White Day-After Christmas

Christmas came and went... calmly and sweetly. It was great, and I will post pics from all our festivities. We still have MORE celebrating yet to do. (smile)

But we were treated to a "day-after-Christmas" special that I had to show you...
(And it wasn't the great buys at Target... I couldn't get there!)







According to the newsfolk, we got 8.2 inches! Yippee! I'm like a big kid when it comes to snow... Love it. LOVE it. The only thing that would make it better would be missing a day of school.

Most of the day, I sat inside in my PJs and enjoyed it. Having Dan/Daddy home to play in the snow with the boy was great. I've had "play-in-the-snow-duty" the last few times when he was deployed, and it was a nice change to sit inside... dry and warm.

I did venture out to get a few pictures and taste some snow. (Yes, I said taste it. I told you I'm like a big kid.)





The guys made a cute Mexican snowman




... and the biggest honkin' snow fort I've ever seen. I don't know who they thought was coming for war, but it would have more than protected us.







So we are waiting for the "black ice" to melt before we hit the road again. This time to celebrate with my family.
I know... Most of you have already jerked the tree to the curb and hauled the ornaments to the attic. We like to spread out the joy and fun!



Stay warm!

And to All a Good Night

Merry Christmas, friends!

I Found Some Peace

In case you read my last post, I'd like to give you an update on my quest for peace.

I found a tiny bit the other night.

It was late (midnight-ish), and I was putting laundry away. (Do it when you can, folks.)

I went into the boy's room, put his laundry up, and turned around to leave.

And stopped in my tracks because a lump the size of Texas jumped into my throat.

The boy... not so little anymore... was sleeping SO sweetly. His favorite blanket pulled up to his chin, and his tiny Christmas tree was lighting up his face.

(Swallow lump.)

And I just stopped and stared at him. And grinned. And sniffed a little. And resisted the urge to smooch him.
And thanked God for the privilege of raising him.

And found a few seconds of peace in my otherwise nutty day.

I Am Not Called to Firework My Backside

There's a really funny commercial playing on the radio lately. I think it's for Dodge cars/trucks? I really have no idea how the whole commercial goes, but my favorite part says...

"Like strapping a rocket to your backside and fireworking yourself across the Grand Canyon."

I don't know HOW that relates to buying a Dodge, but it makes me laugh. Hard. Every time I hear it.

Because I am there. I have, in the last 5-10 days, seriously considered fireworking myself across the Grand Canyon. It would be a fitting way to deal with the chaos that is going on around me and in my head.
With my luck ,something would go wrong and I'd have 4th degree burns where the sun don't shine.

The past few weeks in our Bible study, we've been talking about peace. We're studying Isaiah, and it has been a challenge, I don't mind telling you.

Peace.

It's simple, but it's not.

But here's what keeps jumping out at me. We are CALLED to peace.
Called to it, people.

It's not just something that we sit by and wait for. Or talk about. Or even just pray for. It's not something to wish for at Christmas. It's relevant. Right here and now.
We are CALLED to it. That's active, folks.

I don't know about you, but peace is the last thing I feel lately. Peace is the last thing anybody seems to be looking for. Especially as we zoom up and down the streets trying to finish the "to-do" list from you-know-where.

I know I can't force other people to be peaceful. I can't make centuries-old wars cease. But I can start with my own peace. I am called to peace in my own mind and heart and attitude. Peace in the way I deal with my family and friends and even strangers.

Strapping a rocket to my backside and fireworking myself across the Grand Canyon seems easier at times.

It Came and Went

My birthday, that is.
It came and went, and I didn't feel any older.

Until 2 days ago when I swear I had a hot flash in the grocery store.
It may have been the turtleneck/hoodie combo I was sporting. It may have been the pace at which I was running through the store.
But I swear it was a hot flash.

Hello Middle Age.
I greeted the big 4-0 last week, and all in all... it was fairly pleasant.

Dan/Daddy and the boy had a fun little birthday weekend planned for me.

I got lots of cards, some sweet presents, lots of Facebook wishes, some folks singing on the phone, and my front porch decorated. My Christmas reindeer... Remember them? Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert? Well when I took the boy to school, Adam was wearing a Disney Princess party hat. It suited him.

Our friends came over for a Mexican Fiesta Birthday Party, and it was a riot of fun.



(I got some Botox for my birthday. Kidding. Totally kidding. That's my sexy-pouty-I'm-not-really-40 look.)

The highlight of the night was listening to Jeanna try out her Spanish accent. Which sounded a lot like her Russian accent. Which sounded a lot like her German accent. Oh what we Senior Citizens will do for a laugh.


While I may not be thrilled to be climbing "over the hill" this year, I am blessed beyond measure. Good health, wonderful family, and an amazing collection of friends... both here and not so here.
(Thanks Jeanna... for providing the camera and pictures. I am still camera-less. Sniff. Sniff.)






PS.... In looking through picture files, I happened to see last year's birthday pictures. Is it just me or is there a trend developing here?



Feliz Navidad.

We've Got It Together

Do you feel like Christmas is bearing down upon you?
Do you feel caught up in the hustle and bustle?
Are you behind in the decorating, shopping, party-planning, and wrapping?

Then come and stop by my house.
Sit a spell on my front porch.

And instantly be transported back to October.

You see... This guy may be hanging on the door.



But these fellas are still hanging out in the corner.



Holiday decorations gone wild.
I told ya'll my priorities were rock solid.

Nativity Brawl

If you happen to read more than one or two of my blog posts, you might be a bit concerned for my mental well-being.
One day, I'm happy and grateful and talking about how I'm counting my blessings.
The next day, I am the Grinch. In a 39.99 year-old woman's body.

It's ok. I'm ok.
And I'm not bi-polar.

I'm just keepin' it real.
(And saying stuff like that makes me feel younger.)

In case you were wondering, I made my self-imposed weekend deadline of getting a better attitude.
Our Sunday service may have had something to do with it.
But not for the reasons you think.
Our chapel service had their annual children's Christmas program this weekend.
I would love to say that the beautiful music and angelic faces put me in a better mood. But that wouldn't be the whole truth.

It was the 2 tiny preschool shepherds.

