I Miss Running

I am 62 years old and I am proud of it. I have had a wonderful life. I had parents who loved me, taught me to be a descent human being, I had brothers who I adore now, but when I was growing up with them I thought they were born to annoy me and get in the way of the attention I wanted from my parents. Our family was as ordinary as they come with problems like everyone elses. Never quite enough money, but always lots of love and fun. When I was a little girl I loved to run. I would run to and from my neighbors house just because I thought it was fun. When I would be playing at the playground across the street from my house I would go and just run the bases. I wouldn't have any one to play baseball with, but I didn't care. I would pretend to hit the ball and run the bases. I would run to school and I would run home from school. I wouldn't be satisfied to roller skate unless I could do it fast. I fell a lot and I am not saying I was even a fast runner, but I just got back up with my long spindly legs and run some more. As I got to the pre-teen years, my mom told me that a lady didn't run everywhere she went. I always had band aides on my knees, because I wouldn't slow down. It was somewhere between 6th. and 7th. grade that some boy laughed at me when I was running on the playground and tore the petticoat that I had on under my gathered skirt. Long pieces on lace lay across my sprawled legs and I could hear my mom saying that is no way for a lady to behave. I was sweaty and dirty and now I was totally humiliated. I think it was that day that I quit running every where I went. (Thanks, Billy C.) It was about that time I became a little more aware of my feminine side and my mom was so happy. My jeans didn't wear out as fast (holes in the knees from falling) and my skirts didn't tear loose from the waistbands. Running each year became something I never thought about doing. When I got into high school I did love sports and I played everything. I loved softball and basketball, but mostly I loved a game called speedball. It was a cross between soccer and football, but I got to run again. After high school I got married and started a family. The running I did was mostly chasing kids keeping them from throwing things in the toilet and flushing them down. Running after them when they climbed the fence in the back yard and were heading for the creek. The problem I noticed was that they were a lot faster than me and my running in anger wasn't like when I was a kid and you just ran for the joy of it. As the years went on I started walking the Ravines. It wasn't as popular as it is now, but I was trying to lose weight and Bill would go with me. We got where we would actually jog around the whole ravine. I enjoyed it for a time then things happen, people get sick and you have to help care for them and suddenly the running stopped. Now I am 62 overweight, bad hips, and feet. I love to watch my grandchildren run all over the yard. I sometimes try to chase them, but I give up quickly. My oldest grandson, Matt is running everyday. He loves the Ravines and is now making it around twice. He really is loving it. I miss the feel of the pavement under my tennis shoes. I miss the sweat and how the dust would stick to it all over my face and arms. I miss the pounding in my chest where I felt like my heart would explode (but I knew it wouldn't because I was young and in shape)I miss the way I felt when I finished getting to the slide or supper table or the top of the hill at the Ravine Gardens. Free and flying and happy to feel alive. Now I will be satisfied with walking the loop in my neighborhood while my grandchildren ride their bikes and scooters. I feel free watching them run like the wind. Boy, I sure do miss running....

Lucas, My Youngest Grandson

Lucas is a very interesting and special little boy. He came over the other day running in my back door, that is usually the entrance he makes, running. He ran to me and said I'm here. I said, I am so happy you came to see me. He answers, I know. He always comes in happy. He may have been being a pill on the ride over here, but he always comes in with a smile on his face and I get my quick hug. He doesn't sit still long enough for a long hug or extensive cuddling. I do think his mom gets those quiet times at night before bed when he is really really tired. He is so different than Josie and Hayden. They are so sweet and always want to please you. Hayden is so obedient and if you ever have to speak to him about him doing something wrong, usually arguing with his sister or cousins, he will get upset and sometimes hide and cry. Josie is a lot like that too. She isn't quite as sensitive as Hayden, but he is a perfectionist and she's not. Lucas is that child that always has the funny comeback and he could care less if you raise your voice at him when he is misbehaving. Most of the time he has an excellent excuse for his bad behavior or he just plain denies it. The other day when they were here Josie was chasing him out of my bedroom swinging her fist and running after Lucas as fast as she could. Lucas was screaming as he ran by. Josie's mom grabbed her and she said Lucas pinched her. I called him over and put him in my lap. I asked him did he pinch Josie. He said, NO, she hit me. I asked him again, but didn't you pinch Josie first and that is why she's trying to hit you. He again said, NO, I didn't do any something to her. You just got to laugh when he comes up with comments like that. He never admitted any something and believe me he never said he was sorry. He could go to his room and never be seen again before he would admit any wrong doing. Sounds like some grown men I have known. His mama has a long road ahead of her because he is only 3. Another thing he loves to do is take off his shirt and show you his muscles and he has some pretty big muscles for a 3 year old. He loves to dance and do tricks. He is just entertaining. But when he get tired he wants his cup of milk and to lay down on my bed and turn on the t.v. He will go fast asleep without any problems. I guess he just goes and goes and he is just worn out at the end of the day. Lucas will always have lots of friends. He is definitely a people person. He will be talented and athletic. Right now he loves the guitar and the drums and since his dad is a musician I can see him playing his guitar and singing lead in a band. He will charm his audiences with his talent and with his smile which is already beautiful. I hope I live long enough to see him on that stage, or field, or courtroom. He is going to be something special of that I am sure.

A Beautiful Day?

It is dreary and raining outside. It is 87 degrees and humid, but it is indeed a beautiful day. I woke up a little later than usual this morning and got up and made coffee. I opened the blinds and realized it was Saturday and Bill has the whole day off. We can't even come up with what we want to do today. We know we should clean out the utility room or organize the garage. We should put up the files in our bedroom and find a spot for them in the back closet, which in turn would means we would have to clean the back closet. The list of what we need to do around here is long, but this is the first day Bill hasn't had to work or go to the Dr. so maybe we will let the list get a little longer and have some fun today. I need to pray first thing and give thanks and then get ready for whatever this day holds for us. Its rainy and dreary, but it is our day together. We plan on doing nothing together or something fun. I don't really care the key word is together. God created this day and we intend to make good of it.

God Are You There?

I am going to admit that I have been pouring it on when it comes to my praying lately. I know when I go on my knees God is probably thinking here she goes again....what in the world is wrong now. I have felt so overwhelmed lately with Bill having so many health issues. Also the Mema thing...trying to see she has someone with her 24-7. Making sure that not only we have food in the house, but that she has food in her house. We have had family members lose jobs, struggling to make ends meet. Problems within our church family. Me having to have a tooth pulled and facing the expense of a bridge. Children with serious health problems and loss of people in our community to violence and suicide. What is going on God? Here I am again, do you hear me? I feel like God is far away sometimes. I feel like I am so unimportant in the big picture of things. You know God is really busy with our country and other things like, floods, earthquake victims, starving people and the poor and homeless. I know Lord that you are as worried as I am at the state of our country, we need your guidance. I pray that you Lord would help me be stronger, smarter, and more patient. I pray for that every day. It has been so hot and nobody seems to feel worth a darn. We need some rain God. We need you to pick up the yoke, because we are just worn down. I pray that you will help me to surrender the things I can't fix. Maybe that's what you are waiting for. God I surrender all of my problems to you and I surrender everything to you. I know that I am your child and that you know me by name. I know you hear me and my prayers and you answer me everyday. The mornings are a little cooler. Bill felt good enough to make coffee this morning and we sat on the porch. Our squirrel who is just a little to friendly was on our screen waiting for a treat. He heard me this morning when I asked for him to protect Bill on his trip to Gainesville and he came home safe and sound. I had a call from a good friend who asked me to lunch and we laughed about kids and old times. We confirmed a date to go see the leaves in North Carolina with my sister and her husband. The Lord knew we needed to see the beauty of his world and feel the coolness of fall. He knew we needed some time to gather strength to face the next problem and the next. God I ask you to keep us calm in the storms, not that there won't be storms. God I know there will always be problems so help me release them to you. I am weak and you are strong. I love you Lord and I know you love me.

