My First White Christmas

Pat and I spent Christmas week with our daughter Sandy and her husband James. It was a beautiful week and we enjoyed every minute of it. I am going to share some photos with you and I hope that you enjoy them.

The above photos were taken at Calloway Gardens. Our kids treated us to a fantastic evening visiting this location. The picture on the left is called The Christmas Village, where you can shop till you drop. The picture on the right is just a small portion of a drive by light show on the grounds. The drive took you all through their woods with a fantastic light show, the trip took about 1 hour or so.

You know me and animals, I love to take pictures of them. These pictures are taken on the back deck on the second floor. Up close and personal is the only way the go.

As you can see we all still have a little bit of kid in us. It was fun just to watch each person open their gift. As you can see James is a Duke fan and was excited to receive this from Santa. You can not see it but Sandy received a Buc's jersey. She and James hold Falcons season tickets but Sandy is a true Buc fan from day one.

As you see that Sandy's Kittie's were really in to us opening gifts also. They have 5 Kittie's, Romeo,Marten,Spider, Hairy and General. They all are so sweet and love to be loved, like most of us.

As you can see then came the White Christmas right on time. I can not describe to you how beautiful is was to this Florida boy.

We ate our Christmas dinner late that night and so did the birds. Sandy made fresh cranberries and Pat made real cornbread dressing...yum yum.

As we left Monday morning it was in the mid 20's and I took a few more pictures to remember this great week by.

We are now waiting for the Marvin's to arrive safely home from their Christmas vacation in Va. They took the car train up to Doug's parents home and are driving back today. They left about 6:30 AM and should arrive home about 9 pm or so tonight. we will then have another Christmas with them and the kids some time this week.

Pat and I feel so Blessed to have such a great family. We have had another Blessed year in our family and we thank God each day for it.

I hope that your are Blessed today and that you will be a Blessing to someone else.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28

The Great Class of 1957

Manatee High Schools Great Class Of 1957 had it's annual Christmas luncheon. Thirty two classmates, spouses and former teachers met at Tara Country Club today.

The picture above is one that we all cherish in our hearts, we are so fortunate to have these ladies with us. From left to right, Ms. Silver, Ms. Parrish and momma to all of us Ms. Jeannie Oliver (mother of Patti)

We had a great visit and once again enjoyed great fellowship with everyone. We owe a big thank you to Sally Shuford for setting everything up with the country club.

Most of our classmates were from the Bradenton area. We did have Rev. George and Anita Henderson coming from Alva Florida. Patti Lou and hubby Bob came all the way from the big city of Tampa. John Elliott came all the way from the Plant City area. And from the great community of Parrish came Bill and Martha (Anderson) Mork. Those at our table enjoyed a quick education in weather forecasting from Bill. We can now tell when it is going to rain or snow. But on the other hand, just because you get hit in the butt with a mullet it does not make you a game Warden. So, I think I will continue to watch the weather on TV and let them make the mistakes.

We are so Blessed to have such great everlasting friendships and we cherish them for ever.

Here is a web site that you can click on and see pictures of the classmates that attended. Please click here http://www.manateegatorclub.com/slideshow/8240

Here is a list of the people that attended, look at the slide show and you pick them out.

Jeanne Parrish, Jeannie Oliver, Letitia Silver George, Mary Lou Massey, Sally Husted Shuford, John Elliott, Mary Alyce Carter Floyd, Bud parent, Sue and Bob Sweat, Harriet Tridle and Gary Gregory, Patty Lou Jones and Bob Goodwill, George and Anita Kilcrease Henderson, Sonny Smith and Delores Thiers, Martha Anderson and Bill Mork, Sam and Kaye Bell, Gerald and Bette Hofmeister Hines, Gene and Pat Gallo, G.Lee Brown and Buddy Jones, Jimmy and Joyce Lawson, Bill and Connie Brown Howard.

May God Bless each of you and I hope you are a Blessing to someone else today. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years fron the Gene & Pat.

“[Mary’s Song] And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.” - Luke 1:46-47, 49

All Good Things Come To An End

Manatee’s title run ends in 31-7 loss

In the eyes of Joe Kinnan, this year’s Class 5A state semifinal mirrored last year’s.
Like all mirror images, however, this one was flipped, much to the chagrin of Kinnan and his Manatee Hurricanes.
Their perfect season came to an abrupt halt Friday at Brian Piccolo Stadium, where Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas rolled past the Hurricanes 31-7 Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2010/12/11/2804832/manatees-title-run-ends-in-31.html#ixzz17rI3hDz2

We can not say that the Hurricanes did not thrilled us to the very end of the season. I am very proud of how the kids give it their all this year. It is no secrete that they will be back next year and will be very good.

