Yes, it's my real name...

Part of the wolf pack...

2010-06-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

This past Thursday we headed down to Texas for some fun and relaxation...That evening we went to a Ranger's game. It was so much fun to take my nephew to his first MLB game...and the Rangers won!

He is just simply adorable!

We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge...I cannot explain how fun this place is! If you have the opportunity to take your family, do it! By the way, the Native American girl's name was Yellow Feather--no relation.

He gives the trip a "thumbs up".

They have a scavenger hunt at the hotel that you can pay for and get a wand and several quests to complete. Here my cousin-in-law is giving it a go...

We fought the dragon and the dragon won...

Gettin all tatt-ed up...

He wasn't the only one that was just plain tuckered out...

It's only one letter...

2010-06-02T22:09:00.003-05:00

But it makes a BIG difference...(yes, I know...two posts in one week...I'm back on a roll...)

Let me tell you why...So, I am planning a baby shower for my cousin, Sara. She is due in August. The shower is set for this month, but this month is super crazy...so I needed to get the invitations out..and that I did...

I double checked the name she has chosen (Ryan Clark) and made sure she was ok with me using it in the invitation and I checked her address with her...I printed, tied ribbons, addressed and mailed the invitations! What a relief...I was able to finish that task timely...however, I found out today that I had put the incorrect direction for the street! She doesn't live on N. "Street" as I had printed on all 957 invitations...She lives on E. "Street"!!! Aarrgghh!

I don't even know what is located at the address I printed. Probably some liquor store.

I guess I should go find this address and let them know they may have some gift bearing ladies showing up at the end of the month...

All because of one little letter...

and the Slacker Award goes to...

2010-05-31T18:46:00.002-05:00

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is that whole saying that it takes a certain number of days to get into a habit and only like 30 seconds to break it? Well...I was a bloggin fool for quite awhile then nothing...nada...zilch...

I cannot give an honest answer as to why...Have there been "blog worthy" happenings going on in my little world? There has been quite a lot because there is nothing normal about my world. I cannot promise that I will increase my blogging activity, but honestly, one post a month is better than what I've done since last October.

I am on my last invisalign tray (so they say) finally! Once the transformation is complete, I will post some after pics.

I am on Facebook more than anything, so if there is any blame it is to Facebook and its addictive-ness.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T21:29:00.004-06:00

Hello again...even though it has been almost 3 months since I have blogged...tons of things have happened...but I guess I'm just addicted to Facebook...and post mainly on there...but my work has a huge contest between departments for Halloween...My department did the Thriller video...

We had so much fun...we did not win a department that did Star Trek won...

Then on Halloween night, my church had our annual Trunk or Treat and the theme of our booth was rock stars because we had the rock climbing wall...there I am as Cyndi Lauper-ish...
It took over an hour to crimp my hair...but it was so much fun!

MIA

2009-08-15T10:47:00.002-05:00

So...I haven't posted in over a month...I get on the blogging ups and downs I suppose...but so much has been going on...which would make you think I would have topics to blog about, which is true, but I just haven't had/made the time...So, I'll go with some highlights...

I was promoted at work in July! I am extremely excited about my new position...
I met my dad for the first time in about 26 years...it went ok, but I don't think I will be blogging about this one...
I am on my second Invisalign tray...and I can see progress!
I got a new dog. I rescued him from the lake...His name is Harbor...
Lil' Man turned 5 last week...he's getting so big...he also caught his first fish this summer...

I'm probably leaving something out but that is the gist...I hope everyone has been doing well...since I haven't been blogging, I haven't been reading either...Hopefully, I'll get back on track soon!

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy That Lives in the South...

2009-07-05T20:36:00.001-05:00

This 4th of July I went with my family to small town America where Lil' Man lives...We got up early to stake out our spots for the town parade..

As did others...

Here are Lil' Miss & Lil' Man...

No small town parade is complete without some sort of vehicle with long horns attached to the front:
Lil' Man learned real quickly that if you wave...

candy is thrown at you...

I looked all over town for a sequined visor like this one...but no luck...I bet she made it herself...

just relaxin...
What parade doesn't have a Sonic hot dog??? I just wish he was throwing lime Cokes instead of kids meal toys...

But I settled for a lemonade...

I also saw a ton of 5 year olds driving large vehicles...

Look at how the horses are being festive with their hooves...

We were tired real quick...even though the parade was only an hour...

Family...fun...patriotism...such a great day!

My Quest for Straighter Teeth...

2009-07-05T20:21:00.006-05:00

So a week ago I got my first Invisalign tray. I am super excited about it...my orthodontist thinks my process will be done in about 7 months. The way it is working so far is I will have a tray a month...Here are some pics with my tray in. I am only doing my top teeth.

Sorry for the exaggerated smiles, but I was trying to get some decent before pics...I have quizzed people periodically this week and no one has been able to tell on their own that I had a tray in my mouth. My teeth were a little tender at first but nothing that was unbearable...I will keep updating as I get new trays so you can view my process also...

Toilet Talkers...Random Rant

2009-06-23T20:08:00.003-05:00

OK...i think i have a new pet peeve...this is my numero uno...for now...annoyance...

why do people feel the need to talk on their cell phones in public restrooms? I am now making it my mission to be as noisy as I can...to make sure that the person they are talking to know they are in a restroom...no i do not mean i am purposing to toot loudly either...you know...to do stuff like turn the water on full blast for a second...flush while they are talking...make sure the metal door has trouble locking so i have to rattle it a few times...quickly move the paper towel handle so it is annoying...even dry my hands a little longer if it has an automatic dryer...

just some thoughts...

people tell your caller that you will call them back in a sec...it's not hard to do...

what is your current pet peeve???

Thrift Store Pick of the Day...

2009-06-13T21:33:00.005-05:00

So today my family and I went shopping everywhere...we even stumbled into a thrift store...this is my Thrift Store Item of the Day:

A lovely full length nightgown/robe with adorable red roses along with a very flattering lace neckline...If I remember correctly, it even had pearl snaps...

I did not purchase this because honestly...I don't want to be single forever...

But who didn't have a g-ma or aunt that had this...or at least something similar...

Levi Bottom Jeans and Boots with the Fringe...

2009-06-07T21:54:00.007-05:00

Hopefully this title will make sense in a little bit...

So...my friend, Micah, and I went to the .38 Special, Styx & REO Speedwagon concert at our zoo amphitheater on Saturday night...I lahuve outdoor concerts! There's friends, music, sun, stars, tons of people watching, etc...

Here I am with Micah...just a quick special shout out to her for being an awesome wing girl...and keeping the crazy drunk (though hilarious) man with all of the beads away...which I so returned the favor when we were leaving and a mini fight broke out and I directed her to safety...

It was rather full so they wouldn't let us bring in our chairs...boo to the zoo...but it all worked out...
Now onto the people watching...I didn't walk around a lot but I estimate there were 942 mullets,

87 girls with bikini tops on...and like only 2 were fit enough to have them on in the first place...remember, I am not judgin...just watchin and reportin what I saw...and what we had fun laughing about...
there were also about 22 women that I saw that did not feel the need to wear a bra...people, please wear a bra...you may not of had to wear one when you went to your first REO concert in 1974, but you need one now...

but the one accessory/outfit that we saw which was my favorite was...
Boot Moccasins!!!!!!

Sorry for the booty shot while trying to get the boots...but I had to snap the pic quick...he was sittin down...

.38 Special was first...

Then Styx...Renegade rocked...by the way...

Then it was on to REO...I know this pic is bad, but I was too busy swayin' with our concert neighbors to Can't Fight This Feeling, and belting out Time for Me to Fly...

Outdoor concerts...especially retro ones...are the best for people watching...it was a full moon, so maybe that made it even better...

Journey & Night Ranger tickets go on sale soon...I am so there...anyone have boot moccasins I can borrow???

June First Nineteen Fifty-Six

2009-05-31T18:39:00.000-05:00

My mom was born...

It's hard to imagine what you would look like today at 53...In my mind's eye you'll always look 29...

Happy Birthday, Mom...I love and miss you.

I Heart Faces Entries

2009-05-31T18:13:00.005-05:00

The theme for the I Heart Faces photography contest are "Happy Birthday" for kid entries and "Anything Goes" for pets...

Here my friend's daughter is opening the best present ever at her 5th Birthday Party...

My dog, Holden, is just striking a pose...isn't he handsome???

thanks for your comments! You can see all of the entries at iheartfaces.com

Fun in the Sun!!!

2009-05-29T21:33:00.006-05:00

So for Memorial Day Weekend I had the fun opportunity to spend time with some great family friends...let me introduce you to some:

Here is GranDe and Pops...aka DeDe and Charlie...they have a lake house...I heart them...but I did heart them BEFORE they had a lake house... :)

Here are some of their grandkiddos...

Here I am with my dear friend Becky...DeDe & Charlie's daughter...
yeah...I'm pretty bad with trying to take the self portraits....

We had a fun weekend of tubin'...seadoo-in...boatin...and swimmin...it did rain on us quite a bit...so we worked in going to a movie in the next "big town"...

I had such a great time...It was so good to get away and spend time with some great friends!

Kick off to Summer!

2009-05-22T10:55:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone has a fun, safe and reflective Memorial Day weekend. I am leaving for the lake today...I am in much need of a break as I am sure most of you are...

Here's to fun in the sun!!!

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-05-13T14:52:00.002-05:00

So my kudos this week is for the season of finales...ok...it's kinda like a love/hate relationship with me...I love the anticipation of seeing who wins like in The Biggest Loser, Survivor, American Idol and Hell's Kitchen...but I hate the cliff hangers for my other favorite shows such as Desperate Housewives...I know it's not until this Sunday but I know they are going to make us think Dave did something to Susan or something...

It's kinda hard to believe that it's already season finale time...but even though we have to wait all summer to see what happens...at least it's summertime!!!

and as a side note...if you have to DVR any live finales...don't forget to record a little time afterward...

I Heart Faces Entry

2009-05-12T20:14:00.004-05:00

This week's category is Laughter...Check out all the entries at iheartfaces.com

Lil' Man was in front of a train to get his picture taken. The train whistled and at first he was startled but then started laughing...

