a sad farewell

Joseph S. Algranti

February 8, 1925 - April 28, 2009

The passing of this man makes me very, very sad. He was a test pilot for NASA for 40 years flying, among other aircraft, the DC-3, Gulfstream 1, Boeing's KC-135, as well as the 747 that carried the Shuttle....once all the way to the Paris Airshow and back. But, to me he was that White Knight in Shining Armor that rescued me...when abandoned with a newborn baby girl this man spent years taking me to buy groceries while his wife loved on my child. He bought my gorgeous girl beautiful clothes and made sure I looked amazing too. When I later remarried and had another little darling...they took this child into their hearts as well...showering them both equally with love & affection, time and attention... and gifts. He never ever spoke a harsh word...he just lived a life of unconditional love, gentleness and kindness.

I will miss you Joe Algranti....you were a dear, dear man....it was your son who abandoned me...but you never did. In your path you leave behind a whole host of people who think you are amazing and who feel amazing themselves because you loved them so fully. Bye Joe...you are soooo loved...and I miss you already.

Obituaries : Joseph S. Algranti www.lagrangepost.com

Scientist's can't see the yellow...

Today I discovered that I am not an Artist...it was during my first art class that this became apparent. I am taking "art class" with my buddy Gator-Valerie...she is an artist (I remembered AFTER I signed up with her that she mentioned she had taught Art at Whitney's school....argh). There are others in the class that are fun too (Pretty Christa and Lively Lori)...Lori was painting a full scene...she is years ahead of me.

This revelation is not a surprise but still kinda disappointing. You see....my Mother and all her siblings and some Uncles are artists...as well as a large # of my cousins.....my Siblings AND their children are artists....Adrianne is a creative genius....she writes, she draws, she paints. Whitney too loves to work with her hands and creates amazing memorabilia.....I like facts and figures and information. I like explanations that are concrete...I like Math and Chemistry....

Todays assignment was to paint (with acrylics) an apple

and a vase with all the shading..blah blah blah...could I see the different shades in the apple? Uh, no. Couldn't I see the yellow in the top of the vase? What? The vase was torquoise...what yellow (so I added yellow???!!!)? I realized I wasn't artsy when all I wanted to do was to finish up so we could paint another something...I was not interested in the shades or whether my vase was the right width and height...what? Does it matter? That's when I decided this WAS a fun class becase I am not competitive and, painting is fun!

So... I will continue with my new little class.....enjoying this peaceful time...painting, talking and singing along to the music (sometimes out of tune and with a new melody). I am not an artist.... I'm a night owl scientist.....ha

..but just now...in these wee early hours I look again at my work...and maybe it's the time....but now... I think they are beautiful....

dreams dashed

...almost forgot...enjoyed my day in the yard so much .....my dream home here in Slowcala sold....Gator Valerie reminded me that I am not forgotten...and when God finally does sell our house and gives us our new home....well, let's just say He really is the best Realtor and He really does know the desires of my heart....I will be patient. But...I will never sleep in that room or bathe in that tub or cook (occasionally) in that pool.....drats!

just craziness

Ok..this week is just going to be crazy...but first I have to make one statement...Suzy & Scott Kerns have the coolest house in Ocala...good grief..enough playrooms for 130 people...not to mention the 1 1/2 story covered pool area complete with koi pond, salt water pool, palm trees galore AND guest house...all INSIDE...loved it...grand time! Nothing like great people, SUNNY'S BBQ, and fellowship...I enjoyed seeing my Pastor jump feet first, fully clothed into the pool...He's just that fun!

Back to the week ahead...I'm helping GatorValerie with her yard (because I still don't have one) and also because we are planning a little surprise that I cannot mention because I'm not sure it's safe to say it out loud yet...BUT....when the surprise is revealed...it will be very cool...a day to definitely remember.

I start my "painting class" in the morning...I am not an artist.

I go to Tallahassee on Wednesday (and I forgot until an hour ago) to apt. hunt for Adah.

Thurs and Fri are VERY BUSY days because of the surprise...and Saturday will be the surprise. I'm very excited...more explanations and pics to follow...

