Thankful & Blessed

That is me today.  No complaining, just prayers of thanks for all my blessings, big and small.

I hope you all have a truly blessed Thanksgiving.  Thank you for coming back to read my little blog.

Happy Birthday M

Happy Birthday today to one of my best friends, Marilee.  Like all my besties (its a small group), she has been there through the good, bad and ugly helping to pull me through it all.  I couldn't have made it this far without her support.  Cheers my friend!  Enjoy some of our memories, they make me smile.

Nuffin' Done

Absolutely no Christmas went up this weekend.  I was feeling icky Friday night after the kids left so I warmed up some soup, put on my comfy jammies, cozied up on the sofa with a quilt and watched tv.

I took something to help me sleep so with no kids I didn't wake up until 9:00 Saturday morning.  It was blissful.  My friend Callie and her boyfriend wanted to go to Market Days in town so we went there about noonish. She purchased a beautiful Christmas swag for her front door.  I didn't buy a single item.  Nothing really jumped out at me.  I mean a lot jumped out at me for myself but I was strictly looking for Christmas gift ideas for the kids and nothing really grabbed me.  We were there a good two hours and then went to Shady's for a late lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon visiting and hanging out.  It was a good day spent with friends.

Sunday my babies came home around lunch time. It was just cold enough and still wet outside so I didn't feel like putting Christmas up out there and I couldn't get in the mood to pull everything out for the inside.  It takes more than a day for me to decorate and with the cleaning lady coming Monday, I didn't want to have stuff strung out everywhere so we watched Christmas movies, snuggled and took naps.  Bella and I made a quick run to the grocery store because I was determined to make chili for supper since it was finally cold enough for me.  Around 4:00 we loaded up to head to the fairgrounds to pick up the items Cindy (or rather Makenna & Brandon) didn't sell at the 4-H booth at Market Days.  Makenna had a soccer game in Houston so they couldn't get back in time for the shut down. We came home and I started on the chili and let me tell you, it was so good. I love the first pot of chili for the season.  We ended the day with more Christmas movies and snuggling.

Before I leave, I must brag a bit on my Christopher.  Check out our new pallet coffee table the boy made in Ag class.....

Isn't it awesome?  I LOVE it.  The legs are cedar posts that were in a scrap pile and the top of the table is ceramic tile.  He put casters on it so its easy to move around which is good because its heavy. I have really enjoyed it.  He had it set in place and decorated when I came home Friday.  I can't wait for his next project!!

Hope y'all are having a great turkey week!

If only....

Bella:  Mommy...do you know what the bestest thing about Christmas is?
Me: What?
Bella:  We don't have to spend all our own money on things we want for Christmas because Santa brings us everything for FREE!!
Me:  Um yeah...he sure does.

Hat Day and Its Friday

Its hat day at school today and I had two monkeys ready for it this morning...

Brady came to our house this morning so I could take him to school.  Sister and Kenna had an early morning so Brady hung out for a bit with us. Poor kid.  As you know Bella is all about taking a picture for momma.  Brady was like okay but do I have to stand so close to her?  Cuties.

The kids get out of school early today.  I'm so jealous.  The monkeys were rubbing it in too...  

Brady:  Mimi...we get out at 1:30 today.  What do you get out?

Me:  5:00

Brady AND Bella:  Hahahahahahahahaha!!

Little stinkers.  I do wish I was getting off work early today as do I wish I was off the entire week next week but I'm not so I must suck it up!  We will spending Thanksgiving at daddy's.  We had family dinner the other night and he asked me if I would make dressing.  Of course I will.  We love my dressing.  I asked later if there was anything else I could bring with the dressing and he said, "my favorite pumpkin pie".  So I will make that as well. I've been perusing vegetable recipes this week so I may find one or two to make since we have a shortage of vegetables on the menu.  I saw a recipe for Bourbon Maple-Glazed Carrots that look really yummy but neither of my children would touch them.  They will both eat raw carrots but if you cook them, they will turn their noses up.  Its a texture thing.  And I love me some green bean casserole but again there's the kid thing and I found out several years back that my daddy has never really cared for it.  Craziness.  That year I did make Pioneer Woman's version of it and it was a hit.  Even daddy liked it.  Besides carrots and lettuce, Bella is not a fan of vegetables.  Chris loves green beans but put them in a casserole and he's done.  Maybe he will come around one day. He has with a lot.  Just takes time.  It did for me as well.

