Father/Daughter Banquet 2009

 

Ramblin #30

I've had this here blog for 3 years now and have only rambled 29 times. What is wrong with me??? so I thought I would add one more.

It's Spring!!! Last week I spent 3 days in the yard. Picking up trash, diggin' in the dirt, planting flowers, cleaning a pool and I even learned how to change the battery on the lawnmower!!!

I love getting out in the yard. It's so therapeutic. I can talk to God, complain, talk some more and gripe about the fire ants! It's such a freeing feeling. Especially riding the lawnmower at full speed with the wind in your hair. Most of the time I'm doing that only because it involves bugs.

For some reason the links in my side bar are so messed up. I've tried changing the color but they won't change. Two weeks ago, our church had a Father/Daughter Banquet. It was sweet! I've seen the pictures and they're so good!!! Maybe one day we'll be able to get some of them...hint, hint...LOL!!! Just kidding Gina!!!

For 10 days now, I've been nursing bags full of Amish Friendship Bread starter mix...man, can that stuff get stinky!!! I spent most of the afternoon making cinnamon bread and muffins. I love my new little muffin pan from Pampered Chef! You just have to watch 'em closely. Trust me, burnt cinnamon muffins aren't all that hot.

AND did anyone see DWTS last night!!!???? OMG!!!! The last three will be Gilles, Shawn and Melissa!!! They were all fabulous!

PLEASE, PLEASE send Holly Madison home...

Ok, call me crazy BUT I've already started purchasing next school years curriculum. There's a friend that use to own a bookstore where I, actually a lot of us, would buy or trade our homeschool stuff. She is no longer in business (sniff, sniff). Anyway, she allowed those who wanted to come and go thru her stuff if we wanted to buy anything.

I bought some of Amanda's stuff for next year AND the year after. So I'm thinking, if I can keep ahead and buy a little here and there it won't hurt so the pocket book so much!!!

We are however, going to change our math curriculum next year. Amanda needs something or someone who will be able to explain it to her so she'll fully understand it and not become so overwhelmed or frustrated. Which is the problem we are facing right now. I've heard so many good things about this so that's what we're goin' try.

Our trip to King Tut will be April 20th. We are so looking forward to going and being with the friends that are going along too! We probably need to do some kind of lesson before we go...note to self.

We're planning a trip to Washington DC this year. Last year it was San Antonio, the year before it was Disney World. My son, Michael and I are excited since both of us are history enthusiast. In history this year, Amanda and I have been reading about American History using the Beautiful Feet Early American History Guide

It'll be exciting to see all the monuments and documents that we read about!!!

Anyway...I guess that's enough ramblin' for now...got 10 minutes before DWTS comes on. Please let that girl go home!!!

Lovin' Mondays!!!!

Alrighty...

After only the second week of DWTS, it's gettin' good!!!

Shawn Johnson did a wonderful job!!! She is such a cute kid!

Melissa Rycroft was fabulous! I voted for Shawn and Melissa. The naked guy from "Sex and the City" did a good job too. I sent him a couple of votes.

That Ty Murray was so cute! I was totally cheering for him! And someone tell what is going on with Belinda Carlisle??? I had such high expectations for her.

My pick to leave tomorrow night will be either Steve-O or Steve Wozniak. Until tomorrow...

DWTS 2009

I believe this Season of Dancing with the Stars will come down to two women! No one else impressed me. I love Shawn Johnson! She is adorable! Plus she reminds me of me when I was 17. I still have the shoulders to prove it!


I never got into the Bachelor or Bachelorette shows. But one night I was flipping through the channels and happened upon the "After the Rose" show??? Anyway... The "Bachelor" was breaking up with the poor girl he chose on the show! bless her heart, I felt so bad for her! Low and behold here she is on DWTS! She's a Texas girl AND was a DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER!!! I always wanted to be a DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER! But I was built like Shawn Johnson. Let's just say I was very compact. More muscular than curvy. Get my drift??? But this girl had 48 hours to learn the dance and did a great job!!!

