christmas

so. i am off for the christmas and new year holidays. its been nice. ready for the christmas festivities. well, the cooking part. i love christmas morning with david and natalie opening gifts. it will be nice having natalie home for the first time since she moved out.

i am glad that i decided to only put ornaments on my little tree this year, opting out of the ribbon and cranberry garland. makes clean up easier. i need new storage bins. only problem, the ones i want were created in my head and i cant find any! lol!

i hope you and your families are having a wonderful christmas like mine. have a safe new year.

God bless!

had my 40th birthday party. it was so much fun. my family did such a great job planning. i was shocked. my birthday cake was the bomb. i should post a pic of that when i can. :) the best part was my family and friends were all there. we played "pin the tail on the donkey." yes, that is as crazy as it gets! too fun! then all of my daughter's friends showed up. they are a crazy bunch of kids! they made it more fun. i love them all!

my hubby surprised me with 2 random gifts....he was very attentive when shopping with me one day. it was awesome.

thank you all for a wonderful birthday and for helping me transition into being 40!

camera

I have a new camera. :) I got it for my birthday. I am so happy. My life is complete. Well, its just nice not having to borrow Natalie's anymore.

Now that I am an empty-nester, I have procrastinated in the Christmas tree department. Sad. I need to put one up, but no one will be here to enjoy it. I guess I should do it anyway.

Christmas is getting close. It's exciting. :)

life is good

Been christmas shopping. I love it. I can pretty much get it all done in about 2 stores, but sometimes I get distracted and go onto other places. I wish I could just buy gifts for people who actually need the gifts, but i guess giving a gift is a way of saying you love someone.
I truly do not know what I want for Christmas. I keep thinking...still nothing. Receiving a gift is definitely NOT one of my love languages. Just give me a hug or tell me I am the best at something...and I am good to go! Words of affirmation. :)
Although, I did receive an AMAZING gift today! Wonder Wafers!!!! These are little credit card size wafers you place in your car to freshen your interior! I got "leather" aroma. My principal bought me some. Probably my fave gift of all times! :) You have to order them online. So, there....go get you some.
Love spending time with my daughter. Since she moved out on her own, every day she is off of work, we spend it together. Now, I know it cant always be that way, but for now, we are enjoying every minute of it. She told me this week, "Mom, on my days off, I'm supposed to have some time to myself, but you always make it a mom/daughter day." Now I dont know if that mean she doesnt want to spend every minute with me or not....LOL! Oh well, we have a blast and will enjoy every moment. :)
Thanksgiving is going to be nice. I am cooking the turkey and sweet potato cassarole. My favorite Thanksgiving food is my dad's cornbread dressing. I like to eat it with a roll all on its own. Its the best ever! I love this time of year.

night.

matt. 6:26

Life is a tad hectic right now. Hectic, but nice. The weather is snappy and cold. I like that. Well, only for a few months, then on to warm again. :)

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I hate that saying, its so corny, sort of true though. But, I guess that's where I am right now these days. It's hard working full time, taking care of my family, and trying not to think about things that bring sadness to my life. Jesus brings me joy, dont get me wrong, but I AM human! I do worry and get sad at times. I just want everyone healthy in my family and want them to all live a long, prosperous life. I need everyone. :) Jesus is my strength. He gets me through these times.

Fave Bible verse:
Matthew 6:25-34
vs 26: Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

How awesome is that????

today

Sitting here thinking about my day off tomorrow. So nice.
Today was a great day. My students are learning how to read small sentences with small words. Some of my students already read quite well, the others are very eager to read and are doing such a super job. I am proud of them. It's hard getting those phonics down pat, but they will.
I love my class. They are awesome!
Getting ready for Christmas once again! I have already been shopping. I have so many to buy for. I like to get going early although not as early as I'd like.

40

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

About to turn 40 soon. Its crazy because I remember my parents turning 40. I am there now! Well, I still feel young. I guess its not very old anyway. It will be fun. :)

today

I was off today. It was great! Went grocery shopping after getting my eyebrows waxed for the first time. :) OUch. Had to go to the Apple store at the Summit to pick up Natalie's Mac. I delivered it to her at work along with some of her favorite apples, Honey Crisps. She was happy to get those things. I promised her that I wouldn't go to her job as much as I have this week. It's just fun seeing her. She said she likes me visiting. Nice.
Then off to the doctor's office. I hate appointments downtown!
Home and then supper. I cooked all night, it seemed. But it was super. The hubby enjoyed it. I like cooking for David because he works so hard all day. He deserves it.
So, tomorrow, another day off. Hmmmm....what to do??? LOL! :)

Pray for people.

ahhhh

Sitting here in the church Starbucks checking my email while my students are at PE.  I wish we could have class in here!  LOL!  I enjoy seeing the church staff and visitors walking by.  I have the best job ever! 