I Heart Faces Entries

2009-05-04T19:36:00.004-05:00

This week's category is Hats...Check out all the entries at iheartfaces.com

We're at Yankee Stadium watching the game...

This is a picture of me...but I did take it...I loved this hat...notice I said "loved"...my dog loved it too by chewing it up just a day or so after I took this pic...

Spring Fling-in' It Up...

2009-05-03T23:02:00.000-05:00

This past Friday we had a Spring Fun Day at work for students and staff...Here is a previous post regarding the car bashing...

But in addition to that activity...there was much more going on...

like sittin' around with Sara...

Food...
People trying to avoid pictures when they have Cheetos in their mouth...

Getting balloon items...

Bingo...
Popcorn & sno-cones...
Posing with the shorties...

more sittin' around...

Sara w/ her BFF...
Listening to the live band...

Sleeping...but don't tell my boss...

I also played 4 Square...but no pics of that...too busy trying to take out the other folks...

Actual Convo

2009-05-03T22:42:00.003-05:00

So...this conversation didn't happen while I was there...but I have to share it...it just cracks me up...
My nephew, Lil' Man, was in the backseat of the car with his sister, Lil' Miss...His mom and grandma in the front seat...

His mom asked him to give Lil' Miss her pacifier because it had fallen out of her car seat...

Lil' Man's response:

"Momma why do I always have to do your chores for her?"

ha! like he even has chores...just so funny what comes out of his 4 year old mouth...plus...like he changes diapers or anything...if he only knew the real chores with a baby :)

You'd Better Call the...Sledgehammer

2009-05-01T19:38:00.004-05:00

Today at work we had a Spring Fling for our students and staff. A day of fun, games, food and sun...minus the sun...One of the activities was car bashing...and it's nice to let out a little frustration...

here's Sara with a swing...

Now, Vicki...don't let the skirt fool you...she's a tough cookie...

Now...it's my turn...I went straight for the tail lights...I like to make a mess...

Black V-neck DNA

2009-04-29T22:00:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday I went to my nephew's 16th birthday party...Here I am with my sister, Robin. I just met Robin last year...and no...we did not plan to wear the same shirt...

so, could fashion be part of DNA?

it's ok if you laughed when you realized that I have a sister named Robin...Robin is a bird...robins have feathers...Feather like a bird...

you can read more about my sisters finding me from this previous post...

Bocce...Sounds Like Chachi...as in Joanie Loves...

2009-04-21T14:20:00.001-05:00

So...Saturday the kids' team that i work with volunteered with Special Olympics...we helped out at the Bocce Tournament...If you don't know much about bocce, you can click here...

Here's our volunteer group:

We were able to take a pic with a group of athletes from a local school:

I am in deep thought trying to figure out who scored the point...

We helped keep score:

We helped athletes get equipment:

We had such a great time helping and getting to know the athletes...my kids did a great job!

See Saw...Me? Naw....

2009-04-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday the kids' team I work with and I went to volunteer with Special Olympics...more pics later...but while on our lunch break the kiddos started teeter-tottering...
and how much fun is this?

So...I wanted a go....

Then they all ganged up on me...another adult came to try to help me out...boy did my legs hurt!

I clearly remember now how it's no fun when the person on the other end just gets off of the teeter totter...

my legs still hurt today...guess that tells me I definitely need to do more leg presses...

I Heart Faces Entries

2009-04-20T21:36:00.004-05:00

This week's theme for I Heart Faces is "self-portrait"...be sure to check out their site for more great pics!

Here I am for the adult entry....

And here I am with my nephew, Lil' Man...

My First Ever (and probably only) Cooking Post: Fried Pickles!!!

2009-04-16T22:39:00.006-05:00

yeah...my extent of cooking is cereal, heating up lean cuisines, making a sandwich and such...but on Sunday, my uncle...with a tiny bit of my help...made fried pickles...and they were yummy! you may be thinking "fried pickles...gross" or "i love me some fried pickles...but i have only gotten them at restaurants...please, Feather, tell me how i can make delicious fried pickles on my own"...

well, you got it...i will tell you...

1. you buy a jar of hamburger pickles...and drain:

2. mix corn meal and a box of jiffy cornbread mix together...you can also add dry ranch dressing mix...for your coating.

3. cover the pickles with the corn meal mix...

4. drop in a deep fryer...oh..probably should have told you to heat up a deep fryer...with oil...before you start...

5. cook until crispy...just how i like them...then put them on a paper plate to absorb the extra oil...

6. enjoy!!!

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday-Easter Edition

2009-04-15T21:40:00.008-05:00

PHEW!!! I barely made it...I almost missed yet another week to post about my WTTH...my WTTH goes to Easter...yes, we all know the obvious reason why Easter would be deserving of a major kudos...however, I am WTTH-ing the holiday weekend...I had such a great time with my family...the past few months have been very hectic and stressful...we've had several hospital visits and such...so it was so nice for everyone to be feeling well and spending time together!

we played games like Guitar Hero World Tour....here I am rockin out to Livin' on a Prayer...

We also played the Easter Edition of Pictureka...if you haven't every played it...it's a lot of fun...

Don't let me fool you...I am so hunting the eggs here and not hiding them...but there were plenty for the kiddos...I promise...

See:
Here Lil' Man is putting the finishing touches on the eggs he decorated...

And we all got Easter baskets!!! Yummy!!! I think I shall name my first child Cadbury...

We also made fried pickles...post coming soon...they were soooo good!!!

Easter Sundae

2009-04-12T21:33:00.007-05:00

As some of you may or may not know, I am a teacher in our children’s church…our Children’s Pastor, Joe, had an offering contest for the kiddos…The winner would be decided by how much their offering weighed…One group was competing for his wife to be made into an ice cream sundae…the other was competing for him to be the one to be doused…overall the kiddos brought in over 60 lbs of offering! The winner (or loser…depending on how you want to look at it) was Pastor Joe!

So here goes the ice cream...

And the syrup…

Whipped cream is a necessity for any sundae…and we teachers had fun making it as messy as possible…I’m on the left…I had way too much fun!

I then added a whole canister of jelly beans…I started out with just doing handfuls, but then just dumped the whole thing over his head…and left the canister as a hat…I then had to rile the kiddos up a little…with the thumbs up and cheering…

Here he is with his final hat…it was full of cherries!

EEEWWWW!!!!

The kids had so much fun…and so did the teachers! Joe was a great sport! He actually had to do it twice today since we have two services…so he was a double dipped sundae for sure!

Eat More Chikin...

2009-04-10T21:16:00.002-05:00

My friend, Kimberly, posted this...it is so funny...and is so me...minus the minivan...He is Tim Hawkins...go check out his site...other funny stuff!

Please Forgive Me...

2009-04-10T20:48:00.002-05:00

I know not what I do...(go ahead and start belting out the Bryan Adams song...because I so am)...

but seriously...I have been the worst bloggy friend for the last few weeks...to prove it...

i went on Google Reader a little bit ago...and there were 366 posts i haven't read...(i marked them all read too...i have to have a clean slate...no time to back track...)

i haven't done a Woo to the Hoo! post for 2 weeks...and there are woo to the hoo deservin things...

So...my commenting has been lacking...it doesn't mean i love you any less...i appreciate the faithful readers/commenters that stop by...

tomorrow is a new day...and i shall do my best to stay caught up! Hope everyone has a great Easter!

Hairball Hacking...

2009-04-06T22:27:00.003-05:00

This is Sam...

This is me using the Furminator on Sam...and boy, does his fur need some "minator-ing"....
Even though he doesn't look too happy with me, he does enjoy being "brushed"...

and here is the gi-normous fur ball...

I love the Furminator...check out their site for more info...but check around for prices...i got mine new off of Ebay and saved some bucks...

Wonder Woman!!!

2009-03-29T22:35:00.005-05:00

So...I am one of the teachers at church for our 4th & 5th graders...right now all of our elementary kiddos are learning what it means to be a "real" hero...and the characteristics of one...so, the kids are encouraged to wear superhero gear...I have the below outfit(insert Wonder Woman tv show music)...

but didn't think it would be appropriate for church...plus I have just started working on my tan...so I wore this shirt instead:

but I did fly my invisible airplane to church...ok, ok..if the lasso of truth were used...it would prove that was a lie...but, yes...girls do rule...I also did the Wonder Woman twirl...

You actually eat that stuff?

2009-03-27T18:58:00.003-05:00

Lil' Miss, my 4 month old niece, has just started trying different baby foods...Here, she is trying applesauce. I think...I love her expressions!

She just better not make this face whenever (if ever) I cook a meal for her...

Song for Thought

2009-03-25T23:16:00.002-05:00

Sugarland's Love

I say the ultimate picture of love was nailed to a cross...

This is one of my current favorite songs...just thought I'd share....

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-03-24T22:25:00.005-05:00

Even though I am probably the only one in the whole world doing a WTTH post today...I am still posting (hint...hint...to all my Woo to the Hoo-ers who have been in hiding...it's not too late to jump back on the bandwagon)...

My kudos this week goes to Clearance....not a person...but store clearance...clear it out and make it super cheap so I can buy things that I really don't need...I just buy it because it IS so cheap...and shoot, I may need it someday...if I can remember that I even have it...and where I put it...

I went to Ulta today and they were about to do inventory....and that is the best time to get cheapo goods...I went to the register and they had $7 eyeliner for 49 cents!!! So...I HAD to buy one...err...two....ok 947...

So...the ones I purchased (from top to bottom) were:
Black with silver glitter---who doesn't already have this one?? and honestly...when am I going to wear it...I may just on a random Tuesday to see if anyone notices....
Moss, Black, Emerald, Chocolate, Deep Brown....
and then Silver...again...not sure why I got it...but now I have it "just in case"...
I have green eyes so they are all complimentary...well maybe not the silver and glitter...

So who or what deserves the Woo from you? Feel free to snatch this button and give kudos galore!

Freakin' Me Out

2009-03-23T20:49:00.003-05:00

So...I was bored and I was searching for some odd inventions...well, the more I looked, the more it freaked me out...I am all for people being creative...but some of these just wanna make me say, "really?" Like this for example:
And this face protector...Is there another invention to help get rid of the ring around your face once this is removed?

