When did weight get to be an issue?

You know, if you go back and look at the annual, or old pictures, we were all reasonably sized people.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Now, arguably, I have an excuse since I had two kids after 40 and EVERYTHING changed, but in reality...that's not the problem. The problem is that age=weight and you either address it or live with it.

So Brenda and I decided to address it, and we started walking. Not "strolling" walking, but up-and-down hill fast-paced walking. We were motivated. We were dedicated. At the end of four weeks, which meant EIGHTY-FOUR MILES of up-and-down hills, I hadn't lost an ounce and she gained eight pounds. AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN DRINK. So we took three weeks off because I was out of town two and then school started, and now we've started back. Even though Brenda LOST ten pounds while we weren't doing anything.

We're on a mission.

We might not be size two's next time you see us? But by george our hearts will be healthy and our legs will be strong.

Which is no consolation whatsoever.

Our losses as time moves on

Picked up the paper this morning and in the obituaries was Odie Mae Garrett. Robbie, Debbie, George and I went to Mr. McCabe's funeral two years ago and there was Mrs. Garrett! Looking just like she did the day we left Brooks. She was SO glad to see us, and we sat and talked with her for some time. I guess I always thought she was from here, but she was a native of Texas who married the principal of Burrell Slater.

This week we also lost Jennifer's dad, Earl Stutts; and Linda Harrison's sister, Susan. Earl Stutts didn't have a college degree, but he was the most learned man I ever knew. He also had the patience of Job...thank goodness. Susan had been sick for a while with pulmonary disease, but then died of cancer. Linda has had a hard few years...her mother died last fall, Susan this spring and they have a brother who's been ill for some time, too. (I don't know if you remember, but Susan was married to Johnny Hamm. He died two years ago, suddenly from a heart attack. Never had gained a pound.)

Then, last week Monica's dad died. Herrold Henson was the first dad I ever knew who could (or would) cook breakfast. When we spent the night, he would get up in the morning and make us breakfast...I was astounded.

They'll all be missed, and they all made our lives better.

Letting time slip by

Which gets easier and easier these days. Looking at the calendar and realizing next year is Thirty-Five. Guess we ought to be thinking about that.

God bless Virginia Hill.

Cameras are not our friends

Reason number one people over 50 shouldn't try to take self-portraits:

Double chins.

 

Reason number two people over 50 shouldn't take close-ups:

Lifting your chin just makes you look dumb.

 

Reason number three you should be taking pictures of your kids:

Even when you get a stranger to take your picture, your kids are still cuter. And do you see Mary Anne STANDING ON A LEDGE? To be taller?

December 8 was Mary Anne's 51st birthday...we think she's the youngest one in the bunch. The three girls drove to Huntsville and met Tony for lunch...that's actually twice in one year we've done something...we're on a roll!

Oh!Oh!Oh! The three of us went into SuperTarget to buy butter, for me, and coffee for all three of us. And when we came out...not a one of us had a clue where we'd left the car. Not a clue. So Brenda started hitting the emergency button to set off the alarm but, and I'm not making this up, we couldn't even remember what SECTION we were in so we had to wander around, punching the remote, until we set off the alarm. When we DO get old? We're gonna be dangerous.

 

Tags: Do you people need a driver?

Maintaining

My plan here is to keep this on standby on a regular basis, and then every five years talk about how cool we are! Or something.  And then for our 50th reunion, we'll print the entire thing out. But as has been pointed out, we have to shift to five-year-interval parties now. Age thing. That would be 2009.

I've been thrown out of better places than this!!!

That would be...Merrill Gardens. The retirement home. My middle child volunteers there every Saturday. During Handy, the Thompson Trio was playing there and she had to go in at nine in the morning to set up the popcorn machine and make lemonade. (Yes, we've discussed the popcorn and denture thing. I didn't ask.) So after having gone to Handy on the Plaza...which involves sitting outside under a stifling awning that just intensified the heat...I went to MG's to pick up my child. And walked in the door and there, looking JUST like she looked 30-something years ago, was Cissy Smith. And we talked and laughed and talked and laughed and talked and...then some 400-year-old man asked us to please leave because he couldn't hear the music we were being so loud. As Mary pointed out, that probably meant AMY was being too loud.

I've seen me do that.

Lunches

Several years ago Brenda and I started driving to Huntsville a couple of times a year and having lunch with Tony Barber. Originally, we always went to Rosie's because there wasn't a Rosie's here, but since that's changed we have been known to end up at Tim's Cajun Kitchen. We also have been known to end up at Publix and Trees & Trends and Atlanta Bread Company and Super Target. (You'll notice that three out of four of those places involve food.)

