surrounded by love, always

Merry Christmas to all, whether physically present or far, far away on a different plane of existence.

Reverend Billy and his family greeted the congregation in their pajamas this morning.

Not in person, as it was below freezing outside.

I hope they might have recorded that youTube session some other, warmer, day.

Surely the church was too cold for that new grandbaby to be there.

The weather is certainly too cold for my warm heart for me to be out in it.

That's why I called Smitty and Mary a few moments ago to let them know I would not be there.

But I'm not alone...

this rainbow heart assures me of that.

That shimmering sign of love made me look around my home with new eyes.

 

The bird of paradise painting was a gift from Auntie Arlene and Uncle Larry, as that was the flower I held when I married Jeff.

That spray of silver coral?

That's all that remains of that bouquet, but both items remind me of love and friendship.

The carp tote bag was a gift from Paul and Cathy from a Christmas several years ago.

The smaller wooden fish on the stand (from Panama) were gifts from Mother Pat.

The others were accumulated on trips to Saint Augustine and other vacations, to mark happy times.

This painting of the bridge in Florence was from my Italian adventure with nursing students, in 2012.

The framed certificate leaning against the wall is from my own students, who had branded me as a "Woman of Worth".

 

The book of Elvis post-its was a gift from the physicist, years ago. Last year, I used the ones of Elvis in his white jumpsuit to dance along my kitchen cabinet as my "events secretary".

And that little jade teapot beside the brass unicorn from Taiwan? That teapot was bought for Mama on a trip to San Francisco in October of 2000. I'm glad my stepdad wanted me to have it back after she died a few months later.

More love is in that third corner of the dining room, starting with those branches of cherry blossoms given to me by Art and Beau in Okinawa.

Elvis the Gnome and Bear Elvis were both gifts from my youngest brother and his wife.

The ceramic Santa napkin ring was made by Mama and given to me by her sister, my Aunt Linda.

The two Santa candlestick holders are part of a foursome, gifts from Smitty and Mary many years ago; they brighten my house every Christmas.

The artwork hanging on the door of my china cupboard was a gift from my first niece for my bday64 this year.

Then there is this Wall of Love.

 

The painting of Wormsloe Plantation is from my stepsister, Susan, as a wedding gift. It will stay, but the cards will all go after the new year begins.

 

These were all sent to me this year, cards of well wishes and birthday wishes and thank-you notes.

Christina sent the thank-you card with the crafted dream catcher on the front (after her spring break in Virginia).

Amy created her three cards by hand - one for my birthday, one for health, another for Halloween.

Aunt Linda made a card of well wishes in her crafts class at her senior center.

Dawn drew little smiley faces on the bandaids on the front of her "get-well" card.

 

My dining room is absolutely filled with love.

I am so very blessed.

i thank You, God.

thanks for all the fish

That should be "thanks for all the shrimp", but then there wouldn't have been the reference to Douglas Adams' fourth book of the "trilogy" of "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy".

Perhaps I should read those again some time... but not today.

Today was spent getting ready for the brutally cold weather on its way.

I had gone to the store for milk and breakfast supplies yesterday.

This morning, I washed dishes and took out the trash and recycling.

Then I unhooked the hose in the back yard and started a slow drip.

About that time, I was wondering what to do for lunch...

and my blue-sky cousin Penny came to my rescue!

She and Steve sent me a "Happy" gift card that included three restaurants here.

Buffalo Wild Wings... no, that didn't do it for me.

Outback... well, that was farther than I wanted to go and between two malls.

I certainly wanted to avoid that path, this close to Christmas.

That made Red Lobster the winner.

No, correction: that made me the winner!

The gift card was the perfect amount for a Create Your Own Holiday Trio.

Yes, please!

So, I ordered online, with me to pick it up at 2:45 PM.

I was there early, but that allowed a bit of a rest and conversation with the lobster man.

The smiling manager brought my meal and thanked me, then I was on my way to the cinema to pick up an order of popcorn for movies at home.

That was free, as I'd done a survey and the treat was my reward.
So, I drove home, with the smells of popcorn and Cheddar Bay biscuits tempting me!

