Is It the Full Moon?

The past few days I knew something was up. I knew in the back of my mind there was a full moon. You can't sit in a football stadium two nights in a row with a clear sky and not know that. But I would have known even if I hadn't looked in the sky.

Saturday was wonderful. Stamptemberfest was a blast! A bunch of crazy fun ladies all day long, stampin' and creatin'. Ann was the best hostess, Sherri cooked some great food, and Sharon taught us some great techniques. It was a great paper therapy day for me!

Sunday is when I could tell the moon got full. I was putting away dishes and I dropped my favorite glass mixing bowl. My favorite much older sister had given me this bowl, many years ago, it came with a stand mixer which bit the dust long ago. The mixer was replaced, but the bowl stayed.
It was a great every day glass mixing bowl, just a bit on the heavy side, nothing fancy, clear, that was just perfect for 90% of the things I do in the kitchen. As soon as it dropped, it shattered into a million little pieces. DH came running to my rescue as he always does and started sweeping up all the pieces. It was then that all the memories of that bowl came flooding back to me and I just started a boohooing.
All the birthday cakes, cheeseballs, 7 layer salads, potato salads, fajita fixin's, fudge, peanut brittle and the like that we've made over the years. That ole' bowl served us well. It's been dressed up for a fancy table and dressed down as a garbage bowl when I'm doing a cooking marathon. Everyone should have a bowl that serves them so well. It wasn't as pretty as some of my other bowl, but it was always the first one I reached for because I knew I could count on it.
I'll probably never have a bowl as good as this one. I don't even know if I could find a bowl worthy enough to replace it. I'll miss that old glass bowl.

A sad day Sunday was for sure. In more ways than one, that ole full moon brought more craziness in our lives as the surf claimed the life of a friend. Chris was a new teacher at our school this year, a real dynamo who brightened a room just by being in it. He was a quick wit and already a real asset to our team.
While visiting the beach on Sunday he was caught in a riptide and pulled out. He was rescued and appeared to be fine, but was being taken to the hospital as a precaution. On the way, he went into cardiac arrest and died. Chris was 41.
We were shocked this morning as our principal made the rounds to tell us. Chris was such a bright spot in our lives for the few weeks he was in it. He was an inspiration to us as he quickly became one of the go getters on our faculty. I know I will miss his quick wit. Such a shock.
For him I will say to all who may ever visit a beach on the Gulf. Obey the flags. A red flag meaning dangerous surf was flying the day he went into the water. The waters are not as calm as they seem on top. Rip Current (undertow) is very dangerous. It will pull you out in a matter of moments. If you get caught, let it take you and then swim to the side out of it. But be safe and don't get in the water. We'll miss you Chris.

The Power of a Storm

Today Ike was 250 miles south of Pensacola, making it's way to Texas. It doesn't mean we avoided Ike's wrath. Here are a few pictures, the first from our newspaper, Pensacola News Journal.

Here are a few from my friend, Mary Ann. We usually have two to three foot surf. The bouys just of the beach were measuring 24 foot waves. The pier is a good 20 feet off the ground at least.
I hope you enjoy these pictures.



And finally one from my friend Lori's sister. Keep those in Texas in your thoughts.


More later, I just got home from a JV football game, we won! 28-20 in double overtime. I hope I have a voice in the morning!
:J

Do You Remember?

I remember the precise moment I learned about the planes crashing into the towers. We were unloading buses on a beautifully bright fall morning, the Blue Angels were practicing their loop de loops over our heads. Since we were only a mile from the base, unloading busses could be difficult as little 4 year old children are amazed by the Blues. They want to stop and watch, they don't care that they need to get into school, eat breakfast, and learn.
Someone came out of the building and said a plane crashed into the towers in New York. Suddenly the Blues were out of the sky and on the ground. It was eerily quiet.
By the time we unloaded the last bus, word came about the pentagon. Because we are a military town, we were extra worried. The chance that we knew someone working in the Pentagon was a good one. I wanted to go find my husband, get my children and go home.
Instead we spent the day keeping the children busy while keeping an eye on the news. And we prayed. We hugged them a little tighter, let them get away with a bit more, and prayed.
We still pray. For all our guys and gals defending our freedom all over the world, pray.

:J

Taking Advantage

I took advantage today, of it being hump day, of the dumpster set outside my door, of a slow down in paperwork. I cleaned out the records vault. I humped it all day long. I was one constant HOP (hour of power). And amazingly I feel pretty good about it.

