Reverse Chronology

Well, (deep sigh) I have thoroughly enjoyed my hiatus from blogging. It's not that I don't enjoy it, rather the relief of the pressure...you know....."wow, that was way funnier in person than what I just typed!" So, bare with me and my usual canaille, here is blog catcher upper from a few weeks ago which will work up to Christmas over the next few entries.......

The kickoff, so to speak, was the Ornament Swap on the 9th of this month. We had about eighteen girls show up with hors d'oeurves and a dirty Santa present in hand. Lots of fun and laughs to be had along with the usual stealing involved in Dirty Santa. We offer no apologies or prejudice. If you are new to the group...sorry...if you have a gift we want, well, you know the ending to this story. There was one poor girl who kept picking the awesome presents. Guess what, we kept stealing them. Talk about a great first impression. I was fortunate enough to get a small ornament and a rockin' Tyler Candle (Paris) which happens to be my fav...WEIRD! Here are some pics from that event........
On Dec 18Th, several different friends went out for Deborah's graduation party. The event was held at Char and the graduate paid for everything at the end of the night. Above is a picture of myself with her....keep this wholesome image in your mind before you progress to the next few pictures. Congratulations to Deborah and her B.S. RN. A lot of hard work, sweat and tears went into that degree and you deserve all of it. Also, she only allowed girls to celebrate that fateful night and had commandeered a ride for all of us via her husband. Although I felt I was OK to drive (I live 1 mile away from the event) she persisted and I relented (not coquettishly) and had a safe ride home. I am so thankful for caring friends...thank you thank you thank you thank you
Here are the pics....scary I know but we had a great time!


Alright, for the most part....consider yourself caught up. I had a successful Christmas party even if the only 3 couples that hung out were the party ones. I was flattered considering I was 10 years older than the OLDEST ONE. They like hangin' with granny and all of her wisdom..apparently.

I Am A Copy Cat

Well kids, my friend Danielle at 'Don't Touch the Cactus' had a fabulous idea. She posted that she is taking a break for the holiday week from posting due to the craziness of the season. I think, once again, I am going to follow in her footsteps. I haven't blogged in almost a week and I have several pictures to post and some past party updates....but...I just cannot seem to get on here long enough to do it. For those of you who were concerned about my lack of entries!
Anyway, everything is absolutely lovely.....I am just up to my elbows with last minute Christmas things. I hope each and every one of you have a glorious and safe Christmas and I will write to you Sunday or so!

Late Evening Friday Fill Ins

1. No, we will NOT go down without a fight! (Independence Day)

2. We just don't eat meals like we used to at the old kitchen table.

3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea) and thought: if I could just be wrapping my hands around that naked!

4. I think about how things may be and I know everything is going to be okay.

5. I'll take that shantung sofa! (Mandi)

6. The way I lead my life is the right way at least from my point of view.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out with girls to celebrate my friends graduation from RN school, tomorrow my plans include Marshall having a play date with his girlfriend and finishing my Christmas cards and Sunday, I want to celebrate Christmas with my Franklin family and drop my kids off for 4 days at grandmas..............whoooooo hooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upper Cumberland School System

Typical for me, I have an arid period of posts then two in one day. I have been saving pictures which I have made on my phone from my home health travels. I could find the two latest ones that reflect the educational status of some folks in the Upper Cumberland. Now, I do understand one of my children attend this school system. However, the spelling errors on the two announcements, which I have labeled Evidence I and Evidence II, are almost too much to tolerate. It is not like they are trying to spell Czechoslovakia or onomatopoeia for goodness sake! I guess some people cannot function without spell check. Yes, I do use spell check but not for the two words I have pictures of.

Hopefully, you can enter Heaven in a 'van'! Notice the spelling of your final destination.

You may have to zoom in to see this one. My phone camera is a piece of cow dung so it would not focus well from across the street. Let me help you...it reads "New smoothered country potatoes" Lord help me, what is wrong with people. The scary part is, this was most likely placed by a manager who would also be in charge of cleanliness and sanitation!

I Am Running Out Of Time

Sorry for the long period of time between blog posts, kids. This Christmas season in conjunction with work, Christmas play rehearsals, the actual play, and all the social events on my calender has consumed the majority of my time. I still haven't started my darn Christmas cards, not to mention I have not ordered the games off the internet for Michael which means I probably won't get them in time for the big day. In lieu of a life shattering, transcendental moment (which is what my blogs usually evoke), I have decided to post a few cute pics of Marshall. The first one was at Hanging of the Greens at church last Sunday night. Please note the devilish grin on his face while he is sitting on the alter. I don't think he is supposed to have that look! The next one is a glimpse into our every morning look. Not necessarily the camouflage, footed pajamas but the arm full of stuffed animals which greet us every morning. Hey there little monkey.

