Tag Archives: FL

Happy 6th Birthday, My Sweet, Precious, Little Girl!!

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You were born on January 8th, 2007

We brought you home in March…

You kept us up all night…

’til August!!

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Mom could barely find time to comb her hair…

or brush her teeth…

It was just like having a new baby in the house!

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Ahhh…a sweet, precious, little baby!!

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A very playful baby…

Who loves the pool!!

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And hangin’ with Daddy!

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Or, maybe learning to drive a golf cart!!

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Let’s watch a little TV!

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But, don’t touch my chewy!!

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I like sharing a Ritz with Dad!!

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And relaxing on my chaise lounge!

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I’m done reading my book!

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So can I go out on the golf course and play with the visitors????

Happy Birthday, My Sweet, Precious, Little Girl…

Even now, at 6 years old…

You’re still quite a hurricane in our lives!!

And, we love you more than ever!!

One Terrific Sister Act!

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Sister Act

Photo Courtesy of:  www.broadwayinchicago.com

First row: Hollis Resnik, Ta’Rea Campbell;
Second row: Florrie Bagel, Diane J. Findlay, Lael Van Keuren

In December, we went to Tampa to see Sister Act…

In this touring company, my dear friend’s daughter, Lael Van Keuren played the part of Sister Mary Robert…

She came directly from the original cast of Sister Act on Broadway!

In the Ensemble, Understudy for Sister Mary Robert, and Understudy for Tina/Michelle…

At the Broadway Theater…

Jerry Zaks, director…

Her favorite credits include:

Dirt Rotten Scoundrels (North Shore Music Theater);

Hello Dolly! and Cinderella (both at Paper Mill  Playhouse).

We thoroughly enjoyed Sister Act…

So did everyone around us!

We laughed sooo much!!  It was delightful!!

This show has such a positive, uplifting effect on audiences, and it was so much fun to be a part of it!

Especially since we knew Lael was in it!!

Lael was amazing!!  The lady next to me agreed!!

Her voice is so powerful!

The acting, dancing, and singing…

Everything my friend did for Lael, and with her, over all the years has definitely paid off!!

We’re so very proud of her!!

We’re so glad we got to see her after the show!!  We haven’t seen her since moving to FL

She’s grown up…but still with that same adorable face and smile we love!!

She’s so cute and sincere and lovable and bubbly!!

I know my friend (who I taught with in NJ) misses her dearly, now that she’s touring with the company.

We wanted to hang around a little longer and chat more with her, but our car broke down on the way to the show…

There’s always something!  Amen?

So we were at the mercy of our repair man…

Who was nice enough to drive us to the theater on time…

Hallelujah!!

And pick us up before he closed!!

God is good!!

And though our day in Tampa actually cost us $1200 in car repairs…

We want to give a shout out to Doug and John…

At Firestone Complete Auto Care…

900 E. Kennedy Blvd.

Tampa, FL

God love you guys!!

Thanks!

You helped us get our car back on the road…

And got us to the show on time, too!!

I did have one favorite song in the play…

The song, “Sister Act,”  in the Broadway Musical “Sister Act” was sung by the lead character,

Deloris Van Cartier, played at our show by Rashidra Scott

Here are the lyrics:

“I don’t need a spotlight,
I don’t need a crowd,
I don’t need the great wide world
to shout my name out loud.
Don’t need fame or fortune,
nice as those things are,
I’ve got all I need
to feel like I’m a star.

I’ve got my sisters by my side.
I’ve got my sisters’ love and pride.
And in my sisters’ eyes
I recognize the star I want to be.

And with my sisters standing strong,
I’m on the stage where I belong.
And nothing’s ever gonna change that fact.
I’m part of one terrific sister act.

And yes, I love that spotlight!
Yes I crave acclaim!
I’ll admit I love the sound
when strangers scream my name.
All that glitz and glamor,
they’re all right no doubt.
But what are you left with
when the lights go out?

I’ll have my sisters with me still,
I’ll have my sisters, always will.
And with my sisters’ love,
no star above will shine as
bright as me.

