Just Because You Know...

Doesn't mean you have to tell...

I will never forget my worst Christmas ever...

I was about 8 and I remember my girlfriend and I were sitting in our spot in the vacant lot next to our homes and I asked how they celebrate Christmas.

Christmas was great and anticipation filled in our house. For a few weeks before our mother would shop til she dropped and soon her bedroom was filled with Christmas presents. She said "Don't peek or Christmas will be ruined" On Christmas Eve we could open one gift and the next morning we would wake and our gifts would be arranged some wrapped, some not "Santa Style" with our stockings on top.

This arrangement had always worked well for us, we would wake early with excitement and go see our presents... Until that day I talked with my friend.

T- So how does your mom put out your presents? Ours come from Santa.(excitement in my tone)

F- Well, in our house, we all know there is no Santa, We know our parents buy the presents so we are "mature" (one 8 year old talking to another) and my mother wraps and puts our presents under the tree the way mature people do...

T-HMMMMM (Later that day)...Mom, You know we are all grown ups now and we know there is no Santa Claus so why don't we be "mature" and place our presents to each other under the tree???

Mom-OK,great,then I won't have to stay up late arranging the gifts.

So, little by little the wrapped gifts started appearing under the tree, and each time the new gift was inspected and categorized by child shaken and analyzed until pretty much I knew what each and every one of my gifts were.SOOOOO

Imagine my disappointment on Christmas morning when the gifts I had held and figured out were exactly what I got. Zero excitement, Zero surprise, Zero glee...Maturity got me the worst Christmas EVER!!!

Same goes for Christian knowledge... If you know something, like that pets do not have souls, and you can direct someone to the exact passage to prove your point, do you have a right to tell little Jimmy that his beloved pet puppy that just died will not be there to meet him in Heaven? why break a heart just because you know what you know... I say, don't lie, but let the children be children, Let Children believe in all things that are wondrous to them. They are the ones we need to take lessons from because THEY are the ones with Faith of a Child...

Maturity is over-rated

You should make soup with that...

I LOVE cooking the Thanksgiving meal, I always cook the weekend after the holiday cause Steve just has a need for more left overs. Yesterday, I made the meal just for us so I wont have to cook all weekend. I like when I do that cause frankly, I cook most nights and I like a day off.

One thing I do not like to do however is make soup from the turkey carcass. I really hate dealing with bones, you can ask my sister, I have NEVER cut up a chicken as a matter of fact I have only purchased a whole chicken once in my entire 25 years of marriage.

Now I will make a soup from a ham bone but to me turkey bones are just EWWWWW. When you get everything all boiled down and strained there always seems to be a bone or two that gets through and it must be a murphy's law but that bone will always end up in my bowl.

My aversion to bones might have come from my mother cause I think my brother has the same dislike of anything with bones in it cause he mentioned her chicken bones in food this weekend. Our mom LOVED bones, she loved gnawing on them I used to kidd and tell her you can tell she was the
7th of nine kids cause all she would get is the bones, a lot of her cooking especially her chicken dishes came with the bones and although she was a great cook, again all I can say is EWWWWW

So, today, this turkey is trash bound...

Was it Black Friday?

As usual, I did my research, Target first, then Michael's, Then Penney's, Then Macy's. All before 1:00

Had an extra late night so I was in no shape to get started any earlier than 9:00am. I know, I know, For Black Friday shoppers 9:00 am is like crunch time so I had no choice... Eliminate stores.

Got to Target at 9:30 expecting hordes of people but instead I pulled right into an already empty slot three spaces from the door (without stalking store exiters),I entered the store and found a shopping cart (my head is spinning)Everything on my list was exactly where you would find it on the aisle and was clearly marked (my head was still in a fog) A store clerk approached ME and asked to help me and even found exactly what I was wanting and later brought the item to me elsewhere in the store.(went to the manager about that service) There were tons of $3.98 DVDS and as I approached the checkout a woman said "Are you ready, I will take you here" (NO WAITING!!!)

Now I don't know if getting to the store late or the economy made the difference, but I ended up with pretty much the same experience in every store I went to.

All in all I would say it was one amazing day in the life of a shopper, all topped off with a red Starbucks cup.

The First Thanksgiving

I was thinking back on the first Thanksgiving I prepared. Steve and I had only been married a couple of years and it was the first Thanksgiving in our new home so everyone wanted us to host the big day.

I had been cooking for many years but my sister Penny was the Turkey cooker in our family and honestly, I had been fine with that.

I checked and researched the most foolproof way to cook a Turkey, this was before Food Network, the Internet, Recipezaar or all the tricks I use now so mostly my investigation involved word of mouth.

I got lots of advise... Do this, don't do that, my head was spinning but one thing in common that most people said was that I pretty much cant go wrong cooking the Turkey in a roasting bag. My roasting decision had been made...

