Well, it is the eve of our holiday season. That being the fine day of Thanksgiving. How appropriate that it would be the 1st in a trio of holidays in little more than a month.
As it has approached, I have found myself pondering my life & the things I am thankful for. It causes me to realize what I really have to be thankful for in the next of the series of holidays, Christmas. Thanksgiving is a living out of the "reason for the season". Had it not been for the Christ child, I would have nothing to be thankful for, because all that we have & are is a result of His birth & ultimate sacrifice.
I have lived such a blessed life! I have enjoyed a bounty of provision. Even in times of lack, it has been more than most of the world has ever seen. I was raised in the best of times.... times when you could leave your home for a week & never lock the door....times when neighbors watched out for you, people visited one another without having an invitation & people were willing to share what they had when you didn't have....times when families still considered each other their best friends & worth spending time with, when it wasn't a major feat just to be able to spend 2 hours together....times when every child knew every extended member in their family, what their relationship was, where they lived & what they did for a living...times when the young took care of the elderly @ home because they could no longer manage by themselves... A time when it wasn't considered a sacrifice, it was the norm....times when going to the drive- in movie in the summertime with a bag full of popcorn & jar of koolaid was considered a big treat to be anticipated...times when wintertime meant hot chocolate & mama's oatmeal cookies, curled up in a chair reading a book, then sharing what you read with your brothers & sisters... a time when supper meant everybody at the table, present & accounted for, sharing the days events & thoughts with everyone there...time with no TV, no DS's, Ipods, cell phones, play stations or any other gadget greater than a transistor radio. Yep, it was the best of times & I'm thankful for that... but time marches on.
In the march of time, we have accomplished great things in this country, the land of the Free. We now communicate on these little black boxes called computers. 1 person can do the work of 2 - 3 people with machines. We can travel across the world in less time than it used to take to get to another state . Running water & indoor plumbing are the standard now. We have a restaurant on every corner for even the pickiest of eaters... We have kitchen gadgets that make preparing a meal seem like child's play...We have a TV in almost every room of the house...we no longer have discrimination among the races...almost any child can get a college education if he tries hard enough...we have government programs for almost any need, so there's no call for poverty...Gardens are no longer necessary for survival, they are "chic" & a novelty. Canning??What's that?? cooking?? what's that??? We have made great strides in so many ways but as my daddy always said, " everything that shines ain't a diamond, & everything that glitters ain't gold."
I am so thankful to have lived in those times.... the joys, the sorrows, the struggles, the successes & accomplishments along the way... even the failures because they made me appreciate the successes even more...those times helped me understand what was so important that Christ would live & die for.....people, you & me. It gave me a foundation of caring, loving & helping that would last a lifetime. Not that I have always been a perfect example of them but , that foundation is there & I try.
With that foundation, I am thankful to be here @ this time. I have grandbabies to help get that same foundation... there are more people today with a lack of knowledge of the Christ who died for them...there are more hurting people today...people who have lost their way & just need someone to light the way...there are more lonely people today... who just long for the touch or smile of a friendly soul....there are more hungry people today... who just need someone to notice & help. I am so thankful for the foundation that causes me to want to help. Maybe that's why we are here today... to be the answer to someone else's prayer.
As you sit down today, in your warm homes, with your good meals, your loved ones & friends around you, stop for longer than a second to give thanks to the Creator for that which He created...a time such as this for someone such as you who can help someone else find the way to Him.
Wherever you may be, know that I love you all & will be missing you bunches. Have a great Thanksgiving Day & God's blessings be to you all.
Signing off..... O'Wise one
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Around the World and Back
Hello family! For those of you who are probably more familiar with my older brother, George III, this is Michael Pierce. I am George's other son. I broke from the tradition of mechanics in our branch of the family tree and am a manufacturing engineer for Lexmark International. I have to make two or three visits each year to the factories that I support. Unfortunately, those factories are all in southeast Asia. On October 24, I went back to Dongguan, a city in south China and just a two hour or so drive from Hong Kong. Lynnis asked me to post some information and pictures from my latest adventure.
