Tuesday Tidbits

I'm back at work today since I stayed home yesterday. I did get caught up on my sleep, but not so caught up that I didn't sleep last night.
Since I stayed home I did cook delish Ham & Scalloped Potatoes for dinner. Completely from scratch. The guys scooped it up and there was not a morsel left.
It was an easy fix.
Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 cup Milk
1 pkg. Kraft Crumbles Monterrey Jack, Colby and Cheddar
3 inches of Velveeta, Cubed
3/4 cup sweet onion, diced
6 potatoes, sliced
1 large slice of Ham, cut into small ham steaks.

I mixed the soup and milk in a bowl. Layer the potatoes in a 9x13 dish, pour soup and milk over and mix around. Add onion & cheese and mix around, lay small ham steaks on top and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are done. I did turn the Ham steaks over about 1/2 through cooking also. I hope you like it!

Got this great little scrap idea from my bud, Kip. Now I just need to find a picture of me at 10 to scrap with it!


:J

Early Very Early Am on Monday

Can't sleep. Why da hell is that?? Wide awake! For those of you who can see my lovely masthead, with the pretty turquoise flowers and all, I have to say I didn't make it. I was blessed by a wonderfully talented lady, Robin, or ribinscraps as she is known to many on scrapping message boards.
I so admire her talent, her zest for life, and positive attitude. She has time for scrapping and awesome photography and she has a "real" job raising two boys AND working for the family insurance business. AWESOME WOMAN! Inspiring.
Hats off and many thanks to Robin!

:J

Okay, Forgive Me, I've Been a Bad Blogger!

It hasn't been a particularly exciting week that has kept me away. I've had time to check other people's blogs, answer email, and chat online. I just neglected the WesternGate. But I'm here now to update you on my adventures. Let's see.
Jack, the temporary cat is no longer temporary, he's gone. It's seems that Patrick had a falling out with Jack's custodial parent. Not sure what, but "used", "cheatin'" and "ho", were the discriptive words he used in telling us about why. So he returned Jack, saying something about letting Jack stay at the other boyfriend's house. Of course we told him we could still keep Jack, but he didn't want to. I told him not to let her take him to the pound, that we will keep him if that is the case. I'll miss Jack, he was a sweet kitty, but I won't miss his wild runs through the house, or his favorite nappin' place, my dining room table. Boots & Dakota are both resting easier also.
So in telling us the Jack story, Patrick also mentioned that the big breakup had happened a few weeks prior, but that he didn't want to tell us. He was okay with the break up and had, as a matter of fact, moved on. Or back however you look at it. He and an old GF started talking again, and will see each other when she comes home from UCF next weekend. He even accepted a "family date" with us, DS2 & his girl, for lunch on the beach next weekend. I really like the UCF girl, she makes Patrick smile alot when she is around. Just an all around nice girl. Which brings me back to the other one. I guess I gave her the kiss of death on Valentine's day. I bought her a present. Nothing big, just a statue that she collects. I told DH that if the two of them were going to be together, I(We) may as well embrace it, and accept her and be nice. Not that she is truly bad, we just knew she wasn't the one for him. are we terrible for that? So anyway bought her the statue for Valentine's day and made her a card. But that was about the time they broke up so Patrick never took it to her. Who would have thought? I make up my mind to be really nice and I can't. Geez, why can't I ever get it right??

So on to life. Finished boxing up a year's worth of records at work. Student folders. 13 boxes. The type of boxes reams of paper come in. Not only boxed, but gone through one by one, all paperclips removed, and each one logged in by name and student number. Am I so glad that is done! Only two more years to box up and send downtown to be microfiched, and disposed of!

Friday, DH and I took off for Biloxi, MS for a seminar for his work. I gambled, he worked. It was a relaxful evening and half a day. He made alot of good contacts, saw alot of old friends and hopefully it will pan into some great business for him. The Casino we stayed at was gorgeous, recently remodeled after Katrina hit Biloxi. We didn't venture up or down the coast. I still am not ready to see the beautiful homes of Biloxi's Gulffront that are gone.
We did stop outside of Mobile, AL for scrap shopping at HL. Love that store in particular, so well organized! Then we stopped in Foley, AL at GiGi's Scrapbooking. Probably in my top 5 fav stores. Off course it's hard to scrap shop when you are on a paper buying hiatus. But I managed to pick up a Teresa Collins file book to alter at GiGi's and a monkey easter basket at HL.
My goal today was to clean up the spare bedroom for Kevin & Erica's visit next weekend. or as Patrick called it "The Prince's Arrival". It's not so much Kevin, as Erica I wanted to clean for. Men don't mind mess & dust, but we girls like it fresh and clean. So the bedroom is clean, things moved around, everything dusted and vaccummed. Come on home kids! Oh wait there is that bathroom that needs total Disinfection!!!! LOL!!

