The Baby . . .

of the 2nd generation is 27 today.

"Happy Birthday, David!"

As the baby, you were much loved by your Gran & Pop. You & Mande had lots of special times with them while your Mamas worked & the older siblings were in school ~ Mande even talks about one of the trips to Reliance here. "Flashes of my childhood came flooding back and I vividly remember that trip to Reliance where David and I snuggled up under the roots of that big tree for Gran and Pop to take our picture. And, how can I forget Pop's face when you fell in the water!" Somewhere I even have the big seed pods ya'll brought home from this trip. Remember when you were all about the "California Raisins"; I even painted you a sweatshirt (pre-embroidery days). Please don't kill me for this picture ~ the favorite 'after-Sunday-lunch' activity for Danielle & Mande was to dress you up ~ like your older cousin, Matt, you were always a good sport about it. On the back of that picture, Gran had written, "Mande dressed him--so lovely!" But too quickly, those days passed and you moved on to big boy activities like hunting, fishing, baseball & football.

Then, before we were ready, you were a senior in high school and getting ready for your days as a Dawg. I got to spend some good times with you during your high school days when I "gently urged" you to compete in FBLA. I was always happiest when my babies were at my door needing something ~ unfortunately you & Matt didn't appear there as often as your sisters ~~ guess it's a "boy thing" to be more independent!

This spring you married your college sweetheart and are now officially a part of the BIG WORLD . . . job, bills, yard to mow & all. So glad your friends are visiting ya'll this weekend to help you celebrate your big day. Hope Jess has made you a "first birthday cake since being married" and hope she won't have to bury it in the back yard like your Gran did when she made Pop his 1st birthday cake many, many years ago!

Uncle Man & Aunt Sissy love you all the muches!! See ya'll in 2 weeks!

Can I Say Proud?

Just had to show off my favorite newest Dawgs!

Taylor in his Red & Black

Heather in her Red & Black

They both survived camp and are now full swing into college life . . . classes, practices, studying, a little social life, and a little sleep. There's some precious pictures floating around of them at their respective camps but not sure they would want me to post those on here. But it sure looked like they were havin' fun! From way back when I was a dawg until now, I'm not sure the Redcoat uniforms have changed. But what a difference those Georgette uniforms are from when Mande was shaking her pompoms for the Boys of Fall in 1996.

And speaking of those Redcoats ~ I almost forgot . . . did any of you know how they got their name . . . well, one theory is that it happened during a Georgia/Georgia Tech game when the announcer, after calling the Jacket band the "Yellow Jacketed Band," couldn't think of anything to call the UGA band except "that Redcoated Band." Supposedly, the name stuck . . . and in a few weeks . . . all you DAWG fans will join 90,000+ as you . . .

“Keep your seats, everyone…the REDCOATS are coming!

Wonder if my redcoats are missing home as much as home misses them?

The bells, they are a ringin' . . .

school bells, that is. Now, summer is officially over despite the 100 degree heat.

Campbell Jane is now a 2nd grader ~~ Wow . . . that sounds old!!!

Ailee Claire is in 4 year old kindergarten at her "old school." Growing up way too fast!

Anna Grace has a whole 7 days behind her already in 1st grade since she started on August 5. Cybil and Adelynn will have a little while before their "official" school days begin. I'll try not to blink so they won't be here tomorrow!

From the time I started first grade until I retired after 31 years of teaching, my "year" revolved around the starting and stopping of school. It was a "new year" when school started while the last day of school meant the "end of the year" ~~ January 1 and December 31 really had no significance other than they were part of Christmas holidays. The 2 months (which really seemed like just a few days) between that beginning and ending were just "FREE" days. SUMMER VACATION DAYS. And one didn't even look at the calendar. Fancy free. No agendas. Sleeping late. Tickle parties. Popcorn and late-night movies cuddled under blankets in the floor. Kids everywhere . . . mine and all their friends. Swimming. Camping out in the tree house while I "slept" in the hammock so nothing would get ya'll. Beach vacations.

And T.H.E.N. . . .

that dreaded day . . . the first day of "the new year" . . . the first day of school. Who dreaded it most . . . my babies or me? Close call, I'm thinkin' "But the sooner we get started, the sooner it will be over for another year." Great philosophy then; but now, what I would give to slow down that year!

