Thought gathering

Today I broke out a pair of red fuzzy slippers purchased two years ago from a resale shop, when my sister, Kerry, was here for a visit. She loves to shop those stores and I was glad to take her there. I came upon this pair of slippers, still in the wrapper and held together with the plastic ties to keep them as a pair. A cardboard sleeve fit over the toe, also secured. In order to wear them, I had to use a giant nail clipper that had belonged to my father to clip those plastic thingies. I had a small pile of thingies to dispose of before slipping my feet into the red fuzziness.

                                            

These slippers were higher and more difficult to put my foot into, more like a boot with a ribbon around it. That ribbon might need to clipped away, too! Anyway, once I got my foot in and stepped down, it sounded like I was cracking the floor. Oh my!!! Apparently the soles are a bit brittle and make a huge crunching sound as I walk. Can't sneak up on my boy with these on! And they are slick on the bottom which means I must wear them outside to rough up the soles. This has become a monumental task...breaking in new slippers!

****

Yesterday I had an appointment to get my oil changed and tires rotated after Bible study and lunch. When I pulled in, I could see every bay was full, but I had an appointment. Well, when I got inside, I was greeted warmly and then the fellow said, "Miss Kim, I know you're usually very patient but we are running about 2 hours behind today. We have a technician out..." I am very patient but can wait much better from my home, so made a new appointment for this a.m., bright and early for 9:00. 

Today there was no waiting, and was out the door in less than an hour! I didn't mind terribly having to go back, and do appreciate them being honest with me about the timing. Car systems all checked out good, as well.

                                        

When I first got to the shop, the History Channel was playing in the wait area. Usually I watch Fox News there so I asked Nick if he could change the station for me.  Nick said that had to keep the TV off the news since in recent months folks were getting into arguments over it. There was only one man in the wait area with me, on the phone. Nick told me once the other guy was gone, he would change the channel for me. 

Two seconds after the guy left, Nick came in and handed me the remote control. Since I don't know the DISH networks' channels, another technician who simply came for a cup of coffee helped me out. Ahhh....that's better! I was going to put the remote back on the soda machine when I left, but a lady who came in asked me to let her have it, and she put on the Today show. NewsLite!

*****

                                               

It is so nice to have the sun back again! The one good thing about not having the sun shining across my floors is one doesn't see the hair/dust/cruddlies accumulated on the floor. Much to Justin's chagrin, I DO see it when the sun is out!!! Instead of waiting for Justin to get home to address it, I got busy with the microfiber sweeper thingy. The kitchen got it, as did the hallway he just vacuum cleaned and Swiffer Wet mopped. In my room, I used the handy dandy device he got me (himself) and it seems to have done an okay job. When I had these floors put in, my upstairs neighbor remarked, "Now you have to vacuum every day..." and I scoffed. No scoffing any more, unless I grow to appreciate cruddlies on my floors! 

****

I am so sleepy again this morning, having awakened around 5:30 and not going back to sleep. Whether something is waking me up or it's a natural thing, I am not sure, but now I am sleepy. No time for a nap, though, as I am leaving shortly for a visit to Great Hang Ups and to meet my friend, Jacquie, for lunch. She is having her nails done first and then we dine! No Bible history class today so this worked out great time-wise. Can rest my eyes this afternoon after I get home again. 

I did a load of wash this a.m. and had to handle a foul smelling dishcloth which had been placed in the laundry on Sunday night. Phew! I was tempted to throw it away but the washing machine took care of it. What is up with that??? I am getting so particular in my old age, it seems. Just wait until Justin and I start cleaning out the cabinets!

Sunday night I was putting stuff in the fridge and Justin peeked over the door at me. I said I wished I could do that, see over the top of the door, and he said, "You wouldn't want to..." I asked why and he rubbed his finger across the top of the fridge, removing a layer of dust. I looked at him and asked, "You know what you just did there, don't you???" and he said he did. Yup, get the stool, boy!