I got to work this a.m. and outside the door nearest my office was a small dumpster. I walked in and the A.P. of the High school, and my friend, Lori, were cleaning out the office across the hall from me that has been being used for storage. So I asked if the dumpster was for anyone's use. I had to ask because sometimes the HS is possessive of their stuff.

I have been wanting to clean the vault for a few years. Two things stopped me, time and having to haul it sooooo far across campus to dump it. So I made the time and cleaned, and cleaned and cleaned. We could hold a dance party in the vault now, there is so much room. It felt so good despite how my back was hurting when I was finished. I just kept at it, I knew if I stopped, I'd quit. Now that I'm home and have rested, I don't feel as bad as I thought I would. We'll see how well I get out of bed in the am.

We've started getting the outer bands of Ike this afternoon. Outerband rain is like no other. It's a heavy, fast rain. It's usually over fairly quickly and as quickly as it started, it stops just as quick. I hope the football game Thursday and Friday night don't get rained out. Athough I wouldn't mind Friday night, it's quite a drive. But I'm going to hit a few scrap stores on the way to Friday night's game. Ones I never get to go to they are about an hour from the house.

I'm looking forward to Saturday's all day Stampin' Up party. It's at Ann's house and she is a riot! I would so love to bring her to a Hilltop Crop, she'd fit right in. For lunch we are having Deliciously Simple. I guess it's some kind of home food demonstration party type thing. Ricky, our favorite masseuse is supposed to be there too.

Well, I'd better hit the hay. Tomorrow is our auditor's previsit, the big audit is next month. I want to be bright and shiny in the morning. Good thing I got the vault cleaned!

:J

We have a victory!!! WOOOHOOOOO! My Packers won and looked good doing it. I am so happy for Aaron Rodgers, hopefully he can move out from under the shadow of the Legend that was #4. He looked so awesome tonite, and someday, just maybe someday, they will forget about the that other guy (you know, the traitor).
It was a big biscuit day as my friend Kip likes to call them. I got our new windfeather flags at work. It took me awhile to get them up, along with a trip back to the factory for a new pole, but it was worth it! They look so awesome.
My latest CTMH order came in and I love it! I ordered two card sets and some stamp pads. I'm using the cards kits to make cards for my co workers as gifts. I am going to give them a set of cards for Christmas. These will be quick and easy for me to do for that. The new catalog came with this order, and OMG! love alot of it too. I've been waiting for CTMH to come out with a stamp pad revolving case for their stamps and they must have read my mind. It's in the new catalog!
My new stamps came from Violette's that Jean picked up for me. I love them! Such cute little fall stamps. I need to get busy with them now too.
This isn't really my big biscuit, but my niece's. She got engaged Saturday night! I'm so excited for her. She deserves much happiness.
That's my day, it was a good one!
I hope you have a good day too!

:J

Morning Monday!

I am just going to have to resolve that I am an every other day blogger. Just can't seem to get here to blog every day, even with all the time I spend on the computer.
Even today I'm on a run, have to make lunch and get to work so I can get back home to watch my Packers play! GO PACK!

:J

How are these days getting by me still? I am not that busy of a person, that I can't post about my uninteresting life every day.

So Friday was a good day. It makes two days in a row that the elephant wasn't sitting on my chest the whole time I was at work. That in itself makes me a happy woman. I had to go pick up the windfeathers (feather flags) we had made to advertise for school. Last year the big P wanted ideas to help promote our school. I suggested the wind flags and he agreed. So I got put in charge of the project!
Our flags turned out awesome!

I also ordered our tickets to fly home for thanksgiving. I can hardly wait!!!! We're just going for the weekend and leaving the boys behind. Poor babies! We'll do our family thanksgiving the Sunday before. That way they can take all the leftovers home to eat while we are gone. After they do all the dishes of course!

Football last night was exciting. It was great too see old friends I hadn't seen all summer. Football is a sporting and social event at our school. There are as many people on the track surrounding the game as there are fans in the stands. Although the fans cheered our team on, it wasn't enough, they lost 20 - 28. But not without thrilling moments when our receivers returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Dh's D line played well, but penalties on offense killed us.

Today is house cleaning, tropics watching and Sam's club shopping. Hubby's idea not mine. Maybe he'll buy me something????
I hope your day is a great one!

