Wordless Wednesday

The same day - #1 @ 12:00 p.m., #2 @ 7:00 p.m.

(notice the sunglasses, then look out the window)

A fun and tiring day!

Grilling Goodness #14

1. Do you like scary movies?
NO!!! I have never watched a scary movie and never plan to.

2. What kind of cell phone do you have?
I have a Razr, actually I am usually my sister's hand me down Razr until I am eligible for an upgrade.

3. Do you have a passport?
I do have a passport. I think it is expired, but it has a stamp from my trip to Brazil.

4. Has anything sad happened in your life this week?
Sort of. Eric came home from work today bummed out because he had to lay off more people at work. It is sad for those people and their families.

5. Have you ever broken any bones?
No, I had a fracture in the top of my foot, but no real breaks.

6. Did you do anything this week that you don't normally do?
I went to the mall in the middle of the day. I love winter and unexpected days off!!!

7. What's the worst thing you ever had in your wardrobe?
I had an Incredible Hulk tank top (strictly for sleeping), but somewhere there is a hideous picture of me in that shirt with wet hair straight out of the tub.

8. Did you have braces on your teeth?
No braces, although my bottom teeth could probably use them.

Grilling Goodness #11

1. What pain reliever do you swear by?
I usually go with Excederin, but will take whatever is available if I have a headache.

2. Have you gotten up-to-date with a flat screen HDTV?
Yes, we got a 42" flat screen LCD HDTV in January and it is awesome, especially compared to our old 27".

3. Have you honked at anyone lately?
Yes, last week I was leaving a gas station and a car started backing out of the parking space. I honked for about 5 seconds, but the teenage boy in the car continued to back right into me. No damage done. He "was looking for a quarter he had dropped". He is lucky my Tahoe is like a tank. In a smaller vehicle that quarter could have cost him s great deal.

4. What is your favorite household product?
I don't really have a favorite, but if anyone is marketing a robot that does the cleaning for you, let me know.

5. What is the earliest you've gotten up this week and why?
I got up at 5:15 to get to work a little early and get some things done before the school day started.

6. Do you travel out of town for Christmas?
No, we stay close to home and I like it this way.

7. Have you been listening to Christmas music? (Favorite?)
Yes. Gracie is obsessed with Jingle Bells, so we listen to it over and over and over in the car (seriously, nothing else). My favorite is probably the Steven Curtis Chapman song Home for Christmas (it reminds me of my grandmother).

8. When do you exchange gifts with family?
Gracie gets to open pajamas and a book on Christmas Eve, the rest is opened on Christmas morning.

Wordless Wednesday

Eating Santa's Cookies last Christmas

Grilling Goodness #10

1. How many Christmas parties have you attended or will you attend?
Well, since I skipped out on the work Christmas party, I guess technically none. We will have a variety of family gatherings to attend, 5 in all.

2. What is your favorite dish to take to a party?
The easiest thing I can find. Usually a cheeseball mix of some sort.

3. When you're at home and your feet are chilled, do you wear socks or houseshoes?
Socks. My favorite pair is soft and fuzzy with stripes. I received them as a gift and have not been able to find another pair that I love as much.

4. What are your plans for this weekend?
Scrapbooking on Saturday, all day. Church on Sunday and probably some school work.

5. What is the most expensive Christmas gift you are buying for your children this year?
Gracie is getting a "chichen" kitchen.

6. Do you have a family portrait made each year?
No, we had one made in December 2006, but I plan to have one next year. I also plan to lose a few pounds first.

7. Do you drive your kids around looking for decorated homes?
Gracie is really interested in "ights" lights this year, so we probably will look for some. We will also be taking her to the Kentucky Horse Park where they have a lights display you can drive through each year.

8. What is your least favorite thing about cold weather?
I hate being cold period, but I think my least favorite thing is getting into a cold car.

THANKFUL...

I have so many reasons to be thankful...

