It's the time of year that I always question our choice to live on the Gulf Coast. We become anxious, keeping one eye on the television as we go about our daily activities, never quite trusting weather predictions, wanting to see the evidence for ourselves.
As the crow flies, or a seagull, since we are so close, we are about 3 miles from the gulf. It's highly doubtful we'll ever see a storm surge reach our house. Our damage comes from winds, as it did when Ivan came ashore just 4 short years ago.
Our home is nestled amongst 12 century oaks. I remind myself that they have withstood many hurricanes. But I remember too well one we lost during Hurricane Opal, and how Ivan took some big arms off a few others.
This time we'll just see tropical storm weather. For those of you who have never experienced a tropical storm, think of a strong thunderstorm lasting several hours. But tho they are predicting that Gustav is going west, we still keep our eyes on the storm updates, careful the storm to stall or jig our way.
But mostly we go about our business. We still grilled BBQ ribs today, with potato salad and corn slaw. I did a few loads of laundry, played in the scraproom and took a nap. In some ways it's just like any other day, with a sense of carefulness.
:J
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Middle of the Night Ramblings
Can I say at 10 p.m. this evening I was more than ready for bed? As soon as I crawled in bed, shut off the light and slept for 15 minutes, I was wide awake again? I didn't want to power nap!
I think it's tree frog mating season. The froggies, they are a croakin'. At first I thought it was the fire alarm at the elementary school next door. It chirps in a froggie sort of way. But no, every once in a great while the froggies would break rhythm (take a breath maybe?) and start in again. Droning. Certainly girl froggies can't find that romantic.
Then my foot started cramping. I know, eat more bananas. Or at least that's what I tell hubby & the boys when they have cramps. I think we over did it on our walk today. 2 miles in 94 degree heat did both of us in.
So I got up, made a glass of milk, cut a piece of sheet cake, and enjoyed that. But now I have heartburn. Or, an ulcer, which wouldn't surprise me given the stress at work lately. It's just a job, I know. But I take it seriously. Too seriously.
I've been blog hopping. Everyone's kiddo's are back to school. Mine is too. He actually is enjoying school this year. Now he tells me about school, what happens, what homework he has. For years it was, "it was okay". Then he would tell his dad everything. The last few days it's been the opposite, he tells me everything and when dad asks, "it was okay". Do you think he would let me take a first week of school picture? Hmmmm. Mom's on a mission.
I'm feeling a little disturbed about a spider that has disappeared from our back porch. The guys have been talking about this spider, his huge webs, his big, thick, tarantula looking hairy legs. So tonite while we were grilling, I asked where he was. "oh he was right here by the back door, but now he's gone". Okay then, where da hell is he?? Especially since my outdoorsy, camping since diapers, knows all things scientific, son didn't know what kind of spider he was... Where IS he?
So what's up with Gustav? Get in the gulf and decide what you are going to do! I have preparations to make! Places to go! We have food, water, batteries, flashlights and radio. As soon as I know I should, I'll do the other prep things, fill the water jugs, clean up the lawn furniture, fill the propane tanks, pack the car, and leave town. I just hate the waiting game.
I did get groceries, including stuff to make homemade cinnamon rolls. Essential during a hurricane. Why not? If I stay I may need beer. Okay Corona, Limeade, and 7up. I have the tequila. We may need a margarita or two, if I stay here.
If Gustav isn't coming to visit, I have my weekend all planned out. Well that is unless my middle son comes to visit. They are waiting to see what Gustav is going to do also. So if he doesn't come, and Gustav doesn't come, I want to scrap. Truly scrap. For me. So I will. After Saturday that is. Saturday I'm going to a friend's house to make cards. I sooo need paper therapy. Stress relief.
Okay, it's one a.m., I should try to sleep, I don't hear the horny frogs anymore. Let's hope it stays quiet.
:J
I think it's tree frog mating season. The froggies, they are a croakin'. At first I thought it was the fire alarm at the elementary school next door. It chirps in a froggie sort of way. But no, every once in a great while the froggies would break rhythm (take a breath maybe?) and start in again. Droning. Certainly girl froggies can't find that romantic.
Then my foot started cramping. I know, eat more bananas. Or at least that's what I tell hubby & the boys when they have cramps. I think we over did it on our walk today. 2 miles in 94 degree heat did both of us in.
So I got up, made a glass of milk, cut a piece of sheet cake, and enjoyed that. But now I have heartburn. Or, an ulcer, which wouldn't surprise me given the stress at work lately. It's just a job, I know. But I take it seriously. Too seriously.
I've been blog hopping. Everyone's kiddo's are back to school. Mine is too. He actually is enjoying school this year. Now he tells me about school, what happens, what homework he has. For years it was, "it was okay". Then he would tell his dad everything. The last few days it's been the opposite, he tells me everything and when dad asks, "it was okay". Do you think he would let me take a first week of school picture? Hmmmm. Mom's on a mission.
I'm feeling a little disturbed about a spider that has disappeared from our back porch. The guys have been talking about this spider, his huge webs, his big, thick, tarantula looking hairy legs. So tonite while we were grilling, I asked where he was. "oh he was right here by the back door, but now he's gone". Okay then, where da hell is he?? Especially since my outdoorsy, camping since diapers, knows all things scientific, son didn't know what kind of spider he was... Where IS he?
So what's up with Gustav? Get in the gulf and decide what you are going to do! I have preparations to make! Places to go! We have food, water, batteries, flashlights and radio. As soon as I know I should, I'll do the other prep things, fill the water jugs, clean up the lawn furniture, fill the propane tanks, pack the car, and leave town. I just hate the waiting game.
I did get groceries, including stuff to make homemade cinnamon rolls. Essential during a hurricane. Why not? If I stay I may need beer. Okay Corona, Limeade, and 7up. I have the tequila. We may need a margarita or two, if I stay here.
