Ranking the NFL Throwback Uniforms

     Yesterday’s throwbacks worn by the Packers and Bucs got me thinking…enough teams wears throwbacks where they can be counted, and ranked. So I did, below.

     Would’ve been nice if the Bucs had told the Falcons they were wearing the creamsickle throwbacks in advance. Even if the Falcons (or Reebok) hadn’t wanted to splurge for white throwback jerseys, the light orange Buc uniforms would still contrasted with the black Falcon throwbacks. On Thanksgiving the Pats and Lions both wore colored jerseys, for the second time in nine years…so it wouldn’t have been unprecedented.

     Both the Falcons 60s or current unis would be somewhat of a time warp for the Bucs 70s unis, though. Enough teams have throwback so that throwback on throwback games could happen more often than just Thanksgiving. Teams plan far in advance what uniform will be worn in each game. Often this information is published. Several color-on-color or throwback-on-throwback games could be planned every year, particularly for division rivalry games.

     A quick ranking…

Packers…helmet color resembles leather.

Bears…big, shiny orange numbers

Patriots…Pat Patriot, grey masks 

Steelers…1930's era uniforms

Steelers

Steelers: NFL 75th Anniversary Uniforms

Eagles 1930's era uniforms...

Eagles: early 1960's uniforms

Bills…even the back of the helmet is plain.

Falcons…sock stripes, grey masks

Vikings…sleeve stripes, grey masks

Buccaneers…creamsicle jerseys, sock stripes

Colts…blue helmet with horseshoes on back

Cowboys…white helmets and pants.

Chiefs throw back to the Texans...

Chargers…powder blues

Rams…70s shoulder horns

Rams: 1950's yellow jerseys

Lions…plain 40s look. The 60s look would be better.

Redskins...leather-colored helmet.

Redskins…yellow pants, sock stripes.

Browns…everyday 60s look
Giants threw back to their 1950's red jerseys

Saints…sometimes they wear white-trimmed numbers

Broncos…occasional vertically striped socks in yellow & brown

Broncos: NFL 75th Anniversary Uniforms 

Jets…everyday 60s look needs grey facemasks, but these New York Titans uniforms were sweet.

Titans…sometimes they wear Oilers throwbacks. Once against the Titans. Confusing?

Raiders…unchanged throughout the years. Occasional silver numbers.

49ers…

Cardinals…everyday great helmet.

Dolphins…the 60s/70s throwbacks are seldom worn

Seahawks…they could have a great throwback

Bengals…they could have a great throwback

Jaguars…new team…a throwback is barely possible.

Ravens…nice unis…new team, no throwback possible

Panthers…new team, no throwback possible

Texans…new team, no throwback possible.

Blauser Makes His Move

We re-hired a good baseball loving guy at work. Today he said his 27 year-old daughter was out drinking last night. Someone bought her a drink and came over to talk…Jeff Blauser. She knew who he was, and they talked baseball for a while.

Nice to get Hinske signed…sounds like his teammates are glad. Bowman said McCann was thrilled, and Moylan texted Heyward, on Jason’s birthday. Rowland’s Office took note, but didn’t mention Matt Diaz being non-tendered. Both Bowman and DOB had plenty of nice things to say about Diaz.

Watched some of LeBron’s return to Cleveland.

Wednesday I stopped at BP and got 8 gallons, to receive a card. Five cards equals a $10.00 BP card. The promotion ends March first, and I already have three cards. Household limit is $30.00, so I might have to involve my dad. But twice now I’ve forgotten to use the BP gift cards I have. I paid when I didn’t have to.

Work has been busy. Haven’t written a post like this all week. Didn’t get to leave early again yesterday, since Dialysis was out sick. Ogre must’ve noticed, and said I could leave early today, since the customer is closed.

They’re going to have a biggest loser weight contest here at work, starting January third. I should enter, just for the motivation. They already have 19 signed up. Winner gets $240.00.

C and A are going to a Living Science tea party tonight, for some of my favorite girls. M wants to go with W to the Flight/Crown game, so I may tag along. Hopefully we’ll get up the tree tomorrow. Sunday A has a party, and M has his first game.