I have issues with putting drops in my eyes...thankfully I don't have to wear contacts...but this just freaks me out...and if putting drops in your eyes is an issue...glasses or no glasses you'd still be blinking like crazy...and what is she putting in her eyes anyway...olive oil?

This really doesn't freak me out...it's just odd...I am not sure of any active cat that would just love sitting in this contraption as you walk around...my Sam probably wouldn't even fit in it and my back would hurt 5 minutes into the walk...

Blackle and Green All Over

2009-03-21T21:41:00.004-05:00

So...I am not the most "green" person in the world...I recycle my newspapers, I try to remember to take my reusable bags to the store, I attempt to use a water bottle every chance I get instead of buying bottled water, I've changed all of my light bulbs to the cool swirly kind, etc...but what I'm about to tell you is the easiest thing I've done and honestly it took like 2 seconds...

I found out about this from someone at work yesterday so I had to check it out...

I changed my homepage to www.blackle.com

This is info directly from their site:

How is Blackle saving energy?

Blackle was created by Heap Media to remind us all of the need to take small steps in our everyday lives to save energy. Blackle searches are powered by Google Custom Search.

Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black. "Image displayed is primarily a function of the user's color settings and desktop graphics, as well as the color and size of open application windows; a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen."Roberson et al, 2002

In January 2007 a blog post titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year proposed the theory that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity of the search engine. Since then there has been skepticism about the significance of the energy savings that can be achieved and the cost in terms of readability of black web pages.

We believe that there is value in the concept because even if the energy savings are small, they all add up. Secondly we feel that seeing Blackle every time we load our web browser reminds us that we need to keep taking small steps to save energy.

They also have this link to other energy saving tips.

So, I encourage you to check it out and change your home page to www.blackle.com and to help spread the word...

A Little Bubbly....

2009-03-19T19:27:00.003-05:00

This past weekend Lil' Man, my 4 year old nephew, spent the night with me...it was bath time so he definitely wanted bubbles...well, all I have is Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works...he had no idea it was a girlie kind...he still got bubbles...that's all that mattered...

Is he trying to be Colonel Sanders?

Oh how he steals my heart...

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-03-18T19:01:00.003-05:00

So...I am a little late with my WTTH post today...but it is SOOOO pretty outside...that has kinda been my excuse all day for not wanting to do what needs to be done...but I still did it...but my Woo to the Hoo! goes to Arbonne...more specifically their NutriMinC RE face care set

NutriMinC^® RE^9® REnewing Gelée Crème, Hydrating Wash; REstoring Mist, Balancing Toner; REactivating Facial Serum, Day & Night; REpair, Corrective Eye Crème; REality SPF 8, Day Crème; REcover, Night Crème plus a NutriMinC^® RE^9® REversing Gelée, Transforming Lift...

ok so there are like 947 steps both morning and night...but I have been using it for almost 2 weeks and can see great improvement in my skin...so, even though it was pricey...it so gets this weeks WTTH!

So...who deserves the WOO from you? Feel free to use the WTTH button and share about a kudos deservin' product, person or whatever :)

Actual Convo

2009-03-15T16:54:00.003-05:00

So, this weekend i had the pleasure of having Lil' Man, my 4 year old nephew, for a bit... i took him to church with me this morning...as we got in the car to leave he started sneezing..

after sneeze #1 I said "bless you"

after sneeze #2 I said "bless you, again"

He then said, "I'm blessed all over"

I smiled and replied, "yes, you are"

How true his words are...We are all "blessed all over" even if current circumstances want to distract you from that fact...

Have a blessed day!

Actual Convo

2009-03-12T18:18:00.003-05:00

We have a burger place...several actually...called Johnnie's Charcoal Broile r...not sure if you have them or not...but it is ga-oood...the way you know what burger you want is by the number...see, I am so a number 9...Cheeseburger - (Cheese Theta) w/Johnnie’s Sauce, Mayo & Pickles...in fact, their slogan is "Crave your own #"...this is important info...I promise...

well, a few years ago I was working in retail...we had a Johnnie's not too far from the "bullseyed" place I was employed...I was working in an aisle and I heard these two ladies' conversation on the next aisle (this may not be verbatim...but you'll get the gist):

Lady A: I am so glad our shift is over

Lady B: Me too...

Lady A: It was so crowded, I am tired.

Lady B: I cannot wait to get home to shower and change clothes...

Lady A: I know...I smell like a number 2

my inner third grader laughed...a little bit later they walked passed the aisle I was on and they both had on Johnnie's shirts...

In case you're wondering...a Johnnie's #2 is Old Fashioned - With Mustard, Pickles & Onions...

and in this case...I would have to agree...she did smell like "this" #2

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-03-10T22:07:00.003-05:00

Yes, it's that time again...boy do these Wednesdays seem to get closer together...well this week's main Woo to the Hoo! (WTTH) goes to all of my new followers! You can see the my new "fine friends" to the right...(I still lahuve my previous followers too!) I was the featured blogger from SITS on Monday...and had a slew of new visitors...and I am trying to reply to every comment...I hope to be done by Christmas :)...but my follower count jumped by 20 folks! So...I'm hoping something in my life happens soon that I can blog about that will keep you tuning in...and not un-follow :)...If you aren't following yet...we're a fun group...and all the cool kids are doing it :)

So...who/what/where deserves the Woo from you? Feel free to use the above button and let the bloggy world know! Let me know if you post and I'll add it here...

Feather's Featured!

2009-03-09T00:00:00.002-05:00

So, today I am the featured blogger at The Secret's in the Sauce...Can I get a "Woo to the Hoo?"...This is an awesome site where you can support other bloggers by commenting...I have found several bloggy friends through this site...Be sure to check out their site...ok how many times can I say "site"? especially tomorrow because it's the Spring Fling and there are giveaways galore....

To all the visitors today, WELCOME! Come on in...feel free to stay awhile...and come back often...

Here's a couple of things to know upfront about me and my blog:

*I am not crafty...so there are never any posts about how to make something...I do enjoy learning from other sites though...
*I do not cook...so there are never any recipe posts...however, I do enjoy eating...
*I do not have my own children to post about, so I write a lot about my nephew and niece who live near me...well, I do have 2 fur children who get mentioned now and then...

In case you didn't arrive from SITS, here are the three posts that are featured:

Feather Shaping Moments
That'll Leave a Mark
Family Meeting

aside from these posts...here's a couple more that you may find interesting...

this post grossed me out....but, you see, I'm a giver and all and have to share it with you...

this post is about a couple of my most embarrassing moments...in one day...yes, I can be a dork...but I do laugh at myself...so, it's ok if you laugh too...cause honestly...I'd be laughing at..err..I mean WITH you... :)

This post is permanent....permanently tattooed on my hip...

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to stop by...and for showing that commenting love...I look forward to enhancing my realm of bloggy friends!

Actual Convo

2009-03-08T18:50:00.004-05:00

I am visiting with Lil' Man, who is in pre-k...we are about to take him to school and here is the conversation that took place....

Me: So, Lil' Man, do you like playing outside at school.

LM: yep

Me: Do you chase girls?

LM: no (while looking at me and shaking his head)

Me: Do the girls chase you?

LM: no (now looking a little aggravated)

Me: Do you not play tag or anything while on recess? (trying to act like I wasn't talking about "boy/girl" chasing...just playing at recess)

LM: yep

Me: Well, don't you chase girls then?

LM: No, we don't chase...we just run together...

His explanation just made me laugh...of course when my aunts went to pick him up from school he was holding a little girl's hand the whole time they were playing outside...when they asked him about it he said that he wasn't playing with any girl...oh, how early these games start :)

Stinkin' HI-larious...

2009-03-05T18:30:00.005-06:00

So...while checking my YouTube site...I stumbled upon Rhett & Link...I hadn't heard of them...and they are HI-larious...please pause the player at the bottom of the site...

Who couldn't relate to this song...at least a little bit???

I know this is about an Idol audition from last year...but she did come back to try again...plus it's just too funny...

Here's to all my infomercial tweets...

Rhett & Link have their own site...click here to check it out...there are a ton more videos there...plus you can follow them on Twitter...YouTube...their blog...etc...

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-03-04T18:06:00.005-06:00

So...what to do with this week's hoo??
I'll be happy to tell you...

the shout out goes to someone you know...
from when you were a kid or so...

are they tall? are they short?
do they sing or play a sport?

Red hair, brown hair or blue?
do they like laces in their shoe?

i'm ready to answer...to plain cut loose...
Woo to the Hoo! to Dr. Seuss!!

March 2nd was Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday.

My favorite book of his is

What to say? What to do?
Who from you gets the Woo???

Rick Springfield Concert Recap...

2009-02-28T22:58:00.004-06:00

The day was finally here! It was time to go on my road trip to see Rick Springfield in concert...this would be my second time seeing him...the first time was about 9 years ago in the parking lot of a bar...no, we didn't just happen to bump into each other...that's where his concert was...yesterday, however, it was at a casino...a casino about 2 hours away...I figured this was a smaller casino...and was afraid that the show would be in a tent...

and it was...
It was fareeezing outside...there was crazy arctic air or something...it was nice and warm...for the most part...in the tent...

here are my two friends, Karen & Becky, and I before we started rockin' out...in a tent...

I didn't realize that there was going to be an opening act...when I heard that there was one...my hope was that it wasn't a local band...I'm all for folks getting a break but when I go to a concert I like to know at least some of the songs...So, the announcer introduces the opening act...and I couldn't understand what he said...but it turned out to be Starship...good! I know some of their songs...

This is for my cousin, Sara

I guess you could say it's kinda like a long distance dedication...I know you can hear Casey Kasem's voice right now...

They closed out their set with what else but We Built This City...below is the intro...sorry I didn't video more...but I HAD to start singing...and you don't wanna hear that...

Now for Rick...I saw on his website that he has a new CD out...so I was hoping he wouldn't sing all new songs...it would be ok if he sang a couple...I'm sure he's on tour to promote the new stuff...but I was so ready to stand on a barricade and continuously yell, "Retro Rick" if he started to only do new stuff...luckily he only sprinkled in a few newbies...and I kinda liked them...