If Gustav isn't coming to visit, I have my weekend all planned out. Well that is unless my middle son comes to visit. They are waiting to see what Gustav is going to do also. So if he doesn't come, and Gustav doesn't come, I want to scrap. Truly scrap. For me. So I will. After Saturday that is. Saturday I'm going to a friend's house to make cards. I sooo need paper therapy. Stress relief.
Okay, it's one a.m., I should try to sleep, I don't hear the horny frogs anymore. Let's hope it stays quiet.
:J
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Groceries for Gustav
We made a decision late last night after watching the late news & weather. We need to prepare for Gustav. I have the easier part of the job. Making sure we have groceries to last awhile that don't need refrigeration. To my family that means goober sandwiches and fruit. To me, it means all the chips I can eat!
I think I could live on chips. Chips of any kind really, potato chips, corn chips, whole wheat chips, even those chips made of funky non chip food, like banana chips. Just give me something I can throw a handful of in my mouth, I can survive for days.
The guys will be doing the really fun prep, securing the yard stuff, hammering plywood over the windows, gassing up the propane tanks. We'll all be ready.
I'll be ready to scrap for a few days. My new Cosmo Cricket Christmas kit arrived from QVC yesterday. It's adorable! I have a few items I'll give as Christmas gifts from that kit.
Dear Hubby, noticing that I have had a rough week, took me to Chili's last night for dinner. It could be that his coachie friends even recognized I was having a stressful week, and told him to be extra nice. We had a nice evening, dinner was fabulous, the margarita was devine. Just what I've needed this week. I have a much better attitude this morning. We'll see if it can last more than 10 minutes after I get to work. Hopefully this clean up and chase down process of paperwork will stop soon.
Well I'm off to get some groceries, chips, chips and more chips!
:J
I think I could live on chips. Chips of any kind really, potato chips, corn chips, whole wheat chips, even those chips made of funky non chip food, like banana chips. Just give me something I can throw a handful of in my mouth, I can survive for days.
The guys will be doing the really fun prep, securing the yard stuff, hammering plywood over the windows, gassing up the propane tanks. We'll all be ready.
I'll be ready to scrap for a few days. My new Cosmo Cricket Christmas kit arrived from QVC yesterday. It's adorable! I have a few items I'll give as Christmas gifts from that kit.
Dear Hubby, noticing that I have had a rough week, took me to Chili's last night for dinner. It could be that his coachie friends even recognized I was having a stressful week, and told him to be extra nice. We had a nice evening, dinner was fabulous, the margarita was devine. Just what I've needed this week. I have a much better attitude this morning. We'll see if it can last more than 10 minutes after I get to work. Hopefully this clean up and chase down process of paperwork will stop soon.
Well I'm off to get some groceries, chips, chips and more chips!
:J
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Watching Gustav
Yes, we all know he's down there. I think if he heads my way, I'm going to jump in the car, empty my bank account and see how far away from him I can get. When DH, who never leaves, calls and says he has power back, I'll turn around and come home.
Unless, of course, I find a nice outdoor restaurant. Then I'll finish my dinner, my drink and my sitting before I come back. Because really, that's what my soul is needing right now.
:J
Unless, of course, I find a nice outdoor restaurant. Then I'll finish my dinner, my drink and my sitting before I come back. Because really, that's what my soul is needing right now.
:J
Monday, August 25, 2008
Bazaar Busyness!
A few things I've made for my MIL's church bazaar. I used scraps of left over paper to make most of this stuff. Some of the Pocket Calendars were made with the FREE paper I got the other day at the back to school breakfast. I just bought a package of embellies to decorate. The two blue calendars with flowers are the K & Co. Blue Awning paper. Love that! I really don't do anything really fancy for them. They like to keep the price down to around a couple bucks.
I've only one more project I promised to do for the bazaar, then it's back to scrappin' for me!
:J
It's Raining Again!
About 3 a.m. I awoke to the sounds of rain pounding on the roof. It hasn't stopped since. The radio is talking about all the flash flooding around the county. We have school, but I know it will be a madhouse, people can't seem to leave their kids in school when it rains around here.
Yesterday was gorgeous, sunny skies. I stayed busy scrappin'. I got several pocket calendars done, and altered a few letters for Christmas. Nothing fancy at all. I was not in a fancy mood, I was in a get it done mood. I get that way sometimes.
I'm supposed to go to a card workshop tonite, we'll see how the weather is. Saturday I have a Stampin' Up party to go to also. That should be fun as their new catalog just came out.
I guess I'd better head to work. Maybe it will rain enough we'll get out of school, HA!
I'll post pictures of my stuff I made later, like tomorrow.
:J
Yesterday was gorgeous, sunny skies. I stayed busy scrappin'. I got several pocket calendars done, and altered a few letters for Christmas. Nothing fancy at all. I was not in a fancy mood, I was in a get it done mood. I get that way sometimes.
I'm supposed to go to a card workshop tonite, we'll see how the weather is. Saturday I have a Stampin' Up party to go to also. That should be fun as their new catalog just came out.
I guess I'd better head to work. Maybe it will rain enough we'll get out of school, HA!
I'll post pictures of my stuff I made later, like tomorrow.
:J
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, the Sun is Shining!
We awoke to sunshiney breezes this morning. Bright sunshine, few clouds in the sky. They (those weather forcasters) say we will have rain and thunderstorms this afternoon. We'll see.
The "eye" went farther north, inland than previouly predicted. That was good news for us, we didn't get the storm as expected. So much for that extra day off tomorrow.
So I got all I wanted too accomplished yesterday. I baked the cake, it was scrumptious! The burrito pie was perfect the comfort food for a rainy evening. Laundry is done, even the curtains in the scraproom! I scrapped a bit last night and will probably spend most of today doing the same.
The rains may come and the rains may go
But all is good.
:J
The "eye" went farther north, inland than previouly predicted. That was good news for us, we didn't get the storm as expected. So much for that extra day off tomorrow.
