Flying out ....

Leaving for London this afternoon ...can't wait for the snow, rain, dark days and the cold! Is there an up side to this? Will let you know when I get there.

Hopefully we will get some rest ...but I don't think so with all the family...nothing like family politics to keep you on a high! I am to find enough drama to write a book. My family don't do things by half! Everyone tells me to go with the flow and to leave the stress in Florida!

Our son is flying out with us this afternoon......this should keep homelands happy ...one less to keep an on! The next project is to find him a job and a wife....not necessarally in that order!

We managed to finish a project in 24 hrs that would normally take 5 days ! The FHF team worked wonders and all thanks to them! I only get credit for planning and keeping cool under fire! Clients were very happy but insisted that we perform the impossible right to the end...we stopped this side of a miracle....must have something to look forward to in the New Year!

It has been a so -so year but in the end we are grateful for all Gods mercies no matter how small. Ever the optimist ...it can only get better from here!

It's cold today in Florida....but the sun is still shining...!!!

the sun does shine in Africa as ....skill driving foils hijackers...

With medical insurance going through the roof to a point where we can't afford it, with diabetes , stents and a never ending batch of daily meds I am now on another diet. It's back to cycling and walking ...losing a good few pounds may help. It's got to be done ...Obama has no plans of including me in his health reforms. Don't knock the National Health ...it's bailed me out a few times!

My good friend Big Laarnie narrowly escaped a hijack in SA.....not the first time . Expert driving skills and quick thinking got him out of a potentially dangerous situation. The Almighty is watching over him ...and so he should. The Big Laarnie 'our man in Durbs and now Sydney!
was on his way to pick up his daughter from a hospital where she is a doctor! This was at 3a.m. in the morning...I thought hijackers were just lazy crooks who didn't do unsocial hours. The economic down turn seems to effect crooks also . Sadly the Dr will join the list of professionals who have left for safer shores. Times have changed in SA for all ...plenty of good and plenty of bad. For all those that have left ...for their own personal reasons ...SA is still home.

We are looking forward to seeing my son on US soil on Tuesday...none more so than the grandson who believes he has a playmate for the whole day...or is it the other way round. Uncle A is scheduled to coach 'soccer' to a potential future Man U star .You have to guess who is the Manager! On the flip side my diet is going out of the window as the wife has plans to cook up a storm for the boy!

sibling sweep awards in London while the sun continues to shine out of my big florida blog...

Counting down the days when our son arrives in Orlando ....it's only when he walks through the arrivals doors will I believe that he has made it into the USA. Just to make sure that he DOES NOT over stay his welcome in the States we are travelling back with him to London!!! We plan to spend Xmas with the children and family...there are 24 + . We are looking forward to it so much that I am back on a diet .. On my last posting I think I mentioned that Teacher was nominated for Champion...well she did win Teacher of the year. This achievement has been overshadowed a little by a new man in her life....and she is now worried that Daddy is coming to London to give 'approval or not!

Not to be out done by the Teacher ..newly married daughter ...who has settled down to her new life remarkably well and is back to being the joy she was ...even better... has kept it very quiet but has been nominated by the Police for an award ...for saving a young girl from committing suicide! Again not to be out done by his sisters .... my son will end the year by gaining his F.L.B (London ) degree. We have very competitive children.... So all in all as the year comes to a close ....the sun as always does shine on us all in more ways then we could ever imagine.

Other news....

My sister in London has started her Xmas day lunch project ....thank God I kept the hotline active and for Skype. The menu for everyday of our stay has been planned !!!!! She has learnt to email and my hotmail account is flooded with junk !!

Cheryl continue to Rock Uganda .....God please use her talents to the max....and when she is done in Uganda please send her to South Africa.

My old mate Jim is back in the UK ...he so does not want to be there.....but business is business!
I am getting quite use to driving around Disney as I deliver mobility scooters. I get to see all the Hotels !!!....please visit www. sunmobilityrentals.com if you want to hire a mobility scooter and visit the parks in comfort and of course if you have a disability you know who to call.

Grand mama is a Love Machine and Cheryl has B*lls ..so the sun does shine in Florida and Uganda

Some good news to go with the sunshine.......I won't be writing to Mr Obama ...for the moment at least as the US Embassy in London have decided that my son is not a threat to national security and have given him a ONE only entry visit to the USA.