What a Summer!

It was a good summer, but a hot summer. Bill and I have both said, It didn't used to be this hot when we were kids! Geez, we sound as old as we are. We didn't even have air conditioning at home or at school. So you little munchkins get outside and play. After 10 minutes they are at the door begging for drink and to please come inside and take a nap. A nap, they haven't had a nap in at least 4 years and besides I wouldn't let those sweaty little bodies lie on anything but an old sheet on the playroom floor. Sandy sweaty socks go flying, shirts and shorts are tossed around the room. I have little half naked children laying all over the family room floor. Can we take a bath is the next question that comes, right after I need some coke. I relent to calm the troops and coke is poured and cool water is run in the tub. Bubbles are added and for thirty minutes all is good with the world. When the bath is over I come sliding across the bathroom floor where water and suds are at least an inch deep. I find some dirty towels and soak up the dirty water and grab the clean towels to dry off the sweet faces of my grandchildren. It is amazing how much patience I have with them. I wish that I had half as much when I was raising their parents. I would have had a coniption fit if they had emptied buckets of sudsey water on the floor. I now know what is important and water on the floor just doesn't get me that excited these days. After everyone is dry it is time for a snack and more coke and a movie. It really doesn't matter if they have seen the movie a multitude of times they are ready to chill and take a break and so am I. We have spent time at the beach, we went to the mountains, but we mostly just hung around town with the family and these times are precious. We ended the summer with Bill's surgery and it has been a rough couple of weeks and he has to have a melanoma removed tomorrow. He has been through a lot. We are blessed with fine doctors and good friends who have lifted us up in prayer. But these little sweaty, loud and messy children with all their complaining and playing and EATING they have made it all more bearable. God is so good he knows what we need. He has given us so much and with love you can walk through the fire, with faith, family and friends you want walk it alone. What a summer.....I can hardly wait for that first cool morning when Bill and I can go for a walk out here on the farm. Then I will be writing about how we got here, God carried us, thats how, God carried us and now we are on the other side of the fire. We are walking with the wind at our back and God at our side.

What a Summer!

My Grandson Troy

Today I wanted to tell the world about my grandson Troy. He is 12 years old and he is a terrific kid. Now as the good grandmother I am I love each and every one of my grandchildren with a powerful and blind love. I only see good and if they are misbehaving I am sure it is because they are either tired or sick. I am sure all of you grandparents out there get the picture. But with Troy it is a little different. He was the first baby in our family after 10 years so he was the family baby. He was a precious newborn chubby and so happy. He quickly became a toddler who always had a ball with him. Big balls, tennis balls, footballs, golf balls, whatever ball happened to be around. You needed to always be ready to catch a ball or you might get binged by one when you weren't looking. By the time Troy was 3 he was on a tee-league baseball team and he loved it. The whole family would come out and cheer for him. He could hit the ball a mile and catch any ball that came near him, but he had one little problem and that was his chubby little body that we all loved to cuddle wasn't able to quickly get around the bases. He would run as fast as he could, but unless the ball was hit a mile he would struggle to get around the bases. It really never bothered him that he wasn't fast of feet until he got older. When he got on a traveling baseball team it just got harder. Also, after getting hit by several balls it was interfering with his hitting. We all tried to encourage him, Bill and his dad assured him he would work through his batting slump, but after 7 years he wouldn't go out for baseball last summer. His mom told him he needed to do something that summer so he went to the local golf clinic with many other kids. He loved it. Yes, he was hooked. He played in the Don McNabb Tournament which took place after the golf clinic and he came in 3rd. place. He has been on the golf course ever since. He wasn't even 11 when this all started, but he understood his limitations better than we did. Now he is really coming along in his golf. Spanky, the golf pro is working with him one day a week and he is back at the clinic with 59 other kids. He has joined the Florida Youth Golf League and has played at two golf courses in Jacksonville. Next week Bill will be taking him to a tournament at the golf course at the Naval Air Station. He has not placed yet, but he has learned a lot about water hazards. His ball seems to always land in them. Spanky is working with him on how to stay out of the water and maybe he will end up with a trophy by the end of the summer, who knows? Troy really doesn't care...He loves that golf is a competition with himself. He wants to improve his game and better his score. He has met some wonderful men on the golf course who encourage him and give him advice. He has played with the guys on the high school golf team and they have treated him with respect, he has even played against the golf pro in the Presbyterian Golf Tournament. Troy has found a gentlemen's game to participate in and Troy is a gentle man. He loves to play a round with friends or he enjoys just playing alone against the course itself. Troy found a sport for him, one where he doesn't have to be the fastest guy out there. It is a sport where he can be Troy and take it as far as he wants to go. Whatever happens it is a game he will enjoy his whole life. Your family is so proud of you Troy and good luck this summer in all your matches....We love, love, love you.

Father's Day

I have been one of those lucky people who had a great daddy and have a great husband. I had a Big Daddy and a Grandfather. My Big Daddy died when I was very young, but I have a few fond memories of him. One I remember most was sitting in his side yard with him in a double adirondack chair. He was telling me about the bugs that kept getting on his hibiscus. They were eating the leaves and he had tried everything, but they just kept coming back. I watched him intently as he smoked his pipe and curled his brows in frustration. A rather strange conversation for a seven year old to remember. I hope I came up with some wonderful advise for him, but I really didn't care what he was saying, I was just happy to be with him. Big Daddy was around 6'4" tall. He had extremely long legs that me and all of the other cousins wrapped themselves around as he walked. My Big Daddy died when I was 9 and I really missed our talks and walks around the garden. My dad's father was my Grandfather. He was quite elderly even when I was a child. I remember walks around his property at Penney Farms. He would talk about how he came here with his family to farm and nothing would grow in the sandy soil. He would tell me about my daddy being such a fantastic ball player. I don't really remember to much else except our visits to see him and my Grandmother's house were not very frequent. My daddy was the kind of Dad kid's dream about. I think it was because he too was a kid. He had a way of making fun out of everything. Raking grass was a chore, but sitting back and burning them was awesome. We would take our sticks and stir the leaves and sometimes your stick would catch on fire. Mama would come out and tell him to not let us play with fire and Daddy would act like he was fussing at us and when Mama would go back inside we go back to stirring. Daddy was spontaneous. He would say let's go to Georgia at 10:00 at night or let's go to Miami on a Fri. night and we would be packed up and on the road the next morning. On Saturday nights when he would come home from work and we would be waiting for him. He always came in and threw a bag full on penny candy on the floor and me and my brother Rick would scramble to gather in our booty. He loved to just sit outside on a night with the full moon and tell me about the moon ball. On Christmas after we went to bed he would see what my mom had bought for us and it was never enough. He would get in his truck and head back to the store where he worked open it up and pick up a few more things that he thought we couldn't live without. Daddy loved the beach and a few times he picked me up from school like he was taking me to a doctors appt. and we headed for the pier at Flagler Beach and go fishing. Fishing while everyone else was in Algebra, wow, what a great dad. After I got married and had the kids, he would sometimes show up at my house at 7:00 on a Sunday morning to pick up the kids and take them for a ride in the woods. They loved it and they would always come home with a bag on candy and some outrageous tale.Daddy would take all the grandchildren to the railroad tracks at the back of their property and they would put pennies on the tracks and wait for the train to run over them. He took them all on rides on the riding lawn mower to all of our objections. My Daddy died of cancer. It was so bad in was untreatable. It was hard to watch that carefree, fun person disappear before our eyes. We were with him at the end, we held his hands until he was on that beautiful trip to paradise. I look forward to seeing him again. My husband Bill is a wonderful dad. So different than my dad. Bill is the responsible one in our family. I think I am the wild child like my daddy and he had to be the adult. He takes care of us all. We know that he is always there for us no matter what. He is the one that makes sure that the coffee pot, the iron, and anything that will catch on fire is off before we leave our house. I never worry about stuff like that. He is the person we lean on,the one we count on. He is the one who gave the lectures that no one listened to until all of the sudden the problem that he told us about actually happened. He worries way to much and maybe we should worry about things a little more so he can just have fun. He deserves to have some fun and today he is having some. He is out at the Golf Course with his sons and grandsons. The girls and I are headed to the Country Club pool and we will all spend the afternoon together. He is a wonderful Dad! God you have blessed me with the Daddy I needed and you have blessed my kids with the one they needed. They both were and are special men!

