My birthday party

Yesterday was my 60th birthday celebration. The day began early with David, Dustin, and Justin heading off to the movie theater for the 9:00 a.m. showing of "Star Wars". They had all seen it at least once before, but....Oh, well, it's something I don't quite understand. I rousted Lori from the warmth of her bed to go have breakfast with me at Grumpy's and then we went to the Dollar Tree to get the decorations for the party. When we got home, Lori went to lie down for a while, having not slept well the night before. I was, of course, apprehensive about getting stuff ready to go in time but seemed to be alone in that concern. I'll jump ahead and let you know it did pull together and we entertained about 50 guests at my church in the Fellowship Hall. 

Here am I posing with my cake, made by my friend, Betty. The candles had blinking lights in them. What a delicious cake it was!

 As guest began to arrive, my sister, Lori, and her family were good about engaging them in conversation. Lori had nicely picked up a couple bags of cheese curds, one for the party and one for my friend, Ollavan, who is shown talking with Lori. Also shown is Dusty with Patty and her daughter, Katie. Seated see Jackie, OJ, Betty, and Judy C.

Thanks to Terri T. for taking pictures of the room, trying to catch as many guests as she could. She is just a doll for doing this, and for helping out in so many other ways!

Mike S., Justin and I sat down to eat with my friends Bill, Nancy M. and Nancy W. 

(Click the photo to see it larger) Justin took this photo of the room using my camera's panoramic feature. On the left side of the photo, foreground, see my neighbors Joe and Rose across from Dusty and Lori.  On the far side, left corner, see more neighbors, Debbie and Dick, and Tracy.

Thanks to Brenda for the idea of getting the four of us together for a photo! OJ made this lovely wreath we posed in front of: Robin C., me, Betty G., and Brenda N. The two on the right worked for/with me at Rosewood and Robin worked there after I was no longer involved. We've remained friends and look forward to get togethers as often as we can make it happen. 

Justin and I posed together as well (I wish I'd thought to remove his name tag first....)

As I was opening my presents, my friend and neighbor, Debbie came up to 'roast' me. Instead of insults, she said loving and kind things about me. I was so moved and deeply touched. I must spend the rest of the year living up to her accolades. Marlena is behind me, filling her plate. 

Happy New Year!

Boy, trying to find something to eat around here is not easy on a holiday!!  My houseguests like to sleep later in the morning than do I and knowing this, I didn't really plan much as regards breakfast. My brother-in-law, David, did get up earlier today thinking this morning was the day they were going to the movies for 9:00 am. Nope, that's tomorrow since we don't have near enough stuff to do already!!  He went back to bed for a while and then came out to enjoy a cup of coffee or two, refusing my offer of making some toast. He did have some orange juice as well. David is able to work from here so he did some of that before the rest of the family got up. 

Justin and Dustin are sharing his room, and I am not sure what time Justin got in last night. My family had gone to St. Augustine to enjoy the sights and watch the fireworks which was scheduled for midnight, obviously, but they came home instead of staying for them. It seems they were being launched from a site 5 miles away and since they'd been there all afternoon and evening, they decided to just head back. I was already in bed and sleeping and never heard them come in. NyQuil is good about that!  

Once the gang was all up and ready to go, we headed out in both cars to have late breakfast or lunch at Grumpy's. The bad news is---they were not open!  So, Plan B was to try La Napolera to have a nice lunch, but, alas, they also were closed. Nuts!!  Justin and I did notice that Sonny's BBQ was open so we grabbed it, not really an ideal choice, I thought, but I thought wrong!! They loved it, absolutely loved it, especially after I introduced them to corn nuggets. Good thing we ordered two appetizers of nuggets because they went quickly. All enjoyed their meals and Lori and Dusty particularly loved the freshly brewed coffee which was made just for them. Who drinks coffee at a bbq place???  

Once finished eating, Lori mentioned that Dusty wanted to see downtown JAX and asked if it was okay for them to do that. Absolutely it was fine to go exploring. As it happened, their good friend, Lynn, from their town, had flown to JAX on the very same flight (and will fly back together again, too!) as her son is part of the marching band that will play at the GatorBowl today. They were able to find each other in the crazy time which is The Landing, as the bands were taking turns marching around down there. I love it that they found each other, even for a little while. 