1. Salvation and God's grace in my life
2. My patient, loving, hardworking, husband
3. My precious baby girl
4. Hugs and kisses from my baby girl
5. Being called "momma"
6. My sister whom I love very much
7. My niece who I admire and adore
8. My parents
9. My inlaws and extended family
10. A babysitter who loves my daughter and who my daughter loves
11. A good job
12. A few close friends who love me
13. My home
14. More than enough food to eat : )
15. A church interested in sharing God's love in real ways
16. Scrapbooking and the people I have met while doing so
17. Mountain Dew

Wordless Wednesday

Grilling Goodness #6

1. What is one of your 'must see' tv shows?
Criminal Minds, Numb3rs, Jon and Kate Plus 8, and a few Food Network shows

2. Do you have a facebook page?
Yes and I really like it. I have reconnected with several people.

3. How old were you when you got married?
I was 26 and Eric was 30. We both had a career and had been on our own and I think we were more ready for marriage than we would have been.

4. What is one bad habit that you need to break?
Biting my nails

5. What is your favorite cold-weather activity?
I love the holidays and playing in the snow with Gracie.

6. At church, do you always sit in the same area?
Yes

7. What do you like best about blogging?
I like that it lets you get to know others better. I wish I were better at it, so that I could meet more people. I really like to read the funny stuff Tina posts.

8. What's the last funny thing you remember hearing from a child?
One of my students told me today that he didn't follow my instructions because he was yawning and sometimes he can't hear when he yawns.

She did it...

Gracie did it! She finally said "Mindy". She has been holding out on her aunt, so here is the blog Mindy requested for this momentous occasion. In fact, she would only say "Chr" for my sister's husband Chris when we asked her to say Mindy. We all laughed and of course she found it very funny. We knew all along that she could say it, she just wouldn't. This past Saturday after a long day of shopping, Mindy brought Gracie a stuffed Dalmation. She told Gracie that she had to say Mindy before she got it. And what do you know, that little stinker immediately said it. Then on Wednesday when I picked her up from the sitter I asked her is she wanted to see Mindy and she has said it every time we asked from that point on. I think it really made Mindy's week. I am sure Gracie will find something else to be a stinker about.

Wordless Wednesday

Grilling Goodness #5

1. Is there anything peculiar about the way you sleep?
Not that I know of!!!

2. Are you in with the fad...do you own something with giraffe print?
Gracie had a shirt with giraffes this summer. I had to have it for our zoo trip. (My friend says I dress her like a scrapbook page.) I don't have anything for myself though.

3. What color do you have the most of hanging in your closet?
I'd probably say blue. It's my favorite color.

4. In the spirit of all the candy that will fly around today...what is your favorite kind of candy?
I'll say Ghiaradelli milk chocolate with caramel inside.

5. Is your thumb green or are you a plant killer?
I am a plant killer. I teach my students all the things plants need, but normally when I have my own I forget to give them water.

6. Do you have a crazy pet story?
Boy do I!!! When I was in the 4th grade, I really wanted to walk our full grown Golden Retriever. This dog weighed about as much as I did at the time. My dad relented and let me take the dog for a walk. He made me wrap the leash around my wrist a couple of times. The dog basically walked me, but it was basically a successful walk until we rounded the corner and my dad called for Misty from down the street. Misty took off running and drug me on my stomach through a yard before I could get the leash unwrapped. I was covered in grass stain and my dad was having a great laugh.

7. Did you ever tight-roll your jeans?
Who didn't???

8. Does your family read your blog?
Just my sister. I don't have a lot of readers.

Wordless Wednesday

Our little monkey!!! Halloween 2007

Grilling Goodness #4

1. The World Series has begun...do you watch it? (and do you care who wins?)
Not unless my husband has it on and then I am not really watching.

2. Is the inside of your car clean or 'garbage dump filthy'?
Let's just say it looks like a toybox threw up in the back seat of my car.

3. Who is the next person in your family to have a birthday?
My sister's is November 19 and Gracie's is November 20. Lots of celebrating!

4. Do you wear glasses or contacts? (how old were you when it became necessary?)
I wear contacts. I first got glasses in 3rd grade and I have had some hideous ones. I started wearing contacts when I was 16.

5. What is your major form of exercise?
Chasing Gracie around. Not getting much otherwise. I really need to start.

6. What is something you could do to make your spouse's day easier today?
Change all diapers???

7. How much is gas where you are?
It is hovering around $2.50 here. Much better than $4.00!

8. What the furthest away from home that you've ever traveled?
I once spent a month on a mission trip in Brazil. The flight from New Jersey to Rio was about 9 hours.

