December - Kids/Dogs - Christmas

I still exist, in case you forgot. You might find it hard to believe that I have not really sat down in front of my computer since 2 days before Christmas. I realize that I could post from my Blackberry but as most know I like to talk and write a lot so the BB is is a pain. Anyway, since getting back from vacation Suzy have really not stopped. I will post pics from the trip at some point and post the Christmas pictures also. At the moment I writing the from the hotel near the University of Mississippi, Go Rebels. We are here to bring back the van that Patrick runs his car detailing business out of and to move him into his new home for the new semester. We didn't go to New Orleans due to his impending root canal, that will probably happen next week. At the moment Suzy is working and Anna is still sleeping. We will spend today showing Anna around the campus, one of her favorite things to do.

We have had an exciting December, Patrick is home and with his dog Dixie. Suzy and I have figured out that even though we both like dogs, they are even more likable when they live with someone else. Granny Osborne, Suzy's grandma, was here for Christmas this year. Suzy brother and family moved in next door. They moved from Florida the weekend before Christmas and have rented the house right next to us that Mathieu and Crystal lived in. I know Suzy is glad to have her brother and his family here in GA. It has been many years since they were close in proximity to each other, maybe moving next door was just a little too close ;-) (just kidding). Mathieu and Crystal have moved to the barn. Suzy and I also realized that out of all the different houses that we have cleaned and made 'move-in' ready that no one but us has ever cleaned our own houses, hint hint.

The holidays are always busy for us, much like for everyone else. Last year we had made a vow to make sure that for this holiday season we were going to have fun and not wear ourselves out. Well that didn't happen, but it is ok. We wanted to go and see a few plays, we did some cool lights. There is a house over near Mt. Pisgah that puts on a great light show with music. We do enjoy this season very much and the joy that helping and seeing others happy is a blessing. I enjoy seeing and spending time with everyone on Christmas Day, albeit short. I cherish the fact that I know that my family will always be together on that day every year, if not always in person always in heart. It is nice to have a new baby around so that we can all goo goo and ga ga over, and she is so darn cute.

Sorry no pictures, I am not on my laptop but in a the business center of the hotel. The New year is upon us, I will try to post once more before 2009. I know you will all be waiting......

Oh by the way, suggestions for the website? If you need anything changed or would like to see something new or need help please call the help desk at 1-888-THIS IS NOT A PAID POSITION, just kidding. Let me know what you think.

Thanksgiving Day 2008

Wow! Just typing the title to this post reminds me of many things to be thankful for. Not "Thanskgiving Day" but the "2008". This year of our lord, two thousand and eight after death in itself is to be thankful. First, to be thankful that our savior died for us two thousand and eight years ago and another for this past year that we have been si blessed for many things. I am thankful this year for all the same things that I was thankful for last year and the year before, but each year it means even more. Another year with my beloved family and loved ones, another year to reflect on the meaning of life and to participate in life. Many persons this past year have suffered hardships, many have not. Even when days are dark there is always something to be thankful for, it may not always be visible or apparent, but still there. I wish for all that this next year that it be full of happiness and many blessings and as Nanny would say, "Thank You Jesus".

In Grand Turk Heading Home

We are on the second part of our journey home that started yesterday.
We should arrive in ATL around 9 or so tonight.

In Charlotte on the way to Turks and Caicos

We are on our way back to Salt Cay.  This time there is no access to email or the internet so we will see you when we get back.

Happy Anniversary to www.LUMMUS.net

It’s been a little over a year since I first posted on this blog.  I’ve said this before, but where does the time go.  Just a couple of months ago I was writing here about a wonderful woman that we lost a year ago and now it’s already been a year and a couple of months.  This would probably serve as a good anniversary date for our website www.lummus.net.   I acquired this domain many years ago and never did a lot with it until it was needed.  As you all know my intentions were to give us a place to communicate and share a bit of our lives with each other the best we could.  I know that some of us have been blogging for a long time and others not quite as long.  I can tell you that I have enjoyed having this site as a central place for us all to meet.  The blogs and pictures have been wonderful and I hope that we can keep this going.  Of course it is great to get together but when we can’t,  I hope these little things help to fill-in the gaps in between.  Some say the secret to life is one day at a time, but maybe it’s one post at a time.  If there is anything that any of you think would be a good idea for our site please let me know.  Love to All. 

