piano for the solos sung by his aunt and him. I did know one hymn, "Amazing Grace" but never knew it had so many stanzas. Folks were given the opportunity to give a testimony about the deceased and several spoke, including Robbie at the very end. Two men from the family row, Cliff included, had to go up on the 'stage' to assist the elderly pastor get to his feet. There was no luncheon afterward but I did join the family at the cemetery, my cemetery. I had a bouquet to leave at Timmy's site which I dropped off before the committal service. My 'boyfriend', Charles, was standing by and gave me a hug....I asked him, "Do you know what day it is tomorrow?" and he answered, "Timmy's birthday?" He knows his name! How special is that?!?

*

Well, I must get ready to go and have dinner with my friend, Joanne, whom I have not seen since last year! Really-----not since December 25th when her dad and she were here for our feast. She is just so busy and finally we found a spare minute to spend with each other. A good night for it, too, since I usually went to Longhorn on Mondays!

A peaceful Sunday

When Lori and David were here over CHRISTmas, they had brought along a movie called "Life as a House" which had potential for being my kind of move except for the foul language. Lori said they used this movie as part of her training for her ministry at church, which seems odd since it has bad language! But the message, the story, has a good lesson in it. I am watching it today, on 'regular' TV so even though there are commercials, it is also edited. Glad I saw it in the directory for after the football game!

*

My dear friends took me to lunch after church today. Paul, Emily, and Sarah enjoyed Aron's Pizza, although none of us had pizza! I had my usual stromboli with half of it coming home with me, of course. Sarah did not eat all her 'basketti' either so she will have that for dinner. She was proud of losing her tooth this morning and has another one nearly falling out. I took a picture with my cell phone to send to "my Justin", as she refers to him.

Here is Sarah trying to expose the space where her tooth is missing!

*

Well, last night, against sentiment in my body, I got dressed and went to Linda's house at the beach for chili, games, and the bonfire. I am so delighted and glad that I did, for many reasons, the first of which is Linda is my friend! While the gathering did not work out exactly as she wished, it was nice just the same. I got to spend some time with Carol, a friend I met at Linda's a couple years ago on Dale's one year anniversary, and saw her again at the Advent Song Service. The resident 'hippie' in the condo complex who holds two advanced degrees in something, is our official bonfire maker, and takes great pride in his fires. He scavenged a wrought-iron planter up on legs which works great for bringing the heat up closer to our faces and allows the air to get underneath to burn hotter. Perhaps one of his degrees, this bearded beach bum, is in fire building! Good ole Fred, the fire starter!

*

Having a smaller group gave Linda and I plenty of time just by ourselves so we could catch up decently. Usually we are in passing at the church events, and we have lots of news between us. The highlight in hers is that her daughter, Lisa, is getting married in March with plans for a wedding shower in February. Lisa is concerned about etiquette and all that, while Linda would like to wing it. Not being Lisa's first marriage, there is allowance for some variation, in our opinion. On my ride down to St. Augustine, the rain was a nuisance and the wind ferocious, making it hard to imagine that we would soon be sitting on the beach around a bonfire. At about the halfway mark, it stopped raining but the wind was still wicked, trying to move my car around on the road. Later, when I left Linda's, the wind had once more kicked up and blew spray the sprinklers onto my car and me. Not only did I smell like a bonfire, I also smelled like sulphur on top of that!

*

This morning after Bible study, Brian came to me with a couple things he needs help with. I will be glad to pitch in, especially when it comes to nagging. The idea of getting unfinished projects closer to being completed is quite exciting for me, and hopefully for all of us. Especially those who are NOT being nagged by me!