Beach Trip 1957

It was a hot day in July and Daddy decided to take the whole family to the Crescent Beach. We packed up our old rusty gray ford pick up truck with everything from coolers to lawn furniture. We loaded up all of our beach toys, inner tubes and rafts which were all covered in sand from our last beach trip. My brothers and I piled in the truck bed sitting on heaps of towels and beach blankets and mom and dad were up front. We always had a couple of stops on the way. The first stop was at the ice plant. The old man that worked at the plant grabbed a huge block of ice from a cooler with a tool that looked like a claw protruding from his shirt sleeve. He put the block of ice in a machine that threw shavings all over the wooden porch and all over the old man. He poured the ice chips in our cooler and daddy put in the drinks. We were traveling down the highway with the windows down and we could hear guitars and banjos blasting out the latest country tunes all the way in the back of the truck. I can't imagine how Mama could stand it sitting in the front seat. It wasn't long before we made our next stop in Orange Mills. We always had to stop at the old Orange Mills Store. Daddy came out with his six pack of beer and a brown sack filled with penny candy for me and my brothers. With our treats in hand we headed for the white sand of Crescent Beach. The old ford sputtered across the wooden bridge that took you across the Intracoastal waterway. You were never sure that it wasn't going to crumble and our ford would fall into the swirling waters below. We all said a prayer as we heard the creaking from underneath the bridge as we passed over it. When we got to the other side we all breathed a sigh of relief and gave out a loud cheer. We made it across alive one more time, forgetting we would have to go over the bridge again at the end of the day on our return home. We made a quick stop by the pier to buy some bait and then we saw Pomars and the ramp. Now we were cruising down the hard white sand of Crescent Beach. The tide was low and the water was as smooth as a lake except for a few swells that crept across the shore just so you wouldn't forget where you were. The water was as blue as the sky and it was hard to tell where they met in the horizon. The old truck stopped and kids popped out along with toys, rafts and tubes. We all headed toward the water with our parents shouting not to go out past our knees. Floating over the top of the water was so much fun especially when it was interrupted every now and then by a big swell of water that lifted us up and sometimes flipped us over. Once in a while you would see a dolphin or a couple of dolphins swimming out in front of you. We would all laugh at the tourists as they swam toward shore screaming shark. We just loved seeing such beautiful creatures and I think they kind of enjoyed watching us. Maybe they were as curious about us as we were about them. We all were getting hungry and it was time for lunch. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches never tasted so good as they do at the beach. Along with sandy potato chips and oreo cookies this was the best lunch ever. There were plenty of cold drinks in the cooler and when you pulled one out the glass would be covered with ice and so cold you could hardly hold it in your hand. After lunch our parents banned us from the water for 30 minutes. We might get stomach cramps and sink to the bottom of the ocean and drown. Even worse the scent of peanut butter would certainly draw the sharks to us and we would become their lunch. So while we waited the buckets and shovels were passed out. We had to put on our t-shirts and hats. We were covered in tons of suntan lotion to protect us from the mid-day sun. We sat in the soft white sand and began building castles of every shape and size. The were misshapen beauties with drizzles and shells surrounding them. My brothers always had to have a mote and I was in charge of bringing up the buckets of water. I retrieved the water very carefully not going past my ankles, watching closely for the fin of a hungry shark who was waiting patiently to snatch up a small girl smelling of peanut butter. When the castle was completed it stood like a monument to be admired by all who passed by. Surely some tourist would have to have their picture taken next to it. At least Daddy got a picture of us diligently working on it and one he took afterwords as we all gathered round with big smiles, so proud of our beautiful castle of sand. As the sun moved behind gathering of clouds we knew our day at the beach was going to come to a stormy end. The rumbling in the distance told us to load up the sandy toys, chairs and other things we had brought along. We got in the truck and wearily headed home. Some of us slept and others ate the leftover cookies and chips, but we all had a wonderful day. This is a memory of one of many family times together and they are special to me and fun to share with you.

Class of 65' Reunion

I've been to many reunions over the past 45 years, but I think I enjoyed this one more than any of the ones I have been to in the past. I think I have an inkling as to why that is. I am 61 almost 62 years old. I am overweight. I have little brown age spots on my arms, legs and face. I moan a lot of the time when I get out of a chair, because of a chronic pain in my hip. You would think I would hate to go out and share what is going on in my life with anyone. Do I really want anyone to see me pudgy and whiny? For some unknown reason I have reached that point in my life where I just don't worry about what other people think. It is so refreshing to be at that stage in life where I feel like I have earned every gray hair, every wrinkle, every pound and maybe even every ache and pain. I love who I am and well if anyone doesn't like it toooo bad. I didn't pick out what I was going to wear until 30 minutes before we were leaving. I did make sure my outfit was clean and pressed. I did my hair and makeup and decided that was the best I could do. Bill came into the bathroom and told me I was as beautiful as the day he graduated from high school and he gave me a big kiss. I knew somehow he really meant it and that is why I love him so much. We headed to the country club and immediately started seeing familiar faces. There were lots of hugs and hellos. It was awesome to see everyone. There were a few faces I didn't recognize, just as I had put on weight and a few wrinkles so had our former classmates. Some of them had heads of silver hair, some had no hair, but when you saw those smiles and twinkling eyes no one had really changed all that much. It was great to see old friends I haven't seen in a while, like Brooks and Steve Dumas. Brooks and I try to get together when she gets to town, but it has been months since I saw her and maybe years since I saw Steve. Brooks looked so beautiful and always the southern lady and Steve is as crazy and charming as ever.Some people had actually changed very little, Linda Kazmar was beautiful in high school and I always thought she looked like Gina Lollibrigida. Let me tell you she still does. She is still movie star gorgeous, but so sweet and down to earth. Sally Linton was one of the cutest and bubbliest girls in the class and she is still adorable and full of energy. Bill S., Chuck, Steve, Buddy, and Bill all looked so great and I loved that they dedicated a plaque and pictures to Coach Bennett. Allegra, Pam, Lela, and Donna worked hard to pull off the presentation even getting Carl Flagg to come and present Coach Bennett the key to the city and named June 4th. Coach Bennett day. It was such a great idea and he was so touched. Saturday Bill and about 7 classmates walked the ravines and reminisced about how they ran all over the ravines as kids. We met up with several friends at Gator Landing and had lunch. Some of the girls met up at Chili's. Then Sat. night we congregated at City Cafe. We all have some good memories of the old City Drug Store. We all met out in front of the drug store when we had parades. That is where the band would stop and perform. We also met there many Saturdays for lunch and shopping across the street at Belks, French Bootery and the Fashion Shop. We all enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs. Pictures were taken in the back for a yearbook. It was a fun night. We sat with Dr. Shan Purinton and her husband Mike. Shan is the former Shirley Ann Garrett, but she is now our Shan. They had been on a cruise to Anartica, I was so surprised at how much they loved it. It made me want to go on a cruise, but I think I might want to go somewhere a little warmer, Alaska maybe. We were all exchanging email addresses and cell ph.#s, boy times have changed. There are no excuses now not to keep up with each other. On Sunday morning after church Mary Virginia Neck Brown and her husband Elliot, Jane Faber, Marilyn Young and I went down to City Cafe for breakfast. There we found Bill Sproull, Chuck and his wife, Charlie Self and his wife all having breakfast before heading home. We pulled up a table and continued talking and laughing and sharing pictures. Bill got there in time to say goodbye to everyone. We decided that we needed to get together with the classmates that live around town at least once every couple of months. I think that is a great idea. Thanks class of 65 committee for putting so much work and love into your reunion.

