Writers and Words….

Everyone has a story to tell….Believe me I know this truth….
Below is a small children’s story by Jenny Lee, which I have condensed in order to say to you……Y O U, too, should write YOUR VERY OWN STORY OF LIFE…It will help define you to YOU……It is called……

Benjamin’s Book……
Once upon a time there was a bookworm. His name was Benjamin, but everyone just called him Benny for short. He lived in a large public library, where he traveled from one book to another. He liked to read all day long.

One day after Benny had just finished reading a book, he said to himself, “That was a silly story. I could write a better one myself.”
And he decided to do just that.
Benny crawled down off the bookshelf and over to the desk.
When he got to the top of the desk, he sat down on the typewriter to write a great book. “Now, let me see,” said Benny.
“Lots of stories start out with…Once Upon A Time.”
So Benny started with that, but he couldn’t think of anything else to write.

Benny crawled across the desk and back again, trying to think of something else to write. He thought and thought, but he couldn’t think of what to write next. “Writing a story is harder than I thought,” he said, “but I know what’s the matter. I NEED TO GO OUT INTO THE BIG, WIDE WORLD AND GET SOME IDEAS.”

So Benny crawled out of the library and down the street until he came to a forest. He sat down under a tree and waited for something to happen.
And something did happen.
After a while a tiger came by and sat down to talk with Benny.
After talking about Benny’s problem the tiger said, “You need to write about someone interesting. You should write about me. It’s always interesting to read about a tiger.”
Benny said good-by to the tiger and then he thought and thought, but nothing came to him….he couldn’t think of anything to write about the tiger….
Soon a lion came by…..declaring to Benny that a lion was more interesting to write about than a tiger….But poor Benny couldn’t think of anything to write about a lion.
While he was trying to think of something, a rabbit came by…
After hearing of Benny’s dilemma, the rabbit declares….”A lion!” said the rabbit. “No wonder you can’t think of anything to put in your story. A lion doesn’t do anything but roar. You should write about me. I’m sweet and gentle.” “Maybe you’re right, “ said Benny. So he wrote down….
Once upon a time there was a rabbit.
But poor Benny couldn’t think of anything to write about a rabbit. He thought and he thought until his head hurt. He thought until it grew dark.

When it was dark, an owl came out of a hole in the tree that Benny was sitting under. “What’s wrong with you?” asked the owl. “You look sick.”
“I’m tired of thinking,” said Benny. “I’m trying to write a story. All I can think of is…Once upon a time there was a rabbit.”
“Once upon a time there was a rabbit!” said the owl.
“I know, I know,” said Benny quite crossly. “You think I should write…
Once upon a time there was an owl”….
“No, no,” said the wise owl…”That’s not what I was going to say at all. I was going to say that you should write about something YOU KNOW.
Is there anything that you know more about than ANYONE ELSE?
If there is, write about that.”
“I never thought of that,” said Benny. “That’s a good idea.”
Then he said thank you to the owl and crawled back home as fast as he could.
As soon as Benny got back home to the library, he sat down on the typewriter and began to write. ….Once upon a time there was a bookworm. His name was Benjamin, but everyone just called him Benny for short. He lived in a large public library, where he traveled from one book to another……
After Benny had finished writing the story, he read it over and said, “Boy, that’s a great story!” Then feeling very tired, he crawled into a book and went to sleep.

As the old saying goes….the moral of this story is…..Write in your own words….about things you see, about people you know, and about how you feel about life. Write about something that is important to you. Remember that one of the best ways to be a writer is to begin by writing about something that you know….
As I have said time and time again….(Matt are you listening?)
Others may be more skilled in writing techniques and correctness….but no one can tell my personal story or thoughts of life…..better than I can.
This is true for you as well…..You do have a story to tell.
I dare you to start recording your own story/journal of life.
What interesting reading it would be…..Our Matthew, Mattie C. who is 22.…is a perfect example. I have been on to him since he started college…..to write. He has a perspective of life that is very interesting….he is a deep thinker….he is a reader….he is full of adventure of the soul…..he is very creative….and he grew up in our family…..expressing himself in many creative ways….
Yet, he can not seem to get started for some reason or another….
He can take some lessons from Benny…..
In fact, last night we met with Matt and his fiancée, Ashley, and Britt and Joshua at La Teresita to celebrate his birthday. The rest of the family had a party on Saturday at Chad’s but we were in Okeechobee…
One of the gifts that I gave Matthew was a blank journal bound in Tuscany leather in order to start recording some of his ‘profound thoughts’.
Making the decision to start is the first hurdle….
Once upon a time there was a young man named Matthew……

Yes, Dockie you finally wrote your book, didn’t you?
I wonder why it is so filled with Florida water adventures…..Could it be that you the author, experienced everything that you wrote about?
Now that makes for good reading…..

Now my challenge goes to…..Blake!
With his Makinson historical family background …..he certainly has a story to tell….after all his Dad did start the first Kissimmee Boat-A-Cade among many other firsts….Come on Blake, step out of ‘retirement’ and get to work on your computer….should be easy for you….Your Mother was a wonderful writer and recorder of family events. She is the one who first challenged me to write my family stories and vignettes…
Let’s hear about…..your families…..Good Life….you should know you are living it daily…..and…..MORE….To….Come!

P.S. Betty how about you, dear one? Where are you in your writing now?

Diversity

Let’s face it….if everybody was like us….like me….like you….the world sure would be….B O R I N G!!!
I am so glad that we are…uniquely different.
I love to meet someone that is full of life, fun, adventure and by hearing of their experiences…..my life takes on more rhythm…
I am given more opportunities to learn about other ways in life of which I would probably never, ever be able to experience.
The diversity of others….enhances my life wonderfully.
Over the week-end when I met Susan, who works at Disney World, that is exactly how she explained her job to me. Susan said that one of the things she enjoyed about her work is that she meets such a diverse group of human beings at Disney World.
Diversity in life is a continuous learning experience.
We certainly can learn something new from everyone we meet.
What are others learning from us?
Actually, there is one thing that I learn from some people….to leave them alone…..their attitude of life is so sour or dismal that it chases people away.
Then there are others that we wish to draw near to and learn their secret of being….Makes life exciting doesn‘t it?

Celebrate Life!

Returning home from a wonderful Memorial Day week-end kinda puts a kink into things….Would have much preferred to remain in the peaceful domain of our Taylor Creek dock….reading my books and listening to tranquil music.
Life has interfered…..back to the ‘salt mines’……
All the nautical family and friends with which we shared our ‘good time’ returned home well fed for sure. Since the Bluegill fish were biting like crazy….everyone who went fishing had success. Eating fresh fish, fresh peas, homegrown tomatoes and many other wonderful home cooked dishes was a southern gourmet delight…
Celebrating three birthdays, Don, Sam and Charlie’s, was our excuse for a real good time…..Music, food, friends, and ’crazy-acting-fun-people’ who were our in-house/boat entertainment ….kept us laughing heartily…..
Our prim and proper…NOT….bankers, Sally and Bonnie, were truly a riot.
They earned every penny they were paid and MORE!
Of course some of us agree that we were a little short of ‘rum cake’!
Still think Bill got extra-special treatment from Pat and Kenneth!
Dockie had a job for the scuba team, Kurt and Bill.
Changing two props in mucky water was certainly a challenge…Even the heavy duty sledgehammer that Sam came up with didn’t complete the job. Only one prop was able to be changed….the other one refused to budge for the two muscle men involved. ‘To be continued’, says Dockie…
(See pictures Link #1 A Fun Time Album)
Having Bill and Susan join us was a true delight. They added so much to our serious fun….Sweet and gracious Susan, provided a very unique wine but I sure don’t want to be sitting by Sally when she orders it in a restaurant!
Experienced nautical Bill….almost sunk his boat right before our very eyes. Get him to tell you his side of the story!!!
Yet he redeemed himself with Kenneth’s air con repair and providing Annie P. with a $100 bill when needed…..
Sally’s granddaughter, Melissa, and her father, Gary, came by and she signed my CD of her music….That 13 year old young lady can certainly sing….She uses her gift to bless many people from singing the National Anthem at civic events to singing for terminally ill children.
Yep, she is my young ‘hero’.
Along with….Carla Maria…..Our whole clan went to her graduation on Wednesday night before going to Okeechobee…..we are so proud of our
Exotic creature….Carla….She certainly is our ‘baby doll’.
See family pictures on Link #1...AAA Blessings & Family Album.
So as you can see….The Good Life rolls on…..
Enjoy Yours!!!

P.S….I have other pictures to post in the A Fun Time Album as soon as Walker get them to me…Watch out, Sally!!!

FUN…

As I arise this morning, preparing to go to our boat at Okeechobee for the long Memorial Day week-end…..I read my morning devotion and it is appropriately called…..FUN.
I want to post it here….as it accurately defines the joyful side of the….
The Good Life…..The devotion opened this way….

As a student of life, I am ready to learn in fun, joyful ways…
Knowing that our spiritual life is anything but dull…there are also times to be quiet and contemplative…..then there are other times when life fills us with joy and laughter.
There are days when things seem to go wrong in such funny ways that we have to laugh at ourselves and say, “God MUST HAVE….a sense of humor!” God did provide each of us with a sense of humor and the ability to give things a light touch.
Life is not meant to be ALL seriousness…..Children show us how to enjoy life fully because they worry less and play more.
Worry is a LEARNED BEHAVIOR, but play is an innate tendency!
Teachers know that the most effective lessons are the fun ones. And we are all students of life, willing and ready to learn life’s lessons in fun, joyful ways….

Jesus said…”Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it…” Luke 18:17

Download Info

Recently downloading a newer version of my digital cameras program made me aware….anew…..of the necessity of changes….flexibility…...and learning daily…...what is pertinent to…..N O W!
Receiving a change of e-mail address from one of our friends….says to me….what worked yesterday for a contact with me….won’t work today unless you download this new information…
Suddenly….out of the blue….an incident happened in my day that required me to change the way I thought….make a different choice and decision than I had previously planned on…..
For you see…. new factual information….provided by a professional specialist on the matter at hand…..required that I download this new information in order to make intelligent changes necessary from the one that was….already in the works….
Updates….staying current….living in the NOW…..can be exciting….or frightening.
How many people do we know that continuously…..live in the past?
Tis an easy, familiar….place to go….good or bad….
But I am here to tell you…BY EXPERIENCE…..that it simply won’t work if we expect to grow and stay healthy in mind, body and soul….
Life moves foreword….or as the saying goes….”That was then….THIS is NOW!”…Downloading new info daily…requires CHANGE….
I hate and resist change…..but know that it is a MUST….like brushing my teeth….Some things have to be done….regardless!
As my Aunt Hattie used to say…..”You know the law is that we have to wear those danged seatbelts….But we don’t HAVE TO LIKE IT!”
My sentiments exactly….Aunt Hattie!

