What is going to happen next?

It does not seem to be boding well for the citizens of Egypt as the rioters are making strides toward overturning the government. The news is on right now as I write, as the protesters have been told by their religious leaders to go home, saying “Leave means leave”. The Egyptian ambassador to the US seems unsure as to what the status of his government is at this point (7:30 pm) saying the president is narcissistic. Oh, wait, which country are they talking about? It seems Mubarek is turning some control over to his new VP, who is the former head of security. Yikes! Earlier I heard that their Constitution spells out the succession of power but what they are proposing is outside the Constitution. What sort of outcome can be expected then?

Besides international news, the excitement here is little more than traffic accidents and the weather, today being another day of rain. I had promised not to dwell too much on it since my family and friends in the upper Midwest are experiencing below zero temperatures with sunshine. Two days of sunshine here seemed to be enough for us, I guess. My friend, Brenda N., just called me a little while ago and wondered if we are to have rain again tomorrow or not. I will simply wait and be surprised in the morning, I guess. On my ride over to Victory, I called Mom and asked her if she was staying put today since it was so cold out. Nope, she was going to Ladies’ Aid, getting a ride from one of the ladies so she would not be outside very long at all. She promised to wear layers to be warm enough, hopefully she wore the fur looking animal print coat Lori gave her for Christmas a few years ago. It is nice and snuggly warm!

Our Bible study class was FANTASTIC as we are studying baptism and receiving God’s promise, a fresh start every morning. The conversations, some quite moving, were interesting, with a baptism story shared by Pastor Hoyer to soon appear in the Forward in Christ magazine. One of the ladies, Lucy, attended a funeral service yesterday and she was quite distressed about what seemed to be a lack of church family for her lost friend. As often happens, when one person cries, everyone cries---well, at least three or four of us, and Rita reached out to hold Lucy’s hand as she told her story. An hour for that class is not nearly enough, in my opinion, I could listen and participate for hours. Just not today, since I had to be at a luncheon.

Before I left the church though, I was able to get my special book from Ed and Judy’s granddaughter, Rachel, the book written by Dale Evans about their adopted daughter that died as a child. We did not have time to chat very long as I had to run but she did include a nice note attached to the cover and exchanged hugs before I dashed off.

There was really no need for me to rush so, as we did not get underway at Maggiano’s until closer to noon. I sat with two of the same ladies that shared the table for the December seminar, and they remembered me. Diane had high praise for Justin, what a nice young man he’s turned into and so handsome. I soaked it up! There was only one man in the entire room, one of the guys from Florida Financial and sat at our table. He is the father of 7 year old triplets, two sons and a daughter. Mark told me how he arranged for their college fund (Florida Pre-Paid College Plan) as soon as the babies got their SSA numbers. Now, that’s planning, just what we were discussing today!

I brought home a long stemmed rose and gift bag with essential oils to pamper myself, gifts from the sponsors of the luncheon. In checking my phone, I listened to a voice mail left by Ruth V. at The Villages. She invited me to stay overnight at her house when her church hosts the LWMS Rally in March. Nice! I did not call back yet, will do so in the morning. As much as I would like to do this, I would hate to leave my bff, Judy C., to make that drive alone if no one else wants to attend. Hopefully some other ladies will tag along with Judy and then I can go and have a pajama party with Ruth!!! What a hoot that will be!

Today is opening day at CPAC and I am bouncing around between sites on the Internet to hear bits and pieces of the speeches or read the transcripts. I am a bit frustrated because the one radio program that I like to watch has been kicked up a notch but, according to Justin, their servers have not kept up with the demand. Don’t ask me, that’s just what he told me. I do have a connection (ha, ha!) with Terri T. at AT&T who is looking into packages for me to upgrade my service and try to not make my bill go higher. The company is adding U-Verse to my area of town which might facilitate my upgrade as a ‘new customer’, at least to start with. But for top of the line DSL and no problems with buffering, I’m in!!!! Hopefully she can help me out, and if I have to pay a bit more per month (sigh….) I will. It is so worth it to me. My needs are simple, all I ask is fast enough Internet to watch my radio program! That’s all!

