tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65661236486856871572024-03-12T19:24:11.782-04:00This Alabama GirlMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-15246593976876527702013-05-14T11:57:00.002-04:002013-05-14T11:57:51.467-04:00What a Difference a Year Makes<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">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.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edith Olene Pinkerton Baker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harold "Tip" Baker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Hawaii after Dad's retirement, mid 1980's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50th Wedding Anniversary, 1989</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">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: <a href="http://www.era.com/property/75878744-101022418/3803-dalraida-place-montgomery-al-36109/">http://www.era.com/property/75878744-101022418/3803-dalraida-place-montgomery-al-36109/</a> )</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Looking ahead to new challenges and new adventures in the coming year...as my daddy always said, <em>"How sweet it is."</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-2989430569859468902013-05-14T11:18:00.000-04:002013-05-14T11:18:06.701-04:00Madam President<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, who'd of thought it over 20 years ago? Me, President! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">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! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">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! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">Okay, I'll move on now with a few pictures from the Jurisdictional Convention held this year in St. Petersburg!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">These aren't in chronological order, but enjoy them just the same - makes it a little interesting to try to keep up! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia;">Hugs to everyone who has supported me and will "have my back" over these next two years!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly elected Officers for 2013-2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may recognize a couple of these folks - Flowers from Lodge 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National President Larry King, Past Jurisdictional President Libby Starling,<br />
Jurisdictional President Melissa Vinson, National Executive Vice President/Fraternal Pat Dees</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading Home after a wonderful weekend!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Jurisdictional President with National Bosses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Banquet Saturday Night</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound Man & Memorial DVD Provider - my hubby, Carl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Presidents</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lodge 2 Delegates at the USF St. Pete Flag Pole Dedication</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday Night, as the Vice President, Presenting the Fraternal Welcome</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly Elected President, pinned by husband Carl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag Pole dedication and Flag Raising,<br />
University of South Florida, St. Pete Campus<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-8428043483239231532013-04-17T12:13:00.001-04:002013-04-17T12:13:21.999-04:00Another Birthday, and other fun facts<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Birthday to my sweet husband! We won't share the exact age, though many know it. Let's just suffice to say that he also went into the State of Florida's DROP program as of April 1st. I do wish him a wonderful day and lots of wishes from family and friends!</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This past weekend we returned to Montgomery (and sadly, took NO pictures). We were able to hire some men from a local moving company, and along with Mike, Carl and our nephew and my sister, and our former minister-now-in-Montgomery, Daryl Greer, we loaded up most everything and came back to Tallahassee. Here, we had about 17 people at the storage unit and/or house to help us unload, and several who called to see if we still needed help (and some who came after we had left - so sorry guys). We are most grateful for all our friends and family who have so willingly given of themselves on our behalf.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We will make our last trip this coming weekend and finish up moving the 40 years of memories. We will get some painting & repairs done, the house & carpets cleaned, some outside freshening up, and a sign out front. Please join us in praying that this house will sell quickly so the financial burden of keeping up two houses now won't completely overtake us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Have a wonderful week and enjoy this beautiful weather!!</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-45034598591682326242013-03-27T15:52:00.003-04:002013-03-27T15:52:54.500-04:00DIY is finished - or, I won't be painting again any time soon<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is finished. Not to copy the last words of our Lord, but it does fit this situation.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">There were too many long stretches of time lapse during this project, but now, I can say the foyer is complete and I'm happy with the results. It's certainly not a perfect job, but I can say I did every bit of it by myself - so no one else is to blame for the imperfections. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I did learn some things that will help with any possible future wallpaper removal and painting projects down the road. So I guess as long as I learned some things, and am happy with the current results, that's what is important for now. [For other novice painters, I did learn that the color can be different from regular paint and when using the paint and primer in one.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We no longer have to turn on the foyer light when someone comes to the door - it is light and cheerful and the sunlight through the window in the door bounces off the new wall color (Sherwin Williams "Pale Artichoke"). Before, the dark wine color absorbed the light and make it almost cave-like. Welcome light!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-81761156191490665992013-03-11T10:42:00.000-04:002013-03-11T10:42:06.406-04:00Spring Forward<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Spring is finally approaching! The weather this weekend was glorious and the azaleas, dogwoods and other beautiful blossoms in nature are blooming! The time moved forward so daylight will last a bit longer -- just loving these mild temperatures too.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Along with Spring, we are anticipating the arrival of our first grandchild -- <span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: magenta;"><em>a granddaughter, Lady V</em></span>. We learned last week that our children will become parents to a baby girl and we couldn't be happier. Her name will be revealed at her birth, to those outside the immediate family, but we are currently referring to her, as above, as our "Lady V" -- Charlie started that precious name, but it will probably stick as a term of endearment in her future.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Looking forward to the Spring and Summer - the difficult (putting Carl's family home on the market to sell, taxes, finalizing the past), and then enjoying watching our grandbaby grow in her mommy's tummy. The rest is just logistics and necessary details that will be dealt with. God is good and has provided for us throughout it all.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Have a blessed week!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. My DIY project is still in flux, but hopefully will be completed this coming weekend; our church's Ladies Retreat this past weekend was a wonderful experience with Cindy Colley of Huntsville, Alabama; Carl re-connected with some old buddies this past weekend; we are blessed with lots of good family and friends...life is good.</span></strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-17020598075425556042013-02-25T14:58:00.000-05:002013-02-25T14:58:02.994-05:00Cleaning Out & DIY<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Going through and throwing away things in the past can be difficult, especially when it is an enormous tast and nearly 40 years of memories in one house are involved. But the job is over 3/4 complete now and we can almost begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Sorting, pricing, estate sale, carpet and house cleaning left, then we're on the market. Pray for a fast, uncomplicated sale...