They weren't holding stuffed lambs or saying verses.
They were fighting over the microphone.
Pushing and shoving to see who could get the closest to it.
And then singing LOUDLY into it whenever they'd shoved the other shepherd out of the way.
It was hysterical. (Unless you were the mommas of these 2... I'm certain they weren't amused.)
But it brightened my mood.

And reminded me not to take this whole holiday madness too seriously.

I'm Making My Lists, But I Am Not Checking Them Twice

I'm not even really checking them at all.
I should be, but I'm not.
I wish I could say it's for some great high and lofty reason... Like
"We're simplifying this Christmas." or...
"We've given all our money to charity this Christmas." or...
"I have found the deeper meaning of giving, and all our gifts will be homemade this year."
But, nope.
None of that.

I can't seem to find the motivation to do anything productive, but I can change my blog background 3 times in one week.
My priorities are rock solid.

Thanksgiving was only 1 week and 2 days ago, and Christmas chaos is in full swing.
But I feel like it's leaving me in the dust.
Maybe Thanksgiving was too short.
Maybe I needed to be more thankful.
Maybe I am in rebellion.
Maybe I need coffee and vitamins.
Maybe I am just old and tired.
(A certain birthday is rapidly approaching and it happens to have the numbers 4 and 0 in it. But I won't say in what order.)

I'm probably just becoming more and more like a granny.
"Where does the time go? I wish I could stop the clock."

So I am giving myself a deadline.
2 days. That's it, self.
You and your lazy granny attitude have until Monday to snap out of it.

After that, I'm checking myself into the Retirement Home.

T on T is Me!

I submitted this week's 10 questions to Mrs. Roots and Rings...
And now I'm famous.

Well. In my own mind.

So here are the questions....
(Can you tell what's on my mind?)

1. What are your plans for the holidays? Do you travel at Thanksgiving? If you celebrate Christmas, do you travel then, too?
We travel entirely too much. For Thanksgiving, we'll head to AL for 2 days; then we'll drive to SC for 2 days. Then before Christmas, we'll drive to FL for a few days. We will be at our house on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and then we'll hit the road again after Christmas... back to SC.
Makes me tired just thinking about it.

2. How do you make the plans for the holiday? If you have a significant other, how do you decide which family to visit?
We split up the time, and see both families every year. We actually split the time pretty much down to the hour. And ever since the boy was born, we've made a point to be home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

3. Do you have your Thanksgiving meal at lunch or later in the day?
Lunch.

4. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Eating.

5. After a big meal do you lounge around or get up and take a walk?
I like to lounge around, but I am usually surrounded by non-loungers, so I feel fat and guilty.

6. Do you shop on “Black Friday” or do you avoid it?
If I can. I love it! This year, Dan/Daddy has promised me we'll be at my family's house in time for me to hit the stores with my mom and sis-in-law.

7. When do you usually finish your Christmas shopping?
Moments before the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve.

8. Do you and your significant other exchange gifts? Is there a budget?
We usually do, and the budget usually changes. I am the only one who ever abides by the budget, though. You can ask him, it's true.

9. When do you decorate for the holidays?
Right after Thanksgiving. But for the last few years, we put up the tree earlier. Because we're only home for part of the holiday, we want to enjoy it as long as we can. (And I always leave my tree up past everyone else.)

10. Do you go “all out” with the decor or do you keep it simple?
I'm no Martha Stewart, but I do love to decorate for the holidays. Trees inside and out, lights, Nutcrackers, Santas... I guess we go "all out."

Happy Thanksgiving!!

In the Grand Scheme of Things

This has been the week from heck.
If you can name an event, a commitment, a duty, or an obligation...
We have done it this week.
Every day had something going on, and some days had lots of somethings going on.
And in the midst of it all, my camera broke.

(You may pause for a moment of silence.)

I cried. Well, actually I said a bad word. Sorry.
It's the truth. You see, I love taking pictures. I LOVE taking pictures.
I love framing pictures, editing pictures, looking at pictures, sometimes scrapbooking pictures, and having pictures.

I pretend that one day I will grow up and become a photographer. (No laughing.)

I only have a small digital camera, but it was doing the job.
(My dream camera is a big honkin' digital SLR with a zoom lens that lets me count people's nose hairs.)
But now, I am resorting to using our old camera. It works fine; Granny just needs her spectacles to see the itty bitty screen. It will have to work fine while my camera is at Nikon Hospital.

When I realized it was broken, after I said the bad word (sorry), I began to grumble and gripe. "No camera! A week before the holidays start! AGH!"

But then little by little this week, I've realized if a broken camera is the worst thing that happens to me... then I am doing just fine.

I have a lot to be grateful for. (And it's not even Thanksgiving yet!)

10 on A Gray Tuesday

Ho do you spell grey? Is it gray? Just curious. (By the way, "spell checker" didn't tag either one!)

Gray/grey is how it looks outside today. A perfect look for November. You know how some weather gives you the blues? Well not today. It feels like Fall. Yippee!

Here we go...
Ten on Tuesday hosted by Roots and Rings...



1. What is your favorite breakfast pastry?
Does a PopTart count? I like the un-frosted blueberry ones, toasted, with butter.

2. Were you ever in a Thanksgiving or Christmas play?
Oodles of them... at church.

3. What is your favorite clothing accessory?
Jewelry. Is that a "person" accessory? I like scarves, too.

4. What is your favorite item of clothing?
Jeans.

5. What is your favorite color and why?
Blue. It makes me think of the water... the beach. Although the beach I grew up with had brown water. Hmmmm....

6. What is your favorite type of Christmas cookie?
Anything with icing.

7. What is your favorite scent (food, perfume/lotion)
It changes all the time, and it changes based on what the smelly thing is. I like candles to smell warm and cozy. I like perfume to remind me of summer. I like food that smells cinnamon-y or spicy. I guess I don't have one favorite scent.

8. What is your favorite household cleaner?
I'm not picky. Whatever gets the job done. I am a fan of the Magic Eraser. It's magic.

9. When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? And what did you actually grow up to be?
I wanted to be Wonder Woman. Or a marine biologist. Or a vet.
I'm actually a mommy and a wife... But you can call me Wonder Woman if you want to.