Last night it was my impression that the kids came out of the locker a little flat. It seem that St T knew everything that we were going to do. Also I question the Manatee play calling especially down on the 8 yard line. Two plays run into the middle......don't think so. Anyway it was my last football game for the rest of the season that I will get excited about.

Darenda just text me and said Fla has hired a new coach, I am now going to the Internet to read about him.

Be Blessed and have a Blessed week.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

"Never in My Life"

Mike Blakely, keeps chugging!

Canes win another regional title


Manatee’s night began with a blown tire south of Brandon.
It ended with Mike Blakely, his uniform caked in grass stains and mud, hopping off the turf lining Bears Stadium and pumping his fist following a run that salted away the Hurricanes’ fourth Class 5A-Region 3 title in six years.
Not much came easy for Manatee on Friday night, but the top-ranked team in Class 5A left Palm Bay Bayside with a 35-32 win and a date in Fort Lauderdale next week with St. Thomas Aquinas -- a 47-6 winner over Boyd H. Anderson -- in a state semifinal game. Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2010/12/04/2786569/canes-capture-regional-crown.html#ixzz17MbHb8Q9

"Never In My Life” I have been attending High School football games for 50 years plus. I have never seen anything like what the Manatee fans saw and was treated to at Bayside High School last Friday night. Some fans bought their tickets and entered the stadium only to find out that all the visitor seats were filled by Manatee fans (great). But when you looked across the field you saw at least 500 vacant seats. Many Manatee fans walked over to that side only to be told by Police Officers. “You cannot sit on this side; it is only for Bayside fans.” When asked why, their response was “to protect our fans”. What the! Are we at war, are we (Manatee fans) criminals with guns and knives? At least 100 plus fans stood up for the entire 1st half and could not see the game. We stood behind the fence and football team which made it very hard to watch. I was able to find Manatee Principle Bob Gagnon and explain the situation. He tried very hard to get them to let us sit over there; after all they sold us tickets but did not tell you there were no seats. Bayside finally agreed to set up some chairs on the field for some band and drill squad kids. Thanks to them we were able to sit in their seats and watch the 2nd half. If this is a norm for Bayside they should never be able to host another playoff game until that policy is changed. The school should take the money they charged for tickets with no seats and send it to the Manatee High School Sports Booster Club. (7X100 = $700.00) That would show good faith and fairness! If not, I am asking for an attorney to do some pro bona work. A number of us would like to file a complaint to the FHSAA.

Have a Blessed week and keep those Canes in your prayers, pray for good heath and safety for them.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15

Nothing Like The Ga Moutains for Thanksgiving

This was the first morning that we were there. Luke was sitting at the breakfast table and looked out and saw this deer. Tough to see but it was a nice Buck. He also made friends with the local bear as you can see.

Darenda also found her little niche to sit at. This was the 2nd floor porch, she sat out in the morning and drank coffee. In the evening she would relax out there and enjoy reading in peace and quiet.

This is the town of Delonaga Georgia, there was a lot going on including a nice country band playing on the street. We had lunch at Caruso's restaurant and enjoyed it very much.

Some of us just enjoyed relaxing and watching football. Some had to work and guard the cabin.

Some of us just had to try the hill out and see how fast we could skateboard down and up the hill. (not me) As you can see some had a quick landing going up! "Atta Boy Tyler!"

One beautiful (windy day, Thanksgiving) we had lunch out on the 2nd floor porch. Pat made her usual pickins for lunch....can't tell you what it was...its a family secret.

Friday night Sandy and James came over from Newnan Ga, their home. The both are employed by US Food and had to work on Friday. As you can see the games began on Saturday morning. I would have to say that James was the all time champ. He knows his way around the Gold Tee arcade game.


One night was good old fashion hot wing night from Zaxbys. As you can see Doug ordered the real hot stuff so he had to eat standing up. I think standing up make the food move quickly through your body.

Tyler was not all that excited about leaving Sunday morning. I think he wanted just a few more minutes of sleep before getting in the car. The night before Luke was telling me jokes and we were having a good time.















This was Sunday morning as everyone was packing up to go home. It was 20 degrees, I don't if you see but all our cars are running trying to melt the frost on of the windshields. Sandy and James was headed back home via the Ga Dome. They are season tickets holder for the Falcons and had a 1 PM game,

This is what we left behind, but brought back more great memories for all of us. Pat and I are truly Blessed to have such and great family.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)