Seen & Heard: Gone but not forgotten, brother reunites

Below is a story the Gainesville Times wrote about my dad. I was so glad that after 55 years my dad was able to reunite with his long lost brothers & sisters.

Jim Flanagan of Gainesville, retired director of maintenance for Warren Featherbone Co., was 6 years old when his mother died in 1949 and his brother Ronnie Boostrom had just been born. Homes had to be found for all the children except the two oldest. Jim and Ronnie were living together in a foster home when their father was killed in a train wreck in 1951 in Salem, Ohio.
Ronnie was adopted when he was 4, and Jim later lived in an orphanage a few years before going to live with his sister and her husband. Another sister and brother lived with an aunt and uncle, one sister went to Rabun Gap Nacoochee School and the two oldest children went out on their own.

As an adult, Jim still missed his younger brother and for years tried to find him, but with no luck.
But Ron also remembered his brother Jim and found him. Ron was able to reunite with his biological family this past weekend, the first time everyone had been together in 55 years.
Ron had been adopted by a Baptist minister and taken to Pelham in South Georgia. Today, he lives in San Antonio, Texas, where he is a computer systems engineer and does contract work with the government after spending 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.

"I was on the Internet and I found a Web site for the Georgia adoption registry. I filled out a form and read where it would be two or three months before I heard from them. I waited three years and heard nothing, so I called. They said, 'Well, we charge for that service now.' I don't know why they couldn't have contacted me and told me they wanted money," he said.

He sent money and later got identification information. The adoption registry site had found Ron's older brother Donald, and with more money from Ron they would call Donald and ask him if he wanted to be contacted. Ron sent the money.

Hours of telephone conversation followed as Ron became reacquainted with his siblings. On Sunday everyone gathered at the home of Jim and Nancy in Mount Airy. "He's a computer whiz and a fine pianist," Jim said. "His adoptive mother taught him how to play the piano."

Social Politics!

It's simple:

You either get it or you don't!

People with Distinguished Taste

Distinguished Taste!
I'm venting on the subject of eating and ordering food in groups! Why is it that selective taste is looked at as an inconvenience to people?

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, people are trying to differentiate themselves from others, yet when food is ordered in groups the expectation is that everyone be the same.

I'm sick of it! If I say I'm allergic to food, then I'm not judged, but the second I mention please forgo the mayonaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato, twigs, or whatever else you want to put on the ole' traditional sandwich, I get looks & negative responses!

Get over it and learn to be accommodating to all! After all isn't America where we can make choices like this?

And last but not least...can't we get a little bit more creative on what we decide to eat for lunch when in groups? If I did a survey on the food people are most tired of at lunch, it would be sandwiches hands down!

Why not go for a chicken nugget platter with chips or baked lasagna with garlic bread? It's cheaper & more appealing! And if it's weight you're worried about, then have them put back the mayonaise on that sandwich or the fatty chips & cookie that come with the sandwich lunch box!

Songs You're Embarrassed to Admit You Love

It's time to come clean and list a song or songs you're embarassed to admit you love.

You know, the one you sing to in the shower. The one where you hold your hand shaped like a microphone to your mouth while belting out the words.

That's the one!!!! Spill your guts right here!!!

I'm dying to know! -- I'm in need of some great laughs!!!

I'll start with mine! -- hahaha!!!

Said I loved you but I lied - Michael Bolton

Hero - Mariah Carey

I'm not a girl, not yet a woman - Brittany Spears

MMMbob - Hanson

You get the picture....so go ahead, add your list of songs!!! Oh yeah & check out the CD I'm listening to now...It ROCKS!!! Well it used to anyway!

Dear Ashley

This is a letter I wrote to Ashley the night before she was born.
Dear Ashley:

It is 11:30 on the night before we are to go to the hospital to have you come into this world and become a part of our family. Your dad is very excited and has been calm for awhile now. I know though that when he wakes up, he will be as hyper as can be and really excited to see you finally come into our world. As for me, I am really scared. I am uncertain about many things and only want the best for you. It has been a long but exciting 10 months and with each day I have some how transformed into a mother along the way. Your dad & I have big hopes and dreams for you and only hope that we can be the best parents possible.

On our final day before becoming parents, we woke up and went to see doctor Trautmann so that he could give us the news on when we should arrive at the hospital. We then headed to Office Max because your dad loves the Burden Brothers and we were on a mission to complete a special project for him. We then went to HEB and your dad picked the longest line possible for the check out. I really think he just wanted to look through the magazine and Paris Hilton...a new star...that is over publicized.

We went home and took a nap. Your dad watched Days of Our Lives and we cooked a pizza. Mine fell on the floor and your dad traded me so that I wouldn't have to eat it. We then went out and had dinner at Outback Steahouse. Your dad's favorite restaurant. He had cheese fries and a steak and I had a sweet potato.

We watched the season finale of Average Joe and proceeded to clean the house to prepare for your arrival.

Ashley -- you are lucky to have the dad that you do. You will soon find out that he has a heart the size of Texas and the two of you will share a special and everlasting relationship. Of course we all know that you will be a rocker along side with your dad and be Daddy's Little Girl.

Customer Service! Where did it go?

Customer Service! Where did it go? Current mood: hopeful Category: Life

I often find myself disappointed these days at the lack of customer service this country has! From service in a restaurant to service in retail stores--where has it gone?

It's almost so rare these days that when someone actually does give great customer service or has a good work ethic, I'm taken by surprise.

My mom and grandma taught me to treat others how you yourself would like to be treated. In short, they would say, "Are you being a lady of grace?" In my mind, it's very easy to be a lady of grace or even just nice to people -- Especially those who are tipping.

Sure we all have our bad days, but I can't really believe that everyone is having their one bad day when I'm there.

John & I are thinking of doing a short-film on customer service! It's time we start treating people in our community better!

The Christmas Letter I wrote but never sent out!

Wow! What an emotional, exciting and memorable year it's been! 2006 came and went fairly quickly, leaving behind many rewarding and cherishing moments.

In March, John & I traveled to Vegas to attend a Solo Boxeo match sponsored by Burger King. It was my first time to Vegas and we had a blast!!! In April, I attended the Latin Billboard awards in Miami and in July John & I headed to Cabo for the third annual skytravel trip. At the end of July, we attended my 10-year reunion and in August I headed back to Miami for a private concert with Mana. In September, I had the opportunity to visit Vegas for a second time on business. While in Vegas, my friend and I saw KÀ - Circque du Soleil. In October, John & I went back to Cabo for a weekend getaway and spent time celebrating Sammy Haggar's birthday and ATV riding on the beach!

John continues to amaze me with his passion for music and fun with a focus on making Jack's "The Music Venue to play" in San Antonio; and Cabo San Lucas, the place where music fans should vacation every July. While the success of his business is important, he's also dedicated to being a great father and husband. His devotion to Ashley is amazing and the relationship they have is unique.

Over the year Ashley's become an avid Dora the Explorer fan and can now spot Dora branded items from afar. She's comical and an extremely independent three-year old who enjoys coloring, singing, dancing, and most importantly, chocolate milk.

I've actually slowed down quite a bit on many of my extra curricular activities as the year progressed and starting in January I'll be working part-time at Bromley, leaving more time to spend with John and Ashley. I'm also looking forward to a healthier and more fit 2007!

Our current plans for the New Year include a trip to Cabo with Ashley, a trip to Disney World, many, many trips to Sea World & Fiesta Texas and swim lessons for Miss Ashley.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and hope to see each of you in the coming year!

John, Robin & Ashley too