Some passing pictures

Cliff standing on the corporate ladder at church, painting the trim along the front, as the ground under him was being pressure washed. I considered having the washing done before the yard work was completed as to washing the kitchen table when all the dishes are still on it...

My sister, Kerry, sent me this picture of herself holding a giant chunk of ice on the shore of Lake Winnebago. Ice shoves were moving onto the land around the lake, being pushed along by the wind. She said it was incredible what she saw as she drove around the lake, wondering when people decide it's time to get out of their homes....

While Kerry is hauling off giant chunks of ice, I am enjoying the view from my window of this passing ship on the river. This is far larger than most vessels I see, probably had work done in the dry-dock in Green Cove Springs. 

The evening sun was setting and beautifully highlighted the palm trees as they blew in the wind

Just another gorgeous sunrise I don't mind sharing

Love the smell of citrus

Today was a scheduled work day at church to get the yard ready for Easter. We were allowed to make contributions toward the purchase of mulch and flowers. I did that since my yard work days are behind me, in more ways than one. I was going to let my checkbook do the work for me until an e-mail arrived yesterday informing the members that it was an inside and out work day. Oh, now that's different!

Justin told me last Sunday how awful the property looks and what a big difference Raymond and he could make if they had the chance to do so. I offered to buy some of their time if they could swing by to do some work during their already packed schedule. Justin said he'd look things over and get with Will to see what could be done.

Mike is saying, "Oh, Kimmie....." In the background is Renee, spreading mulch

He got back to me a few days ago saying they could do an hour's work on Thursday as their route took them that direction. One hour and they can do a whole lot, mostly grooming things, like edging and blowing. I am getting the 'discount' rate for charity, according to his boss. Nice! Mike S. and Justin talked about all this and are going to coordinate on what and where their attention will be needed. Mike S. does this for a living as well, so those two guys are a good team!

Since this was now supposedly an 'inside' day too, I went over with my spray bottle of multi-surface citrus Pledge with the goal of wiping off the hymnals and Bibles. My personal mission is to have no sticky handmarks on the covers. When I arrived, people were quite busy with weeding and mulching. I walked around and greeted everyone. Janet looked at me with my bags of stuff, and my Diet Coke. "You look so fresh, with your bottle of soda...You know where we want to put that bottle of soda?" (She is so earthy!) I laughed and said, "In the fridge?" She mocked me, saying I was a prima donna which prompted me to sing that song from "The Phantom of the Opera". She was not amused! I told her if she wanted me, to look in the church, but I wouldn't tell her what I was doing. No one else was there for 'inside' cleaning. Guess that was misprint or something.

Mostly I was alone in the sanctuary, listening to Sarah Brightman on my iPhone as I sprayed and polished. Pastor and Nathan, his son, were working on the MIDI and speakers for next Sunday's outdoor service, so I kept the volume down. At one point, Pastor thought it was me doing the singing. Now that's a compliment! 

Here find Janet, Ellen, and Judy working on the beds along the side of the church

After Pastor went outside it was just Nathan and me. I showed him the filth I was getting off the pew books and he was surprised to see how much build-up there is. It's been a few years since I've done this the last time (I do 'my' hymnal in 'my' pew as needed). 

At one point I could hear lots of voices in the breezeway but figured folks were taking a break. Pastor poked his head in and invited busy Nathan and me to join the rabble for lunch. I sat next to Janet to eat and she sneared at me, "You're still fresh..." and I said, "Minty fresh!" Such a girl she is! 

After lunch the crew got busy again, as did I, listening to some Leonard Cohen while I worked. Carol came in to do some altar stuff so we talked for a bit, me multi-tasking. But, before I got to the end of my project, I ran out of Pledge. Nuts! I have about three rows to go plus the scattered hymnals and Bibles so will have to pick up more citrus cleaner (should be minty!) and finish the task during the week. I am such a prima donna!

Breakfast Club coming to an end

This morning I walked over to The Club for breakfast, this time only Nancy W. and me. It seems things are winding down a bit as folks are gearing up for summer activites. The sun was just getting past the edge of the building and shined across the lawn, highlighting the bright yellow flowers which line the stream. I was struck by them and snapped a picture:

The buffet was set up in a different room this a.m. and offered ham rather than sausages with the bacon. Kathy, the continental breakfast hostess, is also the baker, and made a delightful coffee cake with cranberries and almonds in it. I complimented her on it and she said she tries to find different ways to jazz things up since the boss told her not to use icing anymore. Obviously, I am not her boss!

