Looking Back

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 2008 was an okay year I guess. Some ups and some downs.

We lost some very special friends. Mandy, Cole, Jamie.

I had my twenty seventh anniversary at work. That’s over half my life. It is my home away from home. Those people are like my second family.

I became an “official” member of the MRBA after lurking for a few weeks. Those people are like my third family!

I started my blog.

My daughter started her final year of high school. It seems like just yesterday I was taking her to kindergarten.

The redheads turned one.

I got a Dyson.

Gustav gave us a scare but didn’t do any major damage in this area. Lights were out for only a day.

I ate my 9,999 batch of cheesy tots (or so it seems).

It snowed in December!

My husband and I celebrated twenty five years of marriage.

I ENJOYED Christmas.

I spent New Years right where I wanted to…at home with my family, safe and sound.

I hope 2009 brings more good times than bad (cause I know they’ll be some bad times mixed in) to you all.

Happy New Year!

Almost Done

2008 is almost gone but it just wouldn't be right to get through the holidays without hearing Same Auld Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg. Rest in peace Dan.

Survivor

I survived Christmas 2008. I actually enjoyed this Christmas very much.

Over the past few years I guess I had become rather scroogey about the holidays. I was always running, cleaning, shopping, and cooking. And cooking and cooking. I was always tired and stressed out. I worried if people would like their gifts. I worried if I had enough food fixed. I worried if my house was clean enough. I worried about money.

I always over cooked and over spent. Now I can’t say I over cleaned because I’m really not a very good housekeeper. I cleaned more than I normally would anyway. You know, dusted things that only get dusted twice a year, like ceiling fans and chandeliers.

This year I was determined to keep my goal of cutting back on both gifts and food. I would NOT put anything on a credit card. And I’m happy to say I did it!

I shortened my menus. I didn’t fix so much that we’d have leftovers in the fridge to throw away after a couple of days.

I found some really good bargains. I stuck with the amount of money I had budgeted for each person. Even for my daughter and the redheads, I kept it reasonable. They all would be getting gifts from two families so it was no need to go overboard. And they got plenty. The redheads are still enjoying their toys. And my daughter got a Wii from her boyfriend so that has topped anything we got her. That’s okay though. I don’t mind at all.

We put the tree up earlier than normal and are keeping it up a little later. I’ve enjoyed watching the redheads so much. Even the times we had to say no when four little hands were reaching for the ornaments. We just finally moved them all up top. And I didn’t even blow it when Big Sis hooked her new baby doll stroller in it and almost brought it down.

So I hope everyone had as much of an enjoyable Christmas as I did. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Christmas Models

I'll say it again, it is almost impossible to get TWO seventeen month olds to stand together, smile and pose for a picture. I was needing a shot for our Christmas cards. I finally got one. It may not be a perfect pose but it is my girls. Looking just like they always do.

I gave up on the black dresses. They just wanted to get the camera and play with it. So I tried the blue dresses the next Sunday. I finally showed them their picture on the camera so it kinda became a game. They run stand by the tree and then run look at their picture on the camera.

Lil Sis LOVES those two fingers. How are we going to break that habit?

This Little Piggy

I have wanted to get a picture of this sign for the longest but it isn’t in the best part of town so I was a little skittish about stopping and snapping. But I got brave the other day. There was a parking spot open so I pulled in, opened the door and just had to take about four steps, and got it. No knives flashed. No gun shots. Whew.

So tell me, are the pigs feet part of the $2.99 breakfast? Or at which meal do you actually serve pigs feet?

And are the feet hot as in temperature? I’m sure warm feet are much better than cold feet. Or do they mean spicy hot. Ummm, crunchy, spicy hooves. Or do all their pig feet come from smoking hot sexy momma sows? Look out Miss Piggy.

No matter, I really don’t think I’ll be checking them out any time soon. What about you?

Relaxing Weekend

Last weekend was so nice. I didn't leave my house from the time I got home from work Friday afternoon until Sunday morning for church. Which meant no make-up and no hair washed on Saturday. A rare occurance. Me and the redheads spent a lot of time outside. The weather was pretty nice and they love going outside. No mosquitos to contend with this time of year. And not many fireants after the snow.

Now next weekend will be just the opposite. I've got to clean house and start my cooking for the three Christmas meals we'll have at home. Hubby and I will go out for our anniversary one night. And my daughter and I have to make a trip to town so she can finish her shopping.

