Bret Michaels and Me

June 12, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellorLeave a comment

Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, winner of Celebrity Apprentice, was in my town today.

Living in a military community has its blessings…and this was one of them.

Bret is to perform at “The Swamp” tonight, and you have to be 18 to enter. Carmen is my bff when it comes to Bret and Poison. She and I attended a Poison concert last year in Birmingham. We had a great time. I so wanted to attend tonight, but since Carmen doesn’t turn 18 until January 1st…so, what to do?

A wonderful friend of David’s, Ray, had said that the rock radio station was advertising Bret was going to Hurlburt Air Force Base at 3p today. Julie (dear scrapbook, stampin’ up friend), sent me an email that Bret was going to be there at 2p. So… I go to work, and I have truly given up on going to see him. Justifying it…I had already seen him in concert, and so I lived out that dreamed from teen years. I get this email from Julie encouraging me to go.

Carmen brought lunch, and I asked off for the rest of the afternoon….and, we got to the base, and there were some people there. Not a ton…and we made our way into the middle of the crowd. It was incredibly hot.

Bret’s bus pulls into the parking lot…

Carmen and I in the parking lot of the BX. Waiting for Bret to walk this way…

BRET!!!!

Love his smile.

more…

We fought our way to try to get a picture with him. The military guards were not going to let that happen, at least not with us today. As Bret was walking to his bus, I was close enough to ask he could sign Carmen’s Poison shirt. “Do you mind if I keep walking while I sign it?” – NO! Of course, not! He signed it. I told him that we were praying for him to continue to get better. We love you Bret. “I love you too!”, and I was 19 again. I believe that he is completely sincere about his love of his fans. I experienced it today.

Carmen’s shirt.

I know that Bret is a rock star, and famous for now. It was a pleasure getting to meet him, and have Carmen experience a “star.” I will say that it was a really great day for the both of us. A bonding experience if you will. But, we will have many more, and I am sure it will not be because of Bret or Poison, but of God’s blessings.

I am blessed with a husband who allows me to stalk out a rock star at 43 years of age. I am blessed with a daughter that loves 80’s music…my music…and her own generations music. I am blessed with a son, who found a set of speakers on the side of the road, and connected them to his electronic drums! There was a reason for the headset…but…

I am blessed. I have been asking God to “show me His Glory” like Moses did in Exodus. I have seen bits and pieces of it in the past weeks. I believe that we forget to ask for this. We forget to ask for big things. Simple things sometimes.

Bret has survived a rock stars life, an appendix surgery, and a brain hemorrhage. I don’t know if he knows Christ, but I believe he has been shown bits and pieces of glory. God has given him a 2nd, and 3rd chance.

I know that He has given many to me. Over and over again, I am shown the path I need to take. Gentle reminders of His love. Opportunities to make things right.

Meeting Bret today was really cool. Meeting my Savior one day will be incredible.

Blessings,

Jerry Ann

Auburn · college · family · kids

Auburn War Eagle Day

April 14, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellorLeave a comment

Over our spring break, we decided to take Carmen to War Eagle Day at Auburn. Classes were in session, and it is a good first look at Auburn University. She has lots of choices. Carmen is a good student, and will be able to choose where she wants to go. Now if only she knew what she wanted to do.

Auburn is a smaller college, with on average 25,000 students. Everyone there was extremely friendly, and outgoing. Carmen was nervous, as were all of us.

We stayed at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. Our view was at the library. This is a perfect picture…wonder, curious, scared.

Carmen has a lot to do before she graduates next year. But, this is the beginning of a new chapter. One that all of us are a little nervous about.

family · kids

Carmen’s and Stephen’s Spring Ball

March 21, 2010December 8, 2012 jachancellorLeave a comment

Carmen participated in The Cotillion this year again. It is a formal dinner dance held at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Friday evening. They enjoy a dinner, and an orchestra for dancing. They practice dances such as swing, salsa, tango, and waltz throughout the year, and then have the opportunity to show off their learned skills. Carmen’s ball is formal, long gowns, white gloves (we forgot them this time), and men in tuxes.

It is really a wonderful time for dress-up as well.

This was the first time that Carmen wore her hair straight and down. I found it quite

becoming. She looks much older than a new 17 year old.

Ara and Carmen, one of the beau’s at the dance.

Stephen also had his Spring Ball this month at the Conference Center. He participates in the National Junior Cotillion. They have their events monthly with practices at each, and then have the grand ball. Their event was formal as well, but not required to have a tux. The ladies are required to wear hand gloves.

He is growing into such a gentlemen. Stephen has always been caring, and sensitive.

He likes to dance, and has figured out that girls like boys that dance. He is all about that.

I am amazed at their growth not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally. They have gracious personalities. Although they still get along, they seem to irritate each other more these days. I don’t know about you, but I believe that when children dress up, they seem like they behave better. Crazy concept, I know, but I really believe it. =) I love them so.

family · kids

Proud Mom

March 17, 2010 jachancellorLeave a comment

My daughter tried out for her school’s dance team today. She took a 3 day clinic to teach her the routine, and some basic dance moves. She hasn’t taken dance formally, only gymnastics when she was very young.

I have always taught the kids that if you won’t know until you try…and Carmen has definitely proven that she has listened to me.

She is very courageous. Taking that first step is always the hardest. She did her best. She didn’t make it. But she tried, and she enjoyed it.

I am so proud of her. =) Encourage your children – ’cause ya just never know.

family · memories

Happy New Year! Reflections of 2009…

January 2, 2010 jachancellorLeave a comment

Happy New Year!

Today I made my mother’s sauerkraut. I really did bring back memories, and I am quite impressed with being able to replicate her and my Oma’s (grandmother) recipe. We had to eat it on New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day along with black eyed peas. I didn’t care for the peas, but always enjoyed the sauerkraut. We have eaten throughout the year when Mom was alive, but I haven’t made it in a long while. It with the peas was supposed to bring luck for the new year. Not to really believe that, but you never know.

Not everyone enjoys it. But I most certainly do. It was a good beginning to the year I believe.

2009 brought Carmen to the hospital last January for approximately 9 days. We are so very blessed that she is doing well, and has grown into a beautiful young woman. We totaled a vehicle by hitting a dear, which sent our finances upside down. It has been a growing experience, one in humility, with our finances. But I believe that we are much better now than a year ago, without using a credit card, and on the road to get out of debt. God has been really good to us.

I am in awe of His grace.

I am doing okay with my health. I am tired, fatigued. My vision seems to go blurry when I am very tired. I am resting, but still feeling like I am not getting anything done. I enjoy cooking, and cleaning and, oh, too many things that I can’t seem to do on a daily basis. Once work is done, and dinner cooked, I am exhausted.

I am blessed. David is a source of strength and my reminder to take things easier than I do. Carmen is a help around the house, and does more than I ask. Stephen is as tall as me, and keeps growing. He is one to give hugs, and snuggles when I need it the most.

Blessed.
I pray you have a wonderful year.
Love,
Jerry Ann

family · painting

Painting

December 20, 2009December 8, 2012 jachancellor1 Comment

Why is it that when you want to paint, it doesn’t seem like it is that difficult? But…then you start…and it takes forever. Well, for my family, it does, just because we rearrange everything.

So. We picked out sample colors, going from Tuscan Blue, to bright Sun Yellow.

We choose a color called Moon Tide. Really Moon Tide? I thought the moon was pretty much black and white with some gray mixed in…but it is a green. Vibrant.