HAPPY LEAP DAY, everyone!

I went to see "Menopause---the musical" at the Athens Classic Center yesterday. Hilarious!!!!

Have a good week.

02/28/12 10:32 AM

#2635

So it has come to this!

I trust eveyone is having a GREAT week! Not much going on around the Classic City, just counting down my days. There seems to be a steady parade of like minded individuals. Unusual in difficult economic times but I guess you just can't put a price on good mental health. I guess I had better get back to twittling my thumbs. I about 10 twittles behind. Later.

02/29/12 11:05 AM

#2636

Donald Chandler

HAPPY LEAP DAY, everyone!

I have mixed memories of this special day on the calendar. My Dad, Benjamin "Bennie" Chandler died on Leap Day 1980 of pancreatic cancer at the young age of 66. But, I also have a great-niece (my twin brother Ron's first granddaughter) Tia Rivera-Ortiz, who was born 16 years later on Leap Day 1996. Tia celebrates "Sweet Sixteen" today and I wish that Ron could have lived to see what a beautiful young lady she is. He would be smiling from ear to ear! (maybe he is anyway!)... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIA!

Have a great day, mates!...

Benjamin Thornton Chandler Tia Rivera-Ortiz

03/01/12 06:53 AM

#2637

Good Morning! I have been up since 4:20 AM, and keep asking myself, "Diane, why don't you just get a paper route and make use of these hours?" Anyway....

Connie, I cannot wait to hear a more in depth report on "Menopause the Musical"! I should have tried out for a part. Goodness knows I was "hot" enough. Fellas, try not to be sad that you missed out on that bonding experience.

Don, those were such sweet pictures of your daddy and your niece. It's really special that they shared the same date of birth, though decades apart. No doubt Ron would be very, very proud of his granddaughter. I love Alan Jackson's song "Remember When". There's a line that goes, "Remember when old ones died and new were born, life fell apart, disassembled, rearranged". The first time I heard that song was the winter after my mama died, and I cried and cried. I still do, sometimes. But new ones have been born, and I see my mother and daddy's lives continue here through them. One day we'll all meet up again, and how great that will be.

Well, Dick has come down the stairs, so I will get breakfast going. I hope everybody has a good first day of March. I can't believe it's here. We have not really had winter here in Ohio...not that I'm complaining.

03/01/12 07:09 AM

#2638

P.S. Why am I so sad about Davey Jones of The Monkees dying? I never knew him, but I am sad. I guess 'cause I hear so many of those songs when I remember times with you guys. I mean, "I'm a Believer" was one I remember hearing on the jukebox at the truck stop in Crawford. Plus, it seems like he was one of the few who did not go off the deep end at some point. Oh, we'll, RIP Davey, and thanks for the memories.

03/01/12 08:54 AM

#2639

Greetings and salutations one and all and happy Thursday! Diane, we should have got on line and chatted last night - I don't think I slept at all. We are in the process of buying a new home and sleep eludes me during such events. Our church is having their annual retreat this weekend and hopefully I will come away refreshed. Been a busy few weeks. Well Super Tuesday is fast approaching and the Republican candidate may be set come next Wednesday. I hope you each have or will exercise your right to vote (assuming we have a few Republicans among our group.) I must admit I have never been more disappointed in my government than I have been in the past few years. I don't know who will win the Presidential election but I fear the citizens of the United States of America will be the loser. I came across this quip that illustrates my feelings pretty well. Strangely enough it was entitled "Soviet Medicine". I'm sure you all remember how successful that socialist experiment (the Soviet Union) was and I fear my country may be headed down the same road. May you all be blessed in the coming days. Later.

A Soviet journalist walked into the hospital and told the desk nurse, "I want to see the eye-ear doctor."
"There is no such doctor" she tells him. "Perhaps you would like to see someone else?"
"No, I need to see an eye-ear doctor," he says.
"But there is no such doctor," she replies. "We have doctors for the eyes and doctors for the ear, nose and throat, but no eye-ear doctor."
No help. He repeats, "I want to see the eye-ear doctor."
They go around like this for a few minutes and then the nurse says: "Comrade, there is no eye-ear doctor, but if there were one, why would you want to see him?"
"Because," he replies, "I keep hearing one thing and seeing another."?

