O Tannenbaum (11.28.10)

The tree was carefully chosen, trimmed, then decorated in full at the Finks house the weekend after Thanksgiving (always to Lloyd's dismay). Helga came over to play a part in the festivities. Let the Christmas carols and the Advent Season begin!

Willhite Thanksgiving (11.25.10)

We are so thankful for being blessed with such a wonderful family (which includes, by the way, the Jim and Joe Willhites who we had the privilege to spend this Thanksgiving Day with, and many many more). Not only was it a fun reunion to be with family in Murfreesboro, but, it was my mother’s 73rd birthday (Happy birthday, Mom). Earlier in the week before traveling, we had a Thanksgiving feast with Helga at our house. Wishing all a year of blessings and thankfulness ahead!

Grandparent's Day (11.23.10)

St. Mary’s Grandparent’s Day was celebrated the week of Thanksgiving, and Nana and Daddy Joe traveled to Memphis to spend this special day with Grayson (a lot of travel for them this week, which made this time especially sweet). The senior kindergarten and 4th grade girls sang songs and provided a chapel service before gathering in the girls’ classrooms. I helped by taking pictures of the morning’s events.

Star of the Week (11.17.10)

It was Grayson’s turn to be Star of the Week at St. Mary’s. For an entire week, the girls celebrate the Star, from learning about her interests (a box is filled with things she likes) and passions to learning about her family (including pets) and extended family. The week concludes with a family visit, and Grayson introduced each of us to her class and told about our jobs and talents. Each family is encouraged to share a craft or something the girls can learn specific to our family. We each played an instrument (Lloyd, guitar; Grayson, violin; Harrison, ukulele; Shannon- well, my instrument was my voice) and sang songs plus taught the girls to count to ten in German. The finale was Lloyd handing out tongue depressors and learning a little about doctoring. Say “Ahhhhh”.

Jet Setting (11.15.10)

My neighbor and friend Lane turned 40 this year, and for a present, her boss gave her his Lear jet for the day and told her she could go anywhere she wanted as long as the craft was returned to the hanger on the same day. I was a lucky one of 7 invited to share this fun trip to New Orleans with her. Our plan of attack was simple: eat, shop, and eat again. And if we have time, shop some more. Once on the ground we headed straight to Café Du Monde for beignets. We shopped in the French Quarter, then ate again a few minutes later at Commander’s Palace, back to shopping, then ate again before picking up shrimp Poor Boys to bring home to Lloyd, Daniel, and Harrison (who ate up their fill!). The Lear averaged just over 500 miles per hour on the 45 minute flight home. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Love NOLA!!

House Guest

After randomly meeting a physician's assistant student at Henry County Medical Center this summer, Lloyd came home to tell me that he had invited (a total stranger) to live with us for six weeks. Daniel arrived on our doorstep this October and turned out to be from Martin (where I grew up) and is dating Michelle, who happens to be my parent's neighbors niece and goes to church where my parents attend (are you following all of this?). Plus, I went to high school and graduated with Daniel's older brother from Martin Westview. Talk about a small world! Anyway, Daniel was a trooper: he loved the dogs, put up with Lloyd, and even let the kids dress him up a time or two. Good luck to you Daniel in your future! You'll always be welcome in Memphis.

Memphis Fall 2010

For Mother’s Day this year Lloyd gave me a photo session with Hal Jaffe, a talented photographer here in Memphis. We had hoped to take these photos when our tans were rich, just after our trip from the islands, however, this fall has been so busy that we missed that opportunity. It turned out to be just fine though, because we were able to document Memphis fall and have leaf fights with the kids and dogs. Deacon was the worst behaved of us all, and I am blown away by Mr. Jaffe’s ability to capture what appears to be a very lovely (and calm) family. Don’t be fooled. Just after the first shot, Deacon jumped up on Lloyd, so look closely for the paw prints on his crisp white shirt.