Yep! I'm still here!

I can't believe my Holiday vacation is half over! WAHHHH! I've had a busy past couple of days and haven't gotten here to post! So here's an update.
Nails done, shopped to return a bra, why do some bras seem like one cup is noticeably bigger than the other? I mean like I know one boob is bigger, but that was the cup that was big enough. It was the smaller one that had a way too small cup! Took that sucker back, I'm not paying $30 for a missized bra! But I got the right fitting one finally and all is well in that world again.
I took a 30 mile drive to a LSS. They had the cutest mini AMM scrap totes! But I just couldn't justify that one yet. Maybe if they have it at the LSS that I have a GC to. I still spent some cash there, nothing spectacular, paper and embellies.
Today was the big wedding. George looked so handsome in his Marine Corps uniform and Carrie was just a doll in her dress. They make the cutest couple! Beautiful ceremony, gorgeous church. I will try to get pics posted tomorrow. Reception was gorgeous too. They had it at the Officers club on base. This is the first time I have been in there since Hurricane Ivan just about destroyed it. It has taken almost two years to renovate and I can see why. It is done perfectally. The Mustin Beach Officers Club on NAS is a National Historic Building. I was glad to see that they did the reconstruction right and preserved it to it's full former glory. Again, hopefully more pics tomorrow! I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. Outside was gloomy, rainy and it got dark soooo quick. Hopefully I can find more pics that someone else took. After the reception (it ended about 6 pm) we headed over to the Groom's parents, Lynn & Howard. I have known them since before they announced they were pregnant with George. We had the best time at the after party! Catching up on old times, finding out what a small world it really is. I love times like these!
Enough for tonite, I'm off to bed. Need to pack tomorrow to go to my sister's to scrap for a week, without taking everything I own. HMMM! or I could just buy more! LOL!

:J

Knowing All is Right in My World

I love the conversations that transpire when all three boys are in the house. We have had very interesting dinner conversations here, some of which are only fit for late night TV. But they were conversations and they took place at dinner, around the table with the whole family present. There have been many times I have not wanted to leave the table, the conversation was soo good.
A couple of the conversations this past weekend really touched me, surprised me and made me feel like I have done a better job with these boys then I sometimes give myself and my husband credit for.
Daniel, the oldest, the one who should be a politician or lawyer had this to say. "Mom, did you know you are on my myspace page?" My first thought was oh great, he really did tell the world about the time I made him move a pile of concrete from one side of the yard to the other, just because he told me one time too many he was bored. But alas, that was not the case. He surprised me. I am on my son's myspace page because I am his hero. He actually has two heros listed. One is "anyone who has been told that something isn't possible and proven it wrong. and My mother, who taught me the most important word in the english language, PERSERVERANCE" I was floored. I always told Daniel he can do anything. I have witnessed him in action. He is as comfortable talking with Admirals & Mayors, Politicians & Lawyers, as he is talking to a neighbor or homeless person. He can make you beleive the sky is green when it is blue, and he is the hardest working kid I know. When Dan puts his mind to something, he accomplishes it. I am honored to be his hero.
Kevin, my middle one, thanked me for sharing the nacho dip recipe. He has become famous for his nacho dip. You know the one, a pound of Velveeta, a pound of Hamburger and a can of rotel. All his friends think that dip is da bomb! Kevin has a group of friends who gather every Sunday for football, and the dip is a must. Especially if it is served in the football shaped crockpot that I gave him because I never use it.
It is the little things like those that assures me the world is going to be alright. It makes all the sneers I got during their teenage years worth it. It assures me that all the times that I didn't let them do what "everyone else" was doing, was the right choice. Yes, as my mother said, "This too shall pass" That teenage boys really do grow their brains back. They do become human again after all.
In case you wondered,

:J

One of the best gifts this year was to have all three boys home for the weekend. As children grow, and the nest empties, these get togethers are good for DH and I. It reminds us how much fun our kids are to be around. It also makes the quiet appreciated more when they leave. With boys every thing is a competition, especially with all three of them here. I loved every minute of it!
Dan and Kevin were amazed at the scraproom. They loved the tools, especially the Cropadile and the Cricut. I was amazed that at some point over the weekend, all three of them took a turn in the scraproom creating a card or present for their girls. What really amazed me is that they did this one their own. At one time or another one would come to me and ask, "Mom show me how to do this," or "Mom, Can I use this?"
Their creations were beautiful if I do say so myself. Patrick started an album that he and his girl plan to pass back and forth to each other. Dan made a card, he used the Cricut & the Cropadile, and Kevin made a card also.
Of course being the men that they are, they left a mess for me to clean up. But that's okay, I don't mind once in awhile. I'm just glad I finally have children to share this hobby with. Now I wonder which one would like to go to a weekend crop? LOL! not pushing my luck on that one!
It was a great holiday, with many unexpected gifts. And children who surprise you.
:J

Merry Christmas from Our House

It has been a fabulous Christmas weekend. We both began with a quiet Friday afternoon nap before all the chaos began later that evening. Some one was settled in for his long winter's nap when I snapped this. A typical Friday afternoon pose. How he sleeps with 75 pounds of Lab/Chow mix in his lap is beyond me, but they do, every chance they get. We had a great time beginning at about 2 a.m. Saturday morning. Kevin arrived from Tallahassee after a long evening at work. Patrick, Kevin and I had a quick chat before heading to bed.
Saturday morning brought busy errands, grocery shopping and such. When we arrived back from all our errands, Daniel and Felicia had arrived from Louisiana. It was soooo good to have them here! All our boys in one place, at once, a near impossible feat! Someone is always working, or has a commitment elsewhere. This year it has worked out they were all home, it was my best Christmas present. Rick and I talked about it this afternoon. He said he never understood why his Dad would say that was the best present. Now he understands.
Of course getting them all together, and getting them to all cooperate for a good picture is just never done. But this is the best I could get them to do. They even lined up in Birth order, Daniel, 26 on the left, Kevin 24, in the middle and the baby, Patrick 19, on the right. A handsome crew if I do say so myself.
Daniel amused us as always with his Ricky Bobby impressions, his Trivial Pursuit knowledge and his favorite present, his 20 Questions thingymabob. Yes, he even stumped that!
Kevin, who has had a great year bartending, showered us with amazing, thoughtful gifts. It was fun to see his pleasure as the recipients beamed with joy at his thoughtfulness.
Patrick, always the entertainer, challenged his brothers to digital guitar games on the Playstation. The house was rockin as they all took turns playing.
It was great having them all here, some things never change except their age. But there was still enough little boy left in all of them to make their mama a happy woman. It was a blessed Christmas.
:J
 

TGICB!

Thank God it's Christmas Break! Today is our last day of school for two weeks!!! Finals are over, it's a half day for students, everyone is Jingle belling with happiness!
I will be glad for the extra time to finish up Christmas plans at our house. I need to finish wrapping presents, that will clean up the spare bedroom. Kevin arrives on Saturday, he'll be happy the room is clean!
I have a few more errands to run, stocking stuffers to pick up, groceries to buy. Then tonite is the Packer/Viking game. The press is trying to make this out to be Brett's last game at Lambeau field, but I don't think so. I think he will be back next year.
I feel like an ADHD Kid at Christmas. I am a million directions and need a compass to guide me.
I guess that's all I really have to say for today, I need to get to work, the sooner I get there, the sooner I get home! LOL!

:J

One Week, Who's Counting?

