I just realized that 39 years ago, Dennis and I went to the Orange Bowl in Miami to watch Alabama and Notre Dame play. I remember all too well that Alabama lost that game. We drove down with friends in our new red and white Chevrolet Blazer. Both side windows and the back window were painted with pachyderms. Talk about country rednecks from Pickens County, Alabama!! We took the back seat out, "installed" two lawn chairs, and rode "in style" all the way to and from Miami. Needless to say, we were disappointed about the game, but we stopped by Orlando Disney World on the way home hoping it would make us feel better. (It did.)
This year Dennis wanted to send Parker and Jason to the Orange Bowl as part of their Christmas. Because Parker knew he would be returning to the states to get a visa after three months in Paris, he bought a round trip ticket as it would be cheaper. When Dennis gave "the boys" their present, Parker called to exchange his ticket. Unfortunately, the exchange would cost close to $5000!!!!! Now, Dennis and Jason are going to the game. They will get up early in the morning (Saturday), head to the airport in Birminghan, fly to Houston (crazy) and have a four hour lay over before heading to Tampa. At Tampa, a rental car and hotel room will be waiting for them. They will drive to the game from Tampa and have found an Alabama memorabilia (?) tent where they plan to spend some time waiting for the game to start. After the game they will back track and head home.
My plans are to stay with Savannah,, Libby, and Luke. We have plans to see Monster, Inc. on Saturday afternoon. We will watch the game from home wearing our new TUSK sweatshirts and hoping that both kids will be asleep. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Trick or Treat-Smell My Feet
With October comes great memories. Our first Halloweens were in Eutaw, and our porch was always decorated with an extremely large spider web with several spiders as well as a ghost that swayed gently in the wind. Throughout the house, ghosts made from suckers covered with tissue were placed high enough that the kids could not reach them but could see them. They were allowed to pick a ghost each day until Halloween IF they had been good. Choosing costumes was easy at this age, and the kid's first ones were usually done by Dennis' mom, Miss Ruby. The only exception was on Parker's first Halloween when he was only a few months old , and his Aunt Emily supplied the costume. She found a one piece cowboy outfit complete with attached boots which I still have. My favorite costume of Parker's was his second or third which was a convict outfit. Miss Ruby made the costume, and I made the ball and chain. Even back them Parker was a good actor or should I say HAM!
He won first place in the costume contest, he won a cake at the cake walk, AND, more importantly, he won Adverb. Adverb was a goldfish, and Parker and his creative Daddy named him. Unfortunately, Adverb did not live long.
The next year Parker had to decide which He Man character he wanted to be and, of course, it was the villain, Hordak. Miss Ruby had gone to Europe the spring before and brought both kids precious "alp" costumes. There was no way Parker was going to wear THAT, but Savannah did. She was a little Swiss girl, but perhaps her favorite thing that year was the wax lips!
Our last year in Eutaw Parker was very into The "KaWatee" Kid, so again, Miss Ruby made his costume. Savannah's costume that year was easy-she was "Duper" (Super) Girl. We found her costume at Gayfer's in the little girl's pajama section.
The second house/neighborhood that we lived in at Selma was my kid's all time favorite place. Castlewood had no through streets, so it was a favorite place for everyone else in town on Halloween. Most of the kids, including mine, had golf carts that they used every day and especially on Halloween. Neighbors decked out their porches, yards,and themselves, and it was truly one big party every year. Church buses dropped loads of kids off to walk our streets and "Trick or Treat". I remember our first Halloween there. I had to go back to the store THREE times to buy candy. I finally closed my door and turned off the lights when my sweet girl started giving everyone her candy. My niece, LeeAnn, and her first husband lived in Dallas County for several years. One Halloween they joined the "festivities." Chris wore camouflage from head to toe, had a ski mask over his face, and held a tremendous stick in has hands. He would stand just inside the door with one light shining on him. When the doorbell rang, we would slowly open the door. We would have to chase after the kids to give them the candy--I think this might have scared them, too. It was so much fun that Savannah and Parker chose to stay home to give out candy instead of going around the neighborhood to get candy.
I do not remember which year they wore each costume, but here are a few more pictures; I have more, but I've lost them somewhere on this computer!