Birthday's, Halloween and Festivals

October is full of Birthdays, Suzy and Courtney's end up the month for us.  Suzy and I spent the evening of her birthday at our favorite watering hole with our great friends.

This past Sunday was Courtney's party.  You couldn't have asked for a better fall day for on outdoor party.

The weekend before, Suzy and I went on our annual trek to Helen for Oktoberfest.  This picture is of us and our friends at the fest hall in town.

These are mine and Anna's Halloween Pumpkin Creations for 2008.  Mine turned out to look more like a disco ball in the dark or a space ship.  I you look real close you can see that Anna's has feet.  

You can see these an many other pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/lummus.scott

Anna and Tonya's Birthday and Patrick on the Field

First let me say that I can't believe that Anna will be 14 in just a couple of days. I am sure that most of you reading this post remember when I turned 14. Sorry if that makes anyone feel old, I just want some company...

Anyway, the family came over tonight to have dinner and some cake. We had a great cake and hamburgers and Suzy dipped some strawberries in chocolate that server of us thought dad ate almost all of them, he didn't it was just a rumor.

The pictures may look a little colorful, well they are. This was the result of putting a colorful item over the flash of the camera which makes really cool pictures. The rest of the pictures are under my pictures off the main site. There are some repeats, I was playing with the flash and colors.


I think I mentioned that Patrick has started his own mobile car washing business. Well this week he cleaned coach Nutt's cars. After meeting the coach Patrick then was able to go on the field with the players before this weekends game. He had a great time.

My Doodle

Sitting in a meeting today, All DAY, and thought I would share my doodle. In Chicago for our Quarterly Business Review. Started at 7:30am and finishing at 7pm. Tonight should be fun. After the meeting we have Partner appreciation party next door at thr House of Blues. It's cold here already, at least by my standards. These are my thoughts. Good day.

Hurricanes, Grannies, Sports and Storm

Things have been very busy latley.  Suzy's Grannies have been here visiting or you could say running from hurricanes first Gustav and now Ike.  Ike is ugly and Hanna did major damage on Salt Cay.  We have had little to no communication from anyone down there for several days.  We do know that most of the island was flooded and many houses completley destroyed.  There is no power and no communications available.  We had planned another trip there in November, but may go earlier to help once we find out more about the situation.  Gary is trying to get there this week and will let us know.  

The video below is a little bit of the freakishly bad storm we had here this afternoon.  The lighting was crazy and the winds... storms don't usually bother me but this one was very strange.

This is what happen to Mathie and Crystal house which is just on the corner beside us.  This was a 30 foot tree that was struck by lighting and fell.  Jason was able to get a roof crew over here to keep any other damamge from occurring.

Suzy, Anna and I went to the outlet mall on Saturday afternoon.  We ate a place call Lorena's off GA400 that was fantastic.  At the mall Anna had her 2nd holes in her ears repierced and one in the top of her ear.  Suzy has on her phone the acutal ear picture.

Happy Anniversay to Mandy and Scott.  Time flies really fast doesn't it.........

Fight the Urge

Driving to a lunch appt just now and this truck pulled on front of me. I had a sudden urge to drive up the ramp and off the front. Is that a Dukes of Hazzard urge or James Bond? Since I don't have a car like either one, I decided against.

Moses Was A Basket Case Too

I don't know why while sitting here at the vets office this came to mind. I saw this message on the reader board of a church near my house. I thought how appropriate for those of us who sometimes are scattered to the wind. So I take from this message that great accomplishments can still be achieved under any circumstances.