10. What is the last song or album you bought?
I bought the boy a song for his IPod... something from Camp Rock. I'm cool like that.

The "Man Trip" Post

The week before Thanksgiving signals an important time in my life.
That special time of year when I run around like a chicken with my head cut off... trying to play "catch up" with all that needs to be done. Good times.

That also includes my blog. So many things to post about and so little time. Before you know it, you'll be looking at our Christmas pictures and reading about our marathon holiday travels... all on the first day of March.

So.
Back in the middle of October (told ya), Dan/Daddy went on a "Man Trip" with 2 of his besties. (Hee hee. I like saying they are "besties" because I know it would equally irritate all of them.)

Matt and Dan/Daddy have been friends for 16 years. (Did I get that right, Shan?)



Tim and Dan/Daddy have been friends since around 2001, I think. Since Dan/Daddy's "preacher" days.



Naturally, Dan/Daddy introduced his two friends, and then they became friends.



Tim and Matt stayed in touch even when Dan/Daddy moved away and joined the Army.
(Now it sounds like a Lifetime movie.)

Tim has spent the last 2+ years as a missionary, and Dan/Daddy has been hopping in and out of the Middle East.
They rarely get to spend time all together anymore.
But they all 3 think the world of each other and they all 3 share a love of the outdoors. (Or a love of escaping their wives and kids.)
So a plan was hatched for when Dan/Daddy came home from deployment and Tim came home for a rest from the mission field. A plan to all go on a "Man Trip" to the mountains.



The packing list included 3 changes of clothes, enough fishing gear to start their own store, and exactly 47 pounds of meat. Per person.

From what I've been told, they fished, talked, and ate meat. Like modern-day cave men.



Roughin' it.
A much-needed getaway for all of them.
I am so glad Dan/Daddy calls these guys his friends. Because they are great guys, whose wives I adore. And for that, we are grateful.

Rotten Sugah

Another conversation with the boy...

While driving to school this morning. (The car temperature thingy says 47 degrees. Blessed are we.)


The boy: "Can I roll my window down?"

Me: "I guess so. Why? It's chilly."

The boy: "OH NO IT'S NOT!! It's hot over here on my side of the car with you blaring the heater and that ding dang sun coming in!! It's not shining on you like it's shining on me!"

Me: "Wow. Do you kiss your momma with those lips?"

The boy: "Yep. I do..."

(pause)

"... and she likes it."



O. My. Word.

Yes.

She does.

Ten on Tuesday and It's Almost Wednesday and Happy Birthday Mom!

It's my mom's birthday today!! Happy Birthday Momma!!
She and my dad were here this past weekend to watch the boy play soccer, so we celebrated then. We took her to lunch and had the wait staff sing to her... she loved it and hated it.
She's the best.

This weeks' 10 on Tuesday snuck up on me. I have so many bloggity ideas running around in my head and so many things to tell you all about, but I can't seem to find the time to get them posted. (Darn you, Facebook.)


1. Who makes your Thanksgiving dinner?
It's usually Dan/Daddy's Aunt Marcita. We gather with his side of the family on Thanksgiving Day. Then, on the weekend... we eat with my family. The tradition of my family NOT eating our Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day started a gazillion years ago, but it's worked out nicely for us. Having our families living in different states makes the holidays a pain in the rump sometimes. But on Turkey Day/Turkey Weekend... it's easy.
Well... Not the traveling part. I am looking forward to the day when my house is the gatherin' spot.

2. What is your favorite recipe that includes pumpkin? (bonus points for including the recipe)
Pumpkin Pie. No bonus points for me.

3. What are 5 things you want for Christmas?
free Starbucks for life
world peace
a trillion dollars
an end to world hunger
to be a size 8
and for my little boy to stop getting so grown up so fast.
(I am both shallow and deep... all at the same time.)

4. Does your family draw names or do you buy for everyone?
Both. My side is small... there's just 9 of us. Dan/Daddy's side of the family is 17 people strong. (And he's an only child. Figure that out.) That's where the name drawing comes in.

5. How do you feel about motorcycles?
I feel they are very cool looking, but they scare me. I know - personally - people that have been hurt or killed on them. Not cool.

6. What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday?
Sleep and/or read.

7. What is the coolest thing to do in your city?
How sad is this? I have lived here almost 3 years, and I have no idea. I know there's a good museum. The Botanical Gardens are very nice. But I don't know if we have a "must see" stop. Sorry, town.

8. Do you paint your fingernails?
Not usually. It never lasts. Toenails, yes. Except right now they are naked.

9. Who is your favorite actor over the age of 50?
Denzel Washington. No question. He's a great actor, and he is fun to look at.

10. Do you have a high school letter jacket?
Get ready to make fun of me. No letter jacket... in sports. I have an Academic one. Yep. Book Geek. Laugh on.

The Laundry Room and T on T

Not too much happening here in our little family. Just a very calm week compared to the last one. And don't get me started about the weekend.
On the way to school yesterday, the boy said (in a concerned voice),
"Momma. Have you seen the laundry room lately?"

Me: "Why yes, I have. I live in there."

The boy: "No, really. It's bad. It's real piled up."

I don't know if he was warning me or if he was afraid for my safety.

So I've been washing the world's clothes. For 3 people.

Here's this week's 10 from Roots and Rings.

1. Do you color? If you do, is it with markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.?
Not as much as I used to. I used to teach (Pre-K and K), so I would sit down and join right in on the coloring. I like sharp crayons and markers.

2. What’s the most organized part (or system) in your house?
Probably my closet. Maybe my pantry, 'cause I just cleaned that out.

3. What’s the most unorganized part (or system) in your house?
The boy's Legos. They used to be VERY organized. Now, they're just taking over our house. With the promise of more to come at Christmas. Yippee.
Anybody got any Lego sorting/organizing tips?

4. If you had unlimited amounts of time and money, what museum would you want to see and why?
The Louvre in Paris. Fly me there, put me in a swanky hotel, and let me go look at that beautiful famous artwork.

5. What is your favorite part of the fall season?
Every. Single. Thing.
The cooler weather, the holidays, the clothes, the college football, the coffee flavors, the comfort food, the leaves, and the nifty jokes people try to make about my name.

