Disney nite

The fireworks were awesome from Disney Grad night. Here is just one of the many fireworks they showed. Below are some of our exhausted chaperones at the free breakfast Disney hosted for us! This was taken about 3 am!
This is of course Cinderella's Castle lit up in purple for the night. The main concert stage was directly in front of it. I was amazed at the pics I got of it!

Will post more later, I am still trying to figure this pic posting stuff out! 

Leaving Key West

Here we are, packed and ready to leave. We actually didn't want to go, but our families and jobs called us home. We had the best time and as busy as it was, it was so relaxing and enjoyable! 

Key West

Here are Randy and Elba during the ceremony. Elba's nephew is on the left and Randy's oldest daughter on the right. They were the witnesses. 

The rehearsal dinner was hosted by Elba's sister, Zuli and bro-in-law Felix. Here they are with Mojitos and Sangria which was enjoyed by all! 

Exhaustive State & Catching Up!

It has been a busy two weeks with no signs of letting up until mid June. I wanted to post a few pics of the Key West and Disney trips.
The photo above is us girls during reception set up. Front is my friend Karen, who introduced me to Elba, the bride and Key West. Next to her is Elba's teaching friend from Michigan, Laura. The back row is Marsha, who taught with Karen & Elba in Key West and is now in NC, Elba, the bride is in the middle, and I'm on the far right!
I'm new at this picture publishing stuff so I hope it works! 

My Second Morning Encounter

The roosters started crowing at 4:45 am. Literally. Key West is famous for it's wandering fowl. Our resident rooster started under my window at the crack of dawn and then I listened as he wandered the neighborhood. Funny how I learned his crow already by the second morning.

My bladder told me it was time to make a trip down the hall to the Men's/Women's bathroom. I fumble my way around with clouded eyes (must have been too much peach wine) in the semi darkness to the door. I open and peer out. Good! Coast is clear I can make it in my jammies, as I seem to be the only one up. I get three steps down the hall and out of the darkness at the other end of the hall I see a figure. OH NO! Not again! The male figure speaks and I recognize the voice. "Are you going to use this facility?" as he points to the restroom side of the hall.
"No," I sigh, "You can have it."
I go back into my room, convince the bladder to wait awhile, and wonder if this is a strange sign from God about the rest of the trip.
Wondering,
:J

I'm Peeling Away!

I knew it was too good to be true! Today I started peeling that nice deep Key West tan away. My hope was that it would stay and not peel, but no, I look like a molting snake now. At least it's only one arm, my driving arm. My nose is no longer red or peeling. At least I have a start on the summer tan, miles ahead of my colleagues. Now if I could just get my legs to catch up with my arms.
I have almost finished the penance for taking 4 days off work. I think they drug the paperwork out of the woodpile while I was gone. By tomorrow I will be caught up! Only to have Friday off and fall behind again. LOL! It's a vicious cycle!
Story One of the Key West adventure.
As many of you know, we stayed in the rectory at the Catholic Church where the wedding took place. The bathrooms were communal, you had to turn the sign to Mens/Womens. So first morning I get up early, turn the sign, close the door and get in the shower. They were much like dorm showers, with stalls. I'm showering away when I hear a deep male voice say "Anyone in here?"
Well Duh! The shower was running, the sign said "Women", what did he think was going on?
I replied, "Yes Sir" and he went away.
Scared me for a moment there! The wedding friends all said I had nothing to worry about being as I am female and he was the priest! LOL!
But still, I thought I was headed to H-ll!

till another day,
:J

It's late, will the birds PLEASE shut up?

Nevermind that it is 1:30 am and the birds outside are chirpping like it is dawn. Do they ever sleep?
I am too excited to sleep for several reasons.
One, I'm going to Disney! (but I need sleep to supervise my 9 seniors all night there!)
Two, big wig Luncheon I have to attend tomorrow. A good friend is being honored for all she does for us at school. Teacher of the year! I know her mind will be elsewhere as she lost her father last week, and her husband on New Years Eve.
Three, I am peeling and itching! Teach me to use sunscreen!
Four, just as I was drifting off, DS2 called to tell me that Brett has decided to tell the world what I already knew, He will return for another year as a Packer! WOOOO HOOOO!
but I knew that.