Mountain Trip

I recently went on a trip to the mountains. This is the second time we have gone during spring break so I think that means we have started a yearly ritual. There are six of us that drove up to Blue Ridge, Ga. Bill has a cousin that has a beautiful mountain home up there. She graciously invites us up to share in the beauty of the mountains and it is truly a retreat from the daily problems we face as women. We get together before we go and plan our meals. Each of us is responsible for one meal while we stay. It is really nice that you prepare one breakfast or dinner and then get to pretend you are at a Bed and Breakfast the rest of the time you are there. Well, I decided to drive my car up, because I can get seven people in it when I put up the third row seats. So, when we went into Blue Ridge or Murphy I could get everybody in one car. Driving meant I would have to drive through downtown Atlanta. This is always a challenge for me. I was driving through Atlanta a few days after Christmas when it began snowing and sleeting, so I knew this couldn't be worse than that. Well, I shouldn't have been so quick to speak, we had rain almost all the way there, but when we got into Atlanta it was just drizzling. I was making good time in the diamond lane, I love the diamond lane. Then all of the sudden a taxi came barreling right in front of me slamming on his brakes. The other car full of ladies was right behind me. Thank God I was paying attention and thank God, Vicki had gotten her brakes worked on before we left home. When I looked in my rear view mirror I saw a car with the hood up trying to make its way into the diamond lane. The hood had popped up while the car was traveling at about 60 miles and hour and they slammed on brakes and started swerving and that is why the cab had ended up in my lane. When my heart finally slowed down and came out of my throat we continued following the diamond trail through downtown Atlanta. We arrived at Jan's about 4;00 in the afternoon. It was so good to be there and it was so beautiful on Soaring Eagle Mountain. We all settled in and picked out a room. Jan always says pick any room you want. I always pick hers and we get a good laugh and then I go to my usual spot upstairs. We ate and drank for the rest of the evening. We laughed and caught up with each others lives. Carolyn was expecting her first grandchild, Jan waiting to hear about getting a home in Jax. Charlotte telling us about her grandchildren, Charlene's trip to Italy, Sylva moving into her new home on the river, and Vicki's dancing granddaughter. We tried to stay away from tough subjects after all that is why we were here, to rest our bodies and minds. There was a lot of talk of diets and calories,as we ate blueberry pancakes, grits casseroles, apple pie and lots of other fabulous food. We visited Blue Ridge and Murphy, but the best day was when we hung out at the pavilion by Jan's house. I got a happy log to get a fire started at the fire pit and we just sat around it and had a glass of wine. Vicki and Charlotte went down a ladder beside the pavilion and climbed down the side of the mountain holding onto a rope tied to a tree at the top of the hill. They made it back safely and we got some great pictures. Sometimes it is just fun to be a kid, but some of us just enjoy seeing someone be a kid especially when you have bad knees or hips. Getting old sucks....Too soon it was time to pack up and go home. It is hard to leave the tranquility of the mountains and head back into the flatlands of problems. But at least I am more rested and ready to take on whatever is ahead. God has blessed me with good friends and a loving family. He is with us through the good and the bad, I saw him in the beauty of those mountains, but I also see him in the faces of my beautiful friends and family. Thank you God for loving me....

A Tree Is Meant For Climbing

Last week we had a teacher planning day and I kept my grandchildren, Sydney and Hayden. They are 7 and 8 years old. I babysat both of them when their mom's went back to work. They were just infants and only a couple of months apart in age, Hayden was born in Feb. and Syd was born in May. They are extremely close and extremely competitive, but love each other to death. Hayden is so smart it is scary. We call him the fact man. If you want to know anything about bugs, snakes, lizards, or dogs, he is your man. Sydney is also very smart. She sees something one time and she can retain it. She knows every word to every song on 95.l and is quick to tell me I need to change the channel, because that song has a bad word in it. She loves dance and her friends. These two are so different yet so great together. Hayden says Sydney is so much fun, because when she is with the guys she will play chase, football, soccer, or wrestle and then when his sister Josie comes around she will play dolls, school, or house. Hayden will play if their is absolutely no way out. He is a sport....Well on this day there were just the two of them. I don't have much happening in my yard, no swing set, soccer goals, or pool, just a bunch of trees and a big yard. I went outside with them and they put in to climb my magnolia tree. It is not a huge tree, but it is pretty tall. Hayden headed up first. The small branches were tearing at his arms and legs so I went and got my hog nose clippers and snipped them off. The climb became a lot less painful. He made it to the first big branch and Sydney followed. I went in and got my camera, but they had ascended a little higher up the tree. I tried not to panic, but I think Hayden saw the fear in my face and he began trying to find his way down. He was starting to get scared when his foot missed the small branch beneath him. Leveled headed Mimi coaxed him down one branch at a time. Sydney was next. I don't think she was afraid, because Hayden did it without falling surely she could do it. When she reached one of the lower and smaller branches it snapped. She was close enough to the ground that I was able to grab her. They thought it was so much fun, they wanted to do it again. My heart was racing and I quickly said, "Not until your moms get here, now let's go get food." That usually grabs there attention and it did this time, but as soon as there moms got here they preceded to tell them of their adventure. My daughters both looked at me like I had lost my mind. Maybe I did for just a while. I think I was remembering my first time climbing a tree in my backyard and how exciting and dangerous it was. They climbed up one more time for their distressed mothers, but this time they stopped on the first branch. We took pictures to show their classmates of how courageous they were. I know I have now created a problem for myself. Every time they come over we will have a tree climbing event and I will find myself not quite enjoying the climb like I did the first time. We all know the first time is the best. I guess I might have to invest in that pool or at least a swing set,and I know food is not going to keep my monkeys out of the trees anymore.

Easter Week

I love this time of year. It is so wonderful to see trees sprouting their new green leaves. The azaleas are blooming and the dogwoods are absolutely gorgeous. I feel so joyful and hopeful in springtime. New life surrounds me and I sense the presence of God in it all. It seems so appropriate that Christ died and rose on Easter. The world was brown, dull, lifeless, and dreary. Then Jesus came into the world and he brought life, new growth, joy and hope to us all. Springtime, Jesus time.

