Why???

I am confronted, often, with this question......
Why do bad people choose ‘good people’ to do ‘bad things’ to?
I do not know the ‘Universal‘ answer.....I only know the answer based on my own experience of life!
My dear ‘Mamma’ had a great deal of common sense wisdom....one of her ‘golden nuggets’ (which is Biblical)....she used to say, ‘Good hearted people put out good actions in their life.....bad hearted people....put out bad things, words and actions....”
Being a ‘good’ person.....ie: “Ten Commandments” written on the heart.....
will always be a ’reminder’ to others around......as to how they should and could be living....As a result....the ’good’ becomes an enemy in the ’eyes and heart’ of the bad thinking person.... Frequently, the ‘bad’ inner person clothes their true ‘badness’ in deep inner secret...personifying and identifying with those that are the genuine ‘real’ person of good, clean righteousness. Sooner or later though.....the truth shows itself in little ways of life.....For a persons thought life can not be hidden....
A murderer does not suddenly wake up one morning....after being a good thinking person....and suddenly decide to kill someone......
.....As a Man Thinketh.....so he doeth.....
.......There is POWER in knowing the truth!
It is better to know the ‘truth’ about someone....even if it is negative.....than to be.....deceived.
Sometimes in family relationships it is like opening “Pandora’s Box” when the ’truth’ comes out! Yet genuine family love can stand the test of the good, bad or ugly of life.......IF everyone has their heart into salvaging the relationship at all cost......
Sadly to say, I have seen it happen time and time again......one family member in total rebellion to good, healthy relationships......chooses of their own free will to alienate themselves from......’real love’.....
The innocent suffer.....often it is innocent children who are caught in the onslaught of pain......but the stable network of the entire families love and forgiveness teaches them that they are not alone in their ’drama of life”....
This is a MUST!
To let go, as a family, of the “Prodigal” is hard.....some people have to learn the value of “good’ by means of living out the ’bad’....

It does not ‘help’ for the family to go into the ’pig ’pen’ so to speak....with the Prodigal...
Just staying home and steadily doing the sane, stable, good clean living of normalcy......is the best course for the well being of all involved.
Some “Prodigals” come to their senses.....some do not!
It is an individual choice and decision.
Peace lies in the fact that.....good people will be good....no matter what....even if bad people do bad things to them!
It is in this that.....Love is Real.

Jesus said it best....Luke 6:45 LB,,,,”A good man/woman produces good deeds from a good heart.
And a evil man/woman produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness....
Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech....”
So saith Jesus Christ!

Are You Ready?

All things considered.....it seems that life is requiring that we as a family....and perhaps as a nation.....BE READY FOR......ANYTHING!
Predictable is out...I’ve learned that within my own family!
If ‘coping’ skills have not been developed.....problems can be overwhelming. Sometimes it takes many of our family members active involvement in order to deal with situations....good and bad!
We can not just say...”I’ll pray for you!” and walk away.
We must be so committed.....to drop everything at hand on a moments notice....in order to ‘lend a hand’ to a family member....or friend....that needs it immediately. Oh Lord, how ‘inconvenient’ this can be!
Love is costly!
Love’s rewards are......the substance of life!
The Good Life.....
Are YOU Ready for......anything....at any cost....in order to enjoy fully....
...................The Good Life???
As for me and my family......we have been willing...and still are, daily, paying the price for....and receiving the rewards thereof.....The Good Life, as a Christian and......Yes, there is.......More To Come!!!

What ‘More’ Could You Want???

