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Friday, November 7, 2008
NASCAR Schedules A Return To Outer Space
It might as well be a mission to Mars. We are now one month away from the Sprint Cup Series banquet in New York City. Put on your NASCAR space suit.
There is no place in the United States more diametrically opposed to all things NASCAR than New York City. There is no borough of the city more completely counter-culture to the NASCAR set than Manhattan. This year more than ever before, NASCAR's entry into NYC for the week is going to be a lunar landing.
Gone are the good old days of Richard Petty in his cowboy hat and the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. in those wrap-a-round sunglasses mixing with the locals. Gone are the days of the big headlines and the national media coming over to cover the Southern stock car boys in town. This year, even the mini-parade has been cancelled (click here) by the city government.
New York City made its feelings known earlier this season when NASCAR's Sprint Cup media tour came to town for a two-day swing to promote The Chase for the Championship. Click here for the NY Daily News story on that event.
ESPN had to send a reporter to the media tour because the network's NYC studios are closed. TNT and Fox Sports sent no one. SPEED sent a reporter, even though that network does not even have a NASCAR news program.
The NASCAR Media Group cameramen made sure to document the driver's awkward group appearance on David Letterman (click here). Even more awkward were the attempts to talk with the ABC and CBS morning shows. Since Fox has no morning program, several drivers crossed-over to the cable TV side and stopped-by Fox News to say hello.
NBC's Today Show told NASCAR not to even bother stopping by. The morning was topped-off (click here) by six drivers including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson tossing ice cream at each other with Regis and Kelly.
It will be December 5th when the NASCAR gang again comes to town. It will be right on the heels of the worst financial meltdown in decades and shortly after a divisive Presidential election. At a time when American automakers and many citizens are literally struggling to survive financially, the welcome by the citizens of New York City should be a memorable one.
Both the Craftsman Truck and Nationwide Series have their banquets in Florida. The NCTS will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, FL on November 17th. The Nationwide gang will once again be at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, FL on November 22nd.
Only the Sprint Cup Series clings to the decades-old belief that having this function in New York City actually serves a real purpose for the teams and sponsors. It certainly does not serve the NASCAR media judging from the emails and news stories of last year. Almost all the reporters are from the Greater Charlotte area, just like the teams and drivers.
The televised portion of the banquet is tough to watch. Even though Dr. Jerry Punch worked hard as the Master of Ceremonies last year, the entire evening is completely scripted from start-to-finish. How and why the banquet has become a politically correct evening of boredom is anyone's guess.
Click here for a video peek at the 1993 banquet hosted by Bob Jenkins, the late Benny Parsons and Punch. The festive atmosphere and solid TV production made fans feel they were a part of the evening, rather than intruding. It was Christmas time in New York City, the racing was over and smiles were all around.
After this season, it will be interesting to see if NASCAR finally relents and moves the function to the Charlotte Convention Center. Next summer the new NASCAR headquarters in downtown Charlotte will be complete. That building is attached to the new NASCAR Hall of Fame that MRN veteran Winston Kelley is in charge of opening.
So, set the DVR or the TiVo for December 5th at 9PM on the ESPN Classic Network. Just like last season, NASCAR is bumped to the "overflow" channel for the original airing of this function. It will re-air in a two-hour version on December 8th at 2PM on ESPN2.
What a way to end a ten month season for NASCAR fans who would like to see the top ten drivers out of their firesuits and in an awards show setting with their families as the final memory of 2008.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
39 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Why does NASCAR continue to go where they aren't wanted? NYC is not the "media" capitol anymore. Satellite TV, smaller cameras & all other innovations mean you can broadcast from anywhere ( even racetracks) live. Hopefully you are right & they go to Charlotte next year.
As to the event being shoved to Classic, well, I'm surprised espn is gonna show it at all. As much as they hate NASCAR fans.
- November 5, 2008 at 9:16 PM
- PammH said...
It has really sucked the last few yrs-yet I still watch or tape; why I don't know. NYC hates us in spades. But I always taped the cars going thru Times Square, even tho we got about 3 mins at the end of the show. Any idea who will be the sacrifical lamb comedian this yr, JD? I actually liked Jay Mohr-thought he kinda got Nascar much more than David Spade.
- November 5, 2008 at 9:17 PM
- Dot said...
To echo Jo, WHY NYC? You know back in the olden days it made sense. The drivers, etc back then never flew on a comml airline and never wore a suit except maybe to a wedding. (I've watched that redneck wedding show, so I'm not even sure of that, lol). Now the drivers go all over the place in their own planes, or their owners'. The travel and dressing up is nothing new to them.
If they have to travel, Bruton has the right idea, Las Vegas. It's a slow time of year (even slower now), so rooms tend to be cheaper. We have alot of venues to accommodate them. We on this side of the country would embrace them. And to appease the Emperor, it's not that far from his beloved H'wood. That crowd parties here every weekend anyway.
Knowing this would never happen, Charlotte is really the best place for the banquet. I hope they move it there next year. I like to think of the drivers being able to stay close to home during the holiday season.
I will torture myself again this year and watch it. I hope Bodden is on (I forget his first name, Andrew?). He's a hoot. You think Punch will be the MC? (sarcasm) JD, will you get the scoop on the entertainment? Let us know. Thanks.
- November 5, 2008 at 10:01 PM
- Anonymous said...
Much to all of your shock, there are true NASCAR fans who were born and raised in NYC. I love it when NASCAR comes to town.
- November 5, 2008 at 10:07 PM
- Jennifer said...
just an FYI, the Portofino Hotel is at Universal and not at Disney
- November 5, 2008 at 10:09 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Thanks Jen, no wonder they did not take my Disney dollars!
- November 5, 2008 at 10:14 PM
- Anonymous said...
Someday all the raggin' us fans are doing will convince NASCAR to move this event to Las Vegas, where it belongs. Charlotte makes logical sense but Vegas is the perfect American venue. Imagine all the fun things they could get the drivers to do - burnouts on the Strip, donuts in front of Caesar's, canal boat races (with pit crews as rowers) at The Venetian, Carl Edwards could backflip into the Bellagio fountain or bungee jump off the Eiffel Tower at Paris. Just think of the cross-promotional product leveraging synergies!
Get out of NYC, NASCAR. Las Vegas awaits!!
- November 6, 2008 at 7:32 AM
- Anonymous said...
Good place to hold this event:
1. Charlotte
2. Daytona Beach
3. Las Vegas
378. New York City.
NASCAR needs to just wise up and move the ceremony. No one (except drivers like Jimmie Johnson, who live there, maybe) wants it held in NYC.
- November 6, 2008 at 9:56 AM
- Anonymous said...
JD, I'll do exactly what I've done for the past 3 seasons - find something else to do while the banquet is on. Have no desire to see it - the coverage is too choppy, the master of ceremonies is never very humorous, the interviewers are ridiculous, and gone are the days when the drivers WANTED to be there. It's a command performance and most of them look as bored as the viewers.
It's time to take the banquet back to NASCAR roots!
- November 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
- diane said...
About 2-3 years ago I watched bits of the banquet, but it was all Robo speeches. Their PR guys write out a long list of sponsor plugs, there is no real emotion and no spontaneity. Boring, boring, boring. I won't be watching this year, like I didn't watch last year.
- November 6, 2008 at 10:19 AM
- DrTeplisky said...
JD...NASCAR better hope that none of the jurors (or potential jurors) in the Grant v NASCAR case get hacked off when the media circus shuts down Manhattan traffic.
The other thing this does (besides thumb a nose at the fans and make for dreadful TV) is set up NASCAR's appeal if they lose the case, and ask for a change of venue again because (Boo-Hoo) those nasty New Yorkers don't like us and we didn't get a fair trial.
NASCAR's chickens...are comin' home...to roost. And unfortunately, the fans seem to be getting a big dose of what comes from the south end of those north bound chickens.
- November 6, 2008 at 11:14 AM
- speedangel said...
I wish they would change the Cup banquet format to resemble the other banquets. Have the drivers in a more relaxed, talk show-like setting with an MC that most-to-all of them have a good rapport. (Allen Bestwick is the first that pops into my mind because he's done it so often, along with Dale Jarrett in the supporting role.) For the championship team, they could invite the driver, crew chief and owner over for a conversation.
To solve the issue of sponsor mentions, take the big-screen directly behind the drivers and scroll the sponsor logos and some highlights from their season for the duration of the interview, or even scroll the sponsors across the bottom of the screen if they so choose.
As to where they hold the banquet, I can see why so many want it moved, but I can also see it being held in NYC as something extra special and unique for those invited.
- November 6, 2008 at 12:42 PM
- red said...
i've said it before and i stand by it: nascar banquet should not be in nyc. i know there are plenty of nascar fans in nyc but that, in and of itself, shouldn't be the reason for having the banquet there. after all, there are plenty of nascar fans in philly, too, but i don't hear any clamoring to move the banquet into this market.
and i don't buy the "nyc is the heart of the media" argument anymore: IF the media wants to cover the post-season banquet, they will. if they don't, nothing is to be gained by having it in nyc. i love manhattan but it is the most expensive city in the us in which to throw an event of this sort. and i'm not convinced that having 10 drivers lined up on letterman or six drivers throwing ice cream at each other really enhances our sport as a sport.
i don't know what the purpose of the banquet actually is anymore. if it's to reward the drivers, then they should have a voice in where it gets held. do they want it close to home or someplace they never see during the season? do they want to just drop in, do the banquet and head out on vacation or would they look forward to a week in some location? is it just another nascar-required sponsorship event to them or does it have an importance in their eyes? ( i know how my driver feels about it but he really hates being anywhere but the race track and home so he's no help in this discussion!)
if it's for nascar only, what are they trying to do with it? is it to promote the sport to folks who are those elusive "casual fans"? or to reward longtime fans? or to try and get new track locations? or to generate publicity? what is it they want the banquet to do for our sport? (and why can't they honor the heritage of our sport at the same time? will the hall of fame in charlotte change the dynamic?)
it simply can't be all things to all people and nascar needs to decide WHAT it is before they decide on WHERE it is. until that happens, discussions about where to have it are fun but not important. if you don't know what you're trying to say, does it matter where you are when you try to say it?
for myself, i won't be watching: too dull and poorly produced for me.