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20-yard dumpster; we're getting one of these at our Tallahassee house in the near future!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Starting a DIY project on a rainy weekend, thinking you're going to "surprise" the hubby with your mad skills - well, let's just say, didn't quite work out as I had so well planned for the last several weeks. Carl went on a men's retreat and I just knew I would have a full day and a half to remove border and paint our little foyer. It is, of course, not a large area, and should not be a difficult project! Wrong! Unless I am totally out of touch when it comes to border/wall paper removal, or unless the previous home owner used the world's most secure wall glue, this was a chore! And I failed in the first rule of DIY projects -- take before pictures -- so, I don't have the original "look" of our foyer. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">I just knew I could take down the border on Friday night and be ready to paint on my <em>[expensive] </em>primer/paint in one (and "should only take one coat, even on a wine-colored wall") and have everything back on the walls, ready to go "ta da" when Carl came home! RIGHT! </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Oh, well - it is what it is, but as of last night I finally had the border down (thanks to equal parts of white vinegar and hot water sprayed on scored border, let sit before scrapping) and the "goo" scrubbed off (sprayed again with vinegar solution, then scrubbed off with nylon scrubbie pad with solution of Dawn in dishpan of hot water - one foot-at-a-time sections). Now, I'll get to go back and (per instructions from our oldest son, helping his mother via text): step 1, spackel, step 2, sand smooth, step 3, spray "orange peel", step 4, paint. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I say I took off some sheet rock with the border?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At last, smooth walls, post-goo -- on to spackel!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Carl offered to help me last night, but I told him this was my surprise project, and I really wanted to try to do it all myself. It's definitely going to be a longer process than I anticipated, but hopefully, we'll have a nice foyer when I'm finally finished! [the poor secretary is totally yellow - not green & yellow as shown] AND, I made the executive decision this weekend, should we finally get to the point of re-doing our kitchen, we are painting or tiling over the extensive wall paper! [Sadly won't be the case in our master bath - peeling at all the seams, will have to come down.] </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Folks, don't wall paper unless you just love to be tortured or enjoy working like a fiend!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Hugs to all - now on with the adventure!</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-55215575226997208552013-02-19T16:48:00.000-05:002013-02-19T16:48:32.419-05:00New Year, New Lives<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The year ended with some special time after Christmas with a visit to my oldest brother's home in Wetumpka, Alabama and visiting with two wonderful nieces and their families, as well as my brother and our oldest son. A house full, to say the least, and a really special time visiting with our great nephew, the Marine (Theo), home from California for a couple of weeks! Laughter til your sides hurt, too much food to ever be good for you, and memories shared, new ones created.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We followed Charlie back to Pensacola for a day visit with our sweet "daughter", Nichole, and her dear parents! After a delicious brunch all together, it was back to the house. We gave the "kids" their Christmas presents and thus, enjoyed the hilarious antics of our grand-cats playing IN the gift bags and chasing each other. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">At that point in the morning, we were asked if we wanted our Christmas present. Having told them to not get us anything, we were thrilled beyond measure when we were then told that they were expecting our first grandchild! What a wonderful surprise and a beautiful way to end the year! Carl and I couldn't be happier and are anticipating learning the gender of our grandchild in about a week and a half - if Baby V cooperates! [That's the endearing reference to the little one until we know if they are having a "he" or a "she"....of course, we don't care at all - just a healthy momma and baby is what we are continually praying for!]</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then 2013 arrived on the scene and our lives haven't slowed down since. We enjoyed time with Carl's mother in the first days of the new year and had begun thinking how we would celebrate her 95th birthday in August. However, from January 7th until January 22nd, she went from being a pretty healthy 94 year old, to having bronchitis, being hospitalized four days, in rehab for seven days with no improvement, transferred back to her apartment for three days, then to Hospice House, where we felt we still would have at least a week with her. The kind nurse there encouraged us to go home to rest, since we had not left her side for three solid days, and that they would take good care of her - it was after 9pm then. We had decided to do that, and to be back early Tuesday morning...it was not to be. The dreaded call came at 1:06 a.m. Tuesday morning, January 22nd. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Since that time, we cleared out her apartment and made final arrangements beyond what she had carefully pre-planned years before, had a small, but meaningful service in Montgomery, and have started our lives post-MawMaw. Any extra time is now being spent preparing the Alabama house for sale and moving into the next chapter of our lives...as orphans indeed. After losing my father in May 2012 and now Carl's mom in January 2013, we no longer have precious parents in our daily lives...we do have the hope of eternity to look forward to and seeing them all again! We appreciate our dear friends and family who have showered us with cards, calls, emails, hugs, food, donations to deserving organizations, and support beyond measure. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">So now, we look ahead with anticipation to lives as grandparents and by the grace of God, possibly being able to retire in a few years. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">Yes, 2013 will hold grand new adventures if God sees fit to have us enjoy it: May 2013 I am to be installed as the President of the Florida Jurisdiction of Woodmen of the World, in August 2013, we will become grandparents, and we'll just become <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">obnoxious picture-sharers and tales of how wonderful our baby is. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">And, finally, borrowed from our nephew's post this morning..."Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Encouraging to me!</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-73682774192636543462012-11-06T09:48:00.001-05:002012-11-06T09:48:40.571-05:00Cats and Dogs<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We are animal lovers. Here's some pics of our two additional sons and our grands + their cousins...</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3ESllzVlw61PFThJu8MpXdo20-6_qLR1GeJaF1vUHwo3th3cYMaZ3G7QKL4QZtfyonqTAZXoANaRJQeMvo-XMTHcmiz8fWvPoSWuTn3PpZDhbqsEEgPXzo9lP0qT2lOcpOJK0490_5A/s1600/Buddy+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3ESllzVlw61PFThJu8MpXdo20-6_qLR1GeJaF1vUHwo3th3cYMaZ3G7QKL4QZtfyonqTAZXoANaRJQeMvo-XMTHcmiz8fWvPoSWuTn3PpZDhbqsEEgPXzo9lP0qT2lOcpOJK0490_5A/s320/Buddy+Before.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#1 - Buddy, 8.75 years old (before latest haircut)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">part Shih Tzu/Jack Russell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">[personality: Charlie's animal version)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAL55wn0y5g5NSMQBEwHR1oG0Obed_JpkLYVInUuqyCDv8Zk5V7QSvu13QtOL658o0gpzTxYyK2SC9UPeywYbieOX8llzjLWvMOWrDq2hEbVwcJLV4-vyeVg9zpiVjAAkXnbXYlkrelw/s1600/Buddy+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAL55wn0y5g5NSMQBEwHR1oG0Obed_JpkLYVInUuqyCDv8Zk5V7QSvu13QtOL658o0gpzTxYyK2SC9UPeywYbieOX8llzjLWvMOWrDq2hEbVwcJLV4-vyeVg9zpiVjAAkXnbXYlkrelw/s320/Buddy+After.