The popcorn went into the tub, lid on, then it was lunch time!

The biscuits were part of that, too.

As the main course magic act, I turned the Caesar Salad side dish into a fabulous meal by topping it with the Grilled Scallops -

ah, que bella!

It was also just what the doctor would have ordered to make me feel loved and hugged from afar.

Tonight, I had the second meal from that CYO Holiday Trio.

The Grilled Shrimp Skewer came atop a bed of rice, as it had before.

I scraped out every grain from the carryout container, then heated it with the side of Broccoli.

Then I added a touch of my own: the slices of four mandarin oranges!

Isn't it lovely?

Too bad its fragrance cannot be transmitted through the ether, but I know techs are working on that.

Tomorrow, I'll dine on the third entree, Shrimp Scampi, and I'll make some pasta to bed it upon.

How wonderful to have had these meals gifted to me!

Thank you, Penny, I can feel your big hugs comforting me right now!

(smile!)

22 december 2022

This day has been a hard one.

My stepmom, Bonnie, sent a long text earlier this afternoon.

She told me Merritt and Conner really liked the fish ornaments.

(I had bought them at the museum store at the Jepson. 

As both of the boys love to go fishing, I thought those were perfect for them, as well as quite unusual.

The bigger one, with the white-tipped snout, is Merritt's, while the sleek and shorter one is Conner's.

Aubree, my niece, got the girly one in glasses.)

Bonnie then talked about the weather before getting to the news.

Bobbi had died.

She was the mother of both boys.

Like my brother Ronnie, she was involved with drugs and alcohol too much.

She was in jail again and was being moved on Tuesday from one facility to another when she suddenly went into cardiac arrest and died.

Bobbi was only 37 years old.

Her memorial service will be in Waycross next Thursday.

I'm holding on to those memories of her when she was younger, playing with her two young sons, helping Bonnie care for Daddy.

Then, this evening, I had a missed phone call from Lauri, down in Florida.

I had fears that it was about her Mom, but it wasn't.

It was about Christa.

She and her little dog were off to New York to visit the parents for the holidays, per usual.

However, a flight delay ended with her staying in a hotel in Philadelphia, courtesy of the airlines.

So far, so good.

But Christa never made the flight the next morning.

Her folks, unable to reach her, had called the airlines, checking to see if she had been on a later flight, asking about where she might be.

They were finally put in touch with the hotel staff, who were grateful to have family to talk to about the young woman who had not responded to a wake-up call and had been found dead.

Christa was only 45 years old.

 

I was on the phone with Lauri for over an hour.

We eventually got past the tears and into good memories and signed off.

She had already spoken to mi amigas, so that is done.

I'm going to make a bowl of soup for dinner and watch the last two "Ghosts" four-pack of fan favorites on the telly.

Then I'll watch "The Unnatural" on "The X-Files" and have a good cry.

I just can't believe these two women are gone.

new groove this winter!

"What you talkin' 'bout, g'friend?"

You know I like to read sometimes with my breakfast, right? Instead of watching games shows or an episode of "Psych" in the dining room?

"Yeah, I remember that you take the Smithsonian or AARP with you into the sunroom on occasion, to have a bit of a change."

Well, I'm still doing that! Even with the temperatures dropping!

"Your Weather Song image is missing the dates."

Yes, it is. Those silly saps at WJCL put their banner over the dates when I took that screenshot. Still, as I just took that, I can tell you the first day is today. Tomorrow has a slight rise in the high, but it's still going to be in the 50's. But Friday is when it all goes to hell in a hand basket, so to speak. It's going to be one of those days when the temperature drops all day long. Notice it will be in the teens that night! Ack! Then Christmas Eve is going to be below 40 all day and all night, so I'm not attending the service at Asbury Memorial. Well, not in person. Christmas is to be as cold and miserable as it was last year, but at least the skies will be sunny.

"Ack."

Indeed.

"So, why haven't you blocked off the sunroom yet?"

