A glorious sunrise

This morning I awoke before the sun did, the first time since day light savings ended. Often I have troubles with the setting forward or backward of the clock hands but this one went far smoother. It was not a bad thing to be awake in time to see the sunrise, not at all!

When I walked out to the kitchen for my soda, it did not feel horribly cold in the rooms but I did notice again that my ceiling fans are running in the river room and family room. They are quite unnecessary, and think I will pull the strings the next time I venture through. No need to waste the electricity, especially since the temps dropped to the low 30’s overnight. I do not usually watch local news but did catch the weather last night on one network, where the meteorologist said the temps were dropping by 25 degrees overnight. (I just pulled my blankets up around me without even thinking about it!)

My doctor appointment went well on Thursday and my scrips have been refilled. My doctor, whose name is House, no kidding, is such a kind man. And a good salesman, as he has convinced me to get a flu shot. The only other flu shot I have had was when I worked at Shady Lane Home when it was mandatory for swine flu, I believe. He is also the man who convinced me to take the cholesterol-lowering medication when he told me he had outlived his father and grandfather, who had both died in their early 60’s from heart disease, and credited Lipitor for extending his life. What endeared him to me was his remark, “If my wife would let me, I would walk through the house eating a stick of butter!”

He also apologized to me for the high cost of medical procedures (i.e. colonoscopies) which he estimated cost me about $1000. I said, “Yes, times 7!” “Oh, my!” When he said I had not had blood work done in a couple years, I pulled out my paperwork from LifeLine Screening, which has been shared with them at the doctor office every time. I told him I get the testing done there because it is cheaper, but he remarked that some info he needed was not tested for.

He was then informed that the last time I went for the full course of blood work the doctor ordered, it cost me over $500 and again he apologized. And asked, “What kind of insurance do you have???” I expressed my dismay about this because that is part of the reason why pricing is so outrageous, when we think cost doesn’t matter if insurance pays for it. He said he knows how much those tests should cost, like $50 or so, and the rest is overhead or otherwise. So, he agreed to only order three tests for my blood in January, bare minimum with the rest of the information coming from LifeLine Screening. And the plus is doing the lab work now in the office again, which I really like. They had done this years ago and was quite convenient.

I complimented his medical assistant, telling him how nice she was and seemed compassionate. He told me there had been another turn-over of staffing recently and I remarked that this seems to happen a lot in this practice. He said he has nothing to do with the staffing, and in fact, he is an employee himself. It does not really affect me since I usually only go twice a year, and would only go once, if I had my way!

Martie and I went to dinner on Thursday evening, meeting at Longhorn in Argyle, my Monday place. We had not seen each other since September, the day of Marian’s memorial service. Much has happened for her since, including going to PA to nurse her sister, June, to health after some respiratory/heart problems requiring hospitalization. While there, her hubby had health problems back home so Martie cut her trip short to get back to Ernie. He is okay now, had to increase a medication he takes. She is working lots lately, being the only employee in the office besides the boss, which why it’s hard for us to get together sometimes. She insists she needs to try harder so I set up a schedule for us, including Dinner and a Movie for next week!

Yesterday began early with the “Meet, Eat, and Play” event at The Club, the fourth time we are doing it. I am in charge of the game, and those who wish to play have breakfast first. This time I had a great breakfast with my favorite person of all---me! No one else showed up to either meet, eat, or play so I was showered with all the attention. I also did not get to play Trivial Pursuit. Instead I came home to do some writing before meeting Betty and Robin C. for lunch. Such a life!

Betty loves Longhorn so once more, my 3^rd time in a week, I enjoyed their menu. Makes for great leftovers for when I eat at home---like today! Betty had a birthday in late October but we ladies had a tough time finding a date we could gather. In fact, we had to go ahead without Brenda as she was working this Friday, which is fantastic for her. We sat and visited for hours, and when we parted, Robin said we must not let so much time pass between these gatherings. I agree, and that’s twice in two days that someone said that to me. We really must do this more often!!!

The black helicopters are here!!!

Last evening, right outside my windows, I heard the roar of a helicopter flying VERY close. Twice it zoomed from behind the building from the west and rattled my windows, causing me to leap to my feet to see what was going on. The third time, I was prepared with my camera in hand and took this photo of it hovering just over the surface.

