I can remember the phone call of her telling me she was in college just like Rebecca and Scott- she was so proud.

Story by Karen D. Smith karen.d.smith@amarillo.com Photography by Steven Dearinger steven.dearinger@amarillo.com Anne Hubley turned the ruler over and over in her hands. The inch side, not the centimeter side. She wanted the inch side. Tutor Megan Hardy patiently pointed to the proper edge. Together, they held ruler to paper. But Hubley concentrated so hard tracing and retracing a line that she never realized it extended much longer than the 3 inches assigned. Drawing A Line: Anne Hubrey, left, practices using a ruler with help from West Texas A&M University education major Megan Hardy. Hubley is the newest student in Where The Learning Continues, a program for high school graduates with intellectual disabilities. "This is hard," the 24-year-old sighed. College, it's not. But the program – called Where The Learning Continues – feels like college to Hubley and three other students with intellectual disabilities. Their formal education might have ended in high school, when they either graduated or "aged out" of the public school system at 22, but it didn't. Set at West Texas A&M University, WTLC joins an estimated 100-200 postsecondary educational options now offered to students with intellectual disabilities, said Nancy Hurley of the University of Massachusetts Institute for Community Inclusion. "The more I talk to people, the more I think we're just scratching the surface," Hurley said. UMass ICI has a federal grant to count programs and share information about them through its ThinkCollege Web site,www.thinkcollege.net. The survey effort has identified three categories of college-based programs for the developmentally disabled: students who attend regular classes with modifications to help them; students who attend separate, lower-level courses unavailable to the general student population; and a mix of the two. Buffaloes Of Differing Varieties:Jacob Cooper, 23, got involved immediately in campus activities at West Texas A&M University by joining the Herdsmen, who are responsible for tending the university's live mascot. Cooper was photographed Jan. 21 feeding, Sadie, now retired. Amarillo College offers hybrid opportunities. Students with intellectual disabilities might have difficulty taking regular courses, but they can take Continuing Education courses that are not graded or work on skills at their own pace in the ACcess Learning Lab, said Brenda Wilkes, coordinator of disability services. WTLC, a joint effort of WT and the nonprofit Hali Project, offers separate instruction for participants, but most enrollees have become involved in campus life. Blake Bagwell helps the WT football coaching staff. Kati Artho works part time in the campus Admissions Office. Jacob Cooper joined the WT Herdsmen, college guys who wrangle the university's buffalo mascot. "I've been so thankful to the Herdsmen, because they've really embraced him," said Cooper's mom, Carol. continue reading Jacob Cooper was the lone student when WT and the nonprofit Hali Project launched WTLC as a pilot program in 2002. WT provides space and administrative oversight. The Hali Project pays coordinator Jeane Miller, added in September, and mentors, who are mostly WT education majors, said Dr. Henry Moreland, Continuing Education director. An individual is considered to have an intellectual disability if his IQ is below 70-75; he has significant limitations in two or more adaptive skills, such as communication or self-care; and the condition manifests itself before the age of 18. American Association on Mental Retardation Each WTLC student pays tuition to WT to cover access to facilities and privileges, Moreland said. Spring semester tuition was $1,060. Because it's cost-intensive, with one-to-one teaching work, WTLC "will probably always have a size limitation," Moreland said. Training focuses on increasing students' job opportunities by improving reading, math, writing, money-handling and social skills, Miller said. Class mornings appear a riot of activity, with mentors alongside students as they use rulers, count pencils and pennies to visualize math problems, read newspaper articles aloud, learn to fill out job applications, or tackle other tasks. "We're working on life skills," Miller said. "I think it has expanded their horizons." Parents agree. "We didn't feel like he was finished learning," Bobby Cooper said of his son. "I feel like I've made a lot of progress," Jacob Cooper, 23, said. "I read better. I can use a computer now." Many things the students will learn simply by being around other people their age, Hurley said. "They're going to get certain skills they would never be exposed to in the special ed classroom," she said, "like using cell phones. That's a huge skill for them. "Keeping a schedule, that's another one. At (public) school, it's all bells. There's no need to look at your watch." Though the 21-year-old Artho already had been working part time on campus, her mother still worried WTLC might overwhelm her. On The Same Page: Blake Bagwell, 22, left, reads aloud from the West Texas A&M University newspaper, "The Prairie," while Where The Learning Continues Coordinator Jeane Miller, center, and Bagwell's WTLC classmate, Kati Artho, 21, follow along. "Would she get to her parking place OK? Would she be where she needed to be on time? Would she have her ID with her?" said Sammie Artho, assistant director of WT's Student Advising, Registration and Retention Center. "I kept waiting for her to come by my office. She never did. She didn't need me. "The more she can read, communicate, follow instructions, get where she needs to be, the better she's going to be." Bagwell, 22, has exhibited the same expanded independent streak, his mother said. "He has just matured," Jo Tyler Bagwell said. "He's been exposed to seeing people do for themselves, making decisions. This experience is helping him learn his own abilities." Hubley's mother, Kelly Baker, could not emphasize enough the value her daughter receives. "She's always happy and outgoing, but it's like this has given her a sense of purpose," Baker said. "She's practicing her reading every night and is real serious about it. "And having somewhere to go every day is wonderful." Baker believes the community will benefit, as well. "These kids will mature through the program," she said. "They'll rise to a higher level of function and they'll be able to contribute, whether working or just in their everyday lives. m

