[cute]

Tragic the storm and oh so much damage! God Bless each and every one who was touched by this storm...
Deb: Always an open door at my house as well.
Take care everyone....sandra

[FL_GirlByProxy]

Kat, I'm so glad that you heard from them, and that they are okay. I could not get on here yesterday, and did not see your posts until now. That is wonderful. I'm praying for everyone affected all the time, this is just so tragic.

[clion]

So many emotions flood my soul. Sorrow for the unspeakable loss of life and property in the South, jubliation when another one is rescued. . .pride in the men and women who are so frantically working to rescue and now recover - who are trying to bring some order to such chaos. confusion as to why these disaster have to happen - anywhere in the world and a semblance of understanding that this is Life - not always perfect as we wish. What strength and courage heard in the voices of many survivors.
May we always be mindful of the positives in our lives . May we always keep our eyes and ears and hearts and minds open to the needs of others and be ready to offer help - whether it be monetary, or physical, a kind word or encouraging thought, a bit of our time, or just letting someone know we are there for them .
I see so many of these actions occurring here on the forum from so many . I am humbled by the mighty power of Love felt here .
Hugs
Carol

[FL_GirlByProxy]

Amen.

Hi Carol. It is just beyond comprehension, isn't it? Tonight they showed critical care newborns being flown from New Orleans to a hospital in Alabama for care. There are so many people to think about, every time I think I've wrapped my brain around it, I think of another group of persons, the disabled, the small kids, babies, the elderly. I'm praying.

[dl]

Know many of us here have a special affection for our "four legged children" and animals in general.

In the wake of Katrina, obviously, the need for aid to humans is immense and will be ongoing. Less publicized is that help is desperately needed for the animals ~ and will also be ongoing. I started the following thread to bring attention to the Humane Society's efforts to help the animals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

As we are trying to find ways to help the many humans in the wake of this tragedy, please remember there are so many helpless, frightened and hungry animals that are in need of aid too.

Humane Society Responds to Katrina
http://www.familyforums.com/showthread.php?t=214729

[chrismh]

GE, how was your Sat? Anything you want to tell us?

Hope it was good.

Chris

[shirleyville]

SO....
How does it feel to wake up in the morning, now, knowing you are Mrs. Bill???? Somehow I bet you really ARE "glowing", GE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I think back to the earlier days (not so long ago, actually) filled with unhappiness and angst, and I look at the wonderful things God had in store for you, on the other side of it all, I am, as always, in awe of His perfect plan.
I wish you and your little family all the blessings your hearts can hold, and more!!
Hugs,
Sally

[cute]

DI: Sending my love back at you....My heart is heavy from seeing the destruction south of the border.Human lives lost,our four legged friends lost.How fortunate we all are in the scheme of things.
We should not waste a second of our lives being unhappy!
LIfe truly is short and we are not in charge,mother nature is and she can be cruel.....Wake up calls...
I am sending love to each and everyone out there,and praying for all family members to be found.


Sandra

[GE_Glows]

By popular demand this is the e-mail I sent a few of you on Weds morning - posted here to share a fantastic day with all of you

Good Morning Ladies,

It's a beautiful morning here in San Francisco - yes, back on the west coast again.

Well, I wanted to share with all of you, that despite crazy schedules and WAY too many new hotels, and the postponement of the actual wedding, reception, and honeymoon to April 15, 2006 - Bill and I were married quietly in our house, by my Dad, on Saturday September 3rd. His twin brother Chris, and Chris' wife Sharon had come down for the holiday weekend, and I managed to get home after all (I was supposed to be stuck in San Jose - but I whined LOUDLY to Boston that I had been too long away and I needed the long weekend at home with my family - they let me go home Thursday night on the red eye) and Bill picked me up at the airport Friday morning with all the necessary documentation in hand, including letters from our pastor indicating we had completed the necessary pre-marital counseling (which we did over the summer on a few weekends) and we went directly to the courthouse to obtain a marriage license. Then he and Chris went to play golf and Sharon and I went to pick up the girls from school and take them shopping for an outfit to wear the following day. (Chris and Sharon had arrived on Thursday) We went home and cooked and the guys came home from golf and we all had a super evening at home. It was Victoria and Catherine's 1st time meeting "Uncle Chris and Aunt Sharon" and they love them. It was wonderful. Saturday morning the 6 of us went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and by the time we got home my parents were pulling in the driveway. My dad performed the ceremony at 3:30pm. We lit a remembrance candle for Bill's father - and my father spoke a moment about Bill's father, and mentioned their mother who was unable to join us - Bill and Chris were in tears, I looked at them and I was in tears, then my dad looked at me and he was in tears, and it just went from there. Catherine got to help Poppa by holding alternately his folder and his Book of Common Worship, and Victoria got to hold the rings. Chris and Sharon were the witnesses and Nanny, who wanted to just sit on the couch and watch it all, needed up saying the benediction because Poppa was just too choked up to do it by then.