This is normally done further out in the deeper water and not near the shore, and made me think that it’s finally happened---the black helicopters are here!!! First, the government taking over the airwaves on Wednesday and now, the helicopters circling…

Putting aside my conspiracy theories for a moment, I found out today there was a wedding going on at The Club, a pilot of a helo, and his buddies came by to give him a ‘salute’! Now that makes sense and has me breathing a sigh of relief! All is well with the world…

On my way to the doctor

When I was in Wal*Mart the other day, the music of the season greeted me. No, not patriotic music, but rather music for the ‘holidays’. I cannot even tell you what I heard, only that it seemed wrong to me. One of my friends posted a picture of a sign on the door at a Nordstrom’s indicating they would NOT be playing Christmas music or decorating until after Thanksgiving. If we had a Nordstrom’s here, they would be my store of choice simply for taking that stand!

Of course, the store Tuesday was fully decorated and the shelves filled with gift ideas and the ingredients for cookie baking. I wish my sister, Lynn, lived closer to me so we could bake together. She used to be quite a baker, and she probably still is. It would just be more fun to bake with someone; at least it was when I was still married. Thinking about those good sugar cookies from Copp’s right now!

Coca Cola has begun an ad campaign which really irritates me and if I were not so hopelessly fond of their product, I would abstain in opposition. The campaign is to bring attention to the polar bears, which have been their sort of mascot over the years. Evidently someone in the company found it to be a good marketing move to focus on the “plight” of polar bears, although there is none! Jackie would love this---I do not! Some reports show the bear population to be at ‘near historic highs’, which the global warming activists really hate to know.

I am rejoicing at once again getting some dandy customer service, this time from Delta Airlines. If anyone recalls, it took me three airplanes to get out of Atlanta (“I’d rather go to jail than go to Atlanta!” to quote my friends, the Jachimstals’), last May when traveling to WI. At the gate, when leaving the 2^nd plane, the desk attendant handed out vouchers for what were to be valued at $100. There was nothing on it indicating a value or a redemption number, which the airline is now requesting in order to make my CHRISTmas travel plans. In sending e-mails forth and back, I have been provided a redemption voucher code to use for purchasing the next tickets. Hopefully I am not praising them too far in advance of actually making the travel plans but at least I have a number to start with!

Yesterday I did some on-line shopping for my nephew, Gabe’s, birthday. Lisa said he needed some pajamas and liked non-fiction books. When I asked her, via Facebook chat, if he liked Star Wars at all, she wrote back “YES!!!” I remember how obsessed Justin was with Star Wars when he was younger and was glad to know this for Gabe. At Wal*Mart.com I found the pj’s and an encyclopedia for S.W. which I am sure he will love, since he is a fan of science. That’s why I asked about the S.W. in the first place, knowing he liked science. Wish I could see him when he gets his delivery, watch his face. Guess I will wait until CHRISTmas to watch him open his presents then! So hard to believe he will be 8….

Last week I went to get my nails done, including having my hands tended, and today, they look wretched. The polish is chipped and peeling off already. Julia, my friend, when I pointed them out to her, suggested I get the gel-type coating like her mom gets but such a treatment requires follow-up visits and I am too parsimonious to do that every couple weeks. The young lady was going to order a bottle of the polish for me so I could make repairs as needed but I don’t think I can wait for it to come in.

These nails need to be taken care of promptly, but not before I leave for my doctor appointment. I hate having to go in but the medical folks won’t refill prescriptions without seeing me in between. What is them seeing me going to show that a phone call will not? If anything changed, I would have already called them!

The search is on!

Only moments ago I ‘hung up’ with Linda J. with whom I was chatting via Facebook. I am in search of an ‘old’ Catechism from my school days. She said she has a rather beat up one at home, matching the description of the cover I gave her. When she has a moment, Linda is going to get me the publishing information and so on in order for me to find one on-line somewhere.

In checking e-Bay, there sure are a lot of catechisms out there, but I am not sure if they are the one I am looking for, especially if there is no photo provided. I believe it was issued in the 1940’s, using the King James Version, of course, and then was revised some years later, with ‘updates’. My friend, Betty S., loaned me her daughter’s catechism which was published by Concordia Publishing House. The wording on the explanations is a bit different than I learned, or remember!, and this edition was released in 1965 with the words “Slightly revised” listed with the date. The search is on!