Santa himself doesn't seem stressed by the fact that Christmas is just one week away. Of course he has thousands of little elves running around. They make sure that the presents are just what everyone asked for, the gifts are wrapped perfectly, and all the decorations are just right. Even Mrs. Claus only has the baking to worry about, and I'm sure she has elves helping with that!
Despite the fact that I tell myself every year that I am not going to stress about Christmas, I do. I downsize every year, a little more off the list, one less present to buy, one less task to do. Still, I stress. Getting gifts, making menus, worrying that they will all be home for just that right Christmas moment, making sure there are pictures.
One week left and I feel the CRUNCH. I do know it will all get done. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I will make sure they all know tho, it isn't the presents, the food, or the pictures. It's the reason. One little baby came into this world whose soul purpose was to serve God and die for our sins. What gift is better than that?
So when I really get stressed, I stop. I remember. There is no greater gift than that.

:J 

More Men & A challenge

A few more of my favorite men. It's just kinda cool to have so many smilin' faces greet me every morning when I walk in the kitchen. Lifts my spirits right away!
A challenge from my friend, Cindy, who got it from my friend Kip, who got it from Sophia.
ABC's Challenge

A - Available or single: neither/married
B - Best Friend: Rick
Cake or Pie: Cake
D - Drink of choice: Water the coffee a close 2nd, Maragarita's 3rd
E - Essential item you use everyday: My Glasses
F - Favorite color: Watermelon
G- Gummy Bears or worms: Bears
H - Hometown: Savanna, IL
I - Indulgence: Scrapbooking
J - January or February: February, More days off
K - Kids & Names: Sons, Dan, Kevin & Patrick
Life is Incomplete Without? Family & Friends
M - Marriage Date: Oct 18, 1986
N - Number of Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister, 1 - half sister
O - Oranges or apples: Oranges
P - Phobias or Fears: Losing my family
Q - Fave Quote: I have too many favorites to post!
R - Reason to Smile: I got up this morning
S - Season: Fall
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: Jules, my brother Jason, and MaryAnn
U - Unknown Fact about Me: I slept in a Cave
V- Vegetable You Don't Like: Humus (dunno for sure if that's a veggie)
W - Worst Habit: Gossiping
X - Xrays: pretty much everywhere, Hands, Feet, Ankles, Knees, Hips, Back, Elbows, Wrists, Neck and Head.
Y - Your Fave Food: Seafood
Z - Zodiac Sign: Libra

Older (snow)Men are Good Too!

Just a few more from my collection. The fella below is probably my oldest. He was on alot of my sisters trees, and she is much older than I! I would say he is at least 50 if not pushing 60! I know he is pushing WWII era. I just love him! You know he is back from when a man tipped his hat to whomever he met. The tree is genuine old also, I got it at the same time I got my first snow man, who is the next picture.
I remember getting this little guy when I was very young, probably 5 or younger. My dad had taken me to a greenhouse to get a poinsettia. The clerk gave him and the tree above to me. I was so afraid of breaking him, and wouldn't hold the tree, because it was prickly. LOL! He has survived many years, travels all over and is still in pretty good shape for an old man.
Good thing they aren't real snow. Today our high is supposed to hit 75! It's mid December! Like I said a few days ago, there are days I shop in shorts, this may be one of them!
Wherever you are, whatever the temps, I hope your day is a warm, cozy one!

:J 

Sometimes Fake is Better Than the Real Thing

I love snow. I always have, all my life. Yes, it's cold. Yes, it's a pain to shovel. Yet I have to admit, I still love snow. It's quiet beauty as it falls, blanketing the world in a clean, white cover. If you have ever stepped out on a moonlit night after a fresh fallen snow, then you know the feeling of peace in the world. I could walk for miles on a night like that. You get the feeling you are the only one in the world, it's sooo quiet.
I am no longer fortunate to live where I can experience this on a daily basis in the winter. So I have to settle for the fake kind. Snow flake lights, Plastic snow flakes, and Snow people. Most of them stand silently at their post, grinning at me, perhaps thankful that they are fake, and warm.
My Darling husband picked this snowman up for me the other night at CVS. He said it just looked like he would be one I love. He was right! He is fluffy and soft. Probably one of the biggest ones I have.
I love my Packer snowman. He is probably one of my most cherished. He stays out all year round. DH bought him also. The ultimate football fan, as everyone knows there is nothing in the world like a football game in Lambeau Field, the Frozen Tundra. Snow should be falling at game time, a slushy, sloppy snow, to make the game fun! My latest purchase, sure to become cherished, is Papa & Momma Snowman and their 3 little snowmen. I was thrilled to find this as we have 3 sons. I don't think I have ever seen a group of 5. It also reminds me how blessed I am.
I am blessed with a wonderful family. I don't have to shovel snow. I have relatives & friends who still live in snow country so I can go visit when I realllllly miss snow. Then I can make all the snowmen, snowballs, snowangels, snowforts and snowpaths I want.
Yes, I am blessed.
:J 

A Day to Put Me in the Christmas Spirit

One of the hardest things for me as a native midwesterner living in Florida is to get in the Christmas Spirit while the weather is warm, trees green and no snow. Every year I do my Christmas shopping in shorts at least one day. The rest of the days I usually go jacketless. The past few days have turned chilly tho, somewhat reminding me of winter.
Santa's arrival by fire truck to our neighborhood this morning also signaled to me that Christmas is near. I heard him coming from blocks away and while he didn't get down and listen to every child's wish, he did give them an early gift of a stuffed animal and some candy. He passed by me tho and just waved. I wonder if that is a hint of what's to come Christmas eve. Haven't I been a good girl this year? The evening brought the Annual Pensacola Christmas parade, despite the chilly temps, these girls were ready to twirl their little hearts out the entire 3 mile length of the parade. I was in my long johns, turtle neck sweater & jacket. I would have not been able to lift my baton had I been them.
The floats were lit up in their usual finery, tossing Mardi Gras beads, candy and stuffed animals to all 30,ooo people lining the downtown streets. I was a Marshall, given a half a block to guard and make sure no little ones went over barricades for a penny piece of candy and to keep them safe from the floats. I enjoyed picking up missed beads & candy and giving them to the littlest ones who patiently waited for things to be thrown to them. Most everyone was cooperative, letting the littlest ones have all the prizes.
Krewe of Lafitte has their own parade during Mardi Gras, but they delight everyone anytime they bring out the Dragon float. It was decked with Christmas bows and lights with the Holiday spirit.

Although I didn't get a picture, it was awesome to see 6 of our 7 high school bands lined up to get into their place in the parade. (the final one was returning from Miami where they had played in their HS football Championship game) They had a drum off while they waited, which sounded awesome admist the brick walls of the surrounding buildings.
Everyone was in the holiday mood, and finally I think, so am I!
Merry Christmas!
:J

Yes That's me!

"It was 1962, and in early December Santa always made the neighborhood rounds in my hometown to find out what every good little girl and boy wanted for Christmas. I was shy, and wanted nothing to do with the Big Man in the Red Suit! Times have changed, and Santa no longer makes his rounds in early December. I am also no longer Santa Shy and have no problem letting him know what I would like Christmas Eve!"
Yes that's me, and it was my first Santa visit. I had just turned two. My sister had to hold me so I would have the courage to take a Candy Cane from Santa.
I wish I still had legs that skinny!
Thanks for looking. I hope you aren't Santa Shy either.
:J 

And this is why there's a problem!