Okay and I also had time for fun! Scrap A Faire, sponsored by Scrapbooks Etc. It was an online, fantasmagorical event! I took two online Digital Scrapbooking classes. One by Rhonna Farrar on PSE and one by Anita Majka on using PSE to fix bad photos. Both of these classes taught me so much and after having PSE 5 for 5 months, I feel like I could use it. I just didn't get the layers stuff until I took the classes. Ladies, thanks!
Chat on SAF was da bomb! I can't believe these busy women took time out of their busy scrapbooking design time to chat with us common girls! Leah Fung, Susan White, Ang (sorry forgot her last name), Even the VP of Meredith, Jeff, chatted with us. They seemed genuine about our concerns and wants for the next SAF.
It is going to really be da bomb in Nov. If you missed this one, make sure to sign up in NOV. It was so fun!
okay, that's my life. Now I'm relaxing, waiting for Mike to knock the snot out of Ian or Bree's Hubby on DH and then after Brothers & Sisters, I'm heading to bed to start a new week. I promise to be here more, and tho I wasn't here, I did visit Your blogs!
Enjoy life, blooming flowers, baby's laughter and gentle rain. Make it a good day!
:J

PS How could I forget the lovely town of Enterprise AL? In my second stomping grounds, I love Enterprise, keep them in your prayers.

Update on Jack, the Temporary Cat

It dawned on me the other day how much Jack, the temporary cat, looked like Boots, our cat of 10 years. Jack is black, and Boots is grey, but their markings are so similar it's eerie. Both are longhaired, about the same size, but that is where their sameness ends.




Jack, still a kitten, is a rambunctious indoor cat. Boots, is our outdoor cat. He comes in to eat. He used to love to nap all day in the house, but having Jack has changed that. Jack thinks of Boots as a playmate. Boots wants nothing to do with Jack.
I'm sure Boots is still trying to figure out why in the heck we've taken on this boarder. I hope he knows it's temporary, very temporary. Boots took well to our lab/chow, Dakota. They tolerate each other and are actually friends. Boots does not take to Jack at all. As a matter of fact if Jack is within two feet of Boots, Boots will hiss to let him know to stay away. Even with a window between them, Boots is usually upset at this kitten.
Don't worry Boots, Jack is still the temporary cat.

10 Things That Can Make Me Cranky

My Dear friend Kip has tagged me. She wants to know 10 things that if I can't have my way, will make me cranky. Okay, YOU asked.

1. I like my morning routine. Since the boys have grown I've adjusted to this little quiet "Me" time in the morning. I am a morning person, when it starts on my terms. I like to hear my radio go off to wake me up. I like to do my bathroom routine uninterupted, in my time. Disruption in my routine makes me cranky. Out of sorts all day.

When I questioned my husband on what he thought made me cranky, he gave me two answers.

2. When the boys had papers to write and if I proof read them, I would get real cranky if they didn't make the corrections. I do not claim to be the world's best english student. But it drives me nuts to see school papers written in "slang".

3. When I used to have "home parties", I used to get "cranky" if everything, the house, the dessert, the plates, tablecloth, etc wasn't perfect. After Martha Stewart got arrested, I saw where this behavior had me headed. So I've changed that one.

4. When I say I don't care where we eat when we eat out, I mean it. YOU pick! As long as it isn't lamb encrusted with coconut grits, I can eat it.

5. If I'm driving, I have to pick the music. Unless I'm driving your car.

6. One thing that makes me cranky at work is people who don't read, or don't follow the directions. 95% of my work is data driven. I need the paperwork filled out correctly in order for the data to be correct. It does matter! and while I am talking data, I have to say, I am amazed at the people who can't tell me the address & phone number of the place they work at. HUH???

7. Kids who talk ugly to their parents put me over the edge! I know mine have had their moments. But so often now I see kids who demand things AND get them. All the while calling their parents names and talking to them like they are poison. I quess what makes me crankier is the parents who bow to this kind of behavior. And if anyone ever catches my sons behaving this way PLEASE let me know. They have been raised to use their manners, Yes Ma'am and No Sir, Thank You very much!

8. When I am scrappin' and in my zone, I don't like anyone in my room. I don't mind crops, interaction is what they are about. I guess because my room is so small, I like my space and don't want to trip over you or continually ask you to move.

9. Once in awhile think outside the box. Hearing "because it's always been done that way" makes me cranky!

10. When I say I need to sleep, I mean it! Making me stay awake, makes me cranky!

With that said, it's time for bed. I tag Cindy, Michelle & Robin (ribin)

:J

Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez!