Are You Prepared?

Sometimes it is a lot of work…..to have FUN!
Getting ready for another boat trip, vacation week-ends, camping, or simply visiting relatives and friends……requires some pre-planning….
Tomorrows preparation for our family to travel an hour away for Carla’s graduation seems to take some planning…..that I had not planned on….
Phone calls and e-mails help….but it is the trusty cell phones that keep it all ‘doable’ at the last minute.
How many cars to take….who is getting off from work early….what time must we leave the house in order to travel to the graduation site…..who is riding with who…..is anyone staying the night….and on and on it goes….
Keeping everyone informed about everyone else…. is a job in itself.
It seems that Brittney, again, has been ‘chosen’ for that honor!
Someone has to do it…..if we all want to sit together and yell loudly when Carla crosses the stage….
Our Official Family Planner…..needs some help…..
Any volunteers?
Call Brittney…..not me….I’m packing to go to the boat for a long Memorial Day week-end…..
Sea Ya!
P.S. Charlie and I each have our cell phones on at all times….you know the number…..call Brittney if you want a problem solved…..she’s the BEST!
Of course, that's how she got the job....

Summer is……here!

Spending the last few days in the pool and at the beach with Joshua makes me aware that….yes, summer is here!
Britt, Joshua and I went to Gandy Beach on Friday at 5:00 p.m. It was quite hot then….Playing in the sand was fun….getting it in Britt’s car was a bummer. Returning to our house with chicken provided by Britt, Joshua decided that the pool is fun after all. Last summer he wasn’t quite so sure.
Saturday while playing with Chuckie/Pipo he had a ball….
Sunday afternoon he excelled with his swim ring…going the entire length of the pool and back while admonishing me to…..‘stay away’ as I tried to safely escort him along….
Of course, we had to celebrate his beautiful Mom’s new hair-do….
Didn’t impress Joshua very much…..
Ordering pizza was more to his liking….he is 16 going on 3...
Being a Florida Sun Boy is something he is enjoying very much….as is the family who shares this special time with him….
Wonder when he is 16 if he will ’hang around with kin’ for summer fun?
Guess we will just have to make it so much fun that he chooses to hang around for a lifetime…..of….The Good Life!
See pictures…Link #2.…AAA Blessings & Family Album

Life Is Short…
Eat Dessert First!

Saw this ad this morning and thought….yep, that’s what I’m gonna do!
Loving dessert is my nature…..having it first seems childish….but I eat very nutritiously all the time so why not throw caution to the wind and Eat Dessert First?…
You see….Life Is Short…..having my sister in ICU all week….going in and out of the hospital daily….reiterates this fact…
Makes me access my priorities…again!
I renew my vows of….. not taking anything in life for granted.
Health is the first wealth….love and being loved is magnificent….being blessed and sharing those blessings with others is FUN…..living the good life in the good ole U.S.A. is totally awesome….having a disagreement with a family member over the phone and then taking them out to lunch later is a real celebration of life…..having dessert first….why that sounds like just the sensible thing to do in order to really sweeten life….immediately….
Guess I’ll just have to do it more often and see, by experience, if it is really FUN . Won’t you join me for a ‘6-layer great wall of chocolate with raspberry sauce’?

Go Gators Party!

And a good time was had by ALL…..
What a wild day it was…..some family members arrived on Friday and spent the night….Pipo, Vinnie, Britt and Joshua started the party with a slumber party, movies etc…..
Arising early on Sat. morn to decorate the house from top to bottom with Gator paraphernalia….we get a report from Lynn that Aunt Shyrl (who was with her) had to be taken by 911 ambulance back to the Bayfront Hospital.
We quickly held hands and said a prayer for her.
Next on the agenda was to get everyone in the right direction for showers, Gator clothing etc. Vinnie balked…..he is a life long (15 yr. Old) Seminole fan and has always competed with his Pops for top billing….
He always looses…..
Being the only true Nole fan among a huge Gator family….he doesn’t even stand a chance…In fact, his Dad…Chuck…is a born Gator since he was birthed in Gainesville, Florida at the Alachua Hospital within blocks of the University of Florida…. Vinnie stands a chance….remote he thinks….of going to the U of F….structural engineering is his goal (right now) and there are prayers- in- the- works for the right scholarship….
We shall see….
Anyway…..for the first time Vinnie donned Gator clothes as a tribute to his Beloved Pops…he even surprised Pops…. and all of us ….by putting on Pops Gator ski hat and Gator watch….
Now that is…..L O V E!!!
Then the work begins…..Carla arrives with the shrimp after a stop off at the mall enroute…..Blue Crabs had already been cleaned and prepared by Pops but Vinnie, Britt and I start working on 8 lbs. of Jumbo Shrimp from the coast which Terry had supplied. We had food coming out of our ears….
Britt cooked her 5 lbs. of red potatoes and sautéed them in butter and garlic…yum, yum…and I made strawberry pies….while talking nonsense….again….Matt and Ashley arrive….Ash with the Gator hat that everyone wanted….one way or another….
The Marine said that he could confiscate anything available ’for the cause’ and did with a brand new Gator shirt of Pops ….. I’m still not convinced that it wasn’t ’unwrapped pre-maturely’….he swears that it came from ‘Pops stash’….of shirts! Thank God he had sense enough to leave Ashley’s hat alone!!!
…….A ‘day of reckoning’ was at hand though!
Matt and Chuckie have waited years for this day in time…..to grow up and be strong enough to ‘take Uncle Chad/DooDoo’ down! He has picked on them for years and years…..so this was their ‘gottcha’ time…..
They tried in the house….they tried in the pool….they tried under the patio…they tried and tried….Two on One…..was NOT fair...Everyone agreed. So Chad had some help from time to time…when Joshua put his arms around Chad’s neck in the pool….to protect him….The aggressors knew to …back off…Next, they turned on Uncle ‘fully clothed’ Chuck….soon everyone was in the free for all…..have a few bruises to prove it myself…
Entirely too much energy was spent….trying to prove….”my dog is bigger than your dog”. Joshua is growing up thinking the…abnormal is normal!
Families are supposed to be the free entertainment at Birthday Parties….
Since he received 1 lb. Bar bells as a gift from Pops….he now does his exercise along with Pops ….saying “Go..gators…Go…gators” with every pump of the muscle…..
Having Chuck and Terry arrive later in the day from their church work…gave us the signal that….The Party Can Now Begin!
Too late….it began….yesterday.
Pops had a ball….was smiling constantly….and completely Happy on his day…..being surrounded by his crazy family IN GATOR GARB…..was the best gift ever…
Yes…..It IS A Good Life….and MORE to come!!!

See Pictures…Link #1.…Birthday and Celebrations Album

Not So Fast!

Meeting with my prayer girls yesterday, as usual, proved to be a very productive time…..Of course, we had to disband early since we were meeting at Nancy’s and she goes to work at 11:30 therefore, we had to be ‘out of there’….Starting early gave us an edge…..
Except for one fact…..
God simply breathed inspired thoughts and words…..which were not our own invention ….into our conversation time as if to say…
”Now, Girls…..Not So Fast!”
We each knew….’we had been….had.”
Carefully, thoughtfully, clearly and precisely…..we each….Nancy, Abby and I…(Taina stayed home to receive guests)….received knowledge and foreknowledge of our faith relationship to God, family, friends and each other….Spiritually and mentally we began to .... ‘straighten up and take notice’….(Southern interpretation)…
The Scripture…the Word of God…..came alive to us and addressed our situation and circumstances of life in 2004.…
Actually…..’tis no surprise….for Jesus, Himself, tries to tell us this fact in Matthew 18:19 & 20 Living Bible Edition (sounds Southern even)…

Jesus said this…”I also tell you this---if two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask for, My Father in heaven will do it for you…For Where Two or Three Gather Together BECAUSE THEY ARE MINE, I WILL BE RIGHT THERE AMONG THEM!”

Having even ’mustard seed faith’ qualifies for a prayer experience such as yesterdays encounter with the wonderful and mighty God of the Universe….and Abby…and Nancy….and Taina…and Faith and perhaps…YOU!
Yep….One Nation Under God…In God We Trust….God Bless America…
Words that invites us to sit up and take notice periodically…..of God!!!
Such faith ALWAYS is rewarded…yesterdays prayer time was not expressed as a ‘fast food’ agenda even though time was limited….but ended with a wonderful…Happy Meal…for…The Good Life!

Brain-Storming

Brainstorming is….the unrestrained offering of ideas or suggestions by all members of a group or conference to seek solutions to problems…..
A single brain-storm is a series of sudden, violent cerebral disturbances…Colloquial…a sudden inspiration, idea, or plan…

Lo and behold…..yesterday became a time of….brain storming!
For a couple of week now I have wracked my pea brain to find a solution to the upcoming birthday for Charlie, my husband….
Saturday is that day…
As I tried to put it together previously….nothing worked.
I simply gave up….surrendered to the fact that everyone involved had a million and one plans already in motion.
Within an hour yesterday….plans were complete.
My Southern Barbie Doll…..Brittney….grabbed her trusty cell phone and contacted all members of the Family Zoo simply saying in her sweet, direct voice of authority……”Saturday we’re having Pops Seafood Birthday Party and the only way you can get in the door is wearing Gator clothes and bringing a bathing suit. We are having Blue Crabs, Aunt Terry is making shrimp, I’m doing sautéed red potatoes…..Now, what food do you want to bring?”
Every single person responded automatically….even half-asleep brother Matt who works the night shifts. The brain-storming ended within the hour with a solution to the problem I’ve wrestled with…off and on….for a long time…I salute you…Brittney Perry!
As my Mamma used to say in her very Southern colloquialism…..Britt had a ‘bee in her bonnet’……
Mission accomplished….Happy Birthday Pops!!!

