Red Ribbon Week

This last week the kids had Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week celebrates being drug free.

When you get to Middle School, you really get to have fun with this.

This is what C1 looked like all week.

First they had "crazy" day,


then "rock star" day.

On Wednesday they got to wear hats and sunglasses.


The next day was "Red, White, and Blue" day.


Finally, today was "spirit" day.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Leaves a Fallin'

When I put the dog outside at 6:15am this morning, the patio was clear. The yard was clear.

Remember the catalpa tree we have in out backyard?

The wind must have been just right today because when I put the dog at 1:30pm this afternoon, the patio and yard looked like this:



That means we have one bare tree and six more to go!

Kids! Get your rakes!

I Want My MTV

Remember when MTV actually played music videos?

Remember your favorites?

C2 got a text message the other day that was playing Thriller.

I asked her if she had ever seen the video.

"No" she said, "But I know you do this."

Oh my, I thought. I really need to find that on You Tube.

I found it, but it will not let you embed any of them. But here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Remember the best part was Vincent Price?

Darkness falls across the land,

The midnight hour is close at hand.

Creatures crawl in search of blood,

To terrorize y'alls neighborhood.

And whosoever shall be found

Without the soul for getting down,

Must stand and face the hounds of hell

And rot inside a corpse's shell.

The foulest stench is in the air,

The funk of forty thousand years.

And grizzly ghouls from every tomb

Are closing in to seal your doom.

And though you fight to stay alive,

Your body starts to shiver.

For no mere mortal can resist

The evil of the Thriller!

Go watch it!

It's still as good as it was 26 years ago!

(OMG! I'm so old!)

Carving Pumpkins

Last night before we went Trick-or-Treating, we carved our pumpkins.

We actually bought them the last week of September, so C2 has really been bugging me about carving them.

We usually do this outside, on the porch. Because of the weather though, we had to do it in the kitchen last night.

The best part about doing the pumpkins this year?

Everyone is old enough to do their own pumpkin.

I didn't have to cut, scrape, scoop, or carve anything. YEA!!!


Here's the finished products!

Not too bad, if I do say so myself. They all turned out really good.



Good job guys!

Trick Or Treat

Tonight was Trick-or-Treat.

C1 was a go-go dancer. C2 was a bloody skeleton.

We met up with some friends and made the FREEZING walk around the neighborhood.





After we made it around the whole neighborhood, we headed back to my grandma's to warm up.

Luckily they had a fire going!


After we thawed out, C1 and C2 did the annual sorting of the candy.


Then the trading process begins.

Then the fights start.

Then I have to step in and confiscate whatever it is they are arguing about.

That's one nice thing about Trick-or-Treat.

Free candy for me!

Halloween Parade

Last night was the village's Annual Halloween Parade.

B was in the parade with the High School Band. He was thrilled that this was the last time they would march this year. I remember that feeling.

C1 and I were in the parade with the school.

C2 just wanted to watch the parade. I think he was more worried about getting candy.

The theme at the school this year is "Reach For The Stars". Therefore, our float was the same.

The PTO bought gold star costumes for some kids to wear. C1 and my cousin's little girl R agreed to wear one.





R was pretty excited to be in the parade.

This was her first time.

I think the family was pretty excited too! Her grandma D almost got run over trying to take her picture!



It was a cold wet night, but I think we all had a good time!

Love This!

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Where's My Shoes?

Where's my coat? Where's my book bag?

These are questions that I hear almost daily.

I have started to answer them with "I don't wear them."

This morning B had to be at work at eight.

When it was time to leave I said, "Where's my shoes?"

Without missing a beat, he says "I don't wear them," and walks out the door.

Smart a$$!

(He makes me so proud!)

Guilty Mom

Tonight is the last football game.

It is also a home game.

If you follow my Twitter, you know that we did not go.

It rained all day here, and the temperature is only fifty degrees.

We would have gone, but it was raining and very cold...until it was time to take B over to the Middle School. The rain had completely stopped. Not another drop has come down.

I am feeling so guilty for not going to this last game.

I'm sorry B! Next year, I will not wimp out. I will be there for ALL the games.



Guess I might as well go on out to the couch, cover up, and read my book.

That should make me feel better.

'Cause you know, "me" time always makes you feel better.

Right? (Just say "yeah")

What's Your Scent?

Over the years I have tried many different dishwashing liquids.

I've tried the bargain brands. I've tried the fancy scents like "green apple" or "springtime blossoms" or whatever.

