A crazy busy month

I guess it's not a crazy busy month but more like the next couple of weeks. Dee invited me to attend an art reception at the Thrasher-Horne Center celebrating the local artists represented in the gallery over the past 25 years. Dee Roberts was one of those artists who had an entire show of her work, so she asked me to be part of her "plus two" group. It is an honor to be part of this event, with her. She is taking her little group to dinner at Koko's afterward and then to her house for dessert. I look forward to this tonight!

My friends, Hal and Rosalie, are coming to town next week and will be staying two nights with us. Their daughter is treating them to the Daytona 500 which is next weekend. They are flying into Orlando, driving up here to visit, and then driving down to Daytona on Saturday morning. They have a couple requests on their list of things to do: see Joe Z. and eat at Grumpy's!! Cool beans! I am having some people over on Friday afternoon to spend time with them, as I did a couple years ago when they were in town. Mainly they want to see Joe, and the rest will be icing on the cake.

Saturday morning, they are leaving here and I will be going to Park Avenue Bistro (formerly Honey B's which was owned by former owners of The Sister's Tea Room). Park Avenue is owned by the former owners of David's Restaurant, which is now Grumpy's. Get it??? I ate lunch there with Kathy H. on Wednesday and it was good. I hope the church ladies are all satisfied with their meals and such, as many of them will remember how David's was known for its salad plate. That starts at 11:00 a.m. 

THEN, from there, I am heading to Baymeadows area for a going away party for our friends who are moving back to Green Bay after 2 1/2 years in Jax. Suzanne just lost her mother this week, too, who was in Hospice care in Green Bay. I have not heard that the party is cancelled yet, as details are pending. I had offered to bring fruit on a stick to the party but then realized that it would be tight making it from one event to the other in time to get my fruit there, if they were eating right away. Rita, who is in charge and hostess for the party, told me to not worry about my fruit, just come to the party when I can, because Wayne and Suzanne want me there, not necessarily my fruit!

The next day, Sunday, is the anniversary of the first service at Victory. Justin and I were there for the first service as was my mom, former spouse who also ushered, and Timmy. I remember there being wheels on the chairs in the room in which we worshiped at UNF, and nothing says 'church' like a kid on wheels! Anyway, we are going for the worship and the meal afterward, being catered by Maggiano's Italian Restaurant. 

During the week I have a Republican Women's Meeting at The Club, a luncheon meeting. Then, on Friday, Justin and I are invited to a surprise birthday party for Nancy M. Her hubby, Bill, asked me to contact a few people to go to Koko's. One couple he asked me to invite are not able to make it so I will ask him if he would like me to invite someone else. Nancy W. and Bob will be there, too. There is only room for two more people at the hibachi table so he might be okay with just the six of us. I am so glad they like the place, as we dined there within the month for Bob's birthday and they loved it. Justin and I ate dinner there on Monday night, and I am going again tonight with Dee and Julia, which means I must love it, too!

March begins a flurry of activity as well with the Martin Luther College choir coming to sing at Christ the King, in Palm Coast. Judy C. and I are going for sure, and I am not sure who else is interested in attending. Guess I will drive for that event. The LWMS Spring Rally being held in Gainesville on the 8th. Judy is driving to that and it looks like we might have a nice size group going. 

On the 10th of March I am flying up to WI yet again to attend a women's retreat with Linda in Oshkosh. Two years ago we watched the recorded sessions of this retreat where Prof. Deutschlander presented on his book "The Theology of the Cross". We sat in Linda's living room with the laptop playing the session. Linda and I found ourselves making the exact same sounds at the same places as the ladies in the room, which was so funny to us. When she heard he was coming back this year, and told me, we just had to go! 

I will be in Manitowoc/Oshkosh for two weeks this time, a shorter visit, as I am returning in July at attend the Worship Conference. Judy C. will be accompanying me, or I her, to the Worship Conference, and we will likely travel together. My guess is we fly into Chicago and get transportation from there, or perhaps even to MKE. I will ask around to see if someone from Manty can give me a ride home to Manitowoc when the time comes. Much like I did in 2011 when the Conference was held in MN. I got a ride to Judy R.'s house in Winona and then my sister, Lori, who lived just across the river, came to pick me up!!

But, that is July, and I have time before then. I will have to rest up after my busy end of the month of February, and brace myself for traveling to frigid WI yet again. At least Mom's house is cozy warm and I will get to see her and my peeps again. My sister, Lori, mentioned she might come over to Manty when I am there,which will be awesome. Mom is still eating some of the meals I froze during my last visit, so I can make some more stuff when visiting in March. I will have to come up with some new recipes, though Mom really liked the stuff I made this last time. Perhaps that pork tenderloin Justin made for us this week would be good, but so good, we might eat it up right away!

