Happy 1st Birthday Clay!

NOW &
THEN

Summer has arrived!

Today summer has arrived. It has come in Hot and Hazy! We have disappointedly waited for rain this week and found none, or worse just a few sprinkles. It is just enough to make it steamy and ultra humid. This is Florida. I am spending a few days in Tallahassee and we are landlocked. The heat seems to climb quickly here, no sea breeze for relief. I think that is why I love the coast, it gives the illusion of a cooler day.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, respectively, in that the length of time elapsed between sunrise and sunset on this day is a maximum for the year. Of course, daylight saving time means that the first Sunday in April has 23 hours and the last Sunday in October has 25 hours, but these human meddlings with the calendar and do not correspond to the actual number of daylight hours.

After the summer solstice the Sun follows a lower and lower path through the sky each day until it reaches the point where it is in the sky for exactly 12 hours again. This is the Fall Equinox. Just like the Spring Equinox, the Sun will rise exactly east and set exactly west on this day and everyone in the world will experience a 12 hour day.

Happy Summer!

Count Down to July 7th

As we get everything in order for the Wedding, I am excited about the ceremony. We are trying to keep things as simple as possible. We want a time of celebration with our families. I know that everyone is looking forward to the wedding. We now have less than three weeks and I think I can speak for both Philip and myself when I say we are excited and anxious to have this wonderful day arrive!!!

A Good Man and Marriage

I realized tonight that the world we live in is a vast and amazing place and I am but a moment in time. Many who know me, know that I am a believer. I have put my faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He will guide my paths. He is my Creator, redeemer and friend. I am blessed to have a wonderful family whom I love and friends I cherish with all my heart. Many know that I have spent years praying for a Good Man, and waiting. I thought I would never find that, but in God's infinite wisdom He blessed me with a wonderful man, Philip.

He is smart, funny and kind; steady in a crisis and strong in his beliefs. He is not pretentious or self righteous. He is a good man. I love him and he loves me. We are to be married. We did not quickly come to this conclusion, understanding that marriage is difficult and sometimes trying. We took our time getting to know each other, talking, making sure. Marriage is also rewarding and fulfilling. We both know the trials of being single parents. The difficulty of going it alone.

One of my dearest friends asks if I have searched God's will in this decision and I can wholeheartedly say YES! I have.

Summer Days

HOT! HOT! HOT! These are words that mean something when you live in Florida in June. I am sitting at my kitchen window looking out at a yard in desperate need of mowing. I have a very good reason for not Mowing; the mower died and I am waiting for repairs to be done. Anyway even if I had access to the mower I am not sure I would be out in the 93 degree weather at nearly 7 p.m. mowing my yard! It is blazing HOT still.

This is accentuated by my sweet yellow lab Clay. I had to run to the store for a short time and I sent him out to the back yard. I would leave him in but he is not a trustworthy dog; he eats things. Upon my return I went to the back door and called for him to come in. He is always happy to see me and ran in. He proceeded to the cool tile of the kitchen floor and sprawled out on the tile to cool down. He truly looks as if he is trying to get every surface of his body spread out on the tile. I know animals can adapt to the heat, but He is spoiled by the air conditioning.

I had hoped that the heat would spawn one of those afternoon thundershowers. I checked the local weather and no such luck. It seems as though we will continue in the manner we started today HOT! HOT! HOT!

Romantic at heart

Well we have finally done it. Philip and I will be married in the not too distant future. We have tentatively set the date for July 7, 2007. We want our families to come and unfortunately it seems that may not be possible. Philip asked what I wanted in the wedding ceremony and I had some idea but it made me really think about what I want. First I want it to be simple, but elegant. Casual not snooty, although I will wear a "wedding dress". I want to carry flowers and some music playing softly...music is Philip's expertise. I want to have unique vows and I wanted us to exchange rings as a symbol of our unending love for one another. Philip loves me...but does NOT wear jewelry; any jewelry and he really would not want to wear a ring. I understand and even though it is important to me, I will not insist he wear one. However the exchange of rings is something I hope will be in the ceremony. I want our families there and some sort of reception afterward with a tarimasu cake and a champagne toast. Afterward Philip and I will depart on our honeymoon.
I guess I am more of a traditionalist than I thought and although I would marry Philip anywhere, anytime if I had my wishes; this would be my fairytale.

