Did I pick it, or did I pick it? Yes, that's right. Yours truly made the correct prediction YET AGAIN on who the Bachelor would chose and this time, ladies and gentlemen, he got it RIGHT!!
I am a happy woman and can go to sleep knowing all is well with the reality TV world..... so long as America doesn't loose their brain on American Idol.
Female Favorite: Katherine McPhee
Male Favorite: Taylor Hicks
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Look Below...
Look right beneath the previous post for a new post. I saved one as a draft and then when I went to publish the thing, it had a previous date on it. So, it's actually a new post, but it just shows up earlier. Weird.
Be sure to watch "The Bachelor: The Women Tell All" show tonight. You KNOW I'm gonna be watching!!!!! I can't WAIT!!
Be sure to watch "The Bachelor: The Women Tell All" show tonight. You KNOW I'm gonna be watching!!!!! I can't WAIT!!
Monday, February 13, 2006
My Predictions
Ok, I have to say that I correctly predicted tonight's "loser" on The Bachelor before the show aired. Yes, I was right.
Now, I'm ready to make my prediction on the final rose......
wait......
wait........
wait..........
wait..........
Sarah from Tennessee. I have many reasons for my decision, all of which I am WAY too tired to list tonight. There's always a chance that weirdo Moana will sneak through, but I'm staying put on my original decision from the very first night when they got out of the limo. Sarah is going to be the one standing at the very end. I will be ready to barf up my guts while watching this spectacle two weeks from tonight, but nevertheless, I WILL be watching........ watching Sarah get the final rose and a possible proposal!
Anyone care to make a wager on this one?
Now, I'm ready to make my prediction on the final rose......
wait......
wait........
wait..........
wait..........
Sarah from Tennessee. I have many reasons for my decision, all of which I am WAY too tired to list tonight. There's always a chance that weirdo Moana will sneak through, but I'm staying put on my original decision from the very first night when they got out of the limo. Sarah is going to be the one standing at the very end. I will be ready to barf up my guts while watching this spectacle two weeks from tonight, but nevertheless, I WILL be watching........ watching Sarah get the final rose and a possible proposal!
Anyone care to make a wager on this one?
Monday, February 06, 2006
Four Things
Four jobs you have had in your life:
1) Sales Clerk
2) Insurance Rep
3) Missions Ministry Assistant
4) Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant
Four movies you could watch over and over:
1) Steal Magnolias
2) How To Loose A Guy In 10 Days
3) You’ve Got Mail
4) The Notebook
(how sappy am I?!)
Four places you’ve lived:
1) Western Grove, AR (I dare you to find this one!!)
2) Harrison, AR
3) Fayetteville, AR
4) Springdale, AR
Four TV shows you love to watch:
Like I can pick just four…. Whatever
1) The Bachelor
2) Grey’s Anatomy
3) Lost
4) Desperate Housewives
(good Lord, that was hard to just pick four!!! J)
Four places you’ve been on vacation:
1) Memphis, TN
2) Mississippi
3) Orlando, FL
4) Victoria Falls (yep folks, that would be Africa!!)
Four of your favorite foods:
1) Krispy Kreme donuts
2) Soup, Salad, and breadsticks from Olive Garden
3) Shake’s Frozen Custard
4) Cinnamon rolls, or anything else sweet and pastry like
Four sites I visit daily:
1) my blog friends
2) Google – cause there’s always inevitably something I have to search for
3) Mary Kay In Touch
4) msn.com
1) Sales Clerk
2) Insurance Rep
3) Missions Ministry Assistant
4) Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant
Four movies you could watch over and over:
1) Steal Magnolias
2) How To Loose A Guy In 10 Days
3) You’ve Got Mail
4) The Notebook
(how sappy am I?!)
Four places you’ve lived:
1) Western Grove, AR (I dare you to find this one!!)
2) Harrison, AR
3) Fayetteville, AR
4) Springdale, AR
Four TV shows you love to watch:
Like I can pick just four…. Whatever
1) The Bachelor
2) Grey’s Anatomy
3) Lost
4) Desperate Housewives
(good Lord, that was hard to just pick four!!! J)
Four places you’ve been on vacation:
1) Memphis, TN
2) Mississippi
3) Orlando, FL
4) Victoria Falls (yep folks, that would be Africa!!)
Four of your favorite foods:
1) Krispy Kreme donuts
2) Soup, Salad, and breadsticks from Olive Garden
3) Shake’s Frozen Custard
4) Cinnamon rolls, or anything else sweet and pastry like
Four sites I visit daily:
1) my blog friends
2) Google – cause there’s always inevitably something I have to search for
3) Mary Kay In Touch
4) msn.com
It Has Arrived!
On Saturday, our new 37 inch Phillips LCD HDTV made a home in our living room. I must say, I was looking forward to getting this little wonder, but my husband was just about to split something, he was so excited!! He's not a big TV watcher, per say, but the boy likes his sports. I, on the other hand, have several shows I enjoy watching during the week. And we both LOVE movies, so needless to say, we were happy about our new purchase.
I found a stand for it to go on that I was happy with. I'm not one that enjoys the contemporary/modern look of furniture, nor do I like the retro type stuff, so it was hard for me to find something a bit more traditional in style without it costing me an arm and a leg (and I only had one of each to spare after this TV purchase which did cost me one arm and one leg and then some). This one we found at a local store and I was happy with the look and the price, so we got it. It's a black oak look, which I didn't think I would like, but it actually looks pretty good.
Once our TV was here and the stand was all put together, we turned it on and I wish so badly I could demonstrate sound on this here blog because it was like the "ahh, ahh, ahh - ahh, ahh, ahh" sound in the Little Mermaid as we turned on this beautiful piece of electronic magic! I can't even describe to you the difference it makes in the picture. It looks as though the people on the screen are sitting right here in the living room with me! It truly is amazing.