(and many thanks for the comments on the n'wide and cup races this past weekend: i spent time this morning reading thru them and you guys made me laugh right out loud -- again! thanks!)
- November 6, 2008 at 1:11 PM
- Photojosh said...
Screw NY. And not in the bogus "NY isn't full of real americans" political crap way. NY is filled with real americans as much as any city or town in the USA.
However, it isn't filled with "real NASCAR fans" at all. Baseball & football rule the day there. With a little love left over for NBA and NHL. And now that the "info age" has spread the media out all over god's green earth, there isn't even a logistical reason to have the banquet there.
Send it to Charlotte or Daytona or even Indy. Hell, why not Vegas? That town loves a party and has a track.
FWIW, I find the banquets to be more boring than the CSPAN. And CSPAN puts me to sleep.
- November 6, 2008 at 1:33 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
I feel certain there are more corporate executives (of current & potential sponsors) and media buyers in NYC than anywhere else who can be entertained and smoozed incident to the banquet in NYC and who would not make the time to go to Charlotte.
Also, as I recall taking the banquet to NYC was Bill France, Jr.'s idea and I suspect the family may have some reluctance to undo what he did.
- November 6, 2008 at 2:36 PM
- red said...
richard in n.c. said (in part):
"Also, as I recall taking the banquet to NYC was Bill France, Jr.'s idea and I suspect the family may have some reluctance to undo what he did."
with all due respect, richard: the family seems to demonstrate little reluctance to do just that anymore. in my opinion, the failure of the current executives at nascar to honor the totality of what big bill gave us as a sport has landed us where we are today. and that is not a good place, in my opinion.
- November 6, 2008 at 3:11 PM
- Anonymous said...
I really don't understand the hatred of New York.
There is one reason they are having the banquet in New York: The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It is probably the grandest of the old grand hotels, and if you were to claim it was the single nicest hotel in the US you might get some argument (maybe) but no one would say you were flat-out wrong.
And so, after the season is over - when the Cup citcuits best want to throw a lavish party, they go for the best. These are guys who make millions, sometimes tens of millions of dollars a year -- and aside from a fancy winnebago and private jets, they really don't get much chance to spend it.
So I forgive them for wanting to throw a big bash in the nicest place in the country to do so. Yeah, I guess it might mean more to the fans if they picked the best hotel in Atlanta, or NC, etc... but this banquet isn't for the fans. It is for them. I say let them enjoy it. Who cares if it is in NYC? The fact that the mayor didn't want Cup cars causing traffic problems doesn't make the Waldorf any less awesome. I've stayed there and was blown away. I can't imagine staying there with Cup Driver money. I mean, really.
Have a good party, guys. NYC or not, you picked a great venue!
- November 6, 2008 at 3:15 PM
- Anonymous said...
There really isnt a reason to go back to NYC. Yeah, there are fans there but obviously, they arent welcome by the city itself.
Have it in Vegas or Charlotte. Maybe when the Hall of Fame opens have it there.
Gone are the days of spontaneity by the driver. Up there joking and having a good time. Now the "suits" write the drivers speeches.
I remember when they would just get up there and talk off the top of their head. Now they get teleprompters.
I dont even record it anymore. If I do, I use it to help me fall asleep.
- November 6, 2008 at 3:17 PM
- red said...
anon @ 3:15: you are perpetuating the mistaken idea that those of us who argue for the banquet being moved from nyc must "hate" nyc. that's simply not the case and, quite frankly, it's fast becoming annoying that folks turn to that whenever someone suggests that manhattan may not be the best location for this.
i know the waldorf is an amazing hotel, full of elegance and history and i personally love manhattan. but my point is that nyc has little to no connection with our sport and i fail to undersand why nascar continues to have the banquet there. if they weren't having it at the waldorf, would you feel the same way?
as i posted earlier, i don't know any longer what the purpose of the banquet is and who it is for. your position is that it's a reward for the drivers, correct? ok, under that premise, i say: so let the drivers and owners choose where they want it to be each year. if its their reward, give them a say on where they want it to be held.
on the other hand, i feel it is nothing more than yet another sponsor event and that it has little to actually do with the teams. witness stewart's team being relegated to the balcony the year he won the cup. if it were truly about the chmpionship TEAM, those men would have had seats on the main floor. they didn't.
and the fact that it's going to be carried on a cable channel that is only available by paying a higher cable fee tells me it isn't for the fans at all.
bottom line for me is that i no longer watch the banquet because it bores me. i know how my driver feels about it because he's been honest when asked and, if i'm not a fan of that year's champion, i'm not sure why i'd watch such a poorly produced tv show. i suspect there may have been a time when it was a fun show to watch (i'm thinking of earnhardt sr and jeff gordon's glass of milk toast) but those days are clearly gone.
- November 6, 2008 at 3:57 PM
- Anonymous said...
I really don't understand the hatred of New York.
It isn't hatred. (Why does everyone throw that word around so much nowadays?) It is simple recognition that NYC doesn't want, nor does it care about, NASCAR.
You do a NASCAR parade in Charlotte, you get 150,000 people lining the streets (I've seen it)--you put stock cars on the streets of NYC and you get angry motorists and politicians who don't want to be held up from their Important Business.
There are now plenty of places that rival or surpass the Waldorf in elegance; times have changed.
The national news media, based in NYC, doesn't cover the banquest at all, so there goes that argument. Local media cover how much of an annoyance those cars are on the city's streets.
Hold it where it is appreciated, not where it is considered a nuisance.
- November 6, 2008 at 4:02 PM
- Anonymous said...
It is simple recognition that NYC doesn't want, nor does it care about, NASCAR.
Leaving aside that tremendous insult to NYC NASCAR fans, even if the city doesn't want them, the Waldorf is still an incredible place to hold this event. The drivers actually stay there after the TV cameras go off. It is their place to part.
I'm sorry, but the nicest hotel in all of North Carolina can't hold a candle to the Waldorf. These are millionaires throwing a party for themselves. Does everything they do have to be about the fans? For all these guys do for the fans - more than athletes of most any other sport - let them have their night.
Give the drivers a choice between the Waldorf and the nicest hotel in (Southern City of Your Choosing) and whether or not NYC is hospitable to NASCAR won't enter into the equation. It's their celebration and they can afford the best, why wouldn't they want the best?
- November 6, 2008 at 4:35 PM
- cncspd said...
You know the real reason why I want it to stay in NYC. (no pit pass needed) I say leave it.
From what I hear the parade was cancelled. A few years back one of the driver's did donuts in the center of Time Square. It was a great show but the NYPD did not like that so much. I always wondered if they would have cancelled the parade if he did them in a taxi.
As a fan that is not able to get to the tracks as often as I like hopping on the train down to NYC to get my fix.
Having fun talking to people as they walk around the race cars parked in the center Times Square is adventure. You'd be suprised by the number of questions, and all good questions most New Yorker's ask.
Last year several people asked what Chad did at Daytona with the rear window on the 48 car and most understood how it worked. The year before people asked what RCR did with tire pressures on the 31 car. WOW was I in shock when people from NYC asked those questions.
Trying to explain the difference between cheating and "bending the rules" really is a challenge.
It goes to show you that there are NASCAR fans in NYC.
- November 6, 2008 at 5:19 PM
- Anonymous said...
These are millionaires throwing a party for themselves. Does everything they do have to be about the fans?
Look at what you just said.
They're millionaires. And who made them so?
The fans.
So, yes, everything should be about the fans, without which they would be running their local dirt track on Saturday night hoping they didn't wreck because they couldn't aford to fix the car for next week.
- November 6, 2008 at 5:35 PM
- Anonymous said...
Give the drivers a choice between the Waldorf and the nicest hotel in (Southern City of Your Choosing) and whether or not NYC is hospitable to NASCAR won't enter into the equation.
I can think of several "nicer" places in Las Vegas than the Waldorf.
- November 6, 2008 at 5:40 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
red, as I recall Bill, Jr. was still involved to some degree when the plans were laid for the COT and The Chase - so I would assume that he, at least, did not disagree with the concepts. Implementation is another matter.
My recollection is that taking the banquet to NYC was really a big deal when Bill, Jr. decided to do it. I can imagine some reluctance in the family to change what Bill, Jr. did without at least his tacit blessing.
My main thought though is that NYC is a location where corp. executives and advertising buyers are more likely to attend the banquet (and be smoozed)if all it involves is a an evening and a cab ride, rather than having to fly somewhere and break up 2 days. Besides, I believe several awards are presented by sponsor officials, many of whom may have NYC offices - either at the banquet or one of the 2 or 3 events a day or two before the banquet.
I used to be with a large, international organization and our Christmas dinner-dance was really for the wives - and I'm told the NASCAR wives really do enjoy going to NYC for Christmas ( & other) shopping.
- November 6, 2008 at 6:06 PM
- Anonymous said...
I used to be with a large, international organization and our Christmas dinner-dance was really for the wives - and I'm told the NASCAR wives really do enjoy going to NYC for Christmas ( & other) shopping.
People who own private jets should have no trouble going to NYC anytime they wish. Shopping is no justification for holding the banquet there.
- November 6, 2008 at 6:41 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
Anonymous- It's an event, a happening. These people are still human and they don't all have jets.
red, Yes PR reps and PC have sucked all the life out of the banquet, especially now that the Intimidator is no longer around to stur things up.
- November 6, 2008 at 6:52 PM
- Anonymous said...
People who own private jets should have no trouble going to NYC anytime they wish. Shopping is no justification for holding the banquet there.
November 6, 2008 6:41 PM
They race 38 weeks a year. When they're not racing or testing, they're making appearances for? You guessed it: The fans. Other than the drivers who actually live in NY (total of three), no one has time to take their wife there. You've got to be kidding about can jump on a plane and go anywhere. And news flash for you: several drivers don't own their own planes and fly on the team plane! Not everyone is flush like that, even if they make a couple of million in winnings a year. Planes are expensive.
