Link List
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
My hero hard at it!!!
Station 81 had a chicken house fire on Monday afternoon that was dispatched just as Dale was arriving home from school. The fire was at an old abandoned chicken house just across the field from our house. Dale is the one in the red fire gear. I AM SOOOOO PROUD OF MY CADET FIREFIGHTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Dale got his first deer!! Wooohooooo yippiieeeee
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Finally...its here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A little history on the design of the stone:
I was looking for something unique (like Gerry) to define the story of his life. Everything on this stone has traces of Gerry all through them. He designed our house and did all the interior work. He dreamed and designed his shop, which houses the fire trucks. He purchased the tractor when we finally moved home from Baltimore after the initial treatments. That is his truck that he always parked in the driveway, and it drove me nuts because we had two garages he could have parked inside. And the two trees over by the shop we planted as a family on Fathers Day in 2003, to mark our new beginning and second chance at life together. Now the flag pole was an impulse purchase that he and Tim just had to have at the Firemans Expo in Harrisburg a few years back. Now, if you look really close, double click on the image to zoom in, you can see the metal barn star on the front of the house, as well as the chicken coop and rocking chair.
At the top of the stone are two logos that were a very integeral part of Gerry. The one on the left is the logo for H. Wayne Givens & Sons, which is our farming operation. This partnership was started by Gerry and Wayne in 1997. On the left is the logo designed by the Laurel Fire Department that is displayed on the shop and a sign out in front of the Sycamore Road Sub-Station. The members are extremely proud of this logo, as am I!
I hope you enjoy this picture and can stop by to see it in real life...who would think that something so sad could bring soooo much joy to me...finally!!!!!!!!
Love Deanna
P.S. I still miss him every day =^(
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Just checkin' in....
On October 13 our family and friends participated in the Light the Night walk...our TEAM GUMP was the 1 fundraisers for the Rehoboth Walk. This is amazing, we raised over $7,100 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We are the #1 fundraising team for the Rehoboth Walk. Next year we are setting our goal for at least $ 10,000 and hope to bust that all to pieces!!! My my, Gerry would be so proud of all the people that contributed to this event, it has brought so many of us together for a united cause..we are an awesome TEAM.
Nightmare Productions had a banner year with the Nightmare at Twilley Center this year. I didn't get down to Salisbury to play as much as I wanted, but they had a good time without me, again!!!! A portion of the proceeds will go to the Salisbury YMCA and the American Cancer Society! The haunt this year was awesome, and it had Gerry's little touches all over the place. The SCREAM TEAM will be back next year, ready to scare the yell out of you!!!It was overwhelming to watch the "kids" take on some big roles at the Haunted House this year. We have watched them grow up, from the days when they were 5 or 6 falling asleep in a make shift coffin, or in a dirt pit. Some might call that child neglect, we call it bonding time and it has produced some amazing young adults. Watching Dale carry on at the HH was most pleasing. He has become everything I would ever dream of....he has taught me alot!!!!! What a brat though, he still picks on me everyday, I don't know where he gets that from...
The holiday season is coming up fast, this year will be different for our family; however, we are thankful that we have each other to lean on and look forward to remembering Gerry through it all!!!!Well thats all for now.....ttfn!!!!Deanna
Monday, October 15, 2007
Light the Night Walk 2007!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Stop by to see the BLUE RIBBON PROJECT!
OK....I'm bored!!!
Special Friends
Sunday, September 16, 2007
TEAM GUMP!!!! On a mission.....
The Team Gump T-shirts are in....they are simply beautiful....get one while supplies last...just send an email or give one of us a call....the cost is $20, with ALL proceeds going towards our Team goal......Thanks so much for all of your support....we are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends... TTFN DD
Gone to another state!
Hi folks!!! I have to apologize for the delay in posting...I have been in another state for the last couple of weeks.....the state of Confussion!!! It is so bad there that they dont even have a zip code. lol
The next couple of months are gonna be very emotional for me......I have alot of hurdles to get over and I am not looking forward to the ups and downs that they will bring! But....Im gonna give it my all, I'm not about to go backwards now!!!!