And as a sister and a friend,
I’ll be a sister ‘til the end,
and no one on this earth can
change that fact –
I’m part of one terrific sister act.”

Thank you to all my “sisters!”

I love you all!

We got a photo with Lael after the show!

Go see it…you’ll love it!!

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Dead Lizard!! Dead Lizard!!

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I had the most amazing conversation with a little boy on a bicycle, while I was taking a walk around my neighborhood last week!

I was just past the new construction site I told you about in a precious post…

Haven’t Seen One Of These Around Here In A While!!”

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I was listening to my inspirational Gospel tunes on my iPod, and thinking…

“Things are progressing nicely at the construction site!”

My Dad was a carpenter, so every step in the building process interests me!

I remember as kids, my Dad would ride us by every house he had built, and proudly say, “I built that house!”

I perhaps didn’t appreciate it then, but after having built all our houses over the years…

I appreciate it now…

Great job, Dad!!

Anyway…

Suddenly,  this little boy, perhaps 6 or 7 years old, came barreling at me on his bicycle…

While I was thinking, reminiscing, and listening to my music…

Shouting, “Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

I pulled out one ear bud…

And said, “What!?!”

He repeated it again!

“Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

“Where?”  I said…

He pointed up ahead…

“Want to see it?” he asked…

“Of course!” I said…

I just love kids!!  Don’t you???

I see people on my walks all the time…

Mostly those walking their dogs…

I don’t walk mine, my husband does that…

Because my crazy Siberian pulls my arm out of its socket!

It’s not a calm walk!!  Ha!!

Anyway, I talk to a lot of people on my walks, pet their dogs, say “Have a nice day,” etc.

And not once has anyone said anything as amazing as,

“Dead Lizard!!  Dead Lizard!!”

That’s why I love kids!!

So the kid on the bicycle turned his bike in the direction I was walking…

And raced to show me the way to the dead lizard you see in the photo!!

Soon, he turned back to me as I was apparently following too slowly!

“Come on!” he said…

“Can’t you run???”

Apparently he doesn’t understand age!  Ha!

So I walked a little faster to please him!

When we got to the dead lizard…

He proudly pointed to it, and said, “There it is!”

“Ahh,” I said.

“You’re right, it’s definitely dead, alright!

How do you think it died?” I asked…

“Did you run over it with your bike???”

In FL, little lizards run back and forth, and in front and around you all the time…

I remember when we came to FL for vacation, before we moved here, when my son was young…

That he went to grab one, and it let go of its tail to get away…

My son started crying, thinking he had killed it…

But we explained to him that it’s their defense mechanism…

And they can grow their tail back again!

Quite amazing little creatures, these “Lizzies!!”

So the little boy on the bicycle says…

“No, I didn’t run it over…

I found it this way!!”

I’m glad I came along for him to share his “find” with!!  Ha!

After we looked at it for awhile, I said…

“Merry Christmas, and thanks for showing me the dead lizard!”

And he turned to ride back the way he was going, and I continued on my walk…

Quickly though, he had another thought and said…

“When you go around the corner and see a black truck…

That’s my Dad’s truck…

Say to him, ‘Bryson said, Hi!'”

“Oh, you live around the corner?” I asked…

“We’re renting!” he said…

“Okay, I’ll tell him!”  I said as I continued walking…

He turned his bike around, and sped off ahead of me, to make sure I gave his Dad the correct message…

And beat me there!

Sure enough, there was his Dad washing his black truck!

So I said, “I’m supposed to tell you that Bryson said Hi!”

He laughed, that laugh that’s says, “Yup, I know my kid and that’s exactly what he’d say!!”

Bryson called to his Dad, “We saw a dead lizard!!”

His Dad said, “Great!

And Bryson, remember, stay where I can see you!”

While doing the “I’m-watching-you” motions…

“I know  that, Dad,” he replied…

And then he pedaled away, but on his own block this time!

So I said, “Merry Christmas, Bryson”

And he said, “You already said that!”

