Happy Halloween!

It's lunch time at work.  Thought I would write a quick hello and Happy Halloween!l

I am getting caught up in the office after being off for two days.  Not so bad - it's been slow.  Nothing planned for this evening, so looking forward to a restful evening with my Joe.  We don't turn on the lights or answer the door anymore for Trick or Treaters.  Not many in the neighborhood, and we were getting older kids, not even in costume, the last time we had candy to give out (5-6 years ago).  Not fun - so we quit.  Bah Humbug.  One of my co-workers said they get 200+ in their neighborhood.  Oh my!!  The most we ever had here was 40ish.  I can't imagine 200!!  We live in a very small neighborhood, with only one way in and the same way out, so we don't get much traffic, anyway.  How many do you expect?

Wishing you a good evening!!  Peace, love & hugs.

After Sandy....

I am thankful that our family members and friends "up north" all seem to be okay, after Sandy passed through.  Horrible devastation, though, for so many who lost their homes from fire and flood, and lost loved ones.  I've heard 40 dead, which is terrible but not as bad as it might have been.  

A friend (in upstate NY) posted this photo on Facebook, and I snatched it to share.  I don't know why it made me so sad.  These are birds that landed in their front yard, because they couldn't stay in the trees.  They were even blown out of the yard, later.  We get news of human life and injuries, but we don't hear much about pets and wildlife until days afterwards.  It's all just so very sad.

I went to the VA Hospital, in Tampa, with Joe today.  He was supposed to have a swallowing test, because of some problems he has been having.  All they did today was run a camera down his esophagus, to make sure there were no tumors.  They will contact him for a swallowing test, which is supposedly just an xray they take after he drinks some liquid.  Thankfully, they did not see any evidence of tumors.  Praise God.

So, my long weekend is over and I go back to work tomorrow.  Prayers continue for folks dealing with the aftermath of Sandy, and for my friend Linda, who is dealing with pain. 

Peace, love & hugs to all.

Monday, Monday....

I was up at my usual time, so we could head up to the flea market early.  We were on the road by 7:30, and arrived in Webster right at 8:30(ish).  It was COLD!!  I didn't think about how it would be cooler 60 miles north of us, and didn't take a sweater or jacket.  Joe wore long sleeves, and he was cold, too.  We zeroed in on the wholesale section, which was my intention.  I bought lots of jewelry findings at 150 pieces for $2.00, and the like.  Good bargains.  Now I need to get started creating jewelry again.

I didn't think to take pictures until we were leaving, as we went through the produce barn, I snapped this photo as a big group of folks walked  past and gave me a good shot.

Lots of good stuff for sale.  Beautiful tomatoes were $2.00 a basket.  Shiny red and green peppers were two for $1.00.... People were buying bags of grapefruit, so those prices must have been good, too.  We passed, since we had just stocked up at the grocery.  We didn't get over to the Westside of the market, where the bargains are.  We were too cold and it was a long way to walk, there and back.  

When we got back to Lakeland, we stopped at Michael's for a frame we have been needing, for a photo that was a gift.  We also went to Publix, looking for potato flour.  They didn't have any, but will get it ordered.  Will have to go back at the end of the week.  It's nice to have a grocery that will order things in for you!

Just chilling this afternoon.  I need to find something for our dinner.... I guess I should say I need to decide what to make for dinner.  We have plenty,  praise God.

We have talked with our sons, in Philadelphia, PA, and Alexandria, VA, and to Joe's brother, Lou, in Maryland, and they are all doing okay with the storm coming.  I think it will hit north of all of them, thank goodness, but we know that the spin-off tornadoes and all the rain can do just as much damage.  Praying for everyone in trouble with Sandy.

Wishing you a good evening!  Peace, love & hugs.

Sunday Sunshine....

What a glorious day, here in Central Florida!  We have the AC turned off, all the windows are open, the ceiling fans are on and we are loving the fresh air and sunshine on this Sunday afternoon!  Of course, having the Eagles on TV makes it even sweeter for Joe, even though they played awful the first half (and probably will, the second).  We're always hopeful, however!  This is a bad photo, taken from my "nest" on the sofa.  Bright sun outside canceled out the light inside. 

