Dinner was a Mystery!

Tonight at church, in our newly remodeled fellowship hall, we enjoyed a Mystery Dinner. We were presented with a menu with vague or entirely opaque clues on it from which we were to choose our meals. Served in three courses, a person could choose wisely and get an appetizer to eat with a fork. If one did not figure out the system, they would enjoy a lovely brownie with ice cream and buttered bread as the first course---maybe even get a spoon to eat it with!! Such fun seeing the strange combinations some came up with. I was the one who had the dessert and bread for my first course and ended up having to bribe the waiter for a fork later on. It really was fun and better than that---delicious!!!!

Pool time!

With nothing on the schedule for today, Mom, Lynn, and I went out to the pool late morning in hopes of spending the better part of day there. It was not to be! Before the storm rolled in, we did get to enjoy a couple hours of outdoor fun and a wonderful lunch from the cabana. Mom really likes to get in the water and move around freely, the way water allows one to do. Lynn floated around on my exercise noodle for a bit. Both ladies are getting lovely tans, at least on the upper torso. 

We heard the thunder rolling and then Laura the lifeguard came around to urge folks from the pool. We could have waited it out in the cabana but are extremely glad we did not. The storm was a powerful one of high winds, lots of lightning, even junk hitting my windows! Lynn was thinking we should move the glass pieces from the window in the living room because the trees were bent over so far, almost touching the window. We did not do that, as the storm had a comparatively short run. 

Lynn and I kept our swim suits on for a while in case we could go back out but the weather was simply not going to cooperate. Drizzle continued and the sky was clouded over, not in keeping with my terms for enjoyment at the pool.  

Mom had requested a meal which I used to make when I was married, called Busy Day Chicken. Mid-afternoon I got busy in the kitchen making the dish, getting it ready to put in the oven when it was closer to dinner time. Justin came home from work, showered, and then collapsed on his bed to rest after his busy day. His plans did not include dinner with us as he was joining his friends at Bahama Breeze later on.

Lynn, Mom, and I sat down to watch the Jaguar game but Mom didn't make it to the end. So glad the team is doing well in the preseason and allowing such great entertainment on Friday nights! Tomorrow night we are dining at church (yay! the fellowship hall is done!) but the menu is a Mystery. Can't wait to see what's in store for our dining pleasure....

I missed Wednesday!!!

Mom got her wish and we went to eat at Clark's Fish Camp for dinner. Our original plan had been to go after Bible study this noon but fortunately, one of the ladies mentioned they might not be open for lunch. She was right! 

Going for dinner instead allowed Justin to join us, BUT he messed with me (us) tonight----because he had worked outside all day in the beastly heat, he wanted to eat indoors. My face got a cramp giving him the stink eye but if we wanted him along (why????), we ate indoors. He owes me big time!

The table we were given had full glass on two sides of it, with Mom and Lynn facing out toward the water so it was 'almost' like being outside, with only one fly to swat at as we ate. The fried dill pickles were great, and my fish fingers a delight. Mom enjoyed her all-time favorite fish dish at Clark's, the crab stuffed flounder. Licked her plate clean!

Justin had the tilapia basket while Lynn had crab cakes. No dessert for us as we were satisfied with what we had. On the way out, the four of us visited the aquarium and alligator tank they have recently added, and used the new elevated height bathrooms. No more water coming up through the floor, or, if it does, Clark's has big problems!

Sadly, the Packer game was not being shown in our market, which is probably a good thing since they were doing horribly. I did get a very nice comment on my Facebook page from the former pastor at FG, Steve Hahm, who sent his greeting via me to my mom. He also relayed a link to a memorial service recently conducted for a lady at his church in Baton Rouge, where he sang " MÜDE BIN ICH GEH ZUR RUH" at the close of the service. He has promised to sing it for Mom's service "unless she outlives us all!" 

Primary day

This morning the day began with water exercise class for Lynn and I, with Mom serving as the audience. We had a great class with a few new faces, some who were guests of the hotel. Lynn fits in perfectly due in part to her being with us before plus she works out daily at the fitness center in Manty. Jokingly I said she should not talk to Marlena about this so as not to give her ideas for tougher routines!