M wanted to go to the SEC fanfest at the GWCC, but I can’t find much info on it. Perhaps we’ll go before the ChickfilA Bowl. A rumor has UGA playing FSU.

Quote

Man fully alive is the glory of God. St. Irenaeus

Grace

Grace is inviting to the unrighteous and threatening to the self-righteous.

Braves By The Numbers

Some of the more notable Braves players, listed by the number they wore.

1. Otis Nixon, Jerry Royster, Albert Hall, Rafael Furcal
2. Rafiel Belliard, Marty Martinez, Barry Bonnell, Albert Hall, Rico Brogna, Alex Gonzalez
3. Dale Murphy, Edgar Renteria
4. Jeff Blauser, Omar Infante, Bob Didier, Larvell Blanks, Biff Pocoroba
5. Bob Horner, Ron Gant, Freddie Freeman
6. Bobby Cox, Clete Boyer, Tony LaRussa, Davey Johnson
7. Jeff Burroughs, Joe Pepitone, Jeff Francoeur, Gil Garrido, Brad Komminsk, Kenny Lofton, JD Drew
8. Javy Lopez, Bob Watson, Jody Davis, David Ross, Bob Uecker
9. Marty Perez, Pepe Frias, Ozzie Virgil, Terry Pendleton, Marquis Grissom
10. Chipper Jones, Chris Chambliss, Charlie Lau, Greg Olson
11. Edgar Renteria, Gary Sheffield, Tito Francona, Darrell Evans, Ken Caminiti, Mark Kotsay
12. Dusty Baker, Tom Paciorek, Sid Bream, Eddie Perez
13. Bob Uecker, Blue Moon Odom, Ozzie Guillen, Juan Eichelberger, Billy Wagner
14. Andres Galarraga, Martin Prado, Woody Woodward, Andres Thomas, Brian Hunter, Julio Franco
15. Tim Hudson, Joe Torre, Johnny Oates, Darrel Chaney, Denny Neagle, BJ Surhoff
16. Brian McCann, Rafael Ramirez, Sonny Jackson, Reggie Sanders, Mark DeRosa
17. Andy Messersmith, Glenn Hubbard, Felix Millan
18. Tommie Aaron, Claudell Washington, Zoilo Versalles, Omar Moreno, Trench Davis, Steve Lyons, Ryan Klesko, Garret Anderson
19. Denis Menke, Terry Harper, Craig Nettles, Francisco Cabrera, John Burkett, Vinny Castilla, Adam LaRoche, Yunel Escobar
20. Bruce Benedict, Mark Lemke, Clay Carroll, Mike Marshall, Todd Hollandsworth
21. Warren Spahan
22. Jason Heyward, Rowland Office, Brett Butler, Ken Griffey, Walt Weiss, Marcus Giles
23. Dave Justice, Matt Diaz, Denny Lemaster, Jim Nash, Ted Simmons, Bobby Bonilla, Johnny Estrada
24. Roric Harrison, John Montefusco, Ken Oberkfell, Deion Sanders, Michael Tucker, Bret Boone, Mark Teixeira
25. Andruw Jones, Rico Carty, Troy Glaus, Willie Montanez, Rufino Linares, Larry McWilliams, Pete Smith
26. Gene Garber, Tom House, Alejandro Pena, Kyle Davies
27. Pascal Perez, Ty Cline, Pat Dobson, Lonnie Smith, Fred McGriff, Gerald Williams, Jaret Wright
28. Mike Lum, Bob Wickman, Gerlad Perry
29. John Smoltz, Felipe Alou
30. Orlando Cepeda, Denny McLain, Bruce dal Canton, Mike Stanton, Horacio Ramirez
31. Greg Maddux, Donnie Moore, Jeff Reardon
32. Milt Pappas, Earl Williams, Steve Bedrosian, Charlie Leibrandt, Dennis Martinez, Mike Hampton, Derek Lowe
33. Pat Jarvis, Doyle Alexander, Steve Avery, Fredi Gonzalez, Brian Jordan
34. Cecil Upshaw, Zane Smith, Kevin Millwood
35. Phil Niekro
36. Joe Niekro, Gary Matthews, Gaylord Perry, Claude Raymond
37. Rick Camp, Mike Remlinger, Chris Reitsma
38. Ron Reed, Greg McMichael
39. Hoyt Wilhelm, Al Hrabosky, Walt Hriniak, Ben Barker, Rafael Soriano, Jonny Venters
40. Tony Cloninger, Bruce Sutter
41. Eddie Matthews
42. Biff Pocoroba, Rick Mahler, Bruce Sutter
43. Tony Gonzalez, Cito Gaston, Bob Walk, Mark Wohlers, Tim Spooneybarger, Raul Mondesi
44. Hank Aaron
45. Paul Byrd, Paul Doyle
46. Kerry Lightenberg, Charlie Spikes
47. Tom Glavine, Buzz Capra
48. Ralph Garr, Tommy Hanson, Mack Jones, Juan Berenguer, Bruce Chen, Andy Ashby, Russ Ortiz
49. Jair Jurrigans, John Rocker, Carl Morton
50. Preston Hanna, Tommy Boggs, Scott Kamieniecki
51. Mike Gonzalez, Terry Forster, Pedro Borbon
52. Jay Howell, Brad Clontz, John Thompson
53. Melky Cabrera
54. Chris Medlin, Chad Paronto
55. Mark Grant
56. Jim Bouton,
57. Antonio Alfonseca
58. Peter Moylan, Chris Seelbach, Phil Stockman
59.
60.
61. James Parr
65. Jorge Julio
68. Jason Marquis
70. Ismael Villegas
72. Luis Rivera
73. Ryan Langerhans
78. Blaine Boyer