First, it's a long trip. After a short flight from Cincinnati to Detroit, it's almost 13 hours to Tokyo. Unfortunately, I've never had an opportunity to go into Tokyo. Then it's another four hours to Hong Kong. From the time I leave the house until I reach Hong Kong, it's a full 24 hours. It was 11:00 PM when I got to Hong Kong, so I just took the train into the city and then a taxi to my hotel.
I didn't sleep much the first night, so I got up and watched the Bengals - Bears game on my Slingbox. I walked around the Kowloon part of Hong Kong for a little while and then checked out of my hotel. I was braver than usual and decided to just take the subway up to the Hong Kong - China border (about 35 minutes on the subway) and walk across. That was very smooth, leaving me in Shenzhen, China. Then I took a train from Shenzhen to Dongguan. That's a short 31 minute train ride. It's also cheap at just 55RMB (just over $8). This is where the trip gets interesting. I don't speak Cantonese (Hong Kong) and my Mandarin (spoken in mainland China) vocabulary consists of the words for hello, beer, and , check, receipt and thank you. Much of the younger population can speak some English, but not the taxi drivers. Luckily, I kept a card from my previous stay at the hotel. The driver studied it a minute, and thought he knew where it was. He got me close, but tried to drop me off at the hospital that is a block from the hotel. I just sucked it up and walked the last block, dragging my luggage. I forgot to mention that after 10 trips to Asia and five to Europe, the handle on my trusty Samsonite broken when I was getting off the train in Dongguan. Handling it was not fun, and it's over 85 degrees in south China, with humidity to match. All I wanted at this point was something to drink, and a shower.
After getting cleaned up, I walked to the nearest Bank of China ATM. It's the only ATM where I can use my corporate AmEx card. Then lunch at Subway. Yes, I eat at Subway when I go to China. Real Chinese food is not like the stuff we see on our favorite buffets at home. No General Tso's chicken, and no fortune cookies. Fortune cookies aren't even Chinese. Next, is a trip to Wal-mart. I don't normally buy much at Wal-mart, except some snacks for the hotel room. Later in the trip I found a small western style market where I could get real Mt. Dew (Chinese formula is awful). Above Wal-mart and in the same building are two floors of other shops. My favorite DVD shops are there. I needed some entertainment for my trip. Later in the day, was dinner at the British pub near the hotel and relaxing for work the next day.
Most days, the car picks me up from the hotel at 9:00 and it's about a 20 minute ride to the factory. Most of my day is consumed with meetings and spending time watching the assembly line. Not too exciting. Luckily, most of the engineers speak English. We had lunch the first day at KFC. KFC is probably the largest US fast food chain in China. It's a little different. You can get a chicken sandwich with vegetables inside it. It's not good. And the Chinese don't like white breast meat in their chicken patties. They think it's too dry. Still, my chicken sandwich wasn't bad. Work usually ends around 5:30 and it's back to the hotel.
Being by myself, I don't like to venture too far from the hotel at night. Wal-mart is the furthest I will walk, and it's about 25 or 30 minutes from the hotel. I eat dinner at either One for the Road (British pub), Subway, or Papa John's. I just found Papa John's on the previous trip to Dongguan. It's much better than Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut doesn't use much sauce. There is also McDonald's here, but we go there for lunch some days. There are also a few Starbucks locations. I don't like regular coffee. I do like the occasional Frappuccino. This time I found an Italian restaurant that I had read about on the previous trip. It was very good!
