Merry Christmas from Atlanta

Vernon and I returned to Atlanta on Sunday to be with his family for Christmas. It was 80 degrees when we left Orlando that afternoon and 34 when we arrived at his mother's house but we aren't complaining about the weather. We don't have ice or snow to deal with. Last night we enjoyed sitting around the fire at his brother's house and talking. Merry Christmas to all!

Family Time in Atlanta

This show some of the Thanksgiving meal bounty we enjoyed. You don't see desserts but we did have those, too, of course.
Vernon sorta looks like a rabbit, but the explanation is his brother made this balloon for his daughter's surprise birthday party. Vernon put it on for fun. We celebrated our niece, Morgan's, 10th birthday last Friday evening. It was a surprise to her because the date is actually Dec. 8, but we thought while all together for Thanksgiving, it would be fun to do and it was.

She certainly looks happy and ready to celebrate, doesn't she!

Morgan poses with her mother, Susan and sister, Emily Ann.

Morgan and her grandmother, Margaret Brady

Of course, Uncle Vernon also gets a hug. Somehow I neglected to get a photo of Morgan and her father or me, but we were there!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - BE GRATEFUL

Vernon and I enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal together with the people I work with at Campus Crusade last Thursday. This is how each place setting was thoughtfully and appropriately decorated - a miniature ceramic loaf pan with a pumpkin bread recipe, candy corn and a pumpkin scented candle.
There were 50-60 of us all together (other spouses joined in like Vernon did) and the food was served buffet style. Notice we are outside! Beautiful Florida sunshine warmed us nicely. You can see the dessert end of the buffet: pumpkin and pecan pie plus turtle cheesecake. I ate only 1/2 piece of pumpkin pie.I'm writing in Atlanta where Vernon's mother, Margaret Brady lives. We plan to go to his brother's home today and return to Orlando Saturday.

I've been remembering where we were 3 years ago now, living and waiting in Gainesville, FL, for the heart transplant Vernon needed. We'd been there six months and were well-acquainted by this time with the other patients who were waiting and we had a good sense of community. We were able to gather in a conference room in the hospital and have a great meal together on Thanksgiving Day. It is a wonderful memory. Family members who weren't able to live there with the patients joined us for the day, at least, and some for the weekend. They brought home-cooked food to share. Our heart transplant social worker purchased food from Publix (turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans) that those of us in the apartments heated up and brought to the hospital in little red wagons that were borrowed from the children's floor. If I had pictures of that time on this computer, I'd share a few but I didn't think ahead.

So though we could not be with the family members we are with this Thanksgiving, we were grateful for the hospital family we had there and enjoyed the day very much. We did not know at that time how much longer we'd be waiting. It turned out to be more than 2 more months, all of December and January until Feb. 4, 2006. At least two of the patients with us 3 years ago are not alive. All the more reason for us to be grateful today for the life that Vernon has. Yesterday we both talked to Tina, the wife of Vernon's donor, Steven. And Esther, Steven's mother, talked to Vernon last week. We are blessed to know them.

Recently I've read several places the benefits of gratitude. Saying thanks is not just pious or polite. It is good for you. "It doesn't really work if you do it only once a year," says Sonja Lyubomirsky, professor of psychology at UC-Riverside. Practicing gratitude is like exercising, says Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at UC-Davis: Use it and you won't lose it, even when times are tough, as they are for many folks right now.

These two researchers are among others who have learned that:

• People with high blood pressure not only lower their blood pressure, but they feel less hostile and are more likely to quit smoking and lose weight when they practice gratitude.

• People who care for relatives with Alzheimer's disease feel less stress and depression when they keep daily gratitude journals, listing positive things in their lives.

• Those who maintain a thankful attitude through life appear to have lower risks of several disorders, including depression, phobias, bulimia and alcholism.

• Most people can lift their mood simply by writing a letter of thanks to someone. Hand-deliver the letter and the boost in happines can last weeks or months.

Practicing gratitude in these systematic ways changes people by changing brains that "are wired for negativity, for noticing gaps and omissions," Emmons says. "When you express a feeling, you amplify it. When you express anger, you get angrier; when you express gratitude, you become more grateful."

