Family

My Mother

When I think of my mom I think of selfless giving and caring. She raised my brother and I alone....My father had visitation, but was not much of a dad....My grandparents on both side of my family were involved in my life....I LOVE my grandparents!!!! My aunt Cindy and uncle Bill were very present in my life as well and will always be so very special to me. But my mother takes the award for being the "Best Mom" ever!! Katherine Sandra Bigger Deaver Gordon is her name and if you know her, you know how much she believes in and loves her family-what a beautiful woman and example she is...My "mama" as I call her has gotten a bad rap because of me. People (family included) like to blame her for my mistakes-they like to judge her from a distance and pretend to know what they would do if they were faced with the challenges that I made my mother face...Remember DO NOT JUDGE!! Karma is a bitch!!! trust me-I know about Karma!!!!

Recently my sweet, giving, loving mama found out her finances have changed dramatically-I will be interested to see if all the family comes for Christmas this year-knowing ahead of time-Christmas will not mimic years past----She is worried about the fact she is unable to provide like she has all of my life!! She need not worry---I think we should all go to Billy Graham's library after Christmas dinner and enjoy the TRUE meaning of Christmas!! Here is some irony...I filmed a video for the Billy Graham library!! Please follow these directions and you will see me in my second ever "commercial"  the first was a Bud Light commercial for the Panthers a lllllooonnnnggg time ago!!

Mama, I love you so much....You are the best and you did the best as a mother!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything!!!!!


1. Click link
http://www.billygrahamlibrary.org
2. Click EXPLORE top of the webpage
3. Scroll down to VIDEOS
4. Scroll down to "Come Visit the Billy Graham Library" 2:11
5. You will see Ed and I at the 1:02 mark and we are shown several times after that.... We really enjoyed filming and love the grounds at the library!!

Grace Katherine "Gracie"

The word grace brings many different meanings to one's mind---when I think of grace, I think of God...and all the many blessings that I have received-my grandmother and daughter both bear the name-both deservedly so! My grandmother, "Mawmaw Bigger"as we call her today, (because of the great-grandchildren my brother and I have given her) is a beautiful woman on the inside and out-She is 97 years old and only recently moved to an assisted living community and currently resides at a nursing home. She is tired but still so gracious and loving with her family, church friends, and everyone who knows her...She set an amazing example for all of us to follow...My daughter "Gracie" who was named after Mawmaw Bigger suffered as a baby, but to look at her now NO ONE would ever know....she has been blessed with a wonderful father and the sweetest and quick-witted step-mother, who both love and adore her so much...My mother, step-father, aunt, and late uncle Bill surrounded her with love and let her know how lucky she is to have sooo many who care about her!! I am blessed to see my daughter and all of her manifestations-she is funny, loves and even sometimes lives in a make believe world, she can size up people in a room quicker than me-and she's a pretty darn good judge of character. Not only is she tall and beautiful she is kind....I know for me this is GRACE!!! I love my daughter, Gracie with all of my heart...one day she will know her story and that will be here quicker than I ever dreamed...she's smart and intuitive...she already ask...she knows I love her and miss her....

*Some of my family have not taken the time to know this beautiful child-whether out of jealousy or anger-I have finally realized it is their loss not Gracie's!! I love you my sweet daughter and I am very appreciative of the woman who stepped up to love my daughter like her own...Amber, you are sent from God....Thank you!

Gracie at 4 years old-legs crossed and looking like a big girl

Stylen and profilen...

"Really, Mama?"

Come in Loma, come in...

Gracie should be modeling children's clothes

Gracie at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens-Christmas, 2010

Gracie reading Snow White to me!!

Easter-Gracie Pooh pouting!!

Ed

What do you say about someone who drives you insane!!! Your one true love? The one you loved and lost? or do you just call them "ED". Ed can be a great guy-giving and forgiving, silly and always complimentary....but on the flip side...hmmmmm stayed tuned...not sure all my business needs to be put on this blog...The following pictures have been taken by me throughout my marriage....

Mawmaw Bigger

Aunt Cindy

Uncle Bill

Chuck

Glenn

Nieces and Nephews

Photography-Landscapes, Portraits, and just plain odd....

**I have a love of photography-not sure if anyone else appreciates my taste or interest, but I certainly hope it gets ya thinking about how you see the world...stayed tuned-I am constantly updating this post!!!

Church between York and Chester County on Hwy 49

Parthenon Replica in Rock Hill, SC--go figure

Children's Museum in Rock Hill, SC-was once a bank-the vault now holds the key to the coolest dress-up clothes

Flag on top of Chimney Rock, NC

Pure Gas Sign being eaten by kudzu in Georgia

Spooky place in Helen, GA-

Covered Bridge Clayton, GA

Georgia Guidestones-WEIRD

Little cars left for two little boys taken well before their time....

Hotels, Motels, B&Bs, Inns, Tents (yeah right), and more

Apalachicola River Inn
Apalachicola, FL

Merry Acres Inn
Albany, GA
http://www.merryacres.com

Merry Acres Inn sits on the property once owned by the late Dr. Russell L. Grace. The property at that time housed many structures: old farm house, horse barns, pecan groves (OMG they are everywhere), and a pasture. The doctor and his wife eventually added 200 more acres to his already 500 acres. 

Ms. Grace had a love for trees and flowers which was evident in her landscaping and led the way for the name "Merry Acres". She also had a building on the property made of rocks where she made sausage and cooked chitterlings---gross!! yes, I have tried chittlens' as we call them and they taste like s**t as you can imagine s**t is housed in them...YUCK...anyway....the building was called the Dutch oven.

The property was given to their daughter, Jean, who married a professional baseball player, named G.G. "Speck"Dozier. They created the first motel on the property where this amazing inn is today. The main house was used as the motel (which is now registration), and the Dutch oven was turned into a suite.

**The fireplace from the rock structure (building) still stands today!! **see picture below....

The property remained in the family and additional influential people who married into the family (Miami Dolphin Superbowl ring holder--married one of Dozier's children) kept successful business going.

Today Stewart and Bo own the property and three local restaurants-all three have excellent food as I have eaten at them all!!! Harvest Moon serves pizza, sandwiches, etc. The Catch serves seafood, and Henry Campbell's serves steak. 

This inn has received numerous awards-and rightfully so....

1. 100% customer satisfaction is their goal

2. Nothing like chain hotels and/or motels
3. If a guest need anything the staff goes out of his or her way to see all needs are met
4. Guest can be shuttled to the three restaurants-(they even picked me up from the oral surgeons office)
5. Office staff professional, down to earth, and helpful
6. Housekeeping and grounds crew friendly and professional
7. On-site pub
8. Beautifully landscaped and well-maintained grounds
9. Safe-security on site


Rooms are decorated very modern with modern amenities such as flat screen TVs, duvets, stylish drapes and lamps, hairdryers, refrigerators, coffee makers, desk with a chair, walk-in closets, and an extra chair.

Pub, Registration is around back

**Original fireplace and grill

Pool stays open all year round

Beautiful covered area at the pool to eat lunch, work on the computer or just enjoy the day

Security is not a problem-Many cameras are visible and watched (Makes me feel safe)

Playground