THEN....drum roll please....NEXT week I'm goin to Auburn to bring my darlin Tiger home..she will be sad because she is leaving her beloved School and roomies....they will have to visit often.....THEN, it's Marc's birthday, Mother's Day ...and "Girls Beach Week" in Charleston...hurrah, guppag...I get to see my NC buds...no men, no children, no dishes, no cooking....oooooooohhhhhhhh delight! pics to follow....

Thats all for now....

thoughts swirling

My Sister Linda, Mom and Me Ok..I have a lot on my mind...this has been a difficult week emotionally...it happens to coincide with "that week" so I don't know why I always get surprised with my emotions being so INCREDIBLY OUT OF WHACK!!!!!! But they are and they have been...I've been snappy...every member of my family have noticed...2 have complained.

1) This was my week to head back to Tamper...wooooooo 2 days with 3 Aunts, 1 Uncle, my Sister, Mother and cousin.... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tooooooooo much estrogen in that Tamper Bungalow...but we did have a good time...LOTS of seafood, fellowship and bungalow shopping. My Mother now has everything beachy for her "Florida Room"...she also has a "beautiful room"...that's where she puts all her flowery and fluff stuff...my Sister and I made her separate the flowers from the beachy stuff (because we don't like the flowery stuff but she REALLY does (pictures to follow)

Bungalow living is not normal tho'...there is no cable or VCR; no computer (Mother does not own nor want to know how to use a computer (puta)...she also does not have a cell phone with her (thought she wouldn't need it)...so the only thing you can do is visit...I like it...

The "Sister's looking at treasures...

Me, Mom, Darleen, Aunt Vee, Aunt Eva, Aunt Eileen and Linda

2) We started a new Bible Study this week...we're watching Louie Gigolo's videos called "Indescribable"...see the side bar for a sample...it's amazing! God is awesome and he's big...and He thinks I'm awesome...I want to wrap my head around that one thought...because with that...nothing else really matters.

3) Marc sang with a group of 250 Worship Leaders tonite here in Slowcala. They are called the Florida Baptist Singing Men....wow...250 Sanguines all singing together ...that's not just a normal choir...that's 250 great singers who are outgoing like otters...woohoo...it moved people to their feet...you felt compelled to stand...very, very nice...it surprised me because initially I didn't even want to go.....remember, I'm cranky this week AND anti-social...

4) I love Chris Tomlin's music...I think that every Sunday we sing one of his songs...and I keep forgetting how much I like him...I'm glad I remembered long enough to write it down...I was doubly reminded this week because it is his song that plays in our Bible Study..."Indescribable"....see side bar

thats all.

JUST A DREAMIN...

Ok...house showings in NC's "Ramble" are picking up....so Marc and I have been dreamin again..you know...dreamin of Florida home ownership...NOT North Carolina home ownership......



I'm dreamin of sitting around this pool...






at this house...


and sleeping in this room....

and soaking in this tub....



and occasionally cooking in this kitchen...

and entertaining all of Centerpoint from this outdoor kitchen...

and that's all I have to say...I'm just dreaming....

more food and fellowship

Soooooooo...what tops a great day of food and fellowship with great friends? Why, of course, it's another evening with more food and fellowship with OTHER great friends!!

Our dear Buddy, "Dixie's" Daddy went home to be be with Jesus this week, so a small gathering of us took, of course, FOOD (the majority created by none other than Gator-Val, ultimate comfort-food-creator-extraordinaire) to their home so we could love on them a little and help try to ease the pain of their loss (still fresh in my memory). When you pray...remember Pete, Dixie and their kiddos....

After we left ...tears shed, hugs & prayers given, we decided it was time for ....more food.

We tried to be cool and go to Slowcala's newest hotspot called "Pi" (like the symbol) BUT....all the other cool people were already there leaving no room in the Inn....so we went to a less cool place "Harry's" because Gator Scott wouldn't spring for Marc's Steakhouse :).....and still had a great time because we are fabulous! (Right Pastor?)

We snapped these pics with my phone...(note to self...bring real camera when with friends) so the quality is not there...but the memories remain!

Ok Mom...here it is again..."The best things in life are not things...they are people!"...ie Gator Valeri, Gator Scott, GatorFlame, GatorFlame Lover, and My Man !

...all this fun and I haven't even made it to Tamper yet...that comes Tuesday...

Over the river and through the woods....

