"GreatMother" Canady

Today was a day of both sorrow and celebration. Today, we buried the woman my daughter calls GreatMother.

That's the name Makayla calls Great Grandmother Canady (my dad's mom...but you figured that out already). GreatMother Canady is THE one you think of when you think of what a grandmother is supposed to be.
(and yes...Stewart....I did "take" this pic from you...but I love it)

Grandmother Canady was without a doubt, the gentlest, soft-spoken, servant of God you will EVER meet. The idea of a swear word from this woman was, "Oh foot!". That was it.

The smallest things tickled her. She was SO interested in everything we had to say...even if she didn't understand...or even if she didn't "hear ALL the words" we said. After a story from my dad, she would almost always answer with a, "Lord Randy, you know not!" (Randy of course is Dad's name).

She loved telling us about her "score" at bingo that week. One week she won kleenexes, the week before that...soda! She was a master at that game.

Thirsty? Go ahead and get one of them Co-Colers out of the fridge. (and of course it was usually the glass bottles...very trendy and cool).

At lunch today, the grandchildren talked about her "palettes". You see, when you went to visit Grandmother, and you spent the night, you got to sleep on a palette. A palette was a complex system of quilts and blankets...stacked in a particular way on the floor. This engineering marvel was topped with a "piller" and a top sheet....and don't you know, that was one of the best places to sleep. And even though Grandmother snored, it was still a great experience.

And there are only a few people in history that I can think of that had the servant's heart that my Grandmother had. She never wanted the spotlight (not even sure she would have enjoyed all the attention she got today). Many, many years ago when Grandaddy was sick and in the nursing home...she was there EVERYDAY. Holding his hand, doing his laundry, whispering "it's going to be okay" in his ear when all he could do is shout "Rosa MAE!" at the top of his lungs...not able to say much else. It was her duty and privilege to serve. Even if deep down inside she thought it was a chore, I never knew. I think about some of my darkest days, 4 years ago when I was caring for a sick wife with cancer AND a newborn baby girl, Grandmother Canady was the model of servanthood that I had. It wasn't about her and it wasn't about me.

This past Friday, Heaven welcomed one of their most prized angels in my Grandmother. We love you and miss you already, Grandmother.

For a much more eloquent blog entry about Rosa Mae, visit my cousin, Stewart's blog here.

Don't worry

Today, Pastor Jon talked about not worrying. Most of what we worry about in life, we have NO control over...and no responsibility to be worrying about in the first place.

As we take a look at our lives, we need to see all the things we are thankful for...and not just the problems. As I look at my own life, there are a few things to note:

1. Both Carlyn's and my cars are old and have significant problems. BUT...at least we live in a country where we are able to have two cars. We have freedom to go when and where we want.
2. We live paycheck to paycheck. BUT...at least I have a job that pays as well as it does so that my wife can stay at home to raise our daughter.
3. Our 4 year old daughter is testing our patience everyday. BUT...at least she is healthy and actually brings unmeasurable joy into our lives.
4. I have to drive 35 minutes to get to work. BUT...at least I have that time to clear my head and sometimes spend with God.
5. We couldn't decide earlier what to have for dinner. BUT...at least we had several options. God has provided us well.

And I was going to make my list longer, but realized....hey....why am I trying to come up with a list of things that I worry about, or that are troublesome. Honestly, if my list is only 5 things...and one is about what we had for dinner...I am blessed beyond my wildest imagination.

When you really get down to it...what are YOU worried about? Really?

The 80's live again!

As if the 80's ever really went away.

Came across this video and thought everyone should experience it as well. It is a LITERAL re-voicing of a-Ha's Take On Me video.. You know the one with the comic book that comes alife and back.

Enjoy!

Super Benjamin!

If I had a theme song...I think it would be better than this one...at least I'd hope.

http://www.makemesuper.com/r.php?i=4_236e3-132740-m-Benjamin

Enjoy!

Chuck Norris endorsed!

Had I seen THIS...my vote might be different come November!

Wagons

So...for Makayla's upcoming birthday, we thought she could benefit from a wagon. Something to use at the zoo, the park, the fair...etc. In an email from my dad, he started writing about his youth and having a wagon...it was so good...I thought I'd share it with all of you:

"Wagons" by Randy Canady
I was once a kid... had a wagon... played with it in the yard and on the driveway. Put one knee in the bottom and pushed it with my other foot on the ground. Had dynamite control... with my knee in the bottom and my bare foot wedged against the back. Why I could handle a corner at 100 miles per hour... or so it seemed. Didn't need some ole grown-up to pull me around... I had the handle bent back and one good foot on the ground. Got lots of exercise and occasionally got a break with a ride unassisted down a hill. Loaded it with all my junk and pulled it around wherever. Occasionally filled it with leaves or twigs to help out with cleaning up the yard. Occasionally helped dad move something heavy by balancing it on the sides and slowly moving from one place to another. It was an early "utility vehicle" of sorts. It was a wagon... I was a kid... what did I know?? I was happy.

