"Here am I, send me, send me"

Today's mail brought me a package from Linda containing the next couple months worth of calendars to go in the holder she gave me for Christmas. She makes the calendars using Stampin' Up equipment combined with her skills. Each month is a work of art! February is St. Valentine's Day themed, March has St. Patrick, and April has birds in a birdbath. Lots of saints and baths coming up!

In the packet was a lovely greeting card embellished with a peacock complete with jewels on his feathers. Inside a message is stamped "You are such a blessing in my life" and "Thinking of you!". What a nice card she made! She also included the service folder from the installation of their new pastor. The school children, the senior choir, and the Hmong ladies choir took part in the service as well. It must have been lovely and edifying. Part of the readings included the "hear am I, send me, send me...". Would love to have heard that sermon and been part of the service!

             Photos of the pelicans outside my windows

As I write this, a pair of pelicans are bobbing around in the very calm water outside my window. This is thrilling to me since rarely have I seen them this far inland. We also have ducks and the other day I heard geese honking again. When I hear sea gulls, at first I like them, but then get annoyed because they are so pesty. They poop all over people's cars!!!

Justin is thrilled to pieces over the success of his yard/estate sale. Jesse and he spent the first part of today delivering sofas and other larger pieces to folks, and arranging for donations to the Quigley House. He just popped back in for a second to check in with me and report his plans to go and count their booty from the three day sale. Bet he already knows the exact amount in his head!

            

Saturday night Justin informed me that the closing of the house is now scheduled to take place in two weeks. That remains to be seen, but I am optimistic for this finally taking place. After that time, the carpet will be replaced and some painting taking place to ready it for move-in. The way it looks, Justin might be gone before Linda arrives, with 'might' being the working word here. If he is gone, Linda will help ease my Empty Nest Syndrome. If not, we will have a great time with the three of us here while it lasts!

At a loss for words!

This afternoon, I was watching a movie on TBS after Fox News Sunday got done. It is a movie I actually own and Justin teased me that I like the commercials so much, which I why I watch on TV. I really don't mind too much and it was fun to have on while chatting with Linda. It was in English, which worked out nicely since I speak English, or a version of it, anyway. I would switch back and forth, in man-style, to a Law & Order episode on another network. 

                                  

What I noticed on TNT was added 'conversation' to the episode. At first I thought my ears were deceiving me, but no, there was 'help' going on in addition to the close captioning which is always in place. An example is, "Jack approaches the bench with evidence bag..." or "Adam crosses his arms in front of him...". This must be for non-sighted people, in addition to the captioning being for the deaf. 

                                       

Last night I was watching reruns of "Big Bang Theory" before going to sleep and all of a sudden, they changed to speaking Spanish! The captioning was still in English but the language was Spanish. That got old fast, so had to find something else to lull me to sleep. I wonder if I should try unplugging my cable box for a few minutes to allow it to refresh itself. One of us needs refreshing, that's for sure!

At the desk

After all my carousing was done yesterday, I spent some time at the desk, sorting through papers and such. I have resumed my role of secretary for the Ladies' Group. After sending the Minutes off to Terri T. for her perusal, I got my copy into the binder. It took some shuffling and regrouping of the items which had been added to the binder since I had handed it over last year, but now I've got it straightened away. How hard is chronological order anyway????

My next project, now that space has been cleared at the desk, is to mount the photos taken for church's Flock Board. When Lonnie constructed the board, beautifully done, the opening for the 4 x 6 photos was a smidge too large. I have to add a piece of cardstock behind each picture in order for it to fit snugly in the slots. An extra step not expected which is holding up the show of getting them in place. Today is the day for readying them for display!

As I moved papers and such around on the desk, I came upon a business card of a man I met at the airport a few years ago. I was seated in the wait area on my birthday, facing delays in departure. Justin was going to pick me at the airport and take me out to eat for my birthday. 

When I was talking to Justin on the phone, the guy seated across from me heard my lament about possibly missing my birthday dinner. After I hung up, he smiled at me, and asked where I lived. When I told him Jacksonville, he laughed and said he lived at the Beach. How fun is that! 

