Goodbye... for now, at least

When thinking about this blog, words from part of a song keep running through my head. “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when... But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day”. Honestly, I never thought this little thing of ours would last as long as it did. It started, like most of my best ideas, as somewhat of a joke. I never really advertised my blog, but more and more people seemed to find it. I must admit, I always got a kick out of getting feedback on a post from someone I didn’t know was reading this blog. I wish I could post on here like I did in the past. Not just the number of posts, but the content of the posts. I still think some good stuff... I just don’t have time to share it on here. Children & work keep getting in the way... and while I, like you, think this blog should come first, The Wife & my boss disagree.

Before I step away, I would like to say a childhood friend of mine (Michelle) died a couple of days ago. She had cancer, I believe, and put up one heck of a fight this past year. I lost touch with Michelle when she moved away when we were young, so I can’t say we were close. Still, she was my age... in better health than me (at least until the cancer got to her) and now she is gone. That’s been hard for me. Still, this past year Michelle put up one heck of a fight & the faith she showed was nothing short of inspiring.

I don’t want to end on a sad note, so allow me to point out just how correct I was when I said that if Clemson wanted to win (at football... or any sport, for that matter) they would hire Tony Elliott as a coach. I was told that I’m biased (& I am)... but being biased doesn’t mean I’m wrong. I knew this about Tony over 20 years ago, but first went on record about it when my cousin Louis interviewed me for an article he was writing on Tony back in 2003. I said then that Tony Elliott was a winner, plain & simple. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more right about something in my life.

I also want to remind you to support our Walk to End Alzheimer’s each year until there is a cure or until I die. And, if I should die before a cure is found, I hope one of you steps into the Captain spot & keeps Team I’m just sayin... going. My hope, as always, is that this is the year. But if it isn’t, then I shall keep the fight up & hope for next year. I will not lose hope. I will not lose faith. My love for those who have fought (& those who are fighting) this disease is too great.

Until we meet again, my friends, remember to choose joy & expect miracles.

A tradition like no other...

This is a little I'm just sayin... tradition. As my children get older, I like it even more. It helps answer questions that have been asked and will be asked. If you can't see the video, it's the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" video. Google it...

From all of us at I’m just sayin…, to all of you… I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope you get to spend it with the people you love. I know I will.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope he has a GREAT day! One of the highlights of my day (just about every day) is talking to Mom and Dad on the phone. I look forward to many more of those calls… HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I’m sure you remember, I decided a while back to name my pets after my grandfather’s (on Dad’s side) brothers and sisters. So, in honor of Dad’s birthday, below are some pics of Gertrude and Henry (mostly Henry… It’s not easy getting Gertrude to sit still long enough for a picture)…

Henry giving Alan a hug

Checking out the backyard

Didn't see anything worth getting up for...

Henry at his best... sleeping and staying out of trouble

Henry playing with Cousin Piggy

The closest Gertrude ever gets to being an outside cat... walking around the screened in back porch

She's making sure nothing gets through that screen

Henry rolls around on his back and sounds like a pig

Henry thinking about Princess Leia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have said it before, but it is worth saying again… My brother-in-law Brent is by far (without a doubt) the best man my sister ever married. It’s not even close. So, Happy Birthday Brent!!!!!! I hope you have a great day!

I apologize for not posting as regular as I should. It seems my mind is blank every time I am in front of a computer with time to type. Fact is, I have been meeting with upper management here at I’m just sayin… about if we are going to continue this blog or retire. Of course, this could end up being one of those wrestling retirements… who knows. The point is, I’m not sure what will become of this blog after December 31 of this year. If you want to check back from time to time to see if anything has posted, I welcome you to do so. If you never want to visit this site again, that’s ok too. Either way, I do have some pictures I’d like to share with you today so….

Below are some pictures of Mary Ruth.  She is in band this year (playing the saxophone) and for the first quarter of school she had a piano class.  I have to say, she has been doing great with both instruments.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to take a minute today to wish my oldest niece Allison a very happy birthday! I would also like to take a minute or two to post some pictures or talk about some other things, but sadly I am having technological issues and time isn’t on my side. So, I will do the best I can and the best I can is to wish Allison a happy birthday! I hope she has a great day as the end of her first college semester comes to a close.

Happy Birthday J. Michael!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to take a minute today to wish my friend Michael (or, J. Michael, as he is listed on my phone) a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope Adrian and the boys make it a GREAT birthday!

While I'm here, I'll share a few pictures with you...  As you know, Scooby and Henry have a love/hate relationship.  Henry has all love for Scooby... but Scooby is about 50/50 love and hate for Henry.  He wants to love him, but I think he blames Henry for Maverick not being with us anymore.  Before you try to explain to me why that doesn't make sense, remember we are talking about what The Wife's dog is thinking.  Anyway, here are some pics of Henry and Scooby (with a couple of bonus pics of some deer I saw while I was in my backyard).

Scooby was between my chair and the wall and had just had a seizure.  Henry went over to comfort him.  It was nice.  One of the only times (outside of all of us being in the bed together) that Scooby let Henry come close to him.

Just taking a little nap on the bed

Henry trying to be good

Henry with his bff, Chickie-McChicken

Scooby loving Henry.  He only seems to be nice to Henry when we are all in bed resting.  I don't think Henry really likes it, but he's too scared to do anything about it.

DEER!

Deer closer to our house

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I haven't been posting a lot, but there are times when something important happens and I feel the need to cover it on here.  Today, that something important is that it's my friend Leigh-Ann's birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LA!!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope Kevin and the kids make it a great one for you!

Below are some pics from Girl Scouts in September... We started with a Daisy and a Junior and left with a Brownie and a Cadet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE KEITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to take a minute this morning to wish my Uncle Keith a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  I hope he has a GREAT day!!!!

Speaking of birthday's... I've got a few pics from Ethan's birthday (back in September) that I don't believe I've shared on here yet.  So..... now seems like a good time to share them.

I can't believe he's already 2!

Susie LOVES Ethan... who can blame her?

He likes one of the toys we gave him!  Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure he likes both of them, but I only got a picture of him playing with one of them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to wish my sweet little (in her words, "fun-sized") girl Susie a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is one of a kind, and that's a good thing because I don't know if the world could take 2 of her!  I love her very much and hope she has a GREAT day!

I don't believe I shared our "Back-to-school" pics on here... so here they are!

A group pic at our new house

My 6th grader

My 2nd grader

My 1st grader

Happy Birthday Jane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to wish my Labor Day Cousin Jane a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!  I hope she has a GREAT day!

As you know, Jane has been a long-time supporter of Team I'm just sayin... in our Walk to End Alzheimer's (going back to when it was just me raising money as part of another team).  I can't remember the exact year she started supporting me, but I do know it was the first year I asked her to.  It means a lot to me knowing I can count on her each year... and I would love nothing more than for a cure to be found so I won't have to ask her for a donation anymore.

While we're on the subject... THANK YOU to everyone who donated to Team I'm just sayin... this year.  We were able to raise over $2,000 this year which put us in the Top 10 in the Friends/Family category (Top 20 overall)!!!!  Thank you for your support.

Here are some pics from the day of the walk.  It got postponed, so my full team wasn't able to make it... but we still had fun.

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Former Gov. Mark Sanford

Not really a picture of me... more of a picture of Mark Sanford following me.  :)