This WAS exciting! The floor was in pretty bad shape and had me on my cricky knees trying to keep it clean these days. But all the work, was worth it, because soon I would have a glowing new surface with no dents, pits, dark spots, or dull, worn places! It would be a brand new look for our sunny kitchen. Oh, joy...... and it's a beautiful day, to boot!

RINNNNNNNNNNNGG!!!

WHAT? They're not coming? NOT coming???

The new flooring had been damaged so rescheduled it we did. Two more weeks of living with a floor that has gone over to the dark side several years ago.

Good night, you all --- I'm going back to bed.

Question: How many Streamers believe that the floor was really damaged or that the installers just went FISHING???

Like dessert at the end of a meal, fortune cookies are supposed to make a person feel good! And they do --- just read those encouraging words --- and how could you not feel karma is on your side? Something sweet for your mouth and something sweet to think about the rest of the day!

My last five fortune cookies have read:

1. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. (Should I expect a raise?)

2. Your courage will bring you honor. (This is what I tell myself whenever I give blood!)

3. Hard words break no bones, fine words butter no parsnips. (Say what.......I don't even understand this one!?! Maybe it's about those slippery words in the Stream?)

4. Your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded. (Should I expect another raise?)

5. God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. (I do use makeup to enhance my features, but I think this one's about the different face we show to others! And we all understand that, right?)

Have a fortuitous weekend, Streamers! ~~~ Hugs, Rita 

The news crashed into our lives over the weekend --- we had lost a dear friend to cancer. Bill is gone and now the world will be a lot less fun for his family and friends. Our personal friendship spanned forty years and will never be forgotten.

Bill came to the last ship my husband served on while both were in the Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. By then, he had already met the love of his life, Lynne, and we grew to love them both as a couple before and after their marriage.

Four of us couples became great friends --- brought together by being in the Navy and often separated by the long months at sea. We were all young and full of it in those days, partying and socializing together and sharing many milestones of our lives. While the men were together traveling the seas, we wives watched over each other. Military life has a way of cementing a bond between people that is extremely strong.

Our friendship with Bill and Lynne was one that didn't change over the years. It only deepened and whenever we got together, the years fell away and we always enjoyed in each other's company. Distance kept us apart until there was something special happening, then we would come back together to celebrate. A few times we took combined trips --- Hilton Head Island was always a special place. Years ago we talked about renting a boat and sailing the seas in a spectacular adventure. Work and life got in the way and after the years passed none of us trusted our sailing capabilities enough to do it.

When his son got married a few years ago, Bill was trilled to have all his family and friends surrounding him at such a precious event. He thought it was the most amazing thing to have people from all areas of his life come together.

My husband and I had planned to visit them this coming weekend, as Bill had been fighting cancer for two years and wasn't doing well recently. Instead we will soon go to a memorial service he helped plan.

Bill was gentleman and a huggy bear who always had a big smile on his face. He was humorous and didn't become irritating as he grew older --- although he did correct my grammar a couple of times! We both loved doing crosswords and he enjoyed reading and the movies too.  For years, he commuted to New York City for work, but his wife and son were number one in his life. He also believed in God, so I'm sure he's now looking down on the rest of us with his glowing smile.

Thanks for the wonderful memories and hugs, Bill, we miss you already! It's a sad time for us, your friends.

1. You can't change the past, so smart people don't let that stop them.

2. You can't just sit on the porch and wait for your life to begin.

3. Don't jump off the roof if you don't expect to hit the ground.

4. There are so many interesting ways to get what you want.

5. After you reach a certain age, you realize that the only thing left to do is exactly what you want!

Since I'm leaving for a visit to Charleston, I wish all the Streamers a very happy weekend without me. And dear Judi, if you read this, I'll be thinking of you while I'm in our old Navy town! ~~~ Hugs, Rita B