God is good.

Pray for people near and dear to you.  

And...

Yeah, so it's been busy around here lately. Natalie finally moved out and is on her own. She tried cooking her first meal, only to find out her stove doesnt work. That's ok, she will get a new one! :) The girl can cook...so they better hurry.
I am enjoying all the space I have now with her gone. Of course I would rather her here. But, I am making her room the guest room and the old guest room, the office once again. David will enjoy that.
I moved my things in her bathroom. I even redecorated it. Nice. I think I am just keeping myself busy so I dont cry! LOL!
The weather has been beautiful and I am ready for cold weather!
Love you all!
God Bless.

life

Okay.  So, I love my class this year (of course i loved my class last year too).  I can't believe how easy my job is.  Easy... meaning my students are so precious, easy to love and smart!  :)  They make it easy.  I really wish I could make a video of each day.  They say the cutest things in the cutest ways.  Today, I was laughing out loud, all by myself at one of my students during math. They are SO CUTE!  They are like my own.  They make my day so wonderful.  

Natalie is moving out soon.  8 days to be exact.  Wonder how I will take it.  Will I cry, or will I jump for joy!!?!?  LOL!  Probably cry.  She is my buddy!   But, I am SO proud of her.  I mean, to be 19 and self supported.  She amazes me.  She starts Jeff State in the spring.   She wants to go the Interior Design route, to start.  Then maybe Real Estate.  She was thinking she could combine the 2 and do what she wants.  I say go for it Natalie!  The child is a go-getter and does what she wants. Can't stop that.  :)  

 

Her apartment will be interesting to see.  Will she keep it clean or will she and her roommate just come and go??  Wow, I hope they keep it clean.  She buys her washer and dryer this weekend.  Crazy seeing her purchase those on her own.  Its great!  I went halfsies on her microwave yesterday, since we have already spent plenty on her apartment stuff.  We just had to pitch in on something else.   Guess she only needs to grab the iron and ironing board and she is good to go.  :)  Crazy!  I like how frugal she is when she is spending her money.  It means that we taught her well.  I think.  ;)  Anyway, pray for her.  It's a BIG step. Jesus will take care of her, I know.  

Here is a pic of Natalie and her roomie....cutie pa-tooties!

So refreshing

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Ye thought evil against me: but God meant it unto good.

All things are yours; whether ... the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. All things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

NEED I SAY MORE???   

these days

Staying busy.  Things come up, distract you or make you forget what you are supposed to be doing in life.  But being busy sometimes helps.  I like a schedule.  If I didnt work, I think life would be somewhat boring for me. 

HUGE change for my family....my daughter moves out in a couple of weeks.  David and I will be empty nesters.  She is ready and old enough though.  I was living on my own with a husband at her age.  ha!  She can do it.  But, its gonna be hard on me.  I like hearing her walk up the front porch and open the door.  I like watching tv with her till late at night.  I literally watch my clock until she gets home each day, because I am so excited to see her.  She makes me happy and keeps me laughing.  She entertains David and I.  We are going to miss her little messes around the house.  She already said I can spend the night at her apartment when her roommate is away.  LOL!  Bless her heart.  I think she will miss us too.  ;)

Pray for me!!!  

This is Natalie and my "adopted" daughter Trinity.  :)

This is Duderstadt, Germany.  I lived here for 3 years of my life.  The top pic is of a hotel/restaurant (pink building), Hotel Lowe, where David took me for our engagement dinner.  The second pic is of the church we were married in, in 1987.  Such a beautiful place and certainly where David, Natalie and I will vacation one day soon.  I have never been back since the Iron Curtain came down.  It was a border town and I could see the Iron Curtain from my home window.  I hear it has changed quite a bit.  So many memories there.  I must go back.  

today

Well, since we missed a day of school, kindergarten was pretty busy today.  My students are so smart, they never missed a beat and just doubled up on some of their work.  I think they enjoyed what they learned today.  They even had a math and phonics quiz.  Firsts ones ever!  They are awesome. 

Met a friend at the movies today at the Summit.  It was nice.  I like getting together with friends. Its a rare occasion with work each day.  Sometimes I can go weeks without seeing friends, just hanging at home alone.  But thats not fun and its not good.  We all need friends!

Keep praying Ike away!  

the 50's, 70's and the 80's

I have become addicted to Twitter.  I need to balance my Blog and Twitter so I don't neglect one or the other.  :)  I am home today, off of work.  It's nice because I go back tomorrow and only work a half day!  Yipee.