I have been very busy for a week....good busy!
With Charlie away on the island of Puerto Rico...visiting family....I decided to vacation in my own home as if it were a luxury hotel....
First, I redid my back patio with new table and chairs.....fake bamboo with an island name called...Key Largo. I had to put it together with bolts and screws as the entire set was “boxed”...Then, thanks to Chad, a new umbrella with party lights inserted underneath with a timer that comes on at dusk.....for as long as I set it....New commercial outdoor carpet had been installed by my handyman husband only a few weeks before so I color coordinated my ’new island look’.....Now I was finally prepared to relax in my new atmosphere.
Having been given several great gift certificates for my birthday.....I had eating and shopping in mind.
It worked.....I felt like I was on a first-class vacation....for real!
The money I had planned to spend at Gaylord Palms Hotel......bought a simplified version of the same ‘atmosphere’....right to my back door....to use every day of the year!
Having a ‘filet mignon’, with fresh mushrooms, grilled to perfection by my son Chad on Saturday......was awesome!
Joshua was our evening....outrageous....entertainment.....
We laughed ourselves silly......then Brian left and returned with a wonderful surprise dessert....
Yes, I took my vacation..........with family members every day....
Chuck came to town one day and I met him at Countryside for lunch.
Pipato was in town for reserve duty and spent two nights with me..........
On Sunday after church, I visited my sister, Shyrl, in the hospital in St. Cloud. I had the pleasant surprise of finding my sister, Joyce, there visiting Shyrl as well, she too having driven over from Tampa.....Shyrl is recovering, slowly, from a 5 hour surgery to remove part of her stomach from a severe ulcer problem.
We all continue to pray for her swift and full health recovery...
All in all, my vacation was packed with good times, fun and memories galore.....Who could ask for more?

Did You Know?

Yesterday was a very hectic day.
Joshua had to be taken to the emergency room upon the advice of his
doctor . He was running a high temperature.
Seems he had a horrible sinus infection with headache....2yr. old no less....but his way of expressing it was....‘ hair hurts’.
Not being able to keep liquids down, the doctor gave him an antibiotic shot which seemed to take effect almost immediately.
Family was in a tizzy....Marine “Pipo’ was in town for reserve day, Brittney went into work but came home immediately after talking to Joshua’s doctor and Nanna and I......prayed continuously.
To see a little one....helpless.....makes one feel....helpless.
Tears were shed over the suffering of our Joy Child.
Which brings me to another point of human emotions.....
As necessary as laughter is to ‘good health’.....so, too, is weeping and tears.
It is okay to cry!
If we ’plaster’ over sadness, hurt, pain, suffering.... until the built-up pressure causes us to explode.....we have failed to utilize one of God’s most valuable emotional gifts.
Tears allow us to release the pent-up strain before it does damage!
Our tears turned to joy before the day was over....
Chad brought food to Lynn and Britt after they returned from emergency room and Joshua ate ‘mashed potatoes’ and chicken nuggets....
When he said, “Bear Shut Up”....we knew that he was on the mend.
Referring to the noisy bear birthday party at Chuck E Cheese ...his “Bear Shut Up” expression of annoyance was a sign of returning to normalcy.
We laughed in relief!
Did you know that.....even.....”Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
How ’normal’ is that?

Admit It!

When people ask me why I sometimes do crazy, funny, silly things....I just have to admit....”I can’t help it!”
Life can be fun, but WE MUST MAKE IT SO....
I read a quote by someone....”Don’t try to suppress laughter; if you do, it will go down and spread out around your hips.”
Wouldn’t want that now would we???
Last night at Cody’s, the seven of us created such senseless chatter that we all left refreshed. Believe it or not....everyone needed it....
Chad is in the middle of a ’very draining’ business deal, Ashley was very tired and had a headache from the job she ’tolerates’, Joshua was not feeling well at all so Brittney was anxious. Matt needed sleep from his ‘night’ job.
We all had some ’complaints’ to deal with....
Yet a time set aside to share a meal together and laughter .........worked wonders.
I admit it....I NEEDED that......