So I leave you with a tag to all who read. I was tagged by Darla!

In my fridge: (this is sad, I had to go look!)
1 milk
2 White Cranberry Juice
3 tortillas
4 celery
5 Dr. Wham

my closet:
1 Too many clothes
2 my fuzzy alligator slippers
3. My tropical hulu girl purse
4. My old 45's
5 Cub Scout Leader books

In my handbag:
1 Keys to my office
2 Cellphone
3 Needs & Desires Book
4 Mints
5 my wallet

In my car:
1 Country CD's
2 red and black stadium blanket
3 empty water bottles
4 an old map
5 a Longerberger Basket

On My DVR/tivo/ect
1. Sopranos
2 Greys Anatomy
3 Boston Legal
4 Gulf Coast Decorating
5 CSI

It's YOUR Turn!
Key West Stories to follow!
:Jayne

Wandering Mind

On these things my mind has wandered. It's been too long since posting.

1. The weather is beautiful. Zero humidity. Cool breezes. Makes me not want to work.

2. One week from today I will be on my way to the Keys! Can't wait, but have soooo much yet to do.

3. One night until we leave to go to my sister's for Easter. Again, so much to do! But can't wait to get there!

4. Checked out the hotel where we will stay in June for the conference. La te Da! It's on the Disney Property. How fun!

5. I have no idea what 8 pics I am taking to the Leslie Lightfoot class. They have to be B&W and the sample showed cute kids pics. My cute kids are grown!

6. I have soo many things I want to get done and no time to do them. Could get alot of scrappin' done at my sister's, but am struggling with what to take without taking it all!!!

7. I am really craving chocolate. I will probably be sick the day after Easter from gorging myself with it!

8. Everyone has been commenting on how much weight I have lost. So I guess I am losing. I feel thinner, the scale says I am thinner. So I guess I am thinner!

9. But I do love salad, I really do!

10. The back yard is coming together. I almost hate to take this weekend off working on it. Hope it stays this good!

11. CMT awards in a word: Sucked.

Well randomly my mind is done wandering. Maybe now I can sleep!

:J

Meanderings that should have posted Sunday

I can't believe we are beginning the last week of March! WOW! It has flown by, seems just yesterday it was coming in like a lion with wierd weather! We seem to being going out with wierd weather also. Our nights have been cold and the days have been breezy! March Winds!
So on this last full weekend in March we stayed busy.

Friday night DH and I went for ribs at Winnie's Crazy Horse Cafe. It's one of those hole in the wall places that has food that is out of this world! The ribs are slow smoked and when they go into your mouth, they make love to your tongue! I always order mine without sauce. I get the yummy taste of the rubbed grilled pork. Winnie, the owner, walks around to every table to make sure that everything is done to your perfection. She also has seafoods, chicken, pastas. and lots of other southern home cookin'. Fried green tomatoes were on the appetizer list, we didn't get any this time, but they are yummy too. She always has about 6 different dishes on the Specials board. We always leave room for dessert too. Winnie's cakes, pies and puddings are to die for! My all time favorite is the Moon Pie Cake. This time I had the Strawberry Cake. Winnie took advantage of fresh local strawberries for this one, to die for!

Saturday was errands day. DH was kind enough to make a stop at a new LSS for me while on our routes. She has an adorable shop that matched it's name, "Unforgetable!" I spent way too much money, but picked up some BG papers and Technique Tuesday stamps. I also signed up for their recipe book class. The recipes looked delicious. She said we will be able to sample the dishes at class, and make the recipe page! How cool is that!
Saturday night, after a delicious grilled steak and veggie meal, DH and I went to the WFHS Play, Murder Takes the Stage. It was a well acted murder mystery. The kids did a wonderful job, and their personalities really came out. I can see a few of them taking this career further!

