Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Nice Comments

Thanks to all of you who have made such nice comments on my Christmas pictures!! For some reason they are not showing up on my comments though when I clicked on it to publish them!
If you have time and would like to leave another message, please do so and I will see if I can figure out what is not working right!
It is probably something that "I" am not doing right! LOL!

Happy New Year to all my Blogging buddies!

Christmas at Gran's

Ho! Ho! Ho! Look who stopped by to see Gran!

Gran you won't be able to put a magnet over your face on here like you do on the refrigerator! LOL! This is a good picture I think!

We always take a grandchildren shot for my mother every year. She like to compare and see how everyone has changed from one year to the next! Trevor, Chelsea, Lauren, Leah and Marcus are all excited about Christmas. Chelsea is 6 weeks older than Leah (16) and Trevor and Marcus are twins and in the 8th grade.

Christmas Sugar Cookies! Yum! Yum!

As you can see we had a fun-filled day cutting out Christmas cookies and then decorating them! We have not done this in forever it seemed! Lauren now knows a good self-help skill --- she now knows how to roll out dough with the flour and rolling pin!

Lauren, Scott and Leah had the best time decorating their Gingerbread cookie!

They wanted to have a competition to see which one would win the best decorated so.....they asked my husband to judge (because he was not around when they did this). The winning Gingerbread cookies was.......

SCOTT'S!!! If you notice, his cookie even had stripped pants on!

Lauren's and Leah's was great as well. We all had a blast!

Lauren had fun decorating a gingerbread man for her Dad. He works out at the gym so Lauren made his cookie have "a six pack", arm muscles and added some extra hair on top where his actually is!! LOL! I decorated my own gingerbread mom. Nothing special as you can see but did add some white hair which I have a little of right now!

More Christmas Memories!

Lauren is playing Guitar Hero on Leah's Nintendo DS, Leah, Rachel and Scott are all smiles. I wonder if Santa brought Scott some new jeans for Christmas??? LOL!

Hummmm?? Wonder what they're up to?

Travis, Scott, Lauren, Rachel and Austin wish Susan would stop making pictures!! LOL!

All ages can play with a Nintendo DS!! Keeps them busy for hours!

Here's Lauren with Granny and Austin

Wonder if Tyler is pinching his brother? Bet you can see those tonsils if you look close enough!

Christmas smiles are worth a thousand words!
Can you tell these two are brothers?

Good Family Times at Christmas!

My husbands side of the family took a minute to gather outside for a family shot. It was so beautiful here in Tennessee on Christmas Day! Look at those sweet smiles of the little ones! Just precious aren't they?This is not all of our family. We sure did miss -- Shane, Kristen, Elizabeth, Ryan, Mike, Debbie, Katherine and her family and Jessica and her family!! Maybe we can all be together soon and get another family

shot with everyone!
Here's our family with Joey's mother and step-father. We were so glad that Scott, Lauren's boyfriend could be here too to enjoy the day and all the excitement!
I will post more pictures later. I am still trying to figure my new camera out and how to download these pics to the blog!

Yippeeee it's finally here!! We sure do hope that your family has a great day today and you get everything that you wanted and lots of that good ole Christmas cookin'!!

Guess what I got for Christmas???? a new digital camera!! I will be posting Christmas pictures soon!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Santa will soon be on his way!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone is finishing up those last minute gifts that they need to purchase. Only 2 days left ya know. However, you may be one of those early bird shoppers and you may already be finished and sitting back and relaxing while some of us are running around like a chicken with his head cut off!!

I am almost finished. I just have one more gift to buy and unfortunately I have to go out of town to get it! Ugh! I am planning on getting up early in the morning and heading out and hoping to be back before noon.

I started to post some pictures that I made today and Lauren left the cord to my camera at her apartment in M'boro so I could not download my pictures tonight. I was so disappointed because I had not gotten to post in awhile and I had some really cute pictures of our day decorating sugar cookies. Oh well, I guess I will post as soon as I get the cord!

Hope everyone has a peaceful day tomorrow! Our thoughts and prayers are with the Preslie Slatton family at this time. She is an 11 year old girl who past away today from and extended illness. She attended Eastside Elem. for awhile. I did not know her personally but my heart goes out to the family. What a terrible lose to loose a child esp. during this time of year.

Christmas Break is almost here!

Yippeeeee!! I think I am as excited about this Christmas break as the children are!! We are down to having on 4 1/2 days left of school. The bad news is for me is that I have not finished all my shopping yet! I have got to have to time to get busy and finish. I have been working at a part time job as well as teaching and my time has gotten very very thin to do anything else. That is why is has been so long since I have been able to post anything on my blog. I have been just too pooped to do anything except read blogs and catch up that way!