The point of that is, I wish I had started saving pictures then. But now's as good a time as any...so here are Brenda, Mary Anne and I celebrating Brenda's 51st birthday at Rosie's in Florence. There was a four foot tall tree with saucer-sized flowers on it involved, and I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Brenda holding that.

 

Randy B's trip

Hey Everyone,

 

Made it back from our Road Trip (again, if you've seen the movie "Wild Hogs" keep your comments to yourself).  It was awesome, had some rain Tuesday morning, but it quit about 1/3 of the way through the Dragon's Tail, but I'm officially a dragon slayer, we did it twice.  The only hitch was Tuesday evening when we got back to our chalet, the drive shaft broke on my bike, so Debbie and her son-in-law had to come get me and the bike Wednesday.  Thanks for the prayers (and the hot-tub) because they got me through it!!!!

 

Randy--The Dragon Slayer

This isn't funny.

Do YOU feel older? I don't. I saw a Simon & Simon rerun the other day, and their MOTHER was having her 40-year high school reunion. And there were these OLD people there. With like, hair do's. And brocade suits. And they looked so...middle-aged.

Good thing y'all don't look like that.

On a sad note...

...Rosemary Barber died this afternoon. She was a wonderful lady, and I know a Barber kid touched your life sometime! Visitation is Friday night and the service is Saturday.

Mother's Day Cookout

Well, I sent out the email seeing what everyone thought, and I think we're going to move this to June. Several of our regulars can't be there and since Kenny and I have to start on this REALLY early, we'll wait until more people can be there. In June.

Emails

Okay, if you'll remember...when I printed the email addresses I asked you not to abuse the list. Several people use their work email. The accounts have quotas. If you send several emails to these people at work, they go over quota and have other emails returned to sender. Emails having to do with the work they are supposed to be doing as opposed to reading emails from old friends.

PLEASE...do not send mass emails to the group list. (Unless you're willing to support these employees in the manner to which they have become accustomed when they lose their job because you sent them a friend email.)

Thank you.

And another thing

Linda Harrison had mentioned it would be fun to know when everyone's birthday is. Which, in hindsight, would have been a good question on the survey. But someone remind me when we start getting ready for May to DO THAT. Get birthdays.

Angie, whom I think started it

1. What time is it?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

7:15 A.M. 

2. What is your full name? 

ANGELA MARIE OWENS TIDWELL

3. What are you most afraid of? 

LIVING TO BE SO OLD I CAN’T CARE FOR MYSELF. 

4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen? 

FIREWALL---<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />HARRISON FORD IS STILL MY HERO 

5. Have you ever seen a ghost? 

NO AND DON’T PLAN ON IT, BUT I DID LIKE THE MOVIE 

6. Where were you born? 

ECM FLORENCE, AL  

7. Ever been to Alaska? 

NOT YET, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE A CRUISE THERE, I’VE HEARD IT’S AWESOME 

8. Ever been toilet papering ? 

YOU MEAN ROLLING---YES AND WE TRAINED OUR KIDS THE CORRECT WAY

9. Loved someone so much it made you  cry? 

YES

10. Been in a serious car accident? 

NO    THANK GOODNESS

11 Do you plan to have any more Children? 

NO, I’M AT THE GRANDMA STAGE OF MY LIFE 

12. Favorite day of the week?

SUNDAY

13. Favorite Restaurant? 

RYANS , OLIVE GARDEN , RED LOBSTER , CHEESECAKE FACTORY , FISH MARKET ……..  MAKES ME REALIZE MY WEIGHT PROBLEM

14. Favorite Flower? 

PINK CARNATIONS AND PEACE ROSES AND THAT SALMON COLORED ONE (?)---ALL WITH LOTS OF BABY’S BREATH !!!

15. Favorite color ? 

PEACH ---PINK

16. Favorite sport to watch? 

ALABAMA FOOTBALL ALWAYS-SORRY BETH

17. Favorite Drink? 

I REALLY WISH IT WAS WATER BUT CLASSIC COKE AND SOUTHERN SWEET TEA STILL COME IN 1ST AND 

18. Favorite Ice Cream? 

ALL THE CHOCOLATE VARITIES AND I’VE FOUND A NEW BIRTHDAY CAKE/VANILLA THAT IS REALLY GOOD TOO

19. Favorite fast food restaurant? 

GOING BACK TO MY WEIGHT PROBLEM :   SUBWAY , WENDY’S BURGER KING , CHIK FIL A , KFC , ………. 