Well, I put plastic over the windows in there, and that really helped. However, that metal back door just radiates the cold... brrr! I really noticed that during breakfast today in that sunny yellow room with all the light from the windows. However, I knew the window plastic was not large enough to cover the door. What to do, what to do??? Ah, ha! I still had a sparkly, clear, plastic tablecloth in the linen closet! Using the double-sided tape, I had that installed in about forty minutes... and, I swear I can already feel the difference!

"Yeah, that sounds psychosomatic to me, dear. Then again, seeing is believing. You'll know if the heater in the kitchen gets to work a bit less hard at maintaining the house temperature."

I'll take that challenge! I have it set for 66 F, so I'll let you know what it reads on Friday night, or maybe Saturday morning. Oh, so good to be warmer!

happy bday58, jeff the ex!

This is how it started out: two Savannah Sand Gnats ball caps that had been in the "gift closet" for better than... well, years, right?

I was determined to mine that space for presents this year, rather than have things already bought languish until some other occasion.

So, I'd snapped a pic and asked if he was interested.

Sure, he was!

Those held meaning for him, given that he was the Voice of the Sand Gnats at the baseball stadium for more than half their MLB years in this seaport.

Very well, then!

Since I would be sending those along to him, what else might I pack with them?

Well, how about a Sand Gnats koozie? Sure it was a little aged, but no one else would have one!

I had a couple of the regular koozies, too, even a pink one for Amy - sweet!

Then there was that silver travel mug with Gnick the Gnat on it... oh, and a towel with him, too... and how about some plastic souvenir cups?

Then I found the glasses, three of them: the Detroit Red Wings; the beer glass for the 10-year anniversary of the Sand Gnats; and the one commemorating the Beer Guy, Frank Dinan.

Whatever were those still doing in my kitchen???

Who knows.

Somehow, they'd ended up shoved to the back of the top shelf, a place I cannot reach without a stepladder.

I was sure he'd like to have them, as a talking point at parties if naught else.

The trick was how to let them travel to Michigan without them being reduced to shards?

I stumbled upon the answer while trying to save space in the box: the glasses fit perfectly into the plastic cups.

Perfectly.

It's like he was meant to have them!

Okay, okay, what else?

Sand Gnats magnets that I made!

A bottle opener with the Beer Guy!

There was even a Christmas card from the Sand Gnats!

A chef hat tree ornament!

A napkin from the Bill Murray restaurant in Florida!

Then there were more serious items.

A photo book from the trip to Tennessee in '93 for his stepdad's funeral.

That's cousin David and Jeff sitting, with David's ex-wife Angela standing to the side.

She died two months ago.

Christmas cards from his Mom, his cousin David, his cousin Brian, his Auntie Arlene - all of them treasures now that those dear ones had died.

Well, that's how I think of such cards.

And what else?

Oh, yes, the cassette with the tribute to Don Scott.

I included the notes I had made while listening to it.

He died from COVID in October of 2021.

One of the local bars held a 9-hour tribute to him for all his charity work in the community.

As I told Jeff, those notes were from my second time of listening to the cassette that I made of the live radio broadcast on I-95, a memorial that went on for almost 90 minutes.

That was the station where Don had been the afternoon drive-time DJ for years.

Now, the only place to hear his voice is on his youTube channel.

Jeff said Bob is the one who put an end to the nickname "Dammit Don" at the office.

Good for Bob!

I'm so glad Jeff had saved opening the box for his birthday today!

I'm glad he thought to text me as he unpacked it...

and I'm glad I was able to call and speak to him as he went through all the unwrapped "gifts".

"Gifts" is certainly my intent of the contents.

I know it perhaps seems like I just threw together some items from around the house... which is partly true...

but I included a lot of heart, too, in those choices.

That includes all the time spent gathering these mementos together, adding personalized treats like the magnets I crafted, as well as the cassette with notes of all those in the radio biz who'd spoken on the memorial broadcast.

I included a birthday card, too, of course, with a tree being planted to mark his 58th trip around the sun.

That was something "new" for him.

Happy birthday, dear!

(smile!)

The postage was a monetary gift, too, for both the box to him and the separate Christmas package to Amy.

My thanks to the U.S. Post Office for getting both there on time... and unbroken!

Hooray!!

saying goodbye 2 dee arrrgh eye

No kidding.