A power outage caused our internet to be off when we got home Friday evening.  We called tech support, and they couldn't get a ping, so scheduled a service call for Monday afternoon.  Fortunately, they must have had some others complaining, because it was back on last night!  Whew!  The problem must have been outside, at the main box.  We canceled the tech visit for tomorrow afternoon.

I have to tell you about our Friday night!!  It actually started on Thursday night, with a call from a good friend of ours, Fran.  Fran is a retired Lieutenant with our Sheriff's Department.  We have been friends for at least a dozen years, and before her retirement.  She called to tell us a couple of things.

Some background for my new friends.... my husband, Joe, worked for our church for three years, as the business manager/finance person.  Joe is a CPA, who calls himself semi-retired.  He still has a dozen clients who won't let him quit, and as long as he enjoys it, that's a good thing.  Our Pastor, Fr. Matt, asked Joe to come to work for the church, because he needed someone who understood finance.  Joe had just closed his office and moved "home" with his dozen clients, so it was good timing for him to help out the church (and bring in some money for us, though he worked cheap).

Well, things were not good at the church, and most of it was due to the Pastor, who was out of control and out of his element.  Joe started communicating with the Diocese of Orlando, on some of the issues, and to make a long story short, Fr. Matt let Joe go when he found out he had been found out.  We left the church, and started attending another Catholic church (Lakeland has four Catholic churches).  Anyway, after two years, Fr. Matt has finally been transferred to another church, effective November 1st.  What Fran had to tell us was that the Diocese sent HR people to Resurrection and they fired everyone in the office - escorted them out after letting them gather personal items from their offices!!  I'm sorry for them, but we feel Joe has been vindicated.  Finally, everything he was trying to accomplish is happening.  Now our friends are asking us to come back.... not sure about that, but we feel good that the money will finally be straightened out and things will be good again over there!!

The other thing Fran had for us, was that our dear friend, Fr. Victor Ubaka, was in town for a couple of days.  Fr. Victor spent his summers at our church while he was studying for his Masters Degree.  He studied in Rome, and spent three summers here in Lakeland.  We got to know him real well, and Joe's office at the church was right next to his.  When we went to Italy (five years ago!), we got to spend an afternoon with Fr. Victor at The Irish College, where he was studying.  It was a wonderful afternoon, including lunch in a huge cafeteria full of priests and nuns.  He toured us through parts of Vatican City that we would not have seen on our regular tour.  It was wonderful.  When he left Lakeland, after graduating, we had a party for him, here at our house.  He has been in New York these past four years, and is now headed home to Nigeria.  We, of course, wanted a chance to see him.

Fr. Victor came to the house Friday night.  Joe left the Museum opening, before it even started, to meet him here.  I stayed for the lecture, and then slipped out so I could see him for awhile, too.  We sat at the kitchen table and just talked for another hour, after I got home.  He and Joe talked, of course, about the happenings at Resurrection.  Fr. Victor agreed that Fr. Matt has problems and should not be a Pastor.  Very sad.  I'm so glad we got to spend some time with him before he leaves.  He said he will come back when he gets vacation time and is able to make it here.  We will also be in touch by e-mail.  The internet does make it a small world, thank goodness.  I intended to get a photo of him and Joe, and completely forgot to do it.  Here is one from the going-away party we had.

Saturday, was the Museum's Halloween Event.  I went in to help with set-up, so I wouldn't have to be there when the kids came in.  I'm not one to endure four hours of a hundred or more little kids....  Set-up was fun, though!  I used the helium tank and blew up most of the balloons for decorations.  I also helped transport 'stuff' from upstairs to downstairs.  I was pretty exhausted when I headed home a few minutes before three.  Here are some photos of set-up.  High school student volunteers drew most all of the monster art you see!  Amazing!!

Sorry this is getting so long!!  I have a little more, though!  

Saturday, we went to church (4:00 Vigil Mass), then to IHOP for dinner, then to Sam's Club for a few things.  Today, just doing laundry, and I got the boxes of books, stuff, and clothing out to the garage, so we can take it to the church for the rummage sale.  Feel good about that little bit of purging.

