A GREAT End to a LOOOONNNNGGGG Monday!

Today when I returned home from school ( a little after 6:00 p.m) I was pooped! The day had been filled with business relating to TAKS, end of the year "5th grade stuff", rowdy kids, kids who had the "I don't care" problem, and after school meetings, not to mention this NASTY wind! This is sure a day that some chocolate would have come in handy. But, being that I'm not eating sugar, I stuck with pecans and raisins and just imagined! I quickly ran in, went straight to the restroom, changed clothes, put my hair up, and settled in to my computer to see what had occurred in the world outside of education today.

I was most shocked to find that I was a winner on a blog giveaway! I was so pumped! I discovered Mimi and Reese just last week and entered their give-away. They have the cutest shop with the cutest things! Girly...I'll say! Right up mine and Clarissa's alley! Don't take my word for it though! Visit them at mimiandreese.blogspot.com and you can see all of their cool stuff!

Isn't God amazing! Just when you need a little "Pick me up", there it is! It comes out of nowhere! How blessed I am today! Thanks Mimi and Reese for a GREAT end to an otherwise very long Monday! Have a great week!

Back in the Swing for Spring

Last week was such a nice week. The weather was beautiful, I relaxed with the kids during Spring Break, and I actually took some time to COOK for the kids! Man, this past Monday morning was HARD! It wasn't so much that I dreaded going back to school (although I was exactly thrilled), it was that I dreaded the kids having a routine again. I loved having them sleep late and stay up late. They camped out in the living room and had a blast doing so. So, I really hated to see Spring Break end for them.

Well, it did and we soon found ourselves back in the swing of things. As I posted prior, Sal and I have made a lifestyle change and with that change, I have committed to cooking breakfast each morning before I leave for school. Understand, I have to be out of the house no later than 7:10 a.m.! So....it has been quite an adjustment but I must say.....it has been nice. The week soon found itself busy with homework, gymnastics, and "life."

While on my way to pick up Jonathon from school yesterday, I was rear-ended by an older gentlemen. Poor thing, I don't think he ever "thought" about putting on the break! He RAMMED me! Thankfully, I'm OK but "Goldie" (my dear sweet Explorer) has some pretty serious bumper problems!

Today we have been hit with a blast of winter and those that know me well, know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cold weather and snow! While many people have complained about the weather today, I have quite enjoyed it! I could live without the wind but it does give me that "messy" kind of hairstyle!

Tomorrow we will complete the week while attending Jonathon's State Gymnastics meet. I look forward to it even though I think I get more nervous than he does!

I hope you are enjoying your first week of SPRING! I know that I'm looking forward to the next 9 weeks flying by! Because then.........it will be Summer.....oh, sweet summer!

UPDATE: 5 LBS. lost since (if you have no idea what I'm talking about, see the post prior to this one)

Baby....I'm Missing You

On Monday of this week, my sister, Sal and I embarked on a life change. To be quite honest, I thought for a moment it was a life changing EVENT! We are all trying to live a healthier lifestyle but also, and right now ABOVE all, lose weight!! I have been very hesitant to post this because it is a commitment but I realized I had to..,.,.I need the accountability. We have completely gone off of flour, sugar, and starch. Of the three, sugar was the hardest thing for me to part with. However, day three into it....I'm not missing it as much as I thought I would by this point. So, pray for me and my diet buddies and forgive me when I am a little bit snippy......I'm probably just missing a dear SWEET friend! OH, and yes, I'll keep you posted on the number of pounds lost but NO, I won't let you know how far I have to go. You can simply look at me and know.....we've got a long way to go baby!

A cup of Coffee and a Toast to my Parents

Hi everyone! Where did this week go??? I love Spring Break and it did nothing for me except get me that much more excited for summer! Tomorrow my parents will celebrate 57 years of marriage. So pull up a chair, your favorite cup of jobe and let me share with you some things about my Mom and Dad.