Evidence of Love

Living life can be a joy,
a happy time for sure.
Yet in the midst of daily life
we stuggle to insure
that those we love know how we feel
each and every day.
Not wondering and wishing
for love to come their way.
In words and deeds we give our love,
a touch; a smile; a kiss.
We hold a hand, caress a cheek,
a gentle warm embrace.
These are the things that make our lives
a joyous happy place.

Newest Addition

Our Newest member of the family, born to Laura and Steve.

Family and Fun

Ethan feeds one of the giraffes
Grace and Vanessa enjoy the sun!

Silvia gets a ride from Daddy at the Zoo.

Caitlin surrounded by blossoms!
The water park at the zoo is a favorite for all!
Ethan is having a whale of a time!

The twins are growing like weeds! They talk and sing and seem to have unending energy.



Silvia is less vocal than Caitlin, however she is close behind. They are beautiful babies!

Ethan is almost five, he loves his Gigi and the zoo!

Jason is ever the clown...it makes it hard to get a picture of him without a funny face.

There were 10 in the beds!

Well you know what they say about the best laid plans? Neither do I! But we had planned to have my daughter, son in law and little granddaughter moved into there home this weekend so that I would have space for my Son, daughter in law and three grandchildren to stay while visiting. We worked extremely hard, but we were unable to meet the deadline and so tonight in my rather small home, there are 10 in bed.

Tonight as I thank God for my blessings, I pray that I will be able to make it through the next few days and finish getting the kids into their home and enjoy the ones from West Florida.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Good Bye Norma Jean

Not actual home
As I sat painting the trim in the dining area of my daughter's new home, Good Bye Norma Jean is playing on the radio. I thought how odd that I am at this moment reliving the last 20 years. I think it is often true that certin events in life cause us to reflect and replay the past.

Today, I am thinking this is a song about a beautiful young woman in the the prime of her life who chose to leave the world behind for reasons we might never understand. I was struck by the fact as we are painting and cleaning and doing all the things necessary for my youngest daughter and her husband to move in to their first home and her Dad is not here to help her, he too chose to leave this world too soon. He missed out on so much in life, grandchildren, life events that you earn by growing old.

I also look at this tiny little home, in need of so much work and remember how it was to be young, in love and just starting out. How much we needed family to help with all the things a new home requires; or an old one, that is new to you! It was hard work painting walls, scraping trim, cleaning blinds and windows, but I loved seeing this place become the place where my daughter, her husband and their child will live, grow and learn to be a family. It was extremely satisfying work.

I was also stuck by how content I have become. I won't lie and say my life is where I want it to be, or even where I thought it would be...but I am truly happy. If this was how I was to spend the remainder of my days I would be o.k. Very tired; but o.k.!

The Fires Burn On!

I remember as a child watching the fire trucks race up our street to the home just caddy corner behind ours. Everyone was outside and walking quickly down the road to the home of a single mom and her four children. I stood at the curb with my mom close by watching dark black smoke billowing out the front door and the window of their home. It was not long before the firefighters came dragging a mattress out the front door with a large black charred hole in the middle. As I recall, the second to the youngest child, Ray had been playing with a matchbook. His Mom was at work and he had been left; along with an older brother and younger sister with the eldest, a girl named Mary. I think back about how frightening it all was for me just a bystander, but even now how horrific it must have been for Mary, Ray, Billy and Ann. I remember the hushed whispers of those adults around wondering how someone could go off to work and leave four children at home with a ten year old in charge. "It was just plan luck that they were not all killed", said Mrs. Thomas, our elderly neighbor on the other side.


That was really my first experience with fire and I think the smells and stinch it left hanging in the air made a huge impact on me. This past weekend I was headed to Tallahassee to see Philip. I knew like most that the wildfires in South Georgia, had crossed State lines and was now creeping southward into Florida. I had only gone around 60 miles down I 10 when the sky grew dark and thick with smoke. It continued to look more and more ominious as I headed west. The sky took on a red tint and the smell of smoke was almost unbearable. Visibility dropped to near zero and the north south corridor of highway 441 was already closed. I called Philip with the feeling of uneasiness hoping I could stand the next 100 miles in these conditions. He confirmed what I already feared that the smoke and hazed stretched all the way to Tallahassee.