03/01/12 08:39 PM

#2640

My goodness - I wonder why so many did have problems sleeping last night? I woke up at 1 a.m. and still hadn't been back to sleep when the alarm went off at 5 a.m.

Gary - buying a new house??? I was surprised to hear that since you just got that beautiful patio finished recently. Will you still be in Watkinsville?

Oh Diane, you and your morning self! You are such a morning person and I am so not! That Alan Jackson song has brought out the tears in me many times too...

Don, thanks for sharing some memories about your dad. I know you still miss him - and your mom and Ron.

Happy March to you all.

03/02/12 12:42 PM

#2641

Donald Chandler

HAPPY FRIDAY, MATES!

Diane and Connie... Thanks for your kind words. I agree that Alan Jackson's song, "Remember When" is a good one! It has great lyrics!... and the guy can sing! And BTW, Connie... I'm looking for a special report on "Menopause the Musical " too!

Say, Jim... Our Braves are off to a shaky start and haven't even played a game yet! Tommy Hanson had a ONE-VEHICLE wreck with a concussion on the way to the FIRST DAY of spring training, and Freddie Freeman has injured his knee. GOSH DARNNIT! I guess neither of the injuries are serious, but it is certainly no way to start the year, especially after the way last season ended. But I am so ready for some BASEBALL!!!

So, it has come to this... Gary, you need to fill us in on this "buying a new home" thing... I know you are retiring, but are you also planning to move out of the country in advance of the election? I will be voting Super Tuesday, and I still intend to cast my ballot for the guy that I think has the best chance to beat Komrade Obama. Right now, even though I like Newt the best, I think Romney (with the right running mate) has the best chance in November. But, if any of you can convince me otherwise, I'm listening...

I see Gary is on a church retreat this weekend, and our church is winding up our annual Missions Festival. Tonight, Liz and I have a special Friday night date... a 6-HOUR BIBLE STUDY of the BOOK OF REVELATION! (6pm-midnight)... This is a ticketed event, part of our Missions Festival, and I confess that I've been hesitant to sign up, so Liz just bought me a ticket anyway! :-) Now don't get me wrong... I love studying the Bible, and my Wednesday Night Bible Study is a highlight of my week. But six hours?!... of Revelation???!!!... It is not exactly my idea of a fun, fuzzy Friday!... And it goes past my curfew! LOL! Anyway... I'm sure it will be a blessing... And then Sunday we have a very special guest. Have any of you seen the movie END OF THE SPEAR? (2006)... It tells the true story of a missionary named Nate Saint and his family and friends who made contact with an "unreached" Indian tribe in the jungle of South America with the Gospel message. Nate Saint was killed by the natives and his son Steve eventually helped to convert them to Christianity and actually became a close friend to the man who speared his father to death. Steve Saint will be our honored guest speaker Sunday to conclude our Missions Festival. I look forward to hearing an amazing "God Story"!

Looks like some nasty weather around the country, mates. Be safe out there and have a great weekend! Reporting live from God's Country... and Braves Country... this is Don.

03/08/12 01:07 PM

#2642

Arggggh! I must have been a victim of the solar flair!!!! For you that check in regularily, you probably had an opportunity to read my lengthy monologue yesterday before the server went down and lost my masterpiece. I'm not going to try to repeat it here. Just know that unless you check in frequently, you might miss something good. The Occupiers have been evicted and situation normal ......... I'll leave it to all my former military buddies to complete that phrase. I hope you are all have a GREAT week and are being fulfilled. Later.

03/08/12 04:26 PM

#2643

Jimmy Willis

HELLO MATES!

BEING FULFILLED--- THAT SOUNDS NICE DON'T IT?! NEVER

HEARD IT USED LIKE THAT GARY. A VERY NICE WAY TO SAY

YOU'RE COMPLETE HUH!