1. They met in Pampa at a drive-in called the Windmill. My Mom had gone there with friends after church and my Dad was eating in the car next to her.
2. They married in Pampa, TX.
3. They had a very simple wedding.
4. During their marriage, they have had 3 children.
5. For several years, they lived on a farm in Pampa. These were rough times. Money was tight and they had three children to care for. At one point, they had a child in college, high school, and elementary.
6. One time during a blizzard on the farm, my Dad and Mom were out breaking water and my Dad thought he was going to go across some rough road. He told my Mom to hang on and the next thing they knew, he had thrown her through the windshield. (He hit a bank instead!)
7. There were times during my childhood that I thought they'd never be married 57 years.
8. After leaving the farm, my Dad became quite successful in the oilfield.
9. My Mom was my Dad's secretary for many years.
10. My Mom got up and quit one day and Daddy told her she couldn't, she walked out anyway.
11. She went back to work as my Dad's secretary after a few days.
12. They love to listen to old gospel music.
13. They love animals.
14. They had a dog named Shorty that died a year or so ago. They made a memory book for him and had him buried (headstone, casket, and all!)
15. Unfortanely, I have seen and heard them argue like none other!
16. Fortunately, I have seen them love each other like none other!
17. They would be lost without the other.
18. I watched them grieve the loss of my brother 10 years ago. I didn't think they'd make it through and I believe the only way they did make it through was God and each other.
19. They have the utmost respect for my sister and the business that she has built. They brag on her all the time. ( I'm pretty fond of her too)
20. They LOVE their grandchildren and great-grandchildren (11 in all).
21. At Christmas, they always make homemade candy together.
22. At Christmas, they always have gifts for any "extra" people that might come in.
23. My Mom has cooked 3 meals a day for MOST of these 57 years.
24. They don't have a dishwasher and don't want one. (this is something I CAN'T understand)
25. The table is fully set for every meal. Buffet style is out of the question and so are paper plates!
26. My Mom makes the best pies and my Dad loves to eat them.
27. Shoot, my Mom is the best cook I know!
28. They are very giving people.
29. They are very old-fashioned in their thoughts.
30. Even though they don't really have to, they like to live the simple life.
31l They would help their kids through anything. (we might get a tongue lashing, but they'd still help us!.
32. They have a set day for laundry and it is usually all done by 10:00 in the morning.
33. My Dad has supported my Mom through Breast Cancer.
34. My Mom has supported my Dad through heart problems.
35. They met my daughter's birthmom.
36. They watched me march during many half-time shows in high school.
37. The still have their original microwave.
38. They are caretakers to some stray cats.
39. My Mom makes hamburger patties to feed the stray cats. (is it any wonder they're not strays anymore?)
40. They really are each others best friend.
41. They "expect" to hear from every child and grandchild on birthdays and anniversaries.
42. They make me laugh.
43. They laugh at me, I'm sure of it!
44. They used to own race horses.
45. They love Taco Bell tacos.
46. They can barely eat 2 Taco Bell tacos.
47. On their wedding night, they went to eat shrimp and have eaten shrimp on every anniversary since then.
48. They have supported me through some very dark times in my life.
49. They have cheered me on during some very bright times in my life.
50. They love me (I know I've already said that but I believe they love me alot!)
51. They worry about each other.
52. They go to church most Sundays.
53. They love to go back for "5th Sunday Singing".
54. They love to tell us stories of "back then".
55. They love to watch "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"
56. I think they're two of the smartest people I know ( and yes, there was a time in my life that I didn't think this)
and finally.....
57. I love them so very, very much!


Well, there you have it. A long list of things that may matter nothing to you but are the mere essence of who my parents are and have been together for 57 years. You don't find marriages that have sustained that long, too often these days. It hasn't always been pleasant, but it has always been. Happy Friday friends! Thanks for letting me share about two wonderful people in my life!

Wordless Wednesday.....Can you guess what we did this morning???? LOVE Spring Break!