I am used to working weekends when in China. This trip was an exception. On the first Saturday I took the train back to Shenzhen and walked across the border into Hong Kong. A couple years ago I had bought some pearl earrings for Julie and for my mother, and Julie asked me to get some for her mother. She doesn't read blogs, so I don't have to worry about ruining one of her Christmas presents. My favorite store for these earrings is in Stanley Market. After taking the subway into Hong Kong, I only had to cross the street and hop on the express bus to Stanley. I like to sit on the top level of the double-decker bus. It's a relaxing bus ride, but always take the express. The other buses stop at every stop and it takes an hour to get there. Stanley Market is a lot like a flea market. I only buy these pearls, and some new golf shirts when I go there. A shop there is an outlet for Greg Norman golf shirts. I bought a couple of those and two pair of earrings. I was wearing my Bengals hat and ran into two other Americans. One was a Browns fan, the other a Lions fan. I know that kind of pain. Because of the hot, humid, sticky weather, I decided that I had seen enough of Hong Kong and went back to Dongguan.
Not much noteworthy happened the rest of the trip. The funniest thing was a Chinese prostitute who followed me on to the hotel elevator and propositioned me when the other people had gotten off the elevator. It was all I could do to not laugh, as she fumbled with the English words. I made sure that she did not follow me off the elevator, and I walked the wrong way just in case.
I had to stay a few days extra and finally headed back to Hong Kong on November 10. I checked into the hotel and took the subway to Hong Kong Island. I had dinner at Fat Angelo's (good lasagna) in Soho. Soho is a Hong Kong neighborhood that you can get to using the mid-level escalators. You can google it. After dinner, I went to Lan Kwai Fong. Lan Kwai Fong is an area of bars and restaurants where you can just walk from bar to bar and socialize. On the weekends I think they close the street and it's just a big block party. I went to find one of my old bosses who lives in Hong Kong but works in our Shenzhen office. I know his favorite bar and found him there. It was nice to catch up and drink a couple beers. Nice way to end a trip. I took the subway back to the hotel and got a few hours of sleep.
I hope that you enjoy the photos from Dongguan and Hong Kong. If you have any questions about my adventures, feel free to e-mail me at michael.pierce@fuse.net, or find me on Facebook.
Papa John's
My favorite hangout!
Wal-mart is everywhere.
Tastes just like home!
Public suqare area in Dongguan.
Dongcheng International Hotel, my home away from home.
Star Ferry, the best way to cross Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong skyline on a hazy morning
Lan Kwai Fong neighborhood in Hong Kong
Night in Hong Kong
Mid-level escalators to Soho neighborhood in Hong Kong.
First, it's a long trip. After a short flight from Cincinnati to Detroit, it's almost 13 hours to Tokyo. Unfortunately, I've never had an opportunity to go into Tokyo. Then it's another four hours to Hong Kong. From the time I leave the house until I reach Hong Kong, it's a full 24 hours. It was 11:00 PM when I got to Hong Kong, so I just took the train into the city and then a taxi to my hotel.
I didn't sleep much the first night, so I got up and watched the Bengals - Bears game on my Slingbox. I walked around the Kowloon part of Hong Kong for a little while and then checked out of my hotel. I was braver than usual and decided to just take the subway up to the Hong Kong - China border (about 35 minutes on the subway) and walk across. That was very smooth, leaving me in Shenzhen, China. Then I took a train from Shenzhen to Dongguan. That's a short 31 minute train ride. It's also cheap at just 55RMB (just over $8). This is where the trip gets interesting. I don't speak Cantonese (Hong Kong) and my Mandarin (spoken in mainland China) vocabulary consists of the words for hello, beer, and , check, receipt and thank you. Much of the younger population can speak some English, but not the taxi drivers. Luckily, I kept a card from my previous stay at the hotel. The driver studied it a minute, and thought he knew where it was. He got me close, but tried to drop me off at the hospital that is a block from the hotel. I just sucked it up and walked the last block, dragging my luggage. I forgot to mention that after 10 trips to Asia and five to Europe, the handle on my trusty Samsonite broken when I was getting off the train in Dongguan. Handling it was not fun, and it's over 85 degrees in south China, with humidity to match. All I wanted at this point was something to drink, and a shower.