Ya'll have a good week and maybe when we are on break I will have more time to update you on things happening in my desperately seeking life!!

Sending prayers

I would like everyone to keep my friend, Joy in your prayers on Friday. She will be having a much needed outpatient knee surgery Friday afternoon. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery! We sure hope this helps surgery and she will be able to get around like she did before she fell.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Boutte'

Congratulations to Rae and Scott Boutte' who were married on Nov. 28, 2008 in a beautiful beach ceremony in Clearwater Beach, Florida!

We love you Rae Rae!!

The sunset was absolutely beautiful on this wedding day for Rae and Scott! As her Uncle Mike would say "it was perfect!"

Do I dare mention it????

Shhhhhhh!!!! I am not saying this too loud but.......

there is some snow in the forecast for Sunday night!!!

I guess you know what I am thinking!!!

I'm Back!!

Well I was so excited about having the whole week off for Thanksgiving break and I came down with this terrible cold on Tuesday night. My mother also came down with it at the same time. Head stopped up the whole works. Thankfully, I did not have a bad cough with it. It was just all in my head. Therefore resulting in my taste buds not working and all that great food that we wait all year on I could not even taste!! What a bummer!! Today is the first day I have really felt good since Tuesday.

I was able to start some of my Christmas decorating. I will post pictures soon.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed being with their family. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for and we take some much for granted that's for sure!!!

Happy belated Thanksgivng to all my blogging friends!!

Congratulations to Rae Rae!!

We have been so excited these last few days around here!! Pattie, one of my very best friends daughter, Rae is getting married this next Friday in Clearwater, Florida!! The family had originally planned a trip down there for the Thanksgiving break and Rae's fiance, Scott's family lives in Clearwater. Well they had a wedding date set for spring of next year but decided to go ahead and get married this coming Friday! We are all so happy and excited for Rae and Scott. Scott is a great guy and we are so happy that Rae has found her soul mate.

Rae and Scott we wish you many years of happiness together!

We can't wait to see pictures when you all return.

I've been tagged twice!

Ok I guess I am going to have to do this since I have been tagged by Kim and Debbie.

7 facts about myself.... strange/weird or unusual/funny

1. I think that I am probably in the Guinness book of world records! LOL!
I was on the Pioneerettes dance team in high school and so have my 2 daughters. I am the only past dance team member that has 3 generations of family being members of the dance team! Hummm boy this is really telling my age!

2. It absolutely drives me crazy for my husband to leave his chest of drawers open with clothes hanging out of them. How hard is it to shut the drawers??? Shezzzz????

3. Another thing that drives me crazy is when I work so hard to wash/dry/and fold my families clothes. They have a spot on a shelf for my husband and daughter to go and get them and take them up to their appropriate places. Well the problem is they never will come and get them and they continue to PILE UP and this is what I hear........" I don't have room in my chest of drawers to put them or in my closet!! NOT ENOUGH ROOM??? I guess that is because they have wadded up the clothes that are in their drawers and shoving them shut that is if they get shut!

4. I love to cook but hate to clean up my mess!

5. I can't stand to wear panty hose anytime of the year!

6. When I retire my dream job would be to move to Florida, work at Disney World and be the Fairy God Mother. That way everyone would love you and all the children would want hugs and your autograph. Everyone is happy at Disney World ya know.

7. I was on Candid Camera a long time ago back when I was in high school. The dance team got the opportunity to go to a taping of the show and guess who Alan Funt pulls out of the audience to be on TV??? yes me!! I was sooo embarrassed. I don't remember what he asked me but I did get to see it when it aired on TV.

8. I have to add one more thing! Another funny high school memory. When I was on the dance team we were performing at Tenn. Tech. Well I forgot my bloomers and they were red. Boy I was panicking! Well my best friend, Pam happened to have some red underwear and you guessed it....she let me borrow them. We sure didn't tell Ms. Patti though. I think I finally told her many years later and we had a good laugh out of it!

I now tag ..... Joy, Paula B. and Sheila

Middle Tennessee State University Homecoming

We had a great time at the MTSU Homecoming game this past Saturday. We all got their early for tailgating in the parking lot and then more fun in the stadium. I made this picture early when there wasn't that many people there yet! LOL!
I love this picture!! Rae and Megan are in the top center with Sarah on the bottom left. They keep an eye on Lauren while she is in college for me. LOL! Leah Rae, my youngest daughter, is named after Rae. Megan is married to Rae's brother, Charlie (a.k.a. Charlie Boy) plus I have known Megan for many years with her mother-in-law and myself being her dance and cheer coach during high school and Rae's too!! We have gotten to know Sarah from coming to the river during the summer and relaxing in our floating chairs. She didn't get to do that too much this summer because she and her husband have had a new baby, Davis. Next summer will be lots of fun with the little one at the river.
Elizabeth is on the far left. She is a family friend of Rae and Megan's.
Whew ! There is lots more I could tell about each one of these beautiful girls, but I don't want to be too long!


