Unique....and Wonderful!

Occasionally in life there are moments in time by which we stand back in awe....

This week our family had such a moment...

One of our dear friends which we see only

twice a year....sent us a very thoughtful note of

caring and beauty that was uniquely different and

AWESOME.....

To receive words of the heart....

from another whom we admire, respect and love....

is truly a gratifying and uplifting experience.

It is a gift that money can not buy...

And it is a reaffirming of the value of another's life

to our life...and ours to them....

This completes the Circle of Love that

breathes life in all of us as human beings.

Vann's note birthed this truth....

To Vann, our man, we wish to thank you

for taking the time in your busy life in order to

give us such a Gift....

We appreciate and honor you ....

Vann, it is YOU who 'spoils' us...God bless you dear one.

To Whom It May Concern....

Happy Valentine's Day.....

Hallmark did a sales study in nearly all cities.

Guess What?

Everybody everywhere loved the SAME Valentine Card....

Hallmark said, "It speaks to the fact that people are more alike

than they are different..."

The #1 card's face is a deep red foil, with

"For the One I Love" across the top,

and a large picture of a red rose in the center....

Inside, it simply said, "Each time I see you,

hold you, think of you,

here's what I do....

I fall deeply, madly, happily in love with YOU...

Happy Valentine's Day"....

Now isn't that.....sweet!

My faith devotion says, "A bond of love with a special

person is a source of joy for me....

As I express the love of God to others,

I connect with them in a bond that unites us....heart and soul.

I become aware of the great value that

a relationship founded on sharing the Love of God

is to both people involved.

We are united by a love that makes us more complete as individuals

and also makes our relationship more fulfilling...."

Everyone everywhere tries in some way

to express this 'heart love' on

Valentine's Day....

Therefore I say to you, my dear family and friends....

I love YOU...I appreciate YOU....

I admire YOU....and

I need you in order to continue to enjoy

a fulfilling and rich life of.....Love...

Happy Valentine's Day, You'll......

Let’s Get It On!

Just finished reading a book that was thought provoking…and not ordinarily my ’kind of book’ …
No, I am not suggesting a kind of ‘Oprah’s Book Club’ review!
In fact, I hardly recommend the book at all…..even though the author has written twenty-two novels such as Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment, Comanche Moon just to name a few….
The book, Duane’s Depressed, from the Pulitzer Prize-Winner, Larry McMurtry, was a fairly stupid satire in my ‘stupid opinion’….
Internet review says:
"Duane's Depressed. (1999)This novel completes the trilogy begun with The Last Picture Show (1966) and continued in Texasville (1989). Once again the protagonist is Duane, the considerably older mayor of Thalia, Texas, who startles his constituents by abandoning his pickup truck and walking everywhere. This signals his shake-up of community conventions, which he also challenges by consulting a young woman psychiatrist. Duane's story, critics note, shows McMurtry's fine grasp of a changing contemporary Western culture."

That is basically it in a nutshell…..EXCEPT…..
……it is a Texas similarity of Walden’s Pond written by Henry David Thoreau who lived in a cabin near the pond from 1845 to 1847 The writer, naturalist, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau lived on the shores of the pond for two years starting in the summer of 1845.

His account of the experience was recorded in Walden, or,

Life in the Woods, and made the spot famous.

Now in Duane’s account of living in his cabin which is six miles from his big family home and choosing to walk everywhere he went makes family & friends thinks he has gone….BONKERS.
What does Duane himself think?
How can he justify himself and an immediate life change after living 60 years as Duane the provider, the dependable, the steady and stable husband, father, grandfather and successful business man in a small community?
Therein lies the ’profound thinking’……..
Duane finds that upon walking the roads he has driven on for years….he finds….
litter in the creeks that deters the current and mars the beauty of nature….
Then he wonders at this ’new-found’ sense of ’caring’ at a deeper level than he has ever experienced before……
……..Is there not a similar ’epiphany’ of such in our own lives in order to prove for a fact that…..

I existed….?
Perhaps a ‘new awaking’ is needed periodically as we travel this journey called life….
Often a total withdrawal is required ....

withdrawal from the fast pace, the normal ‘good life’

in order to experience what one poet called ‘The Art of Non-Doing’.

Yes, this basically was the profound thinking of this ‘silly’ book.
But I do agree that everyone at some point in life should ask themselves these questions….
Who am I/ What am I here for/What is the meaning of life for me/ and
Lastly……..what words, acts and meanings do I want to reflect as who I was on planet earth?
Mind provoking isn’t it? …….Let’s get it on!

Walden's Pond in Winter

Tribute should be paid for those people who willingly and knowingly use their life in order to secure peace, freedom and protection for their fellow man. Such a life should not be taken for granted for we owe them gratitude of the highest degree. Theirs is a life dedicated to honor, integrity and the preservation of that which is sacred and precious.....freedom.

