Blue Bird

Monday, September 17, 2012

Manifesto

The basic principal in a "Manifesto" is that what we focus on tends to expand itself.....

Isn't it funny how no matter what happens in our lives, things still manage to go on? And as they should! Here is a recap of what has been going on since I last posted on May 9, 2012.

Mom and I tagged along with the Hardin-Simmons University Choir as they toured Austria, Germany, and Italy. The choir returned home after a week and then Clell, Mom and I hopped on over to Mallorca, Spain and spent an extra week by the Mediterranean Sea. Here are some pictures of the trip:

Italy:

This picture is taken outside of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, Italy after their performance.

They had to wear their tuxes and gowns on the boat to Venice because there was no where to change:

Germany & Austria:

Spain:

Many people were surprised that we took Mom with us on this vacation.

There were some challenges, but overall she did great.

And SHE LOVED IT.

( just ask HER, she will tell you! )

Life is still going on and there are STILL good times to be had and memories to be made.

(thank you Nikki and Katherine for helping me with this!)

Thus far, this year has had some other challenges as well. We have had some intruders on our property and some random thefts. The worst part is that they attempted to break into our house while we were sleeping.

SCARY

They busted out my car window:

Thanks to Clell's brother, Larry, we now have a nice security system (with cameras).

We have finished remodeling the house. THANK. GOODNESS. And are pleased with the choices we made.

New puppy, Oliver, is now 4 months old. He makes me smile and laugh every day.

(sorry so blurry)

We went to Dallas for Jackson's First B-Day Party:

Colton is growing and talking (he has been saying Grandpa for a long time. He FINALLY said "AA")

Nephews. McCall and Cash, are also growing up so fast. McCall was my little buddy this summer and he even now has his own Pinterest account so he can look at animals and the ocean and birds (his fave).

Other random occurrences:

Awesome trip to visit the Alabama family.

( I LOVE Birmingham and the family that lives there)

Laura is back in Columbia, Missouri for school.

We survived another Texas summer. (ugh)

Dad is on Facebook (gasp).

I have been asked to be a Deacon at our church.

We had a friend of Clell's visit us from Dublin, Ireland.

and

I am now working part-time (still for Hospice)

Whew!!!.....is anyone else as exhausted as I am?

I think Clell is.....

I am looking forward to staying home for the rest of the year and can't wait for the 2012 Holiday Season.

HUGS to all of you who have been there for Clell and I during difficult times..

You know who you are...

LIFE IS GOOD

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Lydia Long for Justice of the Peace

Lydia Long

My friend, Lydia Long, is currently a candidate in the

Republican primary on May 29th to replace Bryans Smith as justice of the peace for Place 1, Precinct 1

(Smith is not seeking re-election.)

She moved to Abilene in 2003 with her husband, Bob Bailey

I met Lydia through our Kiwanis Club and have also worked with her to help raise funds for Camp Barekely

Because her father was serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Long was born in Nuremburg. She has a long family history of immigration and hard work. Her grandparents, Porfidio Villa Serrano and Maria Guadalupe Saucedo Serrano, moved from Mexico to Dallas, Texas, in the 1920s to become U.S. citizens. Porfidio worked as a landscaper, served in World War II, and was stationed at

Camp Barkeley for which Abilene’s’ dog park is named. Lupe worked as a seamstress for Neiman- Marcus department store.

She and friend Martin Jensen, founded the West Texas Park People and were instrumental in raising over $100,000 for Camp Barkley, Abilene’s park for dogs and their owners.

Have you been to Camp Barkeley?

(it's next to the Abilene Zoo)

It's great!

Lydia graduated from high school in Red Oak, Texas, and, because of her desire to serve others, pursued a degree in Criminal Justice. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Missouri State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University.

Early in her career, Lydia was invited to attend the First International Symposium on the Future of Law Enforcement. The event was by invitation only and hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, Virginia. She has attended and spoke at numerous conferences on a variety of criminal justice issues.

After surgery for thyroid cancer damaged her vocal chords, Lydia retired from teaching Criminal Justice at the University of Houston. Lydia, her husband, and children chose Abilene above any other city in Texas and relocated here. A year of intensive therapy allowed her to begin teaching again. Today four generations of Lydia’s family live in Abilene, and she is eager to share her experience and passion for service with her adopted community.

Since moving to Abilene, she has shown her commitment to community service through serving on the Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission and the Abilene Reporter-News Editorial Board.

She also spearheaded the creation of the Old Town Abilene Neighborhood Association, which produced a recycling center and a neighborhood park.

She currently serves on the board of the Center of Contemporary Arts, volunteers for the International Rescue Committee and is a member of the Taylor County Historic Commission.

Lydia’s passion for the position of the Justice of the Peace involves opportunities to help her fellow citizens be heard. “Justice of the Peace,” she says, is the legal jurisdiction closest to the average citizen.

It is often referred to as "The People's Court" because it is an access point for the average citizen who can bring a case and be heard.”

Lydia would like to step out of the classroom, where she has spent many years teaching, writing and studying about our justice system, and use that experience and education to have a hands-on impact for the people of the community.