Kerry's visit continued but nearly over....

This tiny photo is Kerry floating in the pool, taken with my cell phone, which is why it is so dinky. She wanted me to make sure that The Club showed up in the background so I could not really zoom in on just her. Today I will take the 'real' camera down with me so we can take a decent-sized photo. She is camera-shy but with her body below water, she wanted a photo of herself in the pool to taunt her friends!!

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When Kerry went down to fish in the a.m. yesterday, she had left her phone upstairs so did not call Nancy L. to join her. Too bad about that. Breakfast was at Grumpy's where she had a nice plateful of food courtesy of The Bad Mood Dude. She couldn't see anyone who looked Grumpy but I told her new folks have bought the restaurant so all are happy now! On the way to Victory I tried to call Mom, as is my custom, but her line was busy, which means she was on the computer. No worries, I called her on the way home instead.

*

The Bible study, with 10 of us present, is about sanctified living and how it ours by grace. Pastor Hoyer allowed Kerry to use their fax machine to send something to her work to secure her vacation choices for next year. Pastor also gave Kerry one of our workbooks and even though Harold H. said she had to pay for it, she was assured it was free for her. She said she really enjoyed that Bible study and especially how soothing Pastor's delivery is, and assuring.

*

From Victory we were on to Joe's Crab Shack where we dined el fresco and Kerry just loved it. In fact, twice she ventured off the deck to walk to the beach, on her second trip back, stepped off the path to cooler sand where her foot found a piece of cactus. About the size of a small pear, the pickers were stuck in her foot, and she had to tug mightily to get it loose. Justin and I were still on the deck and did not realize she had a problem until she got back up there, not able to put her foot down because pickers were still in the foot. The nice waiter came by and was able to pull one more obvious picker out and she worked on the rest herself. He got a sizable tip for that! Later that night, by the way, she was walking into the family room and stubbed a toe on her other foot and thinks she might have broken it! Yikes!

*

Originally our plans were to go to Twila's to fish in the afternoon but Twila was afraid it was too hot in the full sun of midafternoon and was still quite busy running errands so we opted to stay home and go swimming some more. She came a long way from thinking she would not swim to now swimming at every opportunity! And she got a chance later to do more fishing outside here, having a great time doing that. She made our dinner and we ate at home, watching the football game and talking. It was great, just great, and she stayed up until just before 10:00 pm which is late for her! I watched to the end of the game, although I did nod off during part of the 4th quarter. That old grandpa quarterback on the Vikings' team.....never mind....

More of Kerry's visit

She is outside fishing this a.m., and had instructions to call my upstairs neighbor, Nancy, to join her at the river's bank at 6:30 a.m. Nancy is 79 years old and wants to break in her new fishing rod given for her birthday. I just have to chuckle at the picture of Kerry and Nancy ("Thank you for inviting me to your baby shower...May I use your bathroom?") fishing side by side. It is making me sad knowing that in two mornings I will be taking her to the airport to go back home. I wish she would just stay....Today sometime she must complete her vacation selections for next year's schedule and fax it in to her job. We will have to find a place with a fax machine, I know my neighbors have fax machines, just have to find someone in when we are ready.

*

Our plans today include breakfast at Grumpy's before heading to Victory for Bible study with Justin and my other 'friends' there. After that we are going to have lunch at Joe's Crab Shack which is at the beach. We are thinking of going to Twila's to fish this afternoon or we can do that on Friday as there are no plans made thus far for Friday. At least, not that I can remember!

*

Wednesday was full of activity starting with her fishing in the early morning hours, feeding the fish her bait. They would grab her hook, eat the bait and swim away! So we went in search of better lures to keep them on the hook and not well fed. We did not go bait shopping, though, until later in the day, as we attended water aerobics. Kerry treated the gang with homemade cream cheese bars, which they did not recognize. Mary Lew asked her if she brought them chunks of cream cheese, not fooling around. I told Kerry that calling these little desserts 'bars' must be a northern thing because we had this happen before, when planning an event at church. Someone thought we wanted to serve candy bars for dessert at one of our functions. Bars? What are bars? Candy bars?? As Kerry asked, "What DO you call them then?" I guess, dessert!