After 21 years, I'm done.

And, now that Hilton Grand Vacations has truly taken over after their merger with Diamond Resorts International, I'm going to transition away.

I've tried for the last couple of years to get others to take over my membership, or to reimburse me for the points cost for their stays, but that's not happening and I absolutely hate to nag.

It wears me out.

So, the best option is to take advantage of the Transitions program.

What's that?

"At Diamond Resorts, we take pride in providing unforgettable vacation experiences and creating opportunities for families and loved ones to build memories that they will cherish forever. While we passionately believe in the value of vacations, we also understand that life's circumstances can change and we acknowledge there are some who may need to move on and leave their vacation ownership behind.
For those who are eligible, Transitions™ by Diamond Resorts may offer members and owners an easy and respectful way to relinquish all or part of their vacation ownership, providing you with the opportunity to transition out of vacation ownership."

 

I called them on December 5th, speaking with Tara, a very helpful and polite representative who made sure that I was completely eligible for the Transitions program.

I explained to her that I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation at the beginning of this year and cannot travel as I once did.

I also impressed upon her that I have no children, so there is no one to take over my membership in DRI.

Hence, the need for me to take care of terminating the account now, while I am able to do so, rather than leave it for a brother to have to sort out.

Like I said, Tara was very understanding.

She told me that it was very considerate of me to want to take care of the paperwork myself rather than leave it to my executor.

I'm glad she was the one who answered the phone (after a 47-minute wait).

And so, as of that date, the four contracts I own have been submitted for Transition.

I just visited the website to verify that.

I had not intended to log into it again, but I received word today that made me anxious.

" DiamondResorts.com will Sunset Soon
7 days ago ◦ News
After a year full of exciting changes following Hilton Grand Vacations’
acquisition of Diamond Resorts in 2021, we’re thrilled to announce we
are making great progress in our efforts toward becoming one company.
DiamondResorts.com will sunset soon and begin redirecting visitors to
HiltonGrandVacations.com.
Shortly, you will have the ability to access your vacation ownership
or membership information via a drop-down menu interface on the Hilton
Grand Vacations website.
Once redirected to your login page, you will be able to access your account,
make payments, book reservations and more — the same as you have before —
using the same username and password.
In addition, the Diamond Resorts mobile app is no longer available for use.
We recommend deleting the app from your mobile devices as it was sunset in
late November.
More information will be shared regarding the discontinuation of
DiamondResorts.com, including login instructions on the day the website
sunsets. Please be on the lookout for an email from us in the coming weeks."

 

I had not received that news flash.

Instead, I received an email today informing me that the DRI website was null and void, and that future logins to check on my account would be through the HGV site.

Knowing how many times DRI had lied to me, I went over to check it out...

and was pleasantly surprised to find the email was truthful.

Good.

Now, to await the paperwork to Transition out.

What a relief that will be!

hero boy of the day

Am I talking about the child in "The Polar Express"?

The boy in the blue bathrobe who boarded the train even though he had his doubts?

The boy who stopped the train so the lonely boy could board?

The boy who tried to return the ticket to the girl and ended up having an adventure with the hobo?

No, that character is not the one I mean, even though he is listed in the credits as "Hero Boy".

Looking for a clue?

Well, here's a photo of my 'hero boy' today.

He was the lone male in our party of eight.

Did I say 'eight'?

The twins' Grammy joined us this time.

(smile!)

Here's another photo of my 'hero boy'.

For this trip to Jalapenos of Sandfly, the four little blondes were all seated together.

That allowed us four adults to sit at an adjacent table and even have a real conversation.

How very nice!

While the younger girls tried to interrupt on occasion, the two older ones did rather well at managing them.

What a nice change of pace for us!

True, in this shot it looks as though Leila might be asking her Daddy for something, but I think she was just trying to photobomb my snap of him.

He surprised us and took care of the check for all!

That total was $82.82 - right place, right time.

(smile!)

How very generous of him to share his holiday bonus with the seven of us!

As his mom said, he really does have some of Ronnie's better traits.

Now, I get to find out how much of his dad's genes match mine.