A Wednesday whirlwind

It seems like I had not a moment to spare but in truth, I did! This morning when I woke up, it was from yet another goofy dream, and before I was ready to awaken. It took me a while to fall asleep last night and then to get up so early was, well, unpleasant. The only thing that made it okay was that the sun was coming up! Gotta love that! Two days in row we saw the sun. I had troubles going to sleep because my tummy was so full, or had the sensation of being full, although I only had appetizers for dinner at The Club. It might have been the pineapple segments or cubes, whatever they are called, that bothered my tummy. The surprise party for Karrie was quite nice, good appetizers and free drinks, plus cake!

One of the Board members for The Club came up to me, introduced herself once more, and told me she was a Realtor. I already knew this, we have spoken before plus shared a table at a fashion show last spring at The Club. Anyway, she brought up another agent in her office, Judy, who used to be my neighbor in Eagle Harbor and whose kids went to St. Johns. She said Judy mentions my name every now again and I said, "Oh, really? My name is bandied about?", and she said replied, "Only in the best instances..." I thanked her for telling me that, expecting she had more to say to me, like do some real estate business or something, but nope, that was it. So, I got a gift at someone else's birthday party!

The pianist was playing some show tunes as we ate and visited, annoying those harder of hearing than I, saying he played too loudly. Maureen smacked her hand on the table to scold me for applauding after one of the numbers. I was so startled and her husband, Hugh, said, "Welcome to my world..." and laughed. She wanted the pianist to quit playing so she could hear better when talking! So funny, we all laughed at that, especially the way she made the dishes and glasses rattle on the table! I went to the bar for yet another soda and was singing "Memory" from Cats as I waited for my drink. Someone heard me and then the whole table of folks were prompting me to sing something after Al was done playing. I sooooo did not want to do that, since I can't think of anything I know all the way through other than a hymn. I offered to sing the national anthem which made everyone chuckle, in reference to flubbed job at the Super Bowl. Pat mentioned that I sang the Anthem at her house that night and noticed the mistaken words. After they quit asking me, we were talking about "Cats" coming to Jacksonville soon, and someone mentioned "The Phantom of the Opera"---that got me going. I sang a little bit of "The Point of No Return" and the room got quite silent. Yikes! Time for me to go home!

Mary Lew was there, my little older lady friend from water aerobics who got me to read. She is the one who bought me the book by Nora Ephron for Christmas . ML asked me if I ever gave her back the book written by the original owner of The Club, Karrie's mom, and I said I had returned two books to her in the same bag. I mentioned the other book she loaned me, "I Feel Bad About My Neck" being in the bag with the autobiography, and she promptly launched into how much she loves that book and wondered if I wanted to read it. Kindly I reminded her that she had already loaned it to me, I returned it, plus she gave me the follow up book for Christmas....hmmmm.....time for ML to go home, too! She is a "low talker" so it did not work well for her when the pianist was playing...not a good night for Mary Lew!

Why did my Wednesday whirl by? When I was at my big computer this a.m., Justin sent me a text message saying, "I so hongry for Koko's", using Timmy's expression. A good ploy, if you ask me! Timmy used to say, in his deep, sad voice, "I so hongry..." at bedtime. Or, on the way to school he would say, "I so firsty for somefing brown...", in a sing-songy fashion, which would sometimes get him a chocolate milk to drink. Anyway, I gave in and met Justin for lunch today at Koko's, speculating that Timmy would likely have loved Koko's as well. Justin thinks he would have enjoyed the volcano made of onions and lit on fire, and the antics of the chefs. He was considering Timmy to be yet only 5 years old and not a teen-ager. I was thinking teen-ager...Justin also said, "He would have no say in the matter..." meaning Timmy would have to go wherever I took him anyway. He's right!

Before lunch I stopped at Great Hang Ups to see the ladies and catch up on news, since it had been a while since I was there. Some clients came in for framing so our visit was interrupted but just then, Justin arrived. Our lunch was good, as always, and he went back to work while I went to Publix. Two trays were ordered for Saturday's event, remembering Timmy, celebrated the day after his baptism anniversary. I got crackers and other snacks from the BO/GO bins to serve plus some wine and soda. Justin will come by to carry it up as well as pick up the trays on Saturday. I want him to get some toys out of the closet in case some kids come Saturday, as we are expecting several to show up. That will give the parents peace of mind to have them busy with toys in the back bedroom, while they visit with other guests. I told Justin I do not like to put things off to the last minute, like to work ahead, which he knows. Not much cleaning to do at all, still good from when Patty was here, except for my bedroom, as always!