Mom and Lynn had gotten up hours earlier with a plan to see the sunrise. Around 5:00 a.m. they did see the moon, a quarter moon, and some stars, but no sun. Mom was thinking it would come up an hour earlier here than it does in WI but it does not work that way. Closer to 7:00 a.m. the sun came up in a less than spectacular way, but only Mom saw it as Lynn had fallen asleep in the living room chair. I looked up the sunrise times online and told them to be watching at 6:52 tomorrow. Or sleep, whichever.

As we enjoyed our time outdoors we could see folks going in to vote at The Club. It is primary day with several of my friends or acquaintances running for seats. Diane H. manages some money for me and is a dear friend, running for Travis' seat on the Board of Commissioners. The lady who manages Travis' races, Marge, is running for the same seat, but my heart and vote belongs to Diane. Both ladies have invited me to 'watch parties' tonight but I accepted neither invitation.

One of my friends wrote on Facebook about a horrible exchange she had while waiting for her dinner to go: a 20-something young man saw her "I Voted" sticker and asked if she voted for president. She told him no, but she did vote for judges, sheriff, school board members, county commissioners, and so on. The guy asked, "Oh, they let you vote for them?" The good news about this was this young man's vote did not cancel out any of hers. We have a problem, America!

                                           

No problem in my house, though, as between making dinner for us all, Justin went over to The Club to vote. He made us a stuffed chicken breast dinner using a Publix recipe. It was good! There are some leftovers of that as well as the potatoes he made to go with the chicken. He admits that potatoes are not his best attempts which his grandma attributes to his not liking them as a child. So, there you go!

For lunch we went to Honey B's on Fleming Island, at Lynn's request. The former Sister's Tea Room folks run this one, and the food is divine. I brought home toast points to snack on and a dessert of bread pudding for Justin. Next, we went to Wal*Mart for a few things and got to see Danny Roy, as he called to me down the aisle. Nice! 

Wednesday is our shopping day, after water exercises, of course. Mom wants to get to Beall's for sure, and Wednesday is Senior Discount Day. Lynn is looking for shoes and there is a big shoe store in the same plaza, if Beall's does not have what she likes. 

In order to squeeze in our all dining out (as Lynn said, "So many restaurants, so little time!), I think we will have lunch at Cracker Barrel. Mom can have the breakfast she wants, and Lynn, her catfish! Likely, meatloaf for me, or perhaps I will be in the mood for pancakes!

A day at the beach

Mom, Lynn, and I went to the beach in St. Augustine, after I checked the weather and saw a big, yellow sunshine in the afternoon. Should have not been a problem, right? Wrong! 

We left home shortly before 10:00 a.m., stopping for gas and to pick up our sandwiches from Publix. After one slight misstep in getting down there (I second guessed myself on the first turn in St. Augustine), the GPS got me turned around and we found the beach.

Because Mom has a handicap-flag for the car, we were able to get in for a discounted rate. Nice! We got the car parked not too far from the porto-lets and off we went to the water. Mom drove her walker to edge of the water and with Lynn and I flanking her, in we went!

Mom loved it, always did, getting batted around by the waves but we did not stay in very long. She was hesitant and unsure of her feet so we took her back to the chairs. We got our lunch out and began to eat. Lynn had a couple more bites left of her sandwich when it began to rain. Quickly we gathered all the stuff together and hustled to the car. The plan was to wait for a bit to see if it blew over.

Most everyone else around us had left, though. A sheriff pulled up not far from my car so I went to ask him if we should stay or go. He could check the radar and showed it would likely be moving through, if we wished to wait it out. We turned the car around, facing the water, and watched the storm. After almost an hour, we made the executive decision to leave. 

As we headed out, I mentioned that there were many stores and shops we passed on the way to the beach. The ladies were asked to watch for an interesting spot where we could stop for a treat, and we found Panera. We could use the restrooms, then enjoy a treat on the patio, as it was not storming there.

Once back to OP, Lynn and I got Mom situated upstairs and then went back out to the pool. At first the sun was out but sure enough---the clouds rolled in and blocked the rays. I got the chills and eventually Lynn did too. But we had a nice time floating around and chatting with some pool friends. 

