At long last.....I made the honor roll!

SEVERAL days ago, I was so honored to get this award from Debby over at Just Breathe!

Thanks Debby, I appreciate it more than you know because I don't believe I've ever been on the honor roll in my entire life!  

That's right, folks....I was a very average student.  If I had any chance of being on an honor roll, it would have been for talking and socializing in class!  But unfortunately, they didn't honor me for my one amazing gift in school....I don't know why!?

The bad and sad thing about me is that I cannot pick out people to give these awards to.....so if you feel you are an honor roll blogger and you follow me, please feel free!  And if you want to follow the rules, as obviously, I never can, go on over to Debby's place to get the rules!

Thank you so much Debby!  I'm sorry it took me sooooo long.

The Day They Tore Old Dixie Down...

When Pan*ma City started developing in the 1800s, downtown was called Harrison.  For a short time it was called Park Resort.  Because of our beautiful beaches and abundance of pine trees, Pan*ma C*ty soon became attractive to many.  Soon the downtown area had commercial shipping, a post office and the city jail. 

Our city went on to have a newspaper, a school, churches and a railroad which connected PC with cities to the north.

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As businesses moved in, the city built banks, a public library, got electricity, phones and an ice plant.  This all came about in the early 1900s.

Growth continued and in 1924 Adams Hospital was built and that just happens to be where I was born.  The following year city hall was built.

In 1926 the area's first skyscraper, the eight or nine story Dixie Sherman Hotel, was built.

THAT is what this story is all about!

I got my information up until this point from a website and the history of our city was written by a local historian.  You didn't think I had been here since the 1800s did you???

But from this point on, this story involves the Dixie Sherman, my mama, Clark Gable and destruction.....not necessarily in that order.

There was dancing on the top of the Dixie Sherman, I suppose a bar.  My mama went there on ocassion to dance.  She also went to the local USO so I'm just saying mama was a dancing fool!

During World War II, Clark Gable was stationed at Tyndall Field.  He also danced on the top of the Dixie Sherman.  Yes he did!   Now the rest of the story could be that mama and Clark met, fell in love and married, but since my last name has never been Gable, that didn't happen.  I don't think they were ever there at the same time. 

He earned his silver wings while he was here. 

But that was then and.......actually what comes next was then too, just not that particular then.  Make sense?  NO?  Oh, well....it's my story, it doesn't have to make sense.

On April 19, 1970  (I know, that was so yesterday) just four months before my eldest child was born, they tore old Dixie down!   And our family had a front row seat.......literally!  Below is a picture taken by my daddy from the parking lot of his business....Freeman Electric Co.  which, by the way was NOT demolished and remains the best lighted sign company in the area. 

We watched as the biggest building in our city was demolished....if you look closely, you'll notice it is already starting to implode.  Look even closer and you'll see my youngest brother expectantly waiting.

That was one of those days that stays with you all your life.  All around town are pictures of the famous hotel in various stages of falling.

Although our skyscraper is gone, we're still a great place to visit and an even greater place to live!

Surprises.......God's Provision through his people

Go over to Mercy Uganda to see how the Lord provides in ways we cannot even imagine!  

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen

Put the pictures away! It's the 15th!

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We can put away the pictures because after today my sweet husband will be back to a normal schedule!  This is sort of an old picture, but one I love!  Look how little Jack was then!

Traditionally, CPA offices are closed the 16th.....it's because they're in a coma!  No, actually it is very hard for Russell to slow down.  When you've been working nonstop for 4 months, there is an adjustment period to get back to working only 10 hours a day!  :)

We usually take a small vacation shortly after the 15th, but this year we'll be getting the motor home ready to go down to Matt's graduation!  We are so excited about his graduation!  It seems like only yesterday he was a small child playing monopoly with a very tired dog on his head

and now he's a man.  WITH A JOB!!!!!

Yes, he got the call from the place he wants to work that they have a position for him.  Even better, he'll be working here in our town!  That means that our nest will once again have a chick, at least until he saves enough money to get his own place.

Here he is at his coating ceremony a few years back. 

We are so proud of Matt!  He, with the help of our Lord, has overcome considerable obstacles to get to this point.  Matt has Nystagmus, which means his eyes move horizontally constantly and are never still.  This in turn affects his vision.  There are many breaks he could have gotten through his school years, but he was always treated as if he had no problems and so he finished school like everybody else with no special helps!

