A Moment in Time

Sorry to divert from the fun of the 80's flashbacks, but I was brought up short this evening when I heard of a young life cut short.  A tragic car accident that ended a 17 year old life.  His mother was my favorite babysitter and the coolest girl a ten year old could ever imagine.  His grandparents are like my second set of parents.  I can't remember a time of not knowing them.  When my mother told me this afternoon, I was in shock.  This family is the family everyone wishes they were a part of.  They love and cherish each other.  They leave their mark of goodness with the people they touch.  I know this young son would have done the same.  He leaves behind a huge, extended family, an older brother and a younger sister.  Their lives will never be the same. 


Let's take this time to know that every moment is precious with whom ever we love and share our lives with.  We are only given this minute; life changes in a moment.  My heart is breaking for my dear friends.  This is a moment to pray for peace of the spirit and give thanks for what we share.  


Sandy, Teddy, Mr. and Mrs. Mershon, Cody and Carrie, my sincerest sympathies.
Love,
Jenifer Anne

Starship Enterprise

My 20's and 30's were spent on the Starship Enterprise, traveling at warp speed. College, jobs, growing family and almost no time to breathe, except when doing lamaze...with time moving like a speeding bullet I do recall many songs and musicians that could sum up life at certain moments, made me cry and of course gave me and my girlfriends a chance to belt out to the world that "You Oughta Know." (shout out to Alanis Morissette)  So I am now going to sssslllllooooww it down~ instead of providing a list, I am going to choose one or two songs a post to focus on.

When You Say Nothing at All- Our first dance...this was "our song."  I don't even think we even had a conversation about the song we would dance to. This was it.  We became fans of AK and TUS several years before.  I remember setting up a college friend with a local hs friend and heading over to the Rich Valley Fair to take in Alison and her band.  In the red jeep Wrangler with the top down, I knew before reaching the top of the mountain I would never, ever set up a blind date again. Match making + me = DISASTER!   I'm not sure, but I think a few beverages of choice made that curvy mountain trip a little more tolerable.  I recall meeting up with a group of friends and enjoying the evening, ending with talking to AK and my better half asking for her autograph- for some odd reason he chose the back of his hand.  I don't think he washed it for a week, but with fate and anti-bacterial soap, all good things fade with time.  Years later, when I had our 3rd child my nurse anesthestist (the one and only MG) made a cd that was played during my c-section.  One of the songs she put on it was "When You Say Nothing at All.'  It warms my 40 year old heart to know that I have been surrounded with people that know my soul, my past, and my passions, without me having to say "nothing at all!"

There's Nothing Like a True 80's Girl

Yes I admit every bit of it.  I love the 80's.  People now make fun but I still believe it was the best decade to be a teenager!  Big hair, bright colors, lots of eye shadow, what could be better?  I had friends that dressed like Madonna, Boy George, the Thompson Twins and Prince, ( friends you know who you are)!  Do you remember how to get bangs so high and stiff?  The cans of hairspray consumed must have made a huge dent in the ozone.  My mother wouldn't let me spray hairspray in our bathroom because it spotted her wallpaper!
And oh the phases, I went through the new wave stage, punk stage and the "please I really am Belinda Carlisle, really!"


Here area my Ten:
1.  Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go! Wham! - oh George Michael!
2.  Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper - my first concert ever!
3.  Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
4.  Freeze Frame - J. Geils Band
5.  Melt With You - Modern English
6.  Hold Me Now - The Thompson Twins
7.  We Got the Beat - The Go-Go's
8.  Girl You Know its True - Milli Vanili
9.  Don't Go Back to Rockville - REM
10. If Love Somebody Set Them Free - Sting


11. Do They Know it's Christmastime? - Band Aid

Jose Gonzalez - Stay Alive

My dear friend Michelle Gates sent this to me a couple of weeks ago.  She sent it and said "Great track. Kristy May, can't help but think if we were 16 today this would be part of our soundtrack...."  So I thought it was appropriate to add to our music memory posts.  Thanks Michelle, it feels good to be thought of now and then :)
aka~ Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Music Magic Time Machine

Here is a list that spans time from 1973-1985

My childhood list of influential music- please, please don't judge

This is me and my best friend, April at this time.  We would sing this song in the car and her dad would call us Juice and Fig Newton.

• Angel of the Morning~ Juice Newton, My very first 45, purchased at the Record Bar.  Oh, how I wish something this simple would still make me feel like I was queen of the world :)

Ocean Front Property ~ George Straight

Islands in the Stream~ Kenny & Dolly

Afternoon Delight~ Starland Local Band- this was my first LP, and I thought I was something, thank goodness I did not know what this song was REALLY talking about!

9-5 ~ Dolly Parton

Young Turks~ Rod Stewart

Hurt So Good~ John Cougar

Abracadabra~ Steve Miller Band, yep had this 45 too :)

Hard to Say I'm Sorry~ Chicago

The entire Michael Jackson Cassette Tape (my first one of these)~ Beat it, Billy Jean, Thriller

Eye of the Tiger~ Survivor, I know, I know kiddos, it was ours first.

Stand Back~ Stevie Nicks and a pair of roller skates, Friday night, and the world was my oyster!

Time out...