But I always come back to this.


It's not because it does a better job washing the dishes.

It's not because it makes my hands softer when I do the dishes.

It's because when I squirt it in the sink with the water running, it takes me back. It takes me back to the summers of my youth. It takes me back to my grandparent's driveway. It takes me back to washing cars with my uncle.

A time and a person that I miss dearly.

They are both gone.



What scent takes you back?

Forgotten Picture

One night last week we were coming out of Walmart and the sun was setting.

We stepped out at just the right time.


I snapped a few pictures and then looked down.

"What are you doing?" a little voice said.

"Taking your picture," I replied.

Oh! My Goodness!

Every time I watch this,




I cry.

If you know me, you know I am not that emotional. I mean, it really takes a lot. I am not easily excited, agitated, or frustrated. There are times that I wonder if I have any sympathy at all. I just don't get emotional.

But this show?

Makes me cry every time.

Who'd of thunk it?

Hey! We Baked Cupcakes!

We did it!

Yesterday C2 and I mixed up and baked cupcakes.

When C1 got home, she and C2 iced and decorated them.


YUMMY!!!

My Two Scouts

This morning the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts collected food for the local food bank. Last week they placed flyers on doors announcing that this week they would be around to collect the food.

C2 LOVES his Cub Scout shirt. I have to force B to wear his.


We got up and out the door fairly early for us on a Saturday.

The boys took turns going up to the houses that had left food on their porch.



Then we put it in the back of the car. C2 had to ride back there so no food would slide out. He thought he was hot stuff.


B's Scoutmaster sent an e-mail out to let the boys know the results of their good deeds.

All together the pack and troop collected 3400 pounds of food.

WOW! They make me proud!

Grounded, Part II

So, that didn't work.

I did manage to stay away from the computer for most of the day, but I spent my time reading instead. The good news? I finished my book. That means, tomorrow I can concentrate on getting things done.

I'll just have to kick B out for awhile because I still want to go through clean his room.

Everything else is half done. I can catch it up in the morning.

Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow, I am GROUNDED.

Yep.

Tomorrow.

GROUNDED!!!

OK! I am grounding myself from this computer until I get my list of things done! (I mean it this time T)

We have a three day weekend and I want to enjoy some of it outside. Therefore, I need to get inside things done.

*Pick up entire downstairs
*Clean bathroom
*Do the dishes and figure out what to feed family for supper
*Finish putting away last week's laundry so I can start this weeks laundry
*While B is at away game tonight, go through clean his room
*Help C2 clean up his room
*Work on organizing M and my room

So, as of 11:54 am, I am officially grounded from the computer until my list is complete.

Ohhh, I'll never be back :(

Alone In The House

Tonight we had a staff bowling party for school. It was a lot of fun. I went with no intention of bowling, but did and really enjoyed it.

But now we are home.

The temperature has dropped. M and the kids are cleaning up the garage. After a summer of everyone throwing their crap everywhere, I cannot get my car in there.

I have changed into my comfy clothes and am about to park my butt on the couch with my book.

We do not have school tomorrow, so any cleaning that I would usually do in the evening can wait.

I hope it takes them awhile outside. I like being in here by myself.

Ouch! That Hurt!

Last week when I got home from the grocery, I showed C2 the Halloween sprinkles I had bought. They were just too cute. I even bought two cake mixes and the orange Halloween icing so we could make some fun cupcakes.

His reply?

"Why?" he said. "You never bake any cakes."

The sad part?

He's right.



Who was I trying to fool?

Jealous?

The house across the street has a mama cat with four kittens. The kittens are almost six months old I would say. The problem is, they are hungry.

Being the cat lover that I am, I have started to put out food for them. They come around every evening to get a bowl of food. Sometimes two.

The problem is, when I do this


I get this on the inside.


They really don't know how lucky they are.

Food available at all times and a catnip mouse? Really.

Goin' On A Hayride!

Last Sunday we went to a Fall Festival at one of the local churches.

They had a lot of the big blow ups to climb on, jump in...you know.

They had a band, hot dogs, cotton candy, the works!

They also had hayrides. C2 had never been on a hayride. He was so excited to see the tractor pulling that wagon of hay. He was a little leery of getting up in there, but once he was seated, he could not wipe the smile off his face.

We had to sit right up front so he could keep a good eye on that tractor.


I was surprised when he did not complain about the hay poking his filthy feet.


He kept a good eye on where we were going.


And there it is folks! The biggest smile of the day!