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buddy's "after" look</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEC1tDxwRLjAg8xaid49LpUtLk0tzJhVR-8511eOe_H3nhXGZ-E0a2ELjAZ9vftrrgcIhKKFHLmMmOa8_58u8nz0Rocuqou0SDnIqubXfJ2HKu62YSKb3G4yXl_Yq-_v-wLwKo6my-5A/s1600/AJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEC1tDxwRLjAg8xaid49LpUtLk0tzJhVR-8511eOe_H3nhXGZ-E0a2ELjAZ9vftrrgcIhKKFHLmMmOa8_58u8nz0Rocuqou0SDnIqubXfJ2HKu62YSKb3G4yXl_Yq-_v-wLwKo6my-5A/s320/AJ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#2 - AJ - 4.5 years old </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">part Min-Pin/part Miniature Schnauzer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">(personality: Mike's animal version)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>These are our grands - both are over 10 yrs. </strong></span><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">and beautiful! </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">We adopted them when Nichole joined our family, and</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">they seem to tolerate us very well! They make us want</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">to have some cats again - uh, not with the dogs though.</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLRI3UdHeXHe0qnL0k3LM-92ZFSlZSob0InD1VCBRg0ox5W_7uIPX-rfRxbx7hSLSt5MSllVuVMoFMqTaNdkUmqJp56zQE5XbSHuPhALe80oVIt55gC1jw5mXJ7mlcaH8XiRHIGiREGY/s1600/Onyx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLRI3UdHeXHe0qnL0k3LM-92ZFSlZSob0InD1VCBRg0ox5W_7uIPX-rfRxbx7hSLSt5MSllVuVMoFMqTaNdkUmqJp56zQE5XbSHuPhALe80oVIt55gC1jw5mXJ7mlcaH8XiRHIGiREGY/s320/Onyx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Onyx</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pepper</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are their cousins, now owned by Nichole's parents,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">who adopted them from Nic's sister; they are both</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">Maine Coon Cats - big, soft and lovable</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_4eYR6rrxMXZjmXrY8UfX64TvNpg0reW41W1V5LiJJUUxj1wpUF9AGGwQrmKdn3C7_8lBJTzd0bkJCFfLVRoA6FS8WeJSVeu7qpPmkyp6HBcfrfLJBUD5BQx_KiQh2uaRvn8mdrrjlc/s1600/Clyde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_4eYR6rrxMXZjmXrY8UfX64TvNpg0reW41W1V5LiJJUUxj1wpUF9AGGwQrmKdn3C7_8lBJTzd0bkJCFfLVRoA6FS8WeJSVeu7qpPmkyp6HBcfrfLJBUD5BQx_KiQh2uaRvn8mdrrjlc/s320/Clyde.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clyde</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put my foot beside him to </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">show the comparison in size </span></td></tr>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-22622171987811973852012-11-06T08:51:00.001-05:002012-11-06T08:51:10.442-05:00Do it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">How About You?</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-67664211429251209992012-10-30T17:02:00.000-04:002012-10-30T17:02:57.939-04:00Great Blessings<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past weekend we were reminded of just how blessed we are to have had our children move closer to us...in the same state...only 3 hours away. Carl and I had a great visit with Charlie & Nichole and her parents, the Daviduks. But, we were reminded that this time of year, you always carry a coat when you leave home. It was very cold and windy, but the company was warm and welcoming. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we very much said our prayers of thankfulness that they were no longer living in a northern state caught up in the devastating storm of the past few days. They have friends remaining in the north, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those effected by the intensitiy of Hurricane Sandy. Living in the Florida panhandle, close to the Gulf Coast, our state and friends/family have been affected many times over the years. One brother lives on the coast in Alabama and has been affected by storms and the oil spill. But God is good and in control. The best we can ever pray for is to be a prepared Christian in the event of any catastrophy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Our younger son Mike is helping with the Greek Food Festival (Phillips Road) again this year (and yes, we are blessed that he lives right here in Tallahassee). So, be sure to add this annual event to your calendar for Friday and Saturday. Our church is holding their Fall Fun Festival also Saturday from 11am-3pm at our property located on Grenville Road, off Proctor Road (or Pisgah Church Road if coming from the other direction). Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the food, fun and fellowship of this event!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Count your blessings, name them one by one...it's so easy to complain (which I do my fair share of), but when you start comparing them to your blessings...see what God has done.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-4562559192455696222012-10-16T16:02:00.004-04:002012-10-16T16:02:45.529-04:00They're Baaack!<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hallelujah! Our kids are back from the rugged North, just in time to skip the snow and seclusion a northern winter brings! Back to the beauty of the ocean and the close ties of family and friendships!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I-10 will be a bit more traveled between Tally and Pensacola now. But not nearly as traveled as it would be if we could retire...but that is not yet to be. So, we'll just be thrilled to know Charlie & Nichole are only 3 hours away instead of the 20 hours previously. They have lots of friends in Tally, so hopefully, they'll be willing to visit us on the occasions when they sneak in to see friends!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">What we do know, is there are two sets of parents who are happy campers! We wish them the best of luck in their new jobs and lives in the Pensacola area.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Welcome Home!</span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-36716294706343025462012-10-04T10:22:00.003-04:002012-10-04T10:22:32.998-04:00Welcome Fall, Y'all!<strong><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most definitely, I love this time of year...the cooler weather, less humidity, beautiful colors of changing leaves, holidays looming on the horizon. All part of God's handiwork. </span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>This time also makes me a little melancholy. October also reminds me that two special men in my life are no longer with us - both my Dad and Carl's Dad had October birthdays. This Saturday would have been my Dad's 91st birthday. Carl's dad would have been 96 on the 15th, and Halloween night he will have been gone 24 years. November 7th will be the 17th anniversary of losing my Mom. She would have been 91 in December.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Carl's mother is maintaining her health, though her dementia is continuing to increase little by little and she is shrinking some in height and weight, which is to be expected I guess. Currently she is still content at her assisted living facility. We pray it will remain that way.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>But, on to brighter moments...we also have some fall and winter birthdays and anniversaries and happy celebrations with family and friends to come. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>Holidays will be enjoyable this year with Charlie & Nichole closer by and they will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary on December 24! Mike has a precious girlfriend. We have our good health and are now losing some of those many extra pounds. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>Have a blessed weekend...I will share these thoughts which help me through unpleasant times:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><strong>Faith = Trust, Reliance on and Obedience to HIM! Keep the faith, pray and always remember HE is in control of all; even the things we think we can control.</strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-55594264341574892682012-10-01T15:58:00.000-04:002012-10-01T15:58:59.986-04:00Just In Time<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm about three weeks late in posting about our most recent trip - to Pittsburgh, PA to see our oldest son and daughter-in-law! We flew up on August 31 and arrived back home Sept. 9. Just a couple of weeks shy of cool weather and the beginning of leaves changing color, we still enjoyed relatively no humidity and pleasant weather...but mainly enjoyed getting to see our kids! Charlie is doing great since his heart attack...he's been in cardiac rehab and was released from that Sept. 14. That event was one I guess I wanted to delete from my summer memories, because I totally left that event out of my recent summer recab post! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">The first Saturday after we arrived, Charlie, Nichole and two of her nurse friends, participated in their first "Zombie Run"! They had a blast and had so much fun, but all four agreed it was the toughest workout they had ever been through - they were ultra dirty/muddy and sore/bruised all over. But their happy smiles showed that they were glad they had done this! Quite an accomplishment for someone just getting over a heart attack, I thought!