Christmas 2008 from Lair's

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

From Lair Bank Holding Company, LLC – Principals include Herb Lair, Sandy Lair, and Christy Lair

Thought that would be an appropriate way to start our letter. No hidden agendas, just exploring ways to access the $700 billion TARP funds in the “Year of the Bailout”.

A year that was eventful and challenging –

From $4 a gallon gas to under $1.50 a gallon. From a time when we couldn’t afford to make a trip to a time when we could afford to go about anywhere, but didn’t have anything to spend when we got there.

A time when we were “paying” the Government to hold our money in short-term Treasury bills. Sounds like one of the top three lies of the 60’s, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you”.

A time when we elected an African American with an odd sounding name and a woman from Alaska ran for VP. You betcha!

A time when the “big three” auto manufacturers are hitting new bottoms (and I’m not talking about a catchy marketing phrase). GM is currently worth less than Mattel.

A time when Arkansas and Tennessee didn’t play each other and bragging rights are more BS than BCS.

A time when we mourned the passing of Sandy’s brother, Graydon; but celebrated his life in a unique memorial where friends and family told “true” stories that sounded like they had to be made up. A Doctor in attendance said it was more like Comedy Central and another person wanted to hire us to do his memorial. I told him it would be all payable in advance, and the more he paid the better his memories would become.

Sandy continues to do interior decorating, she’s actually getting very good at it, and we all admire her spunk and sense of humor, at her age. She told me the other day, if things got real bad we could sell everything and move to Newton County. When I think about that I realize just how lucky I am to have her!! Then reality sets in – How much interior decorating can you do in Bass and Mt. Judea?  How much shopping can you do at the one general store? How many mysterious deaths have occurred over there?

Christy continues her work at Mother’s Day Out -- she loves her work and taking care of children. She also loves her computer, and she stays busy playing games, e-mailing (christylair@cox.net), and looking for bargains – found us a coffee pod maker just the other day – didn’t know they even made them.

Wendy is busy with Cooper and Sophie, both now going to little Rock Christian, and she is working at the Church with youth programs. She had a great VBS and Breakfast for Santa with the proceeds going to a Honduras orphanage.

Cooper’s flag football team got to final game, their Super Bowl, and were defeated by a team coached by a former major college head coach, Fitz Hill – they take it serious here.

Craig stays busy at the Rose Law Firm, running marathons and coaching soccer (Sophie). I have to say Sophie’s a better player than Craig is a coach. Craig’s words of wisdom are that you never schedule a team where the other team’s coach wears a shirt with “Coach” on it.