I've Been Boo-ed and So Have You!

I wasn't feeling good on Wednesday. Of course, not feeling good isn't anything new since I have those up and down days with my fibromyalgia. However, when I woke up yesterday morning I knew I was dealing with something more. I knew it as soon as I stepped out of bed. That first step shot pain up through my sides and down my legs. Ow! Ow! Ow! Liquid fire!!

I didn't say anything to the boys since I thought it would feel better if I took some Motrin and drank some water. Wrong! By 9:00 I called my doctor and begged for an appointment. They said if I could be there in 10 minutes he could see me because he was about to leave for the day. Oh, boy, if you could have seen me you would have gotten quite the show. I had just gotten out of the shower so I literally grabbed on the first clothes I saw, threw my wet hair up into a headband and drove to the doctor's office.

When my doctor walked in he said, "Well, I know what your problem is. You are wearing a Mississippi State shirt! That would make anybody sick!" (My doctor and I are both Alabama fans.)

After an exam, I walked out knowing what I had suspected. Kidney stones. Miserable. Painful. Hideous. I walked out with prescriptions and instructions to go home and immediately change to a better shirt. Smile!

When I got home I got a notice that "I had been boo'ed!" Boy was that appropriate! But it was also sooo sweet. It came from Jenn at "I Hate Whine!"

So, since I can't give you any candy today. This is the next best thing!

BOO!

There... You've been boo'ed too!

Happy Halloween!

Thankful Thursday: Hot Chocolate

Waking up on these past few mornings with the extra blanket, curled up in the arms of my sweet hubs... I haven't wanted to get out of bed. The only thing that will pull me out of that warm and toasty place is my sweet boys' faces saying, "Mom, can you make us some hot chocolate?"

My boys are just like me. Hot chocolate is one of the first traditions associated with the first signs of cold weather. On Monday afternoon, when we arrived home from school their eyes lit up when they saw the steaming mugs of hot chocolate and big warm bowl of cinnamon popcorn waiting for them. Little Guy said, "It really is fall!"

Growing up, I always knew that fall had arrived when my Mom would begin making hot chocolate and toast for breakfast. I love hot chocolate and toast for breakfast. My Daddy taught us to dip our toast in our hot chocolate. My Mom thought that was the most disgusting habit ever, but we thought it tasted delicious. And if Mom made cinnamon toast? Wow!

Now today, my boys are like me and love hot chocolate and toast for breakfast. One guy loves to dip and one guy doesn't. Both think Mom's hot chocolate is the best in the world.

That is why on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for traditions and for hot chocolate.

WFW: Pumpkins

Have you ever read the Pumpkin Patch parable? My boys love that book. It is all about how a farmer (Jesus) reaches down, picks out a special pumpkin from his garden, scoops out all the messy "goo" to make room for His light to shine inside.

I think about that book every year when people are buying and carving pumpkins. Scooping out all the slimy, gooey, yucky gunk that is on the inside. I wonder if that in any way resembles what Jesus has to take out of us when we come to Him and ask Him to forgive us of our sins. When I think of some of the things I have done in my life, I hate to think of all the gunk it probably left in my heart. I know this sounds silly, but I hate to clean my bathroom and that is just after a couple of days. I can't imagine how dirty my heart was the day I asked God to clean it after the years of sin that I had accumulated.

God is my strength and my redeemer. He is the only one who would die on a cross to clean the goo of my heart. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord!

WFMW: Framing Memories

When we first moved into our house, we desperately needed some furniture.    All of our furniture was "newlywed chic" or, in other words, not even garage sale worthy.     One of our friends had used a designer to help her put together her new house so I gave her a call to ask her to help me pick out and coordinate our living room.     I am not a designer type girl, but I did know that if I was going to spend money I wanted it to look good.     She further confirmed my thoughts that I am not a "designer" girl when she told me that I shouldn't have so many family pictures in my house because it wouldn't make my house sale-able.    What?   I wasn't trying to sell my house.   I was trying to make my house a home.

When I look at my home I am probably a designer's nightmare.     The things I love most are the things that I have incorporated into my "design" that are memories.

I just finished framing these pieces of art that my Big Guy made for me over the past three Christmases.    He is in the gifted program at his last school.   His teacher taught them to scherenschnitte.    Scherenschnitte is the German art of  paper cutting.      It is very tedious and complex.       The teacher allowed students to pick from many patterns and make something for their parents for Christmas.     My sweet son, knowing of my love of Nativities, made me different piece of the Nativity during the three years that he was at his last school.

Here is how they turned out framed:

Aren't they beautiful?     It is hard to believe I will ever get a better present from my Big Guy.    He spent hours cutting out these beautiful pieces and they were a gift from his heart.

Framing Memories.... that definitely works for me!!