Any person who has carried this responsibility in such a noble way - should be awarded the highest honor of our land....a grateful and appreciative heart from the people who has thus been served...

It is with great thankfulness that I salute ALL who have procured my country's freedom with your commitment to such a noble endeavor....

May God Hold YOU in the Palm of His Hand and Bless you Abundantly....

We appreciate YOU!

Happy Birthday Melissa Jo...again!

Fullness of Life!

I was reading a devotion last week and it really communicated the 'Good Life' message very effectively to my heart....

This is that devotion from the Daily Word....

....."In examining what a full life truly means to me,

I understand it's not about the number of activities

I am able to pack into a day.

It's about the moments in which I pause to take in

the beauty of the world around me.

I measure my productivity

not only by how many work-related tasks I finish,

but also by my personal communication with others.

I share from my heart in person or through a

letter, card, e-mail or phone call.

Of all the place I may go today,

my most important time will occur when I spend time

with family and friends.

And before I turn my thoughts to sleep at the end of the day,

I thank God for the fullness of my life.

I then gently release this day with appreciation

for how abundantly blessed I truly am.

-Psalm 16:11- "You show me the path of life,

in your presence there is fullness of joy."

Sleep...in....Peace

We celebrate Melissa Jo's 23rd birthday...

her gift says...

Live Well...Laugh Often...Love Much

Matt & Ash, MissiJo & Chuckie...

ready to celebrate....

nice sweater MJ:)

Our girl wanted 'ribs' for dinner....a lady she is just look at her way of holding ribs!

Is this a H A P P Y face?

Everybody sings "Happy Birthday Melissa Jo"

It is All....in The Family

Recent family events have caused me to be both happy and sad...

Watching a family member 'climb fools mountain'

can be very scary and heartbreaking at times....

But I am reminded of the profoundness of

what our son, Chuck, said at sixteen....

"Mom, I know you know what is going to happen to me as I

climb 'fools mountain'....

but let me learn it

for myself".

And he did....in his own way,

to his own benefit.

Today he is teaching others, through his faith, how to

avoid 'fools mountain'.

Yep, we've seen life's experiences, good and bad....

.....in the family!

And we still proclaim....

It IS a GOOD LIFE!

^+^ ^+^ ^+^

Having a family 'garage sale' can be interesting....our Southern Belle Victorian princess, Melissa Jo, displays lace gloves, doily on head and fan from Spain plus German Ski Scarf....

Chad pulls 'Mom & Son' in big wagon for sale...

Aunt Lynn and her 'sweet turkey'....

Lil Chuck wants heart basket...and gets it....

Celebrating with a Mexican food dinner..Lynn, MissiJo, 'lil Chuck, & Ashley

Get Motivated!

Just returned from a Motivation Seminar....and

am sorry I went!

Now I feel obligated to produce something....tangible from all the

investment of the speakers....

Gen. Colin Powell, Rudolph Giuliana, Bobby Bowden, Zig Ziglar,

and a host of other 'business' inspirers...

I already had more information in my head than I use anyway...

so why in the world would I place myself in an environment

to 'accumulate more information' that I won't use.......

Beats me

I enjoyed being with the people I went with, had some

good laughs

mixed with 'out of the ordinary' people who are

interested in 'personal growth' and ....what did I learn most?

How to deal with stress!
Traffic going and into parking, one hour in line to get a salad,

and an hour and a half driving back to Tampa afterwards...

all that was for 'free'......learned 'coping' skills anew.

I am now motivated....TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND STANDING IN LINE!

Guess you can tell that I have no desire to go to

Gasparilla this week-end....

I am motivated to....stay at home.

Halleluiah!

*Click to enlarge pictures***

'Once Upon A Time'.....the following pictures tell the story of dreaming and.....Dreams Realized....the blessings of...The GOOD Life!

Greeting the morn....

Charlie with both his loves....the Go Gators plus the Milagro...proving that Dreams DO Come True!

This boat is truly...One-Of-A-Kind....Martha & Bruce take a spin in the 'Sassy'....how beautiful her lines are when she is 'a runnin'......(***click to enlarge)

Pier 33 owners, Sam & Sally, offer their hospitality to nautical friends again....outdoor fire for steamed oysters and other foods keeps Sam busy as usual....

The "Just Do It" guy...Dockie enjoys the Good Life...and steamed oysters then he and Annie P. go home by Boston Whaler water taxi to their 'Okeechobee Property'....

Leaving our Okeechobee Home. The Milagro

Girls day out! Melissa, Pammy, Cindy and Annie P. enjoy....Animal Kingdom...and Florida Sunshine...

Below is a poem that I wrote a few years ago and it seems appropriate now...

I posted it in Feb. of 2003 along with some others

I had written at the same time...

To Be or Not To Be?