I found a stand for it to go on that I was happy with. I'm not one that enjoys the contemporary/modern look of furniture, nor do I like the retro type stuff, so it was hard for me to find something a bit more traditional in style without it costing me an arm and a leg (and I only had one of each to spare after this TV purchase which did cost me one arm and one leg and then some). This one we found at a local store and I was happy with the look and the price, so we got it. It's a black oak look, which I didn't think I would like, but it actually looks pretty good.
Once our TV was here and the stand was all put together, we turned it on and I wish so badly I could demonstrate sound on this here blog because it was like the "ahh, ahh, ahh - ahh, ahh, ahh" sound in the Little Mermaid as we turned on this beautiful piece of electronic magic! I can't even describe to you the difference it makes in the picture. It looks as though the people on the screen are sitting right here in the living room with me! It truly is amazing.
Here is a picture of the new addition to our family. And yes, that IS the Backyardagins on the screen......and my daughter standing in awe. She has taken up permanent residence in front of this wonder. She's is thrilled to see a nearly lifesize Dora on the screen as well. Now that is a sight to behold, let me tell you....
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Some Random Thoughts
First, my friend's picture obituary was in the paper today. That was a little nauseating seeing him in the OBITUARY section. It's just not right. However, I'm not going to let it get me down. I'm going to let it be a reminder to me to love more. We don't have another day promised to us, so I need to enjoy this one while I've got it!
On a subject that's not so heavy, we bought a new TV on Monday night. We don't have it yet, but will by the Super Bowl. I'm excited about this new piece of equipment as I'm sure I will get almost as much enjoyment out of it as my husband will. My big problem with it right now is there is not a piece of furniture in all of Northwest Arkansas (and even Oklahoma and Kansas) that I like and is in my preferred price range. Sure there are plenty of things I could get that would "do", but nothing that's striking me as "that's the one!" I've seen lots of pretty things that I wouldn't mind having, but then I look at the price tag - OUCH!! The major problem we have - there are NO entertainment centers, armoires, etc, that will fit the size TV that we decided on..... that is unless we want to pay a boat load of cash - and I don't - cause I'm cheap! But, I'm not so cheap as to want a piece of furniture in my home that looks like it belongs in a college guys apartment! I'm so frustrated about this that last night, I even had nightmares about finding pieces that I loved that were in my price range but then they were TOO SMALL!!!! AAAHHHHH!!!!!!
I big shout out goes to my friend Superchikk for coming over last night to help me organize my work space! Normally I feel like I'm a pretty organized person, but this particular area had gotten out of hand and I just hadn't taken the time to mess with it. So, as she's beginning a new business venture for herself, I very gladly accepted her offer to come and lend her expertise to my hideous desk. Let me tell you, the girl knows what she's doing and it was lovely to have a fresh perspective on stuff. I was able to empty 4 container items and everything now has a specific place and it's all neat!! And there's one basket in my desk now that doesn't have a thing in it!! When something is all in order like that, I feel so relaxed, so peaceful! And you should just see all the workspace I actually have on this little desk of mine! I have room to work!!!!! I love it!!! Thank you Superchikk!!
The Bachelor - what in the name of Pete is Moana STILL doing on this show? I'm so glad Sarah from Tennessee is still there. I'm still not liking Sarah Canada's little raspy whine, though. I'm starting to warm up to her, but that whine has got to go! And Susan from KS - I'm torn. She's beautiful and she seems nice and not the villain type and she is from where Hubby is from and so that kinda draws me to her. There's just something about her that I'm just not sure about. I'm really pulling for TN Sarah. I'm not seeing that romantic connection that I normally see between the Bachelor and his ladies, but maybe after the hometown dates we'll see it. I liked that he told her on their one-on-one date that he didn't have to doubt who she was and that he could tell she was just honest and had a pure character. I totally agree. I just need to see some "I want you" chemistry between them and it's not happening yet. Maybe after next week's episode, I can have a better handle on my prediction for the final rose. OOOOHHHH!! And for all you Bachelor fans in the area, the show will henceforth be viewed in HDTV at my casa on the new 37 inch LCD TV that my husband is itching to be delivered. All my homies are invited each and every Monday night through the remainder of the 'dating'!! :)
I'm off to do some research for what's going to contain this new TV. Wish me luck.
On a subject that's not so heavy, we bought a new TV on Monday night. We don't have it yet, but will by the Super Bowl. I'm excited about this new piece of equipment as I'm sure I will get almost as much enjoyment out of it as my husband will. My big problem with it right now is there is not a piece of furniture in all of Northwest Arkansas (and even Oklahoma and Kansas) that I like and is in my preferred price range. Sure there are plenty of things I could get that would "do", but nothing that's striking me as "that's the one!" I've seen lots of pretty things that I wouldn't mind having, but then I look at the price tag - OUCH!! The major problem we have - there are NO entertainment centers, armoires, etc, that will fit the size TV that we decided on..... that is unless we want to pay a boat load of cash - and I don't - cause I'm cheap! But, I'm not so cheap as to want a piece of furniture in my home that looks like it belongs in a college guys apartment! I'm so frustrated about this that last night, I even had nightmares about finding pieces that I loved that were in my price range but then they were TOO SMALL!!!! AAAHHHHH!!!!!!