Chilled to the bone

Yes, I know it is only in the low 50's but the grey skies this past week and the drizzly air make it seem much colder outside. And inside! This morning Justin sent me a text message reporting he was getting colder and colder the longer he was working outside. Usually when a person is working like that, a sweat is built up. Not so today for my boy! The sun did come out yesterday after church but it is hiding again, not be seen at all today. My friend, Emily, wrote this a.m. that she is sick and tired of the gloomy days and I told her it felt like Seattle around here!

At Bible study Pastor asked me if I was okay when I had my hands on my face, but I explained it was trying to warm up my ice cold nose. Fran's hands were icy, too, and she was sporting a fleece turtleneck sweater and a jacket over the top of it. 

Judy C. reported she dressed her two grandkids in t-shirts and jeans, but was thankful they had sweatshirts to keep them warm. Clay Cty. school is out this entire week so she went to get them from home this a.m. and dropped them at her house for Uncle Mike to watch during Bible study. They joined us for lunch at Longhorn later on. 

                                           

Right now I am snuggling with my microwavable heat cylinder and have the space heater going in my closed up room. The heat for the house is set at 74 and has not run since it reached that temp this early afternoon. Justin has my 'old' office space heater in his room to take the chill out. The oven is roasting some beef and pork to make Wimpy sandwiches with later on. Fresh Publix dinner rolls will host the meat mixture when we eat around 7:30. Smells great in here!

Yesterday afternoon Justin and I watched the good Jaguar game together, 'til he got too hot. He came and went as the game went on, even into overtime yet again. It could have gone either way, but sadly, the Jags lost to Houston. I think that's the 3rd time the Jags have gone into OT this season, and the 3rd time they lost it. But still, it was a great game for a change. 

                                            

While watching the game, I also went shopping and did the majority of my CHRISTmas shopping from one store. The presents are already on their way to my mom's house where I will wrap them once I get there. I am proud of not spending too much money while buying for 6 little boys! I ordered from a store they have access to in case exchanges need to be made.

Justin so kindly preheated my room for me Sunday so I would be more comfortable after getting home from lunch. Nice! I had a chore for him to take care of, that being the vacuuming of the hallway floors and the washing thereof. He got frustrated trying to use the clever floor tool he bought me (himself!) and resorted to the big vacuum cleaner. Justin expressed his dismay that the dust just gets into little bales and won't clean up, not even with the Swiffer wet mop. He had to go back and vacuum up the little bales once done mopping. Not his favorite job, as you might guess. Perhaps now he understands my frustration with having to look at it, right after he's done vacuuming!

Saints Triumphant!

For Bible study, we at last finished the stewardship classes (3 weeks' worth) which I went through start to finish in one hours' time at Victory a couple weeks ago. This was a rerun, sort of, for me. Next time we are studying Galatians, which I really look forward to! But what was most 'exciting' about this day was it being "Saints Triumphant" Sunday. 

Robbie had told me he was playing for our worship which makes it that much nicer. The opening hymn was "Jerusalem, the Golden", the new tune from the Supplement, which causes me to weep. Since I was still in the back of the church during the hymn, I could hear the congregation needed some support. I sang out as best I could, until I couldn't! "...forever and forever are clad in robes of white..." Gets me every time.

                

My friend, Kari, sent me this picture of a painting by Greg Olsen, who said this is how she pictures Timmy in heaven with the Lord. She nailed it! ...and she never knew Timmy

I was sad that Paul and Emily got there after the singing of the first hymn, as Emily and I sang together when the choirs (Victory and ours) did the choral arrangement of "Jerusalem, the Golden". She had to carry me half the time!The next hymn was "For All The Saints" which has a similar text or sentiment to "Jerusalem..." but does not make me sob, but sing bolder. 

