Tuesdays and Thursdays....

...are my favorite days of the week! They have something in common, too----Bible study days. Monday is also a Bible study day followed by social time with the ladies, but it is dramatically different than the other two classes. The Bible Information Class (BIC) on Tuesday nights at Victory is so---oh, let me think of the word---exciting to be involved in. (Not grammatically correct but I could not figure another way to state this!) My second time through the class, with new folks in attendance, including my friend, Stephanie. Love it!

Just got home from my Thursday outing, again at Victory, where we are studying "Definitions" in the Good News program from LC-MS publishing house. This title is rather obscure but the subject matter is rich, with today's discussion about Lazarus being raised from the dead. I think that the word 'faith' was supposed to be our focus. Yes, I WAS paying attention! The conversation which followed was about Lazarus and his relationship with Jesus, with his sisters, and how it felt to see heaven but then come back to earth. That is the quickest hour in the week!

Next week we are going to be minus a bunch of ladies as they are attending The Southern Women's Show downtown. This group goes every year and very much enjoy it. Despite their invitations and coaxing, I have no desire to attend, and respectfully decline. In my mind, there is nothing there for me. But they really get a kick out of it, so more power to 'em! Class will not be conducted due to this many being absent, so I will have an empty heart and empty space in the calendar to fill....

This photo is of the aqua aerobics gang

Click the photo to enlarge

Standing: Pat, Pat, Ollivan, Kim, Susie, Maggie, Ina, Lynn, Rita, Lee, Sherry, and Helen. On bench: Mary Lew, Randy (our token man!), Marlena (our leader), Margie (her mom) and Helen (her mother-in-law), and Sistie

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Monday at the Tea Party, some of the ladies who regularly enjoy The Club's Thursday mini-buffet asked me to join them, even though I am no longer 'in the water'. Too cold for me! I decided to meet the ladies in the Garden Room. "We" get a separate dining area due to the ladies having come in from the pool, which is dandy for me, because I can be noisy.

It was Fried Chicken Day, and the ladies have raved about it all summer long. I got into line and got a bowl of clam chowder first, then a piece of chicken and a scoop of mashed potatoes. I did not realize at first that they were 'real' potatoes so had some more for dessert! 

The chicken was divine, just as they said it was. Later, though, Marlena told us that due to a gas line problem, they could not make the chicken this a.m. So where did this chicken come from??? Publix!!!! Good ole stand by of Publix, and the ladies were right---this is good chicken!

On the ride back from Victory, I did hear on the radio that Grace Episcopal School had been evacuated due to a gas leak but they were able to go back in and finish the day. I wonder why the line to The Club was not repaired. And how did they make the mashed potatoes without gas to cook them? They were not from Publix! I sure wish I had asked for a to-go box for the mashed potatoes. 

***

The elevator was going to be out of service for a bit today for regular maintenance so it worked perfectly for me to not come straight home from Bible study. Connie was just finishing it up when I came home, so thankful not to have to climb the stairs. 

There are workers at Unit 504, making repairs to their long patio. This new floor/finish should take care of the leaks affecting the unit above mine, those caused by rain and not by plumbing. 

Here is some good news---yesterday, I took up the towel from the floor in the river room for the first time since the last tropical storm. I am ever the optimist, thinking the repairs to the sliding glass doors in 504 and the floor in the unit directly above mine will solve the leaks and allow me to remain dry. Please????

No news is good news

As I am seated at my desk, I am putting the finishing touches on the monthly outreach newsletter. All they need is a stamp and they are out the door. Yesterday I mailed the other newsletters which go to our members away from home. I consider it the 'fun newsletter'. It includes photos taken since the previous letter which help keep those away sort of 'in touch' from afar.

On the weekend I finished up The Palace Press and printed off the couple needed for those without computers. This makes me all out of news, or at least, the newsletters!

On the weekend, Justin went to the store for some things. Target had a good buy on the Diet Coke so he went there. He told me that, for the record, he never wants to buy groceries at Target again. The way the store is set up did not appeal to him, as things were not where he thought they would be. The frozen meatballs were in a freezer bin near the produce, which seemed quite goofy to him. 

                                     

He did, however, come home quite celebratory. Last week when he made his apple pie, he was wishing we had the 'helicopter' device for peeling apples. His father would use it at home for peeling apples with the two boys helping with the project, back in the day. I do not usually have a need for it so let it go to his father's home. Now, Justin wants it!

