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.

Ready for Spring

This daylight savings time is kicking my you know what. It's pitch black when I get up for work and I have been dragging all week. It's been rough! Jada, Jason and Danielle are all doing well. Last Saturday, Jada, Danielle and I spent the afternoon at her first recital of the year. She did an excellent job. During her afternoon session she was critiqued by an independent teacher and graded and got a top honors. Jada has a passion for the piano, and we are proud of her. On March 20 she will be 9 years old. We can hardly believe it. I hope everyone is doing well. I want to go to Mulberry next weekend to visit Mama's nephew, Fox, he is 93 years old. I plan to write down all his stories about the Bender Family. He has a clear mind and told me that he still mows the yard. Kitty is coming on Wednesday and I will be taking a few days off to go South if all goes well.
So everyone stay well and think SPRING!

Black History, Our History

February is over and so are all the Black History Programs. We did a program at church last Sunday night and I did a program at the library on Tuesday night, and a book club at the Martin Luther King Jr center on Wednesday. I love watching the children learn and their reactions when they get it! It is so sad that they do not know any history beyond Harriett Tubman and MLK. I talked about the Four little Girls in the 16th Street Church Bombing in Birmingham 1963 and they were amazed. We read "The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963 and they loved it. These were 4th through about 8th grade girls and boys. Tell your children and grand children or children that you are around your history and our history. They will benefit from it.
The photo's were taken at the library Jada is on the front row. I have other photo's with her helping out in a story. I will post later.


On the home front all is well with us. The city is gearing up for Spring break. It's suppose to be 77 today but it cools down at night. Angela has accepted a new job which affords her the opportunity to do a great deal of traveling and she is really excited. Keep her in your prayers as she embarks on this new adventure in her life. Remember to pray for the family. Maryjewel and I set aside Monday's for prayer, join us as we pray for the Pierce Family.

It's Raining, It's Pouring in the South....Snow Storms in the North

Talk about a lot of rain! It's been raining for two days down here by Georgia. Yesterday we had tornado warnings, water spouts and hail. Jason, Danielle and I were stuck at work and Jada was at Girls Inc her afterschool care. Jason called to say they were told to go to the middle of the store the weather service was tracking possible tornado activity in the area. He called Danielle, then me and I started to pray. Danielle went out in the storm to get Jada and made it home. She wasn't letting any storm keep her from Jada. I couldn't leave because of the lightening and the waves of heavy rain on the marina. When I finally left work the rain was pouring so hard and the lightening was striking all around the car, I was scared to death. I ran into a flooded area before I realize that I had a problem. Thank God the car didn't stall and I was able to make it to Jason's house safely to wait out the storm. There was no school today and the rain started again this afternoon. It has been a bad two days as far as the weather is concerned. Talked to Edna and she said that they had heavy snowfall and everything was shut down in NJ. What a week! I thank God that we are all safe tonight and let's look forward to better weather tomorrow.

House Blessing At the Pierce's

Last Monday night I enjoyed a wonderful party at the Pierce Family's new home. Jason, Danielle and Jada were the perfect host. People from the neighborhood and members of our church family including Pastor and Minister Williams were there to Bless their new home. Jada provided entertainment by playing several pieces on the piano including When the Saints Go Marching In. Everyone song along as she played. It was soo cute. Jason and his family are truely blessed and I am so proud. All I had to do was show up and enjoy the food and fellowship.
On another note, Edna is out of the hospital and attended church services today. Kenny preached today and Edna said it was just wonderful, he is a true man of God. We are so proud of Kenny.
Today was my 53rd birthday and I really enjoyed myself. Actually Jada was so excited about giving me my gifts that she couldn't wait until today. I was summoned over last night and she gave me a wonderful picture frame with a picture of her inside. Today we all went to church and Danielle's children's choir sang and Jada played a couple of songs. What a great birthday for me. You all have a blessed week and continue to pray for each other. San