Justin originally had planned to make our dinner but then decided to go for wings with Jesse. He was concerned that we would starve but I knew I could rustle some grub. How cute he is! I made us scrambled eggs with ham for dinner---so there!

More words than photos

Things have not been whirlwind but more laid back since Mom and Lynn arrived. We have watched two night football games together, with Lynn and I getting more from that than Mom did. At least Mom has been staying up later than she does at her house. Not sure she can sleep as well as she does at home, though, but 'differently'.

Saturday was the luncheon for the ladies and all went nicely. Justin went to Chick-Fil-A to pick up the sandwiches while I put fruit chunks on skewers. There were potato chips to go with the sandwiches and fruit, with sour cream cake topped with cherry almond sauce for dessert. My favorite Pampered Chef product is the sauce!

The ladies enjoyed the punch of cranberry juice mixed with 7-Up, drinking every last drop of it! Mom had a good time catching up with her friends, as did Lynn. We had taken a cruise with some of these folks in 2007 so Lynn became better acquainted with them at that time. I know this was easier for Mom than trying to catch everyone at church Sunday. 

Once the hubbub was over, Lynn and I went to the pool. Of course, we were barely wet when the heavens opened and pelted us with huge, cold drops. The two of us hustled back into the house just in time for a storm to roll through, leaving sunshine in its wake. Too late now---we were in our nighties!

Mom had a good time resting Saturday afternoon watching a Perry Mason Marathon on a network I didn't know I had. Every time Lynn comes, she finds new stations! According to our cable plan at The Palace, I am to have Basic in some form provided with my monthly fees. Somehow, I get more than I am actually entitled to or should, as far as I can tell. I am not complaining or anything, but it surprises me what is available. Maybe I am mistaken about this, but the Preview Channel on my TV only shows 99 stations....and I get more! Hence, Perry Mason Marathons!

The rest of the day and into the evening was spent at home, with me making dinner for us that night. I had thrown together, Kim-style, a chicken parmesan dish using some of the 'free' chicken patties from Winn Dixie. I cooked some pasta, which took the longest of all the prep, and layered the chicken patties over the top of the pasta. The jar of sauce was just right and the flavor of the entire dish was great. I made a nice meal for us!

Sunday was Bible study and church for us. The study was interesting even with break-out sessions to compare the Bible translations. We, our little group, skips the discussion aspect for the most part and I simply write what needs writing. It was fun to read the various interpretations of a paragraph, from one language into the next and back again. Things get all mixed up and misused phrases, and so on. Each culture has its idioms and expressions, some which do not translate well into other tongues. I often think of something Joe Z. told me once, when trying to explain something: "My mother (Hungarian) used to say, 'English doesn't have a word for it...'" I think that happens alot!

Robbie came to church today and was warmly greeted. He sang the psalm tones during the liturgy with the congregation singing the refrain, and sang a capella a hymn during the offering. Mom was pleased to hear him sing and had a chance to tell him so after church. 

The Fellowship committee had a quick meeting following the service as Bruce has a meeting Monday night and needed to know what to report. Funny! Our hopes are yet to have the Mystery Dinner on Saturday night but the chefs say if the Fellowship Hall is not done, no dinner. It is simply not doable to prepare the food in the kitchen and transport it, plate by plate to the classroom building. It would be logistically a problem. I do hope all is ready because Mom and Lynn scheduled their trip around the dinner and the dinner was scheduled with their visit in mind! The work was to have been completed in time for VBS in early July but alas....

The Luncheon

 Here is Carol and Mom, posing in the living room

Carol, Jackie, Mom, and Lynn 

A shot of the table, with a look at the back of Lynn's and my heads! From left is Lynn, Judy J., Jackie, Gretchen, Ethel, Terri T., Twila, Carol, Mom, and then me!

Gretchen, Lynn, Mom and Ethel. These ladies are long time buddies of Mom's. They keep in touch with notes and phones, but now, in the flesh!

 Lynn, Kim, and Mom

 Terri T. posed with Lynn and Mom

Twila is yukking it up with her old pal, Kathy. Lynn is smiling so beautifully for the camera