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips,  Go Here.

Children and the Election

I originally posted this over at Conservative Belle...

Children and the Election

Baby Shower

This weekend we went to two showers for my beautiful baby sister and my sweet twin nieces.   Have I mentioned how excited we all are about their arrival?   

Our hostess for Saturday's shower was Life With A Leach.     Her home is absolutely beautiful and she had prepared a gorgeous shower.    It was also fun seeing another blogging friend, McCoy's Musings.   

My sister was truly showered with beautiful gifts for the sweet girls...

I loved these little onesies.   They said, "This is my little black dress."

On Sunday we went home to our childhood church for a special shower.

Don't you love those cute baby decorations?    I love those pacifiers made out of balloons.    The girl who decorated is really creative.     They told me that these decorations were nothing compared to the Noah's Ark she made for her daughter's birthday party.

Being able to share this time with my sister is so special and I can't wait until these precious baby girls arrive.

Pumpkin Painting

It was a completely busy weekend. Baby showers for my sweet little sister and my soon-to-arrive twin nieces, a band competition for my niece, eating Chinese and watching the Alabama football game with my sis and a bake sale for the middle school at church. Whew! I have some pics that I need to upload but right now I am too tired.

So, I wanted to share some pics from Hubs and Little Guy's recent trip to our town's Fall Fest. They had so much fun. One of the things that kids could do was pick out a free pumpkin. As soon as he got home he pulled out a ton of paints and got to work.

Painting pumpkins is something that we do every year but we hadn't gotten to it yet this year so Little Guy was really excited. Little Guy is very creative and he had already thought out his art plan. He decided he wanted to use the pumpkins four natural lines to section it off. He then wanted to paint each section like a different sports ball: basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball.

His pumpkin has eyes, nose and a mouth. I am always amazed at his creative twist and outlook on things.

P.S. With any luck, Big Guy's teacher will return today so they can have these crazy elections. I care. You care. Big Guy seems to have lost interest. If only the presidential elections could be this laid back!

What If Cartoons Got Saved?

In The Yard....

The Ultimate Doodle-bug & Friday Randoms

First things first, Big Guy's election wasn't held yesterday. Apparently there was a substitute teacher in his home room so it was postponed until today. Another day of waiting....

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I made a run to Target yesterday for the essentials.    The highlight of the trip?   This crazy VW bug that I parked next to in the parking lot.    It looks like a family art project doesn't it?    My husband called it the "Ultimate Doodlebug"! 

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Yesterday I was driving past our local community college as classes were dismissing. One of the guys from our neighborhood was walking down the road heading home and it was raining. I pulled off the road to see if he wanted ride since I was driving right by our neighborhood on the way to carpool. While he was waiting for traffic to slow down so he could cross the road, the local fire engine company pulled along side my car.

FF: "Hey, are you O.K.?"

Me: "I am fine. Just giving him a lift home."

FF: "That is not safe!"

Me: "He lives in my neighborhood. It is fine. I don't want him walking home in the rain."

FF: "Well..... O.K."

You know you live in a small town when the firefighters know your name and stop to check on you!

*************************************

And last, but not least,  Black Betty, I was wandering around Barnes & Noble and found the PERFECT calendar for you for 2009....

Have a great Friday everybody!

Good Luck, Big Guy!

I hope you will forgive this "Mom" moment, but Big Guy is running for class president this morning.

He kind of made the announcement to us in a nonchalent way. Told us he was thinking about it a couple of days ago and then last night said, "I decided. Elections are in the morning."

Big Guy is very quiet and reserved. This was definitely a step outside the box for him.

Good luck, Big Guy. We are so proud of you. We will be celebrating tonight.

Kreativity & Friendship

Veggie Mom sent me this very pretty award. Along with the award comes a meme that says I am supposed to tell you things "That Make Me Happy".

These are a few of my favorite things....

• Picking up my boys in carpool, getting that first hug and hearing all about their day at school.


• A date night with my hubs.


• Our house filled with the laughter of my boys and their friends.


• Spending time with my sisters. (We have a weekend planned in two weeks and I am counting the days, hours and minutes until it arrives.)


• Shopping and finding tons of things I need on clearance.


• My house being completely clean and all the laundry being done.
• Curling up on the couch on a rainy afternoon with a book, my favorite blanket, a mug of coffee and reading until I can't keep my eyes open anymore.
• Comments on my blog!

There you have it! And now I'm gonna pass this Beautiful Bit o' Bloggy Bling along to five of my Kreativ Blogger friends. Enjoy my friends...

• Willow


• Alice


• Betty


• Crystal


• Miss Mud

Willow gave me this sweet friendship award. Friendship is something that you should never take for granted. Ever.

