The Time of My Life!

I am having the time of my life! We had a nice, relaxing Christmas at home just the four of us. Saturday morning, we headed out on our adventures. There are five of us...we are taking Matthew along for the ride. (And he will never be the same, I tell ya!)

We had already planned to go to Vicksburg after Christmas to see the Civil War sights, and a few days before Christmas, I got a card from my Aunt Faye and she made the mistake of writing "come see us" in it. As soon as I read that, I got an enormous case of homesickness...something I never get! I haven't seen my aunts and uncles since my Granny died, and I really hadn't visited with them since my Daddy died. Frank saw how homesick I was for them, and he changed our plans around so we could go visit family on the way to Mississippi...take the long way, to say the least.

We stopped first at Frank's parents and had lunch with them. Then we went to my Uncle Shorty and Aunt Betty's and had a great time and a lot of laughs. From there we went to my cousin Little Carolyn's house in the Fl panhandle. (She was named after my mama, and will always be Little Carolyn to me.) We stayed up til 3am central time talking. She cooked us a big breakfast, and we had such a good time visiting with her family. Then we went to Dothan, AL to see her mama, my aunt Faye. She had supper cooked for us and it was SOOOOOOOO GOOD! She had so much food cooked, that our plates would not fit on the table! I didn't even eat a little of everything she had, and I still didn't have room for dessert....and I never pass up dessert! It tasted just like my Granny's cooking. We visited with her and uncle Jim and reluctantly left to head to Mississippi.

We got to Pearl at about 2 am central time. Today, we had a delicious lunch with Rick's brothers, and spent all afternoon talking and laughing. We have not even started our sight seeing, and I am already having the time of my life. The kids are being so good. The two boys keep each other occupied, and Paige has a new ipod and camera to keep her happy. This after Christmas trip sure beats last year's! (Paige broke her leg 12/26/08.) I am so blessed to have such a sweet husband to drive hundreds of miles out of the way so that I can see my family! This really is the best time of my life!

Merry Christmas!

This is my favorite gift that I received! My friend Cindy gave it to me and I love it so much I think I'm going to leave it out all year long!
This is our living room after Santa came last night. White ribbons were for Paige, and green ribbons were for Jacob. No names, just a secret code between Santa and me.

7:00 a.m. I could not sleep...I think I was more excited than the kids...at least more excited than Jacob!

Better...now he's ready to get started!

After all the opening...

I tried to keep the mess contained so that we didn't lose any presents!

I got a video camera from Jacob, a panini grill from Paige, and a lap desk for my computer from Frank. Frank got a world map for his office, a robe and pjs, and a model of the USS Saratoga. He was on the Saratoga when he was in the Navy during Desert Storm. Jacob got an airsoft gun, a bow, and a Tower 200 exercise thing. Paige got an American Girl doll, a camera, and this...

That's my favorite gift that I gave. I love how it turned out!

We are headed to south GA for a little more Christmas and then to Mississippi for a family vacation. From our home to yours...Merry Christmas!

It's about Giving

Since they were born, I've tried to teach my children that Christmas isn't about getting, it's about giving. I know they have heard this a million times...or at least it feels like it. This year, I've tried really hard to teach my students the same thing. We read "Chicken Soup for the Soup: A Kid's Christmas Treasury" every day, and finished it after our Christmas party today. I know they have really enjoyed it, because I had a parent ask me what the name of the book we had been reading was. Almost every story was an example of how "it's the thought that counts". We've learned that the best gifts "are from the heart" and that they "don't have to cost a thing". I've received many of those gifts this week. I've gotten lots and lots of pictures and love notes. In the middle of the chaos that is called a second grade party, I was slipped a tiny piece of paper that said "BEST PARTY EVER!" I also got a ton of hugs and a million smiles. I even had a plastic ring slipped on my finger! I love Christmas. I love receiving gifts. And I love those second graders. I hope they never forget what we have learned about Christmas this year. Christmas really is about giving...not getting!

Look What I Did!

I have been a busy bee since I got home from work today! I boiled and deboned chicken breasts and made poppyseed chicken for dinner. I even used the chicken broth to make rice pilaf (ok, rice-a-roni). I made two batches of sausage balls for the kids' Christmas parties. I cooked a big package of hamburger for two more nights' dinners. I washed several loads of clothes. And then...

I made this! Three spools of ribbon, an embroidery hoop, and an hour and a half of tying bows, and voila! I read about this a month ago, and have been planning to make a couple. I learned a lot from this one. Some ribbon is easier than others to make into bows. That green glittery ribbon was very stiff and I have glitter all over me! On the next one, I need to measure how long to leave the first part when I tie to keep the bows more uniform. I started out trying to make the bows too small, and it was U G L Y at first. It may be the time and energy I put into it, but I think it's darn pretty right now! Watch out Martha Stewart!

Christmas Tour of Homes...Meighan Style

Welcome to our home! I am participating in some of my favorite blogger's Holiday Tour of Homes. I hope you enjoy the tour of our home, and go to their blogs to enjoy some of the other beautiful homes as well!Rhoda's blog is one of my daily must reads! She lives in Birmingham, and makes everything she touches beautiful!

The Nester is taking over the tour of homes from another daily must read of mine. I'm new to the Nester, but love what I see!

Come on in! Our front door is not actually crooked, but it was raining and dark when I photographed it, and I was trying not to fall off of the porch into the rain!

Let's not forget the reason for the season. This kneeling Santa belonged to my mama. She searched high and low for one after reading a story about it. I know it isn't historically accurate, but it is a sweet way to enjoy both aspects of this holiday.
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. Daddy, Jacob, Paige, and Mama are all anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival. I bought my Nativity at Walmart when Jacob was just a baby, and I still think its one of the prettiest I've ever seen.
This is our family tree. It is decorated with ornaments the children have made and gifts that my students have given me. I love all of the beautiful trees that other people have, but each and every ornament on this tree means the world to me. One day, I'll do a fancy schmancy tree too, but I will always treasure this one the most!
On just about every flat surface in my house I have the things that sweet students have given me. (I have lots of Christmas stuff, but I haven't bought most of it!)