Wordless Wednesday

The girl loves dirt!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten new words Gracie has started saying. What fun it is to watch their little brains develop!
1. Jesus
2. Animal
3. Tractor
4. Big Bird
5. Light
6. Boots
7. Salsa
8. Home
9. School
10. Seat

Grilling Goodness #3

1. What is your least favorite aspect of Election Year?
I dislike the negativity, stupidity, and campaign ads.

2. What is something your spouse could do to make you feel special?
I am with Tina on this one, plan a date, get the sitter, and just surprise me.

3. Do you complain at restaurants or do you just tip less?
I usually just tip less.

4. If you had it to do over again, would you choose the same wedding date you had?
Yes, I was ready to get married! I would have the temperature be a little warmer. It was 70 the day before we got married and about 40 the day we got married. Just one of the joys of a March wedding.

5. What kind of car do you drive?
I drive a paid for 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. I would like to have a new one, but it works for now.

6. If you have siblings, are you close to them?
I have one sister and we are very close. I am blessed to have her. We talk many times a day and I can't think of the last time we went a day without talking. We each love the other's children like they are our very own.

7. Do you spend the same amount of money on each child at Christmas or just buy a certain number of gifts?
I only have one right now, but I am sure we will try to keep the money equal if it is feasible.

8. What phrase do you find yourself saying all the time?
"No Gracie"
"Follow directions, _____________" (Fill in the name of many of my students.)

Grilling Goodness #2

1. What can cheer you up when you're feeling grumpy?

Gracie being sweet or silly always makes me smile. A Mountain Dew sometimes helps.

2. Give one feature that could make or break the deal if you were shopping for a new home.

Garage, our next house must have one.

3. What's the craziest thing you've ever let your children eat for breakfast?

I can't think of anything, but my dad used to feed us Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies and sometimes Mountain Dew with it. I guess the word oatmeal was in the name.

4. If you are a 'watch what you eat' kind of person, share a meal or dish that makes it easier to diet.

I wish I watched what I ate better. I did just get a good marinade for pork tenderloin and let me say, it was delicious. I'd be happy to share.

5. Is there something you used to do as a child that you would never let your children do now?

On occasion I was aloud to walk around a store on my own. I would not let Gracie do this. It is a different world out there.

6. If you have a daughter, are her ears pierced? When did you allow it?

Gracie's are not. I will probably wait until she is interested and then guage my decision from that point. I want her to be responsible enough to take care of them.
7. Are you the only person in your house who changes the TP roll??

No, Eric and I do not share a bathroom, so he changes his and I change mine.

8. How old were you when you no longer lived with a parent(s) for the first time?

Technically, I was 16. My mom moved from the town where I went to high school when I was a junior. I had a lot of opportunities for college money if I stayed and continued participating in some activities, so I lived with a couple in my church for about a year and a half. Our family had a lot of issues at the time. After that, I never lived with my parents again. I did go on weekends and holidays during college.

How I Spent My Fall Break

Well, my Fall Break is almost over and I am saddened by this fact. I will miss the days with my girl and most of all evenings free of school work. I did enjoy the week at home and was somewhat productive...

I visited with friends, one I hadn't seen in quite a while. It was bittersweet. I enjoyed seeing her, but realized just how much I miss her being around. She has such a sweet spirit.

I celebrated my husband's birthday.

I transformed Gracie's room into her "big girl room". Including cleaning out clothes and toys for consignment.

I cleaned the house.

I cooked a couple of pretty good meals.

Most of all, I spent quality time with Gracie and Eric.

I am going to miss this when i get back to the grind next week.

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures from our first night in the "Big Girl Bed" (aka toddler bed)

Are You Blessed?

I recently received the November issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. In the issue, it had an idea that sparked this blog (challenge). The article by Amanda Probst suggested taking a picture a day in November of all the things you are grateful for and putting it in a 2-page layout.

So here's my challenge to any scrapbooker, blogger, and blessed person I know...

Take Amanda's idea and run with it. Take one picture each day in November of something you are grateful for. Put it into a scrapbook layout or create a mini album. Then at the end of November, post a blog displaying your work. I would love to see this take off. Send your friends over to take the challenge. Leave me a comment to let me know if you plan to participate so I can check it out at the end of November.