- On today's show the topic is Christmas decorating, plus informaton on a blanket drive.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good morning everyone, or good afternoon now it is and
happy Saturday to everybody. It is a little bit of
a rainy day today, but the Christmas season is in
the air, Christmas spirit is in the air, and I
am just so happy to be here. My name is
Andy Hemmings. I'm with Capitol Title, and I'm your guest
host today for the Dana Simmons Show. Dana has the
(00:24):
pleasure of being with her granddaughter at the Nutcracker Brunch today.
So Dana, we wish you well enjoy that beautiful grand
baby and the rest of your family, you and Ken both,
and thank you for having us host the show today.
So we have a few guests with us here in
the studio audience, and one is my beloved spouse, Miss
(00:46):
Lisa Hemmings. And we also have Miss Paula Maxwell with
Compassion Hospice, And we have my work colleague, Miss Melissa
Gutierrez with a Capital Title, and we're going to talk
about a few things today. We are going Miss Paula
is going to talk about a wonderful charity that she
started called Warm Winter Wishes, and it's a perfect topic
(01:09):
for the Christmas season. It's a wonderful program that she
has and she's going to talk about that, and then
we're also going to get into some decorating tips for
the holidays. And Lisa, who is the homestager for Dana Simmons,
she's going to talk about some decorating tips for the holidays.
Melissa's going to chime in on decorating tips for the office.
She does a wonderful job helping decorate our office there
(01:30):
at Capitol Title. So lots of good Christmas cheer to spread.
And without further ado, let me just pitch it here
to my wife, Lisa. Lisa, tell everybody a little bit
about yourself and what you do.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Well.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Hello, my name's Lisa Hemmings. I've been married to Andy
Hemmings for thirty one years, lucky gal, and I've been
working with Dana. This is my going on sixteenth year
working with Dana staging house.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I can't believe it's been that long.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Quite a few houses in the Golden Triangle.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Yeah, yeah you have. We'll be driving around and she's like, Oh,
I staged that house and oh this, this, this, this, Yeah,
you've six after sixteen years, you've been in a lot
of houses. Yes, yeah, yeah, So she and Lisa does
such a good job at our home. We hosted a
company party last night and she had it looking fabulous.
So if I haven't told you yet, it looks wonderful.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yes, very good and miss Paula Maxwell. Paul I had
the pleasure of meeting Paula. I think it's been a
few years now when you came to us to help
participate in the Warm Winter Wishes. So Paula, tell us
a little bit about yourself and what you do.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Well. My name is Paula Baxter actually, and I am
the for any radio listeners anybody that's been in the
area for a while, you may remember a guy named
Gordon Baxter that used to be an announcer in the area.
I'm his daughter in law, Okay, but i work for
Compassion Hospice and I've been with that company for fourteen
(02:58):
years' time community educator. So part of what I do
is I'm kind of a liaison between our company and
the hospitals and physicians. But also I work a lot
with families to help them understand what hospice actually is,
because there are still some misconceptions about what hospice does,
and you just helped them help them have that understanding
(03:21):
to know how we can help help them in a
difficult time.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
You know. I've been on the you know, just having
family members, grandparents go through hospice and it's just such
a it's just such a blessing to have those services
out there. And I just love the people and just
the spirit that they that they bring.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yeah, and it's I feel blessed to be able to
be in the position that I am, to be able
to meet the families and help them understand that there
is help for them out there, and just to be
able to bring some comfort to them.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah. Yeah, Well, thank you for everything that you do,
and we and we look forward to hearing here after
in the next segment about the charity that you've stile
to the Warm Winter Wishes and Melissa and I've worked
with Melissa now for for some time for a couple
of different companies now, and so we both work together
at Capital Title and Melissa works on Britney's team, Britney
(04:13):
Humpleck's team for as an Escro processor. But she's also
just does so many extra things around the office. So
tell us a little bit about yourself, Melissa.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Well, Hi, I'm Melissa Gutierrez. Like Andy said, I am
with Capital Title and I am Britney's escro assistant. I
do a lot of the front, front end duties of
clearing title. There's any problems.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
And there's never any problems.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
There never any problems. Let me just try to make
sure that everything's clear. We collect payoffs. Yeah, so there
are any backd taxes or any issues from someone yeah
previously yeah, ownership of the home.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah, So there's a lot there's a lot of things
that happen back end at a title company that the
general public just doesn't know about. You know, they just
drop off a contract and think, hey, tell us when
closing is. But between that time when they drop the
contract off and closing, there's a lot of cleaning up
that needs to be done sometimes, and that's what you do. Yeah,
bring those dirty titles in, we'll scrub them clean. Yeah yeah. So,
(05:20):
uh well, I look forward to uh to diving into
all of our topics today and thank y'all for being here.
So we're going to be right back. We're going to
take it just a short break. I am Andy Hemmings
with Capital Title, and you are listening to the Dana
Simons Show. Welcome back everyone. This is Andy Hemmings with
(05:41):
capital title, guest host today for the Danis Simmons Show,
and thank you all so much for listening. And as
we have our conversations today, if anybody has any questions
or and would like to call in, you can call
four oh nine eight nine six five five eight four
four oh nine eight nine six five five eight. We
would be happy to take your calls. So, Paula, tell
(06:03):
us about this program that you started, this Warm Winter Wishes.
Tell us first of all what it is and how
what inspired you to start it.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Well, Warm Winter Wishes is a blanket drive And in
twenty twenty, you know, we were going through a lot
during that time with COVID and everything, and it was
about this time of year actually a little bit. It
was in November and we had had kind of our
first cold front come through and I was at the house.
I was just sitting watching TV and fell to chill
(06:33):
in the air, and so I got up and I
went and turned on my heater. And then at that moment,
I just I had this realization that you know, everyone
doesn't doesn't have this. We take for granted that we
can just go flip a switch and be warm when
we're when we're cold, or be cool when we're hot.
(06:55):
And I realized that, you know, everybody doesn't have that.
There's so many we have so many people that are
living on the streets in this area, and that's definitely
a populate population then needs to be ministered to. And
then there's a lot of seniors that you know, they
live in home, but they're on a fixed income. A
(07:15):
lot of times they won't turn on their utilities because
they're afraid that they're not going to be able to
pay the bill. And so in that moment, I mean,
it just I had this flood of ideas and I said, well,
I know, I know a lot of people that are
you know, like minded like me, and that would jump
(07:36):
on this opportunity. So I started calling people the next
morning and saying, Hey, I'm going to do this blanket
driver you interested, And everybody said, yes, count us in
where this is a great this is a great thing
to do. And it just it exploded beyond what I
would have imagined that it did. In the first year
we did, I would say three fifty to four hundred blankets,
(08:00):
which I thought, that's fantastic, amazing and the community just
really you know, they open their hearts and they contributed.
And then this is the fifth year that we've done
it now and last year we collected over seven hundred blankets.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Okay, fantastic.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
We've over the years, we've been able to increase the
number of ministries that we serve. And so there's several
here in the area that I've contacted that you know,
we're the resource that gets the blankets collected and then
we distribute them out to the other ministries.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Okay, So I know my knowledge of the program is
because capital title, we're a drop off. We're we have
drop off locations, yes, right, and I know you have
them scattered all over the area. So tell us you
know logistically how it works and how people that are
interested can contribute.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Well, basically just go find a blanket somewhere and you're
everywhere new. Yes, we want new blankets because we want
to present people with something that's brand new. And it's
a lot of it is, yes, about being warm with
a blanket that that brings you physical warmth. It's also
the warmth that someone will receive knowing that someone cares
(09:19):
about them. Yeah, and if you give them, give someone
a brand new blanket.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
That that I mean, that's that's meaningful.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yes, they matter. And so basically just go to any
of the retail locations that have blankets, pick up a blanket.
You can drop it off at any of our drop
off locations.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
And so we have like capital title, we have three.