This Easter was so busy with the kids practicing every Wed. for the Easter Pageant. We helped with the Maundy Thursday Dinner and program. It was again so meaningful and inspiring. Pastor Bob read about the disciples at the last supper with Jesus. We ate together and then the elders served Holy Communion. The service ended with Melody Thompson singing "Were You There". It was moving and many people were in tears. Then on Saturday I took Hayden, Lucas, and Sydney to the Church Easter Party. They had such a good time. They divided into groups and played lots of games. The Easter bunny came and Lucas was so excited. They got their faces painted and had their pictures taken with the Easter bunny. They decorated cupcakes and then ate them for their snack. Fun was had by all. On Sunday we brought in some fruit for the Sunday brunch. I helped Norma get things ready and then headed across the street for early church. Jill, Tray, Troy and Sydney met us there. They looked so adorable, Troy in his lavender shirt and tie and Sydney in her black and white dress and pink shoes. Bill was an usher and was serving communion to the congregation along with other ushers. The service was moving and the lilies in the windows were beautiful. The music was also fabulous. They ended the service with the Hallelujah Chorus.We went across the street to Westminster Hall for brunch and the Easter Pageant. Katy, Matt, Hayden, Josie, and Lucas were there waiting for us. They looked so cute, Hayden in his blue shirt and tie and Josie in her dress and shoes identical to Syds and Little Lucas in his plaid shorts and polo shirt. Troy was one of the narrators for the program and he did a great job. Sydney and Hayden sang and placed ornaments on the Easter Tree. Josie and Lucas sat with us in the audience. We were all so proud of them. After the program we took a lot of pictures out by the azaleas then I headed straight home to get my hams out of the oven. The family was coming for lunch at 12:30. We had Jay, Jill's family, Katy's family and Mema, Jeff and his family couldn't be there.The lunch was so good. Haleigh and Chad brought sweet potato casserole, Jill brought the baked beans, Katy brought the mac and cheese. I made some corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes, deviled eggs, ham and rolls. We had turtle pie and rice crispy treats for dessert. After lunch we hid eggs several times for the kids. It was a great day. I tried to hold onto the message for the the day Christ Is Risen, Christ Is Risen Indeed. I looked around at my precious, wonderful children and grandchildren and I thought Jesus how great it is to know that we will be together always in your heavenly home that you have prepared for us. You will be sharing in the joy of this day with us as you have today, but we will be seeing you and hearing you when this life here is over. Thank you for your love, thank you for taking away my sins and thank you that we will be sharing eternity with you someday.

Grandmother Fullerton

I received a beautiful story yesterday on facebook about my daddy's mother. It was her birthday yesterday and I didn't even know when her birthday was. I don't remember ever going to visit her on her birthday or ever buying her a gift. I really don't understand how I missed out on knowing such an amazing lady. I am angry that my dad didn't make sure that we got to be part of her life. I don't understand that he never told us about her and his life growing up with his family. We did go and visit occasionally. We usually went up for an hour or so on a Sunday morning or on a Wednesday afternoon if it was raining and he couldn't play golf. Don't misunderstand I loved my daddy more than anything. He was funny and loving, he was sentimental and would even cry when he was touched by something or someone. He came from a wonderful pioneer family. They had grit and courage and a great faith. My Grandmother was born in the Black Hills of North Dakota to a Scottish mother and father. They were devout Presbyterians. Her name was Christine "Tena" McClarty. She wasn't even 5 feet tall, but she had a spirit about her and I am sure was more than ready to take on her adventure to Florida. My cousin sent a story out yesterday about the night before she left to come to Florida. My granddaddy's family had a 165 acre farm for more than 75 years and they were auctioning it off. Their land, their house and most of their belongings were being sold off to the highest bidder. The night before she left she walked her porch and touched all the things she would miss most. She must have prayed that evening for God to be with them as they made their trip. She was taking her 6 children and going to a place she had never seen before. She was leaving her family, friends and everything that she knew. I can't even begin to imagine how frightened she was. But I think my daddy was a lot like her and he was definetly an adventurous person, but this trip must have been so scary for her, but also exciting. They came to Florida and settled in Penney Farms. My granddaddy was and had always been a farmer, but he didn't know what he could grow in that dry Florida sand. I know times were hard for them and they must have had to make many adjustments and sacrifices. I wonder if my grandmother cried to go back home or if she she didn't complain and did the best she could to make a happy life for her husband and children.I found out that my grandmother did teach and she was an excellent speaker. She was a great story teller, but I am sorry to say I missed out on that. My cousins have said that she lived with them when she got to old to be on her own and she was always telling them stories from books she had read or memories of her life growing up. I remember going to see her when she was staying with them. She was sitting up in bed so tiny and frail. She had a big smile on her face and she began asking me about my life. I wish I had asked her more about her life. I know it must have been glorious. She married a widower with two children. She gave him six beautiful children and was willing to leave her life as she had known it behind. She must have loved my granddaddy with all her heart and soul. I am so proud to have had a grandmother like Tena and I hope I have some of her inside me. Happy Birthday! I love you....

Green Where Are You?

I don't know about anyone else, but I am ready to see green. The rye grass that has stayed green all winter is now turning brown. It is full of brown and yellow oak leaves that are piling up daily. Every annual has burned to the roots and the ferns are an odd shade of black. The freezes this winter took out everything. It is about this time of year that I feel like I have turned a little brown myself. You know what I mean just like I have slowed down, I don't want to go out in the yard, I feel like I have been chilled to the bone and my energy is zapped. Then something amazing happens. The tree across the creek from our house starts to pop out tiny little lime green leaves. Then we rake away the withered dead grass and piles of dry leaves to find shoots of green grass underneath waiting to sprout upward toward the warm spring sunshine. It is then that I can feel my mood start to change. We usually head to Walmart, Lowes, or Home Depot looking for petunias and pansies in bright purples and yellows. I start to feel alive like those little sprouts of grass and can't wait to see my crepe myrtles pop out with their pink blooms. The squirrels start climbing up and down all the oak trees in the yard and the birds come back to the bird bath and the bird feeder. Spring is here and has been long awaited, especially this year. This has to be one of the coldest and gloomiest winters in Florida history. I did enjoy the cool weather, but it is time to move on to the next season. I know that pretty soon I will be complaining about the heat. I will be cranky and sweaty and looking forward to cool weather again. Thank goodness we have seasons, because just about the time you think you can't take one more day of 98 degrees you have that day with just a little crispness in the air. Right now I am just looking forward to some sunshine and some color to come back. I love the smell of cut grass and look forward to climbing on my riding mower and feeling the fresh air around me. God planned it just right, Summer, Spring, Autumn and Winter. I am always glad to see the new season come marching in, whatever season it is.

A Refuge

The word refuge has been in both my Circle bible study this week and my Wednesday bible study. It is talked about in both Joshua and in Psalms. Joshua created cities of refuge throughout the promised land as instructed by God to Moses and in Psalms David tells us that God is our refuge. A place of safety and a place to find peace and support and love. America is an entire nation set up as a place of refuge. Send us your weary and oppressed and they will get a chance here. They will be safe and find peace here. I guess we offer more of a refuge than most places, but I think our purpose may have changed a little and I know our principles have. God was part of the equation then and maybe not so much now. I feel like I find refuge in Him, he is the safe harbor. It is in Him I find peace and hope. I then think it is up to me to create that refuge in my own home. It is a place to go at the end of the day that provides that peace and safety. It is that place to get away from the chaos of the day and feel the warmth and peace of being home. I also want my family and friends to feel that when they walk across the threshold of my home, that this is a place to feel like they can be themselves and laugh and talk and not worry about the problems outside that door. My grown kids have stayed here while they were in college. My grandson stayed here while he recovered from surgery. I want them to always know this is their home and a place they can always come to for refuge. This home is a place where God is present. Don't think for a minute that this country and this world isn't filled with God's presence. He created this world to be a place of peace and love. We have made it different not him. Maybe we can't change the face of the world, but we can change ourselves by being like Joshua and create places of refuge in our country, in our state, in our towns, in our churches, in our schools, in our homes, in our hearts. Safe havens, safe harbors, they are found in God's loving arms.