Pleasant Surprise

My husband, Charlie, called me last night from Puerto Rico.
He was ecstatic!
Making his plans to go to P.R. led him on a ‘wild goose chase’ for the right airline based on when he wanted to go.
Getting a ‘nice priced’ U.S. Airways flight took him through Charlotte, N.C. with a couple of hours layover before leaving for San Juan.
Seems he was strolling down the hallway....killing time....when lo and behold he sees a man that he was very familiar with....or thought it was him.....Going up to him and saying politely, “Sir, can I shake your hand?“
Shaking hands and talking to one of his football ‘greats’ gave him the ultimate thrill of the day....
Mr. Great says...”I see you are a Tampa Bucs fan from your hat....”
Charlie replies, “No, I’m really a Miami Dolphin and U of F fan diehard. It is my wife who is the Buc’s fan....she bought me the hat.”
Laughing and talking about the Dolphins....and their future...soon drew a crowd of other ‘fans’.
Time ran out.....Charlie reluctantly says good-bye to Mr. Don Schula and moves on to his flight.
The after-glow was still apparent while he was relaying the ’fun’ encounter on the phone to me....
Charlie’s ‘inconvenient ’ flight gave him a wonderful.... Pleasant surprise!

Golden Moments

Saturday, the 19th, we attended a wonderful family party.
It was the 50th Anniversary for Dockie & Ann held at the Forever Florida Ranch....Seemed like a family reunion....
But the thing that truly amazed me was that the place was filled with....young people and children playing, dancing, laughing, and having a ball....
It was a memorable tribute for sure....with the lasting impression of nothing but.....FAMILY FUN OF ALL AGES....
And ....THAT.....is what The Good Life....is all about!!!
See Pictures Link # 1

Judged Fairly....
(Noteworthy e-mail received from Blake)
The Shoe Bomber

Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe
and tried to light it? His trial is over.

How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on TV?
Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.

Ruling by Judge William Young

U.S. District Court Judge William Young made the following statement in sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid to prison. It is noteworthy, and deserves to be remembered far longer than he predicts. I commend it to you and to anyone you might wish to forward it to.

January 30, 2003 United States vs. Reid. Judge Young: Mr. Richard C.
Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.

On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the
custody of the United States Attorney General.

On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison
on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive with the
other. That's 80 years.

On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years
consecutive to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you
each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of
$2 million.

The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to
restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre
Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.

The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment.

The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.

This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair
and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. Let me explain this to
you.

We are not afraid of any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid.
We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is all
too much war talk here. And I say that to everyone with the utmost
respect.

Here in this court , where we deal with individuals as individuals, and
care for individuals as individuals, as human beings we reach out for
justice, you are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are
not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that
reference, to call you a soldier gives you far too much stature.
Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who
does it, or that happens to be your view, you are a terrorist.

And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not treat with
terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But
you are not that big. You're no warrior. I know warriors. You are a
terrorist. A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders.

In a very real sense Trooper Santigo had it right when you first were
taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press
and where the TV crews were and he said you're no big deal. You're no
big deal.

What your counsel, what your able counsel and what the equally able
United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly
as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so
horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have
listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search
your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to
do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing. And I have an
answer for you. It may not satisfy you. But as I search this entire
record it comes as close to understanding as I know.

It seems to me you hate the one thing that is most precious. You hate
our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as
we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we
individually choose.

Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom. They carry it
everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual
freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that
everyone can see, truly see that justice is administered fairly,
individually, and discretely.

It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously
on your behalf and have filed appeals, will go on in their, their
representation of you before other judges. We are about it. Because we
all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own
liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any
burden, pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.

Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to
long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be
forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom
and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.

The very President of the United States through his officers will have
to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters
can be judged, and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that
evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of
justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of
America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten.
That flag stands for freedom. You know it always will.

Custody Mr. Officer. Stand him down.

How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on our TV sets?

Please pass this around. Everyone needs to hear what the judge had to
say.