We have Beaumont, Port Author and Orange. I believe, okay,
and tell us your other drop off location.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
So Classic Chevrolet Classical Southeast Texas. The Chevy Showroom is
one of our drop off locations. Another one is Compassion
Hospice and we're actually right across the freeway from Classic,
so we can we can if you're on East Tax Freeway,
can get you coming and going. And so Compassion Hospice
is a drop off location. And Port Arthur we have
(10:06):
Beckmann Audiology, which that office is on the third floor
of the Professional Building next to the Medical Center of
Southeast Texas. We also have Southern Home Health which is
in Nederland, so that's kind of on the other side
of Mid County. They're right off Twin City Highway, and
then in Lumberton we have the mailbox connection and they're
(10:29):
right on ninety six behind Arby's. There's you know, that's
kind of a landmark there. If you know where Arby's is,
the mailbox connection is right behind them.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
So people can bring their new blankets to any of
these locations and drop them off, and then how long
does the drive last? When do y'all wrap it up?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
We have another week for the drive. December the thirteenth
is the last official day. Now, if someone is running
a little behind schedule or something like that, we will
still We're going to still accept blankets as long as
someone is, you know, wanting to drop them off, But
officially the thirteenth is the last day, and then we're
(11:09):
going to start getting them to the location so they
can be delivered or picked up from, you know, by
people that need them on that following week. We'd like
to get them all delivered to people.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Before Christmas, before Christmas and okay, and it sounds like
you're the delivery locations those that you are serving. That
has grown over the years as you as you've gotten
more blankets, you have different places that you're reaching out to.
So what communities are you serving right now? Where are
they delivered to?
Speaker 2 (11:38):
So there are the Beaumont areas covered, there's the it's
Manti Yahoo Ministries, but it's also connected to the Warm Hands,
Warm Hearts Ministry and they deliver to homeless people here
in the Beaumont area. Then Orange Christian Services is that's
(11:59):
a wonderful full resource and Orange for people that are
in need. We deliver blankets to them. So they have
a I guess they call it a store where people
can come in and get what they need. They not
only blankets from us, but they have food and clothing.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
And yes, gotcha for.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
People that are in need. In Port Arthur, we have
it's the Hospitality Center on Gulf Way Drive that's part
of Catholic Charities. We deliver some to them. The Jefferson
County Sheriff's Department and Captain Reggie Boykin and Sheriff Zena Stevens,
(12:38):
they've been very helpful to us throughout these years of
helping us deliver to There's just pockets of people that
maybe don't go to the Hospitality Center and they know
where they're located and they help us distribute out to them.
This year, we are going to be giving some blankets
to the Women's Shelter. You know, as the as we
(13:02):
get more blankets, we can contribute to more ministries. So
we've got the whole Golden Triangle pretty much covered as
far as you know, getting out to people that are
in need.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Yeah, well, that's just such a good ministry that you've started.
And I love how it just all started with an idea,
you know, and so many times that's how things start,
you know, just an inspiration, you know, from from God,
no doubt that. It just it's a planet, it's an
idea that's planted and it took root in you very quickly,
(13:34):
and it just grew very quickly.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, it was just it's been such a blessing and
it's just been so amazing at how many people have
actually just opened up their hearts, like I said before,
and contributed. And you know, I was talking to someone
the other day saying that, you know, pack your lunch,
and I actually kind of posted that pack your lunch today.
The price of one lunch will buy a blanket for someone,
(13:57):
or you know, just Starbucks will understand stand if you
don't go.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
How much is a blanket like, well, you.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Can find them anywhere. It just depends on where you shop.
But I've seen a lot of them for you know,
ten dollars around ten dollars up to you know, twenty dollars.
It just depends on you know what you what you get.
But I've gotten a bunch of them for like twelve
ninety nine.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Yeah, and I know, I remember one year we bought
them in bulk through a capital title and got them
for a very very good price, you know when you
got bult.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
If you have a club or a youth group or
you know, like a civic organization and you want to
be a part of this, we would love for you to,
you know, to take part. I always try to recognize
everybody that contributes by you know, posting on Facebook. And
if you want more information about the drive, you can
(14:48):
go to hashtag s E t X Warm Winter Wishes
on Facebook, Okay, and it you know, there's there's a
lot of information there, contact numbers, drop aification addresses and
all of that.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Okay, So hashtag s E t X Warm Winter Wishes
on Facebook and that's uh. I like that you mentioned
that that this is an opportunity for civic groups out
there to to participate and give back, and it's already
all organized for them. Everything is uh, and their their
efforts are immediately rewarded and going to good use. So
(15:22):
maybe even some high school clubs or something like that
out there.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Well, actually, the Purple Ribbon Club at Kelly High School
has been collecting blank as for us for a couple
of years. Okay, we appreciate that We've got a four
h club that's wanting to will be contributing this year.
One of the Rotor Spindle top Rotary is contributing. So
(15:46):
we're just we're growing. So many more people are are
wanting to be a part of it, and it's just
it's a wonderful thing.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Yeah, So do you have any any stories from people
that have been touched and benefited from this, like have
in and out in the community that have received the
blank is what kind of feedback have you gotten on.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
A lot of the people that do receive the blankets,
we don't necessarily have continuing contact with them per se,
but I can tell you the number of smiles and
the number of thank yous, and then also the number
of tears that we've seen from people that are just
(16:29):
so thankful that someone is thinking about them. And that's
what it's all about. And you know, we are called
to minister to people in prison, widows, widowers, people that
are homeless people that are hungry. We're called to do
(16:49):
that and that's part of what this Blanket Drive does
is just help to deliver a little bit of joy
to someone that may not have much.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, well, Paula, if someone wanted to get in touch
with you or participate, how would they do that?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
They can reach me if someone if you have pen
and paper, you can write down my phone number. It's
four zero nine seven nine zero eight five four one.
That's my cell number. Or you can call the Compassion
Hospice office and that number is four O nine eight
three five eight three five seven. Of course you can
(17:26):
you can google Compassion Hospice and get the number if
you didn't.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Have a chance to write it down. Yeah, that's probably
the easiest thing for people that are interested. And I
know there's somebody out there listening right now that this
has touched them and somebody's been looking for an opportunity
like this to give back, So calling Compassion Hospice would
probably be the easiest way to get connected with.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Are even any of the Capitol Title locations, you guys
are one of our drop off locations, and absolutely you've
got the information as well. You guys can either give
the information about drop offs or given my number to
get in touch with me if they have other questions. Right,
but we've got great community partners that help with this,
(18:07):
and you know, we wouldn't be able to do everything
that we do without all of those partners. So special
thanks to Capital Title, Classic of Southeast Texas, Beckman Audiology,
Southern Home Health in the mailbox connection.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Yeah. Well, Paula, thank you very much for everything that
you're doing. And yeah, those of you listening out there,
be sure to reach out contact Paula through a Compassion
hospice or like you said, at any of the drop
off locations. Just a wonderful way to give back during
this holiday season and really make an impact on somebody's life.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
It really does. It means a lot.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, thank you, appreciate it. Thanks, thank you all for
tuning in to the Dana Simons Show. We're going to
take a quick break and when we come back, we're
going to segue into some decorating tips for the holidays,
and Paula and Melissa are going to stay here for
a while and participate in the discussion too. Lisa is
going to lead the charge and we're going to talk
about decorating for the holidays. Here on the Dana Simmons Show.
(19:01):
My name is Andy Hemmings with capital title, and we'll
be right back. Welcome back, everyone to the Dana Simmons Show.
This is Andy Hemmings with capital title, guest host today
while Dana is out enjoying the Nutcracker Brunch with her
beautiful granddaughter Hattie. So, Dana, I hope you're having a
(19:23):
wonderful time out there. So we just finished wrapping up
talking about with Paula Baxter talking about the warm Winterer
Wishes Blanket Drive, and Lisa had something that she wanted
to mention about that about that as well, before we
start talking about decorating. So tell us Lisa, what what
was going through your mind there?
Speaker 3 (19:42):
I just you know, listening to her, it just dawned
on me that you know, there you're by you're covering
the person that you're giving with love and the spirit
of giving to one another and it's a blessing on
both sides.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Yeah, definitely, yeah, well said, well said, So missus Hemmings,
let's talk about decorating, decorating. You know, Lisa and I
we've known each other and now we met back in
nineteen ninety and fell in love up in Glacier National Park, Montana.
And she has really she decorating comes naturally to her
(20:23):
and her mother, Sylvia. She has a very eclectic style
and a beautiful decorating style also, And I know you
get a lot of that from your mom, but you
definitely have your own style and your own taste as well.