This is the view into the living room from the side the tree is on. You might notice that one of my santas is turned around backwards. I have a naughty 13 year old son who turns my decorations around to torment me...I didn't catch this one before the picture was taken!

Here's Santa loading the sleigh(s).

Here's a close up of him. My daddy was in the construction business, and when we saw this at Callaway Gardens, Mama had to have him! It plays music and the bucket lifts up and down. One of my favorite childhood memories is my daddy putting us in the bucket of his front end loader and lifting us up to pick pears.

This is our dining room tree. It has my breakable ornaments on it. The red balls, are from our first Christmas tree 17 years ago! Back then all we had were red balls and candy canes.

Our dining table is set with snowmen this year.

My collection of snowmen were all gifts too, except for the big one. He and the dishes came from Target the day after Christmas a couple of years ago. Half price, I couldn't help myself! They look kinda haphazard in this pic, but it's much cuter in person...I think.

See what I mean! You are welcome to join us at our Christmas table. Thank you for stopping by! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Finally...

I feel like blogging again! We had a great weekend, full of Christmas cheer, and I want to share it!
Friday night, we went to Jackson to see First Baptist Church's "Walk through Bethlehem". It was sooooo sweet! Not only was it a wonderful portrayal of the birth of Christ, it was amazing to see people who were so dedicated to put on such a huge undertaking. It was COLD! and there were all of these people serving Christ without complaint. From the ladies at the registration table, to the ladies serving cookies and hot chocolate, and all the actors in between, they were a great example of the body of Christ working for one purpose.
After the "Walk through Bethlehem", we went to eat at Buckners, and had the best fried chicken I've had in a long time...if ever. MMMM, I forgot how good the pulley bone piece is! It was a long, stuffed, ride home, but a wonderful night spent with wonderful friends.
Saturday, we went shopping in Macon. Frank took the kids, and I went to Ulta all by myself, and looked, and looked, and bought a little bit too. They went to Dick's, and snuck off somewhere else to get me a Christmas gift...I sure hope it didn't come from Dick's. Paige needed to break away from the boys, so she and I did some more shopping while Frank and Jake went to Bass Pro. I am happy to announce I finally got a pair of jeans. And I paid full price, and did not even look at the tag, because I needed them, and they fit, and sometimes you just gotta do what you just gotta do. Then we went to Starbucks and had red velvet cupcakes and caramel brulee lattes...I hope the jeans will still fit!
Sunday, I made ornaments with the 10 sweetest 2 and 3 year olds around! We ate at Leiu's for lunch, then watched a cute movie..."New in Town". We capped off the weekend with Lakeside's play, "The Gospel According to Scrooge". It was so good! Another example of the body of Christ working together for one purpose. This has been a great weekend....a gift I really needed and appreciate. Merry Christmas!

Weekend in the Mountains

This weekend we took a very short trip to Blue Ridge. I really wanted to go to the orchard, and after looking at the calendar, this was the only time we could go. We had to wait for Frank to get out of his Saturday class, and had a pretty miserable ride up in the rain, but when we got up Sunday morning, it was sooooooo worth the trip! This is where I wanna live when I grow up!
This is a few of the things we bought at the orchard. TWELVE fried pies (you get a 5 percent discount), cider, apple cinnamon bread (one loaf was for the McCoy's), plus a peck of apples and Christmas gifts for my teacher friends...and some honey, because Frank insisted we needed honey even though I just threw away a jar that had crystallized.

We ate dinner at the Pink Pig...don't waste your time.

Sunday, we slept late, then took the scenic route home from the mountains. We called ourselves looking for an acre of land to park the camper on for vacations, but the one Frank called about was $41,000!!!!!

Ahhh, a nice, though too short, trip to the mountains. Tomorrow I am off to South Carolina for my nephew's boot camp graduation. OoRah! (or something like that!)

Thursday, Oct 15

My friend Sharon drove Paige and me to Atlanta today for Paige's checkup on her knee. (I was prepared to drive us, but Sharon seemed like she needed a day off, so I let her do the driving.) We ate lunch at Bahama Breeze and then went to the dr's appt. Everything looked great on the x-ray, and they think the bit of knee pain she is having is due to her flat feet, so we are getting her some inserts for her shoes. Her knee looked so good in fact, that the dr said if another dr examined her knee, he wouldn't be able to tell she ever had an injury other than the surgical scar! After the dr's appt, we stopped in Conyers and hit the Old Navy clearance racks. We haaaaad to stop, because it was COLD (under 60 degrees) and we were totally unprepared. We stopped again in Madison for coffee. We were all set for Starbucks, but the Starbucks in Madison is closed! We settled for gas station "gourmet" coffee. Not as good, but not as expensive either.

Tonight, Jacob and I watched a program on the Military channel about Marine bootcamp. We see Kevin in just a week, and can't wait to see him! I can't believe that he has made it through all that they have to go through, and am nervous about the crucible. The crucible is a 56 hour training ordeal that they go through at the end where they are sleep and food deprived. They march 40 miles and go through 36 different training events. It is going to be so hard for him, but I keep telling myself that this is what they've been training him to do. When he completes the crucible, he will be a Marine. I can't wait to see our Marine! I hope they have a bumper sticker or magnet that says Proud AUNT of a US Marine!