And grateful people, he says, don't focus so much on pain and problems. They are also quicker to realize they have friends, families and communities to assist them in times of need. They see how they can help others in distress, as well, he says.

To give your gratitude muscles a workout, Emmons suggests the following:

• Keep a gratitude journal, listing the gifts in your life, daily, twice weekly or weekly. Try to be specific and don't repeat the same things each time.

• Make a list of people or circumstances in your life that you take for granted and then consider what your life would be like without them.

• Write a letter of thanks to someone who made a difference in your life. Consider delivering and reading it in person.

The above information was found in a USA Today Health column written by Kim Painter Nov. 24, 2008.

If you haven't seen the Gratitude Dance on youtube.com yet, or would like to view it again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NeMC1Fl3J0

And here's the link to another video showing people around the world doing the Gratitude Dance, including happy children. It will make you feel happy just watching it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeLbrGspigg


My gratitude list begins with thanking God for the spiritual life I have because of Jesus. Ready to start your list, if you haven't already?

Savannah Scenes

Saturday evening, Nov. 22, after arriving in Savannah, we ate dinner at The Olde Pink House, built in 1773. Yes, 1773! It first was the home of Mr. Habersham and meetings were held there by the colonists for the Revolutionary War. Next it was a bank and the vaults held the colonists' money. While Sherman occupied Savannah, it was used by his army. Many years later after some disrepair, it was purchased and restored to use as a restaurant. It was highly recommended to us and we found it a memorable experience.Notice we are dining by candlelight. It was Vernon's idea to take photos without flash, just using light from the candle. Our waiter, Britton, took this one of us.
Here is the appetizer portion of the menu. We enjoyed fresh sauteed shrimp served in country ham gravy over cheese grits. It was delicious!

Vernon took this of me

And here's Vernon

In the elevator of the hotel, I noticed the reflective ceiling and we had fun taking photos as we looked up. Vernon is holding a cup of hot chocolate and hot tea for us to enjoy in the room. It was cold in Savannah!
This butterfly was NOT found by us in Savannah. I actually took the picture in Orlando but it is so beautiful that I share it with you now. I haven't figured out yet what kind it is, so if you can identify it, please let the rest of us know by posting the answer as a comment.

This picture was taken in Orlando, too.

If you want to see more scenes of Savannah, go to this link where there are 60 pictures, including some of the above:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70949&l=a47ab&id=685713412

Tybee Island, near Savannah, GA

Hello again! We left Orlando Saturday, Nov. 22 to drive to Savannah, GA, for the weekend. One of the things we enjoyed while in that area was exploring Tybee Island, which is the closest beach to Savannah. It was a beautiful day, but cold and windy, so that is why we are bundled up.
The sand dunes are protected and fencing helps hold the sand in place. The beach there has a mostly natural look to it with the sea oats covering the dunes plus palm trees growing.

We were blessed to see a butterfly enjoying this lantana flower.

This is the Tybee Island light house and museum. We didn't go inside either one because it was late in the day.
Back in Savannah Sunday evening Deb found this Santa waiting for her outside of the Savannah Candy Kitchen. We bought some salt water taffy and divinity to share at Thanksgiving.

If you would like to see all our Tybee Island pictures, go to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=71172&l=3a17e&id=68571341

Fall Festival

A week ago tonight we enjoyed a Fall Festival for the employees where I work, Campus Crusade for Christ. The hay bales and other items were set in place for photos to be taken so we took our turn and this is the result. It was a nice evening outdoors in Florida. There was a pumpkin patch, a maze for the kids, hayrides plus food and a movie shown, Chicken Run. I think if you click on this picture, it will enlarge so you can see it better.

I'm aware that it is a month since I've posted anything and I'm sorry. I've given up on posting more of our October trip pictures for now. Maybe I'll get back to it.

Tonight we enjoyed watching from our patio the space shuttle Endeavour launch successfully. Besides the nearly full moon reflecting on the lake water, there was also the reflection of the flames and light from the shuttle. At this time, only 5 more shuttle launches are planned, ending in 2010 but many people are pushing for the aircraft to continue being used to 2015.