Yes, he’s right…I did!

Dear Jesus…how can anyone hurt a child???

This is why I need to live in new houses, because 10 years goes by before I realize I’m not keeping up with the cleaning!!

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Yes…

I convinced my husband…

To let me get the floor tiles in my house…

Professionally cleaned…

As I begged Santa in an earlier post called…

Dear Santa…I want!!

We’ve been in FL…

In this house…

That we had built…

For 10 years!

And I just realized I’m not keeping up!!

Ten years of dog hair…

Dirt…

Grime…

Cooking grease…

Powder…

And just plain GUNK and YUK!

So, my husband found Bob, the handyman in our neighborhood…

Who has been doing odd jobs around our house for several years!

He came yesterday…

Put down some bleach, used a broom-like thing…

And within an hour…

Our Master bathroom floor was sparkling clean!

Like it was 10 years ago!!

The fumes were bad for my allergies…

But I sat outside on my lanai with my puppy…

Then wore a mask all day while inside…

We turned on all the ceiling fans…

And my husband set up extra fans…

We’ll get the rest of the house done on Tuesday!!

Yipee!!

What a great Christmas gift!!

But, woe is me!!

How will I keep it like that??

Tell everyone not to walk on it???

Ever again???

Shave off all my Crazy Siberian’s hair???

Never cook again???

Don’t use powder in the shower???

My problem???

While I am a neat freak…

Since I can’t think in clutter…

And I do love to keep the house organized…

And decorated nicely…

And I’m good at keeping up with the paperwork…

That my husband refuses to look at…

Because it drives him crazy…

As far as the…

Deep…

“Get myself dirty-bend down-mop-move things-go behind-reach up, get a step stool to clean top shelves, wipe ceiling fans, and dust all my trinkets…”

Kind of cleaning…

I’d rather WRITE than do that kind of cleaning!!

Hey…I’d rather RELAX than do that kind of cleaning!

Hey…I rather do ANYTHING ELSE than  do that kind of cleaning!

Too much to do…

Too little time…

Too much effort…

Too much back-breaking work!!!

Where does the time go???

Let’s see…God & family & dog, teaching, drama team stuff, reading, writing, Dr.’s apts., hair and nails apts.,etc., etc.!

DUh!

Deep cleaning doesn’t seem to be on this list…

Or…

Even on my radar…

Unless you’re coming to visit!

Ha!

Then I’m frantic!

Oh…

If I’d only keep up!!

Lord, please help me!

Or else…

It just might be time to move to another brand new house!!

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P.S.   Yes, along with my new squeaky clean floors…

I got a new Nikon Coolpix L610 camera for Christmas!!

  And tickets to see my friend’s daughter in “Sister Act” in Tampa on Saturday!!

Okay, Santa, I’m going to hold off on the losing weight request…

And just pray to maintain during Christmas!

Ha!  Let’s be realistic!

Thank you, Santa!!

Get prepared…

I’m going to ask for a cleaning lady next Christmas!

Lord, I need you to…

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10 (E S V)

And help me keep it that way!

Amen!

“Christmas On The Beachside”

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I just heard this song on the radio last week…

I love it!

And if you’re from a beautiful tropical area…

You’re going to love it too!!

It’s by Austin Adamec, and featuring Lindsey Ciresi…

It’s called “Christmas On The Beachside”

I couldn’t find the lyrics…

So I listened to it a thousand times!

  Ha!

  I hope I got them right!!

“Christmas on the Beachside…

Gotta love the Beachside…

It’s wintertime…

And it’s so far from snowin’…

The palms are swaying…

And we’re jumpin’ in the ocean…

The sun shines on the waves in December…

The Birthday of the Savior…

We celebrate together!

Christmas on the Beachside…

Underneath the blue sky…

No need for sleigh rides…

The surf is just right…

Christmas on the Beachside…

It’s the Salt Life…

Because Jesus is the reason…

No matter what the season…

On the Beachside…

Fire from chimneys…

Presents near the fire…

It’s getting hotter…

Soakin’ out the weather…

Snuggies and comfy Christmas sweaters…

Can’t compare when you’re…

Breakin’ in the water…

Though the Holiday may fade away…

We will always find a way…

Red & green may dissipate

We will Always Celebrate

Christmas on the Beachside!!”