I big shout out goes to my friend Superchikk for coming over last night to help me organize my work space! Normally I feel like I'm a pretty organized person, but this particular area had gotten out of hand and I just hadn't taken the time to mess with it. So, as she's beginning a new business venture for herself, I very gladly accepted her offer to come and lend her expertise to my hideous desk. Let me tell you, the girl knows what she's doing and it was lovely to have a fresh perspective on stuff. I was able to empty 4 container items and everything now has a specific place and it's all neat!! And there's one basket in my desk now that doesn't have a thing in it!! When something is all in order like that, I feel so relaxed, so peaceful! And you should just see all the workspace I actually have on this little desk of mine! I have room to work!!!!! I love it!!! Thank you Superchikk!!
The Bachelor - what in the name of Pete is Moana STILL doing on this show? I'm so glad Sarah from Tennessee is still there. I'm still not liking Sarah Canada's little raspy whine, though. I'm starting to warm up to her, but that whine has got to go! And Susan from KS - I'm torn. She's beautiful and she seems nice and not the villain type and she is from where Hubby is from and so that kinda draws me to her. There's just something about her that I'm just not sure about. I'm really pulling for TN Sarah. I'm not seeing that romantic connection that I normally see between the Bachelor and his ladies, but maybe after the hometown dates we'll see it. I liked that he told her on their one-on-one date that he didn't have to doubt who she was and that he could tell she was just honest and had a pure character. I totally agree. I just need to see some "I want you" chemistry between them and it's not happening yet. Maybe after next week's episode, I can have a better handle on my prediction for the final rose. OOOOHHHH!! And for all you Bachelor fans in the area, the show will henceforth be viewed in HDTV at my casa on the new 37 inch LCD TV that my husband is itching to be delivered. All my homies are invited each and every Monday night through the remainder of the 'dating'!! :)
I'm off to do some research for what's going to contain this new TV. Wish me luck.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Life is so short...
I'm not quite sure how I feel today. I was reading the Sunday paper yesterday afternoon and for whatever strange reason I do it, I was glancing through the obituaries. I usually see if there are any names I recognize and always look to see how old everyone is. I often wonder what their lives were like or what their families are going through. I never really expect to see anyone I know, so I was shocked to see a name I recognized in yesterday's obituaries. This wasn't some older person who had come to the end of a great life, but rather a guy I used to date who was about a year older than me. I met him soon after I moved to my little town and we "dated" on and off for about 4 years or so. He was one of those guys who I knew down deep really wasn't that "in to me" and vice versa, but it was just someone that was there, ya know. I cared about him, but was no where near in love with him. The last conversation I remember having with him was about 5 years ago when he called one day while I was shopping and I mentioned something about having my step-daughter with me. It had been a while before that since we'd talked and he was surprised things with my husband and I had progressed so quickly as to the point of marriage. I didn't talk to him after that. I've seen his dad on occasion and we've exchanged the "tell him/her hi" stuff, but nothing really ever significant. Then yesterday I found out that he passed away. It was a very nauseating feeling. I couldn't help but think that if my husband hadn't come into my life when he did and pursued me the way he did, and then thank God, proposed to me, where might my life have gone? What if something more significant had ever happened with me and this guy? What if my husband hadn't been here or had given up on me? Would I have ended up with this guy? Would I be a widow right now? Would I have ended up with someone else? It just all has made me think how differently my life might have turned out and how unbelievable thankful I am for my husband, my daughter, my step-daughter, my family, friends, church, everything.
When something like this happens, it usually causes me to reevaluate my life and the things that are important. It makes me want to hug my husband a little tighter and a little longer. It makes me want to never let Rachel go. It makes me want to contact every friend I have just to tell them I love them. You just never know when the next tomorrow might be the last tomorrow for you or someone you care about. So hold close those you love today. Hug tighter. Love deeper.
When something like this happens, it usually causes me to reevaluate my life and the things that are important. It makes me want to hug my husband a little tighter and a little longer. It makes me want to never let Rachel go. It makes me want to contact every friend I have just to tell them I love them. You just never know when the next tomorrow might be the last tomorrow for you or someone you care about. So hold close those you love today. Hug tighter. Love deeper.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Bachelor Vents

