Well folks, all of us everywhere have come to the end of another year. Certainly, there were good times and some bad times but we have made it through another year. That is something to celebrate as life can throw some cruel punches. I used to wonder what the cliche "roll with the punches" meant until I grew into adulthood and met life head on. I have found that the experiences we have in our lives can make us better people.

Hurricane Katrina was devastating to the Coast but so much that is good came from the disaster. People from every state came as volunteers, donated money and have offered many prayers for our recovery. Although there is still lots to do... we are recovering.

So now I want to wish all of you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR .. it will be 2008 .. can you believe it?

See you next year!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rebecca Powers Reports On Hurricane Camille Photo Book

Bowie Meets Crosby

It looks like Christmas on the Gulf Coast will not be as cold as we would like but last night cooler air was brought in with high winds and a deluge of rainfall. Our high Christmas day will be 50 degrees, which could have easily been 80 degrees, so 50 degrees is great.

Anita, Dave and their children came for a visit last evening and once again I learned something new. Some of you may have been like me when you were raising your children and the Christmas tree was not to be touched, right? Well, when you become a grandparent all that changes...you get to do it RIGHT this time. The little girls were delighted with the ornaments and they went home with two bells each off the tree. The boys are getting older and I like to tease that I did not get them anything so when they found their name on a present or two, they were delighted.

We need to remember that the wonder of Christmas is for the little children. That's the reason why, over the years, when we beautifully decorated our own homes, we regressed back to Christmases when WE were little children.

Until later ... getting ready to watch the New Orleans Saints play the Philadelphia Eagles!

Josh Groban - O Holy Night

When the Christmas Season comes around I sort of transport to wonderland. I am sure that most of us look back to our Christmases when we were a child and can vividly recall the excitement of it all. Writing letters to Santa is nothing new, we all did. I actually was pretty conservative in what I asked for as I didn't take the chance that I might make him angry. Somehow it always worked for me... I got something I didn't put on the list but really, really wanted. I wonder how that happened?

I have taken time away from the Katrina writing at least until Christmas has passed. This isn't the season for all the "heavy" stuff. I will get back to it soon enough.

My daughter and I have always done crafts or baked cookies for as long as I can remember. Today we decided to make some ornaments. On my very first snowman, holding a hot glue gun, I burned my middle finger. We took time out to put olive oil on my finger, covered it with a band-aid and started over. I also messed up a reindeer so I made him look more like a Teddy Bear. It was very pleasant and perfect as there were five children in the house, and a baby boy less than one month old. George was helping us and having lots of fun too. He was solemn in the picture as he knew that I would probably put him on my blog.

See you soon, enjoy the holidays!

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Arizona Cardinals 31 - 24.

Hoping For Snow, Got Fire

Let's say that my Christmas shopping is underway despite the actions of my loony neighbor. My fence was damaged by Katrina in 2005 but still standing at a tilt. After the recent explosion when he started a fire with gasoline, my fence was burned. I was instrumental in helping my daughter and son-in-law while their 2 yr. old was hospitalized and I had waited for the black smoke to dissipate before I left the house. At that time the fence didn't appear to be burned but late last evening between 11PM and Midnight I heard what sounded like a hose being used and I thought Good Lord! .. he must be washing his car at such an ungodly hour. On arising I found that the fence had been on fire last night as I was trying to fall asleep. There is some kind of commotion most every night. I am documenting and adding another few pictures. Katrina was bad but personally I think this man is wilder!

On other side of fence - His yard

This is just a short post to say I am still around. Have had a few very hectic days lately. You can catch up on what has been happening if you read my daughter's latest post and remember while you are reading it that I was involved in most of the happenings in a big way. Anita
On the same day as Anita is describing a kitchen disaster and she was relating it to me later, there was a loud explosion very close to the back of my house. The same neighbor that had an unsightly "rig" up between our property for a month had thrown gasoline on the fire he started. I understand you can have small burns in this neighborhood if contained in a drum. Gasoline makes it a big fire, very risky thing to have done with dry leaves on the trees and ground.

We still have plans to finish our Christmas shopping!

Greetings on this foggy morning! Although the weather doesn't create the perfect scene indicating Christmas is fast approaching, I have high hopes that it will turn cold once again. There are many happenings in our area that I could write about but I have completely lost all desire to do so. We all have to "get on" with our lives before more time is lost.

Last evening, I watched the New Orleans Saints defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-14. It was an exciting game. The Saints are characters... they started the game with the "same" play that cost them their last game when Reggie Bush "goofed".

Gotta go, Christmas shopping is calling!

Rebuilding Mississippi Together

If you click on Menu on the You Tube Music Videos I have on my site you will be able to listen to different songs sung by the same entertainer or others..

Elvis Presley - On A Snowy Christmas Night

The weather on the Coast has been ideal for days now, cold nights and mild days. Maybe we experienced the same kind of weather in the past 2 1/2 years and I am just now noticing how pretty things are becoming. It's slow. of course. but improvement is noted. Now I am beginning to wonder if we can keep what we have. The cost of living will eventually undermine how we live. Locally, the Cable TV has raised their fees, the Power Company is raising their fees, house and car insurance has been raised, this year the County and City raised taxes above my homestead exemption. Lastly, the cost of food has skyrocketed. What about household cleaners? Anybody notice how much detergent costs? I liken it all to the game of Monopoly where bankruptcy looms. I have said many times that I am a dreamer and a dreamer can always find a way to exist if not lavishly .. contently. So during this month of December I will focus on the Christmas season instead of what I can see coming our way. A few pictures of Washington Avenue are below. There are still many vacant lots but I think as time passes more will rebuild.

Washington Avenue

Corner Westwood-Washington

The New Orleans Saints were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-27. It was the most disappointing game I have watched. Let's just say, things happened that shouldn't have!

Feliz Navidad