Of course Jessie's Girl was a highlight...here's a taste for you:

We skedaddled on his next to last song...but we could still hear...because he was in a tent..as we braved the bitter wind to the valet station to get the car...I had such a fun time with my friends...people watching...listening to & singing songs...and watching Rick take bouquets of flowers and strum the guitar with them...this made me laugh because he did the same thing at the first concert I went to...and I'll add...for any doubters...he still can rock...did you know he'll be 60 this year?

I added the original Jessie's Girl video here...maybe it'll take you back to when MTV actually showed videos...

by the way...he didn't break any mirrors during the concert...but did demolish a guitar...

Peanut Butter & Tater Tots

2009-02-27T07:01:00.000-06:00

Lil' man had his Pre-K performance last night...Here is the mob waiting to get in the doors...

Here he is before the show, by the way, he IS crazy about Pre-K!

He has a bandage on his arm because he had to have emergency surgery on his little finger last week..but that didn't stop him...

Here they are singing the song Peanut Butter:
He's in the middle row on the end...please pause my player at the end of the page...sorry about the poor quality of video...

The name of this song is Tooty Ta (but has he says it, Tater Tots):

After the show, he teaches us the Tooty Ta song...

Isn't it funny what folks will do for kids? Here we are out front next to the street as the crowd is leaving the performance and we have our thumbs out, elbows back, feet apart, knees together, bottoms up, tongues out and eyes closed trying to say "tater tots"...but did we care...nopers...and I'd do it again in a heartbeat...

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-02-25T08:04:00.000-06:00

So, I'm actually getting my WTTH post out early this Wednesday! I think that deserves its very own WTTH...

Well...for this week I just wanna celebrate that I will be making my last car payment in two weeks!!! that is a super-de-dupery Woo to the Hoo!!! It will be so nice to have that money to allocate to other things...such as clothes, shoes and hairdo's...ok...more realistically to a lawn mower and to other bills...

Who or what deserves the Woo from you???

Actual Convo...PG13

2009-02-24T13:01:00.003-06:00

As some of you may know I work with a group of kiddos from church...we do ministry outreach and such...here's a conversation I had with a 7th grade girl, whom will be identified as 7...

Me: How is this semester of jr. high going for you so far?

7: Oh, it's going ok...I kinda like my new classes...

Me: Are you required to take a computer/typing class? I remember I had to take one...but just sometime in jr. high...

7: Yeah...we do...

Me: I took it in 7th grade, and I am glad I did...it really helped me with all of the papers and such...it would have been more difficult to hunt and peck for keys...

7: Yeah..I'm not good at typing....I'm a big pecker...

It took all I had not to just crack up...she had no idea what she had said...and I didn't want to laugh and have to explain why I thought it was funny...

What a Rough Week

2009-02-22T20:50:00.003-06:00

for Lil' Man...see, on Wednesday night his little finger was caught in a door and cut the tip of it off...he had to go to the ER and they actually had to do surgery to reshape the bone...I took these pics with my phone, so please ignore the poor quality....

Then, on Friday he had tubes in his ears...and tomorrow he is getting a heart scan to check on a murmur...He has been such a trooper...today we played and played...the humongo wrap, even though it goes to his elbow, didn't slow him down much...

Here's Lil' Miss, as most of you know she was in the hospital for about a week and a half just a few weeks ago...she is doing so much better! See how cool she is??? Well, with the coolness, she takes after her Aunt K....

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-02-18T18:22:00.003-06:00

yes, it's that time again...and here i am in the final hours posting my Woo to the Hoo! shout outs...this week a biggo humongo kudos to the following ladies:

Julia @ brainella the librarian
Kyleigh @ This may not be your dream, but it is ours
Lindsey @ Highheels and Hairbows

See, these fantabulous girls are the recipients of my pay it forward. I actually sent out their surprises today...so, ladies it should be arriving shortly! I wanted to post about what I sent but want it to be a surprise...ok, ok...I sent them all an 8x10 of me...congrats girls! ok...not really...i just included a wallet size pic with the real surprise...

Go check out their sites and give em a WTTH!

Who or what deserves the Woo from you??? Feel free to snatch, take, borrow the above button and add it to your weekly blogging...lemme know if you do!

Also, thanks to everyone who opted to have their names put in the drawing for the pay it forward!

I've Done Everything for You...

2009-02-15T21:57:00.005-06:00

So...later this month two friends and I are going to see Rick Springfield at a casino that is two hours away...funny stuff I know...nothing like friends, road trip and rock n roll right? Rick has been one of my faves since I was like 5...no joke...Working Class Dog was one of my first albums...vinyl..that is...

I saw him in concert about 8 years ago also...I had a great time...I am looking forward to this one too...so what if he's a little older...aren't we all???

I'll always picture him like this:

So...tell me were/are you a Rick Springfield fan? if so..what is your favorite song of his? I do heart Jessie's Girl....but I my fave is Love is Alright Tonight...have you been to a concert of his? tell me about it...

I even bought his Christmas album this year...yes, he has one...

Why?

2009-02-13T17:36:00.001-06:00

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-02-11T17:56:00.006-06:00

No...I didn't forget...just now had time to post...

I know there are several things that deserve a humongo WTTH...but I can't think of anything...so I'm gonna list a couple of my favorite things...that my dramatic self would say I can't live without...

First item:

my straightener:

It's a Wigo Jade....

next would be a lime Coke...from Sonic...

I don't have one EVERY day...but on days like today...it made the world a happy place for me again...plus they have half price drinks from 2-4...

there are tons more things that I feel that I cannot live without...but the last one I'll post about is the DVR...OMGoodness...I don't know what I did before the DVR...wait...yes I do...stupid VHS...One of the things I heart most is being able to fast forward thru commercials!!!

plus...tomorrow Survivor starts...aww...Mr. Probst with your dimples...that deserves another WTTH as well :)

so feel free to use the Woo to the Hoo button above and let us know what you think deserves kudos...you don't even have to wait until a wednesday..

Pay it Forward...take two...

2009-02-11T07:25:00.001-06:00

This is a re-post because I need some more possible recipients...
I only have 1 eligible so far...

thanks!

My friend, Jenny @ JennyKate's Spot, had a Pay it Forward post and I was one of the lucky recipients...she sent me a cutie valentine's bracelet....and this crafty creation with my name...the name banner was for my b-day though :)....

THE RULES: The focus of this is to do an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and "pay it forward." I will send a small, fun gift to 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and then the game will continue!! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found, anything you want!! Just a gift that will make the person's day!! If you are interested in participating, leave a comment!! You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link back to me, and then send something to three people who sign up to play along through your blog.

Sound simple enough?

Want to play along?

I'll take entries until Wednesday. I'll choose the recipients randomly...And I guess I should mention that I am NOT crafty...so unfortunately whatever I send will not me hand made by me... :)

Silly Faces

2009-02-09T06:00:00.002-06:00

This week for the I Heart Faces photography contest the category is Silly...
This was on the bus heading to church camp...this kiddo is super excited about going...

Here is my cousin, Sara...she can be super silly....ok...a dork...we were at our aunt's house and it was kinda cold...so she put on her hoodie...but she never passes the chance to pose...

I encourage everyone to check out I Heart Faces to see all of the other silly faces and to enter your own..not saying your face is silly....

Lydia Update-Answered Prayer

2009-02-08T20:36:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to pass along the email update I received today regarding Lydia and her unborn cousin, Evie....God IS good! If you are unsure of their stories click here....Thank you all for your prayers!

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your continuous support for our family. It is hard to believe that Lydia will turn four months next week, which means we started this journey almost two months ago. Lydia currently is wearing contacts in both of her eyes. We can see an improvement with her ability to keep her eyes steady and she is now tracking some objects. Lydia has daily visual therapy with us, and this week will have her first session with a trained visual therapist. For the first time in her life she has even seen her mobile. This has been very encouraging and we pray that this is just a sign of great things to come.

We have been able to taper off her drops each week and next week she will only require drops twice a day. The greatest challenge has been trying to get her contacts in and out once a week for their cleaning. We were able to do it once but have been unable since, so we had to see the local ophthalmologist for some help. This has proven to be difficult even for him which isn't too encouraging for our chances. Hopefully, as her eyes continue to grow, we will be able to get them out with more ease.

We will make our next trip to Dallas this next week. We are hopeful that the membranes have not returned and Lydia can continue on with her healing. Please continue to pray for a full recovery for her sight and for us the skill and knowledge to easily put her contacts in and take them out. We have seen God's hand in Lydia's healing and know your prayers have given us the strength to face each day. Thank you for lifting our sweet daughter up.

We wanted to leave you with the amazing story of Evie's healing. My sister's unborn daughter (Evie) was diagnosed with multiple cysts on her brain. The doctors were very concerned about her chances of survival and arrangements had been made with surgeons to immediately take Evie into surgery upon birth. However, when they met with the doctor for the 30 week ultrasound last week, the cysts were no longer there. Evie was healed! She is a healthy baby girl. My family thanks you for praying for Evie. God heard your prayers and has blessed this child and family. Prayer is a powerful tool which God has given us to talk to Him. Please know how grateful we are that you have loved us. May this story of healing give you the encouragement and hope that we all need. God loves us and never leaves our side. May we never take for granted the blessings God gives us. We praise God for healing our sweet little niece and blessing her with a healthy life.

Please know how much we love and care for all of you. May God bless you.
Love,
Dustin, Rebecca and Lydia

Pay it Forward Get & Give....

2009-02-08T17:18:00.003-06:00

Sound simple enough?

Want to play along?

I'll take entries until Wednesday. I'll choose the recipients randomly...And I guess I should mention that I am NOT crafty...so unfortunately whatever I send will not me hand made by me... :)

FINALLY!!!

2009-02-07T16:37:00.008-06:00

Several weeks ago I found a t-shirt online that was perfect for me...so I ordered one...well, it was taking FOREVER to get here...when I checked on the status for like the 50th time the order had been canceled...by whom??? not me...so, I reordered it (they gave me a discount on the next order) and it FINALLY arrived yesterday!!!

if I had a nickel for every time I've said this...

I know the above pic is not the best pic of me but focus on the shirt people...
so, I'm adding this below pic...

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-02-03T22:06:00.007-06:00

If this is your first time to hear about Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday...check out the inaugural post here...

