Charlotte's 11-year-old granddaughter Hannah (above, next to Charlotte) won First Prize in our contest to design a Christmas card for the Class of 1960. So original, neat, well executed, includes greeting to our class...what's not to like? |
What's Happening Now December 2007 (Turn on your sound!) |
| About the contest: The entries were all different and so charming, so it was REALLY hard to choose. Next year, there will be more notice and better planning. Thank you for helping your grandkids enter! |
12/5/07 from Linda DB via Mary Ann: This is the old Griggs
Equipment Building (which is now Indeco Mfg.) by little Tiger Field.
Took fifteen other city fire departments to help put it out. Then
Belton ran out of water pressure so they had to stop for a while
until they got pressure again. They had to get all the kids out of the
old Jr. High building because sparks were going everywhere. It
was a day's entertainment---Mayberry all over again.
Equipment Building (which is now Indeco Mfg.) by little Tiger Field.
Took fifteen other city fire departments to help put it out. Then
Belton ran out of water pressure so they had to stop for a while
until they got pressure again. They had to get all the kids out of the
old Jr. High building because sparks were going everywhere. It
was a day's entertainment---Mayberry all over again.
| Read more about the fire and the flamingest fires in area history in the online Temple Telegram article: http://www.temple-telegram.com/story/2007/12/08/45514 |
12/2/07: Judy PS writes: I
would love to talk to Donnie Co
- we were such good friends! I am
in Grenada, West Indies, this
morning - hot here just like Austin.
These islands are so different and
so beautiful! Having a great
time....j
Ken W. is home in Austin at
last! He got out of the hospital
Monday, Nov. 26, and says he's
feeling good. Go Ken!!!
This is SO FUNNY! Turn up
your sound and enjoy an animated
joke about Baby Boomers
from Jan's friend Lois.
http://weblogs.newsday.
com/news/opinion/waltha
ndelsman/blog/2007/11/animation_b
aby_boomers.html
12/4/07, Judy ER (a.k.a.
"Nonna") writes:
....the only entry in the Christmas
card contest is Gary's grandson's
masterpiece....
Ha! That kid is Toast! Wait till you
see 3-year-old Rachel's master-
piece. You'll be sure that a pro did
it, but all it took was for PawPaw to
say, "Rachel, would you draw a
Christmas tree and some presents
for me?" Tell Gary that he just
thought he had those big bucks
"in the bag"! ;-) He'll have to find
another way to pay for college!
I hope you have some wonderful
holidays filled with family and fun!
Judy
12/5/07: Yee-ha! We have our first
genuine Christmas card entry,
from 3-year-old Rachel, grand-
daughter of Judy and Frank R.,
and isn't it charming? Judy is right.
Rachel is a real CONTENDER!
Judy ER writes:
"Paw-Paw" said, "Rachel, draw me
a Christmas tree and some
presents," and voila! "Nonna"
scanned the picture and e-mailed
the entry for Rachel, who said, "I
wrote my own name and required
no help with spelling. My tree
includes Christmas balls (a couple
of them have "eyes"), two blue
candy canes and a purple star. I
also drew all kinds of presents
underneath the tree."
Medium used: white paper,
markers, crayons & a glitter pen.
12/5/07 from Judy ER: On Dec. 5,
2007, at 3:37 p.m., Jan wrote,
"...and stay warm!" It was 83
degrees in Harker Heights today!
12/8/07 We have a second
Christmas card entry, a real jewel
from Charlotte's granddaughter
Hannah. Only 7 more days until the
deadline!
12/12/07: Move over Hannah and
Rachel; now you have more
competition! We have cards from
Neanie's grands, Abby, Anna,
Kenley, and Reid, charming all.
But where's Joshua's? And my own
grands'? And all those other
grandkids' out there in BHS-land?
12/13/07: Got a great card from
Cherry's granddaughter KP.
Contest is heating up!
12/13/07: Just heard from Donnie
Co. He's been making his way
through a winter wonderland in
Kansas and Oklahoma, and is
home safe and sound!
