Dogwoods and Rainbows

What a wonderful drive! When I left my nail appointment in West Little Rock yesterday at 6:00 p.m., I thought the rush hour traffic would be pretty much cleared out. Guess I didn't take into account the "lovely" weather we were having. Yes, it was pouring down rain and who knows what else was in the vicinity. I noticed in time that traffic was backing up going down the hill from Cantrell Road and was able to exit from 430 onto Cantrell.

Keep in mind that generally the only time I'm on the east side of Cantrell Road is during Team Processing for our Race for the Cure--September and October.

I love when the daffodils bloom and the Bradford Pears are all covered in white as Spring makes its appearance in Central Arkansas, but my favorite time of spring is when the dogwoods are in bloom. I love how they grow all spread out stretching for their own little space. They look like they're peaking out at you through the trees as you pass. My favorite are the pink ones, but there doesn't seem to be many around this year. Or maybe they haven't put forth their color just yet. It seems like they're usually a little behind the white ones for some reason.

Anyway, I was bombarded with beautiful views of LOTS of dogwoods as I drove down Cantrell. They're everywhere! Unfortunately, between the traffic and the rain, I couldn't take any pictures. May have to make that trip again in the next few days.

By the time I made my way over to Main Street in North Little Rock and was stopping for the light on Pershing, the rain had let up and the sun was trying to shine. Well, rain plus sunshine means one thing to me--there's GOT to be a rainbow!

I kept looking around, got distracted, looked again, and there it was! A beautiful, bright rainbow at the top of the hill. Then as I was going up the hill, I found the other end of the rainbow and could see the whole arch! It was gorgeous!

As I got to clear spots, I could see it further up each time but always there with me. At one point, there was even a double rainbow. I finally dug the camera out and took a few shots while stopped at red lights. Just partial rainbows but such a beautiful memory.

I had another gorgeous view along the ridge over by Miller Road in Sylvan Hills. For those that don't know, they've cleared so very many of the trees from that area and are in the process of widening the road, so we have a completely different view from what we are use to. Again, I was able to see all of the rainbow but unable to take pictures due to the car riding my tail and the condition of the road there.

A dreadful drive in the pouring rain and too much traffic turned into a wonderous event in my life by the beauty God and the memories of loved ones.

Love you,
Jilletta

Henry's 60th Birthday Party

Thank you all for the one that came to my dad Party it was really great. That is all he as talk about sent that nite. You all made my dads nite. The was 85 people there. All is great down in Sardis!!! I love you and hope you all are doing great and Happy Late Birthday Aunt Eva we Love you!!! Love, Nikki Harrell

Veterans

Everyone may already know this, but it was news to me. Not that it involves me, but I thought the information might come in handy for some of you or someone you know.

If you are a war veteran and register your car in the State of Arkansas, you can get a special license plate for ONLY $3.75. And that is NOT $3.75 in addition to the regular registration--that IS the registration fee.

Just go to http://www.state.ar.us/dfa/motor_vehicle/mv_plates.php and scroll down to your war to see the details. Included are:
Korean War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Pearl Harbor Survivor-this one is actually free
Persian Gulf War
Vietnam War
World War II

Just passing along info,
Jilletta

Memories and News

Memories. Where do you even begin when talking about memories?

Occasionally on my way home from work, I go the back roads. Now, I almost always go that way to work, but I guess I'm too busy paying attention to all of the traffic and whether that car is going to pull out in front of me to think about memories. But things are a little less hectic on the way home.

When I pass Mission Road, I always remember when Mom and I stopped by to visit with Aunt Wanda after my swim lessons. Wow! How old would I have been? And I remember the little slipper coin purse she gave me for whatever accomplishment I made one week. I believe it was blue and white and had a 50 cent piece in it. Mom, do you remember?

And that just seems to be a catalyst to start other memories. Staying with Aunt Jamie and Tammy while Daddy and Uncle Leo went hunting. Going frog gigging with Daddy and Uncle Leo. (I'm sure they regretted that move.) Fishing on the Arkansas River at Uncle Frankie's. (Dad regretted that a few times too when I forgot to switch to reverse and put him in the trees.) Fish fries at our house or at Aunt Jamie and Uncle Leo's. Reunions everywhere. Uncle Charles and Aunt Christa coming home. Carmen in a swimming pool in our backyard. (I can still see her vaccination mark.) Trying to scuba dive in Aunt Eva's pool at TCJC and not being able to stay down. (Oh, but to have that problem these days.) Of course, I can't forget Tammy's "present" on my 10th birthday. (Sorry,girl. I still love you.) Uncle Bobby bringing Aunt Janet to the house for the first time. Them living practically next door. Sean coming home from the hospital. All of Uncle Herman and Aunt Kay's (and the girls) trips home and summers spent with them. Picking pecans at Uncle Frankie and Aunt Janice's.

Gee, I could go on forever. Do you have any Harrell memories that you would like to share? Email them to me at jill.winholt@gmail.com, and I'll be glad to get them on here.


Has everyone heard that we added to the family in January? Johnny and his wife had a baby boy, Connor Charles.

Uncle Herman is recuperating from his surgery. It was so good to see Dorinda (and a bit of Debbie). They're both on their way home now.

That's all of the news I have. I hope to see more activity on here. Give me a yell if you aren't receiving the calendars.

Love to all and Happy Birthday to you February babies,
Jilletta

Happy New Year!

Is there anyone out there? You know, it's awfully quiet (especially for the Harrells). :o)

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that 2009 is off to a great start. Happy Belated Birthday, Bella! And Happy Belated Anniversary, Debbie and Ken!

Speaking of birthdays, I'm (slowly) working to create a perpetual calendar. Aunt Eva has worked so hard every year to keep us updated on births and marriages within the family. She has had to recreate the calendar every single year, and I'm thinking that this would be much easier with a perpetual calendar that can just be added to as our family grows.

On this venture, I have created a calendar for January. With full names and birthdates on there, I don't want to put it here for the whole world to see. I'm sending it to email addresses that I have on my laptop. You'll need to send me your address if you don't get it. Sorry to be late; I'll try to do better for February.

I'll also try to get my Christmas party pictures uploaded this weekend. April is having trouble with hers and we'll get you those as soon as possible too. Where is everyone else's????

Wishing you a safe, healthy and happy 2009 with love!

Jilletta

Hey Harrell Kids

Great Christmas party. We had over 50 Harrell family members present.
Anybody got any good pictures?

Merry Christmas

With the annual Harrell Christmas Party tomorrow, I thought I would get this started with a group shot from last year's party. Photo by April Souza.

Merry Christmas from the Harrell Family.

Jilletta