BASICALLY, IF I REFUSE FOOD OF ANY KIND CALL IN THE FAMILY 

20. What color is your bedroom carpet? 

JUST PLAIN DIRTY LIKE THE REST OF THE HOUSE, AS SOON AS MAGGIE IS HOUSEBROKE, WE ARE RE-DOING THE WHOLE HOUSE

21. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 

I KNOW THS COMES AS A SHOCK TO EVERYONE BUT, NONE 

22. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?

MR. LEO

23. What do you do when you are bored? 

THANK GOODNESS, I’M EASILY ENTERTAINED---THESE E-MAIL SURVEYS FOR INSTANCE 

24. Bedtime? 

IF I STAY AWAKE UNTIL 9:00 I’M DOING REAL GOOD 

25. Who will respond to this e-mail the quickest? 

THANKS BETH J  SHERRY AND ALLISON.

  JUST FOR FUN LET’S ALL ADD A NEW QUESTION, THIS COULD KEEP US ALL ENTERTAINED FOR MONTHS

26. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? 

I DON’T SEND TO THOSE PEOPLE ANYMORE---WHY  EMBARRASS THEM WITH THINGS THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO? 

27. Who is the person that you are most curious to see their answers?

I LOVE HEARING FROM EVERYONE  

28. Favorite TV shows? 

DEAL-NO DEAL, OLD COSBY RERUNS 

29. What kind of car do you drive? 

RED CHEVY IMPALA

30. What are you listening to right now? 

THE WASHER AND DRYER DOING LAUNDRY-AGAIN.

PLEASE TELL ME I WON’T HAVE TO DO LAUNDRY IN HEAVEN !!!!

 31. How many pets do you have? 

I HAVE A BABY ‘MAGGIE’ ( MINITURE DAUCHSHUND SHANNON GAVE ME FOR CHRISTMAS) AND OF COURSE ‘LILBURN’ THE OVERSIZE OUTSIDE CAT THAT IS NOT AMUSED BY THE NEW LITTLE CREATURE THAT GETS TO STAY INSIDE.

32 Which came first the chicken or the egg? 

THE CHICKEN

33. What would you like to accomplish before you die? 

TO SEE MY KIDS GROWN,CONTINUING TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE WITH THE CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE , MARRIED , HAPPY/SUCCESSFUL ,WITH CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN

SO FAR - SO GOOD

34. What is the one thing that you miss doing? 

I DON’T REALLY MISS ANYTHING 

35. How many people are you sending this e-mail to?  I don't know yet

36. (NEW QUESTION)  WHO WAS YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE TEACHER IN SCHOOL?

MRS. MCPETERS        SHE WAS MY SECOND GRADE TEACHER AND THEN MY TYPING TEACHER IN HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW WE GO TO THE SAME CHURCH. AND SHE STILL LOOKS  THE SAME AND JUST AS SWEET AS SHE ALWAYS WAS.

 

And this one would be Brenda Gayle Jones

1. What time is it?

9:30 A.M. on a rainy Sunday morning 

2. What is your full name? 

Brenda Gayle Jones Free    

3. What are you most afraid of? 

Terrified of edges, germs, and being helpless 

4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen? 

Some Hallmark channel movie, I'm sure.  TV is just background noise!

5. Have you ever seen a ghost? 

I think so.  Sybil Banks used to "channel" them.  Those were the days! 

6. Where were you born? 

Victoria, Texas 

7. Ever been to Alaska? 

Nope.   Is anyone getting a trip together? 

8. Ever been toilet papering ? 

I honestly don't think so.  I've been "egging" but that didn't work out so well. 

9. Loved someone so much it made you  cry? 

Sure.  Everyone makes me cry now, but the hormones are to blame.

Mostly my family makes me cry.  I'm so lucky.  I could have grown up 

living in Texas in a not-so-wonderful situation; instead, I'm here with 

a loving mom and wonderful siblings. I am a blessed person! 

10. Been in a serious car accident? 

Unfortunately, yes...but I recovered and have only a couple of small scars remaining. 

11 Do you plan to have any more Children? 

Not in this life!  I'll probably have to borrow grandchildren.   

12. Favorite day of the week?

Friday 

13. Favorite Restaurant?

McKendrick's and Maggiano's  

14. Favorite Flower? 

Yellow Roses and Daisies 

15. Favorite color ? 

Well, I wear black and brown and white.   My house is all pastels- yellow and pink and green.  I guess I'd say I

like all colors except odd shades of blue and any shade of purple. 

16. Favorite sport to watch? 

NASCAR racing and football---how RED is my neck! 

17. Favorite Drink? 

I love bottled water and coffee.  When Mr. Atkins is not in control of my diet, I also love diet DP. 