One year Parker was Dick Tracey and Savannah was a hula girl. If you look close,you can see my large spider web. It followed us from Eutaw to Selma.
Savannah was the flower girl in Amy, LeeAnn , and Carol's weddings. We were able to use two of the dresses for Halloween. This was LeeAnn's,and we added a floppy hat and fan to become a southern belle. For Amy's wedding, she and Abby wore dresses that were white, so we added a veil and a bouquet of flowers to become a bride.
The year Parker was in the fifth or sixth grade he decided that the was too old to dress up and trick or treat. However, about the time Savannah was heading out, he changed his mind. His costume that year.......he put on his daddy's Morgan football staff t-shirt, Morgan hat, red shorts, and wore a whistle.....and became Coach Windle.
When we moved to Carrollton, my kids were too old to Trick or Treat. Instead, a new tradition found us. Without fail, our house was rolled with toliet paper every Halloween and some other days, too. Now, I wonder who did that?!
He won first place in the costume contest, he won a cake at the cake walk, AND, more importantly, he won Adverb. Adverb was a goldfish, and Parker and his creative Daddy named him. Unfortunately, Adverb did not live long.
The next year Parker had to decide which He Man character he wanted to be and, of course, it was the villain, Hordak. Miss Ruby had gone to Europe the spring before and brought both kids precious "alp" costumes. There was no way Parker was going to wear THAT, but Savannah did. She was a little Swiss girl, but perhaps her favorite thing that year was the wax lips!
Our last year in Eutaw Parker was very into The "KaWatee" Kid, so again, Miss Ruby made his costume. Savannah's costume that year was easy-she was "Duper" (Super) Girl. We found her costume at Gayfer's in the little girl's pajama section.
The second house/neighborhood that we lived in at Selma was my kid's all time favorite place. Castlewood had no through streets, so it was a favorite place for everyone else in town on Halloween. Most of the kids, including mine, had golf carts that they used every day and especially on Halloween. Neighbors decked out their porches, yards,and themselves, and it was truly one big party every year. Church buses dropped loads of kids off to walk our streets and "Trick or Treat". I remember our first Halloween there. I had to go back to the store THREE times to buy candy. I finally closed my door and turned off the lights when my sweet girl started giving everyone her candy. My niece, LeeAnn, and her first husband lived in Dallas County for several years. One Halloween they joined the "festivities." Chris wore camouflage from head to toe, had a ski mask over his face, and held a tremendous stick in has hands. He would stand just inside the door with one light shining on him. When the doorbell rang, we would slowly open the door. We would have to chase after the kids to give them the candy--I think this might have scared them, too. It was so much fun that Savannah and Parker chose to stay home to give out candy instead of going around the neighborhood to get candy.
I do not remember which year they wore each costume, but here are a few more pictures; I have more, but I've lost them somewhere on this computer!
The year Parker was in the fifth or sixth grade he decided that the was too old to dress up and trick or treat. However, about the time Savannah was heading out, he changed his mind. His costume that year.......he put on his daddy's Morgan football staff t-shirt, Morgan hat, red shorts, and wore a whistle.....and became Coach Windle.
When we moved to Carrollton, my kids were too old to Trick or Treat. Instead, a new tradition found us. Without fail, our house was rolled with toliet paper every Halloween and some other days, too. Now, I wonder who did that?!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Our Pets
During our 38 years of marriage, Dennis and I have had several pets. Our first was a black cat named Gemima who lived in our apartment and traveled with us to our first house in Eutaw. She was notorious for jumping from the bar in the kitchen to our Christmas tree in the living room and knocking it down. As you can tell in the picture below, she loved climbing.
Our next pet was a Great Dane named Kong--short for King Kong. With plans to breed Great Danes, our third pet was a female Dane named Amazon. (Don't you love my plaid outfit and Dennis's shirt?!)
We were never able to breed the two Danes because Amazon was hit by a car and left unable to breed. We kept these two dogs in our house until they were just too big. Eventually, they moved to Mr. Ralph and Miss Ruby's yard in Carrollton. In the following pictures, Amazon is with Dennis, and Kong is with me.