Plus there are crew members and others who work hard all year for the winning team while their wives and girlfriends stay home and never get to go anywhere. This is their time to treat them. They're in Charlotte/Cabarrus/Catabwa Country etc. all year long, so no - it is NOT a treat for them to stay home, like it would be for them to be wined and dined in NY.
- November 6, 2008 at 6:53 PM
- Anonymous said...
The best part of anticipating Champion's Week: is NASCAR going to eat crow and allow the 11th and 12th place drivers to participate in media appearances for Champion's Week and speak at the banquet? I'm asking since only the top 10 are supposed to participate in these media opportunities as a "reward", according to Jim Hunter?
'Cause last time I checked, the most popular driver in NASCAR and the guy who won the most races this season are currently 11th and 12th. Nightmare scenario for NASCAR PR.
I'm waiting for the Jim Hunter change-of-heart reasoning for letting them attend. I actually hope Jr and KyBu say, "Hey, you said whoever finished 11th and 12th isn't invited, so forget you. We're starting vacation early!"
- November 6, 2008 at 7:03 PM
- glenc1 said...
While I personally think Las Vegas would be a better alternative, NYC is 'special' for the teams--if they wanted to have a party in their backyard, well, I think it would take a lot of the excitement & fun out (well--whatever excitement there is in a rubber chicken dinner and canned speeches...)
Anyway, the banquet is not there because it's a 'media' capital--it's there because it's where the corporations who sponsored were headquartered (not sure if that's true anymore.) And no, there aren't a huge number of fans in NYC but who cares? It was something *different*, not the everyday. I think Vegas would work for the same reason, and your travel costs would probably be balanced with cheaper facilities, plus you can shop AND gamble, lol. Miami might be fun too.
dot, you mean Alonzo Bodden? (I keep forgetting it too.) He would be a good choice. I thought Mohr & Spade were both awful.
- November 6, 2008 at 7:07 PM
- Dot said...
Thank you glenc1. At least I got the first letter correct. :)
- November 6, 2008 at 9:33 PM
- Anonymous said...
This is their time to treat them. They're in Charlotte/Cabarrus/Catabwa Country etc. all year long, so no - it is NOT a treat for them to stay home, like it would be for them to be wined and dined in NY.
How about Las Vegas?
- November 7, 2008 at 7:37 AM
- Anonymous said...
Anonymous- It's an event, a happening. These people are still human and they don't all have jets.
Which dirver in the top 12 does not have a private airplane at his disposal?
- November 7, 2008 at 7:38 AM
- Anonymous said...
The poster said "own" a plane, which would imply a driver can call his pilots to fly to New York at will. Not have access to a plane and arrange and pay for a private flight like any businessperson can do.
Of course all drivers fly private planes every week, but they are often not their own. They can charter planes (often using the same charter and pilots) to fly to the track and private appearances, and/or use some of the smaller planes in the team's fleet.
I don't believe Clint Bowyer owns his own plane. I'm not sure Greg Biffle does either, though I believe he has taken instruction on flying planes and helicopters. If Kyle Busch owns a plane, he just got it this season. Not sure about Jeff Burton, either.
Going down through the top 15 in points, Kasey Kahne just got a plane this season, managing to make it four seasons before this one without owning one. I doubt David Ragan has a plane; doubtful about Truex Jr, too.
You might be surprised who owns and who charters. I think it's silly to assume that top 12-15 in standings means you own your own plane and can jet off anywhere you like anytime you want.
- November 7, 2008 at 8:11 AM
- Anonymous said...
I could be wrong but I think Roush has a 'fleet' so to speak that the drivers can draw from (I just remember in 2004 Jack saying he made sure all his pilots were commercially trained.) I believe other teams may charter with his fleet as well. We know it's not unusual for them to hitch rides with each other. I don't think travel is really an issue for any of them...wherever the banquet is, they can fairly easily get there.
- November 7, 2008 at 9:54 AM
- Anonymous said...
These millionmaires do NOT have to wait for a banquet to "get to" go to NYC.
That's not a real reason to hold it there.
- November 7, 2008 at 9:56 AM
- Anonymous said...
oh, and take their spouses anywhere they want to go too...
- November 7, 2008 at 9:56 AM
- Richard in N.C. said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- November 7, 2008 at 2:44 PM
- Anonymous said...
These folks comparing the hotels in Vegas to the Waldorf are kidding themselves. I've stayed in top-line suites at Wynn and Bellagio, the two best on the strip... and they don't come close to the Waldorf. Not even.
- November 7, 2008 at 5:34 PM


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Chestertown Charm
The streets of Chestertown's waterfront district were alive with colonial spirit December 8 during the Holiday House Tour. The tour benefited two local schools and included three College properties: Hynson-Ringgold House, the Custom House, and the Patrick Henry House. First Lady Elisabeth Reiss was one of the chief organizers of the event.

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Posted on July 14, 2009
In case you got the 25th Anniversary Book Fair postcard "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and wondered about it.
10,000 volume romance library: It's hard, at this distance, to remember exactly how many thousands of paperback romances appeared, but there were honestly thousands. The "donor" was out of town and her children cleaned out the basement without telling her. We did hold onto the books for a while just in case, but she claimed she was perfectly happy about the underhanded cleaning. Gave her a chance to start over.
The bookstore that never opened: I don't know what became of Mom, but in 1964 Father and Son were setting up their bookstore in the basement. They put up rows and rows of shelves and sorted hundreds of books onto them by subject. They had an old ammo crate where they stored rolled coins for making change, and they apparently planned to have a sideline in miniature and 3-D cameras. Then Dad unexpectedly died. Son went on living in the bungalow, but it was a life suddenly without direction or purpose. He ate, slept, read the paper, and took in stray cats. He neglected his lawn, his house, and, most importantly, his taxes. The house was taken by the state after about thirty years and sold to a man who bought such places and fixed them up. He found a house filled with old newspapers and paper plates with catfood on them, and a small path leading from the front door to the kitchen to the bathroom to the couch. It took him three weeks to find the stairs to the second story, and he had the fumigators in four times before he called us to get the books. One of our volunteers stayed for only half an hour; there was too much mold in the air for her to breathe. We got some good books, not including the first edition of Carl Sandburg's first book, signed by Sandburg, which we left on the floor: the bookcases had started to fall over, and the basement had flooded three or four times, so several books were now completely stuck to the concrete. The new owner of the house kept the ammo cases of coins (oh, all those solid silver dimes and quarters!) as well as the 1961 Chevy that had not been out of the garage since 1964.
The pickup truck loaded with LPs and 45s without jackets or boxes: The donor did this several times a year. He told us he bought up old jukebox warehouses in search of the records he loved, and brought us the rest. Over the years he also brought us eight yards of gold-embroidered tapestry, two forty year-old fur coats, and all of the non-alcoholic components of a mini-bar that had been stocked around 1960. (the tapestry was turned into an elegant tablecloth. We sold one of the fur coats and had the other made over into a bunny rabbit, which we sold. I, um, still have the mini-bar contents; there are things where even eBay can't help.)


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Although the One-Size diaper is growing in popularity for its "one size fits most" advantage, it's still important to realize that babies come in all shapes and sizes! Even your own children will differ in size.
For instance, my oldest daughter Aaliyah was an itty bitty newborn. She remained very petite until she reached a year old and then her height and weight skyrocketed. She went from wearing a one size down to size to wearing a size (sometimes two) ahead of her age (when she was 2 she wore a 3T and when she was 3 she wore a 4T/5T, now she's 4 and wears a size 6!). My youngest daughter Halimah, on the other hand, was my Chubby Wubby Bumble Bee. She had ham hock thighs, water wing arms, and a rotund belly! However, when she reached a year old her growth slowed and she thinned out! Now she's very petite (just turned 3 but still wears a size 2T).
Measuring your little one would be the ideal way to ensure the best possible fit when selecting a cloth diaper for your little one. With the right fitting diaper you can be virtually leak-free! Additionally, you'll be saving money by not having to go through the "trial and error" process!
*Pen and paper (to jot down the measurements)
*Measuring tape (the soft flexible type – I do not recommend the retractable metal kind)
Don't have a measuring tape? No worries!
Find some yarn, a piece of string or ribbon, something long and flexible which can be used instead. Ideally you'll need a ruler (yardsticks would work better but you can get by with a 12" ruler too). However, in a pinch you can also use your fingers to measure – I'll tell/show you how later.
The best way to measure baby is without a diaper. For privacy purposes I put a pair of my daughter's panties on my son in order to measure him, take pictures, and avoid being potentially hosed down! (Besides, I'll enjoy the opportunity to tease him about it when he's older!)
Measurements You'll Need:
*Rise (aka depth)
Babies don't really have a defined waistline. The general rule of thumb for determining the waistline for a baby is to use their navel (belly button) as a guide and find the fullest point in that general vicinity. Wrap the measuring tape around them and make sure the measuring tape isn't held taut – you'll want a loose measurement.
Measuring the thighs of babies is a little tricky as they typically have a few rolls in that area! So which roll do you measure? Typically the inner most part of the thigh has the larger roll, but not always. Measure the fullest part of the thigh and use that measurement.
Rise (aka depth)
Start with baby laying on his back, gently roll him onto his side so you can place the measuring tape (or string/ribbon) on his back at his waist (since babies don't truly have a waist you'll want to use the point that is level with his navel). Return back to his back and, if necessary, adjust the tape measure. Loosely pull the tape measure over the crotch and up towards the navel (do not hold taut but not too loose either).
Once you have the measurements you can determine what size/type of diaper will fit best.
Fitteds/Sized Pockets/One-Size/All-in-One Diapers
If you're intending to use Fitted, Sized Pockets, One-Size, or All-in-One diapers, you'll need to add a minimum of 2" to the rise measurement to get the proper fitting diaper. 2" is a good round figure but it can be up to even 3" or more if you intend to use very thick inserts/doublers (for instance night time diapers will usually need a larger rise in order to accommodate the added bulk). Additionally, boys will typically require a higher rise than girls since they wet their diapers more in the front.
