Go Pack Go!

Justin and I are watching the Packer game, me coming in late due to a meeting at church. I came home from that meeting to a nice dinner---the home-made brats served with caramelized onions plus spatzel. Yum! Oh, my, so delicious!!! Eating the brats on the good Publix rolls really just makes it. 

                                 

The bad news is that Aaron Rodgers, the quarter back, is injured, apparently the shoulder on his non-throwing side. The second string QB is in (a name I do not recognize---don't remember him from pre-season games) and seems to be doing okay for a bench sitter. We shall see how the Bears do against them.

This morning was Bible study, continuing our look at fellowship. Today's class involved less give 'n take, but that is okay. It is good to move a bit more slowly through this somewhat complicated discussion. A couple of the ladies were absent so when it came time to go to lunch, we could decide to eat anywhere we wish! The group agreed to Ruby Tuesday and it was okay. I like the mini-Ruby burgers, and the other ladies enjoyed the salad bar.

It was as windy as blazes again and at one point, I thought I felt/heard something hit the building where I was seated. Then, a bit later, I could see cars veering around something in the street leading to the restaurants. It was a sign which advertised the salad bar, formerly in the flower bed of Ruby's. I told the waitress but the manager already spotted it lying it out there and was bringing it in. 

Justin took some video out the patio door of the wind's effect on the water and palm trees. It was just a roar, and lots of splashing. He spotted a pod of manatees passing between the building and the breakwater, including a baby one. The largest one looked almost like an island! Because the weather was grey, it was hard to see their dark bodies in the water but I tried:

                                

The baby manatee's nose is just about in the center of the photo

Reformation Service photos

This afternoon our church hosted the joint Reformation Festival service. After the service we enjoyed an amazing feast with the meats prepared by our Chefs Mike 'n Mike and our members bringing the side dishes and desserts. It might not have smelled like Fall around there but it did smell like smoked Boston butt!

From left is Michael Kelley as acolyte, Pastors Hoyer, Schleicher, and Kuske

We had special music presented by Rachel Huebner Cochran and Suzanne Chappell, both from Victory. Robert, our member, sang the psalm as our cantor. The service was composed of three devotions based upon the readings, with stanzas of "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" being sung in between the readings. Judy J. looked over her shoulder at me when we began, and fished a tissue from her purse in preparation for her coming flow. She and I weep at many of the same hymns, which I love about us. By the time we sang, "When He shall come with trumpet sound...", I was gone, Terri holding my hand. I got to return the favor for her when we sang, "In Christ Alone".

Gretchen and Terri wore red tops for Reformation!! This is Gretchen's favorite day of the church year and enjoyed it greatly.

My friend, Anne Hoyer, enjoying the bounty of the buffet. This year we made sure she got a brat because two years ago when we hosted, she was late getting into the Fellowship Hall and missed them completely. 

Before the service began, I introduced Anne to my friend, Ellen, who is wearing the purple sweater in this photo. She is the wife of Pastor Schleicher. We don't get to see each other very often but when we do, it's like we never parted. She saved me a seat across from her so we could talk. 

We met two years ago on the July 4th holiday weekend, as she was doing flowers for a wedding at The Club. Her husband was mission counselor for my pastor years ago in VA (small world!). Anyway, we made fast friends after meeting at church, with them coming over to my house in the afternoon for a visit. They moved here from TX in January of last year and love love love their congregation at Keystone Heights. It's too bad that Ellen and Anne didn't know each other yet, and I hope they do get to spend some time together again before next Reformation! 

This man on the left, Corey, serves in the Navy and is stationed at Kings' Bay, GA. He drives about an hour each way. When I saw him at worship in the morning, I was thinking he would not be there for the Reformation service. Sure enough, there he was! I asked him if he'd gone back up to GA, but he'd actually gone to the Mall to pass the time between worship and the Reformation Service. I was impressed! He took care of some Christmas shopping while he was at it. His family is not here with him as he has time at sea (submariner) so his wife, Ann, and three daughters are in New Ulm, MN. They knew our member, Sterling, from when they served together in Hawaii. Very cool!