Luckily, for my November birthday I got all the serving stuff, platter from my brother and roaster from mom... I was set.

The big day arrived, I was nervous cause I still believe the art of cooking any meal is timing. The bird in the bag cooked quicker than expected throwing my sides timing off, but all in all, my meal was a success, and has been a success all these years until two years ago when my oven had just been repaired and I burnt the entire meal. I was having people over and we had to scrape through the burn to the edible portions. Embarasking...

Today we are going to a relatives and tomorrow I will cook for my family, I love trying new recipes and this year it will be a sweet potato casserole with streusel topping and I am going to try another brine for the turkey.

You live an learn

Be brave... Bold... Cook!!!

Thankful For Today Nov 26th

So, Tomorrow we will eat Turkey, but tonight I am making Udon noodle soup for today is Eric's Birthday and he gets to choose the menu.

14 years ago changed my life for the greater(not just better)
For today, Eric Miller was born. His delivery put me in the category of
those who have had successful V-Bac births. Yippee!!! I felt so great! It was definitely work, but well worth it and he was perfect.

I have said it so many times that if they had not kept him in the same room after his birth Steve and I would not have believed this beautiful brown baby was ours. Thus, my mom coined her famous phrase "Finally, one my color"

Eric, you proved that God is indeed in control of the children we receive, I was such a confident second time around mom and you changed all the rules.

You are the reason I am a homemaker, you are the reason our family is still in tact, but most of all, you are the reason our family serves God.

Your blessings are daily, and our trials are few.

You are the coolest 14 year old In our family!!!

Happy Birthday to you...

Ten On Tuesday

Ten on Tuesday. Mix up

I am so thankful this time of year but I have already been through the alphabet so I decided to mix it up my style.

10 Things I am thankful for.This week...

A- Abundance- Although I feel like we are drowning, I know we have it all...

B- Babies and Birthdays- Babies are such a blessing, My friend Emmy just had an 11 lb baby on my birthday and I cant wait to meet her. Eric will be having his 14th birthday tomorrow Wow!!!

C-Crafts- I have been making bracelets and earrings like Crazy, Thank You Go for the gift of crafting so I can make a little extra moolah

D-Daisies- Our roses are fading, but our daisies are in full bloom.

E- Entertaining- Although we have a small house, we love having friends over

F- Family- Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday, we take it easy and have tons of fun.

G- Gifts- Physical and Spiritual, Both are amazing blessings

H- Home- We love ours, it is a take your shoes off kind of place

I- I Love- November Blogging and all the blessings that come from reading all my friends thoughts during this month.

Yes I am naturally blond

After much hoopla and hype from friends I decided to hike my TV bill by $5.99 and order a DVR.

The much anticipated new technology arrived and I decided I would learn all the ins and outs of the device.

When you were watching a program and recording it, the DVR worked wonderful. It also recorded every single episode of shows we chose without us wanting that. Yes, we wanted to see the Robot Chicken Star Wars episode, but we don't want every one of that sometimes distasteful show Ewww. Last week I noticed the DVR was recording Moesha. Ok who is the closet Moesha fan? No one checked it... But the worst of it all and the most frustrating was that under no circumstances can you watch one show and record another. "You are recording the Amazing Race, Do you want to delete, or continue?" I want to watch something else AND record... No go.

So the other day I could stand it no more, I called the satellite place, was transferred to the tech dept(not in India) who asked me to get up and explore my DVR's set up. God I hate that, I so hate fixing things but it always seems to be my job. My cousin says I should feel proud of myself when I fix electronics, but actually I just get mad.

When asked if maybe I got a bad DVR I was asked...

"Do you see an in and out port?"

Yes

"Well, that is what you need to operate the equipment, can you check the connections"

Feeling like a dumb blond

There is only a line into the "in" thingy nothing is attached to the second thingy (I know Thingy must be an electrical term)

"What"

repeat

"well, that's the problem, you need two cables for the machine to work, didnt the installer tell you that?"

obviously not. Maybe it was the 100 degree August weather that kept him from getting in my attic who knows...(Yes, we have been unhappy over three months)

So, today another installer is out, Yogi is barking and I am expecting grand things out of this DVR which now requires another hole to be drilled in my wall.

Will wonders never cease

Me A Blessing???

Me A Blessing???

This week God had me step out of my comfort zone and give my first message at church during our Wednesday night amateur night. I was encouraged when I saw a DVD of Anita Renfroe at our ladies retreat cause she was so funny but she is a mom just like me. The one thing that has always held me back from speaking is that I cry easily, but God said "Go with it" So I gave everyone Kleenex and I went on with my message.

