News Article and Election Talk

By now I hope you have all gotten a chance to read the news article about voting rights and the exhibit at the library. I have gotten so much positive feed back from family and friends. We have had a few kooks come into or call the library to complain about the the article and the exhibit saying it casts a bad light on Republicans. People are really getting stupid in this country. It's a shame when you can't have an opinion anymore. Anyway, Angie and I spent the weekend together and she is coming back for the big election night coverage next week. It's been a long campaign but I am ready for it to be over. Please pray for our candidate, for his safety and to win this election. God knows we need a change, right here, right now! I took one of my friends from "Louisiana avenue" to vote on Saturday. She has never voted in her life and she is "50" years old. Just think how many more of us are out there missing a chance to have a voice in what goes on in this country. I hope all of you are voting or have already voted. Florida declared a state of emergency on this election and have changed early voting hours for the remainder of the week from 7 am to 7 pm. Millions of people have already voted. Pray that Florida gets it right this time. If you are able to "FAST" please do so on Monday before the election even if it's for one meal. We have to have change. This is a photo that I took overlooking the Bay outside of our old library of a November sunset! Be Blessed.

Long Silence

It's been a while since I've posted. Life as we know it got in the way and I drifted away from the computer. I decided tonight to catch up. It's been 4 months and nothing much has been happening. My job is going well. I'm still enjoying what I do after 29 long years. The new library is so busy and big until I've lost weight walking from one end to the other every day. Seriously, it is 55,000 sq ft. Twice as big as the old library! Check me out in my new skinny jeans (ha). I started at the library when Jason was 4 months old and he turned 30 on October 6th. I can't believe that he is 30! God has been good to our family. It seems that it was just the other day I worried about how I would raise this bouncing baby boy on my own. With God's help and lot's of family support, here we are. Jason with a family of his own. I am so proud of them. It's almost time for the new baby in our family to arrive. Fred and Alonda should have baby Pierce Lauren Sullivan before Thanksgiving. Pray that all goes well with them as they give birth to another "Pierce" another decendant of Smith and Elizabeth and Edna Pierce. They are all rejoicing in Heaven. Be Well and remember to Rock the Vote.

Busy Busy Busy

Ok I know I haven't been on in a long time. Things have been so busy around here. The library moved to the new location on 11th street and we have settled in big time. We are twice as busy as before and the building is 2 times the size of the old building and I am feeling the difference. It is beautiful I think. I am so proud of my new office and the Youth Services area as well as the whole library. I can't wait for you all to come and visit again and take the grand tour. Enough about the library. Bee, Christopher and Maya came by for the weekend and spent Father's day with us. I had to work but we had a good time anyway. Jason had a wonderful Father's Day. Danielle told the whole church how much she and Jada love and appreciate him. He told me about it later and I was touched. I included pictures of Christopher and Bee at my house, he looks great doesn't he. I can't believe how much he has grown up.
Please let's continue to pray for each other. I have to have a Heart catheterization on Monday. It's out patient so don't worry. My stress test came back and showed a defect. I'm praying it's nothing but I take nothing for granted. Love you all San

My Piano Playing Grand Child

On Saturday Jada played at two piano recitals for the Northwest Florida Music Teachers Association. Wow she was just wonderful. The girl is grace under pressure, she is not nervous at all. She strolls up plays her piece takes a bow and returns to her seat. At the first concert she played "Home on the Range," while the audience sang. During the second recital she played "Sailors Dance." There were 20 to 30 children taking part in each recital, between 5 and 17 years old. All of the children did fantastic jobs. Jada got a trophy for her year of attending concerts, doing her music homework and playing for the church. Oh yea, she played on Sunday for the Youth Choir. She loves to entertain!

Guess who I met?

Actually you probably don't know her but......Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to a secondary education teacher's conference luncheon. I didn't know anything about the conference until my friend, Barbara Dixon just happened to come by on Friday night and mentioned it and showed me the list of guest speakers and low and behold on the list was Jacqueline Woodson, an African American author whom I have long admired. I don't believe in coincidence I know that I was suppose to meet her, so I rushed right out and got a seat in the luncheon. It was wonderful, she is a great writer having won numerous awards and her speech was so inspirational for anyone wanting to write. What a treat, and I purchased a copy of 2 of her books, one for Jada and one for me and had her to autograph them. I baby sat Jada Saturday night and we shared the book entitled "Show Way." It is a great picture book story for families about family history from slavery until the present. It talked abut how we all have to "follow the road" to what we want out of life. I don't know about you guys but at my age I am still on the road discovering what I want to become! So I say to you all "follow the road!"

A Blessed Family

These past two weeks have been surreal to me and I know to all of our family. Losing our dear sister Tut has been very trying. I think of her every day and almost pick up the phone to call her because we talked, laughed, cried and prayed together all the time. She was a wonderful sister and friend and I miss her but know that God knows best. Just sitting in her service last Wednesday and hearing all of the wonderful remarks and thinking about how much she did for us as children and as adults and I marvel at what a wonderful person she was. As Reverend Johnson said "she gave her all" to serve the Lord. Brother's, Sisters, Nieces, Nephews and Friends we need to learn from Tut's example and Let the Work that we do each and Every day speak for us. Tut, Stine, Baby Sister, we all loved her and she will be missed.

Let's all stay in touch with each other and meet on July 19th in NJ to help celebrate the marriage of Ken and Keesha!

Fred and Alonda did we ever choose a name for Baby Sullivan? I still vote for Olivia, it's a great name or Sandra would be nice too! Just think about it!

Road Trip

Kitty and I drove down to Tampa/Mulberry for the weekend to visit Bob's children and Willie James Bender (Fox) our 93 year old cousin. What a trip it was! He is a funny man, and he has all the family stories. He remembers everything and his mind is as clear as a bell. He told stories of mama's mother and father, her grandmother and father, Mitt and Matilda Bender. He told of his relationship with Mama and Daddy and how he helped to get them together. It was wonderful. I wrote everything down and hope to add it to the Heritage of Bay County Book (more on this later).
I got to see Mia, Gina, Carlos, and Sonya and they showed us a good time. Sonya is into Knitting and does a wonderful job. She gave Kitty and I some beautiful throws and a purse that she knitted. She is so talented. She's even Knitting skirts. I told her she should go into business, she could make money. Bob is in New Jersey with Stine while Kitty is here resting. We have an awsome family in that Daddy taught us to love each other. Love is an action word, it's not what you say but what you do, so thank you Bob for helping out. Kitty and I have been having a wonderful time. We both tired from the driving but it was well worth it. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I got back in time to see Jada in her big yellow Fru Fru dress. Bee, Maya and Chris were here in PC over the weekend and came to Church. We all went to PO FOLKS our favorite place to eat after church to fellowship and celebrate Bee's Birthday. What a great weekend! I wish you all could have been here. Take care until I BLOG AGAIN. San, T-san, Grandma San, Sandra Gail or the Crazy Blogger.