Anyway, none of the men dancing tonight really impressed me. Well, except for the dude that Cheryl is dancing with. I still don't know who he is.

As I sit here blogging about Dancing with the Stars, I'm struck by the time of year that it is. A year ago, this time it was Spring Break. DWTS was beginning and Mom, Amanda and I were on our trip to the Hill Country. Wow! so much can change in such a short amount of time. I take flowers out to her grave every month or so. You know, to make sure the flowers match the time of year. Poinsettias at Christmas, red roses at Valentines, flowers that match the colors she liked. I know, she doesn't know, but I'd like to think she does.

Hoooowwddyyy!!!!

At the end of a crazy week, we took off to Ft. Worth, TX. It isn't like we had to go that far but a group of us took off and had us a rootin' tootin' good time!!!

We saw all 15-20 head of long horn cattle be driven down the brick streets of Ft. Worth. "Will Bill" Hickcock showed up to escort us around for a bit. The weather was a cool 60 degrees. In fact it was down right cold considering that it was 80 degrees the day before and I was shocking our blackish, green pool!

And guess what! We paid 3 bucks for the kids to SIT on a longhorn and take a picture! Yes, folks, using our own cameras!!! Where else but Texas would this happen???

We all made it through the Cowboy Museum. Some of them I knew, some I didn't have a clue. On this particular day, two adults got in for the price of one and kids were free! The Cowgirl Museum is free in the evenings from 3-7 pm. It's a blessing this one was free, I couldn't see myself paying get in.

I'm just saying...

Anyway, between the crazy driving, dead battery, blustery wind and cow poop we had a wonderful time!!!!

Apparently I'm not the only one

That thought Grease 2 was BAD! Here's a link that has a list! I'm all about list.

Wasted hours

I totally enjoy musicals! I love watching the dancing and singing only because secretly I really want to be able to do it! I mean, really, who didn't want to be Olivia Newton-John and sing Hopelessly Devoted to You. After church today, I watched Grease and then Grease 2.


For 2 hours I watched Grease 2. I had never seen it before. I'm afraid to say...I wish I had kept it that way! Have you ever felt as though you've wasted part of your life? I hadn't until today! I kept thinking that it would get better but... I guess you could say this is another one of my pet peeves. It drives me crazy!!!!If your going to make an extension of a movie at least make it good or don't give it the same name with a number behind it. Unless it's Star Wars!

The most perfect dessert!

This weekend, after church, we headed to a friend's mom's house for lunch. We hadn't done that in a long time and we totally enjoyed ourselves. My friends' mom can cook. My friend's mom also knows that I LOVE chocolate pies!!!

The mom loves me so much that she made one for me. Not really, I mean she does love me, but she made 4 pies one for each family that ended up out there for lunch.

Our church is a little different. We have Lifegroup during the week at different peoples houses. Then on Saturday evening and Sunday morning everyone comes together to worship.

The majority of the people who attend our church homeschool. We all do it differently but bounce ideas off of each other. If one thing isn't working for us, one might suggest another way, curriculum or idea.

This past Friday, we hosted a V-Day party at our church for other homeschool families. Most of which we know. Some I did not. But we had a good time getting together and the kids had a blast!

The cool thing about homeschooling is you can plan all sorts of field trips. So far our little group will be going to Ft. Worth to the stock yards, the Cowboy and Cowgirl Museums. The King Tut exhibit is scheduled for April. Then in May, we have lots going on! Civil War reenactment, Anne Frank play, Scarborough Faire, Homeschool book fair and maybe Homeschool day at Six Flags over Texas.

Survivor began on Thursday...I missed it! I spent my night listening to a dude from Sears trying to sell us windows. Now the husband believes that we can have a company come out, measure for windows and we install them. OH MY!!! We'll see how that goes.