He loved this hayride! And I loved that smile!

Does This Mean You're Old?

Does this excite you as much as it does me?

I could not believe my eyes when I pulled into Walmart yesterday and saw the price of gas!!!

I stood there with a smile on my face as I filled.up.the.car. for less than sixty bucks!

Woo hoo!!!

Happy Belated Birthday

Yesterday was my grandma's 82nd birthday.



My grandma has been a very important part of my life.

Every Friday growing up, my cousin L and I would spend the night with my grandma and grandad. We watched Duke's of Hazzard and made a bed on the couch. Then in the morning, Grandma would make pancakes. These were not ordinary pancakes. These were made to order. If you wanted you pancake in the shape of a cat, you got a cat. She would attempt any shape you requested and no matter what it looked like, you told her it was perfect.

As I got older, I grew to appreciate my grandma in a differest light. She was full of knowlege. I would call her for recipes. (you have no idea how many time I had to ask how long to boil eggs for easter) I would call her for advice on sick babies. I would call her about the flowers growing in my yard. She knew it all.

My grandma is slowly losing her memory. The other day, she didn't recognize my voice on the phone. That really hurt.

But, in so many ways, she is still herself.

Last night my mom, my grandma, my two aunts, my cousin T, C1 and myself sat around her kitchen table laughing and talking. I will cherrish that time forever.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Puttin' Out The Fire

Tonight our local volunteer fire department had an open house.

C2 was so excited to walk down there.

When we got there, would he talk? NO!!!


See the look on his face when the truck beside him let out a big "HONK!"

That's my brave boy!

In this picture he is totally worried that the robot is going to come up behind him and get him.

Again, totally brave.

He did enjoy spraying the fire hose.


They got it a little too close for comfort though!


M and I got wet!!!

@...@...@

Yesterday the principal called down to the classroom I work in.

He needed my e-mail address.

I gave him the first half and he said, "It's not too complicated so far."

So, being the smarty pants that I am, I started the second half and said, "At. Do you know what that is? The "a" with a circle around it."

He got all uptight and said, "Well of course I know what that is!"

I don't know why, but this has struck me as really funny. Every time I think about it, I smile. It makes me laugh out loud!

I told him today that I am still chuckling over it.

I'm so thankful to work in a FUN environment!

Um...Yeah

Two Sunday's ago, the kids and I were leaving church and we saw this gentleman walking down the street.

"Take his picture!" they started yelling.

So, I did.


We even went around the block to snap another.


This past Sunday, we saw him again. He was dressed in white and gold. Pretty.

We figured out that he too was on his way to church.

God bless him.

Conversation With B

I just picked B up from work. The first thing he always does when he gets in the car is change the music and turn it up. Very.Loud.

On the way back home, I pick up my phone to make a call.

Then, I turn down the music.

B: Who are you calling?
Me: Your Mama.
B: Oh.

Waits a few seconds.

B: You are my Mama.
Me: Took you long enough to figure that one out!

I'm tellin' ya. These can not be my children!

Old Friends

Last January I got the chance to go away for the weekend with three of my best friends from my younger days.

We all met around ten years old. We were inseparable. The great thing was, three of us remained friends all through High School. The other had moved around eighth grade or she would have been there too.

A and I had talked about getting together for a year or so, but never really took the initiative to get it all started until J's mom died and we just knew that now was the time.

We decided to meet in Nashville, TN. I was so excited! This was the first time that all four of us had been together in twenty four years. Would things be the same? What would we talk about? Would we still have anything in common?

Within the first hour we had cried at the sight of each other, laughed until we cried, and looked at old photographs to bring back a lot of memories! Nothing had changed! We were those twelve year old girls again! We were not so and so's mom. We were not Mrs. M, the Kindergarten Aide. We were not the Band Card Lady or the PTO Treasurer. And we were definitely not some one's wife!

We were four friends with forty eight hours ahead of us!



We really only left the hotel twice.

We were in Nashville after all! We had to go take a look around!





Most of the time was spent reliving memories.

These were the three people that knew the real me. These were the people that understood some of the stupid sayings I have. These were the people that I shared some of the best years of my life with.




The neat thing was that when we got home, we all had the same thing to say.

We had changed a little bit, and it was really unexplainable.

We all had stories from the weekend, but they were our stories, not stories to share. They were a little piece of us that we could keep to ourselves.



Why am I writing this now?

Because talk has started up about our next meeting, possibly in January.

And I can't wait!!!