NBA By The Numbers

My list of the great NBA player to wear a particular number.
Honorable mentions in parathesis.

00. Robert Parish
1. Oscar Robertson
2. Moses Malone (Alex English, Mitch Richmond)
3. Dennis Johnson (Chris Paul)
4. Dolph Schayes (Joe Dumars)
5. Bill Walton (Kevin Garnett)
6. Bill Russell (Julius Erving, LeBron James)
7. Pete Maravich (Nate Archibald)
8. Kobe Bryant
9. Bob Pettit (Tony Parker)
10. Walt Frazier
11. Isiah Thomas
12. John Stockton (Dwight Howard)
13. Wilt Chamberlain
14. Bob Cousy
15. Earl Monroe (Tom Heinson)
16. Satch Sanders
17. John Havilchek (Chris Mullin)
18. Dave Cowens
19. Willis Reed (Lenny Wilkens)
20. Ray Allen
21. Tim Duncan (Dominique Wilkins, Kevin Garnett)
22. Elgin Baylor (Andrew Tony)
23. Michael Jordan (LeBron James)
24. Kobe Bryant (Rick Barry, Bobby Jones)
25. KC Jones (Doc Rivers)
26. Kermit Washington (Kyle Korver)
27. Jack Twyman
28. Quinn Buckner (Sam Cassell)
29. Paul Silas (Pervis Ellison)
30. Rasheed Wallace (Terry Porter)
31. Reggie Miller (Cornbread Maxwell)
32. Magic Johnson (Bill Walton)
33. Lew Alicindor (Larry Bird)
34. Charles Barkley
35. Reggie Lewis (Darrell Griffith)
36. Shaquille O'Neill
37. Nick Van Exel (Ron Artest)
38. Kwame Brown
39. Tom Tolbert (Greg Ostertag)
40. Bill Lambeer
41. Wes Unseld (Dirk Nowitzki)
42. Nate Thurmond (James Worthy)
43. Brad Daughtery
44. Jerry West (Pete Maravich, George Gervin)
45. Michael Jordan (Rudy Tomjanovich)
46. Bo Outlaw
47. Jerry Lucas
48. Walt Gilmore
49. Shandon Anderson
50. David Robinson
51. Michael Doleac
52. Buck Williams
53. Mark Eaton (Darrell Dawkins)
54. Horace Grant (Tom McMillen)
55. Dikembe Motumbo
56. Brandon Hunter
57.
58.
59.
60. Dick Wehr/Walt Kirk (the only two players to ever wear this number - both in 1949 for the Indianapolis Jets. The Jets and Detroit Falcons were fond of high numbers).
61. Bevo Nordmann (no relation to the singer)
62. Scot Pollard
63.
64.
65. George Ratkovicz
66. Price Brookfield / Grady Lewis
67. Moe Becker
68. Milt Schoon
69.
70. Dennis Rodman
71. McCoy McLemore
72. Jason Kapono
73. Dennis Rodman
74.
75.
76. Shawn Bradley (for the 76ers, of course)
77. Jack Ramsey
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84. Chris Webber
85.
86. Semih Erden
87.
88. Antione Walker
89. Clyde Lovellette
90. Drew Goodin
91. Dennis Rodman
92. DeShawn Stevenson
93. Ron Artest
94.
95.
96. Don Ray (Ron Artest)
97.
98. Chet Aubuchon
99. George Mikan