First and foremost, I want to thank my sister in blogging for allowing me to take a time out from our walk down music memory lane to honor a dear, dear man who was referred to at his memorial service today, as one of the "last true southern gentlemen." ~ The Penningtons.  This evening we celebrated the life of one if the most kindest, loving, self sacrificing and loyal men I've had the honor to know and love. We will miss you Paw! Give Ruby and Dot a hug from us all.

June 3, 1995

Instead of using this space to discuss all the traits that made him one special man, I will use the many tributes that have been written and expressed to express just how loved he was.
Mr. Tudor was born in Smyth County, VA to the late Turner Park Tudor, Sr. & Lillian Thomas Tudor and was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Buchanan Tudor and a sister Martha Tudor Robinson. Mr. Tudor attended the Marion College & North Carolina State University and was a member of the Royal Oak Presbyterian Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Medical Air Evacuation Unit. He was a Life Member of the Francis Marion V.F.W. Post 4667 where he served as treasurer and served on the honor guard & firing squad. He was employed as the plant manager for the downtown Holston Harwood plant in Marion for over 35 years. He worked with the Red Kettle & Salvation Army.

Paw and his boys

Summer 2000

He was a wonderful man & I know you all will miss him so much!

                                                                     ~ Genie Sneed

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Turner Park Tudor, Jr. of Marion. Mr. Tudor passed away at his home on Friday at 95 years young. He is the grandfather of previous MFD Chiefs Jim May and Todd May, and great-grandfather of firefighter Matthew May. Mr. Tudor will be missed by all who met him.

~Marion Volunteer Fire Department, Marion Virginia

He and Dot helped me get through moving from Staunton here. I have so many wonderful memories of meals and times spent with them. :'-)

~ Sharon Buchanan

As most of you knew, I took care of my grandfather in the last few years of his life. Today, we lost the most sweetest, unselfish, wonderful man. I could go on, but those who knew him already know how he was. He wasn't just my grandfather, he was my hero who taught me so much in life. He will be so missed by us all. I love you Paw, you are forever in our heart.

~Robyn May Akers

Park was such a wonderful and compassionate man! He adored you and that was evident to anyone who knew you. You can never prepare yourself for when something like this happens but you and your mom have stood by him and advocated for him. You, Suzanne and all your family are in our hearts and we will keep you in our prayers! And I know that we hardly ever get to see each other but time and distance doesn't change how we feel! This family shares so many memories with you and your family, and we love you guys so much!! If there is anything at all that you need, please don't hesitate to ask. We are here for you!! Love you and we miss you. We will miss Park but we will remember him for the wonderful man and the legacy that he leaves.

~ DiAnna Bice

One of the finest men that lived in Smyth County, VA has gone home for his reward. I first met Mr. Tudor when I was 17 and started working at Holston Harwood with a worker's permit, auth by Supt of Schools, Leonard J Mauck. I worked with a lot of ladies much older than I. Some wanted to intimidate you, but this man did not allow it. My Supervisor Ruby tried to scare me, but I am hard-core Stamper, not much to be intimidated...Through the years, when I would meet Mr. Tudor , I always thanked him again for believing in me and telling me they all started young and worked their way up, too. R.I.P Mr. Tudor. Thank you for remaining my friend through the years.

~Sadie Stamper Greer

Music Memories

Those of you that know my heart are well aware that I am a woman of words.  This is one of the reasons that I love, I mean LOVE music.  Rhythm and chords give you a vibe, and the lyrics well, they give you a story.  Without sounding too creepy...music is my muse.  My buddy blogger and I have decided to share some of the music that has helped us reach this milestone of our lives.  You young folks out there, I suggest you youtube some of these one hit wonders.  My girlfriends and I would joke during our teenage years that our dream would be to wake up with Robert Plant singing and playing the guitar at the end of our bed.  Hell, now I am thrilled if my kids let me play some Zeppelin on my ipod.  Man, oh, man, how times have changed.  Hope you enjoy!  Just watch this- two of my favorites from different decades of my life.

Robert Plant and Alison

My Teenage Years

(In no particular order)

Some songs I will elaborate on, others don't deserve my time ;), maybe they do, but I am not going there

1. What I Am- Edie Brickell ~ Moss Pit, enough said
2. I Remember You-Skid Row
3. Once Bitten, Twice Shy- Great White~ Hello Jack, meet Kristy... and her hamburger from Hardees and her black sweater... just let me say, I have never EVER had a date with Jack again...honestly I have not seen Jack in 25 years.  You try to make nice with a "bad" boy, it doesn't work out, you don't go there again! Listen up young girls!!!
4. Love Shack- B52's ~ can you say "field parties"
5. Angel- Aerosmith~ spray paint involved, that is the only fact I can give up
6. Lil' Devil- The Cult~ just waking up and hearing this cd play over and over again, lol
7. Karma Chameleon- Boy George~ cruising K-mart
8. Pour Some Sugar on Me- Def Leppard~ my first ROCK concert, via and thanks to the Williams' family
9. The Promise- When in Rome
10. New Sensation- INXS

Honorable Mentions*

* Fire Women- The Cult~ my cb call, long before the cell phone youngins

* Just Like Heaven- The Cure~ I had a Cure t-shirt that ROCKED!

* Twist of Cain- Danziz ~ our good girls gone bad days (really it was just a week)

* Back Where You Belong~ 38 Special

* Your Love- The Outfield~ I have loved the beach for a long, long time

I hope you all enjoy as much as I did reminiscing.