Matt's a funny, dependable man, it's hard to say that but heIS a man now,  with his daddy's work ethic.  He has worked every break he's had from school.  Of course, that's partly to finance his desire to have the latest in electronic gadgets!

Anyhow, that will be our vacation this year and we can't wait!

Congratulations, Dr. Jinks!

Random Dozen

1.  Do you like the new gladiator sandals?

      NO!  They look really cute on young, extremely thin girls.  But no, not for me!

2. What is your favorite pizza?

        I am really not picky about my pizza, even though I love pizza!  But picking up a $5.00 Little C*easars  is just fine with me.

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.

I would have to go back and watch every t.v. show and movie I've ever seen!  I don't remember stuff like that.  Too many lost brain cells!

4.  Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

Seafood!!!  I live on the Gulf coast and we have the best seafood around.  Capt. Anderson's restaurant is very popular with both locals and tourists.  If you get the right seats, you can watch the boats come in unloading their catches.

5.  What is your current favorite snack?

I am really trying to lose a few pounds so I'm not snacking much.  If I have to have something, I have an apple.  No, that doesn't make me so happy!

6.  Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")

A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor

Everything was going o.k. until I read the based on your probability of success? part!  O.K. I can't choose none so I'll pick Biggest Loser.....but I'm just telling you that after about 30 minutes with those two trainers screaming at me, I'd start crying and get kicked off!  Oh, there goes the probability of success!

7.  On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

I'm so not OCD and the only time I think of cleaning my car is when I'm going to pick someone up to drive them somewhere!  But right now it isn't too bad....maybe a 7?

8.  It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

The air conditioner kicks on!  We have two seasons here, winter (maybe) and summer.

9.  Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

Every Friday night, I watch Am*rica's Funniest Home Videos.....it makes me laugh right out loud.  And I'm ashamed to say, it's the ones where someone is probably getting hurt that make me laugh the hardest!  I know that is SO wrong and says something about me.....my mama hates that show because she thinks it's cruel!  I also laugh at the wedding videos!


10.  Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

Losing a few pounds and getting more exercise.


11.  Share a thought provoking or inspiring quote this week.

Ah, just read one on my niece's fb......Prayer is useless unless you have faith and trust...


12.  Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

I think that it makes all children happy to just know their parents are there.  You don't have to do anything special...just be there.  If they know you will do what you say and that they can always depend on you, that makes them happy.  I always knew that when I got home at the end of a school day, my mama would be there.  I felt safe and secure which I guess to me equals happiness.

Flower Child

I'm definitely NOT a flower child!  Although I do have a flower child!  My oldest son.

I have a black thumb.....but sometimes, some flowers just struggle through in spite of me!  This sweet daisy is an example of that....

Everything in that pot was dead. At least that's what I thought....there is another pot just like that on the other side of the walk and everything in that one is still dead.  But this brave little daisy struggled it's way up through the hard, dry dirt to turn it's face to the sun!  Yes, as it's reward, I watered it, though it looks like I will be needing to do that again soon!  I didn't take another picture, but today that daisy is standing tall and proud! 

And about the same time this little daisy starting poking it's head out of the dirt, I found these to brighten up my kitchen!

Aren't they pretty?  I found them at T. J. M*xx.....a great little deal and there were only four so I just couldn't pass them by!  They really do brighten things up!  In fact, I'll have no trouble keeping these babies alive!  

Yesterday, after church, there was a bridal shower for my soon to be niece!  Kayla is marrying my nephew Chris on May 2, and her church had a great bridal shower!  Below are a few of the pictures.

I didn't get any really good pictures, so this is the best I can do.....Kayla opening gifts.

Look at the gifts and notice she got TWO ironing boards! 

She got so many great gifts!  They will be ready to set up housekeeping!

This is my younger sister and her friend.  They have been friends since they were in jr. high school, that's middle school for today's students.   That must have been the class to be in....look how thin they both are!

My other sister's granddaughter. 

It was a wonderful shower and I know I enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones.

Mercy Uganda

Please go over and visit Mercy Uganda and read what is going on there.

