Larry and Pam on the Lake

The Summer is here and it is HOT!!

2011-06-04T09:00:00.003-05:00

In the five months since Pam retired we have been busy adjusting our lives to a different beat of the drum. Even though we started out sleeping in it was not long until we settled on a routine. Normally not asleep past 7. We have continued to take trips both to the Dominican and elsewhere. These included a week with our NAPUS friends in Washington, a long Easter weekend in Kentucky with Emma, Freya, and Julia and their parents, a Mardi Gras weekend in Mobile with Denson and Deb and the Rose brothers, and a couple of days in Durham NC for a Jim Brickman concert. We also hosted the first camp for granddaughters when Allie and Hayden spent a week with us and are preparing for a second week later in June when Emma and Hailey will be here. Our Memorial Day weekend get together was a great time to visit with friends and family and enjoy the early summer weather, and then it got HOT. Did I say hot, as in 98 to 99 degrees every day and the lake water has warmed up to July levels already. So to my friends here in Alabama, "Stay Cool", and we hope to see you this summer.

What a START.............

2011-01-16T10:00:00.004-06:00

The New Year is here. What a start!! First Pam retired effective 12/31/2010 and we immediately drove to Panama City FL for a week of relaxation. We actually returned on Thursday so we could fly to Phoenix for the BCS Championship game on 1/10/2011. We met with Zack, Lauren & Malcolm, and Amanda & Nick to cheer on our Auburn Tigers. The only one missing was Anna and she has been working on finishing her doctorate and also stayed home to watch over Emma, Freya, and Julia. I think she now wishes she had gone. She was missed. With both of us being retired we have slipped into the trap of sleeping in. Neither of us thought that it would be this easy but 8 AM is getting to be the norm for us. We are now starting to think about our upcoming trips and the things that need to be done here. So far the list has only the trips listed. If you are our facebook friends we will probably continue to post most pictures and activities there. See you sometime.

Last Home Football game

2010-11-14T12:53:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we tailgated with family and friends for Auburn's last home game of 2010 against the University of Georgia. Good times, food and especially friends were enjoyed from 8:30 in the morning until we left at 7:30 that evening. Some stayed later just not wanting to leave. Auburn is now 11-0 and plays Alabama in two weeks. We will watch the game with friends here at the house and be able to watch all of the replays we desire. The holidays are fast approaching and with Pam's retirement at the end of December we will begin that chapter in our lives. We hope to be able to increase our visiting with the grandchildren and friends and pursue interests that we have only talked about in the past. Until then.........

Where have we been

2010-10-12T10:04:00.002-05:00

I know that I have been remiss in posting to the blog but Pam and I have been on the road since July for needed rest and relaxation. We started out in Tunica MS at the end of July for 4 days and ended up two days ago when we returned from a week at Lifestyles in the Dominican Republic. In between we spent a week in Panama City with all of the children and granddaughters and a week in Grand Rapids MI with NAPUS friends at the national convention. Oh yea, throw in a Hall family reunion that we hosted here at the lake on Labor day weekend where over 40 family members attended. Thank goodness we have a couple of days before Allison, Hayden and Hailey arrive to go to the Alabama National Fair this weekend along with the AU vs Arkansas football game. Now as I look to the rest of the year we realize how close Pam is to retirement (80 days). I will try and get some new pictures posted soon and hope to decide on our Xmas photo soon. The lake is pretty this time of year and we hope to have a couple of more boat rides before we have to store the boat for the winter. See everyone soon and War Eagle.

4th of July

2010-06-28T13:41:00.002-05:00

We will be celebrating the 4th this coming Sunday a little differently than the past few years. For those that were here last year, you will remember that I cooked an 18 lb prime rib roast on the Egg. Most other get togethers I have done baby back ribs, chicken and sausage. This year we are going back to when the 4th was most often celebrated as a picnic (even here at the lake) and are going to have pulled pork sandwiches and plates and brunswick stew with cold sides (potatoe salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, broccoli salad and others) and desserts. Brother Bill has volunteered to bring his Margarita machine and mix anything that is requested. Among the special guests will be Allie, Hayden and Hailey and their parents. As most of the local shops advertise, "Drop ins are welcome".