But, another one is beginning . . . and just where did summer go . . . not really sure but I do know we were having fun while it passed. Check back later this week for some highlights.

I hope my three monkeys enjoy their new year as they much as they did their FREE days. Listen to your teachers, work hard and remember your manners!! Mimi loves you all the muches!

Destin 2009

On this side of Heaven

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven."

Matthew 19:14

During Vacation Bible School in June, our oldest little monkey gave her heart to Jesus. Today, Miss Campbell was baptised and, of course, we were there.

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

John 3:5

There will be other great days in your life ~ high school & college graduations, 1st job and marrying your sweetheart plus many others in between, I'm sure; but the day you were saved and then baptised are the greatest days of your life this side of Heaven. Nothing could make your Mommy, Daddy, and Mimi & Granddaddy more proud of you than we are today.

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10

There was also much rejoicing on earth today for this one little child who has chosen to follow the God from whom all blessings flow.

Just so you'll know when you're Mimi's age . . . the special guest speaker in church today was John (Bull) Bramlett and the special guests in the 11:00 service were the CNC Eagles. You & Cybil got to meet all of Daddy's old college coaches.

And . . . Happy Birthday today to my favorite "little" brother.

We love you Big Unc!!

Down on the Farm

with Mr. GreenJeans, aka Granddaddy. Well, you all know that Granddaddy got all "farmer-fied" this spring and planted 1/2 the acre in a vegetable garden. Do you think he was trying to outdo Mr. Tom and Mr. Wendell? Since then I have given him the nickname Mr. GreenJeans ~ don't think he likes it much, but oh, well! Even though I have kidded with him alot about it being where my pool was to be, we sure have loved having homegrown veggies just a few steps from the back door, even the Fabulous Five love his okra and corn.

He's been a little puffed at me, though, because I haven't blogged about his garden . . . didn't even know he knew I had a blog . . . but sure can't have him mad at me so here goes . . .

Granddaddy's Special Blog Post:

The Pool, oops . . . I mean "GARDEN."

Sweet Merritt Corn ~ on-the-cob with butter dripping off it (or cutting it in "sheets," right girls?) & Silver Queen for covering our okra . . . the "P" family tradition.

Just look at those beans ~ not 1 bug bite!

White Half Runners ~ Pop wouldn't have any other kind.

S.U.P.P.E.R ~~ It was Yummy!!

One night we had stuffed bell peppers ~ Granddaddy wasn't so sure about them but he LOVED them and asks for more. I'll have to share the recipe soon. Ya'll might like them, too.

Thanks, Mr. GJ, for working hard so we could have such wonderful goodies & I believe you did outdo the guys ~ at least your corn was still standing & we didn't find 1/2 eaten tomatoes on the deck! Just one more thing . . .

Can't end this post without showing off Granddaddy's little helper in his garden . . .

Meet Miss Gigi

She has made a wonderful scarecrow for the garden ~~ she even caused quite a stir when a flock of black birds decided to feast on the corn. What a racket they made as she ran through the garden ~ they flew off never to return. And we're the only house in the neighborhood who doesn't have squirrels eating up everything. Guess you've earned your keep now, Miss Gigi, and you're here to stay ~~ as if you weren't already because you are so loved by the Fabulous Five and we all know that whatever they want, they get!

(hummmmm . . . do you think I can get them to ask Granddaddy for a swimming pool? I'll have to work on that)

Tradin' in their Green & White . . .

for the Red & Black of the Bulldog Nation.

Today, Taylor officially becomes a DAWG and begins paying his dues as a member of the REDCOAT band. Heather left Friday to begin her new life as a GEORGETTE. Wow, such an exciting time for them!

Never any doubt these 2 talented Indians would be selected as Redcoats!

Watch out if you're in the Athens area today ~ there may be a flood as Doodah leaves her first born behind. Tears are being shed here today, as well; right, Nana??

We just couldn't send them off without a farewell party at Sissy's & Uncle Man's. Danielle said she thought Granny would have been so proud of us. Hope so, because she sure loved that 1st great grandbaby.