Every person has a friendship "personality". I am not one of those people that you will ever see surrounded by tons of people. I guess I am just not magnetic that way. But hopefully my friends know that I love them and would do anything for them. Whether it is a phone call at any time of the day, a little retail therapy, chatting over lunch (yes, Miss Mudd we ARE going to have lunch!), a pan of brownies, or someone to sit with them in a hospital waiting room, I'll be there.

I want to pass this award on to three very special friends in my life:

My sweet and precious sister, Krisa

My friend, Carrie, who I am so convinced is my long, lost sister!

and

Amusing... Thanks for sharing many lunches, text messages, phone calls and more secrets than either of us can count!

WFW: What Are You Wearing?

Being a strong woman in today's world isn't always looked at in a positive light. However, the Bible says that we are supposed to be clothed with strength. That strength is supposed to cover every area of our life -- spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional. Of course, how often do we as women actually take the time to make sure that we are putting on those clothes each day? Some mornings get so hectic I skip eating breakfast. That is not good for my physical body, but when we skip sitting down with Jesus and filling ourselves with Him it is not good for our spiritual body.

My husband has a really busy schedule. There have been moments when I have been jealous of his job and the amount of time it requires. I am proud of him and how hard he works, but I also sometimes just want to say, "Forget the job and just spend time with me!" I know that God feels that way with me. When I get so busy with my supposedly all important schedule, I know God must say, "That is wonderful, but I just want you to spend time with me!"

The Lord says that when we take the time to clothe ourselves with strength and dignity, we can laugh at the days to come. Considering the worrier that I tend to be, that is an appealing thought to me. To know that the joy of the Lord is my strength. For today and for the future.

WFMW: Etsy

I love to shop, but I really love to shop from the comfort of my couch with my feet kicked up on my ottoman with a cold glass of Pepsi in one hand and my mouse in the other.

I have become quite addicted to Etsy. If you haven't discovered Etsy, let me introduce you to one of my favorite shopping friends on the internet.

On Etsy, I discovered these amazing little envelopes made from the pages of old books and sheet music from Adnagam....    (Don't you recognize that Dr. Seuss book?)

I am in love with the L. Young Studio.    I bought one of her canvases with her new initial for a friend when she got married.     She has state series which include: Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and more.    If you have a hard to buy for lady in your life... start here!

When our friends adopted their precious baby boy, I went straight to A Simple Impression to order a custom plague to commemorate the occasion.      That sign turned  out almost as sweet as the new baby boy.... ALMOST!

I stumbled across this next Etsy shop, but I found something  here that helped me give comfort to a friend who was grieving.     It is always so difficult to know the right thing to say to someone when they are hurting and this Etsy shop has what they call sympathy handkerchiefs.     It comes with a wonderful poem.    This lady created these after her miscarriages, but they are truly appropriate for any loss.    Handkerchiefs are very comforting to me because they remind me of my Daddy.    He always carries a handkerchief.  

But for all my friends who are on a diet, you could always visit this Etsy store and buy this necklace so that you could just wear your candy....

I'm telling you, whether you are looking for children's clothing, jewelry, food, recipes, art, pottery, crochet, photography, furniture, holiday items, or anything between.... you can find it at Etsy!

Visit more Works For Me Wednesday suggestions here!

Scribbling... Not Just For Kindergarten

I haven't been called a Superior Scribbler since I was in kindergarten, but somehow I don't think that is what the Scholastic Scribe meant when she made this bloggy award. Ha!

Our sweet Dr. Wifey passed this award on to me last night and according to the rules, I have to pick five blogs to pass this award on to. I am with Dr. Wifey... how do you pick just five? That is like trying to pick the best one out of your group of friends for Red Rover at recess! Why can't they ALL come over?!?!? (You can see why I was never very good at sports. Well, that and I couldn't run worth a flip!)

I am passing this award on to these five wonderful blogger buddies:

RT

Amydeanne

Felicity

Amusing

Carrie

The rules:
Every Superior Scribbler will name 5 other Super Scribblers.
If you are named you must link to the author & the name of the blog that gave you the award. Then you must display the adorable award and link to This Post, which explains The Award. Finally you must visit this post and tell your name to Mr. Linky List. Then they will have a record of all the people who are Super Scribblers!

Easy Button

You know Staples's Easy Button? I want one of those. Not to buy office supplies. I want one to deal with difficult things in life.

A long day and too exhausted to cook supper? Push the button.

Your groceries are running out before your budget is? Push the button.

You finally save up enough money to purchase floor for your house and you find out your foundation has to be repaired. (Grrr!) Push the button.

Hurt AGAIN by the same person? Push the button.