Jehan - Ok. She's cute. I don't think she's 'the one', though.
Moana - Give.Me.A.Freakin'.Break. Can't stand her. What the heck is Tardo thinking on this one? I do NOT know!!
Sarah from Canada - She's cute. I'll give you that. But if I have to listen to that stinkin' WHINEY voice for one more espisode, I swear I just might scream!!!! Seriously, I can't even begin to describe how much her voice annoys me!
Sarah from TN - one of my favorites from the start, although I'm scared there might not be that romantic connection between them. How convenient, though, that they both live in Nashville?! I'm just sayin'.
Tara - OMG! What is this girl still doing there?! I REALLY don't get her. She is super insecure to have to go searching out Tardo every.stinkin.time he's with another girl! I mean, come ON! Give them man some space there, Clingy!
Susan - I think she's the one I would pick out of the remainders for Tardo to choose. She's just got that classy look about her. Although the other night when they were discussing their "turn-ons" she let some whoppers slip from her mouth and she's apparently fond of the "f-word", which, IMO, isn't so classy. Still, I think she might be right up there on his choice list.
Cole - I'm really quite disappointed that this one is gone. She was cute, sweet, sincere - and then Tardo lets her go and keeps ones like Tara and Moana?! What am I not seeing here?
Oh and Jennifer last night with the bugs?!?! Give me a BREAK! Send that scardy cat packin'!
It sometimes makes me wonder if these dudes wish, after getting to know the girls they've kept, if they wish they could bring back some of the earlier cuts. Now, see, that would make for an interesting show!
And I cannot write about this show without making mention of psycho, egg-rotting, reproduction needing Allie G. Even as I think about her, I just shake my head. There are just some people that need not be on a show like this and, yes folks, this one would be one of them. Although I must say, she has definitely given people something to talk about! Poor girl. I usually don't care much about watching the "Women Tell All" episode, but let me just say, I am counting down the weeks until this one! I cannot WAIT to see what all goes on with her, if she even shows up! Wow.
And now, only 6 days left until the next Rose Ceremony. Who will it be? For the past few seasons I've watched (save the one with the O'Donnell dude on it, cause I didn't watch), I've been able to predict with almost 100% accuracy who the Bachelors will chose. I don't always get my picks in early. Sometimes it's down to the wire. But I'm good. I'm really good. So, stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen. Before the last episode, I will predict the girl that will receive the final rose...... will I be right? You'll have to wait and see.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Caught in the Act
Today at lunch, this was the conversation:
Katie stands over by Rachel's chair with a handful of Wheat Thins, "Jill, can I eat these crackers?"
"Are they your crackers or are they Rachel's?" I said.
"They're Katie's", she said.
"Ok, if they're yours, you can eat them."
Immediately after getting the answer to the previous question, "Jill, can I go turn the TV back on to Dora so Rachel can watch it?" (yeah, right, so Rachel can watch..... uh huh)
"Yes, you can go turn on the TV."
As she hands me the crackers on her way to the TV, "Here, Jill. These are Rachel's."
Katie stands over by Rachel's chair with a handful of Wheat Thins, "Jill, can I eat these crackers?"
"Are they your crackers or are they Rachel's?" I said.
"They're Katie's", she said.
"Ok, if they're yours, you can eat them."
Immediately after getting the answer to the previous question, "Jill, can I go turn the TV back on to Dora so Rachel can watch it?" (yeah, right, so Rachel can watch..... uh huh)
"Yes, you can go turn on the TV."
As she hands me the crackers on her way to the TV, "Here, Jill. These are Rachel's."
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Hello out there?
After being lax on reading everyone's blogs for most of last week, as I'm catching up this week I apparently missed the whole de-lurking thing. I'm getting in on it now, though. For all of you who check out my blog and read it on occassion, please send a comment my way and let me know where you are from and how you found my site. I see so many interesting places on my little tracker thingamagig and wonder who you all are. So just say a quick howdy and I'd be so thrilled!
Gotta go pee now. This dang water drinking thing is for the birds!!!
Gotta go pee now. This dang water drinking thing is for the birds!!!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Lost: 2.5 +/- lbs!!
Well, gang - I've stuck with the whole Weight Watchers deal for the better part of a week now (I cheated a little yesterday) and have lost between 2 and 3 lbs so far!! And I've never peed more in my whole life! It's actually not been quite as difficult as I thought it would be and I've really enjoyed eating all the veggies and fruits! OH!! And I've exercised! Those of you who know me are going "yeah right" but really I have! I walked and did Pilates last week! Oh and I hear that......um........you know.........with your husband........burns quite a lot of calories as well, so we.........um............you know...........a lot.
Monday, January 09, 2006