This is what I would look like in the 50's if I was living then, now.  Wow....awesome!  Here is what David would look like in the 70's!  Oh My!  If he only knew I posted this!  Guess I better show him!  LOL!  :)  And here is Natalie in the 80's!  HA HA HA!  She thinks the 80's are so funny....she thought this looked like me!  Well, she honestly looks like my Aunt Brigette.  I will have to email her this pic.  

all about me

QUIZ

1. Where is your cell phone? coffee table
2. Your significant other?...... David
3. Your hair?.................brown
4. Your mother? .......... Charlene
5. Your father?.............. William
6. Your favorite thing?......cooking and music
7. Your dream last night?..... tried to protect a poor, poverty stricken child in need.
8. Your favorite drink......diet Pepsi
9. Your dream/goal?.....to be the best ME
10. The room you're in?..........living room
11. Your ex?.........none
12. Your fear?......heights
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?......here but in a new home!
14. Where were you last night?......intern orientation dinner
15. What you're not?..... insecure
16. Muffins.........dont care for muffins
17. One of your wish list items?.....a new home in town
18. Where you grew up?.....louisiana
19. What are you wearing?......sky blue lounge pants with orange cami
20. Your TV?.....27 inch sony from 2001....stinks!
21. Your pets?.....2 cats I didnt purchase....1 gift and 1 stray
22. Your computer? ....my daughter's MAC laptop
23. Your life?.........Super
24. Your mood?......... just chillin
25. Missing someone?........yes, my childhood best friend, Dottie.
26. Your car?........ cream Infiniti I35
27. Something you're not wearing right now? .....shoes
28. Favorite Store?......TJ MAXX
29. Your summer?.......gone
30. Like someone?......yup, David.
31. Your favorite color?.....blues
32. Last time you laughed...today, all the time.  
33. Last time you cried......3 days ago.  sad for someone.
34. Who will re-post this?.....?
35. Who will NOT re-post this?...?

how i feel

This is pretty much how I feel each morning on my drive to work...Traffic. 

Wow, how funny is this!  The famous town of Helena...that's where I live!!!

Gustav

                                                                  Go away! 

band and football

Tonight was exciting.  I was able to go see my nephew play in the Oak Mtn. High School band.  It was great!  He's the blonde with the cymbals under the #5.  Unfortunately, his team was playing Natalie's former high school, Pelham Panthers....we won.  ;)

school

Well, school has started and I am back to being busy.  It's nice and tiring all in one.  My class is so wonderful.  Each student is so different in their own little way.  I still have a few to figure out or I should say, they have to figure me out.  I love it!  They are precious!

I just love teaching.  I love every part of it.  I love my stapler, I love my file cabinets (full of new stuff), I love the crafts, I love my lesson plan book....it's all great.  :)  

I feel so blessed.  :)

God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

So, I start school in 16 days.  I am excited to meet my new students.  Planning some really cute and fun things to do on the first few days, but we will also start working.  Here is a picture of my class from last year.  How I will miss them!!!  Thankfully they will be just down the hall so the hugs will not be far!  :)

busy

Too busy to post.  :)

my hubby

He told me to never post a picture of him, but this one is so good, I just HAD too.  hee hee!

this spoke to me when I read it

Keep yourselves in the love of God.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The fruit of the Spirit is love.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

pets

This is the puppy my daughter brought home one day!  And then....the kitten she brought home!! Yeah, Rosco and Kate.  They both have new homes and I am happy.  ;)

camo

Nephew's t-shirt--$25.00

Mom's necklace--$30.00

Fun birthday party--$100

Mom wearing a camo hunting cap--PRICELESS!

scriptures

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory.

Hmmm.  So lazy days are nice, but I feel guilty.  

Enjoy this pic from our church firework display.  Awesome!

july 4th

Okay.  Wow, so tonight I had 18 people in my home, eating porkchops, and potatoes...and lots more.  It was all family and it was all fun (4 people we "call' family)!  I did all the grilling and it's my fave thing.  I think I am really understanding grilling now...finally.  No more dry meats.  

I had 7 nieces and nephews over so Mikey went and bought fireworks for them all.  They had a blast.  Most of them were lit during the daytime, but they saved a few for the night.  It's really hard watching all my nephews with fireworks...all of them throwing them at different directions.  But, noone was hurt, probably because there more people supervising than there were nephews.  LOL!  