Happy Fat Tuesday!!!!!!!
Today is the last day to indulge in all that sinful behavior before going into Lent tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez!
I can hardly wait for lunch today as we will have Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice and King Cake.
I have no big plans to indulge. Typically we have spent the past weekend parading, catching beads, and endulging. This year it was just too cold for my bones to be out there. But I have thought about what I will give up for Lent. Usually it is fast food, chocolate and soda. Since I rarely drink soda, and the only chocolate I really eat is dark chocolate, purely for it's medicinal attributes of course, I've decided to change my sacrifice this year.
I will continue my tradition of no fast food. That means anything that comes out of window does not go into my mouth for six weeks. I can still eat out but only in restaurants that do not have drive throughs. By Easter I can taste Mcdonald's fries just by smelling them.
I will still give up soda, not really a sacrifice for me, I am not a big soda drinker, but at one time I was. Lent helped me break that habit. This year I am going to try to break another bad food habit. High Fructose Corn Syrup. It's in everything that tastes good but is bad for you. Cookies, Soda, Yummy stuff. Even salad dressings. So I will be reading labels, trying to change my eating habits, again. If I can do it for six weeks, I can do it forever. But this my friends will not be my biggest sacrifice this Lent season. I've decided to take it to a new level, a huge sacrifice.
So this year, for six weeks, I am giving up buying Patterned Paper. That means until Easter I will NOT buy one single sheet of Patterned Paper. Not one kit with it. Not one. Not any of the new Basic Grey, no Crate Paper, no Daisy D's, NONE. None of the new CHA releases, none of my old favorites, NONE. I think this will be by far the hardest thing I have ever done for Lent. I will need lots of help. Perhaps that 12 step program my friend Jules asked for earlier this year. I'll need prayer, lots of it. I don't think I have gone a single week in 5 years without buying Patterned Paper. It's an addiction!
I wonder, do you think I can talk my dear hubby into a Hobby Lobby run tonite for one last stock up? I just don't think that 4 foot wall of paper I already have will be enough to get me through!
Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez!

:J

To Keep You Entertained

It'a been a pretty untinteresting week here. The weather is cold and windy, life at work has been mundane, shopping has not topped last week. So here's something that I saw on my friend, Kath's blog that is worth pondering. So I'm bloglifting, until I can find something in my life more interesting.

Three Things that Scare Me: Losing everything. My loved ones being sick or hurt and I can't do anything to help them. Terrorists

Three people that make Me Laugh: My brother, Jason. James Spader/William Shatner. My husband

Three Things I Love: besides the obvious, family friends. The smell of Lilacs, Children's laughter, Life

Three Things I Hate: cruel people, hot suffocating weather, lamb

Three Things I Don’t Understand: Why we just can't respect each other's religion and get along. Why we are fascinated with people like Jessica Simpson, Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton, Why we let things that ruining our children's morals continue to happen.

Three Things On My Desk: A Miniature of my son's football helmet. Pictures of my hubby & sons, the community candy dish

Three Things I Am Doing Right Now: typing this, drinking coffee and being braless

Three Things I Want To Do Before I Die: Have grandchildren, Ride the Delta Queen, Travel all 50 states

Three Things I Can Do: Create, Cook and drive with both feet.

Three things You Should Listen To: Your parents, Your common sense and your kids

Three Things You Should Never Listen To: A Saleman on Commission, A Politician, and George Bush

Three Things I’d Like To Learn: How to use Adobe Photoshop Elements, How to build a house, How to love a grandchild

Three Favorite Foods: Triple Berry/Apple/Rhubarb pie from Schwan's, Fried Chicken, Yams & Collards from Cole's, Chicken&Dumplings

Three Beverages I Drink Regularly: Coffee, Water & Margarita's

Three Books I Read as a Kid: The Happy Hollister's, Little House on the Prairie, Mike Mulligan & the SteamShovel

:J

Okay So here's the Shopping Stash!

So one at a time I'll post pics that I have been trying to do for a week! These are the goodies I got shopping on Saturday described below.
Enjoy!
Happy Valentines day!

:J

 

Is this the purse?

 

What's up with this?

I posted below about my weekend, complete with pictures, now I can't see the pics. I spent all day yesterday in and out posting and deleting, trying to get the pics up. Last night they were there, now they aren't. GRRRRR! I am not liking the new blogger.
Anyway, I hope you can see my cutsey cruise purse, and new goodies. If not, I'll try again.

:J

Weekend Shopping Fun!

It was an enjoyable weekend shopping! Friday night after my sister, Susie arrived, we hit HL right away. I didn't get much, just some rub ons and valentines stuff. The Big Biscuit Day as we like to call it was Saturday. We started with breakfast at Village Inn where we met up with Chris. Then it was off to Target, all I bought was a CD. Beall's was having the bestest sale and I hit the Jackpot! Got DH an FSU (GO NOLES!) hunting shirt marked down from $55 to $9.50. Picked up the cute little purse for cruise in May with the Hilltop Memories girls. It's so cute & cruisy! Susie said she hasn't ever been to Unforgettable, the LSS where I take classes. So that was our next stop. I picked up

some awesome Foofala papers, ribbons, buttons and the neatest little ink ink dauber. I guess QVC sold whole sets of these daubers, but I missed them. So I'll try this one first. Of course you can't buy ink without buying a few Technique Tuesday stamps. So I picked up a couple of them also. Then at JoAnn's, I found some new clear stamps that will be great for cards. There was a huge space next to where they had these hanging, so maybe they will get in a bunch more of these cool stamps. We were so exhausted from shopping. DH drove out to our favorite pizza place on the beach and picked up a pizza for us. He is such a darling! I think he 's a keeper! So I hope you enjoyed the pics, I wish you could have come shopping with us! It was a blast. Next month it's my turn to go to my sister's house and shop up there. Always fun to have new territory to explore!