I took care of some preparations for the party tomorrow including setting a couple Jell-Os and made a double batch of baked beans. Justin loves Jell-O and it was made at his request. Of course, I've been fussing and fretting, worrying that all be ready to go for the party. So many details to take care of, timing of events for getting over to church and set up. I have lists, lists, and more lists for who does what and from where it comes, etc. Helps me to keep the ducks in a row to write it down---several times!  Because of their going to the movies (to see Star Wars yet again!!) I am concerned about the time element but oh well....

David suggested we order pizza for dinner and play a board game. Perfect idea! Justin has coupons for Papa John's Pizza, official pizza of the Jaguars. It would be only the three of us since Justin and Dusty were joining some others at Whitey's. At first there was talk of all of us going as one of Justin's favorite entertainers was playing, but I really didn't think it was a good idea for me to sit out in the cold and damp with this goofy head cold. Lori tried to persuade me until David came up with the idea of the pizza and games. I found the "Seinfeld" trivia game which I love playing and we just put the disc in and let the questions come up. Didn't use the board at all which is good since I never played it that way! The guys came home earlier than I expected, and answered a few questions with us. Fun fun fun!

The Schippers are quite taken with Public TV and radio, and tonight were thrilled that the season premier of "Sherlock" is on. I am fine with my laptop in the family room while they enjoyed their program. I think Justin is watching, too, while also on his device. They also like "Downton Abbey" which is PBS plus a another TV show called "Fargo" which others in my extended family enjoy. I know all about it now since I heard them talking about it at ThanksLiving when I was up in WI. A nice, quiet night before the flurry of activity tomorrow! And I rule the "Seinfeld" game!!

Waiting for my company

Right now I can barely keep my eyes opened but must, as the Schippers are due in tonight. I didn't sleep well last night, naturally, so am incredibly ready for bed right now. Justin is busy in his room and the guest room, making the last minute efforts to get all things in order for our houseguests. The day I went to David Chappell's swearing in ceremony Justin asked me to leave a list of things I wanted done before the company arrived on the 30th. He did one item on the list that day which was to wipe down the kitchen cabinets, top and bottom, and they look great. He told me the other stuff would be taken care of on the days he had off between Christmas and their arrival, and he did it, working up until the moment they pulled in! Well, almost, anyway. Not steady working, of course, but used all the calendar days. 

After getting home from dinner tonight, treated by Mike S. for my birthday, Justin and I worked together to make up the trundle bed and got the final touches to the room for Lori and David. His room was straightened away enough to allow for Dustin to stay on the air bed. Justin worked at sorting and organizing and moving things around, getting stuff ready for donation, etc. I wanted the bathroom scrubbed to within an inch of its life. Since I didn't go back and check, I shall assume it is very near that...I know, don't assume a thing!

I have come down with a cold, not a full-blown one, but an annoying stuffy head, which is apparently what affected my sleep. Part of the reason might be because I was excited about my company arriving and about all the stuff that needs to be done for the party...possibly just the head cold.  

At least the sniffles didn't prevent me from enjoying lunch with Judy C. at The Club today. Besides being my birthday, I had not met my monthly minimum purchases for December so it was a perfect way to do so. She had never been a guest in the dining room before which made it more special for her. As we walked over from my house, I met several folks who called out with birthday wishes, and I was so surprised they knew about it. Scott, the gardener? How did he know? The hostess, wait staff, bartender, an office lady who was in the restroom when I was??? 

When the waitress, Kristy, brought me my ticket, she also gave me an envelope. I was blown away! Inside was a birthday card with good wishes and signatures of all the staff members there that day (including the gardener!) and office people. Plus two certificates for free entrees on Happy Hour night and two drinks. I was blown away (oh, I said that already!). How nice of them! Marlena orchestrated all this, that little rascal...

Just got word that my family's plane has landed and they are getting their rental car. They should be here soon!!

Timmy's toy

This morning my former upstairs neighbor, Jessica, contacted me, asking if I wanted this toy back again. I had given it to her five years ago when they had two little boys, one an infant. She wondered if I wanted it back or if she should pass it on. After pondering only a moment, I told her she should pass it on, I didn't need it back. Yes, it had been Timmy's but, no, someone else's little one can have fun with this activity ball. I love it that of all the things Travis and Jessica have gotten for their now three children, that she remembered this came from me. Bless you, Jessica!