We chose our next pet because our children, who are both highly allergic, wanted one so badly. We found a breeder of chihuahuas, and Parker, Savannah, and I traveled to choose the right one for us. The breeder literally had a barn full of chihuahuas---all ages, shapes, sizes, and colors. It was unexpected that my two kids picked the exact same puppy. I had had visions of an afternoon of arguing over their choice. They chose a black, long-haired (the breeder assured me that chihuahuas were good for children with asthma even if it had long hair), month old chihuahua. On our drive home, we discussed names and finally decided on the name DOC since we considered her to be an asthma specialist. We had Doc a long time but lost her while we lived in Carrollton.
Even though the two kids were in college and not necessarily wanting a new puppy, we got a new long-haired, white chihuahua next. Roe, short for Marilyn Monore (you, know--she's a blonde) , will be our last pet. She has been good company and a godsend when Dennis was sick. BUT, as with most chihuahuas, she is very finicky. She barks continuously when company comes, and her white hair is everywhere. To help with the hair situation, we decided to get her shaved. We have had bad experiences with this in the past, so we were prepared, or so we thought, for this trim. Our small chihuahua becomes an angry pitt bull when anyone tries to groom her. So last Tuesday, we woke up early to give Roe a sedative. Forty-five minutes later, we gave her another one. When we got to the vet's office, she was still wide awake and not happy to be at the vet's. As the groomer had not yet arrived, we left her and went up the road to work in Dennis's classroom. We received a call from the groomer and were asked to pick up Roe. When we got there, the groomer said that she would not be able to groom Roe again. Roe, who was still wide awake, was an unhappy dog. By the time we got home, she was asleep and slept for two days. The following are before and after pictures of Roe's visit to Dr. May's groomer.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Our next pet was a Great Dane named Kong--short for King Kong. With plans to breed Great Danes, our third pet was a female Dane named Amazon. (Don't you love my plaid outfit and Dennis's shirt?!)
We were never able to breed the two Danes because Amazon was hit by a car and left unable to breed. We kept these two dogs in our house until they were just too big. Eventually, they moved to Mr. Ralph and Miss Ruby's yard in Carrollton. In the following pictures, Amazon is with Dennis, and Kong is with me.
We chose our next pet because our children, who are both highly allergic, wanted one so badly. We found a breeder of chihuahuas, and Parker, Savannah, and I traveled to choose the right one for us. The breeder literally had a barn full of chihuahuas---all ages, shapes, sizes, and colors. It was unexpected that my two kids picked the exact same puppy. I had had visions of an afternoon of arguing over their choice. They chose a black, long-haired (the breeder assured me that chihuahuas were good for children with asthma even if it had long hair), month old chihuahua. On our drive home, we discussed names and finally decided on the name DOC since we considered her to be an asthma specialist. We had Doc a long time but lost her while we lived in Carrollton.
Even though the two kids were in college and not necessarily wanting a new puppy, we got a new long-haired, white chihuahua next. Roe, short for Marilyn Monore (you, know--she's a blonde) , will be our last pet. She has been good company and a godsend when Dennis was sick. BUT, as with most chihuahuas, she is very finicky. She barks continuously when company comes, and her white hair is everywhere. To help with the hair situation, we decided to get her shaved. We have had bad experiences with this in the past, so we were prepared, or so we thought, for this trim. Our small chihuahua becomes an angry pitt bull when anyone tries to groom her. So last Tuesday, we woke up early to give Roe a sedative. Forty-five minutes later, we gave her another one. When we got to the vet's office, she was still wide awake and not happy to be at the vet's. As the groomer had not yet arrived, we left her and went up the road to work in Dennis's classroom. We received a call from the groomer and were asked to pick up Roe. When we got there, the groomer said that she would not be able to groom Roe again. Roe, who was still wide awake, was an unhappy dog. By the time we got home, she was asleep and slept for two days. The following are before and after pictures of Roe's visit to Dr. May's groomer.
BEFORE:
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Our Sweet Libby
Today was an extremely hard day for Libby and her parents. Through the course of the day, she had to endure a catheter, x-rays, and blood work. And, no, she was not perfect throughout the procedures; she is two after all. But, she was a trooper. This sweet child has tightly wound her "Soach" and Gran around her little finger....not to control us, but to love us.