Memorial Day Weekend

2010-05-31T17:18:00.003-05:00

The Memorial Day weekend is almost over and Pam is realizing that she has to go back to work tomorrow. This weekend (actually Sunday and Monday) will be the only two days in a row off since May 1 and will only have one more on the 4th of July until the end of July at the earliest. However, that did not stop us from having a very good weekend with a visit from Amanda & Nick and the girls and friends over on Sunday for a BBQ. We smoked baby back ribs, mason jar chicken and conecuh sausage for a total of twenty two people. The many enjoyable side dishes that everyone brought were great and no one left hungry. The weather has been hit and miss with showers most every afternoon but there was plenty of sunshine and clear skies for the many people that were on the lake in boats. The other nights of the weekend we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and made Pizza with Hailey and Hayden making their first pizza.

It is May, isin't it

2010-05-10T16:53:00.002-05:00

The month of May is upon us and so far the weather has been doing what you least expect. Last week had two to three days in the upper 80's and this week we have had lows in the bottom of the 50's. The first weekend of the month Lauren and Amanda both went to the Gulf Shores area and Pam and I had the three girls with us for three days. Nothing super eventful except for the fact that all three went all out from around 7 each morning until 7 at night. Their nap was short around lunch time and gave me a chance to catch my breath. Hailey had so much fun picking Azalea blooms for each nights decorations of the dinner table (we were able to eat outside every night), and she called them the "festivals". This last weekend we put the boat in the water on Saturday afternoon, selected plants for the Pergola planters and found and set out most of the herbs that I will use this summer. Sunday we traveled to Florida for Mothers Day. The rest of the month we will be home while Pam works six days a week while her clerk is off. We are looking forward to visits from the Ragsdales and Roses and then Memorial day will be here for the first of the big cookouts of the summer. C'mon water warm up.

Valentine's

2010-02-14T07:12:00.002-06:00

Here we are in the middle of February. This has to be the coldest and wetest winter that we have had in some time. Snow two days ago, the lake is almost full, and the only exercise is on the treadmill. Come on Spring.

Thanksgiving, Iron Bowl, Allie's Birthday weekend

2009-11-29T07:51:00.002-06:00

We were all busy this weekend as it is normally guaranteed that all of the children will be in the vicinty at some point in the week. We were all able to get together and visit while tailgating prior to the ballgame on Friday. The girls all are changing so fast, and are more active and social. Thats not to say that when there is a meltdown it seems to be close to a catastrophe but we get through it ok. I have put a new picture up that is everyone but Julia (it was a little cool and windy for her). We now get ready for Xmas.

AU Homecoming Weeknd

2009-11-08T11:56:00.002-06:00

Both Lauren and Amanda visited the night before AU's homecoming game, as usual this gave us a chance to visit and play with Allie, Hayden and Hailey. Pizza cooked on the egg, tailgating in Auburn and a homecoming victory. Allie and Hayden are really growing and becoming more socially active. Can't wait for Thanksgiving weekend when Zack will join all of us and we get to visit with Julia, Freya and Emma along with the others. Will finally get a picture of all six girls at one time.

Mid October

2009-10-15T15:33:00.005-05:00

Here we are in the middle of October, historically the driest month of the year and it has rained almost everyday. Hopefully the weather man will be right about this weekend as Lauren and Amanda and children will be here on Friday to go to the State Fair in Montgomery. Saturday we all plan on going to see AU vs Kentucky and Pam and I are making bourbon balls for the tailgate.

Update

2009-09-22T17:07:00.002-05:00

Here it is almost the end of September and it seems that it was just the 4th of July. After spending two weeks in Alaska and not getting home until the day that Auburn played its third game has really gotten us out of schedule. The next couple of months are also busy as we have Hayden's and Allie's 1st birthdays and Pams birthday which will mark the beginning of her last year working. All I can say about Alaska is it was beautiful and if you get a chance to go do so. I have posted some pictures on Facebook and will also post some pictures here.

Aquapalooza 2009 Lake Martin

2009-07-26T13:21:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we joined over 2000 other boats for Aquapalooza 2009 Signature event here on Lake Martin. Alan Jackson was the headline performer and there were 5 other acts preceeding his. This event was sponsored by Sea Ray boats and Russell Lands. To say the least it was an outstanding event. The weather, the crowd, and the friends that we shared it with was fantastic. I tried a new recipe for chicken thighs and everyone enjoyed them along with all of the other food that the other friends with us had brought. This retirement thing is working out just fine. The only problem I have is explaing to others how at sunset on Saturday afternoon it reverts back to Friday night. You must be retired to fully understand.

