Happy Belated 2015

Well I missed posting the New year by approximately 12 days......Smile! I expect 2015 to be an interesting year since it will be the first full year of my retirement. Right now I am trying to transition and create a schedule for myself that will keep me from feeling like I am retired. It feels great to get up late without being on someone's clock!

It was time to retire and make room for someone else. I like to think now I can do the things I have always wanted more time to do. Give more to the community and put to use all the skills sets I've acquired over the years. I think whatever it is...I'd be great at it and help others at the same time. I will have more time therefore this blog will be updated on a more regular basis. So until next time.....see ya when I see ya!

Retirement is Here!!!

Well it has been about two weeks and I have been retired. I really do enjoy the shift in lifestyle and find that with a new baby in the house (My granddaughter) I still need more time to do the things I need to do. (Smile)

Strange I went to the store recently and found most of those shopping are retired and kind of resemble an older version of myself or so I think!!! LOL Shopping is easier not being as crowded in the morning and mid afternoon. One of the perks of retired life. Not sure what else I will be doing but I plan to stay busy and watch things in the Lower 9th Ward to see who does what and just what is going on in the Lower 9. (Eye of the Lower 9)

Plan to also start a lil video news letter and post on U-Tube for other family members and friends.

In closing today is Thanksgiving 2014 and I had my family with me my loving and always devoted wife Patricia, my daughters LaShona and Darlene and my two nieces Tina and Crystal. My two knuckle head sons were with their families and I hope enjoyed themselves. If was a great holiday!!! I feel Blessed by the Best my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

MyWorld: Home Today!

MyWorld: Home Today!

MyWorld: No Not This Time

MyWorld: No Not This Time

Long Time No See

It has been some time since I have posted on my Blog. At this point I have been working for the federal government for approximately five years. I plan to work until the end of this year, so we are preparing for a reduction in income and shift to full retirement mode. I got my Medicare card last month and really feel now like I need to retire to enjoy things/life while I have some good health.

Birthday Dinner - Vernice Lymous Lyons

This is Mr. Lawrence Lyons and wife Vernice Lymous-Lyons. This photo was taken at Denie's Seafood Restaurant on Westend, Metairie, La. - May 2009 for Mrs. Lyons birthday. Present were Mr. and Mrs. Kelli and Glenn Butler, with K'Lynn, Kayla and Lil Glenn all having a great time.

Family Diva's

From left to right are LaShona McGruder-Victor, Darlene McGruder-Poole, and Kelli Lyons-Butler; my two daughters and niece/godchild. They are so very smart intelligent and level headed, I love them all dearly. They took this picture the summer of 2009. I look forward to summer 2010 for BBQ and more gatherings. So I expect everyone to look out for the notices for the BBQ we are gonna partee!!!!!

No Not This Time

No we had no snow this winter....2009. This photo was taken from my front porch in 2008 the last time we had snow here in New Orleans (Lower 9). Today was the coldest day of winter weather going as low as 26 degrees. Winter obviously isn't over and we just have to wait and see. I have my long johns on and trying to stay warm.

Kenneth Jr and Family Christmas 2009

My son Kenneth Jr and his lovely family visited us for Christmas 2009 and it was a pure joy every moment. I love having them around as well as all my children and grandchildren. From left to right...."Naiah" McGruder, "Ronald" McGruder, "Kenneth III", "Jevon" McGruder, "Ryan" McGruder, "Kenneth Jr" and "Tatiana" McGruder.

40th Wedding Anniversary BBQ

This is July 2009 my kids surprised Patricia and I with a surprised 40th Anniversary Party. Actually my kids hijacked MY BBQ and made me think I was just having a regular family BBQ. Little did we know they contacted people and had a cake made with our wedding picture and all of a sudden this lil BBQ turned into a BIG family gathering. Gotta love em and family. It was most appreciated and we had a great time. I can't wait to get back to summer months when I can start having BBQ's again.....love the Spring and Summer months.

Deanean Trigs-Keys Celebration

Our cousin celebrated a special event by being named the "Teacher of The Year" and the family got together and showed how much we love her. This event was held in December 2009 in Covington, LA. I am finally in a picture....see if you can find me! LOL

Granddaughters

This is Jayion Jone and Naiah McGruder, my two oldest grandchildren looking very lovely for the Christmas Holidays December 2009. Look out parents (e.g. Craig and LaShona and Neketa) LOL! I love them all dearly.

