They're here!

Everyone is tucked into bed, or at least, are in some form of repose for the night, but I cannot sleep! Ugh! Maybe it is because Lynn and I had an adult beverage while watching the Packer game or something, but as tired as I am, sleep eludes me. Perhaps typing will lull me to sleep...snore....

Lynn is presently dozing on the sofa in the family room and Mom retired earlier, though I cannot say for sure she is asleep. She had better be, since she told us the last time she slept was Tuesday! Wednesday night Mom found herself too keyed up about the trip to sleep but now that she is here, I hope she is getting a good 'big nap'!

Their flight was delayed an hour so Lynn called to inform me of the change to the schedule. I could have turned around to go back home, but instead I went to the Panera Bread in the plaza not far from the airport. I bought some bakery for breakfast, and had a soda as I waited. I could track their flight info via my phone, so knew what the status was. At exactly the right time, I pulled into the courtesy waiting lot, got the call, and drove to the terminal for my peeps. Could not have timed it any better!

Before leaving to pick them up, I decided against better judgement to make up my taco salad for dinner. The ideal way to do this is just before serving for mixing it up, but I grew impatient. Justin was concerned, and a bit critical of my methods but all, including him, declared the salad edible and delicious. Whew!

This a.m. I went to Bible study at Victory and had time to sit around visiting and folding bulletins before class got underway. Pastor was busy with some workmen on site, fellows coming to clean the tile and shampoo the carpets. They are having a major cleaning day Saturday and these guys would jump start the project. It seems our group is rarely at a loss for words!

Suzanne and Wayne reported they are going to downsize once more (from Green Bay, to a Jax rental home, to an 800 square foot condo in a year's time!) and have extra furniture for sale. I know of some young men setting up housekeeping this weekend so I got info from them to share with Robbie. 

After Bible study, I stopped at Winn Dixie for a couple items. Sure enough, it began to pour like mad while I was in there. The rain forced me to roam the aisles so I came home with more than intended, which does save me a trip for this weekend. Of course, on the day when I could use the help of Connie, she was no where to be seen so I toted as much as I could upstairs without her extra hands. The rest could wait until another time.

When I left for the airport, Connie told me she cleaned around my doors and the elevator lobby on the 3rd floor so all was nice for my guests. That is so thoughtful! Connie also marked down on paper which parking spaces are available to those coming to the luncheon on Saturday. 

Justin had the idea to mark the available stalls with red plastic cups filled with sand or water so folks will know which ones they may use. Clever! I was going to ask him to direct the ladies to their spaces but he has plans to go to the movies that morning. Shoot! Next best thing? Red cups!

                                                     

Justin will have time to run to Chick-Fil-A for the chicken salad sandwiches on Saturday morning before he leaves for the movies. I will have to spear the fruit that morning and ready other things for the guests. Mom and Lynn like to go have coffee on Saturday mornings so I might send them off alone or simply have something delightful here for them...I like to make the egg/cheese/bread casserole, and have some bacon bits to add to it. Might consider that as an option, if Mom is okay with an alternative plan.

Friday I have no other plans for us than to enjoy the pool, have lunch out there, and then watch more football in the evening. I do hope the Jags do better than the Packers did. Yes, I know it's only the first game of the preseason, but, as always, my expectations are high!

I am done!

Did I wake up too early this morning or what? I have been dog-tired all day long, or at least it seems that way. Justin and I both said we were going to bed early tonight and I hope I do. Perhaps I am just overly excited about my company coming!

This morning I skipped water exercise class to meet the other ladies at church to work some more on the archives. Even Carol was able to make it and stayed longer than any of us. She had stuff to organize, more papers than photos which worked well for her. Many years ago some items had been gone through to create the history of GS, when we celebrated 25 years, and she wanted to make sure stuff was put back where it came from. 

We found two ring binders of archives already in relatively "safe" storage, so we won't have to handle any of that. Whew! There are newsletters and news clippings, the survey of the land when it was purchased, all that cool stuff. I wouldn't mind going over there to just peruse that instead of striving to get the photos safely preserved. Great strides have been made in this project!

Here is a picture of a picture: Hope Meyer, Kelly and Tarren Vance, at one of the July 4th picnics our church used to have

Judy C. brought sandwich meat and rolls for our lunch, expecting we would stay many hours but some had to leave around noon or right after. She was disappointed, thinking we would work most of the day on this. I could have stayed longer but when the others packed up, we did, too. Carol stayed, devoted to her task. She was telling Pastor today when he wandered in, about working on something once when I would keep talking and working, but she could not. Yes, that is Carol! And, that is me!