*

After our little treat, we went upstairs to change our clothes to go to Whitey's. I rearranged our schedule so we ate first and then got Kerry's hair cut so that we would have sufficient time between events. Justin joined us for lunch on the deck at Whitey's which was fantastic. Barb cut Kerry's hair and then we went toward Great Hang Ups, with a quick stop at Wal*Mart to buy worms, of all things! Then we visited the ladies at Great Hang Ups for a while before coming back home to rest. We had a big night ahead of us attending Happy Hour at The Club. Maggie came over as did Jessica and the baby for a little while, but then it was time for bed for the baby. Nancy L. joined us and Ellen came to meet Kerry. She had been grocery shopping so Maggie had to meet Ellen at the car to carry the bags upstairs. At least Kerry finally got to meet the mystery friend I talk about. She has yet to meet Martie and I suspect that will not happen this visit. Kerry is making good use of Martie's swimsuit, however, and for that I am forever thankful!

I hate it when time flies sometimes

It makes me sad to think Kerry and I have only a couple more days left here. She loves it and I love that she loves it! Kerry wishes she could remember just who is who of the folks being met, here at The Palace and Club, at church, out and about. Last night we went over to near Beach Blvd. to play Trivia with some of my friends from Victory. They have invited me in the past but it conflicted with Bible study. Since that class finished up, I was free to go play. We did well the first half of the game but lost ground on the second half. No ribbons for us last night, but, as Stephanie posted on Facebook, we scored as winners in FUN category!

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Tuesday morning Kerry went out fishing before I woke up but got no bites this time. The previous a.m. she caught a fish on her first cast. She is using her leftover shrimp from Clark's Fish Camp as bait. I hope she gets something on the line today. After fishing we went to water aerobics which she absolutely loved. The water was colder than I liked but I managed, it is so much nicer when the sun stays out! Kerry figured she would be sore today and I am anxious to hear if that is true. We sat and chatted a while as we dripped poolside before coming up to change our clothes for shopping. For our lunch I took her to a bbq place called Mojo's where I had some more beef brisquet and smoked corn but I cannot remember what she ordered. Oh, wait, she ordered the smoked chicken, the same lunches we had Labor Day at the cabana. We brought home her leftover mac 'n cheese and mashed potatoes plus half my sandwich.

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From Mojo's we headed to the Salvation Army thrift store where she found several pieces for herself for work, plus a new purse, and one for Mom! The inside of the one chosen for Mom is absolutely perfect, as though nothing has ever been in it, no crumbs, no lint, nothing. Mom was looking for a bag for winter and I believe we found just the one. Kerry's new one has character and will serve her well, plus I am proud for finding it. And, I hope you are sitting down, I also bought myself something there----a brand new, still in the package never worn pair of red booty fuzzy slippers! They were about $8 which Kerry thought was too much for SA thrift but when she looked them over, she saw the packaging had the retail price of $20 on it, for DeerForms, so said I did good!

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From the SA shop we drove over to Blanding, to the former Woodchuck's store, where Quigley House has a thrift shop. Quigley is a home for battered and abused mom's/kids, and this shop helps to support it. My friend, Penny, from St. Paul, MN is the chief fund raiser for this organization. My donations will go that direction to be sure. At this shop Kerry found yet some more items plus a pair of shoes, seemingly never worn. These purchases had another 25% off that day so we got her a mess of stuff for less than $40, plus my slippers!