The readings were all tied to our future glory, with the closing hymn being the final stanzas of "For All the Saints..." I turned to Twila and Jean to tell them, "This is my favorite..." and they chuckled, as it seems they all are my favorites! For the recessional, Robbie played "In Christ Alone" and the tears started again. As did the singing, as I made my way down the aisle. 

After lunch I took a few more pictures of folks for our new Flock Board. Lonnie had made a wood-framed board with carved flowers and vines colored in green, top-of-the-line look for our Flock! He also built a wood framed bulletin board for the Fellowship Hall which adds class to the room. Two tall people put up my blue table cloth as a back drop, closing the corners in the doors of a free-standing cabinet. The blue was a nice background and made a big difference for the shots.

Terri, Mike, Judy, and I went to Chili's for a change for lunch. The waitress told me she likes to see my face on Sundays---how nice! I had dried my tears by then, of course. The others got there ahead of me, as I had to wait through 'the light' on Wells and Blanding, and had ordered my Diet Coke for me. I had my usual lunch and took half home with me, which Justin nabbed as soon as I got home. 

He didn't go to church today, as I believe he got home rather late from his friend's engagement party. We are planning to attend Victory on Wednesday night for their ThanksLiving service and I will go again on Thursday to GS, hoping Justin will join me there as well. After church we will be going to the buffet at The Club. From there he will go to his father's and I am going to Judy's to perhaps celebrate again!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on His way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

A great movie day

Justin and I went to the movies late this morning, getting in at the 'cheap' price of $5 per ticket. The same price was paid for a large soda, imagine that! We shared the drink and got a free refill which I am only now finishing off thanks to the amount of ice I asked them to use. Not really a 'good' deal but it has held me since 11:00 a.m. to the present time.

                                                    

We saw the movie "Lincoln" and were very impressed with it. As far as I know, it is fairly accurate historically but not being a student of the Civil War I am guessing it's accurate. One my friends who saw it claims it follows the book fairly closely with little dramatic license taken. Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote the book upon which the movie is based. At least I know it's true to the book, if not historically so.

The movie was over 2 1/2 hours long but it didn't seem like it. Most of the action revolved around trying to get the 13th Amendment vote into effect prior to the end of the war. Oh, my! The politics involved in that process---makes today's leaders look like amateurs! As my friend stated, she didn't know they made movies like this anymore. So good!

After the movie Justin and I went to TGIF and had slow service but wonderful food. I had my usual of sesame Jack chicken appetizer as well as the pretzels and cheese dip. He ordered a burger with cheese sauce---a cheesy day! He brought half home with him since he helped me with the pretzel sticks. So filling! 

                                               

Tonight he is at his friends' engagement celebration as well as the birthday party for his friend, Sarah. Ron and Sarah were engaged last night, and will be Justin's landlords some time soon, we hope. Justin was making cupcakes to take and wanted to dress them up a bit, more 'wedding cakey' so bought fancy toppings to put on the iced cakes. We bought the icing from Publix, the same stuff they use for their butter cream cake frosting. It was expensive but I covered the cost as my donation to the cause. He wanted so badly to make them nice, even adding almond flavoring to the mix for extra flavor. My, the kitchen smelled wonderful!

This late afternoon I made my travel plans for going to WI for CHRISTmas. Mom agreed to let me stay with her and let me use her car. I have asked Lynn for a ride from the airport and I hope that works out. Otherwise I can ask someone else to get me or take the shuttle. Don't mind the shuttle, have had good visits with folks in the van with me. Now I am getting excited, trying to accept the fact that in less than a month, I will be in Manty. Green Street, here I come!!!!!