I measured all of the One-Size diapers I have on hand and while they're all roughly the same overall, some diapers can fit smaller and/or larger than others.
The One-Size diapers with the smallest possible fit: Soft Bums, Rocky Mountain Diapers
The One-Size diaper with the largest possible fit: Happy Heiny's and Wahmies
The standard sized One-Size diapers are: Blueberry, bumGenius, Bumwear
For prefolds, these you'll just have to make sure that the width and length of the diaper will accommodate you little one. For example, here's a picture of two prefolds. The larger one on the left is a standard premium sized prefold. The smaller one on the right is a standard infant sized prefold. The measurements of the diapers are as follows:
Premium sized prefold: 13" wide x 18½" long
Infant sized prefold: 10" wide x 13" long
Obviously the infant sized prefold is too small for my son's current measurements. The premium sized prefold is the perfect width but a bit too long. However, the nice thing about prefolds is the excess can be folded over in order to fit (which also provides a little bit more absorbency up front – which works out especially well for boys).
Diaper Covers
In order to find the right sized diaper cover, you will want to take the same measurements with an actual diaper on you baby (prefolds or fitteds). In the picture of the fitted diaper the rise on it is larger than the rise with the prefold. Therefore, if you're using more than one type of diaper (such as a combination of fitteds and prefolds), you'll want to make sure the cover you buy will accommodate/fit both diapers.
Just like diapers, finding the right sized trainers is important! Since trainers are intended to be pulled up and down to facilitate potty learning (while also helping prevent accidents) – they shouldn't be as snug fitting as diapers.
Therefore, you'll want to make sure your child's waist and thigh measurements are within the specified ranges for the trainer (weight ranges aren't very accurate because a tall and thin 45 pound child and a short and fluffy 45 pound child will not fit the trainer the same). You will find the rise on virtually all trainers is similar to that of cloth diapers (even disposable trainers have a very high rise).
For those of you without a measuring tape… Use the yarn/string/ribbon to take the measurements. It would be ideal to cut the yarn/string/ribbon for each measurement you take. Use the ruler to determine the measurement.
If you don't have a measuring tape, you can get a rough estimate by using your forefinger and middle finger. The width of those two fingers together is roughly 1" for average sized hands/fingers. Basically lay your fingers onto the strand and alternate your fingers between your two hands to count the number of inches. It's not exact, but it's better than nothing!
- By Serena


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Once upon a time, it was MySpace. (Huh. Turns out you can still link to it.) Then Facebook happened. And Twitter. And beyond those two dominant social-media platforms, there are a host of other, newer options for staying in touch and letting the digital universe get a look at your life. And for certain kinds of sharing, some of those other options make more sense to tech-savvy teens than the Big Two do.
On today's All Things Considered, NPR's Sami Yenigun talks to a roomful of teenagers to see who uses which for what these days. (The answer, like most involving tech or teens, is subject to change like the weather.)
Some takeaways:
Facebook is for finding old friends, and maybe for arranging parties. (Unless they're the kind of parties you don't want the police knowing about. "Oftentimes, parties that are all over social media get busted by the cops really easily," one 17-year-old tells Sami.)
Twitter is more for personal expression. "People be in their feelings on Twitter — they vent," says Jamal Royster, 18.
Visual communication? It's a different mode of connection. And as with text-based platforms, use cases vary among the teens Sami talked to.
Vine is where you publish (and watch) short video clips — seven seconds or so. People make all kinds of clever short films with the app. Check out Waka Flocka Elmo, a recent viral hit recommended by 17-year-old Jesse Aniebonam.
Instagram, a relative veteran in the pics-and-flicks category, is the go-to app when it comes to documenting your days and nights. "I Instagram everything," says Grace Plihal, 18. "It's kind of my way of showing myself to the world, I guess."
(Interesting, that, given how much control Instagram gives users over the look and feel of what they post. "Showing myself" is a telling way to put it.)
But the observation that struck me most, when Sami told me about the shape of his story, was this one, from 13-year-old Caroline Lamb. There are times when you want to take a back seat to the story you're telling, she suggests — and those are the times for Tumblr.
Here's how she puts it in her own words:
Oh, one last entry: Snapchat is for selfies you don't want to show up later — like when a college admissions counselor goes Googling for you. Users send snapshots back and forth using a proprietary app.
What makes 'em different from the photos in the MMS messages you can send using most phones' built-in text-messaging programs? Well, you can set Snapchat images to self-destruct: They disappear at most 10 seconds after the recipient views them.
So, Snapchat? It's a near certainty that you don't want to know what the teenagers in your life are doing with it.
Remember MySpace? It used to be the social media juggernaut, the place where teens especially made personalized Web pages. Then Facebook took over and more of teens' online social lives moved to phones. Now, the conversations are spread across many social networks.
For our monthly look at media for young people, NPR's Sami Yenigun talked with a group of suburban teens to find out how they use all these different platforms.
SAMI YENIGUN, BYLINE: Eighteen-year-old Jamal Royster's phone is packed with apps, all the usual suspects.
JAMAL ROYSTER: I got some Twitter, some Snapchat, some Vine, Instagram and Facebook.
YENIGUN: This cozy living room in suburban Maryland has about a dozen teens sitting on couches and the carpeted floor. They've come to tell me how they talk to friends, to friends of friends, to Facebook friends.
ROYSTER: Long lost friends, you usually hit them up on Facebook, like messages. I've gotten messages like that. And I caught up with my friends, like I'm catching up with my friend Paul right now.
YENIGUN: But 17-year-old Jelani Williamson says he doesn't use it much anymore.
JELANI WILLIAMSON: I used to be on Facebook daily until my aunt friend requested me.
YENIGUN: But there are a couple things Facebook is still good for, practical things like messaging, coordinating on school projects when you don't want to hand out your phone number, and inviting friends to parties. Well, parties at someone else's house, Williamson says.
WILLIAMSON: Oftentimes, like, parties that are all over social media get, like, busted by the cops really easily.
YENIGUN: OK. So how do you invite friends over without inviting the 5-0? Eighteen-year-old Darien Carr used to use the messaging app Kik when he had an iPod touch. Kik is just like texting, but over the Internet. No cellphone service required. But then Carr got an iPhone and Kik sort of dropped off.
DARIEN CARR: Not a lot of people had it and it was just more practical to text people than to use Kik.
YENIGUN: For quick one-on-one conversations, texting rules. But for personal expression, teens like Royster take to Twitter.
ROYSTER: People be in their feelings on Twitter. They vent.
YENIGUN: It's a place for opinions, Williamson says.
WILLIAMSON: Usually, I tweet, like, what's on my mind, like, oh, like, Beyonce looks amazing in this video.
YENIGUN: But Twitter's focus is text. When these kids want a more visual way to share themselves, they do what Grace Plihal does.
GRACE PLIHAL: I'm a self-proclaimed Instagram addict. I Instagram everything. Like, it's kind of like my way of showing my life to the world, I guess. So, yeah, I use it a lot.
YENIGUN: Plihal's world - her friends, her surroundings - are sent through grainy filters to her 600-something Instagram followers. She says she takes a lot of selfies, pictures of herself hanging out in New York, chilling in the subway, spending time with her siblings, et cetera.
Jelani Williamson says it's how you let your friends know you're keeping it real.
WILLIAMSON: Instagram is used to, like, verify your life because, like, at school and things like that, you can just say that you do things that you don't. And people do that a lot. But if you Instagram it, it's like, yes, I didn't make this up.
YENIGUN: But not everyone feels comfortable posting pictures of themselves online, and for those camera-shy sharers, there's Tumblr, says Caroline Lamb.
CAROLINE LAMB: It's showing your life without showing your face. So, like Instagram, you show your life and yourself and your life. But on Tumblr you, like, put quotes and pictures of other people doing funny stuff.
YENIGUN: It's well understood in this group of kids that once a picture makes its way onto a site like Tumblr, it'll likely never fully disappear from the Web. So what if you want to share a picture, but you don't want it to hang around? Royster says Snapchat.
ROYSTER: The reason for Snapchat, like, whoever thought of that, like, I'm worried about what they were thinking about.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Yeah.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: Oh, yeah.
ROYSTER: Pictures that just disappear after 10 seconds, like, yeah.
YENIGUN: Makes sense that selfies get a little racy when they only live for a little while. Snapchat, like Instagram, is for still photos. And one of the newer platforms, Vine, is for short films. Really short, seven seconds. Seventeen-year-old Jesse Anebonem says Vine videos tend to be well thought out short movies. His favorite this week...
JESSE ANEBONEM: The "Waka Flocka Elmo" Vine.
YENIGUN: That's a seven-second loop of "Sesame Street's" favorite red furball getting down to the sounds of "Waka Flocka Flame." But this video wasn't just on Vine. When you upload, Vine lets you post to Facebook and Twitter at the same time. All of these networks are connected. In fact, Anebonem says he watches Vines without even having the Vine app.
ANEBONEM: For some reason, my phone won't let me download Vine. I don't know why. But if I see it on Twitter, I'll, like, favorite it and then show somebody because it's funny.
YENIGUN: One person in this room, 15-year-old Carmen Hamlet, has been really quiet this whole time.
CARMEN HAMLET: I don't have a phone.
YENIGUN: So when Hamlet wants to hang in this vibrant cyber world of jokes, jams and social scrapbooking, she has to borrow a phone or she could always go back to a computer.
Sami Yenigun, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Saturday, November 10, 2007
These Are the Things You Don't Say to Your Wife
This is something we don't do nearly enough. We never even went out for our anniversary this year. It's sad really. If I could give only one piece of marriage advice to young people out there, it would be to take time for each other. It's so easy to get wrapped up in everything that needs to be done. There are always the kids and work and sleep (a very precious commodity to be sure) and household chores. You can certainly see how a couple could put off and/or forget about taking time for each other. The problem is - the couple starts to become disconnected. How can you be good parents and set a good example for the kids if you and your spouse don't take time each day to talk to each other? How about if you don't take time once a month or so to spend time alone together? My husband said, "Well, the kids come first, right?"