Occasionally I got going too fast and it dumped me on the ground... but occasionally on the pavement below. I was happy... I had a wagon... I was just a kid! Needed something moved short of a refridgerator???? I'm available... I got a wagon!! When the "gunfire" started, I'd roll it over on it's side and hide behind it... firing when able, unless, of course, I had been wounded. If wounded, I'd just lay there until the coast was clear! I was a kid... I had a wagon.... I was happy.

One day, I decided to ride it standing in the bed... fine until the wagon stopped... and I didn't! But what did I know... I was just a kid with a wagon... I was happy. I made my own entertainment! I knew better would come along some day... but if not... I was happy with my wagon.

It's amazing how high you can reach when you pile things up on top of your wagon. Once I stacked two open lawn chairs and a crate on top of my wagon (wheels down, by the way) to reach something Daddy had "put up" in the garage. Bet he didn't know I could reach it with my wagon!! Then there was that mean cat in the neighborhood! Cat not so mean under my turned upside down wagon!!! The next day... I felt remorse and lifted my wagon. I'll bet it's mother will quit calling it now!! But what did I know... I was a kid... had a wagon... lots of time in the yard.

Had to come in when the street lights came on. Only wore shorts and a mean buzz haircut. No shoes... they just slowed me down. Surely didn't take long for my tub bath. Only having to take off my shorts and "tighty-whities" only too a second! My feet and toes took a beating... always stepping on something sharp, or mean. I wish I had a dollar for every stumpted toes... I could really retire then.

But I was happy... I had a wagon and lots of love.

How To Pronounce Beijing!

Okay...the Olympics are drawing to a near, but I came across this fun video on the PROPER way to pronounce the host city of Beijing.

Watch and learn!

Olympic Hopefuls

So, we are at about the halfway point of the Olympics in Beijing. Since I work at NBC, it has really generated a lot of late nights and extra work for us.

To celebrate the halfway point, I thought I'd share some of the Olympic hopefuls that DIDN'T get invited to China.

Enjoy!

Morning Show Fun

You gotta love live news. This was on our newscast this morning...early.

And the winner is....

So, as many of you may know that my family and I have been looking for a new church.

We have decided that our new church is True North Church in Garner, NC. TNC meets in the White Oak theater and has tons of personality.

The senior pastor, Jon McClarnon, has a passionate heart for what God is doing in the Garner area. He's hilarious and down to earth...the kind of guy you'd wanna go have lunch with...

True North is cool because it doesn't have it all figured out. It is raw, and fresh, and new.

If you're in the Garner area on a Sunday morning, come check out True North (off Exit 306 on I-40).

Hard Stapled

So, as many of you know, I love movies. Even went to film school. But as of yet, I haven't done anything with my passion. Perhaps, just perhaps, this was the catalyst I needed to return and try to do something with film.

One of my friends, Christopher Moore, shot a critically acclaimed comedy short and has recently be invited to take part in an upcoming film festival.

Check out his short "Hard Stapled"

DewMocracy

My Lovely Bride

Many of you out there, know my wife, Carlyn. Some of you, perhaps, may have not met her yet.

Carlyn Jaye Bradley Canady RN BSN MDiv.com (her full name that I call her) is the best thing that has ever happened to me. This time of year is always special in our household. For you see, there's Mother's Day. A few days later, Carlyn and I celebrate our wedding anniversary (on the 17th). And then 4 days after that, we celebrate Carlyn's birthday. It's all about the Carlyns!!

We just celebrated 11 years of marriage. And for those that know us, know that we have been through a lot! But no matter what we go through, good or bad, we both know that in the end, it will still be the three of us (Makayla is the third, duh).

Carlyn is one of the biggest factors in my life when it came to refocusing my attention to my Christian walk. In college, I sort of drifted away (as many do). Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't a 180 turn away from Christ...just not a daily focus as it should be. It was Carlyn's passion and drive that really helped me steer back to what was most important.

I remember our first date. It was an unofficial date where we had lunch together with a lot of friends at a dumpy Mexican joint. We flirted like middle schoolers...and we were both college students! Then our first "official" date the following week, we both took off our tomatoes and cucumbers off of our salads at the OutBack...we knew it was love.

We've celebrated life and death together.
We are each other's biggest cheerleaders (although I really hate wearing the skirts).
We rate each other's burps (you guys know this is important).
We "get" each other.

You would think that well into our 30's, that we would have grown out of popping each other with the dishtowel in the kitchen...but alas no. Carlyn...remember, don't pop me in my face (that's my money maker!).