Ok, so there wasn't a river BUT there was some woods.....Ocala National Forest, yeah....to "Grandmother's House" we went...well, it wasn't OUR Grandmother...but it was to the Grandparents' house of our WONDERFUL NC Mtn friends that we went.....and they live on a river...well, THEY call it a river...this isn't what I picture in my head when someone says, "River"....but they do...so we will.

I'm sitting in the middle...my buddy "Cyndi" is on the right, and "Grandmother" is on the left...we're solving alllll of life's mysteries at this gathering.....:)

These wonderful people (Jim & Doris) were so gracious to open their "pleasure island" to us for the day...we had so much fun...every room in their home looks out onto this "River"...and every room has great chairs on which to sit and gaze at this site....it was a fabulous day...great beauty, great fellowship, great food and fabulous friends.....Thank you God.

Cindy 1 and Cyndi 2

The best things in life are definitely not things...but friends and fellowship!....my Mother would be so proud that I just wrote that...she LOVES cliche's and she loves people who, like her, speak in cliche's....they kind of make me crazy but this one time....I like it!

Whitney & Hannah

Our wonderful day lead into a wonderful eve full of...yep....the best ever...MEXICAN FOOOOOOD!!! Can you say, "More chips please?" YES YOU CAN!...and so we did!!

Then, sadly it was time to go...our time was up...we were tired and still had a long drive back to Slowcala...so we were off...pictures taken, hugs given...and off we went....only to be called back 6 miles later....we'd forgotten the infamous makeup bag.....you KNOW we couldn't leave that behind...and so...because of the roadway system and my new driver....it took us an hour to get that bag.....always more awful when you are tired......We got the bag, got one more hug from my favorite gal-pal....and off we drug....to Slowcala....nothing like your own pillow.

Whitney and I are refreshed and renewed....a wonderful day with our wonderful buddies from NC (Cyndi, Hannah and Kate)...and their family which we've grown to love as well!!! HUGS!...see you on the beach in Charleston soon C2!

April's 2nd verse

It's that time again....

April's 2nd verse of the month:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

in all the hub-bub

Ahhhh...in all the excitement of the Tamper Bungalow purchase, Easter, Spring Break, Sweet 16 b-day and the party bus :)......I failed to give a "shout out" (where did that expression come from?) to my niece's visit...she and her kids, literally, blew through Slowcala on their way back to Hoosier-ville after visiting her buddy down south of Tamper...shown here is she and her son (who so resembles Whitney as a toddler).... we didn't capture her princess on film so I've included a pic from Christmas ....I think my niece is catching up to me and one day we will look like the same person...I remember the exact details of the day she was born...(5 inches of snow, ice on the roads and my Mother swerving alllllll over the highway as we trekked across S. IN to pick up her and her Mama (my Sis) from the hospital)now she has 2 kiddos of her own! I keep saying it..."time is flying"!

visit-tors and pleas

(How do you spell plea?..that doesn't look right but spell check says it is....hmmm )

This is going to be a good week...I am already excited and the fun won't even start until Friday....now that "Grandma Zel" has her "Tamper Bungalow"....the visitors just keep on a comin......My Sister, and cousins will be there Friday...woohooooo...every Hoosier needs some sunshine in mid-April. BUT, before that...my fav-or-ite skinny buddy and her girls are ALREADY in Central FL and Whit and I will be heading over there the latter part of the week.

So Daytona on Friday, Tamper on Saturday...woooohoooooo!

On another note...and it's the note I camp on VERY often.....I've been asking the Lord to sell that "marvey" house in Ashevegas now for almost a solid year....and I've reduced myself to giving Him allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the reasons why He should (and I promise him that He gets the glory for it)...ok, right here you have to forget the Omniscient and Omnipotent parts of His being.....I think I can help Him (didn't Moses argue his case?). Here is my newest addition to the list. It goes like this:

Lord, please sell our house if for no other reason than Lowe's has just put out all their Spring flowers...they are less expensive here AND because it's not Ashevegas, I don't have to wait until after Mother's Day to plant them....Lord, I would really like to have a yard with lots of beds where I can plant flowers....please AND thank you Jesus. Amen.

Note: remember this is an ADDITION to all my other reasons...they are better and have more ministerial aspects to them (ha) ....this is just the desire of my heart rising to the surface and crying out!!!!