Southern Exposure

After celebrating Mother’s Day with my crazy family….I have come to the conclusion that…..they are ALL crazy….except me!
Sunday they were at their best….let me share with you a few…
word clips…of that day…
Early morn phone greetings….fast pace hour drive to son’s church…family members all ’mozy’ in at different time….lollipop meant for 3 yr. old Joshua
winds up in Great-Grandfathers mouth during sermon, lick, lick, lick sounds…flowers at church youngest Mother, Britt….family members at church altar when prayers are requested to BLESS FAMILY….food galore…Terry’s collards were a special hit with Matt and Chad, chicken mysteriously stripped before serving….flowers for four Moms, Britt, Lynn, Terry, Faith…dozens of roses….gifts galore…T shirts that say…
FAMILY…We may not have it all together….But TOGETHER we have it all…..bike and 4-wheeler sprees….Chad deploys before Britt crashes….
And on and on it went…..
No peaceful, serene, Kodak moments of tranquility for me….
….just another day at the zoo….I was a ‘spectator’ this time of the “Good Life”…..See pictures Link #1.….A Mother’s Day Album

Sorry that I have not written in a few days....
Life is moving swiftly....some family members have been ill in the hospital, some have had surgery, then the celebration of Mother's Day, trips to Okeechobee etc.
Will get back into the swing of things shortly....
Hope you are still enjoying....The Good Life!
I AM....

Happy 25th Abby & Al

Went to a wonderful celebration last night at the Seminole Country Club.
One of my prayer partners, Abby, and her husband, Al, were celebrating…
along with about a 100 family members and friends.
Food, music, blessings, dancing, children….and golfers galore.
Both Al and Abby golf at this club so their friends were many.
And a good time was had by all….

P.S. Ask Abby about the ‘slight mix-up’ that caused Charlie and I to be an hour late…..and I was to be the ‘official’ picture taker and ’blessing’ girl!
See pictures Link #1 2004 Begins Album

Greetings New Readers:

Some of you are just starting to read my blogs....
I am printing below....my first introductory blog which will explain my writings.
You can provide feedback, comments etc. by clicking on Link#2 and getting my
e-mail for blogs...Address. Go to Link #1 for Photos referred to in certain articles.
Family and friends....and friends I have not met....I declare to you......
It IS A Good Life.....and more to come...


Sept. 9, 2002

Welcome to my new Web Site called...a blog.
Blogs are simply web logs....in this case a kind of personal journal that is made public.
Since many of you have read my little books of inspiration in the past, you will find yourself mentioned from time to time
as we experience life together. I will include daily happenings of interest to my family, our nautical friends, my prayer partners, and any and all who are like minded souls.
You will see that our Southern/Spanish flavored family is quite 'crazy' and the abnormal becomes normal to us.
Adventure, Fun, Faith required Challenges, local home grown 'heroes' will become the norm as I present to you
some of the most fascinating people on this earth....my family and friends....
Look carefully....for you will surely find....YOURSELF!!!
Faith 9/9/2002 12:01:19 PM

What Is The Point?

Yesterday... Charlie and I went shopping for…of all things….a toilet, a commode, or as Joshua says, “a potty”.
Our County water supplier is offering a $100.00 rebate for installing the newer 1.6 gal. commodes.
Arriving at Lowe’s and Home Depot we find that there are 20-30 different choices in styles of all things…..toilets!
Yep, this is the good ole U.S.A.
Where else can one get ‘stressed out’ over choosing the right ‘potty’?
And actually is there a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ one?
Just a matter of opinion….is my ‘opinion’…
As our Southern friend, Patsy, always says…”Suit Yourself”!
And that is exactly what we did….
Now the county must inspect our ‘toilet’ to see that it meets the requirements for a $100.00 rebate….
So there is a ‘right’ toilet after all….according to the official ‘toilet inspector’…..
”ULF (ultra low flow) toilets must be ANSI certified to use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.”
Saving or conserving water….is big business now in 2004.
That’s the point….
………so ‘suit yourself’ …to save or not to save…..if the ’toilet inspector’ came to your house….what would he find?
At mine….he will find….one toilet passes inspection….one does not!
We intend to ’prove the savings and aggravation of replacement‘ before doing the second one….
To be Continued!

Growing Up…

Our Joshua is growing up…
He will be 3 yrs. old on July 13.
He has started ‘pre-school’….not day-care….but school three days a week.
Brittney almost died on Monday which caused her to call the school every hour or so for a progress report. Joshua was fine….not only fine but ‘having a great-time fine’. He has outgrown his ’family relatives’ care and needs this social, stimulating, learning experience. Talking full sentences, he comprehends everything and quickly assimilates information and responds accordingly. He is a natural ’learner’ with a tendency to be a ’leader’ among the other children. He gets a written report every day.
On Wednesday the family met at Cody’s as usual and Joshua had just come from school. He acted like….as my Southern Daddy used to say…a ’big shot’! Everybody was so anxious to ask him questions, get his reaction to school etc. Opening peanuts from the table during all this ’hoopla’ he ignored everyone. Suddenly after much ’picking’ from Chad and Chuckie/Pipo, he tosses his peanuts at Chad and uses one of his favorite expressions…”Whatever…”
Yep, our boy is growing up….possibly to be a Gator fan, thanks to Pop…
See pictures…Link #1.…See album Family Fun

Full Speed Ahead

Not being able to write on my web page can be frustrating….
Being busy away from home….even taking my laptop with me….
sometimes interferes with total enjoyment and a care-free feeling
of life. Obligation is truly a frustrating word.
Throwing caution to the wind…..I choose to enjoy the
special moments as they come to me.
Preserving precious times has
always been my forte. I do this in the written word, in pictures, videos, and verbally.
My family knows this is true..
Over the week-end at Okeechobee with family members, Chuck, Terry, Carla and Vinnie, was another one of those times.
We laughed, we relaxed, we were serious, we ate fresh caught fish and we enjoyed each other.
Carla and Vinnie gave us a Sunday morning church service which was truly inspirational. I am in awe of their 15 and 18 year old view of life and the healthy minded focus of faith that they both live and communicate.
Yes, it is truly…Full Speed Ahead….in….The Good Life!

Silent Partner…..

A wise man once observed that no one has as much money as other people assume he does. One reason for it is that everyone has a ‘silent partner’:
THE TAX MAN….
We are asked/required to donate, annually, to our silent partner….
It can be done daily, weekly, monthly or in a lump sum….annually.
Hurts more in a lump sum!
This time of year we are made aware of our silent partner for if we do not respond to his ‘invite to donate’…….by April 15th…..we will live to regret it. The only excuse acceptable is……T O STOP BREATHING!
Sometimes though…..we over pay our silent partner and believe it or not….he sends us back our overpayment! But in order to have this benefit….we must give him our money, first…..then send him all our bill totals at years end…..and if we have added and subtracted correctly….he gives us some of our money back. Our ‘windfall’ is usually spent quickly!
Otherwise, we add and subtract, and send him some more money at years end for we did not donate enough to suit him over the past year.
Anyway, this time of year there is a lot of money changing hands….our silent partner invades every family in America one way or another.
Woe is me…..AND EVERYBODY ELSE!
All of our money together….with our silent partners disbursement ….provides for our needs…those we see and do not see….
Roads, schools, parks, libraries, health care, protection, etc. The list goes on and on. Very seldom do we agree that these ’services’ are adequate or that the money is spent wisely. We have the right to complain to anyone that will listen, print complaints in newspapers and voice them on TV.
We have purchased this right….
Guess I have to honestly admit……we have ourselves a Good Deal!
But you know…..even Charity has….its limits!!!

This is a reminder.......Dear Readers;
I have had several questions about the new format on my Photos Page...from Link #1.
First of all I pay for this page so ignore all ads scattered around....
To view pictures....
Choose Album to view...
Double Click on it.....
Then double click on first picture in album and it will enlarge for viewing....look to the top of picture and
you will see the selectors previous/next buttons....also on left you will see....slideshow....
For automatic viewing of that album....click on slideshow...
To operate individually choose the next button each time you want to go forward.
That is all there is to it.....
Hope this simplifies the process for you...
Have a Great Day!!!

The Return
For Pictures…Link #1...AAA Blessing & Family Album

Greeting Dear Ones:
What a relaxing and rewarding week we spent on our boats in Okeechobee.
It was a blessed time of refreshment and work in order to do much-needed repair on the boats. Dockie and Ann joined us at different intervals and we took small boat runs on the rim ditch and up Taylor Creek. Since it was windy the first few days we worked instead of boating.
Dockie and Charlie spent two days…four hours each….perfecting our generator and electrical problems in the Milagro. I don’t use the term ‘perfect’ lightly….Dockie insisted time and time again…..”We will not quit until it is fixed perfectly…” When they did stop….we knew the job was done….Ann and I were told to leave the dock/Tiki Hut area because our talking was disturbing their concentration…Banished to our boats….we took up our favorite pastime with our books for reading.
What a delightful punishment!
At the end of the week we received a call from our cousin, Yvonne, that her mother, our Aunt Claudia, had died. She was the last of our Father’s family so it was a significant happening in the history of our Baxter Family.
Loading up a weeks supply of dirty clothes, tools, etc. we packed our gear and headed back to the Tampa Bay area.
Next morning, Friday, we get up early and head to Live Oak in north Florida for the funeral. It is about a 3-4 hour drive and we arrive just in time for the 11:00 service. With mixed emotions of gladness to see dear relative and experiencing the loss of a family member at the same time….it was a very precious and special event. What a sight of beauty it was to see the continuance after Aunt Claudia of all the family members with their young and beautiful children bursting with life.
(See family group picture on Link #1.)
The church service was a tribute to her faith and a timely reminder during this spiritual season of….Easter. The fact that there is life after death as we know it in the human form….makes Easter a wonderful time of rejoicing and victory. That was the feeling while chatting with family members and getting to know some of the younger ones.
Yes, definitely….It Is A Good Life….NOW and….hereafter!
Leaving Live Oak on our return home….we made a spontaneous decision to make a quick stop over in Gainesville at the University of Florida where Charlie and I met many years ago.
It was fun….and sad at the same time. Parts of the town was run down and others parts were restored. As we found my first apt., we discovered that seven graduate students were living in the old Southern house and were gradually restoring it to its former glamour. What a delight when we knocked on the door and they very proudly showed us around. I recognized all the rooms as wonderful memories came flooding back of a time of innocence and….safety. Leaving there we then found the next apartment I had when Charlie and I became engaged. It is now Lawyers offices and the staff was delighted to give us a tour as well. Remembering that my landlord did not allow males in the female ’quarters/apartment’…..Charlie had to knock on the door and ask me to his car in order to present the engagement ring and ask me to marry him!
My….how times have changed.
Next we toured all of the University…..saying…”Remember?”
Stopping at the same ROTC Dept. we found that it was a “Welcome Alumni” week-end so Charlie felt right at home there. From Cadet to Col. was molded from those roots….as a proud military tradition continued thru Charlie and his brothers as well.
Lastly, we drove to our on campus, married housing area. We then lived in old converted Army Barracks, with a little park in front and tennis courts to the side…..park and tennis courts still there….high rise dorms took the place of our old army barracks family home. Having two of our three children, Lynn and Chuck, there during our college years….placed many memories of wonderful, delightful…..early family life ’hard times’ into proper perspective for both Charlie and I.
We have lived so many of our youthful dreams and far beyond to those we could not have even imagined.
Being a hard-core “Gator Fan” became a life-time experience!
Yes, Chris…..you KNOW what I am talking about!
Today….I celebrate Life, Family, Fun, Faith…..and Blessed Memories.
Enjoying Life with those you love….is Truly Living!
Celebrate….The Good Life…and MORE to come!

