JOHNOH DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cherie has taken me so many wonderful places since I arrived....... but tonight she took me to heaven...... Chocolate Heaven... and than headed for hell!!!

Word from Frannie on Paul's heart cath.... They are still in Augusta with Family. The heart cath showed no blockages ~ his heart is healthy! This is great news about his heart but leads them right back to the beginning as to what is causing the black outs... they are going to look at his brain next so we need to continue our prayers for them all. I know so many of you are doing just that and I know how much that means to Frannie and Russ. What a wonderful family they are... so filled with love.

Everyday is like Christmas on Multiply ~ FULL OF LOVE!

Yes, everyday is filled with the love most people show at Christmas.
We have seen it time and time again when one of us is going through
something.  Our friends rally round.  They are there with love and
encouragement each time someone is in need!

Today I received this package in the mail full of goodies (yes, chocolates
included) and cards so full of thoughtfulness....  They were difficult to
read with the blur of my eyes (I tend to tear up with happiness even
more than sadness).  So many good people here... we are blessed!

And this is not unusual for our group.... so many people have been to my page...
sent me PM's, phone calls,  and so many good wishes for a speedy recovery...
And yes, I am having one of those! 
So good in fact.... I am headed for California on Saturday!

Next time I hear someone say... that the goodwill that is given and felt at
Christmas should be a year long thing.... I know where to send people to
find it.  What a great group of friends.

May each of you be blessed this Christmas
And all year long.

You are appreciated and loved!!!

THANK YOU!

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY ~ EMOTIONS IN MONOCHROME

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY



Our Host this week is the Gator
(so great to have you as host, Gator!)

and the theme he has given us is:

Emotions in Monochrome

If you would like to view other entries,
or join in the fun & post one of your own...
follow this link:

MY EMOTION..... HAPPINESS

Happiness is different things to different people!







For these two little boys....

Happiness is:

A little bit of water...
A little bit of mud...
And a very understanding mother!


What is your happiness?

I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy. ~ Anne Frank

Where in the World is LindaO

Where in the World is LindaO


I'd like to say she is off cruising the roads on her little red bike...
lol ~ but no, she is not.... 
it would be nice to say she is just working too hard these days...
Wouldn't be true!!!
Best case scenario would be she is stranded in California...
Poor Linda!  ;-)

I do know this.... I am so grateful for my friends on here and
miss each of you so much.  I haven't been around much lately.
And you are really missed.  We are so lucky to have Multiply to come together on.
Some of you know, I am about to have surgery.  A total hip replacement tomorrow.
The pain has been so bad and it has not made me fun company so I haven't been socializing.  This hasn't stopped some of my friends from coming around ~ thank you so much...  Can't tell you how much your thoughts and messages mean.
This will be fixed over the next few weeks as after this week... I will be a captive audience
and you will be saying, "Linda needs to take a break, give it a rest, etc."
There are some invitations in my in box... they are not being ignored.  I am just waiting as I did except some in the last several months telling each one I could not be around very much and still one person disconnected from me when I wasn't around.... I felt really bad about this as I was really looking forward to knowing her better...
 and so I choose to wait to accept any others.
Any good news today... oh, yes.... lots, after recovery, no more pain
AND a Trip to California (now you all know that puts a smile on my face!!!!)
Will be around soon to do some catching up!!!
Bless each one of you!  Be safe and know you are thought about!

LindaO

Attention PP People.... Cherie is having Internet server issues and will be around as soon as the problem is resolved. She doesn't want to miss a single post!!!

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY ~ MEMORIES

 
    PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY       Thank you, Heather for the wonderful theme!!!     MEMORIES     To view others or join in the fun click on the link below:        

A sight and sound forever making me smile,

with memories...