Channelling My Happy Homemaker Side

I finally made it to Walmart today to get some fabric for my tablescape. In case you aren't as in tune with your happy homemaker side as I am, that is the fancy word for the decorations on your table. There is a blog that has Tablescape Thursday with the most beautifully decorated tables you have ever seen. I am nowhere ready for Tablescape Thursday, but I did want to make a pretty centerpiece using the pumpkins I found at Mama's. We had them for sale at the 2nd yardsale, and now, I am glad they didn't sell. I put those bad boys in my car and voila! Tablescape Tuesday!

Just in case you were not already impressed enough...I cooked tonight! Paula Deen's Chicken with Wine Sauce, minus the white wine (I substituted chicken broth), herbed dressing with cranberries, and green beans. The chicken was very good, and I had to use up the rest of the herbed dressing that didn't go in the recipe. It just so happens that I had some dried cranberries in the cabinet left over from the sinful cranbery coconut bars that I made forever ago. But keeping it real, I cooked all the water out of the green beans and they burned on bottom. I just spooned the unburned ones into a bowl, and no one noticed...I hope my family doesn't read my blog and find out why Mama didn't eat the green beans! ;o)

It's Beginning to Look a Bit Like Fall

I finally got around to doing a little fall decorating. We went to Michael's today, and they had their craft pumpkins 60% off. I wanted to paint my house numbers on them, but I couldn't find a stencil that would work that I was willing to pay what they wanted for it. Cindy found these wooden letters and numbers, and apparently 1's and 0's are very popular, because we couldn't find a set of all 3 I needed. We did find 2 l's and and o, so we made it work. LOL works for us too! I cut and glued and even used chopsticks to anchor the pumpkins together. My OCD tendencies make me want everything to be perfectly symmetrical, but that's pretty impossible using imperfect items. All in all, I think it turned out pretty neat, and I plan on leaving my fall decorations up until I decorate for Christmas. I have some glass pumpkins I found in Mama's stuff, and some things I already had for a tablescape, but I want to get some fall fabric first. I'll hit Walmart tomorrow, and work on that. Frank and the kids don't have school tomorrow, so they are going out on the boat...lucky dogs! I am going to give Paige the project of cleaning up the screened in porch and putting the fall tablecloth out there. Maybe with all this fall decorating, the fall weather will come back!

Fall...could it be?

From my bedroom window I can see the bright red and orange leaves on my dogwood tree, and it looks like fall!

I've been cold all day, and am starting to think about warmer clothes.

I have a desire for warm, hearty beef stew.

I can't wait til this weekend so I can clean my house really good and finally put out my fall decorations!

I want to get three different artificial pumpkins and paint my house numbers on them for my front steps. (Will Milo tote them across the yard?)

I could smell the green peanuts in the fields down in south GA, and I really want a big pot of boiled peanuts!

I sure hope Fall is here to stay, and it's not just playing a big trick on us and will be 90 degrees again this weekend!

Weekend

I want a real weekend! One where my house is clean, so I don't have to do any of that annoying housework. One where I don't have to go anywhere unless it's because I want to, not because I have to! One where I sleep late, get a good nap in, and stay up late doing something fun. One that seems to last way longer than 2 short days!

Slip Sliding Away

Or tubing, but I couldn't think of a song or catchphrase for that. This afternoon we went out on the boat with Gene and Cindy and Jacob, Paige and Matthew tubed. I was scared to death we were gonna send one or all of them careening out of control, but they all did great and HUNG ON! Jacob tried to knee board, but couldn't get the hang of it. I tried and tried to keep them from trying this without someone who knew what they were doing, but oh no, no one would listen to the one in the life jacket who can't swim and is a complete scaredy cat about water...whatever! We left when the clouds started boiling up, and we made it home right before the bottom fell out of the sky. I didn't have my phone or camera, but I sure wish I had gotten pictures of the looks on their faces...it was priceless to see them have so much fun!

Friday Night Lights

Headlights, that is. As soon as I got home from work yesterday, we hit the road. Some awesome weekend getaway, you think. Uh, no. We drove to Pell City, AL to pick up a trailer for the pontoon boat. Frank had alredy been looking for one long before he bought Rick's boat. (He had some crazy idea about getting Daddy's broken down pontoon boat and turning it into a bow hunting boat....I'm not sure he has totally ditched that idea!) Anyway, pontoon boats trailers are VERY pricey, but he found one on Craig's List for a lot less. And it wasn't a used hunk of junk, it actually was custom built to his specs. And built out of square tubing, not angle iron, which apparently is a big deal or something. All I know is that his trailer was ready, so we made a road trip. We drove straight over, with one stop because my bladder was gonna burst, got the trailer, ate at Cracker Barrell, then drove straight home, no stops. We left at 3:30, and got home at 11:30. I finally watched Confessions of a Shopaholic on the ride home, so it wasn't too bad. (but the back seat is not near as comfy as the front seat) Frank was very happy with the trailer, and Paige was very happy with Cracker Barrell. Jacob was at Coop's house, so this was a date night for Paige. Frank said at dinner that Paige would have made a perfect only child...but then again, so would Jacob. It's amazing how well behaved one child at a time is compared to the heathens my children can be in a vehicle for hours and hours sitting next to each other...but after sitting in the backseat myself last night, I think I know why they would show out so bad!

Fried Pickles and Friends

Tonight we went to dinner with Stephanie and Wayne. I should have melt downs more often if it means I get to go out with my friends! Over fried pickles we talked and listened, and had a good night. I do feel much better than I did and I appreciate all of your prayers.

Frank started back to school yesterday, so life just got more hectic. He has Western Civilization every morning 8-9. He has American Government T and Th 3-5. He has a crazy gotta have GMC class on Saturdays 8-12, but we don't know how many Saturdays he has to go yet. He only has to go until mid Nov, so I know we will survive this. He is then off until January.