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Haven’t Seen One Of These Around Here In A While!!

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First, ruts in the mud…

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Made by tire tracks digging in…

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And then a Porta-Potty!!

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On a New Construction Site!!

Yipee…

Building…

Is Back!!

The economy is slowly picking up again!!

Never thought I’d be happy…

To see a Porta-Potty…

On my walk around my…

Usually lush, green neighborhood…

But, it just goes to show you…

That everything is relative!

Not a very pretty sight…

But…

The Porta-Potty means building is going on…

In our spiritual lives…

Building’s going on all the time!

Listen to:

“You Build Us Back” by the Newsboys

Here are the lyrics…

“We’ve been crumbled…

We’ve been crushed…

City walls have turned to dust!

Broken hands…

And blistered feet…

We walk for miles to find relief!

When the thief takes…

When our hopes cave…

You Build Us Back!

When the earth shakes…

When the world breaks…

You Build Us Back!

We are scared…

We are poor…

All our safety nets are torn!

We’ve been humbled to our knees…

From these ruins…

We believe!

Redeemer…

Redeem us!

Restorer…

Restore us!

Oh! Build Us Back!

Though the mountains be shaken…

The hills be removed…

Your unfailing love remains!

After all that’s been taken…

Your promise…

Still sacred!

You Build Us Back…

With precious stones!”

Build Us Back, Lord!

And Our Economy, too!  Amen!

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Suzhou, China

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My friend, Olllie…

A world business traveler…

Sent me the e-mail below…

About his last business trip!! 

I love his perspective…

On life outside of the United States!

Here’s what he said:

“If you’re planning a trip to Suzhou, China…

There are some things you should prepare for!   

I traveled with 2 locals…

 Don’t expect to master chop sticks…..

It will never happen!

 Chicken heads are eaten by the locals…..

They will laugh…

If you even attempt to eat one…

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 If the temperature outside is 40 degrees…

The temperature at the customers conference room is also 40 degrees…

Locals wear long johns under their suits… 

Visitors freeze their butts off!

 Don’t be concerned if the locals order a lot of food at a restaurant…

Some of the selections are scary…

And you won’t eat…

And the total cost is $15!

 If a local sneezes…

Don’t bother to say ‘God Bless You!’

They don’t get it!

 Even if you attempt to serve yourself from the common bowl into your dish…

I doesn’t matter…

Every bowl is communal!

 Start each meal by buying napkins… 

They are not offered free…

And ‘White Devils’ will make a mess eating with chop sticks!

 If you don’t like smoke…

Stay home! 

People smoke in restaurants…

Elevators…

And a smoke-free room only means…

There is no smoker in the room with you!

 No one speaks English…

Not even the kids serving at McDonald’s!

 Don’t expect to see ‘Chinese’ food…

Like at your local ‘Golden Wok’

It’s widely different!

 They love their foot massage places…

  15 minutes for $1.50…

1 hour for $15… 

And yes, they are really foot massages…

  And ‘No!’

I didn’t try one!

 Watching locals eat corn on the cob…

With chop sticks…

Is a beautiful thing!

 Breakfast…

Lunch…

And Dinner…

It’s all the same!!”

I love learning about different cultures!!

But…

God Bless America!!  Amen!!

If you’re also a traveler…

Or, live outside the United States…

Let me know about the fun local customs wherever you are!

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Christ Is The Heart Of Christmas!

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CHRIST IS THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS!

God  in Heaven Gave His Son…

For You and Me…

Divine Birth…     Angelic Voices…     Nativity Scene…

Shepherds, Wise-men, Angels…

All Worshiped Him!

And Experienced the Miracle of His Birth!

When…Love Came Down To Us!

May your CHRISTMAS reflect all these Miracles…

From our Family to Yours!