Then hopefully after Christmas I can relax again. I'll be off for THIRTEEN straight days. This is the first time I've taken off this long at Christmas. I don't know how I managed to save vacation for the end of the year but I did. I can't wait. So the blog may slow down, or even stop unless they get my home pc fixed, but that's okay. I'll be back for the new year.

They say "Rock, rock" the entire time they are in the rocking chairs.

In the glider with Pawpaw.

Sonny says "I wish those girls would stay out of my space"

Walking with Great Grandmother.

Naptime in the big bed!

Snow in McComb 12-11-08

Actually most of these were taken at work in Magnolia.

Pearl River Avenue on my way in. (and yes, that's a crack all the way across my windsheild meaning I'll have to have it replaced before the next inspection)

Ordering my cheesy tots!

Intersection of Highway 51 and Presley.

Work

Paul

Paul and Keith

My truck.

David, Dianne, Brenda, Rebecca

And yes, Brenda is out there in short sleeves and no jacket.

Brenda, Rebecca, Melissa and Dianne

That afternoon. Getting slushy.

Clydesdales

We got to see the world famous Clydesdales when they came to be in a couple of the local Christmas parades. We went out to the multipurpose complex where they were staying. Those horses are gorgeous and HUGE. It is unreal how big they are. These pictures really don't do them justice since they were in their stalls. I wish they had been out in the arena. Keep in mind their feet were on the same level as ours and you can see that their back is over our heads.

Kodak: The Root of All Evil

Nothing has made me madder lately than my cotton picking Kodak camera. It’s not even a year old and it has made me lose my temper more than anything. I’ve mentioned here before that I cannot upload pictures anymore. After downloading new software three times, tech support finally decided I have a bad USB cable. So for now, I have to get a cd made in order to put pictures on my pc to use for blog posts. I was going to purchase a new cable but no one around here has it so it looks like I’ll have to order it from Kodak. And if that is not my problem, I’m out about $25 plus shipping unless I want to bother with returning it. Then I'm only out shipping. Twice.

Second in line on my bad list right now is Walgreens. I know, I KNOW, it is the busiest time of the year so I try to keep that in mind and keep my cool in the crowds and chaos. So, I take my sd card to Walgreens on Monday during lunch time so I can go back that afternoon and get my pictures and MAINLY my cd so I can do some blog posts and order a personalized calendar from Walmart. Well, both pc’s are busy with customers. No problem. I wait. And I wait. And wait. I watch this one woman type in “Snow in McComb 12-11-08” so many times I could beat her. Every blasted picture she had to type in that caption. After about the 25th time I just couldn’t bear it any longer. I wanted to do like Walker Texas Ranger and plant a horizontal side kick and knock her off that stool. We only get snow in Mississippi maybe once every couple of years so she should be able to remember that stupid date. I decided I had better leave and come back that afternoon before I got arrested for assault and battery.

I drove back that afternoon and had a short wait in line but everything else went fine then. Pictures and cd was entered and ordered. Finally.

I went back during lunch on Tuesday. And keep in mind I only have a half hour for lunch. I’m usually a little over but I get to work plenty early and rarely take either of my two breaks so I don’t fret about it. So I ask for my package and “no cd” is written on it for some reason. The clerk explained that when they tried to burn a cd it got hung up and would not continue. It had their machine down for four hours earlier that day. My pictures only did this. No one else’s. So she says she’ll try again. Meantime I pay for my purchase since I am in a hurry and the line keeps getting longer. After a few minutes the clerk says it had stopped. Terrific. It always stops on the same picture. Can you delete that picture I ask? The male associate asks if I have my sd card with me. I do but it’s in the truck so I trek out there and get it. When I get back I hand it to the clerk who says they have to do it on the public pc’s. What? We have to wait in line I ask. Yes. No way. Give me my sd card and my money back for the cd. The clerk asks for the package of pictures so he can scan it and give me credit. The very package of pictures I laid down in my truck when I went out to get my camera. I am trying so hard not to be rude to these clerks because I know it is not their fault. I walk out to my truck and retrieve the package. I politely say to the clerk “I came here thinking you all would be less of a hassle than Walmart but you have proved me wrong”. He apologized. I’m sure he was thinking “that bah humbug shirt that woman is wearing sure suits her”. I left. Maybe to never set foot in Walgreens again.