Do Ugly People Know How to Cook?

That is the question....and a sporadic posting

Actually it's not really a question as much as an observation. Suzy and I were at Golden Corral, no less, and this was a question that came up during dinner. The idea is that the women who have cooking shows on TV are not ugly or at least not so unattractive that it would deter audiences. Why is this? Is it to project an image or to keep the male viewers? If you think about it the male chefs on TV are not all like that. I guess that thought is that any woman likes a man who cooks no matter what he looks like. I thought I would throw this out there. The chef in this house at least know his tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich.

W.W.N.D.

I have been thinking about this past year and how fast it's gone by. I've been thinking about the holidays we have had. I've been thinking about the happiness and the sadness this past year has brought. I've been thinking about my family. Mandy and Scott are going to have a baby. Josh is doing well. Anna is almost as tall as I am. Caleb started Middle school. Patrick started college. These things and more have happened this past year. I find it now very difficult to even write these next words. Nanny has been gone a year today.

W.W.N.D – What Would Nanny Do? Well at the moment she would get through this blog entry. As I went through the year there were many occasions that I missed her presence, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, Caleb’s graduation from elementary school and many more. There have been also many times that I would recall on her faith and love and remember W.W.N.D. So what would Nanny do about today? I think she would say to be thankful for the time that we had. To always know how much she loved us and that she always knew how much we loved her. I think that she would say that she is with Papa and her parents and even she will see us again someday. She would tell us that even though she is not here on Earth she is still looking out for each and every one of us. I take these things and am comforted, but I still miss my Nanny.

I created a short slideshow of some pictures that I have. I hope you enjoy.

Suzy Blogs, she just doesn't know it...

Ok, on the plane and in our seats.

You might have thought that the couple of posts that appeared were truly sporadic about cats and home, well they were. Suzy though she was emailing me and instead sent them to the blog. I thought it was kinda funny when I figured out what had happened.

Looks like I'm behind on a few things of our 'goings on'. The concert last weekend was a lot of fun. Kenny finally came on around 9:40 which made for a long night, he didn't finish until 11:40. Thank goodness it had stopped raining.

The last 2 weeks have been extremely busy week for the both of us. Good thing we were on vacation the week before that, but really need a few days away. Gotta run again, the door is closing.

Scott

Quick Update for the last week

Anna is at camp again this summer. I think this is the 6th year there. She really has a good time as you can see. She is in the middle of the woods in the mountains of North GA. She also got a new hair cut.
Not sure which game this is, but looks kinda messy to me.
I have been on the road this week and Suzy met me in Mempis on Thurs. We spent a day with patrick before leaving this morning for Philly. This is Pat with Suzy's new granddog, I think that sounds so funny. He's doing great and look for the pictures of the Wal-Mart trip.




We gotta run they are calling for our seats. I will post pics later. I will also explain the strange posts below. TTFN

Crazy cats!

Now it I'd Shiloh

Hey

Hi It does seem odd being home.
Sent from my iPhone

It's almost time for Kenny

Brooks and Dunn were awesome. As soon as the carpet is down, not sure why he's the only one that gets carpet, Kenny will be on the stage. We can see Bill and Ann from our seats, they are right at the stage. Rain has finally stopped and it's comfortable out here. Headed to the concession stand. More later.... probably tomorrow.

At the concert, at least inside Turner Stadium

Here we are Suzy, Becky, Charlie and me, taking the picture, inside where it is dry and climate controlled. Next up is Leann Rimes, Brooks and Dunn and Sammy Hagar. We did miss most of Gary Allen because of the rain. We did meet up with Tom, Peggy, Bill and Ann at the Chop House.

Tailgaiting at Kenny Chesney

We have now arrived at Turner Stadium. The rest of ou party is hold in a hotel waitning on the rain to stop. So here we are in the truck tailgating. As soon as the rain lets up a little we will be headed inside. I think Gary Allen has already started. More later.....