July 4th Independence Day

2009-07-08T07:21:00.002-05:00

Independence Day finally arrived. The celebration of not only our country's birth, but the first day of my retirement. Lauren and Amanda and families arrived Thursday night. I had smoked two Boston butts on the egg for 13 hours and they were a great start for the weekend. On Friday we tubed, swam and rode the lake in the boat. Hayden and Allie must really like the boat ride, since they both nap most of the time while riding. Saturday we welcomed friends to enjoy the 4th and I smoked an 18 lb prime rib loin on the egg. Pam thought it would be too much but somehow most of it disappeared. That night we rode out to view the fireworks along with around 2000 other boats. I have put a slideshow of some of the pictures that we took over the weekend and hope that you enjoy them.

The BGE

2009-06-07T09:05:00.002-05:00

After reading and listening to owners and friends, I made the decision to purchase a Big Green Egg. The egg was delivered on 5/30 and we have cooked on the grill five of the seven days and will be doing ribs on it this afternoon. From filets, burgers, mason jar chicken to baby back ribs in a week, and we have not used a 9 pound bag of charcoal yet. It will not replace the smoker for the big cookings but it can cook plenty of food for 10 - 12 people very easily. For those that will be here on the 4th, I promise a big surprise from the BGE.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-25T11:09:00.003-05:00

Even though the weather did not want to cooperate, we enjoyed Memorial Day weekend with Family, and Friends. Allie and Hayden both arrived with their parents and siblings Friday afternoon and we visited, cooked, laughed, took pictures for the remainder of the weekend. Watching Allie and Hayden play and interact with each other is a pure joy and we cannot wait until Julia brings Zack and the rest of the Family to join us. For those of you that have not heard Julia Bennett Hall is our latest grandchild that was born last Thursday morning. We had 15 others join us for the BBQ on Sunday and Malcolm and Nick made sure that the grill was protected from the rain showers and we then put baby back ribs, mason jar chicken, and Conecuh sausage out to eat shortly before 4 PM.

Looking Forward

2009-04-26T07:05:00.002-05:00

We have finally finished our traveling until this Fall. Now the changes to our lives are about to begin. Yes, I have made the decision to go to that next chapter in my life that we will write and modify more than others. Retirement this summer. Already the list of things that we want to accomplish is growing, but I will be taking care of important tasks first. I hope that those of you that can, will frequent the lake and help us to enjoy this next beginning. Independence today will have a double meaning this year.

Now we get busy

2009-03-15T07:25:00.002-05:00

Well the rural mail count is over and Pam and I get busy. Trips to Washington, Dominican Republic, Savannah, Atlanta, Birmingham, Atlanta again, and the next thing you know it is the first weekend in May. So it looks like May will be when the boat and us will be on the lake very much. Lauren and Allie (and I hope Malcolm) have indicated that they will be visiting quite a bit this summer. We all are awaiting the birth of baby # 3 to Zack and Anna which is due at the end of May. Will the streak be broken? Who knows? Actually all I hope for is that both Anna and the baby are fine and healthy. Talk to all soon.

Is it REALLY???????

2009-03-10T18:48:00.002-05:00

Has spring arrived!! It has been in the seventy's since the weekend with the same forecast for the rest of the week. Do we dare? Can spring be really here? Probably not completely, but most if not all of the cold weather is hopefully behind us. We have even planned Sugar's spring haircut for three weeks from now. Need to call about the waverunner and boat and get ready for riding.

You just never know!

2009-03-01T17:14:00.002-06:00

We have always been told that if you wait just a little while that the things that normally happen will change swiftly. This weekend the weather has demonstrated how different it can be from one day to the next. On Friday it was in the seventy's, on Saturday morning there were tornado's and severe thunderstorms, and this morning we woke up to snow. The closest tornado to us was about 15 miles away in Tallassee and in Opelika today there was over 5 inches of snow accumulation. Go figure.

Surprise!!!!!

2009-02-21T13:16:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, the 5th day of the dreaded rural count, I got home around 5 and Pam got here shortly after. Since we both had to get up at 4:30 this morning we had decided that we would go out for my birthday dinner tonight. We were standing in the kitchen talking and I had already started to change into my flannels and Pam said I needed to put some pants on since we had company. I still had no idea what she was talking about and put a pair of jeans on. About this time Lauren, Malcolm and Allie showed up at the back door. Surprise, they had come down for my birthday. It awasn't long that one of them let slip that Amanda, Nick, Hailey and hayden were also on the way. The rest of the night was great except I did not get to bed early enough to be getting up at 4:30. Today has been great and we are enjoying our visit. I will post some pictures later.