And she's been fortunate enough to find work doing what
she loves on Dana's team as a homestager. So I
(20:44):
just have loved to see how you have evolved in
your style and everything that you do. So let's let's
talk about some holiday decorating tips if you will. And
I don't know, I'm just going to kind of kind
of throughout a question here. First of all, when should
the Christmas tree go up?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Up?
Speaker 1 (21:00):
And when should it come down?
Speaker 3 (21:03):
It should go up. A lot of people now start
before Thanksgiving, and there's a little controversy over that.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
That's why I want to it's Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Don't forget about Thanksgiving. You know. I like to get
started quite a bit early, just because I decorate four
other people, and I decorate their their Christmas trees as
a service to them. So I'd say the first week
in December right about now, okay, is when I would
(21:36):
put it up right. And then there's another controversy of
taking it down. And there's some people before New Year's
you got to take it down, and there's other people
that like to leave it up past Marty Grass.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yeah all right, okay, So so Marti Gras. Now, Lisa
is always quick to mention that she's hailing from Mobile,
Alabama was the birth place of Marti Gras in the
in the United States. Okay, the little qualifier there and yeah,
over there, the Alabamians, they they like to use the
Christmas tree on into the Marti Gras season. So how
(22:12):
does that work?
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Well, usually we would have like a real tree back
in the day when I was a little one. Uh.
And then you know during Marti Gras, people would open
up their garages and and celebrate uh uh, the Marty
Grass season with they would take their tree from inside,
(22:34):
bring it to the garage and paint purple and gold.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
And have you seen anybody around here? And have I have?
Speaker 4 (22:45):
I've got a friend that decorates her tree for all seasons.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Okay, I mean you can go into Valentine's Day you can,
you know.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Okay, there's options. Okay, there's no rules. Yeah, so don't
throw that tree away, repurpose it, celebrate it on into
the on throughout the year. Okay, very good. Well of
the things I don't know, I tell you, I'm just
very unobserved. Sometimes there is.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
One thing that I I've done the last couple of
years while decorating our office tree, and I like to
look at different decorating styles and see what's trending. I
don't really like to go with what everybody's doing. I
like to take I like to cherry pick different things
(23:30):
and what speaks to me. And the latest thing that
i've that makes your tree come alive is to add
twinkling lights and not the you know, club lights, but
just so it brings in. And also last year I
(23:54):
added a lot of crystal, uh.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
The little drop like crystals.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Yeah yeah, yeah, icicles and that really it just added
a little bit more sparkle. And you can never have
too much sparkle during the holidays.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Oh no, there's never too much sparkle.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
For Lisa, there's a lot of glitter everywhere.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
Oh no, our house, Oh my gosh. Yeah, there's a
glitter everywhere. You know. One thing I want to mention
that when you and our first Christmas together back in
nineteen ninety, we had a little cabin on village. My
family had a cabin on Village Creek, not far from Gordon.
You know it was right it was right up from Gordon. Yeah,
and you came to see me one Christmas and we
(24:38):
went out in the woods and we cut a little
tree out in the woods with had zero money. We
had no money. She drove in from Alabama and in
her cool RX seven. Oh I loved that car, and
she drove in. We went cut down a tree and
put it up, and you made Christmas decorations for us
out of tell us how you did that.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Well, I just got crafty and looked aroun around and okay,
what can mother nature give me? And I saw a
couple of just beat up boxes over in a corner.
I'm like, okay, I can cut out little shapes and
we've got aluminum foil and then branches that I would
(25:17):
tie it. It was. It was very homemade and very
it's sweet.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Yes, I bet it was beautiful.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
Yeah, And you can draw on the I mean you
can cover cardboard with with aluminum foil and then you
can draw on it and kind of make it indented
to where you can.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
We still have some of those decorations we do, and
we still use them, and so I don't I just
kind of mentioned that for anybody out there listening, just
if you don't, if you don't have much money, or
you're just a young couple starting out at having something
like that can bring a lot of joy for you know,
years and years and years.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Well, that'd be a fun family activity to make some
decorations for the tree.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
I love putting pictures of things that we've done. And
every year when I open up our our family box,
it's just I always try to add a little bit more,
take away some things, and it's now a tree of
just family memories and it just makes me happy.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
I was gonna say, some of the cutest little ornaments
that I've seen are little trees cut out of cardboard
with yarn wrapped around.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Oh.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Yeah, you can do whatever colors you want, I mean,
and they're inexpensive made you do it as a family,
and they're adorable.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Yeah, paint is your friend, yes, and it's it's just
really in keeping with in keeping with the Christmas season
two just to you know, to give you know, your
of yourself and do things together as a family, and
like that so much better than now. There's some beautiful
orments you go buy, obviously, but that just anyway that
(27:00):
just thought about that.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
So they make spray paint glitter too, By the way.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
I think there's more glitter now on everything you buy
than there used to be. And usually still in July,
I'm still seeing glitter on the floor, like in the
little cracks.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
Starting Thanksgiving, there's usually some kind of glitter in my hair,
in my heart and the random glitter and I try
really hard, but you know, you got to embrace the
glitter during.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
The now, Lisa, one of the things that you do,
because you mentioned you not only decorate our house, but
you go and you decorate the office. You decorate Dana's
office too, And so tell us about that, Like when
you go into somebody's home or office in this case,
what tell us how you kind of in your mind,
how you process that, how you decorate a space for
(27:52):
the holidays. What do you start inspire? I had to
get inspired, and where do you start? And you never end?
You just keep going. You'll keep going into somebody stop, Yeah,
so how do you get inspired?
Speaker 3 (28:04):
It's hard to stop me, so I just kind of
continue to add editing is one of the hardest parts,
and it's it's very forgiving during the holidays because you
know more, as more and more and more, I get
inspired a lot by going to hotels and going to
(28:26):
and hotel spaces really inspire me to And you can
scale it down for for your homes, but you know,
you can you can easily see the trends that are
are going to.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Talk about, like hotel lobbies, like how they descerate.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Lobbies, you know, the Christmas trees there, and then you
can you can add your personal touch by you know,
what your family does. And there's been lots of friends
during the years that you know, they we would exchange gifts,
and it came to a point where it's like, you know,
(29:04):
I don't I have too many friends that we're exchanging gifts.
There's just too much, and so we would agree, let's
just do Christmas ornaments. And it's been fun over the years.
It's like, oh, yeah, we went on this road trip together,
and oh I remember that as I'm bringing it out
of the box and it just kind of evokes the
(29:27):
Christmas spirit and gotcha?
Speaker 1 (29:30):
Now what about point Let's talk about plants real quick
other than points set us because you love points at
us are the holiday Any other plants that people can
use for the Christmas season?
Speaker 4 (29:41):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (29:41):
Natural like Fraser furs are really really big this year.
You can one of the trendier things is to make
your planters outside. You can get a couple of birch wood.
You can get that like hobby lobby or home depot
(30:04):
not home Depot, Michaels and you can put that. You
can you want to add something tall because you're you're
your thriller, and then you got to have a filler.
So the greenery wall.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
There was a thriller filler, and there was something else,
the spiller. That's what it was. She told me this
one time you're not in your exactly, that's.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
The that's the trinity for your decorating.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Thriller, filler, spiller. All right, all right, so Paula, tell
us about how what are you? What are your favorite
things to do in decorating for the holidays.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Well, I always try to put just a little touch.
I don't I don't do a lot, but I try
to put just a little touch. I like candles, and
I do have a lot of battery operated candles and
their timers on them.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
And so they do.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
They they're beautiful, and so I put a little touch
in every room just to just have a little bit
of Christmas in each room. Some years we put up
a big tree, some years we put up a smaller tree.
This year, I put up a smaller tree just because
I'm tired. But and it was, it was it was
easy to put up, and I had all the I've
(31:22):
got a lot of decorations, and I'm mixing match over
the years, and I do different themes and this year
it's kind of the black and red is the theme
that I went with. But but it's it's I mean,
it's really pretty. And I do like in the evening,
we you know, turn the lights down low overhead lights
(31:43):
are against the law at my house, and and so
so the little touches with the battery operated candles or
it's really sweet. It's very Yes, it kind of reminds
me of there's a Christmas movie that I really like.
It's called The Holiday, Okay, and Cameron Diaz goes to England.