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPef7LmQa-Moy-NMh69FHUk8dWfwp2I8IcEFDdsd1n0awQYLWfjbrB-4ltWVEjG4bnV6DeN5NZDLUxSwFoimH-zTsGUyKyx7WhvMX14-iC9ZFsoJ2S2AedMn3RNF3jo6BlEMURuXG39AY/s1600/Zombie+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPef7LmQa-Moy-NMh69FHUk8dWfwp2I8IcEFDdsd1n0awQYLWfjbrB-4ltWVEjG4bnV6DeN5NZDLUxSwFoimH-zTsGUyKyx7WhvMX14-iC9ZFsoJ2S2AedMn3RNF3jo6BlEMURuXG39AY/s640/Zombie+Run.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">Nichole worked except the weekends and one day during our time there, while she took care of business, the three of us took some time to view some sights and see some interesting places. There are a lot of beautiful bridges and TALL buildings downtown. We also saw the stadiums where the Steelers play football and where the Pirates play their baseball. We also saw and toured a submarine, saw a riverboat, and toured through the Carnige Science Center, which was interesting. Sports Works was adjacent to the Science Center, and it was a really neat place. Charlie was able to experience his first rock climbing wall and I think he'll do more of that in the future!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">There were some WONDERFUL places we all got to enjoy for some meal time...three that stood out were "The Cheesecake Factory", "Mad Mex" and "Bonnie & Clydes" -- yummie, yummie!!! We also had a fresh, warm Amish donut when we went to the farmer's market and saw some amazing handmade furniture...wish we'd brought our car - we might have brought back lots of goodies and maybe even some furniture! And, we also went to the gym to work off those extra calories we indulged in. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">Fortunately, we had no airport issues at all and arrived safely there and on return. Our time with our kids and "grand cats" was enjoyable and we are so glad we made that trip. I'll share a few pics here in a bit!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">Also while we were there we learned some great news...Nichole had interviewed for a job in Pensacola! She was on pins and needles (no medical pun intended) waiting to hear something back, but we learned this week that she had been offered the job and will start on November 5th! They will head south on October 13th and we can't wait! Her family is thrilled as well, of course, because they live in Pensacola! But, for us, 3 hours away is so much better than 20 hours! God has been watching over them and we know He will again in this move.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">Now, here's some pictures from our trip [they are so not in order, sorry):</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onyx - His favorite spot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwzCisSBgGkdxD0NLPRgG8PVAlTu6kj-5Pgg_sOH3EL2kFL2u9TIvd-GoYlIlhtRBuFHmo4DQWcW33zEqOtUeIUDL4QWQSLEbQEmrP724jVamnR92GJqprFrX0zUUPxthUnuhWN2GlhM/s1600/Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwzCisSBgGkdxD0NLPRgG8PVAlTu6kj-5Pgg_sOH3EL2kFL2u9TIvd-GoYlIlhtRBuFHmo4DQWcW33zEqOtUeIUDL4QWQSLEbQEmrP724jVamnR92GJqprFrX0zUUPxthUnuhWN2GlhM/s320/Pepper.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepper - she rules!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7KhcLkDpygxhdemtgPVZ1yU3H-rsmo5nWUEFjHsvQ0SH-0CwlFlQDbpxgXBxguVQtW6Y92aYG6CmZws-Ia9QhR6EDpb21Mp-48RSP9AW3qjtXKjltQroP-Hv6ApR9kp58YKSn4xlCcI/s1600/20120902_201137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7KhcLkDpygxhdemtgPVZ1yU3H-rsmo5nWUEFjHsvQ0SH-0CwlFlQDbpxgXBxguVQtW6Y92aYG6CmZws-Ia9QhR6EDpb21Mp-48RSP9AW3qjtXKjltQroP-Hv6ApR9kp58YKSn4xlCcI/s320/20120902_201137.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVED this place!!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie's first climb - Sports Works/Carneige Science Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F6GyaPSpOMBQ3jMHpv9OE_ojDh-St4IzZBpLTU1DM7tJBJY59TpkadY3Txgr42rrF72IYAAf21U8OoSXtvwu6D-cEzvk7RMqwxjUNHT4Sq_Uwrt22f0O-uUFiJDtXR4yFnGxSmTJHKc/s1600/20120908_162635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F6GyaPSpOMBQ3jMHpv9OE_ojDh-St4IzZBpLTU1DM7tJBJY59TpkadY3Txgr42rrF72IYAAf21U8OoSXtvwu6D-cEzvk7RMqwxjUNHT4Sq_Uwrt22f0O-uUFiJDtXR4yFnGxSmTJHKc/s320/20120908_162635.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nichole & Charlie outside Bonnie & Clyde's - great food!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaFvFLQQfuWwtZGYTyChWMGmvE-sVS96T9SpZjeKRUvSoBCdeU9jJ-O2IegFjCoWa2MEpUZ2gUj6C6qwciHhutbvDVakEicU2KhGz1cHBAljkqTZpztLsGPVZK6gIyS9fMt7Mem_sAu0/s1600/20120908_180530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaFvFLQQfuWwtZGYTyChWMGmvE-sVS96T9SpZjeKRUvSoBCdeU9jJ-O2IegFjCoWa2MEpUZ2gUj6C6qwciHhutbvDVakEicU2KhGz1cHBAljkqTZpztLsGPVZK6gIyS9fMt7Mem_sAu0/s320/20120908_180530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvQl-dgrplPYftz0kA6lNLh-fpRG-bzC-OqCt5irjhJU9poYzu2PCjgvh33r1y22KT2xf13P_WfRew1kSZTbjp1gTgwAYoqfvQNyCbrScKbtCRl5QAq6q9IbnH1IxV8sv6E2qGWOhwLk/s1600/us+-+Pitts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvQl-dgrplPYftz0kA6lNLh-fpRG-bzC-OqCt5irjhJU9poYzu2PCjgvh33r1y22KT2xf13P_WfRew1kSZTbjp1gTgwAYoqfvQNyCbrScKbtCRl5QAq6q9IbnH1IxV8sv6E2qGWOhwLk/s320/us+-+Pitts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, but makes me appreciate my "small" city!<br />
(So glad we've started our weight loss challenge now!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the City Views<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk1d-UuNkefegFCefUxGfpFCy7fzDXh8TljsbM2f-aiRrAp3DFNBUvte9k7iwtdrUoGdRqTbFgbHmlS-wefcap9llz2tAxQGvnjrEtXSGJvYRQGr5rUF_o4a7kQGiRh6Oe3VSIWHiWL8/s1600/City+view" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk1d-UuNkefegFCefUxGfpFCy7fzDXh8TljsbM2f-aiRrAp3DFNBUvte9k7iwtdrUoGdRqTbFgbHmlS-wefcap9llz2tAxQGvnjrEtXSGJvYRQGr5rUF_o4a7kQGiRh6Oe3VSIWHiWL8/s320/City+view" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view from the other side of the river<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ9FGwHCkGMa-Y84plsYXTkjZLxdsVv5Xj6tv0w4-A476E0rK3P40hhnekwGjdjQ4t6aI8iF_CQA87580mhef1HVy8uToaSDNa77NNYhqv5tpc4rAsWZ3xNeYs7KoYcGVxV4Q64HzLeQ/s1600/Bridge+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ9FGwHCkGMa-Y84plsYXTkjZLxdsVv5Xj6tv0w4-A476E0rK3P40hhnekwGjdjQ4t6aI8iF_CQA87580mhef1HVy8uToaSDNa77NNYhqv5tpc4rAsWZ3xNeYs7KoYcGVxV4Q64HzLeQ/s320/Bridge+2" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the many beautiful bridges</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Requin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8IbAyx3UEy8baNWEkyO_zGFaGZB7XQroTL48T97bqem1kj83PhrPfSaTeh0EeI223bKb0AJQADBax6Cb73FdKV5D2RBvgGfkCbZS9-rlY60JHfbs8JVpN7Vy70uzCxDEXK89jAene4A/s1600/RoboWorld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8IbAyx3UEy8baNWEkyO_zGFaGZB7XQroTL48T97bqem1kj83PhrPfSaTeh0EeI223bKb0AJQADBax6Cb73FdKV5D2RBvgGfkCbZS9-rlY60JHfbs8JVpN7Vy70uzCxDEXK89jAene4A/s320/RoboWorld.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to RoboWorld at Carneige Science Center - very interesting<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Robot from Lost in Space<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Wars fans - C3PO & R2D2<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These were just a few of the pictures...trying to gather pics from 2 sources...decided to ease off! We'll move on to new adventures and new sites...to infinity and beyond!</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-62832035151840721812012-09-17T17:00:00.003-04:002012-09-17T17:00:13.486-04:00Happy Birthday Mike<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today is Mike's 31st Birthday! It seems so unreal to think that 31 years ago we were in Baptist Hospital in Montgomery, holding our second son! Charlie was 4.5 yr. and was so happy to have a baby brother [until Michael became "mobile" and got into Charlie's toys - then he wanted to send him back!]. </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Over the years, they have had their differences, but are pretty close even though the miles separate them...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Mike, hope you have a great birthday - or "birtday" as the family joke goes...we love you and wish you many terrific years ahead!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Through the years....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with big brother Charlie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike at Timberlane Church of Christ Preschool<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike - July 2012<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-40258148079075112862012-08-27T15:13:00.002-04:002012-08-27T15:13:42.220-04:00Winding Down the Summer<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow! Summertime has come and gone in a flash! But, then again, since May our lives have been in a haze. As posted earlier on, in one week's time, we learned my sweet Daddy had colon cancer, was hospitalized for 5 days, went into Hospice care for 2 and died the next morning...so there were two trips to Mississippi, then on to north Alabama, a couple of weeks later I had arthroscopic knee surgery and a couple of three weeks to full recovery. We celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary in July, and just last week Mrs. V's 94th birthday and my 59th birthday! Now school has started, and no pictures to speak of for any of it...