Party Bus

Just ran acros this pic...how could I forget to post a pic of the "party bus"???....only Marc is not shown in this wild adventure bus...he was the wild driver.....:)

Christ the Lord is risen to-day...ah ah ah ah ah lay-a lu oo yah!

Happy Easter from our house to yours....The girls opened their Easter baskets while one was in a shower-wrap...the other with her jammies still on, no make-up...neither wanted their picture taken....but I did it ....they will be so pleased that the pics are posted!

But everybody was all dolled up for Easter Service at our most FAVORITE church in all the world CENTERPOINT!!! Yeah!! Our favorite Pastor, "Gator-flame", delivered his usual amazing message with insight that none of us think of....along with my favorite singer, my man, belting out some tunes with the Praise Team sooooooo we had a grand time....nothing more exciting than Easter Sunday Morning!!!

Then, sadly, it was time for Adah to head back to Alabama!!!

But, before she went we changed out her broken front Auburn Tiger tag and added, gasp, an FSU plate....it was bitter-sweet. We are trying to help her be excited about the new chapter in her life....but change is difficult....She's trying to be a "team player"....oh, almost forgot...the "hot pink" paper on the tag was Marc's joke on Adah...she will be spending some time at our local Jr. college picking up some classes over the Summer...nothing more embarassing for this Big University Gal than to have the name of the local, home-town Jr. College splattered across the front of your car....we all laughed....well all except Adah.....poor kid she tore it right off....tee hee hee

"Go Noles"

Newest Driver

"Bye Bye Parents...I'm outta here...."

It has happened...our youngest is now a licensed Driver...can't believe it....my how time flies.....But...it is done....we endured the FL DMV and now...Miss Whitney can fly solo. I have just one question...where do all "those people" come from that fill the chairs at the DMV...? They really aren't like most people I know or ever, ever see. Just thinking out loud here......We had quite the entertaining hour...just people watching.

Don't forget

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces tot he ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again....Then they remembered his words."

Luke 24:1-8

Up from the grave He arose.....

News and pics

Crescent Beach Golden Hour Ok, as you know Grandma has a new "pad" in Tamper....she has owned it now less than 1 week...she has already had 5 guests...2 overniter's. Yep...all of S. Indiana is on the move...3 more are arriving in a week. My Mom now has a bicycle (she is 77) and is looking for a cheap car...so she doesn't have to go back to Indiana when her ride goes....she's been playing BINGO, has gone to a dance, lays out poolside and is walking around the neighborhood on a regular basis...this same woman...just 3 weeks ago had to get a Dr.'s release to just come....I told you...sunshine, friends, and sand cure EVERYTHING!

Big week for the Miller girls....Miss Whitney turned "Sweet 16" at the beach...we celebrated with our "Gator-friends"...Gator-Valerie and Gator-Scott and Em-ey at "Salt-water Cowboys" ...looked just like it sounds...food was AMAZING! Opened presents at the fun ocean-front condo and celebrated with, of course...a Betty-cake.....YUMMY!!! Spring Break was so much fun....lots of sunshine, some clouds & rain...lots of great food, great company....seashell, dolphin & turtle sightings........P-E-R-F-E-C-T Delight!

Then, Miss Adrianne had her "Rags Ball, her "Carnation Ball" and the "Rodeo" all in Auburn...all in one weekend.....looked stunning as usual for the "Riches ball"and had the time of her life! Looked like an Alabama Red-neck for the rodeo and homeless for the rags ball. She does all 3 very well. HA, Yippee....her days at AU are winding down though...we did the unpardonable....we told her she was coming home and attending the last of her college career at a Florida school. Yep, my little Auburn Tiger will now be....gasp.....a Seminole. She is getting used to the idea and doesn't hate us as much any more! Her Phi-Mu "Big" is there and is already introducing her to a new gaggle of friends to love and live among....she will be fine!! Since Mr. Handsome will be graduating it will make leaving a little easier!

Finally, it's summer-time in Florida and we are again reminded of why we are here.....NC has snow in the forecast for tomorrow...my buddy C2 is cooking up a pot of chili there....BUT...we are not cold...hurrah!
I miss ya C....but I don't like snow!

Cheers!

Asheville Christian Academy baseball snowed out...4-8-09