I think that's true in one way. On the other hand, they always tell you to put your oxygen mask on first so you can help others. If you don't take care of yourself and your marriage first, you won't be any good to take care of those little ones counting on you, right?
This is something my husband and I have sadly neglected for too long. We've decided to make an effort to get out for a nice dinner together once a month. I figure we'll make it until January before we forget about our little pact.
I'm sharing part of this funny marriage video by comedian, Tim Hawkins. I love his song at the beginning. It's hilarious! Enjoy!
Check out Mamaslike!
Posted by Dawn at 9:19 PM
88 comments:
- Lucille said...
Well said, well said. It is such good avice and I've given it out myself a few times but rarely follow it. You keep thinking someday...or when the youngest one is a bit older... and so on.
I know that when we do go out then I feel like I'm more behind the next day with things like laundry and SLEEP. We old folks can't stay up late enough to even go to the LATE movie!
I hope you can stick to it. It is necessary to remember who you are as a person and why you two started talking in the first place.
We have spent many a date night at Menard's, Target or running errands and much like you - I just enjoy the uninterrupted talking time.
I hope you and hubby enjoy the rest of your weekend!
- November 10, 2007 at 10:32 PM
- Robin said...
I couldn't agree more...taking time for each other is so important! I'm glad you had the opportunity to do just that!
- November 10, 2007 at 10:36 PM
- Brooke said...
I totally agree with you about making time for our spouses. When my kids go off to college (oh, in say 2022) I still want to be able to sit and talk to my husband and still have that common interest we had in each other when we fell in love! (ok. minus the making out in the back of the Tahoe. I'll be 44 by then and less adventurous.)
- November 10, 2007 at 10:38 PM
- Bloggin' Mama said...
I've been following your blog for a while and don't think I've ever commented.... I only have 2 children - boys (so far) so I cannot imagine how eventful your every day is because mine seems pretty busy. But I'm now realizing that I have a lot more in store if I want more kids!!! Kudos to you for keeping it so together and still having a mind to tell about it! Also wanted to say that for sometime I have had on my "list of things to blog about" the ever-elusive DATE NIGHT!
Can't wait for your book!
- November 10, 2007 at 11:00 PM
- All moments remembered said...
OHHHHHH I loved it!!! That was so stinking funny!!! Hey we had our date tonight. My hubby took me to a play oh and did I mention we took the kids too? So we are home early since the kids were bored stiff at the play. LOL!!! Oh well he tried! He said when he found out how much a babysitter would cost he thought it would be fine to bring the kids. LOL Oh well he tried. LOL
I have just posted the cutest custom name books on my blog today. If I do say so myself my first one came out cute for doing it in a hurry. You need to come look. :) Problem is that you can only do up to 7 letters. Do any of your sweetpeas have a name with less then 7 letters? I thought I could send you some for the other blog site. I need nick names for your kids!! Oh and they must be 7 letters or less! :)
Hope things are going well,
- November 10, 2007 at 11:10 PM
- Lorie said...
I totally was thinking about starting this type of thing at our church! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I have seen Tim in person at the Christian Education Conference in Seattle, WA...so funny I was crying. I bought both of his DVD's in hopes of doing a couples comedy night at the church...maybe after the first of the year.
I hope you and your husband get out so much more often now that you remember how nice it can be!
- November 10, 2007 at 11:14 PM
- Heather's Haven said...
Hi! I'm a friend of Tim's and in fact, I just hung out with his wife today! He is exactly who I thought of when I first saw your title. :) Don't know if he shared, but his wife, Heather has just finished her last chemo for breast cancer. I know they'd love to have more prayers heading their way as she starts to heal and go through reconstructive surgery. You can get updates on her through Caringbridge.org. Her site is: heatherhawkins
Love your blog. And I definitely am a believer is date nights w/o kiddos! Keep it up!
- November 10, 2007 at 11:19 PM
- Lisa said...
The video is great! I can't wait to show my husband.
Wish our date nights weren't so few and far between. Maybe if I tell DH that the "pokemon" lady said it's important to do regularly he will listen. Although it's not that DH doesn't want to, it's just trying to get someone to watch 6 kids that is difficult.
Thanks for reminding us to take time for US.
- November 10, 2007 at 11:22 PM
- Gena said...
My husband and I also have a hard time keeping up with having "date" nights. It's nice to know we're not alone. It's not that we don't want to spend time together, it's just that there are so many other things to do! Thanks for the reminder!
- November 10, 2007 at 11:22 PM
- My Semblance of Sanity said...
You crack me up!!!
Have fun with this!!!
- November 10, 2007 at 11:44 PM
- VanDerHoekArt said...
I totally agree!
- November 10, 2007 at 11:46 PM
- Miss Hannah said...
Oh my gosh! me and my family love Tim Hawkins! he is totally hilarious isnt he?
- November 10, 2007 at 11:47 PM
- Sleeping Mommy said...
Absolutely wonderful advice. I have family members who don't do this and I worry about their relationships. They aren't healthy. But this is one thing my husband and I absolutely try to do. Our relationship comes first for us AND the children. So whenever we can we take time just for us and we enjoy it without guilt.
- November 11, 2007 at 12:10 AM
- Becky said...
Great posting, Dawn. It's so true...nothing makes a home more secure than a husband and wife that make time for each other and whose kids know they are still in love. True, true...and bravo on making your date night a regular thing.
ROFL...Love Tim Hawkin's comedy...we've been fans since his Bananas Comedy performance. We''ll be praying for his wife's recovery, too!
- November 11, 2007 at 1:19 AM
the very best gift a couple can give their children is their relationship with each other. Living it, modeling it, sharing it, and more. It's the kids' security, it's where they learn how to relate to others, it's their place to be themselves...and so much more. A night out is so important...and it's important to keep it regular and frequent!
Spoken from a mother of 6 adult kids who are all in committed loving relationships!
- November 11, 2007 at 1:37 AM
- roseys madhouse said...
Omg that was so funny ( comedian lol) I dont know if you have seen this before Its called the mum song if this link doesnt work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
My hubby and all try to get out every month or two for time out by ourselves even just a coffee by ourselves can do us lol.
- November 11, 2007 at 2:08 AM
When my husband and I were going through premarriage counseling, our priest told us the same thing. He said he went to a house where the parents only talked to each other through their children. Once those kids are gone they aren't going to know each other anymore. A date is a date. There's no rule that it has to be dinner and a movie which can put a dent in your pocket book. Just one on one time where you enjoy your spouse! I like running errands just with my husband (if we can).
By the way Brooke who is going to be 44 when her children are in college! I'll be approaching that soon and my youngest isn't even 3 yet! I don't even want to think of how old she'll be by the time she gets to college.
Deb in OPKS
- November 11, 2007 at 6:42 AM
- Tina D said...
I have to disagree with your husband -- the kids don't come first. The two of you were there first! Thanks for your thoughts!
- November 11, 2007 at 6:49 AM
- Jen said...
I agree with that advice. I vowed before we had my son to have a once a week date night with my husband, and we've done pretty well. Sometimes it becomes once a month, but we try. I can't believe they gave you homework for date night!
- November 11, 2007 at 7:35 AM
- Valarie said...
My mom and dad have had a date night for as long as I can remember. I have 4 siblings and growing up my parents always seemed to be able to find time to spend with each other. We are now all grown up and have families of our own and to this day my parents STILL go out every Friday for date night. They sometimes act like love-sick teenagers. They are still so in love. It's kinda gross. But I hope someday my children think I am gross too. :)
- November 11, 2007 at 7:50 AM
- Theresa said...
Okay, the kids do come first, but part of what you are teaching them is how to have a good relationship! That is the best gift you can give them. Remember, the goal is for them to grow up and leave you. What happens when they are gone? Do you turn to your husband and realize that you no longer have anything in common, or do you find that you have more time to spend together and be with your best friend?
Even though it's more efficient to do things apart, I thnk doing things together is more important, being a team is what marriage is about.
You can always trade babysitting nights with another couple. Maybe with 2 couples, so you send 3 kids one place and 3 another. Dates don't have to happen at night either. Picnics, walks around the lake, art museums. All that stuff is still fun!
Good, luck with your date resolution, and make it an unbreakable priority, no matter what, pick the day and stick to it. You want your daughters to marry a man who puts them first, and they learn that by watching dad, you want your sons to marry a woman who respect and show that they love him, so you need to model that. It's not what we say, it's what we do!
- November 11, 2007 at 7:52 AM
hey thanks for making me pee my pants this morning! Tim Hawkins is a hoot! okay now I am off tochange my clothes ebfore church! have a good one.
- November 11, 2007 at 8:09 AM
Hi Dawn,
I have been following your blog for some time, but this is my first post.
You are so right about finding time as a couple! You must put yourselves first to survive....it's not being selfish.
I have four children ages 20 - 12 and my husband has always promoted alone time....that's how our "Date Night, Saturday Night" started.
Sometimes we hired a babysitter so we could go out, but most times, money was tight, so we stayed in and just rented a kids' movie and had our oldest entertain the kids upstairs while my husband and I had a quiet dinner alone downstairs. The kids were aware of our date night and for the most part, encouraged it....they knew we would resort to bribery so that we could have our time. Plus, they realized that happy parents were more fun! :o)
Now, you must understand, my Husband and I love our kids very much, but we are better parents when we are able to find the time to connect with eachother!
I wish you GOOD LUCK!
Thanks for always making me smile with your witty blogs. There is great comfort knowing it isn't just my house in which these things happen.
- November 11, 2007 at 8:11 AM
I love your advice.
My hubby joined the Service well into our marriage, he went to boot camp and technical training for six months. And I realized what my life would be like without him.
When he got home, I MADE time for him. The phone doesn't have to be answered unless you're waiting for the kids doctor to call. Dinner doesn't always have to be eaten with the kids, sometimes you can feed them, put them in bed and have a dinner alone. I don't read my books at night anymore, we talk. There are so many easy ways to do it. Dawn, keep it up, you'll never regret it.