6. Did you dress up for Halloween?
Yep. Dan/Daddy and I had on some rockin' pirate duds for a Costume Party Friday night. On the night the boy Trick-or-Treated, I wore my witch hat. Because I have one.

7. Have you started Christmas shopping?
In my mind.

8. Do you crack your knuckles?
Yes, sometimes. I just cracked my neck a few seconds ago.

9. If you had to live in another city for a year (all expenses paid), which city would you choose?
Charleston, SC.

10. Do you have any reoccurring dreams?
Sometimes. Does that mean it's recurring?
I had one when I was preggo with the boy a gazillion years ago. It was a vivid one... I dreamed (before I birthed him) that he was falling out of a bed, and I was scrambling to catch him.
I also have a terrible dream in which I am being chased and I need to scream, but no sound comes out of my mouth. I am trying so hard to scream... but nothing.
Now... because I've put all this thought to them, I'll dream them both.

Happy November, friends.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Candy Day from the Death Eater...
(How sweet.)



And the Pirates...



It may take us a while to come down off our sugar high. We should be ok by Thanksgiving.

Hope your Trick-or-Treating was a blast!

And It's Only 8:54

My morning started off with a bang.
You see, it's been a teensy bit warm here. Unseasonably warm, as the weather man says. Throw in humidity at 215%.
Guess what HOT, humid weather does to carved pumpkins?
They rot.
Quickly.
We had the "threat" of strong storms last night, so the boy felt it necessary to secure his pumpkin in the garage. So it didn't get blown over and smashed.

This morning, I had to get up extra early to take Dan/Daddy to his physical therapy appointment. Remember? Knee surgery.

Let me just assure you that the smell of rotting pumpkin in a closed up garage is not the thing you want to be smelling at 7:00 in the morning.
I managed to get it to the front porch before my hand went through the bottom of it. Good times.

I dropped Dan/Daddy off at therapy, came home and made the boy's lunch, and then enlisted his help in the Great Pumpkin Disposal of 2010.
You see, it's garbage day. And I had to beat the garbage truck.
(And we have a lot of pumpkins.)

So we held our breath, grabbed a trash bag, and pitched the rotten pumpkins.
And gagged the whole time. Then the boy laid down a toxic layer of Lysol. The garage was actually foggy.

I took the boy to school, picked up Dan/Daddy, made his breakfast, and then took him to work. Now I have to wash down the garage floor, go to another appointment, pick up Dan/Daddy, pick up the boy, take Dan/Daddy to a dentist appointment, and then take the boy to soccer.
Oh. And find something for Dan/Daddy and myself to wear to a costume party Friday night.
(Somebody needs to tell the man he just had surgery.)

I wanted us to go as pirates, but I think I will just go as a tired old woman. With stinky pumpkin guts on her hands. Who smells like Lysol.

Me and The Battery and 10 on Tuesday

I was just uploading some pictues from my camera. It made a little beep, and the screen went blue, and the message said,
"Battery is Exhausted"

Yep. Me too, Mr. Battery.

I was up at the unholy hour of 5:15 this morning to take Dan/Daddy for his 2nd knee surgery. Good times.
He's fine... it's an old injury that he's just now getting around to getting fixed. He's resting comfortably on the sofa now. High on Percocet and hugging a bucket. Too much information? Sorry. The anesthesia made him queasy.

Anywho....

Onto 10 on Tuesday!

1. What is your favorite decor item in your house?
The pictures. Specifically, the black and white ones.

2. What is your favorite hair product?
Right now, the flat iron. But I am a good ol' Southern Girl, and I do like some hairspray. Just not stiff and crunchy hair.

3. Are you a good dancer?
In my mind, yes. In reality, nope.

4. You get some good news, who’s the first person you call?
Depends on the news. Dan/Daddy usually. But he often finds my news trivial and a bit boring. Like, "Hobby Lobby has burlap half off today!" Then I call April or my mom or Jeanna or Shannon.

5. Would you rather take pictures, or be in pictures?
Take. I want to be a photographer when I grow up.

6. What is your shoe style?
Well considering how hot it is here again, it looks like I will be wearing flip flops until January. I hate having hot feet. I told my friend last week that I think my feet are menopausal. As a rule, I go for comfort.

7. How often do you eat out?
More than we should.

8. If someone has food in their teeth, do you tell them?
Yep. My girlfriends and I have a theory on this. We think women are better at this than men. Women will tell you the food is there, compliment your hair, pat your arm, and tell you about a great new reality show they just watched. Men don't even see the food.

9. Do you fold your underwear?
Nope. Pile it in the drawer. My momma's gonna die.

10. Milk, dark, or white chocolate?
All the above.

I'm off to medicate the patient!

A Pet Monkey Dream

We spent last weekend with my family, and all of a sudden, it's Thursday.
The past 4 days are a blur.
Maybe it was the amount of trash I consumed at the fair Saturday night.

The men-folk went to the farm to hunt, but all the hunting stopped on Saturday afternoon. So we could go to the fair.
Oh, yes. The fair. My family goes for one reason and one reason only.
To eat.
We let the young-uns ride a few rides and play a few games, but then we get down to business.
Eatin' business.

This year's trip involved:
sausage dogs
corn dogs
french fries
funnel cake
fried Snickers
lemonade
and...
cotton candy (which I continued to nibble on until yesterday... when sadly, the bag was empty)

I won't say who ate what.

We went with my parents, my brother and sis-in-law and nephew, and with some of my sis-in-law's family... who are like my family anyway. Eleven of us... eatin' our way through the fair.

Me, April (sis-in-law), and her sister...


And her sister's daughter (with my nephew)...


The boy and his stinkin' cute cousin...


Have you ever seen such adorable pre-teen metal-mouthed happiness?


To explain this last picture, you must know something about me.
I love monkeys. Think they are adorable. Don't tell me how nasty and vile they are. Don't tell me that they throw poo. Don't tell me how stinky or mean they are. I love monkeys.
And there was one at the fair.
He was dressed in tiny monkey clothes, and if you gave him a quarter, he put it in his pocket and tipped his tiny monkey hat. Lord, help me. If you gave him a dollar, he gave you a picture of himself and shook your hand. Mercy.
(Don't ask me how much money I spent at the monkey booth.)
I have no photos of the REAL monkey, because it was dark by the time we saw him. (Sniff, sniff.)
Earlier in the evening, before the monkey made his appearance, we stopped by his booth.
Again I remind you... I am a fan of monkeys.
When my mom was pregnant with my brother (I was 5, people.) I vividly remember telling her I wanted a baby brother or a baby monkey.

