Happy December!  I can't believe that 2010 is heading out the door. 

MAIL CALL

from Jeanette Constantine Morgan in Groves
I appreciate the work that you and Mike do on the website.   

from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
Well, I'm off again.  This time I am sailing on the new Royal Caribbean ship The Allure of the Seas on its inaugural cruise out of Fort Lauderdale .  This is a quick 3-day travel agents-only cruise to nowhere; just a chance for us to see the ship so we can tell everyone how great it is.  The Today Show   taped its fourth hour from there today (11/19).  I'm getting ready to go downstairs and watch it so I'll know what to expect.  This is the biggest ship currently on the sea, holding 5500 passengers, which is about twice the size of previous ships I've been on.  We set sail Sunday (11/23) and come back Tuesday (11/23).  On Wednesday, I'm headed into Nederland to celebrate Thanksgiving at my cousin's home.  I hope that everyone takes time to remember all that we have to be thankful for. 

from Mike Harmon in Beaumont
Thanks so much for all you and Mike do for the TJ Class of '68.  I miss those days with our class....Go ye Port Arthur !!!! 

from Gerald "Jerry" Miller in San Leon , TX
I retired November, 09 and then went back to work for the TX Parks & Wildlife Department in May at the Battleship Texas .  If any of our classmates are in the area, feel free to stop by and get a free tour.
(I really, really appreciate you for sending in your new mailing address and phone information.  I do wish more classmates would remember to do that.)

from Betty Bernauer Wademon in Sugar Land
I am blessed with 3 beautiful grandchildren.  Also, Ron is recuperating from his 2nd total knee replacement in 3 months!  Football seemed like a good idea at the time! 

from Barbara Bowers in Pagosa Springs , CO
OK.  I am mentally prepared for winter!  Picture this....exiting hwy at 55 mph turning onto a road entering a subdivision.  Then, I immediately find that my wheels are on slick ice.  Here I go... a couple of 360's and then I am able to stop......5 feet from the creek, (felt like 5 inches).  My heart is in extreme acceleration.  I now drive home at 15 mph in second.  Lesson learned:  Snow's slippery!  Yipes.  I made it back to my home sweet home in one piece.  I must have a whole huge crew of angels working during the winter here, thank heavens.

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HIDEAWAY, TX
The name is exactly what it is.  This is a wonderful community about an hour or so from Dallas where classmate Allen Baldridge and his wife, Wanda reside.  It is a haven.  It has 3 man-made lakes, a beautifully kept golf course and tons of activities the community can partake in.  Terry Watson and his beautiful bride, Nancy, came and shared the weekend.  We ate a delicious early Thanksgiving meal, sat around a fire in the backyard sipping wine, rode around on Allen's party boat and enjoyed the glorious fall foilage, and then rode through a Santa Land display of hundreds of thousands of lights.  It was a great time spent with dear classmates and spouses and no little ones around.  Thanks for the memories.

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THANKSGIVING DAY
A bittersweet day.  It was 6 months exactly and the first holiday without mom.  Murphy, Dad, and I spent an earlymorning cheering on my youngest granddaughter, Drew, 6 years old, running in a 1K at the Turkey Trot   at Tyrrell Park .  You might remember her from earlier NEWSLETTERS.  She is the one that was in Texas Children's Hospital the week of Hurricane Ike.  She is doing better since her kidney surgery but is still on blood pressure medicine twice a day.  The cardiologist feels that it will probably be a life-long issue.  We are so proud of her for staying healthy, (of course, with her parents' teaching of good habits).  The 7 year old granddaughter, Bailey, ran her FIRST 5K.  She loves competing.  Stacy, our only child, also ran the 5K in the horrible humidity.  Who would have thought it would be that hot and humid the end ofNovember?  Our son-in-law helped with the organizing of the race that day.  He is going to run in his first marathon in February in Austin .   

Afterwards, we went and had a small gathering at Stacy's in-laws for lunch.  I really wasn't up for a big family one.  Maybe next year.  Dad has been sad lately and starting to talk more of Mom.  He hasn't done that since the first month after she passed away.  Maybe it is the holidays.  He is sadder than he has been.  I am really trying to keep him busy.  But, when that happens I don't get much done.  It is worth it, though.  Parents aren't here forever.

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GIRLS WEEKEND
My granddaughters, having a holiday from school Friday, will be spending 3 days here with their Nanny while Poppa is off at the "beer lease", I mean deer lease!   We have tons of plans that include going to see Tangled at the movies, a high school play Grease , and then Beauty and the Beast at the Lutcher Theatre for the Performing Arts.  That doesn't include the trips to McDonalds, church, playing board games, dolls, watching videos at home, coloring, art projects, etc.  I hope my daughter sends Xanax, (for me, of course)!  "-)

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SUPPORT

a note from Jeanette Constantine Morgan
My husband Dennis is doing better and wanted to thank everyone for his prayers during his recovery.  He has been released from the Dr. and seems to be doing fine.  But, I was in a car accident about 4 weeks ago.  As a result, I got the shingles but am over that.  The bruises from the wreck seem to be clearing up, but I am finding more each day.  Someone ran a red light and hit the back of the car which in turn spun me and my friend around and then the car flipped.  We were very blessed to come out of it with just bruises.  I guess the trauma caused the shingles which seemed to have been the worse part.  

Pat Trahan Knox on Face Book

Monday, Nov. 28
I have been in St. Elizabeth hospital since Thanksgiving evening with a bout of colitis.  Not fun, but hoping to be out within the week.  Not how I wanted to spend my vacation.  At least I had finished my cooking.   

Wednesday, Dec. 2
I just got home from the hospital.  Thank you so much for all of the well wishes....they meant so much!  Soft diet, here I come.  And, Hal Ross and Mike Harmon , I was already feeling poorly before I ate my cooking!!!  I hope to go back to work on Monday.  Being in bed for 7 days makes one a little weak.

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CONDOLENCES

Beth Robbs Davidson
(death of her son, Russell)
3148 Woodlawn
Groves , TX 77619

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It is just about midnight and I have to "proof" this and send it off to Mike to publish.  I do hope you are enjoying the items that are in our website updates.  Sometimes it is like pulling teeth.  Enjoy the holidays and do not text while driving!I've been in some close calls lately where other drivers texting had no clue their vehicle was veering into my lane! 

                             Send me some chit chat and contact a classmate,
                             Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com