I helped Judy carry her stuff to the car, and just as we opened the doors to go out, the heavens opened. We scurried, as best I can scurry, and did not get horribly wet. I am sure the rain and the threat thereof aided in my weariness. 

Judy's two grand kids are coming either today or tomorrow so she will be tied up with them. David will be attending UF law school beginning this semester, which is pretty cool, and Jessica is coming along for the ride. I was a new member at GS when David was baptized...for some reason I just remember this tidbit.

Marlena came over to do some last minute polishing up around here, as she 'owed' me some time. It took her a long time with the guest bathroom as it seems hair was everywhere! Justin told me the vacuum brush had hair all over it, and it's been weeks since the girls left. All three had long hair. Marlena figured out to use a Swiffer duster to collect it, because it was hard to pick up. She said every time she turned around, there was some more! The hall bath went much more quickly as far as cleaning was concerned.

Once she was gone, I thought a nap was in order, but then my door bell rang. I had to sign for a delivery, which I haven't done in ages. The Bible history books arrived from CPH so tomorrow I will take Marilyn's books to her. This is so exciting! Amber was not able to make it Tuesday after being at the ER all night with her hubby. He is okay, but has pneumonia. We will try again next week, if Mom and Lynn don't mind.

At last I was able to rest until Justin got home from work. He was going to the grocery store so I gave him my list as well as my debit card to finish up the shopping. He needed Gatorade for work, on his 'real' job, and Publix had a sale going on. Justin picked up pizza for our dinner which we ate while watching Jeopardy!

Friday I will get the fresh fruit to put on skewers to serve at the luncheon Saturday. I have ordered Chick-Fil-A chicken salad sandwiches to serve and will do the fruit-on-a-stick myself. What should be have for dessert???

Hopefully I am not coming down with a malady because I feel inordinately weary and achy. Guess there is a bug going around but I don't want it. A good night's sleep is in order and will fix me right up. It's not as though I had a bad night or anything, but just feel a need to sleep, and rest my bones. Guess my body missed the pool, yes?

On a wild ride

Last night we ladies at church traveled back in time....like about 20 years backward. Wow! The Ladies' Group has tackled the project of transferring the existing photo archives from the sticky-paged albums into archival-safe scrapbooks. With one 'mother-daughter' team, we had 8 ladies pitch in. It took a bit to figure out how we wanted to proceed in an orderly fashion, and soon got a rhythm going. 

 From the left is Terri T., and then Twila, Betty, Donna, Michelle, and Meghan

From left is Jean, Terri, Judy, and Twila

We began first with numbered albums from the boxes, pulling the photos free from the sticky pages, having come loose much more easily than we expected. One of the albums was nothing but photos taken of the construction of the 'garage' which has since been replaced by our current classroom building. Some discretion needed to be used in deciding what to keep and what to toss. We only need so many photos of trusses, you know? I think our member, George S., was the photographer on that project and took hundreds of them, all showing up in the photo book!

Carol D. came in after we had begun with Cliff behind her, thinking we were having a formal meeting. In the announcement I gave Pastor to read Sunday, it said we would be doing this instead of a meeting, but I guess some missed that mention. I told Cliff I would drop Carol off at home if he wanted to leave but it was not long and they were gone. Carol had sat down with one of the 'old' albums and it was nothing but pictures with her mother in them. She is not yet ready to face that, it seems, and she had to leave. 

Cliff took her home where she sorted some photos and other items she has there to work on. As I drove home later, I called to see if she was okay and she said the pictures took her by surprise---her reaction took her by surprise. Many of the albums have Miss Shirley's notes in them, funny ones, in fact, and that was more than Carol could take at the moment.

Jean pointed out one of me where I am sitting on the fireplace hearth at Judy C.'s house, for a Christmas party. I am looking straight ahead, expression-less, while Jennifer T. was seated next to me. Shirley wrote a note: "Kim does not want to talk to the lady sitting next to her. How rude! I must speak to her about that later!" Shirley, I consider myself spoken to!

Here is Rosalie, Mom, Jamie, with Mike and Kim Tyler in the background. I am not sure what is going on but some seem to be enjoying it!

Many of the photos had my family in them, as we were actively involved in the building of the garage, fellowship events, and VBS all those many years ago. Justin was such a little cutie pie in those days, too. Some of the ladies never knew me with 'long hair' or with Coke-bottle glasses so that was fun. Even Mom and my nephew, Jamie, showed up in some of the pictures. 

Twila and I made a good team cropping together, just like in the days when we did this in my dining room. I miss that! This was a tough night for Terri T. as her parents, now enjoying heavenly bliss, show up in many of the photos. She wisely took pictures with her phone of the photographs to share with her siblings, and some with me! Terri worked side by side with Judy so she was in good hands. 