*

Since it was after 2:00 pm, we could visit the Sonic for Happy Hour and she marveled at the huge cup of Diet Coke for $1.07. Thanks, Mom! She said you treated us on that purchase! You know how much we love our Diet Coke. We headed back home, then, and carried our purchases and to-go boxes upstairs. When we opened the door, BAM!---we were hit in the nose with a pungent smell, like paint thinner? At first I was thinking it was from my A/C which was getting a work out but after speaking with Owen, determined the smell would not be coming from there. We knew work is going on in the building somewhere because we could hear saws, etc. and later did find out Tracy was having doors stripped and sanded. Aha! Jessica stopped by on her way out to see/smell what we smelled and said she'd had a headache all day, so wondered if that was what it was. By this time the doors were opened the breezes blowing through so the odor was substantially less potent. She was going to see her mom so would be away for a while, hopefully clear her head and nasal passages over there.

*

After our rests, we watched an episode of "Cash Cab" before Kerry had to dash about getting herself ready for going to play Trivia. She told me it takes her a long time to get ready and marvels at how quickly I can throw myself together. Most of that is because of my hair, it is so maintenance free or maintenance lite! Before we watched Cash Cab though she had to finish watching a show on the Animal Channel where folks were trapped on an island where crocodiles were every 10 feet supposedly and a man had an injured arm which ants began gnawing on. NOT my cup of tea but certainly Kerry's!! She has always, since a little child, enjoyed this type of nature show and loves blood 'n guts programs.

*

We had to drive over to Southside to play Trivia with Stephanie and her daughter at Johnny Angels Diner, and Kerry remarked that it was a long way to go for a burger. We had chili cheese fries which Kerry did not care for, but she was still full from her lunch anyway. Not sure if she ate something when we got home or not. About 9:30 or so she was ready for bed so off she went. Because of going to bed so early she is also an early riser but I never hear a peep from that part of the house, never hear her leaving for fishing or anything.

*

Today is water aerobics again and then we are off to Whitey's for lunch before getting her hair cut in the shop which is in their parking lot. Perfect one-stop shopping!!! Kerry said she is looking forward to her haircut and I hope she lets Barb add some style to it for her. It won't matter though, as long as Kerry is happy with it. My hair is looking sad right now because it's been two months since the silver has been removed. Some say to leave it but I am not really crazy about this look. The front is nearly blond from sun and pool water which is cute but the rest, not so much, in my opinion. We shall see....

*

Tonight is Happy Hour at The Club and we are likely going to attend, as Kerry says it is no problem at all for her. In her words, "Let's go and mingle!" We are also invited as of last night, to join Tracy and her daughter and MamMa on Friday at La Nopalera but I had sort of thought we would not do that. Because time is running short already and I just cannot believe it is nearly time to take her to the airport again. NO!

I should be sleeping

But I am not. There is the cutest commercial on TV for a toy called Mobigo with a darling little boy on it that reminds me of someone. I might have to buy such a toy because of it!

*

Kerry went to bed about an hour ago which is fine especially since she was up several hours before I was, fishing! On her first cast, she managed to catch a fish using the leftover shrimp from her dinner at Clark's. Last night I had sent Suzanne a message, asking if it would work to use that shrimp and she replied this a.m., saying, "NOT!", but it was too late, Kerry had already caught one! Who knew??? Kerry is having so much fun she is nearly skipping about. "Let's go here, let's go there, let's see if anyone is at the pool..." Sounds like me!

*

After she came in from fishing, we got ourselves ready for the day and dashed to Wal*Mart for a few things Kerry needed. She had feared her carry-on bag would not pass muster so removed several clothing items to make the luggage within parameters. Now she knows what truly passes for a carry-on so if she comes again, will know she can bring much more, including a pair of shoes! We found a pair for her, flowered ballerina flats for $2.00----can't beat that with a stick! Also a pair of capris for $3, I think. Or could have been $7, regardless, quite the buy when you had none to start with. Kerry made sure we hustled through Wal*Mart so we would not miss a moment of the fun poolside.

