I just added some pictures from the party, thanks to Martha Bass Hunt!  Check out the pictures on the Images page.

Charlotte, you summed it up precisely.It wouldn't be as exasperating if this were on-site construction, but this is a dirt storage yard for a Water Utilities project over a mile away.This was apparently the only place that would rent their land for these mountains of recently-excavated soil and massive dump trucks. One department of the City issued a permit for a construction office, which is not what's there. Then the Code Dept. can't or won't enforce laws against another city department. It's a mess, and the neighbors are stuck dealing with it. The city representative gave me his word this will be gone Dec. 12, so let's see if it happens. I have made a lot of people mad at me -- the church, the contractor and some city people. Most of them admitted they wouldn't want this thing across the street from their own houses. The bottom line is it's illegal.

Interesting medal that "one of ours" was wearing.  Is that a 'distinguished service award?'   Have a great day everyone.

That sweet '64 guy Lonnie sent me his pictures!  I'm sure there are still a few we missed, but what we have will be on the Images page in a little while. Thank you, Lonnie.

Thank you, Cynthia.  I hope you have a picture of that pretty top you were wearing.  When I saw how few pictures I had taken, I couldn't believe I was such a slacker!

Had a wonderful time yesterday at our SOC Christmas luncheon.  Thank you Peaches, for the use of your home again, and the hard working luncheon committee.  Everything was delicious and the company wonderful.

It's such a nice way to start off the Christmas season . . .  going to Peaches' home!  As always, all the food was good (I tasted everything just to make sure)!  It was a great spread and Peaches home is so beautifully decorated.  Really enjoyed seeing all my SOC Friends & meeting some new friends.  Thanks to Peaches & all the hard-working committee members who make everything come off flawless!! 

Hey, Mike.  I gave that same Bum Phillips quote to my husband this morning.  I was glad to see that Leach finally got offered a job and hope he does well at Washington State.  This is going to be a wild football weekend.  Can't wait.  Won't be able to attend the party on Sunday and am really going to miss seeing everyone.  Be safe.

Well, the aggies fired Mike Sherman.I'd give him 1 more yr. At A&M-1 or 2 screw-ups & down the hwy you go.Some aggie alumni(oil & gas Billionaires donate big $s & run the show & have short fuse)Now, off to SEC(as tough as it gets) with new coach, new system & bunch of frosh & sophomores(most big guns leaving after 2011).As Bum Phillips said-only 2 kinds of coaches,them thats been fired & them thats gonna be_mike

I'll be leaving the office shortly, so I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.  I know I'll be in football overload by Sunday!

Phyllis, you are so right, in my humble opinion.  The media has lost all credibility, sad to say.

Kathy Pulte's comment got me thinking about the difference between opinion and fact.  So much of what passes for "fact" in the heated political debates to which we seem to be almost daily subjected actually appear to be, at most, someone's opinion or -- worse yet -- totally-unfounded myth or rumor.  Churchill said it best:  "[y]ou are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts."  I think the media have really let everyone down by backing away from their traditional role of investigative reporting and fact-checking, in favor of providing "infotainment."  It makes it increasingly difficult and frustrating to sort through all the competing claims, half-truths, etc.