Tomorrow morning, we will be up early and heading an hour away to the Webster Flea Market.  It is HUGE, and I went there for the first time with my parents, who were snow-birds (6 months in Florida, in the winter months), more than 25 years ago.  It has been there and growing for more than 30 years!  There is even a video about Webster:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xb20uWYpx8  and here is a link to the Westside's website:  http://www.websterwestsidefleamarket.com/  and yet another:  http://www.websterfleamarket.biz/

So now you know more about the Webster Flea Market than you wanted to know!  LOL  It is big, and you really can't see it all in one day.  We have targeted spots we know we have to hit, so we do that first.  I'll try to remember to take some photos to share.  

Hope you are having a good Sunday, and I wish you a good week ahead!!  Thanks for wading through this!!  Peace, love & hugs.

Weekend Update....

When I got home last night, I found that a power outage had knocked out our internet.  Tech support couldn't help - no ping - so someone is coming out on Monday afternoon.  Grrrrrrr.

I popped into my office, at the Museum, before I report for set-up duty for our Halloween event today.  I won't have access, except on my phone (which is terrible), so I'll catch up with everyone and will catch you up when I can get back on-line Monday afternoon (hopefully!).

I have Monday and Tuesday off, from work.  Monday is a play day - the big flea market, and Tuesday I'll be at the VA Hospital in Tampa, with Joe, for his procedure.  

I will miss you, but my Reader will keep your posts 'unread' until I can get to them!!  Peace, love & hugs to all!!  Have a good weekend!

Halloween Fun!!!

Each year, on Multiply, I would post the link to this Halloween game.  Had to get it out, dust it off, and spread the cheer again this year!!

Have fun playing Halloween Hangman!!

http://www.dedge.com/hangman/

Amazing and Wonderful....

Back when Kathy and I were planning Joe's 75th birthday weekend, we were searching for an Italian Creme Cake recipe, like Joe remembers (his favorite) from years ago.  All we could find were recipes using cream cheese icing and nothing that Joe told me he remembered from the special occasions of his younger years.  Kathy even called a couple of up-scale Italian restaurants, in Naples, FL, describing the cake to them.  We got no where.

A few days ago, I decided to ask one of the chefs that I have been following on Google+ if he could help.  I really didn't expect an answer, but thought it was worth a try.  Chef Dennis responded, by e-mail, right away.  He told me that he couldn't help, but he knew someone who could.  He forwarded my question to Grace Langlois, who is an Italian  pastry chef, and she and I have been e-mailing for a couple of days about this cake.

Talk about a small world.... her family is from the same Region in Italy as Joe's family.  She knew exactly what kind of cake I was asking about.  Grace lives in Ontario, Canada, now.  She CALLED me this morning!!!  We talked for 30 minutes or so and she gave me the recipes I need for the cake and fillings, and told me some hints to use, etc., etc.  She gave me the recipe using grams, so I need to convert it, but I hope I have time next weekend to give this a try and see if it gets close to what Joe remembers.  I need to find a certain kind of vanilla flavoring and may have to go to Mazzaro's Italian Market, over in St. Pete, to find it.  She told me it will make a huge difference in the flavor, so I want to make sure I have what I need before getting started.  Yes, I will share it with you and will have photos!  The cake above is sort of like Joe described the cake to me, with nuts on the sides, but I'll have a photo of my creation, once I get it all together!

I am just blown away that these two very busy people took an interest in my question and gave me their time (and phone minutes) to help me with this!  I am so appreciative and humbled.  Wow.

I love the contacts and friends I've made through blogging - first with Yahoo360, then Multiply, and now Blogger and Google+.  You are all awesome and amazing people!!

Here is Grace's website:  http://gracessweetlife.com/about/

Thanks for checking in!  Peace, love & hugs!

Wordless Wednesday - Not....

I do not have a photo to share today, that would require no words to explain it.  Today has just been ho-hum.  I got payroll done, which is always a good thing.  We had a good staff meeting today.  I finally got through my "in" box and got it organized, with invoices ready to post.  Are you snoring yet?!!

No plans for tonight, and I haven't a clue about dinner.  We had "breakfast" last night - Joe's suggestion.  I like breakfast food for dinner, and it sure is easy to throw together.