(32:06):
They do a house swamp and that little cottage that
she goes to in England is kind of an inspiration
for me. I like that cottagey feel, so yeah, it
just makes it real warm and inviting.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
Very nice. Now, Melissa, tell us about what your favorite
part of decorating is not lay at home, but at
the office, because you do a wonderful job helping prepare
our office.
Speaker 4 (32:30):
So this year, I mean, I guess like the trend
right now, nutcrackers are coming back a lot.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Like Man are they ever?
Speaker 2 (32:39):
I don't have.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Any really at my house, have one outside, but I
like the little glass Christmas trees with the kind of
twinkly lights and kind of the same thing with no
overhead light. In the evenings, I like to have the
little twinkly lights and the Christmas tree on and just
have that Beyonce from it. This year I was on
(33:04):
vacation when they did a lot of the decorating for
the office. But I came back and was very pleased
because there are nutcrackers all over the place.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
And the big ones, yes, like life size in the
Lucky I don't know where they came from, Diane, Oh,
they came, they came from Diane.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
Diane had several nutcrackers. So she and Mary took that
one over this year. But it looks amazing and it's
just right on trend.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
And now the tree this year, I'm sorry, I'm so unobservant.
Is that how our tree is decorated every year? Or
did they do something different this year? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
You caught me, don't I'm not real sure.
Speaker 1 (33:48):
Okay, because it looks great.
Speaker 4 (33:50):
It looks really good. Mary is our oh Mary decorator
this year. I mean she always does such a great job.
But yeah, looks really great.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Yeah yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Like with our tree at at Dana Simmons, we I
try to do a obviously it's a house theme, but
I don't like to be too seamy and I want
to be too kitchy. And how I've tried to like
update it each year is I'll I'll go get like
(34:24):
a very high end expensive velvet ribbon and I'll do
little touches there. I'll find little keys and I'll make
make a little little doors that that decorate and it's
it's it makes it to where you can you can
enjoy the tree and it's like, oh what's that? Oh
(34:46):
what's that? And it's it's still not you know, it's
not cookie cutter, and it's it's warm. And that's what
I think that the the decorating for the holidays needs
to be. Is it needs to be memory invoking, good
point and magical with the twinkly lights, and of course
(35:08):
glitter is always fine.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Well. One thing that I've done for a number of
years with my children is I get them an ornament
every year and put you know, I usually just have
to write the or paint the year on it, but
I try to pick something that I think is really
cute and sweet and give to them every year, so
they have a collection of different ornaments that they can
(35:35):
you know, have as a memory that like Mom gave
me this, and.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
Tend to be kind of a theme. Like I often
have birds. M it's I have birds around the house
just randomly, so the tree there'll be a new bird
on it each year.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
Yeah, it's just it's just something fun to do. And
of course I buy one. I usually buy matching or
you know, ita lyst similar each year to give to
the kids and then you know, have one for myself
as well, and so we can you know, have those
memories just of you know, being a family and having
something to remember the different years by.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
I love that. I remember when Andy and I got married.
It was on New Year's Eve and.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
There was a party every year and fireworks and fireworks.
Speaker 3 (36:26):
But uh, you know, we were having showers during the
Christmas time, and anybody that is engaged during this time
is about to be married. I would suggest, you know,
have a tree trimming theme for one of your showers.
That way you can already have all the decorations.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Boom, good point, very good point.
Speaker 4 (36:50):
That's something that I would do for my step daughter.
Every year. I would get her a new ornament from
things remembered or you know, some type of silver ornament.
So they all had a theme to started off with
her shoe, like you know, you always do the baby shoe.
So did that and just gotten here something every year.
(37:14):
So she turned eighteen. Yeah yeah, and then they have
a and she she took over from there.
Speaker 1 (37:19):
Yeah. Well, we are going to take another one more
quick break here and we'll come back and finish our discussion.
This is Andy Hemmings with capital title. You're listening to
the Dana Simmons Show, and we'll be right back. Hey everybody, everybody,
welcome back. This is Andy Hemmings with Capitol Title guest
(37:40):
host today for The Dana Simmons Show, and our three
guests today we have my lovely wife, Miss Lisa Hemmings,
we have Paula Baxter with Compassion Hospice, and my work
cam padre Melissa Gutierrez from Capitol Title. And we've been
talking about a number of things today and Christmas Day,
cores and and more. But Paula, you mentioned something during
(38:05):
the break that you are about to celebrate your father
is about to celebrate his one hundred and first birthday
on Tuesday, right, Yes, I just had I just had
to mention that because that's that's so wonderful that you're
able to share this season with him.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
Yeah, it's great. And he still has cognitively he's still
sharp as attack and wow, so we have that opportunity.
You can't hear very well, so we have to kind
of yell at him. But but he's he's he's doing great.
He's doing really good.
Speaker 1 (38:32):
One hundred and one. And you said he lives in
a in a private care home. Thank you. That's right
down the street from your house, right.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
Yes, we're very blessed that wonder there was some place
very close to us, so that you know, if I
need to go see him, I can just walk, yeah,
the houses down to him, and so it's it's it's
really really nice to have that available.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
Well, happy birthday to your dad.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
I will be sure and tell you.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
You tell him, you tell him, Old Andy said, Happy birthday.
So in our last little short bit here, I definitely
want to mention again about the Warm Winter Wishes Blanket
drive and to anybody that's interested in participating, please reach
out to Compassion Hospice and they will get you in
(39:22):
touch with Paula and get you plugged into providing these
blankets during this time.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
Right, Yes, give us a call. We're happy to have
everybody that wants to participate join up with us and
give some warm winter wishes to people in the community.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
Yeah, very good. So is everybody done with their Christmas shopping? Melissa?
You done?
Speaker 4 (39:43):
I'm never done. I'm always last minute.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
I'm right there with me, Melissa.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Yeah, so yeah, I think I'm.
Speaker 3 (39:52):
There's always something you can order from.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
Well, you start, if you start really really early, buy
a lot of things, but then you continue to see
more and more and more. So sometimes the Christmas budget
gets way out of hand.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
And it's so easy to buy stuff now with you know, online,
It's just so easy, and and they have ways of
putting it right in front of us to buy it.
Speaker 4 (40:18):
Right, so they know what I'm thinking, and I know
it in my face.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
And they know when I'm on supervised with a credit card.
Speaker 1 (40:25):
So well, I think I'm almost done. I'm still waiting
for some more hints from from Lisa here, so you
be sure to let me know.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
I will.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
Yeah, you know, women are easy, easier to buy fur
than men, so you probably should be given some hints
to her.
Speaker 1 (40:44):
Oh I did.
Speaker 3 (40:45):
Oh no, I was up under the truth.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
I knew exactly what I wanted and I was very specific.
We've learned after you're together for this long, you learn
just tell me what you want, you know, and it
just works that way, right, and it just works, So
no guessing at all. So any last holiday decorating tipsy,
any final tip? Oh, I know what I wanted to
(41:10):
ask I forgot to bring this up. And this is
a controversial topic. What is your opinion on the big
inflatable decorations for the front yard?
Speaker 3 (41:18):
No, no, no, I have them.
Speaker 4 (41:20):
They're just easy.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
I am strictly no, so she said.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
Lisa says, no, Melissa loves them.
Speaker 4 (41:30):
But this year I had the Santa that was like
on his side and the turkey on top of them saying,
wait your turn, big guy. So I had Santa. So
I just had to go from there. And I've found
there's a company and the name is odd but it's
called fun Boy, and they've got these really nice inflatable decorations.
(41:51):
So they've got the giant ball ornaments, the light up
and flash, and they've got a big nutcracker. So I
was influenced by the internet again.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
Paula, what's your Do you have an opinion on the inflatables?
Speaker 2 (42:08):
I'm not as big a fan of inflatables as I
am just traditional lights on the home, gotcha. But you
know the one I will have to say, the ones
that Melissa have are really cute.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
Yeah, well she's made it funny. Some of them they're
just huge now, I mean they're just they're like taller
than the house. Some of these things are.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
I just don't is there's just not enough creativity. Okay,
that's what that's that's my problem with them. I know
that they're easy and they're fun, and they're they're easy
to pack away.
Speaker 1 (42:40):
You know, the controversy continues. Well, Thank you everyone for
listening in today. We appreciate you joining us here on
the Dana Simmons Show. This has been Andy Hemmings with
capital title and Merry Christmas.
