Got Helmets?

John-Heath watching t.v. one stormy day last year.

Happy hump day, peeps!  This past evening and early morning were quite blustery in my neck of the woods.  As most of you know I live in Middle Tennessee, which is smack dab in the center of Dixie Alley.  Thankfully, as far as I know, last night's front that moved through the area left behind only minor damage and power outages. 

It's in a time like this I wish we had built a storm room in the garage.  If we ever build again it will be one of the first things figured into the budget.  For now, we hunker down in our bedroom closet with pillows and blankets and motorcycle helmets.  You heard me correct...motorcycle helmets. 

A few years ago, an elderly lady doing some volunteer work at our school struck up a conversation with me about storms.  She was fearful of them and remarked that, as she had no basement, she would just get in her bathroom and wear a motorcycle helmet.  I thought that was a pretty smart thing to do, as many tornado-related deaths are due to head injuries from debris.  So, I went out and bought 3.  Either John or myself will be out of luck until I buy that fourth one.  We keep ours in our closet so there's no running around looking for them at the last minute. 

Of course, no helmet could ever be 100% effective in such storms, but it's much better than covering your head with your hands.

P.S.  This morning as we were in the closet, John-Heath, half asleep, helmeted and still feverish, took the moment in stride and said, "I could go for an ice-cream cone.  Is Hardees or Sonic open?" 

Things I Loathe: Volume 1

Yet again I find myself perched on a soapbox.  What I'd rather be doing is snuggling with my little boy (who is like a human electric blanket at the moment due to his fever which has kept us both home from school) watching movies.   Instead, I stand looking out my front door while a leashless, cageless, unrestrained-in-any-way dog tears through the three bags of trash left at the end of our drive awaiting the city garbage truck.  This has become a weekly occurrence and I am about to go all Julia Sugarbaker on someone.  I always appreciate the fact that anyone driving along our nice county lane each and every Monday knows if we had Pizza over the weekend, prefer StarKist to Chicken of the Sea, and whether or not someone in the house is menstruating.




P.S.  And now allow me to apologize for such a crass post.  What can I say?  It's Monday.  I'm not a Monday kinda girl.  My kid is sick.  And now there's trash all over my yard. 

An Ice Day?

Today, we are out of school for a snow an ice day.  Yeah, I'd rather have snow (and lots of it), but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? 

The only downside to this blessed day off is that John and I had already planned to be off to accompany John-Heath's class on a field trip to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus at Bridgestone Arena.  He was sooo disappointed. In fact, he had forbid us prior to bedtime of going through the customary rituals we tend to do when we feel there might be a chance of inclement weather in hopes of securing a day off...you know, wear our p.j.'s inside out, sleep with a spoon under our pillow, flush ice-cubes down the toilet.  So, now we are looking at buying tickets for the evening show and taking him anyway.  Do I splurge and spend $100 per ticket and plop us down on the front row?  It's tempting (John-Heath would love it).  Of course, the medical bills from the coronary John would suffer from my doing such would probably bankrupt us, so we may have to settle for something a little farther back. 

Well, I'm off to make some hot cocoa.  It's really much better when coming in from a day of sledding, but we'll just have to make do.

P.S.  I have a teeny tiny confession...about an hour after turning out the lights and attempting to fall asleep I couldn't resist the temptation any longer (I was reaalllyy wanting a snow day)...I took my pajama top off and turned it inside out.  Don't tell my son.

Just a Short, Random Love Letter To My Children

Ren and John-Heath,

I am thinking of you both at this moment, not unlike I do on most days. I hope you know how much I love you. The two best things I have ever done in this life, you are my most wonderful and prized accomplishments. Nothing I have ever done or ever could do in and of myself would equal the great honor I have in being your mother. It is a distinction I do not deserve, but for which I am, nonetheless, thankful.

I love you.  I love you.  I love you.

Mom



P.S.   ...and since I type everything, I have also handwritten this little letter...just so you will one day recall how truly awful my penmanship could be.  You'll find it in my dresser drawer...top right...tucked inside Mammy Sophie's Bible.

Sentimental Saturday...the Sunday Edition

Countdown to Graduation:  Week 3


At home the night after her first pageant (she placed 4th)...

80s Day during Homecoming Week - sophomore year...

With cousin Megan, Pa Gene and Ma-Ma - 8th grade basketball game...

Have a great rest of the weekend!!!

