if I eat another peice of left-over dessert, I will burst. I don't want to hear the word pumpkin again till next year.
I have lots of pictures and stories to share...when I ever get a quiet un-busy minute.
Be back later......
For our Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, I was asked to bring a dessert the kids would enjoy. This is what I came up with. I think they both turned out really cute. Hopefully they will taste as good!
Pilgrim Hats
Melt chocolate, cover large marshmallow, set on top of the chocolate side of a fudge-striped shortbread cookie using a toothpick and a 2nd toothpick to pull out the 1st toothpick. Stick in fridge to cool completely and then use yellow icing to pipe on the buckle.
Fall Brownies
Prepare a pan of brownies as directed on package. Melt chocolate and spread on top. Cut Snickers mini's in half and sprinkle on top (whole pkg). Sprinkle orange and brown M&M's or Reeces candies on top and let cool. 
Since I went to the gym this morning and worked out HARD (and it felt great by the way) I am super sweaty and stinky right now. That was 4 1/2 hours ago and I still haven't showered. I've been blogging and working but now it's time to get cleaned up. I told Grant "Hey buddy, I gotta go take a shower okay?" Being that he is bored and doesn't want to wait for me to take a shower--this was his reply, "Hey! You don't have to take a shower! I have Germ-X!" HA HA! If only it were that easy!
This past weekend, Matt and I watched a movie and Grant fell asleep between us on the couch. When the movie was over, I realized he (Grant) and I had been holding hands and I had Matt grab the camera because I know there will be a day when my little boy won't wanna hold mama's hand anymore and I wanted to capture that image. Then as Matt carried him to bed, I snapped another shot of our little boy in his strong daddy's arms. One day he'll be way too big for us to carry to bed...but for right now, I want to cherish these moments.
You don't need to watch this video (unless you just want to) but do click on the play button and listen to the song while you scroll. It's precious. If you have a child...it will surely bring tears to your eyes.
As I promised, here are some holiday pics of my home. Some of them are pretty good..and them some really don't do it justice...but you get the idea.
This is my favorite thing of all...my manger scene. Matt's grandma gave me this a couple of years ago and I just ADORE it. I would love to have the other pieces some day...but being that it is that Willow Tree brand...it's pretty pricey.
The entryway. That wreath on the door is really pretty...but you can't see the detail in the picture at all--probably because of the sunlight behind it.
The tree. I left off the gold bows I usually put on and I'm not sure it looks "full" enough. What do ya'll think?
The dining room. I had bought this hurricane globe thing to give as a gift but I fell in love with it and kept it instead!
Even the dog has a stocking! (thanks to Grandma who makes sure no one gets overlooked!)
Well, the dentist took one little look in Brooklyn's mouth and said everything looked great. He said it's actually good when the top baby teeth don't fall out ahead of time because they kind of hold the space for the permanent ones rather than the ones to the sides pushing over and spreading out. He said if she were 8 or 9, he'd probably pull the baby tooth...but for her age (6 and 10/12ths), she is right on schedule. Hooray for Brooklyn! She was so nervous and it turned out to be no big deal!
...At my house anyway! We put up our outside lights yesterday after church (half of them anyway) and then came in for dinner and to put up our inside decorations and tree. It looks SO pretty in here. I just LOVE Christmas decor. All the lights make my house feel beautiful, even when its messy...it just puts a soft glow on everything. I would take some pictures but they just don't do it justice. Still, if I get a chance when everything gets all cleaned up, I'll try to post a couple of pictures of my favorite things.
We are taking Brookyn to the dentist today to get that front tooth looked at. I hope they aren't concerned and don't have to do anything, but I have a suspicion that they'll want to pull her baby tooth out. I know she'll freak about that and I HATE for her to get a negative image of the dentist this early in her life...but we have to trust that he knows what he's doing.
Anyhow, not much else is going on around here. I've had a nice, busy day of cooking, cleaning, washing sheets and laundry all day and it's actually been pretty pleasurable. As long as my hubby and other child are out of the house, I can be quite productive and enjoy myself too.
On the flip side of that, if Matt is home, I am practically useless. I can't get anything done! So strange!
Okay, well, I will write again soon and let you know how the dentist visit went--and also post some pics of the house and all the decor!