:J

Still a Dizzy Old Broad

Most of you who truly know me, know I am a Dizzy old broad any day, but this week I am taking it to a new level. I'm on my 4th day of vertigo attacks due to an ear infection in my left ear. I think it's also moved to the right ear as it hurts. Well Crap! Tired of this.
I have accepted that I am probably going to deal with this the rest of my life. I just am tired of it getting in the way of MY life. So I keep going, not wanting to give in. But today I think I am going to just retreat a bit, listen to my body and rest. Maybe I can find a good movie on the TV. That way it won't be a total waste of a day.
Hope all is well in your world. Mine? Tomorrow is another day, and this too, shall pass.

:J

Unplanned Day

I knew yesterday that today would be up in the air. My occasional bout with vertigo appeared yesterday, signaling that I must have an ear infection. So I knew that I wouldn't go to work. I would have to go to the Doctor AND the phamacy. I knew yesterday that today would be one of those "wasted days". Which is what I typically call any day I am sick. But even tho I have had vertigo most of the day, I decided to make the most of it and see what I could do to make this an "unwasted day".

This is what I accomplished.
1. Ever the responsible one, I called my friend, Jackie at work and talked her through some reports that had to be printed TODAY. Relatively easy, she is a smart woman.
2.I threw some chicken wings I didn't have room too cook for the game, into a pan with water, bay leaf and parsley to make some chicken stock. It will be heck to debone, but as they say, the nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat. It will make great chicken soup.
3. Spent an hour catching up on blog reading and message boards. I deleted all the old email that had accumalated in my inbox.
4. Talked with my sister, undistracted, as I usually call her when I am driving somewhere. She told me she is coming in Friday to spend the night before we take a class together on Saturday.
5. Painted the chipboard letters for a album I am working on. Then, made the pages etc that they will go on. Completed 2 pages.
6. Cut coupons for HL, Mike's & Jo's so they are ready at a moments notice.
7. Watched some daytime TV, learned I am not missing much.
8. Showered. I had to wait for DS3 to get home from class to do this. I told him if he heard a large thump it meant I fell, to close his eyes so he wouldn't see his naked momma, and come running to my rescue.
9. Patrick drove me to the Doctor at 3 p.m. Same old routine, we both have been through it before. Ear check, yep infection, left ear (as always) Meds, and this time an ENT referral.
10. Drop off prescriptions so Rick can pick them up on his way home.
11. Talk to in laws who still have subzero weather and frozen well pipes.
12. Cuddle with hubby
13. Scrapped 6 Valentine day cards
14. Check some other blogs, update mine.

So I guess it wasn't a totally wasted day. I will survive this, tomorrow is another day and this too shall pass.
till then.

:J

Meet Jack, Our Temporary Cat

This is Jack, our temporary cat. Jack came to visit for a few months until Patrick's friend gets a new apartment. He's a nice cat, whose favorite place to nap is the rocker in my scraproom. As long as Jack stays off the scrap desk, I can share my quiet spot with him.
He's a kitten, 9 months old. He's quiet, well behaved and litter trained. At first he was a bit skitterish, but he's adjusting to 3 adults and one very large dog. Jacks stays indoors all the time, which is good, as Boots our other cat is pretty much an outdoor cat.
Who knows? When it's time to go home, maybe Jack will stay. At which time he will no longer be Jack, the temporary cat. But Jack, our cat.

:J

All of my WR pics are up on picasa. Click on the link to see!