Mercy Uganda was a seed God planted in the heart of a precious lady in our church.  We have long had a mission in Uganda and have taken short term trips there over the past probably 18 years, working one on one with the people there, dealing not only with their spiritual needs but also with their physical needs.  Which are many!

Many people in our church have hearts for Uganda, but Laura saw a special need with the women and children and now works hard providing sponsorships for children who couldn't go to school otherwise and providing for the physical needs of many there!  

The very poorest of us in America would seem rich to those in Uganda......and yet they are so filled with joy!  

So go visit!  Go, hurry! 

Random Dozen

1. Define a great relationship.

Lots of laughter!  When you can start out having an argument and both end up laughing.  When he's your very best friend and you can tell him anything!

2. Why is it called a "drive-through" if you have to stop? (Real question: What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?)

Chick fi la   Southwest chargrilled salad!

3. As I type this, the Butler Bulldogs are getting ready to play in the NCAA championship game. Every Hoosier is hysterical about this except me. So in honor of the Bulldogs ... what is your favorite breed of dog? (I tried.)

We love our two toy poodles!  But our big lab was probably our favorite except for the shedding...the CONSTANT shedding!

4. If you had to move to a state besides the one you currently live in, where would you move?

North Carolina.....that is if I HAD to move, because I love living right here!

5. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

Nothing.  I had a wonderful mother and father and great childhood memories.

6. Who's the funniest person you know?

HMMMM!  I'm just not sure about that one.

7. Did you get enough sleep last night?

Do you ever get enough sleep?

8. What's the first thing you thought about this morning?

I thought I wanted to sleep a little longer.

9. Grilled or Fried? --HONESTLY

I live in Florida, we have seafood, I love fried!

 

10. Are you afraid of the dark?

I'm uncomfortable in the dark, but not afraid.

11.When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a doctor......later a teacher....later a night club singer...(no, I can't sing)

 

12. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose?

Caring

 

Easter and Earthquakes....

What a wonderful, exciting and strange Easter day!  First let me say Hallelujah, He is risen!!  I am one thankful sinner!

This beautiful flower just came up in my yard .....right in the middle of my side yard.  I didn't plant any bulbs and if you look closely, you can see the bulbs are not even really under the dirt.  Anyhow....it's beautiful and it makes me think of how God can make new life from our old jars of clay. 

Russell and I got to church early this morning because we have nursery the first Sunday of every month.  When we started walking into the building someone told us the power was out so we walked down fairly dark halls to get to the nursery.  It was light because of the windows and they were open so it stayed pleasantly cool.  The kids didn't mind a bit, of course I don't think they even noticed.  

The power came on just before Sunday School ended, so everything was fine for church.  Apparently a poor squirrel stepped where he shouldn't have and was electrocuted and knocked out the transformer.  We had a wonderful celebration of the resurrection!  Of course, we were sad for poor Mr. Squirrel!

Here's a picture of Russell playing with the kids.  He's just a natural!  They love him and one of the little girls said to him......build a bridge....so he got down on his knees with them and built a bridge!  Watching him with the little ones is such a joy!

Do you think he's going to enjoy our newest grandson when he gets here in June??

We stayed home for Easter lunch keeping it simple and quiet.  Things have been so hectic lately that I just needed to be home!  Russell's mother came, David came and Matt was home for the weekend, so we just had a small lunch!  

After everyone left, I went to visit mama, who isn't feeling very well today.  I visited with her for a while, read to her until she was sound asleep, then came home and took a little nap myself!

We went back to church for the night service which was just as uplifting as the morning service!  I wish I had taken a picture of the church.  Different people put Easter Lillies in the church in memory or in honor of someone.  We put some in, so we took one to mama after church.  She seemed a little better so I was relieved.  

When we got in the car after church tonight, I had a missed message from my son in California telling me they had had an earthquake!  Be still my heart!  I quickly called him back to find they were o.k. just shook up (no pun intended) and shaking through the aftershocks.  I called the grandchildren, but they weren't home.  

Here's the map showing the earthquake location.  

It was a pretty significant 7.2 earthquake, so I'm very thankful everybody was o.k.

Goodness, what does this coming week have in store for us?

I hope everyone had a wonderful, worshipful Easter!

For Us ....