After getting cleaned up, I walked to the nearest Bank of China ATM. It's the only ATM where I can use my corporate AmEx card. Then lunch at Subway. Yes, I eat at Subway when I go to China. Real Chinese food is not like the stuff we see on our favorite buffets at home. No General Tso's chicken, and no fortune cookies. Fortune cookies aren't even Chinese. Next, is a trip to Wal-mart. I don't normally buy much at Wal-mart, except some snacks for the hotel room. Later in the trip I found a small western style market where I could get real Mt. Dew (Chinese formula is awful). Above Wal-mart and in the same building are two floors of other shops. My favorite DVD shops are there. I needed some entertainment for my trip. Later in the day, was dinner at the British pub near the hotel and relaxing for work the next day.
Most days, the car picks me up from the hotel at 9:00 and it's about a 20 minute ride to the factory. Most of my day is consumed with meetings and spending time watching the assembly line. Not too exciting. Luckily, most of the engineers speak English. We had lunch the first day at KFC. KFC is probably the largest US fast food chain in China. It's a little different. You can get a chicken sandwich with vegetables inside it. It's not good. And the Chinese don't like white breast meat in their chicken patties. They think it's too dry. Still, my chicken sandwich wasn't bad. Work usually ends around 5:30 and it's back to the hotel.
Being by myself, I don't like to venture too far from the hotel at night. Wal-mart is the furthest I will walk, and it's about 25 or 30 minutes from the hotel. I eat dinner at either One for the Road (British pub), Subway, or Papa John's. I just found Papa John's on the previous trip to Dongguan. It's much better than Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut doesn't use much sauce. There is also McDonald's here, but we go there for lunch some days. There are also a few Starbucks locations. I don't like regular coffee. I do like the occasional Frappuccino. This time I found an Italian restaurant that I had read about on the previous trip. It was very good!
I am used to working weekends when in China. This trip was an exception. On the first Saturday I took the train back to Shenzhen and walked across the border into Hong Kong. A couple years ago I had bought some pearl earrings for Julie and for my mother, and Julie asked me to get some for her mother. She doesn't read blogs, so I don't have to worry about ruining one of her Christmas presents. My favorite store for these earrings is in Stanley Market. After taking the subway into Hong Kong, I only had to cross the street and hop on the express bus to Stanley. I like to sit on the top level of the double-decker bus. It's a relaxing bus ride, but always take the express. The other buses stop at every stop and it takes an hour to get there. Stanley Market is a lot like a flea market. I only buy these pearls, and some new golf shirts when I go there. A shop there is an outlet for Greg Norman golf shirts. I bought a couple of those and two pair of earrings. I was wearing my Bengals hat and ran into two other Americans. One was a Browns fan, the other a Lions fan. I know that kind of pain. Because of the hot, humid, sticky weather, I decided that I had seen enough of Hong Kong and went back to Dongguan.
Not much noteworthy happened the rest of the trip. The funniest thing was a Chinese prostitute who followed me on to the hotel elevator and propositioned me when the other people had gotten off the elevator. It was all I could do to not laugh, as she fumbled with the English words. I made sure that she did not follow me off the elevator, and I walked the wrong way just in case.
I had to stay a few days extra and finally headed back to Hong Kong on November 10. I checked into the hotel and took the subway to Hong Kong Island. I had dinner at Fat Angelo's (good lasagna) in Soho. Soho is a Hong Kong neighborhood that you can get to using the mid-level escalators. You can google it. After dinner, I went to Lan Kwai Fong. Lan Kwai Fong is an area of bars and restaurants where you can just walk from bar to bar and socialize. On the weekends I think they close the street and it's just a big block party. I went to find one of my old bosses who lives in Hong Kong but works in our Shenzhen office. I know his favorite bar and found him there. It was nice to catch up and drink a couple beers. Nice way to end a trip. I took the subway back to the hotel and got a few hours of sleep.
I hope that you enjoy the photos from Dongguan and Hong Kong. If you have any questions about my adventures, feel free to e-mail me at michael.pierce@fuse.net, or find me on Facebook.