I remembered to vote for Kippy today! Did you?? http://www.sam-e.com/job/profile/646

IMAGE & WORDS #24 ~ ANIMALS

          Our Hostess this week is:   Danni   And the fun theme she has chosen is:   ANIMALS         To Join in the fun click on the link below:                            

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY ~ TEMPTING

WELCOME

TO

PICTURE PERFECT

 

Each week a new theme will be posted here on Friday morning. You are invited to put up your best picture on your own blog with that theme in mind. You do have the whole weekend to post your picture, so there is no rush

Remember it should be just  ONE and ORIGINAL, taken by YOU,and not off the internet,

Then come back and leave a comment on this page in the comment box so that everyone can link to your blog and see your photo. Don't forget to OPEN your page to EVERYONE for that day.

By all means mention your camera and lens used, and if the picture has been altered or enhanced in any way, so we can all learn and improve our techniques.

Try and post a decent size picture on your blog page for an increased WOW factor. Often so much is lost or distorted if the size is too big or too small.

Remember this is NOT a competition, this is about being creative, having fun, and being supportive of one another.

Out of the box thinking is encouraged.

oOo

This weeks theme is:

TEMPTING

Your host this week is:

LindaO

oo0oo

My thoughts drift to Autumn breezes,
and lovely wooded areas...
Trees wearing coats of many colors,
Animals scurrying to and fro..
Relaxed campfire conversation,
and good companionship...

All tempting me

to drive the winding road
leading to the beautiful Cades Cove
In The Great Smokey Mountains.

What's tempting you?


oo0oo

A Ship at my side spreads her white sails...

I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails
to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty
and strength.  I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all.  She is just as large in mast
and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able
to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment
when someone at my side says: There, she is gone!"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.



~ Henry Van Dyke

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY ~ CAPTURE & CAPTION

    PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY           CAPTURE & CAPTION   Thank you, Heather. It's a really fun theme!       To join in the fun or view other Capture & Caption post click on the link below:               Marlboro Man ~ Handsome ~ But Deadly          

TRIPLE PLAY ~ # 6 ~ BETTER MAN (WOMAN)

  TRIPLE PLAY     The Gator gives us a challenge that envolves all the fun things... You pick a picture that you or someone in your family has taken... You write some words (a few to 50 or so) to go with it... And than you add some music that ties all three together!
(You can put the words to the music or not)
      To join in the fun or view more Triple Plays click on our cute little Gator below:           Our Cherie   Trees Fall... road blocks happen... brick walls sometimes get in the way!   Trying... reaching far... always striving to be better!   With love... helping hands... working hard to care for others!   Making... this our world... a much better and kinder place!                    
        Better Man  

Sittin' here in my problem
What am i gonna do now
Am i gonna make it
Someway somehow

Maybe i'm not supposed to know
Maybe i'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows
The way i feel that's all right
That's okay

I'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man yeah

Climbin' out the window
Climbin' up the wall
Is anybody gonna save me
Or are they gonna let me fall

Well i don't really wanna know
I'll just hold on the best i can
And if i fall down i'm gonna get back up
It'll be alright it'll be okay God

I'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man oh

Maybe i'm not supposed to know
Maybe i'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows the way i feel
That's all right that's okay

Yeah i'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man

Well i'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face yeah
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man

Are they gonna let me fall
No no no no no no yeah
Yeah be a better man be a better man
I'm doing the best i can

Yes i'm gonna make my world yeah
You know what i'm gonna make my world
I'm gonna step right up and get myself together
I'm gonna make my world you know i'm gonna do the best i can yeah

He will make my world yeah tonight's gonna [incomprehensible]
He will make my world oh yeah yeah

I'm gonna make my world are they gonna let me fall?
No make my world yeah
I'm gonna make my world my world your world
Make my world

You know i'm gonna make my world
Teach myself how to understand yeah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMAGE & WORDS ~ WEEK 20 ~ PARADISE

   

Our Hostess this week is Milli

And she has picked the theme

Paradise

So much can be done with this one. 

I did three different pictures and picked this one because

I liked the quote so much.

