Wow, Wow, Wow

Hey Guys,

I know it has been a while,but I have finally made it back to the blog. I want to thank Reese for doing some sub duty while we were gone.


This will be a long one. I plan on starting with the trip and then I will digress.

First and foremost I need to thank my Dad. We first started talking about doing this late in the 3rd quarter of the Florida game. It was really just talk. I never dreamed it would actually happen. I think you all know by now that everyday life is not as easy for me as it once was and traveling is certainly more difficult, but Dad never wavered and everything was perfect. When I was in the hospital, on the floor, Dad told everybody in the family that when WE got out we were going to do the things we wanted to do. We weren't going to let things stop us except money. I really think that's why he was so understanding about this trip. If anyone would have told me in June of 2008 that in January of 2010 I would be in Pasadena watching Bama play for it all I would have said I had a better chance of growing another leg. On to the trip. Thanks Dad I love you more than you will ever know.

On Monday Jan.4 we left Elba a little before 12 to go to Montgomery. Our flight wasn't til 4 but we had some things to do and we were getting pretty excited. I must say this. As tough as it is to travel these days the airports and Delta have been nothing short of amazing in helping me. We got to the airport got checked and waited for the first leg to begin. The flight to Atlanta wasn't bad at all and we had an hour or so there before we left for sin city. We didn't check any bags so our carry ons were a hassle, but when I thought about why we were doing all this it calmed me down. Our flight to Vegas was ok except the kid crying and kicking the back of my seat the whole way. The larger planes have individual TV and around 20 stations to keep you occupied. I was trying to keep tabs on the Boise/TCU game and could easily do so watching ESPN at 35,000 feet. We landed at McCarron around 9 left coast time. We jumped in a cab grinning because neither one of us thought we would be in town again so quickly. We got checked in and when we opened the door to our room the smell of BBQ was thick in the air. We later figured out that an exhaust fan to a restaurant was outside our window. After dropping of our stuff went down stairs to check out the Rio.

The next morning I slept in and got up around 9. I guess I was exhausted from the day before. On Tuesday we really just hung around the Hotel until the afternoon. Later we went to the Strip to check on Bert Crowe, Dale's brother, he took care of us on the last trip and we wanted to thank him one more time. He wasn't at the Flamingo, they said he would be there Wednesday. After that we caught the Bellagio water show because we heard the opening to "Viva Las Vegas". Later we went downtown to Fremont "old Vegas" to show Dad the Golden Nugget and Binions. We looked around and had our picture taken with a million dollars. Dad was very impressed because I told him it was a dump, but they have done alot since I was there in 2006. We were nearly exhausted and hit the sack.

Wednesday morning I woke to Dad laughing and having a good ole time. The running joke with Jerry and John DuBose was when they got off the plane Wednesday if they saw a sign with their name on it at the airport then the trip was on us. Well Dad and I didn't strike gold on Tuesday but he hatched a plan to meet them at the airport with a homemade sign. They came down the escalator saw us and started laughing. We got them to the hotel dropped off their luggage and tried to show John as much off Vegas as we could in half a day.

Thursday morning we all woke up fairly early and got ready. After all it was "Game Day". I don't think this trip would have been as important to me if it hadn't been at the Rose Bowl and our opponent wasn't Texas. Bama/Texas/Rose Bowl =History. All we needed was Keith Jackson and he even was there flipping the coin. We left Vegas crossing the desert around 7:45. The scenery was beautiful but didn't change for hours. We made it to Pasadena around 12:30 after a long breakfast stop and traffic jam on I15. We pulled up to the front door of the famous Rose Bowl with help from a handicap pass. The must pictures of us in front of the sign were taken and now we could settle in a while before going in the stadium. Before we went in we saw Ms. Mary Sue Cain and saw Mr. Steve Holley and his family. Around 3 we started to make our move for a 5:38 kick. Dad and I had the option of swapping two tickets for accessible seats. I wanted to sit with Jerry and John so Dad and I made the trek up 30 rows to our normal seats. This turned out to be a MAJOR mistake because once the game started you had to stand to see. John and Dad were worn out after the game because it was up and down for 4 hours and when I was standing I was holding on to them. I'm not going in to the game because you all know how it turned out. I will say it was a roller coaster. Nausea, elation, nausea again and the finally shocked that I had just seen Bama win the 2009 National Championship game. After the game we waited and hour or so to head down the steps. We made it, found my wheelchair, and after thousands of Roll Tide's headed back across the desert.

Friday morning we all slept in and then packed our stuff to leave. We were in no hurry since our flight didn't leave until 1:40. We hit the famous Vegas sign for one last photo op before the airport. When we checked in the lady at the counter moved all 4 of us up to the first row behind first class which gave us all more leg room. The flight was uneventful and we got to Atlanta around 8. Instead of flying on to Montgomery Dad I decided to ride with Jerry and avoid the layover. This probably took longer but we didn't have to fly anymore and we could relax as Jerry drove to Montgomery. We picked up Dad's truck in Montgomery and made it to Elba around 2. It capped a very memorable trip. One for the ages. I really want to thank Gator one more time for letting me hang on him the entire game. Thanks man, sitting with you and Jerry made it that much better. I hope I wasn't to much of a hassle. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.


