Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR BLOGGING BUDDIES AND READERS!!!!! We of course do not have any real big plans for tonight. First, I am going to try to be awake at midnight. I probably will not make it, but I will try to make it past my usual 9:30 to 10:30 time!:)))) Mark and Kyle are going riding tomorrow and Evan and Kallie but I have elected to stay home and do my thing.

I hope the new year brings you, peace, happiness, and love. I know we are experiencing some really different economic times but we will make it, I think it is good for us to learn to live with less, at least for my family it is, we are so blessed, we just need to pass our blessings along to someone who needs lifting up. I am gonna let my light shine in 2009!!! Please join me. Smile at the person next to you in line or at the traffic signal, more than likely they will smile back!:))))

A Good Day....

I was in a deep, good sleep this morning around 8:00 a.m. until I was rattled by the door bell. You know when you are sleeping everything sounds loud, well I thought first of all who in the world is here at this time of the morning, and two why are they pushing the bell so many times. I stumbled through the house, dog barking, and looking just real lovely, and I looked out the door hole, or whatever you call it and nobody was there. So, I opened the door and again, nothing. So as the bell continued to ring, and Nick continued to bark, I went to the front door, nobody.. so I had to unplugged the bell and go promptly for the diet coke. So, after two small bottles of DC and two hours of HGTV I was good to go. I think maybe the neighbors garage door opener and our bell is on the same frequency?!

I got a haircut today and afterwards I did a quick trip to M'boro. Is it just me or what???? those people are uptight and quick tempered in the 'boro. I felt like I was on a race track whipping in and out of traffic just trying to not get in the way of others. I did not buy anything except a pair of shoes for Kallie. The sales are not good enough yet for me, I will try back later.

I went by Whitt's BBQ and got supper for the gang tonight. I get so tired of holiday food that just sounded good. Well, I was informed I did not buy enough, which I did. My kids think if there is not a crock pot full of something there is not enough!!!! So, I told them next time I would bring the ole pot with me and just drive up and say fill 'er up!!!!heheheheheheeeeeeeeeee Kids!!!!!

Yesterday while at Loews, Mark was loading a carton of tile into his truck. He picked all of the cartons up by the strap and loaded them. However, the last carton did not have a sturdy strap and it broke after he had it probably chest high. It feel on top of his foot and I know he saw stars!!! I was already in the truck, but heard him yell and I thought he had broken his foot. It is bruised deeply, but he would not get a x-ray. I felt so sorry for him, he is a good guy but it seems crazy things happen to him. I know the carton weighs 50+ pounds.


Have a good Tuesday---let your light shine!!!!!

Ahhhhh Sunday

I just love Sunday's. After Church this morning everyone separated and went our own ways. Kyle went to the lake, fishing, Kallie and Evan shopping with friends in M'boro and Poo and Doo to Lowes.

We are trying to do some small home improvements, everything is soooooo expensive. I have painted several things that I would have just thrown away in the past and bought new. Ya know this whole economy thing may just be the discipline I need. Our Wal-mart trips have sure been cut. I still go but less frequently.

Check out "Doos did you know" to the left-just some fun stuff to read. Have a good week. Happy New Year, can you even believe that another year has passed???

A hint of Summertime in the Air

I am loving this warm weather!! I have a few windows up airing the house out, and we even grilled last night! It was good to smell "summer" in the air. I have accomplished some things on my do-to-list. I donated ten bags of coats, clothes and household items to goodwill yesterday. I organized the walk in closet which was the crawl in closet! I have my tree down, I usually leave my mantle decorations and outside decorations up until the new year.

I have been reflecting on what changes I want to make to me in 2009. I have started a list. I think it is important to remember to change and that change is good. After all, change is what keeps us young!

An afternoon with the Garrison's

Rocking it Out!!!!
The Rose between the thorns!!!!!!hehehehe

And you thought cloning wasn't legal yet!!!!!

Happiness Is.....Family******

We had a great morning sharing stories of Christmas' past and opening gifts. The kids are so funny, and we are so happy to have them. I cannot imagine how lonely it would be to have a silent house and a house without "life".

I invite you to....

Click on "Week in Pictures" under blogs I visit and enjoy a year in pictures. Wow, so much has gone on during the past year.

Christmas Eve @ Pa and Janice's.....

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

We are so blessed with family and with love. I cannot imagine how life would be without God, and family. We had a good time this afternoon at Pa's and Janice's. Great food, which is a huge job for Janice, but she has not yet given in to letting us help bring food. I am thankful for both Pa and Janice they are good examples and great people.

Mark, Kyle, Chase and Darrell got up early, early this morning and headed to the duck blind. Oh, the stories that come home with them are so good. I am thankful for Chase and Darrell always including Kyle (and Mark) when he can go. I know they enjoy going. It is the whole duck hunting experience that I think is so cool. They cook, and carry on all day. I think it is important for them to be together. Kyle has met some really good, nice guys (older gentlemen) from Chattanooga and they have taught him things you just do not learn in school. Also, Chase is great with Kyle. He takes him deer, turkey, and dove hunting and teaches him so much. Also, Kyle gets to fish tournaments with Chase. How cool is that????? Mark says Kyle has the life..
and he does, and we are thankful that he does!!!

Kallie worked today, and so did Evan. Evan had to work cows and he told us that the work he did today is harder than his regular work. I am sure it is. He is such a good guy. Another blessing in our life.