Tomorrow evening, I have my every-four-weeks facial appointment.  Friday night is the  Museum's Members' Opening Reception for our new Smithsonian exhibit.  Saturday is the Museum's Family Halloween event.  I volunteered to come in early and help with set-up.  I'm not sure I could handle four hours of little kids, but bless those who will be handling the games, art activities, story-telling, etc.  I'll be home before all of that starts!!  Let the younger ones deal with the noise!

It is hard to believe the month is nearly over already.  Time just rushes by.

Wishing you a good evening!!  Happy Hump Day!!  Peace, love & hugs.

It feels like a Tuesday....

Let's see if I can come up with 10 Thoughts for Tuesday:

1. We have a Board meeting today.  I am always so happy when the Board meetings are over (around 1:00).
2. I love, love, love our new living room furniture and how we moved the dining room around.  Our house is small, and we probably have too much furniture, but shaking things up now and then is a good thing.  I am very happy with it (and so is Joe!).
3. I am SO off my diet - again.  Sigh.
4. Joe got me an early birthday gift.  I had decided to get a Kindle Fire, but our techie guy (here at work) told me to get the Nexus 7 instead.  It came yesterday, and I am thrilled!!  Joe had it charging for me when I got home from work, so I was able to play right away.  It is Android, so there is not much of a learning curve, since I have an Android phone.
5. My co-workers, here in the Administration office, and I are planning a lunch excursion in a couple of weeks.  There is a place in Lake Alfred (small town east of here) called "The Barn".  It has a huge antique warehouse, a lovely gift shop, and a very nice restaurant.  We're planning to be away for at least two hours.  It will be Claire (our boss), Maggie, Pal, Sandy, Lisa and me.  Should be fun!  The Barn is only open October - May.
6. Joe and I are going to the Webster Flea Market on Monday (29th).  I've taken two days off (Monday and Tuesday).  Webster is only open on Mondays, and it takes hours to walk through it all.  It is fun to do once or twice a year.  I'll take some photos to share.
7. Joe has a swallowing procedure at the VA Hospital on Tuesday (30th), so I took the day off to go over to Tampa with him.  We don't know if they will put him out for it, or not, but one way or the other, I want to be there.  He has trouble - just now and then - swallowing.  Food gets stuck and he has a terrible time.  It will be good to see what is going on.  Prayers appreciated!
8. I am not a big baseball fan, but Lakeland is the Spring Training Home for the Detroit Tigers.  I will be cheering for them in the World Series.  Probably won't watch much, but will be happy to hear they won!
9. I am glad the debates are over, and will be even more glad when the election is over.
10. I wish you all a good Tuesday!!

Peace, love & hugs!!

Monday Night....

If it's Monday night, you know I am watching Dancing With The Stars!

I really don't have anything new to share.  Work was a usual Monday.  Came home, had dinner, watched a couple of DVR'd shows with Joe, then my show came on.  It is being split between two nights this week, because of the debates. 

As with the other debates, we will probably watch 15 minutes or so.  I really can't stand listening to Obama.  I've already voted by mail.  I can't wait for it to be over.  Enough said.

I hope you all had a good Monday, and wish you a good Tuesday!  Peace, love & hugs.

Weekends are just too short....

Good golly, this weekend went by quickly!  

Joe and I worked most of the day, putting the house back in order and getting some much needed cleaning done.  We both just love the new tables in the living room.  It feels so good to have things cleaned and re-arranged.  A bookcase came out of the guest room and went into the dining room.  I purged, purged and purged.  We have about five boxes of stuff for the Church's rummage sale.  The only problem is, they don't want things dropped off until November 8th.  The garage is full again, but only for a couple of weeks.  We can deal with it.  That really gives me time to sift through a couple of closets though, and maybe the five boxes will become seven or eight!

For the first time, we were able to open the French doors this morning.  The weather has been beautiful, even if it did get too warm to leave them open all day.  I love having the house open to cool and non-humid fresh air.

I took a couple of photos of the tables.  They aren't that good, but you'll get the idea.  Onyx posed on one of the end tables for you!  The coffee table has some glare on the glass.  Sorry about that.  Hope you can still get an idea of how they look.