I was so relieved to finally make it to Philips in late afternoon. I hoped that we would have a clearer day on Saturday. It was not to be. We did however, face the weather and finally stroll the paths of McClay Gardens. It was hot and hazy, but the cool paths lead through tall trees, long grassy paths and beautiful pools. I loved it. As the drew grew hot, the haze enveloped Tallahassee making our enjoyment of the outdoors more difficult. We did go to the downtown marketplace and wander through the booths set up by local farmers and artisans. It was a pleasant day and I was unconcerned even though we heard that I 10 was closed to traffic.

Sunday Morning dawned fresh form an evening thunderstorm and we went to breakfast in honor of Mother's Day. We were not back long when my Dad called saying I might want to call the highway patrol before hitting the road. I did and surprisingly enough was able to speak to a patrolman, who was able to tell me I would have to detour at Liveoak to Highway 90 until I reached Sanderson. I left immediately and was unsure of how long the drive might be. I was not gone long when I ran into thick smoke not even 10 miles out of Tallahassee. I was extremely relieved to find I was able to continue down I 10 all they way into Jacksonville. I heard that I had made it through in only the brief window they had the interstate open.


Even as I go to post the fires still burn and more have cropped up along I 95 near Hilliard and Calahan. This is a time of uneasiness, it also brings back some of the same feelings I had as a small child standing in my neighborhood watching firefighters battle the blaze in my neighbors home. A feeling of fear and uncertianty. For those in the path of the fires, I am sure it is horrific.

Life's struggles

I was talking to a young couple recently and they were sharing how hard it is for young people to make ends meet. They said, "We work hard and still we don't have all they things you have." I said when I was your age, I didn't have all these things either! In addition "things" don't make you wealthy.

Even now there are many times my expenditures exceed my income. That is when I have to cut back and give up some of the things I enjoy. Eating out is one of them. I pick up the sales ad and shop for cheap food that will make healthy meals. I don't drive my care as often, because gas prices are so high.

My point was that we often think we should be where our parents are when we are starting out. I still remember the twin bed we used as a sofa, just add pillows. The hand me down furniture that we were given. I was an avid garage sale junkie and I still love the thrift shops. I have had times when all there was to eat for the next week was a 10lb bag of potatoes. I expanded my recipe collection!

We all have life struggles, things were not easy for my parents, they were not easy for me and sure they will not be easy for my children, but what we struggle to achieve we appreciate all the more. It also allows us to be grateful for the little things.

Beautiful Tallahassee

Spring is always a favorite, the new spring leaves, the flowers in bloom, the warm weather? Well we would normally have warm weather. I have enjoyed exploring the beautiful city of Tallahassee this weekend, however the extremely chilly temperatures have been surprising!



I find this to be such a beautiful place; with rolling hills and a lush wooded landscape. We drove through city streets, college campus and outlying areas to see a small town that has grown into a capital city. I know Philip likes the stark change from the drab, shabby streets of Milton. I know he will be much happier here and that makes me happy.



It is early Easter Morn and I am getting ready to head home for worship service and a family lunch, but I have truly enjoyed my time in this beautiful town.

Moving on....again

It seems life has a way of fixing the things that cause us stress and strife. Philip moved in December to Milton Florida. He found it and the job there to be less than desirable. He hung in there for as long as possible and although he would have liked to find something in Jacksonville, he took a job in Tallahassee. It is a beautiful city and should be much better in way of quality of life. I think once the initial loading and unloading and getting settled is over he should enjoy exploring there.

I spent last Saturday there looking at apartments for him and trying to find a place that was comfortable and quiet, yet affordable. I visited several at his recommendation and finally came upon a wonderful complex just off I10. It is located in the Northeast part of the town and really seems like a very nice area to live. I am not familiar with where the TV station is located, but Philip says it is fairly close to where the apartment is so the commute should be quick.

