December 30, 2010

After a day of finishing the floor in the Knights room and putting up all the Christmas decorations (Deborah subscribes to the Irish folk lore that all decor must be retired before the new year) it was time for a break. Deb and I shown at the Spot of Tea having a light dinner.

December 29, 2010

We met our daughter Courtney and our grand daughter today in Montgomery for the girls to do a little shopping and have lunch with them. Everyone was in great spirits and we had a nice visit. We took up some gifts that we forgot to ship before the holidays as well. . .Montgomery is a perfect midway spot between Mobile and Atlanta.

December 28, 2010

Last evening the St. Thomas Parish Council of which I am Chairman were invited to dinner at the Sullivan Center to celebrate the New Year. Father Saucier had J.R. Rogers arrive shortly after this picture was taken with ribs and chicken, potato salad and banana pudding. His puppies were in
attendance: Mary Cathrine and Elizabeth Ann kept guard at the door while we socialized and ate.

December 27, 2010

Sad news for the North Mobile area. . . Mayor Ken Williams of Saraland passed away today at noon of congestive heart failure. He had been hospitalized over the Christmas  holidays with pneumonia and took a turn for the worse this morning. I  had the priveledge of knowing him through the Chamber Of Commerce and Deborah's and my prayers go out to his family.

December 26, 2010

Ain't nuthin like a "slaw dog" and a big-orange at Atlanta's world famous Varsity. We were hoping to be there, but "logistics" didn't work out.
Besides, they have NO idea how to handle the snow up there. It becomes "bumper-car" city. Spent a great comfortable Christmas here and today after church I had breakfast with two of my church friends. . .then on to the store to figure out something to do with yesterdays leftovers.

December 25, 2010 Christmas Day

Deborah prepared us a delicious breakfast of Corned Beef Hash and poached eggs before we started our gleeful task of opening presents. Here's a picture of the big guy bragging about a shirt he received. We both were pleased with the many presents and are happy to celebrate Christ's birthday. Hope each of you had as much fun as we did.

December 24, 2010

Ah yes, a Christmas tree with gifts. . . Actually Santa Claus showed up here about 4 PM and asked if he could dump his presents off early because he didn't have enough room in his sleigh with all the ones he is bringing to

the children tonight.  And of course I said: "Sure, who am I to argue with someone bigger than me!"

December 23, 2010

Last minute purchases, deliveries and a "happy" demeanor pulling it off. It is interesting to note that wine that usually sells for $12 per bottle is going for $7.88 (and this is reasonably good wine, not Mad Dog 20/20) Merchants are either going after the volume or they are trying to give homeless wino's a break. Either way, this must be a hard time for the homeless and I hope they can experience a blessed Christmas. 

December 22, 2010

Today the slow cooked barbequed hams, ribs and boston butts arrived for the Knights of Columbus Christmas meat sale. I personally made three deliveries to senior citizens and took some home. We are eating the ribs tonight It is making me hungry just writing about it. Sorry if you are not one of the lucky families to chow down on some tasty pork.

December 21, 2010

I seem to be running about a day behind on the blog. Too many events happening, I guess. Yesterday at Kiwanis, State Representative Randy Davis spoke to us about the new ethics bill which was passed recently. This will restrict legislators from accepting any meal or gift over $25 from a lobbyist and put a $150. cap on that person per year. The law will help take Alabama from one of the worst regulated to the best ethics state in the union.

December 20, 2010

Last night we were invited to the Chickasaw First Baptist Church for their annual Christmas cantata and reception following the event. The choir director Dr B (Bergdorf) has taken ill recently and we wanted to pay tribute to his amazing career. One of the special features was the carole "Oh Holy Night" sung by Carly Farmer, a Chickasaw lady who performs with the Metropolitan Opera.  She did a flawless job and afterward we were all invited to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments.

December 19, 2010

This was Saint Thomas Catholic Church Christmas Lunch and was well attended by our parish. Besides just fried chicken, ham and about 90 vegetables, Santa Claus paid a visit to the event. He listened to what the children wanted as well as a few adults and promised to "consider it".
The sad news of the day was that the lady Frank Coate and I built the wheelchair ramp for, some three months ago, passed away yesterday.

December 18, 2010

Well I missed the parade, but they were setting up for the Cathedral Square Lower Dauphin Street business session so I hung around and had a

glass of Cabernet. Folks were in a good Christmas mood, so I stayed for a while and bought Deborah some chocolate covered raisins, which she loves.

December 17, 2010

And the fevered pitch of shopping continues. I mailed presents, shopped for small gifts, sent local cards and generally spent a whole lot of time on the road to acheive that little bit of work. But it's all for Santa who appeared to me in a dream saying: "Get this done or your wife will be on your tail"!

December 16, 2010

Today was the Senior Lunch held at the First Baptist Church. Our speaker was Rev. Dennis Brown (one of my Kiwanis friends) who spoke about his early memories of Christmas in England, then Australia and finally the United States. Two of our table guests, the McMillans, were just married last week and both won door prizes at the end of the meal. (Sounds a little fixed to me)
Just kidding. . . they are a great couple.

December 15, 2010

Last night we were invited to the Alabama State Port Authority Holiday Reception held at the International Trade Club on Water St. The entire 4th floor was filled with celebratory people in the mood for some good food and a Christmas drink or two. We talked with Hal Hudgens and Green Suttles and his wife, Paige. After returning home to watch some TV, a friend showed up with Christmas cookies.