Papa John's
My favorite hangout!
Wal-mart is everywhere.
Tastes just like home!
Public suqare area in Dongguan.
Dongcheng International Hotel, my home away from home.
Star Ferry, the best way to cross Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong skyline on a hazy morning
Lan Kwai Fong neighborhood in Hong Kong
Night in Hong Kong
Mid-level escalators to Soho neighborhood in Hong Kong.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Get out your calendars
I'm a planner for those of you that done already know. And, I'm a busy person with lots of things in my life to juggle (as I'm sure most of you are as well). I'm trying to get my schedule together for Christmastime. Yes, I know we haven't even made it to Thanksgiving yet, but December days are filling up fast.
I know that we are planning to have our Christmas get together at Aunt B's, but how about we toss out some ideas for the date and maybe even the time. Are we planning to do a gift exchange like last year? I thought it was a lot of fun and I actually already have my gift, so I'm hoping other people are up for it as well. :)
I was thinking about an idea to celebrate being thankful on Thanksgiving. And, thinking of how to make it fun. Does anyone have any ideas? My idea is to have everyone write at least one unique thing specific to them and not a general thing that they are thankful for on a piece of paper without their name and then have them read and everyone try to guess who wrote it.
So, get out those calendars and lets start talking about when we get to see each other!
much love from my house to yours,
dana
I know that we are planning to have our Christmas get together at Aunt B's, but how about we toss out some ideas for the date and maybe even the time. Are we planning to do a gift exchange like last year? I thought it was a lot of fun and I actually already have my gift, so I'm hoping other people are up for it as well. :)
I was thinking about an idea to celebrate being thankful on Thanksgiving. And, thinking of how to make it fun. Does anyone have any ideas? My idea is to have everyone write at least one unique thing specific to them and not a general thing that they are thankful for on a piece of paper without their name and then have them read and everyone try to guess who wrote it.
So, get out those calendars and lets start talking about when we get to see each other!
much love from my house to yours,
dana
Monday, November 2, 2009
How I love our SEEEESTER!!!
I just happened to click on the Pierce family blog, and was so thrilled that someone had actually posted something. It has been a long dry spell, I guess Facebook has had something to do with it. I believe a major part of us are on Facebook and can keep up with what is going on.
Pierce is truly a Pierce. He loves wheels under his butt, and wants the steering wheel at all possible times. I had taken him to the hospital when Will was born. He was not allowed to visit, due to the H1N1 virus, so we were waiting in my car for Mikie and Charlotte to come and get him so I could go see Kristi and the sweet new little baby Will. I put Pierce in my lap, in the driver's seat, and he grabbed the wheel, started trying to turn it and went "BRRRRRRRRRR", just like a true "Pierce". I said out loud to myself "Daddy, I wish you could meet this baby".
Mikie's Daddy- Mr. Mikell takes the grandsons out for a ride on his golf cart when they visit, and he has to ride Pierce around and around and around. He sits in Mr. Mikell's lap at all times, and if Mr. Mikell stops, Pierce grabs the steering wheel and tries to make it go again. He is truly "Just the sweetest thing ever"!!
Kristi had Will with very little sweat or effort it seems. In the picture of her holding Will after he was born, her makeup is still perfect. Will is a little fat boy, a beautiful boy with dark hair, blue eyes and fat cheeks, just like some of his aunts and his Mamaw.
I too am looking forward to seeing everyone and had called Martha today to see what the arrangements might be. How I wish she would ANSWER HER PHONE!!!!! I called the office, not the cell, cause that is the only phone she will ever answer. I also called Mary Beth, Momma and you know nobody wanted to talk, or I just couldn't find them.
I am going to Lexington to check on the boys tomorrow, and fix supper. They will be graduating within the next few years and then we will be remembering the days of these suppers. Life changes, I thank the good Lord above that it never gets dull though.
