Special Weather Statement

Issued by The National Weather ServiceNashville, TN 2:44 pm CST, Sat., Nov. 29, 2008
... SNOW POSSIBLE IN MID STATE SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY...

Big deal. I'm gonna go to the grocery store just in case though!!! I might even wear my pajamas inside out and sleep with a spoon under my pillow, too. And if that doesn't work...then it wasn't meant to be. Y'all have sweet snowflake dreams tonight!!

Catching up.

Sometimes I have to just stop and catch up on things. I think tomorrow will be one of those catch up days. I need to get re-organized. Now that it is officially the Christmas Season, I need to get the housework caught up too. I really don't like putting the tree up too early though. There is enough to dust without having to dust Christmas decorations too! I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit scroog-y so far this year. I don't know why and I'm sure the Christmas spirit will consume me soon. We started shopping today, so maybe that will help. Perhaps if I did some baking....a house full of sweet smells always helps! We bought a new Christmas tree today, too. The last tree bit the dust last year...only half of the pre-lit lights came on. Ok...enough of the scrooging for me. Maybe this will get me there...

Time to make your list.

Not your Christmas list....but the list of things that you're thankful for. The list of people that make you who you are. The list of things that you could absolutely not live without. The list of little extra things that make life easier. The list of freedoms that make us Americans. My list is very long...and I hope yours is too. I won't list everything here today....but I have so much in my life to be thankful for. First and foremost, I'm thankful for everyday that God gives me. I'm thankful for my husband for letting me be me. I'm thankful for my boys....they're happy and healthy. I'm thankful for our family....mine and his....they're OURS. Take an extra minute today to take a look around at the GOOD things in your life. Enjoy your day......Happy Thanksgiving.

p.s. NOW you can start on your Christmas list!

The best Puffs.......EVER.

OK, so you might not think that tissues could inspire a post....but if you've ever had a cold...and I'm sure all of you have, you'll understand. I found the best tissues yesterday. I'm sure they're not new, but yesterday was the first time I had seen them. Puffs with lotion....and Vicks. Yep. Vicks. Just the thought of Vicks takes me back to being a little girl. Sick with a cold. Trying to sleep it off. My mom would always rub Vicks on my back and on my chest, then tie one of my dads hankies around me. And at nighttime, she would fill the vaporizer full of it, too. As strange as it might sound, just the smell of those tissues makes me feel just a little bit better. I left them at work yesterday......so now I gotta go blow my nose...at work. Funny how just the smell of something can bring back special memories. Thanks Mom. xoxox

I mailed it.

Yep. I sure did. I mailed the title to Ben's car. I didn't mean to...it wasn't in an envelope or anything, but I mailed it! In the mad rush to meet Ben on Friday afternoon, before the County Clerk's office closed....I accidentally mailed the title. It was signed and everything. You see, Ben has found another car and he is going to trade his for it...even Steven. I don't make the decisions about things like this....I just trust that the King and the Young Prince (Ben) know what they are doing....and I do what they tell me. And the Young Prince told me to meet him...and bring the title. That was the plan. Except I had some mail from the office that I needed to get in the box before 5:00. So.....when Wyatt handed me the mail....the title was with it and...you guessed it....that's how it got mailed. It wasn't Wyatt's fault. It wasn't my fault. It wasn't Ben's fault. It was one of those things that just happen. We ended up getting it out of the box....the nice man at the post office told me that it happens all the time. We've heard that one before....I didn't believe it then....and I sure don't believe it now! Do things like that only happen to ME??

Livin' On The Edge

Yep...on the edge. The edge of the three point line, that is! Wyatt seems to like it over there. That's where alot of his shots come from. We've got two games today and I hope he likes the edge today as much as he has liked the edge in the last three games! The King will get to see the team play together for the first time today. I'm pretty sure that Nanny and PawPaw will be there too. I wish I had some kind of high tech web cam that I could take with us so that GaGa and Pap could come today, too. I think the King is planning to bring Ben's video camera today, so it that works, look for some clips of the game soon. I've got muffins in the oven, Wyatt still isn't awake, and I need to get a shower. Have a great Saturday.....keep on keepin' warm!

