Tuesday!

Yesterday we had to go back to Little Rock.

I'm thinking about getting an apartment there. HA! Not really.

The new van had to have the tires rebalanced. Did I tell you we got a new van?

We did. We love it. We are getting used to a couple of things it doesn't have that our old van had, but all in all we love it.

But it took them an hour and a half to fix the tires. I had all the kids with me. And they are good kids, but finally I had to go tell the service dept that I had to go! They told me it would be just a few minutes. They were right. IF it had been much longer, we would have had to steal a car off of the lot. Even I can only be good sitting down for so long!

As soon as we got home from Little Rock we went to the pool. Of course.

And then to a Relay for Life meeting and baseball practice. Samuel made the All-Star team again this year. That boy just loves baseball. He practiced in his white ball pants last night. When he got home, they were brown. I don't know how many times I will have to wash them before they come clean. UGH!

It was a good day. I love good days.

A list

Good grief! It has been a while since I've posted anything.

As much as I like to tell you a story too much has been going on so I must make a list to keep things concise.

We are in the middle of baseball season. David is playing right field. Daniel is playing left field and are both hitting pretty good. Samuel is playing catcher, or as they say in south Arkansas back catcher. He is hitting pretty good too.

We have been having car troubles for over a month now. The truck is really in trouble, and has been in and out of the shop for many weeks. As soon as we got the truck to a place where it could be out of the shop for a while, the brakes on the van started grinding and had to be fixed. Thankfully we have a great mechanic in town.

Saying all of that. We looked for a van over the weekend. We had prayed about it and had a number that we could spend. The first dealership was just sad. Sad. The second dealership we fell in love. The third dealership, I was sent to by myself, and failed miserably. So we went back to the second dealership hoping for a deal. But no! We drove home in our van, stains on the carpet and all. But I just heard from Stephen and the dealership has called today. Maybe we'll make a deal afterall. Who knows!!

Mother's Day was good. All the kids got me cards that were so funny I laughed outloud. David's was real wordy, he said he got it for me because he knew I liked to read, and because he likes to read. Daniel's said I was a 24/7 mom and he was glad because if not he would be doing 5-10. Funny, just like him. Samuel's was to his mommy and talked of me giving baths, and naps. He so wants to always be my baby. Anna gave me a homemade card that she had made at a neighbors house. So sweet. I didn't get breakfast in bed. I just couldn't stomach the idea of what they would do with peanut butter, tartar sauce and A-1, because that is just about all we had in the pantry! So when I heard them in the kitchen, I hurried in to tell them I was already up. Saved!!

We are headed to Disney soon. I have kid clothes stacked in my bedroom ready to be packed, snacks and drinks ready to be divied out. We are ready. 7 more days!!!

Please be praying for Stephen's mom this Thursday. She is having brain surgery. It sounds awful, but will out-patient. Her birthday is Friday and we all leave for Disney on Monday. Pray for a healing and a speedy-quick recovery.

And since I just told you when I will be out of town, please don't break into my house and steal all of my treasures. I wouldn't be happy about that at all!

More to come! I really like to blog, but sometimes I get overwhelmed with what to share. It seems like I want you to know so much but can't get all the stories out of my head.

Have a great Monday. It's a rainy one here, so I shall clean my house or maybe go pickup a new van!

Hair and husbands

I got my hair colored, high-lighted, and cut today.

It's been quite a while since I've had my hair done. Before Christmas. The girl that does my hair has had some health issues lately so I've just gone around with long, gray hair!

Well, not all gray, but a lot gray.

When she turned me around today to look in the mirror I looked like me! Oh, it was like going to a therapist. She made me look like me again.

Feeling hip, cute, and young again, I went and picked up Stephen at work. He knew I had just come from getting my hair done.

He got in the van, looked at me, and said "so, how's your hair?"

Anyone want to join me in rolling his office Wednesday night after church?

I have banished myself to the office.

Why? you ask. Because Stephen and the kids are watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

I have never watched the movie. Thankfully Stephen has and knows when to change the channel before any inappropriate parts are shown. The boys are eating it up. I think they just like to laugh with Stephen.

Anna is right in there with them though. I think I've lost her for the night. She had taken to calling me "my Julie", but now its just mom. Sad times.

So, what are you doing tonight?

I never thought I would say this but here goes.

I'm tired of reading.

Stephen gave me a Kindle for Christmas and all I've done since December 25 is read.

I read when I cook, fold clothes, exercise, ride in the car, or am just sitting watching tv or waiting for something.

I have read 3 "real" books since Christmas but the other times I have read from my Kindle.

We are 53 days past Christmas and I have read 12 1/2 books on my Kindle and 3 "real" books. Not to count the samples of books that I have also read on my Kindle. I've read several of those, probably 9-10. And they are each a chapter or two long.

So, its taking me about 3 days to read a book, but considering I have 4 kids, a house to clean (HA!), meals to cook, and school to teach that isn't too bad. Because a couple of those books were just s l o w. But I was determined to finish them.