Today was grocery day. We went for "salad stuff" and spent $107. Lots of good bargains! I got stuff to make fajitas for dinner, so that was yummy! We did a bit of shopping at Lowe's also. I got started with my flower gardening, planting impatients in the window box and some snapdragons%2

Here's a tag!

I saw these questions on Cynthia's blog. I like her perspective on things, She has a great blog I read everyday.
Earlier in the week she posted these questions, these are my answers. What are yours?

1. What’s your First name?
Jayne Alison

2. Were you named after anyone?
Jayne, I don’t know and Alison, after Alison
Mackenzie a character on Peyton Place.

3. Have you ever wished on a star?
Yes! I wished forever on the evening star when I was kid for a purple spider bike with
a flowered seat and basket. Yes! I finally got it!

4. When did you last cry?
Today, at Brad Paisley’s song “When I get Where I’m Going”
which was followed by “One More Day” but I am not sure who sings that.

5. What is your favorite lunchmeat?
Turkey

6. What is your birthdate?
Oct 15

7. What is your most embarrassing CD/tape?
K-tel’s hits of 1973, now they are so silly!

8. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?
YES!

9. Do you use sarcasm a lot?
Better question do I ever not use it?

10. What are your nicknames?
MamaJayne (seriously, DS’s friend’s call me that!) and Twiggy, which is a nickname
from long ago, it certainly doesn’t apply now!

11. Would you bungee jump?
Only if forced!

12. Do you untie your shoes when taking them off?
Nope, I slip them off.

Where’s 13?

14. What’s your favorite flavor of Ice Cream?
Chocolate Marshmallow or Double Strawberry

15. Shoe Size?
8.5

16. Red or Pink?
Red

17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
That I wasted the body of my youth!

18. Who do you miss the most?
My Parents

19. Favorite past-time?
Reading. Being in my back yard, Papercrafting/Scrapbooking

20. What color pants/shirt are you wearing?
Black jeans and my grey Packers Shareholder shirt

21. What are you listening to right now?
This minute, the TV in the other room, some jazz song on it.

22. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
8 Girl Scout Peanut Butter cookies and an Arizona Cranberry tea

23. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Caribbean Sunset

24. What is the weather like now?
Chilly, campfire weather

25. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
DS3, Patrick

26. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Their smile/mouth

27. Coffee or Tea?
Coffee in the am, Tea the rest of the day!

28. Favorite Drink?
Margarita or Water

29. Hair color?
Virgin Dark Brown

30. Do you wear contacts?
Nope

31. Favorite food?
Seafood

32. The last movie you watched?
Jarhead

33. Favorite day of the year?
The last day of school

34. Scary movies or Happy endings?
Happy endings

35. Summer or Winter?
Summer in the north, Winter in the south! LOL!

36. Hugs or Kisses?
HUGS! And KISSES! But I am a HUGGER!

37. What is your favorite Dessert?
A brownie Sunday with Hershey’s syrup

38. Have you ever won any awards?
YES, but too many to list. 4-H awards, School awards, Art awards,
Volunteer Awards…………

39. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
My ears are pierced………..

40. Living arrangements?
I own my home with DH. We have one DS still at home. We are blessed to live at
the Western Gate to the Sunshine State, Where thousands live the way millions wish
they could!

41. What books are you reading?
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk, A Cup of Comfort for Mothers and Sons, Several
Magazines

42. What’s on your mousepad?
Green Bay Packers Shareholder logo

43. What did you watch last night on TV?
Grey's Anatomy

44. Favorite smell?
Fresh cut grass, Lilacs, My Boys when they were little, My hubby, Burning leaves

45. Favorite Junk Food?
Wavy Lays and Helluva Good Onion Dip

46. Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Rolling Stones

47. What’s the farthest you have been from home?
Colorado from Florida
Now I tag everyone reading this!

I Will Embrace This Change

So much has been said lately about changes going on, and I continue to make my stand. I will not change things I have no control over, I will accept them or move on. That said I have to tell you about change made in my life today.
It's a long story so pull up a seat and grab a margarita. Sometimes, change is good.