In a high school you expect that there will be kids ditching class. Heck, I did it a time or two..or three..okay so I ditched a few times. But when you catch them red handed and follow procedure, you expect the powers to be to do something!
Yesterday afternoon during our wellness walk, a co-worker and I noticed bushes moving on the far end of campus. We called to the bushes, but no answer. We walked a few yards further and watched the bushes move more. Now I'm not talking about jiggling bushes, I'm talking small trees bending like Yehti is moving through. We called again. Silence.
I dug for my ever trusty cell phone and put in a call to the office, told them who it was and told them what we were seeing. We kept walking. The reply was, "The resource officer says he doesn't do woods." Okay fine. Therein lies the problem.
We have a large campus, some of it wooded. If you know this, and know you have suspected skippers, you don't "do woods?" HMMM.
So we called the Dean, who we know is tough. "Do you know who they are?" No. But if you walk out here one of them is coming out of the woods, oh wait, there's 3 of them. So I give a description. By now I am half way across campus from them.
It seems no one was concerned but me & my coworker. I probably should have chased into the woods after them, but I didn't. No one else did either, so I guess that's why there's a problem. Maybe I am part of it.
Gotta wonder,
Sign me,
Probably dooced,
:J

Something to Warm You

I noticed this blooming in the back yard this afternoon when I looked out the window while doing dishes. It's the first bloom my Angel trumpet plant has had on it this year. Angel Trumpets are one of my favorite flowers. Mine was in a different location in the yard where it got entirely too much sun. It was a wilted wreck when we transplanted it to the back yard, under the huge oak tree. Now it's flourishing as you can see below. It has several other buds but I am afraid after our cold weather tonite they will be goners. At least I got to see one bloom. Hard to believe it is December 1st. Did you hear that wooshing noise? That was the entire state of Florida breathing a huge sigh of relief. December 1st marks the end of hurricane season. We managed to make it through without any major hits or damage! WOO HOO! Now if only the insurance companies would reward us with a price cut in our premiums. HA!
24 shopping days until Christmas. Are you ready?
:J 

Catching Up Another Week

Wow! It's hard to believe today is the last day of November! Where did this month go? October seems so far in the past, but November just flew by.
This is another Jules & Kip inspired creation, and I must say my favorite so far. Of course I am partial to snowmen anyway. This little one is probably as close as I will get to the real thing. The papers I used were WM and Jo's Packs. I really like WM's Christmas papers this year! I embellished with a few snowflakes for each letter, and a puff ball for Snowie's cap.
I may still add some ribbons. I think I am keeping him, no bazaar for him, I have to know he has a good home!
Yesterday's minor surgery went well, I was in and out in an hour. Dr. Paul, who is Dr. Diego's brother, did my cyst removal. Another bump on the head gone! I love these guys! The are among the best Dr's I have had in my life. So personable, so caring.
A former student of ours came in last night for a transcript. He was in our Culinary Arts program. We started talking and I found out he knows my oldest DH, and thinks quite highly of him. It was good to hear someone gush about one of my kids. Dan is a great cook, of course, because I taught him! HA! I think it blew both of us away, the student and I, I that he knew Dan, and he that I was Dan's mom!
I will be toilet shopping tonite after work. At 3:30 am our toilet in the main bathroom sprung a huge crack and began leaking all over the floor. When I first heard it, I thought DS3 was in the shower, and thought, what the H is he doing in there at 3:30 am?? Needless to say we were mopping up in the wee hours of the night. The toilet is probably original to the house, built in the late 60's. Merry Early Christmas to us. Just what I wanted a new toilet!
Well hopefully the master shower will hold up, cause that's where I am headed. Then off to work.
Have a wonderful day!
:J 

All I Want for Christmas

This is the time of year when selfish me comes out. I guess because I am spoiled year round, I get really selfish this time of year. Or at least I think I am.
I'm selfish because when I ask what someone wants for Christmas, I really want to know. I work too hard all year to just go out and buy something to give you as a gift just so I can say I bought you something. I really want to buy you something you want. Isn't that what Christmas morning gift giving is all about? Getting what you want?
So this noon, gift giving was the topic of discussion at lunch. I was met with alot of "I don't know" "I don't care" or "A million dollars". What is it about guys not knowing?
Not knowing has never been a problem for me. Ask me anytime what I want and I can give you at least 5 things in 5 seconds. I didn't have any problem holding up my end of the discussion when it came to gift giving.
I used to tell the kids when they were teens that all I wanted was a clean house and kids who loved me. LOL! They still answer that whenever I ask them what they want. If money were no object and VISA were endless, I would get them what ever they wanted. But that isn't so, so I just want to know what they would like $300 or less. Maybe I will just give them money. They could go out after Christmas, shop the sales, and get exactally what they want. It would make for a boring Christmas morning, no presents, no reason to get up early. Which brings me to what I really want for Christmas. Really, Really, I want to go to my in laws for Christmas again. I miss being around the whole family, the big group. Where everyone stands in line for the one bathroom. We take turns with each other cooking and doing dishes. Where a 19 year old gets to be 8 again and play with the cousins throwing snowballs. I want family. I love my husband and my boys, but we see each other all the time. I want to be with everyone. More than everything I put on that list today, I want to be with family. Santa Please!
:J

Something Accomplished

I've stayed busy this weekend, accomplishing projects I've had on hold. I was inspired by my friends, Jules & Kip on these. Jules and Kip held a make and take at Creepover 2006 to make a decorated wooden BOO. Then I saw these at HL, and decided to try a Winter Twist on their project. I think I like the Santa better, his beard is crackled paint, I used silver underneath and white over the top. I'm making a few of these for next year's Christmas bazaar. I hope they sell.

Off to bed, tell me what you have been doing.

:J 

Thanksgiving Day, not Quite as Planned

Okay so things did not go exactally as planned Turkey day. Around my house things happen that way, we adjust, move on and get over it. I guess that's what getting older has done for me.
I didn't get to watch the Macy's Parade. BUT I did get to watch the McDonald's Parade from Chicago. Our local HS band was in it, "The Pride" from Escambia High School, my older boy's alma mater. But it kind of ticked me off because they didn't mention Escambia High, just Pensacola, but we have 9 high schools in Pensacola!
We didn't have pie, no pie, nada, zilch. The Schwann's guy just didn't get here so I couldn't bake it. We didn't have Chocolate Torte. No room in the fridge, so I didn't make it. We did have Pumpkin/Cream Cheese roll and Poor Farmer's cheesecake. It was more than enough and yum-0!
There were no candied yams on our table. Why? Ditzbrain, me, forgot to buy them! Actually I thought I still had a can in the pantry, I didn't. I was the only one disappointed, and DH promised to go to the best place in town that makes yams, Cole's, and get me my very own serving of their candied yams. I'll settle for that!
No Nap afterwards really, the tv was too loud, and the game too exciting! LOL!
Dessert at Lynn's was a load of fun. Fun catching up with the kids, watching Lynn's adorable DGS, Schyler get into mischeif. What a cutie he is! DH & the guys loved watching the football games on Howards 60+ inch big screen. I didn't know tv's came that huge! I felt like I was on the sidelines the little bit I watched it!
So the guys were in one room watching football on the big screen tv, the girls in the Florida room catching up and playing with the grandkids. Isn't that what Thanksgiving really is about? People you love, food too fattening, all together in one fell swoop? I guess my Thanksgiving is what I planned after all.
How was yours?

:J

Thanksgiving Survey

Just a little Questionaire, borrowed from Kip, who borrowed from Sophia. But also, Thanks, I am thankful for all my great friends, Monkeys or otherwise. Enjoy the day!
:J

Do you cook all or part of the meal?
Every single bit of it honey!
How much do you spend buying groceries for the meal?
I don't look at the receipts, it doesn't matter.
Eat at home or go to someone else’s?
Home, but going for dessert at a friend's.
Describe your perfect bite?
Since I can't just inhale the whole thing at once, probably white meat turkey with a bit of mashed taters, gravy, corn and stuffing.
White meat or dark?
White
Stuffing with giblets or without?
With giblets and without cornbread
Anything you won’t eat at the Thanksgiving meal?
Not only do I not eat it, I don't serve pumpkin pie!
Carve Mr. Gobble at the table or serve on a platter?
On the Platter
Favorite pie?
Triple Berry Apple Rhubarb
Formal table or chinet?
Formal
Your menu?
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli salad, Sweet tater casserole, corn, rolls, cranberry jello blocks, veggie tray. For dessert is Pumpkin cream cheese roll, Triple Berry Apple Rhubarb Pie, Cheesecake and Chocolate torte.
Favorite leftover?
PIE
Extended family, friends, both or just the immediate family for dinner?
This year, DH & I, DS2 & DS3 for dinner, and later that evening we are going to a friend's for dessert.
After dinner, do you go to the latest movie or football on TV?
A Nap and if I wake up, FOOTBALL!
Do you watch the Macy’s Parade?
Yep!
Christmas decorations up before or after?
After
Black Friday shopping or sleep in?
Oh thank God I don't have to worry about Black Friday, if the kids were younger I might.
Any special Thanksgiving tradition?
On my table are several things. My grandmother's Platter, Depression Glass Salt & Pepper Shakers from my dad's bachelor pad before he married my mom, a Heisey glass tray from my mom's family and a Pilgrim man, Pilgrim woman and turkey candles from my childhood.
Also, after grace we all have to tell what we are thankful for.
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
The year we ate Thanksgiving in our last Navy housing. We were in the midst of moving into this house.