Well enough about Thanksgiving dinner because I'm getting hungry and my breakfast is my usual dry cereal.  Aren't you jealous?  

Y'all have a great Friday and super weekend!  I'm stagging it for part of the weekend as my babies will be off to their dad's for a bit.  I see Christmas decor in my weekend...  

Nothing Much

There is still absolutely nothing going on (exciting) lately at our house.  We had a baby shower this past weekend and I cleaned the garage out Sunday.  That about sums it up.  The cool thing about cleaning the garage out is that we did get rid of Christopher's bike, an old dresser and a old boat Christopher pulled out of the neighbor's trash a while back.  And let me tell you, it was all gone by dark thirty. A couple in a pick up truck stopped to get the bike, one neighbor took the boat and another neighbor took the dresser.  All gone to happy homes.  Woo Hoo!! 

Look! You can walk through the garage and better yet....you can get to my Rubbermaid containers filled with Christmas decorations!!  I did have Christopher set up the tree but we have not decorated it.  Saving that for the turkey holidays because it does take me a few days to transform the house. I love, love, love having a clean and organized garage.  I do wish I had a two car garage but we manage with what we have.

Since I like to do things backwards, here are few pictures from the baby shower Saturday...

Bella and Cassie...

Bella was disappointed the baby wasn't going to be there for her to hold.  Had to explain she was was still growing in Cassie's tummy.

The hostesses served drinks in wine glasses.  Bella asked for some water in a fancy glass just like everyone else.  She thought she was it let me tell you prissing around drinking from her fancy glass.  I see wine tastings in the future with my girl...

After the shower, Bella and I hit up Sonic for a drink   

Sunday evening we started on a project Bella had for school, disguise her turkey so he wouldn't get eaten on Thanksgiving.  We needed more craft supplies so we worked on her story explaining how he disguised himself and then finished up the disguise Monday evening. Her story consisted of the turkey eating lots of cookies and drinking milk to get fatter and then taking clothes from her closet to disguise himself as Santa.  Here is her finished project....

I helped her trace while she cut some of the pieces out and then we tag teamed with glue.  I think he turned out pretty cute and I promise there is a turkey underneath it all.

One other thing Bella and I have been doing is polishing our nails.  I did mine a couple weeks ago and really liked it so its become a ritual two times a week, at least for me.  Once it starts chipping, I get annoyed so I take it all off and put a new coat on.  This is my favorite color from Essie, Mink Muffs.  

We'll see how long this lasts but for now I'm really enjoying having pretty nails and its cheap.  I also am getting better at polishing, not as sloppy and nothing a q-tip and some polish remover can't fix. I'm right-handed so polishing my right hand is pretty comical. Let me tell you, it takes total concentration.  Sticking my tongue out helps too, and I may even hold my breath.  

That about sums up our life lately.  Like I said, nothing much is going on. 

Y'all have a good one!

Score!!

I finally scored this beauty at Wal-Mart yesterday!!

This is the ceramic measuring cup from the Pioneer Woman collection.  I tell you what, this little beauty was hard to come by.  Every single time I would check to see if they had more, the shelf would be empty or they would have some but they were chipped, cracked or in one case the handles were broken off the two sitting on the shelf.  Pure sadness every time.  But yesterday...yesterday was a happy day.  I didn't do the happy dance in the aisle but I'm fairly certain I hollered out a very excited yes!

Y'all have a good one and here's to the little things making your day!!

Happy Veterans Day

Big thank you to all our Veterans for their  service and sacrifices! Special shout out to my daddy, brother and nephew ❤️💙❤️💙 

Handsome fellas don't you think. They also received a shout out in the local paper today....

Full page above and blown up below :)))

Hope y'all had a great day!

Backwards Turkey

Today was "Turn Your Back On Disrespect" day at school and my girl was all over it.  You had to wear yellow or wear your clothes backwards. Bella claimed both!  She even requested to have her hair in a bun so you could really see her backwards shirt.