Top Chef

2009-02-12T15:40:00.002-06:00

Well we are down to the top 4. I know that some of you are happy with who is left and I am surprised at the late run that Carla has made to move into the favorites role. Last night also surprised me when Tom made the statement that some people like their (in this case squab) cooked differently. What a novel idea! Now you can imagine that if you eat in Tom's restuarant that you can actually request your steak to be cooked some other way rather than just the way one particular judge likes their's. Now on to New Orleans for the next round. Anyone venture to go out on a limb and declare the winner.

24

2009-01-27T20:29:00.001-06:00

Pam and I have started watching 24 just this season. Do you know who the real bad guys are yet? Want to venture a guess?

Facebook and You

2009-01-27T20:25:00.002-06:00

I actually signed up for Facebook about a year ago, but since getting my new phone and having the ability to have Facebook all the time only paid attention to it every couple of weeks. This week Zack signed on and he was surprized that I was on. Today I discovered that James Aston was on and have already had a online chat with him. Someone that I have not seen or talked to since Zack was in HS. Are you on facebook? Just another way to let each other keep up with what we are doing.

Holidays 2008-2009

2009-01-02T16:26:00.002-06:00

We have just returned from our second visit of the Holidays. We spent time at Lauren's and Amanda's. It sure has beeen fun visiting with the children but primarily getting to see and hold our five granddaughters. Emma, Hailey, Freya, Hayden, and Allison all are the most beautiful girls in the world. Anna is expecting grandchild six in May and so far they have decided not to ask their Doctor the sex of the child. I have posted pictures from both visits.

Dominican Trip

2008-12-14T19:58:00.002-06:00

We returned today from our Dominican trip with Denson and Deb. What a relaxing week. We are already planning one and possibly two trips next year. It was very hard to return after being waited on all week. The service at the end of the week included a BBQ at the villa that had everything that we desired. We will be hoping to find two to three couples that will join us next year at Christmas for two weeks.

Novenber 29 2008

2008-11-30T16:20:00.003-06:00

You would think that this post should have to do with something as significant as a football game but that event pales in comparison to the event that actually happened yesterday at 11:50 am. That was the time that Allison Kathryn Davenport joined all of us and I am not prejudice but she is so beautiful. What more can I say. When Lauren called me at 5:20 that morning and said come to Huntsville NOW, all I could think of was getting there in time. I arrived at 10:00 and was able to see and talk with Lauren and Malcolm prior to her arrival. I have posted some pictures and Malcolm has some on their blog for you to see. Hope you enjoy.

One game to go

2008-11-16T08:02:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we witnessed Auburn lose to Georgia, however we believe that progress is being made for the future. The one disturbing and hopefully obvious thing to Coach Tuberville is that our play calling and usage of the right personnel is questionable. Three trips to the red zone and no points. Whose idea is it to throw 20 yard passes on fourth down when you need three yards for a first down. Where was Fannin at the end of the game. The basic philosophy seems to be there but the right calls and players are not being used. They have two weeks to figure out how to put the missing pieces in the puzzle before the last game of the season. Can we do it?

Learning

2008-10-25T13:45:00.004-05:00

You know when you have to much time on your hands when you lay in bed with a laptop learning how to put things on a website that virtually no one sees. But it is fun and it is amazing just what you can do on the web. First it was just doing a blog and now we have picture slideshows and music. I figured out the pictures on my own and learned from the music on Zack and Anna's blog.

This Weekend

2008-10-23T17:34:00.003-05:00

Well my old friend Mr Diverticulitus reared his ugly self yesterday and instead of being in the North Carolina mountains right now I am at home resting drinking lots of water and taking two fairly strong antibiotics twice a day. Spent two hours in the Doctors office this morning and right now just have to be patient, let the meds work, and get lots of rest.

Louie comes Home

2008-10-15T18:58:00.002-05:00

Louie has returned home after undergoing surgery for a broken leg. He has been at the vet's since saturday morning and has had his left rear leg fixed after suffering a break some time friday night. He has three to four weeks of recuperation to go through but therapy is at his speed. Sugar is not sure what to think and neither are we. He just wants to rest so far and we are making adjustments to our fast paced life to accomadate him.

First Post

2008-10-13T13:31:00.001-05:00

Since two of our three children have blogs, we have decided to try this also. We hope to figure out how to add additional items so that you can enjoy our families lives.