It does seem that the older you get the more you reflect, I don't know why, cause I am busier now than ever. I guess it is because that when you have a full life, you have alot of memories to think about. I can only guess what Momma thinks about, with all of her little lambs and grand lambs.
I love all of you and can't wait to see you soon, Susan
Pierce is truly a Pierce. He loves wheels under his butt, and wants the steering wheel at all possible times. I had taken him to the hospital when Will was born. He was not allowed to visit, due to the H1N1 virus, so we were waiting in my car for Mikie and Charlotte to come and get him so I could go see Kristi and the sweet new little baby Will. I put Pierce in my lap, in the driver's seat, and he grabbed the wheel, started trying to turn it and went "BRRRRRRRRRR", just like a true "Pierce". I said out loud to myself "Daddy, I wish you could meet this baby".
Mikie's Daddy- Mr. Mikell takes the grandsons out for a ride on his golf cart when they visit, and he has to ride Pierce around and around and around. He sits in Mr. Mikell's lap at all times, and if Mr. Mikell stops, Pierce grabs the steering wheel and tries to make it go again. He is truly "Just the sweetest thing ever"!!
Kristi had Will with very little sweat or effort it seems. In the picture of her holding Will after he was born, her makeup is still perfect. Will is a little fat boy, a beautiful boy with dark hair, blue eyes and fat cheeks, just like some of his aunts and his Mamaw.
I too am looking forward to seeing everyone and had called Martha today to see what the arrangements might be. How I wish she would ANSWER HER PHONE!!!!! I called the office, not the cell, cause that is the only phone she will ever answer. I also called Mary Beth, Momma and you know nobody wanted to talk, or I just couldn't find them.
I am going to Lexington to check on the boys tomorrow, and fix supper. They will be graduating within the next few years and then we will be remembering the days of these suppers. Life changes, I thank the good Lord above that it never gets dull though.
It does seem that the older you get the more you reflect, I don't know why, cause I am busier now than ever. I guess it is because that when you have a full life, you have alot of memories to think about. I can only guess what Momma thinks about, with all of her little lambs and grand lambs.
I love all of you and can't wait to see you soon, Susan
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Where are you now?
Well, I decided to check out the family site & what to my surprise? There was no posting since July!!!! Sad shame & disgrace that even with technology we still can't keep in touch. Anyways, I thought I would get the engine to moving again. Maybe we'll make it a mile or two.
Today was Halloween. Since turning the age of 12, it hasn't meant too much for me except I could beg the other younger children to share their candy with me & now that I am able to buy my own candy whenever I want, it doesn't even hold that attraction for me. I had 12 spooks show up tonight. I can remember when they would come solid for 3 hrs., but I guess in today's world, most parents find it safer to take their children to a central place for shared activities & treats. Mr. Campbell seemed to appreciate the fact that there was candy left over & I had to finally gather it up & hide it. He has never gotten past his love for chocolate, as we all know.
It has been a beautiful fall. The leaves have been gorgeous & I still have petunias blooming. I fear that will be over shortly...but all good things must come to an end. It seems that the shorter days & longer nights bring out the sluggard in me & I have to fight to get anything accomplished. If it were not for Sarah, who cleans my house & does other honey-dos for me , Mr. Campbell & I would live in filth I'm afraid.
We are going to get plexiglass up around our screened porch to hopefully extract a longer period of use out of it. We love that porch so much & have dreaded the inabilty to use it this winter. We hope to be able to have Christmas out there for those of you who will be visiting us then. I am looking forward to everybody being here!
I am of the understanding that we will be gathering @ the Biddle mansion for Thanksgiving the Saturday after the official holiday. Hopefully, dear sister will be letting us know what we can bring for that fine affair. I would forego the food just to be with you all. I often thinks to meself how blessed I am to be part of such a wonderful family & even though everyone is so busy with their individual lives, just an afternoon shared with each of you keeps me going till the next time we gather. I guess being one of the eldest has it's drawbacks. I have come to the place in my life where things have settled down... kids are grown, no major demands on my time & I have time to visit but all the younger ones have the demands that I used to have. So maybe, I'll just have to wait for the holidays for my "family fix".