A welcome change

A day that began cold and damp ended up being rather pleasant, at least inside it was. This morning I left home about 10:15  to catch my ride to a political meeting being held downtown. A lady who will become a friend offered a ride to me since I was/am reluctant to drive around the area where the meeting is being held. I must be getting old or something---I don't trust my abilities to navigate the twists and turns of the south riverbank. I just don't like it!

My driver, whom I will call Francis, lives on the property and I made it easier for her to find me by walking over to The Club. She said to look for her brown Oldsmobile (ahem, it was a Chevrolet!). I was at first concerned but found I need not be, as she monthly makes this trip to attend the meeting of this group, belonging to both Clay and Duval Federations. At the registration table, four ladies were in place to get us signed in and paid for. As this one lady searched her sheets for my name, another from the end of the table called out to me. When I looked up, surprised, she said, "See? I told you I'd remember you!"  I had met her at Orien's funeral reception and she had arranged my reservation.

We got there early and found a place to sit, using a banquet room double what they usually use. Before I left, Justin encouraged me to take a can of soda along in my purse, "just in case", and I am so glad I did. A nice waiter brought me a glass with ice in it so I didn't deface the beautifully dressed table with my soda can. The meetings held at The Club allow me to have Diet Coke (membership has its privileges!) but this place, being a hotel, did not offer alternatives to the water, coffee, and iced tea. 

The speakers were the big draw for this meeting, attracting many more people than a normal meeting. Unfortunately, the speakers were stuck in Philadelphia, having had three flights cancelled on them, no one willing to rent them a car (fear of having them banged up or abandoned on the freeways), and no train service to get them to FL. 

The good news was that they were able to send their slide presentation and notes via the Internet. There was a man in the group who has written extensively on this subject as well ("What Really Happened in Benghazi" was the subject matter) who stepped up to read their notes, pronounce the difficult names and cities, and offer his insights into the discussion. 

While I tried to absorb as much information as was presented, it was a struggle to soak it all in. I would have loved to have some handouts but that was not provided to us. Several people running for office from our area were there, many of whom were retired military folks, and to a person spoke of the mixture of emotions that flowed when listening to this presentation. 

The woman that I am helping to get signatures for, Glo Smith, was there, and even remembered me from the meeting where she spoke at our group last month. How cool is that? When introduced, she nearly got a standing ovation as she is going head to head against a very difficult incumbant who really needs to go! 

My driver, Francis, was quite an interesting lady. She had served years ago in the State legislature in the same seat that Travis now occupies. She is no stranger to the sausage-making in politics, and has a long history in the political arena. The woman who was originally to give me a ride, Judy, said that this lady would be a delight to get to know, and she was right! I love getting acquainted with more of my neighbors, even though they are on the "other" side of the property!  And, we drove home in the sunshine, which was most, most welcome!

Well fed

A couple of weeks ago I saw a recipe online for what looked like a marvelous way to make a pork tenderloin. I sent the recipe to Justin for his reference and he decided to make it for dinner tonight. He asked me to make escalloped potatoes which I did, and added cheese to them for good measure. After he got home from work this afternoon, he showered and then went over to Winn Dixie to get the pork. He came back with a wonderful pork butt at a great price (tempted to go back over to get some more!) and some steaks, which were on sale for St. Valentine's Day. Nice!

The recipe called for red wine so got that as well, and used our Pampered Chef apple slicer to make his onion petals. Very clever idea, if I do say so myself! He still cried while cutting them up, but when I cut up onions for the potatoes, they didn't bother me at all. Marlena came into the kitchen and saw me cutting up potatoes, and stopped dead in her tracks. Something she has never seen before was me at the counter, preparing food! 

Because I had a building committee meeting at church tonight, we knew we would eating much later than usual, which was fine for the pork. He used the slow cooker roaster but in the oven. The base for the original slow cooker has ceased working but it's nice to have an extra casserole for just such occasions. The house smelled great when I came in after the meeting. All things were ready for me to just sit down at the table and eat!

 This is the pork roast, prepared with red wine and onion petals

The escalloped potatoes with cheese over the top

Oh, good! More rain!

Wakening once again to falling rain. I know it could be worse, we could be shoveling or having to scrape our windows, but really, this rain and gloomy skies and cold is getting to be too much!  Or, just enough. It's hard to believe that areas of the nation are experiencing a serious drought while others are in the throes of terrible winter weather including ice and snow. 

One of my friends from Victory who moved to SC a year or so ago spent nearly 8 hours without electricity, which also means heat. Her co-workers were coming to the hospital where they are on staff to shower in order to be ready to go to work. Some people have been without power for a couple of days already, just miserable. And I am murmuring because it's cold and rainy outside while I am warm and snug inside. But my boy has to work out in this junk and I feel badly for him.