Here's a little peek into what things looked like at the acre on Thursday night ~~ we celebrated where they had been with the Green & White of MCHS and where their new life was taking them.

I quickly raided the "Dawg House" downstairs for anything red & black, brought out all the tailgating supplies and we were ready. Hamburgers & hotdogs on the grill, baked beans, homemade ice cream and a "huge" cookie cake complete with a super G. Sorry AG & AC that Mimi didn't have the corn & okra you were hoping for! Matt, Beth and the "C" girls were greatly missed!! Sorry, everyone, I just got so busy I didn't even pick up my camera after we started to party. Think of Ailee in her red & black for Tay-Tay & "Dorothy" & you'll get the picture.

Of course, our history expert, Taylor, refreshed our memories on a little UGA history. Did you know that the UGA Redcoat band originally started in 1905 as a section of the UGA Military Department with only 20 military cadets? HOW DID THE BAND GET THE NAME "REDCOATS?" Check back later to find out one theory! If you have an idea, leave a comment to see if we match.

In 1959, Phyllis Dancz, wife of Roger Dancz who was director of the Redcoats, formed the “Georgettes,” a dance line that performs alongside the band during the pre-game and halftime shows (now you know what the Georgettes are). You want to know a little history about your Mama . . . when I was a flagtwirler way back when, the Danczes came to our little high school and directed our summer band camp--aren't I so special?

Full tummies; lots of hugs, laugher, & tears; little ones playing upstairs in the nest; family surrounding 2 beloved children; and God's presence in the form of a much-needed rain shower ~~ what more could we have asked for on such a special night?

Taylor's 1st UGA game with his favorite Georgette 13 years ago

Fourteen years ago, our Mande was MCHS's 1st-ever student to become a Georgette; Heather is the 4th one to follow her lead. Taylor joins a very small group of other Indian Band members to ever march as a Redcoat.

Heather and Taylor, as you begin this new chapter, please remember the prayers that were prayed over you on Thursday night as we wrapped you in our love and know that we are all still praying for you both daily ~ prayers for strength and courage to face the challenges of life on your own, endurance for the endless practice schedules, that you feel God's arms lifting you up, that His amazing grace be poured out on you continuously, that you seek Him and to do His will first and foremost, and then that you give Him all the glory.

"Those things which we have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you." Philippians 4:9

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Only 26 more days 'til game day . . . Go Dawgs!!

Just a Cruisin' . . .

to a new adventure . . . today we drove the '65 corvette to our first-ever "Cruise In." We traveled in a caravan of 4 old vehicles for an hour's drive just to raise the hood, sit under a tent, do a little shopping in the cutest little shops, eat at a great resturant (or it would have been if they had only taken reservations so the wait wasn't so long!) then load up and drive an hour back home. Might I add that the temperature was only 98 degrees? But the girls cheated and rode in the Bronco which was air conditioned, YEAH!! The highlight was when 3 of our little angels came to check out granddaddy's little red car while we were there; of course, they brought Mommy and Daddy.

I must admit that it really was fun ~ not something I would want to do every weekend but once a month maybe; even though, MT said that doing so meant "we were officially OLD."

Here's a little review of some of my favorite cars . . .

Granddaddy and his Baby

Now, don't these bring back memories?

Cheryl's Bronco ~ thanks for the air-conditioned ride!

Danny's '64 Galaxy

Mr. Wendell just got in on the "old toy" act last month when he bought his '63 splitwindow corvette. It gave us a little scare when we pulled into the lot, though ~ smoke was boiling out from under the hood.

Here the boys are trying to decide exactly why there was smoke. Miss Darlene and Miss Cheryl looking on in the background not wanting to get too close. Turned out it was nothing major and a gallon of water the "A" girls brought him fixed the problem. Thank goodness ~ not sure we could have pushed it all the way back home!

Now isn't this just the cutest little thing ever?

Gotta love a man and his red corvette!!

Thanks, Danny & Cheryl, for inviting us. It was definitely a fun little adventure and I'm sure we'll be Cruisin' again real soon!

P.S. on Sunday night~~

Just found out that another sweet couple now have an old toy ~ a jeep ~ another couple to cruise with!! Mr. & Mrs. B, get your cruisin' clothes on!!