SnoBalls and Suzy Q's

Almost as big a story as the sex scandal around our Nation's top military leaders is the one of the demise of the Twinkie. I don't want to hear about it, but this story is everywhere. I know that other companies already make a knock-off of these baked goods. What is a newsworthy portion of this story is the reason why the Hostess company chose to close---the Unions refusing to reach an agreement. Earlier in the week I had heard rumblings of this happening but it seems as though today is when it hit the mainstream media. 
                                             
I will miss the SnoBalls but another company already makes a relatively identical Suzy Q product (oh, please, don't let them be Unionized!!!) so I am good. Every year when the SnoBalls appear on the shelves, I would buy a package for me and one for Cliff, and put it in his church mailbox. We both had a passion for the SnoBalls!

                                               

What are larger news stories are the escalation of tensions in the Mideast, with Israel on the brink of war. Soldiers and reservists are poised for an air and land assault unless a truce is reached. Meanwhile our own military is bruised to the core by the loss of three or four high ranking leaders for various reasons, mainly, sins of the flesh. I hope our armed services are not called upon to serve another front until this is all settled.

The "best" part of the scandal is that the eyes of the mainstream press are at last focused on the killings in Benghazi and how this was allowed to happen. Why was the call sent out for help and none came? Who removed the name "Al Quaeda" from the talking points and who introduced the idea that a video caused a riot? Hopefully the truth about this event is flushed out and the parents and families of those killed at last will have answers, as will the Nation.

                                                

We are on Day Three of no sunshine and I am powering down something fierce. Justin again insists we get a SAD light and even has in mind the place to position it in order for me to benefit. Oh my! Besides there being no sun for days, the temperatures are dropping, chilling me to the bone. Even Justin was cold in the house, air temp showing 74 above zero. He plugged in my space heater for me in my room, and turned the heat on for the house for about 5 minutes, to get the chill out. As I said before, I have ruined him!

Today I spent about 5 hours with some of my lady friends working on the church archives, the photo portion of this project. We made great strides and think we might have an excellent chance of finishing up in the next two sessions. We did decide, however, to pause this project until after New Year as our time becomes more precious. 

                                                   

In the Fellowship Hall, two couples were painting and "redecorating" the bathrooms which were left untouched during the remodel. They chose a blue/grey or perhaps brighter hue than that for the walls. The ladies did the painting with Jim helping do that, but Lonnie is not a painter, so he busied himself elsewhere. New framed mirrors were installed and pretty light strips put in place over the mirrors. We are going to be the envy of church bathrooms, although we have a long way to go to match Victory's spaciousness!

                                            

Because I am so appreciative of their efforts, doing this on a donation basis, (not costing the congregation any money) I offered to chip in toward the effort. Must remember to take care of that on Sunday. These two couples also arrange for the lawn service out of their pockets so they allow me to help out with that every now and again. Because I can no longer do the yard work or other chores, I am glad to help those who make it happen. It matters to me what our property looks like to the community, and, besides that, this is the house of the Lord! We should take good care of it!

Dinner and a chat

In the winter months I enjoy hosting "Dinner and A Movie" nights, started when the economy went south and most folks felt the terrible pinch. No longer would my group be going to the movies and then out to eat somewhere a couple times a week or other similar fun things. Instead, I accumulated some suitable movies and make a simple dinner here for a couple ladies. And I love it!!!

Tonight Martie came over after months of not seeing each other. We had dinner and a chat instead of dinner and a movie! At first our plans were to go to La Napolera for margaritas to commiserate over the election results, but I thought we could talk so much better here. She agreed, and I made us a lovely dinner. At least, I thought it was!

I made a modified version of chicken parmesan without the parmesan (did have chicken though!) using only ingredients on hand. No run to the store was needed. I used my favorite pasta sauce with sweet onion and garlic flavoring over a bed of angel hair. I had gotten a package of chicken patties free with the purchase of some pizzas when I shopped like a rock star at Winn Dixie several months ago. I used the remainder of the patties on top of the pasta and covered the entire surface with a bag of shredded cheeses. The oven heated it through and through before Martie arrived. Even though she works only a short distance a way, it often takes her a while to get here so the meal was waiting for her when she arrived.