 

taken December 2007 at Pawley's Island
with my Kodak Z740 Digital Camera

Triple Play # 5 ~ California Dreamin'

  TRIPLE PLAY # 5     To join in the fun or view other Triple Plays Click on our cute little Gator below:            

 

As the last leaf is about to fall I'll be:

 

Dreamin'

 

of boarding planes heading West;

driving along the coast highway;

angry waves shooting high into the air.

 

 

Dreamin'

 

of wind blowing through our hair;

looking up at the most wonderful smile;

feeling your arms wrapped tightly around me.

 

Dreamin'

 

of good dinners with friends;

the mist of beautiful water falls;

searches for heart shaped rocks.

 

Dreamin'

 

of camping near caves,

looking up to the stars,

finding your lips in the night.

 

Dreamin'

 

of Sooner

                              California Dreamin'                                                             by The Mamas & Papas       All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day

I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Oh, I got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray

You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day

If I didnt tell her
I could leave today
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

(California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
(California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
       

Mono Monday Plus ~ The Last Dance (a Season Comes to a Close)

MONO MONDAY PLUS

"The Last Dance ~ A Season Comes To A Close"

To Join in the fun one last time or view the other post Click on our Gator below:

 

Although I was one of the first to click on Gator's page and join up for Mono Monday...

It took me six months to do the first one....

Only right that I should be late with this one

(Although you would think I would have learned something about all the fun you miss when you are late!)

When I finally broke down and jumped into the fire ~ lol ~ the first thing I learned

was how to turn a picture B&W and pull back some color...

so I did one of those of my grandson for my Last Mono Monday!

        Than I learned layers... thanks to Rita's help.  I haven't stopped with layering since ~ lol.   This is a quote I used in one of my Image & Words post but different picture   (ROFL ~ certainly not a new picture around here),   which I turned B&W, and added another layer too (The beach).   There is no way to thank everyone that taught me so much during Mono Monday...   Saw so many really neat pictures.... met some really nice people...   And Gary, we thank you so much!!!             And I had to add this last ~ one of my first and favorite layer pictures of our Gator...   It was for his Birthday but it seen so appropiate to put it here also!           And last I want to thank you for never fussing about my music.... and always having something good to say about it!  You have to be the best Gator in the Swamp!                  
 

Jason Mraz ~ I'm Yours

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment babay sing with me
I love peace for melody
And It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Scooch on over closer dear
And i will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
Please don't, please don't, please don't
There's no need to complicate
Cause our time is short
This oh this this is out fate, I'm yours!

Melody Gardot - Baby I'm A Fool: Video

Music video by Melody Gardot performing Baby I'm A Fool: Video
with Aaron Platt [Video Director], Justin Cronkite [Video Producer], Ara Kesheshian [Video Editor], Larry Klein [Producer]
(C) 2009 Universal Classics & Jazz

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY ~ QUIRKY

      PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY        

    Our Hostess this week is Heather!!! And she chose the great theme:   QUIRKY   If you want to get us out taking pictures (and I know you do), you did a good job with this theme! I left work yesterday morning just wanting to get home and get to bed!!! Talked to a friend on the phone who thought about the quirkiest thing in town was:   Moon Over Homewood   So downtown I headed in the rain... It did let up long enough for me to take the picture from a dangerous curve (as there was no place to park on the roadside).... I changed the picture to B%W in Picnik as the sky was not very colorful from the mist and the cloud cover. (Link below to other pictures people have taken of it.)         If you would like to view others or join in the fun click on the icon here:           Moon Over Homewood   Vulcan's buttocks showing from under his loincloth over the upper middle-class, over-the-mountain city of Homewood.  An Alabama DJ Jack Voorhies even sang a song on the radio, "Moon Over Homewood" (sorry can't find the lyrics or the music or I would have shared)                 A little History if you are interested!       The Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The 56-foot (17 m) tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge. It was created as Birmingham's entry for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World's Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri.  It is the seventh-tallest free-standing statue in the United States.