How do these days get past me? It's not that I'm living the exciting life, that's for sure. Life is just passing by sooooo fast, too fast for me.
Interesting article in our local paper this morning. 56% of the people living here in my county a)don't like living here, and b) plan to move in the next 5 years. Interesting. We chose to live here, this is where DH's Naval career ended, and we could have moved back home (up nawth). But we had one son in HS, one in Middle and one in elementary. We had good friends, lived in a good area, and were living a good life. I don't know what's happened here the past few years, but it's not the same town we retired in. Too many Walmarts (6) as opposed to the two we had when we settled, too many convienence stores, too many fast food places, too many car lots, too many many stuff. Not enough gas stations or grocery stores.
They closed my Albertson's this week. Soon it will be a Publix and I'll be happier. I like Publix. I wouldn't buy my groceries there everyday, too expensive. But I have the commissary for that (grocery store on base). Maybe Publix will improve the quality of life here.
In general, life is good for us. We're not as active as we once were here. But I think that comes with age and we would slow down a bit anyway, no matter where we lived. Not that we are sedentary by any means.
Speaking of not being sedentary, football starts Friday night for us. Keep good thoughts going for our boys as they try to break their 2 year losing streak. DH says they look good and the coaches are nervous. He told me to come get his wallet and cellphone at halftime if they are winning. LOL!
Friday I'm booking our flights to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. The boys are not happy about that! Of course they are more worried about food then they are us going. They love the food at Thanksgiving. But we decided we need to go back up there, probably as often as we can afford to. Hubby wants to help his dad do some things before winter. I just want to get in the country.
So life goes on and it's quality life, it is what it is, and only what you make it.
So I do, make it that is.
:J

No Profound Words Today

I blog hop alot. Probably more than I really should spend my time doing, but I do. If you aren't a blog hopper, try it. Just click a link on some one's blog and go where you've never gone. Then click on a link on that blog and so on and so on.
So where am I going with this?
I just read the neatest story about motherhood. It puts it in perspective for me. So rather than copy and paste the whole story, so someone can misconstrue that I wrote this, here's the link My Life is a Gumbo Pot . And thanks to Michele for the stepping stone to this blog.
Where's the best blog you've ever hopped too??

:J

Back to Life

I have virtually hidden out at my house. Other than Saturday when I went to Natalee's SU party or out to dinner that night with the hubby, I've been a recluse.
Now granted, Gustav had something to do with that, but I had something to do with it too.
I thought I would spend the weekend scrappin'. But I just didn't feel inspired. I have projects I want to do, but when I sit down to do them, it just seems hard. Making cards at the SU party was easy and fun. But when it comes to just playing in my own room. Blah!
Would you say I'm in a funk? My butt hurts from sitting so much, I'm not a sitter. I am bored with tv, bored with shopping, bored with the computer. I guess I AM in a funk.
I have been inspired to eat, and too cook. Of course none of what I want to eat or cook is good for me. LOL! I know one thing, I need to snap out of this. It just isn't me. At least I don't think it's me. Is it?
About Gustav, it's rained alot all day but we've only gotten 3 inches. We had some winds, gusting to about 45 miles per hour. We even had a bit of thunder this evening. All in all we seemed to have weathered Gustav well. Thank goodness he didn't turn into the monster storm they thought he was going to be. But now when we do get a monster storm, will all those people who evacuated this time be so quick to leave next time? Now we have Hanna & Ike. Can we have a weekend without a hurricane bothering us?
I did get my family reunion pictures uploaded for the family to download. It doesn't seem like that was only a month ago. My new blog head is another from the Mississippi River. I used to love the barges going up and down the river. As kids we would always try to get them to wave to us. Did you know they (the tugs) all have names? Barge companies often name them similarly like Dixie Rose and Dixie Lee, Delta Queen & River Queen. That way we could tell if they were from the same company. Did you know that they post the barge traffic in the newspaper where I'm from. They put the day, time and name of the tugs who went up and down the river. Am I rambling? Okay I'll go do the dishes...
:J

Stormy Monday Morn

We've had 30 different tornado warnings since Midnite in our area. The rains and blustery winds come and go, so we're still keeping one eye on the weather channel. We'll be fine, DH is sure they will have football practice this afternoon. I told him I didn't think so since we are under tornado watch til 4 p.m.. But coaches think that doesn't apply to them. Parents think it applies to their children tho, so the coaches may be the only ones there. Crazy coaches.
Prayers for the folks west of us.
:J