I think of Anne everyday but since the anniversary of her death it seems I think of her all day long.  She is  on my mind and in my heart when I wake up and when my day has ended.  A memory is sticking with me.  You were meeting at Momma JO;s house to go back home after visiting with Mike.  You bounced out of the car just beaming, so excited to give your mom the present you had picked out for her "just cause you missed her".   I miss you everyday Anne.

Christmas Parties

When we would come to visit around the holidays, often we would get to take Anne to her Special Olympics or Advo Christmas parties. These were always a big party and lots of fun for everyone. They were certainly one of the highlights of the year for Anne. All her friends were there. There was food. There was music and dancing. And best of all, there was Santa. We all remember that Anne never gave up believing in Santa, even when she was 30 years old. That was the same with all her friends. When Santa would come in the room, the crowd would go wild and everyone would immediately line up to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Anne would always get in line and tell Santa what she wanted while sitting on his lap! It was always funny because Mom would have a hard time figuring out what to get Anne for Christmas but Anne wouldn’t tell mom because “Santa already knew.” One time Mom tried to tell Anne that Santa wasn’t real, and that Mom was the real Santa. Anne responded indignantly, “You are NOT Santa! Do you have rosy red cheeks? Do you live at the North Pole? Do you have a white beard? Do you have a belly that jiggles like a bowl full of jelly? I don’t think so!” That pretty much settled it in her mind.

Of the many parties I attended, there are a couple of memories that stick out in my mind.

Once, after Jennifer and I had just gotten married, we were all at the Special Olympics Christmas party and when the music came on, we all started dancing. One of Anne’s friends asked me to dance. I can’t remember exactly who it was, but this particular girl who had a crush on me and always told Anne about it. While we were dancing, Anne followed us out on the dance floor to keep an eye on us. She was very concerned that this girl was going to lure me away from my new bride. Towards the end of the song, Anne decided she’d had enough, so she leaned over and told her friend, “He’s taken!” while pointing to my wedding ring. With that, Anne rested her case. She was always very protective of those closest to her and this was a perfect example of it.

Another time, we went to the Advo Christmas party. I had just arrived in town and everyone else had a long week, so just Anne and I went to the party. She was so proud that I came with her, as soon as we walked in the door, she yelled out, “We’re here! This is my brother Scott. He lives in Fort Worth.” The party was already going and it was so loud that nobody really heard us but Anne didn’t notice. The rest of the night, Anne repeated the introduction to everyone we saw, whether they were listening or not. She made me feel like a celebrity, and we had a great time.