http://picasaweb.google.com/MamaJayne/WinterRetreat2007

And to keep you entertained on me, here is another questionaire

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8 am, I slept in!
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? It's been too long, I can't remember!
4. What are your favorite TV shows? GA, DH, BL, B&S, ESPN Sportscenter
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning? Coffee
6. What is your middle name? Alison
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Anything but Greek & Indian
8. What foods do you dislike? Soggy bready foods, Hot, mushy cereals
9. Favorite chips? Jay's Potato Chips & Helluva Good Onion Dip
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Willy Nelson's Stardust
11. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Explorer
12. What is your favorite sandwich? A Cuban from the little deli that's in the laundromat off White street in Key West
13. What characteristics do you despise? Deceit
14. What are your favorite clothes? I love to dress up, but love my jeans & tees too!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on Vacation? I would love to go on a never ending, endless money vacation trip around the world.
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Coldwater Creek
17. Where would you want to retire? ??? I would like to buy an RV with unlimited gas supply and travel the US
18. Favorite time of day? 3:30 on Friday afternoon
19. Where were you born? Clinton Iowa
20. What is your favorite sport to watch? Green Bay Packer Football
21. Who do you think will not send this back? Jason
22. Person you expect to send it back first? Susie
23. Pepsi or Coke? neither
24. Beavers or ducks? what kind of question is that?? Well beavers are another name for a woman's coochie, so I think I would rather be a duck, and let it all roll off my back.
25. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning
26. Pedicure or manicure? Pedicure
27. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I repaid the hubby for letting me go scrapping two weekends in a row
28. What did you want to be when you were little? An Actress
29. What is your best childhood memory? Playing outside all over the neighborhood, all day long
30. Piercing? ears
31. Ever been to Africa ? NO
32. Ever been toilet papering? Yep, even with my kids
33. Been in a car accident? just fender benders
34. Favorite Day of the week? Friday afternoons at 3:30
35. Favorite restaurant? Zeke's on Orange Beach
36. Favorite Flower? Lilacs
37. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Marshmallow
38. Favorite fast food restaurant? Moe's
39. How many times did you fail your drivers test? 0
40. From whom did you get your last email? Teri
41. In which stores would you choose to max out your Credit card? Any Scrap store, the Packer Pro shop and Lowe's
42. Bedtime? 11 p.m.
43. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Jason
44. Last person you went to dinner with? My hubby, tonite
45. What are you listening to right now? A commercial on TV
46. What is your favorite color? Green
47. How many tattoos do you have? none yet

Apparently that's all you want to know. So that's it. I tag Jason, who won't answer, Michelle, Teri & Robinscraps

More Pics from WR

This pic of Lisa and Gerri Anne sums up the weekend, such fun! Some one was always cracking us up and we were always looking to see what was so fun! The fellowship was awesome! Scrappers are such great fun, sharing, caring, inspirational, caring people! It was an awesome weekend THANKS to Linda J and her gang. Always cheerful, and helpful. Dee was a bit under the weather, but we wouldn't have known. She went above and beyond to help us, as she is with Teri here!
Michelle gave me advice on everything from stamps to eyeglass fashion. She even let me try hers as I am thinking I need to change style. Michelle is one of my favorite people, we like to call her June Bug! LOL!
The Cabin Roomies were the greatest! One of my thrills was getting to meet Teri finally! We had such fun. It truly is INDESCRIBIBLE! You have to experience it. Linda says she is planning a few more of these weekends. AWESOME!
I loved the woodsy setting, it was inspirational, calm and peaceful. Part of the fun is surviving the cold the first night. The food was great, I am craving the Chicken Noodle soup, it was that good! We made many memories, remembered to take plenty of pics and scrapped! Does life get any better?
:J 

Bridges, Enchanted Forest & Paton Saints

I loved the bridge at Oleno State Park, where our Winter Retreat was held. It crosses the Santa Fe River to take you into an Enchanted Forest for a mile and a half hike. Armed with my camera,
I found a grove of Cypress knees that reminded me of little gnomes frozen in time. I have never seen so many of these knees in one place. Usually the river is higher and these knees are under water, supplying the Cypress trees on the riverbanks with much needed water. Cypress knees are protected, in years past they were harvested to make craft items. I'm glad they will be preserved for future generations, they seem so ancient standing proud together. At one point in the weekend a few of us sat looking around the room in awe of the amount of money invested in supplies in this room. Jules counted 39 large AMM Totally Cool Totes of every color. That meant more than half the women attending had a tote. I wonder how many pieces of paper were in the room? This is only a third of the room, and although it seemed crowded, we had plenty of room to stretch out and scrap.I I have to close with a Thank you to St. Anthony of Padua. Recently, I feel like I am losing my mind. In the past month I have lost my vehicle ID for work (that I had just been given), then my Jump Drive and office keys, and finally last weekend I lost my Scrappy glue and a pair of scissors. Prayers have been going up to St. Anthony unceasingly. Today he answered with my Vehicle ID. I found it in my hooded sweatshirt pocket that I wore our first cold Friday. Thankfully now I can park in Admin parking, closer to the building, a blessing on these cold days. Now Tony, how bout those keys, jump drive, scissors and glue. Lead me to them! Especially the jump drive and keys, the drive has my genealogy records on it, and the keys...well I don't want to have to tell my Principal I need new keys.
The scissors and glue? Heck I can replace them.
May your prayers be answered.

:J 

What a Weekend!