We are as content with a night on the town as we are at home doing nothing.

Thank God Carlyn loves Nintendo.
Thank God Carlyn loves Macs.
Thank God Carlyn loves Japanese food.
Thank God Carlyn tolerates my love of Def Leppard.
Thank God Carlyn loves the fact that I love Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Thank God Carlyn loves me.

Carlyn is the best mom I could hope for our daughter Makayla. Her constant push to correct Makayla is shaping her to be a confident and strong little woman. Her unconditional love of her is unmatched. Her ability to nurture and lead is amazing.

I love Carlyn's obsession with all things Eeyore.
I love Carlyn's obsession with web based computer games/puzzles.
I love Carlyn's obsession with sweet tea.
I love Carlyn's obsession with wanting more out of a local church.
I love Carlyn's obsession with the line of Saturn automobiles.
I love Carlyn.

To really know Carlyn is to love her. I love all the little things that make up who she is. She is my partner, my wife, and my best friend.

To quote our vows 11 years ago (which quoted a movie before that)..."She completes me". Now, if you must barf, please don't do it on your computer, those things are expensive.

I love you Carlyn!

World's crappiest radio

Okay. So, my car is aging, and not gracefully.

Apparently, there is some kind of wicked short somewhere in the radio wiring. If I apply my brakes to stop the car, the sound appears to float to the front of the car while stopping. Of course, it sounds like the back speakers are cutting out, but it sounds like the radio sloshes the sound forward when I brake.

This is a stupid improvement from the previous problem of having to hit the door like Arthur Fonzerelli to get the sound to play out of the left side of the car.

ANYONE OUT THERE GOOD WITH CAR AUDIO? I CLEARLY NEED HELP!

What do you do for a living?

I get that question a lot. Even when I tell someone that I am a director for a local news station, they still don't understand.

A friend of mine showed this video to me on YouTube and it is the most realistic (even though it is 30 years old)...the most realistic and honest look at what I do each and every day.

One thing to keep in mind as you watch...THIS director featured, is just a director. I get to fullfill HIS job along with the video switcher AND the assistant director (I have neither of those positions with me).

Enjoy:

Retirement Homes are COOL!

My grandmother lives in a retirement community here in Raleigh. They were just featured in the News and Observer as a place where older citizens are now experiencing Nintendo's Wii.

The thinking is, is that younger generations (grandchildren) would come to play Wii with their grandparents. Things like golf and tennis. This also does double duty in that the older folks get a chance to exercise as well.

The best thing about this article? This picture:

Thank God Nintendo put on the Wiimote straps...but she isn't using one!!!!

And, not only do they play the Wii there....but last time we were there, The Matrix was playing on the lobby television! I can't imagine someone actually turned it to there...but who knows? I just hope no one was confused with the whole blue pill and red pill scene and end up taking their medication at the wrong time (that was wrong...why did I say that?)

One Prayer

Most of you know where I came from and what I used to do. I still feel like I have my finger on the pulse of what is going on in Church Media. But nothing prepared me for what is going to happen in June of this year. Check out the video below...I can't wait. Somehow, someway...I'll be a part of "One Prayer".

This is going to be the best summer ever!

I can't wait! And no...I had NOTHING to do with the making of this!

Easter Weekend and my cousin

Hey everyone!

I hope that your Easter weekend was absolutely delightful! I had a great time. On Saturday night, I went to C3 and directed the 5pm service. I love going to church on Saturday nights! We had a great turnout...I think I heard 1500 people in attendance for Saturday!

On Sunday, we got up and saw what the Easter Bunny had left Makayla...101 Dalmations the original movie and another pony. My life is overrun with My Little Ponies!

Then we went over to my parent's house to spend the rest of the day together with my family. While we were hanging out, my sister said, "hey...did you see Stewart's blog about you?". I was like "huh?".

One of my cousins is a photojournalist for the Fox affiliate in High Point. His blog "Viewfinder Blues" is phenomenal. He has a way of writing that really puts you in the heart of the action. Check out his blog on me here. Then stick around and check out some of his other writings.

Best Highlights...ever!

It's March Madness! Madness I tell you!

So...the NCAA has special rules about how soon you can show highlights of games and stuff from the Tournament. So, how do you show highlights?
Check out how 17 does it.

My Family

Some people have these on their vehicles...but I'm a geek at heart...so they reside on my blog!

So apparently the people who designed these stick figures have never met us. While my hair might be right, I am not that skinny and I certainly have more than three fingers on each hand. Carlyn, almost NEVER wears a skirt...and if she does...she ALWAYS wears a shirt with it. Makayla would have ripped that bow out of her hair...probably because it didn't match with the skirt. And why does Ember look like Underdog run through a straw?!?