Good morning everyone, or good afternoon now it is and
happy Saturday to everybody. It is a little bit of
a rainy day today, but the Christmas season is in
the air, Christmas spirit is in the air, and I
am just so happy to be here. My name is
Andy Hemmings. I'm with Capitol Title, and I'm your guest
host today for the Dana Simmons Show. Dana has the
(00:24):
pleasure of being with her granddaughter at the Nutcracker Brunch today.
So Dana, we wish you well enjoy that beautiful grand
baby and the rest of your family, you and Ken both,
and thank you for having us host the show today.
So we have a few guests with us here in
the studio audience, and one is my beloved spouse, Miss
(00:46):
Lisa Hemmings. And we also have Miss Paula Maxwell with
Compassion Hospice, And we have my work colleague, Miss Melissa
Gutierrez with a Capital Title, and we're going to talk
about a few things today. We are going Miss Paula
is going to talk about a wonderful charity that she
started called Warm Winter Wishes, and it's a perfect topic
(01:09):
for the Christmas season. It's a wonderful program that she
has and she's going to talk about that, and then
we're also going to get into some decorating tips for
the holidays. And Lisa, who is the homestager for Dana Simmons,
she's going to talk about some decorating tips for the holidays.
Melissa's going to chime in on decorating tips for the office.
She does a wonderful job helping decorate our office there
(01:30):
at Capitol Title. So lots of good Christmas cheer to spread.
And without further ado, let me just pitch it here
to my wife, Lisa. Lisa, tell everybody a little bit
about yourself and what you do.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Well.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Hello, my name's Lisa Hemmings. I've been married to Andy
Hemmings for thirty one years, lucky gal, and I've been
working with Dana. This is my going on sixteenth year
working with Dana staging house.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I can't believe it's been that long.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Quite a few houses in the Golden Triangle.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Yeah, yeah you have. We'll be driving around and she's like, Oh,
I staged that house and oh this, this, this, this, Yeah,
you've six after sixteen years, you've been in a lot
of houses. Yes, yeah, yeah, So she and Lisa does
such a good job at our home. We hosted a
company party last night and she had it looking fabulous.
So if I haven't told you yet, it looks wonderful.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yes, very good and miss Paula Maxwell. Paul I had
the pleasure of meeting Paula. I think it's been a
few years now when you came to us to help
participate in the Warm Winter Wishes. So Paula, tell us
a little bit about yourself and what you do.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Well. My name is Paula Baxter actually, and I am
the for any radio listeners anybody that's been in the
area for a while, you may remember a guy named
Gordon Baxter that used to be an announcer in the area.
I'm his daughter in law, Okay, but i work for
Compassion Hospice and I've been with that company for fourteen
(02:58):
years' time community educator. So part of what I do
is I'm kind of a liaison between our company and
the hospitals and physicians. But also I work a lot
with families to help them understand what hospice actually is,
because there are still some misconceptions about what hospice does,
and you just helped them help them have that understanding
(03:21):
to know how we can help help them in a
difficult time.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
You know. I've been on the you know, just having
family members, grandparents go through hospice and it's just such
a it's just such a blessing to have those services
out there. And I just love the people and just
the spirit that they that they bring.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yeah, and it's I feel blessed to be able to
be in the position that I am, to be able
to meet the families and help them understand that there
is help for them out there, and just to be
able to bring some comfort to them.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah. Yeah, Well, thank you for everything that you do,
and we and we look forward to hearing here after
in the next segment about the charity that you've stile
to the Warm Winter Wishes and Melissa and I've worked
with Melissa now for for some time for a couple
of different companies now, and so we both work together
at Capital Title and Melissa works on Britney's team, Britney
(04:13):
Humpleck's team for as an Escro processor. But she's also
just does so many extra things around the office. So
tell us a little bit about yourself, Melissa.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Well, Hi, I'm Melissa Gutierrez. Like Andy said, I am
with Capital Title and I am Britney's escro assistant. I
do a lot of the front, front end duties of
clearing title. There's any problems.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
And there's never any problems.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
There never any problems. Let me just try to make
sure that everything's clear. We collect payoffs. Yeah, so there
are any backd taxes or any issues from someone yeah
previously yeah, ownership of the home.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah, So there's a lot there's a lot of things
that happen back end at a title company that the
general public just doesn't know about. You know, they just
drop off a contract and think, hey, tell us when
closing is. But between that time when they drop the
contract off and closing, there's a lot of cleaning up
that needs to be done sometimes, and that's what you do. Yeah,
bring those dirty titles in, we'll scrub them clean. Yeah yeah. So,
(05:20):
uh well, I look forward to uh to diving into
all of our topics today and thank y'all for being here.
So we're going to be right back. We're going to
take it just a short break. I am Andy Hemmings
with Capital Title, and you are listening to the Dana
Simons Show. Welcome back everyone. This is Andy Hemmings with
(05:41):
capital title, guest host today for the Danis Simmons Show,
and thank you all so much for listening. And as
we have our conversations today, if anybody has any questions
or and would like to call in, you can call
four oh nine eight nine six five five eight four
four oh nine eight nine six five five eight. We
would be happy to take your calls. So, Paula, tell
(06:03):
us about this program that you started, this Warm Winter Wishes.
Tell us first of all what it is and how
what inspired you to start it.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Well, Warm Winter Wishes is a blanket drive And in
twenty twenty, you know, we were going through a lot
during that time with COVID and everything, and it was
about this time of year actually a little bit. It
was in November and we had had kind of our
first cold front come through and I was at the house.
I was just sitting watching TV and fell to chill
(06:33):
in the air, and so I got up and I
went and turned on my heater. And then at that moment,
I just I had this realization that you know, everyone
doesn't doesn't have this. We take for granted that we
can just go flip a switch and be warm when
we're when we're cold, or be cool when we're hot.
(06:55):
And I realized that, you know, everybody doesn't have that.
There's so many we have so many people that are
living on the streets in this area, and that's definitely
a populate population then needs to be ministered to. And
then there's a lot of seniors that you know, they
live in home, but they're on a fixed income. A
(07:15):
lot of times they won't turn on their utilities because
they're afraid that they're not going to be able to
pay the bill. And so in that moment, I mean,
it just I had this flood of ideas and I said, well,
I know, I know a lot of people that are
you know, like minded like me, and that would jump
(07:36):
on this opportunity. So I started calling people the next
morning and saying, Hey, I'm going to do this blanket
driver you interested, And everybody said, yes, count us in
where this is a great this is a great thing
to do. And it just it exploded beyond what I
would have imagined that it did. In the first year
we did, I would say three fifty to four hundred blankets,
(08:00):
which I thought, that's fantastic, amazing and the community just
really you know, they open their hearts and they contributed.
And then this is the fifth year that we've done
it now and last year we collected over seven hundred blankets.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Okay, fantastic.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
We've over the years, we've been able to increase the
number of ministries that we serve. And so there's several
here in the area that I've contacted that you know,
we're the resource that gets the blankets collected and then
we distribute them out to the other ministries.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Okay, So I know my knowledge of the program is
because capital title, we're a drop off. We're we have
drop off locations, yes, right, and I know you have
them scattered all over the area. So tell us you
know logistically how it works and how people that are
interested can contribute.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Well, basically just go find a blanket somewhere and you're
everywhere new. Yes, we want new blankets because we want
to present people with something that's brand new. And it's
a lot of it is, yes, about being warm with
a blanket that that brings you physical warmth. It's also
the warmth that someone will receive knowing that someone cares
(09:19):
about them. Yeah, and if you give them, give someone
a brand new blanket.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
That that I mean, that's that's meaningful.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yes, they matter. And so basically just go to any
of the retail locations that have blankets, pick up a blanket.
You can drop it off at any of our drop
off locations.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
And so we have like capital title, we have three.