It is early yet and already I have been outside. Connie called from downstairs, wondering if I was going to Bible study this a.m. Don’t do that to me!!! All of a sudden I thought the days were mixed up or something, but, no, it is only Wednesday. What she actually wanted was for me to move my car so she can trim the trees and bushes in front of my car. Talk about a sweat breaking out for a moment!

The weather is relatively pleasant outside, and glorious inside, sitting here in the sun. Every year I think about getting a thermometer for my room but Justin seems to think it would not be a good idea for me to have one. That means I should, in my opinion! Perhaps he is of the opinion that he does not want to know how insufferably hot it gets in my room!

Monday evening was Ladies’ Group at church. The traffic was already getting to seem like Christmas, it takes on a certain ‘aire’ along the route I follow. Others mentioned, too, how ridiculous it was getting there, coming from every direction. And it’s not even Veteran’ Day yet! At least I allowed enough time and got there with three minutes to spare, walking in with the President and the VP. Not bad!

Both Pastor and our Elder were tied up in a meeting, therefore, were not available for us, resulting in our meeting just zooming along. Many plans for future events were either confirmed or arranged. I presented the upcoming social outings in the works, and the names of the new officers put into place. For the upcoming year, I will be known as the Queen of Ladies’ Group or Madam President. Twila really is not up to it, besides being horribly busy with her rentals, her health is not what it should be. It is my honor to relieve her of this job, though there really is not all that much to it besides the monthly meetings.

The first group event we have coming up is the Clay County Christmas production at Thrasher-Horne Center. I have gone every year since it began and watched it get better and better. The show features local talents including choruses, the Clay County Band, theatrical groups from schools, and culminates with the reading of Luke 2 by a pastor. As he reads and my upstairs neighbor, Donna, plays her flute in the background, a live nativity is acted out on stage. Another of my neighbors, Judee, has appeared in previous years as part of the nativity, and likely will again this year. Thus far only three people have signed up to go and I have the cut-off date of Nov. 15 in order for us to get decent seating. I hope we can at least have a half dozen folks who wish to join me for this event!

Sunshine in my life

In many forms, I had sunshine in my life today, not the least of which was the one shining on my desk and me this morning. It’s been several days without sunshine and it was greatly missed.

The other sunshine enjoyed was my visit to see my friends at Great Hang Ups. When I got to the shop, there were clients at the counter buying a mess of pottery made by Julia and her husband. The lady was buying ‘locally’ for Christmas, which is something many are pushing toward. I did a bit of shopping there, too, while I was at it!

Dee was just about to leave to pick up lunch and asked me to ride with her as she wanted to talk. We went to her car, removed a few pieces of paper from the passenger seat, and I reached to move a satchel on the floor to put my purse down. Oh my goodness! Under the bag was a tipped over bottle of gesso, soaking her car mat, the computer bag, and even got on my purse. I did not realize my purse had gesso on it at first and set it on the leather seat---yikes!

Gesso got everywhere, but fortunately it is water soluble. Dee quickly went back into the shop to get toweling and cleaner, with me hot on her heels. I was not all that concerned about my purse as it is tough looking already but was hoping her mat and computer bag would come clean. She hosed off the mat behind the store and used wipers to clean almost all the gesso off our stuff. It looks like shoe polish, used to prep canvas for painting. I hate when that happens!!!

Eventually I did get over to Wal*Mart for my movie, “Atlas Shrugged” which came out today on DVD. It was not in the display at the front of the store with the other new releases so I had to meander to the back where the electronics are sold. On Facebook I had joked that I would have to stand in line for the movie, but I took the very last copy of “Atlas Shrugged” from the display. I also ventured over to the grocery department while doing some people watching---oh my! I got a case of soda and Uncle Ben’s brown rice (in the mood for brown rice lately!), and a package of rolls.

Once home I rested a bit before leaving for Trivia. What fun we had tonight! Anne H. joined us and added her wisdom to the game. We came very close to coming in at least in 3^rd place, but two teams tied for 2^nd which bumped us out of contention for the final. We got along okay without Justin though he certainly would have known who the god was who shot Achilles in the heel! Cupid is NOT the right answer…Justin was helping his father and step-mother do something with their wedding pictures and make other preparations for a follow-up reception this weekend. Perhaps I will get to see him on Thursday for Bible study instead!