Going to the boat in Okeechobee for a week of rest and 'putting Milagro into tip-top shape" .
Taking the "Go Gator" to make some run and burn short trips.
Looking forward to....Easter.....Spring days of "New Life" appearing and Sun-Fun.....
Wishing you all.....ESPECIALLY IN UTAH......Happy-Good-Life-Holidays!
Sea Yea!

Silence, Please!

Silence does have a sound….
A few young people wrote about “Listening to Quiet” in our St. Petersburg Times and it brought to my mind an assignment that I once had. While taking a Writing Class at the University of Maryland in Augsburg, Germany…we were told to sit outside on the grass…anywhere, with eyes closed or put on a blind fold…..and listen to the silence.
Next we were to write in very descriptive detail……everything we heard.
I was surprised at the myriad of sounds that emanated from that experience.
At first I could not concentrate…..for you see…even when nothing is ‘said’…A voice in our heads is talking ALL THE TIME.
THIS was the most troublesome of my experiment….
A definite effort had to be made in order to still the inside impulse to feel, think, record and explain…..everything as it was happening….
I had to…SHUT….ME….UP….first!
Once that was accomplished…with much effort….I entered another world of sound….I heard sheep with a shepherd not far away, the buzz of nearby insects, cars at a distance, a plane overhead and after a great length of time…..I could almost believe that I heard my own breathing!
What do we hear in our silence?
The sound of our surroundings…inside and out.
The outside often drowns out the inner sounds of our being.
The inside dialog of ‘self’ can prevent the sounds of the outside from being experienced therapeutically…
One little 12 yr. old girl named Casi says it best….

….Silence is the pitter-patter of rain against your roof as the love of a family’s heart surround it.
Silence is the tension in a room after someone has gotten in trouble.
Silence is the sun sneaking up over the horizon and falling under it again and again.
Silence is lightning finding its way through the clouds in a split second.
Silence is prayer helping you make your way through life.
Silence is….unexplainable.

At Ease!

These words are very familiar to those of us with a military background.
At Ease means official permission to ….RELAX….
Upon arising this morning, listening to the birds singing so majestically, and finding a spring morning’s delight……this is now my official permission to relax.
I also have two beautiful 17 and 18 year old house guests here on ‘Spring Break’. Carla and her friend Manuella from Brazil... are a breath of fresh air. Taking them to lunch….in my convertible with the top down…acting crazy….having Britt come by and talking make up, prom dresses, boys, summer vacation etc. All of this fills a soul with the pulse of vitality and good health…...and a feeling of wealth that has nothing to do with money or material goods…
The ‘girls’ give me permission to relax from the serious world of being a….sensible adult. Entering their world with them even for a moment in time….brings refreshment to my world.
Yes, being at ease with self, others, environment of the season and truly enjoying life….daily…..makes for a full, rich…..Good Life!
See pictures Link #1...2004 Begins Album….

Don’t Worry + Be Happy!

From time to time I like to pass on some of the ‘inspirational moments’ that I collect as part of my daily devotionals.
Today I would like to share this one with Y O U!!!
…..”All the discipline in the world cannot make the sun rise any earlier, or a flower more fragrant, or a smile more spontaneous.
Running five miles a day will add as much as a hundred miles of capillaries to your system, make you feel more alive, but it won’t necessarily teach you how to laugh!
You don’t have to have a plan to clap your hands.
As someone once said, “If you have to move even ten inches from where you are now in order to be happy, then you will never be truly happy.”
Within each of us lies the capacity to …..Be Happy….to Enjoy Life and to change our attitude when we can’t change the circumstances….”
Choose to…..Be Happy and Enjoy…..The Good Life…NO MATTER WHAT!!!

And Life Goes On…..

Returning to normal (whatever that is) requires a change of pace.
From fast speed….to medium…..mundane, practical living can really be a shock….I think I just have two speeds…..fast…..and stop!
When I stop…..I don’t want to go, period!
When I am going fast…..I don’t want to stop!
Woe is me…..
Now as I listen to my peaceful, flute Indian music provided by my dear friend, Sally, tranquility of the mind and soul seeps inward…..
I am at Peace……
An hour from now…..my Prayer Girls, Abby, Taina and Nancy appear at my door for our weekly dose of spiritual reality and enlightenment. ……
We enter another dimension of Peace…… as we bring our families and friends, in prayer, to…… the Prince of Peace.
All is right with our world again…..
Usually we go to lunch together….Nancy to ‘paid’ work….and Abby, Taina and I catch up on the ‘happenings’ in each others lives….
What a delight it is to have such friends of the heart….to have fun with….cry with….act silly with……and Love….
Yes, Life goes on….and on….and on…..that is what ETERNITY is all about! We have made our ‘reservations’ on planet earth….. for The Good Life….for all eternity!

Mission Accomplished!

My head is still spinning....and my equilibrium is off. I feel like I’m still on the seas, swaying right and then left, again and again...
Moving the ‘Milagro’ and “Eagle’s Nest’ about 150 miles south.....in two days, 6 locks, tops down for Railroad Bridge, Old River adventure and ‘short-cut‘.....proved to be a successful challenge.
First, we were so grounded in muck at the KRPark slip that Kurt and his Key West boat needed the assistance of Walker’s Sea Yea in order move the Milagro from the suction created by muck. Getting out into the canal took all of us....then we were on our way down river by 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Wind was high, again, across Lake Kissimmee but we made it through Lock S65 by Hwy. 60 and traveled about 6 more miles before stopping for the night. I had made a big pot of Seafood Gumbo with lots of fresh shrimp, which proved to be a substantial, nourishing meal for all of us. The quietness of being in a place completely surrounded by nature was a welcome relief after a hectic week at home after our ski vacation to West Virginia. Our bodies had a chance to catch up with our souls...so to speak. Except for Dockie that is.....He arrived back late Saturday from his boat delivery with Aaron and Chris and was still in limbo. Took him about two more days to feel ’normal’ again.....
Awaking to the sound of Dockie’s generator at 5:00a.m. brought us back to reality quickly...As we prepared to push off from the tree banks where we were anchored......our reverse would not engage properly.
Dockie was already ’down river’ so we radioed to ’hang loose’....work is underway. Charlie disappears into the bilge......using a flashlight since it is still dark outside....and quickly perceives his problem. It also answered his question to the ’unusual’ noise he and Dockie had diagnosed earlier.
As any boater knows......you can go from Captain to Mechanic in 5 minutes on a boat.
We arrived at the first Lock S65A by 7:00 a.m. opening time and was greeting by our lock tender friends, Gail and Dick. Dick has had a battle with cancer and is making a tremendous comeback it seems. It felt like old home week as we proceeded down river.
Dockie had discovered a ‘short-cut’ which cut quite a bit off of the old river run.....Of course, as we exited the short cut.....the signs read...”Prohibited Area”....No Boats Beyond This Point....(See pictures....Link #1.... Boating Album....for our trip also).
The water was so high that nature had created our short-cut.....where boats once were prohibited.....but Dockie & Ann had checked this area out in their little boat the previous week; therefore, we were not behaving ’fool heartedly’....for once!
For me personally, the biggest/worst challenge was to take our Bimini Tops down for the Rail Road Bridge. The stainless steel frames are so heavy once the holding pins are removed that two people have quite a terrific job in the process. That is why my dear brother, Dockie, designed, created, and hand produced a hard top with garage door springs.....to ease this process for the Eagles Nest. They had their tops lowered in five minutes while we struggled at least 30 minutes or so with ours. The bridge is so low and the water is so high at that point that our windshield just clears with inches to spare.....Actually we know.....and have been told again and again.....boats our size has no business being in that area....
Hearing that only creates a challenge for Dockie.....
But of course, THAT is another story!
Winds were high and tough....arriving at Sam and Sally’s Pier 33 dock on the river near the mouth of Lake Okeechobee in the early afternoon.....was a welcome relief. All our strength was spent by this time. Sam and Sally refreshed our hearts with laughter as we all went out to eat....
Next morning we continue on the final leg of our journey.
Having made arrangements for our previous slips at Taylor Creek with our own Tiki Hut we had built last year......we knew we would be...HOME....soon.
Lo and Behold, upon entering the harbor.....a big, huge, 53 ft. Yacht is in our slip. Dockie’s is free so he backs in and settles while we idle in the small entrance. Sissy, our friend/dock master, arrives apologizing to no end. She said the man could not come until 3:00 p.m. to move to another location she is establishing for him.....Quickly Dockie unties one of the man’s lines to give us access to the front of our Tiki Hut and Charlie backs up into what is now our ‘temporary’ slip. Works fine for now but they have a week to make the necessary changes so that we will finally be back into our ‘old home’....
With a sigh of relief.....we are happy!!!!
Mission Accomplished.....Praise The Lord!

Dear Readers.....Family and Friends
Thanks for viewing my page....
I am on a unexpected 'boat trip' and will write upon my return.
For those who are familiar to the Florida Waterways......pray for us as we travel on the 'Old Kissimmee River" between
Locks S65A and S65C.....Being in these huge boats....on this narrow, long passage and needing a 'chainsaw' in some
places.....certainly requires a Hi-R-Pwr.....
Sea Ya.....next week

Moving Again and Again???

Another decision has been made that affects our big boat home.
The Florida Water Management Division and Corps of Engineers have many projects in the works that control the lakes, canals and rivers of our Florida waterways.
Lowering Lake Toho in the Kissimmee/St.Cloud area began some time ago in order to remove muck from the bottom of the lake. This infected muck was producing hydrilla and other deterrents to the health of the lake. Of course, this has already affected our water level at our boat home on the canal of Lake Kissimmee. Yet there are two other small lake areas north of us that still yields some water to our boat area.
Now it seems that there is a proposed plan to do the same kind of muck removal and water draw down on Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha and possibly Lake Kissimmee. This would leave us entirely high and dry on bottom and do unlimited damage to our big 32’ Carver boats and for God knows how long......
An intelligent....quick decision was made by Capts. Charlie and Dockie of the ‘Eagles Nest’ and the ‘Milagro’ . Get out of Dodge....quickly!
Back to dear ole Taylor Creek on Lake Okeechobee.....temporarily anyway...We already had plans in motion to bring our boats around to Bahia Beach Resort Marina on the Florida West Coast for the summer.
Charlie is in the middle of replacing one of the fuel tanks and has removed the floor of the bilge for much of the maintenance needed at this point.
Now his plans have been put on ‘fast-forward’.
Like this week-end......
Dockie is in theprocess of helping to transfer our brother, Aaron’s, new boat from Ft. Lauderdale to Daytona Beach and will be on the waterways much of this week-end. Charlie, too, was supposed to go.......but the Milagro’s needs came first.
Yes, I had other plans but life is getting in the way!
Being open to change is a must!
Being resistant to quick change can be painful......but necessary at this point in our life.....
......Fleetingly I hear the voice of my Mother from long ago saying in her dear southern way, ”You know.....EVERYTHING happens for the Best!”
Will let you know....See pictures on Link#1 Boating Album for boats involved in this transfer....Anchors Away.....Railroad Bridge and All!!!