Brooklyn's mouth was bleeding the other day so I pulled up her mouth to look at it and her permanent tooth is coming in on top of her baby tooth! Her baby tooth is hardly even loose. I am not sure what to think about this. I don't know if it's something to be worried about or not. It bleeds all the time. Pretty much everytime she bites into anything. I hate to call the dentist if its not really necessary, but I don't know. What do ya'll think? Have you ever seen anything like this before?Okay so that last post prompted more questions for you all:
I provided my answers for you in white italics (if you couldn't tell!) ha ha
1) When will you put your tree up?
probably around December 1st
2) Who puts it up? Just you? the whole family? Does hubby help?
Mostly me..but the kids will help a little with the lower half
3) When will you take it down?
Somewhere between December 26th and the 30th
4) When will you begin putting presents underneath it?
The day I put it up--a tree with no gifts under it is just downright depressing! ha ha
5) Do you put lights on the outside of your house? and when?
Yes. Either Thanksgiving Day or the day after usually.
6) If so, who puts 'em up?
Just me (usually)
7) When will you send out your Christmas Cards?
As soon after Thanksgiving as possible
8) Will you write a hand-written message in each?
absolutely. I NEVER send a card without at LEAST a paragraph. No message is just insincere, I think. (no offense!!)
9) How many people will you buy gifts for this year?
I think I counted 56 on my list!!!
10) Do your kids still believe in Santa?
They never have. As a matter of fact, Grant still think's his name is Noah! ha ha
By the way, I wanted to remind everyone to avoid using the term "X-Mas" . It directly crosses CHRIST out of CHRISTmas and that is the LAST thing we need to do--especially as the world tries so hard to do just that!
I drudgingly got on the scale this morning since it was Wednesday and it has become my routine to weigh on Wednesday's--and to my suprise, delight and disbelief it said 145 (down from 148 2 weeks ago). 'That figures' I thought. For 2 months I work my butt off and diet like crazy and can't see any progress...then I take 2 weeks off...hardly any exercise or dieting and looky here---I lose weight! Whatever, I'll take it. I'm not complaining by any means. Hey, maybe if I do even less exercising and dieting--I'll lose even more weight!?!?! Ha Ha! Just kidding Kandy! I know better! You, Kate and Bev have been my cheerleaders these past few weeks in the weight-dept. I think these 2 weeks "off" will catch up with me if I don't get back on track soon. If only everyone in my house would get well...I could get back to the gym.
Anyway, what'd ya'll think of Biggest Loser last night? (Kandy-if you haven't watched your DVR taping yet---don't read this!)
I never have like Amy too much so I wasn't heartbroken to see her go last night...BUT...wow! What a transformation she'd made when it showed what she looks like now! She really is a very pretty woman! I think having a husband who has a background in fitness will be her saving-grace since she doesn't strike me as a super-motivated person. I was really glad that B. didn't get voted off. He has a lot of work still to do and I'd hate to see Kim gone. I know everyone out there thinks she's a bit on the wussy side...but hey...you gotta give the girl her props....look at her BODY! She's pretty darn buff for being wussy, I'd say. I like her. I think she and I could be friends. Now Jillian...she's who I'd want training me...but not someone I'd want for a friend. She's WAY too brutal for my tender heart.
Okay, enough BL talk..I really need to get to work..but I knew my girls out there would be looking for my Wednesday Weigh-In and since I actually had good news for once, I took a sec to post it. So...how are ya'll doing with your weight? You know Thanksgiving is only 8 days away! Better lose a few pounds so you'll have some room to gain. At least that's what I'm thinking. :o)
It's Tuesday morning, 9:03 a.m. and normally at this time I would be sweatin' my butt off at the gym...but not today. (Again!) Last week it was Grant who was sick--this week it's me. UgH! I woke up Sunday morning barely able to breathe through my nose and with a horrible sinus headache. It's done nothing but get worse since then. The only time I feel okay is when I take this non-drowsy sinus med that I have. But it makes me super energetic and then all of a sudden when it wears off..I am totally drained and exhausted! It is so hard for me to sit still. Yesterday I woke up feeling horrible, took the meds, got my energy boost and cleaned out the garage, tore out the garden and mowed and cleaned the whole house!! Of course by the time I got done I was toast. Now today, I woke up feeling like I wanted to go work out but I knew better than to even try it since just simple things like making breakfast tire me out. I took a shower and felt like I needed to sit down and rest afterwards. Ha! So, I am hoping to use this long day at home to do LOTS of scrapbooking. I've really been on a roll lately and have gotten probably 25 pages done in the past 2 weeks or so. Only 1 more years worth of pictures to do and I'll be caught up! ha ha
Anyhow, just thought I'd do a post before I get started on my "day". Before I can go have fun scrapping...I have to do my "real" work for the dr. office. I picked up another doc part-time to help a friend of mine out and that has been a big blessing (financially) although it means I am at my desk quite a bit more. Oh well...gotta give to get right?
