This Alabama Girl: May 2013

May 14, 2012 - one year ago today. It seems impossible that an entire year has passed since our sweet Daddy left to join our mom and other family members who've gone on before us.

This past Sunday would have been my parents' 74th wedding anniversary - May 12, 1939. My dad even used the date for their special license plate on their car -- 05-12-39. They were only 17 when they married, became parents at 19, and grandparents at 42! They lived through a lot of ups and downs, trials and heartaches, but also love and happiness with their family of four, which then grew to 21 before mother's death in 1996. Daddy lived to see our family expand to nearly 30 before his death. He would have adored his new great granddaughter who we can't wait to meet in August.

Edith Olene Pinkerton Baker

Harold "Tip" Baker

In Hawaii after Dad's retirement, mid 1980's

50th Wedding Anniversary, 1989

A lot has happened in this past year with our family and with some of our closest friends...deaths, births, new jobs, new relationships, new churches, moves to new homes and even new towns. That's the way life is and we just have to trust in God to carry us through it all. He will see us through it if we'll just put our faith in Him.

Carl's mother also passed away in January - making us orphans indeed...no precious parents left to bless our lives on this earth. We just look forward to the reunion to come in the hereafter! We have been working hard these last few months cleaning out her house and preparing it for sell (see it here: http://www.era.com/property/75878744-101022418/3803-dalraida-place-montgomery-al-36109/ )

Looking ahead to new challenges and new adventures in the coming year...as my daddy always said, "How sweet it is."

Well, who'd of thought it over 20 years ago? Me, President!

No, no...not of the United States - Heaven forbid - they wouldn't want me in there - I'd clean house and start things over Reagan/Bush style! LOL!

But, for the Florida Jurisdiction of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, that's what actually happened on Sunday morning, May 5th! I was installed as the Jurisdiction President (yep, for the whole state of Florida) for 2013-2015. This will be an exciting two years and I am looking forward to the challenge and pray God will help me be a really good President.

Starting out about 23 years ago simply by purchasing Woodmen insurance, I was automatically a member of local Lodge 2. A couple of years or so later, Carl became a member when we purchased him life insurance...then our two sons. We attended the business meetings and socials and gained some really good friends in the process. We learned much more of this fantastic fraternal and patriotic organization that does so much in the community. And, not only do we have various life insurance products, we now have Woodmen Financial Services, with annuities and other financial planning products with excellent interest rates. We've been around since 1890, so we know our stuff -- I won't apologize for promoting this wonderful organization - we'd love to have anyone who reads this join us the first Tuesday of each month, or if you live in another location, there is certainly a Lodge near you, who would also be happy to have you visit them!

We're nation-wide and are the largest provider of US flags, second only to the US government itself! All the flags in the classrooms of Leon County Schools - yep, we provided those...the flagpole in the middle of Lake Ella, in front of the Senior Center on Monroe Street, on the ball field at Rickards High School, Hilaman Golf Course, Trousdell Aquatic Center, Timberlane Church of Christ, Ronald McDonald House, Myers Park, Tom Brown Park, and soon to be completed Leon County Schools' Veterans Memorial for those Leon County students who have died in the Middle East (dedication on May 23, noon, 727 S. Calhoun St. in front of the old "Caroline Brevard Grammar School)...and so many more flags, poles, American History Awards, American History Handbooks, help the needy, help schools, volunteer fire departments, non-profit organizations, established Red Basket nation-wide to help those in need from health, financial, and natural disaster situations(see redbasket.org). We participate in the Veteran's Day Parade, Flag Day, Join Hands Day, and so many more activities.

Okay, I'll move on now with a few pictures from the Jurisdictional Convention held this year in St. Petersburg!

These aren't in chronological order, but enjoy them just the same - makes it a little interesting to try to keep up!

Hugs to everyone who has supported me and will "have my back" over these next two years!

Newly elected Officers for 2013-2015

You may recognize a couple of these folks - Flowers from Lodge 2

National President Larry King, Past Jurisdictional President Libby Starling,
Jurisdictional President Melissa Vinson, National Executive Vice President/Fraternal Pat Dees