Monthly Archives: January 2014

Let them call you Sweetheart…time to order up a Singing Valentine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_2EZTHUKxU

Order early Atlanta and have a REAL Barbershop Quartet deliver an old-fashioned valentine. Complete with a red rose, these Barbershoppers will woo your beloved with time-honored love songs. Let Me Call You Sweetheart and My Wild Irish Rose are among the very favorites.

Contact the Stone Mountain Chorus early for the best options of delivery of an unforgettable and incredibly romantic Valentine. Not to mention, you have to order early to make sure you are able to book MY dad’s quartet! #prouddaughter

Stone Mountain Barbershop Chorus

Following Your Dreams…Today’s Inspiration- Vintage Wrench

Vintage Wrench Logo

 Blog inspiration today is brought to you by: “dWoz” Darren Wozniak and his step by step methodical movement toward his dreams despite a painful setback! Check out his new shop, the awesome autos and the very cool paintings airbrushed on the walls at Vintage Wrench LLC.

Vintage Wrench Painting

Darren came  into the active community that is somewhat loosely attached to the South Gwinnett and Brookwood High School Alumni groups on Facebook along with about 1500 others who called the area around Snellville, GA “home” at one point. (More on that group and all it accomplishes at a later date…)

Vintage Wrench Paint 2

There is rarely a day that Darren, often inspired by his lovely bride, Mari,  doesn’t post something meaningful, insightful, inciting or out there…but, he has this habit of believing that whatever the challenge may be; it is meant to be overcome. Sometimes he has a plan and sometimes, when faced with a bit of adversity, he just bulls through.

Vintage Wrench Shop

In any case, he is pretty resourceful and today’s point of inspiration-further proof that Facebook can provide connections that affect you in a variety of ways and you never know who is reading and what lesson they take from your postings. Go Vintage Wrench!!!!  Thanks for letting us all “lurk” on your journey. 

Here’s Lee Lee! Stuck at the Stanley Hotel

Friends Lisa and Cindy stuck at the famous Stanley Hotel...

Stuck at the famous Stanley Hotel…

A friend of ours and her dearest took a quick and well-deserved break from teaching in Colorado. Just a short break to enjoy a stay at the famous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park on a relaxing respite. The weather was ominous, but Colorado is prepared for this kind of stuff…right?

Have you seen us?

Have you seen us?

Not if you are staying at the Stanley…in the winter…The staff advised her to remain a couple of extra nights…yeah, right…maybe one of them was really named Johnnie…maybe there were twins wanting to play…maybe the fabulous teacher of the year and of TED Talk fame has a great imagination…maybe…maybe not…Lee Lee loves to play-ask any of “her kids”…just not forever and ever and ever in the halls of the Stanley. RUN LEE LEE!!! RUN!

http://www.stanleyhotel.com/about/haunted-history

McConnell Middle School Student uses Minecraft skills to showcase art…

McConnell Middle School student, Joshua Morrison's work of art showcases a combination of skills.

McConnell Middle School student, Joshua Morrison’s work of art showcases a combination of skills.

While mom, Alyson, was working in the Media Center today, Joshua got to “vandalize” a wall at school (as he put it.) “His 1-point perspective drawing was selected, by his Art teacher, to be turned into a temporary mural. This was one of his Minecraft drawings/doodles, too, not even a class assignment! Kid wants to be an architect, and I think JSM Enterprises has a nice ring to it!”  (from Alyson’s post on Facebook).

Christmas cards make year-round memories

Gina Gardner BrownSuperMom Gina has a world of great ideas and always seems to take life in stride with a smile. Whether she is running the concession stand at the swim meet, homeschooling her kids or supporting her babes in the mission field, Gina manages to do so with the kind of “Grace” that is befitting a woman of faith.

Now, before you go thinking that she is “one of those” perfect women, she will be the first to admit she isn’t. There are so many behind the scenes moments for a busy mom, that it wouldn’t be fair to comment-besides, we are all trying to look like a swan, while under the water, we are paddling like crazy ducks.

One key to Gina’s year-round “peace” is her Christmas card collection that remains firmly taped up around her kitchen all year long.

“I keep the Christmas cards that I receive hanging in my kitchen until I start getting new ones to replace them,” says Gina.  “That’s right, if you send me a card (especially with a picture) your smiling face is in my kitchen for a year” Her favorite part about that is the new December that brings new cards. “I love it because when I take them down I am more able to reflect on the changes that happen during the past year since the card was originally sent.” She looks forward to catching up on all those changes…one card at a time.

And the blog topic? It  just shows that you never know who is inspired by your Facebook musings on any given day! Thanks Gina for being a good sport!

Wedding Vow Renewal on the Winter Solstice

The text of the wedding vow renewal ceremony:

Winter Solstice Vow Ceremony

A very warm winter welcome to all of you. Thank you for choosing to celebrate your marriage with us.

Historically, this night is one filled with the wonder of renewal. The world experiences the longest night in a variety of ways and our celebration draws from the many traditions that celebrate the renewal of the source of light. The light of the world shines brightly as a beacon of hope in a way that transcends language, culture or religion. It is a symbol of renewal and hope for the best of what is to come. Wedding vows are a symbol of hope and all that is sacred to each individual couple. We are so happy that you have chosen to help us celebrate our future by renewing your vows with us on this mystical and magical night.

Please join us in a renewal of vows by repeating each phrase:

  1. Winter is a season of quiet preparedness; please grant us time to prepare our marriage for all seasons to come.
  2.  The light of the world shines this night for renewal; may the light of our union shine brighter than ever in the days to come.
  3. May the white of our dresses be the fabric that reflects the light of our love for all seasons to come.
  4. In the chill of the season, in the darkness of this night;  let us remember to look forward toward that path that is lit for us together and walk it hand-in-hand.
  5. As we prepare for the feast to celebrate returning light, may we each remember to love each other at our own tables and give thanks for the love that burns bright.
  6. I, ___________________ take thee ______________________ to be my partner/spouse  for life and to celebrate the light of our love each day.

Now that you have renewed your promise to love one another through darkness and light; I now pronounce you all Spouses. You may now show your love by sharing a lasting kiss on this, the longest night of the year!

Some folks just remind you of others…Happy Birthday Mandy!

Mandy on the left, Sharon, me and mom on the right...

Mandy on the left, Sharon, me and mom on the right…

There are people who just remind you of other people right off the bat. In this case, it was a matter of about 20 years before I realized that someone I had admired in high school was just the spitting image in looks and spirit of my very favorite aunt. You see, my friend Mandy and my favorite aunt, Sharon Ann, had to be cut of the very same cloth. Sharon Ann was closer in age to me than many aunts are, but she was loved dearly by her niece, kind of like my friend Mandy is loved dearly by young’uns of all sorts who surround her. They share the same infectious laugh, the same irreverent nature that does not abide by most rules and the gift of keen observation which makes Mandy a great story-teller and the keeper of all manner of Snellville lore which she shares without hesitation. Our lives keep getting more intertwined again and again as we live those years between that time in high school and where we find ourselves today-still unwaveringly connected to our community.

It is that hometown community who will help Mandy celebrate a momentous occasion-her 50th birthday! Her party will be held at yet another former classmate’s bar and grill and the entertainment hails from that same Alma Mater. FLH band will play some serious rock and roll tonight at Glenda’s Bar and Grill out in Oxford, GA and we will dance, drink a toast and laugh together in celebration of a very special lady who is loved dearly by those who know her.

And of her “twin”? I know that she will laugh along with us and I will be lucky enough to have known both!

The Handsome Men of FLH

The Handsome Men of FLH