As he roamed the aisles at Target, what did he come upon but a helicopter!?! It was lighter-weight than the one we used to have but everything else looked the same. He bought it! And he bought everything he needed for making a pie except he forgot about ice cream. Therefore, he will not make a pie until we have some vanilla ice cream with flecks in it. Perhaps today he will stop for some on his way home from work!

He might be standing me up for the debate on Thursday night as he has been asked to work at a call center and then attend a watch party with the Young Republicans. One of his classmates asked him and he said he'd rather go with the young folks than the 'old ones' at the local call center here. Thanks a lot!!  I like it, though, if he gets together with his classmates for things like this.

                                   

My up-north friends and family will get a chuckle out of this---the weather man just described the temperature as being a 'crisp 75'! Gotta love it! My doors are open and the air is moving through the house. As long as my feet are warm, I will be okay. Tonight for dinner I am making a casserole like that which Linda made for a function last night. Meatballs, mushroom soup, and egg noodles. Mmmm....I can taste it already!

Deep deep sorrow....

Today I listened to a recorded 9-1-1 message in full, where a 17 year old boy called to report he'd just killed his mom and his sister. The 9-1-1 operator was so cool and calm, talking to him almost like a comforting mama. She did an amazing job keeping him calm as he told the horrific details of how he carried out this heinous crime. She asked him why he was so mad at them and he said, "I wasn't mad at them...I planned to kill somebody for a while..." in an almost weary fashion. He was concerned about ruining his future now. Really???? Ya think? Almost remorseless and without cause, 'just because', he took their lives. 

I thank society for this and acknowledge all evil comes from Satan. He uses so many seemingly harmless devices, and has made us consider life as being cheap and expendable. This young man will hate life as long as he is separated from the Lord. My prayer is that someone will serve him in prison with the Good News of his Savior.

In other news, an area man shot and killed his mother on their front lawn only a block or so off of Blanding Blvd. yesterday. One of Twila's friends called to ask it if was one of her tenants but it was not. Evidently it was a domestic abuse problem, so he might claim self-defense or something. 

I like to harp on people not having skills for handling every day life, these incidents triggered when some one does not get what they want and when they want it. Not sure how to turn that around except pray "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"

Fuzzy slipper day!

Oooh, it's cold out there! The long projected cold front has made its way here to the First Coast, and into my house! It surprised me earlier this a.m. when I heard the A/C kick in when certainly the rooms were not warmer than 79 degrees. I took care of that forthwith!

Did we have some laughs last night! Bonnie was celebrating one-year since her surgery and had an Old-Fashioned, adult beverage. She started it!!! Pretty soon, more of the ladies, including me, had a nice adult beverage with our dinners, in a toast to Bonnie being cancer-free! Frankly, it was great to see her having such a good time, laughing and talking with us, when a year ago, things were bleak.

                                           

"My little Marine" was seated further down the stretch of tables and was in rare form. At one point, she bossing asking the waiter for something and he made a remark, "Boy, you sure do know what you want..." and Bonnie piped up, "You don't know the half of it!" Brought the house down!  From the far end of the table was Ethel's daughter, Sue, and she said, "My mom isn't going to let me come with you anymore, Miss Kim......" Why is this my fault??? Talk about funny!

***

The other day after a huge rain storm, Justin and I were crossing the parking lot to get to my car. The drain was entirely covered with leaves and pine needles, blocking the water flow. I took my shoe and pushed the junk to the side but Justin urged me to just leave it, the water would drain. I stepped over the drain and right into a giant puddle of water! He grabbed my arm as I danced around in the parking lot and scooted me to the car with one soaked and crud-filled shoe. Good thing they are machine washable!

***

On a similar note, Saturday night when we joined Mike and Judy for dinner at La Nap, the only available space to park happened to be an end place next to the curb. I failed to get close enough to the curb to avoid stepping over the puddle, sooooo...Justin came around to my side of the car and took my hand to help me step over, as I have promised the ortho doctor to never jump again (circa 2004-5 when I hurt my knee getting off my boat, swinging across on the rope). When we left the restaurant that night, he came around to help me once again, but, in deference to that same knee, put the wrong foot down first and got another soaker! Air dried that shoe!