Blessed Again

Today was a busy and fruitful day...
One of my prayer partners, Abby, and her dear husband, Al, bought a new state-of-the-art computer. LCD flat screen 17in. monitor, CD and DVD Burners and players no less!
This all started with Abby getting a new digital camera.....you know the story....Old computer is toooooo slow to accommodate the new camera, photo printer etc.....Therefore, dear husband that Al is.....he decided to get a new computer saying, “I needed one anyway.”
Well guess what? Abby is ‘taking over’ his private media room completely.
Today I helped install everything and it all works wonderfully together.
Of course, it took Abby and I ALL day to accomplish our task.
We did have a phone consultation with Chad......e-mail account transfer on Outlook Express is his specialty. He walked us through everything even lost passwords for Road Runner cable....
What a blessing the new technology is when it is soooo smart that color coding and automatic installation on CD just whizzes into place.....
Our heads were spinning when Al and his ‘troops’ returned home at end of day. Showing off all the bells and whistles was Abby’s delight.
Viewing new digital pictures along with personal movies of Al’s golf swing was such fun!
All in all.....it was a Blessed Day!

Skiing at Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia

Greetings Dear Ones:
Sure has been a long time since I’ve sit at my computer writing my web page. Have been gone for a week with family (brother Dockie & Ann) and friends, Pat and Walker, Kenneth and Patsy, Becky and Kevin and Family and other ski buddies......enjoying the snow on the slopes.
It was wonderful “Spring Skiing”. We shed our jackets early, discarded hats and gloves and had the slopes to ourselves. The temperature was 50 and 55 degrees each day. Charlie and I skied continuously...only stopping for lunch one day. The others went into Washington, D.C. for a couple of days since it was only 3 hours away...We did take one day off and traveled to the Amish Settlement in Maryland getting our cheese, jams, breads and other delights.
The deer around our lodge was always there to greet us at days end.
In addition, our breakfasts served in the lodge by our friends....Olivia and Tammy, and our gracious hostess, Anna....was part of the high lights of our trip. It seems like a ’family reunion’ when we go to Canaan Resort because we have come to know and love these beautiful people of the heart.
Our return trip took us by historic Charleston, S.C. and we were delighted by our Southern cultural experience. Made us ‘proud’ to be from the ‘ole south’!
Returning home to Tampa Bay, Florida area we found the first cool front of the week....passing through. The 40’s are predicted for tonight and tomorrow! Can’t believe it!
You can view a few ski pictures on my Link #1 ....2004 Begins album.
I did make over 200 pictures documenting our fun!
Rain, hail, sleet or snow....or sunshine....it is still A Good Life!
Enjoy yours......DAILY!!!

Personal Comments on the Movie....THE PASSION OF CHRIST ....

A very compelling movie....to say the least...and production, script, actors etc. was certainly a stroke of genius....or as an insurance clause states...."An Act of God!"
Certainly the movie inspiration and art assimilation was blessed and is now....A Blessing.
One of the major points for myself, as a Christian, is that the movie was not about 'The Old Rugged Cross...Calvary...or even 'The Crucifixion'....the center focal point of the entire movie.....WAS THE PERSON!
Every person left the theatre with this 'profound knowledge' whether they were a' believer' or not!
In that there is Victory, Success, and a Triumph for the purpose behind it all.....
This is the stroke of genius....the Act of God.... that a drama of this magnitude can produce with modern, technical state-of-the art tools (which is common and ordinary in this year 2004 A.D. ) in the human heart this greatest of All TRUTHS......
Therein lies.....success and victory for this film!
Which brings me to my next point......
I did leave the theatre with a 'unfinished feeling'.....
Too many of the key essentials connected to 'The Passion' was left unsaid at the end....
We were left 'hanging' so to speak..
A sequel must be made in order to 'wrap-up' and complete the 'package deal' of The Passion of Jesus Christ...
For instance......Peter adamantly denied Jesus three times.....and that was it in 'The Passion' yet he was redeemed after 'The Resurrection' in the "Do you love Me, Peter?(three times) conversation. This alone is cause for ' Victory'...over the crucifixion .
Also, FINDING THE TOMB EMPTY.....after all the mayhem documented in The Passion....makes one want to Celebrate Life....jump up and down shouting....Victory, Success, Triumph of good over evil....
The Victory would make a wonderful....HAPPY movie....and bring completion to....The Passion.
......On a personal note....Being a military wife, we were stationed in Germany in 1980 and I went to the Oberammergau Passion Play. All the drama was in German and I had to follow along with a small text book in English...
The last act...The Resurrection...satisfied and completed the drama in my heart which the hours of agony had just produced during the events leading up to the crucifixion. The play was an all day affair.....yet when it was over with the final scenes of Victory bursting inside.....I felt so FREE....so Full of Life....so WONDERFUL that I wanted to Celebrate....have a Party....laugh..love others deeply and allow the Passion of 'the Good Life' to flow freely through me FOVERVER MORE!
That is the memory produced by The Oberammergau Passion Play.
Now this is not to say that Mr. Gibson's, The Passion, failed in my opinion....
By no means.....it accomplished exactly what he set out to accomplish......to turn the eyes of the heart...TO THE PERSON....not the event!
He succeeded MAJESTICALLY!!!
So well in fact.....that NOW 'The Rest of The Story'....MUST BE TOLD.
Since Mr. Gibson is the Bill Gates of the movie industry (in my eyes).....he is fully competent and qualified to complete, produce and develop the script that was written in fact.....by the Life of Jesus Christ!
The Passion is proof, evidence of Mr. Gibson's inner knowledge and spiritual maturity which empowers him to handle such sacred and holy.....Truths....with astounding accuracy.
He is a Blessed Man.....and passes on his gifts to us all....
Now.....I do know that all is not 'la la land' thinking about this movie in the 'real world'!
The 'circus mentality' that surrounds this movie is staggering.
One main point that is said again and again......'the Jews' hate it....it is anti-Semitic etc....
Baloney!!!!
To me.....it was about the 'politics' of the times.....the power struggles between the factions that existed and ruled during Jesus' time.
It was filled with Jews....good and bad.....Jesus was a Jew, his parents were Jewish, his disciples were Jews, the people of the street were Jews....
It was filled with Romans.....good and bad Romans....
It was filled with leaders, rulers with authority....good and bad leaders.....
The camera of life only revealed what traits existed then and is still true for us today....the good, bad, and ugly of life which lies in the heart of all culture, race, nations, governments....and families as well.
The sentence pronounced and carried out in The Passion can not be placed as guilt or 'blame' of any single race...nation....or person. The fact is....(ask God)....IT IS ALL OUR FAULT....every human being that has ever lived and will ever live on planet earth.
We all have the kind of darkness of the soul....that we saw so clearly in the sadistic and cruel Roman soldiers, the ruler Herod, the Jewish rulers, and even in Jesus' intimate associates and friends like Judas and Peter who made 'wrong' choices and decisions....The two thieves on the cross....one responding positive...the other negative....
Was the movie anti-Italian because of the Roman soldiers?
Absolutely not!
We also saw as well....the goodness of the human heart....compassion in the face of danger, family love in a parent and a child as with Jesus and his Mother, devotion and loyalty from John and other followers. This reflected the 'goodness' of the human heart as well....
Very graphically we saw the 'ugly' of mass mobs....
Good, bad and ugly was evident.
As it is with us today....it comes down to making right choices and decisions in who and what we want to be as a person.
We can choose good....we can choose bad or evil and ugly.....
God gave us 'free will' and the intelligence to use our head, brains and heart....rightly.
We do have a choice.....we see good and bad choices every day on our evening news....
Jesus in His Person.......said "I will do what no man alone can do but only a God Man can do....
I will be the guilty party for everybody....I will show the human race.....by my life, death and resurrection that good is more powerful than evil! That love can win over hate....."
Jesus, the Jew......proved this point!
Anyone who believes that truth as stated in the original script, The Bible, has a personal belief or conviction that is commonly called ......faith.
A group of such people.....are called Christians....
Faith in the truth of Jesus Christ.....produces Christians.....Yes, there are those who make right choices and succeed in their life as Christians and then those who fail....we see it every day.
The human heart can not fail to be touched anew.......by viewing and participating in a personal way thru this awesome movie.....The Passion.
We salute you....Mel Gibson....for a job well done.

Busy, Busy, Busy

In the last two weeks I have been so busy that many things have gone...undone.
One being my family and friends Web Page.
I will not try to play ‘catch up’ at this late date....
We did go to the Cortez Seafood Festival last week-end which was in
the fishing village where Cindy lives. It was an authentic culture, craft and art Festival. The artists were local talent and interesting to see....
For pictures go to Link #1....2004 Begins Album

We are going skiing again with family and friends....leaving shortly...
Canaan Valley Resort in Elkins, WVA is our favorite place to relax and hit the slopes. What a change it will be from Florida...and that is why we go.
We don’t want winter to pass us by and us.....not know it!

Will write again in a few days....from the slopes....
Enjoy...The Good Life!

This is a reminder.......Dear Readers;
I have had several questions about the new format on my Photos Page...from Link #1.
First of all I pay for this page so ignore all ads scattered around....
To view pictures....
Choose Album to view...
Double Click on it.....
Then double click on first picture in album and it will enlarge for viewing....look to the top of picture and
you will see the selectors previous/next buttons....also on left you will see....slideshow....
For automatic viewing of that albumn....click on slideshow...
To operate individually choose the next button each time you want to go forward.
That is all there is to it.....
Hope this simplifies the process for you...
Have a Great Day!!!

Why Love?