Family Stories

This is the children's author that I was fortunate enough to meet and hang out with last weekend. She uses a lot of family stories and things that she has experienced(life) to write her books. This weekend I will have the time to pull out my stories again and write, write, write. Our family is so filled with funny stories and history that we could all write for years and not run out of material. I've learned that you can take the little things in life and use them to create a short story or even a book. Here's a funny story. When mama died and we had to break the news to Jada, she was only 3, it was very hard. Jason and Danielle were too emotional at the time so I had to tell her when she came home from daycare that day. She searched the house all over for her Nana. She turned to me and said "is she not ever coming back?" I said no but we will see her again in Heaven. She thought and thought for a while then she said to me....."If she's not coming back," Can I have her wheel chair? I heard Jason and Danielle's sobbing in the next room turn to laughter! That was the funniest thing and the thing that helped us to get througt that January day in 2004. We all have stories within us. It's up to us to preserve these stories for our children. So get yourself a journal or a blog and write you family stories. I wish I had written down every story that Daddy, Mamma and Majane had to share. Now it's too late, so don't wait.

Great Weekend with Books and Friends

This has been a very long two weeks for me. Two weekends working in a row, but it was worth it. The Library's Books Alive Book Festival was this weekend and I had the opportunity to hang out with a wonderful children's author all weekend, Deborah Wiles. She did presentations at two area schools as well as at the Festival. Not only do I love her books but I also really think she is a wonderful person. Some times you meet people that you like instantly and she was one of those kind of people. Her books are based on her life experience and family. I think the family part was what has me hooked on her books. Most of her books contain Black characters, one picture book "Freedom Summer," is based on a fictional story of two friends one black and one white and how they dealt with the closing of the public pool in a small town in Mississippi after the 1964 Civil Rights Act passed. skating rinks, schools, swimming pools, businesses all closed around the south so that our people wouldn't be able to use them. So much history in a 32 page picture book. I bought the book for Jada and had it signed by Deborah. Children need to know where we came from! What a great weekend. I am so inspired to continue with my writing of family stories. With help from God, who knows one day they could be published!

February is Birthday Month!

Smith and Elizabeth seemed to have had the majority of their children in 3 months out of the year. September, June and February. Bee was the only one born in March. We started this month with Barbara Jean on the 4th, Kitty and Bubbee on the 7th and my birthday will be on the 17th (hint). I can't believe that I will be 53. I remember thinking that 53 was old. Now I'm thinking it's the new 40. Seriously, I am happy that God has taken care of all of us this many years. Looking back I can recall Edna dropping me off at preschool as she drove to College. Mayjewel taking us down town to buy clothes for May Day celebration in Elementary school and keeping half the money for herself. And sneaking around the house listening in on guy talk with Bo and Bull and loving every minute of it. Oh and I can't forget about just making Kitty crazy every night cause she couldn't stand for me to touch her in bed (we shared a bed). She still can't stand it when we visit each other and have to sleep together. Well those were the days. For the Younger set reading this blog remember to dream big and follow those dreams. Don't take life for granted, praise God each and every day and learn to love, cause before you know it you too will be 53! Oh and Happy Birthday to Fred Sullivan tooo I forgot to call (sorry). Sonya and Mia also have February birthdays. Mia will be the big 30 on the 19th and I forget how old Sonya will be but her birthday is at the end of February. Happy February Birthdays!

Sunday Best!

Church was wonderful today. We had a great service and dinner afterward. It's great to go to church and get regenerated for the next week to come. Jada was looking quite pretty in church today so I thought I would share her with her kinfolks. Have a good week and God bless you.

Pictures from Pensacola

Here's a few snapshops of my Pensacola visits...........The Pierce Sisters were looking good! As you can see Maya and I were having a good time! Angela was taking the pictures so I didn't get any of her this time.