DH and I bought this house 13 years ago. It was a time of change for our family, he was nearing the end of his Naval career, we had children beginning to enter high school. We came to the decision, when his tour was up in Pensacola, that we (me & 3 boys) would remain here as he went on to Newport News, VA for his next duty station. Since we were living in Navy housing, that meant we had to get a house.
We found this charming ranch on a little more than half an acre about six months into the search. It had all the requirements to raising a family of 3 boys. A big Yard, plenty of bedrooms, fireplace, hardwood floors and charm & character. Not to mention, 12 oaks and 12 other various trees including six pines.
Most of that is irrelevant information, what is important is the neighbors next door. Buddy & Mickey are an older couple whose children are my age. They are the sweetest people on God's green earth. We all became fast friends, and they became surrogate grandparents to my kids. Years passed, and the freindship grew and we were all one big happy family.
That was until the Great Puddle Divide of 2005 as I call it. B&M had a huge ole smelly puddle on their driveway that never seemed to dry up. Buddy did what he could, and dogged the county to do something about the terrible drainage we have in our neighbor hood. We don't have gutters, or sidewalks, get the picture? All he really wanted was a load of gravel at the end of the drive to give the water somewhere to drain. It made sense to all of us, but we know how the government works. There has to be a better way than the simple way!
So they sent out engineers and surveyors and lots of people in important suits to look at the puddle that was only about 6 foot wide. All the important people decided that the best thing to do would be to dig a ditch 3 -1/2 acre lots long around the front of the 3 houses and through one of our yards and that would fix the problem. Well first they wanted to do it through B&M's yard, then our yard, and then B&M's yard. WE actaully all agreed our yard would be better, less stressful on them and we could maintain it better. But NO, the county knew more. In the months of the Great Puddle Divide, tempers began to get short and flared up. What once were great neighbors quit speaking to each other. The ditch, when completed, went through B&M's yard and NO one in the neighborhood was happy with the results. Not only were friendships broken, but our properties looked like crap. This is about the time I became a proponent of the accepting change I had no control of and moving on with my life. Months have passed, Mr. Buddy got sick and passed away, I felt so bad, I wanted to go over and hold Mickey and console her, but my fear of rejection overcame my knowing what was right to do. So I didn't go. Months have passed.
Again, something or someone brought on the change that happened today. I was in the yard, taking pictures of my blooming flowers, when all of the sudden Miss Mickey was at my side. She said, "Can I talk to you a minute?"
I froze in my steps and replied, "sure, what's up?"
She broke my heart as she stood there with tears in her eyes and apologized for the Great Puddle Divide, and anything else She or Mr. Buddy may have done. She wanted for us all to be family again, that she missed us, and needed us. It was then I lost all composure, right there and then in my front yard with all the world around us. I blithered like a fool, and I apologized for all we might have done or said. I told her what I wanted to do when I heard about Mr. Buddy, how he was the greatest of men, loved by all who knew him.
We stood and chatted awhile, mostly about our shared love of flowers, butterflies and nature, and when I said I needed to get going, we decided that nothing would ever come between us, that we would remain buds and forgive each other. It is a good day.
So sometimes change that starts out bad can be turned around to good. Maybe we all won't end up singing kum-by-yah, holding hands around a campfire. Maybe why the change at CKMB isn't about the board changes at all, and the split is for a reason, perhaps we Monkeys are being brought together for reasons still unknown. For whatever the reason, I embrace this change, which I deeply feel will be for the good.
Just Wondering at the Western gate,
:J

MY 10 Things to do before I die

I'm following Jules lead, she posted 10 really great things, but here's mine.