Perry News is now PerryWorld

I decided to make a change in the name of my blog, because I don't think anything I write about is news worthy. It is about our life and the day to day things that touch us. Sometimes things are crazy in PerryWorld, sometimes they are sad, sometimes extremely happy, but always things are real. My Granddaughter Josie loves the playroom at our house. There is an old dollhouse with a mishmash of pieces to go inside. There are stuffed animals and cars with three wheels. There is a plastic bag with broken crayons and coloring books with scribbles on almost every page. There are dolls with no clothes on them and some with missing body parts. We get all the hand me downs that the grand kids don't play with anymore. Our playroom is the land of the misfit toys. But Josie comes over and she disappears into that playroom. She sets up the plastic chairs and drapes them with an old blanket, lines up the naked babies and old stuffed animals some missing eyes and limbs and it becomes Josie's World. I have never seen anyone like that except for myself. I started pretending when I was three years old. I heard stories from my mom that I would play in my pretend world and would only come out for food or to use the bathroom. Josie is just like I was. So, when I started writing on this blog I thought I would just write news stories about the family. I realized that I need to go into Josie or Lynn world and write more about what I felt about our life not necessarily about what we were doing over here at the Perry house. I hope you guys that are reading what I write know it is from my heart and it is my quirky take on situations that happen everyday. I love my family and I love my life and I am happy to let you in on little parts of it.

Meeting Tim Tebow

Last week my daughter Jill, husband Tray, and Troy came by to pick up Sydney from my house. Bill had gone to pick her up from Kelley Smith and wasn't back yet. They had been at a Beta Club Meeting at Jenkins with Troy and were telling me all about it. Strangely though they were in an exceptionally good mood. They were smiling entirely too much. I knew something was going on, but was unsure of what. When Bill and Sydney came in Syd was bouncing off the walls telling everyone about her fabulous day. Mrs. Simpson said this, Mrs. Roth said that, yada-yada-yada. Jill finally broke in and told her to chill and let her tell us about their day. Tray had heard that they were giving away pictures and signatures with Tim Tebow on the radio. He just had to call in and tell them what he would say if he got to meet him. Tray racked his brain to come up with something besides thanks for the memories. After several tries he got through. His brain was sparking neurons to come up with the winning comment. Then he thought maybe just tell him about how much he has blessed his team, his fans, and his sport. He would love to have the opportunity to have him pray for his family. Well, he heard about some winners later in the morning, none were him. He ate lunch when his phone rang. He didn't recognize the number and didn't answer. Whoever it was they had left a message. To his surprise it was the radio station and he had won. He won an opportunity for the entire family to meet and have their picture taken with Tim. It was so exciting being that they are all such huge Gator fans, but even more than that they are huge Tim Tebow fans. Troy and Tray would watch the pregame to see what scripture Tim would have on his face. They would get out the bible and see what inspirational thought was on his mind for that game. What a fantastic role model...and they were all going to meet him. Tray had to drive all the way to Jacksonville to pick up the passes and the next day they would leave early to stand in a long, long, long line to have a picture taken with Superman. Sydney had made Tim a card, which was so sweet. It said, Dear Timmy, You are a Superman and we love you and God loves you. When she finally got there she gave it to him and he told her how sweet it was. They all got to be introduced and say hello, then have their picture taken. Troy was excited, but I think this was bigger that meeting a superstar from the movies, this was bigger than his first meeting with Santa, I think he was dumbstruck. After leaving the multitudes in the picture line they were sent to another line to pick up there pictures. It was a long day, but one they will always remember. Jill said Tim put his arm around her and she was never washing that shirt. Sydney said her shirt brushed against the Heisman Trophy and she was never washing her shirt either. Troy still hasn't had much to say, he just smiles anytime you ask about it. Sydney asked me yesterday did I think Timmy threw her card away when he got home. I told her with everything I have read and heard about Timmy I bet that card was on his refrigerator. She said, yeah and it was a pretty nice picture and he said Thanks. We want to thank you Timmy for being who you are, someone after signing autographs and taking pictures all day still could smile and tell a seven year old Thanks for the beautiful card. We Love You Tim Tebow!

A Sister At Last

When I started school I had the meanest teacher that a shy child could have. I don't know if you remember, but in those days when you came into class you put your books in your desk, sat down in your seat and folded your hands on top of your desk and waited quietly for roll call. If only my teacher lived long enough to see how perfect her little class was by today's standards. I am sure she would have got into serious trouble on day one for her attempt at disciplining with the use of her ruler or yardstick. I made it through that year because of one little girl, Peggy who was as terrified as I was of that growl and frown that greeted us everyday. We became best friends that year. The thing that was even more strange is that my mom started working in her mom and dad's bookkeeping office. Our parents would go to the Elk's club and I would spend the night at her house and her sweet grandmother, Meme would keep us. We had our precious baby dolls and we would disappear into a world of make believe for hours or at least until our stomachs said it was snack time. We spent the night together every weekend for years. Our families would take beach vacations together even until we were in high school. Her parents even though not blood kin were my Aunt Edna and Uncle Glenn and my parents were her Aunt Dot and Uncle Howard. Our dads always loved to make us laugh and embarrass us at every opportunity. Mostly it was the bad dancing that would get us going. My dad had a problem of leaving his pants at the door when he came home from work and when my friends would come over I would always have to throw a newspaper over his shorts. We had a great time together since neither one of us had sisters. I had a brother named John, she had a brother named John, I had a brother named Rick, she had a brother named Rick, and then my mother gave me another brother when she turned 39. I was sure she was going to give me a baby sister, but Peggy helped to console me telling me he was only a baby and I should love him and maybe since he was a baby we could dress him up in some of our girl doll clothes and just pretend he was a girl. Life moved on and Peggy lost her mom to cancer. She was young when she passed away only in her 50s. It was a really sad time. Years later my dad got cancer and died when he was only 60 years old. You see my mom and Uncle Glenn were already great friends. Our families knew each other so well. He was there helping my mom through a terrible time. After a while they started dating and then they eventually got married. Our families became one, 2 Johns, 2 Ricks, Lynn, Peggy and Clay. We were all adults by then with families of our own, but God gave me something in all this, He gave me the sister I had always wanted. He gave me a sister who I already felt like was my sister. We shared a history that went back to being 6 year olds helping each other make it through an impossible school year. We shared our make believe doll world and as we turned into teenagers we shared the problems of puberty. We shared in our marriages and a divorce. We shared our children and grandchildren. We have never quarreled although we haven't always agreed with each other. She showed me how to walk with God and how much I am loved by him. I was given a sister, we did lose a parent in the process and we never would have wanted that to get to where we are now, but life happens, people get sick, people, good people die. I think my dad and her mom would have wanted us to reach out to each other in our grief and we did and so did our remaining parents. God can take an impossible situation and bring good from it and me and my precious sister are proof of that.

Weekend With Friends

I recently had the pleasure to spend the weekend with a few friends at Flagler Beach. Jo, who is one of my best friends was invited to go spend the weekend with her next door neighbor and a few of her friends and she asked me to come along. I have been doing a lot with the church and helping with grandchildren and Bill's mom so I decided with Bill's encouragement to go. First, I must say I have had the pleasure of staying at Alice's beach house before. It is so charming and relaxing I couldn't wait to get back. It is one of those places that reminds you of going to Grandma's house and being surrounded by all the things she loved most. The house was once Alice's Aunt Iris's who recently passed away and Alice's mother. It is a place full of love and comfort. If you are looking for luxury, this isn't that place, here there is no heat and you have to plunge the toilet if you use one sheet too many of toilet paper, no it is just a place to unwind and find a little perspective. Alice has filled her cottage with chenelle bedspreads, rose patterned throws, rag rugs, soft greens, sea blues, beach pictures, shelves full of books. I truly appreciated being invited to come. We had to plot out the many eating and drinking events around talking and junking trips. What wonderful cooks and the company was so much fun. Stories about families, work, and friends poured out both evenings. Stories that inspire and stories that made you laugh so hard you might wet your pants spilled out between glasses of wine. I think it was nice to listen and learn about others experiences and take our minds away from our own daily problems. I am so blessed to have a great family and many wonderful friends. I am blessed to have a husband that understands when things get to be a little overwhelming a weekend at Alice's though no weekend at Bernies' is still just the thing to bring me home happy and ready to get back to the real world of everyday life. I thank Jo and the other girls for sharing their weekend with me and I look forward to more stories, great food, fun shopping and rest. Alice your so lucky to have your retreat, and you are so gracious to share it with your friends.