So, it's that time again to be Woo to the Hoo'in it up...this week i have a couple of deserving recipients:

I'm kinda torn about the first one...because frankly...i love em...but i hate em too...

yes, Girl Scout Cookies...I so bought 3 boxes...i had my thin mints, samoas and tagalongs...and i have some left believe it or not...See...i love em because they are tasty but hate em because i eat waaaaay too many of them...

the next shout out goes to The Office....OK...this show cracks me up! and the special episode after the superbowl was wonderful...one of the best parts was the "movie" inside the show starring Jack Black...they played "I'm All Out of Love" by Air Supply and "Lady" by Little River Band...which are so on my IPOD...

And...Hell's Kitchen started this past week...ok...I like Gordon...but I wouldn't want him talking that way to me...I'd be blubbering all over the place...

So...let me know who or what you think deserves a WTTH...I'll post a link here to your site...

Becky
Keli
Mishel
Sara

99 ??? on the wall...

2009-02-03T21:00:00.002-06:00

I was tagged by Sara...even though I was soooo on base when she tagged me :)....but here's the deal, pickle...

Here's the Rule, bold the things you've done & post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty-I would have but they don't let you anymore...

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied...

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke...

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book in a college class...

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury...almost...

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

So...I'm tagging anyone who reads this...feel free to share with your readers some insight about you :)

I Heart Faces Entries Week 4

2009-02-01T20:35:00.008-06:00

I am excited about this week's contest! I actually get to enter one of my "kiddos"...see they are having their first pet contest this week. Below is one of my fur children, Sam. Sam loves to eat, sleep and SMILE...

For the people entries the contest is "The Eyes Have It" and my nephew definitely had to open his eyes wide this past Christmas to take in all of this food. We had just finished putting it all on the table and we turned around and he was ready to eat!!

So, go and check out other peoples' fur children and "eye" photos at the iheartfaces site...

I appreciate your comments!

Stuck?

2009-01-29T21:35:00.000-06:00

Choose to move...

Birthday Celebration(s)...

2009-01-29T06:00:00.002-06:00

Even though my birthday was this past Sunday...all of the fun started last Friday. I walked into work with our office decorated and with this sign:

See, everyone in my office uses the phrase, "Feather, like a bird" when an incoming caller needs to talk to me...

They had humongo cinnamon rolls from Grandy's and Braum's OJ to start off the morning...yummy!

Then later that afternoon we had cake!

They are candles on the cake but I say they are feathers...

What is the normal tradition with birthday cake distribution? The birthday person receives the first piece...right??? Well, not if you work with Carlos...he went and cut the first piece and ate it...selfish boys...

But the other ladies in my department were much kinder...I did get the next piece of cake...

On Saturday morning, Jenn & Sara took Lil' Man to see Walking with Dinosaurs...

Afterward, we met up with the rest of my family for a birthday lunch at Bravo!... I had never been there before, but it was very good!

I had the Balsamic Marinated Chicken...Yeah...probably should have taken a before pic...but it was yummy!
Then came my birthday dessert...vanilla and coffee ice cream...

The fam is singing Happy Birthday....

Lil' Man helps me blow out the candle...that is what we're doing even though it looks like I'm whistlin' Dixie...

On Sunday I had a nice dinner at my aunt's house...with cake and more singing! So it goes without saying that I am still on sugar overload...My birthday celebration continued on Monday when we were sent home after only working a half day because of the weather...and we didn't have to go back until Thursday...

I truly enjoyed every bit of my birthday "week" as it turned out! Thanks to everyone involved and all who wished me well!!! Here's to a great year!!!

Measuring Up....

2009-01-28T21:32:00.000-06:00

Thanks, Marla @ Stolen Bon Bons for this award!

Here are the rules:

1. Say one nice thing about the man in your life.

Where are you? Hope to meet you soon...

2. List ways you measure success in your life.

1. my walk with Jesus
2. my family
3. my friends
4. my happiness

3. Assign 6 other blogs this award.

1. Keli @ Dream Imagine Live
2. Sheli @ While I am Waiting
3. Becky @ My Crazy Beautiful Life
4. Ang @ Davisix
5. Miranda @ Traveling Treasures
6. Marchelle @ Chronicles of a Working Mom

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday

2009-01-27T11:34:00.015-06:00

OK...who doesn't like some recognition? Or do you love to tell someone about a great product that you can't live without??? Did the bagger at the grocery store actually put all of your cold items together??? Did your daughter actually clean up her room without being asked??? Did an unexpected check arrive in the mail??? Well...welcome to

Woo to the Hoo! Wednesday!!!

Here's your opportunity to spread some kudos around and let all your bloggy friends know about it! You don't have to limit to just one thing either...

So I honestly can't remember when or why I started saying "Woo to the Hoo!" but I kinda type it a lot...Now some of my Twittering/Bloggy friends are saying it...So here goes...the first Woo to the Hoo! dedication goes to Marchelle @ Chronicles of a Working Mom.

She created this wonderful button! She is so creative in other areas as well...She has 2 beautiful kiddos...takes great pictures...and we almost have the same hair...kinda...sort of...So go check out her site...

Be sure to use this button on your post...Let me know if you have a WTTH post and I'll add it here also...maybe eventually we'll be able to use Mr. Linky...

Yes, I know it's Tuesday...but I couldn't wait...plus maybe it'll give you some time to get your kudos together...

I would also like to give a Woo to the Hoo! shout out to the weather...because of it, I didn't have to go to work today...

also...the feathers were Marchelle's idea...and I love 'em!!!

So who, what, where deserves the Woo???

Other Woo to the Hoo! Posts:
Sara @ Me Behind the Camera
Becky @ My Crazy Beautiful Life
Sheli @ While I Am Waiting...
Marchelle @ Chronicles of a Working Mom
Keli @ Dream Imagine Live
Miranda @ Traveling Treasures
CntryMomma@ My Livin' Part of Life

Walking with Dinosaurs

2009-01-26T22:32:00.002-06:00

This past Saturday I went to see Walking with Dinosaurs with Lil Man, his mom and Sara. To say that he loves dinosaurs would be an understatement. He's 4 and his favorite movies are the Jurassic Park series...he knows their names, what they eat, etc...this show was so cool too!!!

Here the 4 of us are...and I know you probably want to say..."So a brunette, blond and a red head take a 4 year old to a dinosaur show..." Notice the stegosaurus on his shirt...also, when I took him to the restroom before it started he needed help with his button..he had on dino underwear...he had told his mom that he had to wear them...

We had awesome seats...the only time he seemed a little anxious was when T-rex got a little closer...even though T-rex is his favorite...before you play this...you may wanna pause my player at the bottom of the page...

If you have a chance to see this...GO! I truly appreciate the ingenuity and creativity for the teams that worked on this project to make it come to "life"...

The ticket prices are kinda crazy...especially if you have a couple of kiddos...but in our arena there wasn't a bad seat in the house...so even the less expensive seats would have been fine...Also, they do have a product table set up with toys, t-shirts, etc...most everything was more than $15...they did have stickers for $1...

I Heart Faces Entries...week 3

2009-01-26T22:05:00.004-06:00

So...it's week 3 of the I Heart Faces photography blog contest...be sure to check out their site and other great faces! they have adult and kid categories...anyone can enter...even if you are a mega amateur like me...someone who just likes to try to capture life and emotion as it happens....this week the theme is JOY...

You know someone means a smile when their eyes wrinkle...and in my friend's daughter's case...she means it when her nose wrinkles too...

This is a pic I took in NYC. I was drawn to his sincerity and love for his craft...

same pic just cropped closer on him...

thanks for stopping by and any comments are appreciated!

30-What a year it WAS- Birthday Post....

2009-01-25T01:02:00.004-06:00

So today is my birthday!! I really love my birthday...I like to treat it like a holiday...Today I turn 31...

I would like to recap my year of 30 for you...There were definitely some wonderful happenings...

I won't go into a lot of detail for each of these happenings but if I have posted previously about them, they are in green and linked up for you to click and view...

* Within this year I have lost 50 lbs! I feel great!

* I was contacted in April via Myspace by a half sister whom I had only met when she was 2. After visiting with her I found out that I have FIVE half-sisters.

I had the pleasure of meeting 3 this past year and hope to meet the other 2 this year.

*My cousin, Sara, and I took a Citizen's Police Academy class. In which we got to do the following:

I was attacked by a K-9 dog.

We went to a shooting rage. This is something I've wanted to do my whole life!

We became the co-leaders of the class and did several other fun activities as well.

*I was in my first wreck ever that while I was the driver...just a fender bender...but so much for that streak...

*I got my first tattoo.

It is much more than just getting a tattoo for me...if you would like to know more then click here.

*I experienced 2 of my most embarrassing moments in one day!

*I welcomed a new baby niece.

*After having straight hair my whole life, I found out it now can be curly.

*I started blogging this year too! I have "met" so many neat people through this...

Of course throughout this year there has been love, heartbreaks, new lives, and lives lost, ups, downs, answered prayers, etc. My year of 30 was definitely memorable...I know that 31 will be even better! I do believe my best days are ahead of me...

Also, Sara dedicated a great post to me for my birthday! Thanks, Sara!

Feather Shaping Moments...

2009-01-19T17:36:00.019-06:00

Here are some life lessons and things about myself that
I learned from an early age:

Here I am with the biggest butterball ever...I bet this is the moment when I thought to say, "Feather, like a bird"
when people needed clarification on my name.
I also learned that no matter the giant facing you...
don't back down..cross your arms and look right in its face...

Me on my PaPa's tractor. This is when I knew that I loved spending time with him. Oh, but if I had only known that in about 8 or 9 years
I'd be doing more mowing than playing...
The funny thing is we still have this tractor.

I think this must have been the moment when I developed the chin down, eyes up look. I am probably thinking, "whatever"...the infamous eye rolling would come into play in approximately 12 years...and yes, folks...I perfected that...and no I am not playing with tampons...pretty sure those are the handles to the bouncy horse that my PaPa is putting together.

This is another picture of my first Christmas. Here my mom is holding me. This is when I realized that I would be in need of a phone that does not have a cord. Man, I was so ahead of my time...if only I had done something with that idea, your wireless service could be Feather instead of Sprint...