Unfortunately, life isn't easy and there isn't a button. In times like this I am glad that I have my Bible. The cover is worn, the pages are frayed, but the words are ever true and God's shoulders are forever comforting.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous fall. - Psalm 55:22

Confirming My Weirdness

I was tagged by Doghouse, Buzzard, and Black Betty to participate in this meme that asks you to list seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.

I decided to just jump off the deep end and tell you some really weird stuff about me! So lock and load people. Here goes:

1. I am a germ freak. I carry wet wipes with me everywhere. When the boys get in the car after school I usually immediately hand them a wet wipe to wash their hands, but when we walk in the door from anywhere they know the first words out of my mouth are going to be "go wash your hands."

2. I cannot stand to watch someone brush their teeth. Grosses me out!! Even if we are watching tv and someone starts brushing their teeth I have to change the station or leave the room. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!

3. I think bathrooms in general are disgusting. Don't come in a bathroom to talk to me and don't you dare think you are being nice by bringing me a glass of tea or cup of coffee in there. Nasty! As much as I appreciate your thoughtfulness, once it enters the bathroom it has been contaminated and has to be thrown away.

4. When you order a drink from a fast food place and they fill it too much and put the lid on part of that drink is going to come flowing out of the top. My boys learned a long time ago NOT to sip that off of there or I will gag and THEN they will get a lecture on how who knows whose hands have been on that lid.

5. I am a huge "routine" person. If I do things out of my routine I wind up forgetting to do something. (i.e. the other morning getting ready I stopped in the middle of my routine and wound up forgetting to put on a bra... NOT pretty... stop laughing Amusing!!)

6. I have a very bad relationship with food. I am an emotional eater. I eat when I am happy, sad, mad, frustrated, stressed... basically breathing.

7. I'd rather have Jesus than anything. Let's face it... in today's world. That makes me more weird than anything else on this list.

I Can Only Imagine

Christmas Bargains

Big Guy went to a birthday party this afternoon so while he was there I decided to use the time doing a little Christmas shopping.

I went into Lifeway and saw that they were offering Prince Caspian, the movie, for a special pre-buy offer of $19.99. If you bought the movie, they gave you two $5.00 gift cards. That was like getting the movie for only $9.99!

A great bargain and a great movie to put in one of the boy's stockings.

Also...

I went into Toys 'R' Us and they had all of their games for the various game systems buy 2 get 1 free. My boys and my nephew all have Nintendo DS's. They also have a XBox 360. I took advantage of this sale to get them a new game for Christmas.

Faithful Servant... Award

A little while ago, my sweet friend Willow sent me this award. I was so touched by it that I didn't post it immediately. To be viewed in someone else's eyes as a faithful servant is so humbling. It is ultimately my goal for when I stand before my Savior's face... that he would see me as a faithful servant and say: "Well done."

Thank you, Willow! For your friendship, your encouragement, and your thoughtfulness!

Fill 'Er Up, Please!

I haven't been able to kick this crazy cough since I had bronchitis.     I was running some errands the other day and started one of my coughing fits and couldn't quit so I whipped into Sonic to get a quick drink.  

I love their new specialty drink The Bulldog Blitz because it is mostly cranberry juice with Sprite and some vanilla. 

Man:   "May I take your order?"

Me:   *cough cough* "May I have a Bulldog Blitz?"

Man:  "Would you just like the cup or would you like a drink in it?"

Me:  ....Pause... "I would like it all please."   

Man:  "You sure?"

Me:   "Positive."  (But in my head I'm thinking.... No, I am coughing my head off and just want to chew the cup!!!!   Of course I'm sure!)

Seriously, I am with Amusing.   Where do they get these people?

Where Do You Blog?

Maybe it is the fumes or maybe it is the fact that cleaning is so b-o-r-i-n-g, but I was doing some laundry and I got to wondering about what the places where everybody blogs looks like. I know that a lot of you do your blogging while you are at work.

I can just imagine Dr. Wifey and Confessions surrounded by chemicals and test tube beakers with white lab coats on. I imagine Doghouse and Sandi up to their eyeballs in newspapers and peeking over the top of their computer. Carrie sitting on her brand new lovely couch.

But really, where do you blog????

Thought I would post a few pics of where I like to blog. I blog in a few places. Depends on my mood and what I am doing.

I do a lot of blogging right here.... my dining room table. As you can see, I have my mouse, my daily cup of caffeine, and files (aka work). If I need to spread out, I do a lot of working here.

If I am wanting to relax or chat with hubs while he works, you will find me kicked back here... on our living room couch. Our house computer is in the living room so if hubs is working from home I like to be where he is so we can chat while we work.

One of the best places to blog is my "room" which really isn't a room at all. It is my front porch. No one really goes there but me so whether I am sitting there in the morning with a cup of coffee or enjoying a glass of iced tea in the afternoon, it is really a relaxing place to be!