An Evening on the Coastline

It's the time of year that I always question our choice to live on the Gulf Coast. We become anxious, keeping one eye on the television as we go about our daily activities, never quite trusting weather predictions, wanting to see the evidence for ourselves.
As the crow flies, or a seagull, since we are so close, we are about 3 miles from the gulf. It's highly doubtful we'll ever see a storm surge reach our house. Our damage comes from winds, as it did when Ivan came ashore just 4 short years ago.
Our home is nestled amongst 12 century oaks. I remind myself that they have withstood many hurricanes. But I remember too well one we lost during Hurricane Opal, and how Ivan took some big arms off a few others.
This time we'll just see tropical storm weather. For those of you who have never experienced a tropical storm, think of a strong thunderstorm lasting several hours. But tho they are predicting that Gustav is going west, we still keep our eyes on the storm updates, careful the storm to stall or jig our way.
But mostly we go about our business. We still grilled BBQ ribs today, with potato salad and corn slaw. I did a few loads of laundry, played in the scraproom and took a nap. In some ways it's just like any other day, with a sense of carefulness.

:J

Middle of the Night Ramblings

Can I say at 10 p.m. this evening I was more than ready for bed? As soon as I crawled in bed, shut off the light and slept for 15 minutes, I was wide awake again? I didn't want to power nap!
I think it's tree frog mating season. The froggies, they are a croakin'. At first I thought it was the fire alarm at the elementary school next door. It chirps in a froggie sort of way. But no, every once in a great while the froggies would break rhythm (take a breath maybe?) and start in again. Droning. Certainly girl froggies can't find that romantic.
Then my foot started cramping. I know, eat more bananas. Or at least that's what I tell hubby & the boys when they have cramps. I think we over did it on our walk today. 2 miles in 94 degree heat did both of us in.
So I got up, made a glass of milk, cut a piece of sheet cake, and enjoyed that. But now I have heartburn. Or, an ulcer, which wouldn't surprise me given the stress at work lately. It's just a job, I know. But I take it seriously. Too seriously.
I've been blog hopping. Everyone's kiddo's are back to school. Mine is too. He actually is enjoying school this year. Now he tells me about school, what happens, what homework he has. For years it was, "it was okay". Then he would tell his dad everything. The last few days it's been the opposite, he tells me everything and when dad asks, "it was okay". Do you think he would let me take a first week of school picture? Hmmmm. Mom's on a mission.
I'm feeling a little disturbed about a spider that has disappeared from our back porch. The guys have been talking about this spider, his huge webs, his big, thick, tarantula looking hairy legs. So tonite while we were grilling, I asked where he was. "oh he was right here by the back door, but now he's gone". Okay then, where da hell is he?? Especially since my outdoorsy, camping since diapers, knows all things scientific, son didn't know what kind of spider he was... Where IS he?
So what's up with Gustav? Get in the gulf and decide what you are going to do! I have preparations to make! Places to go! We have food, water, batteries, flashlights and radio. As soon as I know I should, I'll do the other prep things, fill the water jugs, clean up the lawn furniture, fill the propane tanks, pack the car, and leave town. I just hate the waiting game.
I did get groceries, including stuff to make homemade cinnamon rolls. Essential during a hurricane. Why not? If I stay I may need beer. Okay Corona, Limeade, and 7up. I have the tequila. We may need a margarita or two, if I stay here.
If Gustav isn't coming to visit, I have my weekend all planned out. Well that is unless my middle son comes to visit. They are waiting to see what Gustav is going to do also. So if he doesn't come, and Gustav doesn't come, I want to scrap. Truly scrap. For me. So I will. After Saturday that is. Saturday I'm going to a friend's house to make cards. I sooo need paper therapy. Stress relief.
Okay, it's one a.m., I should try to sleep, I don't hear the horny frogs anymore. Let's hope it stays quiet.
:J

Groceries for Gustav

We made a decision late last night after watching the late news & weather. We need to prepare for Gustav. I have the easier part of the job. Making sure we have groceries to last awhile that don't need refrigeration. To my family that means goober sandwiches and fruit. To me, it means all the chips I can eat!
I think I could live on chips. Chips of any kind really, potato chips, corn chips, whole wheat chips, even those chips made of funky non chip food, like banana chips. Just give me something I can throw a handful of in my mouth, I can survive for days.
The guys will be doing the really fun prep, securing the yard stuff, hammering plywood over the windows, gassing up the propane tanks. We'll all be ready.
I'll be ready to scrap for a few days. My new Cosmo Cricket Christmas kit arrived from QVC yesterday. It's adorable! I have a few items I'll give as Christmas gifts from that kit.
Dear Hubby, noticing that I have had a rough week, took me to Chili's last night for dinner. It could be that his coachie friends even recognized I was having a stressful week, and told him to be extra nice. We had a nice evening, dinner was fabulous, the margarita was devine. Just what I've needed this week. I have a much better attitude this morning. We'll see if it can last more than 10 minutes after I get to work. Hopefully this clean up and chase down process of paperwork will stop soon.
Well I'm off to get some groceries, chips, chips and more chips!