Automatic Update

Just opening up my computer this morning and having this pop-up window which says “automatic update”....install now? reminds me that I must do this also in my personal life....
Wish I would wake up every morning....and this would happen.....automatically.....in my thinking!
Yesterday I was made dramatically aware of this process after speaking....for the first time in five years....to my friend, Frances, in South Carolina.
Out of the blue this phone call took place.....and as the conversation flowed the years dropped away but many of our experiences during those five years had to be minimized to a brief sentence.
Life does need....automatic updates....at times my ’mentality’ is....15 years ago!!!...Does this mean I have not benefited from 15 years of experiences that should have taught me many new things?
Sadly, sometimes this is the case!
Then there are times like 9/11 when it is very necessary to survival that I have what my computer refers to as.....Critical Updates....
Society changes.....automatic updates are a must....
In America, security has been threatened in many areas of our everyday life and we have been forced to adapt to changes, which are inconvenient and uncomfortable. Yet it is necessary.....
So I will continue to look for the signs of...automatic updating in my thinking and my life.....
But one thing remains steadfast and totally unchangeable.....
Proverbs 4:11.....says, “I would have you learn this great fact: that a life of doing right is the wisest life there is. If you live that kind of life, you’ll not limp or stumble as you run.”
Simply summarized....”Doing Right” to others....makes It A....continuous... Good Life....

Euphoria

Euphoria........A feeling of great happiness or well-being...

It sure feels good.....to feel good, doesn’t it?

I received an e-mail entitled...“It Finally Happened!“...from a friend, Kathleen, who has been out of the military for six years. She is busy with her two young children and husband but has been in search of a job continuously for the past two years. A bank she worked with in Texas and the ’bank merger’ which forced old employees out and new ones in placed her as one of the many....’over-qualified unemployed‘. She had sent out hundreds of resume’s and to no avail......
Today’s e-mail was.....euphoric!
As she said....the job found her.....
City government in Little Elm, Texas will have an excellent employee in Kathleen ‘Perry’ Dugger.
Knowing Kathleen and her precision military computer background...plus her God-given creative talents.....she would be an asset to any business.
Kathleen ended her e-mail with this ‘grateful heart’ bit of wisdom....
.....“have to thank a lot of you for your prayers and thoughts while I have been searching for a job. Some of you were right, the job that is right for me would find me....and it did!!! “
Euphoria of the best kind.....always produces....
......a Grateful Heart!
Congratulations, Kat! God Bless You!

Celebrations

Too many parties.....my sister, Shyrl’s Birthday on Thursday was quite an adventure.
Lynn and I drove from Clearwater to St. Cloud with a car full of balloons, banners and gifts. Shyrl is recuperating from a fall and other medical problems in Plantation Bay Rehab Center and we were able to take her out to lunch. Her daughter, Susie and also, Jessica, met us for lunch as well...
We laughed and talked and had fun. Then we went back to the Center and visited with Mrs. Veal , a long time family friend....and her son Barney. We certainly did celebrate.

Next, on Saturday, all the family met at Chuck E Cheese for 2 year old Joshua’s celebration.....Noisy....noisy, noisy,,, even Joshua kept saying...”Bear ‘shutup’”....”Bear ‘shutup’...”
Too much too fast.....but the important things is that.....
.....a good time was had by ....ALL.
See pictures......Link #1...Shyrl & Joshua’s Birthday

Truth or Consequences

Once upon a time many moon ago.....there was a television show called...truth or consequences....
The appearing guest asserted their credentials as to who they were....teacher, janitor, airline pilot, author etc.....and a panel asked questions in order to find out the truth...which produced certain rewards.....A lie....brought certain consequences...when the truth became known....

In 2003, I still find that a lie has its own built in consequences.
Self-deception is the most destructive kind of lie.....
Many lives go awry by believing they have no value, or are not as ’good’ as someone else, what they think or feel does not matter, etc.
Believing that about oneself - is a killer....the consequences of this lie
................... devaluates and sets a path of self-destruction.
For you see, it is a.......LIE! Life built on a lie will eventually collapse at some point in time....
The TRUTH IS......We.....are.....ALL......created.....E...Q...U...A...L!
I have found, by experience, that each person has some very unique and ‘invaluable worth’....Often times it takes others believing in them and reiterating their true value, again and again, before they can replace a lie with the truth of their true and real contribution to life and their world .
Simply put.....someone must have ‘faith’ in them....before they can begin to trust and have faith in themselves.....
This process is meant to be.....learned in the home at an early age among loving and trusting family members.
Yet today, I know many, many.....Grandparents who are ‘raising’ their grandchildren in order to get the real ‘truth’ into them....that their life does matter, that they are loved and valued exactly like they are ...also, that they are worth the investment of other family members who cares for them sacrificially.
Yes.....Truth or consequences...is still played in the Game ..
.........The Game.....Called Real Life.....!