The weather is amazing!!! I love to open the windows and let all the germs and worries blow away. I had to break out a pair of sweat pants and sweat shirt last night.....that is the ultimate comfy for me....
I'm gonna post a couple of pictures that I have been holding on to.....enjoy!!!
TTFN DD
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Being silly...
Just wanted to share these photos with you...we had a pretty depressing day on Saturday... a dear friend of the family, Louis Breeding, joined the flock of angels watching over us...his daughter, Linda, is my very close friend. When we got home I wanted a picture of Dale and I together so we put Mom to work...of course we could not behave ourselves...so what you see is what you get...my poor mother deserves an award...lol
Love to all...D
Friday, August 24, 2007
Team Gump
Finally
I have some great pictures...Tim took some at my surprise bday party at the Browns, and I have some at the Old Mill with the Givens family and friends. I had so much fun! I want to thank everyone for making this such a special time for me...was kind of dreading it to be honest, not sure which emotion was gonna take over...but, my family and friends have never let me down before and they proved once again how lucky I am to have each one of them!!! Thank you everyone, I love you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will add the pictures later, I am at the wrong computer right now.
Dale has finished work for the summer, starts school next Monday. Can you believe that he will be a Jr this year. He is still as ornery as ever! He was chasing me thru the house the other night, picking at me and pinching my butt...then Mom came out of her room with a fly swatter and straighten us both out, lol.
Well, there is another Angel looking down on us...Another great friend of mine had to say goodbye to her dad this week. Linda has been my friend since..forever. She is such a great older (haha) sister to me. Pop Pop Louis will be missed very much, but he has suffered long enouogh and we know that he is up in heaven cheering on the O's...
Just a reminder, only 4 months til' christmas!!! Love ya, DD
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A great day with family
You know when you laugh so much that your lungs hurt, that was me. We picked up Mom Mom Brown and delivered her so she could visit for a couple of days, what a sweet lady. Her face lite up when she saw the great grandchildren, now she has her hands full for the next couple of day. Katie and Robbie are such great kids, they were quite the entertainers. They are great medicine for what ale's you. I could sit and watch them for hours. And the babies, WOW, they are perfect.
Of course, Aunt Carol kept the family in stitches telling her "stories" and trying to recruit a business partner. By the way, I had a dream about cupcakes last night, now I will have to bake some, thanks Aunt Carol.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Getting Spoiled...
The love and support that my family and friends have show to us is unmeasurable! Every day I am reminded of how much they care, and I immediately look up and thank God and his right hand angel for looking after me! I can see him now, taking his hat off and scratching his head with it, can't you...
Friday was four months since Gerry went to be with the Lord. He is the lucky one if you ask me! The suffering ended for him, but the thought of suffering without him is what buckles my knees.
Well, I gotta cut this short, I need to blow my nose and dry my face. I LOVE ALL OF YOU!
TTFN DD
P.S. Check out Krissy new blog page, now I can see Michael grow up as well. Thanks Krissy & Mike.
I have passed the half way point!!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Pic from Sugarland Concert
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Happy National Girlfriends Day
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
MY SIDEWALK IS DONE!!!!
I want to thanks Keith, Alvin, Tim & Dale for all their hard work. Oh Zach and Justin were there the other night as well. THANKS GUYS! I LOVE YA!!!!!!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Raised my Goal for Light the Night Walk!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Blue Ribbon Project
This is an e-mail I just received from our friend Mike Lowe with Laurel Fire Department. He and Wendy have an angel of a daughter Allison Lowe. During Gerry's illness, Allison came to visit him at Johns Hopkins, and even baked him chocolate chip cookies when he came home. They provided several dinners for us, and Allison was always there to deliver. Since she is a "firehouse brat" Gerry always took the opportunity to "pick" on her during her frequent visits to the firehouse. Allison's Salute project is on display at the Del. State Fair in the Ice Arena Building.