When I got home from the two grocery stores, I got comfortable with my laptop again, until it was time to meet Judy J. for dinner. She was going to Bible study and me to choir (although I did get out early enough to get part of the class). Linda H. joined us at Aron's for Italian fare before we three headed to church. Finally I got home right around 9:00 pm and settled in for the night. Tomorrow is Bible study at Victory and then I am invited to a "Women and Finance Seminar" at Maggiano's after class. More Italian food! Japanese and Italian today, Italian tomorrow, and leftovers for the rest of the week. Nice!

Yesterday I got a phone call from Debbie at Edward Jones Investments telling me about an upcoming seminar they are hosting next month, with the important subject being Social Security. She was excited because she said she knew nothing about it, which surprised me, being in the financial planning business and all that. She is the secretary, I get that, but anyway, I said I could come if it was at night. Frank is offering the seminar twice that day in order to get everyone in. It seemed awfully funny to me to be even be having this discussion since the SSA as we know it is going to be gone in a few years....Unless Frank knows something no one else does...Perhaps he will make some more of his wonderful bbq for us to enjoy as he did in January. Oh my, that was wonderful! And I like both Frank and Debbie, so, as Tracy would say, "It's all good!"

Here Comes the Sun!

At this writing, the sun is again beaming across my desk, the side of my face, my right shoulder and arm, and causing me to squint a bit. And I could not be happier at the moment. Day upon day upon day of cloudiness and dankness is now relieved by the sun shining!

Last night I again ventured out in the pouring rain, making the mistake of going on Kingsley Avenue past Grace where the water is notoriously deep on rainy days. Oops! I made it through the substantial puddles and tested my brakes as soon as I was free of the water. All was well on my way to Ladies’ Group. The last time there was a Ladies’ Group meeting at church only two ladies came, and the pastor, making for no meeting at all. Since I have agreed to come back to GS, I figured it was important for me to be part of what was left of our Ladies’ Group, now down to five members, or rather, attendees. At the Christmas party there were 18, and might have been more if it was not for the distance to the event. We had only one person in office, Judy C. , our lifetime Treasurer, as no one else wanted to serve but when push came to shove, Twila agreed to be President and reluctantly, I took the Secretary job---yet again. Jean will be Vice-President and Carol is our Altar Guild chair. So, all of us at the meeting have a leadership role, to each other!

Cliff is our Ladies’ Group Elder. He showed us the proposed plans for renovating the Fellowship Hall, including the removal of the “Pizza Hut” cap which sits on top of the building. Apparently it is merely decorative, at least it was decorative at one time, and now it can be removed and the roof modified to match the sloped roof of the classroom building. As part of the plan, we will likely lose the storage closets at the end of the room, again revealing the two windows now closed off. We cannot fathom not having storage space but the idea was to open up as much usable floor space as possible in that room. Twila suggested open shelves built-in along the opposite wall but I can see that as being terribly messy looking and vulnerable to having things just piled in. That was the reason ‘we’ built the closets in the first place, my former spouse was quite instrumental in building those back in the day. Before the closets, there were open shelves which ran the periphery of the room with boxes and junque piled on them. Not very attractive at all. Cliff invited us ladies to put our thoughts together and make recommendations regarding the plans for the building. We came up with a couple ideas last night and hopefully they will work within the confines of the structure and existing laws regarding egress and such.

Yesterday afternoon I got an e-mail I had been waiting for from the head of School of Worship Enrichment . He was sending the worksheets which were covered at the October event some of us attended in Palm Coast. We had taken notes and underlined things and written all over our pages, making them not really suitable for sharing with others. We wanted ‘virgin’ pages and he sent several of them to me. Some were not included so the last thing I did before heading to Ladies’ Group was to write back to him, letting him know which were missing. I hope he has them. Another option would be to get Brian H.’s folder from the weekend because he was not there enough to mark up his pages. Our little team might be able to piece together a complete package to share with those who wish to see the options and implement them. Having Robbie serve as Maestro again is good too, because he understands and appreciates the value of solid, Lutheran hymns and music and history….and is a skilled musician. Hal and Rosalie were blown away, seeing this young man who used to sit on their knees now sitting at the piano bench, playing so masterfully! Thanks be to God!

