The Best Drumline In Texas!!! (Again.)

We headed to the Dallas area yesterday for the outdoor drumline competition of the year. Our drumline was ready to defend their title as The Best Drumline in Texas.

First, let me tell you that yesterday was the coldest day of the fall season. In addition to record breaking lows, we also had 20+ mile per hour winds to contend with for our entire day in the great outdoors. It was tolerable during the day, but was almost miserable after the sun went down last night.

There were hours of practice once we arrived.

Lots of practice.

And more practice.

Lots of flying mallets.

Bass #5 is my personal favorite this year. (Just though I'd share.)

Soon, it was time to perform.

They won first place again this year - and retain the title of BEST DRUMLINE IN TEXAS!!!

Our cymbals also won their caption as did our snares. The basses tied for their caption.

Everyone was very, very happy. (And cold.)

We cheered loud and proud!

Last weekend was all about Kat. We had dance rehearsals and dance recitals. Cheer practices and cheer competitions.

There were uniforms.


And make-up.

Lots and lots of make-up.


Friends.


And teammates.


Stoic contemplation about the competition ahead.


And much celebration.


Celebration over a second place trophy at their very first competition!

This weekend, it's all about Burrito and the drumline as they defend their title of "Best Drumline in Texas."

The day after... let's not forget them!

It's easy to remember and honor our veterans and service men and women on Veteran's Day. But what about the next day? The next month?? Especially during the holidays...

The Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. They are collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes is generously donating technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible.

Their goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.

Please send cards to this address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

There are very specific guidelines which must be followed when participating. Please go here to see these guidelines.

You can also:

• Download and print a free card.
• Get the latest news about Holiday Mail for Heroes.

Want to do more?

Phone cards, gift cards and care packages are all ways for individuals, families, and school, civic, social or church organizations to get involved in remembering our U.S. service members this holiday season.

Phone and gift cards help our troops stay in touch with family and loved ones as well as allowing them to purchase items they need. Those wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to the Army and Airforce Exchange Service website, scroll down to "AAFES Community Connection" and click on "Help Our Troops Call Home" or "Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops" in order to send such items. (Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted with the holiday cards.)

Those wishing to send care packages should go to the America Supports You website and click under "Homefront Groups" to find out how to send care packages.

There are deadline for participating in these wonderful programs - many much earlier than you'd expect. Don't allow procrastination to keep you from participating!

And that, my fellow Americans, works for me! To see more Works For Me Wednesday ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

(Please note: There is currently an email circulating which solicits Christmas cards for wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Center. For the protection of our service men and women, the U.S. Postal system will not accept any letters or packages addressed to "Any Service Member" or "Any Wounded Service Member." The falsehood of these types of email requests can be verified at Snopes.)

Thank you!

On your mark... get set...

Go!

(Photo credit: By hylander44 on Flickr.)

Put on your running shoes and see if you can keep up with us. It's gonna be a busy weekend. From my planner:

• Dance recital dress rehearsal (Done)
• Football game (Over - our team made the playoffs! How many more weeks of football?)
• Cheer practice (Done)
• Neighborhood yardsale (Going on as I speak type.)
• Bud fishing
• Craft show (Not enough hours in the day so I'm skipping it. *Humph.*)
• Purchase new hair curlers for Kat (Necessary to create "cheerleader hair.")
• Dance recital
• Cheer competition (We do live in Texas, y'all!)

That last item? Guaranteed to produce blog fodder for next week's postings. Maybe I'll even have pictures!

Even so...

...GOD is in control!

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17 (Today's New International Version)

Today... please VOTE!

Did you?