We are planning to go camping over Thanksgiving, and I'm really looking forward to that. I feel like we stay gone all the time, and I really want to be home, but I'm constantly looking for somewhere to go. I know, I'm crazy...I proved that already this week. This weekend though, we are home, and I'm glad to be home. And I'm glad I feel more like me again.

The Ingredients for a Good Day

Today was a good day. I got a letter from my nephew today! He is in Marine bootcamp, and I hadn't heard from him in about a month. I actually wrote him a letter waiting for a meeting at work today, then got home and there was one for me from him! He sounds good, and he and his fellow recruits are planning a picnic for Family Day. (planning a party, he must take after his Aunt Cathryn!) He said there are about 16 recruits wanting to do this, and I was so happy to see that he has made that many friends. He said he had a few things he wanted me to bring to the picnic...I turned the page, and there was his list.

brownies

cookies

cakes

ham

potato salad

baked beans

green bean casserole

2 24 packs canned sodas

deviled eggs

peach cobbler

pear cobbler

apple crisp

blueberry cobbler

squash casserole

lemon cake

mashed potatoes and gravy

biscuits

mac and cheese

sandwich stuff

chips and dip

fried chicken

coleslaw

If I couldn't bring the food, that's ok, we'll find a place there to eat, but if I could bring the food, bring a lot, because they hadn't eaten real food in over 3 months. :o) I better start cooking, I only have til October to get it all together!

FYI

Thanks for the concern about my mental well being. I am feeling better today. I am not immersed in the situation like I was, so I'm able to get some relief from it. I haven't changed my mind about talking to the person. I know that is the Bibical thing to do, but I am not ready for that. I really needed to vent, and I used my blog to do it. Now I'm moving on.

How bout that Kanye West...he's such a jerk!

BLAH!

OK, so here goes. I have wanted to blog, but what is going on with me is not happy so I just keep pushing it aside. I can't push it aside anymore, and I need to get it out. I'm mad. And bitter. I'm not mad at my husband or my kids, work is good, it's none of the normal culprits, but I am so angry just the same. Tonight at church, people were talking about how great things are, and about being on a high, but I'm in a valley. Someone really hurt my feelings. It isn't the first time this person has done this, and I am not the only person whose feelings have been hurt. I actually had finally gotten over this person hurting me when they did it again. And I know that they don't even know they did, and I truly don't think they would care if they did know. I don't think there is any good in going to them about it, because if they cared, it wouldn't have happened. But this stupid little petty problem has really soured my attitude about everything. Something that I was so excited about has been crushed for me. I feel used and unappreciated. It took me years to dig out of my self-imposed hole but just a moment to bury myself back into it. I absolutely feel like I can not function. And what really stinks is I know this person isn't worth what I'm going through, and what happened is really not a big deal. At some point, I'll get up and I'll get over it, but I am so not there yet. So, there, I got it out of my head and onto the page. I just wish I could get it out of my heart.

Anchors Away!

We are now the proud owners of a boat. Well, another boat. Frank already had my daddy's fishing boat. I would not go out on the fishing boat, being that I'm terrified of water and all. Frank has owned several boats while we have been married, and a couple of them, I let him take me out on them once. There, I did it, now take me home, kinda trips. A couple of weeks ago, Frank said he wanted to get a boat we could all go out on. Knowing Frank, and his many ideas that float in and out of him mind, I just said, yea, that sounds nice, and let it go. But this idea didn't go away. He told me all the reasons why we need a boat, and how much we will use it, and enjoy it together, and so forth and so on.

And then, something awful happened. Frank lost one of his best friends. And it's been hard. I have felt really helpless because I can't make it better. I'll do anything to make it better. Even get a boat. But not just any boat...Rick's boat. So, we are now the proud owners of a boat...Rick's boat. We took the boat out for the first time today. And you know what...Frank was right. It was really fun. The kids had a ball, it's big enough that I didn't pass out, and Frank now has more than a boat, he has something that belonged to his friend.

Dippity Doo Dah!

I know, I know, I haven't blogged in like, forever. To all my adoring fans (all 5 of you), I'm sorry, it's been a rough little while, and I didn't feel like what we were going through was blogging material. But today, I found something to be excited about...something that inspired me to blog... I love party foods. If someone says "finger foods", I'm there! As a child, when we played make believe, I was always some rich person eating hors d'oeuvres (yes, I had to look up how to spell the word). I didn't know what a hors d'oeuvres was, but I just knew I would like it!

I've tried to think of a dip recipe that isn't very common to post. Here's my contribution to the party.

Green Chile Dip

2 blocks of cream cheese (softened at room temperature)

2 4 oz cans of diced green chilies

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients and place in a shallow casserole dish.

Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

It's very simple to make, and very tasty! I usually serve it with Fritos Scoops. My husband put it on toasted French bread, and it was really good that way too. And I should get bonus points, because it has TWO blocks of cream cheese in it! I can't wait to read all the other dip recipes, and I have a feeling we will be having finger foods for dinner this weekend! Head over to BOOMAMA'S blog, and join this diptacular event!

It's All Good

We started week 2 of school with a bang...the power was off at school. They told the parents to take their kids back home, then they got the power back on...then off, then on again to stay. The air in the gym is messed up and it was causing the power to go out. No air in a gym...a stinky situation! Even though we had a weird start today, it's all good.

Frank, Jacob, and Paige all started school at SCA this week. Frank was on cloud 9, Paige was pumped up about being the go to girl for water for the teacher, and Jacob said he's the prettiest one in his class...so it's all good.

Frank started dinner by putting a roast in the crockpot this morning, and I cooked the rest when I got home. Roast, mashed potatoes, field peas, and a buttermilk pie. And yeah, it's all good!

Yuuuummmm!