If they were frightened that he would disappear once he got here why place a restriction on his visa? If he was 'that ' way inclined I think he would know that his opportunities were narrow and that he should make strategic plans on the one and only visit!

The good news is that he can re apply in six months to visit again. To ensure that he does not overstay his welcome we plan on returning to the UK on the same day, same flight! He still has to get through border control when he travels out at the end on November...so watch this space!

The other good news is that Google have finally emailed me and told me that we are not banned from advertising on AdWords and that it was an error on their part!!! Again watch this space ....I will only believe it when the most powerful organization in the world debits my credit card...will it make them any richer...nah!

In the last few days I have had some good news from two of the most powerful giants in the world...The US Government and Google.... so the sun still shines in my big florida blog....just about.

Other good news...Daughter Teacher was head hunted for a new teaching post and got it! The siblings, spouses and parents seem to be getting on very well at the moment so everyone is happy.

The grand son is still a shining star ....that is until the little sister arrives in February...again watch this space. The shining star told his Grand mama (with some egging on ..) that she was a Love Machine!

Our good friend Cheryl .... is off to Uganda to do God's work. Now that's a lady with B*lls! Good Luck and come back safe. Despite the hardship they go through the sun does shine in Uganda too because of people like Cheryl!

Apologies

I think I should take time out and ream my past blogs ....to avoid repetition and then having to apologise for it. !

catch up ...the sun still shining.

I know it has been a while since my last conf... oops blog but I have my excuses. Where were we...oh yes 2 weddings and a headache! The weddings went off better than we could have hoped for. All our fears were unfounded and without any base. There were some reservations but they were ...in reflections only excuses and worry. Again totally unnecessary because everyone is very happy and we are all proud of our children and their spouses. So this ...unfortunateley makes for a very boring blog.

Other news...my son is still in the UK looking to get settled after the US Embassy and Maimi debacle. Was it racial profiling ? After months of consideration I am sad to say that in my opinion it was. The treatment he/we received in Maimi was 3rd world to say the least. The Homeland officers were rude and arrogant and barely conmprehendable..which was most surprising. (My son speaks perfect 'queen' English.)

I felt that our lives were worth more under apartheid where we were officially classified second class citizens then in Maimi in 2009. We were surround by an army of officials wearing guns and one of them had the audacity to say that I was harassing him.... becauseI was trying to explain the circumstances why we were in Maimi! Confidence in the US immigration department ? ...None I know that they don't know their arses from their elbows ...and that is being polite. We are know waiting for them to approve my sons B visa so that he can come and visit over Christmas and at the same time close his US affairs. If he does not get his visa there will a letter winding its way to Barack !

Teacher daughter was nominated a 'Champion' of sorts by one of her pupils/parents! This was fantastic news..waiting on results. In meanwhile we hear that the the poor student has had to 'removed' from the school for bad behaviour! Teacher stressed, over worked ,under payed but still a 'champion'!

Grandson still bringing joy to Granmama and granddada . The latest is ...."Grandmama I love you but don't get your knickers in a twist".....two years old. He can't wait for his baby sister 'TAXI' to arrive in February. So its Thomas the tank engine and Jelly Babies if his good. Which if the truth be known is all the time. His vocabulary for a two year old is amazing. His Grandada has been assigned to teach him not a word a day but a phrase...a full sentence ! I am preparing !

She that has to be obeyed willingly and without complaint is feeling to great lately .....add sinues to the list! Just bought her a Net- Pot to inhale ...hoping for success!

Business continus to be dire so we are looking to diversify , add , change and adapt! watch this space!

Went on a mini cruise with Q's...... as always fun , interesting , differant and always DRAMA. The Q's like to dress up for the Captains banquet and it was Mr Q's birthday. Guess who was the only Penguin on board?

Will end for now and make a promise the be more regular...with the blogs! Its 92 F in October in Florida so as usual the sun still shines out of my big Florida blog......