NUFF THAT! DON I MIXED ME UP A BATCH OF SPRING TONIC

LAST NITE. NOW GARY THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL FULFILLED!

SO BOYS AND GIRLS I'M READY FOR BASEBALL--- WORKING IN

THE YARD --- GOLF. ANYTHING BESIDES COLD WEATHER!

SO COME ON WEEKEND!

SEE YA LATER MATES!

03/08/12 08:38 PM

#2644

Boy what a pretty day!! I enjoyed being off today so I spent some time out picking up the limbs in the yard from the recent winds.

I talked with Linda Wheless today. She was telling me about her trip to Social Security to talk about signing up..

I went to my nursing school class reunion in Savannah last week-end. 16 of the 26 in my class were there. My car broke down on I-16 on the way home (in the rain)... The alternator went out.. The blessing of it was that I was within 25 miles of Swainsboro, Ga. where I have family living. A cousin's son came and helped me get to Swainsboro, bought a new alternator and he put it in and I got home safely. I couldn't help but think that just a few years ago, I would have been out walking..... now I am fortunate enough to have a cell phone and be able to call for help.

I hope you all have a good week-end. Love ya'll.

03/09/12 11:07 AM

#2645

Happy Friday one and all! Connie, so sorry to hear about your car problems but glad the Lord provided. Don, I saw End of the Spear several years ago. I can't remember if the scene is contained at the conclusion of the movie or on a documentary concerning the movie, but was most moving when the man that killed the father was presented. That truly had to be through the Grace of God. Diane, so sorry to hear you are having some dental issues. Sherron and I hit that wall over the last two years and hopefully we are set for a while. Either your teeth fall out and you can't eat or you have them fixed and you can't afford to eat! May I be the first to wish Alvin and Steve a very Happy Birthday this weekend. I hope that you each have a most blessed day filled with much celebrating with friends and family. Its sort of a dreary, melancholy day here in the Classic City. Yes, I am guilty of being an incurable romantic. Last night we let the top down and rode around under the full moon. Problem was, the clouds covered the moon until after we gave up and returned home. Oh well, there's always next month. I don't know if any of you remember the movie, "Easy Rider" or not but one of my life changing lines came from that movie. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper had just left Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Peter Fonda says, "We missed it." I don't want to "miss it". I came across this class picture the other day and thought I would share it. See anyone you recognize? I hope everyone has a very blessed weekend. Later.

03/10/12 08:38 AM

#2646

Gary!! You continue to give me "gotcha!" moments! There I was, eyes scanning those kids, looking for a little Gary Grice, and ZAP...you got me! What are we gonna do with you? By the way, was that you?

Connie, so sorry about your car trouble. Never a convenient place for that to happen, but sounds like you had a happy ending. Yes, cell phones are so wonderful at times like that. I shudder now to think how I took off at 1:00 AM, by myself, driving to GA without one several years ago. Sounds like you had a good reunion. Must have been great seeing all your old friends, and sharing stories about nursing school.

Thanks for the sympathy about my tooth, Gary, but it will be fine. How blessed to have that as my only major complaint. They can't get me in for a root canal for another month, boo!

Gail. I know your daddy has been in the hospital. Please know that we are thinking of him and praying he will soon be much better. You are so sweet the way you look after him. You are a dear daughter.

OK, now for the reason I logged on. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALVIN!! I hope the day is extra special for you down there in Georgia.

03/10/12 09:38 AM

#2647

Jimmy Willis

YEP!!! THERE YOU GO AGAIN GARY--- SHOWING YOUR BUTT!

WHEN YOU GOING TO GROW UP BOY?!!! NOW THAT WAS

FUNNY!! YOU DA ONE NEEDS A GOOD DOSING!!! HE! HE!

