BUSTED!

It's been a long time since our yard was rolled! It may have been when the girls were in high school, but I can't remember. But it's "Homecoming Week," and yesterday at Civic Club the talk was about whose house had been rolled and how many times! Tonight as I was putting on a new bedspread in Anna's room, I noticed some lights out front in the driveway. Then I heard some talking outside and someone banging on the front door. It scared me a little, so I hollered at Stacy to answer the door. Well, I waited and heard him talking, so I went outside.

The Sheriff's Deputy was on my front porch, and there were boys all over the front yard. It seems they had rolled the tulip poplar out front (it's about the only tree we have left in the front yard). Just lucky for them, the Sheriff's Deputy was driving down our road about that time and said he saw the white toilet paper blowing in the lights. Then he saw the eight boys trying to hide behind the tree! Oops! Busted!

They made the boys take down all the paper they could reach -- I wouldn't let them climb the tree because I didn't want anyone to get hurt -- and Stacy made them put the paper in a box and pose with it! Then Stacy went over the whole yard with a flashlight and made them pick up every piece of white in the yard!!! It was too funny! One said he almost jumped the fence. Good thing he didn't, there's an electric fence on the other side!

I don't know what will happen to them tomorrow at school! I told Stacy not to be too hard on them. I can remember doing a few pranks when I was in school -- and I got caught sometimes, too! It's not as bad as the donuts someone did in the yard once with a pickup truck! Right after we moved here, some of Stacy's students built a structure spelling out a nickname they came up with for him! I remember telling him at the time, "At least they used some of their construction skills they learned in Ag!"

What makes all this even funnier -- one of the boys was the Sheriff's son! I'm sure that poor Deputy didn't want to make that call! I kind of feel special -- like I'm one of the crowd!

GOD and DOG!

This is perfect for a Friday! It made me feel so good when Tammie sent it to me! (And I still miss Ashley, my dog.)

Kate's first Auburn game!

What a fun Saturday on the Plains! We got to see our daughters and son-in-law -- all of their fun friends we've come to know over the years through Auburn -- and especially our baby Kate!



Since Casey didn't get tickets this year, I (generously) offered my ticket to her so I could babysit Kate during the game! I know, I'm such a generous person! So Anna and I strolled baby Kate over to the new student union center just opened -- it's located in the Haley Center parking lot next to the stadium. Beautiful building. The second floor has many seating areas with comfy sofas and chairs and TVs tuned to the game! Airconditioning! Starbucks and Chick-Filet! Just a walk down the hall to get a little crowd noise! After last week, I don't think I could have made it to the top of the upper deck to our seats anyway!

Casey made the cute Auburn dress Kate has on! Since she's learned to smock, Casey has been sewing up a storm, and she smocked the AU on the front of the dress. My favorite photo is the one of Kate in her sunglasses -- "cool Auburn chick!"

It was 2:30 a.m. before we got home, but it was worth it! War Eagle!

Fish Fry Weekend!

It's been a beautiful, fun weekend so far! It was so nice to wake up slowly this morning and not have to rush off to a meeting or work!

We had a Scattering Seeds mentor luncheon this morning. About 30 of us went to Highland Oaks for a lunch. My mentee couldn't go, but I picked up Lynn and we went along with the group! Then tonight we had a fish fry at MawMaw's with Greg and Jessi, and Gary and Carolyn (who are in town from Trussville for the weekend). Great to see them and Jessi again. Got to see Jessi's senior portraits -- very good, of course -- she's a beautiful subject! She's enjoying her senior year.

We get to see baby Kate next weekend at Auburn's first game! Maybe I need to stay with Kate while everyone goes to the game!!! Wouldn't that be nice of me? She's sitting up all by herself now! Here are some of the latest photos Casey took of her for her 6 month story board!

Check out what Casey's been photographing lately -- in addition to Kate on her website.

Mouth of the South

Every year, the American Advertising Federation 7th District has a very important competition in July called "Mouth of the South." Actually, it's a "lip-sinc" competition that they take very seriously. The teams spend a lot of time selecting songs, choreographing, costuming . . . keeping each AAF club's songs and plans a secret until the night of competition.