Welcome 2010

Well here it is January 2010. I am up late approximately 11:30pm. As of January 4, 2010 I no longer work for the Small Business Administration. I have decided to bring in 2010 relaxing more and enjoying whatever time God has given me to praise Him. I am very content here living in my modest lower 9th ward home with my wife Patricia. As we bring the New Year in believe it or not...The New Orleans Saints are two (2) games away from playing in the Super Bowl in Miami. Can you believe it???? Mardi Gras is February 16th and I will try and take photos of the Zulu's this year, something I have not done in many years....but it is time to do things a lil different. I will post to my web page as well as one or two photos to this blog. The weather is expected to be the coldest tonight and tomorrow the coldest it has been in almost 10 years.......time to stay in bed and snuggle.....(smile) My cousin Herbert Francis passed December 2009 and a memorial service is scheduled for Friday coming. I think of all those who have gone before me and I am more motivated to continue living each day to the fullest and give God Thanks for all he has done for me.

Home Sweet Home

Just wanted to let you all know Patricia and I have been in our home for approximately two months. We feel very blessed and happy, not to mention comfortable. We continue to pray for those not back and in their home, as well as for those who will never return. Christmas is in a few weeks and most of my grandkids will be coming in town and we look forward to that happy moment. Remember "Jesus" is the reason for the "season" !!

Close but still no brass ring! The only thing remaining is to hook up utilities (e.g. power and gas) and complete the grass/landscaping. We can't wait....but at last we must. If you look closely at the front porch you can finally see an address "917" ! We've purchased furniture and have to get a washer and dryer and God willing by the 20th or so we will be in our home. The first thing I'll give a go is the "jucazzi"!!! (smile) On another note as of today Hurricane "Ike" should be around six (6) hours old after making landfall at Galveston/Houston, TX., let's keep all impacted by this storm in our Prayers, because in the end that's all you will have.

Just wanted to give everyone a look see at our "almost" completed home in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. Also, I am documenting the construction phase. This is the view as of Sunday, September 8th 2008. Prayerfully Hurricane "Ike" will not slow construction too much and we will be in our home before the end of this month which is September 2008. This will also serve as an invitation to all that once we are in and straight, you all are invited for some BBQ....(smile)!!

Hurricane Gustave

This is the evacuation location the McGruder's, Lymous', Lyons' and Victor's evacuated. This is the "Extended Stay America Hotel" in Memphis, TN. We arrived a couple of days prior to Gustave making landfall and departed friday following landfall. While in Memphis, TN we visited the MLK Museum and had lunch and dinner at a number of restaurants that were good. Overall though the forced visit was uneventful, but nice. Glad to get back home and know power was not restored to the Lower 9th Ward until Saturday September 6th late evening. God know this is becoming a most stressful event for ALL of us and knowing Hurricane IKE is scheduled to get into the Gulf soon, really makes everyone edgy....Be Prayerful nothing becomes of "Ike"

Got Some Steps !

Well...they finally finshied steps on the front porch. I also have a deck on the back.....that's where I'll probably be most of the time at night checking out stars with my telescope. Reading during the day and relaxing...."God Say The Same" ! The driveway and sidewalk also adds a nice touch.

McGruder Home Phase 1

This is our recently built home in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. It is approximately 90% complete and things are moving alone very quickly. Soon very soon.....Can't believe three (3) DAYS turned into three (3) YEARS !! Stay turned for the finished product.

On The Move

Well...it's been a few months since my last blog. December 2006 we re-located from Baton Rouge, La. to Kenner, La. all job related. I meant new job related...(smile) Kenner, La. is taking a little time to adjust to, but we will do our best. New Orleans is slowly recovering and I am so very glad my children have all settled in other states. They all are doing well and living much better than if they were in New Orleans. I will try and post on more a regular basis. It is so very strange how much technology has changed, places on the internet like "My Space", "You Tube" and this site makes communications with the world so very wild. Well until next time....Lator Gators!