Other interesting retired numbers include:
432. Doug Moe
529. Bobby Leonard
613. Red Holzman
832. Cotton Fitzsimmons

Project

Over Thanksgiving I’ll try and compile the greatest NBA player for each jersey number. I’ve seen similar lists of football or baseball players, but not basketball. I will need help, and suggestions.

There’s that white guy on the Celtics who wears 86, and Shaq is 36 this year, right? It may have helped that Kobe switched numbers, but LeBron loses out on both 23 and 6. What were all the numbers Dennis Rodman wore? 19 and 91?

Last night Will was throwing up, and he’s still sick this morning. C and M are also complaining about their stomachs. Don’t know what this will do to our trip.

Quote

What you did yesterday is of far less concern to God than where your heart is today.

One Fine Day

Last night I saw on the internet that the Hawks had the poor start against Boston. The kids went to see Harry Potter, so Ceil and I had a quiet evening at home. Neither of us felt like doing anything, so we watched the Clooney/Phieffer movie “One Fine Day”.

Some people at work aren’t realizing that when I leave at 3 pm, I’m not leaving early. In fact, three days a week I stay late...to cover when others leave early.

We won’t get to SC until late Wednesday. Ceil’s dad just got out of the hospital, so it will be different this year. After we eat on Friday Will leaves with a gang going to the away high school playoff game. They’ll spend the night in Abbeville, then go to the 7 pm Clemson/SC game. We’ll probably pick Will up in Anderson after the game, and come home late Saturday. So I’ll miss watching that game and GT/UGA.

Matthew won’t have to miss his Sunday practice. Hopefully we can get out and shoot some over the next few days. He has been enjoying it so far, frequently displaying a sheepish grin, and telling Ceil stories from practice. He must like the assistant coach in particular, as he asked me why he missed most of Sunday’s practice.

Basketball Begins

Matthew had his first basketball practice Friday night. He made me laugh right off the bat…during lay-ups he unknowingly returned to the shooters line three times, before finally being directed to the rebounding line. The coaches put him at center, where he looked relatively imposing. He shifted from side to side on defense, but refrained from sticking his nose into the crowds of boys fighting for the ball. They scrimmaged, and he needs to get faster running the court. His coaches were great, repeatedly instructing him with great patience.

At the end of practice they lined the players according to height. Matthew was at the end, the tallest on the team. Right before handing out Carolina blue jerseys, they shifted Matthew, placing two beefier boys at the end. The third jersey was still a huge men’s large, but it was the number Matthew wanted…three. All the other boys immediately put them on, but Matthew just looked at how big his was.

Sunday’s practice involved various drills before another scrimmage. Matthew held his own, and showed improvement. Playing forward, he be began to contest shots. On offense he even got off a shot. At the end the league director made them play without dribbling, and the level of play actually improved. His team has at least six decent players, so perhaps they’ll have a good season.

Friday afternoon and evening Anna had two babysitting jobs. Will spent the weekend in Gainesville, practicing and performing as “Jesus” in his friends’ ballet recital. Ceil drove Anna over on Saturday morning to help with the Tech Crew. Both W and A stayed with the Stevenson’s in a hotel. Ceil sat with Lucy and her mom. Charissa and a few of the other college girls also went.

Sunday Ceil took Mary-Clayton. Alyssa and Kara brought Will six congratulatory roses and a ballet balloon. That night Mary-Clayton went with us over for a small group dinner.