(At least I hope it will be.) I made enchiladas and salsa that is supposed to taste like Chili's salsa for dinner. We won't be eating until we get home from church, so I don't know yet if it's good. Well, I do know the salsa is good ;o) I got the recipes from one of my favorite blogs, Kelly's Korner. I made her artichoke chicken, and it is divine! Here are the recipes for your own culinary enjoyment.

Beef Enchiladas

1 lb hamburger meat
1 small onion, chopped
1 can of chopped black olives
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of Enchilada sauce
8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
6-8 flour tortillas

Brown the meat and saute the onions in with it. Once that is done, add in the olives and let it heat and then add in 3/4 of the cheese and let it melt - mix it all together. Fill tortillas with the meat mixture and roll up. Combine the mushroom soup and enchilada sauce and pour on top. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

CHILI'S SALSA

1 (14 1/2 oz.) can tomatoes and green chilies
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can whole canned tomatoes (plus the juice)
4 teaspoons jalapenos (canned, diced, not pickled)
1/4 cup yellow onion (diced)
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon sugar

and this is not on the recipe but we (Kelly) add: 1/4 teaspoon cilantro and juice from 1/2 lime

1. In food processor place jalapenos (optional) and onion and process for just a few seconds.
2. Add both cans of tomatoes, salt, sugar, cumin,cilantro and lime juice.
3. Process all ingredients until well blended but do not puree.
4. Place in covered container and chill.
5. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

The First Week of School

For the first time in a long, I actually enjoyed my job this week! I really dreaded going back to work, but now that I'm there, it's actually been pretty great! I have a different type of kids this year, and WOW! I forgot that there were kids like this left in public schools. They are smart and funny and actually love school. I know that it's still the honeymoon stage, and there will be tough days ahead, but I haven't felt this positive about what I do in a long time. I have a great student teacher who is a huge help. I'm not very good at delegating things, but we work really well together. (I hope she feels the same way!) I meet her advisor Monday morning. (I hope she feels the same way too!)

The rest of my family starts school Monday. All three of them, going to school together, like I used to do with them. I'm jealous of that. I used to be the one who knew what was going on with their school lives, and Frank was the one on the outside looking in, and all that changed when they changed schools, and he became their ride. Now, it is officially the opposite, because he will be working there too! It's a really neat bond to have with your kids, and I miss it. I officially met Paige's teacher Thursday night, and I am quite certain she thinks I am the meanest mother ever. Paige had already been there several hours and was VERY HYPER, so I was aggravated with her behavior and wanted her to be quiet and sweet and not bossy and loud. The only things I could think to say to her teacher was about her negative traits, so she has to be thinking "What have I gotten myself into? If the kid isn't crazy, the mother sure is!" Sure wish I could take that first impression back. If any of you reading this want to, you have my permission to tell Mrs. Thomas that Paige is actually a pretty good kid, and her mother is not always a psycho. (OK, I won't ask you to lie, just tell her Paige is a pretty good kid!)

Monday, Monday

Monday, I officially go back to work. I went in last Monday to prepare, and then had two official days of preplanning, with Open House Wednesday morning. I'm not ready for this year to start, and am not ready for this summer to end. I tried to make the most of my furlough days. I did next to nothing Thursday, and going out to dinner with good friends, but no children. Friday we did some back to school shopping for Frank and Paige. We watched Pride and Prejudice then went to Andy and Becky's Fri night to hold the babies and eat pizza. Saturday, we visited the Stewart family and held precious Brayden for a little while, then had a surprise sweet sixteen party for sweet Becky M. Tomorrow is church, and I get my 2 and 3 year olds back for Sunday School. I need to get my nails done and I would like to do some clothes shopping for myself. I have to do lesson plans and figure out if I remember how to teach or not. (I'm starting to worry) It's going to be a busy day, and I know there are not enough hours to get it all in...wonder if I can call in sick Monday morning?

Double Digits

Today, my baby girl turned 10 years old. Ten years... that's a long time. So how did it go by so fast? I remember so much about that day, but I've also forgotten so much about what it was like to have a little baby. I realized today when I was feeding Gage that I couldn't barely remember what it was like to feed my babies. Oh how I wish I could go back to those moments. I wouldn't want to stay in them, because our lives are in such a good place now, but I really wish I had savored those moments. I've got to make a point to savor the ones now. Here is a picture of one of those sweet moments...Paige holding Maddi today. Paige's big birthday celebration was our trip to Memphis, but she had to have a party on her big day! We had a yummy dinner with our dear friends, and I made Paige a chocolately chocolate cake with chocolate icing...and a little extra chocolate thrown in for good measure! Both of my sisters called during cake and presents, and Paige was seranaded by her cousins. She has been adequately spoiled for one more year! Happy Birthday Paigie Waigie! You are much loved!

Memphis, TN Graceland Edition

Ok, so why haven't I posted about the rest of our trip? Because I don't have pictures! I left the memory card for my camera in the computer at the hotel room, and had already paid to park at Graceland when I discovered it. I thought I'd be able to buy one in the gift shop, but they don't sell them. I did see (after we had already toured the house) that they did sell disposable cameras. Paige did take LOTS of pics with her cell phone, but I haven't seen them yet. Sooooo, I guess you will have to use your imagination when I tell you about the trip.