Kenny Chesney Today

We are heading down to Turner Field today to see Kenny Chesney and the many openers, 4 I think. We are going to start with a little tailgating with Becky (the person on the ground at the Eagle Concert) and Charlie, Snapperhead and Peggy and Bill and Ann. Although I just heard the weather report and it looks like the rain is headed our way. No worries Rain or Shine the concert must go on.



Anna leaves for camp today. Her friend Maci from Texas is going with her. This is now I think her 5th or 6th year. She really likes it there, sometimes she doesn't want to come home. Suzy says Patrick was the same way.



Speaking of Patrick he stayed at School this summer to take some classes and get ahead. We found out he got a dog and her name is Dixie.

So gotta run, we will post from the concert later today.

Big Thinker

Such a little chair for such a big thinker. Suzy caught Patrick in the act of pondering about his next big project Mother's Day weekend, in Wal-Mart of course.

Conehead Hoodlum

Look at what you find lurking around a Target on a Thursday night in Johns Creek.

Trace, Ronnie, Chastain, and No Shows

These are the seats that were saved for Mom and Dad, but they didn't show. Come to find out the tickets were not in the mail.

None-the-less, we had a great time. The funny thing that I noticed is that Ronnie has had 40 #1 hits and when he was playing if you looked around it was only the people my age an up that new the songs . He played his biggest hits and a few from his new cd. Trace sounded good, something Suzy and I both said is that his voice is so much deeper in person.

Trace Adkins and Ronnie Milsap

This is us at Chastain Park getting ready to see Trace Adkins and Ronnie Milsap. Kinda hot and muggy, but that's Georgia for ya.

Happy 4th of July

This is Anna hacking. HAHA i love you all. Have a good 4th of July. :P

Florida or Bust Day 4

Looks much better for a beach day today. You guys wouldn't believe how much it rained yesterday. Since it hasn't rained in Ga we thought we needed to build an Ark.

Picked up Suzy from the airport in Pensacola, which was 50 miles and took over and hour and a half to get there. It was storming like crazy. We did have fun in the pool last night. Headed to the beach to stake a spot. Have a good day.

Florida or Bust or Rain Day 3

This would be what is happening here at the moment. Rain and storms. Nonetheless, we are having a good time. We did get to go to the beach a little yesterday before we were chased back to the house by a STORM. My first post was supposed to show up on the blog the night we got here, but looks like it didn't until today. The other picture is as close to being able to see a sunset. This was taken from our front porch. Later we will post some more pics of the house. Suzy gets here today, i just talked to her and she is in the airport in Atlant. Talk to you later.

Florida or Bust 2008

Today, the first day of our family vacation at the beach in Destin FL.  We and when I say 'we', me, mom, dad, jason, tonya, all 4 kids and suzy arrives on Monday (she gets to fly, but she also had to work a couple of extra days.  We are here in a great house that dad found, don't worry it's big enough for all of us.  I had thought I would post a couple of pictures today, but it's late and I'm going to bed, everyone else is.  I will even show you our official vacation logo.   Good Night.

Scott

Father's Day 2008

If you have Mother's Day then you should have a Father's Day. Most think that this day was also created by a well known greeting card manufacturer. Not true but it didn't hurt them any. I read an article the other day that stated Father's Day was just an after thought or step child of the very celebrated Mother's Day. If you look at retailers it's easy to tell which holiday sells more merchandise. That doesn't mean that for many this day isn't just as important. Perhaps celebrated a little differently with cookouts, picnics, mostly outdoor activities instead of fancy restaurants and brunch. Today's fathers are perhaps a little different, that shouldn't surprise anyone. Like all things life brings changes to all things and that doesn't exclude fathers. Not just the bread winners and providers any longer, fathers must be sensitive and good listeners, teachers, nurturers, etc. Fathers come in all shapes and sizes, conventional and not conventional, some are mothers and fathers at the same time, biological, and father figures. Not every man has the capabilities of being a father, it takes a little more than just having a child. I became a father in 1994 and at the time had no clue how much I didn't know about the job that I would have for the rest of my life. I would definitely call this OJT (on the job training) and without the help and advice from my father this would be a lot harder. Which brings me to a father's wisdom. I once thought that all the knowledge needed was just there, but have learned that it takes time, patience, winning, failing and just living life to get wisdom. I am not sure how much we realize exactly how much fathers give to us. So make sure today that you wish a father a Happy Father's Day. Don't forget that they are all around us. Remember that without the Heavenly Father none of this would be possible.