God had given me a message awhile ago but I never wrote it down or brought it to fruition until I was encouraged by my pastor.

Basically, the gist of of the message was on how I realized I was living the life that God indeed had planned for me and that God wants me to be grateful for my "Simple blessed life"

God has also given me the ability to share about my "Decision" to be grateful through blogging and My Space.

I did cry a bit when I shared my testimony on how my dear friend Elena blessed me with the scripture Titus 2:3-5 and how it describes me so very well.

But all in all, God did a work in me, I was bubbly, fun, witty, and entertaining, while ministering to my friends in the room.

Many said I was outstanding and how much I blessed them, it gave me confidence and I would love to speak again, I think I will build more confidence with each time I get up in front of others and who knows, maybe one day I will be invited to speak at a ladies retreat or luncheon. Hee Hee Hee

Well, I sure did enjoy myself and loved the feeling Wednesday night gave me but this morning I received a blessing far beyond my imagination.

A young woman at church whom I have seen many times but don't know her name came up to me and told me how much my message blessed her to be more grateful for her marriage and how her dream is to have simple blessed life like mine.

Wow! me a blessing? I feel like such a humble servant of God and yet, he uses me. Of all things...

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh is all I can say...

Toy-Tweener

I have not purchased toys for our sons in a long time so imagine my surprise when I decided to troll through the Toys R Us Catalog and saw that a dolly that goes potty is $49.99, In my books that's $50.00!!!! For A Doll! But that was nothing compared to the Hernia I got when I saw the price of a stuffed dinosaur you can ride on. I just had to call Eric over,

M- "How much do you think this dinosaur costs? It has electronic roar action and you can ride it"

E-"Well, It looks expensive so I will say $150.00"

M- "NO, $299.00!!!! FOR A TOY!!!"

Now don't get me wrong, I have spent way too much in the past for toys and electronic games and I have stood in line for hours for shipments of the hottest action figures to arrive,I got caught up in the frenzy of it all just like a lot of parents, but I learned my lesson a really long time ago when we spent over $50.00 for an all metal (had to be all metal) Tonka Fire Truck for Cam. We were so excited for him to come out Christmas morning to find his truck under the tree and in total shock when the thing went completely un-played with. I guess that eventually, the practically new truck sold for a buck at a garage sale or found its way into the donation pile, but give the kid a $5.00 action figure and some string and he was gone for hours. I still do like to get the boys an annual Nerf gun but even those have gotten way too expensive. I thought I would get the laser tag set for Cam and Beka, I think that might be a fun little game for newlyweds (Wink Wink) but the $50.00 price tag sent me spinning (and don't forget the batteries!!!).

Can you tell that I don't like toys that need expensive refill kits with the exception of Creepy Crawler goo bottles cause you can find them on clearance. I saw several "make your own spa creations" kits and a Cupcake decorating machine. I do remember mixing nail polishes as a girl so the spa kit might be a fun one and I would like to hope you could use dollar tree sundries for refills and I did love the Barbie head that I could braid the hair, but a Cupcake decorating machine for $29.99!!! Why not get tips, bags, sprinkles and frosting and bake with your child or even more fun, take a cake decorating class, I love when I see young girls leaning to cook and bake, it is almost becoming a lost art.( I just re-read that sentence and boy do I sound like an old codger)

I will never forget one of my greatest faux paus. I was discussing my dislike for gadgets and I said "What's with a Smore's Maker?" Now to me a little butane (refills needed) flame to roast marshmallows was such a waste of money, my friend agreed and our other friend sheepishly said "That's what I got you for Christmas" Yikes! Foot in mouth.

SOOO, If you have already purchased the $300.00 dinosaur or the cupcake decorator, I am sorry, this is just the opinion of a woman who's a TOY-TWEENER. My kids are too old for toys and no grand kids kids yet so the frenzy can start all over again.

I may still get the Nerf guns...

Merry Christmas

I've got a feeling...

This is going to be a sickie weekend for our family.

Like my mom used to say...

I'm Urpie

Ugh!!!

Crashing

Spinning, Crashing, Drowning...

Ever have one of those days...

I have a headache...

Thanks Carol for the fall color pics, they brightened my day.

What's Your Speciality

I love sharing recipes...

I love trying new recipes...

For Thanksgiving we are going to my cousins and I will be taking my bread bowl dip. For the recipe look to the back of the Knorr veggie soup mix. I know it is easy, but I really love it and so does my family.

I love baking cookies. Last year because we got out of school so late I did not do my baking and I heard it.

Give this recipe a try...

Mock English Toffee

1 Pkg Semi sweet choc chips
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
Waverly crackers
Chopped roasted almonds or crushed candy canes

Line a cookie sheet with non stick foil but I use a silpat

Line up the Waverly crackers to cover the cookie sheet. I believe this is the hardest part of the recipe.