So I got all I wanted too accomplished yesterday. I baked the cake, it was scrumptious! The burrito pie was perfect the comfort food for a rainy evening. Laundry is done, even the curtains in the scraproom! I scrapped a bit last night and will probably spend most of today doing the same.
The rains may come and the rains may go
But all is good.
:J
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday
It's dreary, breezy but no rain, yet. I'm ready to hunker in and spend the weekend. I've got 10 pounds of fresh shrimp to get ready to freeze (I should just cook them). I'm baking PW's Chocolate Sheet Cake. I've got my ingredients to make Burrito Pie for dinner. I've got Pickle & Pimento Loaf for sandwiches (been cravin' those), I've got the wine chillin'. I've got laundry going. I've got scrappin' to do. All I need is to switch the TV from the NFL channel to something more captivating and I'll be all ready for FAY! Come on over girl, it's going to be a day!
:J
:J
Friday, August 22, 2008
Football & Fay on Friday
TGIF! or at least it was for me. The first week students are back is always hectic, not as hectic as registration week, but hectic none the less. I could not wait for 3:30 p.m. and when it was, I was outta there!
My first stop was Michael's. I had a coupon I had to use. My theory is if they give me the coupon and I don't use it, I won't get another. So I did. I ran into Target for a rain poncho, before heading to the game. I meant to go by Panera Bread and get one more Summer Salad before they took it off the menu, but I got in the wrong lane and missed the turn.
I got to the game in plenty of time and throughly enjoyed not having to run the ticket booths. I watched the game, and caught up with old friends and people I work with every day, but never see.
If I didn't know better I would have thought it was October, as Fay's gentle breezes have begun blowing in our area. No rain, but I am looking forward to a weekend full of it. Patrick and I stocked up on groceries at 5:30 a.m. this morning, before I went to work. The house is livably clean, so I plan to stay in my jammies all weekend, scrap, and maybe open a bottle of wine.
If you don't hear from me all weekend, don't worry. We've weathered worse storms remember Ivan?) we'll get through this one too.
:J
My first stop was Michael's. I had a coupon I had to use. My theory is if they give me the coupon and I don't use it, I won't get another. So I did. I ran into Target for a rain poncho, before heading to the game. I meant to go by Panera Bread and get one more Summer Salad before they took it off the menu, but I got in the wrong lane and missed the turn.
I got to the game in plenty of time and throughly enjoyed not having to run the ticket booths. I watched the game, and caught up with old friends and people I work with every day, but never see.
If I didn't know better I would have thought it was October, as Fay's gentle breezes have begun blowing in our area. No rain, but I am looking forward to a weekend full of it. Patrick and I stocked up on groceries at 5:30 a.m. this morning, before I went to work. The house is livably clean, so I plan to stay in my jammies all weekend, scrap, and maybe open a bottle of wine.
If you don't hear from me all weekend, don't worry. We've weathered worse storms remember Ivan?) we'll get through this one too.
:J
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Waiting on Fay
From what I can tell, Fay has begun her trek to our end of Florida. She sure is making the rounds in Florida, isn't she? I'm kinda looking forward to a weekend full of rain. It will keep me in the house and out of trouble! HA!
I went for a haircut and facial after work tonite. The facial was so relaxing, I loved it. Then I tried to meet Rick and Pat for dinner after. We met at Denny's, and they were "closed temporarily" (I wonder if the cop car outside had anything to do with it). So then we went a few doors down to Waffle House (the Awful Waffle as we call it). We went in, sat down and no one came to take our order, or even say a word. Then when the girl stood right beside us stacking glasses and didn't even acknowledge us, we walked out. My friends who were on my first cruise may remember one of my favorite sayings..."There's a reason you people work........).
So we came home. Rick had a goober sandwich, (that nasty peanut butter/jelly stuff) and I had a ham sandwich. How exciting was that. But my hair looks good and my face is untensed.
So back to Fay. I'm praying for rain, rain all weekend, I'll scrap all weekend. But don't start raining til after 10:30 Friday night. Our boys have their big intersquad scrimmage & BBQ. Can't miss that! Go Jags!
:J
I went for a haircut and facial after work tonite. The facial was so relaxing, I loved it. Then I tried to meet Rick and Pat for dinner after. We met at Denny's, and they were "closed temporarily" (I wonder if the cop car outside had anything to do with it). So then we went a few doors down to Waffle House (the Awful Waffle as we call it). We went in, sat down and no one came to take our order, or even say a word. Then when the girl stood right beside us stacking glasses and didn't even acknowledge us, we walked out. My friends who were on my first cruise may remember one of my favorite sayings..."There's a reason you people work........).
So we came home. Rick had a goober sandwich, (that nasty peanut butter/jelly stuff) and I had a ham sandwich. How exciting was that. But my hair looks good and my face is untensed.
So back to Fay. I'm praying for rain, rain all weekend, I'll scrap all weekend. But don't start raining til after 10:30 Friday night. Our boys have their big intersquad scrimmage & BBQ. Can't miss that! Go Jags!
:J
I can't believe it's been since Monday that I've blogged! I'm sorry! Life just gets too busy for me sometimes. I'm back to my normal late morning routine, so I should be a better blogger, I promise.
This is my first late morning of the school year. I've been getting to school at seven, or earlier, but registration is over now. I can go back to my normal routine, whatever that is. I don't have to be to work til 10, so I'll switch back to blogging in the morning. When my mind is clearer...LOL!
Last night I met my friend, Chris, at Panera Bread for dinner and then we went to see Mama Mia! Such a cute movie! I don't know what music I was listening to back in the 70's and 80's but it must not have been ABBA. I only recognized half the songs. But that didn't matter, it was a great movie, Meryl Steep was awesome in it. I really liked all the characters, they were all just a hoot! We laughed and laughed! It was great to spend some time with Chris. We both stay so busy, we just don't get together enough!