*

Suzanne called us just before we left home, however, requesting some telephone numbers for a couple members, as she needed spreadsheet help. Playing detective, I think she eventually was getting what she needed. Also, I tried to help Bill Brown format a page for printing, trying to talk him through it over the phone. He was doing it all correctly from the way he described his key strokes or mouse-pointing. I asked him, finally, to e-mail it to me and I would reformat his document and send it back. Easier and quicker for me that way! Kerry felt badly for Bill, having so much troubles. He invited us to a dinner on Friday night for raising money in support of Alzheimer research. We will think about it but am not sure that is for us.

*

We had hopped in the pool earlier this a.m. in the teen's end which is normally warmer but it was too cold for me. Gus came through after his walk as did the O'Connell's, who have gotten to know Kerry now. She met Rosemary this a.m. as she hurried to tennis but had time to remark that Kerry sounds just like I do! What?

*

The lunch at the pool was an absolute delight with beef brisket, smoked chicken, potato salad, green bean salad and focaccia bread. Kerry loved the chicken so much she had seconds! I had a dish of scooped ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert. We sat with my water aerobics folks, one of whom had a hubby to bring with her. Jessica came down for a while and sat with us, and Kerry just loved her. After a certain point I got into the water and eventually I warmed up enough to enjoy it. Penny showed up after lunch and got into the pool, after the kids' games were over. Marlena, the aerobics instructor who was also running the cabana suggested to Skipper, who was doing the games, that he have some activities for adults too. She got me a noodle and we were off to the races! Two other ladies and I participated and I ended up with two last places, two second places and one blue ribbon. Kerry pleaded my case so I could get a second blue ribbon so Skipper told me to get in the middle of the pool and do something funny with my noodle. Hmmmmm.....what could I do that was funny?? I got it-----I leaned over and blew through the noodle, which made a great deal of bubbles come up behind me! That clinched it for me, another blue ribbon for making bubbles in the pool! (Linda, I can see you face now.....)

*

We had such a good time, Kerry talking up a storm with my friends and such. She had gone up to get her suit on and slid into the water with me, until it appeared a storm was brewing. The cabana had already closed and many folks had cleared out for the day so we went upstairs, too. Just in time, the storm came with a bit of thunder and lightning, and some rain. We watched The Bucket List after Maggie left. She had come by with "Freedom Writers" which they had borrowed from me so Kerry and I can watch it. I hope Kerry likes it. She did not cry watching "The Bucket List" but I did enough for both of us. She is not a Nicholson fan but I simply am touched by the premise, you know? "I know where my joy is---she is sitting right next to me..."

*

Kerry was getting drowsy after the movie so we decided to go for a ride. We went to see my old lake house and a few more sights before stopping at Publix. She wanted to get ingredients for making a pan of bars, some of which would be shared with Shari, the nice lady who cleaned for me on Friday and who brought the flowers and cookies. She came by the pool too for a few minutes today and hopefully we will find her tomorrow so Kerry can bestow a plate of cheesecake bars on her. I think Kerry likes it here!

A couple of photos

This morning when I got up, I went to the kitchen to see where Kerry was since the family room was abandoned. It would seem she is outside, fishing, at the moment. She peeled the coating from her leftover cooked shrimp last night and put them in the freezer to use as bait today. Hopefully she meets someone out there to talk to or will simply enjoy her time by the river with the fishing poles and shrimp! The roses brought by Shari yesterday late in the day have opened and looked just lovely this morning. Some are still buds so might open as the day goes by. They certainly do brighten a room just by showing up!

On Saturday morning I reported the pretty sunrise, how ruby red the sun was as it broke the horizon. In my posting I hoped it presented as well in the photo as it did in real life, but it seems, it did not. The photo simply does not do it justice but you can see how still it was on the river when this picture was snapped. Where the sun showed up nicely or not, it was the morning of the day Kerry arrived and that's all that mattered!

My tummy is full!