1. Have a grandchild.

2. Travel all 50 states.

3. Ride the Delta Queen up the Mississippi and play the Calliope as we pass my hometown.

4. See all 3 of my sons marry good women.

5. Ride Amtrack through the Grand Canyon and visit the 4 major National parks there.

6. Be a snowbird.

7. I want to be published in a major scrapbooking magazine.

8. Do another beachhouse week with DH's family and a week with my family.

9. Be Skinny again

10. Let everyone I love know exactally how much they mean to me!

So that's my list today. It changes from time to time. Sometimes an item gets accomplished. Sometimes I realize that wasn't so important. I want live everyday and cherish it.

:J

I'm Losing My Mind Over Something I Lost!

Some of you may know my hobby is scrapbooking. I spent years taking pictures of my kids at everything they did. Now as they grow and leave the nest, I scrapbook those pictures. It makes me cherish the times we had once again, and when I'm done they will have memories in print.

Out of that hobby has also grown another, Papercrafting. It's almost like being in grade school art class all over again. Some paper, scissors and glue, a few pretties to glue on, and a splash of ribbon and it's that beloved art project!

So in this passion of Papercrafting, I have joined a Circle Journal group. (I'm starting to feel like the mouse in "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"!) I had started a sign in tag for the latest journal I was working on. I found these fantabulous jumbo eyelets to use but low and behold, I don't have an eyelet setter large enough to set them. GRRRR!

Luckily I work at a vocational school, where many men have tools. So I said to self, "Self, take this tag to school and ask one of the manly men if they have the tool it would take to set this eyelet. A loaded question for sure, but I was feeling desperate enough to try anything.

Off I head to school, tag in hand. I asked who I thought was the most logical man to have the tool, an Auto Body Teacher. Yes he had the tool, and would be back to help me with my dilemma. (Thank goodness he has a DIL who scrapbooks and didn't think I was a complete idiot!) I got busy actually working, I never saw him come back. Meantime, my tag lay there uneyeleted.

I thought at the end of the day I picked up the tag to take home, uneyeleted. I could have sworn I had it later to match paper for the rest of the project. But last night, when I looked for it to finish my project, I could not find it. So today I looked all over my desk at work, in my purse, in my wallet and all over my scraproom at home. No tag. Tomorrow I will check the car, clean my bedroom, and if I have to, drive 35 miles to replace the paper to make the tag again. All because I took a picture of my sons when they were children.

Just something I Wonder about,

:J

Today Was Why I Live at the Western Gate

It was a gorgeous day. Bright Sunshine, no clouds, no humidity, temps in the low 70's. The waves were calm, the beach empty. Life had a happy smile to it today.
I pulled out my favorite comfy denim capris, my pink sandals and a new pink T and settled in to life in my world. It seemed everyone had a smile on their face, a spring in their step and a bit of spring fever in their attitude.
It was a day that I didn't want to be in the office. I called several friends and asked "let's ditch this school and go to the beach!" But, being the responsible adults we are, I had no takers. A friend and I did take a walk around the perimeter of the grounds, covering a mile. The ball team was cracking the bats to victory as we passed them on the gorgeous green ball field. The walk was a nice break to the afternoon of work.
If only every day could be like today, with the exception of one thing. I would be at the beach!

:J

My Answers to Kip's Challenge

What were you doing 10 years ago?
OMG!
Chasing 3 boys around every sports field within 300 miles.
Sweating bullets over my DS1 getting ready to get his Driver's License.
Enjoying DH being home after 21 1/2 years in the Navy.
Pinching pennies, since DH retired from the Navy.
Working in a PreK classroom.

