Gators, Crimson Tide..and Auburn Angel?????...let me explain

Okay...so anyone who doesn't know this...in case there is anyone you may be wondering how I could possibly go from being one of the Gator fans in this group

to wearing the Alabama gear in this photo actually...I do look better in crimson and black...if I do say so myself..hahaha with the exception of my hair which I DID NOT comb before this was taken...hahaha the next photos should explain
While neither John nor I went to Alabama.......Brenna did! and as a result.......enough of our $$$$ went there to qualify us as fans!


However if you were to spot this ornamment on my tree...you might wonder how IT got on there.
No...we are not Auburn fans....as a matter of fact back in the day (my days at UF)...some of the best games were when we played Auburn...because we could actually BEAT them! (Forget about trying to beat Georgia and Alabama!)Now you will note that they have the same team colors...so I could pretend like it's a Gator related ornament in disguise...but that's not why I have it. Actually...I got it on a trip to Auburn in March 2002, for my nephew's wedding. Justin and Darby both went to Auburn...as did several of my other nieces and nephews from Alabama. Darby had arranged for someone to give us a tour of the campus during the weekend...(I think her sister ended up giving us the tour)and one stop was to the Bookstore. I like to have souvenirs from places I have been...and in spite of many trips to Dothan over the years...I didn't really have anything a peanut perhaps to represent Alabama....so I couldn't pass up the cotton boll Auburn angel...who just happened to be on clearance (since it was March)to remember not only our trip to Auburn, but our many trips to Alabama and especially Justin and Darby's wedding...and the fact that she has a little orange and blue on her...made the decision an easy one! haha

December 10th

Today's ornament is in memory of John's mother, Grace who would've been 93 today. (she died in August 2005). Grace always enjoyed celebrating her birthday and the holidays. Every year she would have lots of little gifts for all of her grandchildren to open. When Brenna and Megan attended Holy Trinity Episcopal School...the PTO had a fundraiser every December. Grandparents were "invited" to send in a donation and a Christmas wish (to be put on an ornament paper that would then be put on a tree in the courtyard. Ever year the message from Grandma Grace and "Pa" was the same...just like the one pictured here.
We also got a number of Christmas music boxes, like this angel, over the years. I don't have room to put them all on display...but I have this one, along with some other Christmas nick knacks ( from Grandama and Grandpa )around the house. We have many fond memories of Grace and John, and all the family from years past...ornaments like this one and the music boxes and nick knacks are special reminders of their love.
The Southern Living luncheon Wednesday was a lot of fun! Everything was delicious. We all decided that we were either very hungry several were...since they've been on restricted diets these last few months..hahahaha or everything was especially good this month. Favorites included The "Beefy Black Bean Stew", "Perfect Mashed Potatoes" and the top recipe of the month...the "Spinach-Apple Salad with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette" (the sugared-curried pecans were delicious!...and I am not usually a fan of curry)...(I'd eat them as a snack!) You can find these recipes and others at the Southern Living web site
(by the way the the center peice she had on this table was from a Boy Scout Fundraiser..it was really nice! next year I need to remember to check with my friends who have boy scouts!)Susan who was the hostess this month always has her house decked out for Christmas. The Grinch greeted us at the front door...but inside it was a Christmas wonderland...a tree to match each room...cute figurines, glassware and dishes (some pictured)...but not overdone..(I've been to places that were a bit over the top!).....just fun and very cute! It was an afternoon of good food and good fun and a lot of laughs!
When Brenna saw my post with my Gator ornaments she commented that maybe it was time to put an elephant on my tree...well...I don't have an elephant...but I did get a new shirt and I have my mug!

Ornament Exchange Day

Today I'm off...just by chance...so I get to go to the Southern Living Luncheon this month. I wasn't going to ask for a day off...since I took Monday off and I'm taking another day off NEXT week...but when I got the schedule...I guess it was meant to be. So today's ornament is the one I"m bringing to the "ornament exchange". I"m sure you've participated in one before...I've heard it called a "Scottish Exchange" or a "Chinese Exchange"...never quite figured out how it went from one side of the globe to the other!
Anyway, everyone brings an ornament. Numbers are given out..1 goes first...chooses. The last number goes next..they can choose a new package...or take number 1's . It goes on until the end...where Number 1 gets to choose the last package...or take someone Else's. It makes for a lively exchange.....I'm not too picky...and always seem to get a nice one. I have several on my tree from past years...and enjoy them all. If there's a really unique one that someone else winds up with...you can always find out where they got it and go buy one for yourself! I try to find one that has to do with baking or cooking...so this ornament was the perfect choice!