Sunday at the 9 am service Bryan baptized two men. The second guy told in his video testimony of unexpectedly losing his infant daughter during surgery. After the video it was evident how much it had effected Bryan, who courageously completed the sacrament. Looks like he’s already documented the event: www.apinisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/11/tearful-baptism.html

Rambling Like an Old Fart

Lets hope the Kennesaw loss will be a springboard for the rest of the season.

These days it seems like there is parity in talent between college football and basketball players. The main difference is in the coaching, both in schemes and getting the athletes to focus and play to the best of their ability.

A team can play below expectations and squeak into a Shreveport or Nashville bowl game. Players should be embarrassed to be seen in those bowls, but instead wave their arms and draw attention to themselves like they’re the greatest on earth. Players these days are too busy hanging out, texting, playing video games, and making time with girls to watch many games on TV, though in games they act like their peers are watching them.

A team like Tech will waltz into a Shreveport bowl game and underestimate a “lesser” team, and get embarrassed. Just like the Kennesaw game, or when the football team lost to Kansas. Or SC losing at Kentucky.

It could be argued that both GT and UGA’s football seasons shouldn’t be considered disappointing. Tech had four drafted into the NFL and had a new defensive coordinator, then their QB was hurt in a key game. They still should’ve beat Kansas. Georgia had a new QB and defensive coordinator, and lost their best player for four games.

Hewitt Won't Go Away

The Kennesaw loss was another nail in Hewitt’s coffin. No one is surprised any more. The young alum here at work was thinking the same thing, that we use the coliseum money to pay off Hewitt. He thinks after last season Hewitt was told he’d be gone if he didn’t make the tourney. AD DRad surely has been working behind the scenes. Right now I bet Hewitt wishes his wife would’ve been happy moving to St.Johns.

It is enjoyable to watch Vick play, when he’s “on” and healthy.

Both Monday and Tuesday night I watched the end of the GT/Miami game, some of the MNF game, and the end of the Kennesaw game. It was almost like GT didn’t have a chance. Also watched some of Ken Burns The Tenth Inning. Saw it was on while looking for a rerun of the Tina Fey Mark Twain Award Show. Interesting about the Expos…they often had talented players.

I’ve been coming in early, since my coworker is out for 8 weeks, recovering from wrist surgery. I leave early on Tues & Thurs…on MWF another coworker has to leave early to get dialysis. I might as well get up early, since I’m waking up before five anyway. In January I’ll need to keep getting up, and exercise in the AM. I’m trying to exercise every Tuesday & Thursday for the rest of the year…but ever since I ran last Thursday my knee has killing me.

Harry Potter Trumps GA/Auburn!?

M enjoyed the Harry Potter weekend on the ABC Family Channel. I let him watch HP instead of GA/Auburn, since he went to the GT game. At the game I remembered my vow after the Clemson game, to never go to another football game. Long TV timeouts, senseless penalties, etc. I did enjoy watching the new QB, who I like better than Nesbitt (or Jaybo Shaw). Stopped by the Varsity both before and after the game.

Saturday night we watched the Clemson game on TV, thought C went to bed before the game-winning 55 yard FSU field goal. Will was in the other room, on the phone.

Sunday I went to Macon in the morning, and working like a dog. Went to Will’s baseball team’s pot-luck dinner at six, with Matthew. Hung out with Mary-Clayton’s parents…her little brother is on the middle school team.

Early Monday I took the GT basketball schedule and logged all the home games on my calendar, secretly hoping to be asked to a game. I even created my 2011 calendar, so I could log in the second half of the season.

This past weekend Ceil had been scheduled to go to Virginia. She didn’t go, then didn’t even go to South Carolina for her father’s surgery. Then I went off and spent all day Saturday at the Tech game, so I’d better not go to Tech games this week.

Friday night Matthew has his first basketball practice, and he needs all the practice he can get. I need to look for a new basketball goal. The old rim hangs almost straight down.

Plans

Got Reid’s letter in the mail, along with the GT basketball ticket stub. That “legend” looks familiar, but I’m having a hard time remembering his name. I love ticket stubs…I tape them into my scrapbook calendar. Ceil opened the envelope before I got home, hoping to find stamps. That’s what she’s into these days…even bought a magazine/catalog.