Tonight I am invited to attend a surprise birthday party for the owner of The Club so will not be able to play Trivia on the Southside with Stephanie, Erica and the others. I am honored to be invited and hoped the party would get underway later in the evening so I could do both events…oh well, I will miss Trivia for doing something walking distance away. This morning my friend, Judy A. (another Judy!!!), called to invite me to a wedding shower for Pastor Hoyer and Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth. We are going to have it at Victory, show the gifts first, and then wrap them. Judy’s son-in-law works for UPS so he will ship our gifts to MN for her. Joel H. will video tape the shower to send to Elizabeth plus a guest book we have all signed with a message to her. It sounds like great fun and it takes place on Craft Night---a double fun time!

Thursday is Bible study and then I am invited to Maggiano’s again for a luncheon hosted by my friend, Diane, for a seminar about women and investing. I was told to bring a friend but the lady I spoke to thought that Justin might not get much out of the presentation. I feel badly that he can’t join me because we usually do something together on Thursdays. Maybe he will come over here to clean and get things ready for Saturday’s gathering. That is the day that folks are coming over for a commemoration of Timmy’s passing 10 years ago. I am hoping we have a good showing but will appreciate those who do come. Guess I should put my laundry away, as I have another load waiting to go into the dryer---have not put away last week’s basketful yet! Judy C. would be so upset with me!

Sleepy on Monday

I do not know why this photo is so small but it shows Lisa holding Angelo, with Gabe and Manny alongside of her. They are all 'sporting' their Green Bay Packer apparel, even Lisa in pink Packer wear. Angelo looks like a linebacker already! Just over three months old and looking nice and full!

For some reason, I had a tough time getting to sleep last night after the Super Bowl victory and its excitement. Add to that the pouring rain and I simply could not get settled. Eventually I gave up and decided to watch TV for a while until finally I dropped off. A few weeks ago I was annoyed by the constant wind day upon day, and now, it’s the rain annoying me---day upon day. Sometimes it is pouring rain while other times it is drizzle or mist. Certainly no sunshine. I am solar powered and fading fast---I need the sun!

When I finally decided to wake up today, it was nearly 9:00 a.m. and I had missed almost all of Fox and Friends. Rats! I wanted to hear what they had to report about the Super Bowl. Guess I will have to check it out on-line later or tomorrow. What I did have to do it get myself ready for the day in order to be on time for Bible study. As it was, I was nearly late for class, having to stop in the Fellowship Hall to get a soda. The group greeted me, excited for me and with me about the Packer victory, and said they figured I would be dragging today after the big night. I told them that even my hair did not want to get up this a.m.

Class went well, discussing the kingdom of God study, with Mike C. as our leader. Six of us went to lunch at Longhorn, once more in the pouring rain. That is really getting old, week after week, it seems to rain on Monday! No Gretchen today again because she won’t drive across the bridge in the rain. Judy and Twila told us about going to The King’s Speech on Sunday afternoon, Twila’s second time. Well worth seeing again! One lady mentioned that she had not been to an ‘indoor movie in 23 years’, and I thought she meant she used to go to the outdoor instead! Would that not flow? What she meant was, she watched her movies at home instead of in the theater.

So, I had some cool things happen for me yesterday, including the already mentioned dinner at Miss Chardonnay’s house during the first half of the game. Before the game, I got an e-mail from the other Patty, who lives on my floor. She said her hubby and she would be rooting for the Packers because I was, since they did not have a horse in the race, so to speak, in my honor, she said. Later, after the victory, she wrote again saying, “Was that exciting or what? What a fun night to be a Packers fan!!!! We enjoyed it all just because of you, Kim!! You made Packer fans out of us tonight. Congratulations!!! Display your Packers flag with pride!!!” Have I mentioned lately how much I love my neighbors?

The Packers Won the Super Bowl!!!!

I don't know how much more about that I could write---the title speaks for itself! My head is pounding from crying and the excitement and the drama. Man, that was getting pretty scary there for a while. It almost looked as though the Packers could lose by one point, if the Steelers would have scored a TD. I found the commercials to be just okay except for the Volkswagon ad with the little boy dressed as Darth Vader. Also one of the Bud Light ads was good, with the product placement in the old English movie filming. The first half of the game was enjoyed down in my neighbor's condo, Miss Chardonnay, who invited me to watch the Super Bowl and have some dinner with her friend and her. Cathy has a back problem so had to stand most of the time, even lying down offers her little relief. She is seeing an orthopedist early next week so hopefully he can help her out. We had chili as well as jumbayala which I was cautioned was too spicy for me.