What a weekend! It started late Thursday when I got an email saying there was an opening at WR. The email was sent Thursday morning so when I received it Thursday night, I was sure someone else had gotten the spot. A quick email to Linda let me know the spot was still mine if I wanted it. I was amazed that my hubby, GOD I LOVE THAT MAN, said I could go! My plan went into action. I asked Linda not to let them know I was coming, which also meant I could not let the Monkey girls know I was going either. Not they couldn't keep a secret, but just in case one of the Smoochie Girls would see it posted.
My plan went into action. I loaded clothes in the washer, ran to the scraproom to dump the contents of my scrapbag onto the table so I could reload and started making my list. The adrenaline was pumping, I was THRILLED!
It was 2 am before I was calm enough to go to sleep, and I was wide awake at 6 to get moving. Packed the car, gassed up and I hit the ATM and then the road. A quick side trip to ASIT to pick up a kit from a class I missed during last week's scrap weekend, and I was set to go! The old Ford could not go fast enough! I stopped for lunch in Tallahassee to see #2 Son, and after that it was just a hop, skip and jump to O'leno State park and WR.
My plan was still in action when Linda informed me that the girls had not yet arrived. I unpacked at the cabin and returned to the Crop room to wait.
After about an hour the girls arrived. PRICELESS! Kip & Teri were the first ones to come in. Kip was half way through the room before she saw me. OMG!
So exciting. It was the first time Terri and I met IRL and she is just the sweetest person. Jules came in with Barb & Gerri Ann, it was a hugging & smooching fest! Our other roomie was Lisa, from Technique Tuesday. As a matter of fact, the girls thought it was her stuff in the cabin, when in reality it was mine. Lisa is a riot of a teacher and a great all around gal! My cropping pals have doubled now and they are such a great group.
Friday night we froze our hineys off in the unheated, open screened cabin. It got down to 30 degrees. I was toasty inside my bed, but that middle of the night bathroom run was bone chillin' cold! Not to mention what chilled when the ole butt hit that cold toilet seat!
But it made the weekend all the more fun.
I think that's enough for tonite. I do need to catch up on my beauty sleep. But I leave you with this pic, and let you use your imiagination as to what I was doing here!

 

6 of the Wierdest Things About ME!

I have been tagged by several people to tell my six wierdest things about me. I hope they are still my friends when they learn how really wierd I am. hehehe.

1. I flush public toilets with my feet. I thought it was wierd, but learned Sophia does this too. I also try not to touch the doors in public restrooms. I use my elbow or back to open them if I can.

2. I cannot eat soggy bread. That is just plain nasty. Now if it is bread pudding and there is enough whiskey sauce on it, well then I choke it down.

3. Along with soggy bread, I don't eat hot cereal type foods. UGH! It's not the taste, it's the texture. Makes my tongue curl just thinking about it.

4. When I scrap, I have to clean everything up before I start a new project. I can't just go from page to page without clean space to work on.

5. I have to read. I read everywhere and everything. I am not huge book reader, I am a magazine fanatic. I subscribe to 11 different magazines.

6. I am a packrat, but can't stand clutter. I can't think with things cluttered. Which makes #4 make sense.

Well that is the 6 wierd things I told you about. You can tell me if I missed any obvious ones. I tag Gail, Cindy, Darla (which btw, where did your blog go?) Jason, (who won't answer), and my 3 sons.

:J

I so need to update this blog. I've been busy, busy but boring! But since you are here, you must be interested! So here it goes.
The weekend scrapbooking retreat at the beach was a blast. 65 women in a large room, scrappin their little hearts out in their own way. I was amazed at all the different styles. We had a lot of door prize drawings, a nightly big prize drawing, and a grand prize at the end of the weekend. My sister won the grand prize, a Karen Foster seat tote. How cool was that?
I did a beach scavenger hunt teamed up with a woman I didn't even know. That was fun! We didn't win, but came in second. Scrap bingo was fun. As was the LO contest, which was an almost unanimous decision of a cute 1 year olds picture LO. I stayed up til 1am on night, and 3 am the next, which is probably why I am exhausted still.
Yesterday was our annual FTE meeting for school. FTE is the count of students which tells us how much money the government will gives us. Every year they say the same thing and it was hard to stay awake through it.
Two more basketball games and my life returns to normal for a few months. More scrappin' time, yardwork time and house time. And most importantly, hubby time. I do miss snuggle time!
So that's my boring week thus far in a nutshell. I guess I should get to work. I know they miss me!

:J

No Walk on the Beach

Okay here are the views from our room. It's a bit chilly for a walk on the beach, but I will be busy croppin' my heart out. Hank, keep those mimosa's coming!
 

It's all about ME!

I've been extremely busy and nothing exciting happening worth blogging about. I got this from my friend Dee, a pretty amazing woman. She didn't tag me, so I won't tag you. I doubt you will learn anything you didn't already know, but let me know if you do.
:J