Fins Up,
Jr.

P.S. I just read over this and it is not grammatically sound. I hope no harm comes to Mrs. Amison, Mrs. Padgett,or Mrs. Tucker from reading this post. ng

Game Day!

Well, it's Reese-again!

Those Troy Trojans sure put up an amazing fight last night! Mom, Uncle Daniel, and Mobile and Fairhope friends and family were there in the thick and cold of it trying to help them pull it out. But in the end Central Michigan took home the trophy. Good game Trojans, you made us alumni proud!

Neil called about 30 min ago and they were 5 minutes outside of Pasadena. He's "excited but nervous excited!" I sure do hope Neil's "Mojo" helps the Tide pull this one out!

We had some snow this morning in Tuscaloosa and now I think everything is going to turn to ice. Mom and I are game ready: ribs, Diet Coke, and Bama t-shirts and pom poms!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

RG

Pasadena

So...I like your style people---call Reese when Neil hasn't posted?! Listen I know I started this thing but it has been turned over to him! HA just joking just joking!

Anyway on to the news...we all had a WONDERFUL Christmas and New Year's. Time with all the families, communion with everyone, food and presents. Contrary to popular belief Neil got more than coal in his stocking-he also got a few tickets to the National Championship game!

Dad and Neil flew out to Vegas yesterday and from what I heard this morning they seemed to "be up." Dad called about an hour ago and they had just seen the water show at the Bellagio and the song playing was of course "Viva Las Vegas"...they were then headed down to Fremont. Tomorrow they meet up with Jerry D and John and then Thursday they are all driving out to Pasadena together. I know they are going to have a great time and Neil said he will be sure to get some pictures up!

I am snuggled in to my new house in Tuscaloosa getting ready for some Dreamland ribs on Thursday and of course some great football! They are even sending us some snow from what I hear...we shall see!

ROLL TIDE ROLL and Fins Up,
RG

Merry Christmas Eve

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to tell you guys Merry Christmas one more time. I am so thankful to have each and everyone one you in my life.

Also Happy 27th birthday to my good friend JD Cook, you are my hero and when I grow up I want to be just like you.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Later Tuesday

Hey again Folks,

I know I said that last post was going to be long, but I just couldn't put anything behind that. This past Friday I was invited to the old creative services Christmas party. I say old Bonnie Money not because of your age, but because I don't know what ya'lls department is now. I had a great time seeing everybody and catching up. They had two of my favorite things there, food and people to chat with. While I was there D was blowing my phone up asking when I was coming home. We were supposed to hang out with DuBose, but I didn't understand the rush. Well, when I finally showed up at the house she had a surprise birthday party going. We had a great time and stayed up wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too late. Thanks D for planning it and thanks to everyone that came, it was a blast.

Saturday morning we got up late and were cleaning up when I got a phone I was only wishing I would get. Dad called and said we had tickets for the game. Yes you heard me right Dad and I are going to Pasadena to see Bama take on Texas for all the marble. This made a fantastic birthday absolutely incredible. I can't wait for the trip and hope Bama can get it done. Obviously I was one cloud nine for the rest of the day. We spent the afternoon and night at DeAnn's parents and finally got home and in bed around 10.

Sunday morning I got up and went to Ham. I love going out there for the services and hearing Brother Stanley's sermon. He does a great job of putting them into everyday life where they really make since. After Church Dad and I started cleaning out the storage room at our house. That pretty much concluded our weekend and we now have the short week before Christmas. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and everyone is safe. Love you all.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Tuesday (Long)

Hey Guys,

This is going to be a long one so get ready.

First and foremost, apologies are in order. Saturday was the anniversary of the day we lost my pal Adam Waddail in 1995. I have called his mother every year to tell her just what Adam meant to me and what her and Ash do mean to me. This year I failed her as when I sat down to call her the clock said 9:30 and I wasn't going to call that late. Most of you know that I worked for Adam's dad Steve while I was at Troy. He took me under his wing and made my 3 and 1/2 years on campus so much easier. I try to thank him all the time for being there for me, but he is too stubborn to accept even a thank you. To the Waddail, Rainer, and Bledsoe's I think of you often and Adam was such a special person to me and everybody that knew him. When I get down I usually think of Adam and his laugh normally puts a smile on my face. Mrs. Melanie I will never miss that phone call again because I have felt terrible since Saturday because I let you down.

Adam I miss you buddy and know that we will see each other again.

Neil

Thursday

Hey Guys,

You all probably think I am sick since this is the 2nd post in a week. Well I'm not but I knew Monday that I was forgetting something and I was.

Sunday afternoon after we ate lunch at D's parents, Mom and I went to Montgomery to finish up some shopping. After we got that done we went to Cedar Crest and Shanna was gone on a day pass with her Mom. We still haven't talked to Mr. Stan or Mrs. Linda but obviously things are progressing nicely. Also, we stopped by John Knox to see Mrs. Sue and gave her some chocolate. She looked great and seems to be doing very well. Those are two great presents right there and its 1 week away from Christmas.

I just wanted to tell you guys that,

Fins Up, Roll Tide, and Merry Christmas,
Jr