Kicks 101.5 Country Fair

Looks like a weekend of concerts for us. We, Suzy,Anna,Ashley and me,
are here at Lakewood Amphetheater. Tonight acts are Clay Walker, Pat
Green, and Travis Tritt. Travis has been gone for a while but not
tonight. So here's a quarter go and read a blog. :)

Eagles Concert Cont.

I have to say WOW. The concert was awesome! They played from 8:10pm until 11:30pm with only one short 15 minute break. Who noticed it was freezing, we we did. The top picture is of our friend Becky who was the last chair casuality of the evening. They had chairs to rent for $5 and they were breaking all over the place. This was the 3rd out of the 6 that we had. I know, who rents chairs for the lawn at a concert the ever aging crowd of Eagles fans. Encore Park is a great venue, the food was very good and the sound was fantastic. The bottom picture is of Joe Walsh sining "In The City". They ended the night with a very moving rendition of "Desperado". In fact you could actually here the crowd over Glenn. Anyway we had a great time and thanks to Becky and Charlie. And to Merrel, Suzy says she sorry for cripling you.

Stay tuned, you never know where might show up next......

Eagles Concert

Me and Suzy here right now at the concert. The new Encore Park is
great so far. We are on the lawn section. Starts in 10 min. We'll
let you know how it sounds.

Mothering Day 2008

“Mothering Day”, is what they call Mother’s Day in the UK. I like that term because if you think about it a little, this is actually how and why we celebrate this day because we were ‘mothered’. Some have been mothered more and some less. Some are mothered not by actual mothers but grandmothers or great-grandmothers. I suppose mothering doesn’t always have to be done by a female. In that absence the act of mothering basically means to nurture. In my culture and lifetime I have been taught that a motherhood is probably the most precious and wonderful things that could ever be bestowed upon a woman, an honor perhaps or reward maybe. Unlike the question, “which came first the chicken or the egg”, we actually know how and when a woman becomes a mother.

I have the very fortunate life that I have because of the mother that I have. I am 37 years old and for every year of my life she has been an influence. The things that she has instilled in me carry through every day without a thought about it. We, I believe that I can speak for my brother here, have learned how to be kind, to listen to others, to go out of our way to help those in need, to love and trust Jesus and to pray. There are so many things, not to mention learning how to clean house, fold clothes, do dishes, etc. Even as a guy, these things are nice things to know when you have to keep your own home when you don’t live with mom any longer. I still learn from her today but it’s different than when I was a child. Now we can talk and laugh and continue to grow in life and she doesn’t have to tell me to wash my hands or not walk on the carpet with muddy shoes.

The other mothers in my life have included 2 grandmothers, 3 great-grandmothers and even a great-great-grandmother. All of which I am blessed to have known. As you know moms mom, Nanny that Lives By Us or a.k.a. Tiger Nanny and Granny Day are still with us and I thank the lord for that. We didn’t know that this time last year would be the last Mother’s Day we would spend with Nanny, or as Jason and affectionately referred to her as ‘Other Nanny’. She was a wonderful woman of whom I also learned many lessons. Her memories and love radiate through us all. I am thankful to have all these women in my life. I am also blessed and thankful for Suzy who is my love, not the biological mother of my child but a mother to her non-the –less. This goes back to my earlier surmise of not all mothers come to be mothers in the exact same way. She is a wonderful mother to her son Patrick who also loves her; I believe I can also speak for him. I have watched her do this alone for the last several years and can’t imagine doing that alone for all the years that she has. What strength it takes to be a mother no matter what the circumstance.

