You Go Girl!

Pop and I got up at 3:45 and headed to Oxford to watch Maddie in her first Cross Country meet.  Much like soccer, I didn't know what to expect. But also like soccer, I really enjoyed it.  Maddie raced against girls from 7th to 12th grade.  There were several big schools there, too.  Lots and lots of runners!  I am very proud to say that she did great!  She beat her best time by two minutes.  She has worked extremely hard, and it showed.  I am looking forward to her next meet!

This picture was post race and post thunderstorm.  She recovered quickly from the race, and was all smiles.

Start of the race!  They are off......This course allowed you to see them at several different points.  They would disappear in the woods and then reappear.  

Choccoloco Park provided some beautiful backdrops for a run!

She is focused and giving it her all.

Headed for the finish line.

I think she was pretty excited to see this finish line!

This was taken right after the race.  She was exhausted, but happy.  We could not be more proud of this girl!  

Pop was enjoying a little post run snooze!

We all enjoyed a little post run meal.

Stinker!

They are all happily back in school.  We can't wait for her next meet.  Reed also starts soccer soon.  They keep us busy, and we love it!!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Lillian and Reed were able to spend most of this week with us before they start to school tomorrow.  Maddie had to stay at home for Cross Country practice.  I am a tad sad that she is growing up so fast, but we are so very proud of the precious young lady she has become.  We packed lots of fun into the days Lillian and Reed were here.  Jack stayed with us one day, and we had John Sawyer a least part of everyday they were here.  We enjoyed lots of pool time, a river day, a little bike ride and more. I love our visits, and can't wait until the next one.

We love our river days.  The kids love to ride the tube, ski, kneeboard and more.  If you ask them though, I am pretty sure they will tell you their favorite thing to do is stop in the middle of the river and jump off the boat! They could do this all day long!

So much fun on this beautiful day!

Checking out a new sandbar

And while we were having fun, this big girl was getting ready for her first meet.  Her mom took this picture this summer while they were on vacation.  She ran 50 miles in July alone!

Back to the river.........

Pop has lots of help driving the boat!

Reed is multi tasking here.....Eating a chicken finger and getting a little nap.

Pool time (especially with Uncle C) is also lots of fun!

I am so sad to see summer fading away.  I love days like these!

Retirement Number Two

 Six years ago, I retired from teaching after a wonderful thirty one year career.  I still very much loved teaching, but was intrigued by the chance to work with GEAR UP Alabama. This was a federally funded grant through UAB.  Little did I know then what an impact this second career would have on my life. After two years as a Site Facilitator at Gordo and Pickens County High, I became a Regional Coordinator (5) Hale, Perry, Pickens and Greene Counties. I served in that position for 4 years.  There is no way I can adequately describe our work in a short blog post. Our primary goal was to prepare our cohort of students for college or a career. The grant covered the Blackbelt area from the Mississippi line to the Georgia line and served almost 10,000 students. I am extremely proud of the work we did through GUA, and can confidently say that lives were changed, opportunities were embraced, and doors opened for both students and parents. I have toured a large percentage of Alabama colleges and universities (and some in Mississippi and Georgia), attended camps, and participated in multiple industry tours.  We have provided multiple lessons on financial literacy, ACT prep, character ed and more.  I loved getting to know the faculty, staff and parents at RC Hatch, Marion High, Hale County High, Greene County High, Greensboro High and of course my Pickens County schools. We were able to provide opportunities for our students and parents that they otherwise would not have had. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. I am a better person due to my involvement with GUA.  I had the most outstanding group of Site Facilitators and Team Leaders, and have made many new friends that are very dear to me. I am going to introduce you to some of a very special group of leaders of GUA from our farewell luncheon.

Dr. Tonya Perry, our Principal Investigator and fearless leader

 

Graduation Coach Tez and Project Director, Dr. Samantha Elliot Briggs.  Dr. Briggs devoted her life to this grant and made a tremendous difference in many lives.

There are few people in this world I think more highly of than Dr. Jackie Stennis.  She has a remarkable testimony, and I am so proud to call her my friend.

She's a hot mess, too!

Dr. Claudia Williams (She will kill me over this picture!) The was the leader of our Regional Coordinator's group.  Wonderful person!

Past picture of Region 5 Site Facilitators, Team Leaders and more. I am so thankful to have met each of this wonderful ladies.

Lenora Emziah is from Columbus, Georgia and served Region 1.  I just love her!  Spunky and full of life!

Site Facilitator Chrystal Newman and PI Dr. Perry-Both are very special ladies.

Terrible picture, but a terrific lady!  Site Facilitator Janice Filer

Greene County High wouldn't be the same without Marva Smith.  She is simply awesome!

I could not have made it with Valerie Crawford, Regional Coordinator for Region 4.  She was my go to for all things.

Two of my Site Facilitators, Wynelia Cherry and Voncille Thomas weren't there.  Also, Prentiss Coleman and Cathy Hendrix (Regional Coordinators) were missing.  I am truly thankful for all!

I am officially retired again!  UAB made the decision not to reapply for the grant.  I will not be looking for a job, but if one finds me, I might consider it.  Right now, I am officially working for Reed!  I have had a wonderful 37 year career in education, and consider myself very blessed!

Beach Time

We loaded up four out of the five grandkids and headed to the beach for 5 days!  (We can't wait until Jack can join us!) We enjoyed the beach, pool, track, putt putt, riding bikes and more.  We ate lots of great meals and enjoyed lots of special time together.  There is nothing I enjoy more than making memories with my sweet grandchildren.  Sun, sand, pool time, the splashpad and even rain are just more fun when shared with this gang! Beach trips have also been my favorite, and I love sharing them with these guys.

Love them so very much! 

The weather was overcast with some rain and that was a really good thing! We spent several hours at the beach each day but one.  Lots of riding waves, digging holes, sand castles and more!

And Lillian proved to be a gold medal champ in beach handstands.

This group knows how to get a barge to blow the horn!  They've had lots of practice on the river.  In the bottom picture, the kids are singing Happy Birthday to their mom!

More beach fun!

Pop and Lillian cooked breakfast for us.  Waffles at the campsite is a pretty awesome meal.

John Sawyer mastered his bike.  The first thing he said most mornings was, "I want to ride my bike." So, that's what we did! Pajamas and all.....

And back to the beach.....So much fun! Please forgive me if you see a couple of pictures twice.

If you happen to see any of these guys, be sure and ask them who came in second in putt-putt. (Me!) John Sawyer was the undisputed champ.  He walked up and got a hole in one on every hole! He also took his club and did a little work around the course. Maddie was the best scorekeeper. She kept us all in line.

More pool and beach time.  We spent one day at the pool.  Normally, I would never agree to that, since we have a pool at home.  Rules change when the grandchildren are involved.

We are truly hoping to add Jack to this picture next summer.  I think we can handle 5!  They couldn't have been any better.

Off to the track.......

They seemed to enjoy squirting me from the bumper boats!! Stinkers!

I am ending with the same picture I began with.  We had a truly wonderful trip.  So good in fact, that I am booking next summer's adventure tonight.

Next up, my second retirement........