Dear Family and Friends, December 2014 oi a, What. year! Substitute “Nancy WéFlly* in the children's rh fll. and you know what happened ona col, January nigh, while vas carrtng ak bags of groceries on each arm through tue house to avald mang atecana tip tomy cart iter pseame ‘unbalanced by the numerous bags, or tripped on some of my junk, but I fell on both knees, scattering rocerle the contents of my purse, tell over the Mor Tied fr hours to get up but had othe, Onvwhicho hold, and my knees were n longer capable oflifting me. Finally, fretieved ny call phone lip chargereiaining and calet Wade: HEdawaliies “Uatont of Rane" om testa toes me, But sas, he was unable to It my excessive “dead weight” Next came paratetis tthe reseue inthe early A.ML—they puta blanket under me and lifted me toa sanding poston! My koees ‘yrs VRC SORE aa Ulluped panty forseveral dave, Actat I went to sv deetr who orton Praga reered The oan orlhopedesurgets WOM war uo a eadlaie foe vse ese al rite trout.” Cortisaubanbiatieesipeoalva aricay ons ofBugpie ee ce (ont believe those TV ads), but the value of Tey Hot stock surely nereased front ny asoge , *... Humpty Dumpty hada great From the above, you understand that the beginning of 2014 was a “blur,” although I limped to the ADP Office most days, attended Pam's Bal Masque’ Ball, survived our Jefferson-Jackson dinner, although the speaker eancelled four days before the event (Congresswoman Sewell, Senator Dun, anid Representative Hubbard “saved the day”). In pain, I presided over our February 1 SDEC meeting, followed by candidate and county chair training. ‘tosh, Chris, Glenn, Brenda, Wade, and others did lots of “heavy lifting” for the dinner and meetings, and we actually raised more money than we spent. In March, { dropped my smartphone on the floor and lost all the “smartness” which it contained. The technicians assured me they could retrieve the telephone numbers, other valuable information, e however, they could not. Please send me your numbers, mailing address(es), email address(es), ete. April brought another trauma to my knees which balked when I tried to rise from my lowly 14” commode. Again, I sat for hours awaiting Wade's scheduled arrival; however, his attempt to lift me vas futile— when he pulled me up, he fell backws yy knees again. Solution: We installed the tallest-available, 17 4" commode and a pull-up bar on my bathroom wall. Inow predict the weather with my knees (I always thought my Grandmother was crazy when she told us her knees were “predicting rain”), I use a walking cane which makes me feel more stable, and Wade sometimes pushes me in a wheelchair if I have to walk very long distances ~ he could use some Wheel Cc "sEd. (Uve been pushied fits levator walls, off sidewaihs, efe.3}Te uihfully, ne hiss been a lifesaver throughout this ordeal — buying groceries, washing clothes, running errands, ete. ‘The latter half of 2014 has heen a vast improvement over the early months. [recently attended the APT/ADAH discussion of 1920°s fashion, followed by a preview screening of the 5* Season of Downton Abbey, a high-class soap opera which I had never watched, and to which T refuse fo get addicted. In addition, I heard outstanding author Rick Bragg diseuss and sign his new Jerry Lee Lewis book. I attended the Montgomery Business in the Arts Awards Luncheon, the ‘Montgomery Symphony’s concert on the lavn (we had our usual good pienic with friends), the Huntsville Art League's drawdown (wwe finally got a Billy Herron piece), and heard author Daniel Wallace speak before the Capri’s showing of Big Fish. Glenn and I attended the Pre-Premiere of Ken, Burns? series, “The Roosevelts...," followed by Dr. Wayne Flynt’s informative lecture in Auburn. 1 also heard an excellent lecture at MMFA, by Bob Thrower, tribal historian, on the “Effects of Manifest Destiny on the Creek Indians.” While I missed some great theatre in early 2014, I have recently (OVER)enjoyed the East Alabama Arts Series performanees by the touring Paul Taylor Dance Company and Sister Act (Stanley Sistrunk’s pre-theatre dinner party at The Flower Shop in Auburn was a New York/Atlanta experience). Wade and I saw BTL's touring Jekyll and Hvde three weeks ago and this week-end we shalll see the not-real-theatre, but delightful “cireus® performance of Holidaze.... Tmiss Troy's Davis Theatre's now-closed series, as well as my “theatre buddy,” Kristen, who is back in PA. Although many of us spent countless hours working for Democratie eandidates and issues, the national, as well as the Alabama Demoeratie Party, to which I was re-elected Chair in 2014, experienced disappointing results in the Nov. 4 General Election. I have put together a VISION Committee for our Party and we have completed our first meeting. If you're interested in running for office or if you know someone who would be a great candidate, let me know — 2016 is just around the corner! 1n 2014, { participated in some DNC and ASDC activities, as well as our frequent conference calls. I attended numerous campaign events, organized a Youth Summit, submitted White House card lists, produced information for state and federal reports, worked on fundraising, made deposits, paid down the Party's debt some, recruited, trained and certified candidates, replaced nominee vacancies, held candidate challenge hearings and election challenges, participated in media interviews, spoke at nd eivie events, wrote letters and notes, worked on special elections, etc. ional meeting held in Birmingham, AL. Thanks to Sheyann's nomination, I received the SCLC’s Public Policy Award, a beautiful, etched-glass globe on a pedestal, which I proudly display. It was good (0 have Senator and Mrs, Steele back in Alabama, attended the AHSAA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, at which my former DHS colleague Mike ‘Smith was inducted. Other sports-related activities included the Quarterback Club's annual Drawdown Dinner and regular dinner meetings with high school player/coach awards and excel speakers Barnhart, Durham, Malzahn, Sherrill, Dean, Blakeney, Jordan, Pearl, Boren, Barlow, Turk, Shaw, Tuohy (on whose family The Blind Side movie was based), Todd, Wilson, and Bowden. Wade and 1 went on the World’s Longest Yard Sale and spent most of our time in Kentucky (Elizabethtown to Frankfort ~ bourbon and tobacco country). We bought wooden tobacco stake canes and folk art, plus junk. We drove to Denver, for the NEA-Retiree and RA meetings, but didn't ightsee as usual because of my “ mobility issues” at that time. I have participated in the AEA Dele Assembly, MERA meetings, Architreats programs at ADAH, alumni gatherings for UM, the Family Guidance Center’s Drawdown, WWC meetings, the Women’s and Men’s Hall of Fame Luncheons, HLA events, AHF Luncheon at The Club (Imagine my surprise when the speaker was my former student Mark Crosswhite, the new CEO of Alabama Power), YMCA Youth in Government Board, two chapters of Delta Kappa Gamma and AWAC. te 2014 brought sadness with the death of many close friends such as ABA Past President Frankye Underwood, ASDC Executive Asst. Geneva Jones, the most visionary and pro-public education man 1 huave ever known, AFA’s Dr. Paul Hubbert, and former Decatur Mayor and State Representative Bill Dukes, (omame a few. 2014 also brought joy with the Decatur tea and American Village wedding of Chip and Lauren Turner, beautiful seasonal open houses, receptions and parties at Brooks and Catherine's, Jeff and Twinkle’s, Dwayne and Jack's, Janice and Joyce's, delicious food atthe Irondale (Whistle Stop) Café (SMART), Jubilee Seafood (AP Lobbyists) to name a few. May 2015 bring you much hope, good health, and great happiness. Call! Email! Visit! (G34) 213-6499 (Recorder); (34) 318-7010 (Cell; (334) 262-2221 (Office) nworley@hiwaay.net Lr» 2