So to new mothers, old mothers, expecting mothers, single mothers I wish you all a great day and many more great “Mothering Days”.

There's Money in Them Thar Blogs

Who knew.... I was wathcing the Today show this morning and there was a segment on how all these stay-at-home moms are making a killing by blogging. The way this works is that advertisers are contacting these ladies and paying them big bucks to advertise on the blogs. Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the entire piece to find out how to get these advertisers. Just think, Tonya you might be able to advertise for the restaurants that you are eating at. Even better maybe you could start a rating system. The categories could be TONYA'S TERRIBLES and TONYA'S TOP-NOTCH. Perhaps Shane's BBQ would want to offer you money to advertise or give US, yes US, coupons to eat there. Mandy, what a perfect time for you to get sponsors. You know what I am talking about, BABY BABY BABY. Everyone is baby crazy these days. Cheryl you could do lots, srap-book stuff, planes, what it's like to be the boss and advertise for Bruce. Lisa since you had a hard time the tax place this year start writin about tax places and then maybe you could work that angle. Me, not sure I could advertise for public transportaion, since I'm into that and all now. Anyway lets all just scribe like crazy on these blogs and make some money. :)

Monday Morning Blues

Well it's Monday as I'm sure you are all aware. Maybe not the blues but today again the sinus headache blues. It was raining cats and dogs this morning when I left for the airport. Headed to Memphis for a couple of days. I won't recant the trip, but I did take Marta again this morning.

The concert on Friday was great. 'The Boss', not to be confused with 'BossDoss', was on fire. I hope I have half as much energy when I'm his age. Gotta go, the forward door is now closed.

Scott

Arrived at Phillips

I arrived at 4:05. The entire trip from my house took 1 hour and 30 minutes and only cost $3.25. Not bad I suppose. This will be good for when I have plenty of time, I am probably to. uptight for a trip to the airport. Well I just found out that Jock and Jills is closed.... Gotta go.

Scott

Transfer to Westbound

That went smoothly it is now 4:56pm

Scott

Maiden Voyage

I thought this was as good a time as any to write. I am on a Marta bus. Those of you who aren't aware I. Have never been the biggest Marta train fan. For me and my schedule and location well North of ATL, Marta has just never been my first choice. Not to mention a few key times I did ride it broke down both times and created havoc. Sounds petty I know, but it is what it is. So today I have Bruce Springstein tickets. Going with Tommy and Mary and Berto and Kelly, but no Suzy. I decided that I would see how long it takes to get from the Winward Pkwy park and ride all the way downtown. This is of course for future reference when I might need this and the fact that gas is nearing ridiculous (Spaceballs movie reference) amounts and I also thought I should do something for Earth day.

I arrived at the station and parked at 3:45. There was a bus there waiting just for me, at least it looked that way because no one else was around. The bus driver walked me through the steps of transfer once we got to the train station. The bus left at 3:50, I thought we would go directly to the North Springs station - I was wrong. We started picking others up at different points along Morris rd, Mcginnis Ferry etc. Actually not to bad on the long run and finally arrived at the train station at 4:20. Now in my head I know that I could be almost dowtown if I were driving, but the experiment must continue. I transfered without issue and now at 4:49 just left the Arts Center station. I must change trains at Five Points in order to get to Phillips Arena. I would say that if I were going to the airport I would be there around 5:30.

Since I figured out how to email blog I wouldn't be able to let you all know about my trip downtown. This is really starting to sound like an episode of 'Counrty Boy Goes To The City'. We are now at Peachtree Center and the next is where I change. Stay tuned.......
Scott

Anticipation

I know the wait is killing you....
Scott