But now, I'm just tired of reading. And I have 17 books on my Kindle that I haven't read yet. UGH! I can't stand it. I can't stand having an un-read book. It's like having dirty clothes, they must be washed. These books must be read!

There are many free books at Amazon which is why I have so many books yet to read, and why I have read so many. I love Christian fiction, and almost all the books I've read are that. With the exception of a couple. So, I'm going to give you a few of my favorite books so far.

I know you're excited.

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes... by Lisa McKay *****
Peculiar Treasures...Robin Jones Gunn *****
Who Stole my Church...Gordon MacDonald (A must read for church members!) *****
Monday Night Jihad...Steve Yohn *****

I have also downloaded the Economic Report of the President. I don't think I'll read it, but I've never owned a copy of the budget before.

What do you suggest I read?

I love TV

Have I told you how much I love tv?

I mean, I really enjoy it.

We have discovered The Office just recently and we look forward to watching re-runs every night. Tonight it will be on for four hours. Four hours! I can't wait. I adore the looks Jim gives the camera, the sweetness of Pam, and the absurdity and hilarity of Michael Scott. Stephen and I laugh and laugh at that show.

American Idol is back on. Tonight it is on for two hours, at the same time as The Office. I'm not sure where my loyalties lie. I wish I had a DVR!

And 24 has returned. If ever there was a hero on tv, it would have to be Jack Bauer. That man can do more in 24 hours than I can think of. Stephen wasn't able to watch it last night and I want to talk to him about it so bad, but he doesn't want to until he watches it on hulu. I don't know if I can wait, I might just have to tell him all about it anyway.

What do you watch?

Another dose of randomness

Anna got her ears pierced Saturday while we were visiting Dad and Connie. We had been talking about it for over a year. She had a couple of goals to meet and then she could get her ears pierced if she wanted. She met the goals and she announced while we were at the mall that she wanted to do it. I don't know who was more excited her or Stephen! Isn't that funny? He let her pick the earrings she wanted (cost was not to be considered) and she sat up in the chair hugged a bear they gave her to hold on to, held her breath and cried a few tears. She had quite the audience, her brothers, me, Dad, Connie and Stephen were all there. It was a memory. And the girls that pierced her ears. Their names were Julie and Anna. How neat is that??!!

Today on facebook women and girls are posting one word on their status's. Just a color. I didn't get it at first. As the day went on I caught on that it was their bra color. Really?? I googled it to find out what was going on. It turns out it is for breast cancer awareness. No money is being raised, it is just for awareness. Call me a prude (some do), but I just thing that is a little TMI. I have men that are facebook friends, preachers, old youth ministers, my husbands friends. I really don't want them to know what color my bra is. Posting it as my status would just get them to thinking about other women, their bras, and their breasts. Is that really what we should be promoting? I've not had breast cancer. I have friends that are fighting it right this very minute though. I don't mean any offense to you. Really I don't. I just don't know that posting the color of your bra on facebook is the best way to get the message across. We have enough trouble in this world with men and them taking advantage of women of all ages, we shouldn't give them free information and let their minds wander.

Ok! Enough of that!

I made the pioneer woman's mashed potatoes tonight. They're still in the oven, but I'll let you know how they turn out. With 2 sticks of butter, cream cheese and half and half, I don't know that we will notice the potatoes or not!

I got my hair done today. Hows that for random???

I miss Henry. I need to smell him and kiss his neck (but only if it is clean of formula gunk. Don't you just hate the way it gunks up under the baby's second neck, and you only clean necks 1, 3 and 4??!!).

As I said earlier Anna met a couple of goals we had set for her. I can't tell you the difference in that little girl. She is happy go lucky, fun, silly, and is feeling all of her 5 years. What a precious treasure she is.

And because I have talked about her twice, let me say something about the boys. They made a salt dough map of Egypt today for school. They worked together and made it look so cool. I'm not sure if it is geographically correct, but they worked as a team and sometimes that is more important!!

I hope you stay bundled up tonight if it is cold where you are! We are going to cheer on Bama. It goes against our nature, but cheering for the other team would probably just kill us!

Up for a random story?

Today I met a friend for lunch.

For a change, I was the first to arrive. I sat in the car for a bit, not wanting to be alone in the restaurant. Finally I gathered nerve and went inside.

And sat by myself. Well, with chips and salsa of course.

Being alone reminded me of this random story.

My first job was as a clerk in the lingerie department at Montgomery Ward. At closing we employees had to walk to our cars from the back of the building. Which meant having to walk 1/2 the width of the store, the length of the building and then the length of the parking lot, because we had to park in the most far away parking spaces at the shopping center.

One night I was feeling a little lazy. Or a little manipulative. Take your pick. And decided I didn't want to walk all the way to my car at 9:15 on a weeknight. So, I called my boyfriend who lived about 15 minutes away in a neighboring town. I asked him to please come pick me up and take me to my car.

And do you know what? He did! He drove from his house. Where he was watching tv in his comfy clothes. To pick me up at the back door of Montgomery Ward, drive me to my car and then drive back to his house alone. And he was nice about it.