Here is one of the Langley boys with some food on his plate. 

...and here is Cinderella (a.k.a. Sandy) working alone in the kitchen after she finished her meal. She wanted to get a jump on some of the clean up. Later the place was swamped with folks...it looks like a big kitchen until you get people in there!

A change in plans

We woke to rain this a.m.....heavy rain. Not the kind one can sleep through either, but rather, the kind that wakes one at 4:00 a.m. with their heart in their throat. It lasted for hours, varying in intensity, finally letting up about 10:00 a.m. Justin has been sleeping with his windows open and the sound of rain on the pavement outside is quite loud. It was about 6:30 when he came in my room, wondering if I was up. I  was.

He got busy in the kitchen a bit later and made bacon and pancakes for breakfast. I only had one pancake, large enough to nearly cover my plate. I do so enjoy being served breakfast in bed, "on belly", as we used to call it. On such a gloomy, rainy day, I saw no reason to get up!

I used the remaining bacon to crumble into my saurkraut, made for the Reformation dinner, slow cooking. I also added some pork to the dish for extra flavor, with a squirt or two of the pancake syrup. My secret ingredient. Someone in my house finds the smell of the kraut cooking quite offensive, but I like it.

Last night, after my plans had gotten changed, I got a call from Judy C. asking us to join them for dinner. She was picking up her friend from Moosehaven, and then Michael and she would find Justin and me at The Pasta Market. We did not have a good experience there, sad to report. 

First of all it was cold, with even Justin shivering. They had a large group being served for a rehearsal dinner, which occupied their staff and kitchen. The soup we ordered was not available so had to switch to one I didn't particularly care for. I ordered the meat pie, but then the waiter came back to report they only sell that at lunch time. I have had it for dinner in the past, but, okay....I'll have the calzone (which is just a larger meat pie...)

                         

Judy's friend ordered her spaghetti with angel hair pasta while Judy had the regular type. When the meals came out, they looked exactly the same. The sauce was quite runny, she could have asked for more pasta to use up the rest of the sauce but was full. Oh, well...Besides all that, there was a two-piece band, with three pieces, including two bongo drums. They were set up right behind us. Like Justin said, you know it's bad that when they stop between songs, you say, "Oh, good! They are taking a break"! If it wasn't so sad, it would have been comical. 

While we were there, I got a text message from our friend, Olivia, telling me she was at The Club and wanted to stop over. I told her I would let her know as soon as we got home, but then she sent me a text saying she was not feeling well. We made plans to meet for lunch on Sunday, which works well since we likely won't go to Chili's due to Reformation that afternoon. She said she has something to show me...A ring perhaps???

It's November already!

Today I did not have to jog to breakfast at The Club as I made sure I remembered plus sent myself e-mail reminders. After this, it will have become routine, but not in the boring sense, of course. Jeanne was already there when I arrived, and Pat came along soon. Maggie was the last to arrive, though I had been told that Mary Lew, the low-talker, was coming. I heard later she had shown up, found no one else around, so she left! She was scheduled for a meeting with Club owner, Karrie, and she was the one who saw Mary Lew driving off as she pulled in! "She just got confused..." was Karrie's explanation. She was calling Mary Lew to get her to come back so they could have their meeting.

Jeanne told me she bought her husband a book I recommended and had found a couple other things to get him for Christmas. I reminded her it was only November 1st, and she laughed. Jeanne likes to shop and looks for interesting things for her hubby. Last year he worked for a couple months on a 3-D puzzle of New York City. Now he wants it preserved, and I told her all about Great Hang Ups Gallery. I shall have to take her up there for a visit!

Maggie O. is presently appearing in a play at Atlantic Beach and I was invited to attend with my neighbor, Ellen. She was going to pick me up at 4:30 and deliver me home again afterward. I was so excited to see Maggie, and she was glad I was coming. BUT, then, Ellen sent me a message saying her back was giving her a fit and she was seeing the chiropractor, so our date is postponed to next week Friday. Nuts! The good news is that Pat might be interested in going too so the two of us can possibly share a ride over, so Ellen, who stays much of the time at her beach condo, won't have to come to get me. Of course, I can drive myself over there and back, too, which is an option.