Funny how different your children are.  I know this to be true because there are some things my siblings and I are complete opposites about.  Take the weather for instance.  My sister loves the summer, loves the beach, loves being hot..the whole nine yards.  I, on the other hand, hate the summer.  Period. I prefer the cold.  This time of year is my absolute favorite, although Mother Nature needs to wake up and get with the program already!  This morning after Bella got dressed I told her to show off her outfit to her brother.  He just shook his head.  He was never one to participate in days like this at school.  He even voiced his disdain to it.  "More power to you sister but you'll never catch me doing that."  He just doesn't like standing out in the crowd.  Poor kid is just like his momma.    

Sunday I spent the day taking down Halloween stuff and changing up my my Fall decorations a bit.  I snapped a pic of the place mats I mentioned the other day.  So cute.

I used my lantern from Canton as my centerpiece for the table.  Loving it. I should tell you that not only is the lantern from Canton but my burlap runner and leaf runner are also from Canton.  In fact, those were some of my finds two years ago.  The leaf runner if pretty cool because you can manipulate the leaves if you want.  I would LOVE to showcase it on a mantel!  Sadly, I don't have one.  One of these days Missy, one of these days.

Right now, the table does not have the extra leaf in it so it currently seats four. However, I have been thinking about expanding for the holidays because the table decor I have in mind needs a bigger table.  Ha!  Lucky for me, this one expands.  Thanks momma ;)  

We will see how long before I can't stand it anymore and start breaking out the Christmas decor.  I'm good for now.  

Y'all have a good one.

Life Lately

Here's what's been going on lately.  Absolutely positively nothing at all.  Just the normal curse the alarm when it goes off, get up after hitting snooze a few times, shower, get dressed, go to work/school, come home, get in comfy clothes, cook supper, do homework, watch the Hallmark Channel (cuz hello, Countdown to Christmas has started) and then we fall asleep. That's the gist of our week. I'm not saying there weren't any fits thrown about having to get up in the morning but after I had my coffee, I was a little better.  :)

My children will be with their dad this weekend so I will have all weekend to do whatever my little heart desires.  And you know what?  I have no idea what my little heart desires to do.  I take that back.  I know that some of that time will involve catching up on the shows I have on the DVR, watching more Hallmark, naps and probably some laundry because lets face it....there is always laundry to do.  I also need to put up the little bit of Halloween I have out and pull out the few Thanksgiving pieces I have.  Oh!  I have new Thanksgiving place mats I picked up at Home Goods a while back.  I must put those out.  I was super excited about that find.  

Bella had a major meltdown last night after I mentioned she would be going to her daddy's this weekend.  After we talked for a bit, snuggled and did our nails she was a bit better.  I also told her I would pick her up from daycare today so she could see mommy before she left.  Normally when its a weekend with dad, Christopher will pick her up and they are gone before I get home.  Its a good thing I'm picking her up because we haven't packed her overnight bag which will also include a lot of stuffed animals (her babies).  Gulp!    

As for me, I am doing better every day.  Am I completely over Scott? No, but I am crying a lot less, not what iffing everything and feeling better about myself a little more every day.  Although I have no idea what the kids and I are going to do for Thanksgiving this year, I'm still excited about turkey and dressing!  Honestly, if the kids and I stayed home and I cooked for us, I would be fine with that. As with most gatherings lately, I'm just not feeling it.  I said I was doing better, not great. I will get there.  I know I will.