My hubby leaves in a month and a half to go do his job. He'll be gone for six months...if they don't change their mind. I cherish every moment with him. You do the same with your husband.
Just some advice from someone who's experienced time without her husband and knows how important it is;)
- November 11, 2007 at 8:19 AM
- Vicki said...
The video is great! Thanks for the many laughs each day.
- November 11, 2007 at 8:34 AM
- Just-Me-Jen said...
He is FUNNY!
Excellent advice about making time for yourselves & each other - and it doesn't have to be a fancy date, just together time without the kids. :-)
- November 11, 2007 at 8:44 AM
My friend and I (she has 4 kids, we have 3) swap nights once a month. She'll take our kids OVERNIGHT...YES OVERNIGHT!!!! one time a month. The next month, I take her kids overnight. We save SO much money on a babysitter. And, we don't have to worry about getting home early, or even getting up early in the morning. It is great for us, and the kids really love it. So, ladies find a friend that you trust with your kids and ask her. It is such a great thing and my friend and I keep asking each other, why didn't we think of this 10 years ago.
- November 11, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Your advice is right on the money! People let the kids and their jobs take precedence over their marriage and then the marriage can fall apart as they grow apart. If your kids don't see their parents as being in love and taking the time to be together,
they won't have a healthy basis for their own relationships when they grow up.
- November 11, 2007 at 10:18 AM
- Lela said...
That is so true, even if it's a quick coffee while the kids are at school, every little bit counts.
- November 11, 2007 at 10:31 AM
- Amy said...
Dawn, you're right. I'd tell the same thing to any couple. But why is it such hard advice to follow???? We all need to have fun with our spouses more often!
- November 11, 2007 at 11:10 AM
- amy said...
awesome..glad you had a good time
- November 11, 2007 at 11:11 AM
- S2K said...
Will you share the cheat sheet of conversation starters you were given? I think it would be handy to have some good questions (for when I'm too tired to think of my own!).
- November 11, 2007 at 1:39 PM
- onthegomom said...
I loved the Tim Hawkins video. Very funny stuff!
- November 11, 2007 at 1:48 PM
- Donna said...
Too funny and too true. It's been 2 months since our little bitty was born. We so need a date night in our house, but we have to coordinate it right as she's still nursing every 3 hours round the clock. Not that she won't take a bottle - she will if she's hungry enough - but if I don't nurse or pump, well, it does a number on me too.
- November 11, 2007 at 2:04 PM
- suburbancorrespondent said...
Don't worry, Dawn - another year or two and you are there! Meaning, you will have grown your own babysitters. Take advantage of it. My husband have gone from going out almost never to being able to grab a couple of hours twice a week, with our teenagers at the helm at home. Okay, there was the time my daughter called me at a restaurant and blackmailed me - she insisted I promise her 10 dollars to change the baby's poopy diaper (we don't pay for the babysitting). And then there was the time in the bookstore (yes, my husband and I like to hang out in bookstores on our dates) when she called to let us know that the baby threw up and there was no way she was touching it. But generally, things go pretty smoothly.
- November 11, 2007 at 2:44 PM
- bigwhitehat said...
Oh! What I could add to his act!
- November 11, 2007 at 2:44 PM
- utmomof5 said...
Great advice, I agree 100%. Someday my kids will grow up and leave. I don't want my hubby to ever leave. Funny video, I have never heard of him before.
- November 11, 2007 at 2:51 PM
- The Junk Drawer said...
Oh my. I've shopped at the Dress Barn. Geez, that was funny!
Glad you had a nice night out!
- November 11, 2007 at 3:05 PM
- Michelle said...
YAY for a date night even if it started with running errands!!
- November 11, 2007 at 3:13 PM
- Lynne W. Snyder said...
So glad you got out together. If you make every Friday night date night you won't believe how much easier the rest of the week is--although you seem to make managing your household easy and fun. More power to you.
The video was too funny. Thanks.
- November 11, 2007 at 3:36 PM
Hi Dawn,
Love your blog! I think you will enjoy this video of the "bedtime song to end all bedtime songs". It's really hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA Enjoy!
- Amy (mother of 18-mo twin boys)
- November 11, 2007 at 3:50 PM
- GrammieB said...
Do you know your Ebay ad about the pokemon cards and the grocery store is still being passed around...LOL
It inspired me to pass it on and start my own blog after going to yours.
Wow, it is scary how similar our grocery shopping trips sound.
- November 11, 2007 at 5:30 PM
- AZMom said...
We had our monthly date night on Friday night too! Our kid's daycare has Parent's Night Out once a month and it has done wonders for us. I agree with your advice to young couples..don't forget WHY you got married in the first place!
I roared with laughter watching that video. That will be on my blog soon!
- November 11, 2007 at 5:41 PM
- Jenn Nelson said...
Okay I have never thought of it like your analogy of putting on your oxygen mask before you can truely take care of others. That is so true! I like that!
Your church is awesome for doing that! I love that idea. I think the only reason my husband and I don't get out more is because we don't have anyone to watch the kids! Your church is awesome for knowing the importance of your relationship with your spouse! Very cool!
- November 11, 2007 at 5:43 PM
- JenniferJoan said...
Hey! Love your comment about the oxygen mask. That's what I tell my kids every morning on my way to the coffee pot! It's more like a monotone chant, really. "Must assist myself before assising the other passengers...one lump or two?"
Take care,
- November 11, 2007 at 7:23 PM
- momof2teensand2tots said...
My husband and I go to the bookstore and eat out ALONE at least twice a month. We have 4 kids...ages 16,14,3,and 2...So, I pay my older kids ($7 and hour)to watch the younger ones. Also, my Mom lives about an hour away and LOVES to take my younger kids for the WEEKEND! YES, the WHOLE WEEKEND! So, it helps out every now and then. We let her watch them about once every other month. One other thing we do (when Christmas is not around the corner and we have money) is we take a 3 or 4 day trip to a place where we love and stay in a VERY NICE Hotel!! We love going to Natchez, MS! That place is so peaceful and romantic, and I LOVE THEIR WINERY!
My husband has been going out of town alot lately, and it has been hard to do, but we are back on track! Another thing to do is, put the kiddos to bed early and watch TV! (We love True Crime) So, YES, I believe that you have to be happy with each other and the kids have to see love in order for things to go smoothly! 2nd marriage for me and it was a long hard road to "HAPPINESS!"
- November 11, 2007 at 7:35 PM
- tearese said...
I've heard the dating while you're married advice since long before we were married, but its hard to do when there is always someone nursing (and I hate leaving my kids with other people, even if I trust them.)
Our date usually consists of shopping at Wal-mart, kids in tow.
- November 11, 2007 at 8:33 PM
- EnjoyingLife said...
That is too funny but so true!!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one whose dates start out with running errands. I thought my husband I were just weird. ;)
Thanks for the giggles!
- November 11, 2007 at 8:48 PM
- Jen said...
Time to schedule a date night. Thanks for the reminder Dawn!
- November 11, 2007 at 8:52 PM
Must be something in the air or water.
Yesterday I went out to dinner with my husband too, and so did my friend and her dh. Well, we all went out together but that still counts. No one was under the age of 21.
Brilliant idea one of your reader had about swapping baby sitting with friends.
I am burnt out! I spent the entire evening watching dh putting up cabinets for me in my craft room.
I'm telling you ...... watching without commenting is just way too exhausting!
ps funny man. Blessings to his wife for a complete recovery.
- November 11, 2007 at 9:47 PM
- Matchbox Mom said...
It's so hard to remember that sometimes. Life gets so busy! I can't even have a conversation with my hubby without someone yelling at one of us....
I can see why getting out is important. Thanks for reminding me!!
- November 11, 2007 at 10:31 PM
- Mom of 2 Boys said...
What a hilarious video! Thanks for sharing.
My wedding anniversary is coming up next week. I told my husband, "we have some rewards we can use to get a hotel room - you know - have your mom watch the kids, romantic night alone at a hotel - and well - *nudge, nudge, wink, wink"
He looked at me -- with a sraight face and said, "Do you think we could use the reward points to get a Visa Gift card to help with Christmas shopping for the kids instead?"
=) men. Apparently it's been too long for a date for us, too! And we only have 2 boys!!!
- November 11, 2007 at 10:50 PM
Oh my gosh this is so true my husband and I have been seperated for two weeks and it was only one night when we put everything aside and talked we realised where we went wrong!
We didn't talk we were about work, kids, money, housework, blah blah blah not about us not about the little stuff in life that we used to love about life in general.
Thank you so much for bringing this to the attention of your readers and Yes hubby and I are working on it and our communication skills.
Love you blog thanks so much!
- November 11, 2007 at 11:27 PM
- Tiffiny said...
Congrats on going out on a date. I hope you get to go out again soon!
- November 12, 2007 at 12:08 AM
...so, after all this dating and alone time, do you think you'll have to change the name of this blog to mom to my 7 pack? just doesn't have the same ring to it. we'll have to help you think up another name, what are the ages of your children now? (you may have already posted this and i'm sorry if i missed it.)
- November 12, 2007 at 12:26 AM
- Damama T said...
Dawn - I'm glad to see you encouraging other young couples to spend time with each other. It can't be said enough! As an old Mama in an old marriage, I can promise everyone that putting your spouse first IS INDEED like putting the oxygen mask on yourself first so you can make sure your kids survive life's often bumpy plane ride. Keep up the good work, girl. And if you ever want to see an older mom's perspective on stuff, check out my blog at http://damama2all.blogspot.com/, ... in your spare time... say, between 4:17 and 4:19 a.m.??? LOL!! Peace and Blessings!
- November 12, 2007 at 1:11 AM
- Danielle said...