Here's some good news about Vernon. He is now pain free for the first time in more than a year. The sudden, sharp pain that he's endured since last October is no longer happening. We don't know if this is a result of the radiation or if there is another explanation but that doesn't matter. We're just grateful that he's pain free. Also, his sense of taste is improving. His cancer doctor couldn't predict whether that would happen or not. So far the hair he lost hasn't regrown, which I appreciate on his right cheek. He doesn't shave every day but his right cheek is always more smooth than if he'd shaved. Nice!

Amicalola Falls State Park

Here are some views of our Monday afternoon at a waterfall near Dahlonega, GA. The trail crossed over the creek here. Isn't it beautiful? And we noticed a grapevine swing along the trail so Vernon showed me how it worked.
Another view of the creek and woods. Vernon likes walking along creeks like this. If you double-click on any of these pictures, you'll be able to see them better.
This is the view from the top of the falls where we stood on a bridge over the water.

Here are the trees along the water at the top.

At the visitor's center we noticed some Gulf Frittilary butterflies.

We were sorta tired by the end of the day and as I took a photo of us, he kept his eyes closed.
For the next picture, I closed my eyes, too. Someone passing by offered to take our picture for us and I burst out laughing when Vernon replied, "This is the blind tour."
Here's another branch of a tree that has red leaves while the rest of it is still green.
There is a beautiful place to stay called Amicalola Lodge. We entered to look around but didn't try to stay there. Maybe another time.
There is a three story sitting room. I'm looking down on the huge fireplace from the upper level.
This wall of windows allows afternoon sun to warm the room. I imagine it would be nice to view sunset here, too, but we didn't stay for that.
We ended last Monday in Helen, GA, and the next entry will share some of that story with you.

Views of Dahlonega, GA

Dahlonega is a town in North Georgia with a quaint area of shops and restaurants surrounding the square that houses a Gold Museum. This area is where the first discovery of gold was made in the U.S. Monday afternoon we enjoyed walking around the square. I noticed the name of the shop behind Vernon, The Humble Candle. We didn't shop but stayed outside enjoying the pleasant weather and scenery.
I really like these wood entry doors to one shop with the autumn decor adding color. Below is one of the side windows of the shop, advertising fresh apples that have been dipped.
Needing a bite to eat, we selected an outdoor place with a second floor porch overlooking the square. I'm looking at the building that houses the gold museum. We're shaded by sycamore trees.
The plants at the entry to another shop caught my eye and liked the arrangement. The shop's name was Treaures Within.

And there was a bit of color change to appreciate and enjoy in these maple leaves.

Notice the gold-covered steeple? It tops the county courthouse.

I took many pictures of this house because of all the detail on it, both the fence and house itself.

What do you think? I like it alot! Notice the chains of a porch swing?

Here's a close-up of the detailed woodwork trim.

I wonder what it is like inside!
We passed this house as we left Dahlonega headed for Amicalola Falls, a short distance east.

Vernon & Morgan

Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12, Vernon and I were at his brother's home in Kennesaw, GA. This is their beautiful front door. Richard and Susan are professional musicians and were gone for the afternoon playing in the opera. So Vernon, his mother and I got to have Morgan all to ourselves.
We started by sitting on the deck to enjoy the fresh air. Morgan had her game boy and showed Vernon the fishing game.

She caught a "neptuna" a mythical creature, and was very happy about it.

Next, on their Wii, they played a driving game that Morgan usually won - she's had lots more experience on it.
I'm writing this from a hotel room in Winston-Salem, NC, where we've stopped during our week driving trip, to see an aunt of Vernon's, Mary Jane Brady, who had a stroke several weeks ago. She is in Forsyth Medical Center. We visited with her yesterday and plan to this morning before we drive north to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see other relatives.

Please pray for Aunt Mary Jane's recovery. She still has a long road ahead for full recovery. Her three daughters are taking turns being with her. She is not able to talk yet but seemed to respond to some of what Vernon said and did as he held her hand.