It looks like our weekend my be a little rainy thanks to TS Fay. A front is supposed to push her over our way. I won't mind a rainy day or two. That means I'd have to stay home and find something entertaining to do, like SCRAP! I just hope DH's football scrimmage does't get rained out Friday night. He's looking very forward to that, as are the boys.
What are your plans this weekend?
This is my first late morning of the school year. I've been getting to school at seven, or earlier, but registration is over now. I can go back to my normal routine, whatever that is. I don't have to be to work til 10, so I'll switch back to blogging in the morning. When my mind is clearer...LOL!
Last night I met my friend, Chris, at Panera Bread for dinner and then we went to see Mama Mia! Such a cute movie! I don't know what music I was listening to back in the 70's and 80's but it must not have been ABBA. I only recognized half the songs. But that didn't matter, it was a great movie, Meryl Steep was awesome in it. I really liked all the characters, they were all just a hoot! We laughed and laughed! It was great to spend some time with Chris. We both stay so busy, we just don't get together enough!
It looks like our weekend my be a little rainy thanks to TS Fay. A front is supposed to push her over our way. I won't mind a rainy day or two. That means I'd have to stay home and find something entertaining to do, like SCRAP! I just hope DH's football scrimmage does't get rained out Friday night. He's looking very forward to that, as are the boys.
What are your plans this weekend?
Monday, August 18, 2008
Survived!
I survived the first day of chaos known as, the students return! Unbelievable! It's great to have everyone back and we are bursting at the seams with enrollment.
I got to school at 7 and the first time I got to slow down enough to look at the clock it was after 11. Speaking of 11, I have been putting in 11 hour days since I came back from vacation. That makes that vacation just a distant memory! I think I need another vacation.
11 hour days means lots of comp time, I've got over a week of comp coming. Too bad I can't take it all at once! I still have about 7 hours left from last year that I never used. Just didn't have time to take it....LOL! I'm going to use it up this year tho, every single minute.
Being so busy made the day fly by, that is til the last 45 minutes. They seemed to take the longest to go by. Once they did tho, I was outta there! I made the mistake of going to Wally World. Craziness! Then when DH got home from football he said, "wanna go to Wally world?" NO! He went alone and even brought home rotisserie chicken for dinner. Not my fav, but at least I didn't have to cook!
So tomorrow should be my last long day. Then I'll be back to blogging in the morning and joining some of the morning posts on the message boards. I miss starting my day like that!
My new blog header is from my vacation so many weeks ago. It's a picture I took from the State Park in my hometown in Illinois. That's the Mississippi River below, looking into Iowa on the right and my hometown on the left. There are 3 barges passing each other under and near the bridge. In all my life I don't think I've ever seen two barges pass each other, let alone three! I thought it was so awesome, just wish the day would have been clearer. Even my brother was amazed at three barges. I love that old river!
Okay it's bedtime, and I haven't scrapped at all today....tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow!
:J
I got to school at 7 and the first time I got to slow down enough to look at the clock it was after 11. Speaking of 11, I have been putting in 11 hour days since I came back from vacation. That makes that vacation just a distant memory! I think I need another vacation.
11 hour days means lots of comp time, I've got over a week of comp coming. Too bad I can't take it all at once! I still have about 7 hours left from last year that I never used. Just didn't have time to take it....LOL! I'm going to use it up this year tho, every single minute.
Being so busy made the day fly by, that is til the last 45 minutes. They seemed to take the longest to go by. Once they did tho, I was outta there! I made the mistake of going to Wally World. Craziness! Then when DH got home from football he said, "wanna go to Wally world?" NO! He went alone and even brought home rotisserie chicken for dinner. Not my fav, but at least I didn't have to cook!
So tomorrow should be my last long day. Then I'll be back to blogging in the morning and joining some of the morning posts on the message boards. I miss starting my day like that!
My new blog header is from my vacation so many weeks ago. It's a picture I took from the State Park in my hometown in Illinois. That's the Mississippi River below, looking into Iowa on the right and my hometown on the left. There are 3 barges passing each other under and near the bridge. In all my life I don't think I've ever seen two barges pass each other, let alone three! I thought it was so awesome, just wish the day would have been clearer. Even my brother was amazed at three barges. I love that old river!
Okay it's bedtime, and I haven't scrapped at all today....tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow!
:J
Sunday, August 17, 2008
South Florida Friends Welcome Here!
Too all my South Florida friends, if you need to run from hurricane Fay, I have shelter for you!
:J
:J
Shopping Was a Success! (in more ways than one)
I'll cut to the chase and tell you, we found THE dress! Felicia had done her homework and her planner was full of dresses she wanted to try. Charged up with Starbucks, and ready to go, we were off!
The first store she tried on several dresses, and held back one. It reminded us of the dress in the movie "Enchanted". Not absolutely sure, and still armed with the pictures from the magazines, we were off to the next store. We drove over to where it should be, and it wasn't there. But...it gave the address to the new location, so off we went in another direction. There it was!
Since it was a new store, it was a beautiful shoppe. Felicia showed the clerk her planner and the two dresses she really wanted. They had them BOTH! She tried on the first one, a floor length with a shorter hem in front and virtually no train. When she walked out of the dressing room, we all knew we'd found the dress! Absolutely stunning! WOOHOO! I was so excited I forgot to take a picture! Her dress is very vintage looking, something I would have picked for my wedding if they would have had it. Since they are getting married on the beach and having the reception in a pavillion on the water, she didn't want anything with a long train that would snag. Can you see her face when she found the dress?