I couldn't agree more! Well said and wonderful advice! =)
- November 12, 2007 at 1:42 AM
We make it a point to go out once a week. It usually ends up being dinner and a trip to Costco. (depending on our budget, it sometimes means dinner AT Costco;)
- November 12, 2007 at 1:52 AM
You are so right! Definitely need to make time for your signiicant other! While stationed overseas, we were able to go to a marriage conference. Most of the infor was very interesting, but surprisingly we did more of it than we thought! But it was a nice reminder. We'd beenn England about 3.5 yrs at this point and all that time without A/C except in base stores and offices....A/C is only needed a few months of year so most of England doesn't bother...plus the cost of makin some of those 100+ yr old homes energy eficient enough to bother probably maes it not worth it either....anyway...here we were in the middle Cambridge, England at the Crown hotel. Clubs, museums, shopping etc an what did we do....went and hid out in our AIR CONDITIONED room! LOL! Don't worry we had plenty of "qualiy time", but we did just soak up A/C, watch cable TV ( another thing we did not have while there, by our choice though) and SLEEP! It was the best weekend ever! Plus the Air Force paid for it!
- November 12, 2007 at 6:01 AM
- ~*~ Jennifer ~*~ said...
That's so funny -- I'm stealing it to put on my blog. Oh YouTube is F.U.N.
THANKS for sharing. Ü
- November 12, 2007 at 6:57 AM
Thanks for the advice! As a 1.5 year newlywed, I want to remember that for when we start having kiddos!
- November 12, 2007 at 6:59 AM
- Karen said...
We totally would have gone home to go to bed! haha So did the topics to discuss include kids? Finances? (Because that would not have been a romantic evening.)
- November 12, 2007 at 7:19 AM
- Heather said...
My boys spent the night at my mom's house on Friday night. My husband and I had grand plans for the evening. We ended up grilling up a couple of steaks, watching Mr. Brooks, and falling asleep by 10:00 pm. There was dinner, there was a movie, and there was sleeping together. I call that a date.
- November 12, 2007 at 8:24 AM
- April said...
Our pastor speaks on this all the time - and so true! The kids will eventually leave your house but your husband -- he's there to stay - need to nurture that relationship, most definitely. It's hard finding the balance for sure, but yes, the kids will have better marriage relationships because of the things you and your hubby do today!
- November 12, 2007 at 9:10 AM
- Sarah R said...
That guy is hilarious. I never even heard of him before!
My hubby and I have been neglecting our "us" time as well lately - and we don't even have kids! It's good to take a step back from time to time and make adjustments like that.
- November 12, 2007 at 9:14 AM
- Andrea said...
My husband and I were just talking about this the other day, spending more time together. We have been married for four years and we have forgotten our anniversary three of those four years. Pathetic!! He had to remind me three days after our second anniversary that I forgot it. Wow, that is bad, huh? I loved that comedian!! LOL!!!
- November 12, 2007 at 9:23 AM
- Mich said...
I have heard this piece of advice so often--- go out on a date regularly with your spouse. I heartily agree with it. I only wish hubby and I could do it more often. It's just so hard to get a sitter. And we only have 2 little ones! Who would you get to watch your kids if you go out each month? I hope you have willing family and/or friends because I'm sure you need the break. I know we need the break.
That was so awesome of your church to do that. I'm glad you had a nice time.
- November 12, 2007 at 9:51 AM
- 1boy4girls said...
This is a subject that I am VERY passionate about. My husband I just celebrated our 12th Anniversary. With 5 kids, work, school, sport and church it seemed like we NEVER had time for each other. Last fall we made it a point to get out every friday night. Yes, that's right, once a week. We hired a friends daughter who was 13 at the time and the oldest of 5 kids. We paid her 20.00 a night, every Friday, whether we went out or not. It was her "job". It worked out really well until she became a cheerleader this past football season, at which time we found another friend with 2 teenaged daughters. They rotate each week as to which one will sit for us. It has been a lifesaver. The other thing we just started was taking off overnight once a month. Doesn't have to be far. For us, the beach or the mountains are just 2 hours away. Anyway, we are blessed to have my dad available to come a watch the kids overnight. Oh, btw, we found the girls from church...
- November 12, 2007 at 10:40 AM
- Deanna said...
It's a rare occasion that my hub and I get a 'date' night, but I agree. It's important enough for an effort to be put forth.
Thanks so much for sharing the video. I've never heard of Tim Hawkins before and had to check him out on YouTube! It felt good to laugh that hard!
Take care!
- November 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Great reading your blogs, thank you. Don't forget that you have older kids, and in no time you can have them babysit the younger ones. Just start counting the days..
Have a good one
- November 12, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Ohhh is that funny. Thanks for sharing that!
Our church has done something like that too, is it the 10 great dates? We loved that! It was so hard to just enjoy each other on our dates, and we only had 4 kids at the time... but well worth the effort.
- November 12, 2007 at 12:15 PM
- Bear Bits said...
We followed the philosphy, " A happy marriage makes happy children".
- November 12, 2007 at 1:33 PM
- Nicki said...
My husband and I agree very much with you on this topic. We make it a point to go out every Thursday night--even if it's only to grab a quick dinner and do some shopping together. That time is precious! That video is so funny. I have to go to his website to see more. Thanks for the laugh.
- November 12, 2007 at 2:33 PM
- Melinda Zook said...
It is great to remind yourself of this. The two of you are what started it all. I told my hubby the other night when we were out on a "date night" that he was my first baby and I know that is just what he needed to hear.
- November 12, 2007 at 3:14 PM
- Char said...
About 2 years ago we started doing this regularly....and when a few months go by in the summer when we're busy and we don't get our date night, we are reminded of it and how we miss it so. We even do date afternoons on the weekends....even if it's just to get lunch and do some grocery shopping in peace & quiet. I find it's a must, and it's made us closer than ever!
- November 12, 2007 at 3:36 PM
- Patty said...
Great advice Dawn. I actually made DH promise that when he gets done with this school he is in right now, and we get moved to GA that we will make an effort to do it too. With his new job it will probably be easier said than done (since he will probably be out of the country more than he will be in), but we are going to try.
- November 12, 2007 at 7:10 PM
- Lucinda Naia said...
I tell my friends that the marriage comes first. It's the foundation for the home you build together. If you have cracks in the foundation, the house will fall down.
The best security your children can experience is knowing that mom & dad are the priority.
It's really easy to think you're helping your kids by "putting their needs ahead of your needs" but that doesn't teach them about relationships.
When you ask the couples who have stayed married for a lifetime, they will say it's because the relationship was first priority. They also usually say they are married to their best friends.
- November 12, 2007 at 10:56 PM
- My Goodness said...
that's great! :)
- November 12, 2007 at 11:52 PM
- Kathy said...
Great job! I'm sure it is hard to get out with six kids, I have a hard enough time coordinating with two kids! I'm glad you got an evening out though, sounds like it was really good for you. Keep it up!
- November 13, 2007 at 9:00 AM
- kendycox said...
I read your blog often. Just wanted to chime in and say how wonderful it was to hear your wonderful word picture about putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. I work for an organization called the "Oklahoma Marriage Initiative" and it always warms my heart when folks really GET IT. Marriage is hard work and we are doing our children (and society) such a service when we prioritize that relationship. Thanks!
- November 13, 2007 at 10:47 AM
- annie said...
Hi Dawn!
You trully inspires me to be a mom & to be a blogger!
I only have one 3-yr old girl here and i'm already consider myself busy..how much more of having 6 kids! Superwoman?! *wink..
I'm a Filipina just recently moved here in Arizona & my daily surfing includes this wonderful blog.
May God continuously bless you & your family!
Best Regards!
- November 13, 2007 at 1:34 PM
- Meghan Baxter said...
For those who need an illustrated explanation of palindrome (from a few poasts back), have them click here: http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/11/12/tacocat-is-a-palindrome/
Another of my favourite blogs that makes me smile. =)
- November 13, 2007 at 1:42 PM
When counseling couples getting ready for marriage or who are married and in need of a little "fire" in the marriage, I have often shared this quote. I don't remember where I got it, but it goes like this: "The most important thing a mother/father can do for her/his children is to love their father/mother."
Any relationship takes time and hard work. You cannot neglect the needs of your spouse without running the risk of finding yourself alone someday. Spending time alone is part of the time and hard work.
My brothers and sisters and I were sent to bed at 9:00 PM every night except Friday (when we could stay up an hour later), until I was eighteen years old. (Hard to believe, but true.) Why? Because my Mom and Dad said that they needed an hour alone with each other every day before they went to bed.
Fr. Lawrence
- November 13, 2007 at 3:36 PM
- annebabe said...
hey dawn, i'm a first time commenter. to echo everyone else's remarks, i too, enjoy your blog. your children are lucky to have you and your husband as parents because then they can model their relationships after yours. nothing else will compensate for failure in the home, making date night a reality is well worth the time. :) can't wait for the book, thanks for blogging!
- November 13, 2007 at 3:40 PM
- Erika Martin - Stampin' Mama said...
Tim Hawkins ROCKS! We've been watching him on SkyAngel TV and LOVE his stuff! This song cracks me up every time I heard it.:)
- November 13, 2007 at 8:37 PM
I have 2 boys from previous relationships (16 & 9) and a new husband. Our house is rather small and it is very hard to get intimate alone time without a knock on our bedroom door. To children a closed bedroom door is an obvious invitation for them to knock and ask why the door is closed! Soooo one night for some random reason my husband and woke up at the ungodly hour of 2am and couldnt go back to sleep. Hmmmm what to do....what to do? We decided to have a coffee (yup that should help us sleep!) and hmmm the kids are sleeping. I honestly think we both had those cartoon light bulbs (or maybe it was devil horns I really cant be sure) over our heads when it came to us....Date Night!!! So now on the weekends we quietly prep the coffee maker and set our alarm for DATE NIGHT!
I know it sounds a little crazy...but hey what can I say we are still newlyweds...lol.
Take care and Thanks for all of the laughs!
- November 14, 2007 at 7:29 AM
- Pam said...