The wait staff was busily taking down the breakfast buffet and turning the garden room around for a wedding, which was taking place at 11:30. Interesting! Only the reception, as far as I could see, as no chairs were set up out on veranda when I left. When they start rolling up the tablecloths around us, it's time to go. I am sad our breakfast and time together ends!

Justin was up and about when I got back, working on stuff in his room. I got busy in here at the desk, having carried up the mail from the week. Much of it went in the trash, but some of the catalogs are interesting to peruse. Just because I ordered that new air bed, the catalogs have been coming fast 'n furious, some which I have never seen before. Cooking and baking ones, mind you!

After I got the message from Ellen, freeing up my evening, I suggested to Justin that we go to eat somewhere for dinner. This was after I thought about asking friends over for dinner and a movie...can't make up my mind! Instead, I chose to make no plans for dinner except leftovers and we went to have lunch at Koko's instead. This works for me! 

The ladies at breakfast were talking about the good meat they got at Fleming Island Meats so Justin and I stopped there after lunch. I have told other folks about the place but have not been there myself in about 15 years. The reason why is likely two-fold: I don't cook all that much, and I like Publix! The proprietress is from Green Bay and makes her own sausage. Good stuff!

                              

We had the best visit with her, being the only shoppers at the time. We bought stuffed hot dogs, home-made brats, pork chops to make using Coke, and a large bag of spaetzel. She shared stories of her dad working on 'the chain gang' for the Packers before Lombardi even got there. She is the youngest of 16 children, this told us after we told her I wanted the spaetzel to serve at our Reformation dinner Sunday. I asked, "Catholic, right?", and she laughed, "Yes...."

She told us how when she goes to Green Bay for a visit, she can eat perch three times a day and I got so excited about that. I told her I can do that, too, if I can find a place that serves it every day. She talked about going to Kroll's (across from THE stadium) more than once each visit to get perch plus anywhere else she can find it, just like me! I told her how my mom asks me if I am not getting tired of it when I look for places to get my perch. 

After our nice chat, and we were settled up, she came out from around the counter with her arms extended for a hug. YES! Oh, the best part of our visit was, as we were checking out, she looked into my face and said, "You look so young, you look so young..." Since she had told me what year she was born, I thanked her for the compliment and told her I was two years younger than she. I also told her she needed some skin on her bones!!! That's my beauty secret---not so secret!

Happy Reformation Day

Happy Reformation Day, fellow Protestants!

Wednesday night Justin and I attended the Happy Hour/trivia night/Halloween event at The Club. Justin's meal was being paid for by our neighbors, but I intended on having something from the tapas menu, as usual. Well, there was no tapas menu offered, only the mini-buffet. Okay, I guess I'm in!  

Taken against the window (not a good idea) from left is Bob, who calls me 'the ambassador', Bill and his wife, Nancy, our newest friends at The Club

Things happened in rapid succession, with the dinner bell being rung and the game beginning almost simultaneously. We were obligated/commanded to sit at the table with our neighbors, but for the pre-game stuff, Justin and I sat with my other friends, Bill, Nancy, and Bob at the adjacent table. Everyone wanted Justin on their team!

From left is Betty, Justin, Orren, Arnie, Hugh, ?, and Patti. Betty, Hugh, and Patti live in The Palace with Justin and me.

The Chef came out with his video camera and posted the completed piece, complete with eerie music, on The Club's Facebook page. Justin and I show up in several places, as I work the room. I am not sure if non-Facebook users can view it but here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202629248840182&set=vb.275027634010&type=2&theater

At the end of the game, before the bonus question, our team was in first place but after all was said and done, we took 2nd. I guess I will have to purchase Justin's dinner myself the next time!

Playing the waiting game

The newsletter for church is ready to go except for the input from the preschool. The Director is going to get me something yet this afternoon, he said. Pastor let me know last night that he would not have time to give me anything so I will have to punt! I used to tell the folks if they don't submit something for the newsletter, I'll be forced to make stuff up!