Have you ever let your soul....roll?

Have you ever set your spirit....free?

Have you gotten in tune with life

Like a monkey in a tree.....?

If you have not my friend,

Why, you need a kick in your end.....

Because life is a frolic when once we see,

That in taking ourselves soooo seriously,

We often miss the joy each day

Of living, fully, in a creative, fun-filled way....

But 'tis not too late to have some fun,

Just take your troubles to The Son....

For what He said is full of life,

Which cuts across all pain and strife

This releases both you and me...

To be totally and joyously,100% FREE!!!

John 8:36...... If the Son makes you free, then you will be FREE indeed.......

Matt & Ash surprised me.... ***Click on pictures

then we Celebrated......Love!

Chuckie & 'Cash'

Dog Gone

Sharing a wonderful week-end with our friends,

Kurt, Melissa & Pammy Collins was....Fun.

Pam...who loves all animals....was surprised with a gift of tickets from her parents for the Tampa Convention Center hosting of the

AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

They attended all day on Saturday and I took Kurt's ticket for Sunday so

that he could...of all things boring....watch a ball game with Charlie.

These dogs, all 3,471 of them, were presented at what was written about as...

'one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world'....

One 'guest' required pate, ordered from a specific restaurant with a note

from hotel concierge: "Hold the pistachios."

Another requests a masseuse.

Even the grass they walk on was replaced every day....

Pammy's favorite was Knotty, a bloodhound and last year's

AKC Best in Show Champion.

See last picture for Pammy's choice of....Champion this year....

Now the dogs are gone....but the fun memories remain to enjoy

again and again....

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE FOR BETTER VIEWING***

My dear friend, Melissa, shows me her surprise Christmas gift from her 'sweet' husband, Kurt....Way to go, Kurt...

Pammy's dream was fulfilled....

being able to have a 'hands on' relationship with all kinds of....dogs....

Of course, water transportation 'sightseeing' was a part of the week-end with our nautical friends....Kurt, Melissa, Charlie & Pammy enjoy....The Good Life!

Bald dogs, hairy dogs, all kind of dogs among the 3,471 shown

at the Tampa Convention Center AKC National Championship

Pammy visiting with "Mastiff" breed....costumes portray breed background...

Packing up to go home....Show dogs serve a useful purpose

The Winner according to Pammy!

Roxy Collins....Judge Charlotte gave the final vote.........

Happy New Year Joshua....

The Best Things In Life

Aren’t THINGS.....

Reflecting on the “Good Life”

Here are a list of ‘wonders’ that lift the heart and spirits...Personalize them for yourself and send on to someone who needs a lift today.....

1. The feel of grass after a fresh rain.

2. Coming home.

3. Singing in the shower.

4. Catching raindrops with your tongue.

5. Holding a baby.

6. Running into an old friend.

7. Getting an inspiring e-mail just as needed.

8. The smell of fresh baked bread.

9. A sleeping baby.

10. Birds singing in the early morn.

11. Holding hands.

12. Lunch with a friend.

13. Seeing a rainbow.

14. Hearing a child say their prayers.

15. Climbing into a bed with fresh, clean sheets.

16. Daydreaming.

17. Belly laughing.

18. Smelling flowers in bloom.

19. Getting a call from a long distance family member.

20. Hearing the word...Mom....Dad....Grandma....Grandfadder...

21. The American Flag blowing in a breeze.

Get-togethers with family and friends are always fun,

but getting everyone together isn't always easy.

As our family grows larger and larger....and more spread out....

and more years come and go....

a 'Granny reality check' is needed....

Granny Baxter was a 'family-togetherness-reunion-fanatic'....

We are letting her down!

This was the conversation between Nancy and Chad at Jane's memorial.

They have taken it on to do something tangible about this 'neglect'....

Expect to hear from them soon....

Jane Del Grande, we ,your friends,

pay tribute and love to you today at your memoriaL....

God's Heart now holds you securely, safely and whole

in the presence of His Love.

Our love goes with you....

...Until we meet again

Food....A 'fitting' tribute to Jane.....in love and respect....

we will miss you, dear one....

Cpt. Bill & Susan....Jane's nautical friends...

Lynn, Chad, Brian and Nancy....enjoying sunshine at Jane's ....

Carla & Monte....double delight! Happy 'Florida' New Year!

Celebrating....2 0 0 6

Click on picture to enlarge

2006

A Florida New Year's Day.....2006

Melissa Jo and 'Lil Chuck'

Joshua says...."Happy New Year !"

Hyatt Grand Cypress sends up champagne and strawberries to returning Iraqi Marine Chuckie & Melissa...celebrating with baby too....

Ms. New Year 2006...Melissa Jo

Part of our crazy family at Grand Cypress on Dec. 31, 2005...11:47 p.m.

MJ...our New Year's girl...