We have Beaumont, Port Author and Orange. I believe, okay,
and tell us your other drop off location.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
So Classic Chevrolet Classical Southeast Texas. The Chevy Showroom is
one of our drop off locations. Another one is Compassion
Hospice and we're actually right across the freeway from Classic,
so we can we can if you're on East Tax Freeway,
can get you coming and going. And so Compassion Hospice
is a drop off location. And Port Arthur we have
(10:06):
Beckmann Audiology, which that office is on the third floor
of the Professional Building next to the Medical Center of
Southeast Texas. We also have Southern Home Health which is
in Nederland, so that's kind of on the other side
of Mid County. They're right off Twin City Highway, and
then in Lumberton we have the mailbox connection and they're
(10:29):
right on ninety six behind Arby's. There's you know, that's
kind of a landmark there. If you know where Arby's is,
the mailbox connection is right behind them.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
So people can bring their new blankets to any of
these locations and drop them off, and then how long
does the drive last? When do y'all wrap it up?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
We have another week for the drive. December the thirteenth
is the last official day. Now, if someone is running
a little behind schedule or something like that, we will
still We're going to still accept blankets as long as
someone is, you know, wanting to drop them off, But
officially the thirteenth is the last day, and then we're
(11:09):
going to start getting them to the location so they
can be delivered or picked up from, you know, by
people that need them on that following week. We'd like
to get them all delivered to people.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Before Christmas, before Christmas and okay, and it sounds like
you're the delivery locations those that you are serving. That
has grown over the years as you as you've gotten
more blankets, you have different places that you're reaching out to.
So what communities are you serving right now? Where are
they delivered to?
Speaker 2 (11:38):
So there are the Beaumont areas covered, there's the it's
Manti Yahoo Ministries, but it's also connected to the Warm Hands,
Warm Hearts Ministry and they deliver to homeless people here
in the Beaumont area. Then Orange Christian Services is that's
(11:59):
a wonderful full resource and Orange for people that are
in need. We deliver blankets to them. So they have
a I guess they call it a store where people
can come in and get what they need. They not
only blankets from us, but they have food and clothing.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
And yes, gotcha for.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
People that are in need. In Port Arthur, we have
it's the Hospitality Center on Gulf Way Drive that's part
of Catholic Charities. We deliver some to them. The Jefferson
County Sheriff's Department and Captain Reggie Boykin and Sheriff Zena Stevens,
(12:38):
they've been very helpful to us throughout these years of
helping us deliver to There's just pockets of people that
maybe don't go to the Hospitality Center and they know
where they're located and they help us distribute out to them.
This year, we are going to be giving some blankets
to the Women's Shelter. You know, as the as we
(13:02):
get more blankets, we can contribute to more ministries. So
we've got the whole Golden Triangle pretty much covered as
far as you know, getting out to people that are
in need.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Yeah, well, that's just such a good ministry that you've started.
And I love how it just all started with an idea,
you know, and so many times that's how things start,
you know, just an inspiration, you know, from from God,
no doubt that. It just it's a planet, it's an
idea that's planted and it took root in you very quickly,
(13:34):
and it just grew very quickly.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, it was just it's been such a blessing and
it's just been so amazing at how many people have
actually just opened up their hearts, like I said before,
and contributed. And you know, I was talking to someone
the other day saying that, you know, pack your lunch,
and I actually kind of posted that pack your lunch today.
The price of one lunch will buy a blanket for someone,
(13:57):
or you know, just Starbucks will understand stand if you
don't go.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
How much is a blanket like, well, you.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Can find them anywhere. It just depends on where you shop.
But I've seen a lot of them for you know,
ten dollars around ten dollars up to you know, twenty dollars.
It just depends on you know what you what you get.
But I've gotten a bunch of them for like twelve
ninety nine.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Yeah, and I know, I remember one year we bought
them in bulk through a capital title and got them
for a very very good price, you know when you
got bult.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
If you have a club or a youth group or
you know, like a civic organization and you want to
be a part of this, we would love for you to,
you know, to take part. I always try to recognize
everybody that contributes by you know, posting on Facebook. And
if you want more information about the drive, you can
(14:48):
go to hashtag s E t X Warm Winter Wishes
on Facebook, Okay, and it you know, there's there's a
lot of information there, contact numbers, drop aification addresses and
all of that.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Okay, So hashtag s E t X Warm Winter Wishes
on Facebook and that's uh. I like that you mentioned
that that this is an opportunity for civic groups out
there to to participate and give back, and it's already
all organized for them. Everything is uh, and their their
efforts are immediately rewarded and going to good use. So
(15:22):
maybe even some high school clubs or something like that
out there.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Well, actually, the Purple Ribbon Club at Kelly High School
has been collecting blank as for us for a couple
of years. Okay, we appreciate that We've got a four
h club that's wanting to will be contributing this year.
One of the Rotor Spindle top Rotary is contributing. So
(15:46):
we're just we're growing. So many more people are are
wanting to be a part of it, and it's just
it's a wonderful thing.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Yeah, So do you have any any stories from people
that have been touched and benefited from this, like have
in and out in the community that have received the
blank is what kind of feedback have you gotten on.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
A lot of the people that do receive the blankets,
we don't necessarily have continuing contact with them per se,
but I can tell you the number of smiles and
the number of thank yous, and then also the number
of tears that we've seen from people that are just
(16:29):
so thankful that someone is thinking about them. And that's
what it's all about. And you know, we are called
to minister to people in prison, widows, widowers, people that
are homeless people that are hungry. We're called to do
(16:49):
that and that's part of what this Blanket Drive does
is just help to deliver a little bit of joy
to someone that may not have much.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, well, Paula, if someone wanted to get in touch
with you or participate, how would they do that?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
They can reach me if someone if you have pen
and paper, you can write down my phone number. It's
four zero nine seven nine zero eight five four one.
That's my cell number. Or you can call the Compassion
Hospice office and that number is four O nine eight
three five eight three five seven. Of course you can
(17:26):
you can google Compassion Hospice and get the number if
you didn't.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Have a chance to write it down. Yeah, that's probably
the easiest thing for people that are interested. And I
know there's somebody out there listening right now that this
has touched them and somebody's been looking for an opportunity
like this to give back, So calling Compassion Hospice would
probably be the easiest way to get connected with.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Are even any of the Capitol Title locations, you guys
are one of our drop off locations, and absolutely you've
got the information as well. You guys can either give
the information about drop offs or given my number to
get in touch with me if they have other questions. Right,
but we've got great community partners that help with this,
(18:07):
and you know, we wouldn't be able to do everything
that we do without all of those partners. So special
thanks to Capital Title, Classic of Southeast Texas, Beckman Audiology,
Southern Home Health in the mailbox connection.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Yeah. Well, Paula, thank you very much for everything that
you're doing. And yeah, those of you listening out there,
be sure to reach out contact Paula through a Compassion
hospice or like you said, at any of the drop
off locations. Just a wonderful way to give back during
this holiday season and really make an impact on somebody's life.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
It really does. It means a lot.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, thank you, appreciate it. Thanks, thank you all for
tuning in to the Dana Simons Show. We're going to
take a quick break and when we come back, we're
going to segue into some decorating tips for the holidays,
and Paula and Melissa are going to stay here for
a while and participate in the discussion too. Lisa is
going to lead the charge and we're going to talk
about decorating for the holidays. Here on the Dana Simmons Show.
(19:01):
My name is Andy Hemmings with capital title, and we'll
be right back. Welcome back, everyone to the Dana Simmons Show.
This is Andy Hemmings with capital title, guest host today
while Dana is out enjoying the Nutcracker Brunch with her
beautiful granddaughter Hattie. So, Dana, I hope you're having a
(19:23):
wonderful time out there. So we just finished wrapping up
talking about with Paula Baxter talking about the warm Winterer
Wishes Blanket Drive, and Lisa had something that she wanted
to mention about that about that as well, before we
start talking about decorating. So tell us Lisa, what what
was going through your mind there?
Speaker 3 (19:42):
I just you know, listening to her, it just dawned
on me that you know, there you're by you're covering
the person that you're giving with love and the spirit
of giving to one another and it's a blessing on
both sides.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Yeah, definitely, yeah, well said, well said, So missus Hemmings,
let's talk about decorating, decorating. You know, Lisa and I
we've known each other and now we met back in
nineteen ninety and fell in love up in Glacier National Park, Montana.
And she has really she decorating comes naturally to her
(20:23):
and her mother, Sylvia. She has a very eclectic style
and a beautiful decorating style also, And I know you
get a lot of that from your mom, but you
definitely have your own style and your own taste as well.