Well look. I got both.


Have you made a trip to the fair this year? Eat some fried grease and shake a monkey's hand. And think of me.

Farm Privileges

Because I grew up on a farm, I consider myself a lucky girl.
Because my dad still farms, I have one lucky kid.

He fishes, he hunts, he rambles around, and he lives the life of a wild boy when we go to visit.

And around Halloween time, he gets to decorate a big round hay bale.

With spray paint. He is livin' the 11 year-old dream...





Somebody please tell my smarty-pants brother that Jack-o-Lanterns are supposed to have crookedy smiles...



When we were all finished, the boy said to me,
"Take my picture as I'm jumping up on top!"

So he took a running leap, and this is what I got...



Stopped dead in his tracks by a ginormous hay splinter.
Farm life has its risks.

Pumpkin Church

Remember when I said I liked pumpkins "en masse"?



There's just something about a big pile of orange pumpkins that makes me smile. Maybe they are at church. Maybe they are at Mass. Or maybe they're not church-goers at all. Heathen pumpkins. Who knows?

We thanked Columbus for our long weekend by going to the Farm/Pumpkin Patch.
I tortured the boy by taking pictures.
In his terms, "Hell on Earth."

The hayride...


The "General Store"... Or as I call it, the farmer's idea of a cute photo op...


This place grew some mighty big pumpkins...


And I am growing a very cute almost-preteen baby giraffe who is still adorable even when he's ticked off at his momma for taking so many pictures.

The Ten on Tuesday That Isn't

Well. This week's questions are about exercising. Good grief.
I was feeling all guilty, and then I read Chelsea's answers and realized I'm not alone in my hatred of the whole "working out" thing.
But. She just had a baby. She has a good excuse.
I had a baby. 11.5 years ago. I have no excuse.
I just HATE exercise.

So... here's my best attempt at answering questions I am not qualified to answer.

1. What does your work out schedule look like?
It is invisible.

2. What is your favorite machine to use at the gym?
The Coke machine.

3. What is your favorite class to take at the gym?
The scrapbooking one that meets down the hall.

4. Where do you shop for work out gear and clothing?
Now I do love some Yoga pants. Target and Old Navy.

5. If you can’t go to the gym, do you have a favorite outdoor activity?
Walking.

6. What about a favorite work out DVD? If so, please share!
I used to do Bob's workout (from the Biggest Loser), but I really like him better on the show. Not yelling at me to "push myself."

7. Are you more active now or when you were in high school?
Oh heavens. In high school for sure. I know my husband's side of the family will not believe this, but I used to be scrawny. Like a rail. A skinny minny.

8. How has your dieting/working out philosophy changed since high school?
I used to eat what I wanted and be skinny. Now when I just think about eating, I get fatter. I used to be more active, but I have always disliked exercise.

9. What do you do while working out– (i.e., day dream, read, listen to music, gab with a friend)?
Nothing. Cause I don't work out. If and when I go walking, I listen to music.

10. What working out resolution would you like to make for yourself this year?
To continue not working out and lose 45 pounds. I would like to look like one of those skinny runner chicks I see in the neighborhood. All cute and thin and running. Running. When did that become the "thing" to do? These days, if you aren't on your third marathon, you are a loser.
Maybe my resolution should be to get a better attitude about exercise.
And to stop comparing myself to the neighborhood skinnies.

Snakes in a Hay Bale and Pumpkin Love

Who doesn't love a pumpkin?
I love pumpkins. (I say this every year, because I love to repeat things unnecessarily.) I especially love pumpkins "en masse." Not at Catholic church; but in large groups. So sweet.

I have been Halloween-i-fying the house, and I haven't had a chance to make it to the Farmer's Market yet. To buy pumpkins, that is. My pal, Jeanna, and I made a quick stop there after Bible Study on Tuesday to grab some hay bales.

She bought pumpkins, but I knew that the wrath of Baby Giraffe would come down upon me if I picked out pumpkins without him. He gets his love of the pumpkin from his momma.

So we made a mad stop for hay bales... in her minivan. 2 moms, 1 baby, and 3 bales of hay in a minivan. Don't ask how we did it. Just try to imagine it in your mind.

When we got to her house, where my car was parked, I put my bale in the back of my car. And all the way home I couldn't stop thinking about a snake crawling out of that hay bale and slithering up to the driver's area with me. The fear was overwhelming me. You may know I have an intense hatred for all things snakey. It was so bad, I had to roll the windows down for fresh air, pray, and think happy thoughts to avoid a panic attack.

Please don't try to tell me it was irrational. I know someone personally who had a snake crawl out of her Fall Festival hay bale into her back seat.
I also grew up on a farm. My daddy still bales hay to this day... and I know what can get baled up in that hay. Might as well call them "snake bales." Gheesh. I'm getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.

When I got home, I jerked that hay bale out of my car as fast as a middle-aged momma in wedge shoes can jerk a hay bale. (Those farm girl skills do pay off.) I tossed it on the front porch, poked my scarecrows down into it, and shivered all the way inside.

It's a long holiday weekend here for the boy and Dan/Daddy. We head out to the Farmers Market tomorrow AND the pumpkin patch on Monday.
Bring on the pumpkin love.

I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you about the lady that lives a few streets over from me. I see her around school time every morning, and she has tiny little stuffed pumpkins on the dash of her car. All lined up. LOTS of them.

I keep wondering... What happens when she has to slam on the brakes?
Now that's pumpkin love on a whole new level.

Tuesday and 10

If you want to... join in! Chelsea posts 10 questions and we all answer them. It's not rocket science.

I think these are pretty cute...

1. What keeps you up at night? (figuratively)
Not much. I like to sleep, and I rarely have trouble nodding off. Even if something is on my mind. Where I have a real problem is the waking in the middle of the night thing. THAT'S when I start thinking about all the stuff (real and imagined) that worries me. And then I can't go back to sleep.