We watch tv using a satellite. Sometimes during the month we are able to watch channels that aren't apart of our package. From now til March 3 we get FOX NEWS!! I haven't seen Bill O'Riley or Sean Hannity in such a long time. I'm so excited!!!

Speaking of O'Riley...gotta go...

Here's my opinion...I know you're looking forward to it!

I have finally found time to blog! And I completely missed the announcement of the new DWTS cast last night. I didn't realize it 'til I read Leslie's comment on my blog. WOW!!! What's happening to me? to miss something important like that???

Well, anyway...

Here's the run down.

Lil' Kim: Ok, I have to admit the ONLY thing I vaguely know about this girl is every time I've seen her, she's poppin' out of her top.

Steve-O: WHO IS THIS??? ISN'T THE NAME OF THE SHOW "DANCING WITH THE STARS"

Nancy O'Dell: I might have to cheer for this lady...she's my age!! Maybe she'll do alright. If she has my stamina, she'll be FANTASTIC!!

Lawrence Taylor: Here comes the athletes!! All athletes either win or come in second...so I wonder if this guy will be right up there. I hope he has that great personality that Warren Sapp did!!

Shawn Johnson: This little girl is my choice for winning Season 8! If she doesn't, I'll be shocked! She is such a cute kid!

Chuck Wicks: Country music singer, dating one of the professional dancers who happens to be a singer AND is his partner??? Not fair! Absolutely not fair!!

Gilles Marini: Never saw Sex in the City, don't have a clue! Name of the show again is what???

Denise Richards: I didn't know she was a "Bond" girl. Then again, I don't watch too many Bond movies. Although I've heard the last dude to play him is pretty cute. I'm just saying...

Steve Wozniak: Co-founder of Apple, sure wish he could do something about the prices of their stuff!!

Belinda Carlisle: 80's girl!!! My freshman year we dressed up as the Go-Go's for an "air band" competition! I'll have to cheer for her too!! After all, she's got the beat!!

David Alan Grier: He'll be the comic relief of the show. That'll be his only mission.

Ty Murray & Jewel: A dancing Bull Rider and his wife who happens to be a singer are competing against one another...this could be good!

I've been reading Janette Oke books recently and I've started the Love Comes Softly series. Leslie is keeping me up to date on DWTS and the series of movies that go along with the Love Comes Softly series. We have all 6 of the movies recorded but the 7th one is coming out. I checked into it and it sure doesn't sound like it's the same thing. At the end of the 6th movie, Belinda gets married and goes to Boston with her husband. The 7th movie, Love Takes a Wing makes it sound like she isn't married at all.

If they go and mess up the whole story, I'm going to be ticked!

Let's see, where do I begin???

16 days since I've logged in. Been a little busy. Actually, I've been reading Seasons of the Heart by Janette Oke and haven't been able to put it down. I've also been going through Esther, It's Tough Being A Women by Beth Moore.

I now have a side business that I've picked up recently, I critique cell phones and bible studies for Shara! LOL!!! And for some reason, I joined Facebook.

I'm not quite sure why I did that, it's not like I need another thing on my plate or on my computer. I've been a member for a while but I've now become an active member. I've learned that one of my classmates is the mother in law of a Chicago Bears player. It looks as though one may have had lap band surgery (just from looking at pictures), one's Mom passed away recently. BTW, my Mom's been gone now for 6 months to the day.

I've learned that the 80's movie that defines me is Footloose, "I gotta cut loose..." And I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of my 40th year.

I a have friend who blogs, it's been since November though. So I am going to hold her accountable that on Friday evenings she will hop on her new, cute, pink little computer and blog. Two members of my family traded in their phones to abandon me for another service and get the all so amazing IPHONE. Now they sit around fishing, playing golf, wurdle or making fart noises. All. on. their. phone.

I'm still getting up around 6am, ok, make that 6:30ish in the morning to begin our day. This week in school Amanda's math lesson has been decimal fractions. I totally forgot how to do that. I can't remember if I learned that in school or not. I'm sure I did, but the truth is I was merely there for the social aspect.