It was probably here during my 2nd birthday with the Mickey Mouse theme that I learned it's ok to ask for help when you need it...

I love my birthday...in fact...it's this Sunday...here I am with my Strawberry Shortcake party. I am not quite sure why they let me on the table to open presents...and no I did not take up table dancing as a profession...

This is the moment when I was determined to never let someone cry and take away from my moment...see the look I'm giving her...like who does she think she is? I guess I also learned here that it's ok to wear shirts that aren't long enough to touch your pants...

I learned also at a young age that it is important to pray...and how you pray is up to you...as you can see, I prefer the cover my nose and open my eyes technique..AKA The Peek-A-Boo...It still works for me today as an adult...

I believe it was this Easter when I realized that it is important to search for what you want, don't give up until it's yours and look your best while doing it...

I also knew at an early age that I loved to shop...
I have on lovely Mickey Mouse pajamas
purchasing the best musical wind up
television on the market...
yes, that is a tv on top of another tv..
and I think they are both on...
it's the original picture in picture, folks...

I learned here to look people in their eye when you are talking...It's important to listen to others...It also helps to look people in the eye when you're fudging the truth that you have been an extremely good girl the past year...

I learned at this moment that it is crucial to have make up that matches your skin...and it should go on your face only...not the clothes...

Here I am faced with a major life decision, my cousin has just received pom pons that I would love to have...
her eyes are closed...
do I take them or exhibit self control?

It's ok to always be yourself and let your personality show...

Here I learned that even if the wind messes up your hair...and it will..keep smiling...see even at a young age I loved taking dogs to the park...I promise there was a dog at the end of the leash...and now I go about every week...and yet again with Mickey Mouse...Did we have Disney stock that I don't know about? Also, it's ironic that I am wearing this shirt because Mickey is roller skating...and did I ever learn to roller skate? That would be a no...

This is when I realized that green was my favorite color
to wear to match my eyes...
but this is so not my favorite dress...

Ok...I don't know what I am doing here...maybe I was doing some Jane Fonda aerobics...or showing the photographer that I would like to have a tattoo on my side when I get older...

In this pic are my cousin Jennifer (next to me) and Sara (the baby)...Jennifer is 8 in this picture and I am 4...This is when I realized that I would be tall (5'10")
and Jenn would be short (5'2")
BTW...Smurfette ROCKS!!!

So, moments like these and numerous others helped to shape who I am...I like looking back at these photos as an adult and seeing how my personality now is so similar to then...

I Heart Faces Entries

2009-01-18T23:22:00.005-06:00

This week I am entering both the Kid and Adult categories. My kid entry is a picture of my nephew while waiting at Thomas the Train.

My picture for the Adult category is my friend's father. We were in NYC and on the ferry going to the Statue of Liberty. It was amazing to me how he was soaking it all in...

Check out other faces at iHeartFaces.blogspot.com

Your comments are greatly appreciated!

Dream...

2009-01-17T17:44:00.005-06:00

I went and saw Bride Wars this past week. Here is a song on the soundtrack: Dream by Priscilla Ahn. I like it more every time I hear it. Be sure to pause my player at the bottom.

I hope at the end of my life I can say that I lived my life full and lived it well...

Enough to Make My Hair Curl...

2009-01-15T22:52:00.007-06:00

Enough what you may ask...I guess mousse...I always have straight hair...that is until tonight...don't worry...I wasn't bitten by a vampire like Kirsten Dunst in Interview with a Vampire...when her hair went from straight to super curly...my haircuttress of 12 years wanted to see what my hair would do with her professional touch, mousse and a diffuser...I really like it! I wonder how long it will stay...but don' t worry...I'm not going to stop washing my hair until the curls fall out or something...

notice the camera that I am using...it's the one that I won from my work's NFL pool...it arrived today!!! woo to the hoo! curls and a camera in one day??? what a lucky girl I am!

So...I am still learning to use this powershot camera...will there ever be a camera that I can use to take my "hold my arm out and take a face pic of myself to put on myspace" pic that won't be blurry?
ha...at least this one isn't blurry...but what is up with that look?

It's nice to be able to change up my hair for a different look...I'm so getting a diffuser to see if I can do this on my own..

To the 6th Power...

2009-01-14T21:40:00.004-06:00

I was tagged by Marchelle at Chronicles of a Working Mom to do the following:

THE RULES.
1. go to your documents/pictures
2. go to your 6th file.
3. go to your 6th picture.
4. blog about it.
5. tag 6 people to do the same.
6. smile

This is my new niece and me at Texas Roadhouse...right before I was served my loaded baked potato...I love my niece and the fact that her bow almost covers my whole chin...but when my baked potato arrived...she was in someone else's arms...I think I might have passed her to that guy in the orange shirt behind me...

Here are my tag recipients:

Kimberly
Jean
Julia
Katie Sue

and one of the other two is you!

iHeartFaces Entry

2009-01-11T22:11:00.005-06:00

This is my nephew Christmas 2008.

Check out other faces and contests by visiting iheartfaces.

Lydia Update...

2009-01-11T21:38:00.004-06:00

Thank you to everyone who has lifted Lydia and her parents up in prayer. I received an email update yesterday and wanted to share it with you. Please continue to pray.

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for continuing to lift our sweet little girl up in your prayers. This past Monday we had our follow up appointment with the doctor. Lydia's left eye looked great and the drops had done their job. Sadly, though, the right eye had gotten significantly worse with the growth of the membranes. The doctor was concerned and was able to schedule Lydia to have her third surgery the following morning to remove the membrane growth. The surgery went well and Lydia is gradually recovering from it. The doctor was surprised to see that the membranes had continued to form aggressively from the time of our appointment to the following morning's surgery. She was thankful we were able to get Lydia in so quickly.

Currently Lydia continues to receive drops every hour in her right eye and every other hour in her left eye. We definitely must keep a schedule to stay on track when dispensing the three different medications. My mother was able to come and help Rebecca give her drops while I was at work on Thursday and Friday. We will head back to Dallas for our Monday appointment, and Lydia will have her contact placed back in her right eye. She is currently wearing a +32 contact lens in her left eye which is apparently the strongest one made. We are hopeful that Lydia's eyes will remain free of membranes and her healing will continue.

Rebecca and I are learning how to take care of Lydia's needs and trying our best to help stimulate her brain/eye coordination. The doctor recommended that we interact with Lydia and use big and bright colored objects. Lydia does not see detail yet, but we are hopeful that she can see color and eventually will be able to focus. Although Lydia has endured so much with 3 surgeries already in her short lifetime, she continues to be such a happy and loving baby.

Although the future is uncertain regarding Lydia's final vision acuity, we continue to have faith and a thankful heart for all God has done for our little girl. We give thanks for all of you and the love and support you have showered us with . . . you will never know how grateful we are for all of you. Thank you for your emails, calls, notes, and prayers. May God bless you as He has blessed us. Beth (Rebecca's sister) and Steve would also like to thank you for your prayers for Evie. They are still waiting to know more about Evie's condition upon birth. Thank you for your love.

Love,
Dustin, Rebecca and Lydia

If this is the first time you've read about Lydia you can click here to find out more.

All Better Now...

2009-01-11T21:27:00.006-06:00

I know that I have been MIA a little bit over the last few days...It is mainly because I was mourning OU's loss last Thursday night. I graduated from OU and have been a lifelong fan...my boys had opportunities but didn't deliver...here I am at work on Thursday with hope still in my heart:

And here I am with different emotions during the game...you guessed it...the first pic was after Bradford's second interception...I had a feeling the Sooner Magic had fizzled...

Ok...I'm over it...good season Stoops and the boys!

Hello, I'm Feather and I am a Twitterholic...

2009-01-06T23:06:00.006-06:00

But you could be one too....

So, I enjoy twittering with all my friends that I "know" and the ones whom I have met via blogging...and I stumbled upon this site and found out that I am ranked 47th in Oklahoma by number of Twitter updates...hmmmm...The proof is here.

Wanna see where you rank?
Check out Twitterholic.com let me know where you rank in your area...

If you Twitter....you can follow me by clicking here....
If you don't Twitter...you should :)...find out more here...

I SO Need This!!!

2009-01-06T22:50:00.009-06:00

This t-shirt has my name written all over it...well, kinda...Oh..the time it would have saved me in conversations...When someone asked, "Feather? Is that your real name?" I could have just pointed...

but if I just pointed...I'd probably have to say something like..."Does this answer your question?" or "Read this"...because if I didn't say something...they may just think I like to point at my chest...

I could also point to it when I get asked, "What is the name of your blog?"...because...geez...I get asked that a TON!

It was at this site...not that you need to order one for me...but kinda feel bad using their pic and not giving them credit...

Catchin' Waves

2009-01-06T19:02:00.004-06:00

So over the last several weeks due to the holidays, hospital visits and such I have driven a little ways south from me a few times...It is a little more country-ish there than where I live...But some of my family has lived there my whole life, so I'm fairly used to some of their country customs...Let me share one with you:

You ALWAYS acknowledge the driver of an oncoming vehicle
with a wave when you are on a two lane road.

Yes, this includes ANY vehicle...car...truck(from s-10s to monster)...bus...van...18-wheeler...tractor or backhoe...

Now there are a couple of options to the wave...I'm not talking the beauty queen wave...the politician wave...not even the frantic I'm over here wave when you're trying to get someone's attention...

Nosireebob, your options are variations of the steering wheel wave. I do realize I am not on a two lane road...these pictures are for training use only...same method applies...

The starting position:

Wave #1-easy to remember because it uses only 1 finger to acknowledge the 1977 Ford Explorer that is approaching you...

Wave #2: You guessed it, you use 2 fingers...safety is important...you don't want to run off of a country road...especially when you're waving at the guy haulin 54 heads of cattle...

Wave #3 is the final option, but don't let it fool you, you wave with all 4 fingers and keep the thumb to guide the steering wheel...unless you've lost a finger then it could officially be Wave #3 for you...

These waves can be accompanied with nods and smiles...especially if the cowboy passing you is cute...another tricky situation could be who initiates the wave...in my experience...the locals generally wave first...because it is like a reflex...but just wave when you feel like it...