We may go see “Despicable Me” at the movies. Got Tech tickets for Saturday, against Miami. Matthew wants to go. Will is helping someone move all day. Ceil will probably go to Decatur.

Anna is going to a weekend event at Johnson Ferry. No weekend basketball game. Last week Lucy & her mom were there, along with 2 or 3 other mothers. Matthew had on the exact same outfit as Joel.

Thursday night M and I went to JFBC for the kickoff event with Anna. Clay Scroggins from North Point is the weekend speaker. There was a ton of kids there, with lots of them talking or walking around. I asked Anna if they did that at NP, and she said no.

Sunday I need to go to Macon to see my parents, but I need to get back to take Ceil over to Lilburn that night.

Basketball

Matthew is going to play basketball for the first time. The two churches closest to our house have programs, so he could play in both. St. Anne’s may be best: 5^th & 6^th grades play together. Mt. Zion puts 6-7-8^th graders together, where they sell the pumpkins every year. Johnson Ferry’s Upward program only goes up to 5^th grade…6^th graders play in the spring.

He wants to wear number 3, like the high-scoring Connor.

Good News / Bad News

GOOD: Joe Morgan’s contract will not be renewed.

He will no longer be on Sunday Night baseball.

BAD: John Miller will probably move to calling the game on radio.

This Day in History

November 10, 1984: Maryland trailed Miami 31-0 at halftime on the road, in the Orange Bowl Stadium.

The Terrapins staged college football’s greatest comeback by overtaking Miami, 42-40.

Frank Reich directs six consecutive scoring drives, including touchdown passes of 39 and 68 yards to Greg Hill.

After building a 42-34 lead, Maryland’s Keeta Covington breaks up a two-point conversion that would have tied the game with a minute left.

2011 Vacation Plan

Alyssa’s mom is organizing next year’s trips. I may go in late February with Will, and in April with Matthew and Will. I think Anna goes the other week. That leaves a week for the July beach trip and a week for other stuff. We need to get to Washington. Both sets of parents are having health problems, so it should be an interesting year.

Friday when we went to the Avenue I stayed in the car, since I was tired. Almost went to sleep. C and A were in 2-3 clothing stores. Had I gone into Borders it would’ve been fun, but much longer.

M wanted to play basketball, but options for a 6^th grade beginner are limited. Still looking.

With my 6 am – 3 pm co-worker out for the rest of the year recovering from wrist surgery, I’ve been asked to come in early. MWF I have to stay late, since my other co-worker has dialysis. I intend to leave at three on Tue & Thurs. I need to use the time to work out. Ogre moved Dialysis into the recently vacated desk between me and Surgery. That’s good, eliminating the possibility of me moving. I have been called into Ogre’s office more in the last two days.

Phones: My Sprint/Sanyo phone is ok, but not great for the internet. Recently C got a Blackberry she seems to like. She’s on her father’s plan, which I think is Verizon.

Tozer Tuesday

God waits to be wanted. Tozer

Retreat Recap: Day Five

One Friday story I failed to mention was the continued travails of Mrs. Wiggins. Bless her heart, she had a rough trip. Not wanting to get her own personal vehicle trashed, she opted to rent a nice white Town & Country for the trip. Wednesday I saw a noticeably noticed a large dent in the back. She had used her hip to make sure the back was shut, as many of us have done in the past. One student remarked "The dent was exactly the same size as her hip!"

Friday afternoon all the vans loaded to depart Washington Oaks Park at the same time. I was one of the first to leave. Windows down, the road made a U-turn through the woods. Through the trees you could see and hear excited students. I thought that odd, since the entire tired group had been loaded into vehicles.

Mrs. Wiggins THOUGHT her van was in reverse. It wasn't moving, so she pushed on the gas a little...then harder. The van was in DRIVE, and eventually the front wheels hopped the concrete thing. She was stuck! The event was commemorated with pictures.

Both Thursday and Friday my return trips to the hotel were quiet. Most of the guys fell asleep on the way back, exhausted.

Thursday night Mr. D's evening reading included an amazing passage about time, and how God transcends it. The researchers at Answers in Genesis have some amazing theories on the subject. Friday afternoon many of the chaperones had down time. Some visited the gardens, some frantically wrote skits. Mrs. Braswell pulled out a book, that had similar theories on time.