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is an American Tradition.....
More flowers and chocolates are sold during this time of the year than any other time...
Do flowers and chocolate say....I Love you?
Does a special candlelit dinner say....I love you?
Are ‘diamond’ really a ‘girls best friend’?
.......A heart that is devoted truly to another......MUST express itself in action...DAILY!
Valentine’s Day is just a celebration of that year long....fact!
All kinds of people find all kinds of ways to give the gift of a ‘outward expression’ of this ‘inward happening’.
Marketing exploits this beautiful and delightful tradition ....giving us to believe that we can ‘buy love’ with such and such a gift!

Love, real love.....is costly, priceless and can not be bought at ANY price.
For you see......Love is the most essential human need on planet earth!
Receiving and giving this gift.....and the form it takes in expressing itself.....is truly something to celebrate EVERY DAY!
To Love and Be Loved..... .....is really what life is all about!
Why Love?
Why breathe?
Because our very life depends on it!
Celebrate that fact with those around you that emanate this inward breath of your life.
Truly celebrate Valentine's Day.....joyfully....delightfully....playfully and
.....T H A N K F U L L Y!!!!

Love allows us all.....to enjoy the....Good Life!
Happy....’Valentine’s Day......to all of you my family and friends....
P.S....I love YOU!!!:)....
P.S.S. See my Special Valentine's Day Gift shining brightly on
Link #1.....AAA Blessing Album.....

The “Real” Village People.....

While working at Cindy’s we met many of her neighbors and the local village people....There is the notorious ‘Cat Lady’ who has entirely tooo many cats.....then there is Susie’s Salami Shop with the best Cuban Sandwiches...ever. Susie is a delightful warm-hearted local....then there is Wayne....my favorite....
Wayne has lived in Cortez all his life. He was a shrimper in waters nearby for years, as was his Father, as is his brother. But Wayne is a master craftsman in working with wood. He hand carves items from original wood and the finished piece are not glued or pegged or screwed....but completely carved entirely out of one block of wood. Wayne uses all kind of wood, pecan, walnut, butternut and things I have never heard of in my life. In addition, he makes wood pens....the outside is wood so colorful you could swear they were painted with brilliant hues.
The wood carvers of Oberammergau, Germany would recognize this ‘one of a kind’ Master craftsman, Wayne Fulton. His workshop faces the beautiful waterways around Cortez. Wayne’s ever present companion, Quigley, follows at his heels constantly. His wife, Betty, is an artist as well so creativity reigns supreme in their home.
One person stopped by to offer Cindy $350.00 for her palm in front of her home. A landscaper told Cindy that it was worth about $3,000.
See new pictures posted in 2004 Begins Album....Link #1
Needless to say, she didn’t sell this native tropical asset.
Dockie and Ann helped install new doors that were badly needed and in the process removed doorway ’beads’ from the previous owner.
The house definitely has a ‘facelift’....and more to come....
Cindy will add more natural Florida style ‘flavor’ and color and cheer to her very real....Cortez Fishing Village home.

Before & After

Working on a 1940’s house is certainly an …..act of faith.
Faith that all of one’s hard work, money spent in supplies and the act of house recycling will pay off in the long run….
I am documenting Cindy’s Cortez house in pictures…before and after.
You can see this by going to Link #1....2004 Begins Album.
It is still a work in progress....to be continued...
Sorta like ‘our life’ isn’t it????

Cortez Village

My husband, Charlie and I are in Bradenton, Florida at my niece, Cindy’s ‘new/old’ house. Cindy just purchased a quaint 1940’s house in an equally quaint fishing village. Cortez Village Community is very small but most of the residents have lived here either all their life or a great part of their life. The Village itself has recently been placed on the National Historic list…
Tomorrow the big job of sanding and refinishing hardwood floors begins.
A major job has become quite a fun project.
For example….we thought that Charlie and Dockie had to wire her laundry area for 220 volt electricity. Upon moving the archaic dryer, we found that 220 volt did exist…The previous owner said….’dryer no work’, no electricity. It was not plugged in…and when we plugged it in and turned it on…. it ran and ran even when we opened the door….it still ran….So obviously unplugging the cord was the only way to stop the dryer!
Cindy has now gone out to purchase a new dryer…another problem solved.
Needless to say, there are still more solutions to come.

Hug Someone...

Yesterday Britt and I took Joshua over to the Carillon Preserve Area for the nature walk. Brittney as a child had spent many hours there and was delighted that her son could experience this as well....
She and I were busy talking and Joshua would run around looking for alligators, fish, ducks, and ‘tuttle’s’. Frequently he would come back to us with a quick hug, kiss, or demand to ‘play with me, chase me, show me fishey’....Being very active and animated, our Joshua has lots and lots of energy....But he would not wander off far from his ‘security, his safe haven’.
Realizing that we all need affection and tenderness....like a child shows spontaneously.....makes me thankful that a little Joshua is around to lead us by the heart.
I read a quote once that said....”There’s something in a simple hug that always warms the heart; it welcomes us back home and makes it easier to part.”
Joshua would ‘part’ temporarily....but would come back ‘home’ to security again all within 60 seconds....A hug or a touch was the signal that...”all is well” in my little world.”
See Joshua in the Joy of The Good Life of a 2 3/4 yr. old. on
Link #1....2004 Begins Album

MOMENTS IN LIFE

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!

When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one, which has been opened for us.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.


May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

From The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams... “When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL.” “Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit. “Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful...”When you are REAL you don’t mind being hurt.”

Win or Lose

For someone to win.....someone else has to.....lose.
This is the nature of what we know of as....competition.
At times in life we have all won some....and lost some.
Winning feels....GOOD!
Losing.....Yuk!
I recently read a quote...to be applied to winning....
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it....happened...!”
Losing is a real test of character.....losers have gone on to be winners....
Yet we can make family members, co-workers and friends and even strangers feel like.....winners or losers!
It is a great delight to find the good in another person....and communicate that to them in a very healthy, positive way.....To show others that they really are winners as a human being is a little like...giving medals to all the special people we know!
And there is a word for the giver....and receiver.....
......I define this word personally as .....
A CHAMPION ......
Over the years I have made up tales using this illustration in story, fantasy form in many different ways and saying at the end of every one......Which one was...the Champion?
Ask Matt, Pipo, Britt, Carla, Vinnie, Chad, Lynn and Chuck....
All of us are at some time....winners and losers....but we can ALL be....
....A Champion as a human being....

Let’s Laugh Now!

Some of the last words that were spoken to me from my dear brother-in-law, Victor, were these....”Let’s Laugh Now!”
In 2001, Victor was dozing off and on in consciousness and our son, Chad, and I were praying by his bed....we were softly weeping at the awareness of Victor’s physical condition....and our soon to be loss of this dear one....
.....While his eyes were closed....he asserted his old playful self in the moment by declaring that we .....”Laugh NOW!”
Victor is the author of the famous family phrase....”It’s a Good Life!”
but he always enhanced it by saying....”....And MORE to come....”
Remembering Victor’s parting words.....at odd moments in time.....makes his spirit of love, happiness and fun.....Live Eternally....
By the way, Chad is Victor’s namesake.....Chadwick Victor has much the same ’delight of life’ in his heart and spirit that Victor lived.
.......Yes, It IS a Good Life.....Laughter enhances it immeasurably!
I DARE YOU....LAUGH AT.....Y O U R S E L F!!!

Keep On Dancin’

One of my today’s inspirational readings is a perfect summary of my
“It’s A Good Life” philosophy....It is written by Tim Hansel who is a speaker and author....Tim wrote this....

.......“One of the rarest species on the face of the earth may soon become extinct .....those few human beings who truly know how to enjoy life....
They glorify God not only with their words but even more with their lives.
They enjoy God FOR WHO HE IS, not just for what He can do for them.
To them, each day holds its own reward.
They know that each twenty-four hours is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege and that happiness is a by-product of quality living.
Their lives are lived according to their priorities, in spite of the consequences. They have cracked through the thin crust we call civilization to find the supernatural substance upon which life rests.....”

Matthew 6:34...”So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time....”

St. Augustine Boat Trip

Last Thursday, Charlie and I loaded up our small boat, the Go Gator, and headed over to Daytona Beach. My brother, Aaron and Ruth Ann, lives in a condo on the Intracoastal Waterway. My other brother, Dockie and Ann, met us there with their boat and we proceeded to unload boats at the Pt. Orange bridge ramp. Aaron came in his dinghy to lead us to his dock since it is quite tricky into his landing.
Lo and behold, the Gator steering went awry. First thought it was the prop...but after several process of elimination tactics....the answer was found to be an internal problem that would require more than a quick fix.
We towed the Gator back to the boat ramp and loaded it out on the trailer.
A decision was made that Charlie and I would ride with Aaron and Ruth Ann in their big ‘Pretty-Ugly’ boat . This meant that we would start our trip early, 3:30 a.m., since our speed would be 8 or 9 mph. The other 3 boats going with us could go 25 mph or so....therefore the 57 mile trip for them would be.....fast! We arrived at St. Augustine Municipal Marina 30 minutes before they did!
The week-end was a bit rainy, cool at times for Florida....but we ate, toured, bought gifts, and in general had a great time....
I went to church on Sunday...in jeans...to a very old church called the Trinity Episcopal Parish on St. George St....I also viewed a wedding... Florida look....where the groom truly wore a tux....shorts and all...
Visited the oldest house in the U.S.....
All in all....a good time was had....by ALL!
See pictures... Link #1....Boating Album....

For pictures of medal and "Last Mile Winner" Chad....go to
Link #1....2004 Begins Album....
Chad is now headed to the slopes of Colorado with friends....
He can hardly WALK....from results of his Marathon run!
Oh well, he is enjoying...The Good Life....
We are as well, Thank God....for now, today, we are
going on a boat trip with 6 other boats to the East Coast of Florida...
Destination being...St. Augustine for 2 or 3 days...
Happy Hunting, Blake and Family....
Sea Ya.....

If you have already read my today's page earlier....you may want to go back to
the bottom and read Chad's response to the race....
He said it all......The Secret of......The Good Life!