Christmas Day 2015

Justin and I decided to open our gifts before church this morning, not having enough time to do so last night between services. Justin purchased a Christmas stollen for our breakfast which we enjoyed as the unwrapping was underway.

My Christmas stollen, from Publix

I can always count on Justin to help me 'clean up' with products from Bath and Body Works! He knows I very much like the hand sanitizers, body wash, foaming hand products, and this year, body spray! One particular bottle has pictures of Tuscany on the label, with the contents being a lemoncello-scented soap. Gorgeous! 

Justin got me two cardigan-styled sweaters, his theme of gift giving is keeping his mama warm (just like my mom!). Here I am laughing as I modeled the burnt orange one, worn over my caftan which Justin says looks like Qadalfi. He had this sweater in mind for wearing at my desk as it gets cold sitting next to the windows in the winter. The fabric is so soft, feels cozy to the touch.  

When this present arrived via FedEx, he couldn't stand it and HAD to give it to me right away. This is a microwavable scented heat pad which wraps around the neck with moist heat. He said he got this for when my neck/shoulders get achy when I'm at my desk. The scent is quite soothing, as is the moist heat. It goes perfectly with the color of my new cardigan, too!

Among the items I got Justin for Christmas were a few things he had on his Amazon wish list. He is holding a Darth Vader bobble-head character which he will display on the shelf I got him for supporting/raising the height of his TV. He got to open the shelf early because when it arrived, he received the delivery and the picture of what was inside was printed on the box. Surprise ruined! Jesse helped get the TV up on it the other night when he ate dinner with us. I also got Justin deflectors for around the windows on his truck, three t-shirts and Packer shirt (Nelson's), socks for work, candy and nuts.

Justin had mentioned in passing that he didn't have a case for his shotgun so I got him one. I also had a picture of The River House framed for him (one for Jesse, too, as it's owned by his step-dad). We will hang it in the kitchen with the one of Whitey's, adding The Palace watercolor plus the new one of The River House from the water, all three painted by Beth Haizlip. Might need some help getting them hung because of it being an exterior wall, concrete block.

Another 'warm' item he got me was a pair of iGloves where some of the fingertips are made to allow for using the iPhone while wearing gloves. You can't quite make that out on the pointers and thumbs but I should be able to even type while wearing them. 

Here is one of Justin's t-shirts from our home town, also got him a red one. See our soda stockpile in the foyer?

I had the privilege and delight of seeing my friend, Kelly, who was down here from N. IL to see her son and his family. He is in the Navy, stationed at St. Mary's, GA. Her hubby and she wanted to worship on Christmas Day so came from the Southside where they were staying, to worship at GS. I am so glad they did, as I hadn't seen her in the flesh since Linda and I met Kelly in 2007 at the Women's Leadership Conference. Kelly walked up to our table and asked if she could join Linda's and my 'holy huddle'. We hit it off right then and there, and thanks to Facebook, have remained in touch. 

We had just over 20 folks in worship, with Lord's Supper served, with four of those being guests, including one couple from Victory. Since I am normally not here for Christmas services, it just really hit me how sad the attendance was for our candlelight service last night and our Festival this a.m. Before the service Justin and Michael went around and gathered up the expired luminaries from the night before, working up quite a sweat (in the 80's here!)

As Justin finished the ham, I began carrying stuff to the table in the dinette. We had two Jell-Os, cranberry sauces, salad, olives and pickles, rolls. and spiced apples.

As we ran out of space for our dishes Justin remarked, "We should have probably eaten at the big table..." On the far left see the iPad propped, ready to play "It's a Wonderful Life" for us as we ate. We had yams with marshmallow and pecans plus our wrapped ham and apple cider sauce. Yum!

Here is the ham after being sliced. The crescent dough could have baked a bit more but the exterior was nicely browned. The sauce really made it, though. Because we were so full after our meal, we waited to have our pumpkin pie later when we finished watching the movie. We needed an intermission to sleep off our heavy meal! It was a wonderful day, a quiet one, to go with our 'Wonderful Life'!

Christmas Eve

This morning Justin and I went to Publix to get some more soda and few other things for our meal tomorrow, and then stopped at Metro Diner for breakfast. I had not eaten breakfast there before, instead ordering a lunch instead. Today, I took the leap and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast meal!

Justin wishing to not pose for the photo as we await our food to arrive. He ordered only a chicken biscuit with our plan to have him help me with my meal. This was an excellent idea.