Cook the butter and sugar to a boil and really light and fluffy

Pour and spread over the crackers and bake at 350 degrees about 10 mins.

Remove from oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crackers. Put the tray back in the oven for a minute until the chocolate chips get glossy and you can spread them like frosting.

While the chocolate is still soft sprinkle with almonds for an Almond Roca kind of bar or last year my friend Jane blew us away with the candy cane variation. Dark chocolate and mint YUMMMY. Make em both!

Break up like bark once cooled and enjoy!!!

Ode To November

Ode To November

I have never seen a tree
That was any shade but green.

Yesterday I had to make sure
I was wearing sunscreen.

Sunglasses are my daily wear
And because the weather makes me sweat,
Ponytailed is my hair.

On the news I see people wearing
sweaters, coats, and scarves.

But here in Southern California,
If I wore those
I would look like I was on MARS

Hee Hee Hee

Zippity Zapping

Oh How I love this song. I have it in both VHS and DVD versions, I am thankful for the memories I have of Cameron and I dancing around to this song by Carol King and written by my favorite Children's Author Maurice Sendak. Now I sing the song to the preschoolers and I intend to sing it to my Grand babies when I am a Gramcracker.

Alligators All Around

A- Alligators All Around
B- Bursting Balloons
C- Catching Colds
D- Doing Dishes
E- Entertaining Elephants
F- Forever Fooling
G- Getting Giggles
H- Having Headaches
I- Imitating Indians
J- Juggling Jellybeans
K- Keeping Kangaroos
L- Looking like Lions
M- Making Macaroni
N- Never Napping
O- Ordering Oatmeal
P- Pushing People
Q- Quite Quarrelsome
R- Riding Reindeer's
S- Shockingly Spoiled
T- Throwing Tantrums
U- Usually Upside Down
V- Very Vain
W- Wearing Wigs
X- Xing exes
Y- Yackity Yacking
Z- Zippity Zapping

Z- Things that make me thankful

1.Zeal- My enthusiasm for life

2.Zephyr- I love that song Ray of Light by Madonna, it makes me feel like flying.

3. Zoo- Who doesn't love the Zoo! But Come on... I don't want to see your Zebra photo.

4. Zillion- Along with million and Gazillion some of my pet words it is my zeal that makes me exaggerate

5. Zinger- Man I love comedians who can deliver a great one line zinger, Some day you must watch the Dick Van Dyke show

6. Zilch- How much I have accomplished today, What a wonderful quiet relaxing vacation day.

7.Still have four to go? Dictionary time... Zig Zag- My favorite sewing stitch, large or small, I love them all

8. Zing Zing Zing went my heartstrings Ahhh Love

9. Zymurgy- What's that you may ask? I have no idea, but I am thankful it is the last word in my dictionary.

And Lastly- When It comes to my God
10. Zealous is how I feel when I talk about you...

My Oh My what a Wonderful day...

From the Blogging Bottle

I have the Monday blahs... Not much to write about, I am getting in the Christmas Spirit and feeling good and Holly Jolly, but alas, not too interesting so I will resort to the Blogging Bottle.

Question of the day...

Tell about a time that someone helped you in a time of need.

Scholarships

When I first became a homemaker we were on a squeaking tight budget. I counted EVERY penny. On one hand it was such a far cry from the financial abundance of the year before when I was still a career woman but you know what they say... The more you make, the more you spend. That was totally the truth. Actually, I was not complaining, I was home with my boys and it was really a victory to make it week by week. I was blessed.

Around the same time we had just started to attend a new church and I was really wanting to get to know the ladies better. I was excited that our new mega church had so much to offer but I got sad when I found out that the sign ups for the Women's Bible study and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups I really wanted to join were due the same time. I was so sad that I would have to choose. I confided in a woman from my Sunday school class and the next thing I knew I had been signed up for both classes on scholarship. I was overwhelmed and so blessed by this act that whenever possible, I return the favor by buying an extra admission to ladies retreat or a luncheon or whatever is going on.

I will never forget the kindness of the ladies who took me in and made me their friend.

Christmas Music Junkie

You would think that by now I would have collected all the Christmas music I need.

Last year, after purchasing at least five different Peanuts Christmas CD's over the years, finally found the right one.

But I just can't pass up the bargain Christmas CD's advertised at just about every store you go in.

It's only $5.00! Look at the pretty case... Ohhh Little Drummer Boy sung by the Jonas Brothers...

I'll take it!!!

My New BFF

Today when I stood in line to meet my new pal Marie Osmond I felt like such a Marie Rookie, I arrived to our meeting empty handed, I did not have any dolls for her to sign or my own sharpie for her to use. I was surrounded by women who have seen her many times and are really her pals, because aside from the Donny and Marie show, I have not really seen her perform,

But perform she sure did and I recommend, that if you ever get an opportunity to meet her, you should, she is sweet, nice, charming, beautiful, friendly, witty, and all around wonderful.