Terri and I had dinner before going up to church, dining at Longhorn, not far from our destination. As we were leaving, I noticed a group hugging and such at the door, saying good-bye and happy birthday. The young lady's car was parked next to mine and I commented on her license plate frame---the same Packer frame as mine!

As I chatted her up, the man behind me yelled, "Quit pestering my daughter!" and there was Al T., the very first person I ever met in Orange Park!!! This young lady's older sister, Stacy, used to babysit for Justin when we first moved here. The day I had my car work done, I had spoken with Al at Aron's Pizza but I would never made the connection with this young lady, Amy, outside of her Packer plates. 

She also has a stock share in the Packers, has a green and gold room in her home, and is all about the Packers! For her college graduation gift, her dad gave her tickets to see the Packers defeat the Saints at Lambeau Field next month. Cool! Al is from WI and had gone to college with our then-partner, Curt. In 2005, my sister, Lynn, and I went on a cruise where Amy's mom, Sharon, also a part of our networking group, was on this trip and shared our table at meals. Small small world!

Back to the archives----I was kept quite busy being asked who is who in the photos. Only once or twice was I stumped by a person's name, having folks come and go rather quickly in those days when the military was more active. Fortunately, I have several of the old church directories for reference, which I will take along on Wednesday when we reconvene. At one point, I was struggling to recall a man's name, and then, when in the bathroom, his name came to me. I rushed back in to announce, "His name is Roy!", like Zachariah announcing John the Baptist's name! His wife and he lived in Bradford County but came 'up' to Orange Park for church. I think their pastor served our vacancy at the time and that's why they came....not sure anymore. After all, it was over 20 years ago!

"Hold thou thy cross...."

The other day Justin had the Olympic opening ceremony playing back on his computer, having gotten some sort of password from his father which allowed him to view the sports via computer. I don't have to understand it, only report it. Anyway, he told me how the British paid respects to those lost in the subway bombings in 2005. NBC and who knows how many other networks represented in London cut away to other Olympic related programs instead of showing the tribute to those lost. 

Justin was able to view the tribute and its accompanying anthem sung by a beautifully-voiced woman singing "Abide with Me". As the hymn wafted down the hall from Justin's room to mine, I quieted what I was listening to in order to hear the hymn being sung. He told me it was coming and I am so glad he did. I don't know if she sang my favorite stanza or not, but I can sing it myself in my head, and often do. "Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heavens morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me..."

This made me think of the time when Justin, Martie, and I went to NYC to attend the Freedom Concert. The day we arrived we had planned to take the subway to China Town for, of all things, Chinese food. However, the news broke about the subway bombings that day and then the police rendezvoused outside our hotel, on Vesey Street, not far from the World Trade Center area. We sat outside the hotel in an open air restaurant and watched the activity of the police. More than once I walked up to someone with a clipboard and inquired as to what was going on. I was told it was a drill. 

At one point, we saw four identical capped pick-up trucks with matching trailers pull up, right in front of us. The guys got out and were wearing matching outfits, same color as their trucks. Pretty cool, but very strictly business. When they opened one truck we could see a 'machine' in the back of it and realized it was robot. Oh my goodness---the robots they use for finding and disarming bombs!

We had pretty much decided NOT to take the subway anywhere, and eat on the premises. We did not wish to miss anything and besides that, we were more than a little apprehensive about the whole situation. 

Twice that day the entire block was occupied by double rows of squad cars and other police vehicles. We would look out the window onto the street and see a wall of blue flashing lights from end to end. And that's how I remember the subway bombings in London----the reaction of NYC to their bombings. That was also a "Hold thou thy cross...." type of day.

Oh no! It's pouring!

No one can be sadder than me, at least in my opinion, due to the rain. My stomach gets knotted up when I hear the first sound of rain. Oh, how I wish this were not the case...rain used to lull me to sleep. Now it triggers a good deal of anxiety instead.

Earlier this a.m., waking to rain, I discovered a rivulet of water coming down the wall in the river room, which is, sadly, a big deal without being one. Thinking that the problem was resolved and discovering recently during the water test that it was NOT solved prepared me for today's leak. 

Before leaving for church I went up to check Travis and Jessica's place to see how bad it was, and only had to leave one towel in place. Their rivulet matched mine, which means the water is likely coming in through the wall. None so far in my living room which is fantastic with me. The minor leak is manageable as long as it does not affect my formal living space.

                                     Amber and Lynn were presented with a cake!