Long Weekend In Pensacola

Hey, I decided to take a break and go to Pensacola this weekend to visit, Bee, Angie and Maya. It was coooooooold, 27 degrees overnight. I saw Ice on my car! Driving through the pouring rain to get there on Saturday, I thought, "what am I doing?" But it has been so worth it. Shopping on Saturday was fun with Angela. Unfortunately Bee was on her way to a MLK event and fell in her yard. We took her to the ER and she checked out fine, just sore but no breaks or sprains. We went to Foley AL for more shopping on Sunday .......If you know me you KNOW that I am NOT a shopper but Angela is helping me work through my anti shopping issues :) Great bargains in Foley. They have a gigantic area of outlet stores. Deborah Pierce would have loved it! We went to a resturant called Lambert's Cafe, Home of the throwed rolls. That's right they literally throw hot rolls to you on request. Rolls were flying through the air all over the place. And the food..... it was over the top. You get a meat and two veggies plus people come around offering extra fixings....like peas, okra, fried potatos and onions, syrup and delicious apple butter. It was great fun. The waiters and waitresses also play tricks on customers that are just fun. I highly reccommend a weekend of shopping and eating and visitng with family. I will add photos of the trip as soon as I get them from Angela. I forgot my camera!

Wedding Bells

Dom Dom da Dom.....No not me silly, Kenney and Keesha. I got my "save the date" card in the mail and it was beautiful. I am so looking forward to visiting with my family in July in New Jersey. I'm overdue a trip to NJ but with the change of management at my job I've kind of been on lock down. Things have calmed down quite a bit but we are working on overdrive trying to get ready to move to our new location on 11th street. We will not be able to be off during spring break this year and I can only take a few days off this summer but I am going to pray that all goes well and I am able to attend the big day. I hope that all the "Pierce Family" members can make it too! So congratulations Kenney..."He who finds a wife finds a good thing." God Bless you one and all! San

Movie Review

The Great Debaters, what a great movie! Angela (Bee's daughter) and I had dinner and went to the movies tonight and had a great time. The movie was produced by Harpo (Oprah) and directed by Denzel Washington with a fine slate of young actors. I made the mistake of reading reviews online after the movie an they made me sick. The movie was a work of fiction inspired by events in history, hence historical fiction. Critics blasted it because some things were changed, fictional characters on the team, and the final debate was held at Harvard instead of USC where it was really held. The movie, I felt was well worth the price of a ticket which I can't say about most movies made these days. Unfortunately, there were only five people in the theater. Anyway, go see it and take it for what it is, historical fiction. If you want the real story do some research. ****stars.

Two Thoughts

I had this afternoon off and will be off on tomorrow. My grandchild got wind of it and called me up just to say hello (not)! The conversation went like this "hello Grandma San this is Jada", I said "hi Jada what's up?" Jada says "I just called to say hi. Oh are you off tomorrow?" I say "why" she says "oh you could pick me up after school if you wanted to...but you don't have to." I said what do you want me to do? and she repeated... You could pick me up if you want to but you don't have to." I said YOU have to ask Danielle. (Jada knows Danielle likes for her to go to her afterschool program). Jada says "oh I'll take the phone to mama." She gives the phone to Danielle and says "Grandma San wants to ask YOU something."
Danielle said ok, but we both agreed that Jada knows how to work her business. Jada would make a wonderful politician or a lawyer (no offence Alonda)

On another note:

We have been studying Job in Bible study and I have been blessed by the message. Don't let anything shake your faith in God because in the end you will have the victory. Job's friends tried to convince him that he was sick because of sin in his life. Not so because Job was a righteous man, his wife said to curse God and die, but she was wrong. Job stayed in faith and in the end after praying for his friends God blessed him with more that what he had lost. So stay in faith, no matter the circumstance.