Our first Smithsonian Exhibit, as a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, will open this week.  We petitioned the City of Lakeland to allow us to put a "poster" on the front of our building, to advertise this special event.  They approved it and it went up on Friday!  Picture below (it is 4' x 8')!  The exhibit is of Harry Warneke's photos, from the 1930s.  He was a color photography pioneer, and his photographs were the first COLOR photos to appear in the newspaper and some magazines.  The exhibit is titled "In Vibrant Color".  We are very excited about it, and hope that all of our advertising will bring in lots of visitors.  We even have a billboard that can be seen from I-4!!  Here is a link to the exhibit:  http://polkmuseumofart.org/exhibitions/in-vibrant-color-vintage-celebrity-portraits-from-the-harry-warnecke-studio/ 

This weekend was the annual classic car show (not one of our programs), but I took this picture as I came back from lunch (with Shirley) on Friday afternoon.  This car was parked in our parking lot - someone from the car show, showing off his or her vintage auto and also visiting the Museum!!

You will have to click on the photos to see them better.  I should have cropped them first.  But - there you are.

I took Brenda up on her Christmas challenge (mentioned a few days ago in one of my blogs).  I made "Baked Eggs & Veggies To Go"  for our breakfast this morning.  They turned out very good, and Joe thought they were great.  He is a picky eater, so that tells you that they must be good!  Here is the photo I took (below) and here is the link to my Pinterest board and the recipe:  http://pinterest.com/tdorsaneo/food-and-drink/

I will let you know that I used pre-cooked sausage in each one, and chopped spinach, and instead of shredded cheddar, I used sliced vegan cheese on top of each one.  We decided they would be better if I don't use the 'cupcake' papers.  Just put them in well sprayed muffin tins, or you could even just pour into a cake pan and then cut the size serving you want.  The papers, even though I sprayed them with Pam, did not come off very well.  They were yummy, though, and would make a good weekend, holiday, or special brunch breakfast item.

They were nice and puffy when they came out of the oven, then they fell a bit.  Didn't make them taste any different, though!

On to a new week!  Wishing you all a good one!  Peace, love & hugs.

Saturday Night Synopsis....

We have had a busy day!

Up early, headed out to the consignment shops.  Didn't find anything we wanted, so we went to the furniture store, where we bought the sofa and love seat.  We found some tables we both liked and the price was right, so we went to the warehouse, to pick them up - didn't want to pay for delivery of tables.  Joe worked to get them put together tonight, and they look good.  I'll take photos tomorrow, after I get the cleaning done.  Right now, there are pieces of foam all over and nothing is in place.

We also had to stop at Sam's Club for a prescription, Walmart for some toiletries, and then to Publix for deli meat, fruit and some dairy products.  We also picked up Al and went to the 4:00 Vigil Mass.  Fortunately, we were done running after we dropped him off at home.

I grilled steaks for dinner, with a nice fresh salad.  We had some frozen yogurt for dessert and are catching up on some (more) episodes of Revenge. 

My sister, Patti, called and we talked for awhile, catching up on family news!  It was good to hear her voice!

Hope you had a good Saturday, and I wish you a great Sunday!  Peace, love & hugs.

BAM - It's Friday!!....

Some weeks, Friday can't get here soon enough, and other weeks....BAM, it's Friday already!!  This is one of those "BAM" weeks.  Seemed to just fly by for me.

The banquet, last night, honoring this year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, was very nice.  Dinner at the Yacht Club is always delicious.  There is a photo of the menu below, but it is hard to read.  Our choices were tenderloin, lobster, or a vegetarian dish.  Joe and I both had the tenderloin, and it (seriously) melted in your mouth.

Florida Southern College provided the entertainment, from their music department.  They were WONDERFUL.  So talented.  I wish I could have recorded the entire performance.  One student performer is with the international program.  She is from Finland, and made me think of my three friends on Facebook (and were on Multiply), Tiina, Tuula, and Helena.  I didn't want the singing to end!  They were all very professional and very talented.  Here is the link to the newspaper story, which is in today's local paper:  http://www.theledger.com/article/20121018/NEWS/121019280/1134?Title=Museum-Honors-Steve-Lynda-Buck-With-Harrison-Hooks-Lifetime-Achievement-Award-

My phone doesn't take great photos when the light is bad, but this was our view of Steve and Linda during their acceptance speech.

My seat, and the beautiful flower arrangement!