Aw Doc! Do I Hafta?

It began with a bout of vicious vertigo on Monday. I went to work anyway, theorizing that as the day went on and I worked, that I would feel better. No, I didn't.
After lunch I made a Doctor's appointment for Tuesday morning. Then I went home to catch a nap and found my youngest son asleep on the couch with the flu. So even tho I felt much better on Tuesday morning, I went to the Dr's anyway. He poked and prodded and asked a few questions, then declared me to a have another ear infection in my left ear. Hmmm, but really I felt great. He gave me a script for antibiotics, decongestant, and nose stuff and then looked at me and said, "I want you to take a few days off work. Can you do that?"
Twist my arm, and what is that you just said?
"Stay home, rest, read a book, and take it easy?"
Aw, Doc, Do I hafta?
Would anyone else like his number?

When Life Keeps You Busy

It's been one of those weekends where nothing got done, but we accomplished alot. Despite feeling yucky off and on, things got done, even if they weren't on the list.
Thursday night started with the first home basketball game of the season, devastating loss by one point. I had left at half time, only to hear the result the next day. So Friday night I was determined to stay for the whole game. I was not disappointed! It was a well played game against a much larger team. It was good to see our boys play clean defense, pass the ball around and move to make plays. The fourth quarter was a nail biter as we came from six points down to make it a back and forth game the entire quarter and finally tie it up at the final buzzer, OVERTIME. Our kids showed their maturity as they outplayed their oponents to win by 4 points! WOOHOO! The prinicpal and I took turns not looking and having heart attacks as things went good, bad, good, bad to finally very good. I really like the new coach, he accomplishes getting some respect and discipline from his team and it shows on the court. The boys aren't wearing sagging, baggy clothes and he even told them to tell the girlfriends goodbye. Between basketball & grades they won't have time! This promises to be a good season!
Saturday was weekly grocery shopping & run to the base exchange. I scored a 24.75 lb turkey at the commissary! If I'm cooking a bird, I'm making it worth my while. Good thing too, DS1 called tonite to say that he thinks he and the fiance will be able to make it home after all! I also found a Christmas pressie for my sister who is hard to buy for and we got ink for the printer.
Hauling in all that food, required a nap from me while DH checked the pool, the yard and putzed outside. We lazed around the rest of the day until about 6 when I convinced him that if I didn't use those Michael's and Hobby Lobby coupons, they would quit putting them in the paper for me. LOL! I picked up the rest of my sister's Christmas present at Michael's, and a Crop a dile for me at HL. I'd tell you what I got her, but she sometimes reads here. We also hit Sam's where we got a Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake to "munch".
Sunday we did laundry, cleaned house and watched football. I scrapped a bit, finishing a CJ I am putting in the mail tomorrow. I am glad to have that out of the way, now I can concentrate on Christmas scrapping! I cleaned the scraproom so I can breathe in here now. Sunday night I made 5 Pumpkin Cheesecake Rolls. 3 of them went to school with me today where they were consumed by the staff, and 2 are for dinner Thursday. I deeply dislike Pumpkin Pie, so this is what we eat instead.
That was it, while nothing spectacular was accomplished, alot got done. Life goes on another day.

:J

HE WON!

I know it wasn't all my shameless begging. But it had to have helped! EMMITT WON! He is the offical Dancing with the Stars Champion! I am so happy for him!
I think America respected the fact of how well he dances despite his bad back, football injuries and age. Like Len said, You make the men of America want to dance!
WOOHOO!
Now if I could just get the hubby into the dance studio. The man can polka with the best of them, I know I can get him to rumba!

:J

Shameless Begging

I have become a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars. Tonite is the night we vote for the Champion. I'm hear to say, VOTE FOR EMMITT! He really is as charming as his smile and think about it, Emmitt is much older than Mario and moves as smooth as he does.
I know Mario has those cute dimples. But Emmitt, that smile, those hips! He truly looks like he is having the time of his life. I don't think he smiled this much when he was winning Super Bowls and breaking records! PLEASE VOTE FOR EMMITT!
Back to your regular programing.

:J

Beginning A New Week

It was a great weekend. I made it to my sister's on Thursday night, about 6. I had a few delays. The trip took a little longer than expected.
The first delay was our new bridge on I-10 over the bay. 45 minutes to go 7 miles. The view was gorgeous tho, and I counted 16 huge cranes on barges that were helping with the construction. I hope they post a final count, how many workers, cranes, tons of concrete, pilings, and rebar it takes to build our new bridge. Imagine being about to say, "I helped build that bridge." It is spectacular!
My second delay was at a LSS about an hour away. It's one of my favorites. I didn't get as many things as I wanted. I can always go back. I was saving myself for the shops we were going to this weekend.
Friday morning began bright and early. After breakfast at IHOP, we hit the first LSS in Dothan. WOW! What a neat place Paper Moon is. She carries most of my favorite papers. Everything was neat and organized. Both the clerks were so friendly and they even let me buy a class kit since I was not able to attend the BoBunny Family Recipe Book class. They didn't have the kits in the class right then, but she took my cell phone number and promised to call as soon as they got them at the store (that day) so I could pick it up.
After Paper Moon, we headed south to Panama City Beach. Originally we had planned to go to Montgomery, but since PCB is the same distance, we decided to try something new! We never know where we will end up!!!
PCB was nice, different, beachy. We hit Michael's, HL and JO's and Scrapbook Studio. Spent way too much money, but got lots of neat stuff!!!! Scrapbook Studio told us about "HollyFair" a huge event going on at the Civic Center. Shopping, Shopping, Shopping! We decided to go home and return Saturday for Holly Fair.
Holly Fair was neat, lots of jewelry, custom made items, Holiday stuff. I didn't buy much, a few ornaments. The day was long and by the time we got home I was exhausted, my back felt like it was on fire, and I was ready for bed!
All good things come to an end, and I had to say good bye to my sister this morning and head home. It was good to get back and see my family. I think they even missed me while I was gone!
I enjoyed my time with my sister. We didn't scrap a bit, but we shared memories, and made a few too!
:J

Canceling Each Other Out

Today was election day. My darling husband and I always vote together. It's a ritual. We don't discuss who we are voting for before we go in. Unless he knows it's a school issue, then he will ask me. But we always discuss who we voted for after we vote. It's become a ritual.
He'll name an office and ask who I voted for, when I tell him, he usually says "Cancelled you out". I'll name an office, and ask him, and usually when he replies, I tell him, "I cancelled you out." And so it goes. This time we were pretty much on the same page. We got the same senator, different governor, and all of our locals were the same.
DH still doesn't know what he is. I tell him it doesn't matter, you don't have to vote a straight party ticket. Just so you vote. You don't even have to vote in every race, Just vote!
I did get a bit aggrevated tonite when they were saying "so & so has 57% of the vote with 1% of the precincts reporting." Come on! Report when you have real numbers! Get those numbers off of Emmitt and Mario's feet! I need to vote for them!
So for the record, on the vote that really counts, we agreed. Emmitt & Mario for the next round. Joey, go home.