12/14/07: Judy PS should be
home from her latest big trip today!
would love to talk to Donnie Co
- we were such good friends! I am
in Grenada, West Indies, this
morning - hot here just like Austin.
These islands are so different and
so beautiful! Having a great
time....j
Ken W. is home in Austin at
last! He got out of the hospital
Monday, Nov. 26, and says he's
feeling good. Go Ken!!!
This is SO FUNNY! Turn up
your sound and enjoy an animated
joke about Baby Boomers
from Jan's friend Lois.
http://weblogs.newsday.
com/news/opinion/waltha
ndelsman/blog/2007/11/animation_b
aby_boomers.html
12/4/07, Judy ER (a.k.a.
"Nonna") writes:
....the only entry in the Christmas
card contest is Gary's grandson's
masterpiece....
Ha! That kid is Toast! Wait till you
see 3-year-old Rachel's master-
piece. You'll be sure that a pro did
it, but all it took was for PawPaw to
say, "Rachel, would you draw a
Christmas tree and some presents
for me?" Tell Gary that he just
thought he had those big bucks
"in the bag"! ;-) He'll have to find
another way to pay for college!
I hope you have some wonderful
holidays filled with family and fun!
Judy
12/5/07: Yee-ha! We have our first
genuine Christmas card entry,
from 3-year-old Rachel, grand-
daughter of Judy and Frank R.,
and isn't it charming? Judy is right.
Rachel is a real CONTENDER!
Judy ER writes:
"Paw-Paw" said, "Rachel, draw me
a Christmas tree and some
presents," and voila! "Nonna"
scanned the picture and e-mailed
the entry for Rachel, who said, "I
wrote my own name and required
no help with spelling. My tree
includes Christmas balls (a couple
of them have "eyes"), two blue
candy canes and a purple star. I
also drew all kinds of presents
underneath the tree."
Medium used: white paper,
markers, crayons & a glitter pen.
12/5/07 from Judy ER: On Dec. 5,
2007, at 3:37 p.m., Jan wrote,
"...and stay warm!" It was 83
degrees in Harker Heights today!
12/8/07 We have a second
Christmas card entry, a real jewel
from Charlotte's granddaughter
Hannah. Only 7 more days until the
deadline!
12/12/07: Move over Hannah and
Rachel; now you have more
competition! We have cards from
Neanie's grands, Abby, Anna,
Kenley, and Reid, charming all.
But where's Joshua's? And my own
grands'? And all those other
grandkids' out there in BHS-land?
12/13/07: Got a great card from
Cherry's granddaughter KP.
Contest is heating up!
12/13/07: Just heard from Donnie
Co. He's been making his way
through a winter wonderland in
Kansas and Oklahoma, and is
home safe and sound!
12/14/07: Judy PS should be
home from her latest big trip today!
| Polly advises us on how to keep coal out of our Christmas stockings. |
Mary Ann sends us all a beautiful animated Christmas greeting. Turn on your sound, sit back, and take a moment to relax. http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html and pass it along to someone else. |
Linda M makes sure we all get into the Christmas spirit (Turn on your sound!): http://www.icq.com/img/friendship/ static/card_7944_rs.swf |
| New Dec. 12 |
Mary Ann has found Santa and his reindeer singing that rock version of White Christmas. Really cute! http://www.aroundmd.com/whitechristmas/ |
| Dec. 14 from Lynn and Judy: Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles: A fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself. An unexpected phone call from an old friend. Green stoplights on your way to work or shop. I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in... The fastest line at the grocery store. A good sing along song on the radio. Your keys right where you look. I wish you a day of happiness and perfection---little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare. I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this phrase to the people you'll never forget. Wishing you the very best, Lynn and Judy |
| "Keepers" Dec. 17 from Jane and Richard: I grew up with practical parents who had been frightened by the Great Depression in the 1930's. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it, before it was fashionable or politically correct... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a housedress, lawn mower in one hand and dishtowel in the other. It was the time for fixing things: a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, and the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that repairing, eating, and renewing -- I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my father died, and on that beautiful spring day, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... While we have it... it's best we love it... And care for it... And fix it when it's broken... And heal it when it's sick. This is true... For marriage... And old cars.... And children with bad report cards..... And dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close! ; I received this from someone who thinks I am a "keeper," so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people who are "keepers" in your life. Send it back to the person who sent it to you if they too are a keeper. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them but you know they are always there. Keep them close. |
| Dec. 19 from Judy ER: Doesn't everyone still wash and dry a nice piece of foil at least a couple of times? I need to talk to Jane and Richard! ;-) That was a sweet essay. We had dinner with the kids tonight and watched the Grinch for at least the 30th year tonight. It's a lot of fun to see it through the eyes of an excited 3 year old. Merry Christmas! Judy |
Dec. 19 from Marie:
Merry Christmas! This is my new
precious kitten. She is a brown
tabby, registered Persian, and she
is just wonderful. There is
something about "old" ladies and
cats, although she is my only one. I
will send you more soon, just
please put Savannah's photo on my
page.