Cats

As everyone knows, Anne LOVED cats so we had several over the years. Anne loved to run through all the names of all the cats she ever had. I thought I would write down some of the cat names while I could remember them (in no particular order):

1. Bucky

2. Tabby

3. Snowball

4. George Strait

5. George Strait 2.0

6. Mittens

7. Symba

8. Nolla

9. Spicy

10. Spicy

11. Spicy

12. Spicy

13. Spicy Five

14. Dog

15. Tibet

16. Tigger

17. Maggie

Anne always took great care of her cats. She fed and watered them every day, played with them in her room, slept with them, let them in and out, etc. She also always wanted to take them to the vet to get shots or “doctored for ticks.” It didn’t matter when they last went, the cats were always due for a trip to the vet.

One time she told me that she had a cat that weighed 60 lbs. She knew this to be the truth because she had weighed the cat herself on the bathroom scale. I tried to explain to her that wasn’t possible, even comparing to a 50 lb sack of animal food, but it was futile. You couldn’t reason with her. She insisted that her cat weighed 60 lbs. So finally I asked her to prove it to me. She took me into the bathroom where the scale was and showed me the cat weighing procedure. Anne grabbed the cat and put it on the scale. The cat was squirming and struggling to get away, but Anne persisted. She pushed down on that cat with all her strength, and sure enough, when the number popped up, the scale said 60 lbs! Anne was right, sort of.

Leftovers

When I became a part of the family I quickly learned two things that were important to Anne: Scott and food. She loved it when we came to visit and she got to see her brother. Kelly would always have lots of good food for us while we were there. This meant there were always leftovers! On the day we would leave, Kelly would (and still does) pack us a sack full of leftovers to take with us on the trip back to Fort Worth. Anne did not like this. As soon as she realized what was going on, she let us know she wasn’t happy…”Why is everyone taking my food?” “What am I suppose to take to work?” “I never get to eat what I want.” etc.

In the early years, I could say, “I’m sorry Anne, but do you mind if I take the food?” She would put on her polite face and agree to let the new sister-in-law take all her leftovers. But as time went on and I was around more and more, the politeness wore off. I was treated like all other members of the family. I remember one time when I asked her the same question about taking her food years later, she looked at me (from around the open refrigerator door) and gave me the same earful she gave everyone else!

Miss you Anne.

Love,

Jennifer-wennifer

AnnieBeth

                                            Decision Time

 

There are so many happy memories of Anne that it's difficult to single out just a few. I have really

enjoyed the ones that have been remembered by those that loved her!

 

Over the years Anne and I had many telephone conversations. There was lots of talk about cats

and pigs and , of course, George Strait and Kenny Chesney.

 

The call I remember the most though was when she had a decision to make. It seems two of the

boys she worked with, I don't remember their names, were wanting to be her Boy Friend and she

wanted me to help her choose the right one. You can imagine how much help I was!

 

It was always such a delight to hear from her.

 

                             G G

A Lesson in Generosity

My dear friend, Rebecca, just called to share this "Anne Moment" she just had.  Her husband is at Zale Lipshy on the Rehabilitation Floor, where Anne was for four weeks when she was re-hospitalized after her resection.  Rebecca walked into a room down the hall looking for a schedule and said this memory just came flooding back, as though Anne was giving her a big hug.   In the room was a round table where Anne, Rebecca and I had sat while Anne ate her lunch one day.  Also at the table that day was an elderly, skinny,  black woman eating her lunch.

Okay, a little background now.  After Anne's surgery she was wanting cheesecake. We had a whole cheesecake from a bakery in Waxahachie (I think) that we had been eating on and it was gone.  Early on, cheesecake was listed on the hospital menu that comes with the tray.  Anne selected cheesecake that day.  The next day cheesecake was not listed on the menu that came with the hospital tray.   Anne talked the woman who delivered the food trays into bringing her cheesecake for dessert every day, whether it was an option on the menu or not.  From that day on Anne had her cheesecake for dessert every day and enjoyed every bite of it.  Anne knew it was a special treat just for her. If we commented on her cheesecake, she would do a combination "O" face, smile and raise her eyebrows...She loved being special.

Back to Rebecca's visit during Anne's lunch that day 7 years ago.  The elderly woman looked over at Anne's tray and said something to the effect of "how did you get that cheesecake?", she had a cookie or something on her tray.  Without missing a beat Anne said "Here, you can have it."  and she handed her prized cheesecake over to the woman. 