Recently I purchased Greenworks by Clorox . Now, I'm not one of those people that scream global warming or Eco Friendly or go off the deep end but I enjoy that way this stuff smells. It's so fresh and clean smelling. It makes me not mind washing dishes that much. "That much" key words...

Speaking of global warming...did anyone read this??? Thought it was interesting. Anyway...

It's getting late and I need to be in bed or I'll never make it up!!!

Dancing Fool...

About 2 years ago, a friend from church lent me her DWTS Cardio DVD. Remember this?

No, really. About 2 months ago, Leslie brought her DWTS workout DVD to church for me to look at. Well, I finally got a chance to view it today. And let me tell you...I am a Dancing Fool!!! I can Mambo like you wouldn't believe!!!

I rearranged our room. Moved Mike's desk into a little alcove, put the bike in front of the tv and left enough room for me to dance!! I'm not ready to put on spandex and high heels yet but give me a few.

Most of the moves that Max and Cheryl do are little dance steps one might learn in drill or cheer. Putting them all together and making it look right is another thing! Plus it really makes you sweat! And for someone who tries not to sweat...well.

Can you believe he(Max) was born in 1980??? I was in the 8th grade in 1980, thank you very much!

Anyway...

Our first two days of school have gone by without any problems. I've forced myself up at 6:00am each morning in order to have some quiet time, get some breakfast done and then wake Miss Amanda. We've added 20 minutes of silent reading to our schedule. Amanda is not a reader. That is one thing she doesn't like to do. BUT she has been reading a Junie B. Jones book for 20 minutes the past two days. While she's doing that I'm reading Janette Oke's Seasons of the Heart.

This gives me a chance to read some good stuff too!! One reason for the reading is she made a deal with her Dad to read books. In order to get a phone. I knew she wouldn't do this on her own so I thought I would help her out and in the process, hopefully, she'll learn that reading is fun!

I'll be buying the DWTS dvd and utilizing the space in our room...Watch out DWTS! Dreama Moore-Cooper is working out!!!

Extra long holiday

We have been off of school since Dec. 19th. Our official start back to school day was to be Jan. 5th...We didn't make it. A friend of ours went out of town for a week and we volunteered to watch her children in case her husband couldn't take off.

As of last night "the dad" was going to take the rest of the week off to be with his children. Husbands/Dads need that "bonding" time with the children also. So I'm glad he got to do it.

As for school...Monday will definitely be our start date. It just puts us into June farther. I am contemplating about working our schedule to where we could take the entire month of Dec. off with a week off for New Years. I'm not sure though, keeping a schedule is important to me. It gives a person a sense of stability or at least it does me. I do have lesson plans made out for the next 3 weeks, all I have to do is change dates and rearrange some history lessons.

This week Mike has worked from home. We didn't get out of our PJ's. We have watched the entire Season 2 of Little House on the Prairie. Washed many clothes. Watched Michael report to his new JOB and enroll into his second semester of college. Just witnessed the Atmos worker read our meter from her truck using binoculars. Wonder if her numbers will match the ones I went out and wrote down.

Now I'm debating on whether I want to save up to head to New York with my sisters. They're heading up there the last week of July. I'd love to go and somehow take Amanda. Just think of the educational things we could check out...Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, place where the World Trade Center was, UN, Central Park, Broadway, Times Square, Empire State Building...

Still debating, need to check out plane fares.

Happy Birthday!!

It's my baby's 11th birthday! My, how time flies by. She's growing into such a beautiful young lady with a strange sense of humor!! Happy Birthday, Baby!!!

In Memory...

It’s that time of year. Time to remember all of the things that happened in 2008. 2008 started out good. Then half way through it all fell apart.

As I sit here looking at the MSN home page you see “In Memoriam 2008”. On that list you see actors, singers, news people, athletes, designers, politicians and many others.

I have my own little Memoriam list for 2008. None of these people were famous nor were they rich. They didn’t make laws, records or clothes but in their own way they touch many people’s lives.