:J

My Wish

My Latest Layout of Oldest Son, Daniel. Not my best LO, I think it needs something. But I love the Cosmo Cricket Wanted Paper. The photo was taken last month with a friend's camera phone. I think it is my favorite pictures of him as an adult. Dan has always been my independent one, his first sentence was "Mommy, I do it." The journaling is below, the words to Rascal Flatt's latest song, "My Wish" I thought it was appropriate as Daniel and his fiancee', Felicia embark on their latest journey, moving to Lafayette, LA and starting anew. Good Luck Son.

MY WISH written by Steve Robson & Jeffery Steele

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

:J 

Lest Ye be Judged

Apparently I've opened a can of worms when I recently asked a question on a message board. I've been asked by our local fair board to chair a committee to bring scrapbooking into the Hobbies division of the fair. I thought my question at the message board was innocent enough, but was surprised at how adamant people are on what makes a good scrapbooking Layout.
In the fair everyone who enters a project is judged and given a ribbon. Best of Show ribbons would be given for the best project (in the judges opinion), Blue ribbons are for first, Red for second and White for third. In some cases, Green "participation" ribbons are also given. People entering the fair know they will be judged. It's up to them how much personal value they give to these ribbons.
My question on the message board seemed honest enough to me. "What criteria would you use, or have you used, to judge a LayOut?" Boy! Did I get what I asked for! While I did get some very excellent suggestions, I was surprised at some of the opinions stated also. I think I have a long year ahead of me in preparation for next years fair.
Some seemed shocked that we would even "judge" Layouts. But that's what the fair is all about. Well, that and rides, food that is horribly bad for you, and seeing that even your family tree is more normal than some.
In the end, I am glad I won't be a judge. But it will be my job to find judges who know enough about scrapbooking & art to know what makes a pleasing LO. Whether it contains a great picture or many, journaling or not, is plain or fancy, they will choose the best in their opinion. The people who enter expect this, they know they will be judged by the criteria listed in the fair book. In the end though, it's about getting our craft out to the public, perserving our past, for the generations to come.


:J

Simple Saturday

I've already been to the LSS, and am ready to sit down and scrap the afternoon away. DH is off at the shop fixing my car, DS3 is working a double so I won't see him till this evening. My house is clean enough to be healthy, dirty enough to be happy so I am taking a ME day!
I have a CJ to do, some wood cut outs to play with, (thanks to Creepover inspiration) and a few pages to work on. LOL! a few, I have enough paper to keep me busy for months!
So this entry is short, sweet and to the point.
Enjoy your day!
I'll post finished stuff later!

:J

It's Paycheck Friday, Weekend's Here, Good God Almighty!

Sorry, a little carry over from last night's Toby Keith concert........ Let's get Drunk and be Somebody!
Or whatever.
That concert rocked!!!!! Rushlow & somebody opened for him first, they were former members of the band Little Texas. They were alright, no real stage presence or firing up power. But then Joe Nichols came on and he rocked the house!!! He will probably tour alone next year, I don't understand why he isn't now. He is such a cutie and what a voice. Of course those of you who really know me would know my favorite song by him, "Tequila makes Her Clothes Fall OFF!" He did not disappoint on that one either! He even got down and walked through the crowd!!!!! What a hunk!
Then came Toby. What can I say? He brought back memories of the old KISS concerts with the jammin' and pyrotechnics. He sang every hit and even changed things up a little so we knew he wasn't lip synching anything. His patriotic songs were a huge hit with this military town, several earned him a standing ovation. He also brought out Lindsey Haun, who sings with him in his movie "Broken Bridges" That young lady has a strong voice! She reminded me of Martina McBride, hitting all those notes and holding them.
Toby closed the show with "Angry American" which of course brought the house down here. Even DH was up out of his seat jammin' to that one.
If he comes to your town make sure to see him. You will not be disappointed in his performance. And he is pretty easy on the eyes.

:J

Happy Birthday!

Since it is your birthday, I'm coming up with a list of ONLY 10 things I love about you.

1. Your heart is always in the right place.
2. You always put me and the boys first.
3. You respect my opinion, even when we don't agree. (Which isn't often)
4. You are a calm in any storm.
5. You think things out logically and patiently. Even when I am neither logical or patient.
6. You still hold my hand every day, even if it's just when we are watching TV. Kiss me good bye every morning when you leave for work, and kiss & hug me hello when you come home.
7. You watch "Chick Flicks".
8. You tolerate my "ideas".
9. You have been around the world and have seen it all, now you give me my chance to do the same.
10. You make me feel loved, needed and wanted. When I see you pull up in the driveway after a long day I still get giddy. I know you will always be there for me, and I for you.

God Bless the Broken Road, it led me straight to you.
Happy Birthday

:J 

A Few Shots of Halloween

Just a few shots from Halloween at school. I was amazed at the kids that DIDN'T dress up! They had had Haunted Hospital the night before as a fundraiser. It was a sell out! The Medical students set up a "Haunted Hospital" in their wing of the school. I didn't get to go, but heard the wounds were very real looking and even the parents were scared! Good Job Kids!
On a less scary note, here's my friend Beth and her DGD, Roni! She is so adorable!
This scarier looking bunch are my buddies MaryAnn & Sue. MaryAnn is my Margarita buddy, Sue is a Packer fan like me and great to be around! Mar's shirt reads, "You can't scare me, I work at the school!" LOL!

Short blog today. Hope you enjoyed the pictures! 

Happy Halloween

It's the haunting night! When the kids were little, I loved Halloween. Now that they are grown, it's lost it's magic for me like most holidays have. But I am stocked up on "the good" candy, as soon as Patrick carves the pumpkins today, we will be ready for the little darlings.
Let's hope they don't end up a tree like this little witchy poo did in the woods at my sister's house last week. I think she lost her sense of direction! I think this is one of the cutest Halloween decorations that I've seen in a long time.
Speaking of cute, you have to admit my friend Jules makes an enchanting vampire! Her gummy fangs were a little crooked, but then we are in the south where everyone's teeth are a little crooked!
Last but not least, here's the big pumpkin, where's Charlie? Or was she waiting for Carlos? And what IS she wearing under there? This was the Head Pumpkin from Creepover, she sure knows how to put on a great party! Oh and she can scrap too!

Have a Happy & Safe Halloween! It's hard to believe tomorrow is November!

:J 

What a Time!

Let's just start off with those girls from South Florida who know how to party! It was such a good time at Creepover. Linda & her crew really know how to put on a shindig. We cropped, we ate, we played and we laughed!!!!! I think the only thing missing was a proper amount of sleep.
The first night we had a little bit of a rain storm that brought some wind with it. A huge branch fell right outside the rec room we were cropping in, just missing our cars! This pic is of everyone pitching in to clean up! Always doing our civic duty!
The park we stayed in was gorgeous! Mike Roess Gold Head State Park in Keystone Heights Florida. Cute little cabins with real fireplaces, screened porches and hot showers. We took a break from scrapping to take a nature walk on the ravine trail. The water in the stream was about a foot deep and crystal clear. The stream meandered through the thick brush.
We even had a monkey man visit us. He must have cast "good scrapping" spells on all the girls as alot of beautiful work was done this weekend. Actually he was part of the costume party on Saturday night. So, So FUNNY! I laughed so hard I thought I was going to wet my pants! Our evenings entertainment was provided by the Village People, complete with all the dance moves, with a bit of embellishment and ad libing! Although they should have had a pirate in the group as someone spent the night asking everyone "Where's my F---ing RUM!" You can't tell it from the picture because Michelle's head is in the way, but I hear the police "man" was really packing. And we aren't talking guns here. That's the first installment of my diary of one of the funniest weekends in my life. Come back soon for more installments of How I Spent my Weekend Cropping and Didn't Finish a Single Project.

