Let's celebrate XOs on Woman Power Wednesday

Lucy,

I thought your first Woman Power Wednesday should celebrate special Chi Omegas. Hoot hoot! Like Mikey Hendon and Sally Singletary and hoot that in the middle? The most special woman I know of course, though not a Chi O.

And how about cousin Molly (McDowell) Oakey and cousin Emily Fuller. Those are two special cousins! Also Lori Bolding right here in ATX. And what about all of Sally's friends from college. Some strong and powerful gals in that bunch, right! And T's mom (Emily) and sister (KP)! And all four of the Rodge and Tracy Anderson girls! And I am sure there are many more.

And let's not forget honorary Chi O, big sister Emily. I love this picture.

And here's a fun link about some of your other Chi O sisters. Wow, Harper Lee author of To Kill a Mockingbird. Or how about Beth Moore, famous Christian author and founder of Living Proof Ministries. Lots of others too!

Love you Lucy,

Dad

Just a growing boy from Oklahoma [Modified on May 11, 2022 for celebration of life]

I’m just a growing boy from Oklahoma

Happy 87^th to our favorite neighbor - Jim Herdon
A birthday ditty [Modified on May 11, 2022 for celebration of life]

Well, smell

I remember when

I started these things

like this . . .

Lordy, Lordy

Look whose forty

Feeling good

And rather sporty

And then those ten years

They flew by

Like a blink of an eye

and we said . . .

Nifty, nifty

My friends, they are all

turning fifty

Some are thrifty

And some are shifty

But what in the hell

Is going on now

Some of my buddies are

tuning sixty

And a few others I know

They are pushing

the big seven - o

But this is even more amazing

All guns a-blazin'

Cause my favorite neighbor

His head is shiny

And he’s damn near ninety!

Actually, it is officially eighty-seven

But he’s not ready for heaven

Because like the Grand Canyon in Arizona

“I’m just a growing boy from Oklahoma!”

We found our way

To 3901 A

Back in November of 2016

And my good friend Doug Duke

Double D

He tells me

there might be

Some serendipity

And sure enough

Low and behold

In 3901 B

On the other side of the brick wall

Lives a gal named Mikey

Amongst the very tall

Just one of those times

Like a beautiful rhyme

When the sun and the moon and the stars

All aligned

Page and Cathy and our three

Lucy, Emily, and Sal

We all quickly found out

That the Herndons

Were great pals!

You need something fixed

Something in need of repair

Jim has got just the flair

For that kind of care

Fridge not working

He knows the man

Grass not growing

He’s got a plan

Out of space

When companies arriving

Mikey and Jim's Bed & Breakfast

It is a thriving!

Toilet backed up

Nothings too tough

He’s got the plunger and the snake

And the hoe and the rake

And that particular situation

Is NOT for a fake!

Cause, “I’m just a growing boy from Oklahoma!”

If you think you are having a bad day

Stop by Jim’s on your way

And he will remind you

of this simple fact

“Was anybody shooting at you?”

No, not really

Then button it up

and stop acting silly

“Do the BIG boys get to go first?”

Is another good line

Or what about the time

When the freezer was empty

Cause

“If you are out of ice cream

You are literally

Out of groceries!”

31 years of military duty

A proud warrior

And married a beauty
Met Mikey in Stuttgart, Germany

And knew she was special

Right out of the gate

I can only imagine

On that first date . . .

“I’m just a growing boy from Oklahoma!”

Married in the Ludwigsburg Castle

Not too much of a hassle

It has been 44 years

The test of time has stood

And it was our good fortune

To land in their hood

So now we bid you adieu.

Our growing boy who knew

So much about this thing

Called life

How to live through

Trials and strife

Thank you, Jim

For just being you

“Just a growing boy from Oklahoma!”

Stay whole Tuesday - Jim Herndon's 87th birthday

We celebrated Jim Herndon's 87th birthday on Sunday night. Mom prepared a fabulous dinner and my good (Rudy's 360 Men's Group) friend Doug Duke and his partner David Pollard joined us for dinner. It was a ton of fun. Jim is such an inspiration in how to live life the right way. He lost his hearing years ago, from serving our country in combat, yet never complains nor let's it stop him from engaging with others. His positive outlook on life and his sense of humor are two of his great traits. We are so blessed to have both Jim and Mikey next door! I will post a little ditty I put together for Jim where I tried to incorporate several of his favorite sayings.