Fireproofing

Recently, I have witnessed many people who have become unforgiving and way too judgmental. I, myself, have fallen into these two categories on more than one occasion. It isn't anything I'm proud of and struggle with it on a daily basis. Sal and I are doing the "Fireproofing your Marriage" bible study with our Sunday School class and it has gotten me to thinking. There are so many areas in my life that need Fireproofing and one of those is my relationship with others. Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? Have you been judgemental? I think at one time or another, we can all say yes. This morning I looked up some scripture that I would like to share. I pray that they will help you fireproof your relationships with others.

Mark 11:25 - And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.


Matthew 5:24 - Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Leviticus 19:17-18 - Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Matthew 12:36 - But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

James 4:11 - Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

Some of these made me say OUCH! But then again, that's why I need to Fireproof so I don't get burned! Happy St. Patricks Day!

Blessings in Disguise

Our Spring Break started Friday, at 3:01. I thought it would never arrive! We had planned on heading to Ruidoso for a long weekend but on Wednesday, our plans very unexpectedly fell through. When we broke the news to the kids, they took it like troopers (actually better than we did!) and they suggested we head to Nana and Papaw's house. So....Friday evening we braved the weather (rain, snow, and sleet) and went to Nana and Papaw's.

My Dad will be 80 years old very soon and my Mom is 76. It seems that their social calendars are filled with doctor's appointments, the post office, and the grocery store. We arrived very late Friday night, stopped by for a brief visit and headed to the hotel. The kids wanted to take our Wii so that their Papaw could box (he was a Golden Gloves champion MANY years ago). So...Saturday morning the kids taught Papaw to box. Oh my goodness....I can't tell you when I laughed that hard. My Mom had to finally leave the room because she was laughing so hard. Daddy took his three round boxing match very seriously and I'm glad to say he was victorious (I actually think it would have made him mad if he would have lost!). He watched Clarissa and I play a few rounds of Wii Tennis and then he joined in with the kids on a game of Wii golf. After lunch, I pulled out my laptop to show them some pictures that I had on the computer. Understand that my parents know NOTHING about the computer. Someone nearby had wireless and so I joined in with them and connected to the internet. My Mom and Dad began to watch and before long, they were like kids in a candy store! We sat and surfed for about 4 hours!!! They had me looking up everything and even got a little introduction to Facebook. That evening, they joined us at the hotel to watch the kids swim. Sal and Daddy played a few games of pool and then Daddy tried his hand against Jonathon in ping pong. Mom and I enjoyed our long talks in between the laughs. Today we hung out at their house again, looking at some old pictures and talking. (I do have lots of fun pictures, I'll try and get them posted later!)

I don't know when I've laughed as hard as I did! I am so glad that my kids got to see their Papaw box and that they will always have that memory. I'm glad that boys never change and that Sal swears he let Daddy win both games of pool and that Jonathon and Clarissa can laugh about how many times they had to retrieve the ping pong ball out of the pool! Life is so short and I've realized that even more since my father-in-laws passing. Yes, Ruidoso would have been nice but I thank God for the blessing of this weekend.

Enjoy the rest of Spring break....I know we're going too!!!

Wordless Wednesday - She LOVES being a GIRL!

UPDATE on Birthdays, Boogers, and Breakdowns

Sal returned home with a beautiful birthday cake, Clarissa and Jonathon presented me with a really cool purse (everyone knows how I love purses), they sang to me, were kind enough to only put one candle on the cake, and took me to Texas Land and Cattle for my birthday dinner. I hear that I'm supposed to pick out a new phone as well. OH, and the truck....My darling brother-in-law fixed it and we're rolling again! Have a great week everyone! FIVE DAYS UNTIL........SPRING BREAK.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthdays, Boogers, and Breakdowns

WARNING - THIS POST IS LONG AND NOT INTENDED FOR THE EASILY EMBARRASSED OR THOSE WITH WEAK STOMACHS!