I had arrived a little early to where we were going to meet to begin this adventure, so I slipped into Pier One to look around and kill time. I should know better than that, I always end up buying in there. They had this cute little cabinet that I couldn't resist. They had it in white or blue. I chose the blue as white is just too plain for me, and I can always paint it, but not duplicate this blue. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with it, but it was just too cute to pass up! I also got some small blue rimmed drinking glasses that match my glasses I bought in St. Augustine. Now I can get rid of those nasty, small, plastic glasses. I despise plastic glasses! Patrick likes small glasses tho, so we've always had them around for him.
Felicia's dad was so funny. He kept calling us, wanting to know if we'd found the dress. He wanted so bad to come with us, but her mom said NO!, it was a girls day. Even Geni came home from Troy State to shop with us. It was such a fun day and I'm so glad Felicia let me join them!
:J
The first store she tried on several dresses, and held back one. It reminded us of the dress in the movie "Enchanted". Not absolutely sure, and still armed with the pictures from the magazines, we were off to the next store. We drove over to where it should be, and it wasn't there. But...it gave the address to the new location, so off we went in another direction. There it was!
Since it was a new store, it was a beautiful shoppe. Felicia showed the clerk her planner and the two dresses she really wanted. They had them BOTH! She tried on the first one, a floor length with a shorter hem in front and virtually no train. When she walked out of the dressing room, we all knew we'd found the dress! Absolutely stunning! WOOHOO! I was so excited I forgot to take a picture! Her dress is very vintage looking, something I would have picked for my wedding if they would have had it. Since they are getting married on the beach and having the reception in a pavillion on the water, she didn't want anything with a long train that would snag. Can you see her face when she found the dress?
I had arrived a little early to where we were going to meet to begin this adventure, so I slipped into Pier One to look around and kill time. I should know better than that, I always end up buying in there. They had this cute little cabinet that I couldn't resist. They had it in white or blue. I chose the blue as white is just too plain for me, and I can always paint it, but not duplicate this blue. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with it, but it was just too cute to pass up! I also got some small blue rimmed drinking glasses that match my glasses I bought in St. Augustine. Now I can get rid of those nasty, small, plastic glasses. I despise plastic glasses! Patrick likes small glasses tho, so we've always had them around for him.
Felicia's dad was so funny. He kept calling us, wanting to know if we'd found the dress. He wanted so bad to come with us, but her mom said NO!, it was a girls day. Even Geni came home from Troy State to shop with us. It was such a fun day and I'm so glad Felicia let me join them!
:J
Saturday, August 16, 2008
I'm Shopping for a Wedding Dress!
Not for me of course! It's for my oldest son's fiancee'! They became engaged a few weeks ago and have set a date! May 2nd, 09. Today, Felicia, her mom, her sis, Gen, and I are going shopping for dresses. I'm so excited about going. I never thought I would get to shop for a wedding dress, since I have 3 boys.
Felicia and Dan have also asked me to make the invitations. I guess today we will talk about what it is she is looking for there. I know Dan is your typical man, he doesn't care!
So that's my day in a nutshell, nothing else on the agenda. I'll take lots of pictures, Felicia is a scrapbooker too so I know she'll want them. I leave you with a pic of the lovely couple!
Felicia and Dan have also asked me to make the invitations. I guess today we will talk about what it is she is looking for there. I know Dan is your typical man, he doesn't care!
So that's my day in a nutshell, nothing else on the agenda. I'll take lots of pictures, Felicia is a scrapbooker too so I know she'll want them. I leave you with a pic of the lovely couple!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Paid in Scrapbook Paper & Pudding
Today, on top of everything else ongoing with getting ready for school, we had our salad bar lunch. It's put on by the Hospitality fund from both schools, but the HS PTSA helped serve. They decorated the cafeteria so cute too! Beth & I ordered and got all the food together, making the taco salads and green salads. The big P for the HS made a pasta salad.
We served chicken salad, tuna salad, pasta salad, green salad and taco salad with banana pudding for dessert! We had just enough for everyone. Except for the banana pudding, we have a ton of that left!
As we were cleaning up, the PTSA was doing a drawing for the table flowers. They used mason jars filled with red, orange, yellow and white flowers for decoration. These sat on one sheet of matching scrapbook paper that they had bought at Michaels, surrounded by candies, pens, pencils and note pads.
I was cleaning up the food table when my principal's number was called. He commented he would rather have the left over chicken salad. So I gave him the container. Even tho it's Beth & I's favorite and we were going to stash it for lunch tommorrow. After we got everything all cleaned up, the PTSA mom who had bought the paper said, "why don't you take that paper? can you use it?" Well DUH!
So I guess my good deed in giving up the chicken salad, was rewarded by getting some papers! How cool is that!!
Of course I had to stop when I went by the Big P's office and let him know I was happy I got the scrap paper! and of course, we have the tuna salad stashed for lunch tomorrow. Along with gallons of homemade banana pudding. Pudding anyone???
:J
We served chicken salad, tuna salad, pasta salad, green salad and taco salad with banana pudding for dessert! We had just enough for everyone. Except for the banana pudding, we have a ton of that left!
As we were cleaning up, the PTSA was doing a drawing for the table flowers. They used mason jars filled with red, orange, yellow and white flowers for decoration. These sat on one sheet of matching scrapbook paper that they had bought at Michaels, surrounded by candies, pens, pencils and note pads.
I was cleaning up the food table when my principal's number was called. He commented he would rather have the left over chicken salad. So I gave him the container. Even tho it's Beth & I's favorite and we were going to stash it for lunch tommorrow. After we got everything all cleaned up, the PTSA mom who had bought the paper said, "why don't you take that paper? can you use it?" Well DUH!
So I guess my good deed in giving up the chicken salad, was rewarded by getting some papers! How cool is that!!
Of course I had to stop when I went by the Big P's office and let him know I was happy I got the scrap paper! and of course, we have the tuna salad stashed for lunch tomorrow. Along with gallons of homemade banana pudding. Pudding anyone???
:J
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
What Day is It Really?
Since getting home from vacation, my life is just a hubbub of activity. Not exciting hubbub, but busy, busy. I wish I had a few of those hours back that I did nothing on vacation.
