One of the greats...

This past weekend, our neighbor passed away. He'd been sick for a while now, and he was ready to go, however it is hard for all of us to let go. See, he was one of the great ones. He was the type of person who was always there if you needed something and always ready, willing, and able to help, even if only to make you smile. He made you realize when you were making a big deal over a little issue, and was always willing to help you realize that sometimes you just need to relax and go with the flow.

So, whether I was giving him a hard time over being lazy (since he was retired), or he was giving me a hard time over being too strict with my kids, it never really mattered, because, we both always knew where things stood - whether everything was truly said or not. This pattern became even clearer today, while friends and family were sharing memories of Don.

For mine, I pointed out something everyone knew: Don had a way with the economy of words. He might not say something outright, but he'd always give you a look and you knew what he was saying. Sometimes, those looks were more powerful than words. Other times, when he chose to speak, it was usually with an extremely dry wit, also intended to carry volumes. So often, the things not said were as important as the words, but when he did speak, it usually made sense to listen.

So, while some stories surprised, others enlightened. Some were humorous, and some were thoughtful. Throughout it all, they were, purely Don. They showed how much he cared for each one of us and how much each of us cared for him.

There are few things I am certain of in this life. One is, I will always carry a piece of Don with me and another is that there are always things I will not be able to do without thinking of Don. The same is true with most people we lose I guess, but the thing I am most certain of is that when I encounter these things which remind me of Don, they will always, and without fail, bring a smile to my lips and joy to my heart. In the end, I suppose that is the mark we leave on each other. I for one, am better for having this mark.


Gordon (Don) McNely
1940-2007

Happy 15th birthday Sam

Happy birthday Sam!!! I can't believe you're 15 already!!! I think you have grown up nicely into a beautiful, not too annoying most of the time, teenager. :) Honestly, you rock! I just can't believe how fast it's all gone. I am sad and happy at the same time. Keep on doing what you are doing. You're amazing! Love Mom and Dad

GA Snow

Yes it does snow in GA. Not too often mind you, but it does happen from time to time. It snowed about 2 inches here yesterday and it actually accumulated on the ground. The kids were in heaven. All day yesterday, the schools were just as excited as them at the prospect of no school today. Unfortunately, there was school today, and let me just tell you.....not very happy children. There was crying, yelling, and ill wishes of booty soreness wished upon the school superintendant (hoping he fell flat on his booty this am). I got them laughing with cruel expiriments performed on the superintendants head (spoke in a thick British accent) only to discover but a bit of dust for his brain. And I only had to threaten to pull one child by her hair to the bus stop. I just want to know why us parents get blamed for school not being cancelled? Oy vay! Alas, they are all off now, hopefully there will still be some snow left when they get home.

Breathing a bit easier...

My Dad was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Seems, like his children, he no longer needed a gall bladder, so it rejected him causing great misery and pain. While there, they found some other fun.

Well, today he had the gall bladder removed (amazing considering how much gall he really has) and he is back to feeling his crazy old self. The other items also seem to have disappeared, so life can get back to normal.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Pictures from some of the news outlets are posted at the title or here.

Best Day Ever

Thank you hubby and kiddos for making yesterday awesome! We celebrated my birthday early this year in case hubby has to be out of town for the actual day. It was all a surprise. I knew we had to leave the house by noon, but that's all anyone would tell me. First stop was the mall. He took me shoping for whatever I wanted! WOO HOO! I had lots of fun, though I was a cheap date as usual. I can't help it, I LOVE a good sale. I got 2 cute new tops and a new pair of shoes and a new pair of black boots all for less than a hundred dollars. I know I shouldn't be all excited about being cheap on my birthday, but you girls know the feeling we get when we hit a kick butt sale. Then we went to dinner at Long Horn, which was great. We were going to go to Cheesecake Factory (my fav) but was not even close to being that hungery. The best part of the night was going to go see Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochery. They were so amazingly hysterical. The only part we are sad about is that we didn't take the kids. We weren't sure about the content. But for the most part it was completely fine. So next year I hope they come back to our area and the whole family can go. Thank you family for a great birthday! xoxo I love you