Now back again, with the completed newsletter e-mailed. I am printing a few from my home printer for some ladies who have no computer but appreciate the full-color newsletter complete with photos and graphics. 

There was so much 'newsy' stuff to put in this time with our Reformation service coming up next Sunday, the time change this weekend, Veteran's Day in a couple of weeks, and then, already, ThanksLiving!

My friend, Linda, was telling me about a women's retreat next spring that sounds very interesting to me. While I normally go up in the summer, part of my time will be spent at a Worship Conference. Somehow I have to justify more plane fare for a third trip in one year. We shall see--perhaps my sister, Lynn, or even Judy R. would even join us!

I also have to keep in mind unexpected trips north. My Auntie Marie underwent emergency surgery last Saturday, having a perforated intestine. The Lord spared her life and got her through the surgery nicely, which is no small accomplishment for a 92 year old! 

My cousin, Barbie, Auntie Marie, me, and Justin a couple Christmases ago

This evening Justin and I are going to The Club for the trivia night. My neighbors, Hugh and Maureen, are treating Justin to dinner, a mini-buffet, as compensation for him helping us win the game last time! The folks in my group just love him, are so impressed with his knowledge. Hugh, in fact, wrote him a wonderful note, telling him how impressed he was with this mix of social graces and intellect unmatched in this day and age. That was only part of it, but it was---wow!!! Hugh talks him up anytime he is with business folks to help him find something more fitting for his "skill set", as Hugh put it. Yup, that's my boy!

Takin' care of business

Justin has the day off today, due to the change of the seasons. Lawns don't need weekly attention so now their focus is primarily the commercial properties and the other services they provide besides mowing. On the weekend, he suggested our plans for today which included breakfast. We ended up at Panera Bread where I took advantage of the baker's dozen deal for bagels. 13 bagels for $6.99, and they are enough to fill a person up to the brim!

From there we stopped at Great Hang Ups to pick up Justin's hug, now framed. We got to see the two ladies and they were happy to see Justin was with me. Dee stood behind Justin and held the artwork so he could spread his arms out---up close and personal! Julie put this photo up on the Facebook page for the shop and asked people to caption it.

We went Publix so Justin could run in to buy cream cheese (too expensive at Panera) and some flaky biscuits for our dinner. Then, over to CVS to take advantage of their Diet Coke sale. Only, the shelves were bare! The lady told us that the truck was due that day but likely we wouldn't come back later. I did find my first box of dark chocolate covered cherries, out for Christmas already. CVS is good for something, even if it isn't diet!

Another of the plans Justin made for us was to start packing up bins with items from the house to be donated to the Victory yard sale. I had to laugh as he walked around my house and my room, wondering what should go in the bin. Hey, wait just a minute! As a joke, when he was in my room, I acted like I was putting my "Phantom of the Opera" music boxes into the bin. There he drew the line...I did eliminate a few items which had been gathering dust, so I closed my eyes and put them in the bin. 

Speaking of cleaning out, I called my sister, Lynn, tonight upon seeing one of my Manty area friends with Packer tickets for sale. Immediately Lynn came to mind so I called to let her know. I was telling her about my bin filling and she mentioned going through her closet to sort things out. She is retired and needs fewer 'work outfits', though she said she is wearing some of her stuff for everyday now since there is no reason not to. I like to hear that after seeing people out and about in their pajamas too often! They have a resale shop which supports the Lutheran High School and certainly they can make use of her nice outfits.
*
Lately I have not been able to watch the Fox News Channel in my room as much as I'd like. The signal will fade or disappear entirely just when The Five begins or in the morning while watching Fox and Friends. I can watch in the living room, oddly enough. When I called Comcast to ask for service for this, I was informed that the package which comes with my building's basic plan does not include FNC! The man said I must have signal bleed through which allows me to get these other stations. Oops....

I said, "Thank you very much..." and got off line as quickly as possible. It seems the trouble ticket or whatever he initiated did not end my bleed through as I am still getting all my usual channels (whew!). I will suck it up and carry my little laptop to the living room for my chat with Linda during The Five. Oh, the inconveniences we have to put up with---indeed a First-World problem!!!