My favorite kind of morning.

I love good mornings. I love coming out while the house is still quiet. I love getting the first cup of coffee from the pot. I love checking email and Facebook with my first cup of coffee. Sometimes it happens that way, sometimes it doesn't. It kind of happened that way today, except that the King was up before me. It feels like a great morning though. The sun is shining and everyone seems "Saturday Happy". There is still lots to do today, so since I've had enough coffee, I better get to it. Enjoy the sunshine today! xoxox

Finally Friday

TGIF. The end of a very long week. Some good things started happening for the King toward the end of this very long week though. He has a 2nd interview on Monday and was asked to submit a 2nd resume by a different company than the one he has the interview with. He also got a call about a part time job. So, things are starting to look up....a little. Other good things that happened.....I got our taxes filed and I got Ben's taxes filed. I'm happy to report refunds for all! Yippee! Sure will come in handy this year. Instead of buying the new TV that we've been wanting, we'll be sitting on the refund money in case we need it. We're getting smart like that! I also got the Ben's FAFSA for next year filed. As I was answering the 96,243 *sarcasm again* questions, I realized that if Ben stays on track at school, I will only need to do the FAFSA one more time. Wow....I wasn't quite ready for that realization.
I'm not sure yet what's on the agenda for this weekend yet....of course we'll be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday. We've talked about going to the High School basketball game tonight, but we might go bowling instead. Too bad I'm not as good as my Mii on the Wii! Man, Lovie can bowl!! She's a pro and has a sparkly pink ball even. The King says I need to bowl an entire weekend while the rest of the family is in Florida so that I can get really good though...when are they leaving again?!?! :) Anyway....y'all have a fantastic Friday...keep warm! xoxo

19 years already???

Nineteen years ago today....on Super Bowl Sunday, I married the King......and the 49er's beat the Broncos, 55-10. We had a very small wedding. Family mostly, and a few of our closest friends. I'm not sure how many of our wedding guests would have predicted that 19 years later, we'd still be married....probably not many, considering the conditions under which we were joined in holy matrimony. After all, we were expecting a baby, we were very young, and we were very broke. Not the best conditions, but we were determined. And we loved each other. When we said 'I do', we meant it. Never once in our 19 years together has the D word ever come up. We have had our share of ups and downs, obviously, but we have worked through them and have ended up stronger for it. We're happy and our kids are happy. I thank God everyday for that.
So, the King is still playing Mr. Mom....and doing a pretty darn good job of it too! On top of endless job searching, he has managed to clean the laundry room, organize the filing cabinet, and have dinner ready when I get home. He has cleaned the floors and even made the bed everyday. Although the checkbook will breathe a huge sigh of relief when he goes back to work, I have to admit I'll miss having him around....just a little!
Today was a snow day in Mt. Juliet. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Where is the snow that we used to get in Tennessee??? This little snow just teases us and make us want more! Wyatt said he just watched the news and there is a "huge wall of snow" headed our way....we'll see how that works out for him! Keep warm while we wait for the snow wall! xoxox

Hanging in there....

Yep....we're still hanging in there. I feel like I should be way more upset....but I'm not. The king seems to be feeling a little more stressed, but it's only been a few days. Today was pretty much wasted waiting for Comcast. 8 - 11 my foot! They finally called me at 12 and said they would be here in about 10 minutes. Oh well...tomorrow is a new day....and a new job for the King is right around the corner. One door closed, so a new door will be opening, right? Isn't that what they say...whoever they is? I think my Grandma used to say that. Seems to be pretty true usually....I hope it's true this time. Not too much else is happening around here. I'm the optimistic one of the family....hopefully I can stay that way! xoxox

So, here we are.

Just when we thought we were out of the woods.....the King calls me this morning to tell me that he is on his way back home...he got laid off this morning. Yep. Happy New Year. So, we've spent the day working on his resume and finding places to apply online. He feels like it will only be temporary.....just how temporary is yet to be seen. Surprisingly enough though, we're both pretty calm. It is what it is and getting all upset won't change it.....only make things worse.
On a brighter note....Wyatt's basketball team won their last game on Saturday! It was a very close game and we finally came out on top! We had a little bit of snow this morning. It was pretty while it was falling, but is all gone now. Lola wasn't sure what to think! It's still cold and I have to help Wyatt study about the Roman Empire....fun will be had by all, I'm sure! Stay warm where ever you are...xoxox.

Catching up.