2. What keeps you up at night? (literally)
Our black cat. She has loneliness/meowing/roaming around issues. And she is LOUD. Once she wakes me up, I start thinking about all that stuff.


3. Where do you want to go in life? (figuratively)
Wherever God needs me. Or wherever I can be used.


4. Where do you want to go in life? (literally)
To the couch for a nap.


5. Have you ever bit off more than you could chew? (figuratively)
Always. It's a bad habit of mine, but I am getting better at saying "no" the older I get.


6. Have you ever bit off more than you could chew? (literally)
Probably. I just can't remember a specific time. The thought of choking (me or someone around me) spooks me. Want to know something weird? When I was little, I can remember getting tired of chewing. I would chew something for a while, then spit it out. What a goofy kid. Maybe if I had kept that habit, I could drop a few pounds.


7. Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence? (figuratively)
Never! Don't do it! Stay where you are and be grateful! Or, if it really stinks, make your side of the pasture a better place!


8. Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence? (literally)
Um... Yes. My neighbor has doggies, so her yard gets a bit more fertilization than mine. And the ginormous trampoline shadow in my yard kills the grass below.


9. If you can’t stand the heat, do you get out of the kitchen? (figuratively)
Yes. I hate confrontation and arguments and people not getting along. I avoid it. A lot.


10. If you can’t stand the heat, do you get out of the kitchen? (literally)
Nope. Somebody has to feed the people that live here. We can't eat out every meal, though we may try. If it gets hot in my kitchen, I crank up the AC until the rest of the family is shivering.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, friends!
And stay on your side of the fence.

Just a Question

When do you people out there clean your houses?
Before the weekend???
Or after it???
And WHY???

This has always perplexed me.
So I'm taking an unofficial survey...

(Maybe I'll think of 9 more questions and submit them to Mrs. Roots and Rings.)

Sometimes... Happiness is a Temperature

Dear October,
This girl is glad to see you.
You are a great month.
Full of scarecrows and hayrides and tiny candy bars.
You may not know it, October, but you saved my life this year.
I was on the verge of leaving my family for Antarctica.
It's almost like you heard my sad little cries for relief.
And came running in with this...


(Becase my cel phone takes rockin' awesome pictures, I will tell you that says, "65." As in, degrees.)

Cue music...
So haul out the cider, put up the giant fake spider before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the plastic pumpkins; I may be rushing things, but hang the leaf wreath again now...


Well. It doesn't exactly go the same, but you get my point.

Happy First Day of October, people.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

And yep. Now I'm singing the song.

Tuesday's 10 is going up late, people. I took Dan/Daddy for dental surgery today and typed 2 hours worth of PTO minutes. Jealous?


1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?
I don't think I took it with me everywhere... but I had a stuffed dog named Bingo. He was homemade. By my mom. You can't beat that.

2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?
After living through two deployments, I would have to say my phone. I hate feeling "chained" to it, but it becomes a habit you can't break. Now I get panicky if I can't find it. Even with Dan/Daddy home, I worry that the boy may need me at school and my phone is sitting on the counter. Plus I have a texting addiction.

3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?
Alone in my house. I said alone. It doesn't work if there are other people home with me.

4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life)
He makes no excuses for what he believes. His faith is the most important thing to him. He's also very strong-willed. At times, this makes me want to choke the life out of him. But, as a whole, it makes him pretty driven and motivated.

5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)
My baby giraffe. He LOVES his Momma.



6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?
To respect everyone. Others may not look like you, they may not act like you, and you may not agree with them, but you MUST treat them kindly.
I hope and pray this is something we are teaching the boy.

7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?
I can't choose. This is too hard.
If I have to pick... "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor. (I think Carole King wrote it, but I like to hear James Taylor sing it.)

8. What is your favorite thing about being an American? (If you're not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country)
Saying "freedom" used to feel fake. It doesn't anymore. Sadly, I've seen exactly what the cost of it really is.

9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?
Baked pork chops with rice or chicken and dumplings. It's a tie.

10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
I am a goofball.
I am fairly transparent.
I am a good secret keeper.

I Am Sorry... (a little)

Well.
I owe Fall an apology.
He finally decided to show up.
A tiny bit.
And WAY later than I had planned.

But it is raining today, and the temp is hovering around 75.
Thank You, Lord.

Even our little weatherman was downright giddy this morning. Poor guy... He was probably worried about a riot of angry hot people.

We had a weekend full of soccer and football and church. With a heat index of about 175 degrees. (The weekend was PRE-nice weather.)

I sat at the boy's soccer game under an umbrella. Like a granny.

The boy has some mad soccer moves.



He even scored a goal for the other team out of the goodness of his heart.
Well, not really.
The other team kicked the ball, it hit the boy in the chest, and it ricocheted right into the goal.
Let's just say the boy was not happy and leave it at that. This being a Christian league and all, he didn't feel right using the words his momma taught him.

When the game was over, his face was the color of a tomato. It was crazy hot.

We spent the afternoon recovering in the AC and watching Alabama barely beat Arkansas. I can't take the stress of games like that. My nerves were shot by the 3rd quarter.
Mostly I am thankful Alabama won so I didn't have to listen to the boy's complaining. He doesn't take kindly to losing. Or scoring goals for other people.

On Sunday morning, I taught Sunday School for my pal, Jeanna. Normally, I am her able-bodied assistant, but she was out of town.
The lesson was Adam and Eve.
We teach a children's class.
Guess who had to say the word "naked" to people under the age of 9?
I said it 3 times for effect.
Good times.

I am off to a PTO meeting and a dentist appointment.
In the rain.
But I am NOT complaining.

Happy Birthday April!!

Today is my sis-in-law's birthday!!
Woo hoo!!

I love this girl!



I always knew my brother was smart, but he proved it when he married April.
She's funny and sweet and creative and a great cook.
She occasionally gets called Martha Stewart (by me).

She is a great mommy and works full time, too.
And... she blogs.

She's my own personal Internet guru. When I need info from the web... I ask April.
She finds great blogs, cute crafts, and yummy recipes. And she actually makes them! Unlike myself. I just admire hers.
At the moment, I am holding her personally responsible for my current obsession...
A tiny stuffed owl. That you make. The pattern is online. Oh. My. Word. It is cute.