Flurry Schmurry

Silly little snowflakes. The kind that, even if they keep falling, will never amount to anything. Not even the kind to cause a bread and milk shortage at Publix. Not even the kind that can land on your nose and eyelashes. The kind that my grandpa used to call "a flake an acre". Maybe there's hope for some real snow this year, since it's only November and we've already seen flurries. I hope so. I certainly don't miss all of the Pennsylvania snow, but I sure do miss some of it. Plus, the kids deserve at least one REAL snow day. So here is my wish....I wish for significant snow on a Friday afternoon.....then pile it on overnight so that we can build a snowman on Saturday. Then, clear it all out so that the King doesn't have any problems in his truck come Monday morning. But, leave enough so that the bus drivers don't want to drive in it! I think that covers it all and would make everyone here in my little world happy.....and we all know, that is my mission!

The one that got away.

Do you ever have days that just get away from you? Today was one of those days. I got to work a few minutes early and the phone started ringing. Our 10:30 appointment called in instead, so I scheduled another appointment for 11:30. Lovely people, but they stayed until way past lunchtime. Then another phone call....and another client came in....and before I knew it, it was 2:45 and the market was within minutes of the closing bell. Past the point of no return for lunch! I had a few errands to run, so at 3:30....I was done for the day. Why do the days that get away always happen in the middle of the week and never on Friday? Friday always seems to crawl...like it will never get away! The good thing about days that get away is that they usually get away fast. The bad thing about them, is once I finally get to eat....I want everything in sight! Probably a good thing that Wyatt has a basketball game tonight...which reminds me...I need to Google a map. Keep warm cause....baby, it's cold outside again!

Make Mine Simple, Please.

I want simpler days back again. Remember when it was a special treat to go to McDonald's? Remember when our parents got together with their friends for card parties? I would always fall asleep on the couch. But we were together. Remember when everyone you knew ate dinner with their family.....around the table? Something happened and we all got busy. The Dow dropped below 8,000 today. Three years ago, I wouldn't have a clue what that meant. But I do now, and I know it isn't good. Everywhere we turn, there is doom and gloom in the news. Sometimes you don't even have to turn on the news to get the doom and gloom. BUT....since it is almost Thanksgiving, I know that I have so much to be thankful for. Even in doom and gloom times. I have a wonderful husband that loves me very much. I have two absolutely amazing, healthy boys. I still have both of my parents, and the King still has his mom and step-dad. I thank God everyday for all of those things. I have a job and as of this very minute, the King has a job too. Ben is getting an education and has a job too. More things to be thankful for. We have a home and we all have vehicles to drive back and forth to work and school. The sun rises every morning and sets every night. I could probably go on all night about all of the little things that I'm thankful for. I don't have to look very far or thing very hard to find things. I think my point tonight is this......before we complain about how bad things are in the world....take a look around you for all of the GOOD things. I hope you don't have to look very far or think very hard either. xoxox.

Baby, It's Cold. Out. Side.

Brrrr!!! I think we went from summer right to winter! Baby, it's COLD outside!! Now, if I could just see a few flurries...I'd be one happy girl! Anyway, it's supposed to be back in the 50s next week, so no flurries yet. (Don't ya just love the song, though?)

Ok, the big news of the day....Wyatt got his progress reports from school .....I'm proud to report that he has a B average now! That's awesome, Wyatt! You've worked really hard and it shows. I'm so proud of you...and NO, you CAN'T do it YOUR way now!!! MY way is working! :) Love you, though!

Ben has class tonight...he gets through at 10. So, like the good mother that I try to be, when he was leaving...this was the conversation:

Me: Be careful coming home, Bubby.

Ben: Why do ya say that, Mom?

Me: Well, it will be dark and late when you come home.

Ben: It's dark now, Mom....you don't want me to be careful GOING too???

Me: Of course I do! Now GO TO SCHOOL!

Maybe you had to be there because it really was funny!

Y'all keep warm tonight! :)

The Preamble to The Constitution

Where can you learn The Preamble? Schoolhouse Rock, of course! Wyatt has to learn The Preamble, so we spent some time this afternoon watching Schoolhouse Rock and other various things on You Tube. As usual....one thing leads to another on You Tube and we watched a little bit of a lot of things. One of our favorite clips is from the old Carol Burnett Show. The one where Tim Conway tells about the Siamese elephants. (Watch it here and be ready to laugh.) We watched them talk about boobs on the Match Game, and we watched the opening parts several old shows (The Electric Company, Zoom, and Petticoat Junction).
When Ben was little, all he wanted to watch was Barney and Batman and Power Rangers. He liked CatDog and Cow & Chicken too. Most of it on channel two seven. Ben loved to watch Rescue 911, too. Wyatt loved the Teletubbies and Gullah Gullah Island and Fairly Odd Parents. He also loved watching shows about Fire Trucks and Fire Stations.The shows that made me crazy....I wish I could hear in the background sometimes now. Hearing the sweet sounds of children's shows makes everything in the world seem right for a few minutes. The babies are happy and entertained while Momma is making dinner or cleaning up the toys....or perhaps just enjoying that they are busy. As they get older, the house gets louder and more rambunctious...for awhile. Then they get even older...and it gets very quiet again.
So, as I read over what I've written.....maybe we ARE that old....or at least getting there?