Walt Disney Leukemia & Eye Disease Marathon

WALT DISNEY WORLD® Road Races are designed to capture your imagination.
The latest.....
24,000 Participants....
2004 WALT DISNEY WORLD® MARATHON...Jan. 11, 2004
Place Last Name First Name Age Gender State
7406.. FERNANDEZ CHAD....32.....M..... FL.....
Official Time Net Time Pace
6:03:07......5:54:36..13:51.5

Our son, Chad, ran in this race and you can see the above-posted results on the Disney Page Events. It is amazing that he finished it as well as he did (top 31%)since he was not as well prepared as days of long ago.
Chad has climbed mountains in Colorado, Mt. Crestone which is 14,000 ft..... participated in several Triathlons, which consist of 1-mile swim, 28-mile bike and 6 mile run.... and is always seeking a new adventure...
He is the one who enticed me into skydiving with him. What an unbelievable adventure!
Chad said this race was special since many of the participants were running in memory of someone and had that posted on their backs....Can you imagine running 26.2 miles this soon after Christmas?
Needless to say, the family is proud of Chad’s run....
...The last mile was the killer for him.... took special, untapped strength to finish the mark. BUT FINISH HE DID AND WITH A RESPECTABLE PLACE. Awesome....
Chad’s physical challenges have been tested time and time again....and each time he has pushed it to the limit.....and won the ‘fortitude test’ within himself....
Do we not all have some....untapped strength....that life has not tested?
The ‘comfort zone’ of life is surely a ‘cozy nest’.....but people like Chad put many of us to shame....not just in the physical sense....but in the ‘meeting life head on’ kind of mentality....
The “I Dare You” challenge is before us daily.....to step out of the known....into the unknown....and test many areas of our character that have never been explored before. This challenge gets us out of the ‘rut’ of life, the mediocre of life, the ‘ordinary’ way of living and being....
It makes us MORE of who we can be....and proves again and again....we are all stronger than we realize ....at any age....
Doesn’t take much to be....a couch potato....a mental infant...an emotional child ...a spiritual midget or a totally indifferent human being....Do NOTHING and it happens automatically.
Challenging ourselves...against our own past selves.....daily.....requires constant growth and involvement in many aspects of life....
Chad’s Marathon run was a good reminder to me....of how sloppy I have gotten in life.....The New Year is a challenge for me personally.
I DARE YOU....to join me....in making 2004....THE BEST YEAR EVER....Happy, Happy, Happy.....New Year!

After writing my today's page....I received the following response from Chad.....
He put it all in perspective for me....

Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 10:56 AM
Subject: RE: Todays Web Page.....

Mom:

Thank you for your wonderful and beautiful acknowledgement. It makes the intense pain much more worth it in order
to push one's self further than one could imagine. At that point the illusion of fear disappears and the reality of self-confidence and belief in a higher authority takes place. It was in that last mile that I ran that race.
The first 25 were just a preparation for the real race, the last mile.
In that mile, I realized that "I can" do anything I set my mind to. No matter the physical or mental challenge, there is no excuse acceptable to stop a determined person. Add in the spiritual "thrust" of your belief in God and you have in mind an "unstoppable person". Now imagine channeling that same energy into finding a cure for cancer, for Aids, for diseases that cause blindness(like Uncle Dockie's) and what you have is the purest of determination. Here is the irony. If one could bottle this stuff, "the last mile stuff", one would be richer than anyone on earth. But it is in this stuff, that comes from above that true greatness is realized. On this day that I sit here in unbelievable pain, and barely able to walk, ask me if I would do it over again, and I would say, sure, when?

Magic, miracles and the purest of love, live in the "last mile". I found out the secret to it all, don't give up on mile 25.

Love ya,

Chad
-----Original Message

Whatever***

Taking Joshua to the airport to pick up his beloved ‘Poppie’ was quite an adventure. For a week, every time he saw an airplane fly overhead....he would speak to it saying....”Popie, get off airplane...”
The big moment arrived and we all rush forward.....I stand back a little to let everyone else greet him first....Joshua comes over to me and pushes me forward saying, “Maw, Maw, Popie here!” This is from a 2 1/2 yr. olds heart insight! Of course, he wants to help with everything.... insisting on carrying his part of the luggage. I think he will remember airport greetings as a wonderful, fun experience.....can’t wait to see his first ride on an airplane.
(See pictures...Link #1...2004 begins album).
Next day Pipo comes by our house with his ‘new toy’. He found that his Christmas Monster truck drank (or gulped) $500.00 in gas in two weeks and it was a ‘get-it-out-of-your-system’ toy anyway. As a result, he purchased a sleek, black, small.....Chevy Xtreme..(see pictures...Link #1...2004 begins)
Pipo had to join his Marine group at Camp Blanding for the weekend so he visited with his Tampa Bay family while passing through.....
Joshua adores Pipo.....his Marine tough guy wrestling buddy....
He...and we....never know what form Pipo’s “Dreams Come True” will reflect next....Nor Chad's, too, for that matter. There is a principle involved here that I need to learn....if something doesn’t work....don’t hang on forever just because a decision has been made.....that was right for the moment. Analyze quickly and consider other options that are available. Sometime there will be losses involved...‘better a short term loss rather than a long term one’, says Pipo.
In the long run.....Pipo has experienced very few financial losses (if any) in all his wheeling and dealing. Establishing a very lucrative lawn mowing business at an early age helped teach “Chuckie/Pipo” the value of money....and things. With this common sense background....he wheels and deals and always has what he wants....when he wants it.....and labors to get it honestly.
Whatever is a word that comes easy for him....he simply goes on to the next chapter of life....ALL THE TIME! I can learn a lot from....Pipo.
As he came through late yesterday....Sunday.... telling Poppie and I about his cold, Marine Reserve training weekend.....he was in a hurry saying, “Sorry, I’m in a rush. I have to make it back home in time for church.”
The secret of his strength is evident.....He really knows how to enjoy...The Good Life!

Redneck Riviera Adventure

Yesterday’s events were....FUN !
I met, sister Joyce and Brother Blake, at a BBQ place in the early afternoon.
This was a real treat....they live less than 15 miles away yet we very seldom see each other except at family events. What a shame!
We used to ’visit’ more when they lived in Belgium and we lived in Germany as a military family....or they lived in Texas and we lived in Oklahoma....The fast pace of our ‘now life’ and our own family demands do not leave much time for ’ole fashioned visiting’ as in the ‘olden day’.
That’s something that ’needs fixing’!
We had a nice meal, talking all the time.....went to another restaurant for dessert....and they decided to go with me to a bookstore that had an author signing that I was interested in hearing and seeing.
A man named Dennis Covington who has written several books, had just released one called Redneck Riviera.
Dennis writes about the American Dream of his father....who purchased sight unseen in the 50’s....land in Florida. Dennis inherited this land and in the late 1990’s set out to view and pursue....This parcel in question is found to be small and worthless but occupied by outlaws....who were the law...squatters....and anyone with a high powered rifle who called themselves ’hunting club members’. This place is notorious even today....River Ranch in Polk County is its name and it is known and has always been so.....as having quite a history and ‘reputation’.
If you remember from some of my previous writings, we had our big boat, the Milagro, at their marina from 1999 to 2001. We had to leave because the Ranch/Resort ended up in bankruptcy....AGAIN! That is another story!
Last nights book signing was a fun time....except for a ‘redneck squelcher’ who wanted to ‘out-talk’ the author.
Joyce, Blake and I reminisced, joked, ate and enjoyed ....the Good Life together....We also enjoyed our ‘book signing‘!
Happy Birthday, Dockie!
See pictures on Link #1....2004 Begins Album.

Local Custom

Yesterday was the Epiphany celebration of diving for the cross in Tarpon Springs, Florida....In January it is a local custom of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The young men of the church between 16-18 years of age dive into the muddy brown chilly waters of Spring Bayou in the hope of retrieving the ’Holy Cross’ thrown by the archbishop.
Yesterday some 47 young men made the dive with 20,000 onlookers.
James Hughes, 16, a local football player and onlooker for years, emerged triumphal with the cross....
Hughes didn’t do anything different than the other 16 divers...
He ate a good breakfast.
He listened to some rock ’n’ roll.
He thought about the cross.
But Hughes, a Berkeley Preparatory School sophomore, recognized his chance the instant the white oak cross left the archbishop’s hand.
The lanky football player plunged into the 64-degree water.
Less than 5 seconds later, he came up sputtering with the cross in his hand.
“I saw this cross gleaming in the water and I just got it,” Hughes said.
“It kind of stood out in the dark muck.”
The crowd yelled in Greek....”Axios!” - Greek for “He is worthy!”...
“Jimmy, you did it!” came the cries from his friends as they hoisted him on their shoulders.
Red towel over his shoulders, Jimmy tried to shake off the waters chill after he received a special blessing from the archbishop. Women in black dresses gathered around him like he was a rock star, kissing the cross in his hand. Jimmy's’ cheeks flushed with the attention simply said, “It’s not me they’re kissing.”....”It’s the cross. It’s the power of the cross.”
But the word ...epiphany....is used in a nonchurch context in James Joyce’s autobiographical novel ‘Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.’
The book describes the man, Stephen’s personal epiphany on the beach.
In this case it meant....a startling insight, a realization or understanding that changes a person’s life.
A moment of...INSPIRED CLARITY.
Isn’t that what we all need from time to time in order to put our lives in proper prospective and focus? What better time than a New Year to ask for and seek this....Gift of Grace.
Jimmy Hughes had his...Epiphany yesterday....(See link #1...Special People Album)
May you....have yours......today!
God Bless you....and may God continue to Bless.....America!

I Am a Silly Goose...

As I read my today’s devotion, I couldn’t help sharing it with all of you......Happy New Year!!!

There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; All came to pass. JOSHUA 21:45
BY: MARCI ALBORGHETTI FROM: DAILY GUIDEPOST

Prayer sometimes worries me. Don't get me wrong. I do it every day. It's just that sometimes I wonder about whether I'm doing it right. For example, people tell me all the time that "God told me" to do something. This information is usually communicated with a great deal of delight and confidence. For years, I'd be happy for them, but I couldn't help but wonder how they KNEW God was talking to them, I wanted to believe God actually talked to me, giving me clear-cut direction in my life. But all God's answers to me sounded suspiciously like my own words.
Then a Christmas sermon for children gave me new perspective on the problem.
It went like this:
There was once a farmyard full of geese. The geese constantly fought with each other about one thing or another, and the farmyard was in chaos. God decided to do something about it: He sent a goose from heaven to the farmyard. The goose from heaven explained that the geese must stop fighting and learn to live in peace. They listened and changed, because the goose from heaven spoke in goose words, so they could understand. So when God wanted to teach us, He sent His Son, a little baby who grew up to speak in people-language so we could all understand.
The children were delighted, but they weren’t the only ones who learned an important lesson.
Why was I so suspicious when God answered me in words I could understand?
How else would I get the message?

Lord, thank You for speaking to me in a language simple enough for me to comprehend***

Celebrations....