Rebecca said it was one of the sweetest things she has ever seen. That's our girl.....

Girl in Charge

Whenever I had to go out of town on business Anne was always wanting to know how long I'd be gone, where was I going and when would I be home.  Before I would leave, I would pull Anne aside in confidence and say something like "look Anne, you're going to be the only girl here while I'm gone, you think you can take care of everything?  It's just going to be you and the boys, and you know how they are...."  Anne would take a great big deep breath and inhale,  raise her eyebrows as though I was asking her to move a mountain, and then get the "O" face and nod her head in conspiracy. 

When I would arrive home I would  take a hot bath that night.  Like clockwork, Anne would pull the wicker stool over to the bath tub, plop down on it and begin a diatribe of what had happened while she was in charge.   I would listen and praise her on what a great job she had done and would tell her it was a good thing she was here or who knew what might have happened.  And like clockwork, Anne would cock her head to the side just a little, nod and make the "O" face.

Visiting Canyon

Every time we would visit Canyon, Anne would be very excited leading up to our visit. She would call and ask when we were coming every day for sometimes 2-3 weeks before we were scheduled to visit.  Then on the way, she would call us in the car about every hour while we were driving to check on us and see where we were.  You could tell by the sound in her voice how excited she was.  Sometimes, if we were driving late, she would go on and on about how she was waiting up for us and wasn’t going to sleep until we got there.  Then, never fail, as soon as we would pull up in the driveway but before we made it in the house, she would head back to her room and shut the door.  She would act like she was too busy to come say hi.  We would eventually go back to her room and she would be shuffling CDs or stringing beads, never anything very urgent, usually sporting her “O” face.  Priceless

Bucky

This is not about the cat that is part possum.  This is a different Bucky.  In 2008 when we went to Nashville, Bucky Covington had a few hits on the radio and was pretty popular.  While we were waiting in line for autographs in the FanFair convention center, Bucky came in and was headed to his booth. We saw him walking within earshot and told Anne that he was nearby.  All of a sudden, she starts calling him like she called her cat named Bucky.  “Buuuuuuuckkeeeeeeeeeeee!!  Here Bucky Bucky Bucky Bucky”  I think she might have even thrown a few meows in there.  I don’t remember if he heard her or not, we were too busy laughing.  Regardless, she made it up there to get his autograph and a picture with him.  Success.

Walking the Pigs

When Anne was in high school, she was a member of FFA – Future Farmers of America.  She had a purple jacket and went around all the time saying something about “Gold, Corn Gold!”  She raised pigs and showed them at the livestock show.  I think she did this for about 3-4 years.  As part of her duties, she had to walk them to make sure they would get exercise.  Every day after school, she would come home, get her pig stick and head out the back door to walk the pigs.  We had a big open field next to our house.  She was supposed to walk them out in that field to the end and back.  There were two things that could potentially go wrong each day.  First, the pigs could get on the road and get run over.  Second, they could get in the pen with the horses and get kicked.  On an average day, Anne was quite sure that both of these things were going to happen and that would be the end of her pigs.  Walking the pigs was a very dangerous but exciting proposition.  She would head out the back door, and then about five minutes later (like clockwork) she would come running back to the house screaming frantically that the “pigs are on the road!! the pigs are on the road!!!”   If we didn’t take the situation seriously enough by immediately getting up to help her, she would threaten us by saying, “You don’t give a crap!! You just want them to get killed!!!” We would go out there and the pigs would be out by the barn, just grazing, about 50 yards from the road.  They must have taken a couple of steps in the direction of the road and that was enough to get Anne excited.  She liked the drama of it.  Either way, it was always very entertaining each day to see what kind of trouble she would get in with her pigs.  It kept Anne entertained, the pigs got exercise, Anne got exercise, and we could count on a few good laughs.

basket ball

When Anne was about 12 or13 when playing basket ball with the Special Olympics. all the action moved to the other end of the court, her mother and her coach hollered at Anne "Go down there, go down there,  Anne looked over and said "they  will be back" and of course it wasn't a second till all the action moved up the court where Anne was waiting.. She looked at her Mom and said "See"

coke

The memories keep coming.  When Anne was small ,4 or 5, she would fly often back and forth,  and when the flight attendant passed drinks,when Anne wanted more, she would say"More coke gul" like the flight attendant was there to serve her.  Flying was a challenge because of her short attention span and I would take an old metal Band Aid can for her to put things, in and out, maybe acorns, pennies..things I did not care if we lost.