This is a view of Lake Hollingsworth, from the dining room window.  So pretty!

The menu.

 

Steve and Lynda, with their beautiful glass art "award".

I am having lunch today, with my friend Shirley.  We are going to the Butterfly Bistro.  I haven't seen Shirley in a few weeks, so it will be good to catch up.  An old friend of mine, Diana Simmons, owns the Bistro.  It has always been her dream to have a little restaurant, and I am so happy for her that she is realizing her dream!  Our newspaper did a story on her a few weeks ago.  Here is the link, if you are interested:  http://www.theledger.com/article/20120524/ENT/120529741

We don't have plans for the weekend, other than visiting some consignment shops, looking for end tables and a coffee table for the living room.  Of course, Church, cleaning, and laundry - the usual.  This is the weekend of Lakeland's Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival.  Joe and I have never gone to it.  I like old cars more than he does, I think.  He said he wasn't interested in going, so we will shop for tables!  If you like classic cars, though, Lakeland is the place to be tomorrow (Saturday).  Here is yet another link from our local newspaper and the story about the classic cars:  http://timeoutpolk.com/article/20121017/ENT/121019413/1308/ent

 Wishing you a good weekend, everyone!  Peace, love & hugs.

Thankful Thursday....

On this 'Thankful Thursday', I am thinking a lot about prayer, and how important it is in my life.  I pray everyday (most days several times), but I am not 'good' at leading a prayer in a group situation.  My brother was very good at saying the right words when called upon to pray, but I am an uncomfortable public speaker - for whatever reason - and can never seem to get the words in my heart to come out the way they should.  My personal prayers are more like a conversation with Jesus.  He understands and knows my heart.  I'm not anxious about 'saying the right thing' because He knows what I am thinking before I even organize the thought.

Are you one, like me, who dreads being called on to say a prayer?  If you aren't, do you have a "formula" that you go over in your mind before you speak?  I've purchased books on 'how to pray' and none of them have answered the 'public speaking' question for me.

Everyday I get an email from Guidepost about prayer.  I was struck by today's message and have copied part of it below.  I truly believe that prayer is our lifeline.  The link to the entire article, with the author, is below this:

What are the alternatives to prayer? There really are none.

The question asks us to imagine what life would be like without prayer. Where on earth could we possibly go to find the same spiritual grace as prayer? What alternative things would we be doing instead? Throwing pennies into wishing wells? Sacrificing bulls? Putting plates of food in front of statues? Drinking magic potions? The question is good because the answer is clear: Prayer is our only true lifeline, the only way to remain in fellowship with Jesus, the only way to be perfectly content because we trust in the One we are talking with Who is the Giver of Life, the One Who Feeds Us with bread that truly satisfies.

http://broadcaster.guideposts.org/dm?id=8233815BF0B2A7870B9FD59F8AC20C84

So, today on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for prayer.  To those who I know pray for me, thank you!  I appreciate and count on it.  Know that you are always in my prayers, too!

Joe and I will be eating at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club tonight, at a banquet for this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner.  The Museum chooses someone to honor each year, who has given over and above to help us in our mission.  Tonight's recipients are Steve & Lynda Buck.  They are good people, who are always ready to help.  Both have served on our Board, and Steve was our Board President a few years ago.  It will be a nice evening.

Hope your Thursday is going well!  The weekend is almost here!  Peace, love & hugs.

Wordless Wednesday.....

I was looking through my Pinterest recipes, looking for something to try for Brenda's Christmas Challenge.  This is NOT what I have chosen. Just looking at it has to add on the pounds.  (You can find the link to my Pinterest Boards on the About Me Tab.)  No other words necessary!

Tuesday's Ten Thoughts....

If it is Tuesday, I must have ten thoughts in my head.... let's see.....