This handsome young fellow, a Black man, was an artist, having a shop at Jax Beach. I told him I was a member of the OP Art Guild and we chatted about art while we were delayed. When we stood to at last board the plane, he handed me a business card and told me to come to his shop. He was going to give me a painting for my birthday, to make up for missing my dinner with my son! Isn't that sweet? I never did collect on his offer, being more flattered by the offer than anything else.

Justin is having his yard sale today and again tomorrow. Jesse and he made some good money yesterday without selling much of the furniture. Their hopes are that today and tomorrow people will be beating down the doors, so to speak, for the used furniture. It is my opinion that the prices are high but the market will determine what the items go for. Justin did get to remake the acquaintence of a young man he'd met when working for the Romney campaign. The fellow nows works for a friend of ours, through Travis, my former neighbor, who is now a state Senator. Those are good connections for Justin to make, so he fixed the fellow up with a small table at a good price!

Panoramic view of some of the stuff

The guys are thinking that they will do this again in two weeks if there is stuff leftover Sunday. Gotta love their optimism! Many hours have gone into this project and they are now selling for profit, having made enough to cover the cost of the rental truck. The majority of items sold yesterday were chotchkies and books. He was amazed at the way the books went. And, on a sadder note, they got ripped off a few items, because their eyes could not be everywhere. I feel badly about that for them, but that is a consequence of such an open sale. The curio cabinet remains unsold....

A marvelous Friday

Yesterday when driving back from Bible study and lunch with Justin, I remarked to him that I had a free schedule from that time forward until Wednesday night. Justin said, "Wow!" but then I remembered my Breakfast Club Friday morning. Well, that's not really the same as other types of commitments. 

This a.m. I drove over to The Club because I was going to the bank afterwards. Sure, another item on my empty slate! Randy came for breakfast but not Carol this a.m. as she was tied up with something. Tina and little Gracie did come, and I gave Tina my DVD "Waiting for Superman". She asked to borrow it, as she is exploring options for her kids for school. 

Before I left home this a.m., my friend, Amanda, reminded me via Facebook that it was Women's Heart Health Day so I should wear red. I was already wearing layers because it was so cold out. I assured her I was in red, and going to The Club to eat bacon! In fact, before the buffet was cleared away, the ladies made it possible for me to more readily access the teeny pieces of bacon. The Club gets the bacon so crisp, in the oven, that it breaks up when using the tongs to pick up a piece. I love the schnibbles that fall through the mesh thing in the roaster. When I got home, Justin asked me what special dish they made for me today, as Wednesday night they made the "Kim Burgers" for me only. Nice!

After my bank run, I was heading for home when my phone went off. It was Judy C., asking if I had lunch plans yet. In fact, I did not so we made some! We hadn't done this for several weeks and it was great to have the time. Great meal at Pengree's, with us both having the country fried steak. I ate all the steak but left some of the mashed potatoes and green beans. We talked for an hour and a half before parting company.

Olivia, Justin, Owen, and Sandy Hilchey

Before I left for lunch, my friend, Sandy H., called to chat. She is with her daughter, Olivia, in TN, where she is finishing her degree. Olivia will be starting a job with Miami University-Ohio after graduation. She still drives my big red car, my Durango, which has 230,000 miles on it, and Sandy said it looks great yet. 

As I was leaving, Chad, the handy man arrived to put the finishing touches on my living room for me. He had to add another coat to the bottom half of the wall, plus caulk around the French door where the water poured out during the tropical storms. Hopefully there will be no more of that! Chad did not need me to oversee him and simply let himself out when he was done. It is so nice to have this done, with Marlena coming back Monday afternoon to finish the clean up of the dust.

How's that for a quiet schedule? I really have nothing planned until church on Sunday morning, with lunch afterward, I expect. No party planned this year for Super Bowl, with one reason being not sure if the repairs would be done in time. I am not all that excited about the game this year, as you know, the Packers are not in the Super Bowl. I have to watch, though, as Justin would expect me to review the commercials and rate them. I will do my best!

That darling boy, Angelo

Grandma Lynn sent me this cell phone photo taken of Angelo, modeling his favorite pair of Mr. Potato Head glasses. Doesn't he look smarter in eye wear???? So amazingly cute!!!