I Did It!!!
I got up this morning early enough to do Pilates! I don't mind this type of exercise because I like the stretching and the non-aerobic stuff. But I feel like I've had a work out! I hated the actual act of getting out of bed, but once I was up, I was up. It wasn't so bad.
Also, I'm eating a bowl of Special K with skim milk which I've measured according to the serving size.......which is a small amount, I must say! :) I'm about to have my morning cuppa and we'll be all set. I'm going to read over a friend's Weight Watchers stuff today to see if that's something I'd be interested in. If any of you have tried that, let me know. Really, that's about the only one I would do because I can still fix meals and eat pretty much anything as long as I count it and it's proportioned. So, I'd like to hear if any of you have experience with that and if you feel like it's worth doing.
Off to my coffee now. I'm excited that I actually got my hiney out of bed and exercised this morning so I had to share.
Also, I'm eating a bowl of Special K with skim milk which I've measured according to the serving size.......which is a small amount, I must say! :) I'm about to have my morning cuppa and we'll be all set. I'm going to read over a friend's Weight Watchers stuff today to see if that's something I'd be interested in. If any of you have tried that, let me know. Really, that's about the only one I would do because I can still fix meals and eat pretty much anything as long as I count it and it's proportioned. So, I'd like to hear if any of you have experience with that and if you feel like it's worth doing.
Off to my coffee now. I'm excited that I actually got my hiney out of bed and exercised this morning so I had to share.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
So yeah, um about the resolutions....
Here it is January 5th (happy belated birthday to my stepbrother, Jamin!!) and I'm not doing so hot on the resolutions. Acutally, the health part is a smidge better and I feel good about my increase in water drinkage and my salad consumption, but as of yet I have not exercised at all. My pilates DVD is staring me in the face and I hear it calling when my alarm goes off at 6am, but I just tune it out. I know, I'm horrible. Oh and the work thing. I've been working on tax issues for the past couple of days and I'm determined that I'm going to be more organized in the coming year. In fact, I have so much JUNK on my desk right now that it's driving me crazy! So, it's off to organizing I go.
I have been watching some of the Dancing with the Stars show that's on and it looks like so much fun! I wish I could do that sort of stuff. THAT would be the kind of exercise I would actually enjoy!
I have been watching some of the Dancing with the Stars show that's on and it looks like so much fun! I wish I could do that sort of stuff. THAT would be the kind of exercise I would actually enjoy!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Today I Enter A New Decade....
Man that stinks just to read that. I think subconsciously I'm trying to look younger today on purpose. In my life, I've always wanted to look more mature thinking that I would be taken more seriously if I at least looked older. Yeah, well, today - I don't care to be taken seriously. I just want to not look THIRTY!! Gosh, I gag just thinking that!
On the brighter side of it, this year, I really am going to make a difference in my life. I'm going to be more focused on my family, my friends, my work, and my health. I hope that by the time the next birthday rolls around that I can say this was a great year. It's kind of interesting that my birthday comes right around the time of New Year's resolutions. I think this year, I'm going to make some big ones and do my best to stick with them. I commented on another friend's blog and said that one resolution I will make that I'm SURE I can keep is that I won't stab anyone. That is, I won't stab anyone until someone calls me Grandma again (APRIL). As long as everyone else keeps away from the nastiness that is name-calling, I should be able to keep my resolution.
p.s.
You know what I think is funny? The fact that the word "blog" comes up as a misspelled word on this thing. That's sort of ironic, don't you think?
On the brighter side of it, this year, I really am going to make a difference in my life. I'm going to be more focused on my family, my friends, my work, and my health. I hope that by the time the next birthday rolls around that I can say this was a great year. It's kind of interesting that my birthday comes right around the time of New Year's resolutions. I think this year, I'm going to make some big ones and do my best to stick with them. I commented on another friend's blog and said that one resolution I will make that I'm SURE I can keep is that I won't stab anyone. That is, I won't stab anyone until someone calls me Grandma again (APRIL). As long as everyone else keeps away from the nastiness that is name-calling, I should be able to keep my resolution.
p.s.
You know what I think is funny? The fact that the word "blog" comes up as a misspelled word on this thing. That's sort of ironic, don't you think?
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Christmas Updates
In lieu of lots of story time from the past weekend, I'll just post some pics in hope you get a glimpse into my world.