It Could Happen In A Moment

A split second in time....can be life changing!
Both in a negative or positive way....
Think about it!
Doesn’t this tell us that we should really value.......every moment in life?
Time with loved ones is priceless!
Grasping the moment.....spontaneity....flexibility....is a must!
Often time I have found that I must throw ‘caution to the wind’ in order to get out of my ‘rut mentality’.....especially for a fun adventure being offered...ie: skydiving when my son, Chad, offered the opportunity.
Those moments created more.....Chuck doing the same thing with Chuckie when he turned 18.....
Again, Carla, is waiting to be 18 in September so that she and I and Brittney....maybe Ashley and Melissa Jo also....will take the plunge.....
Saying a spontaneous “Yes“.....happened in a moment.
It could have been a ‘no’ just as easy....
But I threw caution to the wind and said...”Why Not?”
I have never regretted it.....
Skydiving....in tandem....is a constant thrill as I relive the experience in my memories....
........I dare YOU.....to be challenged.....at some moment in time....to participate in....the unexpected!
Perhaps it could.....change your life!
After all.....it IS A Good Life....and More To Come!

A Good Time Was Had By All

Celebrating my birthday with family and friends.....as well as celebrating America’s birthday on July 4th at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida....was another FUN event.....
All our family members showed up at one time or another....along with Nautical friends, Sam & Sally, Kurt, Melissa and Pammy. Phone calls galore, party games, Regency Club goodies, traditional last meal pizza feast, water gun fights ( Yo, Chad) and moments of heart to heart talks was certainly a package deal of the Celebration of....The Good Life!
......I was overwhelmed with gifts from my loved ones....tried to wear all the clothes and jewelry that I received plus used my new 256 MB memory card for my digital camera...after having used to full my old 128 card.
It was picture heaven...
Unfortunately we did not take the time to use the video.....no one wanted to stop having fun long enough to record.
One of the best shots was the last morning when Mr. Whiz Kid,
Chad, thought he was going to throw his ole Mom in the pool with her new clothes on... I clung to him like a leech....then he decided he did not want to go in after all....so I escaped after my body guard, Matt, came to my rescue.... Good.... clean....FUN was had by all....
See pictures...Link #1....4th of July Grand Cypress.
Yes, we did pray that.....God would continue to....Bless America!!!

What the Fourth is Really About

Celebrating the 4th is a great tradition in our family.
We have a favorite hotel that we have been going to for about 15 years.
The Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando is like “island living’....On the 4th of July the fireworks at Epcot and Disney can be seen majestically from our hotel.
It is....awesome!
The 4th of July is also.....my birthday!
I get to really celebrate....because everyone is in a celebrating mood all over America.
This is really a fun holiday....
This year, I am re-reminded of what this holiday is all about.
As the battle in Iraq continues and reports of causalities still rise...I realize that this is no normal Fourth of July.
It is about the cost being paid today in 2003 when people are wounded and die for...”freedom”. We have men and women still ‘fighting’ on foreign land. Our flag is being ripped to shreds by people who think we should not be on their soil. Many Americans are in another country serving our country and their family members are anxious every day as to whether they are dead or alive.
I am grateful for the freedom I have and for the ways I am allowed to express that freedom. I will never forget that this day is about my being able to keep living comfortable.....
It is okay for me to celebrate, but I hope I will never take the Fourth of July so lightly again.
This year I wish there would be a moment of silence at all fireworks to honor and remember those fighting on foreign soil....
We need to be giving a standing ovation to our military troops who deserve our praise and gratitude for preserving our way of life, liberty and freedom....right here in America....
When you see a veteran or someone in uniform, I hope you will have the courtesy to stop and acknowledge them for the way they make our life possible in America...
Thank them for their personal contribution....
Feel free to Celebrate.....the 4th of July......in ....The Land of Plenty...
We are blessed.....May God...continue to.....Bless America....and her....brave!