I will travel to Tallahassee tomorrow with a VPK Directors networking delegation. We will go and meet with several of our legislators to discuss issues that effect our local facilities. I am not normaly in the business of this type of thing, but I am looking forward to it.

Time with the Kiddo's

The twins have grown so much! They are talking and mimicing every thing they hear. They are a joy to be around and we had so much fun!
Jason and Ethan are two peas in a pod. I feel like I am having a flashback to Jason's childhood everytime I am with Ethan. Ethan still loves school, but can't seem to get much in way of what goes on during the day for him.
Ashley looks like a doll in her new glasses. She always is busy keeping up with the babies, Ethan and the biggest kid of all Jason. She is finally able to get little pony tails in the girls hair and so they wear their hair up; it really is adorable!
Ethan is showing off the families hobby. This is a monsterous fish tank with a beautiful variety of fish. The children love to watch it and I must admit I find it fun as well.

Bellingrath Gardens, Mobile Alabama

Spring Break has been a long favorite of mine. It is not something most adults get to experience after college graduation unless of course you remain in the field of education. This is spring break in our school district but not in my grandson's over here in West Florida. So my time with him is limited, but not altogether off. I was able to spend Sunday with the kiddo's at the hands on science museum and then lunch at TGIFridays!

Philip and I decided to spend Saturday over at Bellingrath Gardens just southwest of Mobile Alabama. It was a relatively short drive from his home. We were more than a little surprised at how dismal a drive it was and began to wonder how anything of beauty would be found in this drab and dilapidated part of the country. Well to our surprise the gardens are quite lovely. We were able to walk through out the garden at our leisure. We did not take the home tour or the river cruise, but just walking throughout the gardens made for a very enjoyable day. We very much enjoyed this lovely group of young ladies, we called the Southern Belle's! They were dress in these beautiful pastel dresses and made themselves available for pictures, I just snaped a quick shot!

There were azalea's that towered over Philip's head and flowers of every color and variety. We even happened upon a snake crossing a walkway in the Japanese gardens. I don't think I will add this to my places to go to again, but all in all a very enjoyable day!

ziddio

Philip and I love The Three Stooges. I found this vidio that many thought was lost. It is humor lost on many today, but I just laughed. Click and enjoy!
Ziddio

Future Plans

Lately I have been focusing on future plans and trying to make some. To most I think it would not be a difficult task, but to me it is next to impossible. Philip and I seem to be facing one Challenge after another and it causes me stress. I know that it causes him stress as well, but we handle things very differently.

My life is filled with many things. I work at a job that I have had for nearly 10 years, live in a house I had built over 15 years ago. I have an extended family and friends I have known for 20+ years. I think you would say I am a stable if not rather boring individual. I find security in planning and executing those plans.

Philip boosts his ability to be free and clear in a few days notice. His profession is fluid and although he has done essentially the same job for many years, he has moved from company to company for various reasons. His list of cities lived in reads like an tour of southern cities and towns. He thrives on living for today, and not worrying about tomorrow.

I think that is why we are such a good match because we balance each other in many ways. It is when things begin to change that I lose composure and become a fearful stressed out mess. Philip gets a light in his eyes and looks to the change as a challenge and a possibility of something better. I think that one day, we will be able to make life a more serene and peaceful place for the other, but right now future plans are not as much a reality as just seeing what tomorrow holds and looking for the possibilities.

I think there is a lesson to be learned by both. I must learn that taking each day alone can release stress, allowing me to experience more in life. Philip must learn that stability allows roots to grow deep and those roots hold us steady in storms. Oh! The sunrise at the top of this blog is a reminder that every day is new and has its own set of possibilities! Also that on June 16th at sunrise, our lives will begin anew!

Turning 20!

Today was a special day for Grace because she turned 20! It was also a milestone for me because all my children have officially left their teen years behind. It is our families tradition to have a family dinner on your birthday. Tonight Grace chose to have Chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, green beans, ceaser salad and raspberry sherbet for dessert. It was a great night with grandparents, aunt and cousin, sister and of course me (MOM) and now her husband Chris and her daughter Vanessa. The family has grown so very much this last year. Soon we will have another addition, as my niece Laura will have a baby in May. The more the merrier!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GRACE, LOVE MOM