One of the first bouts of gift opening frenzy at our casa. Rachel loves the hat! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! Doesn't Daddy look spectacular in the Santa hat?! I sure think so.

Rachel decided it was WAY more fun to open the presents than to actually see what they were or play with them. She got really excited when we would say "you wanna open some presents?!" because she just loved tearing the paper and throwing the tissue paper around.

My step sister gave Rachel a Dora backpack and I said "You can take that with you to school" - which is what we call it when she goes to Kids Day Out at church one day a week......

.....she thought I meant we were going to school right then. :) Too cute!

Christmas morning started early this year. Rules were Big Sister was NOT allowed to go into the living room without coming to get us first. If she did, there would be serious consequences. Well, she was up at 3:30AM - yes, I said 3:30AM - and came into our room and said, "I went in to check and see if Santa ate his cookies and HE DID!!" Mike and I both I think just had the air deflated out of us at that moment. I heard him whisper to her that he was VERY disappointed in her and that she should not have done that. "Did you see what he brought you?" he asked. No, she apparently said she just saw a big box and that he'd eaten his cookies. Yeah, right. Whatever. She felt really bad later that morning when we had the discussion about how kids got their presents from Santa and the gifts that parents get are to see the reactions their children have when they discover what Santa has left for them. Bless her heart, she's so honest and I really don't think that will be a problem in years to come. I think she kinda understood that by her sneaking in early, it took some of the blessing away from Daddy and me. That hurt her more than any punishment we could have given her. But we had fun with Santa's presents anyway.
Each year I usually get that one gift that makes me cry. Until yesterday, I thought I had this year licked! I hadn't cried over a gift once! Well, that all went down the toilet when our dear friends came over and I opened this....

.....yeah. Exactly. I had no idea she'd taken this picture and yes, I cried. It's a precious purse that I will carry with me proudly! Thanks, Michelle!! What a special gift!!

And this is our family at church Sunday morning. It was a real blessing to be in church celebrating the real reason for this season. We had such a blessed Christmas holiday this year and it will be one that will be remembered for many years to come. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed time with family and friends. Now it's on to 2006 and lots of new memories to be made. Make the best of every day because each day is a gift. We're not promised tomorrow, so enjoy all your blessings to the fullest and from our house to yours, Happy New Year!!

One of the first bouts of gift opening frenzy at our casa. Rachel loves the hat! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! Doesn't Daddy look spectacular in the Santa hat?! I sure think so.

Rachel decided it was WAY more fun to open the presents than to actually see what they were or play with them. She got really excited when we would say "you wanna open some presents?!" because she just loved tearing the paper and throwing the tissue paper around.

My step sister gave Rachel a Dora backpack and I said "You can take that with you to school" - which is what we call it when she goes to Kids Day Out at church one day a week......

.....she thought I meant we were going to school right then. :) Too cute!

Christmas morning started early this year. Rules were Big Sister was NOT allowed to go into the living room without coming to get us first. If she did, there would be serious consequences. Well, she was up at 3:30AM - yes, I said 3:30AM - and came into our room and said, "I went in to check and see if Santa ate his cookies and HE DID!!" Mike and I both I think just had the air deflated out of us at that moment. I heard him whisper to her that he was VERY disappointed in her and that she should not have done that. "Did you see what he brought you?" he asked. No, she apparently said she just saw a big box and that he'd eaten his cookies. Yeah, right. Whatever. She felt really bad later that morning when we had the discussion about how kids got their presents from Santa and the gifts that parents get are to see the reactions their children have when they discover what Santa has left for them. Bless her heart, she's so honest and I really don't think that will be a problem in years to come. I think she kinda understood that by her sneaking in early, it took some of the blessing away from Daddy and me. That hurt her more than any punishment we could have given her. But we had fun with Santa's presents anyway.
Each year I usually get that one gift that makes me cry. Until yesterday, I thought I had this year licked! I hadn't cried over a gift once! Well, that all went down the toilet when our dear friends came over and I opened this....

.....yeah. Exactly. I had no idea she'd taken this picture and yes, I cried. It's a precious purse that I will carry with me proudly! Thanks, Michelle!! What a special gift!!