At least that's what I could tell in the whole 5 seconds I got to stand near her.

Sorry ladies, no photos, it was just too quick and the one pic was a total blurr.

I will know better next time.

Hope it's worth it

OK, I am totally dating myself but the last time I waited in line to meet a celebrity, I was a middle schooler and my friend Kim and I rode the bus down to the Puente Hills Mall and met the De Franco family. If you have no idea who they are, you in luck cause you can google them. It was the
70's and Tony De Franco was cute. That's all I am going to say about that subject.

When you stand in line for something it is more fun when you have a friend in tow. I will never forget when my friend Becky and I stood in line for HOURS for Power Rangers action figures and came up empty handed,"Hey, they got two!!!". My pal Susan and I got wrist bands and spent all day at the mall waiting around for our number to be called for Bruce Springsteen tickets,that was a good wait, our seats were great! One Christmas I was working retail and I watched every morning as people lined up for Cabbage Patch Babies. You should have seen the riot when they actually were in stock!

I no longer stand in line for the day after Thanksgiving specials after one year I got up mega early (too early to mention, did I even go to sleep?) to get that amazing deal on a digital camera only to have the store open the opposite door and all the cameras were gone by the time they opened the door I was waiting at. I was done.

But tomorrow, I will give waiting in line for a celebrity another try. Why? because it is Marie Osmond!!!

I Love Marie Osmond! always have, when my friends were in Puppy Love with Donny, I was admiring Marie! She was the only girl in a family of guys and to me, she was like a princess, and you know me, I am all about the Princess. I used to watch her show as a teen, I loved that we were the same age and she got to do all that "Fun Stuff" and wear all those gorgeous costumes.

When Steve and I were getting married she was too, her wedding ideas were all the rage in the wedding magazines... exciting times, (for me at least).

I Love that she is a mom like me and although they are not my thing, I turn in when she is on the shopping channel selling her dolls cause they always look like they are having fun. She makes me smile and her stint last year on Dancing with the Stars just cemented my love for all things Marie, so when I found out she would be appearing at the grand opening of a home interior store near my house I am there!

I have gathered my girlfriends who all think I am crazy to bring my chair and wait before the store opens but I am going to do it, I have no idea what to expect, but to me, that is part of the fun.

Of Course I am dreaming that tomorrow I can add Marie to my circle of girlfriends, but I will settle for a picture.

Epic Day

Today was one of those milestone days in the life of my 13 year old.

He has been begging me to see some PG13 scary movie that is playing,I told him he could see it when we are on vacation and I would go see another movie in the same theater.

So, Today was the day. He had his ID with him to proove to anyone that may ask that he is indeed 13, I took him to see his movie The Haunting of Holly Hartley and I went to see The Secret lives of Bees.

It was fun cause he was able to see a Totally Eric movie and I saw a Totally Troy movie. He felt so good about himself and kept talking about this "Epic" day in his life.

My baby is growing up...

I Swear

This Vacation is getting the best of me.

My poor Steve goes to work and I am in my jammies and comes home and I am in my Jammies.

I want to wear a sign that says...

"I SWEAR I DID WEAR CLOTHES TODAY"

Just when I think

Just when I think I am about as blessed as a Woman can possibly be I have a birthday like the one today.

Or should I say a birth-Days. First of all, my dear cousin Sydney came over Saturday and we went shopping to my favorite Brighton store. Syd bought me the most beautiful bracelet and I scored big time thanks to my dear hubby's generous budget.

Syd and I went to the Crate and Barrel outlet and bought matching glasses. They are cute lemonade glasses embossed with lemons on them, I told her that each time we drink from the glasses we are to pretend we are drinking together. I know it is kind of a sappy thing, but I have done it before when a friend moves, I buy her a coffee cup in my dish pattern Mikasa English Garden, I have told the guys the glasses are mine alone to drink out of... Off Limits!

Last night Steve surprised me and told me he took the day off. Sorry dude, I have plans. (He didnt mind cause that gave him more time to spend with Yogi), but I was going to my girlfriends to make CRAFTS!!! Gosh that was fun! We made some fun things and some not so fun things... I have decided I am not a fan of rubber stamping. I feel now like Christmas is coming.

I really wanted to spend the evening with family and friends so I decided to cook my own dinner and it was fun, almost everyone came and I had a great talk with my brother who couldn't make it.

We played some games and laughed, just what I love doing.

But none of this compares to the biggest blessing of all, My dear friend Emmy delivered a beautiful healthy baby girl today.