So I challenge you: Post a picture of where YOU blog!

WFW: Many Dimensions

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:11

This verse fascinates me. Every time I read it I get something different from it. Maybe because every time I read it I am experiencing something different in my life.

To add even more dimension, you can say this verse ten different times each time emphasizing a different word in the verse and it will mean something different. For example:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me."

Same verse that can mean two different things to you depending on the emphasis. I think that is why this verse is such a comfort to so many people.

WFMW: Blankets for Soldiers

Since the war in Iraq has started, I have spent every day praying. We have family members who are serving over there. One of my high school friends was killed in Fallujah in December two years ago. And now sweet Andy is recovering from a sniper wound as a result of the most deadly battle to date on Afghanistan. It is hard not to feel as if you wish you could do something more than "just pray".

When my friend, Conservative Belle, told me about the Blanket of Belief project, I knew that it was something I wanted to participate in. First of all, their goal was to help the soldiers. Second of all, their project involved a NO SEW blanket. Since I can't even sew a button I knew I had found a project I could handle.

First, let me tell you that in addition to the fact that I can't sew. I am a rebel. The very GOOD instructions said that you should make a template out of cardboard, mark the 1 inch segments so you know exactly where to cut and mark 4 inch squres in the corners to cut out as well. Me? I was too anxious to start the project to actually find a piece of cardboard so I just got out my measuring tape and eyeballed it. I know... hardheaded.

Once I cut out my blanket, there was some leftover so my boys wanted to know if they could make miniature blankets. I figured this would be a good way for me to practice the cutting. The boys had a ball tying blankets.

Big Guy working on his blanket while home sick from school from day. We enjoyed sitting and talking while tying on our blankets. My Little Guy loves his new little blanket. He uses it to cover up his "soft tailed baby". (The story behind "soft tailed baby" is another blog, but I'll just tell you that he is definitely another member of the family and he goes wherever we go.) I guess now this little blanket will go with us too.

Below you can see my finished blanket, despite my first attempt and lack of a template, it turned out pretty good. It wasn't until after I finished my blanket that I realized ONE MORE piece of instructions that I forget to read. It was supposed to be RED, WHITE and BLUE! Oh, well, Belle assures me that they will take it anyway. I enjoyed making this one that I am going to go buy more fleece to make another one.

Doing something for our amazing soldiers who are doing so much for us? That is what Works For Me!

You can join in too! Just follow this link and find out more about how to help the Soldiers' Angels meet their goal of sending 180,000 blankets to our troops for Christmas.

Wouldn't You Like To Be A SITSta Too?

Have you ever noticed that cute little "SITS" button on my sidebar? I discovered this blog about six months ago and it has opened my door to tons of blogging. Yesterday how I addicted to blogging I am. SITS just feeds my addiction. Every day, a new blog is featured and every week brand new saucy blogs are posted in their sidebar to browse. Amazingly enough, one week, I was posted as one of their saucy blogs. Me? A little blog from Mississippi!

Today, SITS is having a BLOG-A-THON. It is to introduce people to SITS who might have never discovered the fun before. Here are some of the GREAT blogs I have discovered through SITS. I can't imagine not having these great SITSta friends in my life!

Carrie - Oikology - Carrie and I could seriously be sisters. I keep begging her to move down here to Mississippi, but she has all these lame excuses about jobs, husbands, blah, blah, blah! I have thought about telling her I would watch "The Titanic" if she would come down here, but that might be stretching it a bit! Carrie has the cutest little "midget" and she isn't afraid to use her for campaigning.

Meaghan's Blog - I Kicked Cancer's Ass - Meaghan is a Stage 3B Cervical Cancer Survivor. She created her blog to raise Cervical Cancer Awareness. She was only 28 when she was diagnosed!

Veggie Mom - Eat Your Veggies! - I won my first ever blog contest here. Now I am hooked on Uncle Lynn's Popr's. Butter and Taco flavors... mmmmmm!! Plus, I really wish I was Aunt Julie's niece so I could get one of her cherished quilts. I keep hoping one of those will be a giveaway one day.

Lisa - Blessed With Grace - Lisa has a faith that inspires me. She has a daughter that tickles me with her beauty tips. And every Tuesday we meet at her blog for "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday" which she and her sister, Lana, started. Food, faith, fun... what a great combo!

Lizzy - Journey to the Hot Tub - Warning! Do not have a beverage in your mouth when you visit Lizzy's blog. Lizzy can make you laugh hysterically, sobbing desperately and stomp furiously all in one posting. She is awesome. Plus, Lizzy has one more amazing thing that we need. She is running for PRESIDENT! So I ask you to consider not red, not blue, but PLAID!


What are you waiting for? Click the pic below to go visit the SITS blog right now!