I suppose everyone is aware of the newest Pierce addition, little William Drake Johnson... Susan's newest grandbaby. Kristi Ann now has 2 under the age of 2. Ya'll pray for her... she's gonna need it. Susan has been in grandma heaven after spending 2 weeks down in Savannah hauling that baby Pierce around. He is the brightest, cutest, & sweetest child born according to his Mawmaw. Spoken like a true grandma!! We are all blessed to have such wonderful progeny. Each one adds a bright spot to the family tree!
One more tidbit of news... In case you didn't know, Dana Lynn will be making her maiden voyage to the big continent of Africa next year! She will be going on a mission with her church & is excited to no end. We must all get behind her, pray for her & support her in any way we can. After all, she is our representative to the rest of the world. When one of us'ns does good, we all look good!!! you know what i mean?
Well, all I can say is this.... if this much jabbering don't help nobody but me, it was worth it. I reckon I will be signing off as it is time to go to napper's house. Church in the morning & Lowes tomorrow afternoon. I am loving you all. Have a great week!!!
Today was Halloween. Since turning the age of 12, it hasn't meant too much for me except I could beg the other younger children to share their candy with me & now that I am able to buy my own candy whenever I want, it doesn't even hold that attraction for me. I had 12 spooks show up tonight. I can remember when they would come solid for 3 hrs., but I guess in today's world, most parents find it safer to take their children to a central place for shared activities & treats. Mr. Campbell seemed to appreciate the fact that there was candy left over & I had to finally gather it up & hide it. He has never gotten past his love for chocolate, as we all know.
It has been a beautiful fall. The leaves have been gorgeous & I still have petunias blooming. I fear that will be over shortly...but all good things must come to an end. It seems that the shorter days & longer nights bring out the sluggard in me & I have to fight to get anything accomplished. If it were not for Sarah, who cleans my house & does other honey-dos for me , Mr. Campbell & I would live in filth I'm afraid.
We are going to get plexiglass up around our screened porch to hopefully extract a longer period of use out of it. We love that porch so much & have dreaded the inabilty to use it this winter. We hope to be able to have Christmas out there for those of you who will be visiting us then. I am looking forward to everybody being here!
I am of the understanding that we will be gathering @ the Biddle mansion for Thanksgiving the Saturday after the official holiday. Hopefully, dear sister will be letting us know what we can bring for that fine affair. I would forego the food just to be with you all. I often thinks to meself how blessed I am to be part of such a wonderful family & even though everyone is so busy with their individual lives, just an afternoon shared with each of you keeps me going till the next time we gather. I guess being one of the eldest has it's drawbacks. I have come to the place in my life where things have settled down... kids are grown, no major demands on my time & I have time to visit but all the younger ones have the demands that I used to have. So maybe, I'll just have to wait for the holidays for my "family fix".
I suppose everyone is aware of the newest Pierce addition, little William Drake Johnson... Susan's newest grandbaby. Kristi Ann now has 2 under the age of 2. Ya'll pray for her... she's gonna need it. Susan has been in grandma heaven after spending 2 weeks down in Savannah hauling that baby Pierce around. He is the brightest, cutest, & sweetest child born according to his Mawmaw. Spoken like a true grandma!! We are all blessed to have such wonderful progeny. Each one adds a bright spot to the family tree!
One more tidbit of news... In case you didn't know, Dana Lynn will be making her maiden voyage to the big continent of Africa next year! She will be going on a mission with her church & is excited to no end. We must all get behind her, pray for her & support her in any way we can. After all, she is our representative to the rest of the world. When one of us'ns does good, we all look good!!! you know what i mean?
Well, all I can say is this.... if this much jabbering don't help nobody but me, it was worth it. I reckon I will be signing off as it is time to go to napper's house. Church in the morning & Lowes tomorrow afternoon. I am loving you all. Have a great week!!!
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