Christmas

Merry CHRISTmas!

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I am sooo excited this year! This is the first year in a long time where I have not completely stressed myself out. I am just enjoying the time with my friends & family. God has truly been good to me! I am blessed with a wonderful family and great friends!

I think the boys will be excited about their gifts this year. I know Kendall will love hers! I can't wait for LaDon & the kids to see their gifts, too.

I wish everyone a stress-free Christmas with lots of joy! Please take time out of the chaos to remember the real reason for the season!

wardrobe malfunction

Yesterday, I wore a pair of pants to work that had a hook at the top (instead of a button). I noticed when I put them on that the hook was loose but did not have time to change. Well, about midmorning, I lean over to pick up a file, the hook falls off and they come unzipped. Thankfully, I had on a long sweater so no one else was aware of my problem. I did not have a sewing kit. So, I dig around in my desk and find a safety pin. I was mentally patting myself on the back for solving this issue. I should have said that I found a mini safety pin (and I do mean mini). I pin my pants together at the top & zip them back up. After congratulating myself for fixing the problem, I reach for something else, the safety pin pops open and the pants unzip again. I try this several more times with the same results. So, now, I am dealing with unzipped pants & getting stuck by a "safety" pin. Through this all, I could not help laughing at myself. Needless to say, I made a Walmart run at lunch and resolved the problem. Whew!

Do-overs, blessings in disguise

I want a Thanksgiving do-over. You know when you were kids and you messed up playing a game, you could call do-over. I woke up Thursday morning throwing up. I could not even take a sip of something without getting sick all over again. I did not get to see my family or even get a bite of dressing. Not fair! Then, Friday morning, I woke up with a head cold and still throwing up. Miserable! Saturday morning, I woke up at 3 am sick again. So, finally drug myself to Primed when they opened. I got some medicine that knocked me out. I even missed the entire Iron Bowl- slept right through it. I vaguely remember someone calling & saying "Roll Tide" in the middle of the 3rd quarter.

But, Sunday morning, I woke up feeling like a brand new person. The boys came home from their dad's at lunch. We put up the Christmas tree and had a wonderful afternoon. I was feeling really sorry for myself missing out on Thanksgiving. But, then I thought about the fact that it was convenient that I did not have to miss work. I have no leave time left so it would have been without pay. I would have had less money to Christmas shop. I decided that I really did not need a specific day to celebrate Thanksgiving. I can be thankful every day, no matter where I am.

Bring on the Christmas shopping!

Answered prayers

Back in January, we found a stray puppy under our porch. It was freezing that day so we brought her in. Eventually, we named her Precious. She and Brady (my 13 year old) became fast friends and she has been with us ever since. Well, we have not seen her since Friday night. We checked with all of the neighbors and no one had seen her. Last night, Brady was so upset and crying over her. We talked about it and decided he would pray for her safety. We were going to also put an ad in the Bulletin Board to see if anyone had found her.

This morning, Mom calls and says Precious is next door with her dogs. I woke Brady up to tell him. Of course, he was thrilled. But, he was also humbled that God took time out of his busy schedule to answer his prayer. This was a wonderful lesson for him. What a great way to start the day...God is good!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Perspective, judgement

I got an email from my friend this morning that I wanted to share. It goes like this...


Things aren't what they appear to be.


A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.

The next morning, while they are eating breakfast,
the young woman sees the neighbor hang up the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean, she said, she doesn't know
how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs another laundry soap.
The husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang out the wash, the young woman
would make the same comment.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash
on the line and said to her husband, "Look! she has learned how to wash
correctly. I wonder who taught her this?
To which her husband replied........... "I got up early this morning and washed the
windows.
And so it is with life: What we see while watching others,
depends on the purity of the window through which we look through.

I am wishing you all clean windows this morning!

Money worries

I am always stressed about having enough money. But, with Christmas coming up, I am especially worried. I want my boys to have a great Christmas.

I was looking at my budget again last week. On paper, I have over $500 left after bills, gas, groceries, etc. Why is it that I am scrambling for gas money before payday every month???