We're not THAT old...

So, after we took Wyatt to basketball practice this morning, the King and I ran into Lowe's to get something to fix the drip under the kitchen sink. While we were in the row that has things to fix dripping kitchen sinks, two young boys were also in the row. They got the nice Lowe's helper man to cut them a pretty good sized piece of clear plastic tubing....about an inch in diameter. Now...being the smart mom that I am...I knew right away what those two were up to! I'm sure their next stop was Auto Zone to purchase a funnel that will fit snugly on the end of the plastic tubing. Yes, friends....those boys were having a party tonight, I'm sure! I whispered to the King to check out the boys across the aisle. He couldn't help himself...he asked what they were doing tonight. One of the boys got a big grin on his face! So we got what we needed, and they got what they needed, and we saw them again in the parking lot. They told us that they had been using a garden hose to funnel their beers....but they lost it. Now it seems, they're building a super deluxe beer funnel from scratch. I hope they're careful. All that made me feel a little old....but not so old that I don't remember making a beer funnel out of a 2 liter bottle and a snorkel! Woo hoo...party on!

Nonstop Yawning

I know that yawning is contagious....but I didn't know I could catch it from myself! I swear this morning was nothing but one big yawn. Thankfully, I managed to get a lot of work done. My desk was still a mess when I left and I hate to leave it like that. Don't know why I was yawning so much today. I suppose I should put my head on my pillow a little earlier tonight. Tomorrow consists of basketball, groceries, and laundry. Sunday is supposed to be 9 mile day. I only walked once this week...so we'll see. Might have to do this week again and make next Sunday 9 mile day. Come to think of it, I have felt tired all week long. Weather? Maybe. Stress? Possibly? Life? Definitely!
One thing I know...is all the homework is paying off. Wyatt has an 86 in English! Woo Hoo! Way to go, Wyatt! I'm proud of you, buddy....keep it up!
Speaking of homework....I must go now and find out if I'm smarter than a 5th grader. Sleep tight, y'all!

RIP

Grandpa Bill. The King's grandfather. He passed away yesterday. I wish I could have known him better. Distance separated this part of the family from that part of the family. What little I knew Grandpa Bill....he was kind and funny and seemed very loving of those close to him. He was always quick with a story....usually a funny one or one with a lesson at the end. He was there for The King's birthday...the year I did "the cake" (a post for another day). Grandpa Bill and his wife Evelyn have seen a few of the boys ball games when they could. They always seemed to enjoy being here, and we enjoyed seeing them whenever they would pass through town. So, as you earn your wings, Grandpa Bill....be sure to keep your eyes on the south every so often...we call can use another angel in our corner.

On a lighter note...I have inspired a blog! She's just moving into her YaketyYak. All of the nice things that she said about me.....I can return....DOUBLE. She was the first one to call me when I was a new BOA. She's always been sweet and kind and ready to listen. I'm sure great things will be happening at the YaketyYak......so go ahead...pay her a visit. She's a great mom...so I'm sure she has snacks!

GCF & LCM

Yep. Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple. Sixth grade math. Again. Improper fractions, too. How come it's so hard to explain? I know how to do it.....I do it almost every day, but I don't know how to teach it. I sure don't remember learning it. I had to have learned it sometime though. I'm fairly certain I didn't know how to reduce a fraction when I was born. Now that I have children of my own....I'm really glad the whole teacher thing didn't work out for me. Back in the day...I wanted to be a teacher. What was I thinking?!?! Luckily, Ben and Wyatt have both been blessed with some fantastic teachers. They've both had some that weren't so fantastic, too. Mostly, they have all been wonderful. I try to be sure to thank them every time I see them, talk to them, or e-mail them. They are raising our children with us.....because it does take a village. Here's a quote for today....