With all that she has endured. not only today but in her two plus years, she is remarkably unspoiled and caring toward others.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Remembering.......The Palace in Alice.........ville
The other night Dennis and I went to a movie at the Cobb Theaters. Afterwards we had a late dinner or very early breakfast at IHOP. We began reminiscing about our hometown, Aliceville. It is much different today than it was in the 60's. Every building had a business, and one could buy almost anything you needed in downtown Aliceville during those days. Today, there are many empty buildings, and many residents go out of town to make most of their purchases. Our main topic of conversation, however, became the Palace Theater.
I can remember Momma dropping me off at the Palace every Saturday afternoon as did most parents in Aliceville. No one worried about leaving their children alone at the theater. While I don't remember the exact cost, I do know that Momma got a pretty cheap baby sitter for Saturday afternoons. I'm thinking that 25 cents covered the cost of admittance as well as a coke, popcorn, and possibly a candy bar--depending on the size of each. The movies were mostly westerns or scary, but each one began with a newsreel and then a cartoon. I was bad then, and I guess still today, about going to the restroom when the movie became too scary.....such a wimp.
During those days, the Palace was open every night. My mother was a big Rock Hudson fan, and if one of his movies was playing, especially if Doris Day was the lead female, we went on Tuesday nights. My daddy did not like movies, and Momma wouldn't go by herself, so she took me. Usually, I slept in her lap while she watched Rock and Doris.
The Palace had a special room in the back corner for fussy babies. If your baby cried, you simply went in the soundproof room and were able to continue watching the movie while the other movie goers watched in quiet. I remember that the "hot spot" for teenagers was the row right in front of this room...specifically the corner area. I never sat in this area, but a lot of teenagers "fought" to get those seats.
The Palace also had a balcony. The balcony is where the black citizens of Aliceville watched movies. While they probably wanted to be down where we were, we were all wanting to be upstairs. Blacks also purchased their tickets on the other side of the window and entered through a different door. It all seems so ridiculous now.
When I was a teenager, the Palace sponsored several "Battle of the Bands". All I remember about this was that our local bands competed with bands from other towns. The only other band besides the Aliceville bands that I remember was The Surfers from Tuscaloosa.
On a final note- the Palace was the location of my second date with Dennis. The movie was Imitation of Life, and we were probably two of only ten people there.
I can remember Momma dropping me off at the Palace every Saturday afternoon as did most parents in Aliceville. No one worried about leaving their children alone at the theater. While I don't remember the exact cost, I do know that Momma got a pretty cheap baby sitter for Saturday afternoons. I'm thinking that 25 cents covered the cost of admittance as well as a coke, popcorn, and possibly a candy bar--depending on the size of each. The movies were mostly westerns or scary, but each one began with a newsreel and then a cartoon. I was bad then, and I guess still today, about going to the restroom when the movie became too scary.....such a wimp.
During those days, the Palace was open every night. My mother was a big Rock Hudson fan, and if one of his movies was playing, especially if Doris Day was the lead female, we went on Tuesday nights. My daddy did not like movies, and Momma wouldn't go by herself, so she took me. Usually, I slept in her lap while she watched Rock and Doris.
The Palace had a special room in the back corner for fussy babies. If your baby cried, you simply went in the soundproof room and were able to continue watching the movie while the other movie goers watched in quiet. I remember that the "hot spot" for teenagers was the row right in front of this room...specifically the corner area. I never sat in this area, but a lot of teenagers "fought" to get those seats.
The Palace also had a balcony. The balcony is where the black citizens of Aliceville watched movies. While they probably wanted to be down where we were, we were all wanting to be upstairs. Blacks also purchased their tickets on the other side of the window and entered through a different door. It all seems so ridiculous now.
When I was a teenager, the Palace sponsored several "Battle of the Bands". All I remember about this was that our local bands competed with bands from other towns. The only other band besides the Aliceville bands that I remember was The Surfers from Tuscaloosa.