That afternoon I decided to stop by Rite Aid just to TRY and get a cd. No waiting thank goodness. I pop in my card and after a few minutes, bam, error message. “Must reboot”. I was beginning to think I would never get a cd. And since my home pc is in the shop I couldn’t scan the pictures I wanted either.

So the very nice clerk tells me to try the other machine. I only have to wait a few minutes for a lady to finish up. Insert card. No problems. I have my cd in about three minutes. Success at last. Rite Aid is my hero.

For those of you who have Kodaks and have had no problems, that’s great. Maybe I just got a lemon with this one. But it will be the last Kodak lemon I ever buy.

We're Silver

Today is our 25th anniversary. Man, that's a long time. Over half my life. But it's been a good 25 years. Ups and downs, joys and sorrows. But all in all, very, very good.

We had a very simple ceremony at my best friend's house. It was a very cold, rainy night. Made it better for snuggling. 25 years ago.

I'm posting a pic made right after we got married since we pretty much still look the same anyway. heh.

Ailing

My pc has came down with a virus and I had to admit it to the hospital last Friday. I don't have the time nor patience to try and debug it myself. And from what the guys at the shop said, it may be over my head anyway. They said about 85% of the pc's they are working on has the same malicious virus mine has. I wish they could catch all these devilish people who sit around with nothing better to do but create these stupid viruses. Give them solitary for life. Better yet, give them a lethal injection.

I don't use my pc at home that much. With the redheads, work, housework, family, I just don't have the time. My daughter gets on myspace plus has school projects fairly regularly. School. That's the main reason I even have internet at home. She has a project right now she needs to be working on for finals this week too.

I do get on every now and then myself though. Especially if the girls are gone. But I really didn't realize how much I'd miss it until this weekend. I couldn't look up a recipe or a phone number or directions. I couldn't read the local paper. Look at Marshall's daily cartoon. I couldn't check in on the MRBA to see what everyone is doing, shout out about the Jets win, harrass JB about the Titans losing. Again.

So, I can only be posting and blogging at work right now. I hope the shop will give me a call today to say my pc is fixed. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone.

Top Five Favs #1

My all time favorite Christmas song is "Welcome to Our World" by Chris Rice. Beautiful words even without the music. So profound.

Michael W. Smith sings an excellent version too.



Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Neither Rain Nor Sleet Nor SNOW!

...can keep me from my cheesy tots. And I mean SNOW! In south Mississippi! It is coming down good and everything is solid white now. I drove slowly into work but I knew I had to have my cheesy tots to get through this day.

Why I Love My Old Altima

10. She’s smaller so she handles better than the truck.

9. The radio doesn’t work so I can meditate while I’m driving.

8. Insurance is cheap.

7. She doesn’t have a horrible license plate. Just a normal one. And it’s cheap too. About $36.

6. The air conditioner may not work but the heater sure does. Only on high though.

5. She humbles me. No, I’m not too proud to drive a fourteen year old car. I just salivate a little bit when I see the new ’09 Altimas.

4. She gets better gas mileage than the truck. She was on empty yesterday and I filled her up for $18.00.

3. The dark green doesn’t show dirt. Not too bad anyway. Aw shucks. She’s dirty. I just can’t see spending time and energy washing an old car.

2. She’s dependable in her old age. She hit 275,000 on my way home yesterday. That’s a lot of miles. She still runs well. And we’ve only had to do a major repair (around $1,000) just once. That still beat a new car note.

1. She’s paid for.

Top Five Favs #2

"Mary Did You Know" by Mark Lowry



Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels tried?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Top Five Favs #3

I've heard "The Christmas Shoes" by Newsong a hundred times and still tear up every time I hear it.



It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes

His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

A Perfect Cheesy Totty Day

It was cloudy this morning so that was an excellent reason to get cheesy tots. You see, when I leave BK and head back east to work there is a small strip on Delaware where the sun is hitting directly in my face and totally blinds me. I have to slow down to about 5 MPH, put the visor down as far as possible and raise up out of my seat just to see a few feet in front of the car. It takes several minutes for my eyes to adjust at the traffic light just to see what color it is. A few mornings I even turned and went a different route to avoid the sun in my face but that way is too many turns and stop signs and affects my eating routine. I am always eating my last tot by the time I make it to the Presley intersection.

With the heavy clouds this morning, I knew it would be a safe, stress free, cheesy totty day.

And they were perfect too! Brown and crisp on the outside, cheesy and creamy on the inside. Six little perfect rounds. Maybe it will be cloudy tomorrow too. I do love the rain.