I Might Be An Addict

Amusing and I were having a typical phone conversation last week when hubs came home from work.    

Me:   "Hey,  I better run.   Hubs is home and I want to see him and then figure out what we are going to have for supper."

All of a sudden Amusing and Hubs say at the same time, "You aren't on your blog, you can call him/me by  his/my real name!"

This little conversation got me to wondering.    Am I addicted to blogging?   

I mean just because I call my hubs and boys by their blogging names in real life, does that make me an addict?

Just because I hit the refresh button on my computer every time I walk by to see if I have new comments, does that make me an addict?

Where I used to call my friends and say, "Guess what I just saw!" now I say, "I just saw my next blog posting!", does that make me a blog addict?

Just because I saw a little girl that looked like the Diva at Barnes and Noble and I debated for ten minutes walking up to the Mom and saying, "Are you Black Betty?", does that make me an addict?

I have random shots of things on my camera that I thought might make great blog posts, does that make me an addict?

Wait... I think I just answered my question.     Point me in the direction of the direction of the nearest bloggers anonymous.   There isn't one?   Oh, well, I guess I will have to start a blog for that too!!!     (Insert evil laugh here!!)

The Value of Time

Imagine there is a bank, which credits your account each morning with $86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance,
and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!

Well, everyone has such a bank. Its name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you.

Each night it burns the records of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits,
the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow."

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR – Ask a student who has failed his exam.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH – Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK – Ask an editor of a weekly.

To realize the value of ONE DAY – Ask a daily wage laborer who has ten kids to feed.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR – Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE – Ask a person who has missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND – Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND – Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have.

I'll Trade That "A" for a Doughnut!

The boys came home with their report cards yesterday. As soon as I picked up the boys we talked about their day and then I asked, "Did you get your report cards?"

"Yes maam!" they answer in unison.

"A's?"

"Yes maam!" again they answer in unison and start grinning.

Oh the "A's" are important and mean they studied and all that, but what they really mean is KRISPY KREME!! On report card day, you can take your report card to Krispy Kreme and get free doughnuts for every "A" that you have on your report card.

This is a huge treat to the boys because we don't go to Krispy Kreme at any other time.

When they walked in last night the girl handed everyone a free sample hot glazed. Yum! Then the boys gave her the report cards. She said, "Pick out what you want!" The best thing is that they don't restrict you to just glazed. You can have any doughnut you want!

Both boys have fun deciding what kind of doughnuts they want and since they did so great on their report cards, they both came home with their own boxes full of scrumptious delights to enjoy throughout the weekend!

Thank you, Krispy Kreme! I heart you!

P.S. They also take their report cards to GattiTown where they load money onto Gatti cards for their A's. These businesses who support kids for studying... ROCK!

Tidbits and Citizens Arrest

Thursday was full of little "tidbits"....

After I dropped the boys off at school yesterday I ran into the grocery store to pick up a few potatoes for the soup I was making for supper. While standing in the produce section the misters came on to water down all of the produce. I was startled when something buzzed past my ear. I caught a glimpse of a little bird just as it landed in the midst of the broccoli section. It had arrived to take a little bath. He was having a wonderful shower there on top of that pile of broccoli. I gently took my cell phone out and was focusing it so I could get a picture to show you when I bumped my buggy and scared it away. Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! That was the coolest picture I will never get.

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I kind of had a Barney Fife moment when I saw this guy (late teens/early 20's) decided to start unloading all of the trash out of his car window while we were parked at the red light. I seriously wanted to start yelling: "Citizens Arrest! Citizens Arrest!" He looked at me in his rear view window and I raised my hands to say, "What do you think you are doing?" When he leaned out his window again to throw more trash, I leaned out and said, "I have you license plate number, if I turn you in you can get a ticket (I have no idea about this)." He huffs, unbuckles, gets out and picks it all up. Then the light turns green and he just sits there and waits and waits and waits until it turns yellow and just as it turns red he floors it through the intersection. Just as he gets through he sticks his hand out the window and waves at me. When I wave back, he takes all his trash and throws it BACK out the window. "GRRR!!!! Citizens Arrest! Citizens Arrest!" (If anyone knows if there is a way to really report this guy, please let me know.)

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On the way home from school, Little Guy said that someone was talking about being gay. I kept silent as he talked. "Mom, isn't there a longer word for gay?" "Yes, little guy. The word is homosexual." "Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. O.K. Mom, please don't ever say that word again. That word makes me feel like you just dropped me out of a plane and I am going to hit the ground and nobody is going to catch me." End of conversation.

