Another Wintery Day in Florida!

Sunday in December at the Park

Goosey see...Goosey do!

Nathan gets the last bite

No, Lana gets the last bite...

Fooled them...squirrel finished it off!

Merry Miller's Mickey, Manatee, Tree huggen, Swan sailing Christmas!

Family Fun

OOPS! Noah was with the group, just behind a
the elbow of a Lego Girl.

"Eli may be quicker going down the slide,
but I am quicker at sitting on his head!"

I loved having my sister,Kathy & her family spend time
with us. Seens like I've never lived in a convenient place
for frequent visits from family...so it was super special.

Favorite Ornament

This is it! My favorite ornament stays put,
just like my Dad required at his home.
Can't find all the SWA ornaments,
blaming it on the 2 moves in 2 yrs.
When I do, they may stay put!

Above many door frames, in our family,
you will find a Santa year round.
"Already decorated for Christmas"
Dad would say.

**Extra**

If you go to Ikea with Morgandy,
this is where you will find her.

Funniest Things...

Last night as Marcus was winning big against my good hands of cards. Instead of getting hugely frustrated, "Let me call you Sweetheart" popped into my mind.
So, then & there, I started singing it to Marc. Looking puzzled, I told him that my Dad use to sing it regularly while playing his guitar.
Couldn't get that memory off my mind, as well as the other songs he sang, at night time, on the front porch. (Almost sounds like the Walton's doesn't it.)

I even googled the song and found lots of people singing it...but not like my Dad.
He also sang: The Preach Man went a huntin...
You get a line & I get a pole honey...
OKLAHOMA...( which my kids always sang as we entered the
promise land)
Deep in the Heart of Texas....

and so many more songs.
funny to have that memory at that time.
-----------------
So decided to upgrade my moisturizer to anti-wrinkle nutrients Olay
thinking that I got to much on my hand to apply, I read the directions...

"Apply liberally on face & neck as often as necessary each day"

Appears they have an easy out if it doesn't work.
------------------

Want a good laugh, visit Gena's blog (via Myra) Sat. nov 22 entry.
There is a funny debate around here about my comment being a pun.
What do you think?

Ringing The Bell

Got a call from Lana this week. "Mom, I'm ringing the bell at
Walmart this Saturday." she said.
This morning she called to say, "I'm sick, the wind chill
is 15 and I'm ringing the bell for Salvation Army."
Are We surprised? Not really! Somehow, I bet her bell
ringing, had a unique flavor to it.
That's our Lana! Way to Go!

(just wanted to share this random pic of Lana-Bear)
Can you guess where she is?

One way to celebrate Morgandy, is signing her name
on a donation card. So, Morgandy, your name is here &
there around Orlando!

As we get into the holiday spirit, I hope you enjoy the
opportunities to give.

The Great Communicator (Wanna Be)

This year, Marcus usually leaves and returns to Orlando each day... kinda like a regular job. However, this month he has had 2 layovers in Tampa. Since it is just 80 miles away, I drive there to meet him, and we enjoy an afternoon of sight-seeing.
It is a beautiful Gulf Coast area, and I look forward to getting to see more.
Yesterday we ended up in Pass A Grille, a small beach community at the southern tip of St. Petersburg. I'm guessing that it was about 5 miles long and 4 blocks wide.
We found the Beach Museum and decided to go inside.
The friendly ladies told us a little history, then ask where we were staying.

Marcus replied, "By the airport!"

But I felt it would make more sense if I explained why we choose a hotel near the airport.
So, I added, "We are staying near the airport, because he just got off work and has the afternoon free, so I drove down to be with him. Tomorrow, he will fly
back to Orlando and I will drive back."

"Every interesting!" the lady replied. Was she thinking what I think she was thinking?

I thought I made myself clear...but this type of stuff happens alot. (I can hear a few family members shaking their heads in agreement!)

Talker, I am...Communicator, I wanna be!

Friday Favorite

Kathy
My beautiful sister!
Growing up, I just knew others considered me lucky to
have Kathy as my sister...and I am!
Beautiful, smart, kind, a friend,
a Spirit filled child of God.
I remember hearing her sing,
"Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.'
first a young teenager...then as a Mom,
as she washed dishes, folded clothes,
or held her children. As she rocked Ben ,
he would hold her ear, and sing "Blue Skies and Rainbows"
with her til he fell asleep.

She made me feel so special, the little sister tagging along with her
& Jana, even going to the drive-in movie to see The Graduate,
and ducking down in the car when Mary & Mom drove by.

As a mother of 3 amazing young men, she has been ask
by younger Moms.."What's the trick? How did you do it?"
When speaking to groups, I've used my sister as
the example of a consistent Spirit filled woman.
Her children saw her rise and work with love
for them & God.

With the gift of hospitality, she has blessed so many.
With love, her home has been open to friends and family.
The pictures below, show the time she met her great-niece,
Darby, and like all kids...Darby is being loved with song!

"Zaccheus was a wee little man"

"Zaccheus, you come down from there..."

"For I'm going to your house today..."


Kathy, I love you!