Wow! I'm pretty sure the relationship didn't last much longer after that. I mean, what else was there after that? He had proved to me manipulation worked on him, it was downhill from there.

Stephen was a much harder nut to crack, in fact I'm still trying! I love that man, even though I know for a fact (because I asked him) that he would not have driven 30 miles just to drive me 1/4 of a mile in a parking lot.

Random enough for you?

I'm Back???????

I don't really know if I am or not.

I can't decide.

This blog seemed like such a fun idea all those months ago, and then I couldn't think of anything to write.

But now maybe I have something to say.

When I said now, I didn't mean right this very minute. Just now in a general sense.

Ok! I've talked myself into it. I'm back.

It will be fun! It will be an adventure! And it will not take away from sisters.

See ya tomorrow????

I'm Back!!

And I'm sure you're excited beyond words!

I guess I should have told you that I was taking a break. But I really didn't know I was going to take one. It just sort of happened.

School ended on the 14th. I went out of town that weekend and then last week I just took a self-imposed week of silence.

I'm not sure why. It is as if God just shut my mouth. I had nothing to say. It was like I couldn't carry on a meaningful conversation. With anyone. Not even myself.

I wish I could tell you that I studied my Bible with a new found intensity. But I didn't. I wish I had.

I did spend quality time with my kids. I got some things done at church. I cooked a couple of ok meals.

I didn't even go to Walmart. Last week was indeed a strange week.

I hope this week is different. Although I enjoyed the quietness of me. As I'm sure those around me did too.

This week summer begins for us. Goggles have been purchased, sunscreen will be applied, floaties are aired-up, and the pool is open!!! This family is excited!

Summer is here and I am back. What more could you ask for?!!

Don't answer that!

Talk to you later!

A List

I have many things to say, but none of them really go together so I am making a list.
Here goes!

--I love the color of freshly turned over dirt. The farmers are preparing to plant their crops, and they are getting their fields ready. The dirt is a beautiful dark, rich brown. I remember 15 years ago not thinking like this. But over the years dirt has become beautiful to me.

--My mother has had a prayer answered. Nothing earth shattering. Nothing life or death. Nothing all that exciting. Unless you were one of the ones she was praying for. I am one of the ones, and it is has been a wonderful few moments for me to know that mother prayed for me, a prayer that would probably seem small to you. But it didn't seem small to God. He answered it and I never thought it would feel this good! Thank you mom!

--enema's should not be sold over the counter. They should only be given by medical professionals. And that is all I'm saying about that. (except that it wasn't me that received one! Thank heavens for that!) Did you notice that I didn't capitalize the word enema? I refuse to show it any grammatical respect!!

--There are rumors that the pool won't open this year. If you follow my other blog with my sister http://www.sistersabbyandjulie.blogspot.com/ you will know how much I love that pool. I'm going to have mother start praying that the board of directors will see to it that the pool opens! If it doesn't I'm not sure if I will survive the summer!

--I read the book of Obadiah today. What a gem of a book!

--I want to remind you that the little things you do for people go a long way. When you call someone by name it means a lot. When you invite someone to eat it warms their heart. When you show yourself friendly, you make a friend! Theres you some Bible!!!

--When I drink coke at bedtime I can't go to sleep. This didn't use to happen to me. I mean up until 6 months ago I could drink a coke and go right to sleep. But now, I'm up! I mean I'm writing this at 1:58 AM(did you know this time existed?). There is just something wrong with growing old!!

--Samuel cooked supper tonight. I made the batter for Aunt Janets sweet and sour chicken and he battered the chicken and fried them. All while singing a medley of Silver Bells (yes, the Christmas song), Livin on a Prayer, and She's a Maniac. I don't know why those songs. I didn't even know he knew the last two and I didn't know he knew all the word to Silver Bells.
He always surprises me. I'm afraid of the knowledge, mostly useless, that he has in that head of his. He has my heart, and he knows it!

Well those are 8 things that were on my mind. Aren't you glad I shared them with you! I plan to post a couple of recipes tomorrow (or later today, being that it is already today!) so hold your hats. Get ready to chow down!!

I'm not one for hard labor

I have been watching old movies today.

I'm not usually a fan of TCM, (channel 132 for you dish subscribers out there), but today has just been an unusually good day for the channel.

I started out the day with a Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn movie and have been watching a couple with Lucille Ball in them. Really classic movies.

Man! Those women were so skinny. Saturated fat must not have been invented back then. And they were so pampered. The most strenuous activity they did was ring the bell for the servants. I was supposed to have lived back then.

Would you like proof? Here's a story for you!

Between movies I went out to do a little work in the flower beds. After 30 minutes of work, I have a blister on my hand!

A blister! just for making my flower beds look better!

So, I will be looking for a bell to ring, and then I will be looking for the servants to answer it. What do you bet I'm waiting a LONG time?!!!

You know you're a redneck.....

....if you hand out end-of-the-season basketball awards BAREFOOT!!!

I have cropped the womans face for the sake of privacy.

COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!