Another week is behind us. Also behind us is the whole Coming Home thing, and the last away basketball game. Today is the last home game against a team that has beaten us twice now. It's a team from a local private school. The thing is, though, that not everyone on their team goes to that school. A few of their players go to OUR SCHOOL! Makes for a little tension for everyone involved. How can OUR students play on THEIR team you ask? Well, it's simple...I think. Anyway, this is how I understand it. Sixth grade sports are not recognized by the Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association (TMSAA). So, the players on the 6th grade teams don't have to attend the school for which they are playing. WHATEVER! Why would you want your child to play for a team at a school that they don't go to? Especially, when next year...in 7th grade, they will have to play for THEIR school team...or not play at all. Anyway, today is the last game. It's been a great season. Wyatt has learned alot and has had a great time.
So, this weekend will be a good chance to catch up on housework and laundry before the next flurry of activity hits us. I have no idea what that might be, but I'm sure it's right around the corner. On Wednesday, the Graden Gaines Foundation Scholarship Committee will meet to begin planning the 2nd Annual Softball Tournament. This year, I'm hoping that we can not only give the planned scholarships, but also help a few other families that have children fighting the hardest, bravest battles of their lives. We'll see how it goes on Wednesday.... I think that's all for now...I'm sure there is more that I have forgotten. Good thing it's a catch up weekend! Keep warm....xoxox

I'll just do it myself!

So, that's what I did. I did a google search for "Sourdough Bread", found a pretty website, and followed the directions. I now have one very happy sourdough starter sitting on the stove. How do I know it's happy, you ask? I know it's happy because it's bubbly and it has 'that sourdough smell'. I fed it this morning and will feed it again tomorrow and every morning for the rest of the week. Hopefully I can bake something yummy this weekend! I hate to keep calling it 'IT'. Once we get a taste of 'IT', I will name 'IT'. I've found a recipe for sourdough pancakes and of course I have a recipe for sourdough bread.

On a different subject, I hope your Monday was better than mine. I was in a little bit of a foul mood today and I don't know why. I suppose I can just blame it on Monday. Seems like as good of an excuse to be in a bad mood as any. I'm hardly ever in a bad mood for no reason, so I suppose I'm due. Tomorrow will be better. It has to be, it won't be Monday anymore.

Now I have to go put a spoon under my pillow and turn my pajamas inside out and backwards so that it will snow tomorrow. Wish me luck! xoxox

There is a new 'Young Prince' in the house!

If you've been around my family much, you probably know what we have sometimes called Ben the 'Young Prince'. Why, you ask? It's a very long story...for another blog post. Anyway.....A new 'Young Prince' is about to be crowned! (NO, I'm NOT pregnant!!) Wyatt has been elected to be a 6th grade Coming Home Representative by his classmates! Wyatt and Blake are the lucky 6th graders. So now he needs a date. Lordy! He told me that he would prefer to be escorted by somebody hot. Yikes! He also said that he'd better get to texting.....he needs a 6th grade girl to be his escort by Monday, I think! I'm sure we will have lots of fun with this over the weekend! Wyatt has always marched to the beat of his own drummer.....This will be no exception....stay tuned! xoxox

*** Saturday morning update....Word around the house is that the Young Prince has a date! ***

Wanted: Alive preferably

I got a new toy for Christmas. I got a stand mixer. I cannot wait to bake things. I have promised myself that I will bake healthy things....not fatty, unhealthy things. I made banana muffins tonight....they are full of yummy banana-y goodness! Wyatt says "they rock", so I know they're good. So, now I want a sourdough starter. Anyone have one that you'd like to share? I have been looking online at ways to "start" a starter. They all say it's easy....but I dunno. I'd like to have one that I know is healthy and will bake a fantastic loaf of bread. If I don't find a donation...I will make my own. I promise I will share whatever I bake with you if you share your starter with me. I remember my mom having a Herman when I was a little girl. I think Herman was a sweet starter and she made coffee cake with it. I have had starters before too....just wound up baking and eating too much bread so I'm pretty sure I killed them. I had an Amish Friendship starter once too....made some excellent sweet bread....but...I'm pretty sure I killed it. If you share your starter with me this time...I promise not to kill it. I will share it with someone or I will give it back to you, but I will not kill it. Ok folks...you have until the weekend to share your starter with me...then I make my own! xoxox

The New Year

Here it is already....2009. It seems that the older my kids get, the faster the time goes. Anyway, Christmas is over and safely back in the attic. New Years Eve was quiet...and now we have a few days before Wyatt goes back to school on Tuesday and Ben the following Monday. There is lots coming in the next few months. A new nine weeks will start for Wyatt and a new quarter for Ben. I will start walking again to get ready for the Country Music 1/2 Marathon in April. Anyone game to do it with me? Basketball will be wrapping up in the next few weeks too, and I believe that we're going to join the YMCA. That way, Wyatt can shoot, Ben and the King can work out, and I can walk, walk, walk.....and yoga, yoga, yoga! I wonder how many new memberships are sold in the first weeks in January? Plenty, I'm sure!
The King is getting a little restless, ready to start on a new project. I think that project will be our bedroom and bathroom. New paint, new bedding...a fresh look all around. Then I'm sure we'll paint the boys bedrooms too. By that time, it will be getting close to spring and there will be lots to do outside. C'mon Spring...only after Mother Nature gives me a little more snow! xoxox