:J

Watching Gustav

Yes, we all know he's down there. I think if he heads my way, I'm going to jump in the car, empty my bank account and see how far away from him I can get. When DH, who never leaves, calls and says he has power back, I'll turn around and come home.
Unless, of course, I find a nice outdoor restaurant. Then I'll finish my dinner, my drink and my sitting before I come back. Because really, that's what my soul is needing right now.

:J

Bazaar Busyness!

A few things I've made for my MIL's church bazaar. I used scraps of left over paper to make most of this stuff. Some of the Pocket Calendars were made with the FREE paper I got the other day at the back to school breakfast. I just bought a package of embellies to decorate. The two blue calendars with flowers are the K & Co. Blue Awning paper. Love that! I really don't do anything really fancy for them. They like to keep the price down to around a couple bucks.

I've only one more project I promised to do for the bazaar, then it's back to scrappin' for me!

:J

It's Raining Again!

About 3 a.m. I awoke to the sounds of rain pounding on the roof. It hasn't stopped since. The radio is talking about all the flash flooding around the county. We have school, but I know it will be a madhouse, people can't seem to leave their kids in school when it rains around here.
Yesterday was gorgeous, sunny skies. I stayed busy scrappin'. I got several pocket calendars done, and altered a few letters for Christmas. Nothing fancy at all. I was not in a fancy mood, I was in a get it done mood. I get that way sometimes.
I'm supposed to go to a card workshop tonite, we'll see how the weather is. Saturday I have a Stampin' Up party to go to also. That should be fun as their new catalog just came out.
I guess I'd better head to work. Maybe it will rain enough we'll get out of school, HA!

I'll post pictures of my stuff I made later, like tomorrow.

:J

Sunday, the Sun is Shining!

We awoke to sunshiney breezes this morning. Bright sunshine, few clouds in the sky. They (those weather forcasters) say we will have rain and thunderstorms this afternoon. We'll see.
The "eye" went farther north, inland than previouly predicted. That was good news for us, we didn't get the storm as expected. So much for that extra day off tomorrow.
So I got all I wanted too accomplished yesterday. I baked the cake, it was scrumptious! The burrito pie was perfect the comfort food for a rainy evening. Laundry is done, even the curtains in the scraproom! I scrapped a bit last night and will probably spend most of today doing the same.
The rains may come and the rains may go
But all is good.

:J

Saturday

It's dreary, breezy but no rain, yet. I'm ready to hunker in and spend the weekend. I've got 10 pounds of fresh shrimp to get ready to freeze (I should just cook them). I'm baking PW's Chocolate Sheet Cake. I've got my ingredients to make Burrito Pie for dinner. I've got Pickle & Pimento Loaf for sandwiches (been cravin' those), I've got the wine chillin'. I've got laundry going. I've got scrappin' to do. All I need is to switch the TV from the NFL channel to something more captivating and I'll be all ready for FAY! Come on over girl, it's going to be a day!

:J

Football & Fay on Friday

TGIF! or at least it was for me. The first week students are back is always hectic, not as hectic as registration week, but hectic none the less. I could not wait for 3:30 p.m. and when it was, I was outta there!
My first stop was Michael's. I had a coupon I had to use. My theory is if they give me the coupon and I don't use it, I won't get another. So I did. I ran into Target for a rain poncho, before heading to the game. I meant to go by Panera Bread and get one more Summer Salad before they took it off the menu, but I got in the wrong lane and missed the turn.
I got to the game in plenty of time and throughly enjoyed not having to run the ticket booths. I watched the game, and caught up with old friends and people I work with every day, but never see.
If I didn't know better I would have thought it was October, as Fay's gentle breezes have begun blowing in our area. No rain, but I am looking forward to a weekend full of it. Patrick and I stocked up on groceries at 5:30 a.m. this morning, before I went to work. The house is livably clean, so I plan to stay in my jammies all weekend, scrap, and maybe open a bottle of wine.
If you don't hear from me all weekend, don't worry. We've weathered worse storms remember Ivan?) we'll get through this one too.

:J