I had ordered the DNA kit after Thanksgiving when MyHeritage had a sale.

I had been sure Smitty would agree to donate his DNA, but he had not.

Conversely, when I had asked Michael yesterday if he would mind participating, he had gladly accepted.

As he put it, he has plenty of DNA and this is not the first time it's been checked.

What a great attitude!

That is the reason I refer to my nephew Michael as my 'hero boy of the day.

(smile!)

that song is going to the dogs!

On the twelfth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me

12 car rides,

11 belly rubs,

10 scratches behind the ears,

9 postmen to bite,

8 cars to chase,

7 bags of treats,

6 long walks,

5 milky bones,

4 falling birds,

3 dead squirrels,

2 chew toys,

and a long pee on a short tree!

(smile!)

First, my thanks to former sailor and colleague Bob Bueling for the fun photo on fb!

As this is a favored song for me, as well as the theme for this year's gifts to children, I had immediately 'stolen' it and posted it on my fb page!

I also requested that folks take a try at channeling their inner dog to complete the song.

Apparently, most of the folks I know are cat people.

Only two stepped up to the plate to swing at the lyrics.

Jim Casey, former major league baseball player, came up with the last seven, in keeping with the male spirit behind the first four.

Most excellent!

My long-time friend Josie Coleman-Williams, owner of two wiener dogs, had the kindler, gentler, fifth item.

Good for her!

Many thanks for the mirth and merriment, y'all!

(smile!)

is clarice the buffalo girl for rudolph?

"You talkin' to me?"

I sure thought I was. You see anyone else around here?

"Just askin'. Your question seems a bit odd, given that the movie you just watched had Clarence in it, but not a Clarice, so I thought you might be confused."

No, I'm not confused. Yes, I just finished "It's A Wonderful Life" with the AARP MFG folks. Yes, Clarence is the name of the wingless angel in that movie. 

"Gotcha. So what's that about buffalo girls?"

Surely you remember... after the dance, when George walked Mary home, they were singing "Buffalo Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight" and he asked her if she wanted him to lasso the moon for her. Right?

"Sure, sure, I remember that."

Well, I had missed that part of the story tonight. But, I was right on time for her inviting him in, having carefully set up her drawing and put the needle on the record. He had just happened to be passing by after leaving a party at his mom's. And Mary just happened to be standing vigil in an upstairs window, waiting for him to walk on by.

She gets him to come in and is flirting as much as she can, but he's working hard at not catching a clue and is about to leave when the phone rings. It's their old buddy Sam and he wants to talk to both of them when he hears George is there. So, there the two of them are, huddled close to the earpiece, him smelling her hair and his lips near hers... and they finally kiss!

"Right place, right time!"

For real! That's the scene I love most in this holiday classic! I'm so glad I hadn't missed it.

"And that would have been because of Clarice?"

Yes, that would have been because of Clarice, and because of Rudolph, too. The Savannah Children's Theatre switched over to "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" this year instead of the Charlie Brown story I love so much. That turned out to be just fine!

"I'm sure, as it was a musical, just like that one."

Well, yes, that did have a role in my liking it, but not just because of the play's genre.

"I'm betting it was those misfits. You've got a real soft spot in your heart for them."

I really do! And after I saw them, I couldn't just walk out during intermission and miss seeing them rescued, now could I? Could I? Well, perhaps I could have, but there's no way I would have, especially after seeing the Charlie In The Box and the Doll and the Train with its square wheels, alive and singing on the Island of Misfit Toys! And the little blue Plane and the Polka-dotted Elephant and, best of all, the little Cowboy riding a Flamingo!!!

"Wait a minute! That's supposed to be an ostrich!"

I know, and that's what the child said he was riding, but that long, pink, neck just had to be that of a 'mingo! I doubt there are birds down under that have that shade of pink on their necks!

"Well, you could always research to find out..."

... or, I can just relish the thought of a Cowboy riding a flamingo! Yep, that's what I can do, and that's my choice to do so! I know Miyah is going to love hearing about that one!

"Yeah, that littlest girl sure loves those fuchsia birds."

Me, too! Yep, me, too!