Saturday morning we pack and lug our gear down to the trailers. Before breakfast I made a short trip to get gas. It was 7:30, the sun was up, and I was able to hear the familiar voices on AM 750 WSB on the radio. Atlanta had suffered a low of 39 degrees that night.

Peyton Roth and Will Sykes remained excellent students throughout the trip. Faced with having to share the king sized bed, they considered taking turns sleeping on the floor. Not long before wake-up time that first night I happened to witness Will, in his sleep, roll over and almost put his arm around Peyton. They both quickly recognized the slip, and both edged back to their respective edges of the bed. After surviving the first night with only one close call, the rest of the week seemed to go well. One night, just before lights out, Peyton reminded Will "no snuggle-buddies tonight!"

One time we were in the room, chatting as we prepared for the next activity. Peyton was talking about his four years at Living Science. Though only his first year at LS, Will said he did know of some of the Living Science "legends." Interested, I asked him to name one. "That tall guy...Willis." I agreed.

After breakfast Mrs. D called on the Servant Leaders to encourage each member in their group. It was an amazing, wonderful time. For the most part each SL did an excellent job, granted sincere, detailed, personal encouragements. Then one group member individually encouraged each SL. Wes hopped up and told how exited he was to discover he was in Caleb & Joanna's group, that it would be "an explosion of awesomeness." And it was. As I recall, Sandy and Elin were among the other students with encouraging words for their SL's.

Due to the heat, we put off wearing the black trip shirts until today. Brianna and I sported the same outfit, which included black adidas warmup pants. I was wearing a similar outfit Sunday night when I ran into DJ at a Halloween party.

In my return car: co-pilot Mrs. Leiner, Emerald, Sandy, Mary-Clayton, and Charlotte (again, in order by last name). Not long after passing around Jacksonville we have to take an early Whether Stop, and we all eat lunch. I spy a spry Ninja sneaking around with vans, with an accomplance. When I went to intercept them, they ran the other way. Instead I discovered all the van windows had been written on.

The students discovered dozens of empty locust shells clinging to the pine trees, and made sport of tossing them on one another. I decided my fellow drivers Mrs. Braswell and Mrs. Howell would like to take one home, so I placed one on their dashboard. Amy found hers as soon as she got in her van, and had Wes remove it. Mrs. Taylor, Mrs Howell's co-pilot, saw the present but kept quiet. Mrs. Howell didn't see it until she was miles down the road. Her girls squealed, especially when Allison flung the carcass toward the back of the van, and more screams erupted.

Since we were to pass through Macon, Mr. Leiner was again the subject of ridicule from his fellow chaperones. I had wanted to time my barb just right, but since so many beat me to the punch, my joke was only moderately funny. You might not know from reading these recaps that I try to publish only the funniest jokes I think up. Aren't you glad?

In Tifton we stopped for fuel. Several of the guys were eyeing the energy drinks, literally forcing me to retell how a 9th grade Caleb drank one in my return car from Tybee Island, thinking it would help him be more like Krypto. Only Ryan purchased one.

In our van, MC and Charlotte sat in the back, swapping war stories about chorus. MC brightened when she saw a south Georgia 4H outpost/tatoo parlor. She launched into some 4H stories, so I knew she'd be fascinated with a few of my Rock Eagle memories. I think Sandy was sleeping by this point.

Emerald was sitting quietly, jotting in her notebook. Fearing she was collecting notes for a retreat recap of her own, I asked her what she was doing. Quite interestingly, she was writing a screenplay for her dad, who makes movies. Mrs. Leiner and I learned alot about her interesting family life. Made my trip!

In Macon just about every car descending on Chick-fil-A. Mrs. Taylor grabbed me and Mrs. Howell for a Wendys run. Though much quieter, I think the rest of the mob at CFA may have received quicker service than we got at Wendys.

As we finally turned off 575 at Hwy 92, Charlotte piped up, telling us of her superpower: control over traffic lights. In my car it only worked about half the time.

If you're still reading, hoping for some great ending to this five part saga, you are quite mistaken.