It is a bluster of activity at school, getting ready for the students to start on Monday. Schedules to post, teachers to inform, new teachers to orient, it's always constantly something. I did get a few hours peace this morning while all the teachers were in meetings. I spent that scheduling more students. Then I spend the afternoons reporting to the Big Cheese on where we are on enrollment.
Does it ever end? Tomorrow is Salad Bar lunch day, so I came home and made a HUGE crockpot full of taco meat for taco salad. Since Rick is still at football practice, I haven't had supper, and it's smellin' really deliciously mexican in here.
So many things upcoming in the next few months. Fair time, Big Audit, (all the same week) travel to Clearwater at the end of Oct, and then Creepover. I think I'll just collapse afterwards. I'm a big stresser, so I'll be stressed till Creepover, where I can just collapse and be happy, get paper therapy. First I have to get through this audit. I'm in charge of all the visiting team's arrangements, food, supplies, and entertainment. I stress about people coming to visit, everything has to be perfect, beyond perfect.
Please keep mojitos & margaritas coming, I think I just put in an IV drip of them, then maybe I can make it through this.
:J
It is a bluster of activity at school, getting ready for the students to start on Monday. Schedules to post, teachers to inform, new teachers to orient, it's always constantly something. I did get a few hours peace this morning while all the teachers were in meetings. I spent that scheduling more students. Then I spend the afternoons reporting to the Big Cheese on where we are on enrollment.
Does it ever end? Tomorrow is Salad Bar lunch day, so I came home and made a HUGE crockpot full of taco meat for taco salad. Since Rick is still at football practice, I haven't had supper, and it's smellin' really deliciously mexican in here.
So many things upcoming in the next few months. Fair time, Big Audit, (all the same week) travel to Clearwater at the end of Oct, and then Creepover. I think I'll just collapse afterwards. I'm a big stresser, so I'll be stressed till Creepover, where I can just collapse and be happy, get paper therapy. First I have to get through this audit. I'm in charge of all the visiting team's arrangements, food, supplies, and entertainment. I stress about people coming to visit, everything has to be perfect, beyond perfect.
Please keep mojitos & margaritas coming, I think I just put in an IV drip of them, then maybe I can make it through this.
:J
Monday, August 11, 2008
I've Been Awarded!
It's called the WYLDE WOMEN award and the purpose of it is "to send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy".
The rules are:
You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you.
Make sure you link to their site in your post.
Link back to Tammy's blog so that she can go to visit all these wonderful women, and
Remember the Purpose of the Award.
I am emmensely honored to receive this from Roz. She said way too many good things about me on her blog. She put me in company with people of which I am not worthy, Kip, Jules, and Deb. Lastly, Roz inspires me as a mom, a teacher of special babes, and an artist. Thanks Roz!
So I will follow the rules as best I can, I can't link to Tammy, so I hope she can find the people I list. I of course would list everyone Roz listed, as they inspire me too. And there's a few people who don't blog I would list. Like Gerri Ann & Barb from KnK, like my niece, Sarah, who, for as young as she is, she knows how to live life to the fullest! Love that girl!
Then there's the girl who should update her blog.....My much older sister, Susie, who taught me EVERYTHING I know about being a Wylde Woman, and who is much more artistically talented than me. I'm just more vocal, it's that middle child thing. She is my Wylde Woman.
Teri - Teri inspires me not only with her awesome talent, but her can do it ness! I truly believe there isn't anything she can't do! She too, knows how to live it up and have fun!
Darla - She says in her blog her optimism is forced, but I don't think so, I think she's naturally optimistic! Darla scraps for the right reasons, and I love her work! She inspires me the way she sticks to things and doesn't let the obstacles get in her way! Someday, I want to meet Darla IRL and spend some time hanging & scrappin' with her. I'm sure it will be a gut busting time!
Di - I love how Di is always going out of the box. She truly is one of the most creative people I know. I wish we were closer, because she is a person I'd love to learn more from, just not her freaky face people.....LOL!
Linda - Talk about a Wylde Woman! If you are looking for a truly awesome time at a crop go to one of Linda's at Hilltop, you will never be the same! Linda knows how to make sure everyone has a great time, from the beginner to the most experienced cropper. She has spoiled many of us to be able to crop anywhere else.
Michele - Michele is one of the most generous people I know. She brightens every crop I've been to with her, and she's always going somewhere, doing something. That living the life thing. Love her!
and last but not least, my favorite daily blog, only because she is such an adventurer, Suzanne, not a scrapbooker, but an author. Certainly one of the most creative, life lovin' & livin' people I know. How many of us is adventurous enough to move to the mountains, live in a 100 year old farmhouse while your home is being built, and start a farm? Her stories of her goats, chickens, dogs and life start my day with a smile. I think she must get up before dawn, because no matter when I get up, she's got a new post for the day!
Even tho I could make this list a few more people long, I have to leave some for others to award. All my friends are Wylde Women, it's great being at a point in my life that I can live it Wylde! If you're not livin' it Wylde, you're not livin!
Make it a good day!
:J
Saturday, August 09, 2008
PICTURES!
I have to start off with this because I think it's my favorite of Sarah and I from the whole week. We couldn't find the a pitcher to make our Mambo Margarita's in so we compromised. And since we didn't have margarita glasses either, we compromised there too. When in the woods, Compromise!
Rick and I at the Shareholder's meeting. They had a locker set up for pictures and we bit in. This is before I got my luggage so I borrowed a t-shirt, (thanks Pa!) Don't we just look the touristy type?
Ben wanted s'mores from the minute we were done with dinner. He and I had a long discussion about making s'mores and how they really do taste better after dark. He wasn't quite convinced so he made one early. Then we waited til after dark. Just as we were putting our marshmallows on the sticks, the crickets chirped. I exclaimed, "hear that? it's the s'mores alarm! It's time!" This is his idea of the perfect marshmallow for s'mores. And he agreed, s'mores do taste better after dark!