On a final note- the Palace was the location of my second date with Dennis. The movie was Imitation of Life, and we were probably two of only ten people there.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Chik-Fil-A
Dennis and I are really looking forward to summer and the extra time that we will have to spend with Libby and Luke. Today, we got a head start and headed to Chik-Fil-A with Libby. Dennis let her play while I got our meals, and we were pleasantly surprised when she agreed to eat in the middle of her play.
After she ate, she quickly made friends with an older girl ("What's her name?"--so funny-- I just realized she asks this question (Which is one she asks often of both men and women) with the same intonation that the Joey on Friends asks "How you doing?") She learned so much from the other children who were playing, and we watched as she followed them down the slide for the first time.
And the second and third and fourth and fifth, etc. She loved sliding down the tube!
Several of the older children were playing Hide and Seek. When the Seeker started counting as everyone else hid, Libby's eyes brightened. She knew counting and just joined right in. She wasn't sure why they were counting or that they were playing a game without her. She had a grand time counting with them and running around the play area.
Sometime during the time that we were there, Dennis got a sundae and I got an ice cream cone. When offered some of either, she chose Gran's favorite, the cone.
When it was time to go, Soach and I were expecting tears, but Dennis sat her down, told her we would come back if she would be sweet, and we all quietly walked out the door. However, when we got to the car, she insisted on driving us home!
After she ate, she quickly made friends with an older girl ("What's her name?"--so funny-- I just realized she asks this question (Which is one she asks often of both men and women) with the same intonation that the Joey on Friends asks "How you doing?") She learned so much from the other children who were playing, and we watched as she followed them down the slide for the first time.
And the second and third and fourth and fifth, etc. She loved sliding down the tube!
Several of the older children were playing Hide and Seek. When the Seeker started counting as everyone else hid, Libby's eyes brightened. She knew counting and just joined right in. She wasn't sure why they were counting or that they were playing a game without her. She had a grand time counting with them and running around the play area.
Sometime during the time that we were there, Dennis got a sundae and I got an ice cream cone. When offered some of either, she chose Gran's favorite, the cone.
When it was time to go, Soach and I were expecting tears, but Dennis sat her down, told her we would come back if she would be sweet, and we all quietly walked out the door. However, when we got to the car, she insisted on driving us home!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Easter 2012
Easter was somewhat low key this year as Daddy was in the hospital nine out of 14 days before Easter (two different trips) and until the Monday after Easter. Momma stayed with us at night and with Daddy during in the day. Daddy insisted that Momma and I stay at home on Easter, and we did until about 3:00. Then, we headed back to the hospital to keep Daddy company.
Alberta Baptist still meets at our church since the tornado damaged their building on April 27, 2011. They are in the process of rebuilding, but it will take a while. Parker has enjoyed this as one college friend is our pastor's son, and another college friend is Alberta's youth minister. Easter Sunday, both churches worshiped together like we did on Christmas.
Savannah, Jason, Luke, and Libby joined the rest of us for lunch. Here are a few pics.
This first picture is one of my all time favorite Easter pictures. It was taken at Elkdale Baptist Church in Selma . I always loved their tradition of filling the cross with fresh flowers on Easter morning, and of course, these two kids are just so cute!
Alberta Baptist still meets at our church since the tornado damaged their building on April 27, 2011. They are in the process of rebuilding, but it will take a while. Parker has enjoyed this as one college friend is our pastor's son, and another college friend is Alberta's youth minister. Easter Sunday, both churches worshiped together like we did on Christmas.
Savannah, Jason, Luke, and Libby joined the rest of us for lunch. Here are a few pics.
This first picture is one of my all time favorite Easter pictures. It was taken at Elkdale Baptist Church in Selma . I always loved their tradition of filling the cross with fresh flowers on Easter morning, and of course, these two kids are just so cute!
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| Libby and Luke in their precious Easter shirts that Cheri made for them. She always comes up with some of the cutest holiday t-shirts! |
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| This is Libby hunting eggs at a church egg hunt. She is understanding it a little better this year. |
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| 2012 Family Easter Picture |
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| Libby and friends, Delilah and Jonah |
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| Libby loves flowers--picking them especially! I have Gerber daisies in the front, and she couldn't resist. |
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| Such a cutIe! |
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| Our "Little Man" |
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| Libby loves "playing" the drums in church like her dad! |
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