I am a single mom. I work two jobs & carpool to save money. I am a thrifty grocery shopper, pay minimal rent. My truck is 8 years old and paid for. I don't blow money on clothes(and have a pile of mending to prove it). I only have one credit card with $500 limit for emergencies. I just cannot figure out where all of this extra money is supposed to be. I asked my friend who loves to budget (makes you sick, doesn't it?) to crunch the numbers. She thought that I was doing a good job and could not find anywhere for me to trim my spending.

I WANT my $500!

Fall Festival

Our church, Mt Carmel UMC is having our second annual Fall Festival on November 22nd from 2-4 pm. We had 33 kids last year (pretty good for our first one). It will be a blast! But, it is going to take a lot of work in the meantime. I have my games planned, fliers(or is it flyers?) printed and in the mail, etc. Now, I am just trying to line up all of my help. This is a lot of work but it is so worth it! Hope everyone can come out for some old-fashioned fun!

Work interferes, Christmas

Okay, I agree with Heather- working totally gets in the way of life or at least what I want to be doing in my life. It is not fair!(imagine me stomping my foot). It is not that I don't like my job but there are other things that I would rather be doing(sniff, sniff). I want to be a good housekeeper, REALLY. I want time to read , to write a book or time to sit in my swing on the porch & relax with a cup of coffee. But, I can never seem to find time for the good stuff. I know, I know- stop whining,right?

On, another note, I just realized that I have 3 paydays left 'til Christmas- OMG! That is a truly scary thought. The boys haven't really mentioned anything that they want. I know that Jared really wants a truck but it is not in the budget until some time next year. Brady has mentioned a couple of ps2 games and a cellphone but that is it so far. Any suggestions?

ballgame, coaches, bday parties

We had a good weekend. I threw Jared a surprise party on Saturday nite. It was fun. The best part was now that he has his license, he got to drive his friends home- LOL.

Our team lost the ballgame Friday nite- badly. Coach was ugly to Jared. The doctor had cleared Jared to go to school but would not allow him to play despite his pleading. He was at school all day and in the locker room with his team before the game. Coach told him to go home after scolding him for going to the WRONG doctor. Evidently, there is some unwritten rule where football coaches get to choose which doctor you take your child to see. See, the coach has informed Jared that a sports medicine doctor would have cleared him to play regardless of the strep. Good to know- not! What made the whole situation worse, is that Jared is the kind of kid who will always give it his best no matter if you are winning or losing.

Handsome and almost grown

Jared got his license yesterday but he was not even excited. He had to go to the doctor and was told he had strep throat. He asked the doctor when he could go back to school. The doc told him that he could go back today if he took the shot. Jared agreed immediately. When they were checking out, the doc said he still could not play football tonight. The disappointment of not being allowed to play ball overshadowed the excitement of getting his license.

But, this morning, he got to drive PawPaw's truck to school. Brady got to ride with him. They both looked so handsome in their khakis and football polos. It makes me smile to think about them being so excited this morning.

Sweet 16

My oldest son is 16 today. People keep asking me if it bothers me. But, he was BORN mature so it seems right to me for him to grow up. He is more grown up than most adults I know- LOL. He is the kind of boy who gives up his seat for someone older, opens doors for ladies and carries packages so you don't have to. He will grow up to be a good man. Happy Birthday!

My youngest has the same kindness but mixed with a mischievious streak. He is always joking and carrying on. I wish my pawpaw had lived to know him. They would have really hit it off! He makes life interesting. People just naturally want to joke with him. He comes to the office and has nicknames for my coworkers. He will hide just to jump out and scare me when I open the door. Too much fun!

Love you guys!

Peer pressure

Okay, this is my very first blog. I am doing the very thing that I tell my teenagers NOT to do- caving in to peer pressure. My sisters have been blogging and I have followed their blogs. But, they told me that I need to participate. Please bear with me. I am sure that I can only get better from here.... right?

I have two boys who are the best part of me. One is 13 and one will be 16 this week. Look out- another teenager turned loose on the roadways! Just kidding! He is actually a very responsible driver. He was excited that he actually made the news-his touchdown was on Friday nite Fever.