New Years Eve

Atlas loves New Years Eve! He got several bottles of sparkling grape juice (non-alcoholic) and chilled them in the frig so that when the party started he would be prepared.



We were just about to leave and he was ready to celebrate the entire way.
Oh and real turtles wear pink!

Christmas

Atlas has had a fun Christmas. He got to help wrap presents, place ornaments on the tree, share peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and got an awesome stocking.



Some would say this is looks more like opening than wrapping a present, but it is all a part of the creative process. (He prefers to give than to receive.)



He would climb the tree with an ornament, and he always found the perfect place.



The best gift ever! Peanut butter and jelly, bread, plates, a picnic basket, and a "WE BE JAMM'N" pin. Picnic will abound this summer!



Look at the treasure from his stocking! He is a rich turtle with all of those gold (chocolate) coins. (Don't tell him they are chocolate! He really thinks they are gold!)



Ready to make pb&j!

Caterpillar Garden

On a recent day trip, we stopped at a rest stop, just inside of Tennessee outside Chattanooga. At this rest stop was this fun caterpillar garden, and of course Atlas HAD to have his picture taken.





He started by saying hi to this guy.



Then he met this guy.



Next thing you know he thinks he is a dentist and is examining this guys teeth. Atlas said he found a cavity...



...and Mr. Caterpillar threatened to eat him! Atlas was trying to escape here.



Of course Atlas was just joking and so was Mr. Caterpillar.
They made up and became best buds.
Atlas has all sorts of friends!



And then this happened!

*more information about this can be found here on page 6
Caterpillar Garden located at
Nickajack I-24 west
Alabama line

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the states. We celebrated a little late here, but it was just as enjoyable.


This is most of the spread before it was devoured.


This is the dessert table (with a ham that had not made it to the other table). See how he is guarding that pumpkin pie? Don't get in between a turtle and his pumpkin pie!

Atlas has been enjoying his day. He made new friends.

And this is where he lost his tag. We knew it would happen eventually. It is now packed away in his bag. Still he enjoyed his fun time with his new friends.

Around Town: Greenville, TX

Another picture of the Hunt County Court House.

There have been many activities that have happened around this courthouse. There was an annual walkathon, to raise money to battle drugs, that started and ended at the courthouse. Everyone would meet there and walk together through town and then back to the courthouse. I think the trek was around ten miles. Once back at the courthouse we would listen to bands, drink sodas, eat, and draw for prizes. My family would go every year and the walk was nothing to us since we walked everywhere anyways.

Another event was the the Cotton Jubilee which had bed races. I do not know what the official title was for these races but that is exactly what happened. Teams would form, pay a fee to enter, and then build a rolling bed. If memory is correct there had to be four people to a team. One person would be in the bed and the other three would push. There would be four teams against each other at a time until there was a winner. I think one year there was a bed that only had three wheels.


Crossroads Mall

My dad helped build this mall. I do not ever remember it not being there. You cannot tell from the picture that this was a really busy mall. It is not as busy as it used to be unless there is an event there. When I was visiting there was a gun show held here and you could not find a parking place.

This mall used to house Walmart, back when it closed at night and before they built a new one across the interstate that did not close. I can still remember the popcorn machine at the front of the store and where the toys were.

Also that little yellow building to the right in the background is Taco Bueno. Can someone say yum?


Graham Park

I spent many holidays and non-holidays at this park. Specifically the Fourth of July. The city would have all sorts of festivities at the park, and after nightfall they would shoot off fireworks. I can still remember the foot paddle boats in the pond, the blankets spread on the ground over the burnt grass, and all of the food being cook by so many different vendors. One year we were unable to make it to the park and were able to see the fireworks from the house. Such fun!

Schools: Greenville, TX

The schools that I attended once upon a time.

Greeville High School


Peek-a-boo



Greenville Middle School




The middle school, like so many other schools, was once the high school.



Such a brave little turtle to perch at the feet of a lion.

I ran out of time to visit the intermediate school. Next time I will make a special trip there!

Oh, the memories of times spent in those classrooms. My favorite was art class (in all three schools).

Greenville, Texas

I visited Greenville, Texas.

These are not the best photos, but this is the Hunt County Court House

and the welcome sign.

I visited friends and wandered the familiar streets. Even after years have passed, I can find my way around this town with little thought.

It is strange to see a place stay the same and change so much. The places that seem to stay the same are those that have always been there. The places that never seemed to change even then, like down town and the old neighborhoods. The places that change are those closest to the interstate. The new exits, the bridge and interstate work, and the new Braum's.



I have missed the place; it is the old home, but it seems somewhat foreign now. It is still welcoming. It is just not home now.

I want to go back and stay longer. I was unable to see some of the places further out in Greenville, nor was I able to visit some of the surrounding cities and towns that I remember. I just do not know when that will happen.