It stinks to be me sometimes!

Saturday was a wretched day weather-wise, not fit for man nor beast nor woman. The air show was taking place despite the cold, damp atmosphere, with wind gusts around 20 mph. In reading the reports on-line, many people were not hardy enough to tough it out until the Blue Angels made their appearance but those who did really got a good show. The bright blue planes showed up nicely against the grey skies, and the cloud cover kept the noise close to the ground for added thunder. I enjoyed what I could from my room, snuggled in with fuzzy slippers, space heater, and my electric heat pad. Oh, and the crocheted blanket from Lynn which is draped on the end of my bed. Nice!

My friend, Ed, and his granddaughter at the air show Saturday

When it came to be dinner time, I had no intention of venturing outside to get my meal. On Facebook, I posted the suggestions of ordering pizza for dinner, or Chinese, or putting something in the oven to warm the house. Ideas weighed heavily in favor of Chinese but I dug around in the freezer to find something to bake along with some potatoes. The ham bone still had plenty of meat on it, so into the oven it went. When I came back to the computer, my neighbor had sent a chat asking if I was here. I wrote back that I was and asked what he wanted. No sooner did I hit SEND but my doorbell was ringing. There stood Randy, telling me to shut off my oven and come to his place for duck l’orange. His hobby is watching college football and placing bets on it but he still had time to cook. I asked him who in the world has duck l’orange on hand, and he told me he just likes to cook and likes to eat.

I turned my oven down, not off, disobeying a direct order, put on shoes instead of my slippers and did, in fact, have to venture outside to go up to his place. Sure enough, there were three screens of football going on, like in a sports bar! I got settled on the sofa and he offered me a throw to keep myself warm while he prepared the duck. I only hoped I would like it, since I am bit of a picky eater but it turned out to be quite tasty, and nicely crisped. We watched about six games between the three TVs and chatted. Not entire games for me but way more college ball than I had ever seen before. He did win some money and was ahead for the season. I don’t know how it went for the professional teams Sunday. He did think the Packers would solidly trounce the Chargers, and I know that game ended up to be a whole lot closer than anticipated.

Have I mentioned lately how nice my neighbors are?

It's a golden Jerusalem day!

My head is yet pounding from crying and that was nearly 10 hours ago! Perhaps it is from trying to hold it in that made my brain hurt. It was “All Saints Day” Sunday at Victory, and since I get a sneak peek at the service folder on Thursday, knew it was going to be a wonderful service. Pastor H. also sends out a ‘tease’ e-mail on Friday which gives a preview of what the sermon theme will be and so on.

When Pastor greeted me at the door, he thanked me for coming and I told him I came to celebrate. Immediately he answered, “Yes, All Saints Day.” Justin was going to church this week as there was no home football game to keep him away. I did not tell him about the closing hymn being “Jerusalem, the Golden” but I should have, since he would have liked for his friend, Sarah, to be there to hear it sung.

The other hymn sung, broken up into various parts of the service was “For All the Saints”---yes, one of my funeral hymns. Justin likes it, too, and I asked him if he would mind very much singing it at my service. Of course, he said he would not mind at all. He also asked me if I had asked Rachel to play for the service but I told him Robbie is planning to do so, and in fact, is already practicing.

Pastor’s sermon was wonderful, with the theme, “You’re just like your Father”. He imagined the angels in heaven, when they greet us, will say this to us---now in perfect glory with the Lord. It is extremely difficult for me to hear or read for myself the portion of Revelation describing the scene around the throne, which culminates with “and He shall wipe every tear from your eye…” It gets me every time.

Before leaving for church, I listened to “Jersusalem…” a couple times to try and get it out of my system beforehand but it was no use. After worship, several people came up to me with hugs and Audrey told me that when she saw the hymn listed in the folder she said a prayer for me. (Last week at GS she joined us around the piano as Robbie and Sterling played it as the choir sang)“…what radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare…” Poor Justin! He is already moved by this hymn and then to have his sobbing mama next to him, standing, no less, well……like mother, like son! “You’re just like your mother” and that’s a good thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0th-KRASl20&feature=related