C3 Easter Commercial

Ahh...the smells of Spring!

This is the view I get when I pull up to work:

It's a lovely way to greet me at the beginning of my work day. The trees are in full bloom...just simply gorgeous.

But this scene isn't all it appears to be. You see, these trees are Bradford Pear Trees. I don't know if you have ever been around one of these when they are in full bloom, cuz, as nice as they look...they SMELL HORRIBLE!

I mean...somewhere between feet and butt (to be brutally honest)! When it's real bad, it's enough to choke a goat. But at least it looks nice, right?

Today it isn't actually TOO bad. I was able to take my sandwich outside and enjoy my lunch on a picnic table. Today is absolutely gorgeous!

God is GOOD! Please, go ahead and enjoy YOUR Friday. I hope that it is a beautiful (and not smelly) one!

The Return of BamBam

After almost two years...BamBam has returned to NBC17!

Today was my first day back at the old job. It was great to see everyone...although a lot of faces had changed since the last time I was there. A lot of changes had been made to the studio as well.

But the control room was the same. It was neat to see a lot of the effects that I had built originally when this switcher was installed were still there.

For those that are familiar with the control room at C3 Church....here's a taste of what I am running now...pretty cool, huh?

Thanks to everyone who prayed for me today. I felt those prayers as I was at work. The transition back to NBC is going to be smooth, I think.

C3 Tech Champ....Who's Next?

Prayer for a father

okay..... I need some prayers here.

Carlyn, Makayla, and I went shopping with my parents down at the pottery.

While we were waiting for Carlyn to make her selection....a little boy walked up to Makayla and was clearly staring at here. Not totally knowing what to do.... Mak just smiled at the boy. As the boys mother came to retrieve him...makayla said to the boy "thanks for looking"!

Please pray for me as a father.

Old things new again

Anyone else seeing this trend? I know that trend cycle through like this....but it just seems weird.

I mean, let's take a look at recent television, shall we? Since Christmas, we have seen the return of American Gladiators (Gladiators....ready?!?) and my beloved Knight Rider.

Don't get me started on the fact that it is a Mustang...that's for another blog at another time.

The truth is, my life is showing the same trend. Last week, I accepted an offer to return to NBC17 as one of their directors. You see, I left 17 almost two years ago to go into fulltime ministry. And now, because of some certain circumstances, I am looking forward to a job I already once held. Weird. Exciting. But with the new job overhaul...I won't be driving a pimped out Mustang....no....I'll still be driving my 10 year old purple Neon. Some trends never die.

Princess Night

Makayla Grace....Cinderella. Cinderella....Makayla Grace.

Now we have to hear about it for MONTHS.....great mileage out of one night of fun.

For more on Princess Night...check out Carlyn's blog here.

Star Wars to a three year old...

Okay....there is only one other 3 year old that is this cute....but Makayla hasn't seen Star Wars yet.

Enjoy!

RIP Spanky. Welcome EUGENE. Who's next?

Okay...many of you know that the harddrives that I do most of my work with....have unique names.

Because I have so many files, it is necessary to name the harddrives so I can keep everything straight.

Today, I lost a good soldier. I haven't totally given up on him, because he still flickers a little bit....but SPANKY only has a short time to live. Please pray for Spanky. There are many good files that still reside in SPANKY...notably this week's C3 News.

I'd like to welcome one new player to the field. A harddrive that is on permanent loan from another staff member....let me introduce EUGENE. EUGENE promises to be a faithful harddrive.

But now...there is a new kid on the block. I purchased a personal harddrive... something I can back up my computer on and be able to transfer files home. But this kid doesn't have a name...so I hold a contest.

Keep in mind, this name should work well with his co-workers: Big Daddy, Ethel, Stanley, Gertrude, Spanky, and Eugene.

Christmas Thoughts.....

Well....about an hour ago, this corner had our family Christmas Tree up in it. One of my most favorite times all year is the afternoon when I get to put it up (Thanksgiving weekend sometime). One of the least favorite times is taking it all down. The decorations really act as bookends to my Christmas season.

This Christmas has had some really high highs and some really low lows.

Lows include:
1. Long nights at the church, getting it ready for Christmas...away from Family.
2. Carlyn's back issues and all that encompasses.
3. Septic tank backed up into the house a little bit on Christmas Eve....which I believe scarred Makayla's memory of this Christmas.

Highs include:
1. The new pair of iPhones that Carlyn and I own. Love it!
2. Seeing Makayla play with her new My Little Ponies.
3. Directing the Christmas services in our new worship center.
4. Spending time with Carlyn and Makayla and my family.

This year, I am not setting any particular goals or resolutions. Just to do better in everything. 2008 is going to be great...I just know it.