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">Now, we're off at the end of the week on a new journey...details and pictures are to come!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">Have a wonderful week, great Fall and football season to come, and lots of special times shared with family and friends.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-5518012851419150112012-08-22T07:19:00.001-04:002012-08-22T07:19:48.410-04:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is rare when I have the opportunity to contribute to my Love’s blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I consider it an honor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Melissa was, is, and will always be the most precious blessing in my life, other than my Lord and Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is my best friend, wife, and the precious Mother of our two wonderful sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the Secretary (I believe the politically correct title is Administrative Assistant) at the Timberlane Church of Christ, and has been for 27 years now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her most difficult job has been putting up with me for 39 years, of which 38 have been spent in marriage, as of the 20th of July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She denies this, but I and anyone who knows me, knows it to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the words of my co-workers, “Melissa must be a saint.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only agree; that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exactly</i> what she is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thank God everyday for Melissa, and try to tell her that I love her at least once a day (usually 20 or 30).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some may say that I obsess, but she means that much to my life, love, and spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">This day marks her birthday.</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a precious and special day for me, because without her birth, I would indeed, be an unhappy man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Dad recently passed away, and he will be missed terribly by his family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tip was not an easy person to get to know, but once you got to know him, he was a friend for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His friends remember him as a wonderful man who expressed interest in their lives and he will be sorely missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It warms our hearts to know that he is once again with Olene, Melissa’s sweet Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will not post Melissa’s age here, although most of her friends know. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has always looked far younger than her age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her inner beauty shines within and without.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must have done something good somewhere along the line, because the Lord has blessed me with her companionship for all these years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has never failed to build me up and back everything that I have attempted through our married life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s saying quite a bit, as I have done some crazy things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily for me, she has remained by my side through the bad as well as the good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both promised that to each other 38 years ago and we have managed to stay the course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Melissa is her Mother to me in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Mom was a wonderful, sweet, loving, passionate, and very kind woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melissa has all these qualities and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She worries about everybody’s everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants everything to be right for everyone and thinks constantly about how to make someone’s situation better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will do for someone else before she gives a thought to herself, and she has always been a giver and seldom wants to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her friends know this to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past, she could seldom say “no” if anything was asked of her, but she has finally learned that she can’t do it all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am in awe of Melissa’s writing talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows itself continuously on her blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She writes with passion and as one reads her entries, her feelings and perceptions are truly felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell her constantly that she should write a book of memories or poems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has written wonderful poems in the past and her talent has truly grown over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all see it, but somehow she doesn’t, which amazes me even more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know that Melissa is not happy to have such (basically) wonderful things said about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is somewhat self-conscious about hearing such things, but I have convinced her that her birthday is an important enough event to be placed on her own blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would never do it herself, but I am very willing to post this because I love her dearly and feel the need to sound the trumpets for her loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">I Love you, Melissa<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your loving husband and best friend,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-64685177092737507142012-08-20T13:53:00.000-04:002012-08-20T13:53:06.611-04:00Time Flies...<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There hasn't been a huge amount of things to really blog about since my last post, but the major event was our 38th anniversary on July 20th! Can't believe it's been that long since our "I do's" were exchanged in Montgomery, Alabama, but then again, so many terrific and also heart-wrenching things have happened over these 38 years! We've watch our two sons grow into strong, handsome men and welcomed a beautiful "daughter" into our family. We've opened, then closed a business 10 years later, worked through various jobs, lived in several homes, but only two cities. Tallahassee is now our home since we've been here 27.5 years. We've lost Carl's father (1988), my mom (1996), and my dad (just this past May 2012). Carl's mother has moved to Tallahassee and is actually celebrating her 94th birthday TODAY! She lives in an Assisted Living facility, but is doing well and will be looking for our faces this afternoon to see what we have brought her for her birthday! :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">God is good and faithful and has seen us through the good and the bad, the ups and downs, and He still holds us tight when we think we can't go another step. We are blessed with health, food, clothing & shelter; good friends, great church home, and loving extended family.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings to you all....</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-77553888076632345162012-07-17T16:46:00.000-04:002012-07-17T16:46:38.949-04:00Settling Down<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What a whirlwind couple of months! I really do love to blog, but with so much happening, I just haven't had the desire to post. I really like adding pictures, but don't have those either. One idea I had going full of pictures...let's just say, we can't find the pictures. They were on the camera, Carl downloaded them all off the camera and just those pictures are no where to be found. Not sure what happened, but if we find them, I'll go back and do a post.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">My brother Max is recovering well - still having some pain with his broken ribs, but overall, so grateful to be alive and able to get around.