Happy Tuesday to you all! Don't forget to watch The Biggest Loser tonight on NBC. It's getting SO good!!!
Does such a thing even exist?
A friend of mine made a statement to me a couple of weeks ago that has had me thinking ever since. She said, "Our generation is so selfish. We are late to everything and we always have an excuse. It's downright rude to always make people wait on you--as if their time isn't as valuable as yours."
Wow!
What's more...I am the QUEEN of late. If I am only 5 minutes late..I figure I've done good. If I am there at the time something is starting...that's PERFECT but if I am there 5 minutes ahead of starting time...I am EARLY! Any more than 5 minutes ahead of time and I figure I am just downright WASTING time now.
I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with that kind of thinking though. For one, I HATE it that everyone always feels like they have to tell me something starts half an hour before it really does--so I'll actually get there on time. And, most of my friends know, If I say I'll be somewhere at 10---they have at least until 10:15 before they can really expect me. How embarrasing.
I will say...one thing we are never late for is school. I don't know why I do so good with that...but my kids have never, not once, been late for school. I guess I just do SO much preparing ahead of time (setting out clothes, making lunches, packing up backpacks) that when it comes time to get out the door...everything is already waiting on me.
If only I could be more like that for everything else!
So I am just wondering...what are ya'll's thoughts on this? Is it okay to be 5 or 10 minutes late here and there? How early is too early? If something starts at 7:00, and you have a 20 minute drive to get there..what time do you plan to leave your house? (BTW, I would plan to leave at 6:35 and probably actually leave at 6:45)
What do ya'll think of your friends who are late?
rude? selfish? understandable? thoughtless? inconsiderate? No big deal?
How often are you late?
10% of the time? 25% of the time? 50% of the time? 75% of the time? All the time?
I went to the gym yesterday...first time in a week and boy oh boy...it was bitter sweet. It felt so good to be back and yet, I had NO energy and I felt like I was dragging the whole entire time. Thankfully, I have lots of gym-friends (people I only know from working out with them for the past 3 years) and they all cheered me on and helped me get through an hour and a half work out session. Yay!
So after dinner and dishes and bedtime with the kids last night, I was feeling pretty sore/tight in my shoulders and back so I begged my sweet hubby to give me a massage and try out some new massage oil I had bought. It was the warming kind that heats up with motion. ***Get your mind out of the gutter ya'll---that is NOT where this story is going!! :o) *** So anyway, I get all ready, he opens up the bottle and trys to squirt some on my back and the stuff comes out looking like Molasses! He starts trying to rub my back and the stuff is like so thick, he had to practically use half the bottle just to cover my shoulders and back! As he is rubbing I can hear the stickiness. Like when he lifts his hand, it kind of makes a sound from the suction! Finally he is done with my wonderful massage (the guy should totally go into business doing this---he's AWESOME---but of course I wouldn't want him touching other women--so no---never mind--rub that out). Anyway, I'm laying there on my stomach just relaxing and I say "Hey babe, why don't you go cook up some pancakes and we can eat them with all the syrup that's on my back." For some reason I found that ridiculously hilarious and I cracked my own self up. Ever since that moment last night...I've been thinking "I have to blog about this."
Now that I'm typing it--it doesn't seem nearly as funny...but oh well...I wasted a whole night thnking about it and how funny it was...so I'm leaving it.
Ha ha!
Anyway, I was going to pose a question to you all: Does anyone have a favorite massage oil or lotion that they could suggest? I love the stuff they use at the spa's because it seems like one drop covers a lot of skin...but I don't know how to find that stuff myself.
The more I get, the more I want.
Since it was dark and the kids were whiny last night, we put them to bed at 7:03 pm!! I wasn't sure if they'd "fall" for it...but they went to sleep as easy as ever. BUT...while Matt and I were in there reading books to them, we got sleepy too. So sleepy---that we decided to just go to bed too! At 7:30 pm, we were all 4 tucked away in our dark house sleeping!! Isn't that crazy?