Well, I promised I would blog soon and what better time to start than today...my 43rd birthday!! How blessed I have been. God has blessed me with a husband that is amazing, 2 beautiful children who are my world, parents that support me, a sister who loves me and makes me laugh, and friends that are the best in the world and make my life complete. It's funny how, back in the day, you looked forward to birthdays and the celebration. Now, it's kind of a day of reflection for me, of gratefulness. I have many fond birthday memories. There are the ones of when I was younger where my Mom would put together a fun gathering for my friends and I. My sister would usually make my cakes and they were phenomenal. I remember Holly Hobby, Pink Panther, Mickey Mouse. As I grew older and went to college, my Mom continued to have small celebrations but I was more interested in celebrating with friends. I would have to say I remember most....my 20th birthday. Without many details, it was an evening spent with some very dear, close friends who were a "little" rebellious and the effects lasted several days. After Sal and I got married, Sal seemed to inherit the role of planning the "birthday" day. He has many times surprised me with unique gifts, beautiful cakes and chocolate covered strawberries (my fav), and breakfast in bed. As I said earlier, I don't necessarily expect a day of celebration in fact, many more of these little birthdays and I"ll be wanting to FORGET them (that is if I can even remember them in the first place!). Today has been a bit "out of the ordinary". I have been plagued with a nasty head cold to start of year 43! I awoke this morning with both eyes matted shut, coughing, and struggling to breath because of the amount of SNOT in my nose. Sal was not home because he was out running some errands. I maneuvered my way to the kitchen for a cold drink of Diet Dr. Pepper (breakfast of champions) and my sweet Clarissa came in and told me Happy Birthday. Sal returned soon with a breakfast burrito that I could barely taste and had difficulty eating because I'd have to alternate bites and nose wiping. Sal needed me to follow him to the airport to leave his car for his boss who is coming into town today. Mind you....I had not been up for long! Thinking we'd make a quick trip, I threw on some clothes without putting on the Basic Required Accessory, found some easy slip on shoes, pulled my hair up in a ponytail (ab0ut 2" long), and out the door I went (remember...no makeup). My famous last words were, "I'd hate to get stranded somewhere looking like this!". So we drop off the car, make a few "unexpected stops", go to the cemetery because Sal wanted to see his Dad's headstone, and then Sal decided he needed to stop at Academy. NOTE - THIS IS WHERE THE STORY TAKES A REALLY BAD TURN!!!!

While waiting in the parking lot for Sal to finish shopping, my truck starts making the WORST sound I have ever heard a vehicle make! I quickly turned it off and when I tried to restart it, the sound was even worse! Great, I'm stuck here, looking like this, feeling like this and my truck won't work! After Sal returns, he decides to call his brother to come help us and I decided that this was more fun than I bargained for and called my wonderful friend to come pick me up and and take me home. (there are only a few people that I'd let see me looking like a hot mess!) I failed to mention, Clarissa had made the journey with us and she had just thrown on some clothes, no shoes, and I don't believe she visited a brush this morning! While waiting on our ride, I realized that I really needed to find a restroom but OH, I can't go in the store because I look like THIS!!! So, I will hold it! (Let's hope I don't have to sneeze too much because then holding it may no longer be an option!) Finally, my brother-in-law arrives and the guys make their observations and my brother-in-law assures me it sounds worse than it is. (easy for him to say) He tries to cheer me up and is quite the clown and so he thought this entire ordeal was pretty funny, especially when my dear daughter announced to him that I didn't have the Basic Requied Acccessory!!!! My faithful friend showed and brought me home and the first thing I did was take a shower! I have no idea where my husband or my truck are at this time but I do know that my birthday lunch is going to consist of delivery pizza! Needless to say, my husband was the LAST one to tell me Happy Birthday this morning, there was no breakfast in bead, my unique gift has consisted of car parts, and I have not seen a birthday cake or strawberries. BUT, I'm still blessed - a bit frustrated today - but blessed.

So, for the past 2 months I've not felt I had too much to blog about. If today is any indication, I believe I'm back in the saddle and will have lots of things to share!