And she's been fortunate enough to find work doing what
she loves on Dana's team as a homestager. So I
(20:44):
just have loved to see how you have evolved in
your style and everything that you do. So let's let's
talk about some holiday decorating tips if you will. And
I don't know, I'm just going to kind of kind
of throughout a question here. First of all, when should
the Christmas tree go up?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Up?
Speaker 1 (21:00):
And when should it come down?
Speaker 3 (21:03):
It should go up. A lot of people now start
before Thanksgiving, and there's a little controversy over that.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
That's why I want to it's Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Don't forget about Thanksgiving. You know. I like to get
started quite a bit early, just because I decorate four
other people, and I decorate their their Christmas trees as
a service to them. So I'd say the first week
in December right about now, okay, is when I would
(21:36):
put it up right. And then there's another controversy of
taking it down. And there's some people before New Year's
you got to take it down, and there's other people
that like to leave it up past Marty Grass.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yeah all right, okay, So so Marti Gras. Now, Lisa
is always quick to mention that she's hailing from Mobile,
Alabama was the birth place of Marti Gras in the
in the United States. Okay, the little qualifier there and yeah,
over there, the Alabamians, they they like to use the
Christmas tree on into the Marti Gras season. So how
(22:12):
does that work?
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Well, usually we would have like a real tree back
in the day when I was a little one. Uh.
And then you know during Marti Gras, people would open
up their garages and and celebrate uh uh, the Marty
Grass season with they would take their tree from inside,
(22:34):
bring it to the garage and paint purple and gold.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
And have you seen anybody around here? And have I have?
Speaker 4 (22:45):
I've got a friend that decorates her tree for all seasons.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Okay, I mean you can go into Valentine's Day you can,
you know.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Okay, there's options. Okay, there's no rules. Yeah, so don't
throw that tree away, repurpose it, celebrate it on into
the on throughout the year. Okay, very good. Well of
the things I don't know, I tell you, I'm just
very unobserved. Sometimes there is.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
One thing that I I've done the last couple of
years while decorating our office tree, and I like to
look at different decorating styles and see what's trending. I
don't really like to go with what everybody's doing. I
like to take I like to cherry pick different things
(23:30):
and what speaks to me. And the latest thing that
i've that makes your tree come alive is to add
twinkling lights and not the you know, club lights, but
just so it brings in. And also last year I
(23:54):
added a lot of crystal, uh.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
The little drop like crystals.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Yeah yeah, yeah, icicles and that really it just added
a little bit more sparkle. And you can never have
too much sparkle during the holidays.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Oh no, there's never too much sparkle.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
For Lisa, there's a lot of glitter everywhere.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
Oh no, our house, Oh my gosh. Yeah, there's a
glitter everywhere. You know. One thing I want to mention
that when you and our first Christmas together back in
nineteen ninety, we had a little cabin on village. My
family had a cabin on Village Creek, not far from Gordon.
You know it was right it was right up from Gordon. Yeah,
and you came to see me one Christmas and we
(24:38):
went out in the woods and we cut a little
tree out in the woods with had zero money. We
had no money. She drove in from Alabama and in
her cool RX seven. Oh I loved that car, and
she drove in. We went cut down a tree and
put it up, and you made Christmas decorations for us
out of tell us how you did that.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Well, I just got crafty and looked aroun around and okay,
what can mother nature give me? And I saw a
couple of just beat up boxes over in a corner.
I'm like, okay, I can cut out little shapes and
we've got aluminum foil and then branches that I would
(25:17):
tie it. It was. It was very homemade and very
it's sweet.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Yes, I bet it was beautiful.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
Yeah, And you can draw on the I mean you
can cover cardboard with with aluminum foil and then you
can draw on it and kind of make it indented
to where you can.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
We still have some of those decorations we do, and
we still use them, and so I don't I just
kind of mentioned that for anybody out there listening, just
if you don't, if you don't have much money, or
you're just a young couple starting out at having something
like that can bring a lot of joy for you know,
years and years and years.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Well, that'd be a fun family activity to make some
decorations for the tree.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
I love putting pictures of things that we've done. And
every year when I open up our our family box,
it's just I always try to add a little bit more,
take away some things, and it's now a tree of
just family memories and it just makes me happy.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
I was gonna say, some of the cutest little ornaments
that I've seen are little trees cut out of cardboard
with yarn wrapped around.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Oh.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Yeah, you can do whatever colors you want, I mean,
and they're inexpensive made you do it as a family,
and they're adorable.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Yeah, paint is your friend, yes, and it's it's just
really in keeping with in keeping with the Christmas season
two just to you know, to give you know, your
of yourself and do things together as a family, and
like that so much better than now. There's some beautiful
orments you go buy, obviously, but that just anyway that
(27:00):
just thought about that.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
So they make spray paint glitter too, By the way.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
I think there's more glitter now on everything you buy
than there used to be. And usually still in July,
I'm still seeing glitter on the floor, like in the
little cracks.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
Starting Thanksgiving, there's usually some kind of glitter in my hair,
in my heart and the random glitter and I try
really hard, but you know, you got to embrace the
glitter during.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
The now, Lisa, one of the things that you do,
because you mentioned you not only decorate our house, but
you go and you decorate the office. You decorate Dana's
office too, And so tell us about that, Like when
you go into somebody's home or office in this case,
what tell us how you kind of in your mind,
how you process that, how you decorate a space for
(27:52):
the holidays. What do you start inspire? I had to
get inspired, and where do you start? And you never end?
You just keep going. You'll keep going into somebody stop, Yeah,
so how do you get inspired?
Speaker 3 (28:04):
It's hard to stop me, so I just kind of
continue to add editing is one of the hardest parts,
and it's it's very forgiving during the holidays because you
know more, as more and more and more, I get
inspired a lot by going to hotels and going to
(28:26):
and hotel spaces really inspire me to And you can
scale it down for for your homes, but you know,
you can you can easily see the trends that are
are going to.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Talk about, like hotel lobbies, like how they descerate.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Lobbies, you know, the Christmas trees there, and then you
can you can add your personal touch by you know,
what your family does. And there's been lots of friends
during the years that you know, they we would exchange gifts,
and it came to a point where it's like, you know,
(29:04):
I don't I have too many friends that we're exchanging gifts.
There's just too much, and so we would agree, let's
just do Christmas ornaments. And it's been fun over the years.
It's like, oh, yeah, we went on this road trip together,
and oh I remember that as I'm bringing it out
of the box and it just kind of evokes the
(29:27):
Christmas spirit and gotcha?
Speaker 1 (29:30):
Now what about point Let's talk about plants real quick
other than points set us because you love points at
us are the holiday Any other plants that people can
use for the Christmas season?
Speaker 4 (29:41):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (29:41):
Natural like Fraser furs are really really big this year.
You can one of the trendier things is to make
your planters outside. You can get a couple of birch wood.
You can get that like hobby lobby or home depot
(30:04):
not home Depot, Michaels and you can put that. You
can you want to add something tall because you're you're
your thriller, and then you got to have a filler.
So the greenery wall.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
There was a thriller filler, and there was something else,
the spiller. That's what it was. She told me this
one time you're not in your exactly, that's.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
The that's the trinity for your decorating.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Thriller, filler, spiller. All right, all right, so Paula, tell
us about how what are you? What are your favorite
things to do in decorating for the holidays.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Well, I always try to put just a little touch.
I don't I don't do a lot, but I try
to put just a little touch. I like candles, and
I do have a lot of battery operated candles and
their timers on them.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
And so they do.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
They they're beautiful, and so I put a little touch
in every room just to just have a little bit
of Christmas in each room. Some years we put up
a big tree, some years we put up a smaller tree.
This year, I put up a smaller tree just because
I'm tired. But and it was, it was it was
easy to put up, and I had all the I've
(31:22):
got a lot of decorations, and I'm mixing match over
the years, and I do different themes and this year
it's kind of the black and red is the theme
that I went with. But but it's it's I mean,
it's really pretty. And I do like in the evening,
we you know, turn the lights down low overhead lights
(31:43):
are against the law at my house, and and so
so the little touches with the battery operated candles or
it's really sweet. It's very Yes, it kind of reminds
me of there's a Christmas movie that I really like.
It's called The Holiday, Okay, and Cameron Diaz goes to England.
