Parade, Parade, Parade!
Yeah! Yesterday was the annual Homewood Christmas Parade! My BFF Melonee came so we could get together, I could meet her newest addition and she could FINALLY see Hailey and the band! Her Mom came along too and you know that my Mom was there! We were one big clan all ready to watch a Christmas Parade!
We planned to meet at O'Henrys Coffee. Hailey and I (living only 5 minutes away) were running late (as usual). I dropped her off at the library where the parade was lining up and had to park a couple of blocks away from main street. I walked, half-ran to O'Henrys. When I got there Melonee, her Mom, my Mom and Melonee's kids were already sipping hot chocolate and chatting it up. We 'hurried up' to get out on the street and wait for the parade to begin.
The weather was great and there was a nice crowd gathering.
While we were waiting I got a nice picture of Melonee and Aaron, her soon to be adopted son (with her Mom in the background digging in her purse).
I also got a cute pic of Melonee with my Mom who was eagerly anticipating the parade in her shades.
I got a great little video that explains why both Melonee and I love our Moms SO MUCH! Melonee's Mother loves to dance and she will do it ANYWHERE LOL! She brings reality to the song 'Dancin in the Street'! And MY Mom thinks I buy everything at K-mart LOL! I laughed til I had tears in my eyes watching this video over and over! LOVE YOU MOMS!
Finally the parade began!
There were lots of groups in the parade including cheerleaders from the middle and high school, boy scouts, dancers and baton twirlers! There was another band from a local Christian school. There were military people. There were the cute dogs from the Humane Society, they all had on bandanas that said 'Adopt Me'. There were lots of cute floats with angels and other Christmas characters. There was the Mayfield cow (always in our parades in Homewood), unfortunately I only got a picture of his rear end. There were local business and government people in very kewl cars. They were all throwing candy and t-shirts and beads and the kids were having a ball!
Finally it was time for the Homewood Patriot Marching Band! They played 'Deck the Halls' mixed very well with some of their best marching candence. Last year they just played their normal 'Grand Old Flag' because we had only been back from New York for one week and they didn't really have time to learn anything new. I love their normal parade routine but it was GREAT to hear them playing a Christmas song! They stopped in front of the stage and got recognized by the city council for all of their achievements and it was OFFICIALLY announced to the City of Homewood that they will be going to the Rose Bowl Parade next year! The Senior band members were wearing Santa hats, which I thought was very cute! There were quite a few band members missing including the head drum major. I guess 8:30am on a Saturday is a bit early for some LOL. Plus I know some probably had to work. They were still an impressive size group as always!
I made a couple of 'normal' videos before I turned into 'insane band chasing Mom'! Hailey was SUPPOSED to get herself positioned on the left side so she would be on our side of the street, but it didn't work out and we didn't see her when they came by! Bummer! **Note: I had to let these play once and load before I could watch them. I think it's because I uploaded them directly to VOX instead of uploading them to You Tube.
So after the band came by me and my Mom took off to follow them to the dismissal area while Melonee and her crew went over to the plaza to see Santa! I took a couple of CRAZY videos of the band. I was filming while keeping step with them so the videos are QUITE shaky. I located Hailey and managed to march along with the line she was in. At one point she saw me and stepped out of line a bit so I could film her. We were all laughing! It was fun but I am SO SORE! The bottom of my feet and my calves are definitely reminding today me why I'm NOT in a marching band LOL! Pardon all the crazy shots and shaking in these videos, it's really hard to keep up with them AND film them. Visually they are crazy but these some REALLY GOOD music. I was marching alongside the woodwinds, just behind the percussion so even though we can't really hear the brass they still sound awesome! The kids were having some fun changing places while they marched, and AS ALWAYS, HOMEWOOD ROCKS!!!
After the band was dismissed my Mom and I collected Hailey and we walked back to the plaza to meet back up with Melonee and her group.
Then we went in this very cool antique store while 'Miss' Hailey took the kids to the toy store. All the shops were bustling. It was a very Christmasy feeling morning. We all had a great time and it was awesome getting together with my BFF!