I would like to list some of the people we lost around here. I know there are much more but these few come to mind.

Mary Ann Gibbs

Sammie Black

Phyllis Powell

Wade Holt

Josh Linder

Gary Arender

Buster Hall

Ann Reese

Judy Brown

Leon Groom

Bill Manning

Ed Duke

Bob Vinson

Kyle Zitko

These are just a few that have passed away from this area. Each of these people will be missed. Most of the people on my list weren’t that old. Mom was 62, Wade was 18. Isn’t it weird that each of these people was allotted a certain amount of time?

I mean, God gave Mom only 62 years to be here with us. Somehow I feel cheated. We all think we will live to “be a ripe old age”. Sadly, they didn’t and some of us won’t. I can't imagine what Wade's parents feel. How robbed or short changed they must feel.

I wonder if you recognize people from your community when your in heaven? It was explained to me that people in heaven don't know what's going on down here since the bible tells us there are no tears in heaven. If our loved ones could see us they would be unhappy and sad because we are unhappy and sad. Their prime purpose is to worship God not feel sorry for us.

I know that Mom enjoyed singing. I know that Mary Ann could sing also. Wonder if they are singing together??

As we go into the “New Year” let us all remember that we never know how much time we have. Remember to let those around you how much you love them. And by all means…make sure you have everything planned and prepared for. Case in point…here.

Christmas 2008 doin's

A friend of ours always makes these wonderful cookies and icing for Christmas so tonight we pulled them out and decorated! Oh and we ate them also. You can tell that the kids had a nice time doing both.

I've also taken a few pictures of some of the ornaments on the tree. Some explanation is required for a few of them. Let's see...

Melissa's is the Christmas tree shoe ornament. Michael's is Snoopy since he's like Charlie Brown, wishy one minute, washy then next.
Tinkerbell belongs to Amanda. Last year she picked out a Disney Princess one but since she's growning out of the Princess stage...

Mike is the Grinch. No explanation needed for this one. And of course, Rhett and Scarlett. One day my cousin Nancy will be inheriting all of my GWTW stuff. I'll leave notice that the ornaments need to be handed down to her also. I know she will enjoy them as much as I have!

Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Pet Peeve #4

Here's another one of my pet peeves...Empty hangers left hanging in the closet!! Please tell me what is so hard about taking your clothes off the hanger and removing the hanger from the closet???

It drives me crazy to pull out the hangers as I am hanging up freshing dried clothing. I'm finding out that the older I get, the more pet peeves I have.

Homeschool happenings

This blog that I started about 3 years ago was a way in which I was gonna keep up with Amanda's homeschool adventure. Some how life always gets in the way and I blog about that instead. So tonight, I thought I would actually blog about Amanda and close a chapter in her life.

For the past 2 1/2 years, Amanda has attended a little cooking class called "Show off Chefs". It's been taught by a teacher from the school district here. Her name is Marie Thomas Osborne. She grew up here in Podunk, TX. and is making an impact on her students. Both in public school and through her cooking class. Tonight was her last night to hold class. Due to different circumstances, she had to make the decision to close up shop.

I would like to Thank Marie for the past 2 1/2 years for the time, effort and creative recipes she taught Amanda and the others.

This is also our last week of school before taking 2 weeks off for the holidays. I know we are looking forward to the rest. We have quite a few homeschool families that attend our church and one particular family started school earlier this year in order to take the whole month of December off!!

The science class that we had for 14 weeks is over. History is still a booger! and will have to be the only subject we do over the holidays in order to not get behind. It's A LOT of reading but I have enjoyed reading about our history. Although, I am tired of the Pilgrims. I'm ready to move onto the colonist, American Revolution, Civil War, etc.

Piano lessons will resume the week of Jan. 5, 2009. 2009! can you believe that??? January 7, 2009 will be Amanda's 11th birthday! Man, I'm getting old. No, actually, Mike's getting old!!! I'm just saying...