(32:06):
They do a house swamp and that little cottage that
she goes to in England is kind of an inspiration
for me. I like that cottagey feel, so yeah, it
just makes it real warm and inviting.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
Very nice. Now, Melissa, tell us about what your favorite
part of decorating is not lay at home, but at
the office, because you do a wonderful job helping prepare
our office.
Speaker 4 (32:30):
So this year, I mean, I guess like the trend
right now, nutcrackers are coming back a lot.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Like Man are they ever?
Speaker 2 (32:39):
I don't have.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Any really at my house, have one outside, but I
like the little glass Christmas trees with the kind of
twinkly lights and kind of the same thing with no
overhead light. In the evenings, I like to have the
little twinkly lights and the Christmas tree on and just
have that Beyonce from it. This year I was on
(33:04):
vacation when they did a lot of the decorating for
the office. But I came back and was very pleased
because there are nutcrackers all over the place.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
And the big ones, yes, like life size in the
Lucky I don't know where they came from, Diane, Oh,
they came, they came from Diane.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
Diane had several nutcrackers. So she and Mary took that
one over this year. But it looks amazing and it's
just right on trend.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
And now the tree this year, I'm sorry, I'm so unobservant.
Is that how our tree is decorated every year? Or
did they do something different this year? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
You caught me, don't I'm not real sure.
Speaker 1 (33:48):
Okay, because it looks great.
Speaker 4 (33:50):
It looks really good. Mary is our oh Mary decorator
this year. I mean she always does such a great job.
But yeah, looks really great.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Yeah yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Like with our tree at at Dana Simmons, we I
try to do a obviously it's a house theme, but
I don't like to be too seamy and I want
to be too kitchy. And how I've tried to like
update it each year is I'll I'll go get like
(34:24):
a very high end expensive velvet ribbon and I'll do
little touches there. I'll find little keys and I'll make
make a little little doors that that decorate and it's
it's it makes it to where you can you can
enjoy the tree and it's like, oh what's that? Oh
(34:46):
what's that? And it's it's still not you know, it's
not cookie cutter, and it's it's warm. And that's what
I think that the the decorating for the holidays needs
to be. Is it needs to be memory invoking, good
point and magical with the twinkly lights, and of course
(35:08):
glitter is always fine.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Well. One thing that I've done for a number of
years with my children is I get them an ornament
every year and put you know, I usually just have
to write the or paint the year on it, but
I try to pick something that I think is really
cute and sweet and give to them every year, so
they have a collection of different ornaments that they can
(35:35):
you know, have as a memory that like Mom gave
me this, and.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
Tend to be kind of a theme. Like I often
have birds. M it's I have birds around the house
just randomly, so the tree there'll be a new bird
on it each year.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
Yeah, it's just it's just something fun to do. And
of course I buy one. I usually buy matching or
you know, ita lyst similar each year to give to
the kids and then you know, have one for myself
as well, and so we can you know, have those
memories just of you know, being a family and having
something to remember the different years by.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
I love that. I remember when Andy and I got married.
It was on New Year's Eve and.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
There was a party every year and fireworks and fireworks.
Speaker 3 (36:26):
But uh, you know, we were having showers during the
Christmas time, and anybody that is engaged during this time
is about to be married. I would suggest, you know,
have a tree trimming theme for one of your showers.
That way you can already have all the decorations.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Boom, good point, very good point.
Speaker 4 (36:50):
That's something that I would do for my step daughter.
Every year. I would get her a new ornament from
things remembered or you know, some type of silver ornament.
So they all had a theme to started off with
her shoe, like you know, you always do the baby shoe.
So did that and just gotten here something every year.
(37:14):
So she turned eighteen. Yeah yeah, and then they have
a and she she took over from there.
Speaker 1 (37:19):
Yeah. Well, we are going to take another one more
quick break here and we'll come back and finish our discussion.
This is Andy Hemmings with capital title. You're listening to
the Dana Simmons Show, and we'll be right back. Hey everybody, everybody,
welcome back. This is Andy Hemmings with Capitol Title guest
(37:40):
host today for The Dana Simmons Show, and our three
guests today we have my lovely wife, Miss Lisa Hemmings,
we have Paula Baxter with Compassion Hospice, and my work
cam padre Melissa Gutierrez from Capitol Title. And we've been
talking about a number of things today and Christmas Day,
cores and and more. But Paula, you mentioned something during
(38:05):
the break that you are about to celebrate your father
is about to celebrate his one hundred and first birthday
on Tuesday, right, Yes, I just had I just had
to mention that because that's that's so wonderful that you're
able to share this season with him.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
Yeah, it's great. And he still has cognitively he's still
sharp as attack and wow, so we have that opportunity.
You can't hear very well, so we have to kind
of yell at him. But but he's he's he's doing great.
He's doing really good.
Speaker 1 (38:32):
One hundred and one. And you said he lives in
a in a private care home. Thank you. That's right
down the street from your house, right.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
Yes, we're very blessed that wonder there was some place
very close to us, so that you know, if I
need to go see him, I can just walk, yeah,
the houses down to him, and so it's it's it's
really really nice to have that available.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
Well, happy birthday to your dad.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
I will be sure and tell you.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
You tell him, you tell him, Old Andy said, Happy birthday.
So in our last little short bit here, I definitely
want to mention again about the Warm Winter Wishes Blanket
drive and to anybody that's interested in participating, please reach
out to Compassion Hospice and they will get you in
(39:22):
touch with Paula and get you plugged into providing these
blankets during this time.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
Right, Yes, give us a call. We're happy to have
everybody that wants to participate join up with us and
give some warm winter wishes to people in the community.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
Yeah, very good. So is everybody done with their Christmas shopping? Melissa?
You done?
Speaker 4 (39:43):
I'm never done. I'm always last minute.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
I'm right there with me, Melissa.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Yeah, so yeah, I think I'm.
Speaker 3 (39:52):
There's always something you can order from.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
Well, you start, if you start really really early, buy
a lot of things, but then you continue to see
more and more and more. So sometimes the Christmas budget
gets way out of hand.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
And it's so easy to buy stuff now with you know, online,
It's just so easy, and and they have ways of
putting it right in front of us to buy it.
Speaker 4 (40:18):
Right, so they know what I'm thinking, and I know
it in my face.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
And they know when I'm on supervised with a credit card.
Speaker 1 (40:25):
So well, I think I'm almost done. I'm still waiting
for some more hints from from Lisa here, so you
be sure to let me know.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
I will.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
Yeah, you know, women are easy, easier to buy fur
than men, so you probably should be given some hints
to her.
Speaker 1 (40:44):
Oh I did.
Speaker 3 (40:45):
Oh no, I was up under the truth.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
I knew exactly what I wanted and I was very specific.
We've learned after you're together for this long, you learn
just tell me what you want, you know, and it
just works that way, right, and it just works, So
no guessing at all. So any last holiday decorating tipsy,
any final tip? Oh, I know what I wanted to
(41:10):
ask I forgot to bring this up. And this is
a controversial topic. What is your opinion on the big
inflatable decorations for the front yard?
Speaker 3 (41:18):
No, no, no, I have them.
Speaker 4 (41:20):
They're just easy.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
I am strictly no, so she said.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
Lisa says, no, Melissa loves them.
Speaker 4 (41:30):
But this year I had the Santa that was like
on his side and the turkey on top of them saying,
wait your turn, big guy. So I had Santa. So
I just had to go from there. And I've found
there's a company and the name is odd but it's
called fun Boy, and they've got these really nice inflatable decorations.
(41:51):
So they've got the giant ball ornaments, the light up
and flash, and they've got a big nutcracker. So I
was influenced by the internet again.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
Paula, what's your Do you have an opinion on the inflatables?
Speaker 2 (42:08):
I'm not as big a fan of inflatables as I
am just traditional lights on the home, gotcha. But you
know the one I will have to say, the ones
that Melissa have are really cute.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
Yeah, well she's made it funny. Some of them they're
just huge now, I mean they're just they're like taller
than the house. Some of these things are.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
I just don't is there's just not enough creativity. Okay,
that's what that's that's my problem with them. I know
that they're easy and they're fun, and they're they're easy
to pack away.
Speaker 1 (42:40):
You know, the controversy continues. Well, Thank you everyone for
listening in today. We appreciate you joining us here on
the Dana Simmons Show. This has been Andy Hemmings with
capital title and Merry Christmas.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!