A
Aphrodisiac. What turns you on? A piece of good Dark Chocolate and a Margarita
B
BFF. Who’s your best friend? Corny as it sounds, my husband.
C
Celeb. Favorite? Brett Favre Most annoying? That guy from Borak
D
Drink. What’s your poison? Margarita, a tequila shot or two
E
Everyday essentials. What do you use everyday? My Laptop, My Toothbrush
F
Fav. color. What’s your signature color? Melon
G
Groove. What music are you enjoying today? Brad Paisley's "When I get Where I'm Going"
H
Hot! Who’s hot? Brett Farve Who’s not? Peyton Manning
I
Indulgence. Dish about your guilty pleasure. My new Laptop & Dark Chocolate
J
{dream} Job. What would you do? Work in the Souvenier Shop at Lambeau Field
K
Kitchen Companion. Most used item in your kitchen? The oven. I'd rather bake than cook.
L
Life is incomplete without. . . ? A vacation to look foward too.
M
Mc. . . What would you “Mc”? McScrap
N
Natural or dyed? Natural
O
Outrageous Outfit. What’s hiding your closet that you’re dying to wear? Not hiding anything
P
Pet Peeve. People who think they can't
Q
Quote. “I spent the first 40 years of my life doing what I was supposed to do, I'm spending the next 40 doing what I want to do!"
R
Restaurant you give rave reviews? Zeke's on Orange Beach, AL
S
Starbucks order. Yuk!!! That's a "restaurant I wouldn't give rave reviews too!"
T
Television. What keeps you glued to the couch? "Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Boston Legal, Green Bay Packer Football
U
Ultimate Vacation Destination? Mine would be a world tour about 5 years long, not the Destination, the journey!
V
Virtual Babe Name. What’s your online ID? Those who need to know it, do.
W
Wonder Woman. What woman leaves you in awe? Most of the women in my friendship circle, I have some pretty amazing friends. (which means you if you are reading this!)
X
eX - Husband (Satan's Spawn)
Y
Youth in a bottle. What keeps you feeling young at heart? Being in love with my husband
Z
Zodiac sign Libra

Life of Busyness

It has been a week, thank goodness it's over! Monday was back to school after 2 weeks off. All that goes with that, last semester's grades, reregistration, new registration, schedule roll overs that didn't work, etc. Then throw in 4, yes FOUR, nights of basketball. Late referees, no security, bad behaving coaches and game cancellations no one told us about, I am glad that week is over.
So what else has happened in my life? Patrick asked if we could "babysit" his girlfriend's cat for a few months. Babysit? Apparently they won't be allowed to have the cat in the new house, mom's new hubby is allergic. Pat's gf is looking for a place of her own, but needs to place the cat until then. "please Mom, I will keep it mostly in my room" hmmm Patrick, how are you going to keep a cat in a room where the door is a curtain? "Please mom, I will clean the litter box, everyday" hmmm Patrick, you can't even keep your room clean, but you will clean a litter box?
We have a cat, a nice cat, who stays in his yard, yes he does, and doesn't have a litter box (his yard) and is quiet, and doesn't scratch furniture, and leaves me alone as long as I leave him alone. So we are out to lunch still about the cat, I won't let it go to the pound, but I want ALL options explored first!
I did take Lula with me to the basketball game today. Good thing too as game times were moved back since one game was cancelled. Lula kept me entertained, but it was interesting what blogs I could get on highjacking the school's WIFI. From my school computer I can't get on any blogs, but with Lula, I could get on some and not other's, post to some, but not others, wasn't able to post on my own blog, but could go on other's blogspot blogs. I went on some typepad blogs but not others. Jules, what do you have on yours that you would be banned? LOL!
Enough wanderings for tonite. It will be so good to have two days off, no basketball.
Go Saints!
:J

btw, we won both games today!!!!

Okay Here's the 5 Wierd Things

Here are are the rules to play:
1. List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets
2. Tag 5 friends and list them.
3. Those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.
4. Don't forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

okay, you've waited long enough!

1. I don't eat hot, soggy food. Grits, oatmeal, cream of wheat, Bread pudding used to be there but I have adapted, I also eat mashed potatoes. Cold soggy food, flan, tapioca, are NOTS. I think it's the texture more than the taste. I also can't stand corn dogs, but love the smell of them cooking.

2. My dog snores. Not gentle doggy snores once in awhile. Man snores, drunk man sleeping it off snores, all the time.

3. My dog, Dakota, will not get up on the bed with me when the Hubby is home. He knows Daddy doesn't like it. BUT, on the weekends he will get up there if Daddy invites him. And trust me, he knows when weekend mornings are and whines to get up there. He will also get up there when Daddy is not home.

4. I don't own a dishwasher. I actually like doing dishes, it's my therapy.

5. I cannot stand to see someone lick a knife. Even plastic ones. It makes my tongue hurt and gives me heebie jeebies. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. Which by the way fingernails on a chalkboard don't bother me.

So I'm wierd. there's so much you don't know! but those are the safe answers. LOLOLOL!
Let's see now, I tag,
Zora
Cindy
Holly
Nichole
Johanna

post your answers on your blog/myspace and let me know where it is. You don't blog? Shame! leave them here or wherever so I can see them.
Have a wondermous day! Oh yeah, and my butt?(see below) it still hurts!