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">That going well, we headed into July. July 4th morning I sent a text to our son and his wife to wish them a "Happy 4th" -- in a few minutes, we received a call from them - "Happy 4th...I'm in the hospital" -- wwwhhaaat?! The evening before, around 9pm, Charlie had pains in his chest, numbness in his left arm, cold sweats and nausea. His precious wife, an RN (yes, I've shared that many times), took him to the hospital and after exams and blood tests, he learned, yes, he had suffered a heart attack. He's only 35 for crying out loud!!! So, after we talked and felt reasonably sure he was stable and doing okay for the time being, decided to stay put for now. On Thursday, he was given a heart cath and he did have some slight blockage and "unstable" plaque. So, he had to stay put under IVs and various tests until Monday morning, when he had another heart cath. After determining he would not have to have a stent or other treatment for now, he was released and finally got back home around 6:30 p.m.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">So far so good -- Charlie is taking it easy and eating much better and beginning some "cardiac therapy". We have bought tickets to fly to Pittsburgh at the end of August for nine days and can't wait to see him and Nichole (and our grandcats, Onyx and Pepper). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Can't believe it's been two months since my daddy died...what a crazy year 2012 has been so far. I so pray things will settle down for everyone and have a less-hectic remaining 5 1/2 months! [we have lost several older members at church, and friends have lost loved ones - hand fulls of persons who have gone on to meet the Father]</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Have a great week and I hope to check in a bit more often...at least we plan to have pictures for a great post from our trip to PA!</span><br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-83596543121990209242012-06-17T14:02:00.000-04:002012-06-17T14:02:08.776-04:00Catching Up<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Can't believe it's already been a month since my sweet daddy died and since I've posted anything here. This is my first Father's Day without him and of course, it is a sad day. But, we've worshipped and had hugs from friends and lunch with other friends and now back home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Since the last post, I've already had artheroscopic knee surgery (June 7th) and did very well, according to my doctor. I had virtually no pain and am just taking it nice and easy when I walk, but no issues.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">But the hits just keep on comin' -- this past Thursday evening, my oldest brother Max, was knocked down by a 70 lb. (+/-) tree limb while checking out some downed limbs in his back yard. He was heading back into the house when struck, but we are so blessed and grateful his lady friend, Dean, was there to get him medical help. He's been in the hospital with 6 broken ribs, a broken bone in his shoulder and a partially collapsed lung, as well as a large hematoma on his back side from hitting a rock on the way down. His dear daughters are with him, as well as Dean, and are trying to get him to do his breathing treatments, drink lots of water and walk as requested...he's stubborn, but I pray he will heal with time and care.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Looking forward to some time with our son and "daughter" in Pennsylvania the end of next month...we'll have to rearrange our original plans, since Carl's leave was depleated a bit being with Dad and my surgery. But, that's okay - a few days is better than another year going by without seeing them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings for a great week...love to all.</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-20259902028460530382012-05-21T12:29:00.000-04:002012-05-21T12:29:24.025-04:00"How Sweet It Is"<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These last two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and fast-paced events. In a span of seven days, our precious Daddy learned he had stage four cancer and "expired" <em>(as he always called "dying" in his quirky way)</em>. But he was surrounded by a caring staff of nurses and doctors, his loving family (some via telephone), friends who called or visited, and he was free from pain until the last couple of hours. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Tip" Baker was a blessed man, with a long, full life and for 90.5 years, he certainly didn't look or act his age. He learned to use a computer in his late 70's and had been on Facebook the last few years. He kept up with world events, encouraged family and friends with frequent "forwards" and The Daily Motivator. He worked out at the clubhouse exercise room, met weekly with a men's church Bible study and coffee club, took care of his wife's daily needs [sadly, she is suffering from dementia] with the dedicated help of her daughter, Linda, and loved family and friends. He loved Alabama football, Braves baseball, and listened to Rush Limbaugh. He enjoyed movies on the television via NetFlix, handled his own finances, continued to drive and as they were able, he and Carole would attend ball games (all sports) played by Carole's great grandson, Adam.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Our Dad was a mess...we spent those latter days recalling funny times and special memories from his childhood and our own with him. He even wanted his address book so he could go through it, wanting to be sure certain folks were notified when the "time came"...or, "they'll learn about it by word of mouth". And folks did hear and each of the children and Carole's family, received numerous visits, calls, cards, emails, and texts from people expressing their sympathy over our loss.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Countless times I've been asked "how are you doing?". I truly am doing well -- I have no regrets and feel so very blessed to have had my father with me and my family for so many years. He knew he was loved, he was in remarkably good health <em><span style="font-size: small;">[even through open heart surgery, stomach surgery due to ulcers, carodid surgery]</span></em> over the years until the very end. He had his faculties, good mind, and sweet spirit until the final breath. There will be moments of saddness and loss, but to know he is back with our precious mother again, and with the Lord, that is priceless. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">As a family, we decided to have his footmarker inscribed, <em>"How Sweet It Is"...</em>he used that phrase often when there was something he liked that had happened, or a really good meal was put before him...and now the very best is yet to come! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">We love you, Little Pa! Gone from our lives, but we look forward to the hereafter with you and Mom!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;">The following is a poem written by our great-niece, Kayla Renee Baldwin. She wrote this as a project in Literature class, and finished it the day Daddy died...we placed a copy of the poem in his casket and her older brother, Theo, a member of the United States Marine Corp, read it aloud at the graveside service...</span><br />
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Calibri;">This poem is in
memory of my great granddad, Lil Pa.</span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This writing is based on true events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our great granddad Tip Baker has stage 4 cancer with a mass on his colon
which metastasized to his lungs, liver, and adrenal gland.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Now that you’ve lived
ninety years, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> your time for peace is almost here. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You’ll soar up to
heaven’s gate,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
with friends and family
there to wait.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
With his hand of
striking fear, Death </span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
will take you from
those who hold you dear.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
You will meet Death
with God on your side, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
knowing you’ll have no
existing fears to hide.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
No more sorrows, no
more pain</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
no more worries, only
peace and relief to gain.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
You wish me not to
mourn for you, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
so this plea I will try
to do.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
You wish not to go on
anymore.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
You have seen what all
there is to see </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
and lived life the way it’s