Praying Jesus is in your heart

And in the heart of your Christmas!

“….Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us…”  

Matthew 1:18-24

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:9-14

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

John 7:38

Christmas…

Jesus

is the

 Light of the World

Love          Joy          Peace

Life

It’s All About You, Jesus!

May God Richly Bless You This Christmas!

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John.7.38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Christmas Things….

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The Christmas Wreath I decorated with all my favorite “God’s Scenery” photos that  I’ve taken!!

The Christmas Tree I made decorated with all my favorite photos, and my favorite beach toppers!

My cute little Nativity Scene to remind me that Jesus is the reason for the season!

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My table is set…the gifts are ready!

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My Crazy Siberian Puppies have invited some friends to join them for Christmas!!

A perfect lunch with good friends!

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Our light-up Christmas Alligator!!

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Now you know we’re truly Floridians!!  Ha!

Have a Very Blessed and Merry Christmas, Everyone!

From Our House To Yours!

My Beloved Jersey Shore, No More???

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I receive a daily email from…

Focus On The Family

Today’s e-mail was titled…

“An Attitude Of Gratitude”

Here is the e-mail…

We Floridians can certainly relate!!

“Dear Friend,

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving, a time to gather with family and friends to specifically thank God for the many blessings we enjoy each and every day. But there are also people who don’t see a lot to be thankful for because of their circumstances: Maybe they’ve lost loved ones, homes or property—possibly even all those things at once. As many people on the East Coast who have been struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy can tell you, it’s a difficult thing to see the good amid difficult circumstances.

My friend Len Deo, executive director of the New Jersey Family Policy Council, spoke with Stuart Shepard recently about this on the latest CitizenLink Report.

Sandy was nothing short of horrific. Residents of New York and New Jersey spent weeks trying to get back to some sense of “normal” afterward. Food and gas were running low, the power was out, trees were uprooted and schedules were awry.

Despite those circumstances, some chose to have an attitude of gratitude for the little things they did have. In fact, Len Deo and his team paraphrased the 23rd Psalm to keep their perspective right. Their version reads:

‘The LORD is my shepherd, and shepherds have it rough right now. He has no place to make me lie down but muddy pastures; He leads me beside troubled waters. He is giving my soul a lot of unusual work. He leads me in the paths of perseverance for a purpose I really don’t see. Yea, I am walking through the aftermath of a hurricane and You are still prodding me; Your rod and Your staff, they are uncomfortable. You have filled my house with my children all day long; You anoint my head with cold showers; my impatience runneth over. Surely the good times went out with the lights, and I will dwell in my dim house for yet another day that feels like forever.’

Of course, we know that’s not what the Psalm really says—but the New Jersey team knows that the Word of God is powerful to provide comfort and solace. The point is simply this:  A sense of humor is a gift, and gratitude is a choice that we can always make, regardless of our circumstances. God does not stop being good just because our circumstances become difficult; we can trust Him through everything. And can’t we all be grateful for that?

For faith and family,

Tom Minnery
Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy”

We’re from NJ…

My sister lives in Brooklyn…

Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins live in South Jersey…

And at the Jersey Shore…

Many of my cherished summertime memories…

Include the Jersey Shore…

Loved the Boardwalks!!

And the rides!

Family vacations in Wildwood and Cape May when I was young…

Trips with friend’s families to Long Branch…

Teenage drives to Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Point Pleasant, Lavallette, Sea Girt, and Brielle…

Yearly vacations to a Bed & Breakfast in Spring Lake…

Later, when I taught, Teachers Convention at Convention Hall in Atlantic City…

Walking and shopping on the pier…

We have friends living in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North and South Carolina…

Everyone was affected…

I’m praying for the entire East Coast!

We, in FL know recovery is a long haul…

We also know that God is faithful!!

It will take time, but folks on the East Coast are resilient!

They’re survivors!

They will rally…

They will unite!

And this email gives me Hope…

That they know God is with them!!

My beloved Jersey Shore will rise again!!

Amen!