December 14, 2010

The Chickasaw Chamber met this morning at Macaroni Grill for their new year planning session and a Christmas lunch. After the minutes and review of our excellent financial year-end report, incoming president Terri Pringle

passed out suggestions for speakers and meeting sponsors and asked for our input. She outlined ideas for new programs and wants to expand the newsletter "Traditions" to be sent out to every member. Best Christmas wishes were exchanged until we meet again in January.

December 13, 2010

Sunday we went to the historic Kirk House in Creola, Alabama where the North Mobile Garden Club had decorated it for Christmas. What an awesome and interesting place! The upstairs and downstairs were full of decorated trees, live pine and cedar limbs and displays of ceramic artistry. We were greeted by many of our friends from the local garden club and enjoyed the afternoon.

December 12, 2010

Another double event day. First, the Chickasaw Christmas Parade, then a magnificent party at our hostess, Cheryl Broome's home. The parade featured our Citizen Of The Year as well as the mayor and councilpersons. Bands and plenty of floats defined the parade which started at the new Chickasaw School Of Math and Science. I heard several people say it was the largest attendance ever. The party later was in west Mobile, where we drank, ate and played "Who am I"? a game where a famous persons name is pinned to your back and you may ask anyone in the room yes or no questions. The name on my back was God, which Deborah said suits my alter ego. Whut?

December 11, 2010

After getting my car washed yesterday for todays parade, it was time to get ready for Bonnie and Horace Allens Christmas Party. What an array of tasty food and all the assortment of beverages anyone could possibly request. As always, Bonnie showcases a beautifully decorated home and the company she invites are very comfortable in that setting. I was lucky indeed to meet a couple that could help me solve a lighting problem.

December 10, 2010

Last night after returning from a sumptuous feast of hors de oeuvres at Shell's party at The Bakery Cafe, we headed for the Woman's Club

Christmas Dinner for the meal to our previous appetizers. It was held in the big room of the Civic Center, where we ate then played "dirty santa".  Deborah led the festivities, passing out the numbers, then supervising the gifting and consequential "stealing of gifts".

December 9, 2010

This morning I was off to Chickasaw School Of Math and Science to set up their new sound system. Since the children were practicing for tonight, I had a chance to do actual tests on the mics and system. This afternoon we are invited to the Shell Chemical Party downtown and later the Woman's Club Christmas Dinner.  Here's a photo of our new Hum-Vee Police unit just received on a grant.

December 8, 2010

Yet another Christmas party (not that I mind them) This one was the senior crowd at St. Thomas Church. Big buffet lunch followed by "dirty santa" gift giving. The guy in the red shirt is Gary Brown, trying to enforce the rules of the game with some of the unruly crowd attending.

December 7, 2010

Christmas Party at Ed's Seafood Shed on the causeway for the model train club. SWARM (Southwest Alabama Railroad Modelers) and a fine time was had by all. Lots of engineers and even a psychiatrist into trains. We

discussed the type of track, bush clippings used to make trees and the % grade needed to clear, crossing under another track over a ten foot run. Everything you need to know if you are building a layout.

December 6, 2010

Tonight the Chickasaw Kiwanis held its Christmas Party at Catfish Junction. It was well attended and we had the opportunity of having our citizen of the year as a guest. The Mobile Country Music Association performed for us and did a great job with Christmas songs as well as oldies and very familiar material. The seafood was excellent as usual.

December 5, 2010

After 8:30 AM mass this morning the Knights Of Columbus met for a short meeting to pass out tickets for the State Council Cruise for two to be awarded in April. After the meeting we assembled in the Sullivan Center for a Christmas breakfast and "dirty Santa" gift exchange. Lots of biscuits and gravy, ham, sausage and eggs. The ladies did a great job pulling it together.

December 4, 2010

Yesterday evening we gathered at the Park on Grand St. for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Santa was there listening to whispers of wanted gifts (note Deborah waiting to whisper hers) and we were treated to Representative Randy Davis blowing some caroles on his horn. Mayor
Pittman gave Santa the signal to magically light the tree and we were off and running.

December 3, 2010

This morning we had an official ribbon cutting for The Huddle House. In addition, the Chamber Of Commerce presented owner, Charles Saucier, with a small token of our appreciation. Charles, as always, was a gracious host and a fine entrpreneur and we wish him much success. Also in attendance, but off camera was Mike Reynolds, Police Chief, Sam Rawls and Carnes Craig of the maintenance and code inspection department.

December 2, 2010

The Auburn Planning League posters are in!  This could make us rich and famous!  No, but seriously folks. . . these are the city plans for an expanding and future Chickasaw and the Commercial Board and the city wants every resident to own one.  This proposed look at our community will allow residents and developers to keep their "eye on the prize". You can pick one up at City Hall or the January Chamber Of Commerce meeting.

December 1, 2010

I had some repair work to do on my circular saw and I obviously am not an expert because it it is still not working right. I guess I'll just have to add one to my Christmas list. Tonight I attended Parish Council meeting where we voted to move the church picnic to May. I thought my term was up as Chairman, but was informed that I still have another year to go. Today's picture is a failed parking attempt by the young lady on the left.