Creativity is Music to our Ears

Danielle's team won 3rd place @ the Odyssey of the Mind tournament yesterday. There were 5 teams total and only 3 could move on to State. The State tourney will be April 18 @ WKU.

For those who do not know what Odyssey is:

The kids are given long term problems and it is their responsibility to get props, make a skit and solution to the problem that they are given. Her problem was "Shock Waves" and they had to build a structure out of 18grams of balsa wood. The team that built the structure that would hold the most weight, won. I believe the Odyssey record is something like 1,300 lbs (more or a little less). Her teams held 35lbs. Their skit was good as well.

I will post it as soon as I can, but not before they are out of the tourney so that there's "no cheating."

Tell me what you're thankful for.......

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!!

I am most thankful for my daughter and her good health. Three years ago she scared me to death with her new diagnosis, but we learned to take it day by day, and she's doing great now!!! I'm also thankful for the rest of my hillbilly family and I guess I'd better be thankful for my job too.....

'Tis the Season

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!

I love the cold weather, I love the beautiful white stuff that floats from the atmosphere, I love the Christmas season, the trees, the lights hanging in windows and off gutters(no matter if some of my peeps think they're cheesy - SCROOGES!!), I love the fantasy that children have of "Santa Claus" dropping from the sky and falling down their chimney. I love everything there is about the Winter season - EXCEPT shopping!!

I went to the Florence Y'all Mall yesterday with Danielle and her friend to start my Christmas shopping and do my part to help with our dwindling economy. I knew exactly what I wanted and exactly where to go to get it, but when I got there, there were hoards of people. I thought the economy was so bad that there would be NOONE out there spending their hard earned money. Gee, was I wrong. Everywhere you turn, there's people, waiting to catch the glimpse of the person behind the counter for help with video games, waiting to check out, babies crying from being strapped in their stroller for hours on end, Moms fussing at Dad's because she KNOWS the kid really needs one more set of Lego's or one more Barbie. All I wanted was to purchase 4 small items for young cousins, and it took me 5.5 hours to get out of that stupid mall. Is all this frustration really worth ruining this wonderful season?????

Next year (as with all years past), I hope I remember this and start my shopping in July!!!!!!!

Regular Unleaded

$2.85/gallon!!!!!!!

WOOOHOOO, but I had to drive to Ohio to get it!!!

Why is it that I have to drive 10 miles from my house to find a $.35 difference in gas prices???? Beats me...I would much RATHER stay in my comfort zone than drive in Ohio and risk my life as well as others!!

October 6, 1994

Yes, at 1 a.m., you were ready...but I wasn't. I was trying to get a good nights sleep, but you were not going for that....By 1:30a.m., we were heading to the hospital, watch in hand, timing the contractions, 5 minutes apart and 30 miles away from the hospital, just great.......The fun had already begun. Upon arrival at the hospital, contractions were 4 minutes apart and my nerves were already SHOT!! Nurses rushing around me telling me to "breathe" and all I wanted to do was hold my breath and PUSH!!!! After a shot of demerol and what seemed like a 20" needle shoved in my spine, all was good (for ME at the time anyway) Then after relaxing a bit and thinking this was going to be a breeze, the pushing began..... 3 hours later, you were finally here with me, all red and wrinkly.



That day, my dear Danielle, was the first day of the best part of my life. You have brought me sooo much joy and happiness (the grief and grey hair goes along with this, but well worth it!). I am so glad that you are my daughter and I am very proud of the person that you are becoming!



I love you very much, Danielle!!!
HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

What a Difference a Year Makes

How she's changed in 1 year. She's growing into a beautiful young woman!!!

The House Next Door