Today was Amber's confirmation day, as well as another new member, Lynn. She did not attend BIC with the rest of us on Thursday nights. Lynn informed Judy C. that she also came from a Bible-less background like Amber did, which makes me wonder if I should have ordered another Bible history book with her in mind....

The other day when Amber was here, we went over several topics and again reviewed the Lords' Supper. Last week I had told the story of Passover and how God commanded the Israelites to always remember how they were rescued from the hands of the Egyptians, and what method was used to identify them as God's people. Then I explained how Jesus used the Passover meal to institute the Lord's Supper, the new covenant which we are supposed to always remember, just like the Israelites. When I talked about the first passover, Amber remarked, "Oh, like in the movie! But I didn't know that was a real thing..." 

This past week Amber brought her dog along, a dachshund whose name I cannot recall. She is house-trained but proved to be somewhat distracting for Amber, who tried to keep an eye on the dog and off her paperwork in front of her.  

Justin got home after Amber had left and was excited to hear how it went. I told him she was nervous about standing in front of the congregation Sunday without Judy and me next to her. Fortunately, I had recently listened to a worship service from IL where an adult was confirmed and was able to replay for her what a confirmation sounds like. She said, "It sounds like I am getting married again!" and I told her she would be making a commitment like that of marriage. 

Justin suggested I write this stuff all down, seeing how excited I am for Amber. His thought was to write a blog, not for public consumption, but just to record the events. I appreciate the fact he appreciates what is going on here. Today, when she greeted me at the door after church, she hugged me and said, "You've been such a good help to me..." and Pastor said, "...and you continue to be!" I pray this is so!

Let's party!

This morning I went out to the pool earlier than usual in order to get some exercise and to not miss greeting some folks whom I had missed by not going out early enough other days. Using my binoculars, I could see GiGi and Frank seated at a table so I went out to greet them. Frank just retired from the post office and this was his first weekend of being 'off duty'! It has been more than a year since his path and mine crossed. It was so good to see him again. 

Friday I had asked Judy C. if she wanted to ride with me to the Kelley's anniversary party. It turned out Mike and she were picking up Gretchen and offered to take me along with them. Great! I accept! We allowed plenty of time for traffic, picking up, and then the trip to World Golf Village area which is where the Veteran's Home is located. And got there 20 minutes early! We were not alone though as others had arrived prior to our pulling up.

The Lessen Home is just lovely, almost looks like Cracker Barrel with the porch lined with rockers and having a resort-type of feel to it. It sparkled inside and out, and the staff was delightful to us, most accommodating. The room for the party was not far from the entrance, and was decorated beautifully. Andy and Fran were both wearing blue tops, which I thought was cute. Andy got little from the party but we got to see him, which is good. Fran loved having the folks come to express their best wishes to them on this 60th anniversary. Many folks from church came, which blew Fran away! The room was decorated with photos of them from young on, with biographical information included. A true love story, to be sure!

We stayed until the nearly the end and as we drove back toward home, Judy proposed going somewhere to have dinner. It was a bit early but I was game! Gretchen respectfully declined, saying she had enough excitement for one day and said she'd like to go home. The rest of us went to Cracker Barrel, Mike's choice. I treated them for driving me and brought home more than half of my meat loaf dinner for another time. Best meatloaf in town, almost as good as Mom's!

Justin was home when I got back here, having no plans with his friends tonight. Last night they were downtown for the Jaguar scrimmage game which was great fun. Not as sensational as the Packer scrimmage was, which had 55,000 people at it, but good enough for Jacksonville! Justin is watching the Olympics in his room via his computer as well as playing video games. He could watch in the family room but cannot move his computer around the way I can. I think this way he can pick and choose his sport to watch.

We are watching the tropics for a pending storm and already I am bracing to put down the collection pans for the drips. Shoot shoot shoot! I hope the main part of the storm, Ernesto, stays south of us so we don't feel the brunt of it. I wish that Herve had gotten the work completed on his sliding glass doors, but he is doing the best he can under the circumstances. Yikes!

Who ordered the fish?

Today while at the pool, the wind began to blow and peoples stuff was being chased around after being blown off the tables. One young man, soon to be in 9th grade, ran to grab his dad's shirt which was tumbling around the pool deck. We heard this smack sound, and thought Benji had dropped the phone he was carrying or something. His mom asked him what that noise was and he said, "I think it's a fish!" You think it's a fish?? It is definitely a fish! Evidently an osprey was carrying his dinner and lost its grip on the fish. It was a good thing no one was sitting on the edge of  the baby pool, where earlier Jessica and the two boys were playing. Getting hit with a fish this size would really hurt!!!