Two Years Ago Today...

Hey, Y’all—I’m back, and have I got a real gooden for y’all!

All day today, I kept having this strange feeling that today was a very special day, and for some reason, I thought about my Uncle Anthony, and that’s when it hit me: Today is a very special milestone in my family!

It was two years ago on this very day that my Grampa Clark was inducted into the first ever Sapp Elementary Hall of Fame. This beautiful ceremony took place at the Marriott in Marina Del Rey, California, and the atmosphere was like that of an award show. I don’t know how Principal Wilson did it, but she made darn sure that the Sapp Hall of Fame lived up to the hype. Well, I can tell y’all—it was truly a gala affair!

From the moment we stepped inside that Promenade Ballroom to the closing remarks and benediction, I watched as the five legends of Sapp Elementary became immortalized in the annals of time. Each hall of famer was inducted by their respective predecessor, and entertained us with stories of their greatest moments at Sapp Elementary. However, it was my Uncle Anthony who had everyone grabbing the Kleenex, as he spoke from the heart about his dad/my grandfather, the late great Clark Kenneth Jones.

I get goosebumps to this very day when I think about how Uncle Anthony accepted the award on Grampa Clark’s behalf, then looked up to Heaven and boldly declared, “This is for you, Pop!” I remember how my smile grew when Uncle Anthony reached for his notes, only to put them back into his inside suit jacket pocket and just let the words flow about the legacy that Grampa Clark left at Sapp Elementary… and check this out, y’all: Uncle Anthony had every intention of giving that beautiful crystal award to Gramma Jewel, but Gramma Jewel wouldn’t have it; she suggested—dare I say—demanded that Uncle Anthony keep the award for himself.

And here it is, two years later, and you can find Grampa Clark’s award resting on the mantle of Uncle Anthony’s fireplace.

Well, y’all—that’s all the news that I have right now, but I promise to holla back sometime tomorrow. Until then, y’all take care and be good.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha

Congratulations, Paul Bearer!

Hi, Everyone!

Y’all ain’t gonna believe this, but Rust College is workin’ a sista! Therefore, today’s blog post is gonna be a short one. It’s amazing that I managed to somehow carve out some time out—and rightfully so. After all, today’s blog post is dedicated to a guy who did so much in the wrestling business, yet was taken away from us too soon.

It was exactly one year ago today that we bid farewell to one Mr. William Alvin Moody, who passed away at just 58 years old. Everyone in the wrestling world knew Mr. Moody better as the legendary Paul Bearer. With his ghostly facial expressions and his over-the-top excitement in his voice, Paul Bearer is most definitely a household name… OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH, YYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

Here it is a year later, and it was just brought to my attention that Mr. Moody will be inducted into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame.

Though it is not yet known who will induct him (I hope Kane and Undertaker both do the honors), I must say that Mr. Moody is truly deserving of such an accolade. Although I know him better as Paul Bearer, I am aware of his Percy Pringle III persona, thanks in part to YouTube and other wrestling historians. My favorite Paul Bearer memory would have to be the time that he returned to the WWE in the year 2000, to accompany Kane’s triumphant return.

Congratulations, Mr. Moody—you have officially been immortalized in the annals of professional wrestling… OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH, YYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Good News Back Home In Cali!

Hi, Everyone!

As you can tell by the title of today’s blog post, there is good news back home in Cali.

Check this out: The news back home is that there will be a special Hall of Fame ceremony for five recently retired Sapp Elementary teachers. That’s right, y’all—my Grampa Clark, alongside his colleagues Mrs. Betty Bradley, Mr. Mike “Thundera” Thompson, Mrs. Cynthia Harvey, and Mr. Hal Arthur, will all be inducted into a very special teachers’ hall of fame on Saturday, December 21, 2013, in my hometown. I tell y’all: This news couldn’t have come at a better time, especially considering that I’ll be heading home next Friday, once my finals are done. And lest I forget: Gramma Jewel already put in the RSVP for all of us to attend this extravagant gala of extravagant proportions.

Just in case y’all can’t tell, I wanna state for the record that I am supercalafragitasticalidociusly excited… or whatever that word is that Mary Poppins said in that movie!

My excitement notwithstanding, I have an extra bit of added incentive for attending the first-ever Sapp Elementary Hall of Fame: I remember hearing somewhere or reading somewhere that in order to truly enjoy what you do, you must become immersed in it. For example: I’m studying to be a teacher, so I need to associate myself with those things that will help me become a great teacher. Y’all already know that I attended Mr. Arthur’s retirement celebration this past summer, and it was spectacular. I mean, the outpouring of love and encouragement that was shown by Mr. Arthur’s peers, colleagues, friends, family, and even some of his former students… I still get chills everytime I think about that one man (he’s 44 years old now) who got up and spoke about how Mr. Arthur really went the distance to help him. I told my mom that I wanted to be that kinda teacher.

Oh, and check this here out as well: It has been decided by my family that my Uncle Anthony accepts the award on behalf of my Grampa Clark. Originally, Gramma Jewel was gonna accept the honors, but she changed her mind and suggest that Uncle Anthony take her place. Well, it was no surprise to me that Uncle Anthony accepted the responsibility—I’m sure he’s gonna do a great job in paying tribute to the patriarch of the entire Jones Family. I reckon I’ll call him sometime this evening and see how he’s doing on his acceptance speech. If he needs any pointers, I got an “A” in my Fundamentals of Speech class last year—Uncle Anthony can always ask for my help… hahahaha!

Well, y’all, it’s time to go, but I’ll holla at y’all later. If I hear more about the Hall of Fame ceremony, I’ll be sure to let y’all know, but until then, y’all take care and be good.

Smooches,

Natasha