Thanksgiving

We are thankful for so many things this year. Family is one of those things. We enjoyed traveling to see both sides of the family. The first leg of the trip was to visit Donna. As usual, she had a house full of family come and eat for Thanksgiving dinner. Eric fried 3 turkeys and one chicken. They were delicious. It was great to see his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

That morning, Rebecca decided she wanted me to do a photo shoot of her. We went outside and played around. She had a great time. Here are a few of my favorites:



We left Donna's on Friday and traveled to Knoxville. I enjoyed eating dinner with my parents, my cousin, and her two children. On Saturday, my parents treated us to a trip to see the Lady Vols play basketball. They took us on a tour around the arena. It was cool to see the history of basketball at UT. One person I loved seeing hanging from a banner was Cindy Brogdon. She wound up coaching at my high school after playing in the olympics. The Lady Vols didn't play their best, but they did go on to beat UCLA. Here are a few highlights from the game.

While it's always nice to visit family, it sure is nice to come back home.

Ten Simple Rules for dating my daughter

I found this posted on a message board I frequent. Since Rebecca is getting closer and closer to dating, Eric and I found it very amusing!!

Ten Simple Rules for dating my daughter

Rule One
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose his compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

Rule Six
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a pot-bellied, balding, middle-aged, dim- witted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

Weight Loss Journey

I haven't done the best job with my weight loss over the past week and a half. I haven't gained any weight, but I know I haven't eaten like I'm supposed to.

I went to my family physician this morning for my lab work. My blood pressure has come down and he took me off of my blood pressure medicine!!! I am very proud of that!! I hope my cholesterol and liver enzymes have come down as well. Stay tuned for an update on those.

Now to get back on good eating habits.

CSMS Cheerleaders at Debbie Rogers Cheer Classic

Wow. What a difference a month makes. Our girls did an awesome job yesterday at their final cheer competition. They changed several things in their routine and it made it soo much better. They tied for 7th place out of 15 teams. The two biggest accomplishments: 1. Not coming in last. 2. Beating their rival school-White Knoll Middle. Here are some highlights.

Rebecca is the second one on the floor.

Rebecca is the second one from the left on the floor

The proud parents with our girl

Rebecca and her sweet coach, Coach Steeper.

Rebecca and her friends

Alex and Rebecca checking out the competition

The score sheet with a happy coach and happy girls!!

Eric's mother was able to attend the competition. It was her birthday, so Eric drove over on Friday to get her. They drove to Columbia for the competition. She loved it. Then we took her out to eat at California Dreaming. They drove back home after the busy day.

Granna cheering on her baby girl.


Lunch at California Dreaming

The Great Pumpkin Contest

Our family has entered The Great Pumpkin Contest that our realator has going on. Will you please go and vote for our cheerleader pumpkin? Rebecca came up with the idea (surprise, surprise) and she and I put it all together. Just click on the link below. Scroll about half way down until you see The Great Pumpkin Contest. We are Entry # 7.
Thanks!!
http://cindykidd.yourkwagent.com/