meant to be.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
I will miss you more
and more. Your </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
Memories I will always
keep stored.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
Even though this
cancerous thief </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
takes you from me, I’m
happy to </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
know you’ll live
peacefully for eternity.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
Now I say a little
prayer in hopes that</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
God may hear me and give me an answer.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
As you lay you head
down to sleep,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
I pray thee Lord your
soul to keep.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
And if you die before
you wake, I pray </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
Thee Lord your soul to
take.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
<o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-87065618831262367292012-05-09T09:23:00.000-04:002012-05-09T09:23:26.157-04:00It's Not Good...<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...these words were difficult to hear on Tuesday night. My brother Philip, sharing the news that our Dad has stage four cancer which has <span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">metastasized to his lungs, liver and adrenal gland. Hard to swallow and the days ahead are unknown for what will transpire.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">But our Dad is a believer, a child of the King, and he will be the winner, regardless of what happens in this life and how soon. He is loved by a multitude of family and friends and we will do what we can to make his latter days comfortable and full of memories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Pray for Dad's peace with his news and comfort in the days ahead. Due to his age and condition, we doubt he will choose to go through any treatments other than comfort care. Pray too, for his wife's family, who also have difficult decisions to make regarding Carole's care.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We love and appreciate our dear friends who hold us up and help us move forward...God is Good - to Him be the Glory!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I love you, Pa!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ_fw9iD5oSqCgfsQv_DJ7OEEAk_QFqqB2RdNAgt0pCXT-5IXwILnnGNaXexmSlw_yYnR_p-hwrdcqkAmL_KetsgRHtGb-NUDESJZksslkB6Ue5fGQwfyJa56-bRBJdjq0oYlC_tPGqo/s1600/Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ_fw9iD5oSqCgfsQv_DJ7OEEAk_QFqqB2RdNAgt0pCXT-5IXwILnnGNaXexmSlw_yYnR_p-hwrdcqkAmL_KetsgRHtGb-NUDESJZksslkB6Ue5fGQwfyJa56-bRBJdjq0oYlC_tPGqo/s320/Baby.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby "Tip"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young man, approx. age 18</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8GfWwX3jQPfDQUn2oZlcIqRFVDhqqqFE-_fvKAidAVC5x4DVOShsGG2qPpGlA9DDfBe3Lb7BJEFoU2_gFLiL7VQ1PvP2rDmjHnZwarMDMn4rdHT19Ydf5v5x79WOkjXB-lu8CtonsJY/s1600/P1010725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8GfWwX3jQPfDQUn2oZlcIqRFVDhqqqFE-_fvKAidAVC5x4DVOShsGG2qPpGlA9DDfBe3Lb7BJEFoU2_gFLiL7VQ1PvP2rDmjHnZwarMDMn4rdHT19Ydf5v5x79WOkjXB-lu8CtonsJY/s1600/P1010725.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">90 years and counting</td></tr>
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</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-89039874212408197112012-04-17T14:08:00.000-04:002012-04-17T14:08:28.086-04:00Happy Birthday My Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April 17 is the birthdate for my sweet husband! Don't want to embarrass either one of us, but here's some pictures through the years. We've changed physically a good bit, but we still love each other, enjoying the good times and supporting each other through the difficult times...</span><br />
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<div align="center"><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Birthday, Carl!</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Here's to many, many more!</span></em></div><div align="center"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31z4NRhi162Ik0aqHsuJjHdApcKa1QiCrRcV7hYdIXmItOiAe8YqO7LF_Ef3hHe55kmzGuebc36iNKdQpkVOMWvMUMMs17tjXdPU6ogXZgJeQIvnBRc0GW4M6LAZCM_8iF2sThZaQX54/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31z4NRhi162Ik0aqHsuJjHdApcKa1QiCrRcV7hYdIXmItOiAe8YqO7LF_Ef3hHe55kmzGuebc36iNKdQpkVOMWvMUMMs17tjXdPU6ogXZgJeQIvnBRc0GW4M6LAZCM_8iF2sThZaQX54/s400/baby.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check out those eyelashes!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Company Commander at Lanier High School</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHvSo00wCukJpJn6P0hYZLyZAv8fyqPFUkhDS-NkAUKPtNNOFrJIRCFslEGxlSZUwMJeOss2UQ62Mnm6BrVWrvt6UgaxKRAcnWEjvUaGskmgy1MDXVykGH3azfcGu3YFJFdt3fbyqksU/s1600/our+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHvSo00wCukJpJn6P0hYZLyZAv8fyqPFUkhDS-NkAUKPtNNOFrJIRCFslEGxlSZUwMJeOss2UQ62Mnm6BrVWrvt6UgaxKRAcnWEjvUaGskmgy1MDXVykGH3azfcGu3YFJFdt3fbyqksU/s640/our+wedding.jpg" width="491" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Wedding Day, July 20, 1974</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Coffee with His Mother, 1977</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-NmJ5GnR29cspA7mHypyOxJvLiSToxNq-mWST96SsYae55lCI71VlWtKL5AyBg_ts0YXwGSYcqQo-V-I5KpzMYGpnAdkSPJAiQZzBn_CHs1AAELePlkCAfLphp_1iHdWgQQZQ6afw-w/s1600/Maclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-NmJ5GnR29cspA7mHypyOxJvLiSToxNq-mWST96SsYae55lCI71VlWtKL5AyBg_ts0YXwGSYcqQo-V-I5KpzMYGpnAdkSPJAiQZzBn_CHs1AAELePlkCAfLphp_1iHdWgQQZQ6afw-w/s400/Maclay.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maclay Gardens, 2010</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTgdAX28Wi44j9ZaPBr7FCFAXWwlL2sSLv_OZpb3xU9NpeFXIh25_G0yv1Fxa-FoTpSCbSv9tWe59aajtZP26HJddg1XI1vz-btlDdsNufPCGtkdxFu_AKLNdVY_8e4-yZv2c7Qopai0/s1600/C+N+Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTgdAX28Wi44j9ZaPBr7FCFAXWwlL2sSLv_OZpb3xU9NpeFXIh25_G0yv1Fxa-FoTpSCbSv9tWe59aajtZP26HJddg1XI1vz-btlDdsNufPCGtkdxFu_AKLNdVY_8e4-yZv2c7Qopai0/s640/C+N+Wedding.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And most recently, our family on Christmas Eve, 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Carl, Melissa, Nichole, Charlie, Mike</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> [One of Carl's proudest moments, after having the honor of presiding </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">over the marriage of our son Charlie to his beautiful bride, Nichole]</span></td></tr>
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<div align="center"></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-10590363264303639722012-04-12T14:07:00.001-04:002012-04-12T14:08:24.549-04:00The Down side to Spring<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'd love to say that Spring is a most wonderful season in beautiful Tallahassee...and it is! But it sure came fast this year - a lot of the azaleas and dogwoods around here have already bloomed - hopefully there will be more to come. But the sunshine and crisp mornings and low humidity have made these days such a blessing from God.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">There is also a down side to this time of year for me. At least it has this year. I find myself selfishly wanting to be retired and enjoying the outdoors, taking trips to see family whenever I want, taking day trips to the beach, stopping in to visit a shut-in or someone in the hospital or someone lonely. I don't want to be at a desk all day and then have no energy or desire to do anything after work. <em><span style="font-size: small;">[There are some Thyroid issues and possibly some other health-related things which drag my energy levels down, but this is the pits!] </span></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I want to be organized so badly, but don't take the time to do anything about it. All the paperwork at home (personal, Mrs. V's and Woodmen), at the office are just in piles and I can't find a thing when I need it! Everything is a shambles and it's eating away at me. The house is dirty and every room is filled with things I need to do something with...a giant yard sale is on the horizon! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Maybe this is just some "spring fever" issues. Maybe it's really a "heart issue". But all I know is I have got to get some things under control or I'll continue to be miserable and take others down with me along this sad road.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">These sayings I found on Facebook today really hit home, so I pray <em>[something else I haven't been good at lately either]</em> I can get my life in order and be on the upswing very soon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings to everyone - we're going out of town this weekend, so maybe that will help - even though we'll be working in Montgomery, I pray it will help...