THANK YOU to everyone who helped make tonight's skating party so much fun! We do still have a long way to go. Approximately $9,000 is still needed to make Christmas happen this year for the neediest children in the LaVergne and Smyrna communities. Although I'm an optimist, deep down inside I'm afraid that the "Christmas for the Children" will truly be cancelled this year. Let me add, though, that there are other organizations who will hopefully care for these children through their "angel trees" etc.

We received donations of time and money from all over the world - and enough inquiries that we plan to open a PayPal account later this week for others who want to donate.

In a wonderful act of charity, the Smyrna Skate Center has agreed to host a SECOND "Skate for the Children" this month! It will be held Thursday, October 26th from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. In addition, the Smyrna Bowling Center is interested in hosting a "Bowl for the Children." We will announce that date and time when we "pin" it down. (haha!) We are carrying the silent auction over the next event so more people will have the opportunity to bid.

Also, Doug Atkin (pictured with the cap) has volunteered to help us put together a "Writer Night." We will be looking for a place to host a "songwriter" night for any of our local musicians to perform. We will probably charge an admission fee. Does anyone have a place they can allow us to use free-of-charge? Are there any musicians who may be willing to perform that evening? (Pictured on the right is another Realtor, Gene Williams. Both he and Doug are good-hearted, thoughtful, generous people who I am privileged to call friends.) Meanwhile, I am certain that part of the reason we gathered this evening was that great minds could come together to come up with additional fundraising ideas. Isn't it awesome that when people have open dialogue, brilliant ideas flow!?!?!

Back to the skating event... Poor poor Ivy. She fell down and hurt her knee. She thought getting on skates was a fine idea until her crash. Logically, she traded her skates in so that her baby boy could have some skates. Every time he fell, he cracked up laughing. It was so funny!


Ivy and her skinned knee. Ouch.


My baby is 16 years old today. She's pictured here with her number one fan, Nate. Nate is 3 years old today. How cool is that? They share the same birthday!

I've got more photos, but blogger won't let me post. Grrrrr... I'll try again later.

I also want to give a big shout-out to M. of ThisisSmyrnaTN, Chip of Chip Talks, and my friends Debbie B., Dugger and Rhonda from my office. Thank you for being there tonight. I hope you all had a great time!!