Top Five Favs #4

Breath of Heaven was through Mary's eyes. This next song, "Strange Way to Save the World" by 4Him is through Joseph's.



I’m sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said

Why me, I’m just a simple man of trade
Why Him with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl
Now I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the World

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth

But Joseph knew the
Reason love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought

Why me, I’m just a simple man of trade
Why Him with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl
Now I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the World

Now, I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange
Way to save the world
Such a strange way, this is
Such a strange way
A strange way to save the world
A strange way to save the world

Top Five Favs #5

Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant



I have traveled many moonless night
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen me now
To carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy

Breath of heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy

Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven

Honorable Mention #2

My second honorable mention that didn't make my top five favorite Christmas songs is "Sometimes Christmas Makes Me Cry" by Mandisa and Matthew West. Listen to the words closely. Beautiful song.



I think of loved ones who've passed away
And I pray they're resting in a better place
I think of memories of years gone by
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry

I think of soldiers across the sea
Sometimes I wonder why it's them instead of me
That for my freedom they give their lives
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry

Tears of thankfulness, tears of hope
I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know
There is peace on earth for every heart to find
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry

I think of family, I think of home
I say a prayer for those who spend this time alone
'Cause love can reach out into a silent night
And that's why Christmas makes me cry

Tears of thankfulness, tears of hope
I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know
There is peace on earth for every heart to find
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry

I think of Mary and a virgin birth
And I'm amazed by how much God thinks we are worth
That he would send his only son to die
And sometimes Christmas makes me cry

Tears of thankfulness, tears of hope
I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know
There is peace on earth for every heart to find
And sometimes Christmas makes me
Christmas makes me cry
Christmas makes me...cry

My Top Five Christmas Songs Honorable Mention #1

I wanted to do a list of my favorite Christmas songs and I guess this is just as good a day as any to start. It was hard narrowing down my list. My number one song was easy. I've loved that song for many years now. But I struggled with some of the others I wanted on the list. So, I do have a top five but I also have two more honorable mentions.

My first honorable mention is "All I Really Want" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Warning: get the tissue. Steven and Mary are big adoption advocates. They have adopted three children. Their youngest, Maria Sue, was tragically killed this past summer. Please be in prayer for this family and all those who have lost loved ones this past year. Christmas will be especially hard for them.

For more adoption info visit http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/PageServer



Well I don't know if you remember me or not
I'm one of the kids they brought in from the home
I was the red-haired boy in an old green flannel shirt
You may not have seen me - I was standing off alone
I didn't come and talk to you, 'cause that's never worked before
And you'll prob'ly never see this letter anyway
But just in case there's something you can do to help me out
I'll ask you one more time

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for
But there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you now
If it's really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I'm really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I've heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for
But there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas

Is someone who'll be there
To sing me "Happy Birthday"
For the next 100 years
And it's OK if they're not perfect
Well, even if they're a little broken, that's alright
'Cause so am I

Well, I guess I should go
It's almost time for bed
And maybe next time I write you
I'll be at home

'Cause all I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I'll never be alone
Someone whose love will never end
Of all that I could ask for
Well, there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Just a family

That's all I really need

Another Reason

Well, I now have another reason for breaking the cheesy tot habit. Price increase. They went up 10¢. That would be 50¢ a week. Not much but something I should consider. And this is the second increase in about four months.

I also have to ask for a “value” size diet coke. Their small is now a medium. I guess the medium is now a large and the large is now a…colossal maybe.

That craving is just so hard to resist though. And they were perfect today. A nice, crunchy dark brown. Not soggy and greasy. And cheesy, creamy on the inside.

Maybe if that price increase was about five dollars it would be easier.

Tis Better to Give

I've been picking out Christmas gifts for some of my blogger friends. Some items may require an explanation, some may not. And if your name isn't on here, don't fret. It just means I haven't found yours yet.

Black Betty

Ben

MsBlondie

Cardinallady

Chas

Airwolfe

Choclablover

Clucky

Coop

or maybe...

MSUDeere

Grammargirl



LegalEagle

MargieMagnolie

JB

Mark



Marshall

MrsH (Well this would actually be more for her daughters even though I don't think she would let them wear this)

OldBopper

Rexi

Supermom

Stacey, because she sings this to Ace...or Ace sings it to her since she can't sing.

DHSturd

Susanq

Watercolor (click on the link if it is too small to read)

These items can be found at http://www.catalogfavorites.com/