December 8

I saw this ornament last year and I had to buy it. My Dad came to Florida to work for NASA back in 1967. Apparently (from a story an old neighbor told me years later) someone contacted him and asked if he was interested in a job...and as the neighbor (Mr. Ryan) told it...it was the middle of February in Pittsburgh Pa.(ie COLD, DREARY) so why not take a little trip down to Florida for a few days...whether he was interested or not.After talking to them...he came back and said "I 've gotta get involved in that (Apollo) program! He was really excited.The following December (26th) we moved to Florida; and he worked for NASA until he retired. The other reason this particular ornament was "meant" to be on my tree...Snoopy is dressed as an astronaut on the moon...the very programs my dad was involved in. Also...the astronauts nominate people for special awards given to employees that have been especially helpful/ involved in the program. My dad received a Silver Snoopy Award with a letter signed by ALL of the Apollo astronauts for his work (in the malfunctions lab)during the Apollo program. Trust me...anytime there was a launch...the guys in the lab work(ed) non-stop to make sure everything was ready to go and if problems arise...they determine what the problem is and how to fix it. So...I think of my Dad when I see Snoopy and Woodstock on my tree.

Weekend in Orlando

These angel ornaments came as a set. I used to get a catalog that had lovely, albeit impractical, (at least for us) children's clothing. I never needed to order any of the dresses...much too frilly, ruffly, etc not to mention PRICEY for my budget & taste. But one year they offered these angel ornaments and I decided to order them. They've gotten a little beat up over the years...some are missing a hand, or accessory part...but I still hang them every year.
This is Florida...and Santa needs the right equipment. We got this for John one year.
In other news...we went to Orlando for the weekend to visit with Martha & Tony...who were in town for a conference Martha was attending at the Marriott World Center. We booked a room at a Hilton just down the road from them at a new Hilton..that had just opened in late October. It was very clean, fresh, NEW, NICE! From our room window on the 10th floor...you could look across the woods and see their hotel!
Here's the view from Martha and Tony's room...nice room overlooking the "Lazy River" and pool.
and golf course that John, Tony, my brother Mark and Tony's good friend Allan golfed on. It had been raining for two & 1/2 days...so we were thrilled to see the sun (and the cooler temperatures!)

Martha and I at the Waldorf-Astoria which was also on the property (Bonnet Creek Resorts) We ate at the Bear & Bull Steakhouse there...it was delicious! The WA also opened in late October. They had lovely blue and silver garlands strung around the Lobby and the trees had lights that simulated icicles melting Very pretty.
Anne & Martha
John & I, Martha & Tony
Anne & Mark

It could only be this......

It's game day and therefore this is the perfect choice for today. We are hoping for a good, exciting game. It would be great if the Gators could pull off an undefeated season!...another championship perhaps...but of course one game at a time! On any given day ANY team can win...but I do feel that the Gators really have a TEAM and they are truly playing for the team not for themselves. I have seen other teams win...who maybe didn't have the best statistics...but they had the "team" connection. (Steelers...when they pulled off the Super Bowl win...they really wanted to win for Jerome Bettis' final game...and they found that extra whatever they needed and did it. The Marlins (???!!!???) when they won the World Series...they definitely weren't the BEST team that year...but they were a team. I think Tebow is kind of a unique person...he motivates people to do their best...the players want to win for themselves, for him, for the team...all good teams have talent , of course, and great coaches...but I believe that it takes a leader like that to give a team a little edge... So we'll see what happens today.
And...what the heck...if they lose...the sun is going to come up again tomorrow...and MY life certainly isn't going to change...I just won't get to walk around with a smirk on my face...as if I had anything to do with the win. hahaha...by wearing my shirt! and since Brenna graduated from the University of Alabama...who ever wins will be Okay...cause we root for both teams....but it would be more fun if my team pulls it off!

On another note altogether....we're off to Orlando...for a visit with Martha and Tony...who are in town for a conference (Martha). We'll celebrate our birthdays a little early...and enjoy a couple of days together in Orlando.

Ornament of the day

I wish I was a better photographer...or maybe it's the camera...hahhaa because I am having a hard time getting a good photo of the ornaments I want...but it doesn't really matter
I got this little ornament back in 1980 0r 1981?...when I was the Children's Librarian at Meadowlane Community Library. It just so happened the Library was housed in the same building as the Meadowlane Elementary School Library...we had a great children's collection! For years since then...acquaintances will ask me "Do you still teach?" Well technically I never was a teacher...I just worked at two different schools... I suppose in a way I was (am) a teacher...I hope I am teaching children that books can be fun and to love language and reading. I figure by now there are many little kids, big kids and as hard as it is to admit it....adults with their own kids hard to admit...because then I have to face the fact that I really am getting older myself...hahaha who might think of me if they hear a Hap Palmer or Raffi song or hear a certain story....and that's kind of a nice thought.
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In the meantime....I smile every time I put this ornament on my tree...because it was a special gift from a little boy and his mother reminding me how much I love what I do and knowing that others appreciate it too. If you click on it to enlarge it...you can see the little elf holding his book. (old Avon ornament)