Please stop by to check it out, be prepared, it will bring tears to your eyes!
I will post some pictures later, I plan to attend the fair this weekend.
Love D
Light the Night Walk - In Memory of Gerry "Gump" Brown
"Team Gump has been created by a very special group of friends. They are going all out to raise funds to support the causes of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. When they told me what they were doing, I just shook with excitement!! I will keep you posted on the fundraisers that they are planning. (t-shirts, stickers, etc.) You know me, PLAN is a four-letter word in my vocabulary, so I will leave that up to them. Since I have had amazing support in just my first two days of fundraising, I have increased my goal from $500 to $1500. Thanks for all you do for me and my family, which very much includes my friends! Check out the webpage..."
Although Gerry lost his battle to ALL this year, our family and friends are making it our mission to keep his spirit alive! Gerry's main concern when he was diagnosed with leukemia was to help others in the future. He was very vocal about the fact that he was given a second chance because someone else made a donation and gave their time to support funding and research.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.
The Society funds lifesaving cancer research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and many other types of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of patients. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue have already begun to provide drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.
But more research is critically needed:
Every five minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every ten minutes, someone dies.
Leukemia causes more deaths among children than any other cancer
More than 20,000 Americans died from lymphoma in 2006
Please make a donation to support my Light The Night Walk and help save lives. Be sure to check my Web site frequently to see my progress, and again, thanks for your support!
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnWilmin1/2122_mamagump
Monday, July 16, 2007
OMG - Not another post!
I bought a vehicle all by myself. Can you believe that I will be 40 next month, and I have never applied for anything on my own? I was scared to death. But...I did it, and I love my truck.
In June, one of my VBF's Cindy had to say goodbye to her dad. What a dear sweet man! He was such a hoot, always had a story to share, and I could sit and listen to him for hours. He worshiped the ground his little girl walked on, what a great relationship for a father and daughter to have!
Then, one of my other VBF's Pat took me away on a three day road trip to her hometown of Blue Jay, WV. Oh my, what a great escape. We had a blast. We were in no hurry to get anywhere. Pat has such a great loving family, they made me feel right at home, and the shopping was wonderful. We tried to hit every discount store within 50 miles, plus we hit a Wal-Mart in every state we passed thru. I can't wait to go back to God's country, which I am planning on doing over Labor Day weekend.
Then came the 4th of July. The Laurel Chamber of Commerce decided to dedicate the 4th of July Parade in Gerry's memory. He was very involved in the organization of the parades that took place in Laurel over the past several years. What a tribute. The fire company had a great showing, and there were eleven different fire companies in the parade to honor Gerry. We are so thankful for all that the fire company and local community members have done for our family. I feel so at ease knowing that Gerry's memory and legacy will live on in this community, actually I feel it everyday. The picture of Cindy, Pat and I was from the parade, at the judges stand. Dale and I sponsored a trophy in Gerry's memory for the Best Appearing Fire Company, which was awarded to our neighbors just to the north, Blades Vol. Fire Co.
On Friday the 13th, another VBF Linda, made a dreaded trip across the bay with me to Johns Hopkins. That is where my neurologist is, and it was time for my six month check up for my MS. My doctor was very pleased with my MRI results. There are no new lesions on my brain or c-spine, and one of the lesions I have has shrunk. Also, I had a very good visit with some of "Gerry's Girls" on 5C. The emotions going into that building were overwhelming! Just the smell of the building, which was not a bad smell, made my stomach turn. The sense of being an outsider was a whole new feeling as well. For so many days, and months, I felt like I owned that building, it was our "home" and we have a lot of family still there. This is just another chapter in my life that I am completing, but it will be one of the major rocks that I lean on to get us thru the future!!!!