"Dear Abby"

The original Dear Abby has passed away. Pauline Friedman Phillips, aka Abigail Van Buren, died today at the age of 94.  While not an avid reader, I would often get a kick out of some of her letters and responses. The gal had a pretty sharp sense of humor. Here are some funny ones I found…

1918 - 2013

DEAR ABBY:
Are birth control pills deductible?

KAY
DEAR KAY: Only if they don't work.


DEAR ABBY:
Our son was married in January. Five months later his wife had a ten-pound baby girl. They said the baby was premature. Tell me, can a baby this big be that early?

WONDERING

DEAR WONDERING: The baby was on time, the wedding was late.


DEAR ABBY:
I have always wanted to have my family history traced, but I can't afford to spend a lot of money to do it. Any suggestions?

SAM IN CAL.

DEAR SAM: Yes. Run for public office.


DEAR ABBY:
What inspires you most to write?

TED

DEAR TED: The Bureau of Internal Revenue.


DEAR ABBY:
I've been going steady with this man for six years. We see each other every night. He says he loves me, and I know I love him, but he never mentions marriage. Do you think he's going out with me just for what he can get?

GERTIE

DEAR GERTIE: I don't know. What's he getting?


DEAR ABBY:
My boyfriend is going to be twenty years old next month. I'd like to give him something nice for his birthday. What do you think he'd like?

CAROL

DEAR CAROL: Never mind what he'd like. Give him a tie.


DEAR ABBY:
When you are being introduced, is it all right to say, "I've heard a lot about you"?

RITA


DEAR RITA: It depends on what you've heard.


DEAR ABBY:
I am forty-four years old and I would like to meet a man my age with no bad habits.

ROSE

DEAR ROSE: So would I.

Even Dear Abby'd say the same!

Delicious (and easy) Lasagna

This is a wonderfully delicious and fantastically simple recipe I got from a co-worker. One day, the office was celebrating someone’s birthday and Debbie brought lasagna. Oh. My. Gosh. Was it good! So long, Stouffer’s!!!

For those of us who tend to be domestically challenged when it comes to the kitchen, I have even better news. It’s super-duper easy to make. Of course, I have no other lasagna-making experience to which I can compare the process. You’ll just have to trust me. If I don’t mind making it, it’s easssyyy.

I would have taken a picture, but it was already hacked into before I could get my camera.


Ingredients (to make one that will fill a 9x13 cake pan):


1 box of lasagna noodles (I can usually only fit 9 in my pan)


2 lbs of ground chuck

2-3 small jars of regular Ragu sauce


1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon oregano


1 bag of shredded parmesan cheese

1 bag of shredded mozzarella cheese

2 bags of the shredded mixed cheeses (the mixture that includes Colby, cheddar, etc.)



Directions:
Pre-heat over to 350.
Cook noodles according to directions. Set aside on some paper towels.
Cook ground chuck. Drain. Return to skillet. Add the Ragu sauce, garlic powder and oregano. Simmer on low 20-30 minutes.

I lightly spray Pam on the bottom of my pan and then add a layer of noodles, followed by some of the meat mixture, followed by some of each of the cheeses. Then I just repeat the process until my pan is full. I like for the mozzarella to be on the very top.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Enjoy!



P.S.  This girl is keeping her fingers crossed for a snow day (well, it will probably be more ice than snow, but it'll do).

Sentimental Saturday

You didn't think I'd forget my weekly Saturday tribute to my daughter, recognizing her last semester of high school, did you?  Actually, I almost did.  Without further adieu...

These pics are some of the earliest taken of her with her some of her future classmates.  Her babysitter (from age 3 months to 4 1/2 years) is the mother of one of her best guy friends.

Ren and Austyn

 Ren (in the denim dress) between Issac and Austyn and still bald. 

She would remain this way for quite a while.

 Five future classmates celebrating Ren's birthday.  Her babysitter, Ms. Crystal, was always good to celebrate each child's big day.  If you'll notice, her name is spelled out on the cake with candy pieces.

(L-R) Jordan, Cole, Ren, Alexis, and Austyn

 Ren, all knobby-kneed, and Jordan.

 Playing makeup with Jordan.  This was her first non-family sleepover.

Ren (at right) with Alexis on Valentine's Day at the sitter's.

Have a great weekend!

A Blogging Birthday

Happy bloggiversary to me!  Happy bloggiversary to me!  Happy bloggiversary, dear Tire Swings!  Happy bloggiversary to me!