Picture opportunity with me, my dearest friend, Patti, who I helped coach the dance and cheer teams with as well as taught school with her for over 10 years in the same classroom and Mr. Terry Jolley! Terry was the band director at our high school for several years. Our fondest memory is going to the Macy's parade in 1991. It was the best trip ever! After leaving our high school he went on to director other bands in Nasvhille and then moved on to be the band director at MTSU for several years. He always comes back at homecoming and directs the band during halftime. He is presently the band director at Seigal Middle School.
Lauren always called Terry "Jolley Man"

MTSU won their homecoming game!

New Header

I would like to say thanks to my friend, Paula's son, Corey for designing me a new header for my blog. He is such a sweetie and I did not even ask him to do it for me! I was mentioning to Paula the other day how I wished that I could do all these fancy things with my blog and she said that her son did all of her designing for her!
I am glad that we can rely on the "younger" generation for all this new technology that is takes those who are a little bit older longer to figure out! LOL!

Thanks again Corey! I appreciate it!

Give Thanks!

Thanks so much to all of the men and women who are now serving or have served our country in the past. We cannot thank you enough!!

LOVE THOSE TITANS!

9 and 0

What else can we say but........

GO TITANS!!

Whew what a busy week!

Sorry I have failed to post anything in a few days. It seems like I have been pretty busy this week with "mom things to do" or every time I started to use my computer it just wasn't cooperating and I did not want to wait on it! I guess I need some patience!!

I would like to add some people to my prayer list this week. Please keep Mrs. Dean in your prayers. She was attacked by a pack of dogs earlier this week. Thank goodness she survived the attack but will take some time to heal.

Also, my deepest sympathy to the McGiboney family on the death of their dad this week. This family has been a long time friend not only of my husband's family (in the showing cattle days) but to mine as well with one of his daughter's Renee, graduating with me from high school and Joyce attending church with her. Ms. Monice we sure are thinking about you during this hard time.

I have been busy making monkey bread these past 2 weeks!! Boy it sure is good and sooooooo easy to make. If you haven't ever made any, you need to try it out!! It will be a winner at your house! Guaranteed!!

Don't Forget !!!

It is that time tonight to set your clocks "BACK" one hour before you go to bed or you will be getting up one hour too early in the morning.!!

We need all the beauty sleep we can get these days at our house!!

Pics from Trunk or Treat at church

Here are just a couple of pictures of some awesome vehicles who were all decked out for the trick or treating after church on Sunday night after church. I could not believe all the hard work and thought that went into decorating!

The children "young and old" had a great time and got lots of candy! We also enjoyed the fellowship afterwards eating soup and sandwiches! Yum! Yum!

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had a safe and great Halloween! Of course when we got back from the football game tonight our yard had been rolled!

It is so nice that people think so much of us to use their hard earned money and decorate our yard!! LOL!

Oh well it will give my husband something to do tomorrow since he is taking off!

It's Fall Ya'll !!

This week has sure been an indication that fall is here! The weather has started to be quite cool in the morning. Esp. when you have to scrape the ice off of the window sheild!!

Up in the day has been wonderful. The children at school have had a great time playing outside and not getting so hot.

I sure am enjoying my new fall wreath. If you look closely, you will see the "Happy Harvest" painted artwork in my wreath. I got that at the Autumn Street Fair from Brandie at Dream Custom Artwork. She gave me the idea to stick it in my wreath and it turned out great!

Ya'll have a great weekend! Please keep Westwood's youth group in your prayers. They are on their youth retreat this weekend in Dandridge, Tn. (close to Pigeon Forge). Leah and all her buddies I'm sure are having a great time!

Cookbooks on Sale Now! Get'em before they get gone!

The high school dance team and moms put together a great cookbook as a fundraiser for this year. They make great Christmas gifts esp. for those who have everything! They have lots of great recipies in it.

The books sell for $10.00 a piece.

Just leave me a comment or email me and let me know if you would like one or more. Leah would sure appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

Smile! Smile! Smile!

Thanks to Ms. Paula Morris for nominating me for the "Smile Award." I appreciate so much you thinking of me!

I in turn must nominate 5 people for the smile award. I am nominating the following....