 My meal came with eggs and hashbrowns. I didn't try the eggs but Justin said they were good. I very much enjoyed about a fourth of the hashbrowns. See my former neighbor's name peeking out from under the plate (Travis Cummings, State Rep.)

This sausage gravy and biscuits was fantastic, almost as good as my friend, Judy's, gravy! I ate half and Justin finished them off. 

When Justin and I got home, we were met these wet vacs, now at rest after their workout yesterday. My heart aches for those who suffered damage and are displaced today. 

Just before Justin and I left for the first service of the night, the moon rose over the river

This is the first time I've seen the luminaries put out in front of our church and along the sidewalk. See Cliff carrying the bin after placing them along the street. This might be the last time it happens, though, since our Altar Guild lady who took care of this is leaving us. 

We had a good attendance for the Christmas service with children participation and our choir's involvement

Here are the children processing into church as the congregation sang. Justin is on the far right edge of the photo   

Zachary is doing a reading for the Christmas program

Justin and I were back to church for the 10:00 pm candlelight service. Since I am usually not here at this time year, I don't know how many people usually attend. Tonight we were blessed to have 7 people join us from Christ, Keystone Heights, which swelled our numbers to 24. Pastor plus two gentlemen, including Ryan, above, helped him read the passages which accompanied the Christmas hymns and carols.

Michael is taking a turn at doing some readings. He also served as acolyte and usher for the service. 

What a rough day!

It feels so good to be seated at my desk, where my chair has a lumbar support pad as part of it. Yesterday my back was doing fairly well, but today, it took a beating. 

I went to meet my friend, Brenda, for our Christmas lunch which is usually something we do before I leave for WI. Since I am staying here, we went today. We had excellent service and she treated me to a milk shake to go. Our time goes by quickly but she needs to get back to work. After lunch I stopped at Winn Dixie to get some vegetables (yes, you read that right!) because Justin and I were having company for dinner and I wanted to impress Jesse. Baby carrots and green beans, each a buck a package is too good to pass up!  I also got a strawberry rhubarb pie to serve for dessert, with vanilla ice cream to top it off. 

We'd gotten notice that the A/C units had to be shut off due to repairs being made this afternoon. As soon as I got home, Connie called to tell me to send out a notice to the Owners and residents to turn their A/C back on. I did that. Just a few minutes later I got a frantic call from Connie informing me that there was a flood in a 4th floor unit and the water had to be shut off again. Then she called to have me send out notices for help with the clean up. Four floors were affected. Here we go again!!

I sent off the notices and then took off for upstairs with towels in hand. I have no mop, only use a Swiffer, which isn't much good with inch deep standing water. I did my best to help Ellen who was absolutely frantic. Others were there to help with the towels and to try to move stuff out of the way of the water. I took control of the phone calls that needed to be made to the insurance carrier and the water remediation folks. She was in no state and I was glad to be able to help her out this way. Her housemate came home from work and he was a calming influence for her. 

The water folks showed up and the A/C repair guy was on site at Ellen's. Justin came home after having been to the movies and immediately got busy helping folks below Ellen. Hauling, moving, securing things, etc. Every one dripping wet from sweat because it was a hot day. My shoes and jeans bottoms were wet from walking in water upstairs. We brought some of our 3rd floor neighbor's special items here for safe keeping, so glad to be able to do that little bit to help, and give them peace of mind. They are renters and their landlord is putting them up at the hotel on the property for the time being. 

Once everyone was taken care of, I grabbed my wet towels (quite heavy!) and took them to my unit, leaving them outside my door. Justin later put them over the rail to drip some more. The lady in charge of maintenance said it was okay to leave them out overnight but I am sure by morning we should take them down. Many railings on our building had towels drying over them!!! Bet it looks pretty right now....not!

Justin wondered if we should cancel our dinner plans but after a short rest, I was able to get the scalloped potatoes and ham put together. Justin cut up the onion and ham, while I did the potato slicing. I had the casserole almost entirely put together when I realized I'd forgotten to add the ham! What? Justin's big idea was to transfer the whole works to a lasagna pan and layer it with the ham. That did the trick, and took less time to bake. I'll store that in my mind for next time. We had a salad with our meal plus steamed carrots with a honey glaze sauce. In the midst of our chaos, a wonderful meal was prepared and served. Oh, my aching back!!!  Good night!