LATER

03/12/12 09:57 AM

#2648

Greetings and salutations and HAPPY MONDAY one and all! And WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK THAT'S ME? Obviously none of you have seen my "better side"! I sent this picture around the office with a note - this is why I never finished the first grade. HA!!! Well I dropped a hint a few days ago and have intentially avoided responding to request for further information until things were a little more definite and we had told our family. Yes, we have a contract on another house. If all goes according to plan, we will be moving to Jefferson in the not too distant future. Yeah, it sounds stupid after all we have done recently to our present home, but when the Lord give you peace about something, you just go and don't think about what you are leaving behind. Sherron and I have decided that Lord may want to bless those who come after us as well. So if you know of someone that would be blessed by buying or renting a very lovely 3 bedrooom, 2 1/2 bath home in Watkinsville, please send them my way. Its pretty quiet around the Classic City today. Students are on spring break and I'm just winding down. I hope you ALL have a VERY BLESS week. Later.

03/13/12 02:17 PM

#2649

Happy Tuesday! Couldn't let this line go unnoticed - its just TOO FUNNY. Later.

Vice President Joe Biden addressed 87 wealthy Democrats last night attending a fundraiser at the home of Sen. John Kerry in Georgetown. As they dined on grass-fed New York strip steaks and white truffle mashed potatos underneath a outdoor tent, Biden criticized Republicans for being out of touch.
“These guys don’t have a sense of the average folks out there,” Biden said according to the pool report, “They don’t know what it means to be middle class.”
87 guests paid a minimum of $10,000-per-couple to attend the dinner.

Ha, ha, ha! That Joe is soooooo funny!!! I'm gonna miss him.

03/14/12 10:04 PM

#2650

Our very own Ross Dudley made the front page of this week's Oglethorpe Echo, complete with picture and headline "Ross Dudley: Fireman and entrepreneur"!

03/16/12 06:38 AM

#2651

Happy Friday!!! and early HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY wishes to you all!

I am loving this beautiful spring weather we are having --- but am still struggling with the time change

Gary, I do wish y'all the best of luck in selling your house in Watkinsville! Will you be moving closer to some of your children?

Everyone have a good w/e.

03/16/12 06:47 AM

#2652

Connie, thanks for the heads up about Ross making the front page of the Echo...and for GOOD reasons, too! My Echo arrives a week (sometimes two) later than yours, but I'll be sure and be on the look out.

Gary, I was very surprised to read that you and Sherron are moving to Jefferson. I know it's just up the road, but I've been picturing y'all in Watkisville all these years. Your beautiful new patio should be a real asset when it comes to selling your house. Over the years when we have moved and needed to sell, we knocked ourselves out fixing the house up. Then we hated to move. I wish you and Sherron an easy move ( is there such a thing?), and lots of happiness in your new place. One huge thing we learned is that "home" is sooo much more than the walls that surround you.

Don and Jim, I know y'all are anticipating baseball season. Spring is in the air for sure. I think we are having the earliest one ever up here. It was almost 80 yesterday, and the yard is waking up big time. However, up here we can't rule out a late freeze and even snow. I have a feeling it won't happen this year though.

To my sweet, sweet gal pals, I love you. I was thinking that Inez passed away a little over a year ago. Just think, she has been enjoying an eternal Sprintime for a while now. Still, it's sobering to remember how quickly life can change.The Rogers family went through great losses last year with the deaths of both Inez and Henry.

We all have things going on to cheer us, worry us, and in general to color our days in either bright or dark shades. Here's wishing all of you lots of bright days, and inspired vision to get you through any dark ones. Hope it's a good weekend for all!

03/16/12 07:10 AM

#2653

I almost forgot, so P.S.

Kathy, I wish you a very, very Happy Birthday tomorrow!! What a pretty time of year to have been born. It suits you!

Also, I see that Connie and I were both writing at the same time this morning. I join her in saying "Happy St. Patrick's Day", too!

03/16/12 10:56 AM

#2654

Donald Chandler

TOP OF THE MORNIN' TO YA'...