 

Three years ago today I wrote my first post.  Prior to that, I was only vaguely familiar with two other blogs so I really didn’t know much about the process.  I   just wanted to begin keeping a journal for my children and a blog seemed a good alternative to the traditional way (which I knew – based on previous experience – I would likely discontinue once the writing began to seem tedious). 

 

In those early days (and sometimes even now) I could spend hours on one post.  With each new thing I learned, I felt a little more accomplished.  I’m not the most tech savvy of persons so you can bet when I figured out how to make changes in html I felt like standing on my desk and yelling I’M THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD - a la Jack in Titanic.

 

I do not blog for financial gain (in three years I have earned a whopping ten bucks, a couple sets of dishes, and a month's supply of ice cream), nor do I blog for a following (though meeting new friends from the blogging community has been a nice bonus).  Now, as it was then, it is mainly for my children, family and friends.  Every now and then I will get lucky with an idea for a post that may be creative, funny or meaningful enough to appeal to the masses (i.e. people outside my immediate family) and, if I were completely honest, I would admit that it does feel good when people mention they’ve read my blog or that they enjoyed a particular post (is that just completely conceited of me?).  But, at the end of the day, my main desire is to leave a written record, so that my children can look back and say “Ohh, I remember….”

A Celebrity Encounter With Tommy Lee Jones

     Have I ever told you all about the time I met Tommy Lee Jones? No? Well, have I got a tale for you. First, you should know that we are all big TLJ fans in my house; he is one of my most favorite personalities. The man can act and I would not even think twice about paying money to watch him play a deaf-mute who stuffs envelopes for a living. Ren even has a friend who reminds us of a young Tommy Lee and we have often said if a movie is ever made about him, this friend should play him.


     One Sunday, my friend Kim and I attended church at a Church of Christ in a town through which we were passing on vacation. At the close of services we all rose to be dismissed with a benedictory prayer. Immediately, I recognized the voice of the person offering the blessing and rather disrespectfully for the time and place, I elbowed my friend and softly asked if she, too, recognized it. She shook her head to indicate she did not while shooting me a look that said be quiet.

     “Look at your program!” I said in an exaggerated whisper, as she was the one who had picked it up and tucked it into her Bible upon arriving in the sanctuary. Another negative headshake.

     “Just look at it, Kim!” Finally, she did and, lo and behold, whose name do you think was listed? Why, just my favorite actor’s.

     When church ended we made a beeline to follow him to his car. Well, I made a beeline and my friend was being dragged along for the fun of it. My brain was working overtime as we followed him and another male (who turned out to be his attorney) toward the car, which happened to be parked at the very end of the lot next to a beautiful creek. I can’t tell you how much I wanted to meet him, but I had to be careful and not seem too much like some psycho in doing so. The last thing I would want would be to wind up on an episode of E! as the latest celebrity stalker.

     My initial and quite ill-conceived plan was for my friend to “accidentally” push me in the water. Surely, TLJ would lend a hand to help fish me out and Voila! I would get to meet him.

     Luckily, he stuck up a conversation with us first and I was able to stay dry. He was most pleasant and polite and it was beginning to feel very much like a dream come true. There we were - my friend and I - having a regular conversation with Mr. Tommy Lee Jones. Who would have thought it?

     It was at this point things took a turn for the strange.

     A woman (turns out it was a soon-to-be ex) walked up and began her own conversation, which was very heated on her part. My friend and I found ourselves on opposite sides of the arguing couple looking very much like two people watching a tennis match. With nowhere to go and not wanting to walk between them or stand there so close to the action, I gently backed up a bit into the opened door of Mr. Jones’ car and sat down on the edge of the back seat.

     After only a minute or so, and sitting a little farther into the interior of the car than I meant, Mrs. Jones made a comment that absolutely froze me with fear. Just to paint you a mental picture…do you remember the scene in the movie Jurassic Park when the owner’s grandchildren have finally made it back to the main building and are wolfing down food at a table when the granddaughter realizes a dinosaur has come inside the building, too - her hand tightly clasping a spoon of green Jello? Well, when the words ...and I bet you’re still riding around with those snakes in your car left Mrs. Jones’ mouth, I became that petrified little girl holding that spoon of Jello. Have I ever told you how much I hate snakes?

     All I could do was quietly whimper for my friend. “Ohhh, Kim.” “Help me.” “No, don’t leave.” “Kim?” “Come back.”