I was busy all day trying to get my house picked up for the incoming storm that will hit in the morning!!! We have really, really cut back this year, but you know what?? we still have plenty. I am thankful for maturity, because it has taken me until I have turned 44 to realize how blessed I am.

Happy Birthday to...

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Randy, happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!!Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Evan, happy birthday to you!!!!!!!! Love you too!!!!!!

Merry Christmas...

I hope everyone is ready for Christmas! I am..not really, but I am looking forward to being with family. I would like Christmas day to be family + thankfulness + food = enjoyment! I would like to see less commericalism, less stress, less hurry, less having to, less hussel and bussel. Ya know everyone I talk to seems to feel the same exact way, so I wonder why we all still seem to get caught up in the "yuck" part of the holidays??????

I have been sick with the coughing and headache thing that almost everyone has right now. I have gone to the doctor for an injection and meds, I cannot take anything OTC because of my BP, and still it is hanging on and making me really draggy. Anyway, I missed work last Tuesday and camped out on the couch and in the bed. I did manage to turn the TV on just for noise and I became soooo depressed. All I heard was loom and doom for the big three, unemployment rate sky-rocketing, wall street falling, I thought if I stayed home all the time or if I was retired and listened to this all the time, I would be crazy. (more so than I am!) This is my thinking on bailouts, handouts, unemployment. First, I believe, the fat-cat CEOS should take a pay decrease, and they should not receive pay bonus, especially now. I think if their salaries were cut and some kind of realistic pay scale "cap" could be introduced, it would help poor ole Joe and Jean!!! On handouts.....I want to say my upcoming comments are harsh, but I think if you have two children and you are being helped in anyway by the government, the government should also provide mandatory sterilization. Harsh yes, however, many many women learn to work the system, and have litters of children and we work everyday to feed them. I also believe if you are receiving any type of government help, you should be required to provide an urine specimen. Working people have to submit to random drug testing, so I believe if you are getting help, you should prove you are not doing illegal drugs.

Also, several weeks ago, we went to Bass Pro for something for Kyle. Mark drove and I was taking in the "sights". Every construction sight I looked at, every hole dug out along the interstate, every building being built had one thing in common. I did not see one, not one, white man or woman, nor African American man or woman working.... All Hispanics, yes ALL. Is it because they WILL work???? Yes.... I was ranting and carrying on until Mark finally turned the radio up!!!!

President elect Obama has a HUGE task before him. I am praying for him and his administration. What a mess to walk into!!! I admire him for even wanting the job!! Whether it be Obama or Hillary this is a mess that will take many, many years to even begin to straighten out.

However, the bad economy and loom and doom has done one thing; it has captured our attention!!!!

I am reminded of this... "I do not know what the future holds, but I DO KnOW WHO holds the future".

On a much lighter note, I got a new camera for my birthday!! I love, love, love it!! It is a red (my fav color) Casio. I recommend it, easy to use and takes great pics.

Happy Friday

This is my idea of a great Christmas!!!! At the beach, ah-hhhhh I can hear the waves now and Mark snoring under the umbrella!!! I sit and people watch and just stare at the water. I am there if only in thoughts.

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend. Plan now to take time for yourself, you will be a better you Monday morning:)

Merry Christmas from the beach....even if it is just a dream!!!

Worn-to-a Fazzle-Wednesday

Wh-------------ew! What a great day it has been, however, I am too pooped to pop!!!
I am busy (who isn't) everywhere I go! But, thankful for being able to be busy!!

I have been "tagged" by Paula to answer the following questions:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both



2. Real tree or Artificial? I like real, but have artificial



3. When do you put up your tree? Thanksgiving day after we eat.



4. When do you take the tree down? Christmas day!!! I get closatosa:)


5. Do you like eggnog? Not really



6. Favorite gift received as a child? Baby Tender Love-(doll) then I ran over her with my pink bike that had a white basket, it left a tire mark on her leg and I told everyone it was a birthmark:)))))))))))))))))))hehehehheheheheeeeeeeeee

7. Hardest person to buy for? Daddy



8. Easiest person to buy for? the kids


9. Do you have a nativity scene? No



10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail-real written envelopes too, no labels



11. Worst Christmas gift you received as a child? A majorette(spelling?) outfit. Can you believe that? With the hat and the baton --it was red with white trim. (Dress) How random, I was the biggest tom-boy ev--er. My front four teeth were missing from a football game in the back yard---mean as a snake and then receive a majorette outfit????? Momma must have been very, very desperate.:( :(:(


12. Favorite Christmas movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation



13. When do you start your Christmas shopping? Usually the day after Thanksgiving



14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes



15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas morning breakfast-ham, etc

16. Colored lights or clear on tree? both


17. Favorite Christmas song? Tennessee Christmas


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home


19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? maybe


20. Angel or star on top of tree? neither


21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas? Both

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? tooooo commercial

23. Favorite ornament?Santa in his flip flops hanging in a hammack reading a book

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? happiness throughout

25. Favorite holiday treat(cake,cookie,dessert)? anything peanut butter---balls, pie

Calling All Prayers.......

Kat's dad Hubert Hall is very ill. He is having surgery at this time, and has lots of medical problems. It is a scary time for Kat and her family. Please pray from them.

Also, please pray for my buddy Ginger Dunn's dad, Ozle Allen. He is also ill and trying to improve after receiving a pacemaker. Prayer is powerful and praying for friends and family is a blessing in itself. Please keep these families and gentlemen in your thoughts and prayers.