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The band director sent us an email yesterday letting us know to check our kid's backpacks for important information about Friday night's mass band night. When I picked Big Guy up from school I said, "I got an email from your band director today. Anything you want to tell me about?" "Uh. Uh. I seriously was not messing around. The boys behind me did not know their music so I got so lost so I started playing the same note over and over. How did he know that? How did you know that?" At this point I start giggling and say, "I was just wondering if you had something in your backpack from Mr. M, what are you talking about?" He got this look on his face and said, "Mom! That is BLACKMAIL!"

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On Sunday, I was seriously stressing about how I was going to make it to Friday when I would get my next deposit into my grocery fund. I had less than $20 and almost no groceries. I began digging through all of our cabinets, freezer and just praying that God would help me figure out how to use what we had to create meals. Not only has God stretched our food and helped me create some new recipes, but today I received a $60 check in the mail. I also started doing some contract work for someone which will allow me to make a little extra money to help supplement our grocery budget plus hopefully give us a little Christmas money. Talk about a Thankful Thursday!

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On more thing to be thankful for.... I have a great friend who has been lurking my blog for forever. She finally decided to jump into the blogging arena (lions and all). I hope you will go say "Hey!". Trust me... you are in for some amusing moments! (And don't believe anything she has to say about me.)

WFW: Give The Devil A Black Eye

"Jesus answered, 'It is written, Man does not live on bread alone,

But on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)

In Luke, we find Jesus facing off with satan. Satan was on a mission to tempt Jesus. After 40 days in the wilderness without food or water, satan figured that he had the perfect thing to tempt Jesus with -- hunger.

So, satan taunts, "If You be the Son of God, change these stones into bread." I can just imagine Jesus calm turning to satan and saying in a very even voice, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God!"

Can you just imagine how that must have burned satan up? He tried and he tried, but he just couldn't.

Each and every day I am more and more convinced that those words that Jesus spoke in the dessert are more than true. They are vital. I can skip a meal. I can even survive without a day's meal, but if I skip a day of reading my Bible, I really become spiritually malnourished.

When temptations come, I want to be able to say no and drive satan crazy too. Or as my Mammaw used to say, "Give the devil a black eye!"

WFMW: Sneak & Treat

Go anywhere and someone will ask you or your kids, "What are you going to be for Halloween?" This question is the second most asked to "What is Santa Claus going to bring you?"

Given that I have told you many times before that I am not a big fan of being or getting scared, I am not a big fan of Halloween. When Big Guy was born, we did one year or Halloween. After our third house a kid dressed in a bleeding mask walked up and scared me and him to pieces. That was the end of that for both of us.

Not that I was surprised. That is what the holiday of Halloween is all about -- fear, death, ghosts, witches, skulls, tombstones, graveyards -- nothing to do with life. Somehow I couldn't make this mesh with my faith which teaches me that Jesus said, "I come to give you life..."

Our family has developed a "Sneak & Treat" night for October 31st. We rent a new movie or purchase a new game. Make some of our family's favorite foods. We turn off all of the lights and grab all of the pillows in the house and head to the living room. I give the boys a bag of at least five of their favorite candies. (Since these are full size candies they have something to eat on for almost a week.) I also give them a small amount of cash. We enjoy hiding out away from the world on this night. Now that the boys are older, if they have friends who don't enjoy Halloween and want to enjoy the fun with us, they are more than welcome!

No Fear! That is what Works for Me!

Fear is not of God. 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment...."


Jesus Christ came to free us of all our fears. Luke 1:74; Hebrews 2:14-15

Looking for Trouble

After being sick for a solid week and Big Guy studying for 9 weeks test, we are ready for some fun. Thankfully the boys are out of school today for a professional development day. We are going to head out and see what kind of trouble we can get into.

Maybe we'll head out to some place where we can get a free biscuit, chicken on a stick, funnel cakes and walk through the fun house. (State Fair, of course)

Maybe we'll head out to some place where we can wind through a maze cut out of corn fields and shoot corn out of the corn shooter. (Canton Corn Maze)

Or maybe we'll go see some overgrown lizards and venture through a Jurassic Park. (MS Natural Science Museum)

At some point, I'm sure we'll load up on the bikes and take advantage of the bike trails.

But whatever we do, I intend to take my camera and hopefully get some shots that I can use for a Christmas card. *fingers crossed*

Have a great day everybody!

I'm blessed to be "kept".

Did you know I Am a 'Kept' Woman?

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept.'

I'm Kept by the Love and Grace of God!

I love new websites!

Etsy - I am addicted to this website.    You will only find handmade items on this website.
Some of my favorites are:   The Homespun Raven,   K Chenault,  Bangerang Bake Shop,  Scott Sullivan, Michelle Christina,  and a Simple Impression.

Gas Buddy - This web site helps you find the best gas closet to you.

Pandora - Do you Pandora?   Create a radio station that plays on the music that you like to listen to.