Family Loss, A Community Loss

This morning my daughter called around 7:30. She told me that Matt's grandma Mo had passed away. Mo was in her 90's. She had surgery last week for a possible hernia. It turned out there was no hernia, but malignant tumors on her intestine. They closed her up and told the family the bad news. She was being sedated and she did not know the outcome of her surgery. The family decided they would tell her when she was a little better. The next day she took a turn for the worse and her kidneys were failing. They moved her to hospice and she passed away peacefully. What a life Mo had. She was married to a wonderful man. She had three children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mo was a character and she was a good christian woman. You never had to guess what Mo was thinking, because she was going to tell you like it or not. Mo was in my circle at the church and although she was 90 she wanted to help in the kitchen when it was our turn to have our monthly gathering. We would put her on a stool and give her some napkins to fold or anything she could do sitting down she just wanted to help. Mo started to lose her sight many years ago and had to move in with her daughter. I know it wasn't easy on her to leave her home and it wasn't easy on her daughter to take in a 90 year old who was set in her ways. I love to hear my son-in-law tell stories about her. They would eat at her house once a week. Matt said she had been a fantastic cook in her day, but as she lost her vision sometimes meals had sugar in the meat loaf and salt in the chocolate cake. She loved her family and they loved her. She had a zest for life that made her an avid Kentucky fan and a great fan of the Lord. Her family knows that she is home with her Heavenly Father, her husband is there as is her son who passed away a few years ago. Dolly is in the presence of the Lord and surrounded by her loved ones who passed before her. Think about how many years since she got hugged by her mom and dad, brothers and sisters, husband and child. Dolly was the lady who always sang and many more at the end of Happy Birthday. I will never forget that about her. I am happy she will now have forever and ever to sing and dance and be surrounded by those who love her. I know her family here will miss her, but God is gracious and good and they can know they will see her again someday...

Valentine's Day Wish

I have thought long and hard about Valentine's Day and what it is about. My 11 year old grandson came in today and said they don't celebrate Valentine's day in Jr. High. He is much to cool for cards and candy. Isn't that sad... My 7 year old granddaughter came in a little later and was so excited. She had a card holder shaped like a Valentine that she had made filled with cards and another bag filled with candy and leftover brownies and cookies. She was so thrilled and wanted to show me every card and who gave them to her and how one little boy turned red when he gave her his card with a sentiment that read Ride with me on our bicycle for two. Cute,but certainly not anything to turn red over. She said he turned red because he loved her and now the whole class knew. I loved it and I remember treasuring those valentines when I was about her age. I just thought isn't it sad that in just a few short years she will be 11 and will no longer get the cards and treats and sentiments that let her know how much her friends love her. When I told her Troy didn't get any cards or candy she quickly dug in her bag and gave him a piece of a Hershey bar given to her by her teacher. He didn't realize the importance of that little sacrifice. I want them to always love each other that way. She felt kind of bad he didn't have a bag of cards and a bag of treats. She shared her most valuable gift of the day. I wish we would could remember everyday to let those around us know how much they are loved. It doesn't take much to remind them, a piece of a hersey bar, a cup of coffee brought to them with love, ironing a shirt and bringing it to them when they get out of the shower, or just a kiss on the cheek and a thank you. I'm not into a huge fanfare over Valentine's day. I have those little moments everyday from the man I love that let me know how much I am loved. My kids and grandkids show me with pictures for my refrigerator or little hearts cut out for my mantel. God has truly blessed me with a loving family and loving friends. Love is everything.....This Valentine's Day I wish you Love.

Valentine

My Faith

It's been three years since Bill became an elder in our church. We now understand how God does use people with absolutely no talent or skills to do His will. We are solid proof of that. On a much smaller scale we see how poor old Moses felt when he was asked to lead his people out of Egypt. Scared, unqualified and overwhelmed with the task ahead. With God's help we both grew so much in our abilities to serve. I felt like I can't, but I knew God could. Amazingly God worked a small miracle in us and put the most amazing people in our path. Bill, whose best kitchen skill was making coffee and occasionally washing the dishes was now in charge of every kitchen detail in the church, from buying groceries to cooking food, clean up and most importantly organizing lots of people to do big jobs. Bill had never been in charge of big or small projects and here he was in charge of every fellowship event in the church. God's plan is sometimes not our plan, but He knew how much we would grow in our faith by our service to others. We have made so many friends through this experience that we wouldn't have made if we had not taken this path. I never felt so blessed as when we would have people come up and be so grateful for whatever event was going on. It seemed like when we needed something it was there before we even asked. God is working all the time to do good for his people. We got tired and we are ready for a little break. I am not sure what God has planned for me next. I feel like we need to take a little time to spend with our children and grandchildren. We need to be more focused on helping Bill's mom. We mostly need to take some time for each other. I love my God so much and I trust him with my life and the lives of those people I love. I have seen his face in those precious people who have worked by our side and I have seen his hands work through those people doing his work. I have been lucky enough to feel his arms around me with the many hugs I have received from the wonderful Christian friends I have met within this church. I see Him in my children and my grandchildren even when they don't know he is there. There love and giving ways are Christ working through them. I hope they will recognize how much they are loved not only by us, but by the Lord. My faith has grown and my spiritual walk has just started and I pray for good health, patience, and the strength to continue moving forward.

Lucas

Lucas spent the night with us for the first time since he was a tiny baby. He is two years old and he is so precious. Seems like when the other four would come he was just a little to small to keep up with the chaos. It was just he and I for a while and we had so much fun just playing in the playroom. BB came home and we decided to go to the grocery store to pick up some things for Mema and us. Bill got into the drivers seat and Lucas wanted to know why BB was drivning Mimi's car. I told him I gave him permission, because he had been such a good boy. When we pulled into the parking lot at Publix Lucas saw the giant truck with the basket on the front grocery cart and had a fit to ride in it. It has been a while since I pushed one of those big boys and I probably would have been given a ticket for careless driving, they are really hard to control. We raced up and down the aisles and got what we needed. We loaded up the car and headed to McDonalds. Bill and I are so out of touch we could hardly get the seat belt on the car seat open. Lucas looked at us helplessly like its a seat belt get me out of here. Bill finally got it open with the help of his pocket knife. He did break his fingernail in his many attempts of getting my boy free. Once inside all was good. We had our cheeseburgers, nuggets and fries. Lucas was more interested in the Alvin toy than in eating and being the wonderful grandma I am I let him have the toy and we took the food home with us. Then we had to make a quick stop at Mema's house to drop off her groceries. We were finally going to go home and Lucas was making himself sleepy by playing the little phrase that the Alvin toy made over and over and over. It wasn't making me sleepy it was driving me crazy. When we got home he was ready for bed, but I encouraged him to get his bath first. Once we emptied the toy box into the tub he was there until the water was cold and his teeth were chattering. After I don't know how long I got him out, he was a little blue, I got him into his little p.j.s with the feet in them. He was so cute and cuddley. We snuggled on the couch with Barney singing and dancing on T.V. He asked could he get in Mimi's bed. I got him all tucked in and BB was on the computer next to him. I figured he would be up in a few minutes, but he went right to sleep with BB tapping away next to him. We all slept great, yes, Lucas said he wanted to sleep in the middle. I think he and Ollie our dog duked it out for that spot, but Lucas was there between us in the morning. Ollie had been booted to the foot of the bed. Lucas spent the day with us and we had a great time with him. We picked up Josie and Hayden at noon and he had fun with them playing the afternoon away. Lucas is now one of the big guys and the next time we have boys night, he will be there. He is not a baby anymore....