A walk in the woods

It wasn't our ordinary Sunday, when Marc suggested that we go join Texas Equisearch, in our area of town, and help search for Caylee Anthony. Caylee is a 3 yr old girl, who has been missing since June 15th. This event has captivated our hearts. (If you check out this story, you will see that truth is stranger than fiction.)
So , I volunteered to help distributed water and food to 500 volunteers, while Marcus went with a team of searchers wading thru thicket and woods, to no avail. (people fear that the alligators may have had their way)
I met several people that came from all over America, just wanting to give this child her resting place.
As food was delivered from Quizno's and Pizza Inn, I realized that it was funded by caring people from all across our country. Some local people drove up, and offered bottled water.

So, it wasn't our typical Sunday service...but a service of united people, sharing a heart of love for a child, lost but not alone.

Friday Favorite

Just look at these pictures. Can't you tell?
This is the kid whose teachers gave the same
evaluation of, starting in pre-K.
Over & Over, we heard..."Your son is definitely going
into the arts!"
Our Son! Alex Laird McC or Al-bear, Al Mack,
Macky & his most honored name, "Uncle Al"
He has become a triple threat, All star
and just plain fun & Funny!

After riding the Dualing Dragon, 7 times,
He's a bit confused on which way to read!

Always wants us to see his new dance steps.
Really, really, really impressive on the stage

Wanted Morgandy to come see him in
West Side Story...we thought she was a surprise...
But this guy is good at finding out, right Lana?
Mo didn't see the show, but she was the star!

Naval Pier Farris Wheel View.
Our Chicago Kid!

We are all honored and enjoy life
because of Alex.

Love you, Al-mac!

This Day will change the world

Media claims that the outcome of today will change the world.
Our world was blessed and changed 31 yrs ago today.
Our adornable Myra Dawn entered our lives, loud & clear.
She has kept that determined spirit, tempered by God's love.
I"ve watched this amazing person grow, forever thankful
to God for giving her strenght and goodness!
She is our "wonderful beginning"
and if I could do this all over again...
I would want to be just like you.
I love you sweet girl!
Mom

Amazing Mom

Loving sister

Dedicated Wife

Sweet Daughter

Friday Favorite

"They are the moons shining over me"
That is the last line of a book I recently read...
causing me to reflect on the many women who
imprinted my heart in many ways.
No doubt, my mother tops that list...
but I am so thankful that her friends embraced
all of us, and we were undeniably loved by amazing
families. Not related, by blood, except for the blood of Christ

To top that list, is my Mom. How did she turn
out so steady...after losing her Mom as a teen
and placed with an Aunt, when her step-mother
didn't have a place for her. (Choose to use her room
to rent to students.) However, Mom put that
injustice on the back burner, so we could have a
relationship with our grandparents.
Mom made the effort to find a church family,
and when our Dad followed a few years later
I remember feeling complete.

(Grando, Morgandy & Lana)

She loves her grandkids and great grandkids
and it is such a treat to see their love and
respect for her.

(Kathy, Grando, Terry, & Ben )

Mom has been embraced by all her grandkids
friends, and some of them would call and ask her
name, only knowing her as Grando...now wanting
to invite her to their weddings or special occasion.

(Mom, Elizabeth & Dick)
Elizabeth & Dick along with Ralph & Mary
became extended families to us, an added bonus.
I loved that Elizabeth welcomed everyone to her
home...never embarassed about the way 7 people lived.
Recently, I thought of her, when I hear of the following
sign...
"If you are coming to see me...Welcome
If you want to see my house...make an appointment!"
She showed me that stuff is never more important
than people. Also, hearing, "I love you" was as normal
as breathing.

I was also forever changed by my Mom's friend, Mary.
She always made sure I had a hug & kiss after church...
and even as a teenager, I would seek her out for the
love of Mary.

These women also taught me so much...friends of Mom's
are Moons that shine over me.

My Dad's Aunts also made a huge difference in my life:
They loved my Dad so much!

Aunt Ollie...naturally loud..funny story teller
Aunt Mytle..organized...nurturing
Aunt Ann... loving and fancy
Aunt Fay... kind and sweet

I love to reflect on the many moons that shine over me,
thanks to my precious Mom & Dad. So very blessed!

I love you, Mom!

Voted Once

So, I went to vote, much different here than Texas.
They verify your D.O.B. and address. So my D.L. had our new address, but their computer had the old address, which I finally gave her. She told me to go to the next line, and wait for my name to be called, as they print my ballot. Then she ask me to return and update my address on the computer, and they called my name and held up my ballot. But I was in the wrong line to get it, so they laid it on the table.
I return to the correct line, ask for my ballot, on the table, but they said they were printing a new ballot for me. I ask what they did with my first ballot, and they said they tore it up...but one of 2 folders was still there.
Who knows what really happened to my first ballot?
Wish it wasn't so crazy and unreliable these days.
It's sad when there is cause for concern.

PaPa Pray

Morgandy ask her PaPa to pray one evening.
As he was thanking God for the time together
and for the blessing of Morgandy,
we heard this sweet voice say,
"Food, Food, Food, Food PaPa"
Finally he got it right and thank God for
the food.
Not surprising to God, I sat their laughing!
I've done that all my life... believing that sometimes
God enjoys delight while talking to Him.