The Vulcan statue consists of 29 cast-iron components with connecting flanges that are  bolted together internally. The heaviest section is his whole head, which weighs 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg). Iron forge men designed and executed the connection details for the statue, which originally had no internal framework and was self-supporting. The grey iron castings were made in Birmingham entirely from locally-produced iron.  The completed weight of the god Vulcan's figure alone is 100,000 pounds (45,359 kg). When Vulcan's anvil, block, hammer, and spear point are added, the statue weighs a total of 120,000 pounds (54,431 kg) and it now stands on a pedestal that is 123 feet (37 m) tall. The statue has a chest circumference of 22 feet 6 inches (7 m) and a waist circumference of 18 feet 3 inches (6 m).

The Vulcan statue was eventually re-erected at the Alabama State Fairgrounds,  but the statue's arms were installed incorrectly, and the god was without his spear, which had been lost on the way from St. Louis.  

With nothing to hold in its hands, Vulcan soon became an advertising figure. Over the years, Vulcan held an ice cream cone, a Pepsi-Cola bottle, and even Heinz pickles. In the late 1920s, the statue was disassembled for inspection. During this time, children would often play around the disassembled statue. It was painted a flesh color and was reassembled in the early 1930s.

It was not until 1936 that the statue found a suitable home, thanks to the Works Progress Administration, which partially funded a new park in the city at the top of Red Mountain. A 126-foot (38.4 m) pedestal was built of local sandstone, and Vulcan was hoisted into place. A new spear was fabricated to be held high in his right hand while his left hand held a hammer at his side. Vulcan was repainted in an aluminum like finish. The statue's naked buttocks have been source of humor for many years. A novelty song, "Moon Over Homewood," refers to the fact that the statue "moons" the neighboring suburb of Homewood, Alabama.

1949 marked another strange time for Birmingham’s iron giant, though nowhere near as degrading as his stint in the 1930’s. A group of safety conscious individuals decided that Vulcan would be a wonderful symbol for traffic safety for the city of Birmingham. Once again Vulcan’s outstretched hand would come into use as he became the holder of a torch. This torch would shine green on good traffic days and shine red when someone died during a traffic accident. While originally planned as a short public service advertisement, the torch ultimately became a permanent fixture of the statue until it’s restoration in 1999. To this day you can visit Vulcan Center and view the torch, even pushing a button that will make it shine  green.

 

 

 

If you would like to see more pictures of Vulcan through the years and by several people, you can follow this link to flicker pictures:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/magic_city/pool/tags/vulcan/

IMAGE & WORDS (WEEK 16 ) ~ WISDOM

 

Another fun week of Image & Words... I enjoy these so much, doing and visiting... Our Hostess this week is Mia And she has picked a great theme   Wisdom   Would you like to do your own Image & Words... Or just enjoy viewing the others... Than follow the link below:                            
        Have a great week!!!            

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY ~ LIQUID

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY





Our hostess this week is Joanne.
So good to have you hosting!
What a great theme you have chosen:

LIQUID

All God's Creatures like liquid

Taken on my recent trip to Pawleys Island
with my Canon Rebel XS

IMAGE & WORDS (WEEK 15) ~ LOVE

 

 

 

 

Another fun week of IMAGE & WORDS...

Just can't help having fun visiting and viewing all the different entries!!!

Our Hostess this week is DANNI

and the theme she has chosen is:

LOVE

THANK YOU, DANNI FOR SUCH A GREAT THEME!

 

To see more Image & Words or join in the fun... click on the link below

 

I know many of you thought you would see another picture of myself and the handsome Penguin (and, lol, you almost did) but I decided to go with a sense of humor this time.  It was so much fun making, playing and editing this one!  (AND Finding the little audio poem!) So Love still means the cutie of a Penguin to me...