I knew I'd have to get up early to make up for going to bed that soon, so I set my alarm for 5:00 am. I counted it up just before I went to sleep and I figured that would give me 9 1/2 hours of sleep so getting up that early shouldn't be a problem at all. Right? Wrong! I was so sound asleep (and tired) when the alarm went off this morning that I hit snooze until 5:27 without even realizing it. When I actually woke up and looked at the clock, I couldn't believe I had "snoozed" that long! So, I got up, brushed my teeth, put my robe and slippers on and came out here to my computer to work. I've been sitting out here now for 15 minutes and I feel like a zombie. I can't type, the computer screen seems blurry and I am so tired I think if I shut my eyes right now, I'd be asleep instantly.
What's up with that?
I wonder if it's me just being a sissy (because obviously 9 hours of sleep in one night is plenty) or if my body is trying to tell me something?
I was all set to go back to the gym today (I haven't gotten to go all week b/c Grant's been home with strep throat) but now, as tired and drowsy as feel, I really Don't want to go. You know how sometimes when you get out of bed and you are so tired that your equalibrium seems to be messed up...almost like your drunk. You walk into walls and stub your toes and stuff? That's how I feel. I thought for sure I busted my thumb nail off my finger this morning when I went to open the door because I missed the door handle and rammed my thumb into the wall. Ha!
What's weird too is that Matt said he's been feeling like this for about a week now too. Maybe it's the time change---though that doesn't make sense either since we gained an hour. Hmmm?
Well, anyway, I need to get back to work, but I just thought I'd take a break and blog and see if that would wake me up. I don't think it's working. Nevertheless, sleepy or not...this work has to get done.
Hope you all have a Terrific Thursday.
Oh and for those of you who were looking for my "Wednesday Weigh-In" (Kandy)...I told you "I Quit". :o) No really, I did totally take the week off last week from the gym and from counting calories and it was SO nice. No worries. But, I did make myself get on the scale yesterday morning and it was a pound less than last weeks horrible weigh in. It's nothing to get excited about by any means. I am at 147 right now. I was at 145 2 weeks ago--so you can understand my lack of enthusiam. Anyway, I promise, I haven't "quit" for good...just for a week or so. If next Wednesday is any better, I'll start posting my weigh-ins again. I just thought "what's the point" when I am not making any progress, you know!?!
By request:
Here are just a few of the names we've given "boobies" in our house:
If you're especially small : mosquito bites
If you're pretty small: ant hills
If you're pretty large: Twin peaks
Miscellaneous nick-names:
chi-chi's
ta-ta's
the "girls"
the "twins"
So, what do you call 'em?
Ps. Both of my kids think nipples are actually called "nibbles". Ha Ha!
Furthermore, on the subject of too low-cut jeans, I would just like to add that this problem also exists in young girls sizes as well. My daughter, who is 6, has the same issue going on. We can hardly find her a pair of jeans that cover everything when she's sitting criss-cross-applesauce. I even started buying her super big granny-panties in hopes that when something does show...at least it will be her undies and not her tush. I'd just like to know what idiot came up with this super-low-rise idea? I wonder if he wears them? I wonder if he'd like his 1st grader showing off her booty to all the other kids at school? I sure don't!
So, to extend my question out even further..those of you who have little girls...please...tell me...what kind of jeans do you buy them?
(that's a old lady trying to swipe her credit card in the attendents crack)Ha Ha!
So I got a few hours to myself on Friday and I went shopping for a new pair of jeans. I had a $20 rewards certificate to spend at the GAP and a $25 gift card to spend at American Eagle. I figured SURELY I could find a pair of jeans at one of these 2 places. Wrong. I found some I liked alright at the GAP...but just couldn't bring myself to pay $69.50 for a pair of jeans I just like "okay." (even with $20 off)
But at American Eagle....What a JOKE!
Here's my "Valuable Time Saving Tip" for ya: Don't even BOTHER trying on jeans that have a zipper length of less than at LEAST 2 inches. At AE, their jeans come in 3 cuts: Low-Cut, Super Low-Cut and Ultra Low-Cut. That translates to zipper lengths of 2 inches, 1 1/2 inch and 1 inch. ONE INCH! What's even the point? Take your fingers and make an inch with your pointer and your thumb. Now, imagine that being how much fabric you have to zip up over your tummy---or on the flip side---your butt crack. What a JOKE! I promised myself I wouldn't buy a pair of jeans that showed my butt crack if I bent over...but Good Heavens...these jeans practically showed my butt crack when I was standing straight up!