This was Hailey's 5th consecutive appearance in the Homewood Christmas Parade. She marched two years with the H.E.A.T. group (Homewood Explorer and Adventurer Team). This is a group the Homewood Park & Recreation Board runs for middle school children in Homewood. She was in that group in 7th and 8th grade. Along with marching in the parade and working for We Love Homewood Day she also went snorkeling with manatees and skiing in Gatlinburg with this group. I got a little 'faklemt' watching the Dance Workshop perform. That is another middle school group that Hailey was in. The past three years she has marched with the band in the parade. Next year SHE will be wearing a Santa hat as a Senior and I will be a complete mess.
Merry Christmas and I'd like to send a 'get well soon' to our Mayor. He is a wonderful man and truly loves his community. He lives here, he shops here, he is one of us. He is usually on stage during the Christmas parade but he is ill this year. Get well soon Mayor!
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Comments
I didn't notice anyone looking at your Mom. I commend her for being uninhibited! I think that only comes with age and wisdom. You should see how I act at a football game! I dance to all of the stand songs and some of them I even pretend to be the drum major! Hell it makes me happy and it feels good so what the heck! It used to bother Hailey but now she just accepts it and someday I hope she will embrace it! I mean she could have the alternative which is a Mom that doesn't care and doesn't even show up right? I wasn't laughing at your Mom I thought it was cute, it was just in that little snippet you and your Mom had that little conversation about her dancing and then you hear my Mom ask me if I got my shoes at Kmart...I don't know why but it just cracked me up!
We will definitely try to come out, I'd love to, just please remember I'm working 6 days a week AND I'm back in school now (which TOTALLY sucks)..but I've got to finish these last 2 classes and then I'll have my degree. Love ya too, and it was great fun! I talked to Mama today and she was talking about how nice it was to see you and your Mom and she enjoyed seeing the kids have such fun!
As far as Michael is concerned you just never know. I've been waiting for over a week for him to come and get my Christmas stuff out of the attic so I can put up my tree...he's here and there and everywhere!
Well, I do appreciate the positive perspective you have about Mom....lol. But, didn't you notice the girl with the baby in the video that walked out to look at my mom and walk back? lol I know that she is uninhibited and of course, that's a good thing in its ways. But try being in Belk's or Old Time Pottery or Goody's and watching your mom practicing line dancing down the aisles. It can be very humorous but it's disturbing me in a big way because I know that something is wrong with her. It's not just old age....I truly think she either has Alzheimer's or Dementia. Nina says that as long as she can take care of herself and she isn't harming herself or anyone, to leave it alone for now. But I really think I need to take her to a doctor and see about getting her on medication. The problem will be approaching the subject with her. I know that she will be upset when I tell her. She truly believes that she has always danced when she hears music.
I know what you mean though about what you do at Hailey's games. I act crazy around my kids too. But, there's a difference. You're supposed to dance and holler and have fun at a football game. :O)
Please, consider coming out soon. I know how busy you are with school and work, but just take one little ole relaxing Sunday afternoon and come spend it with me. OR...December 15th is my big shopping day for Christmas...ya'll wanna come to the Galleria and shop with me?
Well I hope y'all figure out what to do with your Mom. I'll keep her (and y'all) in my thoughts and prayers.
I don't think that lady was looking at your Mom. It looks like she's just checking to see if the parade is coming yet. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about that, it was a very festive mood out there, ESPECIALLY with the music playing!
We will try but I just can't make any promises. I still haven't got my tree up because Michael won't come over and get the stuff down from the attic and I'm NOT going up there, it makes me dizzy climbing that ladder and I just can't do it!
Hailey is trying out for the soccer team so she's got practices every night for the next 2 weeks, plus we have a band meeting next week that is mandatory to discuss the Rose Bowl trip and the band is playing at the Holiday Spectacular the next night, and then the NEXT night Hailey is in a play for her acting class. On top of trying to keep up with my schoolwork and work overtime and still try to get my tree and decorations up and don't even talk to me about shopping. I have only bought 3 presents.
I will be shopping that weekend too because I get my Christmas bonus plus my child support that same Friday but I'm avoiding the Galleria this year. Brookwood is just so much nicer, closer and less crowded. I'm doing all of my shopping either online, at Brookwood or in downtown Homewood. Well, there is one thing that Hailey wants from Sephora but I'm going to try and order that online. Brookwood has most all of the good stores that the Galleria has now. We went there last night just window shopping and it was great! We had so much fun just looking around!
We will just have to see. Sunday is my only off day and every other Sunday I have a huge paper or assignment due in addition to all my assignments during the week. School sucks, I can't wait to be done!