Jim's Place

A Busy Weekend

I know it's Tuesday already, but the busy weekend extended through Monday. We left Friday morning for Tampa. We spent the afternoon shopping at the BX and Commissary at MacDill AFB. Being retired and not near an Air Force Base or Army Post, we try and take the opportunity to catch up on shopping whenever we're near a base. It's also nice just being on the base and seeing people walking around in uniform. No, I don't miss it so much that I want to go back to work. :)

After shopping all afternoon, we checked into our hotel just north of Tampa (near where we would be going to church on Sunday). Early Saturday morning, we drove down to Punta Gorda (about 1 1/2 hours from Tampa, but since Hurricane Charley, that's about as close as you can find a hotel) to wish my grandfather happy birthday. We hadn't visited him for almost a year (again, because of the hurricane) and I was slightly surprised that he recognized me as soon I am walked into his room. We told him happy birthday and asked him if he knew how old he was and he said, "204". Close--well, maybe not that close, but he got the "04" right. Of course, he realized his mistake. We really had a good visit, but were a little disappointed that no one else visited him on his birthday (he's in an "elderly care" facility). I called my uncle (my grandfather's only remaining child) who lives about 5 minutes from the facility to see if him and my aunt would meet us there, but that said they hadn't planned on visiting that day. While my grandfather ate lunch, Lucy and I went and got a bite to eat and then went by my uncle's house and spent an hour or so with them and then went back to the elderly care facility to say goodbye to my grandfather.

We got back to our hotel in Tampa in just enough time to turn around and go back out to dinner. We met Greg and Maria Shepherd (along with Maria's mom and stepdad) for dinner. It was great seeing them and catching up on everything that's going on in their lives. Of course, we really went to see Caleb (now 10 1/2 months old) and he has really grown in the few months they've been gone. On Sunday, we went to Greg's church and really enjoyed it. The church is only about a year old, but it growing greatly. It started with less than 25 people last year and now they average 200 people for the Sunday service. They are really on fire for Jesus Christ and really inspiring that community.

After church we headed home so that I could make it to ROC for the second part of "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Despite, some (ok, many) technical difficulties, I think it still went well. Congratulations to Christina and JD for adlibbing so well and continuing to adjust. Of course, I know it was also very frustrating to those working the equipment (it wasn't their fault). But, as I said, it was still good and I hope that the boys and girls not only enjoyed the humor, but listened and understood the message from THE LOVE DOCTOR.

Four more days until I leave on the bike trip. Everybody else leave on Sunday, but since I'm driving the slooooooow truck and even have to stop at all weigh stations and agriculture stations, etc, I need a head start. I'm not sure who all the boys and girls are who are going on the trip, but I'm sure I'll know some of them already and hope to use this opportunity to get to know the rest of them.

Oh, I guess I left out Monday. That, of course, was GOLF day. Although I didn't really score badly, I didn't play that well. I think it was a combination of being really tired from the weekend trip and the 95 degree weather (I walk when I play; I don't ride a cart). Being tired, I thought about skipping it yesterday, but realized it would be my last chance for 2 weeks. We usually play every Monday and Friday, but this Friday I will be making final preparations for the bike trip (and don't want to leave Lucy all day for golf when I'm leaving for 8 days) and then I'll be gone all next week.

posted by Jim @ 4:59 PM