Hope your second day of classes go well today LuLu. We love you and remember . . . Stay whole!

Nuggets From Dad Returns for Lucy

Hoot Hoot Singletary's are cute!

This week we officially launched baby Lu into college. And to celebrate Lucy, I am relaunching Nuggets from Dad. My goal is to post something most 'school' days and to somewhat use the following themes. The only change is Thursday's 'Anything Goes' taking the place of Colloquial Thursday. 

- Make it a Great Monday
- Stay Whole Tuesday
- Woman Power Wednesday
- Anything Goes on Thursday
- Fit as a Fiddle Friday

So for today, I'm thinking about how special this weekend was, with Lucy pledging Chi O and Sally coming home to be with her baby sister. And I am also remembering how special it was last weekend, when Emily was here to help her baby sister move into Callaway House.

We are so blessed to have three daughters who love and care for each other!

Make it a great Monday,

Dad

Happy Birthday T!

Hope your Day is as Awesome as you T!

MIL:

1) I love Taylor because he is just an all around great man. My heart is full knowing how much he loves  Sally and that she has a  happy life with him. Thank you T.

2) Taylor is a great addition to our family bringing joy, humor and kindness. Happy Birthday!

Lucy:

1. I love Taylor because he is so passionate about the things he loves! Whether it is Georgia football or my sister, T will always be their biggest fan. 
2. I love Taylor’s sense of humor and the easy going atmosphere he brings with him. He has been such a great addition to our family and now I can’t imagine our family without him! Love you T!! 

Emily:

1. I love brother because he has seamlessly become a very important part of our family. Taylor is the type of person who I am always happy is around and is there for when we need him but also he blends in in a perfect way and doesn’t throw anything off. 

2. T knows what he likes and I feel is a very accomplished young man. He is very certain in what makes him happy and it is a very good trait to know yourself. Cheers Brother. 

Sally:

1. I love Taylor because he is the most loyal friend. He is always looking out for our friends and remembers what is going on in everyone’s lives and makes a point to ask about it. So many people love and appreciate him for that ability to be so genuine. He has more friends than anyone I have ever known! 

2. I love T also because he is an incredible husband. I couldn’t have asked for anyone more loving or generous to spend my life with. I love how he makes me coffee every morning, makes sure our house is always clean, tells me about important things in the news, and encourages me to be the best wife, friend, daughter, sister, business woman, etc. I can be. He is the best. 

FIL:

1. I remain so impressed by Taylor’s willingness to strive to better understand who he is as a young man, now married, and on the greatest adventure one can take. The adventure of sharing life with a soulmate and recognizing that each and every day we should spend time thinking about others, as well as work on our own state-of-mind.

2. I am so proud of Taylor for advancing his career options, by kicking butt at Aon and having new doors open at USI. I know this was a big decision, but I know it was the right decision because Taylor understands life is about having choices and then making those choices work for the good of all involved. He totally gets this famous quote from Zig Ziglar: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude."

eBug's Birthday Affirmations

 Sally:

1. I love how Emily is so loyal. She is loyal to her family, her friends, and her co-workers. If you are in her circle, you are set for life. She is the definition of a true friend to so many people - even the Asian ladies at the factories. She gives people the benefit of the doubt always, and is able to see people and situations with nonjudgemental perspective always. She is sensitive, knows when to keep a secret and when to share one. This makes her an amazing sister to Lucy and me. If I had to bury a body she would be the first person I would call. 

2. I love how Emily always knows how to make me laugh. She doesn’t hold much back and it is so refreshing and hilarious. My favorite moments with her are when she says something totally out of the blue that you can tell she’s been thinking about for a long time. She is not afraid to be exactly who she is. I love her quirkiness, spontaneity, and dance moves. Thanks for keeping us all on our toes! 

Taylor:

1. Emily is so good at lightening the mood in any situation. She doesn't take life (or herself) too seriously and finds humor in the small things. It is fun to be around her when she is with the family and really gets on a roll. She is fun loving and adventurous, always up for a good time. She helps keep Sally sane when life gets serious, and I am especially thankful for that. 