:J 

I'm off to Creepover!

The car is packed! I was amazed at what I could fit, and I still have the whole back seat empty! As soon as I get some pics loaded on the jump drive, I'm off to Creepover in the Woods for 3 days of fun and scrapping mayhem!
I'm excited to meet Jules & Kip & Linda. Jules, Kip and I will be cabin buddies, so I hope my snoring doesn't keep them awake! I'm also bringing stuff for s'mores so a campfire of some kind is in the works. Ooops! better be sure I take matches!
Wish me well, I'll be sure to blog when I get back and post pics!

:J

What to Bring, What to Bring!

I'm in the midst of packing for my very first weekend crop. Well outside of going to my sister's all weekend that is. There is no way I can take all that I take to her house! So I'm in the midst. What do I take?

Let's see so far I have this;
Camera
Cutter
Ruler
Pens
Scissors
Hole punch/setter thingy
Adhesive
Adhesive remover
Inks
Stamp Cleaner
4 kits to do
Clothes
S'mores stuff
Big Campfire forks
Blanket, sheets, towels & washcloths

So should I take my Cricut and my six cartridges? All my buttons? A bunch of embellies? Lots of Ribbon? Stamps? HELP!!!!
I've been to crops before, but never a whole weekend one. Will we really be scrapping much? Or being mischeivious? What kind of stuff will I be able to buy? Bunches????
I am stopping by most very favorite LSS in the whole world (so far) so I plan on getting stuff there. I just know I am going to get to the campground and say "GEEZ! I should have brought that!

:J

A Happier Week

I'm going to be more cheerful than my last post, so here's some things that made me happy lately.
Campfire at my sister's house. Every year toward the end of October, my sister holds a cookout/campfire for all her husband's retired work buddies and we always get invited. They make a huge campfire in their backyard, we eat potluck and sit around and discuss the "world situation" as she says. The group I sat near was discussing books they have read. One of the ladies had the most gorgeous southern lady drawl and I was satisfied to just sit and listen to her talk.
Packers Win! Yes they beat the Miami Dolphins this week. What made it even more joyous was three things. They beat the Dolphins so I was able to dish trash to all those Dolphin fans I work with who give me heck about my team every week. Go Pack! Second good thing. I came in First in the pool we have with a bunch of friends from DH's work. I picked the most winning teams this week! Since I am the only woman, it felt good to reap revenge on a bunch of Chauvenistic males. Third, Brett Favre threw no interceptions! WOOO HOO! Lately he has been plagued with interceptions.
The Fair. Friend Linda and I used the free passes that came with our cable bill to go peruse the exhibits at the fair. Really neat things there! Our HS kids placed first with their FFA booth (see blog two blogs ago) They worked hard on it. Looking at the other booths, I was glad to see my picks for the other places matched up with the judges.
Creepover I can hardly wait to get to this Scrapping Campout! What a blast it is going to be to finally meet Jules, Kip and Linda. We have shared many good times through our scrapping on cyber places, now it will get even better in person! I love the park we are going to, many good times when we camped there years ago!
I've been Googled! In checking my site meter, I noticed that some one in South Carolina googled my maiden name and it led them to this site. How I will never know. I can't think of any one I even know in So. Carolina, let alone anyone who would know my maiden name. So if you are still around, pop in and say HI!
Well that's it for happenings around here, I'm off to get ready for work, I think I will wear my new hippie blouse I have been waiting for cool weather to wear. If I don't get moving, I'll be late!!
Make today count!

:Jayne

Catching up from the Weekend

It's been a weekend since I last blogged. Uppers & Downers & Uppers again. Where do I start? I guess with what I most want to get off my chest, and then I can get happy again.
We had some very upsetting news on Wednesday evening. A very close friend of ours who was like a second father to our boys when they were growing up, committed suicide last Monday. To say we are in shock is a huge understatement. Frank was not the a man you would ever thought would do this. Successful, great kids, great wife, great life, well respected, just never would have thought he would do this.
Frank & his wife Chris, and their boys, Jim & Steve, were our first friends when we moved to Pensacola. They lived across the street from us in Navy housing. Frank & my DH, Chris & I, Jim & my oldest son, Daniel, Steven & Kevin, my middle son, became fast friends. Of course everyone took care of the my youngest, Pat. We did scouts together, Frank as Den Leader, Rick as Asst, and then vice versa. Frank & Rick ran the Webelos side of Day Camp the years I was Day Camp Director. Frank was Kevin's soccer coach. Chris & I did all the school volunteering with the boys, we all ate meals together, we watched each others kids, we even camped together on non scouting campouts. When Frank got sent to Panama, and Rick went to the Eisenhower, Chris & I stayed behind in Pensacola with the boys. The boys always wanted us to just get one big house and all of us live together. We got each other through lots of hard times. We were even camping together when I found out my dad had died. To say the least we were unseperable for many years.
So now he goes and does this. WHY? I am angry at him. He has a great wife, one son who is in the Navy as a Lt. in the Nuclear Sub program at Bremerton, the other is an accountant for the largest auto dealership in our city. Why Frank? Why did you do this, and then to have to have Chris come home to find you! WHY? I will never understand. My heart breaks for Chris and the boys. I am so angry at him. How selfish! but it's okay Frank, your friends will help your family pick up the pieces and move on. But you will never see your sons marry, hold your grandchildren, or take them camping or through scouts. Your sons will, they are good men, very good men. I hope you DID see that.
I'm sorry I have rambled on way too long. I promise to be a happier blogger tomorrow. Frank was a good man whom I deeply respected. I am terribly sad but very angry at the loss of his life so unnecessarily.

:J

In Case You were Wondering

40 Questions about me!

1. What is your occupation? Adult Vocational Education Data Specialist & Athletic Dept. Secretary
2. What color are your socks right now? Barefoot - I live in Florida!
3. What are you listening to right now? The hum of the hard drive and Amarillo Sky in my head.
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Gumbo, Fried Mullet and 3 French Fries.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yep
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Watermelon
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My oldest son
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
9. How old are you today? 46
10. Favorite drink? Dasani Water
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Green Bay Packer Football
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Nope, I'm a virgin Which color?N/A
14. Favorite food? Cuban food & Manny's Pizza
15. What was the last movie you watched? Monster In Law
16. Favorite day of the year? The Last day of School
17. What do you do to vent anger? YELL
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? My Barbies
19. What is your favorite, fall or spring? FALL
20. Hugs or kisses? Both
21. Cherries or blueberries? Both
22. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes
23. Who is most likely to respond? Monkey girls
24. Who is least likely to respond? Jason, my brother, but if he does, you will Laugh yer butt off!
25. Living arrangements? In a house??
26. When was the last time you cried? Today
27. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes & a box of Scouting Books and lots of Dust
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Dunno, Depends on who reads this
29. What did you do last night? HMMMM, I plead the fifth
30. Favorite smells? Rain, Babies, Sweaty little boys, Lilacs
31. What inspires you? Nature
32. What are you afraid of? Losing my memory
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese
34. Favorite dog breed? My Lab/Chow mix
35. Number of keys on your key ring? Which Key Ring? I have 3. One has 2, One has 3 and One has 5
36. How many years at your current job(s)? 3 at this school, 14 with the district
37. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
38. How many states have you lived in? 4- Illinois, Virginia, Indiana, Florida
39. Favorite holidays? Any that I can get my whole family in one place at one time.
40. Ever driven a Motorcycle or heavy machinery? Yep Motocycles and Tractors.


Okay now copy and paste and post yours!