Dothan's AAF club entered the competition for the first time last year, but we didn't place. So this year, we enlisted the assistance of choreographer extraordinaire Ron DeVane to help us with our skit with a 1974 theme. As this year's president of AAF-Dothan, I felt it was my duty and obligation to assist my team of board members Kerry Farrell, Gina Burdeshaw and Patrick Liester in our quest for that elusive trophy. Competition's tough! Some teams have 15 or more members and are much larger than our club.

But this year, we brought home 3rd place! That was from 11 teams that entered! We were very proud of ourselves and had a lot of fun in the process with practices! Kerry and I braved tickly mustaches, twirling nightsticks and having to walk through the hotel lobby wearing police gear -- but that's nothing to what Patrick and Gina had to do with Gina dressed as a teenager and Patrick as a 70's lounge act with a "fro"! But our selfless obligation to upholding AAF-Dothan's honor was a success!

Thanks to everyone who helped! We may look ridiculous -- but it was so much fun!

But it all wasn't just fun and games! We also attended many meetings and workshops that will help us to benefit our club -- and got to meet "Scott the Nametag Guy" (that's Scott in the middle) who spoke to the group about branding. I would say all around it was a good weekend!

Anna's Family Weekend

Anna and Zach spent the weekend in Huntsville with John, Casey & Kate! She says they had a blast, and she's posted the photos on her All Things Design blog. Kate laughs and giggles now, she is so cute and funny! I'm jealous! It will be Labor Day weekend before we get to see her again at Auburn's first ball game. Can't wait to see her decked out in her Auburn gear!

My girls' weekend in Buckhead

It's seemed like a long week at work, even though I took Monday off! I spent a wonderful extended weekend with Anna last weekend -- just us girls! We got to see Casey, John and Kate when they stopped in on their way to a friend's wedding in Warner Robbins. Anna was thrilled to see how much Kate has grown and interacts now! Then Anna and I saw the movie Julie and Julia Fri. nite -- a great movie. It was fun to find out about Julia Childs' life since I can remember her on TV -- as the "first Food Network Star"! Meryl Streep can play any part, I've decided! She was so good.

Then on Sat. we took a Calligraphy class at Paper-Source at Virginia Highlands in Atlanta. I didn't do too bad, but we found out it takes a lot of patience (I like to do things fast and get them done) and practice (where's the time?)! We had fun and feel like we can try it on a few things now -- maybe not professionally, but for fun! That store is wonderful! I bought some plain cards to try my new embosser tool on -- Anna had just got one and it's really neat!

We ate lunch at the Swan Coach House -- a beautiful tea room restaurant at the Atlanta History Center. I had the chicken salad and shrimp salad -- delicious. But I should have worn my hat, dahlin'!


We had fun shopping and eating. Anna lives in a house with three other girls -- soon to be two if you know someone looking for a place to live in Atlanta -- and we destroyed the connections to their big TV trying to hook up her roomie's DVD player to watch Ballet Shoes. Never did get it to work -- Zach is going to have to fix it! I'm usually pretty good with connecting cords, but this one beat me! So we watched Ballet Shoes (great movie - watch it!) and Twilight (I don't get the obsession with this one, but everyone loves it, I laughed through most of it!) Anna and her roommate Ansley - and Tiffany at work - are obsessed with that movie.

And then on Sun. Anna took me to Scott Antique Market -- and I was in antique heaven! It is absolutely huge and filled with wonderful jewelry and furniture and things you won't see anywhere else. We talked to a guy who handmade beautiful tables with unusual metal legs. I can't wait to go back -- hopefully before Christmas!

We had a great weekend -- maybe next time Casey and Kate can join us! Casey, John and Kate stopped by MawMaw's on Wed. on their way home from the beach. Nanny came over too, so the great-grandmas got to see Kate -- and me too! I just can't get enough of her!

And now Anna has offered her talents on Etsy's website. It's a neat place where people can sell unique items they make and produce. Her Whatever Is Loveley site: "Present in style with Whatever Is Lovely Prints, a noble stationery and design company by Anna Hatcher Design, llc. I’m Anna and my goal is to create a praiseworthy and stress-free design process that has an end result that you will not only love but will present you or your event with style!" So if you need anything designed or printed, check out her Etsy site or her All Things Design blog.