Trip to the mountains

The Tuesday after Christmas and two days after the Family Egg Nog Party Jill, Syd and I headed for the mountains. We were on a quest for snow. We didn't even make a reservation which is a little more spontaneous than usual for me. I get that little bit of craziness from my dad. It is the adventurous side of us Fullertons and I think we all feel the call every once in a while and I was definitely feeling it. We were in Lake City getting ready to head up 441 to Maggie Valley. We had heard snow was coming that way. We took a bathroom break and got a cup of coffee for the road when Jill called Tray. The discussion was about a friend who had a place in Blue Ridge. Jill wan't calling, but Tray was sure that noone was using it. Tray hung up and called back before we had pulled out of the parking lot at Hardees. The cabin was ours and the door would be open for us when we got there. Our plan was changed, but at least we knew we had a roof over our heads although we had no idea where this cabin was. Later we received our sketchy directions, but were confident we would be able to find it. The problem as I saw it was now I had to drive on Interstate 75. I was admittedly nervous, but this was not going to deter my fun. It was busy on 75, but we made it through downtown Atlanta using the diamond lane. When we got onto 575 the unthinkable happened, it started sleeting. I was a little nervous about the roads getting icy, but not to worry. The sleet turned into rain and now I was driving on wet roads, but no ice. Sydney was awesome on the trip. She sat in her car seat and we played 20 questions for the next 100 miles. When we arrived at Blue Ridge we decided to go to the Ingles there. It was crazy crowded, but we knew we would need food and drinks. It was to our surprise that it gets dark in the mountains a little earlier than it does in Fl. and now we were on an unfamiliar road heading to a cabin on a mountain out there somewhere. This may have been a little more adventure than I had bargained for. We followed our directions which were scribbled onto a piece of scrap paper. McCayseville sign then turn and head for a cabin at the end of a road....Even though it was dark we found our way down around the clay roads of north Ga. The house was not lit up the contractor must have forgotten to turn on the light. We fumbled around and found an open door and turned on the light inside the door. The cabin was freezing. I went immediately to the thermostat and saw that it was 48 degrees in the house. I turned the thermostat up to 68 and I also got the gas logs going in the living room. We had to wear our coats in the house until it finally got up to 67 degrees. We enjoyed our fried chicken and mashed potatoes by the fire. We decided to stay in the bedroom on the main floor. We all slept pretty good. It was still misting and cold the next day, but we all got ready and went out exploring. We went to Murphy for lunch at a cute little place called ShoeBooties. I got a phone call while we were eating and it was Jan Hood. She asked where we were in the mountains and I told her in Murphy. She said she and Charlie, Daniel and Charlene, and Don and Charlotte were right across the street. We visited with them and they asked us to come to their house for New Years Eve and stay over. We told them we would come New Years Day and stay over. Today we had to go to Tennessee, North Carolina and Ga. and find some snow. The only snow we saw was a little bit on this ridge called Topton. I don't even know what state we were in. We were all a little disappointed. We got home late and watched some T.V. and played Yahtze. Who knew a seven year old knew so much about poker and what beat what. I was impressed and a little disturbed. We sat in front of the T.V. and saw the ball fall. Dick Clark looked pretty good and I was glad he was doing so much better. We drank too much champaign, but it was fun. Jill had turned on the hot water heater to the jacuzzi that night,but it didn't get warm enough so she and Syd had to wait until the next day to take a dip. It was still only 90 degrees, but they were determined to get in. They had so much fun even though it was 39 degrees outside. Jill had to swim in her p.j.s and Syd just jumped in in her panties. It was cold, but they had a ball. They got out and dried off and after I took a few tylenol we packed up the car, Jill had to do most of the hauling, because of the stairs, but we got everything in the car. I wasn't sure we were going to be able to pull the hill. We had had trouble with the wheels spinning in the wet gravel and the clay road. We prayed and God helped us pull that hill with all that luggage and we made our way to Blue Ridge. It was soooo cold, but we were dressed in the warmest things we owned. We went to this little shop called Glitzy Chickz. Sydney loved it...They had purses, hats, scarves, jewelry. She had here Christmas money and she meant to get her some bling. I bought her the cutest red barret to go with her red coat. Jill bought her a black pocket book with black bangles on it. Syd bought herself a black knit scarf and a necklace. She was decked out and posed in front of every Christmas decor in Blue Ridge. We got directions to Jans and we arrived about 5:00. Her home is so beautiful and so welcoming. The table was set and people started arriving about 6;00 for dinner. Charlene, Jan, Daniel and Charlie had prepared prime rib, greens, black eyed peas and rice. Marie Evers had brought her potatoe casserole, and others brought wonderful dishes. Sydney had fun with the daughters of the other couples there. She was so cute and she was being so friendly with Marie. She loved telling her about her cows and Marie told her about her bulls. She even joked around with that man, Charlie. I think she is over being scared of him. We watched the Gators big victory over Cincinnati and enjoyed seeing Tim Tebow having such a great game. Every one there was thrilled for Urban Meyer and the rest of the team. We also were so happy for Bobby Bowden's win. He will certainly be missed, but I have a feeling he will be going head to head with Lou Holtz over sports broadcasting. I found my way to bed, but woke up about 2:30 in the morning. I looked outside to see the sky getting really cloudy, but no snow. When I woke up the next morning I looked out front and it was windy and then I saw a few flakes. It wasn't long before it really started snowing hard. I went downstairs and woke up Syd and Jill. They were sleeping in the bunk room. Jill wouldn't come upstairs until she showered, but Syd and I hurried up to see the blowing snow. It was beautiful. I don't know if I will ever see it again, but we found it. Our quest for snow was fulfilled. Jill came up and we bundled up and went outside in the freezing (13 degree)weather to take pictures and play in the snow. It was to cold to stay out long so we went back and forth from the front porch to the back. It was time to pack up and get ready to leave. We loaded up and decided to go to Frankln, N.C. We had to go over a big mountain to get there. When we neared the top it began to snow again. We pulled over, because there was snow all the way up the side of the mountain and Jill and Syd wanted to see if they could make a snowman. The snow on top was soft, but the snow underneath was hard and when they stepped on it they slid down pulling each other to the ground. We stayed and took some pictures. They said they saw bear tracks in the snow so we decided maybe it was time to go. We took 441 and headed back to Florida. We made a quick stop in Dillard to buy the guys some souveniers and drove on toward Florida. Jill was determined we were going to make it back to Fl. by midnight, but I wanted to stop. I was so tired and a little sick. She took over driving and we had to go through the Okefenokee Swamp and our cell ph. wouldn't even work there. We passed more deer than we did cars. I swear we didn't see a car in front or behind us for 100 miles or more. We saw at least 5 or 6 deer staring at us like we were crazy. They were right we were. I will never do that again...ever. We made it home by midnight and it felt good to be back safe and sound. I know God was protecting us, because he knew we didn't have sense enough to do all we did in 4 days and come home safe without him. Thanks for the time I got to spend with Syd and Jill and thank you Lord for your special care.