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