                                          

Instead of having margaritas at La Nap, I washed the glasses Linda gave me and poured frozen drinks from a pouch into the glasses. Mine was a pina colada and hers was a strawberry daiquiri. These were also on hand, in the depths of the freezer for several months. A complete mixed drink like a juice pouch! Justin and I bought them at Wal-Mart during the summer and tonight was a good night to bust 'em out!

Justin dished up the plates and I said, "Oh, my!" when he gave me my portion. He said, "I will get you a to-go box for your yours" but somehow I managed to finish it off. It must have been good! For dessert we had a bowl of sherbet, to wash away that lingering garlic taste. 

And we talked and talked and talked, all the while the news was on in the background. She had been a moratorium from the news since the elections so in the comfort of my home, she eased back in. Besides national news we covered news from the home front. In the past year she has become a great grandmother twice---her twin grandkids each became parents. Oh my! Her brother who relocated from Atlanta is finally reestablished with his VA pension so that is off her mind. Her son with Kennedy's Disease is getting the help he needs via the VA as well, having moved closer to home this past summer. No wonder she is busy, but as she said, she needed this time tonight! Me, too!

Tomorrow morning a group of us will be gathering at church to work on the archives again, after several months away from our project. I hope the turnout is good and some progress is made. Somehow I doubt we will get wrapped up and then with the holidays upon us, well, it might be next year before we close the books on the archives! Wish us well!

A good friend day!

Only a few moments ago I signed off from my regular chat with Linda J. during our viewing of "The Five". She reported having to get out the hat, gloves, and winter wear, as I informed her of my plans to stay in tonight due to nasty weather. Too icky to go outside! 

The temperature here is in the low 60's and the weather drizzly, grey, and has much gloominess to it. Yech! This would normally be my night to go over to The Club for my "Kim Burgers" and onion straws, and play Trivia with Kathy, but decided leftover soup in a warm house would be better. I think I'm sick!!!

After several months of 'radio silence' I finally heard from my friend, Martie. Last time I communicated with her was via a text message when Mom and Lynn were here, mid-August. She had wanted to get together for dinner, and that day has at last come, tomorrow night! I hope it's not snowing....Wonder if we will recognize each other?!

Today I went to Middleburg to meet Amber for Bible history class. We did a brief review of last week's lessons as she has retention problems due to her stroke of a year ago. She did recall the "brother's keeper" portion of the lesson which was good news! Amber had also caught up her worksheet so went over that as well. 

Today we studied the Flood and touched on the Tower of Babel. Next week we will cover that story better and then on to Abram! I presented her with one of the two gas gift cards which were presented to me from a friend at Victory. She was so happy, she gave me a hug!
                                               
Since I was in the neighborhood, I told my friend, Jacquie, I was going to do a "pop by" as referenced on "Seinfeld". She called ahead to the gate and let the guard know I was coming, and I managed to drive right up the door! Such a lovely home Mark and she have...a spacious town home. A special treat happened while I was there---a pair of deer came out of the woods to feast on some grass. Just for me! She said they usually come out at breakfast time and at dusk, but not today! What a nice surprise that was!

My friend, Stephanie, has invited me to sit at her table for the Ladies' Advent Service at Victory. I accepted! Her mom is coming back from WI with her, and last night, Stephanie offered to swing up to Manty and bring my mom back with her as well. Neither mom wants to endure the long winter ahead of them. We get over our doldrums here, but WI takes awhile. 

This evening was spent with Justin, after he got home from work. He had made a kettle of beer cheese soup for our dinner last night (oh my goodness---delicious!) which we had for dinner again tonight. Justin also made a batch of home fries in the oven which were quite delicious. 
                      
He mentioned getting the deep fryer out of the pantry and pressing it into service, after having had some fries while tailgating last Thursday night. Not sure he will do it, but what a treat that will be. We haven't used it as a deep fryer since later 2003. Hot soup and Justin are also good friends to have on a nasty night!