A Day at the Fair

It's Fair week in Escambia County! Actually our Fair is 10 days long, no one can pack this much fun into just one week! Today was Fair set up day. The FFA kids from our school always put a lot of hard work into their booth.
FFA, for those of you city folk, is Future Farmers of America. The name changed to something more politically correct in the 90's, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was changed to. It was FFA when I was a kid, and it will always be FFA to me.
Future Farmers of America teaches the youth of our country about the agriculture and farming vocations. It's not just about farming. There's lots of science to it.
Think about it, everything we eat, and most of the things we use had a start in agriculture. In Florida, the first agricultural item people think we grow is oranges. WE don't even grow oranges in our county!!!! Not commercially anyway. Escambia county is known for peanuts, cotton, sorghum and grains.
I was recruited to help because my friend, Melissa, the FFA advisor, has been having back trouble this week. I was supposed to help the kids set up, and Melissa was supposed to sit back, supervise and direct the show. HA! She is so stubborn, we couldn't stop her. She even got up on the ladder. I admire Melissa, she is a can do girl. But she needs to rest that back! Fair week is just beginning! I ended up cutting out all the labels you see, while Melissa & kids labeled everything agricultural. That's one of the rules! The kids even remembered to label the bat & ball, ashwood and cowhide, because it is commercially produced agriculture!
They did an awesome powerpoint presentation on agriculture and featured Commissioner Bronson, our Florida state Agriculture Commisioner. He talked about his start in ag, and how it took him all the way through the legislature and to the Commisioner position. The kids teased that we would all have it memorized by the end of the day, and someday we would need to know something on that presentation for the million dollar question. The powerpoint will play continuously throughout the fair. It also has a part that the background music is the song, "Amarillo Sky" I love that song! It is a country song but I don't know who sings it.

Finally our time was up and we had two minutes to get out of the building. The kids, Melissa, that's her on the end in blue, and Ms. Vail, our Vet teacher, on the other end, posed for a quick and blurry pic. We didn't care, we were so tired and ready to go. And at 4 p.m. after two long days of booth building, we did!
It was a long, hot, humid day, but it brought back many of my fair memories from 10 years in 4H. I hope the kids do well, we have always brought home blue for our display ever since we started 4 years ago.
Good Luck kids! Keep up the winning tradition for WFHS!

:J 

Wonderings & Blitherings

It's mid week, A good time to be a blithering, wondering idiot.
Why is it the week I can take hour long lunch hours and leave campus to eat, it rains every day? We consider it one of the "bennies" of being a 12 month employee. When the rest of the staff and students aren't there, we can go to the restaurant of our choice, eat a meal without inhaling it, and return to an afternoon of blissfully working in peace and quiet. So far not this week. We're shooting for tomorrow as the day of freedom. Some of us have a workshop on Thursday and most of us took a day of leave for Friday. Tomorrow, we're doing lunch. If it's not raining that is.
300 million people. Boy this is getting to be a crowded country. How many of us are here legally? Or are the illegals in or out of that count. I wish we could pick and chose which illegals get to stay. Lately here I have seen alot of hardworking men from south of the border put our town back together. I see them in the stores, buying food, cleaned up after a long hard day doing what many of us refuse to do, hard back breaking work. I see them with their families, together shopping together. They are always polite, sometimes more polite than we are to them. They are clean and dressed, not always with the latest fashion name brand emblazoned across their chest. But they are clean and wear their pants pulled up. I would pick them to stay. Can we pick people to send south of the border? I won't mention names. But names aren't important, actions are.
Speaking of actions, I've been pouty today. I dunno why, just am. The Birthday was great, I look foward to tomorrow, 20 Years!! and the weekend and seeing my sister. and the next weekend, meeting the girls for Creepover. Anyway sorry for being pouty.
George Strait's new CD is worth the price. His voice is so smooth.
Dancing with the Stars. It's time for Jerry to go home. Joey after him, and then let Mario Emmitt and Monique show them what dancing is. Emmitt is a hometown boy, my vote is for him, but Mario can dance for me anytime!
How bout those Saints and Bears!!! I see them both going far!
So I have rambled, probably offended, but this is me. Blithering.

:J

In Broad Daylight!

Today was my first early day off of the week. I got home about 3, ready to search for a chicken wing recipe (which I found) and make my husband his favorite Japanese Chicken Wings. I set about cutting up the wings into drumettes. Why are they drumettes? Why aren't they wingettes? Anyway, cut them up, floured them, fried them in real butter, made the sauce, poured the sauce over the wings, and put the pan in the oven to cook for 1 1/2 hours. Feeling a bit tired, I went to the living room to sit in front of the big window and watch the world go by.
I noticed a white car in the driveway at my neighbors. It looked like their car but not quite. Something was different. I noticed a young man ducking in the driver's side door like he was putting something in, or taking something out of the backseat. He then got into the car and drove into our cul de sac, stopping right behind my car, then he proceeded half way around the cul de sac and stopped. The next time he started he went back to the drive he pulled out of and stopped. Then he took off quickly down the street. It almost looked like someone who was learning how to drive. It was then I saw him. A fairly well dressed young man (if I didn't know my son was in the backroom, I would have thought it was him) in khaki shorts, button up short sleeve shirt and black ball cap take off running after the car. The really surprising thing was, he was carrying my neighbor's table router. OMG! by the time I got my shoes on and ran to the street they were long gone. They were ripping off my neighbor's garage and when I came to sit down they must have seen me. When I first saw them, I didn't give it a second thought, it looked like their car, it looked like their son kinda. It wasn't until the young man went running down the street that I knew something was wrong. In broad daylight, 4 in the afternoon.
I knew my neighbor would be home soon so I watched for him. When he pulled up, I went over and told him what I saw. I felt bad I couldn't stop them, I felt bad that it was too late to call the police. I felt bad that this is happening in our neighborhood far too often nowadays.
I am in shock and feel violated and it wasn't even my home.
As we talked my neighbor said that they must have been casing the house and watching. Our other neighbor, Bob and my neighbor Mickey are both usually home at that time of day. Both are retired, and Bob or his wife are usually outside. They are our neighborhood watchdogs. But today neither was home.
So now we will watch a bit more closely at the people walking and driving by in our quiet little corner. The real world has invaded our utopia.

:J

Celebrating Another Day!

Yes the rumor is true, today I turned 46. One year farther into adulthood, one year closer to being a senior citizen. Not that I buy into the age thing. It's not about age, it's about living life everyday! Besides somedays I still feel like a teenager, and some I feel 80 (usually directly following a day I THOUGHT I was still a teenager!)
I figure since I am older, I need at least two days to celebrate now. Yesterday, was a shopping, eating and napping day. While I napped, my DH shopped for gifts, and afterwards we drove to the beach to pick up a pizza, which we brought home and ate while watching Auburn cream Florida. WOOHOO! This Noles fan was glad to see that!
Today has been nice, quiet day. The kind I wished for when the boys were little. We made biscuits and gravy for breakfast. I got a new sewing machine from DH. My first brand new machine that has never been used by anyone! I have had a few sewing machines, but they were only hand me downs. The dog got me Photoshop Elements 5. He's such a good dog!
Patrick gave me a big hug & kiss before heading out to work two double shifts at Sonny's. He also thought I was only 42. Bless his heart!!! I love that boy.
So no big plans today, no cake, no party. My gifts, unmaterial, happen everyday. I am so blessed. It sometimes sounds so trite, but I truly relish the simple life I lead. As long as I wake up everyday next to my DH, my children are happy and productive young men, and I have a picture to scrap, life is good.
I will never see world peace, our world will never go back to what it was when I was a child. So I am thankful for every day God gives me, so I can make a difference for the good. That is the greatest gift, one more day.

:J

I Haven't Seen This in Years!

