THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Well, I thought that after the Christmas Holidays that things would return to somewhat normalcy with kids back in school and others back to the work day. But NO, this week Jay and Lisa are in Canada (I think Jay knew Dub was publishing his picture and left the USA), John in Texas, Dub in Arizona, and Barbara and Glenn in California - and Beth you know how I like everyone to be in their respective places. Please everyone have a great time, be careful and have a safe trip.

Thank all of you for making this another Christmas to be cherished with memories to last a life time - for the youngest to the oldest of us. We really start our memories on Thanksgiving afternoon when we all arrive at the Lee's for the BONFIRE with the oyster roast and boiled shrimp - but ask the young ones and they will tell you that Aunt Lisa's SMORES are the "best".

Some like the dancing around the fire, some like to play with the fire (Uncle Bob), some insist that Uncle Jay do his rapping (He developed his talent in this field when he was the only white kid playing basketball at SHS). So thanks Uncle John and Aunt Lisa for your hospitality each Thanksgiving. At some time during the holidays Santa calls Uncle Glenn and Aunt Barbara to let them know when he is going to be at their house so that we all can tell him what is on our Christmas list. He seems to remember all that we tell him. Aunt Barbara has chilli and hot dogs with all the trimmings so that we won't be hungry while we go on the hayride that Uncle Glenn has set up for us. Aunt Lisa and Aunt Emily even made us song books with all the Christmas Carols that we sing as we ride through Claxton. I must say it was very "Cold" on this hayride. So thanks Uncle Glenn and Aunt Barbara for the visit with Santa and the Hayride. Then finally that special day, Jesus' birthday is here and everyone comes to my house for brunch and to open Christmas Presents - Yeah!!!! Each of us tells what we are thankful for before opening a gift and it seems the number 1

response was "Our Family". After the gifts are all opened and the turkey is in the oven for dinner, some are playing games inside and some outside, and some are just looking for a bed to lie down. The Christmas dinner was excellent, thanks to all of you for pitching in and helping (especially Emily). Then the card game started, Bob how did you end up at the table with all of the females? It was a fun day, but I think we were all exhausted by 10:00 that night. I don't think Mother got out of bed until 6:00 p.m. the next day. A week later we find ourselves at Uncle Dub's and Aunt Beth's for "NEW YEAR'S DAY" and boy did we eat good. Leslie cooked the greens and we had blackeye peas, rice, pork roast, veggie chilli, vegetables with dip, and I'm sure I've left something off that we did have. Oh, and mother cooked the corn bread - which we all fought over - next year she will make more. After some basketball in the backyard - the serious card game started. It was a lot of fun because Whitney and Taylor (Win's girlfriend) played. I was lucky that I got to sit by Emily during the card game or so I thought until I found that she was cheating. That was funny!!! We missed Lisa and John, Lisa and Jay and the Rowe girls - maybe next year. Thanks Uncle Dub and Aunt Beth for letting us begin the New Year at your house.

Good Luck to Justin as he begins his second semester at GSU and Whitney as she begins her last semester at GA.

Leslie, I hope everything goes smooth with the closing on your house. Let me know if I can help. And I do have a couple of beds if you need a place to sleep.

I Love All of You and "THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES"

Mama/G'mama/Aunt "Di"