Who's Your Main Man

From the time Anne could talk, when asked who her main man was she would answer GG.  At her surgery we anxiously waited for her to recover and  were praying the resection did not take away any of her abilities.  GG leaned over her bed in ICU and gently asked Annie "Who's your main man".  She didn't miss a beat  when she answered "Kenny Chessney".  We still has our Anne...

Hospital

I was very blessed to stay with her during many of her hospital stays.  I remember her always putting a smile on my face when one of her many doctors would ask "How are you doing today" and she would reply "your'e the doctor, you tell me"….  and the "O" face when hot Dr. Milligan would come...  and her being so sweet apologizing to me about waking me to help her go the bathroom.

Snack Time

The kids just woke up from their nap and it is now snack time, one of Anne’s favorite times of day.  A couple of things we would normally hear around snack time:

“Is this a snack or a meal?”  She had to get the rules straight before starting. She wasn’t about to waste a entire meal on an apple.

Or she would see someone else eating and say “they are making me hungry.”  It didn’t matter if she just had a snack or a full meal, if someone else was eating, Anne should be eating too.

Name Change

The title of this blog, Annie Beth, brings back another memory of my sweet Anne that I cherish. Although I can't remember exactly when Anne first started (Brett and I think at least 8 years ago) it was around the time she was going to West Texas A&M University.

Anne decided that she wanted to change her name from Anne Elizabeth Hubley to Anne Elizabeth Annie Beth Hubley. Agreeing to her request was not sufficient because Anne somehow knew it was a legal matter and that an attorney was required. She was relentless in her pursuit of a legal name change and even offered up the services of her brother-in-law, "Will Whitaker the attorney", a fact that she was very proud of. I don't know how many times we heard Anne say " Will Whitaker can do it, he's an attorney." Side note: Anne never said lawyer:)

Over the years, Anne never relented on the name change and it was ever present at our many doctor appointments. We saw Anne's neurologist, Dr. Milligan, every month for six years as part of the protocol of the FDA study that Anne was enrolled in. Everyone at the clinic knew Anne very well and would greet her by name. She would very confidently officially check-in, because that's what you do, and say "I'm Anne Elizabeth Annie Beth Hubley and I'm going to see Dr. Milligan."

When Anne was hospitalized and the nurses, lab techs, radiologist, physicians, etc. would check her arm bracelet and then ask her her name prior to any procedure she would always say " Anne Elizabeth Annie Beth Hubley". If they asked her if she was Anne Hubley she would respond "I'm Anne Elizabeth Annie Beth Hubley." Anne was a frequent patient at Baptist St. Anthony hospital and the staff adored her. Even if Anne was not their patient, they would stop by to say hi to her. These small gestures made us feel so supported and loved. In fact, during Anne's last hospital stay doctor's not even on her case came to see her.

I miss you so much Anne Elizabeth Annie Beth Hubley.

Mom

Calendar

Anne had a real talent for knowing everyones schedule. 
Doctor appointments, out of town trips, Special Olympics activities, etc.  One weekend when I was visiting she wanted to go to a Special Olympics bowling tournamment..Kelly said No , Will has a tennis tournament and Anne replied I don't know why we are going, he won't even move his feet.  Of course saying No did not keep her from repeatedly continuing to ask.  Special Olympics was a wonderful activity..basket ball, bowling, a wonderful circle of friends and many activities.  We  all miss you so much.  Mama Jo

Things Anne Liked

This is a list we collected a while back and the blog seemed like a good place to store it.