Kerry is sitting outside on the sundeck in the dark (so, is it still a sundeck???) enjoying the lovely weather. Before she went outside, though, she turned the ceiling fan on a higher velocity which makes me wonder why she is punishing me. It is not hot in here, if you ask me, but she likes to be cooler so we make the fan go faster. I can go to my room and be warm if I wish to, but in the meanwhile I will endure. "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" is on regular TV and it still makes me laugh and smile. "You don't eat no meat? You don't eat no meat?!? No, problem, I make lamb!"

*

Now Kerry is back in and enjoying the coolness, as it was too warm outside yet for her liking. We turned on M*A*S*H for a bit, featuring Col. Flagg, from CID. So funny! We are stuffed from dining at Clark's Fish Camp, where we did not dine el fresco because Justin did not want to be eaten alive by bugs. It was okay, I managed nicely inside the restaurant. Oh, I love fried dill pickles so much!

*

Before Kerry and I left for Clark's, my friend, Shari, who had dusted and such for me Friday, showed up at the door. Before I could reach the door, though, she popped her head in. She was bringing me a bouquet of freshly cut mini-roses from her boss's flower garden which she is tending in Karrie's absence plus a plate of freshly baked oatmeal scotchies. Yummy! She just wanted Kerry to feel properly welcomed and told Kerry I was bubbly and full of life. Kerry acknowledged that Kim is, indeed, 'full of it'!!! Shari was just a dream for bringing the flowers by, and for making Kerry feel welcome. I just have the best friends!!!

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Kerry and I went to church this a.m., attending Bible study first. We resumed the study "Come, Worship Christ". We got to see/hear Pete Prange singing in a choir on the video, where they were singing "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", both things drawing emotion from me. It was going to be an emotional day anyway, starting with Justin coming to Good Shepherd to see Kerry. The first part of the service was the baptism of Tyler, the young man who recently finished BIC with the two Judy's, Debbie, and me. He stood at the font in front of his mom, two sets of grandparents, and his wife, plus the congregation, and of course, the Lord, and was baptized. I was still in the back of the church taking attendance when the baptism was taking place and the tears were just rolling. Cliff came over and gave me a big hug, when he saw me weeping. And then Tyler was confirmed and his wife, affirmed for membership. And then he was able to join us at the Lord's table for his communion. Awesome! Robbie was the keyboardist today and he played many of my faves during the recessional including "Jerusalem, the Golden" using both tunes, and "In Christ Alone". One of our communion hymns was "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness" from which I have selected a couple stanzas for my funeral. Kerry handed out the hugs to the people Mom asked her to hug, and greeted many of the folks. She loved the Hallenbeck's and Suzanne, of course, and as we were leaving the parking lot she said, "I like your peeps!". Yes, me, too!

*

Justin stayed quite a while after church talking with Robbie, which was great. He came over here for lunch, which Kerry prepared. We had stopped at Winn-Dixie so she could buy the ingredients for making tacos. Later on the three of us went over to the cabana where I told Danny we had eaten at home. His response? "You mean you used your kitchen???" Ha, ha, very funny, Danny! We just had a drink and later, Gus, joined us at the table. He at first did not recognize Justin and was so glad to see him. He had told me a week ago or so that he missed Justin, and told him that himself today. Gus also encouraged Justin to finish school. Go Gus!!!

*

I was not in the pool because the water was too cold and the sun was not shining. Hopefully it warms up by tomorrow, as Kerry thinks she is going to give it a shot. Labor Day events will be held poolside and we are going to be there! Kerry is going fishing in the morning, thanks to Suzanne lending her the fishing gear, and is planning to use her leftover shrimp from dinner as the bait for the fish. I wish her well, but I am staying in bed! Good night!

Some accomplishments

One step forward, two steps back....Trying to get my desk straightened away, I made some forward progress yesterday when Shari was here cleaning. But then I decided to bring up some of the stuff from my backseat when I came home from lunch. At least I did not stop at the mailbox to grab those papers! Besides Bible study papers, I also had the stuff from the political hob nob from a few weeks ago. The shredder was just smokin' as I ground stuff back into pulp. Getting that stuff cleaned up really made a difference in the appearance of my vehicle! Sunday I will leave the two plastic flower vases at church plus the cut off soda bottle that the vases were sent home in to prevent tipping. Clean!