I will never forget my mother's words when I told her a co-worker's baby was born on my birthday. "She will be a wonderful woman just like you"

So today, Baby Victoria or VicTROYia as I will privately call her, I sing to you my special birthday song my mother used to sing for me.

Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
Just for you...
Happy Birthday
And May All
Your Dreams
Come True...
When you blow out
The Candles,
One may Stay aglow,
It's the Sunshine
Of your Smile,
Wherever you go...

AND I am STILL going out again TOMORROW!!!

Just plain not right

Once my brother and I went to A & W for a Root Beer float and they said
"Sorry, we are out of Root Beer" It simply blew our mind.Well, today was kind of like that.

I decided I want to cook my own birthday dinner because I believe I have mastered the Chicken Tortilla casserole. I will be making a meatless version and Nachos for the kids, I am excited and have invited some friends to come over. I am looking forward to it.

So Since I am making Mexican food, I decided to go to the Mexican Store Superior for my ingredients. They truly make the best tortilla chips around and I got my corn tortillas still warm straight out of the little Mexican ladies hands, you can't get better than that!

But, in my search for ingredients one came up short, of all things, The store did not have Ortega Green Chilies in a can. Come on, they had Jalapenos galore but not a green chili was to be found under any brand name. I am sorry but I simply did not believe the store clerk when he said they did not carry them. "How will you make chili Rellenos?" Not with a Jalapeno that's for sure! I went all the way to the store manager who confirmed that at the Mexican store they did not carry a Mexican food staple, the diced green chili.
I said to the gal, I guess my mother was too Americanized.

Ugh, off to another store

Wedding Day

Just two months ago I ended a month long Blogging journey to my son's wedding day.

Two months! Can you believe it?

He was even sick, had to go to the doctors and get a prescription, all without me. He is better, the penicillin worked and I think he and I grew a little more. Him in independence and me in pride for my sons accomplishments.

Today, my DIL Beka's brother Chris will marry Nicole the love of his life. Steve and I are so happy and proud of Chris and Nicole and in a little way, we will share in the pride of her parents like we shared just two months ago when our children walked down the aisle.

God kept me strong at my sons wedding, but I am feeling really emotional today and I very well may lose it.

I am taking my vintage hankey from my SD pals for me and extra for Steve who just may be a bigger crier than I am.

Today, we will be honored and blessed.

Doggie Park Anyone

Ok, you did not make coffee, feed me and put your uniform on.

WE ARE GOING TO THE PARK TODAY!!!

Yes, you may go out to breakfast, but I will be waiting...

1 hour TIME TO GO!!!

1 1/2 hours NOW I AM GETTING UPSET!!! (The whining begins)

2 hours YOU ARE TAKING WAY TOO LONG!!! (Now we are pacing, whining, and whimpering)

2 1/2 hours I AM WAITING!!!! (Hysterical is all I can say, he has gone to every room in the house to complain to everyone in ear shot,waking Eric)

Eric- What's up with the dog?

Mom- Dad is not back from breakfast yet.

Eric- Oh (We all know what Daddy is doing... Scratchers, the man can play scratchers for HOURS!!)

FINALLY, Daddy comes home, He is greeted by a very unhappy doggie who had to say his peace before allowing his collar to be put on. After Steve got his doggie lecture, they were off.

Ahhhhh Peace and quiet

TGIF W

Too Grateful It's Friday The catching up W version

W-Wearing Wigs

1. Wonderful World- The Louis Armstrong Version thank you very much
" I see skies of blue".... "The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights... And I think to myself...What a wonderful world" OOOOOh Yeahhhh

2. Winter- My favorite season, I love scarves, gloves, coats, the whole thing. California style of course with little to no snow.

3. Where the Wild Things Are- My favorite Childrens book of all time. I even have a stuffed Max

4. Willow Tree Angels- I give them and I am still hoping to get one.

5. Water- I am picky, I love purified water and not mineral, Eric is the same as I am and Cam loves Mineral...Go figure

6. Warmth- I prefer it over being cold, I love slippers and blankies Ahhhh

7. Weary- About as depressed as I get and I am grateful I can stop there.

8. Waffles- I love them hot off of the griddle, and as a cone for my ice cream

9. Wagging tails- I love my Yogi Bear

10.Worship- What I do and how I feel about Jesus

Thankful Thursday -V-

Still catching Up!

I also have forgotten to quote Alligators all around! So I will catch up on that too.

T-Throwing tantrums
U-Usually Upside Down
V-Very Vain

10 V things I am greatful for

1. Visiting friends- I love calling people and visiting them for what I call "For no reason" When I call and say lets get together "For no reason" my friends love that!

2. Veteran's Day- For the obvious reason IT"S MY BIRTHDAY!!! I know I have said it before but It wasn't until I was about 7 did I realize we were not off of school because it was my birthday. My mommy said so and it made total sense to me.