Oh yes...went to the dermatologist last week for what is supposed to be an annual skin check.  I thought it had been two years since my last visit but I found out from my doctor it had actually been three years.  Big oops.  She did fuss at me a little for not coming in annually so I am going to do my best to schedule this check up when I schedule my mammogram and well-woman check ups.  I did have two spots removed.  Of course she can give me the names of each and every spot on my body but I can't remember any of them.  The one on my arm was a dry spot, almost like a wart.  It would get aggravated sometimes so she froze that one off.  Now the spot on my lower abdomen near my cesarean scar concerned me because I had been watching it and noticed it changing. It didn't concern her by the look of it but because she had removed one on the opposite side several years back and it came back showing A-typical cells I requested this one be removed as well.  The office called yesterday with the pathology results saying the mole had minimal margins of A-typicality, is considered benign and doesn't require further treatment.  However, Dr. Wood does want me to schedule a follow-up in January to check the area to make sure its not re-pigmenting.  I have scheduled that follow-up and we'll get it checked out again in January.  So here's my two bits on this subject....get your skin checked!  And if your doctor says come in every year, do it!  If you are lucky enough to have a significant other, have them look at your backside for areas you can't see.  If something concerns you, don't be afraid to ask. Better safe than sorry.      

Y'all have a super weekend and be good!

One Wet & Soggy Halloween

To say Halloween was a little disappointing for my resident 6 year old is an understatement.  We had lots of fun with friends and family but the trick or treating this year was a total bust.

We spent a good part of the day making treats to take to our friends house in the evening.  I have always wanted to make pumpkin bread so I finally gave it a shot.  The recipe came from our Popp Family Cookbook so I knew it had to be a good one.  All reviews have been good.  Tony thinks it needs more cinnamon and nutmeg but personally, I think it tastes perfect the way it is.  Next up, we iced the cake balls made the previous weekend.  Let me take this moment to once again voice my disdain for cake balls.  I was reminded why this was only the second time to make them and how it will be an extremely long time before we make them again.  The whole process is a pain to me and not enjoyable at all.  And if I'm being totally honest, I don't even really like cake balls.  They are much too sweet for this girl.  Bella wanted to make them, so I obliged.

Here's my cake ball sprinkles decorator...

This was Thursday evening. We made ghost lollipops for her daycare class.  She's showing off her ghost face. :)

I ended up also making brownies for that evening too. I put candy corns on top for decoration but they all melted in the oven.  I didn't wait long enough before I put them on. Oh well.  I didn't hear any complaints from those who enjoyed them.

Bella opted to be a kitty cat this year.  She was going to wear her costume from last year but we couldn't find it. Love it when this girl makes momma's life easy peasy.  Here we are about to walk out the door...

First stop was Uncle Tony's house.  Can I just say this girl went shy on us when she ran the doorbell and he opened the door.  We kept telling her to say "trick or treat".  She just hung her head down like she didn't know the guy standing the doorway.  What the heck?!?  Christopher was like "trick or treat Uncle Tony" and kindly received a handful of candy even though he wasn't dressed up.  We finally let Bella go inside, mainly because we all got tired of standing there waiting for the famous words to roll off her tongue.  

One of the gals at brother's work made this for him....

He spent a good part of Saturday trying to find someone who sold dry ice.  He finally scored some at the grocery store in Freeport.  He had it going for everyone to see.  He also was kind enough to stick a couple of my beers in it so I had one while we were there.  

Bella finally started warming up to Tony and kept whispering in his ear "trick or treat".  Lil Toot!

We watched a little bit of the Texas-Iowa State game (let's not go any further than that) and then we headed out to Heather and Javie's house. I was met at the door with a cold beer and a smile!  Love my red-headed devil...

My other momma was also there.  Love getting my hugs from her...

And believe it or not, I snagged not one but TWO pictures with my handsome son!! 

Love this kid! 

We had a fun night.  The rain never really let up so Bella got treats from Uncle Tony and Mr. Javie.  Mr. Javie filled her bucket so it looked like she had been to several houses.  He spoils that girl and loves doing it.  His little nephew was chasing her around and he kept saying "I don't like this".  He's also very protective of her.  My poor girl is going to have a heckuva time when dating rolls around.  Between her daddy, brother, uncles and Mr. Javie, no boy will stand a chance.  Momma will just have to stand up for them.  Thankfully, we have several years yet before I have to worry about that.  

I hope y'all had a great Halloween!  Now, let's bring on the turkey!!

Have a good one! 

Hello November

Happy November! Bring on everything turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, potatoes, cranberries, broccoli rice casserole and cooler weather please!! Oh and let's not forget time off from work. I'm so ready. I hope this November brings you many blessings. 

Yall have a good one!