18. Favorite Ice Cream? 

I don't love ice cream, but I really like cherry and grape Popsicles. 

19. Favorite fast food restaurant? 

Wok and Roll(Chinese drive-through located in Seven Points; my daughter told me about this one) and Chick Fil A

20. What color is your bedroom carpet? 

Beige, but it's coming out as soon as I finish teaching this semester and the hardwood floor

is going to be refinished!

21. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 

Zero!  I've always been an excellent driver. 

22. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?

Sue McClanahan, Realtor 

Northern Virginia Fine Homes--I'm shopping for Jason a house!

23. What do you do when you are bored? 

Black Belt Sudoku--I'm very good at it. 

24. Bedtime? 

If I'm working 10:30--when I'm REALLY retired, very late...2-ish 

25. Who will respond to this e-mail the quickest? 

I have no idea.

  JUST FOR FUN LET’S ALL ADD A NEW QUESTION, THIS COULD KEEP US ALL ENTERTAINED FOR MONTHS

26. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? 

Eddie!  I love you Eddie, but I know you'll never figure out how to add your answers and reply! 

27. Who is the person that you are most curious to see their answers?

Everyone, but I'd also like to see answers from all the people Angie emailed! 

28. Favorite TV shows? 

BOSTON LEGAL, THE CLOSER, HOUSE 

29. What kind of car do you drive? 

Depends...Envoy, Tahoe, Firebird (I drive Jason's to keep the battery charged while he's away.)

30. What are you listening to right now? 

Rain!  I love the sound. 

 31. How many pets do you have? 

I have no pet.  Emily took HER Yorkie when she moved into town.  I am so blessed to have a pet-less

home again.  He was very high maintenance!   

32 Which came first the chicken or the egg? 

I agree, it must have been the chicken.

33. What would you like to accomplish before you die? 

know my kids happy and settled, correct a few mistakes I've made---if I can, go to Ireland, 

enjoy my time with family and friends

34. What is the one thing that you miss doing? 

Seeing people...too much "stuff" interferes with staying in touch with people

35. How many people are you sending this e-mail to?  

I don't know yet...maybe ten or so

36. WHO WAS YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE TEACHER IN SCHOOL?

We were lucky in high school; most of our teachers were very nice.  I really liked Mrs. McPeters and Mr. Howard.  I think the one who helped me most was Coach Smith.  

John Thompson, John Roth, and Stanley Rosenbaum were my favorite college instructors.  Thompson is brilliant.  Roth is one of the kindest men I've ever met.  

Rosenbaum made me want to know more.

37. New Question:  If you could spend an hour with anyone other than God, with whom would you spend it?  

I want two hours!  Hour one I'd spend with my dad.  Hour two would be spent with

a great writer, but I'll have to think a little longer to decide which one.

The Survey

Okay, I know you've all seen these...those question things you get every now and then. Well, someone sent someone one and I think it will be fun to post the answers here. If you didn't get the survey, let me know and I'll find it.

ANYWAY. Here's June's survey.

1. What time is it?
    3:25 pm
2. What is your full name?
    JuneBug Montgomery Berry
3. What are you most afraid of?
     Spiders..ewww
4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen?
     Bourne Identity/ Watched it last night with my hubby
5. Have you ever seen a ghost?
    No/Although my sister has
6. Where were you born?
    Leeds, Al.
7. Ever been to Alaska?
    No, but sure would like to go there.
8. Ever been toilet papering ?
    I can't say,  'cause I work for a Sheriff. LOL
9. Loved someone so much it made you  cry?
    YES
10. Been in a serious car accident?
      Yes/ Got hurt pretty bad. OK now though
11 Do you plan to have any more Children?
     No, my plumbing has been pulled
12. Favorite day of the week?
      FRIDAY!!!!!!!
13. Favorite Restaurant?
      Applebees
14. Favorite Flower?
      Roses
15. Favorite color ?
      Blue
16. Favorite sport to watch?
      ALABAMA FOOTBALL/me too Angie
17. Favorite Drink?
      Sorry everyone ,but it's BUDLIGHT
18. Favorite Ice Cream?
      BANANA SPLIT
19. Favorite fast food restaurant?
      That would have to be ZAXBYS
20. What color is your bedroom carpet?
      1960's brownish redish ickish
21. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
      None,blptttttt
22. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?
      My sister/Lassye
23. What do you do when you are bored?
      Go to Al.com forum, and see who is trashing who, in Decatur.
24. Bedtime?
      I can't sleep until after 10:00pm
25. Who will respond to this e-mail the quickest?
      Anyone who is bored....lol
26. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond?
      Jennifer Zahnd/I dare you...lol
27. Who is the person that you are most curious to see their answers?
      Everyone
28. Favorite TV shows?
      Deal or No Deal..Extreme Makeover...COPS
29. What kind of car do you drive?
      2003 Chevey Impala
30. What are you listening to right now?
      TV/Reese Witherspoon in
31. How many pets do you have?
       3 too many!/My maniac cat Scooter, 2 dogs/Cocoa and Dixie
32 Which came first the chicken or the egg?
     The Chicken? Oh, it doesn't matter, I eat them both
33. What would you like to accomplish before you die?
      RETIREMENT!
34. What is the one thing that you miss doing?
      Dancing
35. How many people are you sending this e-mail to? 
      A bunch of people, who probably won't respond
36. (NEW QUESTION)  WHO WAS YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE TEACHER IN SCHOOL?
      I had one that was the greatest PE teacher ever/Mrs. Moore