I want to paint! (Warning)

My friend, Sarah, who lives now in Southern California, SoCal, posted this sunset photograph last evening. She titled it "Living in a Postcard". I think that nails it. I wrote back to her on Facebook, where the picture was posted, that this makes me want to get my paints out again. Wow! I can do this, IF I can get at my supplies. They are in Justin's room which is parked quite full of "stuff", making access to the closet of supplies a bit difficult.

How do I know Sarah? Funny you should ask...Sometime after 2001 I was invited to a friends' house for a Pampered Chef party, where I met Sarah. She was Janie's boss's wife, and was a travel companion to Janie as well. A few years later when I was selling The Preserve house, Joanne was showing my home to a lady. I think Mom was there yet, and we sort of hid out in her bedroom/scrapbook room while Joanne showed the house.

Joanne wanted to introduce her client to me and she stuck her head into the room. Ta da! We knew each other, and a deal was struck! But not immediately, though, as Sarah had to bring her husband through to see it. 

                                    

Justin and I were actually on a cruise somewhere in the Mediterranean when Joanne's Re/Max balloon floated above my ship with the offer. Fortunately, I had Internet service from the ship! She had power of attorney to accept the offer for me, and then, the deal was struck. Pretty cool, eh?

Sarah and her husband hired Mike K. from my church to do some renovations to personalize the home for them. Sarah and Tom's son, Jason, was a student at St. John's, a few years older than Timmy. The family had a couple dogs living there with them at the time. Several years after they bought the house, they took a transfer to CA and had to sell.  

After the closing and Sarah had moved away, she gave Mike permission to tell me a story:  One of her dogs was acting all weird seeing the house being packed up, seemed to realize something was going on. On the day they were to move, they found the dog floating in the pool....Sarah believed the dog wanted to stay with Timmy. 

Whatever we believe to be the case, me knowing Timmy is with the Lord, it's a sentimental tale to be sure, and tragic for this family. Thinking their dog stayed with Timmy helped them to deal with their grief. 

Okay, what's next?

Two newsletters ready to go so far today and soon I leave for the groomers. My hair is so long right now that it barely has the strength to stand up. This will be the first time I have gone twice in a month, since I had it cut after getting back from WI. The soonest I could get in then was the 7th so it's only 22 days apart. Barb did not cut off as much last time because I wanted to try not making it too short, but this has not worked out the best for me. Folks still tell me they like it but I am not tickled with the bushy look. But, really, it's not that big a deal, especially since I am not in the pool these days!

Yesterday was Bible study, with Pastor leading it this time, on the topic of "Angels and Demons". We had a good house of 12 people, minus Kristi, who was having knee replacement surgery. (Later I heard all went well and she was in recovery.) We have one man in the group, recently baptized at GS, and now in BIC privately. His wife comes, too, a former member, the daughter of one of our current members. 

Lunch was at Longhorn, as expected, though we did miss last week due to the pastor's conference. I again had the small sirloin with green beans, eating every bit of it. The perfect lunch for me in size and flavor! Maybe I will have it again tomorrow when I meet my two lady friends from Rosewood, Robin C. and Betty. It's been far too long between visits!!!

              Betty and Robin in my river room

While I was enjoying my lunch with the ladies, Justin sent me a text message, asking me to stop at the garage where the yard sale will be. Jesse and he needed my advice on pricing some of the nicer pieces of furniture. Oh my goodness! I fell in love with a curio cabinet I have no room for but would absolutely LOVE to have. And a red sculpted edged bowl...There was a pie safe, much like my sister would buy, but I cannot tell if it's antique or a reproduction. No matter what, I can't imagine where I would put that curio cabinet, but yet.....

Last night I attended a jewelry show at my neighbor's unit. I did not need to drive or even use the elevator for this outing. I was not all dressed up but did wear my cute shoes which made up for my outfit. The hostess, Elizabeth, had several of her friends there, former neighbors of hers from Eagle Harbor. One lady used to work in my dentist's office and the consultant worked at the front desk of the sales office EH years ago. Small world! And one of her best friends, not at the party, is from Manitowoc. Win-win! Oh, I bought no jewelry either, just took the hostess' invitation at its word and enjoyed the company and snacks!