$10 says she makes it before I even download the pattern.

Have a great birthday, Martha!
We love you!!

Tuesday 10... And I Really Am Trying Not to Complain

Here's this week's 10 questions from the girl with the cute new baby!

I realize that Tuesday is almost over, and I'm posting late. Sorry. It's been a nutty day.
Then again, a lot of my days are nutty. Hmmmmm.....


1. What’s the one thing you always do when you’re stressed?
Express my stress. I say, "I am stressed!" I don't know if it helps to exclaim it.
I do pray, but usually AFTER the exclamation.

2. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done for a friend?
I wish I had a cool answer like "bust her out of jail." But nope. All my efforts for friends are kinda normal. I think I did help a friend who was sick get to the bathroom once. Not so weird among good friends.

3. What cleaning supply could you not live without?
Windex or Clorox. It's a tie. I use them both for just about everything.

4. How long do you plan on living where you currently reside?
Well that's not always up to me. It's the ARMY that tells us where we'll be calling home. At the moment, it looks like one more year here.

5. Do you usually vote straight party, a mixture, or not at all?
I am more interested in the person's stance on pressing issues. It usually happens to fall along party lines, but I would not vote for (or against) someone based on party alone.

6. What’s something that you love to do, but seem to never make time for?
Scrapbooking. Old school style.

7. What’s your favorite store to buy things for other people?
I don't have one particular favorite. I like little unique gift shops. And I really never buy a lot in the same place. I like to make the gift match the person.

8. What’s the weather like around you today?
Oh. My. Word.
I am trying so hard to be positive. The temptation to complain is all around me!! Even in little ol' Ten on Tuesday!
It's hot. Too darn hot for September.

9. What’s the worst book you’ve ever bought and read?
Some horrid novel about girls and trucks. It was depressing and morbid... drugs and sex and yucky stuff. The cover was cute, and the title was cute. But, cute covers are not a good indication of the quality of the story. Hey! You can't really judge a book by its cover!

10. What’s the closest thing to you that is yellow?
The big fat Fall leaf on my table runner.

Hope your Tuesday was less nutty than mine!

I Sit Un-amazed

If you've ever been a churchgoer, you may have heard the song,
"I Stand Amazed in the Presence."
Is that a "southern" hymn? Is that one we only sing down here where it's still 93 degrees?

(I promised myself I would not complain about the weather this week. Oops.)

Anywho...

I always got the giggles when singing that song, because I always wanted to sing it sitting down. Get it? "I Stand Amazed" while sitting?
I'm such a rebel.

Well the weekend came and went in a big ol' blur.
And I sit here un-amazed.

I am un-amazed that Lindsay Lohan failed a drug test.

I am un-amazed that it's still hot. (Oops again. I've given up on you, Fall.)

I am un-amazed that I had 5 new kiddos in my Bible Club group last night. They multiply every week.
PS... I may not be surprised, but I AM grateful.)

I am un-amazed that Sunday nights at Bible Club make me psychotic.

I am un-amazed that when I went to make a Burger King run for me, the boy, my friend, and my friend's kids... Burger King was closed. You may recall my run-in with this Burger King before. Remember? No burger meat. Well, last night... No food at all.

I am un-amazed that the McDonalds which I consumed at 8:45 last night came back to haunt me at around 2:00 am. In the form of some blessed heartburn. Old people are smart to eat at 4:00 in the afternoon.

I am un-amazed that the open box of powdered laundry detergent I reached for this morning (on the shelf over my head) slipped out of my hand and dumped all over me. And the washer. And the floor.

It is Monday after all.

Weather Channel, Here I Come

I should have considered a degree in Meteorology.
But they probably wouldn't have let me graduate from weather-person school.
Weather people are like news people... They have to appear unbiased. They have to act like whatever weather they are reporting is the best weather.
Not me, friends.

"Here in our area today, we are having our 84th day of 90+ degree heat.

And that STINKS. It's hot, and I am tired of being hot.
Back to you, Bob."

And that's why I would be a weather-school flunkie.

And in family news...
The appointment with the new Allergist last week was very exciting.

Warning: The following photographs are of a medical nature and may be disturbing to some viewers. There's also a little back nudity.

The doc divided the boy's back into 6 areas, labeled A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Each section was injected with 10 known allergens... 60 total.
By the time they injected Section F, Section A already had hives. Good times.







In summary, he reacted to 52 of the 60 injections... Most of them pretty severely.
He's allergic to every grass, every tree, every weed, every mold, and feathers. But no foods.
I knew he had some allergies that had changed, but this momma was not prepared for that news.
So the doc wants us to think about the future... Do we continue with his regular medications? Or do we take the path of shots? Every week. For who knows how long?

This boy has a way of testing my faith. And my sanity.
But I sure do love him. And his red, itchy, hive-covered back.
They gave him meds at the office so he could make it home, and then we stopped for a Blizzard.

Thank the Good Lord no one is allergic to ice cream in this family.
Now a hot weather allergy? That's a whole different story.

A Better Place And Other Labor Day Lessons

It seems as if I have so much to say that I can't keep one clear thought going. Well that's pretty normal.
I've started 4 or 5 blog posts. And then started over.

So I will thrill you now with tales of our family adventures and the things I have learned in the last week.

It's riveting information.


1. "Labor Day" does not really signify the end of summer. It is supposed to, but somebody forgot to inform the sun.

Dear Mr. Sun,
I love you. I really do. But it's just too darn hot to be September. I need you to back it off a little buddy. Just a little, please. Like you did over the weekend.
Love,
Me

2. Never leave your camera with a group of men to take pictures of their hunting day fun. Always remember that the men you left your camera with HATE taking and being in pictures anyway, and they will find a way to punish you.
We spent a nice lazy Labor Day weekend at my parents with my brother and sis-in-law and most adorable nephew.
And the only pictures I have involve firearms.
Oh. There's also some pictures of an old stuffed and mounted deer head which has missing parts... soft tissues that have been eaten away by some sort of unseen creature.
We are classy.