1. Cats

2. Dance parties

3. Barn dances

4. Racing in the car

5. Pigs

6. Cattle trucks

7. Food

8. Making cookies

9. Feeding cats

10. Routines

11. Country music

12. CDs

13. Electronics

14. Being like her mom

15. Cowgirl stuff

16. Being part of the gang

17. Friends

18. Family

19. Mickey mouse

20. Money

21. Cords

22. Michael Jackson

23. Her backpack

24. Trapper keeper

25. Sudoku puzzles

26. Cokes

27. "Sony" waters

28. Going to the casino

29. Popcorn and coke at the movies

30. Concerts

31. Fan clubs

32. Tour buses

33. Cattle trucks

34. Helping will with his math

35. Providing entertainment

36. Her room

37. Autographs

38. Rearranging furniture

39. Cooking

40. Birthdays

41. Calendars

42. Any celebration

43. Santa

44. Easter bunny

45. Any animals

46. Getting her cats doctored at the vet for ticks

47. Snacks

48. Being the authority

49. Having friends over

50. Printers and copiers

51. Coming to fort worth

52. Sweet tea

53. Nalgene water bottles

54. Walmart

55. Grocery shopping

56. Chickens

57. Showing pigs

58. Inside jokes

59. Singing along to songs in the car

60. Karaoke

61. Talking about girl stuff

62. Finger lights

63. The weather

64. Weather radios

65. Law and order

66. Wheel of fortune

67. DVDs

68. DVRs

69. VHS tapes

70. CD cases

71. UNO

72. Dominoes

73. T-shirts with her picture on them

74. Tupperware

75. Leftovers

76. Making popcorn

77. Sister fights

78. Country music magazines

79. Gift cards

80. Wallets

81. Talking on the phone

82. Having a cell phone

83. Headphones

84. Macaroni and cheese

85. Succeeding

86. Attention

87. Drama

88. Disney world

89. Movies

90. Special Olympics

91. Going to Devers

92. Bowling

93. Track

94. Basketball

95. Being an aunt

96. Kids

97. Babysitting

98. Vouchers

99. Country music t-shirts

100. April Fools Jokes

101. Going to the sale barn

102. Looking at the cows

103. Talking to “Chub” aka Scott

104. Watching someone cook

105. Being sung to on her birthday

106. Playing dominos

107. Talking on the phone

108. Everyone laughing

109. Being the D.J

110. Her Mom

111. Birthdays (hers in particular!)

112. Beads!

113. Doing anything with her dad

114. The Beach Boys

115. Home Alone

116. That Peter Rabbit Video that we had to hide

117. Chicken spaghetti

118. Picking on her siblings (ie: "Scott can't even keep a girlfriend", etc.)

119. Gift Cards

120. Hastings

121. Talking about JJ and her friends

122. Thoroughness--Burning CD Backups

123. Telling her news

124. Competing

125. Saving

126. Shopping

127. Being the Big Sister / Being the oldest

128. Saying, "Booty Call" & "So anyways"

129. The "Woo" song by Phillips, Craig & Dean

130. Watching a couple dance to a slow country song. something in her liked a good romance

131. Defending Will

132. Cleaning Will's room for him

133. Spending time with Rebecca

134. Recording Mom's favorite shows on her TV to get mom to talk about all her wonderful entertainment

135. Her 5 disc CD player

136. Batteries

137. Tuesday's at Walmart when new CD's "hit the stores"

138. Litters upon litters of kittens born in her closet

139. Riding the school bus

140. The pig barn

141. Showing pigs

142. Competing

143. Arranging and rearranging her cd's

144. Making beads for loved ones

145. Getting worked on by Uncle Bill

146. Paychecks

147. Vouchers

148. Being a " working girl" and getting a tea on the way home from work

149. Piggy Banks

150. Money in her billfold

151. Lending Brett and Will money

152. Dancing with Brett

153. Jamming in the car with Brett

154. Brett watching tv in her room

155. www.anything

156. Power cords

157. Important papers

158. Getting chocolate in the mail from Sally

159. Telling her stories of "almost being hit"

160. FanFair

161. Concerts

162. Cheesecake

163. Orange juice

164. Talking to Scott on the phone

165. Knowing she was loved

166. Being the prettiest girl in the world

167. Being the smartest girl in the world

168. Babying William

169. Bossing Hannah ( counting to 3)

170. Holding Scott's babies

171. Copy paper

172. Notepads

173. Pens

174. Going to the barn with Brett

175. Gathering eggs with Brett

176. Making coffee in the morning for us

177. shopping with Rebecca

178. CD scratcher remover

179. Jana

180. Rachel

181. Walmart

182. Going to the grocery store with Brett

183. El Tejavan

184. Family functions

185. Graduating with Rebecca

186. Watching Will play tennis

187. Helping mom and Brett sell their drugs

188. "mama's little helper and Brett's little helper"