***

Sunday night when I was talking with Mom on the phone, another call buzzed in, so I told Mom I'd call her back. It was my friend, Judy H., who lives in Knoxville, TN. I know her folks from Victory now, formerly Green Bay people. Anyway, Judy called to tell me that she was thinking of me, since they sang a "Timmy song" in church that morning. You have no idea how much that means to me! "These things are written that we may believe..."

***

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the passing of Hannah B., the 12 year old girl from Victory Lutheran who succumbed to brain cancer. I was so sick, I could not sing with the choir, though I was asked to help them out. My throat was all croaky but I did manage to sing one hymn, with all I had, in support of those around who were so deeply mourning. "Abide with Me"....a Hannah hymn, and a Kim hymn, and a Lynn hymn....

***

A couple weeks ago at Andy's committal service, I got myself into a pickle, getting into the backseat of Judy C's van. Somehow I got turned around, not addressing the seat properly, and in trying to protect my knee, I was on my knees between the front and back seats. Judy was trying to coach me but I was sort of stymied. 

At her suggestion, a wise one, I backed myself out of there without having to call a wrecker (although they did have heavy machinery there at the cemetery!), and simply addressed the seat like I was supposed to. I don't know what I was trying to do, but that was not the right way to get into the car! 

In my defense, ahem ahem, I think not being used to getting in on the passenger side and the seat being about 10" from the door to allow for folks to access the rear-most seat, I goofed! My friends are just the greatest and incredibly patient with me!

My kind of Monday

Today flew by in a whirlwind! It began with Bible study, continuing our look at the penitential psalms. Before the class was over, though, I had to leave in order to get to my next appointment---the tea party! Not my usual Tea Party event but one with actual tea and nicely dressed ladies plus one gentleman!

We had about 18 of us, more than I have ever seen seated for a tea party. This group was our water aerobics gang, with the event to recognize the official end to the season. Some of the more hardy still show up for class, and those few urged me to come out, claiming it was actually hot outside. That might be true, but not hot in the water!

Lee is listening to the description of the delicious of the variety of sandwiches from our hostest, Pat

It was such a lovely afternoon. This was several people's first time visit for the tea luncheon and were blown away. Maggie O. was seated next to me and she leaned over, "If you ever come here with your church ladies again, let me know, and I will come!" Love that!!!!!

Lee loved the muffaletta stuff, too, but the shelves were devoid of it when we left the table. The nice lady at the counter told us to come back next week when their shipment comes in. It must be popular because this is the second time it's happened to me. Lee thinks she can make her own, but wishes to buy a jar to examine it in order to reproduce it at home. I wish her well with that!!!

Upon getting home, I had a short period at the desk before it was resting time. There was racket from overhead, which indicated to me some more work going on to repair the leaking floor in Travis' unit. Not a moment too soon either because it was also thundering. Sure enough, we had a huge rain storm, less than an hour before we were to leave for Clark's Fish Camp. By 'we' I mean Judy J. and Twila, who were passengers in my little car with no illuminated warning lights on the dashboard!

Terri T. took this photo with her cell phone camera, looking down the tables in my direction. Twila and I were at our own private table while Judy J. was further down from us. Such great laughs we had, even with me segregated from the others!

The rain had pretty much let up by the time we left OP. Judy thought we should leave earlier and Twila heard there was a car on fire on the Buckman but I checked it out, finding it to be on the other side, going north. We were going south so were okay. As it was, leaving earlier, we arrived well in advance of the others and prior to our appointed time. The hostess got our tables ready and let us go in to sit down. Gradually our friends trickled in, with Terri T. bringing up the rear. 

I was mocked for having a hot dog at the fish place but I was in the mood for it. So there! I filled up on fried dill pickles and had some of Twila's fish dip. Yes, you read that correctly---fish dip! Oh, the strange things I ate today, even pickled asparagus at the tea party, which made the cabana folks sit back in amazement!!!!!

Good news, bad news

Let me begin with the good news----the light on my dashboard was off when I started the car after church! Prayer helps! Now I know I can talk to God about real estate, football, AND, also, dash board lights! 

The less than good news is that the Packers stunk on ice today. More specifically they stunk in the second half, blowing an 11 point advantage, and ending up losing the game. Rats! 

I feel so badly for my sister, Kerry, and moreso for her plants. Every so often during the game, she had to go outside to pull dead portions of her plants off to vent her frustration, and now I fear for the live ones after that loss!!! I wish she lived here with me so she could vacuum and dust and bake during the games, because that's what she does at home!