1. My friend, Brenda, posted a Christmas challenge today that I am going to try (once a week, try a recipe from Pinterest that I might want to use during the holidays, then post about it).
2. I got my financial reports all written, and September numbers delivered to all the departments!
3. Joe and I are almost caught up on Season One of Revenge - thanks to Linda for recommending the show. We are hooked.
4. I have no idea who will go home tonight, on Dancing With The Stars.  Kirstie and Bristol are the least accomplished, but they both have a big fan base.  I have no idea.
5. I'm thinking about grilling steak for dinner tonight.
6. I'm trying to be good about counting WW points, but I am just not motivated.  I lose, and I gain.  I lose and I gain.  Maybe I should concentrate on stabilizing/maintaining.
7. We have our reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at Eaglebrook Country Club.  I'm not cooking this year.  It actually feels good.
8. Claire has Harry's obituary in the newspaper today.  I am sorry I didn't have the chance to know him. He was 21 years older than Claire!  He was an amazing and scholarly man:  Harry's Obit
9. I haven't spoken with either of my two sisters in months.  I think I need to pick up the phone (we are on FB).
10. Our old sofa is sitting by the curb, waiting for the City to come by for it.  It poured rain last night - a heavy soggy mess, now.  Hope they came today.  I really hate having stuff piled out there - doesn't look nice at all.

I made it.  Hope you are having a good Tuesday!  Peace, love & hugs!

Monday's Muse....

The first day of the week is behind us!!

Today, October 15,  is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila.  Since my "real" name is Teresa (without the h), I thought I would mention today's Feast Day.  St. Teresa of Avila is the Patron Saint of Headaches.  This means, when you have a terrible headache, you can ask St. Teresa to intercede for you and pray for you, to help ease the pain.  Some people think that Catholics pray to the Saints, but what we do is ask them to pray for us, the same way we ask our living friends to pray for us.  We don't worship the Saints, but we do ask for their help.  The Angels and Saints play an active part in my life, and I am thankful for their help!  Do you believe you have a Guardian Angel?  We had this picture hanging in our upstairs, when I was growing up.  (I was raised in the Methodist church, by the way.)  It always brings me comfort!

I spent most of my day, today, again working on bank reconciliations.  Happy to say they are ALL done, and tomorrow I can get started writing the September financial reports.

At lunch time today, a few of us from my department went to a special luncheon at one of the downtown restaurants.  One of our most wonderful and reliable volunteers is moving to up-state New York, to be closer to their daughter and grandkids.  Sure hate to see her go.  Her husband was a Docent for us, for three years, so he has a history with the Museum too.  We had lots of laughs, and there were a few tears shed.  We will miss Betty (and John).  She has given us hours and hours and hours of her time.  They promised to stay in touch.

Betty & John, reading the card.

Elaine, Betty, Danielle, Terry, and John

Pal and Bill (and I) were there, too, but opted out of the photos!

On to Tuesday!  Wishing you a good week!  Peace, love & hugs!!

The Weekend Winding Down....

Today has been a lazy day.  We moved furniture around and finally settled on a placement that we like and think will work.  I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, but things will get done eventually.  The last load of laundry is in, so I've at least accomplished that much! 

I made vegetable soup for our dinner, and made an apple cake with some granny smiths I had left in the bowl.  It was quite good, if I do say so myself.

I talked with my grandmother today.  She is doing great, at 92 years old.  It was good catching up with her.  She is able to live alone, with an army of relatives helping her.  Her brother is there for her, two or three times a day, every day.  She is my step-grandma, but she and my grandpa were married when I was born, so she has always been my grandma.  I was blessed to grow up with three sets of grandparents, and doubly blessed that my mom's folks and the steps all got along.  Made holidays bearable and I so respect them for getting along and making it easy to love them all.  Grandma was a good bit younger than my grandpa, which is why we are still blessed with her in our lives.

The cats have accepted the new furniture, and have settled down, now that things are in place.  Onyx has been crashed on the love seat all afternoon!  Hope you have all had a good weekend, and I wish you a good week ahead!  Peace, love & hugs.

Saturday Night....

Whew!  It has been a crazy day and I am just getting to the computer.  

Woke up, made breakfast, and the new furniture was delivered 45 minutes earlier than they were supposed to be here.  The delivery window was 10:45 - 2:45.  They came at 10:00!  That was great, because I had to meet my friend (and barber) Teena, at 12:30.  We went to lunch, then to a beauty supply place that sells wholesale to licensed barbers, beauticians, etc.  I use products by DevaCurl, and they are quite pricey in the salons.  Teena has been getting them for me (her shop doesn't carry them for resale).  She invited me to go with her today, so I could "shop".  We had a good time.  