Nancy had a full day in front of her so we parted company around 10:00. The pool guys had been by and had the water so nicely cleaned up. When I got upstairs, I looked back at the pools and noticed a lovely layer of film on the surface---that confounded pollen! The porch rails are coated in it, waiting for Connie to get back from vacation to hose things off yet again. Can't wait 'til this is over and I can open my doors without coating my furniture in it!

Judy J. told me her grandson and family were coming for a visit, asking me if they can come by to see the manatees in the basin. Of course, they can! I'd love that. I called her to confirm the arrival date and such to make sure I was around that day, etc. She was chuckling about my excitement regarding their visit, and I told her I needed to know so I could do the dusting. Judy about fell of her chair! I told her my dining room table is so dusty, that when I laid something on it, I couldn't find it again.  She said she was having a bad day prior to my call and now she was laughing at my dusty furniture! You'd have to see it to believe it!

What you "Noah" won't hurt you

Today at Bible study, Pastor H. asked if any of us had seen the movie, "Noah". Most of us said we had not or would not, but one lady, Dawn, reported buying the ticket but ended up walking out. "I couldn't take it, I just couldn't take it..." she sighed. It wasn't even close to the Biblical account. The man who made the movie declared it would be as unbiblical as possible, and he was true to his word.

Pastor told us he did buy the ticket and stayed through the end, because he had to see what the hubbub was about. He took away several valuable things from it, including some of what the news articles and other reports indicated. One such thing was Noah's referring to the animals as the "innocents".  Supposedly Noah was to build the ark to save the animals rather than to save the remnant of believers from God's destruction. 

Pastor said the producers did very thoroughly picture the depravity of man, which is good, but sadly, that did not actually figure into the reason for the flood. The worship of the world and the animals is evident throughout the movie, which ties it into today. 

People love animals almost more than they do humans (picturing the infomercials for SPCA and other animal rescue stuff). The producers of the movie determined that God (or rather, Creator) was angry at man for killing and eating the animals, and depleting the earth of its resources, so he was sending the flood. This appeals to the animal folks and the environmentalists. "Gaia" worship rather than worship the True God who created it all! 

Those gathered for class talked about the animals on the ark, wondering how all those larger animals fit. Harold mentioned that they did not necessarily have to be full-grown ones, they could have been quite young when on the ark. Those we have no more among us might have died off after the flood, not being able to adapt to the change in the atmosphere and such post-flood. Lots of interesting discussion and speculation---I just love this class!

Pastor H. was glad he stayed through it, helping him get the perspective of the world and what's being thrown around out there. I still won't go see it but appreciated his take on it, and that of Dawn, before she walked out!

Love that Panda!

Justin and I just finished our dinner at this later hour (twice in one week!) which he picked up from Panda Express for us. After worship now, since our little choir is rehearsing, he runs over to Panda Express to pick up our dinner. He then comes back to church for me, usually timed about right for us to be done with rehearsal. Kristi said we'd be only about 20 minutes which works out fairly well for his trip over and back. Panda is located in the Target parking lot, close to the road for easy in and out.

Pastor H. was our guest preacher tonight and once more we heard a marvelous sermon. The theme tonight was about broken promises, with Pastor bringing up some of history's more well-known broken promises. Caesar being stabbed by his dear friend who promised he'd have his back, the famous 'read my lips--no new taxes' speech, and the one most everyone knows now: "if you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance..." Everyday we make promises to ourselves and to others and yet break them over and over. We were reminded how God keeps His promises, especially His sending a Savior for our sins. 

Behind Justin and I was seated Linda and her gentleman friend, Gordon. As we were being dismissed, I turned around to greet them and Linda complimented me on my smile. She said I am either so happy or up to something. Gordon found that quite amusing! When we greeted Pastor at the door, I heard Gordon, a non-member, tell him how much he got from that sermon. I like to hear this, very much! And just love that pastor!

I also 'love' the dinner rolls purchased this noon at Grumpy's. Nancy W. and I went over to have a bite, mostly because I was hungry for their delicious fries, and the rolls, of course. She was between projects so off we went. When we came back to her place, she showed me the swimming pool for her part of the property, hidden behind the bushes. Wow, it's so nice! They have a picnic area with a grille available, tables and chairs, picnic tables, very nice bathrooms, and a longer pool. She said she gets three more strokes in this pool than in The Club pool, but it is narrower, if that matters. She is quite a strong swimmer, like her father was. 

Bob, Bill, and Nancy M.

While we were out there, we heard a man holler that we were at the wrong pool---it was Bill, walking his dogs. Nancy's pool has a built-in thermometer in it, showing at 77 degrees. Bill would get in, I know he would, and it won't be long before Nancy W. dives in herself. They are both hardy folks!