Dawn, I'm on your email list and I read your blog EVERY DAY! It gives me the lift I need to face all life's challenges with a smile :0) I have laughed so hard at times while reading your blogs that tears flowed and panties had to be changed, LOL! But seriously, I have been inspired by you to write and no longer keep those writings to myself but to submit my writing for others to read, something I've always wanted to do but until now have not had the courage to do so. My only public writing has been my long-as-a-book-style eBay listings with "wordy" ad descriptions where I, pjgal2000, powerseller and writer of what my friends and family say are the longest ad descriptions on eBay sell. Your success, starting with your hilarious and widely read eBay listing, gave me the courage to submit an essay to a national contest being put on by Good Morning America Weekend. Well thanks to your inspiration Dawn, it looks like I am about to experience my own "15 minutes of fame"! Guess who called me today??? Let me tell you what your inspiration has gotten me into. In early Nov. I read about a TV essay contest looking for America's Best Restaurant. I wrote a 300 word essay (actually it started out with 468 words-thank Goodness for word count!) but I cut it down to 299 words just to be on the safe side. My smartie daughter who is now a college Sophomore/Junior? read my essay and said "Mom, I can't believe you did this whole essay in under 300 words, you write sentences longer than this" cute kid, HUH? Anyway, here is what you got me into. I nominated my favorite restaurant, Yesterdays cafe, here in our tiny rural Georgia town of just 700 folks with all the confidence in the world that I was going to win but never really thinking that was a possibility, especially since this was my first effort at writing for anyone's eyes other than my own and those of my friends and family. I wrote the essay about why my favorite restaurant is America's best restaurant and guess what??????????? GMA just called, Who? little ole ME!!!!! YOO HOO!! Yesterdays Cafe is in the FINAL FOUR for America's Best Restaurant-GMA BEST BITES CHALLENGE! and my little 299 word essay put them there, YEA!! The cafe got the call too from ABC news asking their permission to COME THERE AND FILM A SEGMENT ON MONDAY, right here in tiny town Rutledge Georgia and also for a copy of the recipe for Buttermilk Pie, their signature dish. I'm telling you Dawn, PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK GIRL! You just don't know how MANY people you have inspired through your story of success and your writings. You started out writing on eBay and I was already doing that too, so when I saw this contest I thought what the heck, if Dawn can do it, she seems a lot like me so maybe I can too! You amaze me doing all you do with six children, I only had three and believe me, there are LOTS of stories there. Contest rules said the restaurant had to capture the flavor and uniqueness of your town. I felt that Yesterdays cafe in the old 1800s drug store building, with it's Vintage pictures of the town donated by it's townspeople and it's old fashioned DELICIOUS sweet.....buttermilk pie from a local family recipe passed down through generations, just fit the bill of what they were seeking for good food in America.
Now back to my plea for your help. GMA will film a segment here at the cafe Monday noon (unless they call back and change it AGAIN). And, they want me to be there, UGH! I have to go shopping, double UGH UGH!! And does the TV really add 30 lbs? I'm sunk. At least I will look thinner in person to those who know me, right??? Do I really have to wear those stylish pointy shoes?? My feet have spread out like the rest of my body, getting wider and wider with each pregnancy. I'm up at least three shoe sizes, one for each child I figure and now I don't think even the Lord All mighty himself could get my feet into a pair of those pointy toed torture devices! Oh, yes back to your help...The show will air on Sat. Nov. 24th on the weekend edition of GMA and the dishes from the four finalists will be judged there live on the air by the anchors and a special guest judge to be announced. That judging will count as 50% of the total. Then viewer's nation wide will have a chance to vote online for their favorite resturant and dish shown THAT SAME DAY ONLY from the 4 restaurant finalists featured on the show. This will count for the other 50% of the vote. If our own Yesterday's cafe wins from these votes, then GMA Weekend edition will come back by satellite live on Nov. 25th to announce the winner and I will win a fabulous trip to NYC for 2 for nominating them. By then I should have something to wear, toes possibly amputated for pointy toed shoes and all. Boy could I use a trip away and what a boost for my self confidence this first try at writing is turning out to be! We feel like winners already with our little café in the final four but now I really want the cafe to win. To win this contest would be the icing on the cake or in this case the whipped topping on the BUTTERMILK PIE! Please Dawn, help me get the word out for everyone to vote for Yesterday's cafe and it's signature desert, sweet BUTTERMILK PIE online at Good Morning America Weekend on Nov. 24th. There are only 700 of us souls here in Rutledge to do the voting and even if everyone owned and computer (which they don't) and we all voted (which many will) as many times as allowed, we know we will be up against restaurants from much bigger cities. The small town spirit can do a lot but I know you have LOTS AND LOTS of faithful readers just like me being inspired by you to go ahead and try something they have always wanted to do. My hope is that you will pass the word along about this contest to help us in the voting. I am going to put a copy of my winning essay here for you to read so you will see why I think Yesterday's is the Best Restaurant in America and their signature desert, Buttermilk Pie is the best thing that has ever crossed my lips. They say we won't have a link to the voting until the actual day the segment airs, which the rules say will be on or about Nov. 24th (I know that you already know how these TV scheduling things go....first they were coming out here on Wednesday, then they called back and said no Monday.....after we got off the phone we all got together and screamed as we realized we had two less days to prepare for this once in a lifetime occasion than we first thought. I don't have a link to the voting yet. For now you can go to ABC Good Morning America and Click on GMA Weekend. Then search in GMA contests for GMA Weekend Best Bites challenge. If I get a link to the actual voting site on or before the 24th I will post that here for you and your readers if you don't mind. Here is the link where you can read about the contest now: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=3764743&page=2&GMA=true
And here is a copy of my final four winning essay, inspired by you Dawn :o)
I nominate my favorite restaurant, Yesterday's Café in Rutledge Georgia where I live. The café is owned by Rutledge native, Kris Bray. Yesterday's has been described as "a trip down memory lane". Rutledge is truly small town America with just 700 folks, located 50 miles East of (and a world away from) big city Atlanta. Rutledge is a Railroad town, named for the turnaround near Miss Polly Rutledge's log cabin. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Yesterday's Café is located in a renovated 1800s drug store building. True reflections of the town, the cafés walls are lined with hundreds of framed Vintage photographs of the town and its people. Local residents enjoy their meals at tables beneath pictures they have donated of relatives, homes and stores from Rutledge's past. Tourists get a glimpse of the town's history by looking at these same Vintage photos, each one with a different story to tell. The cafés food has a uniquely local flavor with many Southern Favorites on the menu. My favorite dish is "buttermilk pie". I'm not alone in this as the café is famous for this uniquely local and delicious desert, created by their first chef, Lanita Franklin. The pie comes from an old African American family recipe, passed down through generations of Lanita's family. When Lanita left the café to pursue her own catering business, she kindly left the "buttermilk pie" recipe to become the cafés signature dessert. You may not think of buttermilk as "sweet" but let me tell you this pie is the sweetest thing on earth! It's best eaten while warm, served up with whipped cream on top. You have my word; once you taste "buttermilk pie" you will never forget Yesterday's Café in Rutledge and this wonderful slice of heaven on earth!
Thanks for all you do for us just with your words of fun and inspiration! I LOVE your blog and can't wait to buy your book. Feel free to save your best for that book!! Wish us luck, Pam
- November 14, 2007 at 5:06 PM
- FabTheMayor said...
Our church used to sponsor a monthly date night. The second Saturday of each month, from 5-9, drop your kids at the church, pay $2/kid for pizza, and you are free. The cost to you? Take your turn keeping kids at the church - usually twice a year...10 dates a year...probably more than you get now. Plus,the kids are so busy playing with each other, because they already know each other, the months that it's your turn to keep the rugrats ('scuse me, I mean kids), your time flies by and it's time to go home before you know it. Quite a utilized ministry at my church.
- November 14, 2007 at 7:18 PM


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It all started harmlessly enough. My nephew had embraced running and was starting to threaten my dominance. And if anybody knows me, I do not like to lose.
At first, we bet race t-shirts. For every race he beat me, he got to pick one shirt from my collection. For every race I beat him, I got one from his collection. He took one of my favorite Lock Haven U. shirts once for spite but I grabbed one of his Boston shirts. HA!
This little competition was 50-50 for about three days, but as everyone knows, older runners get older and younger runners get faster. And again, if anyone knows me, they know I also like a little trash talk with my competition. So trash talk we did and it started to include his friends. Now I've been racing since 1978, but I don't have enough t-shirts to outfit all of his friends, too. But MY older running friends… Thus, the race series known as Punks versus Geezers was born.
There are a lot of racing opportunities in Delaware and the surrounding areas. The most intrepid runners can run 3, 4, 5 or more races in a single weekend. And yes, I know a couple who do just that. But the chance for head to head, settle the score, Punks drool, Geezers rule opportunities are almost non-existent — until now. P v G is a low frills 5k cross country race pitting college age and younger runners against post-school runners, using traditional scoring (low score wins).
And this is what running should be about! It's the fun of the run. It's the camaraderie of the pursuit. It's the joy of the competition and the friendship bonds that occur afterwards, knowing that everyone competes on the same field at the same time (even with the occasional Kenyan or six present), and no one really cares how fast or slow you think you are, but rather that you had the courage to show up.
On the national scene, there are age-graded events that allow young and older runners to compete on a scoring system curve. The older you are, the more points you get for your particular time, thus making up for the natural slowing process. Pushing 50 that I am, I swore I would never use that system. But I finally embraced it a couple years back.
There are several regional and national race series that utilize age-grading for club and championship events. Recently, 88-year-old Hugh Campbell of Wilmington "won" the USATF Master's 5k road racing championships by scoring an unheard of 101.93 points for his 26:45 finishing time. The second place male scored 95 points (a 50-year-old from Utah, who ran 15:24). The overall woman winner was a 68-year-old from Massachusetts, who also dominated, scoring 101.15 points by running 21:19.
This age grading has added second life to many a runner, by providing an outlet for that still-burning competitive spirit. And that's pretty cool, when an 88-year-old geezer can take down a 50-year-old punk and a 68-year-old geezerette can be called 5k National Champion.
So the Punks and Geezers cross country challenge will continue so long as there are punks calling me Grampa and there are Geezers willing to go into battle with me. Thus far, the t-shirt collection battle is strongly in our favor.
Former Lock Haven University stand-out runner Andy Shearer is the Middletown Athletic Club secretary/treasurer. Shearer has been running since 1978. His column "runs" the first week of each month.


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