So, all is well and quiet now.  The best part of all..............Natalie is cleaning her bedroom!!!!!  God is good!  :)

scriptures

These are a few scriptures I found combined, on my daily devotional and I liked them.  :)  

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God.

fireworks

http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html

^^^Go here and click your mouse on the screen for your own fireworks display!  :)

We had our church July 4th fireworks celebration tonight, 2 days early.  There were thousands of people!  It was unbelievable!  The fireworks were awesome.  I enjoyed visiting with friends and family.  But the nicest part of all, was there were so many visitors and I was happy to see all of them having a great time.  Yay! for free food, drinks, snow balls and cotton candy....oh and those glow sticks for all the kids.  Happy 4th!

family

So, my mom turned 59 yesterday.  We took her to Edgar's for lunch and then had a party with the family that evening.  It was lots of fun.  And...nothing tastes better than a white on white birthday cake!  

This a picture of my dad I took a few days ago.  His guitar is named "Hank"  He bought it as a teenager.  It's even been to Europe and back.  He LOVES it!  He plays it non-stop and sings non-stop.  I grew up with this instrument all my life, loved playing on it as a child.  But, I think I am the only one in my family who does not play guitar.  It's okay, because I play the CD player very well!  ;)  Gonna call it a night and watch a movie with my hubby.  

flat tires

Well, last night I did something I never thought I would get to do.  Change a flat tire.  LOL!  Natalie had a flat so I decided to help her out and change it.   Believe me, she didn't want me to, but I did it just to see if I could.  Except for a small dent under the car where I put the car jack, all went well.....Shhhh!  So, my little sister and her family are here now and have sold their home South Carolina.  This is a picture of my little niece and my mom.  We are all together in Alabama once again and its so nice to have my family in one place!  :)

food and music

So, I added this ipod thingy.  I like quite a variety of music and you are welcome to browse because it seems my least favorite songs tend to pop up first.  Ugh.  Sorry.  

This evening feels like it is going to be very uneventful and I am anxious about it.  LOL!  I do not like to sit around.  I already vegged this morning.  Treated myself to a Moe's Homewrecker today.  I was sitting there filling out a customer response card and it asked me what my favorite restaurant is and you know what....I couldn't think of one.  I don't think I enjoy restaurant food too much these days.  I could tell you some restaurants I despise, though.  ;)  Guess my mood is the main factor.  Anyway, this week is going to get more exciting.  I look forward to the upcoming events.  Natalie will also be 19 on friday.  I am old.  :)  Happy, but old.  Peace out!

sun

It was beautiful today.  Natalie and I went to the pool, where many friends met up with us to swim.  We stayed in the sun for 4 hours.  So, I am a lobster!

Natalie is making dinner tonight.  Curry chicken and corn on the cob.  Tammy...wonder why we are having corn on the cob?????  LOL!  

So, yeah.  That's it.  Another great day. :)  Tonight.....Helena fitness with the family.  ;)

Comfort food

Today I cooked 1 fozen pizza, deviled eggs, garlic pasta, 2 roasts, rice and gravy, cucumber salad, potato salad and garlic french bread.  It was a nice day.  :)  

Great pic of Natalie and I .  Lol!

waiting on this little girl to get here

Well, I have been helping my parents move into their new home.  They moved here from South Carolina.  It's great to finally have them here.  Tonight we had so much fun helping them organize their closet!  They have so many clothes, and most of them are outdated and funny!  Dad is so proud of his handmade, customized, Indonesian, satin shirt!  WOW!  What a sight and how I wished it would just go somewhere and hide!  He was bragging on how old some of his pants were.....dating back to the 70's, but I know they are from the early 90's.  But he was still proud to still have them.  As he put on different hats in his closet, he would act out different characters.  He is convinced they are still cool to have and wear.  I'm not saying a word!  Lol!  Mom just worried where she would hang her 2 dresses and was bothered that all her dress pants would touch the floor.  It really was fun being in their closet.  :)

Now we are waiting the arrival of my little sister and her family to move here as well.  9 more days.  What a blast we will have with all of my family here in B'ham!  

This pic is of my little niece, Abby.  Can't wait to see her.  

Kitties and Milkshakes

This is the cutest kitty I have ever seen!
Today I had a caramel coffee milkshake at Chick Fil A with my sister and 2 of her boys.  There you go!  :)

So today I am officially off for summer.  All holiday visitors are gone and I am home cleaning.  I told Natalie that she is free from unloading the dishwasher this summer, since I will be jobless.  :)  So, I am a full-time housewife/maid for now.  It's okay, I like it.  My hubby likes it too.  No excuses, I must have a clean house this summer.  ha! 

today

I decided to start this blog thingy.  After reading several over the past months and then reading a friend's blog today, I figured I could do it too.  

I always email my sisters with my daily activities.  For some reason I feel they are just wanting to know.  Surely!  But truthfully, it's just boredom and I like to type.  So, now I can just enter stuff here and they can read all about my very interesting life and my "goings on." ;)

Well, okay.  I did it and there will be more someday.