Yesterday we met at Bennigan’s for our daughter, Lynn’s, birthday celebration. Our party mood was a bit diminished by the fact that it seems as if we have been celebrating continuously since....Thanksgiving!
Still yet....(a phrase our Southern friend Kenneth always uses)....we continued to have a good time and tease each other unmercifully.
Ashley was flashing her beautiful new engagement ring with a million dollar smile, Matt was beaming with pride, Chad was dragging from the move into his new custom built home and Britt was her always ‘joyful’ self.
Joshua, as usual, was thinking the party was all about him!
Lynn loved all her carefully chosen gifts....and proceeded to put her new jewelry on immediately.
Pops was missing since he was in Puerto Rico for a nephews wedding but he had written a note to his ‘Princess/daughter’ that brought tears to her eyes. It is hard to surprise Lynn since she is the ultimate ‘gift giver’.
Her birthday was a success....she left happy....meeting other friends for more celebrating....
Everyone came back to my house and Chad and Matt installed Pops new DVD Home Theatre unit to go with his new large screen TV.
This way the sound will blow you out of the water....when he watches his favorite team, The Gators....loose! I also have been watching the Bucs loose....Yuk! Win or loose...they are our team of choice. As well as The Dolphins.....Oh well, will see what ‘next year’ brings in winning or loosing..
One thing for sure.....we will continue to ‘celebrate life’ in the good ole U.S.A...God Bless America!
See pictures...Link #1....Birthday album

Happy New Year!

It has arrived!
….2 0 0 4…..
Can you believe it? Seems like we just passed the millennium and all the anxieties of ‘computer crashes’. Just goes to show that half the things we ‘worry’ about….NEVER HAPPENS! Or more than half!
It is 2004…ready or not!
I am ready…..knowing psychologically that I have no other choice causes me to accept the New Year…..and look forward….eagerly…..to accomplishing things that I have never even dreamed of….
So I.....Rejoice….it is a New Day…..it is a New Year!
Consciously letting go of the past…..is a decision…(I have discovered this by personal experience).
For me, it is harder to ‘let go’ of the good times…..than the bad times…
Forgiveness comes easy for me….usually….but the good times linger in my memory and I often compare the present to….’the good ole days….of 2002, 2003 etc,. Today I resolve to help create more ‘good times’, more wonderful times with family and friends….
It is my prayer that all of you…..my family and friends….may find that the year of 2004….is the year that….ALL your DREAMS Come True!
Celebrate Life……The Good Life….in the good ole…. *************U.S.A

Ending The Year of 2003

As we finish out the next few day of 2003....there is a time of mixed-emotions.
All of the excitement of Christmas is still surrounding us yet we know that we will have to 'let go' and move on to a completely New Year.
We really have no choice in the matter...WE HAVE TO....LET GO!
Our faith kicks in and tells us that.....next year will be....EVEN BETTER!!!
Does this mean that we will not have problems, pain, hard decisions and choices?
Absolutely NOT!
You can bet we will....and maybe even things will happen that we can not now....even imagine!
Yet I expect the year of 2004 to be a good and wonderful year for me and my family.....even better than 2003....
Simply because we continue to learn and grow every single day in our life's experiences.
Yes, some people must learn...'the hard way'....but learn we will as long as we breathe on planet earth!
Our choice is to decide if we will live life with.....a good attitude or.....a bad attitude.
Whichever we choose....will deternime our outcome...
I choose....The Good Life for 2004.....and More to Come!
I also pray, that you, too, welcome The Good Life for 2004!
Be Blessed is my prayer for....Y O U!!!!

Christmas Day 2003

Today was a wonderful day with our family.
There was so much excitement in the air that it was hard to settle down and 'be serious' at any given moment....
We did have a very serious moment though....
Matthew proposed to Ashley in front of all the family....
He actually got down on his knees and asked her to marry him...producing a very beautiful ring as 'proof' of his seriousness.
We all held our breath....then she said "Yes!"
Everybody went....WILD!!!
See pictures on Link#1.....A Christmas Blessing Album....
We really did begin to celebrate Jesus's Birthday then....
Too bad Lynn didn't win the DVD player that was given away as a prize in the game produced by Brian and Brittney....She tried so hard....interrupted so much....that we had to call in the "Marine" on duty to forcibly remove her from the game area....
And a good time was had by all.....

Merry CHRISTmas......

Just received a e-mail from Brian....that suggested going to the link below in order to read a ‘politically correct’ invite for Christmas...in Bay City, Michigan.....they sure have a sense of humor in Bay City!!!

Try it......"http://www.mybaycity.com/scripts/Article_View.cfm?ArticleID=338"

Cut and paste if you want to....

Anyway, this is just about what our society has ‘watered down’ Christmas into........
I refuse to accept anything but the true fact that Christmas is absolutely a celebration of .....the birth of Christ.....
Being a Christian.....I know the true meaning of Christmas and the slogan...
.....“Jesus is the Reason for the Season“....
But what I find wildly amusing is that.....even unbelievers in Jesus Christ.....don’t ‘just skip’ Christmas!
Why not just ‘ignore’ the birth of someone that you don’t believe ever existed.....or has no meaning to you or your life?
I, as a Christian, would not ever entertain the idea of celebrating ...or acknowledging, the birth of Buddha...or Mohammed....or Joseph Smith etc....
Yet.....the world stands still.....for a moment in time.....for this Season that is rightly called.......CHRISTmas!
In addition......the end of the year changes numbers....IN REFERENCE TO HIM....2004 A.D.....
Yes, B.C. and A.D. is in reference to Jesus Christ’s birth and death on planet earth!
God must be smiling indulgently at we ‘mortals’ who think we know so much...and strut around on planet earth speaking this foreign language called....a ’politically correct agenda’ for....CHRISTmas...
As for me and my family.....my house..... we have a real....Happy Birthday, Jesus, CHRISTmas Party!
We truly celebrate the birth of Christ who is the author of .....
....The Good Life!
May you and yours have a wonderful Merry “Jesus” CHRISTmas Day!!!

Give the Gift of.....Yourself!

I was recently reading an article (by: Jane Haas, Calif.)....where she was describing her mother....and I thought...”This applies to many people....and perhaps someone could say the same about US!”
Jane said this.....”My mother wasn’t one to talk much about her emotions. She wasn’t a ‘hugger.’ She measured her praise so you knew that when she told you ‘good job’...she really meant it. But in the years since her death, I realize there is so much about my mother that I don’t know and don’t understand. I wish she had shared more of herself...
Let me inside.
Described her triumphs and her disappointments....
I wish she had opened a window to her soul!
My mother was a product of her time and of her own mother, a woman who never talked about how she felt but instructed her children to always “do right”......
That is why I suggest to YOU.....When you give the gift of YOURSELF....it is PRICELESS!
Let me challenge you to.....create your own priceless gift....
Make no mistake: creating your ‘soul’s/heart gift’ in writing is not a quick fix or a Sunday afternoon undertaking. It can produce a life-changing experience even as you are in the ‘writing’ process.
This ‘writing of you’ is beyond genealogy, scrap booking, family history and memoirs...It is the answer to this question....
If you could gather your past and your present in one place and pass your heart and spiritual legacy as a contribution to the future.... what would you say? Who most dear to your heart....would you say it to?
The best way to do this is inside what I call a....”legacy circle”.......
What you believe has made a difference in your life....who was partially responsible for life-changing events....when you ‘blew it’ and what you learned from it.......what wisdom you have gained, good and bad, as a result of all your life’s experience until now.....what values you would like to pass on to others in your ‘legacy circle’.....
You’re greatest blessings of life.....comes from your heart!
Giving the blessing of YOURSELF....will leave you feeling full and complete and......abundant....that is a PROMISE!
And one day, your descendants will hold your legacy in their hands and know who you were, what mattered to you and what of value you contributed to the world....They will have a tangible part of....YOU!
One philosophy of life that my own mother lived by was this.....
“You should NEVER take more than you give - in the
........Circle of Life!”
Think I heard this in a song, once!
Anyway now you know WHY I write!
All of my blogs are saved on a CD-Rom as part of my ‘legacy circle’!
When I receive words from the heart from a family member.....it always makes me cry because it is so....sacred....to me! (Yo, Britt)
I never... ever.... take it lightly because it is one of the most precious gifts that exist.....
Make someone else’s Christmas this year......
Give the true, real gift of.....YOU!
It is something that money can NOT buy but will be a continuous gift of Love ......
Remember this.....your family had rather have YOU......than gifts!
Getting more of YOU......truly IS a wonderful gift.....
I’m reminded of what my daughter, Lynn, said at her dear Granny’s memorial service....
She said....”I do not have to read Granny’s will in order to see what she left to me.....I know she left me a faith so fine that I want it for my own, her sense of humor, her sense of ‘right over wrong’, her desire to help others always, and her great love for her family.”
This is what I mean about the ‘legacy circle’.....
We all complete our own.....for others.....
Put it in writing this Christmas....I DARE YOU!!!

Ready or Not....Here It Comes!!!

In the midst of all the preparation for Christmas....a few instances stand out as being.....exceptional!
One being.....taking my sister, Shyrl, who is basically home-bound....to breakfast as part of our Christmas ritual.
Shyrl lives 1 1/2 hrs. drive away from me. Early on Saturday morning Charlie, Lynn, Chad, Brian and I arrived at her back door in a Lexus SUV that was already packed.
Transporting two coolers of frozen food for her ’nutritional’ use was part of her gifts. Shyrl had previously been required, for health reasons; to have 2/3 of her stomach removed due to bleeding ulcers. Eating a little, often and nutritional at that.... is a new challenge for her..
Her usual breakfast of Pepsi and a donut just wouldn’t cut it!
Adding Shyrl to our transportation vehicle required that someone had to sit in the rear cargo area..I.e. VIP passenger seat....Some win....some loose!
We went to our usual.... local....really Southern cooking....restaurant for breakfast!
My menu choice was...country-fried steak with gravy, two eggs, grits, biscuit, coffee and juice.....Lynn ordered the same but she ordered a side dish of...‘1 pancake please! ‘
This was to be really a ‘brunch’ since it was a little after 10:00 a.m. by this time....
Lo and behold, when our breakfast arrived, Lynn’s ‘little’ pancake was astonishing! You have to see the picture to believe it!
Link #1...A Christmas Blessing Album
Sometime I want to return there in order to just eat....pancakes!~
Needless to say, we all had a great time.
We left the guys at Shyrl’s apt. to install a computer and printer which Chad was giving her and we girls went to Nursing Home to see our Mom’s best friend, Mrs. Veal.
The guys called saying they could not find the power cord. We turned the SUV upside down looking for that silly power cord....WHICH WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!
Cutting our visit short.....we returned to Shyrl’s, loaded up the computer, again, ....and headed back to the ’West Coast’ . Everybody complained all the way home about...”Being soooo full!”...Will return with the computer...and power cord....at a later date.
Ready or not....(and we were NOT)....Merry Christmas is on the way!