Can Someone Finish My Christmas Cards

• Two weeks from today is Christmas. I am still scrambling for Wii games at half price...it is the Jew in me (no offense to any Jews who read this) I just love to get the best deal no matter what.
• Last night was the Lady Social/Ornament Swap at Cheryl' s house. We had a blast and everything was going well until Michelle opened the pre-packaged bag of broccoli! (Stinky) Other news, friends were amazed that I actually fixed a plate (big plate) and ate it. I do eat people....I feel I have a man's appetite...I just choose the time to present it.
• I finally received my Christmas cards that I ordered from Snapfish. They are OK but the pictures on the card are a little grainy. So much for $80! Would someone please come over and address all the envelopes. That would really help me.
• In less than 24 hours...my company Christmas party will be in full swing at my home. I finally threw in the towel and stopped painting the house. Mike was shocked and I had to do CPR revive him. My new housekeepers started yesterday and they rock. My shower has not been that clean in a really long time.
• I am bracing myself for the whirlwind involved during the holidays. Our free time is few and far between and the calender is filling up fast. What a blessing and a curse at the same time.

1. Good times: the definition is alluding...I am not sure what good times mean.

2. I want people to always be comfortable in my home.

3. Sleigh bells ring are you listening?

4. Doesn't that interest you even a little.

5. Once more, it will be different the next time....promise...what is PTSD anyway?

6. When will it ever end?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the company Christmas party at my house, tomorrow my plans include NOTHING and Sunday, I want to finish my annual touch ups on the house and then do nothing.....maybe a Christmas card or two.

Babbling Bullets

• Marshall has a blister on his right hand from playing sword fight on Wii Sports Resort. I know I should make him stop but he is sooooo into it. He jogs in place as he swings his remote..works up quite a sweat and expends a lot of energy. Should I be concerned?
  

• I love Botox....yes, I have had several friends question me about this and I reply with a resounding YES. I get it .....I like it....and I offer no apologies.

• My youngest speaks with such a country accent....I am considering putting him up for adoption. Seriously, take whatever word you want and add an extra syllable.....this is what he does. Please help him!!!!

• I do love the Vikings only because they have never won a Super Bowl and my hubby is from Minnesota (we have been to the Metrodome to watch some games, nothing like watching football and baseball indoors). A little lost cause and I am all for helping little lost causes.....especially with Brett Favre. Everyone wrote him off as some old guy needing to retire...take a little peekaboo now! Both of my kids have Vikings jerseys and I require that attire when the Vikings are playing whether you are watching the game or not. I turn into my alternate personality with sports. Please don't provoke it......UGLY! I am highly competitive with sports I watch and especially sports I play! (Update: the stupid Vikings were served on a platter last night by the Cardinals. Since my friend Danielle was at the game at we were sending smack talk emails to each other all night during the game.......I get to eat crow first thing in the morning, sure it tasty.

• We ended up getting about an inch of snow Saturday morning. Wasn't enough to make a snowman but enough to ride the saucer down the hill at lightening speed. My mom ventured out around 8:30 a.m. on her usual Saturday trek to our house. Unfortunately, the bridges on I-40 were slicker than goose poop and she was stuck behind a wreck when she was about 1/3 of the way here. Since traffic was at a complete stand still, she had to turn around and go home. Why the bridges in Wilson County were so bad is beyond me. There were actually wrecks in both directions around Exit 245. The good news is, she came back later in the afternoon and spent the night. Win Win!

• Both Michael and Marshall participated in the Hanging of the Greens last night at church. For those of you who have never been an observer of such a thing, I highly advise it. Even if you don't come to church or necessarily believe in what church is all about. It is a lovely tradition with the children standing first and foremost from 3 years old to the high school kids. I almost cried once.
  

• Other than that not a whole lot.....I was able to repaint all the trim on the 1st floor of my home today. I love touch ups......it is definitely a love love relationship. Looks great! Now I only have the stairs and the second floor to touch up and I shall be done! Tomorrow will be the wall repaint. I am on a roll now that I have learned how to paint without tape...see me go! This whole house will be ship shape by the Friday company party!

Friday Friday Friday

I know everybody finds it hard to believe that I have nothing planned this weekend. I am such the socialite and staying at home for 2 days is hardly befitting one with such a title... ha ha ha. Nothing much during the week except work, school, and the math club Michael is now a member of. I think it is pretty cool but I do remember some of the social stigma attached to such a club. Well, maybe not in the 4th grade. Oh, if anyone has any bright ideas of how to get a 3 year old to crap in a toilet....I am all ears....er....eyes...since I am reading this!
By the way, the Upper Cumberland is under a Winter Weather Advisory! Expect 1-3 inches of snow says the Channel 5 guy. SNOW?.......we shall see.

1. You get what you pay for as in ear buds...DO NOT go cheap. I will be returning the 20 dollar ones that I purchased. The sound quality was crap....I felt as if I was listening to AM radio!

2. Choose the right to bear arms....we have the right to defend ourselves!

3. It's never been the right time. (How can someone always have something going on?)

4. Choir practice canceled....that is ridiculous! always an excuse! :)

5. I feel more heat now that I finally turned the upstairs unit on today!

6. Good luck and goodnight!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and letting my Botox kick in, tomorrow my plans include putting the final touches on all the Christmas decorations and possibly playing in the snow and Sunday, I want to relax, watch football and attend the Hanging of the Greens at our church since both of my children are participating.

Happy weekend.