It was really cool! We got there shortly after 10, so the tours had just started. It wasn't hot at all, and the line went pretty quickly. They have this whole complex across the street from the actual house. You get this headphone set up so that you can hear an audio tour guide. You can replay it and go through pretty much at your own pace. You ride a shuttle over to the house. Graceland was prettier than I thought it would be. It's stone, not brick. They let people in kind of in shifts, but that went pretty quickly too. You can not go upstairs because that was always his private quarters and he never had guests upstairs. You see the living room, his parent's bedroom, the dining room and the kitchen. The kitchen wasn't any bigger than mine! And it had some funky looking carpet in it! Then you go downstairs into the basement and there are mirrors on the walls and ceiling of the stairs! We gotta do that in our basement! Downstairs you see a family room and a pool room (pool table, not swimming pool). Then you go up the back stairs into the famous jungle room! There is green shag carpeting everywhere...including the ceilings! And lots of wood carved furniture that made me think of tiki huts. Groovy. From there, you go outside into a converted garage type building. This was his dad's office/the business office of EP Enterprises. In there, was the coolest thing I saw the whole trip...my Granny's living room carpet! The carpet was the exact same carpet she had in her living room when I was a little girl. Wow, Elvis and Granny had the same taste! From there you went into the trophy room. This was a whole other building full of momentoes from when he first started out through his whole career. It was set up pretty much in chronological order. There was a hallway about as long as my whole house covered floor to ceiling in gold/platinum albums and awards...even some Grammys! (and I think Paige took a pic of each one!) Then you went through part where you saw things from his movies and his and Priscilla's wedding clothes, etc. One really cool thing was 40 cancelled checks for $1000 each to different charities. What was so cool about it was they were all written on the same day. Apparently he was very generous...and not just with Cadillacs. From there you went into another out building that was a rec room of sorts and what used to be the raquetball court. It is now a room 2 stories high covered floor to ceiling in the awards he has been given posthumously. There was one given by RCA, I think, that had to be 6 feet tall, 3 thick panes of glass, awarded for being the greatest entertainer of all time. And after seeing all the stuff he accomplished, I believe they may be right. In this room was a video playing of that famous concert with the white jumpsuit and he was singing the American Trilogy. There were several of the jumpsuits on display in there. And it was eerie. Everyone was quiet, and you could see him performing Dixie, and Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, and there was no way you could walk out of there not an Elvis Fan. It gave me chills...hunka, hunka, burning love! From there you went out to where he and his family are buried. That didn't do much for me, because I know that people aren't in graves.

I'll stop for now...I figure I should drag this out at least as long as I drug out the Road Trip of 09. Besides, you know the most important thing...He had the same carpet as my Granny!

Memphis Day 1

We have arrived in Memphis...all bright and shiny, obviously! The plane ride was really fast, and Paige loved it! She had no ear pain at all, but I had enough for both of us. About half way through the flight, it got bumpy, so they changed altitudes. My ears hurt so bad...and don't say chew gum, cuz even that hurt. My ears hurt, my teeth hurt, even my throat hurt, and I could barely hear. It's 5 hours later, and my ears still aren't right. If you have any suggestions for how to prevent this on the way home, I'm open to them! But enough about that...we made it safe and sound!

Then we picked up our rental car...there were two to choose from, and Paige chose this snazzy bright blue Kia! It doesn't have power locks or windows...we sure are spoiled by our cars!

Next, Paige drove us to our hotel. Well, not really, but she looks ready to drive, doesn't she?!

After several wrong turns, we finally got the hang of the Tom Tom (and figured out how to turn on the sound so we could hear it), and we arrived at our hotel. The lady at the front desk was very nice and we very much admired her false eyelashes!

After an unsuccessful attempt at a nap, we went to dinner at Bahama Breeze. YUM! We played several rounds of tic tac toe, and the cat won several, I won one or two, and Paige beat me more times than I'd like to admit. I really need to brush up on my tic tac toe skills. To think that I had wondered if I needed to let her win. HA! We had the goat cheese and roasted red pepper appetizer (yes, it is good) and Paige had bow-tie mac and cheese, and I had seafood bisque/chowder.

Last, but not least, we went to Target for necessities. We have a "full" night planned as you can see! Tomorrow, we're going to visit the King of Rock n Roll. Until then, Cathryn and Paige have left the building.

So Why are We Going to Memphis?

Why Memphis? When I tell someone about our trip to Memphis, I get a lot of funny looks. And advice about how Memphis isn't the best place for two unaccompanied females to go. And so forth and so on.

But it isn't about Memphis, it's about the trip. Paige really wanted to fly somewhere this summer, and Memphis is a nice short relatively inexpensive plane trip (if you buy your tickets at the right time). She is turning double digits this year, and that's a really big deal to a child. As fast as the last ten years has flown by, I'm sure the next few years will too. Will Paige always want to go somewhere with me? I'm thinking "NO!". But right now, she is still willing to be seen with her mother, and I know I better hold on and make the most of these moments. Another big factor in choosing Memphis, is Graceland of course. But not for obvious reasons. You see, I'm not really an Elvis fan. I have nothing against him, but I could take him or leave him. But my mama loved Elvis (and William Lee Golden from the Oak Ridge Boys...she had weird taste), and when she found out that Paige liked Elvis, she greatly encouraged it. Mama never went to Graceland...or much of anywhere. I never went on a "spend the night in a motel trip" with my parents until after I was married. But I'm sure my mama would have loved to have gone to Graceland with us. Right after Daddy died, I tried to get Mama to go on trips with us. She came and spent a week in Milledgeville, we went to St. Augustine, and we went to Callaway Gardens. But it got harder and harder to get Mama to go anywhere...and when she did, she didn't want to do anything. So I stopped trying. Maybe if I hadn't stopped trying, she wouldn't have given up. I won't stop trying with Paige. If she wants to go, and I can take her...I'm gonna. And if Memphis to see Graceland is what she wants to do, then we're going to Graceland! For Paige, for me, and for my mama.