Twitter - Twitter is seriously fun.    Many of my blogging buddies - Felicity, Willow, Lisa - are on Twitter.  Don't you want to be on Twitter too?

Zannel - This is like Twitter on steroids.    It is also a really easy place to upload your pics from your cell phone!

Popcandy - Are you hooked on cultural "junk", celebrity gossip, etc...?     Supposedly one of the best sites out there.

Found any new and fun websites?    Share!  Share!

Don't Let Me Interrupt

I love bedtime.     The boys are all freshly showered and they grab their blankets and climb up with hubs and I for family prayer time.       After that special time, we tuck the boys into bed and then hubs and I get to have a little time just for us.

Bedtime is not for kids.   It is for parents.    I love the time after we tuck the boys into bed because some nights we race into the living room for "our" time together.

Late last night week hubs and I had tucked the boys into bed and we had settled onto the couch.    We were snuggling and kissing and completely enjoying each other.     All of a sudden hubs turned around and grinned.   I looked around and there stood our Big Guy.

Hubs:    "Is anything wrong, son?"

Big Guy:    "No sir.   Don't let me interrupt."

Our Big Guy.... he's a funny, funny guy!

Random Sentences

"He twitched, smacked his lips together, and rolled over. I heaved a sigh and let him sleep. At least until I finished my morning online college course. Then I'd rouse his old bones with the smells of bacon and ham."

Murder on the Ol' Bunions
S. Dionne Moore

I was tagged by Miss Mudd. The book closest to me was the one I received in the mail from one of the publishers I do book reviews for. Really good so far!

The Rules for this Book Meme:

Grab the nearest book.
Open the book to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.
Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
Tag five other people to do the same.

TAG You Are It...

Sara, Tyanne, Angela, Cassandra, and Belle.

If you weren't tagged, but you have never been to these great blogs, go visit. These ladies are all great!

At a loss...

I was standing on the kindergarten playground Monday afternoon watching my little class of cuties run around when I felt "it". That ton of bricks you feel when you know you are sick. I felt like somebody had poured a bucket of ice water over my head and I just knew I was about to toss my cookies. I raised my hand to signal for my kiddies to follow me and started heading towards the door. The only thing standing between me and the bathroom was two flights of stairs. I didn't even bother fussing at the boys who were breaking the rules by swinging their bodies over the railing like little monkeys or climbing precariously on the outside of the steps. I was just trying to pull myself up the steps and to the closest bathroom. As soon as I got the kids inside I grabbed the closest teacher and hightailed it to the bathroom. I'll spare you those details, but I knew I couldn't finish the day. They were going to have to find a substitute for this substitute teacher!

I called hubs to come and pick me up and he drove me home. A trip to the doctor on Tuesday morning diagnosed me with bronchitis bordering on pneumonia. When I get sick, I do it right.

One of the symptoms of being sick has been the fact that I have completely lost my voice! I can't talk at all. It has been quite amusing at times. The other night we were all sitting in the living room and the boys were all whispering.... because I was whispering. When we realized it, we all started laughing (well, me not so much, but they did!).

I decided to ask you a question:

If you had to lose one of the following, which would it be?

your voice
your hearing
your sight

And since today is Thankful Thurday, I just want to say that I am the luckiest woman alive to have a husband and boys who truly let this Mom have sick days when she needs it. They have waited on me hand and foot and pampered me like nobody's business.

WFMW: Law and Order

Rule #1: If Mom is kissing Daddy... wait your turn! (Smile!)

Rule #2: If Mom is talking, use the interrupt rule. (The interrupt rule is to place hand on leg and wait.) If you are choking or bleeding you can ignore the interrupt rule.

Rule #3: If you are bored and whining because of it, you will be assigned a chore.

Rule #4: If you are fighting with your brother and can't resolve it between the two of you, you will be assigned a chore.

Rule #5: It you have a question, idea or concern. Share it. If we know the answer we will give it to you. If we don't, we will help find it with you. There is nothing too big, too scary or too embarassing.

Rule #6: You are a member of this family. Every member will contribute every day.

Rule #7: If the door is closed, knock before entering.

Rule #8: We don't answer the phone during supper or family prayers.

Rule #9: When I am in the shower, don't yell unless there is a fire or someone is bleeding.

Rule #10: If the phone is ringing and it says "Unknown", don't answer.

Rule#11: Having fun is not an option... It is required!

Rule #12: Honesty. Be honest with us and we will be honest with you. No matter how much trouble you think you are going to get in, it will always be WAY less if you will be honest and up front.

Rule #13: Friends are always welcome in our home. Just remember that when they are here, guests are guests and family is still family. Not reverse.

Rule #14: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.... for parents, family, elders and leaders.

Rule #15: Obey - the first time. We don't count to three and we don't do time out.