What were you doing one year ago?
Learning to relax
Anticipating my youngest DS's High School graduation
Learning a new job working with adult data (I had always done student data)

5 Favorite Snacks
Wavy Lay's and Helluva Good onion dip
Kahlua dip and fruit
Nachos & salsa
Margarita's
S'mores over a Campfire

5 things you’d do if you were a millionaire
Build my house on the beach and in the mountains
Travel with my family
Pay off my family's bills
Have Maid/ Housekeeper/Cook
Go to every Green Bay Packers game and alot of Cubs games

5 songs you know all the words to
The Star Spangled Banner
Stairway to Heaven
When I Get Where I'm Going
The Song Remembers When
It's 5 o'clock Somewhere

5 bad habits
Cussing (like a sailor)
Driving to fast (or Flying Low)
Eating
Procrastination
Picking at my nails

5 things you like doing
Spending time with my family & friends
Scrapbooking
Watching football
Cooking
Traveling

5 things you would never get, wear or buy again

A Bikini

High Heels

5 FAVORITE TOYS

My Scrapstuff

My Pool

My Explorer

My Camera

My Computer

Hibiscus
Some of you, getting cold, blustery weather, may be surprised at what was blooming on my back porch this morning. I love it when flowers bloom, even here in the midst of winter. It brings joy to my heart and promise of better days.
:J

In Anticipation, I was RIGHT!

Happy Dance! Happy Dance!
I guessed the secret surprise! DS2 showed up about 12:15 a.m. I was still up, playing solitaire on the computer when I heard his voice outside. It warmed my soul, just hearing him. I ran to the door as he walked in, greeting me with his sheepish grin. The dog about knocked him over as he was as excited to see him as I was! I gave him a big hug and I showed him the piece of paper where I had written earlier what I thought the surprise was. We talked for a bit, and the ruckus woke DH. We gathered in the living room, talking and talking. That is where DS2 found us when he wandered in at 12:45. I immediately told him to look at the paper, that I had quessed right! He promptly informed his brother "I DIDN'T TELL!" It was then I told him of the obvious clues. Number one being he cleaned the house without being asked!
So today has been a blissful one so far. The White Chili is stewing on the stove, I have already baked chocolate chip cookies, and DS2 is off to his best friends house for a game of Madden. They are enjoying bf's last few months of bachelorhood, as bf gets married in June!
All is well today, at a very windy, very cold Western Gate.

:J

ANTICIPATION

Tonite at dinner, while munching on the most delectable spareribs one could lick of a bone, DS3 asks if we are waiting up for him to come home after the movies. An unusual question for him, he usually wants to sneak in quietly in the wee am hours. Of course DH, with his suspicious Dad mind, asks "Why?" To which DS3 (there is a reason he was our lastborn) replies, "I have a surprise for you." DS3 is my out of the box thinker. We never know what he is going to come up with, or what he thinks "a surprise" entails.
Of course my immediate MOM reaction was "HE'S GETTING A TATTOO!" or "A BODY PIERCING!!" but after the 20 question MOM you're a MANIAC session, I ruled out a few of my fears. No tattoos, No piercings, no pregnant girlfriends, no friends moving in, no snakes or other pets. Not that those are necessarily bad things, but I think of them first. I was at a loss as to what the surprise was.
Then it dawned on me, the pieces all started falling into place.

a) earlier today when DS3 brought me lunch,(he is such a good boy) he asked if I had heard from DS2, who is 3 hours away at college.

b) he also mentioned, " I picked up the house, and cleaned my room" I about died of heart failure then!

c) on the way to dinner, he asked how long it would take to get from where DS2 is to here, and how the time zone change affected that.

d) he said he was going to a 9:15 movie, he left at 8:45 to pick up a girl who lives 20 minutes from us, and the theatre is another 25 minutes. Not enough time. He also said he would be home by 11:30. Not enough time to see a movie, take her home and get home. I don't care how fast he would drive.

So at dinner those three facts clicked in my head, and I said, " I know what the surprise is"
of course I did not tell him. I did write it on a piece of paper, and told DH, to which he agreed, I was probably right.

So here I sit, in anticipation and prayer. Did I mention we are expecting torrential rain and wind tonite?

Wondering....at the Western Gate.

:J