I got home just in time to get back into the car, pick up our friend, Al, and get to church.  After Mass, we went to the grocery for some things to take to my boss's house.  I know people were taking dinner things, so I picked up muffins and fresh fruit, for breakfast.  She has three friends staying with her, including the woman who introduced her to Harry, 20 years ago.  I'm glad she has her friends with her.  She is holding up well, at least for now.

After we left Claire's, we got some dinner and went back to Publix to pick up a few things for us.  Run, run, run.  But it is all good.

Red White & the Blues was a good time.  Pictures below.  Tomorrow is laundry and cleaning (as usual).  Hope you are having a good weekend!  Peace, love & hugs.

My co-workers, Sandy, Pal and my Joe. 

Selwyn Birchwood, the opening band.  He is really, really good.

Smokin' Joe Kubick and Bnois King.  They were LOUD, and we didn't enjoy

them as much as we did Selwyn Birchwood.

Two Posts for Friday....

I took a deposit to the bank this afternoon, and there was a speed trap set, right in front of the drive-through.  I snapped this photo of an unfortunate speeder.  I x'd out the license plate.  Happy that I was going speed limit, because he (the officer) looked right at me as I drove by.

Our beautiful Lake Morton is a bird sanctuary and there are swans, ducks, geese, wood storks, ibis, pelicans...and more, living on the Lake and crossing the street all the time.  The speed limit is 25 mph, and the birds always have the right-of-way, with hefty fines for hitting any of the wildlife.  We just had the annual swan round-up, so the veterinarian could check them over and give them annual shots (just like your dog or cat).  The count for Lake Morton was 67 swans.  I snapped this photo or our beautiful lake, but unfortunately none of the swans were on this side for you to see. (One is just swimming out of sight on the left-hand side, by the tree.)

 

Now, this next photo was not taken on Lake Morton, and I don't really know where it was taken, but it made me laugh!  I've always wondered what someone could do with those huge pumpkins that are raised for the weight contests....

 

Now we know!!  LOL

And this next one, I saved to share with Granddaughter Lauren, because she loves anything to do with pandas.  This is 'supposedly' just after an earthquake, and the panda is hugging the policeman's leg because it was scared.  Very cute, whatever the reason!

Can you tell I am ready for the work day to end?   Red White & the Blues is tonight. I'll go home to change and pick up Joe.  He offered to meet me here, but we don't need two cars out tonight, when there is plenty of time for me to go home first.

I snapped these photos just a few minutes ago.  Set-up downstairs is almost done.  The band is here, getting sound checks done, and the volunteers have been here and gone.  You will see that it is a TEXAS blues theme, since the band is from Texas and they play Texas blues.  We have sold about 150 tickets, so there will be a nice crowd.

View of the stage and the band....

The entrance-way for tonight's event....

Some of the decorations....

Looking down the main hallway....

And this last photo I snapped in the elevator, of posters for a couple of our events coming up....

We have a family Halloween Party that is always well attended by kids and families.  We are doing a vintage airing of "War of the Worlds" for any age.  Our exhibit coming up is from the 1930s, so we are using a vintage theme for a lot of our events.  This one should be lots of fun, with a speaker before the hour-long radio program, who will talk about the era and why so many people probably believed what they were hearing - that we were being invaded by aliens!  I've never listened to the entire program, so am looking forward to it.  And the third poster just advertises our Monday night After School Art.  It is free to families, to come after school and create art together.  It is also always well attended.

For my new friends here, who may not have figured it out, I work full time in an art museum (the accountant & HR person).  I am so blessed to work in such a beautiful building with such great co-workers, who are also my friends.  I've been here 15 1/2 years.

On a more somber note, (my boss) Claire's Harry passed away this morning.  It is a blessing, after suffering for so long, but still we know it will be hard for her.  Thank you for the prayers.  He passed away peacefully, at a Hospice facility, and Claire was there with him.  We couldn't ask for more.  She did send an e -mail to staff, telling us to have fun tonight, for Harry.  That's what he would want.  She is such a sweetheart!

I'm done for the day.  If I get any photos tonight, I'll be posting them tomorrow!  Signing off!  Peace, love & hugs.