Friday, August 28, 2015

From an article I recently read I was reminded that no matter what life brings our way, we know ones who we can always count on.

Whatever storms we may weather these girlfriends are already in the midst moving in a mighty way to ensure that whoever is with the storm is prayed up, protected, loved & cared for.

It's been a long, quiet reflective time for all of us.

We laugh together. We cry together. We hurt together. We rejoice together. We encourage & lift up one another. We don't have a pact. We just try to be there for one another. Simply put...that's what girlfriends do.

We are strong, and this unbreakable strength that we possess as girlfriends is what helps us to simply survive. 

Enjoying a wonderful night with all the girlfriends.

Judy's Virgin Bloody Mary treats for us &
Retha's take on the drink.


Our game of choice...Phase Ten

I finally won.

My girlfriends are sisters 
I picked out myself.
Retha-Trish-Lisa-Lavanda-Judy
Mel-Jean-Joy-Gloria-Glenda

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

"Perhaps our last time...

...to Clio, Alabama", said my hubby. The area where Glenn's mother grew up.

Today we gathered to offer up our love to family members of one of Glenn's cousins who passed away. Several members of Glenn's mom's family...English Family...were there alongside us. Glenn's cousin was older than him, and we hadn't seen her or her family in several years.

Before arriving to the graveside services Glenn & I rode down a road that was so familiar to us many, many years ago. The road was a dirt road. One that would probably be a lot of fun on after a really good rain. Of course, one might get stuck along the way.

(turning off highway onto dirt road)

(lots of memories of riding down this road)


(Jonestown curve)




.


(Country House)


Riding down this road & reminiscing about our trips to the "Country House" brought back very special times & lots of memories that were made with aunts, uncles, cousins. Family.

Graveside services were being held at Sykes Creek Baptist Church.

 

A sweet simple service. Prayers & love to the family.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

These strutters fly over my house most mornings & evenings from the nearby lake.

.

Friday, August 21, 2015

My sister & her hubs just left this morning on their way back to SC. They spent a few days with us and were on a search for a new home. With a realtor guiding them through many, many homes, it was a fast 2-day search.

From the homes we viewed there were three that finally made the cut, then there was two & then there was one.

Lots of discussion & prayer as they made their way back home to SC. Prayers on our end too.

And I love a nature picture...

Thursday, August 13, 2015

We have just returned from the AAHRA (Alabama Association of Housing & Redevelopment Authorities) Convention held in Panama City Beach, Florida. Edgewater was the site of the convention. Our room was nice, and we had a beautiful view.


The association celebrated their 75th Anniversary. Scrapbooks, a video slideshow & several past AAHRA presidents were recognized on the history table display. Glenn submitted comments on his former boss & mentor, Paul Carpenter, who served as a past president. Glenn was selected Executive Director upon Paul's retirement. He was a great Christian friend & we loved him.

Always upon arrival the registration table is ready to hand out the convention's gifts & information. Our gifts this year were a knapsack filled with a beach mat and an anniversary key-chain. On Tuesday the members were given a t-shirt commemorating the anniversary and asked to wear the shirt the following day.
 

Glenn has for a number of years worked alongside our friend, Wayne East, on the Golf Tournament that is held in conjunction with the convention. He also serves on the AAHRA Constitution & Bylaws Committee. Committee chairpersons were gifted with an engraved letter opener commemorating the anniversary.

Committee meetings, workshops and guest speakers filled the days for Glenn while I enjoyed the beach, balcony and shopping.  


For all the years that we've traveled this road to/from Panama City Beach, this is the first time we've (I've) been stopped by the train in Chipley, Florida.


Next year.....Destin, Florida.
Morning of quiet...no spoken word.
Alone on a balcony...grateful.

Hearing His voice as waves crash
against white glistening sand...
as if to say
"Welcome My Love to a brand new day!"

The lifeguard's "flick" of opening beach umbrellas
one by one down the row
reminding us to number our godly tasks for the day.

Viewing numerous foot impressions in the sand &
being reminded that actions leave a mark of good or evil.

A gull flies here & there, to & fro, back & forth;
seemingly never to be satisfied...

Am I satisfied?
Is my mark of good?
Are my tasks godly?
Am I greeting my love...The Lord...each morning?

Alone?
Never.


Thursday, August 6, 2015


While I love helping make someone's wish come true,
I love being in the shadows while helping.

I am particularly happy about this new wish. It is so in line with my educational background from my degree to the completion of my educational years. 

While my last years were facilitating a Reading-Math-Language Computer lab in a K-5 school mainly with K-2 students, I was given great flexibility in my resource teaching from my administrator. I have always believed that younger children were capable of learning computer software skills & basic to intermediate computer skill tools.

My success with second graders was absolutely phenomenal. Their little minds "soaked" up the taught information before I could even plan another lesson. This made my heart soar. Even more amazing were the skills that my First & Kindergarten students learned.



Making this wish come true for this educator.