I just don't get it. WHO (teenager or not) would want to wear jeans like this? It's so digusting and offensive to me. Besides that...it is TOTALLY unflattering on everyone. Even the skinniest of skinny look like they have a little innertube around their middle with these super low cut jeans.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not into those jeans from the 80's that button just below your bra strap and have pockets 6 inches higher than your butt cheeks...that's almost as gross. But can't we find a happy medium somewhere in the middle? There is one brand that I can always find jeans that LOVE by...but it's Lucky and they cost a small fortune. Like, if I wanted a pair right now, I'd probably have to take out a loan. They range anywhere from about $85 to $135 for a pair! But, they fit perfectly! I may have to feed my kids mac-n-cheese and hot dogs for a few days so I can get a pair. Ha ha. (they'd LOVE that!! (seriously))
Anyway, what a waste of a day. I ended up going home empty handed and being completley frustrated.
So, I want to know...what are ya'll's favorite jeans and how much will you spend on a good pair?
Just a litte shout out to my best friend since elementary school, Amy and her hubby Jason! They finally welcomed their first baby into the world last Sunday! Hooray!
He is SUCH a doll! They named him Easton James which is so cute and very cool since Easton was Amy's maiden name. I "stole" a few pics off of her blog (www.craftylildevil.blogspot.com) to post here so I hope she doesn't mind. (let me know if you do Amy). I just HAD to show you all how cute the little guy is!! It totally STINKS that she lives in WV and I can't get my hands on him.....:o)
Matt and I opted to skip the gym this morning (for the first Saturday in months) and help my dad build a fence for his horses. He (my dad) had surgery on his knee about a month ago and he's such a go-getter...that he hasn't ever given it time to heal...which means that now, a month later...it's still hurting him pretty bad. (take notes here Kate!:o) He tried to do the fence yesterday all by himself and didn't get very far before he was in too much pain...so we decided we'd get our work-out today by digging holes and setting poles and pulling fence. It was SO much FUN to be out there working hard like "one of the guys". I hope I made a hand. I tried anyway.
Speaking of my dad, he'll be turning 58 on Monday. I can't believe he's that old. Not that 58 is "that old" but still..for him to be nearing 60 is just crazy. He still seems like my same old dad most of the time. But today, when I saw him nearly fall to the ground from pain (in his knee) it really opened my eyes that he is getting older. Of course..He'd absolutely HATE to know that I just said that. Ha! He still thinks he's about 25 I think.
So, that's how we've spent our Saturday so far. Now I think we are gonna get cleaned up and run into town to do a few errands. I had pictures printed of Matt's buck and he wants to pick those up so he can show them to the guys at work. He's certainly got something to be proud of with that thing. Too bad it's gonna be MAY before we can get it back from the taxidermy place. We did have the meat processed and I think we ended up with 56 pounds. I haven't eaten much deer meat in my life...but since it's lean and healthy...I will learn to like it. Period. And so will my kids. Period.
We have been working on our manger too lately. It's coming right along...almost finished actually. We just ran out of nails so once we get those, we can put the legs on and then I'll take a picture. I will probably paint it an distressed brown color since we just used scrap wood and it's not very pretty. I figure the more rugged it is, the more realistic, right?
Here's a pic of Matt a few days ago when we were just getting started. He's such a handsome handyman, I think! 
Here's a pic of Grant with his new Shrek gear on. My grandma brought him this T-shirt and hat when she came home from CA last week and he's been wearing it non-stop ever since! 
Before:
After:
Hooray! Matt got his first deer! This was his first time to shoot his bow (at an animal and not a target) and he got one! Good Job Babe!!! 
Here are a few pics of me and my peeps. (Isn't that just the funniest word?) These were taken a couple of weeks ago at a bonfire Rich & Teya had. One of my bestest buds, Amos, couldn't be there that night so she missed out on the photo session...but I just had to give her a shout out anyway to say "I love ya!"
This is me and my buddy, Tori over at www.purple-orchids.blogspot.com
Shawn & Rachael and me and Matt. 
This pic was taken last night (at the Halleluah party) of Me, Teya & Rachael. 
Grant's preschool had a dress up day and fall carnival on Tuesday. The kids were so cute all in their costumes.
For Halloween, the kids got dressed up and we went to our church for the Halleluah Party. Before that though, we ran by a place where all the 1st grade teachers from Brooklyn's school were going to be..so we could get a special treat from her teacher. This is Brooklyn with Mrs. Jenkins. (isn't she pretty?!!)
This first picture is of Grant right when we got into the car. The second one is what he looked like just a few minutes after we left the house on the way to the church. He was tired before we even got there so you can imagine how tired he was after 3 hours of games!!
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