3. If men are the "hunters," then women are definitely the "gatherers." If "gathering" involves a purse. And several trips to Bed Bath and Beyond. And Hobby Lobby. And the mall. I have gathered scented hand soap for my family to survive the winter. And a purse.

4. We have an appointment this week for the boy to see a new Allergist. It's been over 6 years since he was tested, and it's time to figure out (maybe?) what is causing the hives. This appointment will not involve the skin pricks. The next one probably will. Yippee.

5. I think a new family rule should be: When we return home from a vacation or trip, and momma has 793 loads of laundry to do, you may not add anything to the pile until she has done all 793 loads.
This was a good idea until I realized that it would cause nudity. And my own. Yikes. Guess I'll just keep on washing.

6. There was no Ten on Tuesday this week because a baby was born!! My blogging friend Chelsea had her baby, and he is a cutie pie! If you get a chance, go peek at him.

7. The weather over the weekend was SO nice. I even put on a sweatshirt over my pjs as I sat on my mom and dad's porch. Ahhhhh.... It made me want to decorate for Halloween and go to the fair and watch College Football and eat soup.

8. Even if I disagree with the shooting of birds, this is still cute.




9. I lied. I did have more than hunting pictures. I have red-neckish pictures. Here's the boy and his cousin on their wheels. (Don't' worry. The boy has a helmet... it was off for the picture.)







10. My house and the life I provide is obviously boring. Before we left to come home from my parents, I had a conversation with the boy. It went something like this...

The boy: "I like it here. I want to stay here. I want to hunt and fish forever. If I stay here (at his grandparents), will you tell my teacher that I died?

Me: "No. That's horrible and a lie. You would lie to sweet Mrs. G. like that?"

The boy: "Well, just tell her I've gone to a better place."

When Benadryl Ain't Enough

I would like to blame the cotton in my brain on the barometric pressure from Hurricane Earl.
He's speeding towards NC as I type.

I'm usually like one of those little old men sitting on a bench in front of the gas station in a small town. When bad weather is coming, my body begins to creak and moan. I get a headache and my bursitis acts up. (Don't really know what the heck that means, but it always sounds good.)

Although my head pain is a good indicator of whether or not it's going to rain,
I can't blame this crud on Earl.
I am blaming this one on Dan/Daddy.

He took me away for our anniversary, gave me the new watch I've been needing and wanting...
and a cold.
A doozy of a cold.

All week long, Dan/Daddy has proclaiming the cure-all wonders of "Airborne." He's been chugging it since Monday. (And he's still sick.) He should be the annoying spokesperson in the commercial.
He tells me to take it as soon as I start feeling bad. Which I did. And I immediately felt worse.
Nasty stuff. And it didn't stop the cold from coming.

Last night, I took 2 Benadryl tablets, thinking it would at least knock me out.
Nope.
I tossed and turned and mouth-breathed.
I hate mouth-breathers... especially when I am one of them.

This morning, the boy sneezed about 7 times into his breakfast.

The family that stays congested...
Stays together.

And congested.

Be safe East Coast!

Tuesday's 10

Phew. I am running late today.
Must be the cold that I feel creeping up on me.
Not "cold" like a Fall breeze.
"Cold" like the sore throat crud that Dan/Daddy has passed along to me.

So here's this week's Ten on Tuesday... (Go by and visit Mrs. Chelsea if you can. She's great with child and due at any time!)

1. Pretend it’s Monday morning–take us through a day in the life of you.
Hold on to your horses.
I get up, crawl out of bed, shower (maybe), wake the boy, slap a little makeup on my face so I don't scare the villagers, slap a ham sandwich together for the boy's lunch, muster up some breakfast, and drive the boy to school. All while sipping my coffee. In a non-car-coffee-mug. I like to live on the edge.
Since this is Monday we're talking about, I usually catch up on the mess that took over my house on the weekend.
There may be a PTO meeting, there may be something going on at school, there could be something Army-ish I am required to do.
Then it's time to pick up the boy, get homework done, run any errands that we need to, and figure out what to feed the hungry people who live at my house. Then there's showers, prayers, and bedtimes. And I watch a little Criminal Minds as I doze off.

2. What’s your favorite reality tv show?
I dedicate my answer to my friend Jill. I can always count on Jill to be watching some trash right along with me...
I don't have a favorite; I watch entirely too many. These are the 3 worst...
"Hoarders"
"Toddlers and Tiaras"
"Keeping Up With the Kardashians"
Now I am embarrassed. (A little.)

3. What motto do you live by?
"Watch as Much Bad TV as Possible." Kidding.
I don't think I have a motto.

4. If you knew could you try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?
Can I have more than one?
Writing a book.
Becoming a photographer.
Opening a coffee shop/gift shop kind of place.

5. What was your first job?
Unofficially... babysitting. Officially, working at a clothing store.

6. What is your current job?
Mommy and wife. (We all know that makes me a maid, a personal shopper, a laundry expert, a carpool driver, a financial executive, a tutor, a therapist, and about a zillion other things.)

7. What would you call yourself if you could choose your own name (and you cannot pick the one you already have)?
When I was little, I could have answered this in a heartbeat. I didn't like being an "Autumn" because it wasn't common. Now I kinda like being uncommon.
I like the names Lily, Claire, and Eden. But I don't see myself as any of those.

8. What musical instruments can you play?
Piano and flute. But I can't play either one well. Years of not practicing takes a toll.

9. Is it easier to forgive or forget?
Forgiving is WAY easier.

10. What is one food you’d never want to taste again?
Turnips. Oysters. Oops... that's two.

17 Years And Counting

17 years ago today, two people who looked and felt a lot younger than us got married.

This weekend, Dan/Daddy and I escaped to the beach to celebrate our anniversary.

This is what 17 years looks like, folks. Wrinkled and loony, but happy.




My husband has figured out - after all these years - that nothing makes me happier that this...



Except maybe this...



Aren't we romantic?

Want to know why all my pictures are itty bitty?
They were taken from my phone.
Because I forgot my camera.
Because people that are old enough to be married 17 years are O. L. D.
And forgetful.

Next year, I'll probably leave my teeth in a glass by the bathroom sink.
But I will still be able to eat ice cream.

Happy Anniversary Honey!