London...the sun does shine

As I said earlier my son's visa application ( extension )to live and work in the US was refused . It was blow when he still had a year to go but life goes on . So we rallied and decided that every cloud has a silver lining and 'living' in London might just work out. The opportunities to progress was plentiful etc etc. So we bought him a return ticket back to the UK and decided that he would return to the US for 2 weeks to 'tie' up five years into a suitcase and return to the UK to start over. Cut a long story short we travelled together via Miami on the visa waiver which the Embassy advised him to do. At Miami he was refused entrey and was was sent back to the UK. Not pleasant and it leaves a bitter and ugly taste never mind the thought that there maybe a smell of racial profiling! My wife and I were angry but we have come to the conclusion that what has happen will be the best thing that can happen to our son. He misses thge creature comforts of home and it won't be long before he will be up and running. He has pleanty of fans. America has lost a young and smart guy while the girls in London are on a winner! So you see the sun does shine even in London!

May 12 was a miserable day in London ...the day we visited the Embassy in London. The rest of our stay was bathed in unusual sunshine. We enjoyed every bit of our stay. My sister, our host was in her element. The food just kept on coming and the pounds piled on. We will always be very grateful to her kindness.

Whatever negativie thoughts we may have had about our visit was almost immediately wiped out on our arrival. Sure we had moments but everyone was fantastic and family and friends made every part of our stay a memorable..... one except the US Embassy.

Wedding No.1 in Suffolk went of very well. The bride looked fabulous, the day was glorious and there was hilarious moments also. I have been censored from writing about this but I can assure you all I have the photographic evidence to prove it. ( please send in your requests). For the first ime in a long time all 5 'kid's were in one place - nice!. The evening ended in a double punture in the middle of nowwhere. We crawled back to London at sunrise with our two year old grandson and uncle of 95. Hats of to Arthur who made sure that my son in - law did not fall asleep at the wheel.

More to follow .....

the sun shines in the UK

It's all over and we have survived! We have laughed and some have said we have even cried - I put it done to allergies!! We have eaten non-stop and put on all the weight we lost prior to going to London. The sun did shine throughout the first half. My will power is at zero and I can't wait to get back and try and loose it all again.
The visit to London is 'like a game of two halves' . First half - the weddings - they went off better than we expected ..... tantrums right dwn to the wire but we got through it. I will try and expand on this when I get back to the USA.
The second half was the the interview at the US consulate. While I have been grantedan extension to my visa ....unfortunately my son was refused. The emotions are all over the place at the moment but we have to deal with it . I believe in my son and know that he will get through this dissappointment.
I will catch up with more in my next blog.

losing weight....

Bags are almost packed. Wallet has been breached. Lock down in motion and soon we all will be ready for the journey.

Working on two speechs as father of the bride. Why two ...I have been advised not to offend any one and keep it formal ( and boring). The second (original ) is on standby and we will have gauge if there is a sense of humour in the air. It is a multi cultural, multi faith wedding and I cannot offend the politiccally coorrect, stiff upper lippped Brit! Living in America and all i missed was the British sense of houmour.....what has happened?

Fingers crossed ..wedding plans are again back on track and no threats to resign in the horizon!
The Chief - Host , my sister, is menu planning - her favourite pasttime. So it's two, three phone calls a day to discuss breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between snacks !!! I have already put on the pounds I lost specially for this trip! I will just have to 'crash' it over thhe next few days - loose a few more pounds to act as a buffer! The "LML' has also lost a significant amount of weight and spent the equivilant and more on new outfits! She looks fantastic ...so the sun still shines on my big florida blog...

Panic stations...the Wedding Coordinator has resigned and it's like all plans are in the W.C.! Wedding No.2 is causing an undue stress for all. Trying to please every one is not working. So it seems that the Bride might have to finish off some of the planning herself and let the day take its course. My actual guess is the the wedding Coordinator will act in the common good and lead the team again. The family will rally as always ..... they just like wearing their hearts on their sleeve and blowing off steam now and again. Nothing prim and proper about my lot... I am stuck like glue to them! Emails and phone calls will cross ....if only they would listen, read and comprehend.



Patience is not a virtue ...patience is wearing thin.....

my wallet..computer games...ev...

The Wedding Coordinator - I just realised I dare not use the initials, has , it seems her team are in place and plans are going swimmingly. Life jackets not required! I am now on a need to know basis andonly look forward to the surprises and receipts. Someone please tell them that there is an economic virus out there.