</span><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-50789741097122174782012-03-29T14:02:00.000-04:002012-03-29T14:02:06.777-04:00A Giant Tree Has Fallen in the Forest<v:rect alt="" fillcolor="black" filled="f" id="_x0000_s1025" insetpen="t" o:cliptowrap="t" strokecolor="black [0]" stroked="f" strokeweight="0" style="height: 98.1pt; left: 490.5pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-left: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 2.88pt; position: absolute; top: 14.4pt; width: 76.5pt; z-index: 1;"> <v:stroke color2="white [7]"> <o:left color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"> <o:top color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"> <o:right color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"> <o:bottom color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"> <o:column color2="white [7]" color="black [0]" v:ext="view"> </o:column></o:bottom></o:right></o:top></o:left></v:stroke> <v:imagedata o:title="Owen_juris3" src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.wmz"> <v:shadow color="#ccc [4]"> </v:shadow></v:imagedata></v:rect> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxxFKv0niUMkJBNdzcC1L9RLgL9TYnMFbtmR0TtljDhkFVhRA-9BZxh-56Nrqs3rBrrrZ0DtBUyXrsdViwbkFj19TXI9ozO5zNcUi0sz9dJP3NGO8R9tbBHu578FUOhiM4G6RWEMISQE/s1600/Bill+Owen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxxFKv0niUMkJBNdzcC1L9RLgL9TYnMFbtmR0TtljDhkFVhRA-9BZxh-56Nrqs3rBrrrZ0DtBUyXrsdViwbkFj19TXI9ozO5zNcUi0sz9dJP3NGO8R9tbBHu578FUOhiM4G6RWEMISQE/s1600/Bill+Owen.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">William C. "Bill" Owen</span></em></strong></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1942 - 2012</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bill Owen was a strong, honest, loyal, dedicated man. He was loved by family, friends, associates and will be sorely missed. Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, he attended Leon High School and the University of Florida, where he earned his law degree. He practiced law here in Tallahassee and was also on the Board of Directors of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society. For several years he had been serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and only retired from that position in February of this year. He led the company with integrity and by example. We shall miss his presence at local, state and national functions, but his memory and leadership will be a lasting tribute.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Florida Gators and the game of Golf were his passion...only next in line from his wife, Carolyn and his children, grandchildren and friends...and his law practice. On Wednesday morning the auditorium at Faith Presbyterian Church was full of those wishing to pay their respects to Bill's family and memory. That speaks volumes, to have people at a service from all over the country. Bill was that type of man and his family should be proud of his legacy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Though our Woodmen "rituals" have been changed over the years, I want to share some of the words from the older funeral passage practiced for many years...I believe they are fitting for such a dedicated Woodmen Fraternalist...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <em>"...we are reminded this day perhaps more forciably than ever of the uncertainty</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> of human life, and while we have witnessed the removal of another stately tree</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> from the forest of Woodcraft, may we all be mindful of the lesson it may teach us.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Today we share the sorrow of those who mourn, realizing that on any tomorrow</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> it may be one of us who may receive the call to exit this earthly forest.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Our hearts are sad today and every impulse of our soul is that of sympathy for</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> those who loved our faithful Sovereign best. His absence from our forest will be</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> keenly felt. The kind expressions of his voice will be replaced with an unbroken</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> silence. And yet, my friends, he should not be forgotten. His kind acts and his</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> pleasant words should be treasured as priceless gems upon which your mind</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> will love to dwell in the fondest of recollections. He has fulfilled his earthly </span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> destiny. The battles along life's pathway have been bravely fought. The race has</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> been completed, and the prize awaits the victor at the closing of the day. The</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> influence of his life, however, shall not soon pass from us. He has left a worthy</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> heritage in the hands of the true and trusted Sovereigns who gather here today</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> to do his memory reverence..."</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To </span>t<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">hose of you who are not associated with Woodmen of the World these words may sound strange. But to those of us who are a part of this wonderful fraternal organization, it is comforting to be part of this great "family fraternity" which is "with you through life"...and in death...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And closing, the words written in the funeral program...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <em><span style="font-size: large;">"May the road rise up to meet you, </span></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> May the wind be always at your back.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> May the sun shine warm upon your face.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> and the rains fall soft upon your fields,</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> and until we meet again,</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> May God hold you in the palm of His hand."</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Rest at peace old friend...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01732973118513869456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566123648685687157.post-36446022111184482982012-03-23T12:49:00.000-04:002012-03-23T12:49:04.330-04:00Babies and Weddings and Deaths, O My!<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once again, the first quarter of 2012 has brought so much joy, excitement and grief! I've blogged before of the many losses our church family has experienced, but just since that post, we have had more serious illnesses among us, and this morning I learned of the passing of a great man - within the Tallahassee community and our Woodmen family. More to come on this most recent loss once it has been shared more publically.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Now, to the more upbeat news on babies: since the fall of last year , we have celebrated at least six new babies and I know of at least two more due in the coming months. Seems like I've become one of the "last to know", so there may be more coming up! What a blessing for these little families!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">After a lull in weddings, we now have two out-of-town weddings two weekends in a row in May! That's Carl's busiest time of year at work, but we're going to work hard to try to make them both (or I may have to hitch a ride to one by myself...we'll see). Blessings and best wishes to the love birds!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Spring Break will officially end this weekend, so Preschool will be back in session, as will our public schools. More traffic back on the roads, and excitement filling the air for the end of the school year! At church we have nine seniors graduating in a few months. The circle of life keeps moving - this is the largest class of my recollection we've had since the class of 2000, when there were eleven. We pray we will have more little ones moving into our Faith Lane, more 5th graders moving up to Faith Quest, then more 8th graders who will move into Faith Way. But, with all the new babies and the way time flies, it will be no time before Faith Lane will be hopping big-time.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings to you all!</span><br />
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