03/17/10 4:24PM

I refuse to view the news. I just feel soo overwhelmed by all the need in the world. There is soo much!! I know I can't possibly solve it all... or even come close. During the break I saw commercials for mistreated animals, children in poverty, home foreclosures, cuts in education, food bank, going out of business sales, etc...


All I can say is I am so glad God is big enough for all of these needs and more. He has all the resources to fill every need that ever was. Thankfully I have been blessed with a set of knees so I can offer my support through prayer.


  • 71lespaulcustom
    I refuse to view The View.
    by 71lespaulcustom at 03/17/10 11:31PM
  • granny
    Yes, "news" can be absolutely overwhelming -- and sometimes I think that was their very purpose ...
    But I always want to be aware of my neighbour's needs -- and of course have a ready heart and hand for any Christian's needs whether in my community or somewhere in the world. Keep praying, Ann -- and keep your heart soft.
    So nice to meet someone and share our mutual love for the Wards. I knew Dene when Dave and I were newly married. LOT of history, but only in the past 10 years have been able to reconnect with them.
    by granny at 03/18/10 2:13AM
  • hellosunshine
    I chose to watch in pieces (the news). It's tough. Good post.
    by hellosunshine at 03/18/10 8:40AM
  • auntjennywren
    There is a downside to this electronic super-fast access to any and all information! It is too much to process.
    by auntjennywren at 03/18/10 10:58AM
  • loislane
    Amen.
    by loislane at 03/18/10 9:26PM

Home?

When I was little, I knew EXACTLY where home was. Folks would ask it I knew where my home was and I would promptly rattle off my address. As time has marched on, I can't offer the same quick answer. I feel as if pieces of my heart are scattered around the different places I have lived, as well as with the loved ones who have scattered as well.


"So, Ann" you say. "Where is 'home?"


"Chowchilla, Fresno, Tollhouse, Merced, Gainesville, on Sandy Creek Acres in Bruceton Mills and anywhere my sweet baby girl and husband might be," would be my reply.


Los Osos feels like a temporary stop. I pray we are able to go "home"n whereever that may be... SOON!
  • sunnyd
    Please excuse the typos. Entered this from a cell phone.
    by sunnyd at 02/25/10 11:36PM
  • volray
    I may live in Gainesville, but home is always going to be Franklin, TN, for me.
    by volray at 02/25/10 11:42PM
  • justpeachy
    Home is Gainesville (for now), but I fully recognize where the springs come up (La and Ga for me and Nashville for Ray) and some of the places we traveled along the way (DC and Athens,AL).
    by justpeachy at 02/25/10 11:50PM
  • justg
    I'm a little senti and a lot mental!!!

    All I know is...there is a little tiny root that is planted DEEP in the Gator Nation, that bears your name.

    For me? Gainesville with all of my peeps.
    by justg at 02/26/10 12:28AM
  • grancynancy
    born and raised in Gainesville. I still drive by the house ( my first home) /lot of memories at 1036 NE 1st Avenue and BTW, the Bower family live in my second home and still have the same phone number my parent's had when they married in 1947. what can I say....................... roots are deep. and of course, my sweet Gabby's room was my bedroom and also her mom's when we came to visit her grandparents.
    by grancynancy at 02/26/10 5:52AM
  • auntjennywren
    Los Osos may eventually feel like another "home" even after you move from there. Memories to me are strong ties. Even though Gainesville is home (been here 37 years), south Georgia feels like another home because that's where I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins & I never even lived there! :)
    by auntjennywren at 02/26/10 8:07AM
  • hellosunshine
    Born in South Carolina. Moved to Gainesville when I was 2-ish. I'm definately a Gainesvillian. (pronounced Gainesville-E-in, not the bad guy).
    by hellosunshine at 02/28/10 7:34AM
  • volray
    ^^^^ Oooh, I like Gaines-villian much better!
    by volray at 03/02/10 10:31AM
  • granny
    Hello Ann. Good to greet a new friend.
    You ask where is home to me? Just a stranger in this world. Neither Africa nor America seems like home. A misfit as my mother used to call me. I'm counting on heaven . . . Perhaps through the years of deeply desiring an extended family nearby, it is good that I never had that blessing.
    by granny at 03/16/10 3:10PM

35 Year Old Orphan

Jason's father is not doing well. Last week, he was told he would likely need to remain under convalescent care since he was too much of a fall risk. Last night, they told him his kidney function was still at 14% and because his blood pressure is soo low, they were hesitant to do dialysis. He called us to ask us to bring his granddaughter by for a visit this weekend. We are happy to comply.