My friend "D" has been appoint official chauffeur - no one asked him, but he is famous for being there when needed.

There seemed a possibility that there would a Kodak moment when with me sitting in between my ex and wife at the main table. I am grateful to my son for pointing out that it may not me a good idea - especially if "D" is behind a camera or video. ...see me on YouTube. Sorry "D" , I can't oblige.

Today is a beautiful day in Florida and I off to the Mall with wife and son to help the economy with my own stimulus package....so despite the drain on my wallet .. you can still see why the sun shines in my florida blog! But first I have to get my BW...beautiful wife of the computer, she has discovered a new game and it is addictive! There is no cure in sight so I suffer in silence...

Just heard that there maybe a hitch with my plans for an opening , multi faith prayer for Wedding No.2 but more on that next time. I am of to pray that I have not offended any one again....

losing money ....

Appointing a Wedding coordinator is probably a great idea not so when when she is your daughter and threatens to resign after just a few days!!! But with persuasive charm, fatherly advice and with a calming disposition I managed to keep my appointee on track ( and in line!!!!). I must admit she is good but dangerously expensive when left to her own devises! With guidance she will go far!!

Our travel plans continue - financially unabated and with no testraints!! We may have finally got the appropraite 'outfit's' sorted. Three days trudging the Malls helps the waist line. I am now down two suit sizes! The Tux fits perfectly. In short I am losing money, weight and a daughter!
We have not booked flights as we are waiting to hear when we have appointments with the US Embassy in London for our visa's.

My friends 'D' and T 's wedding anniversary today. He remembered house rules and did not forget this year. Unlike some he will be getting a 'bonus'!

Until the next time always letting the sun shine on my big florida blog....

Friends...you can't beat

Counting down to our trip to the UK to attend the weddings. Did I mention that I installed a dedicated paid Wedding Hotline for the family in the UK to call us and keep us up to date with wedding plans etc. In fact just to keep in contact. This line has been working over time and I am exhausted. I have blisters on my ears! There have been 'panic stations' , tantrums and despite the dedicated Wedding Hotline there has been crossed lines. It was "Two Weddings and a Migraine" now its "Two weddings and a Suicide"!! What was to be a Bollywood style movie might end up a 'Horror Movie'.....there agaain how's about Bolly goes Horror?

Being the eternal optimist ...it will all work out in the the end. While they embarrass me to no end I still love them. My bark is worse than my bite and I think I have finally realised that they know this too. To bring calm and peace over the London horizon eldest daughter has taken up the role of Headmistress and we been told to put all comments, requests, observations etc in writing and email it to her. She is the appointed 'Go Between" before murder and mayhem sets it. Being a teacher this role comes easy to Ms Bossyboots. I need to get her married if not she's off to St Tinians!

My exercise regime continues and I happy to report there is also weight loss. My other half is quickly becoming my significant quarter as she also loses weight rapidly. We both hope to keep this up long term.

Again despite the gloomy economic virus which seems to be affecting us all and is unfortunately becoming more evident amongst our friends and thereby a reality on our doorstep I might take up Golf... seriously. Hopefully the cost of round of golf might go down. !!

I tried to avoid discussing the Economic Virus that is hitting us all but it is in the air and directly overhead. Brainstorming ...is the order of the day even before the morning coffee. The subject ...how to earn a dollar a day! Thanks to the email and the internet we hope to pass the message. I tell all my friends and family that when you receive an email from me please ...please forward it on....

Tomoorow I have to buy a suit for the weddings. Unfortunately it has to be a dark suit...not my style but I play to the house rules!

That last sentence reminds me of how many of my dear male friends have to follow the House Rules. By comparison I think I am getting away with murder. At the moment the winner and top of the league is 'J' ..he is expected to live as if "SHE' is there all the time. They are still newly married so at this rate they are going to be long term winners. An absolutely great couple and it is always fun to have them around. we are their surrogate parents so there is time to offer advise...More on 'J' as times go on. I am still sure about his sunglasses, Wham and pyjamas!!!!