Our last evening in Wisconsin we went to a lodge on Silver Lake for dinner. The beach and lake were covered with people enjoying a Saturday on the lake. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the kids on the dock slide. They had a black lab running around with them too, but he's blocked by the lady on the boat. It was the perfect Norman Rockwell summer evening on the lake. I miss that simple pleasure. Every child should get one summer evening on a lake, every child.
So that's my first four pictures. So many great memories made again in such a short span of time together. If we were together more, would the memories be as special? I think so, because we really are a fun group!
:J
Rick and I at the Shareholder's meeting. They had a locker set up for pictures and we bit in. This is before I got my luggage so I borrowed a t-shirt, (thanks Pa!) Don't we just look the touristy type?
Ben wanted s'mores from the minute we were done with dinner. He and I had a long discussion about making s'mores and how they really do taste better after dark. He wasn't quite convinced so he made one early. Then we waited til after dark. Just as we were putting our marshmallows on the sticks, the crickets chirped. I exclaimed, "hear that? it's the s'mores alarm! It's time!" This is his idea of the perfect marshmallow for s'mores. And he agreed, s'mores do taste better after dark!
Our last evening in Wisconsin we went to a lodge on Silver Lake for dinner. The beach and lake were covered with people enjoying a Saturday on the lake. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the kids on the dock slide. They had a black lab running around with them too, but he's blocked by the lady on the boat. It was the perfect Norman Rockwell summer evening on the lake. I miss that simple pleasure. Every child should get one summer evening on a lake, every child.
So that's my first four pictures. So many great memories made again in such a short span of time together. If we were together more, would the memories be as special? I think so, because we really are a fun group!
:J
Friday, August 08, 2008
Cherished Memories
Along with 30 or so fantastic old family pictures from Hubby's family, I was also able to update alot of family history. I added 300 names to my geneology tree. All of them of course from hubby's family.
My MIL was in possession of two family trees, chroniciling her family history on both her mother and father's side. I'd seen her mother's side book, but never her father's. It was wonderful to read because not only did it tell about all the Fesing family tree, it told about the huge family farm, where it is, who owns it now, etc. It is still in the family! (road trip!) I was lucky enough to be able to copy this book. It will be an excellent document for proving family history as our family grows.
Her mother's family book is a huge document, mostly researched by her cousin, Jane. It was from that that I was able to add so many names. Some branches of that family are 8 generations long! Ours is only 5 or 6. Rick remembers his grandmother speaking german.
DH's father's family is not so well documented. I do know his grandparents names who came to the states to settle in Wisconsin. They were two brothers. I think I am going to try to further research this side of his family.
I know you are probably looking for pictures still. I PROMISE it's the first thing I'll do tomorrow! I'll post the ones from my cameras, and I'll begin scanning the ones I brought home. The latest KnK kit will be perfect for Rick's grandfather's pictures. The theme last month was travel and he was a trolley car driver! Can't wait!
:J
My MIL was in possession of two family trees, chroniciling her family history on both her mother and father's side. I'd seen her mother's side book, but never her father's. It was wonderful to read because not only did it tell about all the Fesing family tree, it told about the huge family farm, where it is, who owns it now, etc. It is still in the family! (road trip!) I was lucky enough to be able to copy this book. It will be an excellent document for proving family history as our family grows.
Her mother's family book is a huge document, mostly researched by her cousin, Jane. It was from that that I was able to add so many names. Some branches of that family are 8 generations long! Ours is only 5 or 6. Rick remembers his grandmother speaking german.
DH's father's family is not so well documented. I do know his grandparents names who came to the states to settle in Wisconsin. They were two brothers. I think I am going to try to further research this side of his family.
I know you are probably looking for pictures still. I PROMISE it's the first thing I'll do tomorrow! I'll post the ones from my cameras, and I'll begin scanning the ones I brought home. The latest KnK kit will be perfect for Rick's grandfather's pictures. The theme last month was travel and he was a trolley car driver! Can't wait!
:J
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Yep, It's True!
Yep, Brett's a Jet!
Ted's an Idiot! (we should have traded him!)
I'm still a Packer Fan.
I still love Brett.
I'm not nor will I be a Jets fan.
I will watch Brett, but not cheer for the Jets.
Food for thought: What if the Jets make it to the Superbowl and so do the Packers?
:J
Ted's an Idiot! (we should have traded him!)
I'm still a Packer Fan.
I still love Brett.
I'm not nor will I be a Jets fan.
I will watch Brett, but not cheer for the Jets.
Food for thought: What if the Jets make it to the Superbowl and so do the Packers?
:J
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Looking for Pictures?
Come back on Saturday. I'm just not going to get to it til then. I should, but I won't!
I have to tell you about my day. I was chugging along, plugging people & their schedules into the computer, I hear a BOOM and the lights flicker! Then I realize we are on our auxillary power and I have no computer screen. I step out of my office and outside, just in time to hear another boom and to see a light that was soooo bright I thought Jesus was coming. The wires on the pole out by the road are just a smokin'! Oh great!
The UPS hub is across the street from us and they are expanding/remodeling. Apparently one of the bucket trucks hit a line. I go back in as our tech, Mark says, "No computer for at least an hour and half AFTER we get power back. Oh great!
Just what I need during registration.
But I busied myself with filling and paperwork until lunch. Lunch was early because I had a 1 p.m. meeting. I usually don't eat til 1, but it was nice to eat early. I was one of the lucky ones who could eat. I had a salad, alot of people had food that had to be cooked in a microwave.
So at one of I go to the meeting. 8 of us, in an enclosed room with no air circulation. Debating hypothetical schedule solutions for NEXT year. I won't go into the boring details, but the meeting went on for 3 and a half hours. We did get power back at some point, but no air came on as it takes quite a few hours for the air handler to reboot. We also didn't settle much. Another meeting is forthcoming.