And this is our family at church Sunday morning. It was a real blessing to be in church celebrating the real reason for this season. We had such a blessed Christmas holiday this year and it will be one that will be remembered for many years to come. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed time with family and friends. Now it's on to 2006 and lots of new memories to be made. Make the best of every day because each day is a gift. We're not promised tomorrow, so enjoy all your blessings to the fullest and from our house to yours, Happy New Year!!
Friday, December 23, 2005
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Today, we're heading over to my mom's to spend the night and then will head over to Dad's in the morning for breakfast and presents and then back to mom's for lunch and more presents. It will be a fun time with Mamaw & Poppy and Grandma & Grandpa. We'll also get to see my step siblings who I never get to visit with, so that will be nice. Of course, I'm anxious to show off my little charmer and let her do all her tricks for everyone!
You know, when I was a kid, I wanted to show off anything I could do and say "look at me!" and now I'm totally showing off my kid like a little trained monkey and saying "look what Rachel can do!!". This is much more fun now, though.
Saturday, we'll head back home to prepare for Santa's arrival and church on Sunday. We still don't have a particular plan on how we're gonna work in breakfast, presents, church, lunch, etc, but we'll figure it out and it'll be great! I'm so excited to see my kids' reactions to all their presents! I swear, if I didn't get a darn thing this year, that would be totally ok as long as I get to watch the girls open their gifts and get excited about what they have. I have had an absolute blast shopping for them and could REALLY go overboard on spending where they are concerned. I wish I could give them everything, but alas, we're not the Trumps.
One last sad note, I'll turn 30 next week. I have mixed emotions about this birthday. On one hand, it's pretty cool and I think maybe I'll finally think I've arrived at adulthood. On the other hand, I'm not this old! REALLY!! I mean thirty?!?!?!?! I just remember that show thirtysomething and remember thinking those people were so "old" and that I would never get to that age and now, here I am. Gosh.
OH! I found out last night that my husband has some hidden obsessive compulsive tendancies that I really didn't know about. Very interesting. I'll write more on that after Christmas, as I'm sure I will have discovered even more by then.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
You know, when I was a kid, I wanted to show off anything I could do and say "look at me!" and now I'm totally showing off my kid like a little trained monkey and saying "look what Rachel can do!!". This is much more fun now, though.
Saturday, we'll head back home to prepare for Santa's arrival and church on Sunday. We still don't have a particular plan on how we're gonna work in breakfast, presents, church, lunch, etc, but we'll figure it out and it'll be great! I'm so excited to see my kids' reactions to all their presents! I swear, if I didn't get a darn thing this year, that would be totally ok as long as I get to watch the girls open their gifts and get excited about what they have. I have had an absolute blast shopping for them and could REALLY go overboard on spending where they are concerned. I wish I could give them everything, but alas, we're not the Trumps.
One last sad note, I'll turn 30 next week. I have mixed emotions about this birthday. On one hand, it's pretty cool and I think maybe I'll finally think I've arrived at adulthood. On the other hand, I'm not this old! REALLY!! I mean thirty?!?!?!?! I just remember that show thirtysomething and remember thinking those people were so "old" and that I would never get to that age and now, here I am. Gosh.
OH! I found out last night that my husband has some hidden obsessive compulsive tendancies that I really didn't know about. Very interesting. I'll write more on that after Christmas, as I'm sure I will have discovered even more by then.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Christmas Memories