Anyway, looking forward to Friday and hopefully some warmer weather!!!

Christmas Questionnaire

I saw this on Beth Moore's blog and thought I would post it also.

1. Fresh or Fake Tree

We use to do fresh trees when I was little and when Mike and I first got married. But then I had to be the one to clean up the mess so we now have one of those trees from Walmart that is pre lit!! I so enjoy it!! It's in three pieces and isn't too big. That way it doesn't kill you getting it in and out of the attic.

2. Favorite Ornament

My favorite ornament(s) would be my GWTW ornaments. Yes, I have Gone With the Wind ornaments.

3. Favorite Christmas Song

O, Holy Night. I know a lot of people have sang this song but Martina McBride's version is beautiful.

4. Favorite Tradition

We don't really have "traditions". Mike usually reads the story of Christ birth from Luke. One year he wanted to change that and read it from Matthew. Which didn't go over well, it sounds prettier coming from Luke.

5. Favorite Gift Ever Received

This one is difficult to answer. It would have to be either my pink chi iron because without it I am a big bush head!!! or the Campbell soup mug that I found in Mom's closet after she died. I collect Campbell soup kid stuff. She had bought the mug and put it away for Christmas.

6. Favorite Christmas Meal

My favorite Christmas meal is probably the ones in Kansas City with Mike's parents. Yes, it's very stressful up there but his Mom knows how to set a beautiful table along with the wonderful food.

7. Favorite Christmas Cookie

Ok, this is EASY...chocolate chip!!! But it doesn't have to be Christmas to have them.

8. Favorite Place to Be

Home with my family.

9. Favorite Memory

It would have to be when I was in Kindergarten or first grade. We lived in Oklahoma. My sister and I were being tucked into bed by both Mom and Dad, it was Christmas Eve and they were explaining that we needed to go to sleep so "Santa" would come. Now, I'm not making this up, really. We heard noises on the roof. I totally promise! Something was on the roof and it sounded like hooves. I know, I know...

10. Favorite Christmas Movie

It's a Wonderful Life has to be my favorite Christmas Movie. When George realizes his worth more dead than alive, then God sends Clarence to show him what a truly wonderful life he had. My daughter can't figure out why it's in black and white! Oh and Charlie Brown Christmas is right up there. I'd put both in with GWTW, of course!!! LOL!!!

Happy Holidays!!

Yes, we are trying to get ready for Christmas. Michael completed the yearly ritual of putting the lights on the house.

Michael, Melissa and Amanda decorated the tree this year. They did a pretty good job. We did purchase a smaller tree from Walmart for $25.00 at the day after Thanksgiving sale. It's pre lit so that was a blessing.

Every year we decorate the outside. I enjoy that more than anything! I am a light person! One day, I'm gonna have the entire house decorated and timed to blarring music! I'm sure the neighbors will be thrilled!!!

We also hit the day after Thanksgiving sale at Lowe's. We ended up with Chuck and Snoopy. Don't you just love 'em!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

After working hard the past couple of weeks, I decided that we should take the entire week of Thanksgiving off. Actually, I scheduled it when I was doing our Homeschool plans.

Last year I created my "thankful list". I've debated whether to do it again this year. Things are a bit different.

A year ago, my sisters and I weren't talking. We had two separate Thanksgivings. Mom spent two Christmases with "the sisters" and us. Michael had left home for a whole year. I was sweating how he was going to get the money for GFA. I had substituted friends for family. Then somehow the friends part got screwed up.

I know that we should be thankful for our families, friends, jobs, health, and our homes. It's hard trying to find the good, glory, blessing or thanksgiving in death. While all of the support, food, cards, people coming to the visitation and funeral was very much appreciated. Their lives go on. Ours do to, but there's a part of it that ended. We have to get use to not having Mom around.

I'm still trying to figure things out.

With that being said, Happy Thanksgiving and be sure to tell all of those that you love that you "love them".