Wishing all of you a HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY in advance! I raise a toast in memory of my IRISH immigrant ancestor, Anna Jane McAllister from Dublin, Ireland. She married a Frenchman, Professor Julius Meiere and they had their first child, a daughter named Olivia, aboard the ship that brought them to America in 1823. Their first son, Dr. William Stack Meiere (my great-great-grandfather) was born in Virginia and practiced medicine in Madison, Georgia and operated a Drugstore. He died in 1864 while serving as a Confederate Surgeon in the Civil War. I salute the McAllister clan!...and all my Irish cousins and friends.

And an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KATHY tomorrow and DICK on Monday.

Congratulations to Ross on the story in the Oglethorpe Echo. I hope they spelled his name right. I would love to see the article. Is there any way that someone could post the story online for those of us who do not receive the Echo?

And speaking of celebrities... have any of you in the Athens area spotted Clint Eastwood? I hear that he and Justin Timberlake are shooting a BASEBALL movie in Athens called "Trouble with the Curve". http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-03-12/movie-shooting-downtown-athens-bar-wednesday As you know, I have seen a few celebrities in person through the years, but NOT "Dirty Harry", and do any of you remember "Rowdy Yates"? Liz and I visited Carmel By the Sea, California in 1987, during the time when Clint was the town Mayor, and we kept looking for him, hoping that he would go ahead and "make my day!", but he didn't.

And speaking of "baseball"... Jim, you can call me "Mr. Optimism"... After three weeks of Spring Training, our Atlanta Braves have a record of 2 wins, 11 losses, and a tie... the worst record in baseball. They've had poor hitting, poor pitching, poor fielding, and injuries, but other than that they look like they're going to be a REALLY GOOD TEAM! :-) And, oh by the way... a friend of mine wore a New York Yankees baseball cap in CHURCH the other night and wasn't even struck by lightning... explain that to me.

Gary, congratulations on your upcoming move to Jefferson. I'm sure you will miss the Watkinsville place but, as you well know, home is where the heart is. And BTW... I hope you are right about "missing" V.P. Biden and his boss... the sooner the better. This election has me very nervous. And also, Gary... I would comment on the class picture you posted, butt...

Connie... glad you enjoyed your nurse's class reunion... and our early Spring. Looks like we are going straight into Summer. Even in Ohio, Diane, I don't think you have anything to worry about... but, as a brilliant baseball player once said, "You can sum it up in TWO words.. "you never know".

Have a great weekend, mates! Don't overdo it on the green beer. Reporting live from Marietta... this is Don "McChandler".

03/16/12 03:22 PM

#2655

Happy Friday one and all and Happy (early) Birthday to Kathy. May your day be filled with much joyous celebration. Well Don gave away my secret. Yes, the Classic City has been at a stand still for the passed couple of days while Hollywood took over. Cables everywhere. I managed to get a minor role - I play Justin Timberlake! I hope you come and watch me! Yes, one of the ladies from the office went down one afternoon and managed to get pictures of Clint and Justin and (whoever the female is). To me it was more of a minor annoyance driving into work and walking at noon. They had about cleared out this afternoon. Don, I started to trace my heritage once and decided to write a book about it. The title would have to be, "Wild Roots"! I'm sure there's some Irish in there somewhere as I tend to get drunk every March 17th - just kidding. Diane, you speak as a true military spouse - home is where I hang my hat. Most folks missed the joy of moving but for those of us that have experienced it, well, you learn to roll with the punches. Sherron is off this evening to see Janet Paschal. I tried my best to get her to let me go - even though it is a Women's Conference. I find her quite attractive and love to hear her sing. I hope everyone has a very blessed weekend. Later.

Stay strong

03/16/12 04:54 PM

#2656

Jimmy Willis

HELLO MATES!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY! AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MANY MORE!

SORRY MATES I'M MEETING A COUPLE GUYS IN ABOUT TEN

MINUTES FOR A SHORT GAME OF GOLF! SO HAVE A GREAT

WEEKEND AND I'LL TOUCH BASE LATER!

LATER

03/17/12 11:10 AM

#2657