As Jason digests and accepts what is to come, I wonder what it is like to be forced to accept the fact that you have no living parents. How tragic! How lost and restless one must feel. How desperately separate and exposed they must be. I am blessed to have two healthy parents right now but the fear of loss is never very far from my mind


Prayers for Jason and for his father John are much appreciated.
  • 71lespaulcustom
    Give Jason a hug from us.
    by 71lespaulcustom at 02/19/10 11:42PM
  • grancynancy
    Please tell Jason that he is in my thoughts and prayers. I truly UNDERSTAND how he feels. When my dad died with Alzheimer's , he had left us so long before . I mourn the man he was. My mom was my good friend and could always make things right when my world seemed too crazy. There is not a day that I don't miss them, but it gets better. I had lived with them and taken care of them and really lost my identity for awhile. with the passage of time and the remembrance of sweet memories, the pain of the loss is less. All of you are lifted up in prayer as you walk through this. Much love.
    by grancynancy at 02/20/10 7:20AM
  • justg
    My dad passed away when he was 49. My mom passed away when she was 67. For me, I can best describe it as 'flying without a net.' There is no one who can go through old pictures and identify them. I regret that my parents did not get to know our Grands.
    However, they lived and worked their entire lives to reach the goal they will enjoy. That knowledge gives comfort beyond any words.
    I am sorry to hear of Jason's dad.
    by justg at 02/20/10 7:50AM
  • justpeachy
    I am sorry to hear about Jason's dad and the pain they are going through.
    by justpeachy at 02/20/10 12:54PM
  • sunnyd
    Thank you for your sweet notes. We visited John today and he was an emotional wreck. The first thing he told me, even before he told me "Hello" was he wanted to be cremated because he remembered I hate looking at dead bodies. He cried (a LOT), he had a shaking spell, he left us twice to lie down. He relished holding Reagan and thankfully she permitted him to do so. He is writing Reagan a letter and it is taking him a while due to the low blood pressure. We listened to the Seventh Day Adventists sing hymns. While there was a definite melancholy vibe, things may be on hold rather than sliding into the abyss. John's nephrologist told him they were going to make.a change to his meds and if thag doesn't help, he will do dialysis at the hospital. The prognosis isn't good (especially with his negative outlook) however, he likely won't be passing tomorrow.
    by sunnyd at 02/20/10 10:05PM
  • loislane
    Praying for you all.
    by loislane at 02/21/10 6:58PM
  • stampergirl
    I'm so sorry. I'll be praying for you all.
    by stampergirl at 02/22/10 6:43PM

The Flying Tomato

He did not disappoint. Wow! Shaun White is AMAZING!!
  • justg
    Wasn't he awesome!!! He delivered in spades! I almost cried my eyes out when Lindsey Vonn won the gold! Good times!
    by justg at 02/18/10 6:29AM
  • justpeachy
    It was great! I still cry every time they play the national anthem.
    by justpeachy at 02/18/10 10:30AM

Sweet sounds for the sweet

A radio station is playing love songs in honor of the upcoming holiday. Right now, I thoroughly enjoy "1, 2, 3, 4" by the Plain White T's. I also enjoy "Orange Colored Sky" by Nat King Cole and of course " A Kiss to Build a Dream on" by ?... I listen to the Steve Tyrell version. So, Valentines... what are your favorite love songs?
  • hellosunshine
    Crazy Love ~ Van Morrison
    This Kind of Love ~ Sister Hazel
    Arms of a Woman ~ Amos Lee
    Let My Love Open the Door ~ Pete Townshend
    Answer ~ Sarah McLachlan
    I'll Always Be Right There ~ Byron Adams
    The Book of Love ~ Peter Gabriel
    by hellosunshine at 02/08/10 10:22AM
  • justg
    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
    by justg at 02/08/10 4:07PM
  • sunnyd
    I love "Let My Love Open the Door"... especially when sung on "Dan in Real Life".

    by sunnyd at 02/08/10 4:14PM
  • grancynancy
    Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
    by grancynancy at 02/08/10 6:16PM
  • loislane
    The Book of Love...love that one too Christi! And you just can't go wrong with some Roberta Flack! Good choices ladies! To pick a favorite love song...impossible for me!
    by loislane at 02/08/10 9:26PM
  • iamyourfather
    "You ain't nothing but a hound dog" by Elvis.
    by iamyourfather at 02/09/10 1:20PM
  • iamyourfather
    Ok, for real, how about "My Girl" by the Temptations?
    by iamyourfather at 02/09/10 1:21PM
  • sunnyd
    My Girl! Love it!!
    by sunnyd at 02/10/10 10:37PM