Number 2 on the list is my best mate Dave...he is always in it...so much so that after more than twenty years he feels more comfortable being in it. Occasionaly ,as "Dave" puts it ..."sometimes you slide in and sometimes you slide out...you know don't you.?"
They are the best couple to have around.
When I find myself on a beach with little or nothing to do I will tell you more about them and the wonderful times we have shared.

Friends ..you can't beat. So despite the Economic Virus with friends like mine you can see why the sun still shines out of my big Florida blog.

More great days ....

Once again apologies to followers of this blog - I have been playing catchup.
To followers of this blog ...follow only if you have a sense of humour. Just remember if you think you recognise anyone just know that its 'all ficticious'.......

As I said it's catch up time.... also trying to plan for "The Visit'. We may get there so late that we may just be looking at the back of peoples heads! Both son and daughter are off to exotic locations for their honeymoon...Fiji and South Africa respectively. Offered them a bit of Florida sunshine but it fell onto deaf ears! Can't wait when the grand children come along and want to visit Mickey ....but by then we may just have gone deaf naturally!

Age must be catching up because all my friends and family are at grand parent stage and only talk about how wonderful their grand children are etc etc....Sometimes I think the grandmothers have turned into 'grannies' overnight.

I have started my speech for the wedding No.2 .....just need to know how long I have and if I am subject to censorship. I may have to put feelers out.

I love my children so I would never embarrass them...in this public forum I will say to them openly while I may disagree with you, lecture you, get angry I/we will always care for you , stand by you and love you. This a permanent full time job for life. The job description changes on a daily basis ...great one day and sucks the next . But you got to go to work every day and try your best every day! On a day when there have been terrible killings in Germany and USA and bombings in Baghdad you know its been a bad day for all parents and their children. God give us more great days!

So in anticipation of more great days...the sun shines on my big Florida blog

teachers...how to stop getting colds

Spoke to my daughter the teacher today. After a week back at school she's coughing and spluttering from a cold caught from one of the kids. This is a regular occurrence with her.... I suggest that all teachers go round wearing a mask! My daughter ...wearing a mask in a church of England school!!! If only she had listened and worn a hijab when she started getting these colds! A hijab is not just for modesty! Are you listening Jack Straw...she didn't want to catch your cold!!

Haven't heard back from 'wedding No.2 couple and my email. But it seems its all on track. 'It's only a Wedding innit' is the working title for the movie. I know I want Meera Syal to to play the Aunt! She could in fact play ALL the Aunts. Dev Patel is a bit too young for the grooms role. The only good thing is that he is from Harrow , has the same surname as the groom, could be family, maybe at the wedding ....... he will do and we might get a discount!
since its family. The bride and brides mother are tricky ....it will be safer if I don't comment just yet! Did I mention that I have to make a speech at this wedding....! More to follow! My poor teacher daughter will be in stitches... at least her sinuses will clear and she will call home to thank me!!

Wedding N0.1 in Suffolk is also on track. The title for this one is "'Back of your Head".. ..mother titled this one as she see's her son walk of into the Suffolk sunset with his love. Since he hates surprises I am sure his siblings will plan something! Since I am on the main table there is no way I am getting involved on the day!! I might throw out a few suggestions - like cling wrap ...kippers...!

Plans to visit London are also in progress. We have to attend an interview at the US embassy regarding our Visa ..... I might just go direct and write to Barack! I have never been a fan Bureaucracy!

Grandson is here today to stay the night. Grandmama is in her glory. Dada has been relegated once again.... but I do have a secret weapon ...CHOCOLATE and thats for Gradmama!!! She is off tomorrow to a Presidents Teaparty. The host is from St Lucia, the other guests are American and she will be the only English person there and not a cucumber sandwich or clotted cream in sight despite subtle hints!!!It should be fun!
Men have not been invited so you see.... the sun still shines out of my big florida blog!