Tuesday, Tuesday

My day started off fabulous...I slept til almost 10! After that, the day flew by...I guess that happens when you sleep half of it away! Frank had today off of school, so we went to lunch at Lieu's and then bought new sunglasses. I haven't had nice sunglasses in a long time, but today I found the cutest pair of Vera Bradley's...I love them! I got them for less than half of retail, but then I saw them on Ebay for half of what I paid. That was a bummer, but it was a spur of the moment purchase, so I did absolutely no research. I never do that...I always look for the very best deal. But I still love them! Frank got a pair of Costas finally...they even fit his big head! Then we went to Kroger, and guess what yall...I cooked dinner! I found this yummy recipe for enchiladas on Beth Moore's daughter's blog (and if it came from anyone related to Beth Moore, it has to be wonderful, right?) and I made homemade salsa with tomatoes Frank grew. It was very good! Tonight, I have watched tv while Frank has done homework. The kids haven't fought as much today, and I'm so glad. They fought all day yesterday. Paige is getting very excited about our trip, and so am I. I'll have something cool to blog about then...not just about sleeping til 10!

You Say It's Your Birthday...

Well, it's my birthday too! Today has been a very low-key birthday...I spent most of it in bed watching daytime tv and on the computer. I did the bare minimum of chores, and didn't even get dressed until after noon. I wish I had a whole lot more of these days before I have to go back to work!
After the play last night, we went to Little Tokyo for dinner kinda/sorta for my birthday, but mostly cuz Paige wanted to go. Because I know Frank oh so well, I emailed him on his new blackberry to hint (very strongly) that I needed a cake for my birthday...I even specified Key Lime. Well, he didn't get the hint. He even went to the bakery to visit Becky today, and didn't get me a cake. When I found out there was no cake (and this is not my first birthday without a cake) I burst out crying. What a dork! But I couldn't stop. I came home and got in bed. He came in an hour later, and still no cake! He did have his leftovers from the bakery, 1 cookie, 1 donut, and half of a cherry thing. Uh, thanks Frank. He left to go to Monday night visitation, and he said he'd bring home ice cream since he messed up on the cake. Gee, thanks. I stayed in bed feeling pretty sorry for myself, and ordered pizza for the kids. About 9, I heard the dogs barking, and thought it was Frank, but it was Cindy, Becky and Matthew...with a cake AND petit fours! Frank had called Becky and begged her to help him out. :) Good Ol Frank! So we had cake and ice cream with my favorite peeps, and the day was saved! I also figured out I have PMS which partially explains the crying and pity party. Happy Birthday to me, from my dear Aunt Flo!

Proud Mommy

Tonight, I am a proud Mommy. Well, I am always a proud Mommy, but especially tonight. My baby girl did something I could never do. She did a wonderful job as "Andie Buchwald" in our children's musical tonight. She even sang a beautiful solo. AWWWW! I knew what to expect because I had helped her with her lines and listened to the cd (over and over again) so I didn't cry like I was afraid I would do. I am also proud of Jacob because he was willing to do something he so clearly didn't want to do just because he's a good kid. He was the lead pirate. And Frank, my crazy curtseying husband, he was a natural at playing Paige, I mean Andie's, dad. All of the kids did a fabulous job, and they were cuter than any pirates I've ever seen. I am very thankful for Jamie and Amber and everyone else who helped put this musical together. I hope this is an annual summer event!

For the star's latest head shots, go to www.alainaforsheephotography.com and go to client proofing, July 2009, Paige, password 343. But prepare yourself, they are GORGEOUS! I only wish I had time to have prints made so she could have signed autographs tonight!

Memphis, Here We Come!

During the Great Road Trip of '09, we drove past Graceland (at a very high rate of speed, mind you) and Paige was quite disappointed that she didn't get to visit the home of the King. I had an epiphany that some day, just Paige and I would visit Graceland, and while wallowing in my epiphany, as I am prone to do, I looked on delta.com to see what a plane ticket from ATL to MEM would cost. Imagine my complete shock when I found out that they are merely $99. Now Paige was already pretty put out that we went on the Great ROAD Trip of '09, and she is the ONLY person in our family who has never flown, so my epiphany magnified (is that possible?) and I decided to take Paige to Memphis for her 10th birthday.

We've talked and talked about this trip, and I finally sat down Sunday to buy the plane tickets. It was my turn to be devastated when I found out that the plane tickets had jumped from $99 to over $400! Gulp! I couldn't bear to break the news to Paige, so I thought if I had another cool trip planned, it would lessen the blow. I spent hours and hours online Monday looking for a place at the beach that was affordable. HAHAHAHA!

Tuesday morning, I decided to look at air fares again, and sure enough, over $400 on delta.com. But then I looked at Hotwire, and YAY!!!! I found $99 fares! I did have to switch the days of the trip, but I am thrilled that we are still going. I spent my hours today getting the best deals I could find on planes, rental cars, and hotel rooms. We are set! We will be in Memphis 7/18-7/21, on the Girls' Birthday Trip '09. My birthday is 7/13 and hers is 7/25, and this year, we will celebrate them with the King!

I am attempting to participate in a blog hop this week. The theme is Favorite Picture, so in honor of our upcoming trip, here's Paige and Elvis.

The Good Life

I realized tonight that we have such a good life.

This has been a great weekend. One of my sisters came up Thursday night, and Paige and I showed her the sights Friday. We had lunch at the Brick, and dessert at Scoops. Then we went in several of the antique stores downtown. We even got a treat box from Ryals. We finished up with a short trip to the famous Milledgeville Mall and Paige got a set of 3 pairs of earrings for $1.00!

Today we had a house full of friends over for a fish fry. The food was delicious, and the fellowship was wonderful. I stayed relaxed, and never did get in a tizzy about the preparations like I usually do...I must be growing up!

After everyone had left, when I was cleaning the kitchen, I realized what a great life we have. We are so blessed. I know that all the blessings we have are not due to anything we have done. They are gifts from God, and I am so grateful. These are the good old days :)

Summer Reading

Cindy, Paige and I took dinner to Dr. and Mrs. Lingle today. There were two highlights to the trip.

1. Dr. Lingle said not once, but twice, that I am much too young to be Frank's wife. HAH! Considering that on the way to Walmart this morning I noticed that the lines under my eyes are getting deeper by the second, those were words I needed to hear today.