Unfortunatley, last week was a very sad week. On Monday, Pop Pop Brown lost his battle to cancer. What a wonderful, strong man he symbolized. Aunt Carol put it very well during the service, he knew everything. I could see alot of him in my Gerry. Strong minded, and spoke up for what he thought was right. It is such a comforting feeling to know that now he and Gerry can watch over all of us with their great wisdom and love. The funeral service was on Saturday, which was bitter sweet. It was sad to say goodbye to Pop Pop, and to see Mom Mom so tired; however, it also was a time of celebration, and an oportunity to talk with family that we don't get to see often enough. Gerry's cousin Mike was so right in saying that families need to get together twice a year with happy intentions, not just to say goodbye to another family member. I agree, my family does not get together often enough either, it is time for some change!
Dale is doing very well. He is busy working full time this summer with the U of D Ag Studies. He is also very busy with the Fire Company Cadet program. He has turned into a young man, and I did'nt get the chance to see it, kids change so fast. Gerry has left his mark on Dale in many ways, oh boy!! He can start to talk and if I close my eyes, I swear that Gerry is sitting there talking. I think he was cloned, instead of conceived, haha!! I am so proud of who he has become, he bought a pool table at an auction a few weeks ago, so now we are gonna become pool sharks. That is a joke, huh?
Well, I have bent your ear long enough. I promise to keep this blog updated more often. Enjoy the pix's. Love ya, D
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...I know it has been awhile!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
LAX Awards
Dale received the Sportmanship Trophy from Coach Stewart. It was an emotional night for us, it was hard to do this event without Gerry there to enjoy the accomplishments of our son. Gerry was so proud of Dale, no matter what he was involved in, his dad always encouraged him to give it his all. It became a big part of my therapy to go to the games and do some cheering and yelling. Man, I can't wait until football starts now, although yelling at home is not quite the same, huh?
Last weekend, Dale, Cory & Barry went to the UD/UMBC lax game. While they were there watching the 2nd game of the day, I was online ordering them tx's to the semi-final round at M&T Stadium/Ravens Stadium this Saturday. They are ready to do some tailgating, and girl watching too. (Checkout the photo of the girls in front of them) I am torn between who wins, since UD plays Johns Hopkins. I guess it doesn't matter, they both deserve to win.
Oh yeah, Dale got a job with the UD Sub-station in Georgetown. He actually started on Tuesday after school. What an opportunity for him to work with this group of people. Not sure which area he will be in, but it will have alot to do with farm work, gardening, and experimental crops and such.
Nuff about us, how is everyone doing? It has finally turned to spring, my head and eyes can attest to that. Take care, love ya lots. DD
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Another week gone by...
I took a mental health day from work on Tuesday, I was due! I needed to run some errands and get myself ready for the trip to Newark to watch Dale play. I still have those days when I am not sure which direction I am supposed to go in...luckily they are getting fewer as we go along, but it sure does hurt like hell. Of course, now is the time for all the farmer's to be out in the fields, and all I can smell is fresh dirt everytime I go outside. That is a hard pill to swallow, it makes me feel very lonely and sad.
Today is Mom's birthday, she is 61!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know what I am gonna focus on now that lacrosse if over for the season. That has kept me just as busy as Dale. Oh well, something will come up, no doubt?
I hope everyone has a great weekend, even though it is supposed to rain:(
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!!!
Friday, May 4, 2007
I Ate Toooooo Much
Wednesday they played against Sussex Central and won 18-0. It was bitter sweat because his coach from last year coaches at SC now. It was nice to talk with him after the game. I watched him as the game went on, and I could tell that he has an impact on the players from SC. Those kids were getting their butts kicked, and they didn't act like a bunch of babies, they kept on playing, and as for their coach, he never lost his cool, he very calmly coached from the side lines. What an amazing person he is, he was a big part of Dale staying involved with lacrosse last year. I sure do miss seeing him.
Thursday the JV lacrosse team traveled to Berlin to play Worcester Prep. They (ST) lost 7-4. That actually is not a bad scored considering that part of the JV team plays for Varsity as well, and they beat our Varsity last Monday 19-0! Oh well, cant win them all. This Saturday they play St. Elizabeth at ST at noon. Hopefully it will be a pretty day, and we can have a good game.