Thanks,
Marie
Merry Christmas! This is my new
precious kitten. She is a brown
tabby, registered Persian, and she
is just wonderful. There is
something about "old" ladies and
cats, although she is my only one. I
will send you more soon, just
please put Savannah's photo on my
page.
Thanks,
Marie
| Sarah, 5, Jan's grand, won Second Prize for 3-to-5-year-olds. Guess she inherited Jan-Ma's love of Santa. Her mom says she didn't refer to anything, just sat down and "created." |
| Third Prize for 10-to-12-year-olds: KP, Cherry's 11-year-old grand. So eye-catching! The eyes are stick-on and move; the nose is a pom-pom. Such a cute idea! It's a wonderful thing! |
| Third Prize for 10-to-12-year-olds: Kyler, Gale's 12-year-old grand. A real crowd-pleaser among Tigers by a 7th-grade cheerleader! A novel idea, and includes the class greeting. |
| Third Prize for 10-to-12-year-olds: Abby, Janean and Will's 10-year-old grand. A beautiful nativity scene, complete with fluffy sheep, the 3 gifts, a guiding star, and shining Baby Jesus. |
| Third Prize for 3-to-5-year-olds: Anna, Janean and Will's 5-year-old grand. The complementary colors of the garlands and the clean design make this a beautiful card. |
| Third Prize for 3-to-5-year-olds: Kenley, Janean and Will's 5-year-old grand. "That was then and this is now." Lovely symbol of Christmas gift-giving. |
| Third Prize for 3-to-5-year-olds: Rachel, Judy ER's 3-year-old grand. This tiny girl drew the tree with one unbroken line, put a variety of ornaments on it, and stylized most of the gifts under it. Precocious and precious! |
| Third Prize for 3-to-5-year-olds: Reid, Janean and Will's 3-year-old grand. Perhaps someone helped with the spelling. Bet he had fun doing this one! |
| And here was the entry that everyone had to beat from Gary's grand, Alex, age 2. Deserves an Honorable Mention, at least! |
| Enjoy this changing Christmas message at http://jsmagic. net/sceneslivingpainting1/, sent by Dewey and Polly. |
| Dec. 16 from Cecelia: Indiana U.'s priceless rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas http://www.slide. com/r/nDL6JoEJ7T_pccNj2elLGmIRyv fD0D9U |
| Track Santa's trip across the world and play fun games at http://www. noradsanta.org/en/home.htm |
| Makenna, Sue's 11-year-old grand- daughter wins 2nd Prize for 10-to-12- year-olds. The cozy fire and steaming cup contrast nicely with the happy snowman waving to us from outdoors in the cold. The message to the class is included. This is done freehand with colored pencil. Makenna is in the 6th grade; active in softball, basketball, and band; and is a straight-A student. |
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| Dec. 16 from Polly: A beautiful musical slide show, "The First Christmas Gift" at http://www.andiesisle. com/thefirstchristmasgift.hs.html |