2. Dr. Lingle showed us some books from his extensive collection and he loaned Paige an old copy of Heidi. She has been absorbed into the book ever since.


Speaking of summer reading...look at this great blog post about encouraging your kids to read the most important book of all.

A Wonderful Saturday

Today has been a great Saturday...I didn't even get out of my pjs until 5:00!

I woke up around 8:45 and got up to a very quiet house. Frank was helping Gene set up for Sunday School at the church, and when he got home, he had donuts from Ryal's. (I'm so glad Becky works there, because Frank loves to go visit her and that means I get treats!) Jacob slept til after 10, and Paige slept til noon!

I had a lot of cooking to do, so I decided to go ahead and get started. I made a honey bun cake for Gene's birthday, the pioneer woman's jalapeno appetizers, a green tomato casserole, and a cheese ring for Jamie's baby shower. Since I was already cooking with bacon, I fried up another package for BLT's for lunch. When Paige strolled into the kitchen at 11:58, she said "Yum, I woke up to the smell of bacon!" That NEVER happens at my house!

We ate BLT's for lunch using the tomatoes that Frank grew in our very own garden! I know, I thought he was crazy for planting it, but now I think he is a genius! Those three tomato bushes have so many tomatoes on them that they are breaking. The cucumber vine was growing all over the driveway, and I put it back into the garden area...it's not looking so good now that I messed with it...oops.

Back to Saturday, after lunch I folded clothes while watching tv in bed, while Frank studied. When he was finished, we watched 3 episodes of Gilmore Girls downstairs. I took a shower, then we went to Gene and Cindy's for Gene's birthday. The Schulzes, Longs, and Stewarts were there, and I got to hold and feed sweet baby Micah. Frank hogged Maddi all to himself, so I never got a chance to hold her. We had a great dinner of fried chicken and comfort foods. It was all sooooooo good! Cindy and I sat with our feet in the pool while Paige swam, and had a chance to talk with relatively no interruptions. Good stuff. Great Saturday!

What I Learned Today

Where were you when you heard Michael Jackson died?

I happened to be eating dinner with my husband, sans kids. But that isn't the point. All over the news and on everyone's lips is the big news. But why is it more important that Michael Jackson died than any of the other people who died today? He was just a man. And if he hadn't sang songs we all heard on the radio (and saw on tv) we wouldn't have given him a second thought. But singing a song isn't the measure of a man, obviously. In my opinion, Michael Jackson wasn't a man, he was a freak, but I digress.

Unfortunately, I know about death. In two years, I lost my father, my mother, and my grandmother. My maternal grandparents died long before I was born, and my paternal grandfather died when I was 10. I am terrified of my husband or children dying. From the time they were born, if my child had a cold, I thought the worst was going to happen. If Frank doesn't get from point A to point B in the time I think it should take, before long I am imagining the knock on the door to tell me something has happened. I know, I'm a freak.

So where am I going with this? I don't know. I guess I just think we should be more concerned about the people who are in our lives, and love them with all our hearts, and quit wasting our time worrying about the Michael Jacksons in the world. And I'm talking about myself. I'm all about Jon and Kate, and celebrities, and scandal, and junk. And all the while I have two beautiful children, a wonderful husband, two sweet puppies, and many fabulous friends that are much more worth my time.

So, instead of thinking about where I was when Michael Jackson died...I just hope that I always remember that on June 25, 2009, I had a sweet dinner for two with my even sweeter hubby! (And that really is the point, isn't it?!)

The Lincoln Presidential Museum

On Wednesday of our trip, we went to the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, IL. This was my favorite part of the trip! It was amazing! It is very high tech, and interactive, and you are able to really get to know Lincoln as a person, not just a historical figure. I'm sad to say, I hardly took any pictures at all. Much of the museum, you could not take pictures, but honestly, I was so busy enjoying the museum, I didn't think about taking pictures anyway. I can't adequately describe how cool the museum really was, but here is a link to the museum's website.

Here is our family with the Lincoln family...note that I am no longer able to stand behind Paige in pictures...my baby is growing up!

Jacob and Paige with the Lincolns...arriving at the White House.

And the Lincolns looking a little lonely without the Meighans!

St Louis Arch

Tuesday, after the Zoo, we went to the St Louis Arch. It is on the banks of the Mississippi, and is taller than the buildings around it...It is so big that you see it way before you actually get into downtown.

It is in the middle of a park, and the lobby and Museum of Westward Expansion is underground.
To get to the top, you ride in a "tram" that is kind of oval and has 5 seats. It is so small that I bumped my head going in on the way up and down. It feels a lot like being in a roller coaster, but you are confined, and thankfully, the bottom doesn't fall out underneath you. As you can see, Paige was a wee bit nervous.
Frank switched seats with her, and she got more nervous...
And I have a pic of her REALLY nervous, but she didn't want it on here!

At the top, there is sort of an enclosed bridge, and it has windows that overlook the city and the river. Here is Busch Stadium.

The sky line...see, it's up really high! Some of the buildings had roof top pools, and that was cool to see.

This is the Old Courthouse...it's a museum you can tour.

This is a sculpture about the building of the Arch.

After we went up in the arch, we toured the Museum of Westward Expansion which is in the same building. This buffalo is HUGE, and the picture does not do it justice.

A covered wagon, obviously.

Stagecoach

Floyd's Bluff

The museum was like a huge circle, and all the way around were pictures of places that Lewis and Clark wrote about and excerpts from their journals. Because my maiden name is Floyd, I had to get a pic of this one. It was all really neat. The perimeter was about their journey, and then inside the circle, were all kinds of relics from that time.

This was another place that Frank really seemed to enjoy, and I'm very glad we were able to experience it.