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Shari, expected about 10:00 a.m., called about ten to nine to report she was at The Club, and wondered if she could come over to get started. Oops! I had to fly----get dressed, find the supplies, reload the Swiffer, grab the cleaning rags...When Shari got here, walking over instead of driving, she greeted me at the door and said, "You are as beautiful as ever..." which took me aback. I must have done something right in the 10 minutes it took to ready myself, including sticking my head in the kitchen sink to wet my hair! Thanks, Shari! She was in awe of the house, marveling at the colorful decor and the great view. The boom box in the river room played Italian music for her as she polished and dusted the furniture and bric-a-brac, while I listened to my radio programs in the bedroom. She knew I had to leave about 11:15 to meet my downstair's neighbors for lunch but assured me there was plenty of work to keep her here another couple hours. That rascal!!! When I got home from lunch, she was gone! Shari left me a note, written on a paper towel, saying she hoped I was happy with her work and that I would have fun with my sister. I called her and asked what I owed her and she said I owed her nothing. She said she enjoyed spending time in my colorful house, but finally said I could buy her lunch again some day. That won't do, I will find a way to compensate her!

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I just took a photo of the sunrise, hot pink as it broke over the horizon. Hopefully the shot turns out, looks at lovely as the real thing did. Today I should do some vacuuming and/or dust mopping as I think Justin is not going to make it. He has been quite busy holding down the fort while his father has been down state with Marian. One good thing that happened this week was the 'little house' in Brookstone that we bought in 2000 to live in while The Preserve house was being built, was sold. The deal is closed so this mortgage note will no longer color my credit report. Despite the fact that I legally had no rights to the home, because it was not refinanced all these years, my name still showed up as being on the mortgage note. Most of the time the home had renters in it and most recently, my former spouse. It is a relief to me to not have my name on this type of thing any longer. Whoo hoo!

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After I watched my radio program yesterday late afternoon/evening, it was soon time to venture toward the cabana to await Martie's arrival. She was bringing me a swimsuit for Kerry to use while here. The regular gang gathered at the cabana after I got there, even Jessica and Beckham. Earlier in the day, Jessica had brought me a sizable bowl of home-made chicken noodle soup and a piece of artisan bread to have for dinner. That was before I knew Martie was coming over. Wasn't that nice of her??? At the cabana she said, "I heard you laughing today..." as I had my doors opened again after Shari left. I just knew it, and I begged her not to have me hauled to the Happy Home! The regular radio host was on vacation so the other two guys had carried the show for four hours. At one point I was laughing so hard, my legs flew up in the air----well, almost!

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When Martie finally arrived, Maureen began rearranging the chairs for us but I finally persuaded them all that we would be sitting alone. Martie would not have been comfortable with all these strangers and such, let alone trying to eat with no table to lean on. We sat outside and chatted poolside until nearly 10:00 before we came inside and talked some more. She came back to life after having a slider, so evidently the sliders have medicinal value!

*

Speaking of Danny, his toothache from last weekend seemingly has dissipated. He did not get it repaired or extracted, claiming it just stopped hurting. Marlena seemed to think his mom still covers him with her dental plan since he is not yet 21 but he said he to wait for his next paycheck before going to the dentist. I won't interfere but I think he is making a mistake letting the tooth go. I told him our gang talked about passing the hat to help him with his tooth ache. An exposed nerve does not go away....

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The weather is supposed to be glorious here most of the week so I plan to get some pool time in today before Kerry arrives, in case she chooses not to enjoy it with me. She has sun allergies so has to be careful. I told her, too, that I have tons of books she can choose from, "boring ones" as Jessica calls them, so she can read while I bob in the pool! Whoo hoo, I am getting so 'cited about her getting here!!!