           

It seems we are never short of anything to murmur about and don't take the time to consider the suffering others are actually enduring. I was grumbling to my friend about my dusting lady, scheduled first to come on Monday afternoon, then changed it to today, and now changed to tomorrow. I can set my watch by her not keeping her appointed scheduled. She seems to be do okay at her regular job but the side jobs, not so much. She has the sizable task of dusting in my room, which includes use of a ladder and dusting tools. She is lithe and spry, even though she is older than am I. It's been a while since this room was tackled and when I see cobwebs between my frames, it's time to call in Lithe and Spry!!

An off day

My entire day is thrown off because we didn't have Bible study this a.m. In the summer I know what to do with the 'free' time in the schedule but in the winter, I am at a loss! Somehow I did use the time but not the way I wished to. Justin asked me to do a favor for him and take a package to the Mailbox Store for him, so I did that. While there I got several books of stamps (no rolls available) plus sent a little something to my sister in Oshkosh. After I got the price for mailing this rather insignificant present to her, I'd have been better off waiting to just hand it to her in person next month when I am there! Wow, postage!!!

While I was out and about, I was able to take advantage of the 'special' deal at McDonald's for Mondays. Three days a week they are running deals with today's being buy one, get one for Big Macs and/or Quarter Pounders with Cheese. I was able to mix and match, taking one of each! Something else is bo/go on Wednesdays and then on Friday is bo/go for the Filet O'Fish sandwiches, which I really like. We shall see if I take advantage of that deal.

Instead of having Longhorn or Dairy Queen for lunch, my usual Monday fare, I had a Big Mac for my lunch. Such a mess! I had lettuce all over my desk, as hard as I tried to keep it under control. It's a tasty treat every now and again. I left the other sandwich for Justin if he wishes to have it another time. Or, for my lunch tomorrow! 

When he came home, I had just gotten seated at my desk, in the dark and watching Fox News. He pulled my doors open and waved a menu from Ming Moon at me. Since I had been feeling rather dreary all day, that did not really appeal to me, but when he suggested we go to Koko's instead, I was suddenly sprung to life! We went Dutch treat as he likes to order sushi alongside his meal, and we bring our bountiful leftovers home. For me, it could be a couple more meals, but he can tackle his leftovers for breakfast!  

We sat with a family of 5, celebrating one of the sons getting his driver's license. Justin was not impressed with the dad, being more observant of behavior than I was. He found him grumpy and domineering, especially to one son. It turned out the two boys were twins but only one of the got the license. It is interesting to share a table and a meal with strangers, to watch the dynamics (I do pay attention sometimes). At one point four of the five in their group had their phones out, but not for very long. I know phones have more than one purpose than making calls and do my own "check ins" when I get somewhere, but don't use the phone in lieu of conversation. 

So, anyway, we had a nice meal and then came home. Both of us were tired, each still at battle with the head colds and coughs. I had napped in the afternoon which made me feel fuzzy headed the rest of the day. Going to bed early was not a punishment for me!

Advent photos

Today my friend, Ed, downloaded all the photos taken two months ago at Victory's Ladies' Advent Service. The young lady who was the photographer ran into problems downloading so Ed helped her out. Interestingly, I ran into a similar problem this past week and even had Justin pick up a new card reader for me, before getting my old one to work. Must be something in the air!

Here am I seated next to my table hostess, Erica. At the end of the table is Cathy F. with whom I sat several years ago at another Ladies' Advent Service! I had Diet Coke in my glass while the others had water or tea.

Here is a fuzzy photograph of Lucy H. and me at the table, with Stephanie standing behind me at the coffee center. Lucy just loves "my son" as she always refers to him.

Erica and Stephanie posing together

Friday night Nancy W. had another friend and I over for dinner, and I just loved her placemats and glassware! 

I am a menace!

At least my jewelry is...oh, my goodness! I told Linda the other day how I am snagging my new comforter and throw pillows repeatedly with my rings and bracelets. In the three weeks since I've had the comforter on the bed I have already had to use my nail clippers to snip off the longer threads. How sad this is, my nice comforter being shredded every time I move my hands!

I guess if I simply used the laptop which is on my desk this wouldn't happen, but since I am half the time in or on my bed, snagging it is! The clasp on my necklace catches on the pillow used to prop my head up when I incline (or my head goes between the bars on the headboard---not good!). If you recall the time I had my skin tags and beauty marks removed at the doctor, that no matter who tried---me, Justin, the nurse, or the doctor---could not get the clasp open on the necklace. It had too much thread from my pillows wrapped around it, impossible to free it. That is, until I got to the dentist the day after and Yvonne, the dental assistant, would not rest until she got the threads snipped and pulled off. She then cleaned the necklace in the sterilization equipment! Now, I am loading the clasp all up again.