2. From Savannah to New York, Emily has been a great hostess for Sally and me. On our several trips to Savannah she introduced us to people, places, and things we would never have experienced otherwise. It was fun to live like a local. In New York, E has carved out a neat niche in the fashion world and introduced us to her work in the Garment District. I never would have had the experiences in either city without Emily.

Mom:

1. I admire how Emily has worked hard and made a place for herself in her job and in NYC. She has made new friends, nurtured old friends and tackled and solved all kinds of issues at work with determination and kindness. Keep smiling Emily, you’re going places!

2. I love how Emily calls me every morning and most evenings on her way to / from work. It is so special to get a view of her life. Her sense of humor is priceless and she starts my day with a smile. Love you Em!

Lucy:

1. One thing I love about Em is her confidence and her ability to bring out confidence in other people. She is always unapologetically herself in the very best way. She is the life of the party but always makes sure everyone around her feels welcomed and comfortable. I’m so thankful for the many times when she’s helped boost my confidence and taught me how to be as cool as she is!!

2. I love how passionate Emily is about the things she cares about. It has been so cool to be her little sister and watch her work hard at her many talents and rise to every occasion. She knows what she wants and she works incredibly hard to achieve her goals. I’m so proud to call her my big sister. I love you Meme!!  

Dad:

1. I am super proud to see how happy Emily is with her career path and how much she has achieved in a short time in The Big Apple. I love it that she found a home at Hatch and that she can get so many diverse and unique experiences in the fashion business by working for a smaller company. Keep it up Emily and great things will continue to happen for your career.

2. I love how Emily has found a special friend in Kyle and how those two enjoy so many different types of New York experiences . . . Yankees vs Red Sox, Chipping and Putting, Yale Club, Rangers Hockey, Restaurants, Parks, and the beauty of up State NY.

Sally Singletary Wilkinson - Happy Birthday

Two from T:

1. I love having Sally as my wife. She is so supportive of me in all that I do - at work, in hobbies, and in our personal lives. She enjoys looking for ways to make things better. I also love that she is such a great cook! 

2. Sally is the most generous person I know. She is always the first to volunteer, and always has time for anyone and everyone who needs anything. She loves to give of herself. It is a daily occurrence to find that Sal has sought out opportunities to give. 

Two from Mom:

1. I admire the way that Sally juggles friends, family, work and a healthy lifestyle. She pays attention to nurturing relationships, creating beautiful living spaces and taking care of herself. Sally always makes you feel that she is happy that you are in her life. I love it when she calls me each day to check in and share her life with me. 


2. I will always treasure the months that Sally and I worked on the wedding together. It was not always easy to make decisions and compromise, but with her vision and style, the end product was something I’ll never forget. I also have never seen so much love shared amongst all guests at a wedding. Sally and Taylor love others and others truly love them.

Two from Lu:

1. I love how passionate Sally is about everything. She is always very excited and thoughtful about all aspects of her work life as well as her life with her family and friends. She is good at what she does and it is so clear that she enjoys it, making it so much more fun to watch her grow. 

2. I love Sal's creativity. She can make anything work. I admire her ability to see beauty and potential in all things and then be able to morph them to be exactly what she wants. I hope I can be as cool as her one day. 

Two from E:

1. I love Sally's drive and dedication. She is always working so hard whether it is getting her house ready for her sisters or finding the perfect outfit for an event or making an appetizer for a crowd. She puts 100% into everything she does. This is also inspiring in her job where she continues to work hard and build incredible relationships.

2. I love Sally's charisma. Everyone who meets Sally is instantly infatuated with her. She is hilarious and cute and has a way of making people around her smile. I love that all of my friends love Sally and want her to visit often! Love you sister. 

Two from Dad:

1. Sally is an amazing first child and daughter. She goes through life with a sense of adventure and loves to make the world around her unique and beautiful. She challenges herself and others to be the best they can be. She greets you with a warm, genuine smile that is infectious and caring.

2. Sally checks in with her mom everyday, which means a lot to both Mom and Dad, as we prepare to transition to a new phase of life. She also makes both of her sisters a priority. The love and support they show each other is a great gift to her parents. She also brought a great son-in-law into our life. What a blessing!

Happy Birthday Sally . . .