Let's see - Bill wore his navy blue suit and blue shirt that I love on him and he wore the night he proposed to me. I wore my black Jones New York dress that I wore that night too. Victoria got a pretty whit dress in the juniors section (oh gosh, she is a juniors size 5 already!) and Catherine found a pretty, pick and red and white skirt and top outfit. Sharon wore the same pretty dress she wore to Bill and Chris' father's wedding last year, and Chris had on a suit very similar to Bill's. Poppa wore his robe (of course) and Nanny wore her favorite Sunday outfit (always the respectable pastor's wife) with a very pretty light green scarf around her neck.

Poppa is having the photos developed and put on CD - as soon as I have them I'll share.

We had ordered some fruit/veggie/cheese platters from Publix, and had those afterwards with sparkling cider so the girls could have some too.

We went to Outback Steakhouse in Daytona beach for dinner - that's where Bill and I had our 1st date back on December 28, 2004.

After dinner Nanny & Poppa went home and the 6 of us went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. While we were there Bill suggested miniature golf and so off we went to play putt-putt.

Afterwards, we went home, talked for awhile, and then everyone went to bed. Bill and I popped the cork on the bottle of champagne that was cooling in the 'fridge and shared a glass before bed.

Overall - a beautiful and non-stressful day in the middle of what has been the WORST travel schedule I've had in a number of years.

Sunday afternoon we took Chris and Sharon to the airport and then went to St. Augustine to the Ripley's museum with the girls. The minivan was misbehaving - but finally stopped puttering and got us home just fine (Thank you Lord)

Bill had to work on Monday the 1st half of the day. I took the girls to run errands, they helped me finish the laundry, and the they went to their friend’s house to go swimming. Bill came home a got me and we went to the Nissan dealer - Bill had spotted a 2001 Maxima on their website with only 22K miles on it - and the price - 16,990, was right. We got to the dealer and I found a red clearance tag in the front seat that had it priced @ 15,990. We showed the tag to the sales manager - who honored the price - it was like getting the extended warranty and maintenance/tire protection for free Home we went with a new (well, new to us, and almost brand new) car. We are going to donate the van to a local charity as soon as I figure out which box the title is packed in (yes, STILL unpacking).

Tuesday morning at 5:30am the shuttle service came and picked me up and took me to the airport to fly back to California and here I am.

I go home Friday night on the red eye and to Boston Sunday night for a Monday meeting - then back to FL Monday night (Sorry LeeAnn - it has to be quick in and out) and then down to Plantation. The following week is Indy (Sally - I'm planning to arrive Tuesday morning the 20th and stay until Friday - let's make plans!) but the week after that I get to be home all week!!!! Yippeee! And then we hit the ground running to start all over again with another portfolio - at least this one only has 3 hotels - the last one had 6 and the one before that had 8. Oh well - job security you know.
Ok - off to bed with me

GE_Glows

[l-thompson]

Wow!! Wow!!Wow!!! I have been absent for many, many weeks now buit so glad I was able to stop by and catch up on this thread....

Gayle - Congratulations to you and Bill....every happiness to you for the future....my love and best wishes go to you both and your families....I couldn't be happier for you!!!!!!!
Take care
Linz

[shirleyville]

Thanks for posting your original e-mail here, GE!!
I was hoping you would!!!

You are so deserving of this happiness, honey.........

I hope Bill knows the depth of his blessings in having you and your mini-mes as a part of his soul!!!

Congratulations, DearHeart!!!

Hugs,
Sally

[FL_GirlByProxy]

WooooHooooo GE!!!!!! I love it when something so wonderful happens and we all share it here!! Of course, I truely understand about your quick trot trot to Boston!! I have been so exhausted from school that I may not have been the best company anyway! (Where is that tired smiley?) I am so happy for all of you, that's just fantastic!

I start my 1st college class in over 10 years, tomorrow! It's a long one, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I hope I don't fall asleep, it's an undergrad humanities class that I need before hopefully going into this school's masters program for education. I've also got to take an American history class at some point. I don't mind going for these 2 classes, but the tuition is outa sight!

I had a good week at school, challenging, and very very good. These kids are all so amazing. Right now, for me, it's great not to be sitting in a cubicle, and in front of a pc. This is going to be an interesting journey, that's for sure.

How is everyone doing in Florida with the weather this weekend? Please check in when you can, okay?

I hope everybody is doing well!

[skinnylou]

Congrats GE I bet you really are glowing now!!!!(sorry about the schedule!)

Hey everyone just passing through! Hope all is well!

[katnap80]

Nothing but good news here......YAHHHHOOOOOOO

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Bill **** and their darling girls. GE the "ceremony" and celebrations sounded just out of this world. I wish you all nothing
but everlasting happiness. Hope you get home more often to visit that husband of yours!!

Proxy.... Good luck with your courses. Sounds like you are on top of the mountain as far as your "kids" go. Looking forward to the first long week end.

Skinny...Our "Nurse Angel" .Glad to see you have time to drop by.

Gotta go play "taxi", so must run.
Happy gay to all....
"K"

[cute]

Happy,Happy News on this thread...GE Glows read on your wedding " so happy to hear happy news,wishing you and yours all the very best"......
Jenny mate you are a trooper.....good on you!!!! We will thank you for what you are doing......Sandra