This past weekend I was reminded how wave etiquette is not only done in the country...it is also utilized by bikers...you know, when they only wave to other bikers that they are passing...with the left hand...they just lift the arm a little at their side...

Hope this helps you on your next adventure on any two lane country roads...

Total Ex-dog-stion

2009-01-04T18:31:00.002-06:00

Ok...I don't know the rule...if there is one...on what is appropriate/inappropriate to show on animals...so, I hope these pictures do not offend...maybe I should have drawn a black box over the unmentionable area...but I didn't...so, reader, you have been warned...proceed with caution...don't worry...there aren't any pictures of a corroded mouse carcass...

I took my dog, Holden, to the dog park yesterday...it was gorgeous and like 70 degrees...my friend and her 3 daughters brought their puppy as well...Holden is such a social dog and loves the dog park...he gets totally worn out...I should also mention that apparently he's not modest either...he zonked out on the couch when we got home:

It took all the energy he had left to barely lift his head to give me this look which I interpreted as, "Woman...leave me alone so I can rest..."

So..if you know of the rule for animal pics...if there is one...lemme know...

Moviepalooza '09

2009-01-03T16:12:00.004-06:00

So yesterday my friend, Karen, and I ventured to watch 3 matinee movies in a row...We have an awesome digital theater with majorly comfy seats...Here was the plan:

Movie #1: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button showing at 11:15 (this movie has a run time of almost 3 hrs)
Movie #2 Valkyrie showing at 2:00 (we knew it would be close but we could miss the previews)
Movie #3: Doubt showing at 4:25

Another friend, Micah, joined us for movie #1...Karen and I purchase tickets for #1 & #2 because of the close run times...we then get our goodies...the large popcorn along with 2 large drinks because you get 1 free refill the same day on larges...

My thoughts on Benjamin Button:

It was a long movie, but it didn't feel like it...there were a few things that were odd...not the storyline...but this movie did make me think...put life, love, family, timing, etc. in perspective. I highly recommend this movie...and I think the theater experience would be best...because of the length, if you rent it you may be too easily distracted while watching it...by the way...Cate Blanchett is so beautiful...it's ok to hate her, right? j/k kinda...

OK, Benjamin Button is over...credits start to roll...we have to head out asap...Say a quick goodbye to Micah, quick restroom break because large soda means large soda...then get to the next theater to watch Valkyrie...as we walk in we hear the Dolby Surround Sound digital flower thing and we know that we did miss previews, but the movie hasn't started....Karen and I are so proud of ourselves...We turn to find seats and the theater is FULL...so, good thing we purchased our tickets...but it's dark...and we had to try to find seats...we had to sit in the second row...Valkyrie is SO in our face...I kid you not, when I looked into the center of the screen all I could see was screen...so it felt like we were starring in the movie...glad it wasn't 3-D...

My thoughts on this movie...overall it was very good. Since I was so close I had to stop myself from looking for mistakes...It was kinda odd for Tom Cruise not to have an accent...some actors did...some didn't..just needed some consistency...either do or don't...I was so emotional from watching this...not like boo-hooing or anything...but what these individuals did in such a volatile time was truly heroic...very humbling as well...I say see this movie in the theater as well...but not on the second row...and maybe go at a matinee if it'll save you a few bucks...

Now to the 3rd movie:

Yeah.. we didn't make it to the third...we were movie-d out...plus being so close in Valkyrie was major sensory overload...and our hineys hurt...so we bailed on Doubt...

But it was fun to watch back to back movies like that...but unfortunately they were kinda "heavy" movies...we had thought about that, but nothing lighter was showing that we either wanted to see or hadn't seen...

Maybe we can see the next moviepalooza through...

Prayers for Lydia

2009-01-02T00:04:00.006-06:00

My dear friend since college, Rebecca, has a 2 month old daughter, Lydia. Lydia is going through some major medical procedures with her eyes and vision. Her parents can better describe her situation than I can. Below is the email communication from them. I know it is a lot to read, but please do so. I'm asking you to lift Lydia and her soon to be cousin, Evie, up in prayer along with their parents. Thank you bloggy friends! I can't wait to tell you the testimony of God's great work and the answered prayers in Lydia and Evie!

Email #1:

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you may already know, this past week our daughter Lydia was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. We had some concerns about her vision so we ended up at an ophthalmologist in Fayetteville on Tuesday. He informed us that Lydia had bilateral cataracts that needed to be removed ASAP. Unfortunately there is really only one doctor in Arkansas at the Childrens Hospital who does these frequently enough for us to feel comfortable. But, with Christmas coming up he was going to be gone for 2 weeks. I spoke with him on the phone Thursday and he told me he thought that it would be fine to wait that long and he would take care of them when he returned from vacation. Everything we had read and heard from the doctor in Fayetteville, however, is that the sooner these come out the better her odds of having good vision. So, he suggested we try Dallas as there was really no one else even in Oklahoma that he thought would do a good enough job. So, I spent all day on Thursday on the phone and praying for God to let us find someone that might be able to do it before Christmas or least the week after. I was able to find a physician, in Dallas that said she would squeeze Lydia in Friday morning to examine her if we could get to Dallas in time.

She told us that she would then try and work it out to remove one of them on the Tuesday before Christmas and the other one the Tuesday after Christmas, but she could not promise anything. So, we headed to Tulsa that evening and spent the night at my parents home. Together we left at 4:30 am to be on time for our appointment at Children's Hospital. She was a gift from God and saw the immediate need to remove Lydia's cataracts. She called the hospital and had them add Lydia to the schedule that afternoon! (Even though she was scheduled to be off all afternoon) She then even met us on Saturday morning (again her day off) for Lydia's follow up exam. She also spoke with her partner to perform Lydia's second surgery (she is out of town Christmas week) this coming Monday. (Again, he did not have any openings but stated he would work her in) This truly is a miracle.

Rebecca's father came down Saturday and brought clothes for all of us since we had not planned to stay even one night, let alone 4 nights. We have wonderful parents and families that have all helped us in every way. We were praying that God would lead us to the right doctor and that she would receive the surgeries as quickly as possible. Never could we have imagined that He would be this faithful to us. We truly do serve an amazing and faithful Father.

Lydia was so brave and had such a peace. God was talking to her the entire time. The surgery went as well as it could. Currently, Lydia needs two different eye drops every two hours and two ointments needed twice a day. She wears a patch at night which is proving to be a challenge as she tries to knock it off. She did have some difficulty coming out of the anesthesia, but eventually started feeling better and is doing fine now. Lydia will also require an additional surgery between the ages of 2-4 to have an artificial lens placed in her eyes. It will be some time before we will know the ultimate outcome and how Lydia's vision will be affected by all of this. We do know that the best case scenario is that she will have 20/20 vision with the aid of contacts and/or glasses, but again it will be some time before we know if this is the case. We pray God will continue to bless Lydia as she heals and restore her vision to the best case possible.

We feel so blessed to have such amazing family and friends and we thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for our sweet little girl. Please know we have felt you lifting us up to God and He has given us strength to face each minute. We thank you for also asking your friends, families, and churches to pray for our daughter. Thank you for blessing us. We know that none of this would have been possible without God. Please pass this information on to anyone we may have missed. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.

Love,
Dustin and Rebecca

Email #2 received on 1/1/09:

Dear Friends and Family,

We just wanted to update everyone on Lydia.

Lydia had her second surgery the Monday before Christmas. They admitted her for several hours after the surgery as a precaution since she had such a hard time after the first surgery. Fortunately, she did much better after the second surgery and we were able to take her back to the hotel with us that night which made things much easier on all of us. We met the doctor the following morning and he gave us the ok to take her back to Arkansas. She had to wear patches on both of her eyes for several nights and one patch during the day for the following four days. Lydia also required drops in both of her eyes every two hours, which proved quite difficult on a two-month old. Rebecca and I got back to our home at midnight on Christmas Eve and were thankful to be home.

We headed back down to Dallas on Sunday for Lydia's check up with the doctor for her Monday morning appointment. Sadly Lydia had started to form membranes in both of her eyes. The membranes start to form a coating where the cataracts once were present. We are currently giving Lydia drops every hour (sometime up to to three different medications in each eye). We are hopeful that the drops will remove the membranes, otherwise Lydia will require two more surgeries to remove this new development. Lydia did receive her first set of contacts on Monday which we will be able to leave in a week at a time. They will take them out Monday at her appointment and possibly replace them with a stronger pair. She is currently in the second strongest contacts that are made so there really isn't much room to go up.

Now it is time to wait and see how Lydia's vision develops. Her brain now has to learn how to process the images that it is receiving. This is a critical time as you never now how her brain will respond to the new stimulus and this will be what determines her ultimate visual acuity. It can be anything from 20/20 with correction to very poor with correction or even blindness. We are hopeful and can't wait for the moment our precious daughter is able to look us in the eye. I have now been able to go back to work and Vick (Rebecca's dad) has come to help administer the drops every hour while I am gone as this is definitely a two man job. We are thankful for his help.

We are so appreciative of your tireless love and support these past couple of weeks. We have been so amazed at how quickly prayers for our daughter have spread and to even so many strangers that we will never even know. We are truly blessed by such an amazing Christian family. We believe in the power of prayer and have truly seen God's mighty hand in all of this. We would humbly ask that you continue to pray for our family: safe travel as we go back and forth to Dallas, guidance for the doctors taking care of her, that the membranes will have regressed with the drops so she will not have to undergo further surgery, and for the restoration of her sight. Also we would ask that as you lift Lydia up in prayer you remember her cousin Evie who is due in April. Doctors have found multiple cysts or her brain via ultrasound and it is likely she will require surgery immediately upon her birth. This is Beth (Rebecca's sister) and Steve's first child. Please ask God to be with these two precious little girls.

Please continue to share this with anyone you can think of and we thank you for your love, prayers, and support.

We love you all.
Dustin, Rebecca, and Lydia.

We do serve a big God and he is faithful. Thanks again for your prayers!
Also, if you would like please let your readers, family and friends know about Lydia & Evie so they can be praying as well.

UPDATE FROM 1/11/09

Love,

Stink...Stank...Stunk...