:J

My Butt Hurts

Yes you read that right. My butt hurts. It's actually a bit higher kinda between the butt and the hip, a little to the front from the butt. I hit it on a doorknob, during the basketball game. I know, I can see you shaking your head at me. Let me explain.
The ticket booth is set up in a way that you can't see the game. Imagine that! They want me to sell the tickets, not watch the game. But when things are slow (and they were tonite) I like to step to the gym doorway to watch the game. Especially when a kid from the other team just signed a basketball scholarship to UF, yes that UF, the National Championship UF, not only in football but basketball. So I was standing there, minding my own business, watching the game, when someone came in to buy a ticket so they could watch Mr. UF Basketball scholarship. In my rush to help this customer, I hit my hinder on the door knob. It hurt, I didn't say cuss words. The rest of the game it throbbed. When I left, after watching Mr. UF Basketball Scholarship Slam Dunk TWICE! I got in the car, and when I put on the brake, pain shot down my leg. HMM. I rushed home into the bathroom, pulled down my pants expecting to see a HUGE PURPLE bruise, and saw nothing. Now I am at the age where I bruise easier than I used to. My husband has asked if I have a secret lover who is into S&M because I have bruises appear that I cannot remember getting.
But this time I have no bruise, nothing but pain. Let's hope I can get out of bed in the morning. If not, do you think I can claim workman's comp?
Just wondering,
:J

Oh and Mr. UF Basketball Scholarship? Pretty good for a white boy.

First of all I will get to the 5 wierd things about me or my pet. It's hard to narrow it down to 5 on either of us! It's late, UF won! (I was kinda rooting for OHIO) but it's all good, the Gators are good too.
Second, why didn't someone tell me that Monday is a holiday! WOOHOO! Can you say Scrappin' day!!!!!! WOOHOOO!
It's back to school tomorrow (Tuesday) for our students. I'll be busy rescheduling all our part time students. When the schedules rolled over it rolled everyone in as full time students. Of course, I didn't realize this until 15 minutes before I was to go home. OH Well, I'll get it fixed.
I have nine home basketball games to work this month. NINE! What was that coach thinking?? What will I do with my extra wealth? HMMM.
5 wierd things. HMMM.

Here are are the rules to play:1. List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets
2. Tag 5 friends and list them.
3. Those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.
4. Don't forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

Okay my 5 things
well no, tune in tomorrow, I'm just not ready to reveal them yet.

:Jayne

The Party is over!!

First off, if you have visited my blog in the past few days, there was a test up about me, well the link didn't work so I deleted that post. That will teach me for trying to do something at 2 am. So if you want, the test was about my torrid past, if you know an interesting fact or rumor about me, go ahead post it! If that doesn't get my brother to post and say HI! nothing will! He doesn't know I can tell he has been here!
It's back to work for me tomorrow. My two weeks of bliss are over. I got alot of scrappin' done, had a great Christmas and visit with family, got Christmas all put away, watched lots of football and daytime TV. But I didn't, learn Adobe Elements 5.0, print pictures, do my Christmas cards, or walk everyday like a do at work.
So tomorrow begins a better era, I will upload my pics to print, get my walk in, and watch some football. In the next few weeks I AM going to get notes out to all those long lost friends & relatives who probably thought I've dropped of the face of the earth since I didn't send cards out. OH well, off to bed to get up early and hit that grindstone!
Have a wondermous day!

:J

It's been a busy week, I've tried to post pictures a few times, but blogger doesn't want to cooperate.
I've been working on a baby album for my friend, Jackie. Her son and his wife gave her her first granddaughter in October. It is so fun doing something in pink!
I've been visiting my sister, Susie all week. We've had lots of fun, scrappin', organizing her new scraproom, and shoppin'. I have spent way too much money, but got some great things. Likw this and I ordered this They match my big tote, which I totally love!
But I've noticed somethings too this week which bother me. My sister is starting to act her age. I'm not saying she is old, but she is 16 years older than me. She's getting slower, forgetful and easily frustrated. It really is sad for me, as she is the one who I've always looked to for help, answers and advice. Now the role is reversing, much like when a parent who ages looks to their children for help. While I am more than happy to help, and I always will, it's also a reminder that I am getting older also. It reminds me that our days together are getting shorter, and makes me cherish them more. My visits need to be more frequent, more pictures taken and more stories exchanged. But days should be like that with everyone in our lives, as they are what is most important.
:J

So Now You Know

I've been tagged by several friends, so here are my uninteresting answers. If you copy and paste and answer, let me know, I'd love to read what you have done too!
BTW, just for the record, my husband has probably done 90% of these, with the exception of Bungee jumping, parasailing and skydiving. I guess that explains why he doesn't mind sitting at home while I explore the world.

1. Bought a round of drinks for everyone in a bar. (there were 3 of us in the bar)
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg (no but I have walked across many a frozen river)
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper (just yesterday)
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne (actually it was from eating strawberries soaked in champagne)
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day (if pig latin counts, I did that for a week)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country (actually it was in the US but he was a foreign stranger)
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign (it was more than one, and I AM still wanted)
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship (yes if you count the Delta Queen)
94. Spoken more than one language fluently (see 37)
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children, at times I thought they were aliens
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over (can I have extra points for doing this several times?)
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds - no but I have gained over that much
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show (it was HS Quiz Bowl and the school got the money)
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol (all three)
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet - my children did, it was my house, I'm counting this one
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi NO but I would eat Kangaroo meat first!
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair - I am still virgin
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident ( a accident??? probably more than one)
150. Saved someone’s life (Heimlich manuever)

Okay, now do yours!
:J

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