At half time I came back upstairs and saw the sorriest half-time show....ew! My Facebook friends assured me that it was not because I am old that I didn't like it, the musicians simply did a poor job. I am not familiar with them, the Black Eyed Peas, but there were some other singers with the group I guess. Totally out of it when it comes to this type of thing. At least when the former Beatle performed, I knew him! Those who are actually fans of the Peas found it to be a wretched show as well, as least musically, but the special effects were fine. I am not a fan of vegetables anyway so found the halftime show dreadful. Almost as bad was the singing of the National Anthem, hollering the Anthem, messing up the words, and not reaching the final notes...thumbs down. My friend, Paul, suggests leaving the singing the most patriotic of our songs to the professionals and not these hacks! One of the Steelers shown on the sidelines had a tear running down his face during the National Anthem, though, which was moving. I was also in tears when hearing the reading of the Declaration of Independence by famous football players, military folks, and other notables. "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Facebook was lit up with Packer fans and exchanges, and even prayers to the Lord to bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Green Bay. Lisa sent a photo of the boys and her wearing their team apparel but I will have to download it tomorrow. I need to get some rest----I am emotionally and physically exhausted. Cannot wait to watch my shows in the morning and listen to the radio later on! Go Pack Go!!!

Where do you suppose the sun is?

It seems like it has been days since we saw the sun around these parts, and I must tell you, I miss the sun! Today for a few minutes it seemed to brighten up a bit but no sun broke through, only more clouds, mist, and moisture. When I took my kitchen garbage down to the trash bin, I noticed that the frame around the elevator on my floor had water dripping from it, although there is no way any rain or anything could have possibly reached the recess of the elevator lobby. It has to be condensation from the air. The high dew point or humidity levels in the air makes the walls feel slimy and cold, but the air temp is near 70. It only seems cold because it looks that way outside!

When I went down to deposit my trash bag, I also checked the mailbox as I am awaiting a nice check. Instead, I got a notice from the Symphony that "Turandot" is coming back in March. That was the opera that I took Linda to see when she was here in 2009, her very first opera! It surprised me that it was back again so very soon. The Carmike Theater is going to have an opera shown in 3D, Carmen, and I volunteered to take on the responsibility for organizing a church outing to see it. I'm back, baby, I'm back! Perhaps not all the way, as I am proceeding cautiously, but I can so easily organize a movie outing!

Yesterday when Justin and I were out shopping, trying in vain to buy him a Packer jersey, we happened to pass the Payless Shoe Store, where they had a sale going on. It was Buy One/Get One Pair at half price. When I was in Manitowoc, I lost my sole on my 'winter' shoes. Lynn and I managed to find a suitable replacement pair at Kohl's, some black suede oxfords. Fortunately I was able to get a pair of brown loafers yesterday plus a pair of red slip-ons. As I told my mom, a person cannot have too many pairs of red shoes!! Justin was greatly disappointed about the Packer jersey but we had to make a purchase in order for him to cash in a coupon for a free Jaguar polo. He got a Packer T-shirt and a Super Bowl cap, thanks to his mama.

Last night when Judy was here, she was telling how she did not have to do the laundry for John and Suzanne as she would normally do on Thursdays, because they were getting a new washer on Friday. Suzanne had told me about it, how she has to load the clothes in, press some buttons which weighs the load, and then she has to tell the washer how dirty the clothes are, etc. which determines how much soap to use. It sounds too complicated for me but I guess it must be high efficiency or something like that. So, of course, she wants to give it the first go. Judy told us how she informed Suzanne to make sure she folds and put the clothes away as well....and I told Judy, "Excuse me, but I have to go and close my laundry room door..." as I have a 4' tall pile stacked in my basket. I told them how the only thing I fold from the laundry are the towels. The rest gets hung up or shoved in a drawer, no muss and no fuss. Horror! When I die, folks will be aghast at the condition of my dresser drawers, shake their heads sadly, and go tsk tsk tsk....I will be buried in wrinkled garments. I died like I lived, wrinkled, but content!

So, anyway, tonight is "House" until I fall asleep, starting at 6:00 pm. Life is good even though it is not pleasant out side. My kitchen smells good because of my pork ribs baking. Last night I served breakfast casserole and wish I would have made the full batch because it was so delicious. If I do say so myself! I have to thank Linda J. for that recipe because it was on the same page as the Apple French Toast recipe she made for one of our church functions here. I love the casserole and its simplicity, and the delicious taste. Makes it taste like more!!!