Still an optimist...on the edge

It's been a few days since my last blog......I sound like I am stranded on a desert island and am only able to entries into my diary when the 'natives' are asleep.
I have only one follower on my blog...my daughter and she doesn't read this often. So until I circulate this more and adopt followers it's a diary I suppose.
Whats been going on...well I made peace with one of the children... via email after they did a wobbly over the wedding. My reply was tempered with some good advise... as always. The most important for me was that I would not tolerate rudeness or bad behaviour from my children. So plans for wedding No.2 are back on track. For wedding No.1.... I have been told that I am on the top table. This is a surprise, an honour that I do appreciate. It has made my wife very happy. On track also is that if all goes to plan we will at least have the five chilren, their spouses and grandchild all in one happy family photo.
On a personal note I am trying to lose weight, get fit and look good for the weddings.
A sign of the econmic down turn is that we were informed that our Health Insurance cover will cease at the end of the year and we will now have to find new insurers. Should be a 'breeze' with our health history!! I am an optimist by nature but this kind of news niggle .... atleast I am in a boat with lots of others for company. Obama might get it right ....man plans but God is the bigger planner! So by his will ....the sun still shines out of my big Florida blog.

Today was a family day out ...to the dentists! Teeth were pulled , filled , scrubbed and polished. The credit card maxed. The dentist quipped as we left " if there is any pain take some Ibuprofen". Back next week with my son for more of the same!

The idea of turning the weddings into a movie is getting serious! I have started to write the 'father of the bride speech' .....in my head. I have done this a couple of times before , so third time lucky I might get it right! The problem is that with this one I am waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat! I keep saying to myself " don't worry , it will work out, she will get married". Amidst all the hullaboo I will look for inspiration...better still a hut by a lake!!

Musn't worry..what with my new 'teeth' I can say the' sun shines out of my big g(l)ob!

There is a new movie in the works...

My blog got the thumbs up from one of my daughter today...she can't believe that her dad has a blog.
Wedding plans for "two weddings and a massive headache" are in full progress. The extended famililies have all thrown in their fifty cents worth of ideas and opinions. Transatlantic phone calls start at dawn and go on...thank God for Skype. With the different religions and cultures involved there is a movie in this somewhere ....a Bollywood comes to London style will be a winner. So I am now on to a working title... The one that comes to mind immediately is ' A Family in crisis' but that sounds to serious. Then there is 'Its only a Wedding innit!!'
There is always the chance to revive the Carry on tradition also ... we have two months so there is time to even work on a script and raise the finance!! Anyone interested?
I'll be someones favourite dad or get disowned!
Received an email with good news that our friends Cheryl and the Doc won a a radio competition for Cheryls photo on love ...taken in Uganda. Congratulations , they deserve the win. Despite the cold and wind the sun is shining in Peoria,Ill.

Jan 29 blog recovered

Jan 29,This is a first time blog - so its all new and to say that I know what I am doing is an understatement. It won't be long before I start calling in assistance. Today is a special day. It is my son's Ahmed birthday - he is twenty four. He also celebrates this day with his late grandfather who would have been ninety. We spent the day together with my beautiful wife Maggie and twenty month old grandson Trey at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Trey is a delight and kept us 'going' all day and into the evening. He blew the candles out on Ahmed's birthday cake! When I know how I will add a photo to this blog. I also spoke to my two daughters who live in London. So all in all you will understand now why the sunshines out of my big florida blog!!! Actually it also rained quite a bit today ! Until the next time....
draft
1/29/09
by Uncle Norm

Muhammed Ali lets his guard down

Saw an awards evening last night that reminded me of another living hero...Muhammed Ali. A great boxer an even greater man with the courage of his convictions.
When I see great men like Muhammed Ali I am reminded that there is hope for us all if only we were prepared to let done our guard down from time to time and let the sun shine in!

Head up...

I am still trying to keep up with my blog ...the problem is deciding on what news to share with you all !! Our grandson spent the afternoon. When it was time to go home he wanted to stay the night ....so we must be doing something right!

We are hasve a good few friends visiting Florida in February so I maybe able to expand my blog and share it with them.

Business continues to be slow but we want to remain optimists for as long as possible. Uncle Arthur ( 94 years young ) told my Broker son .."the door to success has PUSH on in it" so from the mouth of experience that is what we are doing.
Spread the word...www.floridahomefurnishings.com and morethanproperty.com....believe me you will feel good as you click on it and forward!!! Also as a bonus you will receive 7 years good luck!!!