OK I just felt like getting that out! No, I am not preaching, just excited about the word. LOVE YOU ALL SAN

New Point of View

Ok, I heard from one of my nephews with a different perspective on voting choices. This is a quote from Kenney in the comment section and it's certainly noteworthy and I felt that everyone should see it so I hope you don't mind Kenney but here it is: Ken said
"What if another charismatic black man with very little experience was running against Hillary. Say, a man who's birthday we celebrate every year in January? Of course, Obama is not MLK, but the presidency is not about calling all of the shots. Much of the work is accomplished via the members of the cabinet. This is an historic time that could possibly pave the way for other black women and men in politics for years to come. Puttin a black man in the white house says, "It's possible." Obama's election would desegregate what may be the most coveted position of the free world".
Well stated Ken. I'm waiting for the results of the New Hampshire primary as we speak. I'm just hoping for something good to happen in Washington!

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Today has been a beautiful day in PC. Weather in the 70's, a big change from last weeks 20's. If you follow politics then you know that the Iowa Caucaus turned out a lot different than what was expected. Yes Fred I am a Hillary fan. She is smart, she has more experience and yes her secret weapon is my main man "Bill." Plus I think she has a better chance to beat the people from the "dark side" (Repubican's oops I meant Republicans). I think we all have had enough of the Bush machine. Thank God Florida's old (Jethro) is not in the race. He knew better to even try it with his brother's approval ratings in the teens. I am willing to listen and have been listening to what Obama has to say but I think it is a long shot for him to take the country. I do admit that there is a first time for everything, I just don't know if it is his first time.The Florida Primary is this month so FL relatives if you haven't registered please do right away like now so that you too can have a voice.
Have a good week and remember to pray for family members and fast if you are able to. Monday or Friday both breakfast and lunch or more if you can handle it.
I love you all. Jada's grandmother and Smith Pierce's daughter(politics)

To Blog or Not to Blog? This is the Question

Ok... Maybe I've gotten a little carried away with this blogging thing. Really, I think it's very neat and I have some time on my hands right now. Maybe the excitement will wear off and I will stop but for right now I'm enjoying it. The question is...are you? I've only received one comment so far from Kitty. She is my #1 reader-responder. The remainder of the family has remained silent. To comment you have to join blogger which is really easy. Just follow the directions when asked to sign up. You don't have to set up a blog just join and then you will be allowed to comment. If you don't want to do that then just email me directly with your comments or input or happenings or just tell me to get a life. If anyne has an email address for the Tampa relatives please send it to me so that I can at least send them my blog. If you don't really care about this it will not hurt my feelings but I will continue to send unless you ask not to be on my list of recepeints. I hope everyone had a great day, it's still cold here in smallville but expected to warm up considerably on Saturday and Sunday. Old man winter is in the House! Stay warm and remember I love you but God loves you Best.

Sandra (Aka)San, Mymama, Tsan, Aunt San, Grandma San, and Sandra Gail (of course)

Cold Weather and Goatees

Burr, It's cold today in Panama City. Hard freeze last night and tonight it's suppose to be in the 20's. I actually had to wear a coat today for the first time in a long time. Here's some news that will warm us up...Edna is home from the hospital and sounded good on the telephone tonight. She is one strong woman. Kitty's arthirits is acting up but she keeps on going in spite of the pain. Remeber to pray for both of them. Kitty told me that Fred now has grown a little goatee and looked very cute so I had him to send me a picture so I could judge for myself.(Is the word really spelled goatee???) He does look quite striking doesn't he????? I told him he looks like a grown man now, and he replied that he has been grown for a long time. He just didn't look it. Baaaaaaaa Stay warm and Keep the Faith.
Love You All:
San, mymama, grandma san, aunt San, T-san, and sandra gail to some.

Happy New Year

Happy 2008! We made it to see another year! I can't believe that Jason and Danielle will be 30 years old this year, Jada will be 9, and I'll be 53 if the Lord wills. Time has really gone by quickly! We are looking forward to this new year with excitement. We have some big events coming up this year. Kenney and Kiesha will be marriad on July 19 in NJ, Kitty is planning a family reunion after the wedding. God has really blessed us and will continue to bless this family. I'm hoping everyone can come to this reunion. It will be great for everyone to get together again. I pray that God Blesses and keeps my entire family during this year. Please remember to fast and pray for one another. Prayer Changes Things. Love you All