3. Vacation- So far, this one has been WONDERFUL!!! I am a blessed woman.

4. Vision- I am greatful for it but wish mine was better.

5. Valentine- You're all I need, My Love, My Valentine... La La La

6. Vehicle- I just got blessed with a new one! Her name is Angel Baby and she is SWEET!!!

7. Verbiage- That is a $2.00 word I love to use. I love words.

8. Village- It takes one and I am so grateful to be part of one.

9. Vintage- I am all about the 50's, but feel old when people say Vintage
80's

10. Victory- The sweet Victory of of having Jesus as my savior. I love you Lord.

Dear Mr Pimple

Dear Mr Pimple,

I am now one week from turning 47 and you rarely visit anymore for which I am grateful.

You have decided to make a guest appearance to the side of my nose and I am unsure if I can wait much longer for you to complete your creation.

I have heated, gelled and proactived you and yet you persevere but do not complete your journey.

Hurry up already

Works for me Wednesday- U-

I decided to do a combo thing where I am still catching up on the Thankful Tuesday alphabet and challenge myself to name 10 U things that work for me. on Works for me Wednesday. What is not working for me is typing well with nail tips on Hee Hee Hee

Let's see...I may have to get creative here.

1. Umbrellas- like Lipstick, gloss, purses, and nail polish I am always on the lookout for the perfect Umbrella. Mine would be golf size but folds down, a fun color like pink or leopard that automatically opens and closes with a push of a button. Although for sun protection I do love my pink fabric Japanese parasol.

2. Ultra soft Mary Jane Slipper socks. I highly recommend that everyone with chilly tootsies purchase a pair this wintery season. My new ones from Walgreen's are great! they have grippies on the bottom so you don't skid and they don't fall off because of the strap.

3.Unabridged information- I love to store our social security, drivers license and medical record numbers in my phone book. I can't tell you how many times I have referred to these numbers.

4. Uploaded recipes- I mostly use Recipezaar, You can find any recipe there. I am gonna make Caramel popcorn balls today for youth.

5. Unanimous agreements with my husband, as in when recently used our absentee ballots, we went out for coffee, discussed the issues and voted. It was fun.

6. Understanding Dogs- OK, this has nothing to do with this list at all. It is windy, Yogi has food and water and yet he is bugging me pushing his big nose into my thigh. Somedays I wish he could speak and tell me what he wants like Lassie or Scooby doo.I wish there was a Rosetta Stone for Dog language.

7. Unavailable- Oh how I love caller Id.

8. Unassuming Friends- I have the best friends You included!. I am so grateful and constantly blessed by them. Makes me so sorry for the Real Housewives of wherever show stars, Two gals had been best friends for like three whole years and one decided she likes another lady better so she sends her friend a Text saying she never wants to see her again. Again I say I love my girlfriends

9. Ultra inexpensive reader glasses- I am finding these treasures from the Target dollar isle are becoming a necessity for my beading.

10. Unapologetic- My devotion to God. I talk of him always and I care not about who is listening. I love you lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice.

Wow... Can't believe I made it!

Pondering

It is a little past 4:30 am, I am on vacation and yet I am awake and can not rest. Several people have said to me that we have just elected the Anti-Christ President. Did we? I guess we will all find out soon enough, but my first thought is would the anti-Christ be a father? I don't know.
So I got to thinking... Where are his parents? At least we always knew who Bush's parents were.

I knew so little about this man because honestly, I was indifferent but now I have to wake up and smell the coffee because this man will be our nations leader and I have to take notice.

I read his biography and Obama's parents are dead and he is just 47. Grandma who raised him died just the other day so basically there are no links to his past that are alive.

I am about to turn 47 and my parents are both deceased, but my mind keeps swirling with trippy thoughts of this man who will head our government but we know so little about.

Steve and I were talking about it and for our family, these election results make us sad, we wonder if our eyes are open and others eyes are clouded. Logically, I can see no reason for this man to be qualified to be President and yet, he is and we as Americans must support him, on his terms. We are not allowed to criticize him, we are not allowed to discuss his background or race, we can't discuss his wife or children, and most of all we are not to mock him under any circumstances.

I hope this will be a wake-up call to lukewarm Christians everywhere, what if we have just set in motion the end of our society? I thought we had more time but who knows maybe we don't. It is time to choose Jesus as your savior, not just say I believe in God, because the word God is getting misinterpreted to incorporate a spiritual embracing of other faiths. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light.

Pray and fast for our nation.

What letter are we on??Ketchup day TUVWX!!!

I can't believe I have missed five weeks of Thankful Tuesdays!

I decided to work on this for the rest of the week.