The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. ~Author Unknown

Sunday Shuffle

Six brisk miles. I think I shuffled the whole way! Not really, but there were so many leaves on the trail....and leaves make me want to shuffle. I felt like I was walking right through a picture book. The colors were breathtaking today. Everywhere I looked....more color. I don't remember the fall leaves ever being so pretty. Six miles was a pleasure today. The squirrels even seemed happy to be there. I usually see several deer while I walk, but just saw one today. She was hidden in the brown. I could see her ears and her pretty brown eyes. Lots of squirrels again....and about six turkeys. Only one thing went wrong today. I forgot the camera. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be just as pretty next week though. When you see a pretty tree this week.....look at it again. Try to remember it. You'll be glad you did.....I sure am!

I got....nuthin'.

Another rather uneventful Saturday. And that's ok with me. Basketball practice and the grocery store. That's about it. The King managed to resurrect the computer.....only had to call India once to do it! I walked my little walk today too. Tomorrow is 6 brisk miles. Not only will I be walking briskly...I'm sure the air outside will be brisk, too. Supposed to be in the 30's tonight. Brrr!

The leaves are finally starting to accumulate in the yard...and it's really feeling like fall now. There are some really pretty colors in the neighborhood this week. Maybe I will take the camera along with me tomorrow and see what I can take pictures of while I walk. Usually there are a few deer and squirrels around. Last week there were lots of turkeys too. If I get some good ones, I'll share them here.

Wyatt's basketball games start this week. Ben's new math class starts this week, too. Hopefully, we'll be able to kick up some excitement.....these quiet days make for boring reading!

Keep warm....and look for some pretty pics tomorrow. xoxox

TGIF

Thank goodness it's Friday!

First things first....the desktop computer is gonna live. Just a small hard drive transplant, and it's recovering nicely. Reinstalling Windows XP as we speak. We expect it to make a full recovery.

The frosty freezer...isn't frosty anymore. Don't know what that is all about, but I'm glad about it.

It looks like the King is safe from layoff for now. Several guys have taken some vacation time and a couple others are going ahead with some medical leave that they have been putting off. Can ya say Whew!?!?

Now, for the real news of the day. Ben got tattoo'd. I have to admit, I'm proud of him. Seems like an odd thing for me to be proud of, but he put alot of thought and planning into it and it truly has meaning for him. He had Graden's birth date put on the inside of his left wrist and the date that Graden died, put on the inside of his right wrist. The dates are facing Ben so he can read them when he puts his arms out. I have always known that Graden would be with Ben forever. Now everyone else can know it too. I'm proud of you Bubby....and I love you very much.

Is it over yet?

This week has seemed incredibly long. Not really anything happening....until today, that is. The king is getting closer to the bottom of the list....and the layoffs are at the bottom. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but we're trying to get ourselves ready, should it happen. If that's not enough......I came home to find a horrendous error message on the desktop computer. All searches....call it the "blue screen of death". Lovely. Tried to boot from the Windows installation CD...no luck. Looks like we're headed to the PC ER. Yep...wish us luck. And...the freezer was frosty. I'm hoping that the door wasn't shut or something crazy like that. We don't need to buy a new computer AND a new fridge.....right before Christmas! I just keep telling myself.....it can always be worse. Yes, it sure can.....I hope it doesn't get there! Love you all!

Hey Mom....

Can you? Will you? Did you? How come the MOM always gets asked those questions? How come the answer is always yes, I did? Or yes, I will? Or yes, I can? Even when I can't.....I will. And even when I haven't....I will. And even when I don't want to and they can do it by themselves......sometimes...I will do it. Spoiled? Maybe. Loved? Certainly! Oh well.....they're not gonna live in the rooms across the hall forever, are they? I'm lucky and very blessed that we all wake up under the same roof every single day.

Bonus Children

If you have children, you have bonus children. You know....your kids friends. They're the ones that you find asleep in the morning, when you didn't know they were coming over. They're the ones that you automatically set a place at the table for...and they automatically come to eat. Out first bonus child was Graden. He always made himself right at home...as I'm sure Ben did when he was at Graden's house. Since then, we've had a few bonus kids come and go, but for the most part, they're always welcome. They know the door is always open....and the fridge is always stocked. We miss Graden everyday...and not a day goes by that he isn't in our minds. Our newest bonus is Garrett. I love feeding the bonus kiddos....and they love to eat! Sometimes I have to make deals just so they'll come see me when they're home for the weekend (Chase). In fact, I have a pan of enchiladas to make tomorrow. ;) I'm looking forward to Wyatt's bonus's. Life just seems a little better when there's a crowd at the dinner table. Maybe the biggest bonus is that my bonus children don't get tired of my cooking. Whatever the reason....I'm thankful for all of the bonus children out there. We love you all and the door is always open.