     My last recollection of my one and only encounter with Tommy Lee Jones was sitting there in the back seat of his car while he removed snake after snake after snake from all around me.

     Dreams are a funny thing, you know. I don’t know if TLJ attends church and, if so, if it’s a Church of Christ, nor do I know whether he keeps snakes as pets (if he does I might have to rethink the high regard I have for him), and I still don’t know where my friend went.

     What I do know is…
     One, outside a state of REM, I would never be so forward with a stranger, even a celebrity, and I have proof…I have eaten across the aisle from Reba McEntire on two different occasions at the local O’Charley’s and I merely gave her a polite nod and smile as I sat down in my booth.

     Two, the late Ms. Marguerite Law, a beloved English teacher in my hometown, was spot on about dreams being possible sources of ideas for writing. Just look at the cash cow that was born from Stephenie Meyer’s dream about a vampire and a girl named Bella!

     Three (and most importantly), what likely lasted mere seconds deprived me of hours of sleep. Did I mention I don’t like snakes?



P.S.  Just in case there be confusion among some...the above story about TLJ is, alas, only a dream.

Sentimental Saturday

This past week my family headed back to school after a shorter Christmas break than we're normally accustomed.  You can bet I am praying for some snow days.

8th grade Orlando, Florida

Goofing off at Jr. Beta Nationals

This will be Ren's very last semester of high school.  I can't believe it.  Where have the years gone?  In just a few months she will be walking across the gym floor and taking her diploma (well the cover, at least) from her principal's hand while her daddy calls out her name.  It is sure to be bittersweet, just as many things this year have already been.

8th grade 

On the way to Pigeon Forge, Tn. for the annual Jr. Beta trip to Dollywood

As a little tribute to her I will be digging back through the past twelve years or so of her life and posting a pic or two or three each Saturday.  Let's hope my scanner will survive this walk down memory lane.  So if you're like me and enjoy looking at other people's pictures, be sure to check in each week for some of my beautiful gal (and you can bet I'll throw in an embarrassing one or two along the way.  I'm just kinda devious that way).

8th grade

With one of her best friends, Lexie, getting ready to have their group cheer picture taken for the paper

Have a great weekend!

Click on any picture to make it larger.

"Christmas Chrunch" - Not Just for Christmas

The following is an easy peasy snack to throw together for any casual holiday gathering, game night (including an important upcoming college bowl game), or work place “bring a snack day”. I call it Christmas Chrunch (yes, with an ‘h’) because my sister made it to send with her husband when the school at which he works had a snack day prior to Christmas. If I remember to make it next year, I might have to throw in some red and green M&M’s to give it a bit more color and maybe even some coconut flakes.

Sissy’s “Christmas Chrunch”

A bag of white chocolate chips

A bag of semi-sweet chocolate morsels/chips

A can of cashews

A bag of skinny stick pretzels (my sister broke hers in half) or small regular shaped pretzels

A bag of white yogurt covered raisins

A bag of dried cranberries

The above amounts are just suggestions. Add as much of each as you want, put in a covered bowl or Ziploc bag and shake well. Store in an airtight container.

See.  Easy peasy!

Have a great weekend!

Christmas 2012 Recap

(Alert!  Christmas pictures ahead!)

I should have done this during the days between Christmas and New Years, but I was so busy doing nothing I was unable to find the time in which to do it. :)

Our family had a very nice Christmas (you’ll remember that I told you that John-Heath thought it was AWESOME) and I hope yours did, too.

We first got in the spirit of things during our town's annual Christmas parade.  Ren enjoyed one of her last hurrahs as water girl by riding on the football team's float and throwing out water bottles, candy and small footballs.  John-Heath made sure he was prepared to be on the receiving end of such giveaways and brought a plastic sack for all his loot.

Christmas celebrations in our family begin early in the month with the gathering of my dad’s side of the family. You never know what will happen when this group gets together. One year, we might have the children put on a Nativity play, while the next year might just find us judging a womanless beauty pageant (we have some mighty pretty men in our family). Every year, there are games galore. This year, one game got a little hairy for the germaphobes among us. Let’s just say John was glad no one had a communicable disease.

The younger ones playing the annual game of musical chairs.  I wish you could see John-Heath's face in this one better.  He was ready to go.

There.  I had to enlarge it.  Mr. Musical Chairs came in 2nd.