Thankful Tuesday T

1. Troy- This name has been a constant thorn in my side, it is not one of those gender swapping names like people try to say to make me feel better. Emmy Please do not name your beautiful baby girl Troy Pleeeeese.

2. Toast- I love toast with jelly or cinnamon Yummmm Think I will make me some...

3. Thanksgiving- My favorite holiday, in our family it is a casual fun, relaxing day... Love it!! Brine those Turkeys

4. Tortellini soup- My newest soup recipe that my family loves

5. Tiger striped Kitties- Love my papa and my Teddy another T

6. Toilet paper- I am a Charmin extra strong gal

7. Turtle- Love the living variety but I am talking about the Caramelly chocolatey version

8. Truffles-Since we are going there See's please

9. Thankfulness- I am so thankful

10. Trials- After they are over I am always thankful, cause I have learned a lesson and I grow closer to God... Amen

Voting day song

Here's a little song I was singing today

To no particular tune

I'm so glad I voted today...
Absentee ballots are the bomb.
no line and I still get my sticker,
Gotta get your sticker.

AND!!!

I got a free Starbucks cup of coffee
For wearing my sticker,
In my favorite red cup, love those red cups
Hey, they gave me two cups!!! score!!!

The only way this day could get better is if my guy and Prop 8 wins!

lalalalalalalalala

I love to vote!

God Bless America

Vote No On 8

Vote No on 8!!!

Our doggie Yogi's stature as a Basset Hound is rather low to the ground, this with the added fact that he is friendly but timid makes him the perfect target for other dogs at the doggie park to "dominate" him (ya know what I mean).

Well, Steve came home with a funny on Sunday. "You know what Troy? I would bet if Dogs could vote they would surely vote no on Prop 8"

I got a huge kick out of that one... Especially since we are such strong YES on 8 supporters, but If you need further explanation just write...

Happy Voting Day

Pray for our nation

Love, Troy

I'm just too cute

I have voiced my opinion about the one thing my Kitchen lady job does not allow and that is nails.

I guess someone served up an acrylic nail in some mashed potatoes and ruined it for all of us...

When I am on vacation I love to indulge my girly love for all things nail-y (Troy Word) I love to try new polishes cause like lip stick and gloss, I am always in search for the perfect nail color.

A couple of weeks ago when I was on ladies retreat one of my well manicured friends revealed the secret for her lovely nails. Broadway nail tips. I have seen full nails in the store before but never thought of going there. I mean come on, all I can think of is Lee Press On Nails and how they popped off right after you put them on. All the gals in my friends room got nails and were walking around all weekend with model hands. I have to admit I was intrigued, especially with the $5.00 price tag. But my being an out of practice manicurist remembered that because I have small nails I used to have trouble fitting myself with nail tips, But guess what? They have tons of sizes and I found just the right ones for me! Hee hee Hee.

I showed up to church wearing my new nails and feeling oh so cute when I noticed my pastors wife was also now well manicured.

We got a good laugh and the nails claim to have 10 day wear so we will see... I'm just too cute...

Sleep In Day

Today is officially our first Monday of vacation Ahhhhhhh.

Eric and I decided we will make no plans and this will be simply a lazy day.

Eric informed me not to wake him up because he will be sleeping until noon.

Enter Daylight Savings time...

I was up at 7:00 and he at 8:00am

Oh well... So much for sleep in day

maybe we will nap later

Showers

Our church is about to have a great growth spurt. I just know it!

It is a young church about to have it's 10th anniversary and all the young kids are getting older and starting to get married. We have five weddings planned for the next year so far and you what that means... Babies

I am hoping since the kids are mostly marrying young that babies are at least a couple of years away but you never know.

Went to a baby shower yesterday, wedding next weekend, another wedding on the 30th it is so much fun to see all the blessings God gives.

Life is a gift

NaBloPoMo

First of November and also my first day of Vacation!!!

I love my school district job!

Seven and a half years ago my son was starting first grade and I decided to go back to work part time.

My prayer was for a part time job that paid more than $10.00 per hour and fit into my homemaker schedule.

I had several friends who loved their school district jobs so I decided to apply.

I went to the district office and pulled every application that interested me, teachers aide, kitchen lady, secretary I would try them all.

I took and passed the required tests and then came the waiting part.

The first to respond was the cafeteria, I had applied for three positions, one elementary, one high school and one floater. I was nervous but after I interviewed, the women made me feel so welcome I knew that was the place for me. They offered me all three positions so I chose the elementary because I wanted the little kids to be served with a smile.

Not only does this job fit into my lifestyle, but I can work extra if I want and I have been nothing but blessed by the schedule.

My son is in his last year of middle school and I treasure being on vacation with him, spending time with him and enjoying his company.

School district jobs... Works for me!