2009-01-01T22:12:00.003-06:00

So a few days ago this horrible smell was engulfing my whole house...I searched high and low...I could tell the vicinity of the source...but had no luck finding the culprit...I Ousted and Febrezed like no other...by day two I figured it was a decaying mouse...that wonderful smell that I remember growing up...because we lived on some land and mice happen...

I searched again...no odor causing findings...I figured it was in the wall or maybe under the house and the stench was filtering through my floor vents or something...I was hoping this poor animal would just finish decaying already...

Now to yesterday...don't you just love this story??? Maybe I should have videoed myself telling the story and then blogged that...but I didn't so you have to live with the text version... I start moving some Christmas decor boxes that are in the living room closer to the garage...because they will eventually be put in the attic...I'm guessin in April or so...I had one leftover JCPenney gift box that I didn't use...so the thrifty me takes this box to my closet where I store wrapping essentials...I open that closet door and dang it if it didn't smell like rotting mouse flesh too...and it was strong...like in my face strong...I'm holding the box to move stuff around to look for a mouse body...as I move my hand on the box...I feel something kinda soft...

I WAS TOUCHING A CORRODED DEAD MOUSE THAT WAS STUCK TO THE JCP BOX!!!

I freaked out...dropped the box...and ran to get a trash sack to dispose of the nasty smell...after I discarded the stuck on mouse and the box...I washed my hands for like 947 minutes...no joke...

After my heart settled and there were no germs possibly left on my hand...I thought I should have taken a picture of the mouse and the JCP box...but I didn't...so to all my bloggy friends who would have put your blog ahead of any emotion that comes along with unintentionally petting hole-y, blood dried rodent...I am sorry and pledge to do better when these type of occurrences happen to me...hopefully my description will suffice this once...

Now my house is back to it's cinnamon smell...
Woo to the Hoo!!!

Here is Sam...Sam may have shown a burst of athleticism and killed the mouse...

But what I truly believe is that this mouse saw Sam's huge-ness and had a stroke...But either way...the stank is gone...I am apologizing now to the sanitation workers who will be picking up my trash on Monday...it's gonna be rank...

How Lovely...

2009-01-01T10:22:00.001-06:00

Who said the season of gift giving is over? Wasn't me or Katie Sue @ Backwoods Homemaker Barbie (who won my Starbucks card giveaway). She so kindly gave me this award:

This award is pretty self explanatory.. it is given to those whose blog is entertaining and fun to read... one you get excited about when you notice a new entry!

So here are my lovely recipients:

Keli @ Dream.Imagine.Live
Mimi @ He & Me + 3
Jenny @ JennyKate's Spot
Melodie @ Me & My Girls
Kristin @ The way it is
Ang @ Davisix
Becky @ My Crazy Beautiful Life
Kimberly @ Empty me of me...
Julia @ Brainella the Librarian

Go check them out..you'll love them too...pinky swear...or is it pinkie swear...either way I swear with the little finger that you will love 'em...

New Year Encouragement

2008-12-30T20:31:00.004-06:00

I know that when the new year approaches I think about all that I could have done differently, what I should have done, etc. I'm guessing you do the same...it is good to learn from experiences that we have gone through, take lessons from missed opportunities and such...however don't let yourself dwell in regret. Sure there are things this year that I would have liked to have turned out differently, but so many great things have happened in my life this year!

So I encourage you and myself to take this opportunity not to kick ourselves for what we didn't do or because something didn't turn out just right in any particular situation, but to envision 2009 as our best year yet...because it is! Remember your my best days are ahead of you me. You have great memories of the past but don't let any mis-steps 0f 2008 hinder the way you march into 2009... I hope we all have learned from our mis-steps and have grown in the process...

This is a quote that has kinda stuck with me throughout this year:
Time discovers truth and heals what reason cannot.
Dwelling is good for no one and it preoccupies our mind when we could be thinking of more productive things...So, no matter how much "reasoning" we try to put to a situation...sometimes only time can heal...I guess I may have written this more for myself, but I sure hope if you're reading this, you gain something from it!

May you and your family be blessed beyond comprehension this new year.

4 Wheels and Freedom

2008-12-28T21:58:00.005-06:00

Lil Man was very surprised Christmas morning to see that he got a 4 wheeler:

We couldn't ride it that day

So on Friday we were able to....Safety first!

Here he's getting the "how-to" from his TaTaw:

I am trying to get the hair out of my face...and yes, I am a little too tall for this one...Go ahead and start singing, "Big girl on a little 4 wheeler" like Chris Farley sings "Fat guy in a little coat"...

We found out it was a little too fast for Lil Man..so TaTaw is turning it down some...

And here we go!!!
And there he goes...he liked it much better without me on it...little punk... :)

You can only call me a dinosaur this once...

2008-12-26T20:32:00.005-06:00

So, Lil Man loves dinosaurs...I found the cutest book...

Each page has a pop up dino face... here he tries it out...

And of course I had to try it too...

and so did my aunt...as she looks so excited wiggling her plates to say bye, bye...

I Wish You a Merry Christmas...

2008-12-24T08:50:00.006-06:00

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!

Here is Lil Man in his acting debut. He's the gray lamb:

Enjoy time with your family and friends, treasure the memories but also remember because of Christ's birth we can live forever...I remember a song that my childhood choir would sing: The Gift Goes On....here are the lyrics:

The Father gave the Son
The Son gave the Spirit
The Spirit gives us life
So we can give the Gift of love
And the Gift goes on

Don't you love to get a present wrapped up in a Christmas bow
God gave each of us a present on that night so long ago
It's a Gift that keeps on giving if our spirits can receive
It's the secret joy of living if our hearts can just believe

And the Gift goes on

When your life is full of Christmas then your life is full of love
You can give away the present that began with God above
Just like ripples in the water the circles of our love extend
What was started with the Father is a Gift that has no end

BOOMER SOONER BABY

2008-12-22T22:24:00.002-06:00

So a local radio station has been playing this song.

GOOOOO SOOONERS!!!

just remember not much rhymes with Miami...

So Proud of My Kids...

2008-12-22T16:35:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I don't have any kids of my own, yet anyway...but I am one of the co-leaders for a kid's ministry team, VeloCity. Our mission is to develop children through discipleship and communicate the love of Jesus throughout our city and area. Our season lasts for 9 months each year. We had our year end awards banquet last week.

Of course, we started off with prayer. As the prayer is being said one of the little brothers of a team member reached for some cookies on the table and caught his jacket on fire with a candle...that's what you get little one for not being still during the prayer...Everyone was fine...

We then started the food line...yummy stuff...

Here is the other leader, Farah, and I...yes, I know I seem to always wear that green sweater...well, I do, it's my fave...

Here is Falisha, she is a huge help with the team.

Toni is so creative. She takes pictures and creates our scrapbook every year.

When we do a group shot we always have to do a goofy one...but not everyone was on board with this first one:

Ok...now we've got it...

Now for the real one...

I am so privileged to have the opportunity to work with these kiddos. It is such a blessing to me to see how the mature over the year. Their dedication to practice weekly and complete devotions daily is such great foundation. They have such giving hearts and realize they perform for an audience of 1, but while performing for Him, so many are affected.

I'm so proud of each and every one of them...can't wait until next season!

Actual Conversations

2008-12-22T13:54:00.005-06:00

#1 Between me and a balloon artist (BA)..but not as in BA in the A-Team

BA: Do you want a balloon animal?

F: I would like a feather, can you make a feather?

BA: I can make Jonah and the whale

F: That's nice, but what does that have to do with a feather?

No response from BA...

#2 Lil Man (LM) is in the back seat singing.

LM: Jingle bells, jingle bells, laughing all the way. The reindeer laughed at him all the way. You better watch out Santa Claus is coming to town

F to Sara: Wow, we have a Lil Man medley going on.

LM: IM NOT UGLY!

F: I didn't say you were ugly I said you were singing a medley (then proceeded to explain what a medley is)

#3 Sara, LM and I start singing all together. After about three songs LM says this:

OK stop all of this singing. It's trippin me out.

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Also, if you can explain the connection with Jonah and the whale and a feather please lemme know....

Will You Sign My Yearbook at the Christmas Party?

2008-12-20T14:30:00.000-06:00

We had our Christmas Party yesterday at work. Our director was so generous to allow us to go to a local theater and have a catered lunch along with giveaways! I am ALL about giveaways since I just had my first one...however, my number 61 did not get drawn but do not fear...I did not go home empty handed...I left with some pics to share with you...

See...the picture taking started out normal...group shots of departments, friends and such...

My department:

a

Balloon animals??? yes...I wasn't expecting that either...

The background to the stage looked so much like a prom background so...the picture taking took a turn...we all went back into time to high school and tried to remake our prom and senior pictures...ok...when I say "we all" it wasn't the whole staff...just a few of us...

Then someone located some white feathers!!! I HAD to take my pic with them...ok...several pics...

We even took a class photo...this one is for the parents...

Then the goofy one...

So...help me out...which pic should I use for the yearbook???

Who Dunnit???

2008-12-19T23:48:00.006-06:00

So this past Thursday night was graduation for my Citizen's Police Academy Class...So, I'm sorry to say that this is the last post for that series...no more videos of me shooting, riding in a car going really fast or being attacked by K-9 dogs....

We orchestrated a mystery dinner. Here are Sara & I...She's a "classy" call girl and I am Gambler-Double Down Dawn. Yes, there are feathers on the hat...I wouldn't have it any other way...

Here I am with Elvis...Like I really needed to type that...I know you know who Elvis is...

One of the dealers...

Some more characters...Lucy Legs, Ronald Trump & Iguana Trump...

The crime just happened and we're gathered around to get some evidence...

Here's the entertainment: Paul Piano...

Our two instructors opening a little token of our appreciation...

And the majority of the class...isn't it great that we were so randomly dressed for our final pic?

I am so glad that I took the opportunity to take this class. Getting to know my classmates and learning more about my local PD was so worth the while...

Check out the other posts regarding my Citizen's Police Class to see other exciting happenings:
CHiPs and almost a Dip
Getting Defensive?
Such a Tase
CSI: Mycity
Charlie's Angels Tryouts
FADD-Feather Against Drunk Driving
It's Official
That'll Leave a Mark...
Go Speed Racer...