1. Debbie Haley - for all those smiles that you give me and others when we visit your office. She always has time or makes time to talk to you!

2. Sheila Boyd - for all those wonderful smiles you give each day to those 2 very special young guys that you work with at school!

3. Joy Tubb - for all those smiles that you give to your customers and recipients of your special cakes, pies, wedding cakes and goodies plus your catering lunches!

4. Tabitha Sullens - who always has a sweet smile every time I have seen her with such sweet words to go along with that smile!

5. LeCreidia Rutledge - who doesn't have a blog but is my teacher assistant and she ALWAYS has a smile on her face each and every day. She is such a joy to work with and I am so thankful that we have had the opportunity to work together for the past 4 years!

These are the rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the awards creator
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.
Characteristics for the Smile Award:
Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
Must love one another
Must make mistakes
Must learn from others
Must be a positive contributor to blog world
Must love life
Must love kids

Fall Break is officially over!

Well it's back to school tomorrow for all the students and teachers!! It has been a great fall break! This has been the first week off in the fall that the majority of our school system has ever had. I really did like it and it was great to have time to rest and get geared back up to finish up before the holidays!

I am looking forward to seeing all 20 of my little preschool sweeties tomorrow! I have missed them!

Everyone have a great week!

Whew!! We've had a fun-filled weekend!

Well we wrapped up Saturday going to the craft fair in Bell Buckle. I have not been for many years and boy was I surprised!! I could not believe all the vendors there selling things. There was such a great variety of things that we got over-whelmed looking at everything! While we were there it got so crowded we could not hardly walk!

I had a great weekend spending time with both of my daughters!! What a great way to end our fall break! Guess I will have to get ready tomorrow for school next week.

Rascal Flatts donates to Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital

Last night and for the past 4 years that Rascal Flatts has held a concert in Nasvhille they have donated all the proceeds of the concert to Nashville's Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

They proudly announced last night (and Dot and Daryl, little Andy Dunn's parents will be thrilled to hear this) that for last night's concert a big whopping check of $700,000 was going to Vanderbilt making it a grand total for the past 4 years as donating over 3 MILLION DOLLARS TO VANDERBILT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL!!!! Isn't that AWESOME!!

Thanks Rascal Flatts!!

Bob That Head!!!

What an AWESOME STAGE!! The guys moved around the stage the whole time during the concert so that everyone had a great seat!

As we were leaving we saw Holly from MyKidsChaos and her sister Mandy. She will probably have some things posted on her blog as well.

The opening number!
We had great seats!

This was showing on the screens as they sang "Life is a Highway."

I don't think I would want this guys job!! Before Rascal Flatts came on they made their way up there and strapped themselves in to do the spot lights! I can say this.....they were up wayyyyy to high for me. Made me nervous pervous!!

Taylor Swift on the big screen!
She did a great job and said she was glad to be back at home in Tennessee!

Sitting in the section next to us were some other friends. There was room so they moved down and set next to us!!

We were so excited to find out that some of our hometown girls who are Predators Professional Hockey dancers were going to be helping out with some back up dancing numbers with Rascal Flatts!! In the picture is Jena (who's sister Lacey is a friend of Lauren's, Jen (who is our choreographer for our high school dance team), Holly, who is like a daughter to me. She has been a life long friend of my daughter, Lauren. I love her dearly. She is like a daughter to me and then of course is Leah and her friend, Laci (I don't know what she was looking at?????)
We are proud of you girls, you did a great job!

Laci's mom, Missie and I had a good time at the concert as well. We ate at Joe's Crab Shack before the concert and it was great!

Bell Buckle Craft Fair this weekend!

This Saturday and Sunday is the annual craft fair in Bell Buckle, TN. I have not gotten to go in many years and this year we are hitting the road early and going Saturday morning. I think the last time that I went was before I had children and whew that has been a good 20 years or so. Lauren is going to be home this weekend so we should have a great time! I am sure she will find lots of things that she "desperately" needs!

One more day until the Rascal Flatts concert!!

Fall break is quickly coming to an end for us. The holidays will be here before we turn around!!

Can't wait until Friday night!!

Friday is almost here and we have been so excited about getting to go to the Rascal Flatts concert with Taylor Swift. Back in Sept. when the tickets went on sale, I decided to surprise my youngest daughter, Leah with tickets to this concert. She is a huge fan of both Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift. It seemed like everytime they were in concert it was always on a night that they had to be at a football game or another school function. Well this time it fell during fall break and thank goodness there was is not a ballgame this week!!

I wish that I had taken her picture when I surprised her with the tickets. Priceless!!!!