Back I go to finish scheduling, and I worked over a few hours to get done. I couldn't have gotten it done without the help of the two 70's music CDs that Lori had lent me earlier in the day. I put them in, cranked it up and jammed while I got all of today's students enrolled.
My DH is a doll, he took me to the Crab Trap where we had some great seafood and I had a Corona. Lori's girls were working. It was good to see them. Savana starts UWF soon. She's earned enough money this summer to live off campus with some girls.
Well, it's late, I've got dishes to do and clothes to put in the dryer.
I hope you day is wonderful!
:J
I have to tell you about my day. I was chugging along, plugging people & their schedules into the computer, I hear a BOOM and the lights flicker! Then I realize we are on our auxillary power and I have no computer screen. I step out of my office and outside, just in time to hear another boom and to see a light that was soooo bright I thought Jesus was coming. The wires on the pole out by the road are just a smokin'! Oh great!
The UPS hub is across the street from us and they are expanding/remodeling. Apparently one of the bucket trucks hit a line. I go back in as our tech, Mark says, "No computer for at least an hour and half AFTER we get power back. Oh great!
Just what I need during registration.
But I busied myself with filling and paperwork until lunch. Lunch was early because I had a 1 p.m. meeting. I usually don't eat til 1, but it was nice to eat early. I was one of the lucky ones who could eat. I had a salad, alot of people had food that had to be cooked in a microwave.
So at one of I go to the meeting. 8 of us, in an enclosed room with no air circulation. Debating hypothetical schedule solutions for NEXT year. I won't go into the boring details, but the meeting went on for 3 and a half hours. We did get power back at some point, but no air came on as it takes quite a few hours for the air handler to reboot. We also didn't settle much. Another meeting is forthcoming.
Back I go to finish scheduling, and I worked over a few hours to get done. I couldn't have gotten it done without the help of the two 70's music CDs that Lori had lent me earlier in the day. I put them in, cranked it up and jammed while I got all of today's students enrolled.
My DH is a doll, he took me to the Crab Trap where we had some great seafood and I had a Corona. Lori's girls were working. It was good to see them. Savana starts UWF soon. She's earned enough money this summer to live off campus with some girls.
Well, it's late, I've got dishes to do and clothes to put in the dryer.
I hope you day is wonderful!
:J
Wednesday?
Can the week be half over already? It's registration week for us and since I'm the only person putting things in the computer, you know how my last two days have been! ARGGHHHHH!!!!!
Of course everyone when they walk in my office sees what a Packer fan I am. And of course they all have to know what I think of the Favre drama. So I'll say this. The Pack will be good this year, with or without him. My only reservation with Aaron Rodgers is he's never stayed healthy all year. Favre we know plays through anything.
All the polls I've seen are 80% in favor of Brett returning. I could live with that. I could not live with him in Minnesota or Chicago. I could live with him in Tampa. Too all my Tampa friends, remember, I have first dibs!
So really, I just want the drama to be over. Brett's whining is unbecoming. He is being a crybaby, but I do think he deserves to have a chance to compete for the starting QB job. Let's face it Ted Thompson is going to pick who he wants anyway. And NO I do not like Ted. He's a snake in the grass.
So that being said, I'm off to the showers. I haven't scrapped, I haven't even been in the scraproom more than 5 minutes. Actually I can't scrap as my "tools" are in route, I shipped them home. Yes, I did scrap in WI.
Have a wondermous day!
Of course everyone when they walk in my office sees what a Packer fan I am. And of course they all have to know what I think of the Favre drama. So I'll say this. The Pack will be good this year, with or without him. My only reservation with Aaron Rodgers is he's never stayed healthy all year. Favre we know plays through anything.
All the polls I've seen are 80% in favor of Brett returning. I could live with that. I could not live with him in Minnesota or Chicago. I could live with him in Tampa. Too all my Tampa friends, remember, I have first dibs!
So really, I just want the drama to be over. Brett's whining is unbecoming. He is being a crybaby, but I do think he deserves to have a chance to compete for the starting QB job. Let's face it Ted Thompson is going to pick who he wants anyway. And NO I do not like Ted. He's a snake in the grass.
So that being said, I'm off to the showers. I haven't scrapped, I haven't even been in the scraproom more than 5 minutes. Actually I can't scrap as my "tools" are in route, I shipped them home. Yes, I did scrap in WI.
Have a wondermous day!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
I'm Home!!!
Luggage and all, minus my cell phone, we made it in about 4:30 p.m. today. It has been a long 12 hours, but worth every minute, every penny.
I left my cell phone in WI, I wasn't very awake at 4 a.m. when we left, and I guess this is payback for my comment on the way to the airport that we should win the "nothing left behind" award. I realized my cell phone was left right after we got to the airport.
Our flights were good, the layovers nice, and I guess it's good to be back home. I'll miss the wonderful weather we had, the humidity here hit us in the face immediately. We really need to go visit in January, to remember why it is we don't live there!
I've lots of catching up to do everywhere, so be patient if I don't blog right away. I also have Registration week for school, so twelve hour days will be a norm for a bit. Nothing like coming back and jumping right in!
Missed you all!
:J
I left my cell phone in WI, I wasn't very awake at 4 a.m. when we left, and I guess this is payback for my comment on the way to the airport that we should win the "nothing left behind" award. I realized my cell phone was left right after we got to the airport.
Our flights were good, the layovers nice, and I guess it's good to be back home. I'll miss the wonderful weather we had, the humidity here hit us in the face immediately. We really need to go visit in January, to remember why it is we don't live there!
I've lots of catching up to do everywhere, so be patient if I don't blog right away. I also have Registration week for school, so twelve hour days will be a norm for a bit. Nothing like coming back and jumping right in!
Missed you all!
:J
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