 

 

But here is My IMAGE & WORDS ~ LOVE:

 

 

                Checkmate.... aw ha,  I've got you now dear one... Go on... give me your best move.. Go on now... that's it... THAT'S IT? That's the best you've got up your fearful sleeve? Well, my dear, you best tuck some soulful chess lessons under your belt... For it won't be long now... For you have been cornered by Grace... Your armor has been penetrated  by Truth... And your King and Queen are about to be captured by the Beloved! Once this occurs everyone from far and near... will see that love always wins... so.... CHECKMATE.  
 

More Great Life Support... Good People

You know how I love those "Your LIfe Support" stories and how I love to share them with

everyone.  Read a new one today and just had to share....   In hard times we may forget

the world is so full of Good People, but it is!!!  There is proof of that right here on Multiply!!!

We may have more than our fair share, but whose counting?

GOOD PEOPLE

A doctor said to his patient, "You have a slight heart condition, but
I wouldn't worry about it."

"Really, Doc?" the patient replied. "Well, if you had a slight heart
condition, I wouldn't worry about it either."

We can sometimes get the impression that most of the world is more or
less out for themselves and that people care little about the plight
of others. But I choose to believe differently. I believe that a lot
of people are basically concerned about others, even if they don't always know how to express it. That is perhaps why a certain story, clipped years ago and filed away, has remained one of my favorites to this day.




A trucker relates that he was traveling through rural North Carolina
on I-95 when a brown sedan merged onto the highway. It weaved back and
forth between lanes, causing the driver of the truck to shift into a
lower gear. At first he thought the driver was drunk, but when he came
closer, the trucker saw an old man shaking uncontrollably behind the
wheel. He noticed a Citizen's Band aerial whipping to and fro as the
car jerked between lanes, so he called on the radio: "You in the brown
Chevy, if you can hear me, pull over. Pull off the road!"

Amazingly, he did! The trucker pulled up behind the car and climbed
from his cab. The elderly man staggered from his auto and fell into
the trucker's arms. He poured out a story of months of fear and pain
that accompanied the illness of his only daughter.

Now he was returning from the hospital where it was decided that she
would cease any further treatment. In the hospital he remained "strong" and stoic for his daughter, but out on the road he fell
apart.

The two men talked for the good part of an hour. The father eventually
decided to share his pain with his daughter and said he felt good
enough to drive home. The men embraced and the trucker followed him
for 50 miles. As they drove along, the two talked together on the
radio.

The older man finally acknowledged that his exit was ahead and thanked
his new friend again for the help. The trucker asked if he could make
it home all right and, suddenly, a third voice broke in on the
conversation: "Breaker 19, don't worry, good buddy. Go your way. I'll
see him home!" Glancing in his mirror, he saw a livestock truck move into the exit lane behind the brown sedan.

I think there are good people the world over. People who will gladly
give that caring touch, a needed warm embrace or a patient and
listening ear. They are like angels who lift us to our feet when our
wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Look around. You're sure to see one. And look in the mirror. You might
spot one there, too.

by Steve Goodier
from Your Life Support



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


HOPE EACH ONE OF YOU
HAVE A
VERY NICE WEEK!!!

Stand By Me....

I received this in an email today... so glad I followed the link... it only takes a minute to listen and it is so enjoyable!  Know there are times we all want to sing, "Stand By Me"....
I know I just may go listen again!


Below is a link to one of the best pieces of sound engineering work I think I have ever seen. It is a composite audio/video of song whereby additional tracks were laid in by different singers and musicians from different places around the world. The finished product is tremendous!

The song itself is that classic standard "Stand By Me" originally released in 1955 by The Staple Singers and released again in 1961 by the Drifters. This composite version is a real toe tapper.

So turn up the speaker volume and [Click Here].
or cut and paste this web address...

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

(and than click on the arrow at the bottom to play)


Found the video if you would rather not follow the link:

IMAGE & WORDS (WEEK 14) ~ POTLUCK

          Another fun week of Image & Words. Our Host this week is JOEL, And the theme he has chosen is:   POT LUCK     To see others or join in the fun follow this link:           Quote from the book "The Last Lecture"