189. Will Whitaker being an attorney

190. Packages in the mail

191. Mail

192. The Macarena

193. The Electric Slide

194. YMCA

195. Trips

196. Blackjack

197. Sunroofs

198. Her air popcorn maker

199. Prom with JJ

200. ADVO Christmas party with Kenny

201. Looking for spicy five

202. Feed Yards

203. Pink

204. Organizing the presents under the Christmas tree

205. Being a senior

206. Daddy Daughter dates

207. Off campus lunches at taco bell

208. Getting notes for school

209. Getting money from the bank

210. Cashing in the change from her piggy bank

211. Being rich

212. Sunglasses

213. Cowboy boots

214. Lane ropes

215. Posing for pictures

216. Hospital trays

217. Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny

218. Sharing the latest news

219. Good Salad and Pizza at CiCi’s

220. Jewel’s Cooking

221. Bucky Cat’s Possum Tail

222. Road Trips

223. Purple backpack full of CD’s

224. Road trips

225. Talking about Kenny’s other girlfriends

226. Ag Teacher - Mr Wentworth

227. Showing Pigs

228. Planning a visit

229. Making a proposition

230. Telling her dad to keep on working and save all his vacation

231. Saying “Get this one” and “If you are willing”

232. Telling about her Doctor visit schedule

233. Giggling with her sisters

234. Whitaker the Lawyer

235. Cousin the Fence Builder

236. Kolby the Engineer

237. Her brother

238. Special Olympics

239. Getting Rubbed

240. Jewels

241. Aunt Donna

242. Aunt Cheryl

243. Brittany

244. Aunt Mae

245. Granny and PaPa

246. MaMaw

247. Nana Kinsolving

248. Telling you how much money you had

249. Cousin Jennifer

250. Her Billfold

251. Jam Sessions

252. Euphemisms - Jack-a-Rabbit, How does a cat go? Mrrrhow

253. Sitting at the Domino Table through a good game of 42

254. Fan fair

255. Tracking folks on a visit

256. CD Player

257. Country Music Awards

258. Holding a Pup

259. Blue Dog

260. Penny

261. Blowing out Candles on her BD Cake

262. Remembering Everyone’s BD

263. Going to Walmart and Hastings

264. Looking at her CD’s

265. Telling a good Story

266. Just hangin out

267. Uncle Willie

268. Uncle James

269. Uncle Danny

270. Having a job

271. Worming cows

272. Dr. Milligan

273. "Saving" her birthday coke

274. Outings

275. Knowing it was the time change weekend – “set your clocks”

276. Extra blankets on the bed

277. Crinkling bottled waters when she was through

278. Filling up her mugs with ice

279. Empty boxes

280. Lunchboxes (the bigger, the better)

281. Hospital trays

282. Posing for pictures

283. Pinching on St. Patricks day

284. carrying her all cds each time she left the house

285. The Murphy girls

286.  Aunt Nancy coming to help

287. Aunt Nancy sending packages

288. Aunt Sally calling Bill her " house slave boy"

289. “Fun Parties”

290. Miss America pageants and rooting for Miss Texas

Independence Day

We all know Anne loved holidays.  One of our favorite memories of her was Jennifer’s first trip to Canyon on the 4th of July.  She was sleeping in William’s room, across the hall from Anne.  Bright and early the morning of the 4th, Anne started blasting music from from her room. She was playing Independence Day by Martina McBride and it was LOUD!!  As soon as she turned it on, she would go barreling down the hall to make sure everyone in the house could hear the music.  No holiday was complete without the theme music.  Turned out to be a good wake up call for Jennifer. If you don’t remember the song, you can watch the music video here.