My poor sister, Kerry, is sick with the junk, resting on her sofa at home. I hope she is feeling good enough on Game Day, would be a shame if she slept through the Packer victory! Lisa said she is feeling better today, still tired but less sick, thanks in no small part to the prayer Gabe said the other day on her bed. The power of prayer----wonder if he could say one for Kerry...and the Packers!?!

What a race!

My lady friends just left after "Dinner and a Movie" night, watching "Secretariat" and I am enjoying the last piece of my breakfast casserole which I made for our meal. Judy J. was unable to make it because she ran late taking her friend to the doctor. I promised her that I would show it again so she is not out of luck. It is worth watching over and over again, the acting is wonderful, the cast is great....wow! Two good movies in one week with good friends---who could ask for more? And a good dinner tonight, complete with pear halves topped with cottage cheese. I outdid myself!

Twila and Judy C. were here, driving in the fog to make their way to my house. Twila thought she should have brought her nightgown in case she had to stay overnight but it seems to have lifted. Judy had gotten some pork chops out to make dinner for Mike and her, but put them away as soon as I called. That's my girl! After the movie was over, Judy said, "Well, Kim, you sure pick good movies!" What a compliment, since again tonight she informed us that "I am not much of a movie person...", yet comes every time I ask her to Dinner and a Movie. Maybe she is more of a 'movie person' than she thought she was! She really loved "Cinderella Man" from last time and also "Freedom Writers". Twila and Jean are planning to go to see "The King's Speech" on Sunday after church, which Twila saw with me on Wednesday, and Judy might go too. I would like to see it again but Sunday is not good for me with the Packer game later in the day. I need to be chewing on my finger nails well in advance of kick-off. The shows are at 1:00 pm and 4:00, with the later one not working out for my 'schedule'.

My fridge and pantry are restocked with Diet Coke (is there a snow storm coming???) and for lunch, I ordered a pizza from Papa John's. They are $10 for a large any topping pie until the Super Bowl. It seemed odd to be ordering pizza after Justin and I left Winn Dixie, he with two frozen pizzas as part of their special. WD has these marvelous deals every so often, this time serving two frozen pizzas, Red Barons, plus frozen appetizers, frozen bread sticks, a bottle of Pepsi, AND a carton of Breyer's ice cream. I got the ice cream, he took the rest. We stopped for soda and came out with a cartfull, somehow or another....hmmmm....I did want some ice cream and was glad it was part of the deal.

He got everything carried up stairs that was coming up with us, and the rest he put in his car. Then Justin moved the exercise bike from my room to the back bedroom and got the 'old' TV set up so I could watch VHS tapes if and when I peddle the bike. He went to the cubby in the elevator lobby storage area and brought back the closet doors for the guest room. He had taken them off years ago when he used that room and had the 'old' TV in the built-in shelves, hence, no doors. They put up a fight being reinstalled but he managed, although they look quite tired and old-fashioned. Very 60's or 70's looking.

I think I will ask Jimmie about replacing them, when he comes for the special gathering on the 12th. He might have some free time now that the Extreme Home Makeover thing is done. Jimmie works for the builder involved plus he was doing trim work during the night. Whew! Jimmie would certainly take the measurements and such to make sure I got the right thing and then come to install them. He is quite the craftsman, came to work for our building company, when we hired him away from our trim guy, Joe. I hope Joe will come to the gathering, I invited him. Perhaps I should mail him an invitation to make sure he got it. (This is me, thinking out loud...)

When Judy arrived tonight for dinner, I was wiping my eyes from watching an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond". The entire family had gone on a trip to Italy to visit family, and at first Raymond was a grumpy Gus. He didn't want to do anything, did not enjoy the fantastic view, missed out on the 'romance' of Rome. Then, he suddenly gets it, starts to absorb the atmosphere of living in Italy, falls in love with the idea of it, and then hates to go home. It was the scenery and the romance of the program that got to me, and I was wishing Twila had gotten there earlier to watch with me, since we had been to Italy in 2005. She was with me when I spotted my chandelier, although I did not buy it until the next year!

Twila brought a package of frosted brownies for our dessert but no one was hungry enough to have any. She told me to enjoy them during the Super Bowl but I broke into the package to have one as my bedtime snack. Perhaps a scoop of that mint chocolate chip ice cream would be good with the brownie....

Mom, I edited the blog posting where I told about my dream and tried to highlight it better so you can tell where the dream ended and real life began. Sometimes, in my life, it's hard to tell the difference!