                     

The Jaguar game is on now, playing against the Bears. At the beginning of the game the camera showed the thermometer on the field at 100 degrees above zero. Then they showed the air conditioned benches the players get to sit on between plays. In the winter they huddle around space heaters and wear heavy capes to keep warm and here, they are pouring water over their heads to keep the players cool. The heat might work to the advantage of the Jaguars---or it might be our doom!

The best part of having the Jags game on late was being able to watch Fox News Sunday and another program before the game came on just after 4:00 pm. When Chris's show was done, I watched a program about what goes into running a presidential campaign. Was that ever eye-opening!? It is generally stuff one knows already but some of it was startling to learn. 

                 

At one point, John Stossel was shown on Times Square with nearly poster-sized photos of our nation's leaders and not one knew who they were. BUT, they were able to name Justin Bieber and Tom Cruise. A sad reflection on society. Focus, people!! 

The program also showed how groups were targeted for ads, which 'devices' worked and which ones were unsuccessful. Past 'failures' in the debates, how the decisions are made, actually negotiated, as far as space for the lecterns, height, lighting, and sign placement. Nothing is left to chance, and yet, anything can happen! This was a good show and if it airs again, I recommend your watching it.

I didn't say very much about my time spent with Jacquie on Friday. It was GREAT! We met for lunch at The Club where I had the beef pot pie (it's a pot pie week!) and she had the grouper, I think. Mine came with salad but hers did not, so gladly I handed mine to her. The waitress told me I was the first one to order the pot pie since the new menu came out October 1st. That made me the guinea pig! As we sat there, I did see some others ordering it which makes me a trend setter!

The weather was starting to turn so we hurried over to my house before it rained. The conversation simply flowed and before we knew it, The Five was starting!  At one point she called her husband, Mark, to ask him to take the pork out of the slow cooker so it would cool for pulling when she got home. She told him she'd have to "pull herself away from Kim..." I think she liked it here! It's great the way God allows people to come into our lives, at just the right times!

                 

It just occurred to me that I am getting hungry and realized it is nearly 6:00 pm already. The score is tied up at 3, half way through the third quarter. What a fast game! While my leftovers from today's lunch at Chili's sounds good, I should have some more of my chicken pot pie from the other night. 

Did I tell you? The other night when I was fishing around in the freezer for something for dinner, I pulled out this package of chicken breasts. I looked puzzled at it, since it had been cooked already. Justin said, "That's from your Lazy Ass Chicken..." and I was on the floor-laughing. The actual name of the dish is "Busy Day Chicken" but he somehow forgets THAT name. He just tears me up every time he says it, as if there really was a recipe with that name!

Dashboard lights

Justin and I just got home from having dinner with Michael and Judy C. at La Napolera. Both of us moms had gift cards to use up and I really needed a strawberry margarita! Earlier in the day, Justin heard my 'check engine' indicator beep on while driving back from Target in the rain. A couple hours later he remembered to tell me about it. He might have been more afraid than anything else, knowing how I react to things like that. As I told him later on, I can still see us sitting on the side of Hwy. 10 in the midst of a national forest with an overheated engine, when he was a little boy. Any illuminated lights on my dashboard are going to raise blood pressure! 

In trying to figure out what to do about it, with a full couple of days in front of me, it occurred to me that Advanced Auto has a device for checking such lights. Against his will, Justin followed me to AA and stood closely by as the nice man checked with his device. He came  up with two codes, both showing evaporation leaks, minor in nature. He gave us the code to look it up at home and sent us on our way, with payment only my hug to him. 

When I looked it up, it was determined to not be engine related, not something to put me on the side of the road. Could be a faulty gas cap, or a loose hose, or something like that. So, why does my heart still pound when the light comes on?? Good thing I don't have lights that come on every time something goes wrong!

On the way home from Advanced Auto, Judy called to see if I had eaten dinner (it was only 5:30!) and since I had not, we planned to meet some time after 7:00, as Mike was watching the Gator game. Sure! When we got home, I asked Justin if he wanted to go with us, and since he had no other plans, he joined us.

                                                    

Justin is going to miss church again Sunday due to a home football game, which means tailgating. The earlier they get downtown, the closer they can get to the stadium and set up. As in previous times, the most fun of the day is the tailgating, as the games leave much to be desired! Hopefully tomorrow will be different and the entire day a blast for them!