She's not dead.

That would be Mary Anne. There is another Mary Anne Rippey...Tim's half-brother's son's ex-wife, to be exact. And SHE's the one whose obituary is in the paper. So yes, our Mary Anne is alive and well and kicking. Thank you, Lord.

Merry Christmas from the Burbanks

To all of our family and special friends, we wish you and yours a special Christmas Season and we pray that God return to you the blessing that all of you are to Debbie and I!  Each of you are so very special and each of you reveals to us the gracious love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we celebrate this special time. 

 

We don't always take the time to say how much each of you means to us, and in this special season, we want to take this moment to give God thanks for you, our special family and friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS US ALL!

LOVE, RANDY AND DEBBIE

Merry Christmas!

 

If you went back and said, "Okay. In all honesty, who are the two NICEST people out of this entire group?" you wouldn't have to hesitate. I KNOW we're all very nice people and do very nice things and think very nice thoughts, but when it comes down to it..........

 

MONA JANE AND ANGIE ORANGE.

 

It's that simple. The rest of us all have our strong points and could give the Wizard a run for his money as "Good Deed Doers"...wait. That was the Tin Man and his heart. Never mind.

 

ANYWAY. Angie's beautiful daughter and Mona's too handsome son got married. And are having a grandbaby for the two nicest people we know. Merry Christmas to them all.

 

Mary Anne was 50 last Friday, and to the best of my knowledge she's the last one to hit the big 5-0. Brenda and I were going to take her out to lunch, but then Brenda did her "thing" and went back to work for a couple of weeks to make some more money so that she and I can go to Huntsville and see Tony Barber and go to Trees and Things. Or Super Target. And my middle child got braces that day. So at some point in the next couple of weeks we're going to take Mary Anne to lunch. If you'd like to join us, let me know.

 

I love hearing from all of you...Kenny and Phillip Peck keep me in stitches. Actually, per the Aqua Vista Halloween Party, Kenny can be counted on for a lot of things. June and Linda H can be counted on to have the funniest emails before anyone else does, and Tony H and I sat through an entire soccer season with our FIVE YEAR OLDS this fall. I run into Shelaine in the STRANGEST PLACES...as in floating down the creek with a hat on,

 

Stuff goes around in circles here...Mitzi Hampel is living in Virgie's house. Kim Mitchell's son has put in a motorcycle shop at Dallas Direct (Virgie's old store). Mona and Angie are having a grandbaby. Phillip Peck calls on a dear friend of mine who has moved here with no family. Myra works at the grocery store everyone in town goes to, and Philip Gooch and Tony H take off to the mountains every spring. And how great were Sherry's pictures?

 

Merry Christmas to you all. I'll never forget Mary Anne telling me that she wanted her kids to have what all of us grew up with and take for granted. And if you've ever been to other places, then you know how special all of this bunch is.

 

Next spring. The Saturday of Mother's Day. At the branch. Write it down.

A Note From Sherry

I wished that I could have joined you for the 50th birthday party. I stayed here to share Mother's day with my grandson Ethan. Jim took priority over the 30th reunion with his graduation and Ethan over the birthday party. I enjoyed all the pictures that was sent.

I would like you to meet my family through photos since I couldn't be there in person.We had our family photos made last Saturday and since they are on the web I thought I would share them with you. Please meet Michael, my husband for 3 years, his daughters (and my bonus daughters) MacKenzie and Morgan, my son Jim, his wife Deon and son Ethan, and my son Jonathan.

Log on to http://www.millersalbums.com/ and you can enter my address: sherry.nation@wku.edu
Make sure you view all photos. Ethan's smile will make your day!! My favorites of the group are No. 5, 50 & 51.

Hopefully we can make it to the next reunion!
Sherry