This morning I fit in to a sweater. Not just any sweater, but one of those cutesy sleeveless sweaters with a matching cardigan. And not just any cutesy sleeveless sweater with matching cardigan, but a size 16/18 Misses sleeveless sweater with matching cardigan! I am basking in glory. However short lived!
Sure it could just be the brand. Sure it could just be cut large. But Helga and Berta fit into THIS sweater, on this day and I am rejoicing! Will they fit after I wash it? Will they fit next week with water weight gain? I don't know, but for now I can say, 16!!!!! Okay yes there is an 18 there too!
It just feels good to wear something that fits in the shoulders AND in the chest. It drapes my body as clothes should. It encourages me to try on other size 16/18 clothes and not head immediately to the "women's size" and browse through the granny clothes. I feel fashionable today. I feel cute. I feel skinny!
It may not be long lasting. I will probably pig out on some dessert that I don't need to eat, I will probably skip my walk a few days. I'll be back in the women's dept soon. But for now I am a size 16/18!

:J

Morning Monday!

It is crisp and cool here this am. I love this weather, but it makes it hard to get motivated to go to work as I want to stay home and be outside.
I had a great weekend and got alot accomplished that I wanted to do. DH & I cleaned out our closet and took tons of clothes to the mission. He got rid of alot of flannel shirts and sweats. I hope they get those on the shelves soon, with this cool weather they will be needed. Now my challenge is to not buy more clothes to fill the closet back up. We both still have enough clothes to outfit all small country. I counted DH's Packer shirts and he has 13 of those alone! Not to mention his Harley shirts and souvenier shirts. We put alot of his stuff in a "work shirt drawer" so those will be gone as soon as they get messy!
I organized my stuff, summer on one side of my closet, winter on the other. It will make it easy to get dressed now that we are in "transition weather" I still have tooo much stuff. I don't know how the pioneers did it with so few clothes.
My reward for cleaning was scrappin'. I finished two pages and they are up at the Monkey Board. I'm still not ready to post them anywhere else. It's easier for me to put it out where I know people will say kind things, not ready for the world to critize me!
I am so frustrated with my Packers. They show so many moments of brilliance, where I think they are going to win and then in one move blow the game. I know Favre still has alot of good games left in him, he has a young offense that is molding into some awesome players. I just wish we could keep it together for a whole game. But like my own kids, they are my Packers and I love them when they are good, and love them when they are bad.
I'm off to the real world.
Have a Marvelous Monday!
:J

Thyri

The first ten years of my School District career I spent in a PreK classroom as a Teacher's Aide. It was one of the most rewarding times in my life. I loved the children, our program and our school. We were a 200 student school of only 4 year olds. We were like family.
In my ten years there, I had many students I adored, but like most anyone who spent time in a classroom, I had some I will never forget. That is how I came to know Thyri. (Tie-ree)
Thyri came into our classroom every day with a huge smile that lit up his face, a hug as big as a gorilla's, and a happiness that radiated my soul. Thyri was the second oldest of four children being raised by his mother in a housing project nearby. Aside from his smile, good nature and his eagerness to please, he was an average 4 year old boy.
Because he was 4 years old, he had energy that most of us wish we could bottle. He wasn't hyper, but all boy through and through. Since I couldn't harness that energy, we spent many a day on the playground at outside time running laps. Thyri would race the entire class and win everytime. Some days he would run laps around the playground alone, each time stopping to ask me how he was doing. I would reply, "Very fast, but I think you can run faster!" To which he would take off again at top speed.
Over the years I thought about Thyri, his smile, his energy. I hoped all was going well for him and his mom, who expected the best from all her children, manners, cleanliness, honesty, good grades. From time to time I would hear about his sisters, but never Thyri, until this past Thursday night.
Thursday night my younger son's high school, West Tech and my older two boys high school, Escambia, played each other at a 9th grade football game. I was manning the pass gate, which gave me a good view of the stadium, so I got to watch the game in between checking passes. Not many people come to 9th grade games, so I could see most of the game. During the first quarter, Escambia had the ball on about the 50 yard line when all of the sudden #14 took off downfield for a touchdown. I heard one of the boys standing there say "Did you see Thyri go?"
In my mind I made a connection, there couldn't possibly be more than a few Thyri's around. Later on, as I was talking to my oldest son's old soccer coach, this same #14 blew down the field again for a touchdown. This time the coach asked one of the boys, "Was that McBride?" It was then I knew it was my Thyri.
"Thyri McBride?" I asked the coach. "Yes," came his answer. I then told him the whole story, how he was in my PreK classroom, how he ran and ran and ran every day at playground time.
"I guess all his running has paid off" was his comment to me.
I brought up his name later in the game to the Asst. Principal, who is also a friend of mine. He told me that Thyri still had that same huge smile, and a great attitude in school. He told me I should see Thyri after the game, so I did.
I stopped him as he came up the hill but no he didn't remember me. (they never do from PreK) I congratulated him on his 3 touchdowns and told him the story about all the running he did in PreK. I told him that I heard good things about him and I was proud of him. The whole time, he smiled and laughed and nodded, genuinely interested in an old woman's tales of his childhood. He told me his mom and sisters were doing fine. Finally, I shook his hand and let him go on with his teammates, but assured him I would be in the stand cheering him on for the next 4 years.
I never in a million years dreamed that energetic, running boy would go on to be the fine young man he is today. Talking with him that night I still saw that same smile that came through the door and lit up my day so many years ago. We have both touched each others lives. You just never know how.

:J

My 5 Wierd Things about ME!

Everyone who really knows me knows how long I had to think to come up with this list. But finally I did. So in no particular order and in graphic detail my list.

1. I can not drink out of Soft Plastic Tupperware cups. Nothing is more gross to me. I prefer glass, but if that is not available, it has to be clear, plastic, or I just do without.

2. I cannot clean up two things. Dog poo and People puke. I have shoveled all kinds of manure, even skipped school to do it. but Dog poo just gags me. And the other, well I am a sympathy puker. My children, thank god, never did that whereas I would have to clean them or it up. They always got sick when DH was home or made it to the bathroom. Sometimes I could hand them a washrag to wipe themselves with.

3. I cannot drive without some kind of air circulating in the car. I prefer the vent to windows down, but can drive in a convertable all day long.

4. I cannot eat grits. I must have been autistic in a previous life, I am a real texture person.
Grits taste alright, I just can't stand the texture. They make my mouth hurt.

5. I can't stand to see someone lick a knife. Again, the mouth hurts.

So now I tag 5 people to list their five wierd things. Make sure you tag 5 people too!
Kip, Sandy, Nichole, Pam C, and Peggy. It's okay bro, I know you read and don't post, EVER!

:J

My Baker's Dozen

After yesterdays depressive blog I decided to think of some things that make me happy. In no particular order here they are;

1. Visiting my hometown. The picture above is taken at our State Park, Mississippi Palisades. Sorry it was hazy that day.

2. My family. Any and all of them. It is so fun to be with them.

3. A Packers win. Just watching them play makes me happy, but I'm happier when they win. Actually I just love any football.

4. Beach & Pizza. It's a great date.

5. My dog, Dakota. He is such a great dog, he makes me laugh, he protects me. He has my fathers soul.

6. Flowers. Not bouquets from a florist, live ones growing everywhere, blowing in the breeze.

7. Paper. New paper from the scrap store. It inspires my imagination.

8. Cole's Fried Chicken, greens, candied yams, cornbread. Soul Food, nuff said.

9. A good Margarita. Any thing seems possible with one in your hand.

10. My hubby. I guess when I still get goosebumps just looking at him after 20 years, it must be love.

11. Travel. Some days I just need to know that soon I am going somewhere, anywhere, away from here.

12. Cheesecake Factory. It should be a sin.

13. Rain & Laughter & Lawn mowers running in the afternoon. Rain and Laughter are the best two free sounds in the whole wide world. Lawn mowers running relax me, I don't know why, it must be the constant hum going back and forth, rocking my mind to sleep.

What is your Baker's Dozen?

:J