Nancy's place is really taking shape, she is an amazing and innovative decorator. A couple of times we've talked about me borrowing her Roomba to see how I like it for vacuuming my floors. Justin is of the opinion that it would freak me out, moving around the house unescorted. Nancy said she sets hers free every time she leaves the house, and every day she empties the cup that collects the dust. She has no pets to put the blame on, either---just the what comes from the air and from feet, I guess. And the air conditioning.

Once I got back from Nancy's, I spotted Bob at the pool so I went out there to visit with him. He was telling me about his mother, about 92 years old, and quite forgetful. But she is not forgetful enough to put the guilt on her 70 year old son for putting her in a home. Or trying to, anyway. She now lives with Bob's sister and husband but they want to travel and such during retirement. Grandma doesn't want to go anymore, and can't be left alone so....Poor Bob would like to help out but is too far away and too old to do it. I felt so badly for him. Glad to lend an ear and enjoy the sunshine at the same time.

"Have a Kimmy Day"

Well, the storms didn't actually arrive until the wee hours of the morning, resulting in torrential rains falling in the area during the morning rush hour. Following Facebook, I read account upon account of slow moving traffic, overturned vehicles from hydroplaning, and basically a pain in the butt for those having to go to work in that weather. 

My son was NOT among those battling the weather and roads. His boss let him know early that today would be a washed out, so Justin posted a note for me on the microwave oven door letting me know. He had a feeling I'd come flying in to wake him up, thinking he'd overslept! He did manage to go back to sleep for a couple of hours after getting his call from the boss. Good for him, since he was still pooped from working all day Saturday and a long day (12 hours) on Monday. I guess he's tired!

When he got up, he came to my room to make some plans for the day. First order of business was going to Koko's for lunch. Sounds good to me! We also swung by Wal*Mart as a scrip was ready for me to pick up, and I also got a bag of Easter candy suitable to be stuffed in the plastic eggs for the hunt at church. It's a foreign type of candy, something from Sponge Bob, so neither of us is tempted to break that bag open. Hopefully kids like it, right?

We had a wonderful lunch at Koko's, Justin getting his favorite sushi to go with his meal. It was a bit early when we arrived, and I asked the owner, Tracy, if we were the first ones there. Nope, but there were other customers seated in the non-hibachi dining area. Tracy is the woman who told me once that I turned her face upside down. This time when we left the restaurant, she walked through and said, "Have a nice day...No, have a Kimmy Day!" Again Justin said to me, "...there's no living with you..." as he chuckled. He's just as bad as I am because people like to tell me what a nice boy he is and what a good job I've done with him. He, too, is insufferable--ha ha!

Whoo, what a busy day!

This morning was Bible study, our on-again/off-again class, now looking at how Christians deal with death and dying. I know the subject might not sound all that enjoyable but it actually is quite informative and allows for ready discussion. The fictional 'woman' whose illness we are following is Eunice, and she is presently facing the stage of depression. Next time we meet for class, sometime after Easter, she will hopefully be at acceptance. 

Only three of us ladies went to lunch afterward, with Betty, Judy, and I going to DQ for the $5 lunch special. More than I can eat, no matter what I order, including the drink and a small sundae. Nothing small about it, if you ask me! We had a most enjoyable meal and chat together before we parted company for a few hours before Ladies' Group tonight.

I stopped at Winn Dixie on the way home, plus picked up my completed tax packet. At WD I got some soda (we have less than 6 of the 12 packs left from our great purchase in March.) Don't like to get too low, like getting gas in the car before the gauge goes to 1/4 mark. WD had steaks on sale so I picked up two of them, plus some other items. One particular selection was a six-pack---not beer, but Russell Stover coconut eggs! Yum! 

As I stood looking down an aisle, deciding if I should move that way or not, a man from the meat department asked me if I was looking for something special. I told him I was listening to the birds on each shoulder, one saying 'yes!' to the ice cream aisle, and the other saying 'no' to it. He laughed and said he was sad I wasn't looking for something special because he was special. That he was! He showed me a 'good' buy on a Breyer's Lite vanilla that tastes as good as the real deal, he claimed, marked at half price. I took it as a favor to him (ahem, ahem).

Tonight was our Ladies' Group meeting, mentioned above. Justin came home from work exhausted and took a rest while I was gone. When I got home from the meeting, I was greeted with a dinner plate---roast beef shredded and my baked potato mashed, ready to go. Now, that's service! He had set the table already so all I needed to grab was some butter for the potato and the ketchup for my meat. Justin and I watched a sitcom while we ate, and then he retired to his room for the night. Storms are expected overnight and he hopes they are done by morning. Makes for a miserable day of yard work if it's raining!