I think she's a smidge excited about getting to open more presents. We've already had present opening fun with a couple sets of grandparents and there's still more to be done. I'm looking forward to being at home this year also. Last year was the first year that we were at our house on Christmas morning. All the other years we've traveled to visit family, but last year, hubby put his foot down and said "We're staying here!" I was glad to start that tradition with Rachel because that's what I had known all my years until I got married.
I loved being at home and getting up before the sun to see what Santa had left for me! I specifically remember one Christmas when I was about 10 years old or so and I had started to have my doubts about the big man in red. I don't know if the kids at school were talking about it or if I'd heard something on TV that was persuading me to believe that anyone other than Santa left the wonderful gifts under my tree each Christmas Eve, but I was starting to wonder. That year, I wanted a Barbie Dream House. My cousin had one and I was so envious. This particular cousin had so many fun toys. She was an only child and was a tad bit spoiled according to my standards at the time. But I so wanted that dream house like she had! So I thought I'd give it one last shot to see if Santa really was real and I asked for a Barbie Dream House. Those were expensive back in the day to a family with meager means, so I thought if I was gonna have one, it would have to come from Santa because I just didn't think my parents could have afforded it. Christmas Eve came and I was nestled all snug in my bed wondering what I would find under the tree when I woke the next morning. Christmas morning finally came and I crawled out of bed, almost unexcited about my upcoming discovery. My parents always wanted us to make sure they were up and tree-side and camera ready before we came in to see Santa's gifts and this year was no exception. I walked lazily into the living room once my parents were in place and lo and behold, there beside the Christmas Tree sat a dazzling Barbie Dream house!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!! In fact, my mom has pictures of me rubbing my eyes, then one with my hands over my mouth, and one just totally amazed! I think my first words that morning were "THERE REALLY IS A SANTA CLAUS!!!" I was sure there was no one other than Santa that could have left that dream house under my tree! That was one of the most memorable Christmas mornings ever.
Of course, when I went to my cousin's house the next time, she had lots of fun furniture and accessories and when I asked where she got them, she said they came in the box with the house. Hmmmmm...... her dream house came in a box and had accessories? That's odd. As the year went on, I realized that it probably was my parents that purchased the house from me and on into my adult years after I lost the innocence and wonder of my childhood, my mom sadly broke the news to me that yes, the blessed Barbie Dream House had been purchased at a garage sale and didn't have all the original parts.
No matter how the dream house was acquired, it was just that - a DREAM house. For at least that one day, I had no doubts whatsoever in the reality and magic of Santa. And as I grew older and realized exactly what my parents did for me in doing everything they could to get just what I wanted, I have no doubt whatsoever the reality and magic of the love my parents had for me. Especially now that I have my own daughter and it's now my desire to want to give her everything she ever wants, I know exactly what my parents were thinking and feeling that special Christmas morning. So Mom and Dad, if you're reading this - Thanks. And I love you.
Friday, December 16, 2005
What the.....????
The Apprentice. Randall. Selfish scum.
I'm still stunned and very disappointed in Randall. I thought he really did do a good job and if there was one person to choose over the other, I probably would have chosen Randall. However, the fact that he supposedly has thought so highly of Rebecca up to this point and that she wasn't a threat on his getting picked or what job he would have really makes me wonder about his honesty the whole time. PLUS, I'm a little bit miffed at Trump. He's the dadgum leader of this whole deal and supposedly can do whatever he wants to do. Why in the world did he let RANDALL decide if Rebecca was also hired?! Hello??? Why would he have offered something like that to Rebecca and dangle it in her face only to let it be yanked right away from her. That is SO uncool!!!
I'm still stunned and very disappointed in Randall. I thought he really did do a good job and if there was one person to choose over the other, I probably would have chosen Randall. However, the fact that he supposedly has thought so highly of Rebecca up to this point and that she wasn't a threat on his getting picked or what job he would have really makes me wonder about his honesty the whole time. PLUS, I'm a little bit miffed at Trump. He's the dadgum leader of this whole deal and supposedly can do whatever he wants to do. Why in the world did he let RANDALL decide if Rebecca was also hired?! Hello??? Why would he have offered something like that to Rebecca and dangle it in her face only to let it be yanked right away from her. That is SO uncool!!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
It's not even 8am.....
I'm in trouble. My morning is going down hill at a rapid pace! I woke up LATE this morning to a barking dog and a ringing doorbell. The little guy I babysit was already here and I'd overslept! SUCK! OH, and I had just been pulled out of a dream that was a bit on the inappropriate side considering I'm not still in the dating world. I hate those!!!!!! Then after I made myself some coffee, I burned my mouth on that because I wasn't paying attention to the weirdness of the cup I decided to drink from. It's shaped a bit differently and the contents seem to come out quite fast and unexpectedly if you're not being careful. Then, Rachel was asking for juice..... yeah, still don't have milk but I don't get any cereal either....... and as I was pouring her juice into her cup, I knocked it over with my arm right down onto my cabinets and a rug on which I was just wondering yesterday how in the world I'm supposed to get it clean. Now, this is no ordinary juice. This is RED juice that spilled on my WHITE cabinets. This is not a good thing. And here it is before 8am. This is not a good sign. Although, I think this gives me an excuse to repaint my cabinets. I already have hair dye in one little spot from about 2 months ago and now this. I should just redo my whole kitchen. That would make me feel better. Oh and at least I didn't break my coffee pot - knock on wood - or that might have sent me over the edge. I would have been dragging these kids out to the nearest convenient store for my caffiene fix. And Lord help me on what will happen between now and noon if this is how things are going so far.
OH!! Addition!! 8:30am - my child now has yellow highligher marks on her face and neck because Negligent & Unattentive Mommy left out her highlighter last night and baby girl decided it would be oh so fun to mark all over herself!!! Jesus, help me.
OH!! Addition!! 8:30am - my child now has yellow highligher marks on her face and neck because Negligent & Unattentive Mommy left out her highlighter last night and baby girl decided it would be oh so fun to mark all over herself!!! Jesus, help me.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Does it make me a bad mom....
....because I gave my daughter juice this morning instead of milk because I didn't know if I gave her a sippy full of milk if there would be enough for my cereal? So I didn't give her milk. I gave her apple juice. I ate my cereal. And now I feel bad..... because I still have enough milk to put cream in my coffee, too. I'll probably get sick this morning and vomit up my cereal because I was so selfish.
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