We are planning to be London in April to attend two weddings.....our son and daughter are getting married two days apart! Our son in Suffolk and our daughter in London! I am grateful for my experience in logistics but know only to well that while I plan The Almighty is the bigger planner!! The 'children ' with a combine age of 64 remain oblivious to the feelings parents go through at a time like this Head in the clouds ...more like head up.... a good time to say that despite where their heads maybe the sun still shines out of my big Florida blog....

Heroes and hope

Our grandson had his first sleep-over last night which thrilled grand-mama to no end. He kept us going all day and late until the evening. He was up at 7.a.m. in a good mood and raring to start a new day!Such energy...and amazingly no tantrums. It maybe a proud grand parent boast but this child has an incredible vocabulary for twenty months. I only hope that grand-mama can keep up! He does bring endless joy.

I think I am slowly getting into blogging and hope to keep it regularly up dated. Maybe I will be brave and throw out some comments on world events of interests and start a debate. Nothing heavy but certainly something that brings understanding amongst people from diverse backgrounds..irrespective of race, creed or colour.

My heroes include amongst others my parents - for obvious reasons and more. My wife...again for obvious reasons. Taking me on with all sorts of baggage you need to be someone special. I promised her that I would not write about her on my blog....not even in jest so I will say no more!! The children know why.

At the top of my other list of living heros is Nelson Mandela. I will , I think slowly add to this.

I want to also add President Obama as I believe he does have the makings of a great statesmen and that he will help make this a better world. The BUT is will he be able to stand up to those who are blinkered and only see what they want. So for the moment though President Omama is on the short list the sun continues to shine with hope in my big Florida blog!

To be continued.......
.

Bonjour..kids rule

Some good friends and their grandchildren arrived from France. Met up with them and took along our grandson. Within minutes the children were playing and sharing.....adults have to learn a great deal from children. Our grandson has learnt two new words....bonjour
and au revoir !!!

www.floridahomefurnishings.com and seven years good fortune!!

Our new business website went live yesterday.. so we are hoping that the good folks out there will keep forwarding www.floridahomefurnishings.com. You will receive our sincere thanks and up to seven years ..at the very least ....good fortune!!

My good friend Cheryl has entered a photograph in a competition . Please go to http:familyfriendly915wcic.blogspot.com and vote for photo # 9. It is the best one there and its all about love and supporting a good friends!...Again seven years good fortune so don't miss out!

The weather turned cold for Florida..but you guessed it ...the sun shines in my big Florida blog!!!

Slumdog Millionaire..out of the brutality of poverty

Went to the movies last night to see Slumdog Millionaire.. Great movie all round and deserves the acknowledgement it gets from Hollywood. It is good to know that out of out of the the brutality of poverty there is still humour, love, honour and hope. The movie is highly recommended.

Yesterday a movie set in Mumbai.....today an email from Mumbai to confirm that our company has secured a contract to furnish a vacation home in Orlando!! My wife also won Powerball yesterday...$7 , not enough to retire on but again ..the sun shines out of my big Florida blog..

Proud parents

Today my 24 year old son came home and quietly announced that he had passed his Florida Real Estate Brokers Licence. In these economically uncertain times in Real Estate he is determined to stick at it and survive. Following the unwriitten rule of nepotism...if anyone is looking for a help in Florida ( Orlando) with real estate please let me know! My wife has also entered a photograph of our Grandson Trey into national competition. So its all about the family...As we continue to blog you will clearly understand why the sunshines out of my big Florida blog....!!

It's of to Slumdog Millionaire later. A layman's critique will follow!! I wonder if the 'no kissing' rules in Indian movies have been applied to 'Slumdog'? I can 't remember when last I sat through a Bollywood movie. Going to an Indian movie is an event that involves the whole family. No boring hotdogs and popcorn ..... samoosas and bhajias every rime!!

A lesson in love...

In an email I received today from a friend, I learnt from Emma age - 6 " If you want to learn to love better you should start with a friend you hate !". You can't ignore such good advice so I guess I better start ...one 'friend' at a time. Funnily it is the second time today that I heard about taking advice from both young and old.

It's Superbowl weekend in Tampa..I prefer football...soccer!!
It is early in my blogging experience but I hope to add more as I get to grips with it and open up the debate.

My loving wife is taking me to see Slumdog Millionaire. I beat her at Trivial Persuits everytime!!! The sun still shines in Florida.