A cousin and her nephew racing to hang their ornament. 

We get all funky like that at our get-togethers.



My dad and his baby sister, Aunt Susie.



The best grandkids in the world...my cousins and me - minus one who was absent, one who had already left, and one we lost several years ago.



My dad and some of his family.



Some of Pa and Mammie's great-grandchildren.



The OUTlaws.  No blood relation, I promise.

The second weekend of the month it was time to meet with everyone on my mom’s side of the family. This gathering always brings out lots of great food. It’s like another Thanksgiving all over. I don’t know about you but I can never get too much turkey and cornbread dressing.

My mom (in the middle) and some of her family.



 My cousins and me...minus four of us who were out of town or at home sick. 

Now that's an excited group of kids!



 Toy time

Most years the youth of our church will reenact the Nativity. This year, Ren was Mary and John-Heath was an angel (even if I did have his wings attached upside down). Ren also played a baby doll, Bonnie Bright Eyes, in a second play.

Ren as Mary



My sweet angel...upside down wings and all.



Miss Bonnie Bright Eyes doll

The last day of school before our break began was party day for John-Heath and his classmates.  This day is second only to the last day of school as everyone's favorite day to be at school.

Why so glum on party day?  He wasn't...just pretending to be serious.



Each student was to create an ornament at home to hang on the class tree.  John-Heath and I made the star (at top) out of birch branches, glue, and gold spray paint.



Getting ready to play Pass the Present with the other boys in class.



Three silly buddies.



John’s immediate family, which is small like mine, always gets together on Christmas Eve night. When his grandmother was still living it was always at her house and she did all the cooking. Like most southern women of her day she was a wonderful cook and since she’s been gone I have not eaten any skillet-fried corn to even come close to matching hers. Nowadays, we all share in the cooking and take turns hosting (this year was our turn).

John-Heath loved the John Wayne Western Set Paula and Mark gave him.



McKayla opens a gift.



  I have three different sets of perfectly good China and I bring out the Hefty plates and red Solo cups.  I must say I am a bit embarrassed.



My brother-n-law Mark, sister-n-law Paula, Ren, and my mother-n-law Shirley



My sister-n-law DeAnn and niece McKayla



John's mom and sisters.  L-R Paula, his mom, and DeAnn.



The yearly in-front-of-the-Christmas-tree-wearing-our-new-pajamas-on-Christmas-Eve-night photo.



Christmas morning brings the excitement of finding presents from Santa. In his letter to the man in red, John-Heath asked for many toy things (all preceded with the word “Army”) and a T.V.

Santa did good!!!



Not on the list, but still a hit!



Quiet and still for a moment before opening his presents.

Please, no clothes.  Please, no clothes.

Ren’s letter to Santa (yes, she’s 17 - but if she wants the goods she must write the letter) was quite short this year. She only asked for movies and a couple seasons from two of her favorite shows (Dallas and Law and Order: SVU). She’s been pretty good this year, so Santa brought her a lot of movies and a few other things, too. It was movie-mania at our house over Christmas break, and thanks to an oversight on my part we were able to watch one completely in French.  Thank goodness for the English subtitles.

Ren getting ready to rip into some presents. 

Please, nothing educational.  Please, nothing educational.



Yay!  C3P0 earbuds!!!

(I have no idea what John-Heath is doing)



Finally, my family always tries to get together Christmas afternoon. This year, we were minus two due to the flu. We use to always meet at my parents’ house, but since John and I have been in our current home (2007) we have it here. We have an open floor plan and a little more room in which John-Heath and my nephews can play, though we do still have to rearrange the furniture when it’s time to pass out the presents.

John-Heath getting in on Dylan's game, while Jonathan relaxes in my hundred year old recliner (not really, but close enough).



My mom and her new Wildcat p.j.'s .  Mom is a huge Kentucky fan, while my Aunt Shirley, mom's sister (sitting beside her) is a huge Tennessee fan.



It was John's turn to play Santa.  Ho! Ho! Ho!



My dad looking all dapper in Ren's new hat.



The Verizon bars...otherwise known as Ren, my niece Megan, my sister Shelia, and my mom.



Ren doing her Madea impersonation...a must at any family gathering.



Looks like someone is photo bombing Megan and Jacob's picture.  Guess who?

Well, that’s the lowdown on our Christmas 2012. Don’t blink. Christmas 2013 will be here before you know it.