My friend, Marla, and I are going to see Ronnie Milsap on Saturday night in Salisbury. It's a GNO (girls night out). When we were young, and not so fat, we would listen to Ronnie Milsap as we rode around Laurel in the bright yellow daisy. Daisy was an old DP&L meter reading truck her dad bought at an auction. We had so much fun in that old thing. That is what we were riding in the night I met Gerry. Memories................................
Well, I gotta look like I am working, love to all, have a great weekend.
Love ya, DD TTFN
Friday, April 27, 2007
TGIF
I sure will be glad when this weather decides what it is gonna do! My head is killing me. Can you believe that next week is the beginning of May? I feel like I have been stuck in a bubble somewhere. No need to complain though, right!
Love to all, have a great weekend...TTFN
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Happy Wednesday
My favorite group is singing on American Idol, Rascal Flatts. They sing with such emotion! I hope you know that I sound just like them when I am driving down the road:@)
Oh, by the way, I did catch the shrimp on Saturday night. We had a blast. Thanks Linda & Craig.
Gotta go, lova ya DD
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!!
My wonderful neighbors came over tonight to plant the trees I bought yesterday. They look georgous! (The trees are pretty too) Tim is a good digger if I don't say so myself.
Speaking of trees, there was a beautiful picture of a tree on the front of our bulletin from church today, the caption read...
"Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still."
That pretty much says it all, huh? I hope everyone is still growing, I know I grow and learn something everyday. Standing still will only cause us pain and lots of grief. Here's to a great weekend.
TTFN DD
Saturday, April 21, 2007
What a beautiful day!!!
I also purchased a beautiful planter with a geranium, vinca ivy, and some other stuff. I took it the the cemetary, it looked so darn drab out there, so I spruced it up. Gerry is probably fussing at me now because he knows that someone will have to water it, and cut grass around it. I will try to download the picture I took at the cemetary for those of you that can not visit on a regular basis. I am working with Ed on the stone, so hopefully we can have something done by the beginning of the summer.
Getting ready for tonights outing with the bunch. They certainly are taking good care of me and Dale. Hopefully I will catch the shrimp this time.
Have a great evening, talk at ya tomorrow. Oh for those of you that are wondering what TTFN stands for...Tah Tah For Now!!!!
Love dd
Friday, April 20, 2007
Survived another week!!
It was actually fun at work today, mung'us girls ate lunch together, and I think I busted a lung from laughing so much. Of course, I was the main one cracking jokes. I can't help it, some people are just so darn stupid, they deserve to be talked about. It is unreal what people will say and do out in the public?!?!
Dale is back to fire school tomorrow and Sunday. I plan, yes I used that word, to work outside tomorrow. Pat and I are gonna see what we can dig up out in the north forty.
Mom and I took a trip to Salisbury tonight, it didn't take long to realize that I was not missing anything down there either.
I am a bit sad this evening though. I went up town to visit the old man, and do you know that some one has removed a stepping stone from Gerry's site already! I just placed it there last Friday evening! It was a beautiful stone that a good friend gave to me. HOW SAD!!! I am not surprised; however, I am quite disappointed.
Tomorrow is Bryan Blocker's 19th birthday. We are gonna celebrate at the Japanesse Steak House in Salisbury. That will be a hoot! Also, I want to wish Aunt Carol a very special "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" this Sunday April 22.
Well, I need to get some beauty sleep. Lord knows I sure do need it. Talk at ya later.
TTFN Love DD
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Trying something new
Things are going pretty good on Sycamore Road, same ole, same ole. I returned to work on Monday, and Dale has been extremely busy with school, lacrosse, fire school and fire calls.
My friend Melody took me, and her daughter Britnay, to Baltimore last night to see Taylor Hicks (American Idol winner last year). It was awesome!! I enjoyed the night out, but was pretty beat when I got home. Oh well, we gotta live a little now and then.
I will be loading pictures and other stuff soon...as soon as I figure this gizmo out that is:)
TTFN DD