Decorating outside this year

Tommy and I have never been ones to decorate outdoors during the Christmas holidays. This year, though, we had a head start because of the fencing that was erected and the lights that were hung for Weavie and Wendy's wedding. Last week we walked around on our land and found this little cedar tree.

We made our wreaths from pieces of another cedar tree.

Both of us have decided that retirement is wonderful!

Maddy's class sings at the Union County Courthouse

Yesterday, December 10th, Maddy's class represented Hugh Good Elementary during a program of Christmas carols at the Union County Courthouse! Miss Madeline did a super good job! When she spoke her line, everyone could hear her!

When she rang her bell, she did so with authority!

When it was over, she posed by the gigantic Christmas tree!

Thanks for helping me get into the Christmas spirit, Maddy!

South Arkansas elves

On Monday, Tom and I went to El Dorado Connections to pick up all the hats (1335), quilts/blankets (24), and teaching dolls (55) that the wonderful crafters in South Arkansas had made for Arkansas Children's Hospital. The backseat was just as full as my trunk! Luckily Tom was able to go with me on Tuesday, when I delivered them. I couldn't see out of the rear view mirror!!!

Lucy enjoys THE game!

This is how Lucy spent the second half of the state championship game. You can imagine the noise all around her but she got all snuggled up and promptly went to sleep. She had spent the first half trying to spot Uncle Bo and DanMan with little success.

Just in case you were wondering...

... the Wildcats are the 2010 Arkansas 6A State Champions!!! They were victorious over the Texarkana Razorbacks by a score of 31 - 21 on Saturday night in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium!!!!! There will be many more pictures to share and stories to tell; I have a very busy day ahead but just had to share the news and this picture of my baby holding the beautiful trophy immediately!!!

Intergenerational Visit to Grandma

I am a little behind on my blogging. Weekend before last, Tommy and I went to visit Grandma with Jill and Hattie. Jenny had Lucy and Kate with her; Eric was working; Stephen was weatherizing the boat; Lanie was at a friend's house. I love the way my kids hand their kids off to each other. Last weekend, Lanie and Kate stayed with Julie and Maddy while Tom and I went to the Wildcat game!

Grandma had been a little confused during the week before this visit; we think she was dehydrated, By Saturday afternoon, though, she was as sharp as ever! She knew that was Jill coming in the door with Jenny's baby!

I think this is a prety cute picture of four generations all sitting on one bed!

Miss Hattie charmed the entire nursing home; I guess I should say "Baby Hattie" because Grandma is "Miss Hattie" to most of the staff. As we were leaving, Grandma escorted us to the door, "walking" her wheelchair. She wanted everyone to know that was "her" baby. One resident asked, "Is that your baby?" and, when Grandma answered in the affirmative, the lady said, Well, now I know why you are hanging on!"

I think Grandma was pretty proud of this visitor too!

FOOTBALL!!!

The Wildcats beat Lake Hamilton on Friday night and will be playing in the state championship game for the third consecutive year!!!! Two years ago we played Lake Hamilton and lost; last year we met Pine Bluff and were victorious! This year our opponent will be Texarkana. I blogged about our previous meeting with the Razorbacks earlier in the season. That's the team we beat by blocking a field goal in the last seconds of the game and running it back for a touchdown. The experts (Tom and Drive-time Sports) never expected Texarkana to make it to the title game; Pine Bluff was supposed to clobber them! It makes me nervous that they might be peaking at just the right time for them! The game will be played Saturday, December 4 with kickoff being at 6:30 P.M. in War Memorial Stadium! GO WILDCATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Jill and Stephen are proud LSU fans and have had their house rolled before on the weekend of the game against Arkansas. This year's job was pretty fancy!!!

Clean-up has begun! The Pauls and various neighbors aided the effort and, almost, made it fun!